f 1 if frg ' 1 1 1 (Qarnell Mniuetattg Sibrarg Jittjata. Jfeut Ijorit THE JAMES VERNER SCAIFE COLLECTION CIVIL WAR LITERATURE THE GIFT OP JAMES VERNER SCAIFE CLASS OF 1689 1919 Cornell University Library E525.4 .S65 The history of Fuller's Ohio brigade, 18 3 1924 030 913 218 olin Overs m £} Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924030913218 The History of Fuller s Ohio Brigade " 1861-1865 ' Its Great March, with Roster Portraits, Battle Maps and Biographies. BY CHARLES H. SMITH Major Xwenty-Seventn Onio Regiment, V eteran V olunteer Infantry CLEVELAND, OHIO 1909 press of A J Watt CLEVELAND This Volume is Respectfully Dedicated to THE Soldiers of Fuller's Ohio Brigade and Their Compatriots in Memory of Their Brave Deeds, Their Toils, Their Sufferings and Their Triumphs. CHARLES H. SMITH Major 27lh O. V. V. I. Historian INDEX. PAGES Preface 17-18 Our Contributors 19 Gathering the Pictorial Part 20 Introduction 21-22-23 Chapter 1. Conditions of Affairs at the Opening of the War 24-25 The Call for Troops. Distribution of the Armies. Chapter 2. The Organization of the Four Regiments 26-27-29-30 The Twenty-seventh, Thirty-ninth, Forty-third and Sixty-third. Chapter 3. Discipline of the Regiments 31-32 Battle of Wilson's Creek 31 Fremont's Order to Major Sturgess 31-32 Movements of Forces under Major Sturgess 32-33-34 Chapter 4. March to the Relief of Lexington, Missouri 35-36 Hardships on the Way 35-36 Arrival at Kansas City 36-37 Chapter 5. March to Springfield, Missouri 38-39 Chapter 6. Territory in Possession of the Union Army 40 Chapter 7. The Retrograde Movement of the Army 41-43 Chapter 8. The Great Winter March to St. Louis 44-45 Advance upon New Madrid and Island Ten 46 Chapter 9. Capture of New Madrid and Island Ten 47-48-49-50-51 Report of General John Pope 53-54-55-56-57-58-59-60 Report of General Schuyler Hamilton of New Madrid and Island Ten 60-61 Report of General D. S. Stanley 61-62 Report of Colonel John Groesbeck 62-63 Report of Colonel J. L. Kirby Smith 63-64 Report of Colonel John W. Sprague 64-65 Union and Confederate Forces Engaged in Battle at New Madrid and Island Ten 65-66 Chapter HI Reminiscences of the Fort Pillow Expedition 67-68 Transfer of the Army to Hamburg Landing Middle, Tennessee 67-68-69 Chapter 11 Preparation for Siege cf Corinth 70 Report of General D. S. Stanley of the Monteray Engagement 70 Siege of Corinth. Engagement at Farmington 70-71-72-73 Report of General John Pope to Halleck 73 Capture of Corinth 73 Pursuit of the Enemy 74 Chapter 12. Reorganization of the Commands 75 Campaigns and Battles of Iuka and Corinth 76-77 Battle of Iuka 77-79 Union and Confederate Forces Engaged at Iuka 79-80 Reports of Battles by General Stanley and Colonel Fuller 80-81 Pursuit of the Enemy 81-82 10 Fuller's Ohio Brigade. Chapter 13. pages Battle of Corinth 82-83-84-85-86-87-89-90 Report of General W. S. Rosecrans 90-91-92 Report of Colonel John W. Fuller 92-94-96-97-98-99-100 Chapter 14. A Hero at Corinth 101 Correspondence Accompanying the Message 101-102 Report of Major Z. S. Spaulding 102-103 Report of Lieutenant Colonel Edward F. Noyes 103-104 Report of Lieutenant Colonel Wager Swavne 104-106 Report of Colonel John W. Sprague 106-107-108 Report of Captain Edward H. Cummings, C. S. A., to Beauregard 108-109-110 Partial Report of General Earl Van Dorn, C. S. A 110-111 Partial Report of Price Ill Lieutenant Labruzan, 42nd Alabama, C. S. A 111-112-113 Chapter IS Retreat of the Enemy from Corinth 114-115 Union Forces Engaged at Corinth 115-116 Confederate Forces Engaged at Corinth 116-117 The Charge of the 27th Ohio at Corinth by Young 117-118 Possibilities of Further Success 118 Chapter 16. Central Mississippi Campaign 119-120-121 Daily Marches of the Brigade 119-120 Grouping of Forces. Formation of the 16th Army Corps 121-122 Chapter 17. Defeat of the Rebel General Forrest in Grand Raid on Grants Line of Communication. How it was Frustrated and the Enemy Expelled from the Country 122-123-124-125-126-127-128 Battle of Parker's Cross Roads, December, 1862 122 Pursuit of General Forrest 127-128 Forrest Abandons the Country 127 March of Great Severity 128 Heavy Tax on the Command 130-131 Raid Through the Cherokee and Choctow Valleys 132-133 Duty at Corinth and Memphis 133-134 Chapter 18. March to Prospect, Tennessee 135-136 Order to Move to Prospect, from General Dodge to General Fuller 136 Chapter 19. Re-enlistments in the Regiments 137 Trip to Ohio and Return 137-138 Chapter 20. Capture of Decatur, Alabama 139 Changes and Re-assignment of Regiments of Fuller's Ohio Brigade 140 Chapter 21. M arch to Chattanooga 142 General Grant's Plan of Campaign 142-143 Chapter 22. Campaign Through Northern Georgia 144-145 Advance on and Battle of Resaca 146-147-148 Battle of Dallas 149-150-151 Capture of Big and Little Kenesaw 152-153-154-156-157 Charge of Fuller's Ohio Brigade at Nick-ojack Creek 157-158-160 Investment of Atlanta 162-164-165 Battle of Atlanta, July 22 165-167-169-171-172-173 Movement of Union Army to the Right 173 Battle near Atlanta, July 28 174 Index. n Chapter 23. pages Sherman's Great Flank Movement 178-179 Capture of Atlanta 180 Reports — Mai or General Sherman 182-183-184-185-186-187-188-189-190 Major General Dodge 190-191-192-193-194-195-196-197-198-199-200 Brigadier General Fuller 200-201-202-203-204-205-206-207-208-209-210 Colonel John W. Sprague 211-212-213-215-216-217 Lieutenant Colonel McDowell 215-216-217 Colonel Churchill 218-219-220-221-222-223-224 Colonel Swavne 224-225-227 Major Fouls" 228-229-230-231 Colonel John Cladick 231-232-233 Lieutenant Colonel Wm. H. Henry 233-234-235-237 Chapter 24. Organization of the Union Army in the Field 235-236 Forces under Sherman in the Atlanta Campaign, May 3 to Sept. 22, 1864. .235-236 Effective Strength of the Army under Sherman in the Atlanta Campaign.. .236-243 Strength and Losses of the Opposing Armies in the Atlanta Campaign 236 Organization of the First Division, 17th Army Corps 236 Chapter 25. Movement of Confederate Army Northward 237-238-239-240 Condition of Affairs in the Confederate Ranks, November, 1864 241-242 Conquered Territory, Changes and Assignments Chapter 26. Preparations for the March Through Georgia 245 The March Through Georgia 246-247-248-249-250 Siege of Savannah 251-253-254-255 Raid to Altamaha River Poem 255 Capture and Occupation of Savannah 255 Property Captured and Destroyed 256 Letter of Congratulation to Sherman 256 Resolution of Thanks from Congress 258 Chapter 27. Transfer to Beaufort, South Carolina 258 Chapter 28. General Order No. 3 2S8 Chapter 29. Campaign Through the Carolinas 259-261 Whippy Swamc Pocotaligo 261-263-264 Rivers Bridge. North and South Edisto Rivers 264-265-266-267 Capture of Columbia. Charleston 267-268 Movements on the Minsboro Road 268 Captured Cheraw. Fayetteville 268-269-271 -272-273 Battle Bentonville. Goldsboro 273-277 Chapter 30. Regiments in Organization of the First Division, 17th Army Corps 2/8 Report of Sherman from Goldsboro 279-280-281-282-283-284-285 Report of Fuller from Goldsboro 285-286-287 Report of Weber Concerning Operations February 2nd and 4th and March 21st, 1865 287-288 Report of Montgomery Concerning Operations January 29th, February 3rd and 9th 289ion Report of Property Captured (Mower) 90190? Resolution of Congratulations *"* Re-organization of the Army. Changes in Commands 291-^ March to Raleigh, North Carolina 292-293 Surrender of Johnston's Army 293 End of the War ~y4 12 Fuller's Ohio Brigade. Chapter 31. pages March Across Virginia 29S-297 Review at Washington 297-298 Muster Out of Thirty-fifth New Jersey 301 Twenty-fifth and Thirty-second Wisconsin 301 Chapter 32. Order to go to Louisville, Kentucky 303 Muster Out of Twenty-seventh, Thirty-nine, Forty-third and Sixty-third Ohio Regiments 304 Return of Soldiers to Their Homes 304 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Brevet Major General John W. Fuller 307-313 Major General G. M. Dodge 314-316 Major General David S. Stanley 317-319 Brevet Brigadier General Mendal Churchill 320-322 Brevet Brigadier General Samuel Thomas 323 Major Charles H. Smith 324-326 Captain Charles W. Green 327 Colonel John Groesbeck 328-329 Colonel Edward F. Noyes 330-332 Colonel Daniel Weber 333-334 Captain W. H. H. Minturn 335 Colonel Joseph L. Kirby Smith 336-338 Colonel Wager Swayne 339-340 Captain Hinchman S. Prophet 341-343 Brevet Major General John W. Sprague 344-348 Brigadier General Charles E. Brown 349-351 Colonel Oscar L. Jackson 352-358 Captain Andrew R. Robinson '.-.' 359 Captain Charles M. Harrison 360-362 Captain Daniel T. Thorne 363 Lieutenant Mathew F. Madigan 364 Lieutenant Peter Zinn 365-366 Adjutant Howard Forrer 367 Lieutenant Francis A. Gibbons 368-369 Sergeant Joseph H. Lapham 370-371 Thomas J. Smith 372-373 David McMullen 374-375 Charles I. Adkins 376-377 Judge Thomas E. Scroggy 378-380 Sergeant Fred F. Adams 381-382 Corporal Isaac Jarvis 383-384 Sergeant Robert Terry 385-386 David Auld 387-388 James W. Conger 389-391 REMINISCENCES OF SOLDIER LIFE. Reunion of Fuller's Ohio Brigade 393-394 General John W. Fuller's Address 395-406 Raid to the Altamaha River 406 First Sergeant's Duties 407 Sixtv-third Ohio Infantry 407-413 Battle of Colliersville 414-416 Colonel Horace Park's Address 417-418 A Scout 418-419 Brave Acts Unrewarded 419-420 The Passage of the Salkahatchie and Edisto Rivers 420-421 Index. 13 Incidents of the Last Days of the War : 422-423 The Twenty-seventh Ohio Veteran Infantry .423-425 An Incident at Rivers Bridge ' ! 425-426 The Iron Nerve of a Soldier ". 426 A Trip with Prisoners 427-429 Capturing the Flag 429 What a Drummer Boy. Saw 43O.435 Incidents on the Mississippi River 435.438 Address by General G. M. Dodge 439.444 MISCELLANEOUS. Camp of the Twenty-seventh Ohio Infantry 445 Casualties in the War 445 Lessons of the War 446 Commanders of the Army of the Tennessee 446 Facts Worth Knowing 446 Organization 447 Roster of Ohio Soldiers — Its Errors 447 Official List of Battles 449.450 Roster of the Regiments — Twenty-seventh Ohio 451-486 Thirty-ninth Ohio 488-536 Forty-third Ohio 538-584 Sixty-third Ohio 586-626 MAPS. Twenty-seventh and Thirty-ninth Ohio Lines of March in Missouri 42 Mississippi River Bend, New Madrid and Island Ten 56 Battle of Corinth, Miss. Relative Positions of Forces Oct. 3rd and 4th 95 Battle of Corinth, Miss. Relative position of Union and Confederate Forces.... 96 Lines of March and Battle, Chattanooga to Atlanta 163 Battle Lines, Atlanta, July 22nd, 1864 1 70 Battle Lines, Ezra Church 175 Atlanta to Savannah Lines of March 252 Campaign of the Carolinas, Lines of March 270 PORTRAITS. Major Charles H. Smith, Historian 1 Our Commander, Brevet Major General John W. Fuller 2 Group of Officers of the Forty-third O. V. V. 1 28 Group of Officers of Fuller's Ohio Brigade 46 Rice B. Bostec, both a Confederate and a Union Soldier 53 Major General Grenville M. Dodge 130 John McClay 179- Brevet Major Genera! John W. Fuller, Brigade Commander 307 Major General Grenville M. Dodge 314 Major General David S. Stanley 317 Brigadier General Mendal Churchill 320 Major Charles H. Smith in Zouave Uniform 324 Colonel John Groesbeck 328 Colonel Edward F. Noyes 330 Colonel Joseph L. Kirby Smith 336 Colonel Wager Swayne 339 Captain H. S. Prophet 341 Brevet Major General John W. Sprague 344 Brigadier General Charles E. Brown 351 Colonel Oscar L. Jackson 352 Captain Andrew R. Robison 359 14 Fuller's Ohio Brigade. Captain Charles M. Harrison 360 Lieutenant Peter Zinn 365 Lieutenant Francis A. Gibbons 368 Sergeant Joseph PI. Lapham 370 David McMullen 374 Charles I. Adkins 376 Judge Thomas Scroggy 378 Sergeant Fred F. Adams 381 Corporal Isaac Jarvis 383 Sergeant Robert Terry 385 David Auld 387 James W. Conger 389 George W. Wolf 392 John Beeman 392 John Smedley 392 David Auld, Drummer 430 ILLUSTRATIONS. A Very Raw Recruit . . . '. 30 Recruits. The First Drill 32 The Battle of Lexington, Missouri 36 A Recruit and an Experienced Soldier 47 Charging Through a Cornfield 48 Taking the Top Rail 51 Debarkation of Fuller's Ohio Brigade on the Mississippi River at Watson's Landing 52 The Ohio Brigade Marching on Corinth 71 Battle of luka, Miss. The Ohio Brigade Going Forward 78 A Confederate Sharp Shooter at Corinth, Miss 85 The 27th O. V. V. I. Capturing the Flag of the 9th Texas— Corinth, Miss 88 The Battle of Corinth, Oct. 4th, 1862. Repelling the Confederate Assault 93 The 43rd O. V. V. I. Defending Battery Robinett 105 The 16th Army Corps Badge 121 Fuller's Ohio Brigade Crossing the Tennessee River 140 Drum Corps— 43rd Ohio 141 Battle of Resaca, Ga 147 Badge of 15th Army Corps 148 Battle of Resaca, Ga.— 43rd and 63rd Ohio 149 Skirmish Line. "Feeling" the Enemy 152 Battle of Kenesaw Mountain 155 Confederate Artillery Being Hauled up Kenesaw Mountain 156 Charge and Capture of the Enemy's Works at Nick-ojack by the 27th and 39th Ohio Regiments 159 Battle of Atlanta, 16th Army Corps Engaged 166 Battle of Atlanta, General Fuller with Flag at the Front 168 Battle near Atlanta, Ezra Church 174 Seventeenth Army Corps Badge 178 First Division, 17th Army Corps, Tearing up Railroad 248 A Typical Camp Servant 249 Battle of Atlanta. Defence of Supply Trains at Decatur 214 Battle near Atlanta. Driving the Confederate Lines 226 Battle at Salkehatchie River 262 First Division, 17th Army Corps, in South Carolina Swamps 265 Artillery in South Carolina Swamps 271 Battle of Bentonville, North Carolina 274 Grand Review of Sherman's Army 296 Grand Review of Sprague's Brigade 300 Survivors of the Brigade at Toledo, Ohio 302 Regimental Flags of Fuller's Ohio Brigade 305 Drum Corps, 43rd Ohio, After the War 434 PREFACE. FORTY-TWO YEARS had passed since the close of the Civil War, and yet no history had been written of the splendid services rendered to the government by the soldiers of the Twenty-seventh, Thirty- ninth, Forty-third and Sixty-third Regiments of Ohio Infantry, composing what was known officially and designated in the field as Fuller's Ohio Bri- gade. This Brigade never lost a flag, but after four years of war, each one was brought back to Ohio with every star upon its folds shining more glor- iously bright, thereby reflecting the highest honor on the state of Ohio. During the war I had kept a memorandum of events, jotted clown as they occurred under my observation. My comrades urged me to publish it, and this I finally consented to do. At the annual reunion of the surviving members of the Brigade, held in Columbus, Ohio, on September 4th, 1907, a resolution was unanimously passed appointing me Historian and authoriz- ing me to compile and publish the military history of Fuller's Ohio Brigade, and to select assistants for the work. Their names were announced at the evening meeting as follows : From the Twenty-seventh Ohio : Captain Oscar Sheppard, E. C. Fuller (son of General Fuller and honorary member of the Brigade), Cap- tain J. A. Evans, Captain Jonathan Reese, Corporal Philip R. Harpel, Captain J. S. Stuckey, Captain C. C. Chadwick, Charles I. Adkins, First Sergeant E. S. Moorehead and H. C. Evans. From the Thirty-ninth : Captain W. H. H. Minturn, Captain Ethan O. Hurd, Captain Andrew R. Robison, D. T. Stathem, R. D. Wall, Sergeant J. H. Lapham, W. H. Garrett, John F. Harlan, Charles C. Barrows, and Frank Babb. From the Forty-third Ohio: James W. Conger, David Auld, Colonel J. H. Rhoades, Captain E. L. Lybarger, George H. Wise, James E. Graham, D. P. Host, Captain M. M. Murphy, Lieutenant Peter Zinn, John McClay. From the Sixty-third : Colonel Oscar L. Jackson, First Sergeant Simon Jarvis, Joel A. Jarvis, Captain Reuben S. Mason, George B. Bartlett, Angus McDonald, H. Beckett, Joseph Bell, D. E. Heisey and J. W. Savely. I entered upon this task with the sincere desire of doing justice to every officer and soldier who helped- maintain our country's honor, and whose achievements made the Brigade famous. All deserve praise, but all that was accomplished by them could not be fully recorded in this volume, for the subject is toe vast, Xo attempt at literary style has been made in the following pages — the desire is simply to preserve the military history of the Brigade. The labor necessary to prepare a work of this kind, takes years to accomplish and is much more difficult than would be supposed from an examination of its results. How faithfully and well it has been done can only be understood by those who are familiar with this sort of work. To the survivors who have manifested their love of country, and to the rising generation who may yet learn that a land and a government such as ours is worth fighting for and dying for, if need be, I trust a perusal of these pages will prove profitable and interesting. Major Charles H. Smith, Historian. Foot Note. — All the material of the book has been collected from official records and from my memorandum, and has been verified by mem- bers of the Brigade. PREFACE. FORTY-TWO- YEARS had passed since the close of the Civil War, and yet no history had been written of the splendid services rendered to the government by the soldiers of the Twenty-seventh, Thirty- ninth, Forty-third and Sixty-third Regiments of Ohio Infantry, composing what was known officially and designated in the field as Fuller's Ohio Bri- gade. This Brigade never lost a flag, but after four years of war, each one was brought back to Ohio with every star upon its folds shining more glor- iously bright, thereby reflecting the highest honor on the state of Ohio. During the war I had kept a memorandum of events, jotted down as they occured under my observation. My comrades urged me to publish it, and this I finally consented to do. At the annual reunion of the surviving members of the Brigade, held in Columbus, Ohio, on September 4th, 1904, a resolution was unanimously passed appointing me Historian and authoriz- ing me to compile and publish the military history of Fuller's Ohio Brigade, and to select assistants for the work. Their names were announced at the evening meeting as follows : From the Twenty-seventh Ohio, Captain Oscar Sheppard, E. C. Fuller (son of General Fuller and honorary member of the Brigade), Captain J. A. Evans, Captain Jojiathan Reese, Corporal Philip R. Harpel, Captain J. S. Stuckey, Captain C. C. Chadwick, Charles I. Adkins, First Sergeant E. S. Moorehead and H. C. Evans. From the Thirty-ninth, Captain W. H. H. Minturn, Captain Ethan O. Hurd, Captain Andrew R. Robison, D. T. Stathem, R. D. Wall, Sergeant J. H. Lapham, W. H. Garret, John F. Harlan, Charles C. Barrows, and Frank Babb. From the Sixty-third, Colonel Oscar L. Jackson, First Sergeant Simon J. H. Rhoades, Captain E. L. Lybarger, George H. Wise, James E. Graham, D. P. Host, Captain M. M. Murphy, Lieutenant Peter Zinn, John McClay. From the Sixty-third, Colonel Oscar L. Jackson, First Sergeant Simon Jarvis, Joel A. Jarvis, Captain Reuben S. Mason, George B. Bartlett, Angus McDonald, H. Beckett, Joseph Bell, D. E. Heisey and J. W. Savely. I entered upon this task with the sincere desire of doing justice to every officer and soldier who helped maintain our country's honor, and whose achievements made the Brigade famous. All deserve praise, but all 18 Fuller's Ohio Brigade. that was accomplished by them could not be fully recorded in this volume, for the subject is too vast. No attempt at literary style has been made in the following pages, the desire is simply to preserve the military history of the Brigade. The labor necessary to prepare a work of this kind, takes years to accomplish and is much more difficult than would be supposed from an examination of its results. How faithfully and well it has been done, can only be understood by those who are familiar with this sort of work. To the survivors who have manifested their love of country, and to the rising generation who may yet learn that a land and a government such as ours is worth fighting for and dying for, if need be, I trust a perusal of these pages will prove profitable and interesting. Major Charles H. Smith, Historian. Foot Note. — All the material of the book has been collected from of- fical records and from my memorandum, and has been verified by members of the Brigade. OUR CONTRIBUTORS. THOSE who have most generously contributed toward the financing of this publication are General Grenville M. Dodge, Edward C. Ful- ler and Rathbun Fuller, sons of General John W. Fuller; Mrs. Mary McKenzie, niece of General Mendal Churchill ; Alfred H. Swayne, son of General Wager Swayne ; comrades James W. Conger and David Auld, Jr., and Colonel Oscar L. Jackson. To Comrade Auld, we are indebted for his care in selecting the illus- trations, for his critical supervision of the engravings, and for his contri- bution of their cost. To him and to comrade Conger, we are further in- debted for encouraging words of advice and for time given to the detail of the work. The above-named have aided the Historian in making it possible to save from oblivion the unsurpassed military record of Fuller's Ohio Bri- gade, to interest the veterans in their own memories, and in a measure to instruct succeeding generations who will read of the great struggle for a national existence and human liberty. TO MY COMRADES OF THE OHIO BRIGADE. It has always been with me a great and growing desire to see a com- plete record of what was suffered and the work that was accomplished for our country during those trying years 1861 to 1865 left to our prosperity, and it is now one of my greatest pleasures that I have been able to con- tribute in a small way to this work that has been carried through to com- pletion under such great difficulties by our faithful friend and comrade Major Chas. H. Smith, (our Historian). This history of the Ohio Brigade and the drum that I carried to arouse the boys from their slumbers many times by the reveille, and some times by the long roll for battle, and marked time for their soldierly tread on many long marches and bloody field, will be among my most cherished relics. When my name was mentioned by the Historian as one of the Com- mittee, on publication, I very much doubted my ability to add anything of value, but remembering my liking for drawing and sketching pictures of scenes that appealed to me during the war, I began to look over old trunks, drawers, etc., and soon unearthed many engravings, sketches, lithographs, photographs, maps, etc., long since forgotten. I never could pass anything in this line that referred to our Brigade and Regimental operations without annexing them to my collection. The result was that I had a great mass of crude material from which to build the pictorial part of the history. My fingers are not so nimble as in '61 to '65, but with the help of modern pho- tography, and the half tone art of reproducing, I am able to give you the result of my best efforts and a clearer understanding of many of our most important operations and struggles. I do not claim these are all original or infallible, but I do believe they more nearly represent the scenes as they appeared to you than the material from any other source at this late day could supply. If you enjoy their perusal as much as I have en- joyed their collection and preparation, them my recompense will be com- plete and I dedicate them to you. David Auld, Drummer, j^rd Ohio. INTRODUCTION. DISPUTES between the states of the American Union originated with the formation of the federal government itself. The question of States Rights was perhaps the most vital. Washington foresaw the danger and in his solicitude for the welfare of his people, and in contem- plating the causes which might disturb the union, gave voice to them in his farewell address in 1796. He said in part : "It is necessary to have unity of government, which constitutes you one people, for it is the main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquility, at home, your peace abroad, of your safety, of your prosperity, of that very liberty which you so highly prize. But it is easy to foresee that from different quarters and from different causes, much pains will be taken, many artifices employed, to weaken in your minds the conviction of this truth, though often covertly and insidiously directed. It is of infinite moment that you should properly estimate the immense value of your national union in your collective and individual happiness, accustoming yourselves to think and speak of it as of the Palladium of your political safety and prosperity, watching for its preservation with jealous anxiety, discountenancing whatever may suggest even a suspicion that it can, in any event be abandoned, and indignantly frowning upon the first dawning of every attempt to alienate any portion of our country from the rest. Every portion of our country finds the most commanding motives for carefully guarding and preserving the union of the whole. You have in a common cause, fought and triumphed together. The independence and liberty you possess are the work of joint council and joint efforts, of common dangers, suffering and successes. In union all the parts combined cannot fail to find, in the united mass of means and efforts, greater strength, greater resource, proportionably greater security from external danger, a less frequent interruption to their peace by foreign nations, and what is of more inestimable value, they must derive from union an exemp- tion from those broils and wars between themselves." Up to 1832 there had been frequent murmurings of discontent among political leaders. President Jackson in his proclamation to the people of South Carolina, which state had undertaken to annul the revenue law and secede from the union, said in part : ''The power to annul the law of the United States assumed by one state is incompatible with the existence of the union, contradicted expressly by the letter of the constitution, unauthorized by its spirit, inconsistent with every principle on which it was founded and destructive of the great object for which it was formed. Our constitution does not contain the absurdity of giving the power to make laws, and another power to resist them. The 22 Fuller's Ohio Brigade. crisis that the conduct of South Carolina presents, would recur whenever any law of the United States displeased any of the states, and we should soon cease to exist as a nation. The constitution of the United States forms a government, not a league. Our government has the right by law of self defence, to punish offenders, to make war, levy taxes, exercise legislative and judicial powers, make treaties and all alliances, in the name of all. Troops are raised for the joint defence. In the preamble of the constitution made in the name and by the authority of the people of the United States, among the most important objects was one to form a more perfect union. That decisive step was taken jointly. We declare ourselves a nation jointly, not by several action. The several states agreed that they would collectively from one nation, declaring that every state shall abide by the determination of Congress. To give the right of resisting laws, coupled with the uncontrolled right to decide what laws are right, is to give the power of resisting all laws, for by that theory, there is no appeal, the reasons alleged by the state, good or bad must prevail. Public opinion is a sufficient guard against the passage of an unconstitutional act passed by Congress, one to the people and the states, the other to the judiciary. Our social pact in express terms declares that the laws of the United States, its Constitution and the treaties made under it, are the supreme law of the land and for greater caution adds that the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, everything in the constitution or laws of any state to the contrary, notwithstanding. No federative government could exist with- out a similar provision." Agitation of the question of States Rights increased up to the election of Lincoln, who in his inaugural address, March 4th, 1861, gave expression to these memorable and patriotic words : "In your hands, my dissatisfied fellow countrymen, and not in mine, is the momentous issue of Civil War. The Government will not assail you. You can have no conflict without being yourselves the aggressors. You have no oath registered in Heaven to destroy the Government, while I shall have the most solemn one to protect and defend it. We are not enemies but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break the bonds of affection. The mystic cords of memory stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone, all over this broad land will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature." Honorable Stephen A. Douglass, in a speech delivered in Chicago May 1st, 1861, spoke of the secession conspiracy as follows: "What cause, what excuse do the disunionists give us for breaking up the best government upon which the sun of heaven ever shed its rays ? They are dissatisfied with the results of the Presidential election. The slavery question is a mere excuse, the election of Lincoln a mere pretext. The present secession movement is the result of an enormous conspiracy formed more than a year since by leaders in the southern Confederacy. They use the slavery question as a means to aid the accomplishment of Introduction 23 their ends. When the history of the two years from the Lecompton Char- ter down to the Presidential election shall be written, it will be shown that the scheme was deliberately made to break up this union. The conspiracy is now known. There are only two sides to the question. Every man must be for the United States or against it. There can be no neutrals in this war, only patriots or traitors." Civil War was apprehended by leading statesmen of the United States during the half century preceding hostilities, by reason of slavery. In 1860, the slave population was about four million. Their estimated value was twenty-five million dollars. This monied interest overcame the moral side of the question with most southern citizens and with some people of the north. The southern politicians openly proposed civil war in 1850 and again in 1856. There was no concealment of declaration of and preparation for war in the south after the election of Mr. Lincoln, but because the north did not immediately raise an army, they seemed convinced that the north was cowardly, and not willing to fight for the great principle of our govern- ment. The southern leaders were thereby enabled to commit their people finally to the war, claiming it to be a defence of their slave property. CHAPTER I. T CONDITIONS OF AFFAIRS AT THE OPENING OF THE WAR. HE ordinance of secession was passed by the State of South Carolina on December 20th, 1860. Other states followed, eleven in number. Hostilities against the United States Government commenced at Charleston, South Carolina, by an artillery fire, January 9th, 1861, upon the Steamer "Star of the West." Actual war between the North and the South began when Fort Sumpter was fired upon, April 12th, at half past four in the morning. Soon after this, a number of United States arsenals and forts were seized, the Missouri River was blockaded, and Pensacola and Norfolk Navy Yard was surrendered. During the last months of 1860, acts of treason were committed all over the South. Floyd, while Secretary of War in Buchanan's Cabinet, traitorously stripped all the arsenals in the North of their arms and mili- tary stores, and collected them in the South. By one single order, one hundred and fifty thousand small arms of the most approved pattern were moved. He felonously took $870,000 of the Indian trust bonds from the vaults of the Department of the Interior and sent them south. During the trying winter of 1860-1861, the southern people were so defiant that they would not allow within their borders the expression of a sentiment hostile to their views. Before the outbreak of the war, the Southern Con- federacy was well established, and its troops had been drilling for months. These acts of treason were intended to make our American civilization go backward. They were the acts of the few against the many. During this time in the North, continued concessions to secession were adopted. Prominent men in public and private life and a portion of the press promulgated the doctrine that the "government had no power to coerce the South into submission to the laws of the land,'' also that "if the North raised armies and sent them south, they would have to march over the dead bodies of the speakers." Even the President of the United States, James Buchanan, announced that while a state had no right to secede, the constitution gave no power to the government to coerce a state which had, or was attempting to withdraw from the Union. This was in direct conflict to President Jackson's views. In 1832 he proclaimed to the people that there was nothing in the constitu- tion which gave the right to withdraw from the Union and that "the Conditions. 25 Federal Union must and shall be preserved." He used prompt and ener- getic measures and completely crushed the contemplated secession of South Carolina at that time. It was deemed unsafe for the President elect to go to the capitol of the nation to be sworn into office and he was obliged to be smuggled into Washington on the day previous to the one set for his arrival. Gradually it dawned upon the loyal people, that a great conspiracy, called by many "the great slave-holders' rebellion," controlled by the prin- cipal politicians of the South was determined upon, for the purpose of establishing a Confederacy founded upon slavery and aristocracy. On April 15th, 1861, when President Lincoln's first call for 75,000 troops came, the young men of the North flew to the defence of the nation, which the soldiers of 1776 fought to establish. And now these volunteers were to fight to preserve and maintain that which their forefathers intended these United States *to be — a perpetual union with power to protect and preserve its own existence, to show that the union of states was not a de- lusion and a sham, and that the old claim of "states rights" whereby men were taught that their first duty was to the state, be swept aside. The boys who enlisted were fired with a determination to save the na- tion. The motive for which they enlisted and offered their lives was that the American flag, without a single star erased, should float forever, over every part of the country. Then followed a period of four years almost incessant hostilities, over fields of operation which embraced in their vast areas, forests and cultivated plains, mountain ranges and valleys, sea coasts, bayous, lakes, rivers, and trackless swamps. The armed participants were numbered by the millions. The Federal armies distributed from the Potomac to the Missouri Rivers, were organized in three principal grand divisions, designated as the Army of the Potomac in the east, the Army of the Cumberland in the center, and the Army of the Tennessee and the Mississippi in the west, extending as far as New Mexico. Beside the great distances covered by lines in front, many hun- dred miles of transportation were guarded in the rear. In hostile array in front of the Union Army were the Rebel Armies of V;rginia, of Georgia, of the Tennessee and Missouri, also their army of slaves, four million in number, used for the purpose of building fortifications and cultivating the land, for teamsters, blacksmiths, and servants. It was under the second call for troops, by President Lincoln, on May 9th, 1861, for three hundred thousand men for three years' service, that the regiments of the Ohio Brigade were organized. CHAPTER II. ORGANIZATION OF THE REGIMENTS. The Twenty-seventh Ohio Regiment was organized in July, 1861, at Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio, and mustered in, August 16th, under Colonel John W. Fuller. Colonel Fuller had recently returned from a three months' service in West Virginia, as Chief -of -staff to General Charles W. Hill. The Twenty-seventh was the sixth regiment formed for three years' service. Its rank and file represented nearly every county in the state and the cities of Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Toledo, Williamsburg, Ironton and Circleville. They marched out of camp on August 20th, 1861, nine hun- dred and fifty strong, each soldier clothed in uniform and equipped with knapsack, canteen, haversack, old Springfield rifle and cartridge box. At Columbus, Ohio, they took cars for Cincinnati, where they embarked by steamer for Lawrenceburg, Indiana, the soldiers receiving a most cordial reception by the citizens there and again at Washington, Indiana, and other places, men women and children bringing well-filled baskets of refresh- ments to them. They arrived at St. Louis on the following day. There being no bridge, they were ferried over the Mississippi River on the morning of the 22nd imd marched through the city to Benton Barracks, stopping on the way at the headquarters of General Fremont, who reviewed the regiment. At the same time, Mrs. Jessie Fremont presented a United States flag to the organization. At St. Louis they were joined with the Thirty-ninth Ohio, which had arrived two days previous, and with them served through- out the war. THE ORGANIZATION OF THE THIRTY-NINTH. The Thirty-ninth Ohio Regiment rendezvoused at Camp Colerain, ten miles north of Cincinnati, during the month of July, 1861. On the 31st of July, seven companies were mustered into service and on the 2nd of August, they moved to Camp Dennison, where the remaining three com- panies and the field and staff officers were mustered in. The Thirty-ninth was the third regiment to enlist from Ohio for three years. Being fully armed and equipped, the regiment moved on Sunday, August 18th, 1861, under command of Colonel John Groesbeck to St. Louis to join the forces or- ganizing under General Fremont, U. S. A., commanding the western de- partment, which comprehended Illinois, the states and territories west of Organization of the Thirty-Ninth 27 the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains, and New Mexico. At Fre- mont's earnest solicitation, the Thirty-ninth and the Twenty-seventh Ohio regiments had been sent by the War Department. These two regiments were the first and only Ohio regiments to enter the state of Missouri in 1861. troops ordered. St. Louis, Aug. 13, 1861. To the Secretary of War: Gen. Lyon's aid reports engagement with great loss on both sides : General Lyon killed, Colonel Sigel in command, retiring in good order from Springfield to Rolla. Let the Governor of Ohio be ordered forthwith to send me what disposable force he has. Order the utmost promptitude. The Thirty-ninth Regiment (Groesbeck's) might be telegraphed directly here J. C. Fremont, General. War Department, Aug. 16, 1861. His Excellency, Governor Wm. Dennison, Columbus, Ohio: Send Groesbeck's Thirty-ninth Regiment and Fuller's Twenty-seventh Regiment and all other available force to General Fremont without a moment's delay. Give them full supply of field artillery and small arms. Advise this department of your action. Simon Cameron, Secretary of War. FIELD OFFICERS OF THE 4l!d O. T. V. I. Organization of the Forty-Third 29 THE FORTY-THIRD OHIO. The Forty-third Ohio Regiment was organized principally from men living in central and eastern Ohio, at Camp Andrews, Mount Vernon, Ohio, on February 7th, 1862, parts of two companies having been formed by Colonel J. L. Kirby Smith, a graduate of West Point, at Camp Chase, Ohio, in September 1861. Part of Company H was from Lorain County. It was recruited at a time when men were very difficult to procure, but through the energy and perseverence of Lieutenant-Colonel Wager Swayne, the Regiment was filled to the minimum number and mustered into service. After having been well drilled by its Colonel J. L. Kirby Smith, it left its rendezvous for the front on the 21st of February, 1862; were conveyed by boat down the Ohio River to Cairo, Illinois, and reported to Brigadier-Gen- eral John Pope at Commerce, Missouri. The Regiment was at once assigned to John W. Fuller's Ohio Brigade, General D. S. Stanley's First Division. THE SIXTY-THIRD OHIO. The Sixty-third Ohio Regiment was organized by the consolidation of two battalions of recruits known as the Twenty-second and the Sixty-third Regiments, O. V. I. The battalion of the Twenty-second was recruited at Camp Worthington, Chillicothe, Ohio, and furnished for the new organi- zation six companies, A., B., E., H., I., K. The battalion of the Sixty-third was recruited at Marietta, Ohio. The consolidation was occasioned by the earnest call of the govern- ment upon the state authorities for troops, directing that recruits be pushed into the field as rapidly as possible. The order for the consolidation was issued at Columbus, on the 18th of January, 1862, and the organization was completed on the 23rd of the same month, the Twenty-second having been ordered to report at Marietta, Ohio. The Regiment was commanded by Colonel Sprague, who had been a Captain in the Seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry during a three months' service. The Regiment moved from Marietta on the 18th of February, under orders to report at Paducah, Kentucky. From this place it was or- dered to join Major-General John Pope's Army of the Mississippi at Com- merce, Missouri, and there was assigned to Fuller's Ohio Brigade, Stanley's First Division, in which it was united with the Twenty-seventh and Thirty- ninth, and Forty-third Ohio. Over ninety-five per cent of the men in these regiments were American born. Their average age was less than twenty years, and they composed the flower of Ohio youth. Among these regi- ments there was a unanimity of loyal sentiment and cordial, kindly feeling, which lasted throughout their service and to the end of the war. 30 Fuller's Ohio Brigade In April, May and June of 1861, many people of St. Louis, Missouri, were in sympathy with the South and the enemy's flag was displayed from residences and recruiting offices. The State of Missouri was in active rebellion against national authority. The Battle of Bull Run had been a severe blow to the prestige of the Union. Armed men swarmed over the state. A Confederate force of nearly fifty thousand men was already on the southern frontier, Pillow with twelve thousand, was advancing upon Cairo ; Thompson with five thousand, upon Girardeau, Hardee with five thousand, upon Ironton, and Price with an estimated force of twenty-five thousand upon Lyon at Springfield. Their movement was intended to over- run Missouri and, supported by over a million of friendly population, to sieze St. Louis and make that city a center of operations for the invasion of Loyal states. To meet this advancing force, Fremont, during the last days of July 1861, had twenty-three thousand men of ail arms, ten thousand of whom were three months men, whose term of service was expiring. General John Pope was fully occupied in North Missouri. General M. B. Prentiss had two regiments at Cairo, where fever and dysentery prevailed. General Lyon at Springfield had six thousand men, unpaid and badly fed and in need of clothing. The soldiers in Missouri at this time who later rose to fame, were Lyon, Fremont, Grant, Blair, Schofield, Sherman, Steel, Pope, Halleck, and Sheridan. A VERY RAW RECRUIT. CHAPTER III. DISCIPLINE OF THE REGIMENTS — BATTLE OF WILSON'S CREEK MOVEMENTS OF FORCES UNDER MAJOR STURGESS. The soldiers of the Twenty-seventh and Thirty-ninth Ohio Regiments received their first lessons at Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio, and at Camp Dennison, respectively, and during their stay in Camp Benton, St. Louis, Missouri, the instruction was given principally by the commissioned and non-commissioned officers, who had just passed through the experience of three months' service and also under instructions of officers of the regular army, just come from frontier service. The discipline was severe, averag- ing ten hours a day, consisting mainly of field movements, battalion and squad drill, Zouave drill with musket, strikes and parries, loading and firing while kneeling or lying down, deploying as skirmishers and rallies upon the flag. It brought the men to a high state of prefection and effectiveness for the coming work in the field. During drill hours, much good-natured bantering passed between the tall men who were placed on the right of a company and the short men on the left, the former being nick-named "Shanghais" and the latter "Little Roosters." Occupying this camp were several Missouri Regiments. The recruits were dressed in butternut clothing. They were thoroughly loyal to the Union, some of them having participated in the battle of Wilson's Creek, which took place August 10th, the bloodiest engagement thus far in the Civil War, in point of numbers. General Lyon, commanding, at Wilson's Creek, against great odds fell upon the enemy with great fury and inspired his soldiers to deeds of almost super-human daring. While leading a column in a bayonet charge at the supreme moment, after having been wounded, he fell from his horse pierced by a bullet, and expired instantly. Major Sturgess, upon whom the com- mand now devolved, ordered a retreat and withdrew to Springfield. On returning shortly afterward to St. Louis, General Fremont gave him com- mand of a force to move to the aid of Union forces under Colonel Williams in an attack upon Green's band of rebels at Macon City. The Order received by General Sturgess reads as follows : St. Louis, Missouri, Sept. 6, 1861. Brigadier-General Sturgess, Commanding the Arsenal: Colonel Williams has been forced to retreat with his command of eight hundred men from Shelbina, to Macon City, by a band of rebels under 32 Fuller's Ohio Brigade. Green, numbering three thousand, where he is now cut off from all lines of communication east of his position. In order to arrest the constant dep- redations in Marion, Shelby, Macon and adjoining counties, and to visit them with the whole vigor of martial law, I have resolved a combined attack on Green's men. To carry this movement, you will assume command of the following forces : The Twenty-seventh Ohio, Colonel Fuller. The Thirty-ninth Ohio, Colonel Groesbeck. The First Squadron of Fremont's Hussars, Captain Blume. Captain Swartz' full battery under command of the First Lieutenant. Your main endeavor will be to cut off the enemy from the road leading to Shelbyville, and generally to render impossible the dispersion of his forces by squads, and to annihilate the gang of rebels as a whole. Communication between you and General Pope is subject to hazzard of interruption. Re- port when necessary to these headquarters. Major-General Fremont, Commanding. Nine companies of the Twenty-seventh and nine companies of the Thirty-ninth Ohio (one company of each regiment having been left at St. Louis in charge of camp equipage) moved up the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, sixty miles to St. Charles on the steamers "January" and "H. D. Bacon," thence to the town of Mexico in freight cars, where the command pulled down the rebel flag and hoisted in its place the "stars and stripes." General Sturgess reported from St. Charles on September 7th, that his troops were still on boats, that the artillery and cavalry had not yet arrived, and that Major Krekel of the Home Guards, had started north the same morning, with an engine and eighteen cars, for troops of his own command and was thereby delayed. ->& RECRUITS. THE FIRST DRILL. DISCIPLINE OF THE REGIMENTS, 33 At St. Charles, an incident occured which showed the nervous state of mind of the soldiers who were constantly hearing camp rumors of danger and attack by the enemy. After the twelve o'clock midnight relief had been posted, the sound of a heavy musket shot came from the direction of an outer sentry. Long roll was sounded vigorously, and in a moment there was consternation and commotion from upper and lower deck of the crowded steamers. It was the first time these men had heard the long roll and it caused a more intense thrill of excitement than at any other time during the service. Companies fully armed, equipped and supplied with forty rounds of ammunition, were rapidly marched ashore and formed in line of battle. Hasty orders were given to load guns, fix bayonets, and be in readiness until further orders. For an hour, the men stood waiting and watching for trouble, while the skirmishing companies went in search of the enemy. Finally the word came that the sentinel on the outpost had fired on a squad of the enemy and killed two, and again that the sentinel had been shot. While they were considering with each other what should be done with their personal effects, should they not survive the conflict at hand, the skirmishers returned and reported that there was no enemy, no one killed nor wounded, but that the alarm was caused by a soldier standing in a lonely nook, firing at what he supposed to be the enemy approaching his beat, but which proved to be two hideous looking scare-crows posted astride of a fence in a back lot. September 16th, the command arrived at Macon on cattle cars. Four companies of the Thirty-ninth Ohio were ordered to St. Joseph, Missouri, where they performed guard duty on the North Missouri Railroad. This separation lasted until about February 1st, when they were ordered to St. Louis and rejoined the company left there. General Sturgess now received orders to go to the relief of the Union forces, besieged at Lexington. He moved his command to Utica, over the Hannibal and St. Joe Railroad. This was a most hazardous ride. The train, consisting of one locomotive and freight cars, rushed all night long, twist- ing, thumping and jerking over a worn-out road bed, anything but safe, at the rate of sixty miles an hour. The men riding on the tops of the cars, in danger every moment, clutched for safety with a death grip. This ride was through a country which the enemy showed a disposition to claim by shooting into the cars. Arriving at Utica, a detail was made from the two regiments to unload cars. The young gentlemen of Company B and G, Twenty-seventh Regi- ment, whose spirits had never been curbed, whose enterprise over-reached their discretion, having in mind the possibilities of putting down the rebel- lion by taking some of the luxuries belonging to the enemy, raided some 34 Fuller's Ohio Brigade nearby bee-hives. The owner at once complained to General Sturgess, who became very angry at what he considered a breach of discipline and caused them to be drawn up in line. While they were standing in the hot sun, the honey melted in their haversacks and ran down their clothing, upon which the bees began to settle. Upon every bristle of their army pants was a bee. Then this commander posing as an army General, cursing them and threat- ening in a violent manner, demanded to know why they had committed the "crime." But the bees were getting lively and stung the General between the eyes. He retreated, swinging his arms in an effort to keep them off, while the boys disappeared in the opposite direction. Sturgess placed the men of Company B under arrest, their muskets were taken from them, and the Captain was obliged to surrender his sword. The orderly was hand- cuffed and in that condition, was made to march all that day. On another occasion, he ordered a man tied to a cannon for some trifling offence, and at other times men were tied to fences for taking rails. General Sturgess' orders were at all times to protect the property of known secessionists, not- withstanding the fact that was pointed out to him that the very men whose property he was protecting were shooting Union citizens and soldiers. General Sturgess was excitable and had a bad temper. He gave atten- tion to small things, never allowing the Volunteer Soldier the right of self- defence, and when aroused, treated him without the consideration to which he was entitled. General Sturgess' military career had been most unfortu- nate. He had ordered the needless retreat from the battle field of Wilson's Creek. He was found unsuited to lead armies and was relieved of his command at Springfield, in the following November, but was afterward given another command of other forces. On the other hand, General Stur- gess had a fine presence, was an educated soldier, and when the occasion required, could be a perfect gentleman. The writer found him so, when visiting him at his headquarter's tent for the purpose of having several sol- diers liberated from further punishment. His manner and language on that occasion were most polite and cordial. He died after the war at St. Paul, Minnesota. The camp equipage and commissary stores unloaded at Utica, consisted of commodious Sibly tents, each suitable for eight men, when sleeping close together, a wagon drawn by four or six mules for each company, with army rations of bacon, hard bread, sugar, coffee, peas, beans, vinegar, rice, mo- lasses, candles, and soap. Subsequently all the above-named articles were eliminated from regular issue except hard bread, sugar, coffee and bacon. CHAPTER IV. THE MARCH TO THE RELIEF OF LEXINGTON MISSOURI HARDSHIPS ON THE WAY — ARRIVAL AT KANSAS CITY. On September 17th at eleven o'clock in the morning, twelve hundred men under Sturgess commenced a rapid march forward to relieve Mulli- gan's forces, then beseiged by Price's Army at Lexington. The sun shone hot from a clear sky, and long stretches of the way afforded no water. The country was almost a wilderness, containing few inhabitants. The roads were new across the vast rolling prairies, the grass as high as the men's shoulders, was swept by the wind like the waves of the sea. It was a land- scape of grandeur. The command bivouacked at Ellis Creek. The men marched twenty- two miles on the 18th and were off at two o'clock on the morning of the 19th. At daylight, the sound of heavy guns was heard at Lexing- ton. Arriving about noon, opposite that place, information was re- ceived from scouts that the enemy had possession of Lexington, and was moving across the river with three thousand infantry and artillery. Gen- eral Sturgess formed his small force in battle line, passed the word that "Lyon" was to be the battle cry, and then moved rapidly (seven miles in one hour) through deep bottom lands and corn fields, encountering the enemy's pickets and a Confederate Regiment, losing a few men. and cap- turing several prisoners. He then marched them to Richmond, where the exhausted soldiers rested upon their knapsacks, in the streets. At Rich- mond, many wounded rebels were brought in. The march was resumed in the afternoon, and the men arrived at Camden Hill at sundown, burning with thirst, owing to heat, dust and rapid marching, having covered a distance, that day, of twenty-six miles. They rushed into the Missouri River for water and after filling their canteens, and slacking their thirst, bivouacked without food or shelter. They (Sturgess' Command) started at two o'clock in the morning amidst a storm of rain, thunder and lightning, marching all day and covering a distance of thirty-three miles. Their clothing, blankets and ac- cutrements were soaked with water. Physically, the men were "used up." It was their first great march. They had travelled one hundred and ten miles in four days, averaging twenty-seven miles a day. Bivouacking in a field near Liberty, Missouri, they fell into a deep sleep. During the night, two soldiers of the Thirty-ninth Ohio, who had thrown away their blankets 36 Fuller's Ohio Brigade on the march, crept over to the sleeping forms of two men in the Twenty- seventh Ohio, and after removing the blankets that covered them, actually rolled them off the blankets they lay on, without awakening them. A story is told by the soldiers, that the enemy's cavalry scouts following this column as it ascended a hill, saw the large, highly-polished brass instruments carried by the members of the Twenty-seventh Ohio Regimental Band. The scouts retreated immediately and reported to Gen- eral Price that the Yankees had a full battery of brass cannon and could not be attacked. On September 21st, after a general cleaning of guns, accoutrements and clothing, the command marched to Liberty Landing on the Missouri River and embarked on the steamer "A. Majors'' for Kansas City. After landing there, by some unaccountable neglect, they were left to bivouack on the levee, amid the debris of the river, and with only the muddy water of that stream to drink. BATTLE OF LEXINGTON, MISSOURI March to the Relief of Lexington. 37 While ascending the river, the pilot ran the boat on a sand bar and Colonel Fuller immediately put him under guard until the boat moved off. No railroads entered Kansas City at the time, so that all outside com- munication was by river. It was a great distributing point for army sup- plies. A sand-bag fort occupied the high bluff which commanded the passage of the river. The two regiments (Twenty-seventh and Thirty-ninth) moved on the following day to the open fields near the town, remaining a few days, and then into store houses on the main street. They were instructed and drilled continuously in maneuvering and the use of arms. There were drills for commissioned officers and squad and regimental drills, commenc- ing often at five in the morning and ending with dress parade at six in the evening. The men became very proficient and the discipline was equal to that of any soldiers in the world. Yet it is a remarkable fact that very little of this drill could be made useful in actual warfare. Most of the practice was for the soldier of the past. Skillful soldiers are made by being pitted against the enemy; there they learn unheard-of things. They find ways to use stumps, trees, rocks, earth, hills and valleys, to protect themselves, while inflicting all possible damage to the enemy. Showy uni- forms are thrown away, their clothing becomes stained the color of the earth upon which they sleep, a shade least liable to be a mark for the enemy. Captain Minken, Sergeants Thomas Morgan, E. B. Temple, John Toms and Corporal William E. More published a paper while the regiments re- mained in Kansas City, from which we copy the following, so important to the soldier : "What we chiefly dread in war is rifle balls, or saber cuts, or bayonet thrusts, or bomb shells, or over fatigue in marching, but the vital statistics of war prove that there is another great agent of destruction that is far more potent than any or all of these and that is disease." October 16th, re-enforcements of Kansas troops, Indian scouts and Mexican teamsters arrived under command of General James Lane, includ- ing also the Seventh Kansas Cavalry known to the Brigade as the "Kansas Jay Hawkers," with whom they served in many later campaigns. The clothing furnished by the government in refitting men for active service was good but many misfits occured. Shoes were too large, and blouses and trousers were often baggy. CHAPTER V. THE MARCH TO SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI. On October 16th, the Brigade with the whole command under General Sturgess, marched to join General Fremont's forces at Springfield, in south- west Missouri, moving from the wooded bottom lands of the Missouri River to the rolling prairies and plantations of corn, cotton and tobacco, over the counties of Jackson, Cass, Johnson, Henry, St. Clair and Polk, and through the towns of Pleasant Hill, Oseola, Bolivar and Greenfield. The Brigade crossed seven rivers enroute, some of which the men waded during the night, with the water and air at the freezing point. The Osage, a large and deep river, was crossed on a scow drawn over by ropes. The soldiers were often supplied by the settlers with corn pone cakes which had been baked in skillets over red-hot coals. The boys added mo- lasses and the cake was considered a luxury. This country was known in early geography as the eastern end of the great American dessert. However, there was no dessert. It was a plateau or tableland over which the wind swept and chilled our soldiers to the marrow. The two Regiments arrived at Greenfield on October 27th, raised the Union flag over the Court House, and on the 30th, late in the afternoon, after being reviewed by General Sturgess and double-quicked through the streets for several hours, received urgent orders to join Fremont. They marched all night and the following day, arrived in Springfield just at dusk, with bands playing and flags flying. They were hungry and thirsty and covered with dust, and they had waded three small rivers during the night. They marched forty-five miles during the twenty-four hours and a total distance of two hundred and thirty miles in fourteen days, subsisting on scanty rations of pork and cornmeal. Soldiers from their camps lined the roadway and greeted the Twenty-seventh and Thirty-ninth Ohio with up- roars of delight, exclaiming, "Here come the regulars." This was a compli- ment to the fine marching and discipline. On noticing the Ohio banners, cheers were given for the "twin Buckeye regiments." Fremont's army now numbered about fifty thousand men, all gathered in a great camp of white tents. Here was heard near by and in the distance, the martial sound of bugle call, of fife and drum, and the music of bands. This and the artillery salutes to the flag at sunrise and sunset seemed to the minds of the Ohio soldiers who had just marched out of the wilderness, magical and inspiring, and it filled them with patriotic emotions. March to Springfield. 39 Camp was made on the grounds where Major Zagoni of Fremont's staff led a bold movement with two hundred and fifty horsemen and de- feated a thousand rebel recruits of Price's Army. While here the regi- ments Were sent on a march of twelve miles to Wilson's Creek to bury the dead left after the battle. The work of interment was done as humanely as possible, but was difficult on account of the rocky and irregular surface of the battle field. Many Unionists living in this section of the country gave the soldiers a warm greeting. While crossing the prairies, each company when about to camp and pitch tents, marched four abreast, making a circle and tramp- ing down the grass. It is wonderful how proficient the soldiers became in putting up their tents, "striking" them (taking them down) and loading them into wagons neatly and quickly. CHAPTER VI. THE TERRITORY IN POSSESSION OF THE UNION ARMIES. The situation of all the armies at this time (last days of September, 1861,) was in part as follows: The United States was in possession of Fortress Monroe and the adjacent waters of the sound, also from a point a few miles south of Washington, D. C, through Harper's Ferry, Mary- land, through West Virginia, just south of the Ohio River, then in Ken- tucky near the Dick and Kentucky Rivers to the Ohio River near Paducah, from Cairo, Illinois, along the Mississippi River to points a little south of St. Louis, thence west to Kansas City and south to Springfield, Missouri. The Missouri River was a Federal highway from its source to its mouth. Nearly the whole territory south of the above line was controlled by the so- called Confederacy. The Army of the Potomac in the east under McClellan was inactive though organized in the midst of loyal advisors and surroundings, under the eyes of the President. Missouri, a border state, had represented all the evils of bitter civil strife. Military operations had to be initiated in the midst of revolutionary conditions and a rebellious people, where all laws were set at defiance. "The consummation of General Lyon's well-conserved campaign and Frank Blair's statesmanship had made it impossible for Mis- souri to secede or contribute any more men or material to the south." Gen- eral Fremont had sent officers into the states of Tennessee and Kentucky, within the Confederate lines to observe and ascertain the strength of the enemy, who upon returning, had brought important information concerning the position of the enemy. He had ordered General Grant to Cairo to take possession of Paducah, to hold the mouths of the Cumberland and Tennes- see Rivers which were threatened by the enemy, to take command of south- east Missouri, and had laid plans for operations on the Mississippi River with gunboats, which he had ordered built. On November 4th, General McKinstry inspected and reviewed the First Brigade and First Division, to which the Twenty-seventh and Thirty- ninth had been assigned at Springfield. The general routine of duty until the 9th of November, 1861, con- sisted principally of roll call, drill four times each day and dress parade. The army was on half rations, for the train of thousands of wagons failed to supply rations in sufficient quantities. CHAPTER VII. THE RETROGRADE MOVEMENT OF THE ARMY. On the 2nd of November, General Fremont was relieved of command of the Army of the Northwest. The government thought he had not filled the high expectations which his opportunities merited. The dis- aster of the battle of Springfield and the death of Lyon, to whom loyal Missouri owed so much, turned censure sharply upon Fremont, whose short- comings as a commander had been noticed. General Hunter now assumed command. He failed to realize that the Army could live on the country, but unfortunately moved his army back to their base of supplies on the railroads at Sedalia, necessitating a march of one hundred and twenty-five miles. The Confederate General Price's Army followed and occupied Springfield, consuming all subsistence raised in that country, especially that belonging to the Union people. While camped near Springfield, Missouri, Colonel Fuller, command- ing the Twenty-seventh Ohio Regiment, was so reduced by sickness that he could not be moved and was left in the hospital when our army moved to Sedalia. All the sick in the hospital fell into the Hands of the Confed- erates. They were very kind to General Fuller, General Price himself be- stowing much personal attention upon him. As soon as General Fuller could be moved with safety, he was sent into the Union lines. Part of the retrograde march was over dusty roads, made so by great numbers of wagons and the tramping of thousands of men. The soldiers became so covered with dust, that they were hardly recognizable. About the 15th of November, the weather turned cold and there was much rain. The men carrying their knapsacks suffered a great deal from toil and hardship. The Twenty-seventh and Thirty-ninth camped at Georgetown, situated in a rolling country, then moved three miles to a new camp at Sedalia, which was at the time the western terminus of the Missouri Pacific Railroad. Sedalia, a frontier town, was situated on a flat and swampy prairie, where the small population lived in cheaply constructed houses, without other foundation than blocks of wood. The Thirty-ninth Ohio went into camp at Syracuse. The low, wet camp at Sedalia was soon cut up by the wheels of the artillery, commissary, and ammunition wagons, and became a quagmire, causing such a great amount of sickness among the soldiers that the surgeons became alarmed. Large numbers of men were sent to the hospitals, which at this time were poorly managed. J^-...;^i^fee ap or ATI ON S IN OURI, 1361. * S ~^v OPERATIONS IN MISSOURI, 1861 AND 1862. Marches of the 27th and 39th 0. V. !. Retrograde Movement of Army. 43 The men were furnished large Fremont tents, yet they suffered from the severe weather and exposure during the heavy falls of snow. While standing on picket or on camp guard, a great many had their hands, ears or feet frozen. Details of axemen were sent to the woods for fuel. Some- times large trees were cut down, trimmed and then hauled by six mule wagon teams over the frozen ground, a distance of two miles. Log-heap fires were kept burning in the company streets, around which the soldiers would stand and by turning around and around, could keep warm on one side of their bodies, all of the time. The regimental sutler sold his goods at very high prices, but supplies of home-cooked meats, bread and apple butter, brought in wagons and corn baskets by the farmers were bought much cheaper. It was at Sedalia that the soldiers received their first green- backs issued by the government in payment for their services. On November 19th, General Halleck assumed command of the Depart- ment of the Northwest, the Twenty-seventh and Thirty-ninth Ohio Regi- ments being attached to the First Brigade, First Division. On December 12th, these two regiments were assembled to march with a scouting force, composed of cavalry, artillery and infantry, under command of General John Pope. The troops were supplied with two days' rations, forty rounds of cartridges and extra ammunition in wagons. By forced marches, they covered fourteen miles, the first day, and thirty-five miles on the second day, then went into a camp on a prairie. The weather was very cold and the ground was frozen hard, no tents could be pitched. The men slept on prairie brush and corn fodder. It .was here that a bushwhacker who had been captured, while attempting to break through the guard, was shot. On the 15th, near Warrensburg, a wagon train was captured, contain- ing supplies for Price's Army. On the 18th, the Twenty-seventh and Thirty-ninth Ohio Regiments, after marching northeasterly, some distance went into camp, but at eight o'clock in the evening, the long roll was sounded, and they were hurriedly formed in ranks and marched forward three miles to Blackwater River. The regiments halted and formed ranks in open order and thirteen hundred rebel prisoners composing General McGoffin's command were marched in between our two lines, and were guarded back to Sedalia. The distance covered by our troops during this scout, was one hundred miles. While out scouting on this expedition, sixty-two men belonging to the Twenty-seventh and Thirty-ninth Ohio Regiments were taken prisoners and made to take an oath not to take up arms against the Southern Con- federacy. They were released on parole, sent to Benton Barracks, St. Louis, Missouri, and from there to Kansas City, where they were mus- tered out of the service of the United States by order of General Halleck. CHAPTER VIII. THE GREAT WINTER MARCH TO ST. LOUIS. ADVANCE UPON NEW MADRID AND ISLAND TEN. Special Order Number 18. Headquarters, District of Central Missouri, Otterville, January 29th, 1862. The following movements of troops will be made. First, the Iowa Fifth, the Illinois Forty-seventh, five companies of the Ohio Thirty-ninth and the Eleventh Ohio Battery will march from Syracuse and LaMine to Boonville, Missouri, where Colonel W. H. Worthington will take command and make immediate arrangements to cross the Missouri River with his whole force. Second, the Nebraska First, the Ohio Twenty-seventh, and three companies of Fourth Regular Cavalry, the companies of regular Infantry, and one of the Batteries of the Missouri Light Artillery, at Sedalia, to be designated by Colonel Steel, and Eighth Iowa Volunteers, will take up the line of march immediately for Jefferson City. Third, the nine companies of Merrill's Horse will immediately proceed to Brownsville, By order of General John Pope, Commanding. On February 3rd, 1862, the order to move was brought to the regi- ment by the Sergeant-Major, and the great march to St. Louis began. Then far and near was heard throughout the camps the sound of drums and bugle calls to assemble. And so with light hearts and heavy knap- sacks, with filled canteens and haversacks, with guns slung over shoulders, with forty rounds of ammunition in the cartridge boxes, our boys trudged away at a good gate, over the snow and rough and frozen roads. Stakes could not be driven to tie the ropes which held up the tents, so that no tents could be used. With the change in the weather, the snow turned to slush, and the roads were so deep with mud that they were almost impassable. The black mud stuck like tar to the shoes of the marching men. Small lakes were formed in the road by the melting snow, and squads of men would scatter and tramp through the fields, or walk on the ties of the rail- road. At night, the men built great fires and dried their wet clothing. Some cut corn stalks and put them by the fire to dry and on this bed lay down to sleep, wrapped in blankets, some on tents spread on the ground or on beds made of brush, while others remained in groups shivering around the fire. One cold night, in an open corn field, two boy soldiers routed an old sow and 'a litter of pigs from a hole she had made in the ground for protection against the inclemency of the weather. They crept into the hole for warmth and she returned many times during the night, squealing and grunting as if appealing to their humanity. Winter March to St. Louis. 45 The last day of the march was over a plank road, a distance of twenty- live miles into St. Louis, which was covered in ten hours. It was the only dry shod marching that was experienced in the whole trip, and was accom- panied by comparatively little fatigue. Many times on the trip, the soldiers exclaim, "From mud we came, to mud we return." Part of the army crossed the Missouri river at Boonville, and part at Jefferson City, and followed the route by way of Otterville, Columbia, Dan- ville and St. Charles, much of the way over a hilly country. This march was a severe one and will never be forgotten by the par- ticipants. The men were compelled frequently to pull the ordinance and supply wagons over the hills by hand. The march consumed seventeen days' time and covered a distance of two hundred and thirty miles. At St. Louis, the glad news was received of the victory at Fort Donaldson. The detached companies joined the command here. The regiments expected after the hardships of the march, to remain in more comfortable quarters at Camp Benton barracks to rest, but to their dismay, they were ordered aboard steamers upon which they were conveyed down the Mississippi to Commerce, Missouri, arriving there on the 23rd. The river was at a flood, the land was overflowed, the United States bar- racks at Fort Holt, Kentucky, and Birds Point, Missouri, were afloat and at Cairo, Illinois, the inhabitants were moving from their dwellings through the streets in boats. The strong, muddy current of the river carried away every movable thing, houses, trees, fences, and wreckage of all kinds, and swept them rapidly down stream. The steamers which conveyed the Twenty-seventh and Thirty-ninth Ohio regiments down the Mississippi River, were crowded and carried a cargo of munitions of war that fully tested their capacities. But the three days' rest afforded the men by this trip of one hundred miles on the river, compensated in a measure for their close quarters and poor accommo- dations. At the debarkation of the regiments at Commerce, Missouri, forty miles above Cairo, all ambulances, army wagons and artillery were taken off the boat in pieces and were regeared, put together and the wagons reloaded with supplies. The regiments moved back from the river two miles and pitched their tents in the woods. The army of the North-west was here merged with part of the Army of the Mississippi. On February 25th, 1862, at Commerce, Missouri, the Forty-third Ohio and the Sixty-third Ohio Regiments were joined with the Twenty- seventh and Thirty-ninth. The four regiments composed Fuller's Ohio Brigade (First). On the 22nd, the Brigade was assigned to General Schuy- 46 Fuller's Ohio Brigade ler Hamilton's First Division, in General John Pope's Armv of the Missis- sippi. For four years following, these regiments supported each other with heroic devotion, on many bloody battle fields. OIL. WAGER SWAYNE. 43d 0. V. V. I. MAT. W. It. THRALL. Surgeon 27th 0. V. V. I. COL. JOHN W. PULLER. 27th 0. V. I. COL. EDW. P. NOYES. 39th 0. V. V. I. CHAPTER IX. THE CAPTURE OF NEW MADRID AND ISLAND TEN. On February 28th, the Brigade commenced a march of fifty miles, through low swampy lands, where the cottonwood and cypress trees and the mistletoe grew in great profusion, and into the gloom of the "sunk country" to New Madrid. New Madrid was effected by the earthquakes of 1811 and 1812. At that time the earth rolled in waves, opened with loud explosions, formed lakes and crevasses, and drained the Mississippi River, submerging the land. The boasts of the rebel Generals Polk, Pillow, 43d AND 63d 0. V. I. STARTING FOR NEW MADRID, MO. March. 1862. From Si Clegg. 27th AND 39th 0. V. I. "FOLLOWING.' In Need of Supplies. 48 Fuller's Ohio Brigade and Thompson, that they would capture Cairo and St. Louis, were frus- trated by the occupancy of this territory. At the crossing of the Bird's Point Railroad, there was a skirmish with Jeff Thompson's Cavalry, a small force of the enemy's command was captured by our advance, together with three one pounder guns, breach loaders, each drawn by a mule. This was termed by our young soldiers the "jackass battery," and Lieutenant Zenn said : "The mule seems as glad to See the Yankees as the colored people are." In the movement upon New Madrid, the Forty-third and Sixty-third led in the advance of the Twenty-seventh and Thirty-ninth Ohio on the first day. The sandy roads and heavy knapsacks, made the men feel keenly their first lessons in real soldiering, and many knapsacks were unloaded. CHARGE THROUGH CORNFIELD. New Madrid, Mo., March 6th, 1862. Capture of New Madrid and Island Ten. 49 On reaching the enemy's outpost, on the afternoon of March 3rd, with the Twenty-seventh in advance, muskets were loaded, and the regiments which were deployed as skirmishers advanced. Hogs were feeding on the corn- fields, shells were bursting overhead and in the rear, filling the air with sizzling missiles, then striking the ground with a thud, One of the soldiers picked up an unexploded shell and carried it to a fire. The shell exploded and tore him to pieces. On March 3rd, the Ohio Brigade in advance, arrived at New Madrid, halting in a corn field, half a mile from town. The Confederates fired from their gun boats on the Mississippi River and also from their fort on the river bank at Madrid Landing. Toward night, the Brigade fell back a short distance, to a camp in the woods. Temporarily, the First (Demi) Brigade with the Twenty-seventh under command of Colonel John W. Fuller and the Thirty-ninth under command of Major Edward F. Noys was commanded by Colonel John Groesbeck. The Second Brigade with the Forty-third under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Wager Swayne, and the Sixty-third under command of John W. Sprague, was commanded by Colonel J. L. Kirby Smith. March 4th, General D. S. Stanley assumed command of the First Division. Keeping a strong picket in front, preparations were now made to cap- ture the fort. At two o'clock on the morning of March 13th, the men supplied with rations and blankets, were formed for the purpose of sup- porting a large siege gun which had been planted within five hundred yards of the enemy's position, and also for the purpose of relieving a regiment then lying in rifle pits. The enemy observed this movement, and instantly began firing volleys, while the heavy guns from the fort opened with a tre- mendous fire of shell and solid shot. One cannon ball, bounding along, cut off the legs of three boys, members of the Twenty-seventh Ohio Regi- ment, who were in one file, marching forward with military precision. Considering the awful fire they were under for four days, in exposed positions, it is a matter of great astonishment that there were no more casualties and that half the men engaged were not either killed or wounded. The air was full of shot and shell, striking the trees, scattering the limbs around, and plowing up the earth in different places. There were many narrow escapes in the four regiments. In one case, a piece of shell struck a soldier's gun, twisting it out of shape, and whirling the soldier around and around, so that he was badly hurt. These great shells flying through the air with a singing sound, the soldiers called by such names as "camp ket- tles" or "humming birds." Our men lay flat upon the ground during most of the firing, until it ceased at about eight o'clock in the evening. During that time the Union Batteries were in action and succeeded in dismantling some of the enemy's 50 Fuller's Ohio Brigade. guns, and injuring their gunboats. One of our large siege guns named "Uncle Sam" made the earth tremble at every discharge. A violent thunder storm came up and continued during the night, soaking the men's clothing, and making things generally uncomfortable. At daylight, while the troops were standing, waiting in mud and water, it was discovered that the enemy had evacuated their fort on the river bank, leaving twenty-five heavy guns and a large quantity of army stores. At New Madrid, the supply of drinking water was obtained by digging in the black sand. In these shallow wells, the water was so bad and so rily that after standing a short time in a camp kettle an inch or two of slime and sand could be found. Charles I. Adkins, of Company K, of the twenty-seventh Ohio said that it was safe to believe that during our six weeks' stay in New Madrid, each man swallowed enough dirt to give his stomach a concrete lining. An incident occurred at New Madrid which shows the feeling and conduct of some of the regular army officers toward the volunteer sol- dier. One day the Orderly Sergeant of Company K, Twenty-seventh Ohio, ordered Privates C. I. Adkins and Thomas Chambers, to go with Antone, the Mexican teamster, and get a load of rails. As they were returning perched on top of the load, General Pope drove up to them in his ambu- lance and asked them with an oath what command they belonged to. Without giving them time to answer, he ordered them to get into the ambu- lance with him, and told the teamster to take the rails back and put them on the fence again. Then with a blast of words to his driver, ordered him to go to the Forty-third Ohio Regiment, and without any explanation, told Colonel Swayne to put "these " in the guard house until they could be court-martialed and shot as an example to the rest of the" Volunteer ." And to make an impression, he repeated this several times. It is indeed singular, with the soldiers' war experience, that officers of such acknowledged ability as General Pope and others, did not compre- hend the Volunteer's patriotism nor his comfort. Taking rails was not a crime, but protecting the enemy's property of that kind, was a crime. Every old soldier knows that during the last two years of the war, the taking of rails to build fires to cook over, or the using of rails to sleep upon, or to make corduroy roads, was especially commended by those in authority. The evacutaion of New Madrid was forced by General Pope's troops blockading the western side of the Mississippi River, twelve miles below, at Point Pleasant. The Confederates still held Island Ten, and the eastern shores with no way to retreat except by river or through almost im- passable swamps. Perceiving his defect in the enemy's position, Pope pro- ceeded with promptness and ability to take advantage of the situation, but Capture of New Madrid and Island Ten. 51 he could not cross the river below Island Ten without the aid of gunboats to silence the enemy's batteries opposite Point Pleasant. On the night of April 4th, the gunboat "Carondelet" ran past the rebel batteries at Island Ten, starting at ten o'clock, after the moon had gone down and the sky, the earth and the river were alike hidden in the black shadows of a thunder storm. Arriving at New Madrid at midnight, the crew was most heartily received by the army. On Sunday the 6th of April, General Gordon Granger, Colonel J. L. Kirby Smith, with other officers on board, made a reconnaissance to Tip- tonville, and returning, captured and spiked the guns of a rebel battery op- posite Point Pleasant. On April 7th, several transports passed the slough or bayou, which had been cleared of trees and stumps for a distance of twelve miles. On the same day, the gunboat "Pittsburg" ran the gauntlet safely. The Brigade marched on board the steamers "Trio" and "Gilmore," lying at the upper Madrid Fort and were conveyed down the Mississippi six miles to Watson's Landing, Kentucky. There the troops disembarked after the TAKING THE TOP RAIL ON GOING INTO CAMP. HOC If « P « be a <5 a M c -fl §£ ^« H° 0£ <is 3£ a; s o 3 s o~ SJ3 a p Capture of New Madrid and Island Ten. 53 gunboats had driven the enemy from the rifle pits, and had knocked the siege guns over into the ditch. They then marched on the Tiptonville Road, bivouacking long after dark and lying on their arms till daylight. The next day, pursuit of the enemy was continued, past deserted camps containing tents still standing and cooked rations left upon the ground. Army blankets and stores were found strewn along the road, left by the enemy. After marching fourteen miles, the Brigade arrived at Tiptonville, Tennessee, and witnessed the surrender of seven thousand well-dressed and uniformed Confederate soldiers, including three Generals and ten Colonels. The captures included seven thousand small arms and accoutrements. The prisoners were sent up the river. After these encouraging successes, the Brigade marched up the River Road to a point opposite Island Ten. They stacked arms, and rested in an extensive camp, recently abandoned by the enemy, which had been a depot of supplies. The captures were five million rations, great quantities of ammunition, bread, bacon, sugar, one gunboat, three transports, one iron- clad ram, and one hundred and twenty-three pieces of heavy artillery and thirty-five pieces of field artillery of modern pattern. On the same day, the Brigade marched to the landing, embarked on steamers and returned to New Madrid and to their camp where they remained until the 12th. RICE B. BOSTICK, 4th Tenn., C. S. A., who fired the first musket shot at the 43rd Ohio, New Madrid, Mo., March 6th, 1862. He afterwards served in the Union Army. 54 Fuller's Ohio Brigade. Report of General John Pope. Headquarters, Department of the Mississippi, New Madrid, March 14, 1862. I have the honor to submit for the information of the general com- manding the department the following report of the operations which re- sulted in the capture of this place. I arrived before the town with the forces under my command on Monday the 3rd instant. I found the place occupied by five regiments of infantry and several companies of artillery. One bastioned earthwork, mounting fourteen guns, about a half mile below the town, and another irregular work at the upper end of the town, mounting seven pieces of heavy artillery, together with lines of intrenchments between them, con- stituted the defensive works. Six gunboats carrying from four to eight heavy guns each, were anchored along the shore between the upper and lower redoubts. The country is perfectly level for miles around the place, and the river was so high that the guns of the gunboats looked directly over the banks. The approaches to the town for several miles were com- manded by direct and cross fire by at least sixty guns of heavy caliber. It would not have been difficult to carry the intrenchments, but it would have been attended with heavy loss and we should not have been able to hold the place for half an hour exposed to the destructive fire of the gunboats. It seemed necessary to bring down a few heavy guns by land to operate against those of the enemy. They were sent for and meanwhile forced reconnaissances were pushed over the whole ground and into several parts of the town. * * * The enemy invariably retreated precipitately. I de- termined to occupy some point on the river below and establish our small guns, if possible in such a position as to blockade the river and to cut off supplies and re-enforcements for the enemy from below. Point Pleasant, twelve miles below was selected, it being the terminus of a plank road from the interior. I accordingly threw forward Colonel Plummer, Eleventh Mis- souri, to that point with three regiments of infantry, three companies of cavalry, and a field battery of ten-pound Parrot and rifle guns, with orders to make a lodgment on the river bank, to line the rifle pits with one thou- sand men, and to establish his artillery in sunk batteries of single pieces between rifle pits. The arrangement was made to present as small a mark as possible to the shells of the gunboat, and to render futile the use of round shot from their heavy guns. Colonel Plummer marched with all speed. After some cannonading from gunboats, he succeeded in making a lodgment, constructed and occupied the works. * * * * The river was blockaded during the rest of our operations. The enemy continued to re-in force New Madrid from Island Ten until March 12th. They had Capture of New Madrid and Island Ten. 55 nine thousand infantry, considerable artillery and nine gunboats. On the 12th, our siege guns reached here and were placed in battery within eight hundred yards of the enemy's works and opened fire at daylight on the 13th. A detail was made to work in the trenches, supported by Stanley's Division, consisting of the Twenty-seventh and Thirty-ninth Ohio under Colonel Groesbeck, and the Forty-third and Sixty-third Ohio under Colonel Smith. Captain Mower, First United States Infantry with Companies A and H was placed in command of the siege guns. The enemy fired several volleys of musketry, but was driven in. * * * Our guns were served with vigor and skill and in a few hours disabled several of the gunboats and dis- mounted several of the heavy guns in the enemy's main works. One of our twenty- four pound guns was struck -in the muzzle by a round shot from the enemy's batteries and was disabled. The cannonading was continued furiously all day by the gunboats and land batteries of the enemy without producing any impression upon us. Meantime our trenches were being ex- tended and advanced. ***** A furious thunder storm began to rage about eleven o'clock that night and continued without intermission until morning. Just be fore ^ daylight, General Stanley was relieved in the trenches with his Division by Gen- eral Hamilton. A few minutes after daylight a flag of truce approached our batteries with information that the enemy had evacuated his works. Companies A and H, First United States Infantry were sent forward to plant the United States flag over their abandoned works. The flight of the enemy had been hasty and precipitate. Their dead were found unburied, their suppers untouched, candles were burning in the tents, and there was every other evidence of a disgraceful panic. All their artillery, siege guns, field batteries, magazines filled with fixed ammunition, tents for an army of ten thousand men, horses, mules, intrenching tools are among the spoils left in our hands. The enemy's guns were immediately turned upon the river which they completely command. The flight of the enemy was so hasty that they abandoned their pickets and gave no intimation to their forces at Island Ten, consequently one gunboat and ten large steamers which were there, are cut off from below, and must either be destroyed or fall into our hands. Island Ten must also be evacuated as it can neither be re-inforced nor supplied from below. During the operations here, the whole of the forces were at different times brought under the fire of the enemy and behaved themselves with great coolness and gallantry. It seems proper however, that I should make special mention of those more directly concerned in the final operations against the place. The division of General Stanley, consisting of the Twenty-seventh, Thirty-ninth, Forty-third and Sixty- third Ohio Regiments, supported the battery from two o'clock in the morn- 56 Fuller's Ohio Brigade. ing of the 13th to daylight of the 14th, exposed to the full fury of the cannonade, without being able to return a shot, during the severe storm of that night, and displayed coolness, courage and fortitude worthy of all praise. In fact the conduct of all the troops in this command so far ex- ceeded my expectations that I was astonished and delighted and feel very safe in predicting for them a brilliant career in arms. Our whole loss during the operations was fifty-one killed and wounded. John Pope, Brigadier-General, Commanding. THE BRIGADE AT NEW MADRID AND ISLAND No. 10. Capture of New Madrid and Island Ten. 57 Report of General John Pope. Headquarters, Army of the Mississippi. Camp five miles from Corinth, Miss., May 2nd, 1862. General: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations which resulted in the capture of Island Ten and the batteries on the main shore, together with the whole of the land forces of the enemy in that vicinity. A brief sketch of the topography of the immediate neighborhood, seems es- sential to the full understanding of the army. Island Ten lies at the bottom of a great bend of the Mississippi River, immediately North of it being a long, narrow promontory on the Mississippi shore. The River from Island Ten flows northwest to New Madrid, where it again makes a great bend to the south, as far as Tiptonville, otherwise called Merriwether's Landing, so that opposite New Madrid also, is a long narrow promontory. From Island Eight across the land to New Madrid is six miles, while by river it is fifteen ; so likewise the distance from Island Ten to Tiptonville is five miles, while by water it is twenty-seven. Commencing at Hickman, a great swamp, which afterward becomes Reelfoot Lake, extends along the left bank of the Mississippi and discharges is waters into the River, forty miles below Tiptonville, leaving the whole penninsula opposite New Madrid between it and the river. This peninsula therefore, is itself an island, having the Mississippi River on three sides, and Reelfoot Lake and the great swamps which border it on the other. A good road leads from Island Ten along the west bank of Reelfoot Lake to Tiptonville. The only means of supply therefore, for the forces at and around Island Ten in this peninsula, was by the river. When the river was blockaded at New Madrid, supplies and re-inforcements were landed at Tiptonville and conveyed across the neck of the peninsula by land. There was no communication with the interior except by small flat boats plied across Reelfoot Lake, a distance of two miles, and that through an open- ing cut through cypress swamps for the purpose. Supplies and re-inforce- ments or escape to any considerable extent were therefore impracticable on the land side. One mile below Tiptonville began the great swamps along the Mississippi on both sides, and no dry ground is to be found except in occasional spots, for at least sixty miles below. By intercepting the navi- gation of the river below Tiptonville and commanding by heavy artillery the lowest point of dry ground near the place, the enemy would be at once cut off from his resources and prevented from escaping. The roads along the river in the direction of Point Pleasant followed a narrow strip of dry land between the swamps and the river, and were very miry and difficult. 58 Fuller's Ohio Brigade. With much labor the heavy guns captured at New Madrid from the enemy were dragged by hand and established in battery at several points, and ex- tending my lines seventeen miles along the river, the lower battery being placed immediately opposite the lowest point of dry ground below Tipton- ville. The enemy attempted in every way to prevent their construction and were therefore in every case established at night. * * * * Five gun- boats, therefore, at once advanced against the battery, which consisted of twenty four-pound siege guns and two ten-pound Parrots. * * * * Their gunboats were repulsed with a loss of one gunboat sunk and many men shot down by our sharp shooters from the rifle pits. From this time all communication from below with the forces near Island Ten was cut 0g * * * * Qn March 1Q; t received your dispatch directing me if possible, to cut a road through the swamps to a point on the Missouri shore opposite Island Ten and transfer a portion of my force sufficient to erect batteries at that point, and to assist in the artillery practice on the enemy's batteries. * * * * I directed Colonel Bissell's engineer regiment to build a road through the swamps and overflow of the river, to dig a canal across the peninsula from some point above Island Ten to New Madrid in order that steam transports might be brought to me which would enable me to cross the river and assail the enemy's batteries near Island Ten in the rear. The work was beyond measure difficult. The canal is twelve miles long, six miles of which is through heavy timber. An avenue fifty feet wide was made through it by sawing off trees of large size, four and one- half feet under water. * * * * It was completed on the 4th of April, after privations and exposures very unusual even in the history of warfare. * * * The enemy anticipating our movements, had erected batteries along the east shore from Island Ten entirely around to Tiptonville, at every point where troops could be landed. The difficulty of crossing the river in force had therefore greatly increased. * * * * The passage of a great river lined with batteries and in the face of the enemy, is one of the most hazardous and difficult operations of war and cannot be justified except in case of urgent necessity. * * * * Though full of peril, the movement was throroughly understood by my whole command ; there was not an officer nor man who was not anxious to be placed in the advance. * * * * Floating batteries were made by lashing three coal barges together and bolted with iron carrying three heavy guns and eighty sharp shooters. * * * * Qn f-i:e 5th 0f April, the steamers and barges were brought near to the mouth of the bayou which discharges into the Mississippi at New Madrid. * * * * On the night of the 4th of April, the gunboat "Carondelet" ran the batteries at Island Ten. * * * * On the morning of the 6th, I sent Captain Marshall of my staff, * * and other officers, to make a reconnaissance of the river below, and requested Captain Wilke to Capture of New Madrid and Island Ten. 59 take them on board the "Carondelet," and run down the river to ascertain precisely the character of the bank and the position and number of the en- emy's batteries. * * * * The "Carondelet" steamed down the river in the midst of a heavy fire from the enemy's batteries along the shore. On her return up the river, Captain Wilke silenced the enemy's guns opposite Point Pleasant, and a small force of infantry landed and spiked their guns. On the night of the 6th, at my urgent request, Commodore Foot ordered the "Pittsburg" also to run down to New Madrid. She arrived at daylight and like the "Carondelet" came through untouched. * * * * I directed that two gunboats proceed down the river on the 7th and if possible silence the batteries near Watson's Landing, the point which had been selected to land the troops, and at the same time, I brought three steamers into the river and embarked Paine's Division. The land batteries were ordered to open their fire upon the enemy's batteries opposite. The two gunboats ran down the river' and joined in the action. * * * * Our troops moved out from the landing and began crossing the river, preceded by the gunboats. * * * * The whole force designed to cross had been drawn up along the river bank and saluted the passing steamers with cheers of exultation. * * * * The enemy commenced to evacuate his position along the banks and the batteries along the Tennessee shore opposite Island Ten, toward Tiptonville. It was my purpose to capture the whole army of the enemy. * * * The Division pushed forward to Tiptonville as fast as they were landed. * * * * -pne enemy retreating from Island Ten, met at Tiptonville during the night, in great confusion, and were driven back into the swamps by the advance of our forces, until four o'clock in the morning of the 8th, when finding themselves completely cut off, and being apparently unable to resist, they laid down their^ arms and surrendered at discretion. * * * * As soon as day dawned, our forces proceded by marches to the enemy's abandoned works opposite Island Ten on the Tennessee Shore. * * * * There fell into our hands, three Generals, two hundred and seventy-three field and company officers, sixty-seven hundred privates, one hundred and twenty-three pieces of heavy artillery, thirty-five pieces of field artillery (all of the best character and latest patterns) seven thousand stand of small arms, tents for twelve thousand men and several wharf boats, loads of ammunition, an immense quantity of provisions of all kinds, many hundred horses and mules, with wagons and harness. * * * We have crossed this great river, we have pursued and captured the whole force of the enemy and all his supplies, and have again recrossed and re-occupied the camps at New Madrid without losing a man or meeting with an acci- dent. Such results bespeak efficiency, good conduct, high discipline, and soldierly deportment of the best character, far more conclusive than can be 60 Fuller's Ohio Brigade. exhibited in pitched battle or the storming of fortified places. Patience, willing labor, endurance of hardship, and privation, * * * * are the qualities which these operations have developed in the forces under my command. John Pope, Major-General Commanding. To Major-General H. M. Halleck, Commanding the Department of the Mississippi, St. Louis, Missouri. Official Report of Brigadier-General Schuyler Hamilton on the Battles at New Madrid, Missouri. Headquarters of the Second Division, Army of the Mississippi. Pittsburg Landing, April 22nd, 1862. On February 22nd, 1862, at Commerce, Missouri, in compliance with your orders, I organized the First Division of this army. First Brigade under Colonel Groesbeck, Thirty-ninth O'hio, Major Noyes commanding; Forty-third, Colonel Smith commanding ; Twenty-seventh, Colonel Fuller, commanding; Second Brigade, Colonel J. B. Plumber, commanding, com- posed of the Sixty-third Ohio, Colonel Sprague, Twenty-sixth Illinois, Colonel Loomis, Eleventh Missouri, Colonel Panabaker, Seventh Illinois Cavalry, detachment First Missouri Infantry, two companies of Engineer Troops and Eleventh Ohio Battery. The Division marched from Commerce, Missouri, on February 28th, and reached Hunter's Farm at midnight. On March 2nd, the Forty-third Ohio and Seventh Illinois Cavalry made a daring reconnaissance penetrat- ing into the town of New Madrid. On the 3rd the First Division reached the town, advancing within three quarters of a mile of the enemy's entrench- ments, Kellog's Cavalry covering the flanks. Colonel Fuller's Twenty- seventh Ohio deployed as skirmishers supported by a section of Sand's Eleventh Ohio Battery, followed by the whole Division. The enemy's pickets were gallantly driven in by the Twenty-seventh Ohio Infantry. The Thirty-ninth was advanced as skirmishers on the right flank and were pushed forward on a line with the Twenty-seventh to within one and a quarter miles of the enemy's principal works. The Forty-third Ohio in line of battle supported the Twenty-seventh Ohio and protected the left flank of the Division. The enemy withdrew to his entrenchments but kept up unremitting fire of shot and shell from five gunboats and from his works, Capture of New Madrid and Island Ten. 61 twenty-four pounder shot, shell from thirty-two pounders and sixty-four pounders, besides missiles from guns of smaller caliber. The troops unable to reply, evinced a calmness and steadiness worthy of veterans. Brigadier-General Stanley arrived in camp on the evening of the 3rd. On the 4th, a re-organization of the Division was made. General Stanley, being from Ohio, the Ohio Regiments passed from under my command. Having had evidence of their gallantry and coolness under fire and feeling grateful for the cheerfulness with which both officers and men had re- sponded to my efforts to enforce discipline and excite their ardor, I parted from them with regret. On the night of the 4th, the Forty-third Ohio, Worthington's Battery of four guns, five companies of the Fifth Iowa, two companies of the Fifty-ninth Indiana, drove the enemy's pickets and opened fire on his position. On the 6th, Point Pleasant was occupied by our forces. On the 7th, 9th and 13th demonstrations were made by Stanley's Division. On the 14th, at two o'clock in the morning, in pouring rain, the troops knee deep in mud, prepared for assaulting the enemy's works, moving steadily forward. At six o'clock in the morning, the enemy had evacuated his fort. Schuyler Hamilton, Brigadier-General United States Army, Commanding the Second Division. Report of Brigadier-G eneral D. S. Stanley. In reporting the part taken by the First Division of this Army, in compelling the surrender of Island Ten, I have the honor to state that I was assigned to the command of the Division of the 4th of March, 1862. On the same night a detachment of five hundred men commanded by Colonel J. L. Kirby Smith of the Forty-third Ohio Volunteers made a re- connaissance in force and after cannonading the town and forts for half an hour, retired to their camp without loss. On the 6th of the same month, my entire Division consisting of the First Brigade with Colonel Groesbeck commanding, and the Second Brigade with Colonel J. L. Kirby Smith com- manding, by order of the Major-General commanding, pushed our way into the town of New Madrid to within seven hundred yards of the upper fort, driving the enemy's infantry. But at this point, finding ourselves under a cross fire of seven gunboats and the guns of both their forts, I deemed it proper to withdraw my troops. We were for half an hour under a fierce cannonade, and strange to say, I suffered only three wounded. On the 7th of April, my Division accompanied by Dee's Michigan Battery, crossed the 62 Fuller's Ohio Brigade. Mississippi from the upper fort immediately after the crossing of General Paine's Division. Waiting for the head of General Hamilton's Division, we took up the march before his arrival, and moved by the river route to- ward Tiptonville, twelve miles away. Deserted camps and abandoned artil- lery indicated a flying enemy. Night was coming on very dark and the guide being uncertain of the route, the command was bivouacked until morning, when the enemy surrendered. Subsequently on the same day, we crossed Madrid Bend to Island Ten, covering the road seven miles perpendicular to the main road with skirmishers. We picked up forty prisoners. All the houses were full of the enemy's sick, and cannon, ammunition, tents, and various materials of war were found scattered through the bend. These we had no means to move. General D. S. Stanley, Brigadier-General, U. S. A., Commanding First Division, Army of the Mississippi. Report of Colonel John Groesbeck, Commanding First Brigade. Headquarters of the First Brigade, First Division, District of the Mississippi. New Madrid, March 15th, 1862. I have the honor to report to the General commanding the First Divis- ion, the part taken in the late action before New Madrid, by the Brigade under my command, consisting of the Twenty-seventh, and the Thirty-ninth Ohio Regiments. On the afternoon of the 12th inst, I detailed companies A and F of the Twenty-seventh and I and H of the Thirty-ninth to drive in the pickets of the enemy, hold an advance position and cover the parties detailed to plant our heavy artillery. They drove in the pickets and took the position assigned them, within eight hundred yards of the enemy's gun- boats and principal fort. At three o'clock on the morning of the 13th, I moved forward with my Brigade and took position on the right of the bat- tery. The enemy's skirmishers immediately began firing upon us, but with- out injury. A few moments afterwards our artillery opened the engage- ment. The brigade was ordered back two hundred yards, which it did in good order under a heavy fire of shot and shell from the guns of the fort. While lying there, five companies of the Twenty-seventh Ohio were ordered three hundred yards to the left on a road leading past the enemy's fort and took position supporting the battery, where the sloping bank of a bayou Capture of New Madrid and Island Ten. 63 afforded considerable protection to the men who remained thus placed and guarded against any flank movement during the rest of the day. At day- light, we were relieved. The firing ceased about sunset. Having thrown out an additional company of pickets. Considering the closeness and rapidity of the firing, the casualities were remarkably few, viz., one killed, three severely wounded in the Twenty-seventh, and one very slightly wounded in the Thirty-ninth Ohio. On the morning of the 7th of April, the Brigade under my command, consisting of the Twenty-seventh, and Thirty-ninth Ohio Regiments and Infantry, embarked on the transports, "T-rio" and "Fanny Gilmore." After crossing the Mississippi, we marched six miles toward Tiptonville and biv- ouacked. Next morning we marched eight miles to Tiptonville and on ar- riving there found that the whole rebel force had surrendered to Brigadier- General Paine. After mid-day, I detailed four companies of the Twenty- seventh and three of the Thirty-ninth Regiments under Major Noyes to deploy as skirmishers and scour the country between Tiptonville and Island Ten. This was done and a number of prisoners were taken. The night of the 8th, we bivouaced at Island Ten. The next morning we took the transport "Graham" for camp at New Madrid. John Groesbeck, Colonel Commanding, First Brigade, First Division, District of the Mississippi. Report of Colonel J. L. Kirby Smith. Forty-third Ohio Infantry. April 17th, 1862. I have the honor to submit the following report of the movements of this Brigade at the capture of the rebel position at and near Island Ten. The Forty-third Ohio Infantry, Lieutenant-Colonel Wager Swayne and the Sixty-third Ohio Infantry, Colonel J. W. Sprague, crossed the river on the morning of the 7th instant, embarking at the upper fort at New Madrid and landing at the site of the three gun rebel battery just captured by our gunboats, and took a position in a wood near an abandoned encamp- ment of two regiments, apparently recently evacuated. Twenty men were placed as a guard over the property here and a few prisoners, who, being sick or intoxicated, had failed to escape with the enemy. A company was 64 Fuller's Ohio Brigade. sent back to the landing to render assistance and support to the rifled bat- tery of Captain Dee's which had crossed with us. We had remained in this position about an hour, until joined by the other brigade of the division, the First, Colonel Groesbeck, and then moved in the direction of Tiptonville, to the support of General Paine. The Brigade bivouacked about an hour after dark at a point near the river, and about eight miles below where the land- ing had been made. The march to Tiptonville was resumed in the morning and the Brigade reached there about noon ; the enemy had already surrendered without fight- ing, to our army, and the Brigade was placed in position as a part of the guard of the prisoners. Two hours later the Brigade was put in march for the late position of the enemy, opposite Island number Ten. On the march thither the country between the road and the river was thoroughly beaten by a strong line of skirmishers under Lieutenant-Colonel Swayne, and sev- eral prisoners were taken. The Brigade bivouacked opposite Island number Ten, about five o'clock in the afternoon. On the morning of the 9th instant, the Brigade was moved, with the rest of the Division, by transports, to New Madrid, and resumed its former encampment. J. L. Kirby Smith, Colonel Commanding Brigade. Report of Colonel John W. Sprague, Sixty-third Ohio Infantry. Headquarters of the Sixty-third O. V. I. Camp near New Madrid, Missouri, March 14th, 1862. I have the honor to report that the Sixty-third Regiment, O. V. I., under my command, in obedience to your orders, left camp about three o'clock, Thursday morning, the 13th instant and marched about three miles to a point, say, southwest of the town of New Madrid, and distant about one mile, and was there deployed in line of battle, along the road, by your order, as part of the support of a battery, planted by our troops, say, one hundred rods in advance of our line. Almost immediately after taking this position, the guns of our battery opened fire upon the fort and gunboats of the enemy, to which they replied with shot and shell. As soon as the enemy's gunboats obtained their chosen position, it was found that the posi- tion of the regiment under my command was exposed to the cross fire of ai least one gunboat and the lower and the principal fort of the enemy. By Capture of New Madrid and Island Ten. 65 your order, I moved my regiment forward about twenty-five rods in line of battle and halted along the base of a very slight elevation. While this new position did not remove my command from exposure to the cross-fire men- tioned, the elevation afforded a partial protection. The fire of the enemy continued during the entire day with occasional intermission. At night the fire of the enemy ceased, but about midnight, we were visited by a terrific storm of rain, accompanied by thunder and lightning. Our little trench immediately filled with water and all were soaked by the falling rain. At daylight next morning we were relieved, having occupied the position over twenty-four hours exposed to a galling fire and the inclemency of the weather. I have no casualities to report except that of one man, Private Thomas King of Company H, commanded by Captain Jackson. In conclusion I beg to say that every officer and man under my com- mand behaved with coolness and courage, not a single word of complaint was made of hardship or fatigue. Every order given by me was promptly obeyed and executed, nothwithstanding the harrassing fire of the enemy. I am very respectfully, your obedient servant, John W. Sprague, Colonel, Sixty-third Ohio, 0. V I. To Colonel J. L. Kirby Smith, commanding the Second Brigade, First Div. Army of the Mississippi: The Union Forces at New Madrid consisted of the Army of the Miss- issippi, General Pope commanding. First Division: General D. S. Stanley: Twenty-seventh, Thirty-ninth, Forty-third and Sixty-third Ohio, Battery F, 2d United States Regulars. Second Division : Brigadier-General Schuyler Hamilton : Fifty-ninth Indi- ana, Fifth and Tenth Iowa, Twenty-sixth Missouri, Eleventh Ohio Battery. Third Division: John M. Palmer: Thirty- fourth, Forty-seventh, Forty- third and Forty-sixth Indiana, Seventh Illinois Cavalry, Company G, First Missouri Artillery. Fourth Division : Brigadier-General E. S. Paine : Tenth, Sixteenth, Twenty-second and Fifty-first Illinois Infantry, two Companies of the First Illionis Cavalry, Sixty- fourth Illinois (Yates' Sharpshooters), 66 Fuller's Ohio Brigade. Eighth Wisconsin Infantry, Twenty-sixth Illinois, Eleventh Missouri, Company M of the First Missouri Artillery. Cavalry Division : Brigadier-General Gordon Granger : Second and Third Michigan. Artillery Division: Major W. L Lathrop : Second Iowa, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Wisconsin, C and H of the First Michigan, C of the First Illinois. Bissell's Engineer Regiment : Twenty-second Missouri, Second Iowa Cav- alry (four Companies), Fourth United States Cavalry (three Com- panies), First United States Infantry (six Companies). Flotilla Brigade : Twenty-seventh, Forty-second Illionis, Fifteenth Wis- consin, G of the First Illinois Artillery, G of the Second Illinois Artil- lery. Naval Forces at Island Ten : Flag Officer A. H. Foot, Flag Ship "Benton," the "St. Louis," the "Cincinnati," the "Pittsburg," the "Mound City," the "Carondelet" and eleven mortar boats. CONFEDERATE FORCES AT ISLAND TEN AND NEW MADRID. The Forces were commanded by Major-General John P. McGowan, Brigadier-General W. W. McCall, Stewart, Walker, Garrett and Trudeau. Infantry : First Tennessee, First Mississippi, Fourth, Fifth, Eleventh and Twelfth Louisana, First, Fourth, Fifth, Thirty-first, Fortieth, Forty- sixth and Fifty-fifth Tennessee. Cavalry : Hudson's Wheeler's and Neely's. Artillery : Shand's, Bankhead's, Jackson's, Hume's, Hoadley's, Caruther's, Jones', Dismuke's, Rucker's, Fisher's, Johnson's and Upton's. Engineers : Gray's, Harris', Winter's. Naval Forces : Flag Officer George N. Hollins : Flag Ship "McRay," "Livingstone," "Polk," "Pontchartrain," "Maurepaus," "Jackson." Floating Battery : "New Orleans." Total, seventeen guns. CHAPTER X. REMINISCENCES FORT PILLOW EXPEDITION TRANSFER OF THE ARMY TO HAMBURG LANDING, TENNESSEE. The soldiers of the army were now priding themselves upon their efficiency and accomplishments. There was a noticeable rivalry among the different organizations as to their superiority in drill, marching, and fight- ing. No true soldier need apologize for the honest pride with which he believes that his own company, regiment, brigade, division, or corps is the flower of the army and is peerless in discipline and courage. During the war, that faith is so important a condition of success that he would be an unwise commander who would discourage it. All felt its influence for there was none who did not feel a deeper thrill of pride and pleasure when be saw his own flag moving in the front, than when another flag floated over the advancing host. So it was in the Ohio Brigade as in other commands. A soldier of the Forty-third Ohio often tells this story at the Brigade reunions : "I had been left behind, when our regiment left camp in Ohio and started to join my regiment at New Madrid. Arriving near there after marching on foot all the way from Commerce, I sat down by the road side, exhausted. I was soon joined by a very ragged soldier of the Twenty- seventh Ohio who sympathized with me. After having told him that I was never so tired in my life and that it seemed that I could not carry my knap- sack any further, he said to me : 'You will never be able to carry that big knapsack on the long marches which we are soon to have. We started out that way in Missouri, but we found out that the better way was to carry a light knapsack and throw away everything but our blankets.' It was a powerful argument just then, but I had carried it so far, and I was now so near the regiment, that I felt loath to part with any treasure. I opened my knapsack, took out a pair of army trousers and laid them near my new friend. In an instant, he had cast off his old ones and put on mine. The more than twenty-five yards, and directed Major Weber, in case the Sixty- same thing took place with my extra pair of stockings, blouse, shirt and shoes. We two then walked into camp. I noticed that his comrades would grin when they saw him, and would ask him where he got his new clothes. He answered them by saying, 'For giving a recruit sound advice !' I will never forget how quickly that soldier got into my new clothes." At New Madrid, the Forty- third Ohio gained for itself the name and fame of the "Martin Box" Regiment, because of the fact that some of the men nailed cracker boxes on the cotton-wood trees, where the birds flocked, took refuge and nested. Ever afterward, the word "Martin Box" from any soldier of the Brigade was a pass-port for a cordial greeting. 68 Fuller's Ohio Brigade. The victories at Island Ten and New Madrid, General Halleck pro- nounced splendid achievements, that would be memorable in military his- tory, exceeding as they did in boldness and brilliancy all other operations of the war up to this time. On the 13th of April, the Twenty-seventh, Thirty-ninth, Forty-third and Sixty-third Ohio Regiments with General Pope's Army, embarked on thirty steamboats at a point one mile below New Madrid, at Fort Thomp- son, and in co-operation with the gunboat fleet, consisting of twelve mor- tar boats and seven gunboats, moved down the Mississippi River, one hun- dred and twenty miles, in an expedition against Fort Pillow, disembarking at Oseola, Arkansas, a low swampy place. Here the soldiers had an op- portunity to wash themselves and their clothing and to fight to a finish, for the time being at least, the great army plague, an insect known as the gray- back, a fiend which infected clothing. These insects became so numerous, vicious, ravenous that they almost ate the shirts from the soldiers' backs. Millions were destroyed by boiling the clothing in the camp kettles, the same utensils that were used for cooking. The crowded condition of the transports which gave no opportunities for the soldiers to change their clothing, was the direct cause of this infection. On land came the scourge of swamp mosquitoes, locally known as "galnippers." They bit the soldiers and even killed horses and mules. TO FORT PILLOW. Part of the steamboat fleet which conveyed Pope's army down the Mississippi River from New Madrid, Missouri, April, 1862, was com- posed of the following named boats : "Emma," Forty-third Indiana Infantry Regiment on board ; "Emma," Twenty-seventh Ohio Infantry Regiment ; "Admiral," Thirty-ninth Ohio Infantry Regiment; ''Uncle Sam," Forty- third Ohio Infantry Regiment. "Silver Wave," Sixty-third Ohio Infantry Regiment. "Emeline," Eleventh Ohio Battery Artillery. "N. YV. Thomas," Sixteenth Illinois Infantry Regiment; "Meteor," Twenty-second Illinois Infantry Regiment ; "T. McGill," Twenty-seventh Illinois Infantry Regiment ; "Memphis," Forty-second Illinois Infantry Regiment; "Daniel G. Taylor," Fifty-first Illinois Infantry and Battery ; "G. W. Graham," Forty-sixth Indiana Infantry Regiment ; "Chantua," Fifty-ninth Indiana Infantry Regiment ; "Hannibal City," Eleventh Missouri, Second Iowa Cavalry, Dodge's Bat- tery ; "City of Alton," Twenty-sixth Missouri and Tenth Iowa Infantry; Perry Flag Boat, Regular Cavalry. Army Transferred To Middle Tennessee. 69 On April 17th, the army re-embarked on transports and were ordered up the Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee Rivers a distance of three hundred and fifty miles. They disembarked at Hamburg Landing on the 22nd of April, just above the battle field of Pittsburg Landing, where were seen the long rows of newly made graves of the heroes who fell at Shiloh. The Union Army under General Halleck advanced upon Corinth with greatest caution, building and fighting behind parallel lines of earthworks, each succeeding line in advance of the other, gaining ground step by step, from one stump, tree or position forward to another, accompanied by de- tails of men and the pioneer corps with intrenching tools, while the contest raged along the lines every day, between the two contesting armies. The Confederate Army under General Beauregard gradually fell back, and he concentrated his army at Corinth, a position strongly fortified, and prepared for a determined defence. All the available troops of the south- west were sent to his aid, including the armies of Van Dorn and Price, from Missouri and Arkansas, as well as the militia of the states of Ala- bama, Mississippi, and Louisana. By his official report made on the 22nd of April, 1862, he had four corps, Bragg's, Polk's, Breckenridge's and Hardee's, besides cavalry. According to his official report made May 26th, just before the evacuation of Corinth, he had a total of one hundred and twelve thousand and seventeen men of all arms. Beauregard endeavored, on this ground of his own choosing to incite his troops with obstinacy and desperation, to their utmost fighting capacity for his fading prestige of in- vincibility. "Soldiers of Shiloh and Elkhorn," he said to them, "we are about to meet once more in the shock of battle, the invaders of our soil, the despoilers of our homes, the disturbers of our family ties, face to face, hand to hand. * * * * With your banners mingled for the first time during the war, we meet the foe in strength that should give us victory. Soldiers, can the result be doubtful? Shall we not drive them back into the Tennessee, the presumptuous mercenaries, collected for our subjection? One more manly effort, and, trusting in God and the justice of our cause, we shall recover more than we have lately lost." Bragg said to them, "You will encounter them in your chosen position, strong by nature, and improved by art, away from their main support and reliance, gunboats and heavy batteries, and for the first time in the war, with nearly equal numbers." CHAPTER XI. SIEGE OF CORINTH. Fuller's Ohio Brigade now the first in Stanley's Second Division, with Pope's Army of the Mississippi, formed the left wing of General Halleck's Army of over one hundred thousand men, to operate for the capture of Corinth. Until April 27th, the Brigade performed fatigue duty, unloading amu- nitions of war from the transports on the Tennessee River, and in making roads. On the 27th, they marched five miles to the front and went into bivouac in the heavy wood, at the forks of the road leading to Monterey, on the Corinth Road. On the 29th, they formed in line and marched seven miles toward the enemy for a reconnaissance. They drove in the enemy's pickets at Mon- terey, found one hundred tents still standing, took a number of prisoners and burned their camp, capturing a large amount of rations, consisting of bread, meat, coffee, and sugar, which supplied the Union men for several days. On the 1st of May, the Brigade crossed into Mississippi. Report of General D. S. Stanley, concerning the Engagement at Monterey. May 3rd, 1863. My forces consisted of the First Brigade of my Division under Colonel John Groesbeck, the Twenty-seventh, Thirty-ninth, Forty-third and Sixty- third Ohio Regiments of Infantry, sixteen companies of Cavalry, Colonel Elliott, commanding, with Dee's Third Michigan and Spoor's Missouri Batteries. We took twenty prisoners and followed the retreating enemy. I am happy to bear testimony to the gallantry of these troops and their readiness for service. D. S. Stanley, Commanding the Second Division, Left Wing, Army of the Mississippi. On May 4th, advance was made five miles to Farmington, where a severe skirmish took place in fields of wheat, corn and cotton and over plowed ground, then forward into a swamp of heavy timber, wading creeks and forming lines of battle at every appearance of danger. The Brigade rested at Seven Mile Creek on the Farmington Road, within a short dis- Siege of Corinth. 71 tance of the enemy's earthworks, from which shot and shell were fired, passing over the heads of the men in ranks. A Demi Brigade, commanded by J. L. Kirby Smith, Forty-third Ohio, occupied Nichol's Ford, The Thirty- ninth Ohio Infantry supported Dee's Michigan Battery. Rifle pits were advanced along the whole army front. Each day re- connaissances were made with heavy skirmishing and musket firing from four o'clock in the morning until night. On May 8th, the Brigade marched in line of battle to Farmington through a swamp and over a corduroy road, passing the graves of rebels slain in the recent skirmish, who had been buried by the Union troops. Three thousand cavalry, thirty pieces of artillery and thirteen regiments of in- fantry were drawn up in line near the village of Farmington and then moved forward. The Brigade position was on the left wing, supporting the Eleventh Ohio Battery. The movement was through plowed fields of cotton, corn and wheat, through swamps and creeks, and through thick timber and underbrush. Within six hundred yards of the enemy's batteries, the Union Artil- lery opened fire which drew the fire of the Confederate batteries, their shots passing over. During this time, the Brigade skirmishers lay in sight of the THE OHIO BRIGADE WITH GEN. HALLECK'S ARMY MARCHING ON CORINTH, MAY, 1862. 72 Fuller's Ohio Brigade enemy's main line of works which comprised the defences of Corinth. Two of the Thirty-ninth were wounded on this day, also six men of the Twenty- seventh and two of the Sixty-third Ohio. While Fuller's Ohio Brigade, then in command of General Tyler, lay in this advance position, a regiment of Confederate Cavalry scouts, not knowing of the presence of the Union troops, got in their rear by mistake, and took twenty-five prisoners, including Surgeon William R. Thrall of the Twenty-seventh Ohio, who was taken to Memphis and from there was sent to the Union lines. The Union troops had now advanced and occupied the third parallel earthworks which presented a front about twelve miles in length, the build- ing and defense of which entailed physical dangers and difficulties. The soldiers showed signs of being greatly fatigued by their hard labor. They also showed a change of deportment, their bearing being more like true soldiers. General Halleck complimented the Brigade upon its splendid service and ordered that "Lexington," "Springfield," "New Madrid," "Isl- and Ten" be inscrilbed upon its regimental banners. May 9th, heavy firing occured at Farmington, where the enemy at- tacked our grand guard. General Pope's entire army moved out in line. The Ohio Brigade was in ranks all day and was skirmishing part of the time. On May 10th, the Brigade took possession of the hill at Farmington, from which Union troops had fallen back on the day previous. During part of the siege, it was the practice in reserve companies to have roll call at one o'clock in the morning and to have it repeated every hour until daylight. Then came inspection of arms which was instituted to keep the men well in hand, allowing no one to sleep while on duty, or when in close proximilty to the enemy, and keeping always on the alert for sudden attack. Many times before daylight, simultaneous discharges of thousands of muskets was heard in attempts to drive in the picket lines. On the 24th, the enemy's firing on our pickets became exceedingly an- noying. With five companies of the Eleventh Missouri, five companies of the Thirty-ninth Ohio, the enemy was charged and scattered. Dee's Michi- gan Battery with its Parrot guns threw shells into Corinth. On the 28th, an attempt was made to force the enemy back with artil- lery and musket fire. The Thirty-ninth Ohio advanced a distance of five hundred vards. It gave a quietus to the picket firing in front. Nothing more was heard from the rebels except a few shots from a battery pro- tected by earthworks on high ground. The fortified camp of the Union Army was made more impregnable each day, and additional forces were arriving. During this siege of twenty- eight days, the men always slept with their clothing and accoutrements on. Capture of Corinth. 73 their muskets by their sides, and with eighty rounds of cartridges on their persons, From the top of a high pole, a sentinel could see operations in Corinth. On May 28th, Brigaider-General Rosecrans assumed command of Stanley's and Paine's Divisions. Notwithstanding the enemy's fire the work of intrenching was carried on constantly. On the 29th, the Ohio Brigade moved out and took position, Stanley's Division being in advance at a salient point investing Corinth. The skirm- ishers dug and occupied rifle pits and their fire drove the enemy back under urotecton of their batteries. Shot and shell flew over the ranks of men and were imbedded in the trees, cutting and tearing the limbs. Many lives were lost and there were many narrow escapes from death. During the night the shrill whistle of trie locomotive, the rumbling of the trains and cheering by the enemy's troops were heard and it was thought they were being rein- forced, but on the contrary, they were evacuating, as was disclosed to the Union Army on the morning of the 30th, when sounds of exploding maga- zines and ammunition trains were heard. The Union troops immediately occupied the town and the Thirty-ninth Ohio had the honor of first hoisting the United States flag over the Court House. Report of General John Pope. Corinth, Mississippi, May 30, 1862. Major-General Halleck: 8:40 a. m. My advance (the Thirty-ninth Ohio and the Forty-second Illinois) entered the town of Corinth and planted the United States flag on the Court House at 6 :40 this morning. They were the first troops in the place. I am throwing my artillery and cavalry in pursuit. The enemy retreated by the Mobile Road. John Pope, Major-General, Commanding. The enemy abandoned and destroyed most of his supplies and left his heavy artillery. Thus ended the siege and capture of Corinth. Corinth had been strongly fortified by slave labor with solid earth- works, built high with rifle pits in front. Large trees had been felled, mak- ing it difficult of approach by hostile forces. On the 30th, a march was made to Tuscumbia Creek. 74 Fuller's Ohio Brigade May 31st, having received tents and army supplies that had been left in the rear, a march of twenty-five miles was made in pursuit of the enemy through Danville, Rienza, and Boonville. In many of the places on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad were found quantities of muskets twisted and broken, and cars of cotton still burning. The weather was extremely hot, the marching rapid. Many soldiers were sunstruck. The water obtained in the swamps for drinking was very bad and made the men sick. Whole platoons of men fell out of ranks ex- hausted. The artillery and ammunition wagons were given the middle of the road, while the troops marched along each side. June 11th, the Brigade returned from the pursuit by a circuitous route and went into camp at Clear Creek, Tishomingo County, five miles south of Corinth. It was a beautiful location on rolling lands partially timbered and near large springs of pure water which gushed from the ground in such quantity that a large creek was formed. June 6th, the Union gunboats destroyed the enemy's fleet at Memphis. The same day two regiments of the Army of the Mississippi left by Pope with the fleet, entered the city. The Mississippi River was now open to Vicksburg and the objects which had been proposed in the spring campaign were accomplished. The labor of camp and road making, the marches through heat and dust, the privations, short rations, bad clothing, bare feet, were all borne by the men with patience and cheerfulness. Our shady camp was made enjoyable by cutting the brush away, trim- ming the trees up and policing the place. Tents and garrison equipage were brought up and a military camp was put in perfect order. Yet during the months of July and August, much sickness prevailed among the men. The principal disease was dysentery, caused by the absence of fruit and vegetables from the soldiers' rations. At the same time there were some deaths caused by homesickness. General Grant says in his memoirs, "The most anxious period of the war to me, was during the time that the Army of the Tennessee was guard- ing the territory acquired by the fall of Corinth and Memphis and before I was sufficiently re-enforced to take the offensive. The enemy's Cavalry was constantly operating upon our lines of supplies, back to Columbus, and other points, making it necessary to guard all territory in our rear." CHAPTER XII. THE REORGANIZATION OF THE COMMANDS — THE CAMPAIGN AND BATTLES OF IUKA AND CORINTH — FORCES ENGAGED — REPORTS OF BATTLES RETREAT OF THE ENEMY. Iii June, 1862, President Lincoln issued "order number three" which relieved McClellan from command of other armies except the Army of the Potomac. General Pope was called to command the Army of Northern Virginia, and General Halleck to command all the Union armies with head- quarters at Washington. General U. S. Grant assumed command of the Department of West Tennessee. General Rosecrans was left in command of four divisions, Stanley's, Hamilton's, Davies', and McKean's, District of Corinth, Department of the Tennessee. Fuller's Ohio Brigade was desig- nated the first in General Stanley's Second Division. General Buell was sent with his Army via Huntsville to Chattanooga. On June 20th, the Twenty-seventh and Thirty-ninth Regiments of Fuller's Ohio Brigade exchanged their old, altered, flintlock, Springfield rifle muskets for the new Whitney rifles with sabers or sword bayonets, which were excellent arms. They also received new clothing and accoutre- ments. The forces at Corinth built earthworks with high parapets, ditches ten feet in width and barracks for permanent accommodation of troops, who were to remain in this land of "balmy breezes and beautiful skies." Corinth was full of sutlers and merchants who sold their goods at very high prices to soldiers and native inhabitants. Butter was $1.60 a pound and a quart can of peaches $1.50. The Brigade was drilled almost constantly and the discipline was quite severe under the close supervision of General Stanley and General Fuller. The position at Corinth was important and naturally strong. It stood on a long low ridge in the forks of two streams which ran parallel to each other near their junction. It was protected on the front and both sides by swampy valleys, traversed by streams and obstructed by dense thickets. Both armies recognized its great strategic importance, being the key to all West Tennessee, North Alabama, and Mississippi, the junction command- ing all the railroads, from Memphis to Charleston and from Louisville to Mobile, and in a measure controlling the commerce of the Mississippi to New Orleans. Therefore the Confederates made strenuous efforts to repossess it. Fuller's Ohio Brigade was ordered to move on. the 17th, but 7G Fuller's Ohio Brigade it was not until the 20th of August that the campaign commenced which ended in the battles of Iuka and Corinth. At three o'clock on the morning of that day, the bugle sounded the reveille and the Brigade was aroused. The troops partook of their breakfast of bacon, hard bread ("hard tack") and coffee, the tents were struck, the debris of camp was set on fire, and the army lines swung out on a ridge road which was followed all day. The country over which they marched was hilly with deep valleys covered with a thick growth of heavy timber. Late in the evening, the Brigade went into bivouac and night came on clear and bright. On the 21st, march was continued twenty-five miles to Iuka, situated on the "Memphis and Charleston Railroad. The Thirty-ninth Ohio Regi- ment was divided. Four companies went to Iuka, two to East Port and four were distributed along the railroad. The Forty-third and Sixty-third Ohio Regiments continued on to Bear Creek. A good camp was made on a hill at Iuka, near the sulphur springs, by the rest of the Brigade, and with the assistance of two hundred slaves from the Cherokee and Russel valleys, they immediately fortified their position. Rumors were spread thick and fast among the troops in regard to the movements of the United Confederate Army, commanded by Price and Van Dorn, which numbered forty thousand. On September 7th, the army posts along the railroad were called in. Troops that had been called up at midnight to unload cars containing com- missary stores, were drawn in. On September 12th, at three o'clock in the morning, the troops of Ful- ler's Brigade struck tents and vacated their comfortable camp at Iuka, and the Army marched by way of Jacinto, a distance of twenty-five miles on roads leading near to Corinth. Preparations were made for a great contest of arms, no wagons were unloaded, and every thing was kept in readiness to start at a moment's notice. All baggage was reduced, and five days' rations were kept on hand. During this time the troops slept on the ground without blankets, so that when the reveille sounded, on September 18th, at two o'clock in the morning, they were ready ind sprang to their feet and to arms. After a march of twenty-three miles, they arrived near Jacinto and bivouacecl. On the 16th of September, General Rosecrans directed Colonel Gilbert to move the Thirty-ninth Ohio from Jacinto to a place two miles south of Burnsville and to cut off the enemy. On Mie 19th, advance was continued. During the day the troops were halted, and by order of General Rosecrans a dispatch was read at' the head of every regiment as follows: "General Lee of the Confederate Army is killed ! Longstreet is taken prisoner. Both commands are captured and destroyed." This information represented the result of the battle of Antie- Battle of Iuka. 77 tam, Maryland, and although it afterward proved to be inconect, it caused at the time much excitement and aroused patriotic emotions among the men, The condition of affairs in the Union Army was not very good, at this time. Lee had advanced with the rebel army into Maryland. The Union General Buell had marched his army in retreat to Louisville, Kentucky ; and Van Dorn had united with other rebel forces under Price, Villepague, and Moore, and were south of the Hatchie River to overwhelm the smaller forces of Union troops under Rosecrans. Van Dorn concluded first to occupy Iuka, which place the Union troops had just vacated and were now advancing to recapture. BATTLE OF IUKA. Rosecrans' forces after marching twenty-two miles on the Jacinto Road, had arrived sbout two hours before sundown within one mile of Iuka. Hamilton's Division was forming near Barnett Station, and Stanley's Division was ordered into action. The men in the Brigade had loaded and were just placing caps on their rifles, when a most terrific fire of musketry was opened and the enemy engaged two of Hamilton's Brigades. A charge of the rebels upon the Eleventh Ohio and Eighth Wisconsin Batteries fol- lowed and with loud cheers the Ohio Brigade rushed forward into action. The Twenty-seventh, Thirty-ninth, Forty-third and Sixty-third Ohio Regiments were moved to the left and lay under fire of the enemy. The fight then became an infantry duel and there never was a hotter nor more destructive engagement .while it lasted. Finally a lull came in the fighting, and when the heavy cloud of smoke lifted, long lines of rebel troops could easily be distinguished. As it grew darker and flashes of musketry fire became brighter, a rebel regiment in the darkness rushed toward a Union regiment and asked who they were. On answering them, both forces com- menced firing upon each other at close range. The Eleventh Ohio Battery, after losing half its men, was captured and then retaken. Its loss in men within two hours was greater in killed and wounded, than in any other battery in battle during the war. Our troops lay in line of battle upon their arms during the night, and at daybreak, marched across the battle field in hot pursuit of the fast-re- treating rebel army, who, defeated and routed, left its dead upon the battle field. They were found lying in almost every position. One was lying prone upon the ground, his eyes wide open, his gun resting on a log, in the act of firing. A number had guns clutched in their hands in the act of loading, their rammers half drawn. One in dying had grasped a small tree with his teeth, others died while kneeling and taking aim. The rebels left the houses filled with dead and wounded. Fuller's Ohio Brigade. -79 In the early evening, before the firing had fully subsided, a temporary hospital with operating tables was established close to the lines of Fuller's Ohio Brigade. There in the open field, the writer saw for a few moments, something of the terrible havoc of war. The surgeons were at work with only candles for light. Their facilities were crude. The tables were cov- ered with pools of blood, the ground was strewn with amputated arms, hands and legs. Many of the men shrieked with pain when lifted to the operating table. During the battle, General Grant with Ord's forces was at Burnsville, six miles distant ready to attack. He waited for the sound of Rosecrans' guns, but owing to the direction of the wind, and the wooded country which intervened, no notice of the conflict was given, and opportunity of captur- ing the enemys' forces was lost. Rosecrans had forwarded a dispatch to Grant that the shorter road on which Stanley's Division should advance had been obstructed by the enemy and he would be obliged to take an indirect route. General Grant assumed from his dispatch, that Stanley could not get up in time for an attack that afternoon, and ordered General Ord to wait until the next morn- ing. But Stanley's Division had moved with its accustomed rapidity and was up to the front in time to engage in the battle. The enemy's plan to invade Tennessee at this time was a failure. UNION FORCES AT IUKA. The Union Forces at Iuka were as follows : The Army of the Mississippi, commanded by General Rosecrans ; Sec- ond Division, commanded by David S. Stanley. First Brigade four Ohio Regiments of Infantry, commanded by Brigadier-General John W. Fuller, viz. : — Twenty-seventh, Major Z. S. Spaulding; Thirty-ninth, Colonel Alfred W. Gilbert; Forty-third, Colonel J. L. Kirby Smith ; Sixty-third, Colonel John W. Sprague. M, First Missouri Artillery, Captain Powell, one section of the Eighth Wisconsin Battery, Lieutenant McLain. F, Second United States Artillery, Captain Thomas B. Maurice. Second Brigade, Colonel Joseph A. Mower. Twenty-sixth and Forty-seventh Illinois, Eleventh Missouri, Eighth Wis- consin, Spoor's Second Iowa Battery, Dee's Third Michigan Battery. Third Division, Brigadier-General C. S. Hamilton, Fifth Missouri Cavalry Escort. First Brigade, Colonel Sanburn, Forty-eighth Indiana, Fifth and Sixteenth Iowa. Fourth Minnesota, Twenty-sixth Missouri, Eleventh Ohio Battery. 80 Fuller's Ohio Brigade Second Brigade, Tenth and Seventeenth Iowa, Tenth and Twenty-fourth Missouri, Eightieth Ohio, Twelfth Wisconsin Battery. Cavalry, Second Iowa, B and E of the Seventh Kansas, Third Michigan, one company of Jenkins' Illinois Cavalry. Total forces were nine thousand, one-half of which was in action. The Divisions under Ord at Burnsville, were those of Davies, Ross and Mc- Arthur. The Union loss at Iuka was six hundred and thirteen. Then Confederate Forces at Iuka were as follows : — Army of the West under Van Dorn and Price. First Division, commanded by Henry Little, consisting of the First, Second and Third Missouri Infantry, Second Missouri Battery; Hebert's Fourteenth, Seventeenth Arkansas, Third Louisiana, Seventh, Thirty- sixth, Thirty-seventh, Fortieth, and Forty-third Mississippi, First and Third Texas and Thirty-seventh Alabama. Cavalry, Armstong's Second Arkansas, Second Missouri, First Mississippi. Total, fourteen thousand in action. Confederate loss, five hundred and thirty-five. General Stanley's Report of the Battle of Iuka. Camp near Jacinto, Mississippi, Sept. 24, 1862. The Second Division under my command, consisting of the First Bri- gade, Colonel Fuller commanding; and Second Brigade, Colonel Mower commanding, left our camp on Clear Creek, on the 18th instant, with three days' cooked rations and one hundred rounds of ammunition to each man, and marched the same day by way of Patrick's on the Burnsville Road, when we turned and marched to within one mile of Jacinto. * * * * The Twenty-seventh, Thirty-ninth, Forty-third, Sixty-third Ohio, and the Eighth Wisconsin, held in reserve, afterwards moved forward and posted close to the enemy on the right hand road. * * * * Colonel John W. Fuller's Report of the Battle of Iuka. Headquarters of the First Brigade, Second Division, Army of the Mississippi. Major: — September 23rd, 1862. In obedience to orders, I have the honor to report that my command joined the rear of the column during the march upon Iuka, Mississippi, on the 19th instant, moving in the following order : The Thirty-ninth Ohio Infantry, Colonel Gilbert ; Light Company F, Second United States Artil- lery, Captain Maurice; Twenty-seventh Ohio Infantry, Major Spaulding; Sixty-third Ohio Infantry, Colonel Sprague; Battery M, First Missouri, Light Artillery, Captain Powell ; Section of Battery Eight of Wisconsin, Lieutenant McClellan ; and the Forty-third Ohio Infantry, Colonel Smith. Fuller's Official Report. 81 Within about three miles of Iuka, we were halted in the road and the Batteries were moved to the right of the road near the edge of the woods and on the hill which overlooked the open field, directly south of the scene of action. At sunset, I received orders to advance immediately to the front. As soon as the order "double quick" was given, the infantry ran forward, swinging their hats and cheering lustily, but darkness brought a cessation of the firing. Soon after dawn it was reported that the enemy had left the field of battle and taken position nearer the town. My command took the advance, and after passing the field, four regiments formed in line of battle (the Twenty-seventh, Thirty-ninth, and Forty-third of my Brigade and the Forty-seventh Illinois, Colonel Mower's Brigade) and moved forward upon the town. During the deployment, Captain Powell's Battery was brought forward and threw a few shots at a body of the enemy which appeared near the Fulton Road. As we neared the town, a flag of truce came out, borne by a citizen, who said that the citizens desired the surrender of the town, and the soldiers (enemy) were all in the ditch dug by the Federal Army. We then moved forward into the town and found that the enemy had evacuated the place, leaving by the Fulton Road. My command went forward in pursuit, till we reached Cripple Deer Creek. The statements of several prisoners confirmed by a reconnaissance, made by Captain Saw- yer of the Seventh Kansas (two companies) proved that the enemy was several miles in advance and rapidly retreating but in the exhausted con- dition of our men and the total absence of subsistence, it was deemed im- practicable to continue the pursuit farther. We rested near Cripple Deer Creek for the night and commenced our return toward Jacinto about eight o'clock on the morning of the 21st. Six casualities occured in the Thirty- ninth and two in the Sixty-third Ohio Regiments. John W. Fuller, Colonel of the Twenty-seventh Ohio, Commanding. THE PURSUIT OF THE ENEMY- Having passed the battle field on the morning of September 20th, pur- suit was continued a distance of seven miles with many stops, camping at Cripple Deer in a corn and sweet potato field. On the 21st, a march of thirty-five miles was made, the troops going into bivouac late at night. Orders were passed that no one should speak louder than a whisper, on account of the close proximity of the enemy. On the 22nd, a march of eight miles was made to Jacinto, where the men camped on the banks of a creek. They bathed and refreshed themselves and later, an inspection of arms took place. On the night of the 22nd, the Thirty-ninth and Sixty-third Ohio Regi- ments made a reconnaissance. On the 29th the Brigade marched to the rebel sand bag breast works, through Rienza on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad. At ten o'clock the same night, under command of Major Z. S. Spaulding, the Twenty-seventh and Forty-third Ohio with one section of the Eighth 82 Fuller's Ohio Brigade Wisconsin Battery marched southwest on a reconnaissance, eight miles to- ward the Hatchie River, and Ripley where the rebel army was encamped. Major Spaulding reported to General Rosecrans that he had captured three "prisoners of Breckenridge's command and from them the information had been received that Villepague and Rust had brought fifteen hundred men up to Pocohontas. The enemy's whole force numbered forty thousand men. For thirteen days, the Brigade marched on an inner circle by way of Jacinto and Rienza, toward Corinth in order to watch the rebel army. On the 1st of October a march of thirteen miles was made as far as Pocohontas and Kossuth, to cover the Hatchie River Crossing. This was a region of few settlements, poor log cabins, rolling oak ridges and sluggish streams, that dried up during the summer. The troops suffered terribly from thirst, the roads were dusty, the sun shone down very hot, and it was ninety-four degrees in the shade. At noon the soldiers halted, hurriedly cooked their rations of bacon on the ends of sticks and their coffee in their tin cups, then falling into line, they continued the march toward Corinth, a total distance of thirty-seven miles without camping. This march was through a country almost desti- tute of water. The men rested at the Tuscumbia Creek. On October 3rd, they marched to the breast works, southwest of Corinth, after having skirm- ished all day through heavy timber and thick underbrush, to support and strengthen different parts of the army. At nightfall, with colors flying and bands playing, the men, covered with dust, their faces bronzed by exposure and long service under the rays of the sun, moved in columns of companies, right in front, through the streets and joined the lines at Corinth. General Rosecrans and his staff sat on their horses by the Kossuth Road, waiting to welcome them. The soldiers of Hamilton's, Davies' and McKean's Divis- ions gathered in platoons, cheering and shouting for the "Buckeye Boys.'' The Ohio boys called back, "We are distressed for want of water." The position first assigned was north of the Tishomingo Plouse, and the junction of the two railroads, to support Davies' Division. It was here that we saw the Eighth Wisconsin Regiment with their live eagle carried on a standard. Finally the Brigade was moved to the left and was assigned to a position facing the Chawalla Road, the key to the position at Battery Robinett. Battery Robinett was a little three gun redan, an earthwork with a ditch in front, five feet deep, .commanded by Lieutenants Robinett and Cullen, and manned by Company C, First United States Infantry. It was now late at night and the men were almost famished for water. To provide against the possibility of capture by the enemy, the com- missary department caused all barrels of whiskey to be opened. Into this the surgeons put a quantity of quinine and the troops were allowed to fill Positions Occupied by the Army. 83 their canteens with the mixture. This was the first and only time that • liquor was given to Fuller's Ohio Brigade. It was about ten o'clock at night before the Brigade filed into position at Battery Robinett. The soldiers dropped upon the ground and slept be- side their muskets completely exhausted from the continued hardships of the last forty-four days, and from marching in hot sultry weather. The lessons taught and the experience which they had had in throwing up earth- works for protection, during the month of May previous, were of no avail in their tired condition. It was physically impossible for them to do more and' so no earthworks were built. General Rosecrans' four divisions faced north and west. Mizner's Cav- alry watched and guarded the flanks and rear from the enemy. Xext joining the cavalry on the right was Hamilton's division and Battery Pow- ell. Xext came Davies' Division with Dee's and Richardson's Batteries. To the left was the Twenty-seventh Ohio Regiment, joining the Sixty- third Ohio whose left joined Battery Robinett. Next, with their right on Battery Robinett, the Forty-third Ohio was stationed. The Thirty-ninth Ohio and the Eleventh Missouri (the latter detached from the Second Bri- gade) were in the rear as reserves. In the rear of this line of battle was Battery Williams, to the west and rear, Battery Phillips, further to the left and rear was Stanley's Second Brigade and McKean's Division. Still fur- ther to the rear on College Hill were Batteries Tannrath and Lathrop, mounted with siege guns. As early as September, 1862, the rebel General Van Dorn in his report said : "The conclusion forced itself upon my mind that the taking of Corinth \«as a condition precedent to the accomplishment of anything of importance in West Tennessee and it was clear to my mind that if a successful attack could be made upon Corinth from the west and northwest, the forces there would be driven back, on the Tennessee River and cut off and Bolivar and Jackson would easily fall. I determined to attempt Corinth. I had reason- able hopes of success. Field returns as Ripley showed my strength to be about twenty-two thousand men. Rosecrans at Corinth had about fifteen thousand with about eight thousand additional men at outposts, from twelve to fifteen miles distant. I might surprise him and carry the place before these troops could be brought in. It was necessary that this blow should be sudden and decisive." "The troops were in fine spirits, and the whole army of West Tennessee seemed eager to emulate the Confederate armies of the Potomac and Ken- tucky. No army every marched to battle with prouder step, more hopeful countenances or with more courage, than marched the Army of the West Tennessee out of Ripley on the morning of September 29th, 186?, on iti way to Corinth." CHAPTER XIII. THE BATTLE OF CORINTH. On October 3rd, about daybreak, the enemy consisting of General Price's and General Van Dorn's united forces, had formed in lines facing south, in front of the old outer line of intrenchments, built in May, about three miles from Corinth. Lovell's Division of troops was on the right, Maury's in the center, Hebert's on the left. The Union troops of Davies' and McKean's Divisions, in front of this line on the 3rd, were only in- tended for developments, and about ten o'clock' in the morning, were driven into the old intrenchments. In the afternoon after a hot battle, these two divisions fell back. Gen- eral Hackelman had been killed, General Oglesby wounded, and Hamil- ton's Division was watching on the right for an attack from the north. At three o'clock in the afternoon, Stanley's Second Brigade was sent to the assistance of McKean and Davies. On the 4th of October at four o'clock in the morning, the enemy shelled the town from a battery which under cover of the darkness, they had with great enterprise, placed on a ridge near the Chewalla Road, which led directly to Battery Robinett. Fuller's O'hio Brigade lay flat on the ground, listening to the roar of flying missels, which passed over them, but the regulars in the Second United States Bat- tery, replying with their guns, soon silenced the enemy. The Brigade picket force from the Sixty-third Ohio, rushed out and brought in part of the enemy's battery with horses attached. One of the enemy's shells struck Corporal Creighton Orr, Company B of the Forty-third Ohio, nearly sever- ing his head from his body. It was supposed that M. M. Smith who stood near to Orr was wounded by being hit by a piece of Orr's skull. Orr's blood was scattered over several men. The Union Troops, although without blankets, had not been allowed fires during the night, which was a cold one, and they had no breakfast the next morning, for not a man was allowed to leave the ranks to get rations because of the nearness of the enemy. The day opened clear and hot. It must have been ninety-five degrees. A heavy line of skirmishers from the Brigade under Major McDowell of the Thirty-ninth Ohio, was out all night, fighting a strong battle with the enemy. Companies B and G of the Twenty-seventh fired two hundred rounds of cartridges which were brought out to them by details of men under Sergeant Morgan. Many of the enemy's sharpshooters were located high up in the branches of trees, from which place of vantage they shot our skirmishers. They also had a perfect Fighting for Positions. 85 range on the Forty-third Regiment. Their fire became so destructive that Colonel Smith ordered one of the guns of Battery Robinett to be fired upon them. The second shot brought them down. This was one of the most trying positions our Brigade was placed in during the war. When the redoubts were built, the timber was cut down four hundred yards in front. Beyond this the forest was so dense that it covered all the movements of the enemy's troops. About ten o'clock' in the morning,- the Union skirmishers were driven back. The storm broke. Five brigades, four lines deep, with regimental fronts, burst out of the woods, directly north of the railroad station, and covering Davis' Division, penetrated it and rushed at the town. They captured Battery Powell and turned the guns upon Fuller's Brigade. At this time, the left of Hamilton's Division and the right companies of the Twenty-seventh Ohio Fuller's Ohio Brigade were in position intact. They immediately attacked the great column of the enemy as they were spreading past. Two regiments of Davies' Division in reserve, rose from behind the railroad embankment and poured in a volley of musketry. The Con- federates stood but a moment and then broke into great disorder, in their retreat leaving many prisoners, and the ground covered with their dead CONFEDERATE SHARPSHOOTER AT CORINTH. 86 Fuller's Ohio Brigade. and wounded. At that moment, another and larger force of Arkansas, Texas, Alabama and Mississippi troops, estimated at twenty thousand strong, their columns five lines deep, emerged from the woods in full view and rushed forward with desperate charge upon Fuller's Ohio Brigade. Their columns moved in almost unbroken lines, their battle flags flaunting in the clear sunlight. No sight like this had ever before greeted the eyes of the soldiers. When the enemy had reached a distance of a few yards from the posi- tion occupied by Fuller's Ohio Brigade, the Twenty-seventh, Forty-third and Sixty-third Regiments rose en masse and simultaneously delivered a tremendous volley of musketry fire and went at them. The guns in the hands of our trained soldiers told with terrible effect upon the ad- vancing foe. In the meantime the assailants tumbled behind the shelter of stumps and fallen trees and fired point blank into the Union lines, exchanging shot with the brigade at twenty paces. Thus the two contending forces continued murdering each other until the enemy gathering in their number and strength, rushed their columns up to the Union lines. Reaching the muz- zles of the guns in Battery Robinett, the defenders and assailants began clubbing each other with their muskets. Colonel Rogers of the Second Texas rode up to the muzzle of a twenty-four pounder, and in the next instant he and his horse were shot and both fell dead. After the long practice in the use or arms, the men of the Brigade could load and fire in the shortest possible time, but after each discharge the time necessary to ram the charge down and fire again seemed unusually long. This was especially so when the gun-barrels became so hot after repeated firing that they could hardly be held and the muzzles became so contracted that the paper had to be torn entirely off the cartridge and ball. Yet looking down the line of hostile gun-barrels, right into their muzzles stimulated the work of the defenders. The Union Batteries were obliged to cease firing because of the close proximity of the contending forces. The fighting was thus desperate and matters looked precarious. The Forty-third Ohio had suffered severely, losing nearly one-fourth of its men. Their Colonel, J. L. Kirby Smith, a young officer of great promise, fell from his horse, mortally wounded. Ad- jutant Charles Heyl and Captain Spangler were dead. Captains H. S. Prophet and Timmons and Lieutenant Howe and others were wounded. The command of the regiment fell to Lieutenant-Colonel Swayne who changed front under a withering fire that would have tried the metal of any regiment that ever saw a battle field and every rebel who showed his head above the parapet of Battery Robinett or attempted to enter the em- brasure was either killed or wounded. Scenes During the Assault. 87 The Sixty-third Ohio which occupied an exposed position, had suf- fered a loss of forty-eight per cent of all those engaged, all of their officers except three were killed or wounded while the remnant stood to their work with greatest determination. Captain Oscar L. Jackson was severely wounded in this engagement. The right companies of the Twenty-seventh Ohio were firing in- cessantly. Being screened and protected by fallen trees, they did fearful execution upon the flanks of the enemy. The left of that regiment, not sp fortunately protected, was fully exposed, with a road in front upon which the enemy came en masse. Companies B, G, and K had lost half of their number, killed or wounded, including all of the commissioned officers of (Company G. The Company was therefore left in command of Charles H. Smith, the Orderly Sergeant. Lieutenant Webb was shot and died while shouting to his men to stand firm. At this period of the conflict, the twenty-seventh which had moved and closed toward the Sixty-third, now sprang forward in a counter charge upon the enemy. In the melee and hand-to-hand encounter which ensued, Company G of the Twenty-seventh rushed upon the color company of the Ninth Texas Infantry. Corporal Cheek wounded the Confederate colorbearer, who fell upon his flag, stain- ing its folds with his blood. Private Orin B. Gould seized the colors. A Confederate officer shot Gould and shouted to his men to save their colors, then dashed toward Gould to shoot him again but he was met by Orderly- Sergeant Charles H. Smith who rushed forward with his rifle, took the ijebel prisoner, marched him to the rear and turned him over to Lieutenant Simpson of Company C. Private Gould took the captured flag to Major Z. S.. Spaulding of the Twenty-seventh Ohio who put it into the hands of Colonel Fuller. Meanwhile Gould went to the hospital to be treated. ' Among the relics of the Rebellion and other wars. in the Relic Room of the Capitol Building in Columbus, Ohio, can be seen this large flag, which has the greatest history of any in the room. The dark spots on it are the blood stains, which gave it the name of the "blood stained flag.'' It is known as the Ninth Texas battle flag. It has a red ground with blue cross bars and twelve stars. The letter sent with the flag to Governor Todd by Colonel Fuller of the Twenty-seventh Ohio Regiment, gives a history of the circumstances attending the, 'Capture of the flag. The entire color guard of the Ninth Texas Regiment threw down their arms and surrendered. On this spot within a circle of a few feet, there fell in this fight around the flag, Gould, Radway, Statten, Thomas, Burnett, Fullerton, Harpel, Jenkins, Wilson, and Bruner wounded and Turner killed. This tragedy is now a part of the history of the war. BATTLE OF CORINTH, MISS., Oct. 4th, 1862. 27th O. V. V. I. Capturing the Flag of the 9th Texas. Rosecrans Compliments the Brigade. 89 General Rosecrans says in describing the battle, "The deadly fire of the Ohio Brigade broke them again. I saw* the enemy come upon the ridge, while Battery Robinett was belching its fire at them, after their charge had failed. I saw the Twenty-seventh Ohio and the Eleventh Missouri spring up, rush forward and chase them with bayonets into the woods." A soldier of Hamilton's Division says, "About nine o'clock on the morning of October 4th, there was suddenly heard something like a distant whirlwind. My regiment rose to its feet and was amazed to see a great column of the enemy like a mighty storm-cloud moving out of the woods and attacking the troops on our left. It was the storming of Battery Robinett defended by Fuller's Ohio Brigade. Twenty thousand rebel troops in the greatest assault made by them during the war, covered the ridge opposite, and commenced to pour a destructive fire upon the Twenty-seventh, Forty-third, and Sixty-third Ohio Regiments, and then advanced in three columns, climbing over fallen trees, bending their heads against the awful storm of grape and musketry. I saw the Ohio Brigade rise en masse and pour in a perfect blaze of musket fire, mowing them down like grass. I never expect to see a grander sight than this battle field presented. The re- nown of this victory is the common heritage of the American Soldier." After the battle a wounded rebel Lieutenant, while being given some water to drink, said, "You licked us good today, but we gave you the best we had in the ranch." The Thirty-ninth Ohio, a fine body of men, splendidly disciplined, was obliged to remain in reserve position during the battle, to be shot at without opportunity to return their fire. But their cheers for us and their close proximity nerved us on to fight with great determination. This counter-charge nearly ended the battle. The enemy became de- moralized. Many screened themselves behind the fallen timber, waved their hands or handkerchieves in token of surrender, for to rise meant certain death. The great mass of the enemy retreated in the untmost confusion, and in their route and panic, canteens, muskets, blankets, and other articles, were thrown away. Private Philip R. Harpel, though wounded, brought in eight prisoners who were found hiding behind the fallen timber. After the battle was over, General Rosecrans rode up to the position occupied by Fuller's Ohio Brigade and warmly addressing the men, said, "I know now .that I stand in the presence of brave men and I take off my hat to you. I know this from what I have heard and from what I have seen at a distance, and also from these piles of dead along your front, and I thank you in our country's name for your great valor." About five o'clock in the afternoon, a company from each regiment of the Brigade, forming a strong skirmish line under command of Major 90 Fuller's Ohio Brigade. McDowell, of the Thirty-ninth Ohio and Sergeant Smith of the Twenty- seventh Ohio moved forward five miles over the battle field of the first day, to reconnoiter. They passed the outer line of breastwork where lay on the ground just as they had fallen, a number of Union dead, having been ex- posed to the rays of the sun for two days. Their bodies were bloated, dis- torted and blackened, they had been stripped of their clothing by the rebels, and presented a hideous sight. The Confederates had moved their dead. A few squads of the enemy who had been hiding in the woods were cap- tured. After this demonstration, which lasted till after dark, the skirmish- ers returned and found a supper waiting for them. It had been furnished them by the sutler in consideration of the hardships and loss of food by the men and also because his stores had been saved. Great camp fires lighted up the horizon and the tired soldiers lay down and slept on the battle field amid the dead and dying. The Union loss was three hundred and fifty-five killed, and one thou- sand, eight hundred and forty-nine wounded. Many others were wounded but not reported in the official records, because having their wounds dressed on the field, they immediately returned to their commands, so their names do not appear on the hospital rolls. Thirty-three hundred stand of small arms and fourteen stand of colors were captured. Rosecrans in his report states that there were one thousand four hundred and twenty-three Confederates buried, five thousand six hundred and ninety-two wounded and two thousand, two hundred and sixty-eight prisoners taken. This battle was a terrible blow to the Confederacy, from which they never recovered. They advanced to battle with thirty-eight thousand men who fought for two days a Union force of eighteen thousand. They picked from their number twenty thousand of their bravest men and with fierce determination, charged the Ohio Brigade. They were brave men but they met trained and equally gallant soldiers. The battle of Corinth, Mississippi, on October 4th, 1862, will be classed as one of the decisive battles of the war for the Union. The result was a complete overthrow of a gigantic plan, laid out by the Confederates, which if it had been successful, might have placed the Union armies back on the Ohio River. Major-General W . S. Rosecrans' Report. Headquarters, Army of the Mississippi. District of West Tennessee. Corinth, Mississippi, October 25th, 1862. The rumors which followed the battle of Iuka were that Price had moved to the vicinity of Ripley and was being joined by Van Dorn with all The Battle Bloody and Decisive. 91 the available rebel forces in North Mississippi, for the purpose of capturing Corinth, or breaking up our line of communication and forcing us to retreat toward Columbus. On October 3rd, Colonel Oliver took a strong position with his three regiments and a section of artillery. By nine o'clock, the enemy began to press them sharply and to outflank them. Between Mc- Arthur'sand Davies' left there was an interval. The enemy developed his forces along that line. McArthur retired from his position which gave the rebels an opportunity to advance behind Davies' left and forced it after an obstinate resistance to fall back one thousand yards losing two heavy guns. Our troops fought with determined courage, firing very low. The enemy was in full strength and meant mischief. Orders were given for McArthur to fall back to the next ridge to touch on Davies' left, for Stanley (Second Brigade) to move northward and eastward to stand in close with McKean's Division, but nearer town. General Hamilton was to face toward Chewalla. The Dispositions for the Battle October 4th. We had now before us as much of the army as the rebels had been able to muster in Northern Mississippi. They were in the angle of the Columbus and Memphis Roads. The plan was to rest our left on the batteries extend- ing from Battery Robinett, our center on the slight ridge and our right on the high ground covering both the Pittsburg and Purdy Roads. McKean had the extreme left. Stanley with his well-tried Division, Batteries Wil- liam and Robinett, was placed on the Memphis Railroad and the Chewalla Road, extending near to the Columbus Road. Davies' tried Division was placed in the right center. Hamilton's staunch fighting Division was on the right. The Battle. This early opening gave promise of a hot day's work. About nine o'clock, our skirmishers in our front by their hot firing proclaimed the presence of their forces preparing for the assault. Soon the heads of col- umns were seen emerging to attack ouf center on Davies' first, Stanley's next, and Hamilton's last. The drawing shows these positions and is re- ferred to for the sake of brevity. I shall leave to pens dipped in poetic ink to describe the gorgeous protean of the battle and paint in words of fire the heroes of this fight. I can only say that when Price's left bore down on our center in gallant style, their force was so overpowering that our wearied and jaded troops yielded and fell back. I had the personal mortification of witnessing this ontoward and untimely stampede. Riddled and scattered, the ragged forces of Pierce's right storming columns penetrated near to the north side of the square. When it was greeted by a storm of grape from a section of Immel's Battery, soon re-enforced by the Tenth Ohio which sent them whirling back, pursued by the Fifth Minnesota. Davies' rischt rallied and retook Battery Powell. Hamilton having played upon the rebels on his right, over the open field advanced upon them and they fled. The bat- tle was over on the right. During this time, the skirmishers on the left were twenty minutes after the attack on our right, the enemy advanced in four columns on Battery Robinett, and were treated to grape and cannister until within fifty yards, when the Ohio Brigade arose and gave them a murderous fire of musketry before which they reeled and fell back to the woods. They, however, gallantly reformed and advanced again to the charge led by Colo- 92 Fuller's Ohio Brigade. nel Rogers of the Second Texas. This time they reached the edge of the ditch but the deadly musketry fire of the Ohio Brigade again broke them, and at the word "Charge," the Eleventh Missouri and Twenty-seventh Ohio, sprang up and forward at them, chasing their broken fragments into, the woods. * * * Thus at noon, ended the battle of October 4th. Our skirm- ishers began to advance and found that their skirmishers had gone from the field. * * * I rode over our lines announcing the result in person, and notified our victorious troops that after two days of fighting, two almost sleepless nights of preparation, and march, I wished them to replenish their cartridge boxes, haversacks, and stomachs, take an early sleep and start in pursuit by daylight. * * * The results of this bloody battle are : We fought the combined rebel forces of Mississippi, commanded by Van Dorn and Price, Lovell, Ville- pague, Rust and the remnants of Breckenridge's Corps numbering according to their own authorities, thirty-eight thousand men. We signally defeated them with a little more than half their number, and they fled leaving their dead and wounded on the field. The enemy's loss in killed was fourteen hundred and twenty-three and in wounded was five thousand six hundred and ninety-two. We took two thousand, two hundred and sixty-eight prisoners, representing sixty nine regiments, seven Battalions and Thirteen Batteries. Besides separate companies, we took fourteen stands of colors, two pieces of artillery, three thousand, three hundred stand of small arms, forty-five thousand rounds of ammunition and a large lot of accoutrements. The enemy blew up several ammunition wagons and carriages, between Corinth and Chewalla, and the ground was strewn with tents, officers' mess chests, and small arms. We pursued them forty miles in force and sixty miles with calvary. Our loss was only three hundred and fifteen killed, one thousand, eight hundred and twelve wounded and two hundred and thirty- two prisoners. The officers and men who in this battle deserve special men- tion, most conspicuous, number one hundred and sixty-nine. W. S. Rosecrans, Major-General. Major John A. Rawlins, Assistant Adjutant General. Report of Colonel John W. Fuller, Tiventy-sevcnth Ohio Infantry, Commanding First Brigade. Headquarters, First Brigade, Second Division. Army of the Mississippi. Corinth, Mississippi, October 13th, 1862. Lieutenant W. H. Sinclair, Acting Assistant Adjutant General, Second Division, Army of the Mississippi. I have the honor to submit for the information of the General com- manding the Second Division, the following report of the part taken by my command in the recent battle of Corinth. At daylight on the morning of the 3rd instant, we moved from the Tuscumbia Creek, where it is crossed by the southerly road leading from 94 Fuller's Ohio Brigade. Corinth to Kossuth, and marched to Whitefield's house, formerly the head- quarters of Major-General Grant. While halting here the Forty-third Ohio Infantry, Colonel Smith, and a section of the Third Michigan Battery, which had been sent to Kussuth the day before, rejoined the Brigade. About noon we marched to the outer line of defences on the westerly side of the town, resting our right near Battery D, the artillery placed in position to command the road leading from the west. An hour afterward we moved by our right flank until we covered Battery E, and planted the artillery so as to command the approaches to that work. About four o'clock in the afternoon, orders came to retire to a position near the Seminary, upon reaching which I gave orders at once to deploy into line. Before this was fully executed, we were again ordered to move to a point near to Battery Williams, and again to proceed to the space between the Mobile and Ohio Railroad and the earthwork next easterly from that road. Forming line upon the crest with our right resting near the work referred to, we stacked arms, expecting to defend that position. After the troops were here supplied with water and rations (a precaution on the part of the commanding Gen- eral, of inestimable importance) we were again in motion, and crossing the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, were soon occupying a position in front of Bat- tery Willliams, from which General Davies' command was then being with- drawn. The General commanding the Division placed the Forty-third Ohio (Colonel J. L. Kirby Smith) in position near the crest of the ridge fronting the west, the right of the regiment resting near Battery Robinett, while I in accordance with his instructions, found the line fronting to the ^iorth as follows: The Sixty-third Ohio (Colonel J. W. Sprague) with the left rest- ing near the road which passes Battery Robinett, distant about thirty yards from the battery; the Twenty-seventh Ohio (Major Z. S. Spaulding) next on the right of the Sixty-third, and the Thirty-ninth Ohio (Colonel A. W. Gilbert) holding the right of our line. The General having directed me to look well to the guard, as soon as the line was formed I went to the out- post, when I learned that the guard of General Davies' Division had been withdrawn ; also that immediately the enemy's pickets advanced to the edge of the woods, and had already fired with fatal effect upon the small squad of dismounted cavalry which occupied the road leading thence to our position. 1 immediately sent two companies of the Sixty-third Ohio to occupy this road, with orders to press as far toward the woods as possible. The night prevented my seeing with what force the enemy held the woods, and think- ing it hazardous to move a small force along this road into the woods to be there deployed, I ordered Major Spaulding, Twenty-seventh Ohio, to deploy a line of skirmishers immediately in front of our lines, with instructions to creep out cautiously through the fallen timber, and if possible, to gain and hold the edges of the woods. The skirmishers were not strong enough to gain the woods, but they held a position from which they replied effectively to the enemy's sharpshooters during the morning, firing no less than seventy rounds to the man. The guard in the night succeeded in making a prisoner of Captain Tobin (and his bugler) who had planted his battery within two hundred yards of our position, and who when captured, was making a re- connaissance along the road leading from the woods. After daylight a por- tion of this guard, under Captain Brown of the Sixty-third Ohio, crept up to the edge of the forest and captured and brought into our lines a cais- 96 Fuller's Ohio Brigade. son, with four horses attached, and soon after the James gun to which it belonged was brought in by a squad of the First United States Infantry from Battery Robinett. Between three and four o'clock in the morning, the enemy's guns in front of our position sounded the reveille, which instantly aroused the en- tire command. Shot, shell, grape and canister were poured over the en- tire field with great rapidity, but owing to the protection afforded by the ground occupied, we suffered comparatively little loss. Captain Williams' guns suddenly responded and the moment the light enabled him to aim with precision, the enemy precipitately withdrew his batteries. About nine or ten o'clock in the morning, three companies were detailed under command of Major H. T. McDowell of the Thirty-ninth Ohio, with orders to deploy as skirmishers and, co-operating with those already ad- vanced, to push forward into the woods and ascertain whether the enemy was there in strength. This deployment was made under the personal direc- I.IXKS OF BATTLE OCT. 3d AND 4th, lSKU, AT CORINTH, MISS. Rebellion Record, Vol. 17. The Assault by the Enemy. 97 tion of the General commanding the Division, and the skirmishers, soon after reaching the woods, were driven back by the enemy, who was already forming his column for the assault. As the indications increased that the enemy would soon attack us, I moved the whole line, which faced north, a little to the left, so as to bring the Sixty-third Ohio close to the ditch sur- rounding the battery, the two companies of the Sixty-third on the left, crossing and occupying the road. At about eleven o'clock, while in Battery Robinett, I saw the enemy approaching through the woods in four close columns, one moving down the road, one to the west of it and moving nearly parallel with it, and two others on the easterly side of the road. I afterward learned that the column in the road was the Sixth Texas, their left column the Ninth Texas, and the others Arkansas Regiments, whose numbers I failed to get, the four regiments being the Brigade of General Phifer. Immediately in their rear and supporting General Phifer, was the Brigade of Colonel Moore. As soon as I saw the movement, I ordered Colonel J. L. Kirby Smith to change his front forward, to better protect the battery. Thinking the enemy's column, if resolute, would be sure to break the line of the Sixty-third Ohio where it was so greatly exposed, I ordered the Eleventh Missouri (Major Weber) to a position directly in the rear of the Sixty-third and distant not more than twenty-five yards, and directed Major Weber, in case the Sixty- third gave way, to rise up and charge the enemy at a double-quick, and to be particular not to fire a shot until he saw the backs of the enemy. Directly after running along the line of the Sixty-third and Twenty- seventh Regiments, I cautioned the men to hold their fire until the enemy was close upon them. When the column in the road (which moved more rapidly than the others) had approached within one hundred yards of our line, the Sixty-third and some of the left companies of the Twenty-seventh opened fire upon it. The head of the column almost instantly disappeared and the rear recoiled rapidly to the edge of the woods. It was immedi- ately reformed, and strengthened by another regiment, again advanced to the assault with great gallantry. The Sixty-third Ohio, which had already suffered greatly from a cloud of sharpshooters, seemed the principal tar- get for the enemy, and almost immediately its ranks were so riddled and broken I could see the enemy's column as well as if their line had never in- tervened. Nine out of thirteen line officers had fallen, and with half their number killed or wounded, the regiment fell back to the rear to reform. At this moment the men of the Eleventh Missouri sprang to their feet and received a volley which for the instant, staggered them. The next moment they pressed forward with heroic gallantry, and the Twenty-seventh Ohio, whose left had fallen back slightly, joining in the movement and unit- ing their flanks, the two regiments rushed in splendid style upon the enemy, instantly routing him and driving him in utter confusion from the field, which was thickly strewn with the dead and wounded. A large number were immediately made prisoners while the others, secreting themselves in fallen timber and unable to escape, were brought in squads to our lines, where all were sent to the guard near Battery Williams. From the best in- formation I can obtain after diligent inquiry, I estimated the number at about two hundred. 98 Fuller's Ohio Brigade. During the movement just described on the right of Battery Robinett, the Forty-third Ohio engaged the enemy on the left of that work. Thrown into momentary disorder by the fall of their Colonel, and rallied by the efforts of Lieutenant-Colonel Swayne and the General commanding the Division, they successfully repulsed that column which marched west of the road and shot every rebel who showed his head above the parapet of the fort or attempted to enter through the embrasures. I must not omit to mention the hand to hand fight which occurred be- tween the Ninth Texas and the Twenty-seventh Ohio. As the Ninth Texas approached our lines, and when distant not more than six or eight yards, Orrin B. Gould, a private in Company G, Twenty-seventh Ohio, shot the Texas color bearer, who was marching at the head of the column. Seeing the colors fall, young Gould with others sprang forward to secure them, when a rebel officer sang out to his men, "Save the colors," and at the same time put a bullet into the breast of Gould. The young hero was not to be intimidated, however, and bore away the rebel flag in triumph. About one o'clock in the afternoon, the rebels again showed them- selves in force in front of our position, a little to the left of the ground from which their column moved upon us, whereupon I ordered Captain Maurice, commanding Light Battery F United States Artillery, to plant two twelve- pounder howitzers near and to the west of Battery Robinett. Two com- panies of the Eleventh Missouri were placed in the ditch surrounding the fort and the Thirty-ninth Ohio (Lieutenant-Colonel Noyes) moving by their left flank, was formed in rear of the battery, the right wing facing to the north and the left to the west. It was a source of regret to me and a dis- appointment to the officers and men that this splendid regiment had na opportunity to show the rebels their power. Inasmuch as the batteries belonging to this Brigade were ordered away, and I remained unadvised of the position assigned them, I was unable to speak of the part taken by them in action. Fortunately I learned the whereabouts of Captain Maurice when his howitzers were needed, and I hear the conduct of the battery spoken of in such flattering terms by the officers upon whom I rely that I feel proud to know that it is a part of this command. I doubt not the chief of artillery will do full justice to that and to the other battery in this brigade. In the disposition of troops as well as in other matters herein referred to, I followed carefully and minutely the instructions I had received from the General commanding the Division, excepting when the suddenness of the enemy's movements gave me no opportunity to refer to him ; in these instances I did not hesitate to give such orders as I deemed necessary. To the officers commanding regiments no small share of praise is due for the brilliant victory which was won. Colonel J. L. K. Smith, the most accomplished officer in the brigade, fell at the head of his regiment while giving his commands as if at parade, and Lieutenant-Colonel Swayne as- suming command under the most trying circumstances, soon restored order in his regiment, and fought it with the utmost gallantry. Colonel J. W. Sprague, whose regiment had the most exposed position, stood at his post cheering his men on when two-thirds of his officers and half his command had fallen, and in an incredibly short space of time reformed his men and Statement of Casualties. 99 brought them again into line. Colonel Gilbert, thrown from his horse before the assault was made, left his regiment in command of Lieutenant-Colonel Noyes, an officer who is efficient and faithful as he is brave and determined. Major Z. S. Spaulding, the only field officer with the Twenty-seventh, com- manded with marked ability, checking the enthusiasm of the men until the proper moment, and pressing them forward when the enemy was in a situ- ation to be crushed. Major Weber, commanding the Eleventh Missouri, though not attached to this brigade, fought under my command during the action and displayed much of the true soldier, and handled his regiment with skill that I should do injustice to my own feelings did I not speak of him in this connection. He is doubtless one of the best officers in this division and deserves great praise for his conduct during the battle. I should not close my report without acknowledging my obligations to Captain W. H. Lathrop, of my staff, whose coolness and good judgment ren- dered him of very good assistance to me ; nor to Captain C. W. Dustin, my Assistant Adjutant-General, whose promptness in the execution of orders and whose gallant bearing meet my hearty approval. The mounted Order- lies (detailed from the Thirty-sixth Illinois) two of whom were wounded and two of whose horses were shot down during the action, also deserve especial thanks for their soldierly conduct. The following statement of casualties will show that though the action was short, the victory was not gained without a desperate struggle. Command Killed Wounded Missing Total Twenty-seventh Ohio 9 69 6 78 Thirty-ninth Ohio 2 13 15 Forty-third Ohio 16 74 90 Sixty-third Ohio 24 105 3 132 Second U. S., Artillery, Light Co. F. . 3 3 Third Michigan Battery 6 2 8 Wisconsin Light Artillery, Eighth Battery Section 3 3 Illinois Cavalry, Jenk's Company 2 2 Total 51 275 331 Our rejoicings over the result are mingled with bitter grief as we think of the brave hearts that have ceased to beat. The Forty-third Ohio has been signally afflicted. Colonel J. L. Kirby Smith, who died this after- noon (October 13) enjoyed not only the confidence and the esteem of every officer of this command, but was respected and loved by the whole army. The loss of Captain Spangler is one which his regiment will long and deeply feel, and in First Lieutenant Heyl, Adjutant of the regiment, has passed away one of the most genial, faithful, and useful officers of this brigade. The Sixty-third Ohio recounts the loss of Captain McFadden who died a patriotic death, fearlessly discharging his duty. The Twenty-seventh Ohio in First Lieutenant W. S. Webb, lost one of the most able and valuable officers on its rolls. Enduring physical powers, an iron will, a clear head, and a cultivated intellect rendered him peculiarly useful to the service, and gave promise of prominence and great influence in the future. Nor shall 100 Fuller's Ohio Brigade. we forget the brave men in the ranks who fought and fell on October 4th. Their comrades will cherish their memory, and when gathered around the camp fires will often repeat the story of their heroism, and our country will remember with pride their glorious achievements. I have the honor to be Very respectfully yours, John W. Fuller, Colonel, Twenty-seventh Ohio, Commanding the First Brigade. CHAPTER XIV. A HERO AT CORINTH. A TALE OF VALOR TOLD BY COLONEL FULLER OF THE TWENTY-SEVENTH OHIO IN A LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR OF OHIO. "The rebels in four close columns were pressing with gallantry amount- ing to recklessness, upon the Ohio Brigade, with the evident intention of breaking our lines, when the terrible and incessant fire of our men drove them back in the utmost confusion. "The Ninth Texas bore down upon the left center of the Twenty- seventh Ohio with this flag at the head of their column, and advanced to within six or eight yards of our lines, when Orrin B. Gould, a private of Company G, shot down the color bearer and rushed forward for the rebel flag. "A rebel officer shouted to his men to 'save the colors' and at the same moment put a bullet into the breast of Gould. But the young hero was not to be intimidated. With the flagstaff in his hand, and the bullet in his breast, he returned to his regiment waving the former defiantly in the faces of the enemy. "After the battle when visiting the hospital, I found young Gould stretched upon the cot, evidently in great pain. Upon seeing me, his pale face was instantly radiant with smiles and pointing to his wound, he said, 'Col- onel, I don't care for this, since I got their flag.' " correspondence accompanying the message. The State of Ohio, Executive Department. Columbus, October 16th, 1862. John IV. Fuller, Colonel of the Twenty-seventh Regiment, 0. V. I., Ripley, Miss. Dear Colonel: — I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your letter on the 9th instant, accompanying the bloody flag of the Ninth Texas Regiment, captured by the gallant Orrin B. Gould, a Private of Company G, in your regiment, in the great battle fought on the 4th instant near Corinth. The brave and daring act of Gould, when made known to the loyal people of our State, will fill their hearts with joy and gratitude. I am pained to learn that the wound received by this hero proved fatal, and that he is no longer in the land of the living, to enjoy the rich reward due to his gallantry. But, although dead, I have determined to give his relatives and brother soldiers evidence of my appreciation of his noble conduct ; and therefore herewith enclose you a commission for him as Captain in your Regiment, of the date of your great Battle October 4th, 1862. 102 Fuller's Ohio Brigade. The bloody flag sent me I have given a prominent position in the room in the State House appropriate to the keeping of the many trophies taken on the field of battle by the brave and loyal hearts from Ohio, and, as the most fitting account of our possession of this trophy, I attach your elegant and manly letter to the Flag. In this connection, allow me to assure you and the brave men under your command, that the noble bearing and gallantry of your regiment, on that bloody field, is fully appreciated by the people of Ohio. Make this known to the heroes of your regiment, and assure them that when this war is over, and our glorious old flag can again float over every inch of the territory possessed by the United States, and they, thus permitted to return to their homes they love so much, will receive the hearty greetings of all who appreciate our glorious institutions. Very truly yours, David Tod, Governor. Report of Major Zeph S. Spaulding. Twenty-seventh Ohio Infantry. In the Field near Ripley, October 9th, 1862. This regiment left camp on the Tuscumbia River on the morning of Friday the 3rd instant, and marched with the brigade to a point about one and one-half mile from Corinth, and inside the outer line of defences. From here we marched to what was formerly known as Battery D, where we took our position as support to Maurice's Battery. Soon after, we re- tired into the town and formed our lines on the north side of the place. During the night, we changed our position to one in front and on the right of the northwest defences of Corinth, and I was ordered to form my line, on the right of what is known as Battery Robinett. At one o'clock on the 4th instant, I sent Company B, under command of First Lieutenant Bryan, as skirmishers into the woods, about four hun- dred yards to the front, where they remained, doing good execution, until driven back by a heavy force of the enemy, about eleven o'clock. At nine o'clock in the morning, I sent out Company A, First Lieutenant Sawyer commanding, as skirmishers, who were driven back at the same time. At daylight a rebel battery in the woods in front of us opened a heavy fire, most of their shots going over us, but from which we had one man killed and three wounded. At eleven o'clock, a heavy force of the enemy ap- peared in our front. They advanced upon us in four columns, by the flank, one of which, headed by the Ninth Texas, came forward in the direction of the left wing of this regiment. I ordered the men to hold their fire until the enemy came within short range and screen themselves as much as pos- sible by means of the brush in front of them. As the enemy came up the hill, the Twenty-seventh poured into them a galling fire, advancing as they did so until it became almost a hand to hand conflict. At this time the Sixty-third Ohio, upon our left, was forced back and I found my left and rear was being endangered. I therefore ordered my left to form a line with the Eleventh Missouri, just brought up to take the place of the Sixty-third Ohio, and together we charged over the hill, driv- Major Z. S. Spaulding's Report.. 103 ing the enemy in great confusion and with great loss, and the engagement so far as we were concerned, was practically ended. Our loss amounted to nine killed including one commissioned officer (First Lieutenant Webb of Company G), forty-seven wounded, including two commissioned officers (Captain Lynch and Lieutenant Young of Company G) and six missing, who I have since learned were wounded, and reported a few hours later. A number of others received wounds but were not reported. Saturday night, my men slept upon their arms upon the field, and on Sunday morning, marched with the brigade in pursuit of the enemy. Tues- ■ day night, we bivouaced about five miles from Ripley. Wednesday morn- ing, I was ordered out on reconnaissance under Lieutenant-Colonel Swayne, and proceeded to a point on the road from Rienzi to Ripley. Five com- panies of this regiment were used as skirmishers upon this occasion. We found no trace of the enemy save a few stragglers from the rebel army. The same evening we returned to our former bivouac. During the entire engagement and march my officers and men behaved with great credit and to my entire satisfaction. (Signed) Z. S. Spaulding, Major Commanding. Report of Lieutenant-Colonel Edward F Noyes. Thirty-ninth Ohio. Camp near Ripley, Mississippi, October 9, 1862. On the 3rd instant, this regiment marched under orders, from place of bivouac, near Kossuth, to Corinth, arriving about five o'clock in the after- noon. Our men having marched without water during the day, it was deemed expedient to draw in wagons enough to satisfy immediate neces- sities. Before all were supplied the evening was far advanced. During the night, the Thirty-ninth Ohio was posted on the right of the First Brigade. General Stanley's Division on the Purdy Road west of Corinth. At daybreak on the morning of the 4th, * * * * the enemy commenced shelling our position, but were driven from their guns by our fire. About nine o'clock in the morning, two companies of this regiment, A and K., were sent to the front, north of the Purdy Road, and deployed as skirmishers under Major McDowell, * * * * who had been detailed to .command the skirmishers of the brigade. They advanced into the woods, discovered the enemy in force, and were immediately fired upon along the whole line. Soon the Confederate columns were observed moving in a southeasterly direction from the woods toward the town and two brigades advanced to charge the battery, which the Ohio Brigade was posted to support. The Thirty-ninth Ohio was ordered to look well to the right, and to be prepared for an attempt by the enemy, then near the town, to turn our right flank, but the other regiments of the brigade being hard pressed by the greatly superior force attacking them, this regiment was ordered to move by the flank to the left, to support the Twenty-seventh, Forty-third and Sixty-third Ohio Regiments. We accordingly took position with our right wing fronting to the north and our left wing at right angles to it, fronting to the west, and we so remained during the day. 104 Fuller's Ohio Brigade. The line of our skirmishers, when the engagement became general, being covered by the cross fire of the battery in our rear, which was working against the columns of the enemy, approaching the town, Major McDowell withdrew them and ordered them to rejoin the regiment. The skirmishers did good service, keeping a rapid and well directed fire upon the columns of the enemy, massed within easy range of the lines. The enemy being re- pulsed with terrible loss on all sides, fell back. During the night, Com- panies D and G of this regiment, with others of the brigade, under Major McDowell were sent out to discover the position of the enemy, who were found to have made a precipitate retreat, leaving his dead and wounded upon the field. * * * * Early on the morning of the 5th, we commenced the pursuit. We bivouaced that night on the state line road near Chewalla. On the 6th we marched to Crums Mills on the Hatchie River, and on the 7th, to a point northeast of Ripley, where we lay upon our arms during the night, the enemy being reported near. On the 8th, with the 27th and 43rd, made a reconnaissance four miles east of Ripley. * * * * Edward F. Noyes, Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding. Report of Lieutenant-Colonel Wager Swayne. Forty-third Ohio Infantry. Near Ripley, Mississippi, October 9th, 1862. I submit the following report of the part taken by this command in the recent battle of Corinth : The regiment in command of Colonel J. L. Kirby Smith, moved from Kossuth on the morning of the 3rd instant, and, rejoining the brigade at the crossing of the Tuscumbia, reach Corinth at sundown. The same even- ing, we took position in line, facing northwest, along the crest of a ridge, connecting a large battery half a mile north of Corinth, and known as Battery Williams, with a small one, distant about the length of our line, and known to us as Battery Robinett. We remained in line during the night and throughout the action of the next day. At four o'clock in the morning, a field battery of the enemy took position a few hundred yards to our right and slightly in our rear, and opened fire, which was chiefly directed at the two earthworks between which we lay. During this fire we lost two men killed, and ten wounded. Between daylight and ten o'clock in the morning our wounded were increased to eighteen by the fire of the enemy's sharpshooters, posted in trees. At the time of the general attack, toward noon, the enemy advanced a great force, nearly in the direction of our lines, upon the lesser earth- work on our right. Our front was immediately changed forward on first company, so as to afford us more direct range. At this moment our regi- ment suffered the most severely. Colonel Smith fell, dangerously shot through the head ; Adjutant Heyl was mortally wounded in the bowels, and Captain J. M. Spangler, of Company A, was instantly killed by a ball through the head. CO — O ' p j nT o "* H ^ 'k O 4* 106 Fuller's Ohio Brigade Fire was kept up upon the enemy during and after the execution of the movement, until the head of his column had gained the parapet, and opened fire on our rear from the opposite side of the earthwork on our right. The regiment was then moved slightly to the left and the right thrown back, so as to fire into the battery and meet the enemy in the new direction. This movement was attended with confusion, which was prompt- ly checked on the appearance and by the efforts of General Stanley. The enemy was driven from the parapet, the right advanced into the battery, and the advance of the enemy, on the right of the battery, being meanwhile repulsed, our left was again thrown forward and assisted in driving the enemy into the woods. He made no further demonstration againt that part of our lines. The behavior of the regiment was under your own inspection. I am proud to state that not one of the officers thus suddenly left to my com- mand, failed to do his duty with alacrity. I should do injustice if I failed to mention the valuable services of Major Herrick, after the irreparable loss of our commanding officer. Colonel Smith was wounded while displaying the utmost gallantry. Captain Spangler and Lieutenant Heyl fell in the courageous discharge of their duty. Captain S. F. Timmons and Lieutenants S. McClaren, H. S. Prophet and A. L. Howe being wounded, bore up without a murmur. Our loss was sixteen killed and seventy-four wounded, embracing many of our best and bravest. Our grief for the fallen is tempered by their honorable death, and our sympathy for the wounded is heightened by the knowledge that their hearts are in the cause. * * * * Wager Swayne, Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding. Captain W. H. Lathrop. A. A. A. Genl. Report of Colonel John W. Sprague, Sixty-third Ohio, Infantry, First Brigade, Second Division, Army of the Mississippi. Near Ripley, Mississippi, October 9th, 1862. Nine companies of my command (Company D, Captain Fouts, being on detached duty) consisting of two hundred and seventy-five men, left camp near Tuscumbia River, about three o'clock in the morning of the 3rd instant and marched to Corinth, distant about six miles, during the morn- ing. Our position was changed several times. In the evening we rested near the fort, north of Major-General Rosecrans' headquarters. About ten o'clock at night, I was ordered to take position immediately on the right of the field redoubt (armed with three twenty-pounder parrot guns) in front and to the left of Captain Williams' fort and headquarters. On the left of the first named work was the Forty-third Ohio and on my right was the Twenty-seventh Ohio. * * * * Soon after taking this position, Companies B and G commanded by Captain C. E. Brown and Lieutenant Browning, were sent out on the Chewalla Road to the north and west from Corinth. During the night, Captain Brown captured Captain Toben of Toben's (Ten- nessee) Battery and his Bugler and brought them in. They were sent for- ward to the headquarters of General D. S. Stanley. Colonel John W. Sprague's Report. 107 Captain Brown heard the enemy near his position planting a battery and at about four o'clock in the morning, fired several volleys — it was be- lieved with good effect. Almost immediately after the enemy opened fire from their battery planted in our front,- distant less than three hundred yards. During the morning several of our men were wounded by the fire from this battery and by the enemy's sharpshooters. About ten o'clock in the morning, the enemy's columns were seen emerging from the woods into the partly open ground in our front. My men were kept lying down until the enemy had advanced within fifty yards of our position. Our fire was then delivered with such effect as to check their advance, but they were again pushed on and again checked and forced to retire, leaving the ground literally covered with dead and wounded. They again advanced after a short interval and opened a furious fire upon us. At the same time a column of the enemy charged the redoubt im- mediately on my left and advanced in strong force in front. The fire to which my regiment was exposed at this time was terrific and deadly. Soon the enemy on my left had advanced so far as to pour an infilading fire along nearly the whole line of my regiment. My left was thrown back slightly to meet this assault and our fire was delivered with such effect upon the enemy who had reached the ditch of the redoubt mentioned as to nearly fill the ditch with their dead and wounded. Every officer and man of my command seemed to put forth superhuman exertions to hold our position, but no troops could long stand against such unequal odds pouring a fire upon front and flank. Out of thirteen line officers, nine were killed or wounded, and forty- five per cent of my whole force shared the same fate to say nothing of the number necessarily detailed to carry off the wounded. As an evidence of the deadly fire to which my left was exposed, I may say that fifty-three per cent was either killed or wounded, and not an officer left except Captain Brown. My left wing and center fell back at my order and were gallantly replaced by the Eleventh Missouri Volunteers. In less than ten minutes, one hundred and thirty-five of my regiment were formed in the front line in good order and there remained during the rest of the day and through the following night, but the battle was over and a most brilliant victory won. I need not attempt to describe the fierce assault and murderous fire to which my command was exposed, either to General Stanley, commanding the Division, or to Colonel Fuller, commanding the Brigade, for the fight- ing of my regiment was in their immediate presence and many of my men fell fighting bravely within an arm's length of them. I cannot speak too highly of the conduct of the officers and men under my command. Captain Frank T. Gillmore, Company A, was never, I be- lieve, excelled by any young officer for efficiency and daring. When the enemy commenced the principal infantry attack, he was in front with his skirmishers. The fierceness of the assault forced him to retire around the Thirty-ninth Ohio Regiment and thus regain his position in line, which he did at double-quick arriving in time to open fire with the rest of the regi- ment. Captain Brown, Company B, on the extreme left, went out with" twelve men and brought in one of the enemy's caissons, under a sharp fire. Captain Christopher E. Smith, Company C, was severely wounded in the leg but refused to go to the rear until the fight was over and the victory 108 Fuller's Ohio Brigade. won. He displayed rare gallantry and ability. Captain George W. Fitz- simmons and Lieutenant William H. Cherry, Company E, were both wound- ed but fought bravely to the end. First Lieutenant Nesbit Conley, com- manding Company F, was stunned by a blow on the head, but joined again in the fight almost immediately. Lieutenant John W. Browning command- ing Company G, was wounded three times before leaving the field. Captain Oscar L. Jackson, Company H, a young officer of great promise, was se- verely and it is feared mortally wounded. He held his company in perfect order until two-thirds of his men were killed or wounded. First Lieutenant William Cornell, commanding Company I, exhibited the finest qualities of an officer during the entire day. Second Lieutenant James A. Gillmon of the same company received a painful wound, but insisted that the more severely wounded should be cared for first. His conduct during the fight was most gallant. First Lieutenant W. W. Mason, Company C, behaved with coolness and bravery during the fight. Captain James McFadden, Com- pany K, just promoted, an earnest and intelligent officer, fell mortally wounded, dying the death of a patriot. Lieutenant S. W. Cunningham be- haved bravely, and was severely wounded in the face. Captain Otis W. Pollock, Acting Adjutant, rendered efficient and gallant service during the day. Assistant Surgeon A. B. Monahan was knocked from his horse in the morning by a piece of shell striking him near the eye, but when I visited the hospital in the evening, I found of the ninety of my wounded, that had been brought in, every one had been dressed and tenderly cared for by him. Acting Assistant Surgeons Marsh and Arnold were ordered to re- port on the field. First Lieutenant Holly Skinner, Regimental Quarter- master, rendered most effective service. Chaplain Benjamin St. James was zealous in his efforts to provide comforts and in caring for the wounded. Early on the morning of the 5th instant, I joined with my command in the pursuit of Van Dorn's and Price's Armies. On the 7th, we reached a point near Ripley. * * * * The list of killed, wounded and missing shows a loss of twenty-four killed, one hundred and five wounded (eight mor- tally) and three missing, or forty-eight per cent of the entire number taken into action. * * * * * J. W. Sprague, Colonel Commanding. Report of Captain Edward H. Cummings, C. S. A., Acting Inspector- Ceneral, on the Battle of Corinth, including the Engagement at the Hatchie River and Holly Springs, Mississippi. October 11th, 1862. Dear General: On the morning of October 3rd, with about fifteen thousand men or sixteen thousand (effective), we attacked Corinth on the northwest side, Lovell with three brigades forming our right, and Price with seven, our left. The attack commenced about eight-thirty. By eleven o'clock we had felt our way up to the rifle pits which we constructed last spring about Captain Edward H. Cumming's, C. S. A., Report. 109 three miles from the town, and about twelve o'clock we stormed them. They were not obstinately defended and our loss was small. Lovell then took the south side of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, and we the north, and moved on. Our Division (Maury's) right of Price, and center of army, was soon hotly engaged and swept several brigades before us, until we reached the inner line of works which the Yankees had put up in Corinth a few hundred yards from the intersection of the Railroads. Moore's (our First) Brigade did the heavy business, carrying three camps and turning a strong redoubt in Lovell's front, saving him the trouble of carrying it, and we rested that night within four or five hundred yards of the works mentioned. All night a great rattling of wagons and shouting of teamsters and suppressed murmurs of hurrying hosts denoted great activity, from which some of us surmised that the enemy was evacuating. Before dawn, fourteen pieces of artillery commenced playing on the town (Corinth) and batteries from the front of our lines, four hundred or five hundred yards, as I said, and were replied to by an immensely superior and concentrating fire, which as soon as daylight revealed us perfectly ex- posed, compelled us to withdraw. One piece, however, was captured by a sortie of the enemy's skirmishers. We then advanced and entered Corinth. Our Division obtained the ground from the Tishomingo Hotel, back of Bragg's old headquarters. Hebert was on our left and occupied the works on the ridge northwest of your house. But we scarcely got in when we met and were overwhelmed* by the enemy's massive reserves. Our lines melted under their fire like snozv in thazv. The fragments who escaped formed again before we got beyond the fire of the batteries and Lovell came over and became rear guard, and we fell back nine miles that night ; our division did not number eight hundred men. Next morning we fell back, intending to retreat by the same route by which we had approached, but found the passage of the Hatchie River disputed by Hurlbut's Corps, twelve thousand strong, which had marched across from Bolivar and reached Pocahontas before us. The bridge was about two miles from Pocohontas. Moore's and Phifer's remnants of bri- gades crossed and were again gobbled up and we lost one battery. The rest of the division got up and, though greatly exhausted, managed to hold the enemy in check for two hours, the other fragments of brigades and regiments composing Hebert's division coming up feebly and supporting us. We gave up the attempt to cross and fell back again and marched by anoth- er route to the south. The enemy had burned the bridge by which we now hoped to get out but Frank C. Armstrong, who proved our salvation, had, with great foresight and energy rebuilt it. The enemy did not pursue with any great vigor, and we saved nearly everything but our wounded, and some of them. Bowen lost part of his train. We brought off two captured guns and lost five, and brought along three hundred prisoners. I do not know the loss of the (our) army. Price is reduced from ten thousand to between five thousand and six thousand. Lovell has not suffered a great deal. The enemy's force I do not know. When we got into Corinth, he swal- lowfcd up seven brigades of as good fighting men as I ever saw, in about twenty minutes. He had abundance of heavy artillery of heavy caliber. I saw ten-inch shot in the field. No casualities in staff except Major Balfour killed, an elegant and gallant gentleman, and young Sullivane taken and 110 Fuller's Ohio Brigade since parolled, both of Van Dorn's staff. More than one-half of the line officers of our (Price's) army are killed, wounded and missing. After all that has happened, I am happy to say that the moral of the army, or what is left of it, is astonishingly good. General Maury has looked over this and says it is clear and correct. Here is a list of our division casualities : Killed Wounded Missing Aggregate Officers 34 121 46 201 Men 211 80S 1381 2397 Total 245 926 1427 2598 God bless you, my dear General, and send us better days. Your devoted friend and servant, E. H. Cummings, General G. T. Beauregard, C. S. Partial Report of Major-General Earl Van Dom, C. S. A., Commanding the Army of West Tennessee, on the Battle of Corinth, including the Engagements at Hatchie's Bridge and the Operations of August 30th to October 12th. Holly Springs, Mississippi, October 7, 1862. Honorable Secretary of War: Dispatch received at Pocohontas near Corinth. Attacked Corinth, took all the outer works by storm and got within the town. Enemy received fresh reinforcements and we could not complete the work ; retired. The Bolivar force (Grant's) came down on my line of retreat and prevented crossing of the Hatchie ; moved south ; crossed six miles below and now at Ripley with all baggage and as many of the wounded as we could carry. Bloody affair ; enemy still threatens ; will fight him at all points ; there are about forty thousand still in Tennessee ; will have hard fighting. Earl Van Dorn, Major-General. Indorsement — Respectfully submitted to the President: It will be necessary to re-enforce at once if possible. The ground was well known to me and required no study to determine where to make the attack. In the judgment of military men, Corinth is the key to the whole posi- tion. Its stragetic importance has been recognized by the enemy as well as by ourselves. Proceedings of Court of Inquiry convened at Abbeyville, Mississippi, by order No. 24, Department of Mississippi, and East Louisiana, Jackson, Mississippi, November 7, 1862, by order of Laeutenant-General Pemberton. R. W. Meininger, Assistant Adjutant General. Generals Van Dorn and Price Reports. m Detail for the Court : Major-General Sterling Price, Brigadier-General Lloyd Tilghman, Dabney H. Maury, Captain L. B. Harris, Thirty-eighth Mississippi, Recorder of the Court. Partial Report of Confederate General Van Dorn. "The heavy guns of the enemy were all silenced, and all seemed about ended when a heavy fire from fresh troops from Iuka, Burnsville and Rienzi' who had succeeded in reaching Corinth, poured into our thinned ranks a disastrous fire. Exhausted from loss of sleep, wearied from hard marching and fighting, companies and regiments without officers, our troops (let no one censure them) gave way. The day was lost. The attempt at Corinth has failed, and in consequence I am condemned and have been sup- erseded in my command." Partial Report of General Price. "The history of this war contains no bloodier page, perhaps, than that which will record this fiercely contested battle. The strongest expressions fall short of my admiration for the gallant conduct of the officers and men under my command. Words cannot add luster to the fame they have ac- ' quired through deeds of noble daring which, living through future time, will shed about every man, officer and soldier, who stood to his arms through this struggle, a halo of glory as imperishable as it is brilliant. They have won to their sisters and daughters the distinguished honor, the proud exclamation, 'My father' or 'My brother was at the great battle of Corinth'." The following, written by Lieutenant Labruzan of the Confederate Forty-second Alabama, is his experience during that fierce and determined contest at Corinth : On the morning of October 4, 1862, we marched with General Van Dorn in command of our army of fully thirty-eight thousand men. On October 3rd, we had the Reveille by bugle at four o'clock in the morning, and marched into Mississippi. At half-past six we heard artillery firing. Skirmishing was kept up until we crossed the Memphis and Charleston Rail- road. Our Brigade under General Moore, marched into the woods and formed line of battle. Heavy skirmishing with steady and increasing can- nonading was heard in front. Men were detailed to attend to the wounded. We left our blankets and knapsacks here. At about ten o'clock our brigade marched through a corn field and formed into line within half a mile of the enemy. Heavy firing was heard just in front. Saturday, October 4th, was an awful day. At four in the morning our brigade was ordered to the left, throwing out skirmishers who kept up a constant fire. A battery in front of the right of our regiment opened briskly, and the enemy replied the same for an hour and a half. Our regiment lay down close and stood it nobly. The shells flew thick and fast, cutting off large limbs from the trees and filling the air with fragments, many bursting within twenty feet, and the pieces within two or three feet. It was extremely unpleasant and I prayed for forgiveness of my sins, and made up my mind to go through. I volunteered, and took my company to assist the Second Texas skirm- ishers. We got behind trees and logs, and the way the bullets did fly was 112 Fuller's Ohio Brigade. unpleasant to hear. I think twenty must have passed within a few feet of me. Shells and splinters struck my tree several times. We could only move from tree to tree, bending low to the ground while moving. O ! how anxiously I watched for the bursting of shells when the heavy roar of the cannon proclaimed their coming ! Suddenly at ten o'clock, while behind a log with Major Furges, the right fairly opened with heavy volleys of musketry, double thundering can- non. This was on the right. In a few moments the left went into action in splendid style. At half past ten, Colonel Rogers came up by us, saying only "Alabama forces." Our regiment with the brigade rose unmindful of shot or shell, and moved forward, marching about two hundred and fifty yards, and mounting the crest of the hill. The whole of Corinth with its enormous fortifications* burst upon our view. The United States flag was waving over the forts and town. We were met by a perfect storm of grape, cannon balls and minnie balls. O ! God, I have never seen the like. The men fell like grass even here. Giving one tremendous cheer, we dashed to the brow of the hill on which the fortifications were situated. Here we found every foot of the ground covered with large trees and brush cut down to impede our progress. Looking to the right and left I saw several brigades charging at the same time. I saw men running at full speed, stop suddenly and fall upon their faces, with their brains scattered all around, others with legs and arms cut off, shrieked with agony. They fell behind, beside and within a few feet of me. I gave myself to God and got ahead of my company. The ground was literally strewn with mangled corpses. One ball went through my pants, and they cut twigs right by me. It seemed by holding out my hand I could have caught a dozen. They buzzed and hissed by me in all directions, but I still pressed forward. I seemed to be moving right in the mouth of the cannon, for the air was filled with grape. Ahead was one continuous blaze. I rushed to the ditch of the fort, right between some large cannon. I grappled into and half way up the sloping wall. The enemy was only three or four feet from me on the other side of the wall, but could not shoot us for fear of having their heads blown off. Our men were in the same pre- dicament, only five or six were on the wall and thirty or forty in and around the ditch. A man by my side put his head up cautiously to shoot into the fort, but he suddenly dropped his musket and his brains were dashed in a stream over my fine coat. Several were killed here on top of one another and rolled down the embankment in ghastly heaps. This was done by a regiment of Yankees coming about forty yards on our left, after finding us entirely cut off, and firing into us. Several of our men cried, "Put down the flag," and it was lowered and shot into the ditch. O ! we were butchered like dogs, as we were not supported. Some one placed a white handker- chief on Sergeant Buck's musket and took it to a port hole, but the yankees snatched it off and took him prisoner. The men fell ten at a time ; the ditch being full, and finding we had no chance, the survivors tried to save them- selves as best they could. I was so far up I could not get off quickly. Captain Foster and I started together, while the air was literally filled with *There were no breastworks or wall alone: the lines attacked at Corinth. The forts described were light earthworks surrounding- the batteries. — Kiiiorian. Experience of Lieutenant Labranzan, C. S. A. 113 hissing balls. I went about twenty steps as quickly as I could, about a dozen being killed in that distance. I fell down and scrambled behind a large stump. Just then I saw poor Foster throw up his hands, and saying "O! my God" jumped about two feet from the ground, falling on his face. The top of his head seemed to cave in and the blood spurted straight up several feet. I could see men falling as they attempted to run, some with their heads torn to pieces and some with blood streaming from their backs. It was terrible. One poor fellow, being almost on me, told me his name and asked me to take his pocket book if I escaped and give it to his mother, and tell her he died a brave man. I told him to pray which he did, the cannon thundering an accompaniment. Poor fellow, I forgot his request in the excitement. His legs were literally cut to pieces. As our men returned, the enemy poured in their fire, and I was hardly thirty feet from the mouth of the cannon. Minnie balls filled the stump I was behind, and the shells bursting near it stunned me. The grape shot hewed large pieces off my stump, gradually wearing it away. I endured the horrors of death here for half an hour. I endeavored to resign myself and prayed. Our troops formed in line in the woods and advanced a second time to the charge with cheers. They began firing when about half way, and I endured it all. I was feigning death. In the first charge our men did not fire a gun but charged across the ditch and to the very mouth of the cannon with the bayonet. So also the second charge, but they fired. Thank God I am unhurt. Our boys were shot down like hogs and could not stand it, and fell back each man for himself. Then the same scene was enacted as before. This time the yankees charged after them and as I had no chance at all and all around me, men were surrendering I was compelled to do so, as a rascal threatened to shoot me. I had to give up my sword to him and we were marshalled to a large house. There were about four hundred officers and privates. We were treated very politely, more so than I expected. CHAPTER XV. RETREAT OF THE ENEMY FROM CORINTH. The Union Commander did not realize at the moment the battle was ended, the great injury that had been inflicted upon the enemy, nor the fact that the rebel forces were so badly shattered that a retreat was im- mediately ordered by them which continued all night. Rosecrans who had been waiting for a brigade of fresh troops under General McPherson, which arrived on the morning of the 5th of October, started at once in pursuit and found that the rebels in their haste to escape had thrown away all of their baggage. The roads were strewn with tents, wagons, guns, cartridge boxes, canteens and haversacks. The roughness of the country which was covered with woods and thickets, made movements impractical in the darkness of the night and slow and difficult by day. The Ohio Brigade followed the enemy over the Chewalla Road. The retreating forces took the road to Davis' Bridge on the Hatchie River by way of Pocohontas, and being familiar with the country, knowing where to go, and having to look for nothing but attack on its rear, they moved with freedom, so that when General Ord's forces, arriving from Bolivar, attacked them at Davis' Bridge and drove them back, they escaped over narrow roads and moved through the thickets southward. Fuller's Ohio Brigade, following the enemy, crossed the Tuscumbia and Hatchie Rivers to beyond Ripley, and then returned to Corinth, arriving on the 15th, having marched in the eleven days, one hundred and twenty-miles. The weather grew cold and snow fell and during that time army rations could not be supplied by the commissary department. The principal food obtained, consisted of large yams or sweet potatoes found on the planta- tions. For thirty days, the movements of the brigade had been so constant and rapid, that it was necessary to keep camp and garrison equipage in wagons and the soldiers bivouaced in the open air. Many privations were endured by the soldiers from marching in the rain, mud and cold, from sleeping without blankets or shelter while lying in the roads, and from wait- ing long hours for the slow-moving wagon trains, containing ammunition, to close up to their commands. The campaign just ended made West Tennessee and North Mississippi free from hostile troops. Communication with the North which had been interrupted, was very soon opened again. Letters and newspapers were received containing congratulations and thanks to the officers and soldiers of Pursuit of the Enemy. 115 this army for their gallant conduct in the battle. There were also con- gratulatory letters from President Lincoln and resolutions from Congress. In recognition of his services, General Rosecrans was given command of the Army of the Cumberland. General Stanley commanding the Division of which Fuller's Ohio Brigade was a part, received another star, being promoted to Major-General and assigned to the Cavalry Department, the Fourth Corps, of the Army of the Cumberland. Lieutenant-Colonel Swayne was promoted to Colonel of the Forty-third Ohio for bravery in action. Major Spaulding of the Twenty-seventh Ohio, received promotion to Lieu- tenant-Colonel. Captain Churchill was promoted to Major. Private Orrin B. Gould was promoted to Captain and Sergeant Charles H. Smith to Second Lieutenant in the Twenty-seventh Ohio, by the Governor of Ohio, for meritorious conduct in battle. A large number of promotions were made in the four regiments which will appear in the roster. The Confederate speakers and their press now talked of this, their "great disaster," which reacted upon other theaters of the war and cast upon them "long shadows of gloom." On October 26th, nine hundred recruits arrived from Ohio and were assigned to the brigade. THE UNION FORCES ENGAGED AT CORINTH. The Union forces at Corinth were commanded by Major-General W. S. Rosecrans. Two Divisions of the Army of the Mississippi and two Divisions of the Army of the Tennessee. Army of the Mississippi, Second Division, Brigadier-General David S. Stanley. First Brigade, Colonel John W. Fuller. Twenty-seventh Ohio, Major Z. S. Spaulding, Thirty-ninth Ohio, Colonel A. W. Gilbert, Lieut. -Colonel Edward F. Noyes. Forty-third Ohio, Colonel J. L. Kirby Smith, (mortally wounded), Lieutenant-Colonel Wager Swayne. Sixty-third Ohio, Colonel John W. Sprague. Captain Albert Jenks' Company of Illinois Cavalry. Third Michigan Battery, Lieutenant Carl A. Lamberg. Eighth Wisconsin Battery (section) Lieutenant D. McLean. Second United States Battery, Company F., Captain Thomas D. Maurice. Brigade loss : Killed, fifty-five ; Wounded, two hundred and ninety-five ; Missing, ten ; Total, three hundred and sixty. Second Brigade, Colonel Joseph A. Mower (wounded). Twenty-sixth and Forty-seventh Illinois, Fifth Minnesota, Eleventh Missouri, Eighth Wisconsin, and Second Iowa Battery. 116 Fuller's Ohio Brigade Third Division, Brigadier-General Charles S. Hamilton, escort Company C, Fifth Missouri Cavalry. First Brigade, Brigadier-General Napoleon B. Bedford. Forty-eighth and Fifty-ninth Indiana, Fifth Iowa, Fourth Min- nesota, Twenty-sixth Missouri, First Missouri Artillery, Eleventh Ohio Battery. Second Brigade, Brigadier-General J. C. Sullivan. Fifty-sixth Illinois, Tenth and Seventeenth Iowa, Tenth Missouri, Company F of the Twenty-fourth Missouri, Eightieth Ohio, Sixth and Twelfth Wisconsin Batteries. Cavalry Division, Seventh and Eleventh Illinois, Second Iowa, Seventh Kansas, Third Michigan, Fifth Ohio (four Companies). Unattached, Sixty-fourth Illinois (Yates' Sharpshooters) Captain J. Morrill, First United States siege Artillery (six Companies), A, B, C, D, H and I, First U. S. Infantry. ARMY OF WEST TENNESSEE. Second Division, Brigadier-General Thomas A. Davies commanding. First Brigade, Brigadier-General P. A. Hackleman (killed). Fifty-second Illinois, Second Iowa, Seventh Iowa, detachments of the Fifty-eighth Illinois, Second, Seventh, Eighth, Twelfth and Fourteenth Iowa. Second Brigade, Brigadier-General Richard J. Oglesby (wounded). Ninth and Twelfth Illinois, Twenty-second and Eighty-first Ohio. Third Brigade, Colonel S. D. Baldwin (wounded). Seventh, Fiftieth and Fifty-seventh Illinois. Artillery Companies D, H, I and K of the First Missouri. Unattached, Fourteenth Missouri (western sharpshooters). Sixth Division, Brigadier-General Thomas J. McKean. First Brigade, Brigadier-General John McArthur. Twenty-first Missouri, Sixteenth and Seventeenth Wisconsin. Second Brigade, Colonel L. M. Oliver, commanding the Independent Company of Illinois Cavalry, Eighteenth Missouri (four Com- panies), Fourteenth and Eighteenth Wisconsin, Fifteenth Mich- igan. Third Brigade, Colonel Marcellus M. Crocker. Eleventh, Thirteenth, Fifteenth and Sixteenth Iowa. Artillery, Captain Andrew Hickenlopper. Company F of the Second Illinois, First Minnesota, Third Ohio (section), Fifth and Tenth Ohio. CONFEDERATE FORCES AT CORINTH. Army of West Tennessee, Major-General Earl Van Dorn. Army of the West, General Sterling Price. Forces Engaged at Corinth. 117 First Division, Brigadier-General L. Hebert. First Brigade, Fourteenth, Sixteenth and Seventeenth Arkansas, Third and First Missouri Cavalry (dismounted), Fourth Alabama Infantry. Captain Killiam Wade's Missouri Battery, Third Louisiana, Fortieth Mississippi, First Texas Legion, Third Texas Cavalry (dis- mounted), Clarke's Missouri Battery, St. Louis, Missouri Bat- tery, Second and Fifth Missouri. Third Brigade, Seventh, Forty-third, Thirty-sixth, Thirty-seventh and Thirty-eighth Mississippi, Fourth arfd Sixth Missouri, Adams' Battery, Third Missouri Cavalry (dismounted), Thirty-seventh Alabama Infantry, Landis Guibor's Batteries. Maury's Division. Forty-second Alabama, Fifteenth and Twenty-third Arkansas, Thirty-fifth Mississippi, Second and Ninth Texas, Bledsoe's Missouri Battery, Slemon's and Wert Adams' Cavalry. Cabell's Brigade. Eighteenth, Nineteenth, Twentieth and Twenty-first Arkansas, Jones' Arkansas Battalion, Rapley's Arkansas Battalion, Ashford's Arkansas Battery. Phefer's Brigade. Third Arkansas Cavalry (dismounted), Sixth Texas Cavalry (dis- mounted), Stirman's Sharpshooters, McNally's Arkansas Battery. Cavalry Brigade (incomplete official returns), Second Arkansas, Second Mississippi, Second Missouri. Reserve Artillery, Hoxton's Tennessee Battery, Sengstak's Alabama Battery. DISTRICT OF THE MISSISSIPPI. First Division, Major-General Mansfield Lovell. Fourth, Thirty-first and Thirty-fifth Alabama, Ninth Arkansas, Third and Seventh Kentucky, Hudson's Mississippi Battery. Second Brigade (incomplete official returns), Thirty-third, Thirty-ninth Mississippi. Third Brigade, Sixth, Fifteenth, Twenty-second and Lester's Mississ- ippi, First Missouri, Watson's Louisiana Battery. Cavalry Brigade, First Mississippi, Seventh Tennessee, Louisiana Zouave Battalion. CHARGE OF THE TWENTY-SEVENTH OHIO. OCTOBER 4th, 1862. By Second Lieutenant George W Young. 'Twas autumn time so mild, and elsewhere fair and still, But here the thunders burst from each surrounding hill ; The morning air so soft, grew thick with sulphur smoke, Around more wildly rang the warriors' battle cry ; Swift hissed the bursting shell and fell the saber stroke, 118 Fuller's Ohio Brigade As brave, met equal brave, to conquer or to die ; And loudly musket echoed musket's dread refrain, While headless tramped the living o'er the mangled slain. Undaunted still they fought, the traitors in their pride, While flashed their hateful flag, in front, on either side ; Regarding not that death beset the bloody way, The horrid cannon belched along the Union line ; With steady steps and slow, true heroes in the fray, The foe comes on, a will, their vantage powers combine, The vict'ry leans to them, but still goes on the fight, As free men weep in grief, while wrong supplants the right. "For freedon's cause a charge," is Stanley's fearless cry; "Ohio's sons your steel," our Fuller's stern reply ; And like the lightning's glare, a thunder bolt of death, The twenty-seventh led by Spaulding's gleaming blade ; A thousand noble forms, set teeth and 'bated breath, Rush on the startled foe, and pausing not for aid, Their faultness nothern steel, with southern fire collides, And fell Destruction on the fearful whirlpool rides. The traitors fought in vain, such carnage could not last, Their boldest low in death, their leaders are aghast, No mortals could withstand, Ohio's bravest charge, And back, forever back, the frighted living trod. The spirits of the dead, from lifeless clay at large, Their rapid flight began to justice and to God ; And from the Union line, a yell of triumph rolled, A shout for victory won, a sigh for heroes cold. POSSIBILITIES OF FURTHER SUCCESS. The Confederate Army which held the Mississippi Valley had been routed and demoralized. The Union forces had two railroads leading down through the most productive part of the state, where corn was ripe, supply- ing plenty of forage so that the enemy could have been pursued with safety. The weather was cool and the roads were getting in prime condition. We should have gone to Vicksburg then, but General Ffalleck ordered otherwise. CHAPTER XVI. CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI CAMPAIGN. By November 2nd, 1862, the army had recuperated and General Grant with one hundred regiments of about eighty thousand men started on the Central Mississippi Campaign for the capture of Vicksburg. Fuller's Ohio Brigade with three days' rations in haversack and three in wagons, marched out of Corinth on the Chewalla Road, over a hilly country, passed fields white with unpicked cotton, crossed the Hatchie River, and on the 3rd passed through Grand Junction, twenty miles dis- tant. On the 5th, at Grand Junction, the Sixty-third Ohio Infantry was joined by a batallion of the One Hundred and Twelfth Ohio, which was assigned to it. A reconnaissance was made on the Holly Springs Road, and the enemy's pickets were driven seven miles. Rations were becoming scarce and the troops had to grind corn at the mills and use the cornmeal for baking bread. Wagon trains loaded with cotton were guarded to the rail- road. On November 17th, Fuller's Ohio Brigade marched to Lla Grange, camping on Jack Davis plantation. The clothes of the soldiers took on the color of the earth upon which they had slept, while the dust stirred up by the large number of teams and thousands of men marching over the roads, made the soldiers very uncomfortable, getting into their rations and filling their eyes and nostrils. Most stringent orders were issued against plunder- ing and very little was done. Fuller's Brigade was assigned to General Mc- Pherson's Division. Chaplain John Eaton of the Twenty-seventh Ohio put several hundred negroes at work picking cotton on the cotton plantations in and around La Grange, this section being in the heart of the cotton region. The soldiers were delighted to find a number of large, heavy, baking pans, locally known as "skillets." These they set in beds of hot coals in order to bake their corn- bread or to fry their three-quarters pound of bacon which they drew daily, with their hard bread, coffee and sugar. One would have known that the soldiers liked this food by the way they ate it, in large mouthfuls, relishing it and longing for more. The hard bread polished their teeth to a pearly whiteness. At all seasons of the year, where a stop was made for more than one day, inspection of arms and dress parade by the troops, were ordered, and carried out with thoroughness. 120 Fuller's Ohio Brigade. The weather turned cold, damp and wet. In this section few of the citizens could be seen. The bridges destroyed by the enemy in their retreat were rapidly and substantially rebuilt by Bissel's Engineer Regiment. There was a rumor in the army that this section of country was to be the great battle ground, yet the Confederate General seemed desirous of drawing Grant's Army from its base of supplies. From their continued retreat, they were called by our army "The Invisibles." A march was made from Camp at Wolf Creek to Coldwater Creek reaching there on November 28th. On the 29th a march was made thirteen miles, passing through the streets of Holly Springs, the regimental flags unfurled, bands playing, the men carrying their muskets at "right shoulder shift." The "right shoulder shift" was termed the "gay style." A few of the citizens stood on the corners and many ladies appeared at the doors of houses. A few of them cheered, others seemed spell-bound at the sight of the old flag and the great army. Camp was made at Lampkins Mills, Mississippi. On November 30th, the Brigade moved at daylight and skirmished with the enemy until noon. The men halted close by the Tallahatchie river, an inconsiderable stream at this point, near the rebel line of heavy earth- works, forts and rifle pits, upon which the enemy had spent ten months of labor. On the following day, about ten thousand of the Union Cavalry swam over on their horses and pursued the enemy. The soldiers of the Brigade washed their clothes in the river. Over two thousand prisoners were captured at the Tallahatchie River, most foreigners. On December 9th, Colonel Sprague received orders from Oxford, Mississippi, to disembark his command at Bolivar, Tennessee, in order to defend the line of communication to Oxford. On December 10th the Brigade marched ten miles south of the Tallahatchie River, camping one mile north of the town of Abbeyville, Mississippi, where wood and water had to be carried one mile. On December 11th they marched fourteen miles and camped south of Oxford, Mississippi, fifty miles south of Grand Junction. Some of the citi- zens of this place, both male and female, seemed displeased to see Union soldiers and spoke slightingly of them. The country was very beautiful and reminded the soldiers of the expression of southern orators, "The beautiful hills and broad savannahs of the sunny South." Many of the citizens took the oath of allegiance to the United States Government. The soldiers en- joyed the beautiful starlight nights by the camp fires, around which they would gather in knots and rehearse the marches and brave deeds of their army, how they stood together and cheered each other upon many battle fields. Their eyes were bright, their cheeks were sunburned and weather- Formation of the Army into Corps. 121 beaten, some looked toil worn, their clothes were ragged, but they were self-reliant. About fire per cent of those wounded at Corinth had now returned to duty. At this time Forrest's and Van Dorn's rebel Cavalry raided the country and captured Holly Springs with much valuable army stores. On December 18th the Ohio Brigade was reviewed by General Grant. The soldiers' clothes were brushed up, shoes blackened, guns and accoutre- ments polished for the pageant. The General rode down the front and up the rear lines on a cream colored horse. He was dressed in a frock coat, black hat, and a rich silk sash and belt. He was saluted at the head of each regiment by dipping flags, fife and drums, and by "present arms." He raised his hat and when he passed the colors, he saluted them. On December 20th Colonel Sprague of the Sixty-third Ohio reported the capture of thirty United States teams by the enemy. SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS BADGE. By an order from the War Department, on December 18, 1862, the Army of the Tennessee, General Ulysses S. Grant, commanding, had been grouped into four Corps d'armee viz : The Thirteenth, Major-General Me- Clernand, the Fifteenth, Major-General Sherman, the Sixteenth, Major- General Hurlbut (then at Memphis), and the Seventeenth, Major-General McPherson. The Sixteenth Army Corps consisted of the Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Divisions, Army of the Tennessee. First Brigade, Colonel John W. Fuller, commanding was a part of Brigadier- General John E. Smith's Eighth Division, Sixteenth Corps. Twenty-seventh Ohio Regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Zeph. S. Spauld- ing, commanding. Thirty-ninth Ohio Regiment, Colonel Edward F. Noyes, commanding. Forty-third Ohio Regiment, (at Bolivar, Tennessee), Colonel Wager Swayne, commanding. Sixty-third Ohio Regiment, Colonel John W. Sprague, commanding. Third Michigan Battery, Captain George Robinson. Second United States Artillery, Battery F, Captain Albert J. S. Molinard, and Lieutenant A. M. Murray. 122 Fuller's Ohio Brigade. Second Brigade, Colonel Joseph A. Mower, Forty-seventh Illinois, Fifth Minnesota, Eleventh Missouri, Eighth Wisconsin. Third Brigade, Colonel Ralph Buckland. CHAPTER XVII. | THE DEFEAT OF THE REBEL GENERAL FORREST IN THE GRAND RAID ON GENERAL GRANT'S LINE OF COMMUNICATIONS HOW IT WAS FRUS- TRATED AND THE ENEMY EXPELLED FROM THE COUNTRY. General Braxton Bragg, commanding the Confederate Army of the Tennessee, decided upon two raids with Cavalry, flying Artillery and mounted Infantry, one into Kentucky under General Morgan, the other into Tennesse under Brigadier-General N. B. Forrest. These raids were in- tended as diversions in favor of the Confederate Army in Mississippi, then heavily pressed by General Grant. Forrest with his command variously estimated at from five thousand to seven thousand, moved on December 11th, 1862, from Columbia, reaching the Tennessee River at Clifton, on Sunday the 13th, and after much diffi- culty, working night and day, crossed on the 15th. General Grant informed his commanders at Corinth, Bolivar, Jackson, and other places that Forrest was approaching, and as it was not known where he would strike, each began to call for re-enforcements. General Sullivan concentrated his forces at Jackson, and ordered Colonel Robert G. Ingersoll toward the Tennessee River, with his own Regiment, two hundred troopers of the Eleventh Illinois Cavalry, and a Battery. He was joined at Lexington, twenty-eight miles east from Jackson by Colonel Haw- kins, commanding the Second West Tennessee Cavalry with two hundred and seventy-two men. From Beech Creek, Colonel Ingersoll sent forward Captain Burridge, who found from reports that the enemy was in front. From the 18th, this force gradually fell back to Lexington and Jackson, skirmishing frequently with the enemy who continually outflanked this small force. Here the Union troops were re-enforced by Fuller's Ohio Brigade and other forces. THE BATTLE OF PARKER'S CROSS ROADS, DECEMBER 31ST, 1862. Colonel John W. Fuller, Twenty-seventh Ohio, commanding First Brigade, Eighth Division, Sixteenth Corps, after nine o'clock in the even- ing of December 18th, when encamped near Oxford, Mississippi, received orders to cook three days rations to be put in haversacks, and march to Operations in West Tennessee. 123 the depot at eleven o'clock and proceed at once with the infantry of his command, by rail to Jackson, Tennessee, there to report to Brigadier- General Sullivan. About midnight, the Thirty-ninth Ohio, Colonel Noyes, left Oxford in freight cars and at three o'clock the next morning, the Twenty-seventh Ohio, Lieutenant-Colonel Spaulding, followed with the pur- pose of attacking Forrest's forces and preventing his re-crossing the Ten- nessee River. Leaving instructions for Colonel Sprague to follow as soon as cars could be obtained, for transportation of his own regiment, and the Forty-third Ohio, Colonel Fuller started for Jackson on the train conveying the Twenty- seventh. He did not reach Jackson until nearly four o'clock in the after- noon of the 19th. Immediately on his arrival, Colonel Spaulding was ordered by General Sullivan to report to Colonel Lawler to the front, and learned from General Sullivan that Colonel Noyes had been sent with his regiment in another direction, to report to General Brayman. Colonel Ful- ler afterwards learned that the Sixty-third and Forty-third, upon reaching Bolivar, had been ordered by General Grant to remain there for the defence of that place. The citizens manifested great delight upon seeing Union Troops and the old flag. Much excitement prevailed from the threatened attack by the enemy. The next morning a general order from General Sullivan announced that Colonel Fuller's Command would consist of the Twenty-seventh and the Thirty-ninth Ohio and would form the rear of the column. Colonel Fuller as soon as he could find the regiments marched sixteen miles in the direction of Lexington, overtaking the main column about ten miles east of Jackson. While halting here, cannonading was heard in the direction of Humbolt. After an hour's halt the march was continued until nineteen miles distant from Jackson, where the column bivouacked for the night. The men were very tired but notwithstanding this, they were aroused by the bugle call at ten o'clock at night to go out on picket and vidette duty. The night was cold, cloudy and very dark. Nothing was seen of the enemy. The next morning at six o'clock, the army returned over the same road, with Colonel Fuller's command in front, reaching Jackson between one and two in the afternoon. Earthworks had been thrown up almost around the town. On the 27th, Colonel Fuller with his command went by cars to Trenton, where the Sixty-third Ohio rejoined him. He now reported in compliance with General Sullivan's orders to General Heynie, but General Sullivan arrived the same evening, and resumed command. During all this time, our forces were expected to move at any moment. The officers wore their side arms, the soldiers remained under arms, and the color guard remained with their colors. On Christmas day, the Brigade 124 Fuller's Ohio Brigade was on short rations. The surroundings were unpleasant. We rode on platform cars to Trenton, thirty-five miles before daylight. About five o'clock in the morning of December 28th, the column marched fifteen miles toward Huntingdon and bivouaced near Shady Grove, where part of the people were staunch Unionists. The farmers brought to camp, corn meal and sweet potatoes. The soldiers managed to cook their unsifted corn meal into cake without saleratus. The next morn- ing marching through McLemoresville, they reached Huntingdon about four o'clock in the afternoon. On the 31st, Fuller left seven companies on guard duty, which General Sullivan said would start when he was ready to move and the seven com- panies would form a rear guard. Between ten and eleven in the morning while his column was halting near Clarksburg, General Sullivan with Gen- eral Heynie and their respective staffs, and a small escort of cavalry, over- took Colonel Fuller. General Sullivan ordered him to halt for an hour or an hour and a half, till the rear guard could rejoin him, and then passed on toward Clarksburg. Within ten minutes afterwards, an Orderly rode back at a gallop, say- ing that the enemy's cavalry had got between Colonel Fuller's command and Generals Sullivan and Heynie, and that these officers, with their escort had ridden on through Clarksburg followed by the enemy. Colonel Fuller now moved forward, on a double quick, instantly, and upon reaching Clarksburg learned from an officer of the 29th Iowa, (who had been accidentally left on picket duty where Colonel Dunham's column had bivouacked the previous night) the enemy's force consisting of about fifty Cavalry. DOUBLE-QUICKING TO THE FIGHT. The enemy had approached from the west and took the road leading south, passing before this officer had an opportunity to fire on them. Colonel Fuller learned that Generals Sullivan and Heynie left the road directly after passing Clarksburg, taking an easterly direction. The enemy upon reaching the same point probably saw Colonel Fuller's advance, as they filed out of the woods to the west. After halting about ten minutes, having learned nothing more, Coloned Fuller continued his march. Soon the sound of artillery in his front advised him that Colonel Dunham's Brigade consisting of the One Hundred and Twenty-second, and Thirty-fourth Illinois, Fiftieth Indiana, Seventh Tennessee, Thirty-ninth Iowa and a Battery of six guns, was engaging the enemy, and he began a march in earnest. The firing was first heard to the right of the point where the road from McLemoresville Rapid March to the Battlefield. 125 crosses that leading from Huntingdon to Lexington; in half an hour it was directly in his front; in half an hour later it was all to the left of the cross- ing, thereby rendering it certain that the enemy, who approached from Mc- Lemoresville, was rapidly driving Colonel Dunham's Brigade before him. Very soon thereafter, the rattle of musketry was distinct, and thinking the hour a critical one for the small force, who were evidently fighting against odds, Colonel Fuller urged his men to their utmost speed. When within about two miles of Parker's house an Orderly galloped to the head of the column, saying : "Colonel Sullivan, who is coming up with a rear guard, about three miles behind, orders you to halt until he comes up." Colonel Fuller sent his assistant Adjutant-General to ride back to the General as fast as possible, to explain the situation, and ask that the order to halt be countermanded. Immediately after he had started, Colonel Ful- ler's Orderly, who had been sent to communicate with Colonel Dunham, re- turned. He was unable to get through, as the enemys position was between Colonel Fuller and that of Colonel Dunham's Brigade. From near Parker's house, where they were in force, the enemy had fired on him. Colonel Fuller learning this, felt assured that General Sullivan would, if present and in possession of the facts, countermand his order to halt, and therefore Fuller directed that the men, instead of halting, should move forward as rapidly as possible. When the head of Colonel Fuller's column was deployed, General Sulli- van overtook him. The 27th and 63rd were at once formed on the left and the Thirty-ninth on the right of the road, when they advanced upon the rear of the enemy's artillery which was feebly supported and abandoned when the Union forces approached. Our artillery took a position on the left of the road, and directly after opening fire, two pieces followed the infantry until they occupied ground side by side with the rebel guns, while the other piece was moved to the west side of the road, where it was effect- ively used upon the rebels who were escaping by breaking through the front of our lines. The advance of the Twenty-seventh, Thirty-ninth and Sixty-third was in splendid style and the enemy was put to rapid flight. Sergeant Smith who was ordered to command a line of skirmishers, reached the hill to the south where the enemy's artillery was posted. His men lay down and com- menced firing on the enemy. FORREST SURPRISED. Some hundreds of the enemy who had dismounted and had been fight- ing as infantry, had left their horses in the orchard and yard near Parker's 126 Fuller's Ohio Brigade. house. These four hundred horses and seven pieces of artillery were the first trophies that fell into our hands, and more than three hundred of their riders, thus rendered unable to get away surrendered themselves as prison- ers. A small train of wagons which the enemy had gained possession of was re-captured in the road a short distance south of Parker's house and one at least of the guns belonging to Colonel Dunham's command was re- taken from the enemy on this road. The dead bodies of our artillerists lying close to this gun attested the fidelity and bravery with which the men of the Seventh Wisconsin Battery stood at their posts until their last round of ammunition was exhausted. Among the prisoners who surrendered were several officers of promin- ence: Lieutenant-Colonel Cox and Major Strange (Forrest's Adjutant- General), who together with the Captain commanding Forrest's bodyguard, were unhorsed by a volley from the Twenty-seventh Ohio when riding off the field with their General, and Colonel Black, who afterward escaped in citizens clothes, with several others whose names are not given. Before referring to the subsequent march of Colonel Fuller's men, it is due to both the officers and men of the command (who marched seven miles within an hour and a half to reach the field, and who, after this exer- tion rushed forward, swinging into line and took the enemy in flank and rear with such enthusiasm as to produce a panic in the enemy's ranks to claim for them the honor of capturing what was taken from the enemy at Park- er's Cross Roads, and also of recapturing prisoners artillery, baggage wag- ons, and animals which before their arrival on the field had fallen into the hands of the enemy. When it reached the field, the enemy who from the best evidence obtainable, was about double the number of Colonel Dunham's forces, was in front and on both flanks of that brigade. A flag of truce which had not returned to General Forrest, when Fuller's guns opened, had, as Colonel Dunham informed him, demanded an unconditional surrender. Firing had ceased for some fifteen minutes prior to Fuller's arrival, nor did the command of Colonel Dunham fire a shot at the enemy as he moved past their flanks to the rear. About two hours after the enemy had precipitately fled, General Sulli- van informed Colonel Fuller that he was returning and advancing upon his left and front. By the General's direction, General Fuller formed two regi- ments obliquely across the road, leading east from Parker's house and sent two companies (deployed as skirmishers) about four hundred yards to the front of this line, where he remained till daylight on the following morning. The Ohio Brigade bivouaced upon the battle field. January 1st, the Brigade marched through Lexington, bivouacing about one mile east of that place. The next morning, Generals Sullivan and Hey- Pursuit of the Enemy. 127 nie with the Brigade of Colonel Dunham, marched toward Jackson, while Fuller's command together with the Brigade which came up from Jackson, under Colonel Lawler, marched in pursuit of the enemy toward the Tennes- see River, Fuller having orders to report to that officer. When five or six miles east of Lexington, several men were met who had escaped from the enemy after reaching the river. From these it was learned definitely that Forrest had (with the exception of the straggling prisoners) crossed the Tennessee River. Taking these men to Colonel Lawler, Colonel Fuller re- spectfully requested that the infantry, worn out and half starved as it was, and without shelter, be spared so long and trying a march, and suggested that the reconnaissance be made by the cavalry. But Colonel Lawler in- fomed him that he had no discretion in the matter. He had no doubt of the correctness of these statements, he said, but the entire force must march. That day he preceded within eight or nine miles of Clifton. The country was hilly and rocky and the roads bad, and added to this, the rain fell almost constantly during the march of fifty-four miles from Lexington to Clifton. FORREST ABANDONS THE COUNTRY. On January 3rd, 1863, Colonel Fuller's Brigade was ordered to move toward Clifton. He was instructed to use his own judgment as to the move- ment, to ascertain for himself whether the enemy had all crossed the river, and if so, to return. Upon reaching a point where the road to the furnace leaves that leading to Clifton, two regiments with the artillery were ordered to halt. After examining the river near the furnace, which was done by a squad of cavalry, and learning that the last of the enemy had crossed on the night of the 1st, Fuller sent the cavalry in advance on the Clifton Road, and directed Lieutenant-Colonel Spaulding, with the Twenty-seventh Ohio, to follow. Directly afterward, however, Colonel Lawler came up and or- dered the entire command to advance. Upon reaching the river and learning that the road to Clifton ran along the stream for two miles, and fearing that the enemy would use his artillery from the opposite bank, Fuller ordered all but the cavalry and one regiment to halt here. But Colonel Lawler, upon coming up countermanded the order. A small picket guard was found (of perhaps fifteen men) who, after exchanging shots with our cavalry, rapidly retired, crossed the river in a small flatboat, swimming their horses. As soon as our cavalry appeared opposite the town, the enemy began to shell them from two batteries on the bluffs. No damage was done, however. Soon afterward, the enemy placed some rifled guns on the bank further up the stream, and opened fire on the light field battery which was attached to Colonel Fuller's command. Still no harm resulted. The battery which 128 Fuller's Ohio Brigade. Colonel Fuller thought too light to reply effectively, and the regiments which were marching with it, and which had been drawn up in line of battle, in the woods near the river bank, skirmishing with the enemy, were rapidly moved back from the river out of range. A wagon loaded with ammunition was twice struck, and so disabled that we were compelled to abandon it. The animals and ammunition were brought away. A flag of truce accompanied by two rebel officers, crossed the river for the purpose as Colonel Wood- ward said, of making arrangements for the exchange of prisoners. They were permitted to pass our outposts, and probably did not gain much infor- mation. An irregular fire of musketry was kept up with the enemy, for an hour or two during the afternoon by order of Colonel Lawler, but it was without results. In the afternoon the head of our column was turned toward Cor- inth. The mud was knee deep in the icy roads, the powder in the rifles be- came wet from the rain that poured down all day and the loads had to be drawn and replaced with dry ammunition. The men toiled and panted up the rough sides of these steep hills over unused roads in storm and sleet, day after day, and then after going into camp, worked all night shelling and grinding corn at the mills. In the morning they mixed their meal with water and baked it in the ashes for the next day's rations. A MARCH OF GREAT SEVERITY. The march of this day was more severe upon the men of Colonel Fuller's command than any which had been made up to this time. The road was in a miserable condition and the rain which fell steadily made it more so. On the 5th of January, this command marched toward Bethel, reaching there on the 7th, and arriving in Corinth on the afternoon of the 9th. Here for the first time for twenty-two days, it found shelter, full rations for the men, and shoes for at least one hundred and fifty, who had marched bare- footed for fifty miles. Since December 18th a total distance of one hundred and eighteen miles had been covered. General Grant had anticipated an attack on Corinth, hence, our march to that place. The inclemency of the season during this march was extremely trying to the soldiers who were often forced to make toilsome marches exposed to all kinds of weather and to bivouac at night without tents, blankets or shel- ter. They were deprived of proper food. Many went barefooted and suf- fered from sore feet. There were no ambulances to carry the sick or wounded. All these things made this march one of the most terrible ex- perienced by the Brigade, and perhaps by any troops during the war. Lieutenant-Colonel Z. S. Spaulding's Report. 129 The following extracts from the official report of Lieutenant-Colonel Z. S. Spaulding, commanding the Twenty-seventh Ohio, is given to show the suffering of his men : "Colonel Lawler ordered me to remain opposite the town until four o'clock in the afternoon, to give the other regiments time to get started back, and then return myself, which I did ; but, owing to this delay, by which nothing was accomplished, night came on before we reached our camping ground, and darkness made the march tenfold harder upon the men. Not being able to pick their way, they stumbled over rocks, sunk to the waist in mud-holes, bruised their limbs, and ruined clothing which they could not afford to lose. Arriving at the point where we were to rest for the night, we found our knapsacks had been thrown out of the wagons and plundered by the Illinois troops of the other brigade. Thus many of my men were left without blankets or change of stockings, at a time when the full allow- ance of clothing and tents hardly sufficed to render the soldier comfortable. Foraging upon the country through which we passed had now been for several days our only means of support and continued to be so until our ar- rival at this place (Corinth) on the 9th instant. To Second Lieutenant William E. Ellis, of Company A, who acted as quartermaster and through whose efficient services we obtained provisions, sufficient to sustain life, the regiment is greatly indebted. But the system adopted by which the men had to steal or starve, or, in other words, forcing the men to make extravagant marches without a proper and sufficient supply of rations, and allowing, as was done, a promiscuous siezing, without proper vouchers of everything that came within reach, I most heartily condemn. It tended to destroy discipline, to demoralize my command and render a regi- ment of good and brave soldiers a lawless mob. Of the marches thence from Bethel I have little to say, but I am assured that I express the feelings of my entire command when connections were broken. Arriving at this place with my regiment in a condition it has never known in the eighteen months' hard service, the telling effect of its campaign becoming more and more apparent, with seventy-nine men unable from lack of shoes or from sickness or debility to make the march from Bethel here, we were received by General Dodge with an interest that showed his appre- ciation of our condition, and a willingness to supply our many wants which will cause us to ever hold him in high regard." 130 Fuller's Ohio Brigade A HEAVY TAX ON THE COMMAND. Extracts from Official Report of Colonel Edward F. Noyes of the Thirty- ninth Ohio. "On the 3rd, the three Ohio Regiments made a reconnaissance to the river, it having been reported, however, that the enemy had already crossed his entire force. That day and the following evening, for a large portion of the time, the rain fell in torrents. The road was covered with jagged rocks, whose crevices were filled with mud. The men in stepping from rock to rock frequently slipped and fell, bruising themselves severely. Returning at night in the darkness, the men could not keep their footing, but fell every few rods. Although my regiment had but recently been supplied with new shoes and clothing throughout, at the end of that day's march sixty- six were without any shoes at all, and a large portion of their clothing was in rags. It was the most terrible march I have ever experienced, and a costly one in numbers and health of my command. If the march was a necessary one it was out of all propriety to complain of it; if it was un- necessary, as I think, I feel it to be due to the men under my command to enter my solemn protest against its repetition in the future under similar circumstances." MAJOR GEN. Commanding 3 GRENVILLE M. DODGE. 16th A. C, 1864, Left Wing. Arrival at Corinth. 131 "From January 5th to 9th, 1863, inclusive, the Command was march- ing to Corinth, having in two weeks make a forced march of about two hundred miles without transportation, without government rations, and with no supplies, but such as could be seized in a poor country along the way (generally only pork arid cornmeal without cooking utensils and without medical supplies), subject to all the demoralizations consequent upon being obliged to provide themselves with food or suffer from hunger. The com- mand reached Corinth ragged, shoeless, dispirited, and worn out." On arriving at Corinth, the command was assigned as the Fourth Bri- gade,- Second Division, of the Left Wing of the Sixteenth Army Corps, District of Corinth. Although the garrison was on half rations, General Dodge commanding the post, put Fuller's Brigade on full rations. The Surgeon reported officially that the deaths resulting from the hardships of the recent march equaled the losses of a severe skirmish. The men of the Brigade were soon in good spirits and expressed their pride and satisfaction in giving Forrest's forces a thrashing which demoralized them for a long time. Corinth had been strongly fortified with earthworks upon which a number of small cannon had been mounted. Within these a camp was made •; and the soldiers soon gathered up tents and flies to sleep in. The tents ■;^vere old and worn, soiled and patched, but with the help of blankets and ' overcoats stretched over poles, a slight protection was furnished. Here and there the damaged ends, of stovepipes were sticking out through the tents, so that when one looked down the company streets, he was reminded of a shanty settlement along the railroad. But these tents did not keep the sol- diers dry in rainy weather. Police squads were formed and camp was thoroughly cleaned each day: Drills, reviews, parades, and inspections of troops were held, while companies and regiments were sent out on picket and guard duty. On January 20th, 1863, a march was made with a train of wagons for lumber and supplies to Hamburg Landing on the Tennessee River, a dis- tance of eighteen miles, returning to Corinth on January 23rd, through Monterey, Tennessee, under command of Captain Gilmore of the Sixty- third Ohio, passing miles of old earthworks built by both armies, one year before. On February 10th, a march of seventeen miles was made to Jacinto, Mississippi, for lumber. The men were accompanied by part of the First Alabama (Union) Cavalry who were raised principally in Marion County, Alabama, and who were scouts for the army. On March 14th, they marched with one hundred and sixty teams for lumber, forage and rations and returned the following day, having marched a distance of thirty-six miles. Frequent trips were made at other times for supplies. A good deal of sickness prevailed in the regiments ; the Forty- third and Sixty-third Ohio suffered severely and many soldiers died. 132 Fuller's Ohio Brigade On March 18th, the Brigade moved into log houses which the soldiers had built and made comfortable. Each cabin had one chimney and one window, the doors had hard leather hinges, and the wooden latches were moved by leather strings. During March, the weather was cold and stormy. On April 5th, General Dodge reviewed the Ohio Brigade, their barracks and camp, and on the 7th, a grand review of all the troops in Corinth, In- fantry, Cavalry, and Artillery, took place. Arms were burnished bright, clothing brushed up, and all the troops passed headquarters on the south side of the square. THE RAID THROUGH THE CHEROKEE AND CHOCTAW VALLEYS. On April 11th, cartridges were dealt out to the troops and preparations were made for a threatened attack by the enemy under General Roady, who had already fired upon the outposts of Glendale. On the 13th the Brigade moved out, and on the 20th, marched with three days' rations and supplies in wagons, for a raid into Alabama through the Cherokee and Choctaw Valleys, and to aid Colonel Streight in his raid to Rome, Georgia. From Corinth, Colonel Fuller reported that squads of Braggs men (rebels) were in front. The First Alabama scouts, Seventh Kansas, Tenth Missouri Cavalry, and Ninth Illinois Mounted Infantry were part of the expedition. Fuller's Ohio Brigade camped at Burnsville, fourteen miles distant, the infantry as- sisting the artillery on the march by lifting the wheels out when they were stuck in the mud. On April 21st, they marched sixteen miles and bivouaced at Big Bear Creek, Alabama, crossing the stream on Pontoon bridges. On April 23rd, they marched eighteen miles to Caine Creek, the enemy falling back thirteen miles. All along this valley near the Tennessee River the country was beautiful and well cultivated. April 24th, a march of eight miles was made to Tuscumbia, camping on the hill on the west side of the town, near the magnificent springs, where the pure water boiled up from under the mass of rocks. Tuscumbia was a fine old village with lovely surroundings, containing some palatial residences. Even the negro quarters looked well-kept and clean, with their fresh coats of whitewash. The railroad across the Tennessee River had been destroyed by the Union General Mitchell, the year previous. On April 27th, the command marched ten miles to the town of Leighton near La Grange and the Alabama State Military College. They reached Town Creek on the following day and moved in line of battle against the enemy. The rebels, dressed in butternut clothing, were formed in line for action three times, then broke and retreated. Fuller's Ohio Brigade de- Raid Through Cherokee Valley. 133 ployed from right to left out of the woods into line in an open field, through tall grass, and then steadily advanced proceeded by a long skirmish line. On the 29th, the raid having been successfully accomplished, General Dodge's forces faced toward Corinth and arrived there on May 2nd, having marched one hundred and fifty-two miles. Many prisoners were captured and brought back, among them General Roady's Adjutant-General. Nine hundred bales of cotton, a large drove of cattle, horses and mules were also captured. Hundreds of black slaves from the plantations followed the columns and were fed army rations. DUTY AT CORINTH. From May 4th to 10th, part of the Brigade was on duty at Farmington, their battle ground during May of the previous year, guarding stock corrals, containing three thousand horses and mules. Then they marched into Cor- inth and took freight cars for Memphis. The soldiers expressed themselves thankful to the government for the privilege of riding, even if the accommo- dations were not luxurious. Arriving at Memphis, the command camped on Poplar Street and was assigned to the Sixteenth Corps, General Oglesby commanding. (Forty-third Ohio was detached at Bethel). The city was under martial law and was strongly fortified, near the river. Many of the citizens were Union people, but a large number were bitter secessionists, and some of the women applied insulting epithets to the soldiers. Suttlers and citizens were in the town for trade, and stores, ex- press offices, and business places were open, and carrying on a large business. Buying and selling cotton was carried on to a great extent. The soldiers, for many months, had been away from large cities, and the temptation to partake of the hospitality of the citizens was irresistible. A number who were incorrigible on account of drunkenness were lodged in the Irving Block Guard House and a few with ball and chain, were set to work on the forti- fications of Fort Pickering, near the Mississippi River, but the larger num- ber under the rigid discipline of the army, soon got down to the usual mili- tary regulations and the novelty of the changed surroundings wore off. In the city of Memphis, in Court Square, there was a monument erected to General Andrew Jackson, who was for eight years President of the United States. It consisted of a small white marble shaft, elevated above the ground about eight feet and resting on a block of sandstone. Cut in letters on the side were his immortal and patriotic words, "The Federal Union must and shall be preserved." The whole inscription had been mutilated by the Secessionists. On May 29th, over five thousand prisoners arrived from Vicksburg on steamboats and were sent up the river to Indianapolis, Indiana, and Fort 134 Fuller's Ohio Brigade. Delaware, under guard of a detail o'f four hundred men from the Ohio Brigade. At Memphis, a great deal of camp and picket duty was performed by the regiments, the camp guards were doubled and several at- tacks were repulsed, at Nonconnah Creek, out on the Hernando and Pigeon Roost Roads, and again at McGee Station, on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad. Several flags of truce were received at the outposts and strict orders were given in regard to allowing them to approach our lines. June 4th, the rebel General Chalmers' spies reported that Fuller's Ohio Brigade was at Memphis, and gave a consolidated report of all forces there. June 6th, the anniversary of the occupation of Memphis by Federal troops was celebrated by military and civic parades. Eloquent and patriotic speeches were made by noted speakers. The United States flag was dis- played all over the city and the citizens turned out en masse. July 4th was passed by the Brigade on picket. July 6th, the news was received, by General Hurlburt, commanding at Memphis, and read before each regiment at dress parade, that Vicksburg and the rebel army numbering twenty-eight thousand men, under General Pemberton had been surrendered to General Grant on July 4th. This great victory caused much excitement and rejoicing among the soldiers. They swung their hats high in the air and yelled with delight. The citizens ran out from their houses to ask the cause of the cheering. The Mississippi River was now unobstructed by hostile forces, to the Gulf of Mexico. On July 16th and 17th the other army corps we.re arriving by transports at Memphis from Vicksburg and passing out on the Corinth Road, building railroads. Most of the men were yerfow and emaciated from long service in the river swamps. The Twenty-sixth Illinois when passing, cheered loudly for the Ohio Brigade, in honor of the former victory at New Madrid, at which time they were a part of E. S. Payne's Fourth Division. Thou- sands of the citizens of Memphis took the oath of allegiance and those who heretofore had been afraid to show themselves as Unionists, were now outspoken for the old flag. On September 3rd, 1863, Fuller's Ohio Brigade became the Third Bri- gade and was assigned to the Fifth Division, Sixteenth Army Corps. October 15th, 1863, a rebel scout reported to General W. H. Jackson at Lexington, Mississippi : "Every organization in Memphis and at different points, including the Twenty-seventh, Thirty-ninth, Forty-third and Sixty- third Ohio Regiments, are under marching orders." Part of the time that the Brigade occupied the city of Memphis, Colonel Swayne of the Forty-third Ohio held the position of Provost Marshall. The command of that regiment then devolved upon Lieutenant-Colonel Herrick. CHAPTER XVIII. THE MARCH TO' PROSPECT, TENNESSEE. For over a week the Ohio Brigade had been under orders to move and on October 18th they marched out of Memphis on the Germantown and Pocohontas Roads, with General Sherman's Army of the Tennessee. They were now enroute on a four hundred mile march to Chattanooga to the relief of the Army of the Cumberland. Arriving at Corinth on the 24th, the men of the Brigade pitched their little shelter tents for a night's rest. The next stops were at Clear Creek, Iuka Springs, Jacinto, and East Port on the west bank of the Tennessee River. From Iuka, they were the advance brigade, and moved from eighteen to twenty-five miles a day. They encamped at night from six to ten miles in advance of the main column. All this march was over familiar ground, awakening memories of former battlefields, camps and former eventful days. The river at this point has a rapid current and winds in graceful curves around the hills, and the water so clear and deep, gladdened the soldiers who were fatigued by the march. The great water-way furnished them with abundance of water to drink, to put in their canteens, to bathe in, and to wash their clothes in. The country about there was mountainous, very rough and thickly wooded. At night the camp fires of twenty thousand men, on the hills and in the valleys, illuminated the sky for miles around and made a most beautiful sight. Union scouts reported at this time that all of Wheeler's, Lee's and Forrest's cavalry were then between Tuscumbia and Decatur. On November 4th the transports "Anglo Saxon" and "Nashville" and the ferry boat "Blue Bird" ferried the troops across to the east bank of the river with the gunboat "Lexington" and two others assisting. Encamped here along the Tennessee River, a week of rain was experienced, and during these dreary days the soldiers were most uncomfortable, especially those on picket duty, who stood out in front, silent and alone. The country was so wild and sparsely settled that very little foraging could be done. Yet the soldiers that went out for wild turkey and deer, usually brought back mutton. On November 6th, when the men of the four regiments were at work washing their clothing in the river, they were in- terrupted and ordered to march. On the 8th they arrived at Otterdale Factory, where a large number of Union people lived. The place was a collection of log houses situated between high hills. 136 Fuller's Ohio Brigade On November 10th, a march of twenty miles was made with a camp at Chicken Creek, where the barns were found filled with wheat, and the fields with ripened corn, and where all the plantations contained plenty of stock. On November 11th, the Brigade passed through the town of Pulaski, Tennessee, and camped at Bradshaw Creek. On November 12th, they camped on the plantation belonging to the Honorable Thomas J. Brown, son-in-law of General Gideon Pillow of the Confederate Army. Many slaves followed Sherman's Army and were fed on army rations. Pulaski, Tennessee, November 11th, 1863. Colonel J. W. Fuller, Commanding Brigade: You will move with your brigade to Prospect on the Nashville and Decatur Roads, fifteen miles from this place and go into camp and guard the railroad from Elk River to Athens, Alabama, and set heavy details at work repairing that portion which was burned and destroyed, especially Elk River bridge. Your division will be unloaded and sent here to go to Colum- bia for supplies. In the mean time you will sieze any mills and set them running. All destruction of property is prohibited. G. M. Dodge, Brigadier-General, Commanding the Left Wing, Sixteenth Army Corps. On November 13th, the Brigade camped near the town of Prospect, Tennessee, which was on a hill at whose foot ran a stream of pure spring water. Earthworks were thrown up and the trestle work over the Elk River, which had been destroyed by the enemy, was rebuilt. This march from Memphis which occupied twenty-six days, with the exception of a week of rain, was one of the most pleasant made by the Brigade, for the reason that during most of the time, the weather was cool with many days of sunshine and a crisp atmosphere. The numerous moun- tain streams along the way supplied the soldiers with abundance of good water. At night communication was kept up between the marching columns by fire rockets. CHAPTER XIX. RE-ENLISTMENTS OF THE REGIMENTS — TRIP TO OHIO AND RETURN. At Prospect, Tennessee, during the last days of December, 1863, the Twenty-seventh, Thirty-ninth, Forty-third and Sixty-third Ohio Regiments of Fuller's Ohio Brigade, almost unanimously re-enlisted into the United States service as Veteran Volunteers, for three years longer or until the close of the war. They were all well-trained and seasoned soldiers. Those who re-enlisted, were given a veteran furlough of thirty days. The detach- ment which did not re-enlist remained in camp under command of Captain Feeney ; Twenty-seventh Ohio, Lieutenant Edward Gibson ; Thirty-ninth, Captain John V. Drake ; Forty-third, Captain Joel A. Dewey ; Sixty-third, Lieutenant. Jacob S. Antrim. The official records of the War of the Rebellion show that the largest number of men in Ohio regiments, who re-enlisted for three years longer, or during the war and became veterans in the winter of 1863-4, were in Fuller's Ohio Brigade, viz: Thirty-ninth Ohio, 534; Sixty-third Ohio, 455; Twenty- seventh Ohio, 437; Forty-third Ohio, 436. On December 31st, leaving their camp and garrison equipage in charge of the men who did not re-enlist, the veterans started for Ohio. After a march of eighteen miles, they camped out at Pulaski, Tennessee, sleeping at night in negro shanties and barns. The weather was very cold. On January 1st, 1864, march was made twenty-one miles on the Nash- ville and Elkhorn Pike Road, and a camp made at the "Church of the Se- ceeders" denomination. On the 2nd, the command marched fifteen miles and made a camp on a hill near Columbia. On the 3rd, they were conveyed thirty miles on cars to Nashville and at dark went on board the steamer "Nightingale'' on the Cumberland River. The Forty-third and the Sixty- third Ohio took box cars to Louisville. The boat steamed down the river on the morning of the 4th, made a landing at Clarksville and "tied up" at Fort Donaldson. On the 5th, they arrived at Smithland, Kentucky, and at Cairo, the men having been badly crowded on the boats. After arriving at Cincin- nati, on the 9th, by the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad, supper was served at the 5th Street bazar by the ladies of the Sanitary Commission, and dinner the next day by the ladies of the Methodist Church, at the 6th Street market house. After this the men scattered to their homes in different parts of the country. 138 Fuller's Ohio Brigade. On February 17th at the expiration of furlough, the men of the Twenty-seventh and Thirty-ninth had rendezvoused at Camp Dennison, the Forty-third and the Sixty-third at Columbus, Ohio, where each squad that arrived was greeted with hearty cheers and hand-shakings. At all hours of the night the boys got out of their bunks to receive their comrades, re- turning to duty. They were taken on cars to Cincinnati and on the Steamer "Bostonia" down the Ohio River to Louisville, then on cars again to Nash- ville where they arrived on the 19th and remained in barracks for five days. While in Nashville many of the soldiers took this opportunity to visit the tomb of the tenth president of the United States, James Knox Polk, located in the front yard of his former residence. The Capitol buildings were of interest. On the 24th, the men left Nashville by train, but the engine broke down about thirty miles out, and march was made to Prospect, Tennessee, over a pike road which was smooth and level, yet so hard that it lamed the marching soldiers. Upon arrival there on the 26th, the Ohio Brigade was assigned to the Fourth Division of the Sixteenth Army Corps. A flood had washed away the railroad bridge and a force of men had to be put to work to re-build it and to make pontoons for bridging the rivers. The sol- diers also operated both saw and grist mills. Fuller's Ohio Brigade was ordered to the junction below Athens, Alabama, near where the com- mon road bridge crosses the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, in a com- manding position. They put up an earthwork, repaired the dirt road that led through the swamp, examined the sloughs, to see if they were navigable into Limestone Creek, and kept sharp watch of the rebels over the Tennessee River, taking all the rations with them that they could. General Dodge reported that cars would be running the next day to the river. CHAPTER XX. THE CAPTURE OF DECATUR, ALABAMA. On March 6th, after being relieved by the Seventh Iowa Infantry, the Brigade commenced the march for the capture of Decatur, Alabama. Many of the teams were mired in the roads along the bottom-lands of the Tennes- see River, wagon tongues broke, and were replaced by the teamsters with new ones cut from trees. No amount of cursing and lashing the poor mules could make them budge the wagons one inch, the soldiers had to dig the wheels out with shovels and pry and lift all day. When night closed, the tired men went into camp by the side of the road in the woods. On the 7th, the men marched through the village of Athens, then on, for sixteen miles to Decatur Junction, Alabama. Orders were received to be ready to march at three o'clock in the morning, to build no fires, and to make no noise. On the morning of the 8th the Brigade moved steadily on in silence to the Tennessee River. The early hours of day was foggy and dark and the road ran through a swamp for a distance of three miles. Pon- toon boats had been brought by train from Nashville, and were ready for use at the bank of the river. Other boats had been built by the Sixty-third Ohio during the week previous. In breathless anxiety the men passed over the river in these pontoon boats. Nothing could be heard while crossing but the dipping of the oars which the men pulled with all their strength. The fog was so dense that no objects could be distinguished. When they landed on the south bank of the river, they moved in battle line upon the town, which they captured to- gether with a few prisoners. The loss on both sides was very small. The men camped above the railroad bridge, carrying their tents and equipage on their backs a distance of one mile from the river. The horses, wagons and artillery were brought over in boats. ' The Ohio Brigade crossing this river would appear something like the picture of Washington crossing the Delaware in 1776. Details of men were put immediately to work building forts and earthworks, toiling night and day. They made gabbions and faciens of saplings, filled them with sand and piled the earth around them. Many rumors and reports of attacks were received and on the 23rd the men had a scare when General Roady's Cavalry made an attack and General Polk's Confederate Division threatened the place. General Dodge ordered that the enemy must be whipped with the force we had. 140 Fuller's Ohio Brigade. CHANGES IN FULLER S OHIO BRIGADE — NEW ASSIGNMENTS OF REGIMENTS. On April 1st General Sherman, General Smith, General McPherson, and General Dodge visited and inspected the fortifications and troops at Decatur. Colonel Fuller was promoted to Brigadier-General. The regi- ments of Fuller's Ohio Brigade were re-assigned, and the Twenty-seventh, Lieutenant-Colonel Mendall Churchill ; the Thirty-ninth, Colonel E. F. Noyes ; the Sixty-fourth Illinois, Colonel I. Morrell, and 18th Missouri, Captain H. F. Partenheimer, constituted the First Brigade, commanded by General John W. Fuller. The Forty-third, Colonel Wager Swayne ; and the Sixty-third Ohio, Lieutenant-Colonel Charles E. Brown ; the Twenty-fifth Wisconsin, M. Montgomery; and the Thirty-fifth New Jersey, Colonel J. J. Cladeck, formed the Second Brigade, commanded by Colonel John W. Sprague. The above eight regiments were assigned to the Fourth Division, commanded by Brigadier-General James C. Veatch. The left wing of the Sixteenth Army Corps was commanded by Major-General G. M. Dodge. Thus the Twenty-seventh, Thirty-ninth, Forty-third and Sixty-third Ohio Regiments remained in close proximity, friendship and co-operation in march and in battle until the close of the war. THE OHIO BRIGADE CROSSING THE TENNESSEE RIVER AT DECATUR, ALA., In Pontoon Boats, Capturing the Town. March 8th, 1864. 2 ■» T 0 o to P B i B g a b" W .-" d hH (-+ M £ 3 ° B p O !»« s- 2. ,-, c ? o B? 1-3 05 n -D & „ C_, CO a> 02 & ^ o SCO " o H so fr m r & i 00 W OS CHAPTER XXI. THE MARCH TO CHATTANOOGA. GENERAL GRANT S PLAN OF CAMPAIGN. On Sunday, May 1st, 1864, the Fourth Division under command of General Veatch was assembled at six o'clock in the morning-, and the march from Decatur, Alabama, to Chattanooga, Tennessee, began. Each regiment in readiness for battle at this time averaged in numbers, in ranks, about 600 men. Each man carried forty rounds of ammunition and twenty rounds per man were carried in wagons. Each man carried three days' rations in. his haversack and one day's rations per" man was carried in wagons. One wagon for personal baggage and two ambulances for* the sick were assigned for the use of the eight regiments. Fuller's Brigade marched in advance on the first day. The sky was cloudy and the roads muddy, yet the Division covered a distance of seventeen miles, and in the afternoon encamped in the woods, near a stream of good water. May 2nd after a march of eleven miles, camp was made on the east side of the town of Huntsville, Alabama. The location was in a fertile valley, amid beautiful mountain scenery. On May 3rd a march of eighteen miles was made. On the 4th a march of six miles was made to Wood Station where the Division boarded freight cars. At the same time a large number of trains loaded with soldiers from the North, East and West, were passing, all going toward Chattanooga. The Division finally arrived in Chattanooga, through Lookout Valley on the 4th, and bivouacked one-half mile from Lookout Mountain and near the Tennessee River. The troops lay on the ground at night, many without blankets. On May 5th in the valley and about the Cliffs of Lookout Moun- tain were gathered 100,000 men, all under command of General W. T. Sherman. All the future was wrapped in doubt and uncertainty. Two Armies and two Corps (the Army of the Te'nnessee, and the Army of the Ohio and the Eleventh and Twelfth Corps) had come together from distant fields and joined the Army of the Cumberland, each with separate histories, yet bound by one common cause: — The union of our country and the per- petuation of the government of our inheritance. In the spring of 1864, General Grant who had just been appointed Com- mander-in-Chief, inaugurated a plan of campaign for all the armies in the field to act on a common plan, converging at a common center. Grant im- pressed upon his army commanders that active and continued operations of all troops that could be brought into the field regardless of season or weather were necessary for a steady termination of the war, that the The Anaconda Plan. 143 superior strength and recourses of the north were more than neutralized by the great advantage of the Confederates in their interior lines through a friendly country which required little or no force to guard. While the Union forces were operating in a hostile country, their lines of supplies had to be guarded by a force larger than that operating in the field. Hereto- fore the various armies in the field, the Potomac, the Cumberland, and the Tennessee had acted independently, a condition which had enabled the enemy to re-enforce each point of attack by drawing troops from all points of inactivity. Therefore he planned to move all the armies at once. (A plan similar to that outlined by General Scott at the beginning of hostilities). Sherman's Army now covered a front of territory from Vicksburg to Chattanooga and Knoxville, beside guarding railroad transportation in the rear. Sherman announced to his troops that Georgia contained a million inhabitants and that if they could live, the soldiers should not starve, that beef and salt were all that were absolutely necessary for life, and that parched corn once fed General Jackson's Army on that very ground. CHAPTER XXII. THE CAMPAIGN THROUGH NORTHERN GEORGIA FOR THE POSSESSION O'F ATLANTA. From Chattanooga on April 1st, 1864, General Sherman wrote General Grant as follows : "We are now to act on a common center and it looks like enlightened warfare. From me you shall have thorough and hearty co-operation. I will not let side issues draw me off from your main plans, in which I am to knock Joe Johnston and do as much damage to the re- courses of the enemy as possible. I am pushing stores to the front and completing the army organization on the line of the Tennessee. Each of the armies will guard by detachments of its own, its rear communication. Schofield of the Army of Ohio, leaving a select garrison at Knoxville, with twelve thousand men, will drop down to the Hiawassee and march against Johnston's Confederate right, by the old Federal Road. Stoneman, now in Kentucky organizing cavalry forces, will operate with Schofield on his left. Thomas (Army of the Cumberland) will have forty- five thousand men of all arms, and move straight against Johnston, fighting him continuously. McPherson will have nine divisions of the Army of the Tennessee, nearly thirty thousand of the best men in America. If Johnston falls behind the Coosa, then McPherson will push for Rome, Georgia, and if Johnston falls behind the Chattahoochee River, then Mc- Pherson will cross over and join Thomas. I will feign to the right but will pass to the left and act against Atlanta, or its eastern communications, ac- cording to developed facts. McPherson has no cavalry, but I have taken Gerrard's Division, six thousand strong to operate on McPherson's right rear. If the enemy interrupts our communications, I will be absolved from all obligations to subsist on our own recourses, and will feel perfectly jus- tified in taking whatever we can find. McPherson is to carry in wagons, twenty days' rations, and to rely on the depot at Ringold for the renewal of his bread. Beeves are to be driven on hoof to the front. The commissary department is alive to the im- portance of the matter of supplies. It is estimated that one hundred and forty-five cars per clay will give a day's supply and a clay's accumulation. The distance from Louisville to Nashville, is one hundred and eighty-five miles; from Nashville to Chattanooga, one hundred and fifty-one; from Chattanooga to Atlanta, one hundred and seventy-three miles, all single track road. The army is to be converted into a mobile machine, willing and able to start at a moment's notice, and to subsist on the scantiest food. Campaign for Atlanta. 145 To reap absolute success might involve the necessity of dropping all wagons and to subsist on the chance food which the country was known to contain." On Thursday, May 5th, 1864, the Fourth Division, left wing Sixteenth Army Corps, marched forward through Russellville, camping at night on the rocky battle field of Chicamauga, on the very ground where General Thomas with the left wing of the Army of the Cumberland, held the enemy in check, during that battle. Evidences of war's destruction were to be seen on every hand; graves of soldiers, trees broken down by cannon balls, or cut into shreds by musketry fire. On the 6th the Division advanced and camped on the south side of Chickamauga Creek, near Lee & Gordon's Mills . In order to secure Ship's Gap that night, General McPherson sent on most of the troops of Fuller's and Sprague's Brigades — a force of two thousand men, with a de- tachment of the Forty-third Ohio under Captain D. H. Williams in ad- vance. By the same order, General Dodge's entire command moved via Villinow, to Ship's Gap on the next day. On the 7th, the Division moved forward and camp was made near Nick- a-jack Mountain Gap. General Dodge reported to General McPherson that Colonel Sprague's Brigade was in possession of the Gap and the crossroads leading to La Fayette. On the same day the left of Sherman's Army moved in force against Tunnel Hill. The gorge through which the railroad passed, was called Buzzard Roost, and the range of mountains which presented sharp palisade faces, was known as Rocky Face. Mill Creek which formed the gorge had been damned up, making an irregular lake, which filled the road and obstructed it. The enemy's batteries crowned the cliffs on either side, making the position very strong. The Confederates had been there six months fortifying it to the maximum. On the 8th, the Fourth Division moved forward and camped ten miles north of Resaca, Georgia. On the 9th, the head of the column entered Snake Creek Gap. At every rumor of attack, the men formed lines of bat- tle on the rough hill sides. This forming and reforming occurred many times while passing through the defile, until the column arrived at a point within one mile of Resaca, at the further debouch of the Gap. The Fourth Division nearly succeeded in reaching the bridge over the Oostanaula River. A Confederate Cavalry Brigade, which came up, hastily retreated north toward Dalton, and doubtless carried to the rebel commander the first inti- mation that a heavy force of Infantry and Artillery was in his rear and within a short distance of his railroad. Our army was jubilant. The Army of the Tennessee had startled the rebel army in its fancied security. At five o'clock, the Fourth Division gained a position on a range of hills 146 Fuller's Ohio Brigade overlooking the town, and began skirmishing with the enemy. From this position the field artillery could reach the railroad bridge across the Oostanaula River. The enemy replied with artillery and attempted to drive away the attacking forces, repeating his sallies several times and extending them late into the night. But in every instance, he was repulsed with heavy loss. BATTLE OF RESACA. The order to capture the town and works by assault was counter- manded, and after a hards days' work climbing hills and manoeuvering over rough country, the force fell back and fortified, assuming an unassailable defensive position in Sugar Valley on the Resaca side of Snake Creek Gap. Resaca should have been taken in this movement, as it was afterward learned that only one brigade of the enemy's force beside the artillery, held it. Its capture would have placed Sherman's army across the railroad, the only line of the enemy's retreat, and Johnston's army would have been demoralized and perhaps captured, with his trains and artillery. Sherman reported : "McPherson has twenty-three thousand of the best men in the army. Such an opportunity does not occur twice in a lifetime." In the meantime, Hooker with the Twentieth Corps was moved down within supporting distance of the Army of the Tennessee. The roads were rough wagon ways, and these converged to a single narrow track through Snake Creek Gap. Howard's Fourth Corps and Stoneman's Cavalry were left in observation in front of Buzzard Roost Gap. All the rest of the army marched through Snake Creek Gap, straight on Resaca. Johnston, with the rest of his army, abandoned his well-prepared defences at Dalton, and took up a position at Resaca, behind a complete line of defences, fight- ing well at all points of the conflict. We closed in, enveloping the town on its north and west. Our forces were pressed at all points, and the sound of musketry and cannon rose all day to the dignity of a battle. On May 10th, a very heavy storm came on and the roads were deep with mud. On the 13th the Fourth Division moved at six o'clock in the morning against Resaca, arriving in front of the enemy at noon. Com- panies A, C, and H of the Sixty-third Ohio, under command of Cap- tain Oscar L. Jackson, being on the skirmish line, were among the first troops, on the morning of the 14th, to reach the river near the village. At two o'clock in the afternoon, a grand charge took place along the whole line, a magnificent movement, in which the Fourth Division was a part. The advance of the National Column was irresistible and r 5 4* o o P B O & « ag Ed 3.D- H £" so CP3 &> I> !"• o 148 Fuller's Ohio Brigade swept everything before it. After a desperate struggle within easy range, the enemy was sent flying across the Oostanaula River. Johnston got his army across the bridges, then set them on fire. We entered -Resaca at daylight. The Sixty-third and Forty-third Ohio were in the advance line and supported the Fifteenth Corps in assaulting a position which commanded a bridge across the Oostanaula River. These two regiments went forward in gallant style, and not only held the ground from which their comrades were about being driven, but pushed the lines still further to the front and held the ground until the night of May 15th, against repeated attempts to dis- lodge them. Company A, Lieutenant O. M. Davis and Company H. Cap- tain A. L. Howe, were the first to enter the enemy's works. FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS BADGE. Had Johnston remained another hour at Resaca, it would have caused his total defeat. We were compelled to grope our way through forests, across mountains, with a large army, necessarily more or less dispersed. Johnston's army had all the advantages of natural position, of fortified forts and roads, and of concentrated action. The result of the rapid successes, gave us the initiative and the usual aggressiveness of a conquering army. The railroad bridge at Resaca was repaired and a floating bridge made out of logs and material found on the spot. Nearly all the people fled with the rebel army. The southern newspapers denounced General Johnston for falling back before our army. He replied that he had retreated as far as strategy required. In the meantime the whole of Polk's Corps, coming from Mississippi had joined the enemy in our front, and Johnston had, in his command, full three corps, namely, Flood's, Polk's and Hardee's, num- bering about sixty thousand men. Desperate Fighting at Dallas. 149 ADVANCE ON DALLAS, GEORGIA. On May 23rd, the Army of the Tennessee commenced the movement designed to compel Johnston's Army to give up Allatoona. It was thought best to leave the railroad and to depend for twenty days for food and am- munition on the contents of the wagons. As the country was obscure, densely wooded and had few roads, the movements of the army were neces- sarily slow. The route lay through the valley of the Euharlee, across the ridge of mountains, and through the old gold fields. One of the enemy's cavalry pickets was captured who had upon his person an order from General Johnston dated at Allatoona, which showed that he had detected the purpose of Sherman in turning his position. Dallas, the point arrived at, was on the east side of Pumpkinvine Creek, a tributary of the Etowah, and was the concentration of many roads that led in every direction. Its possession would be a threat to Marietta and Allatoona. But first the railroad had to be regained as far down as its de- bouch from the Allatoona range of mountains. The enemy could rarely be seen. Some dodged from tree to tree or behind logs on the ground, or occasionally showed their heads above the hastily constructed but remarkably strong rifle trenches. 4sa o. v. v. i. 63d o. v. v. I. BATTLE OF RBSACA, May 14th, 1864. The First Volley. 150 Fuller's Ohio Brigade. On the 27th, there was a heavy attack by the enemy on the Fourth Division and the pickets were driven back to within easy range of the main Dody. The Division was formed in two lines and advanced on the double- quick to the firing line. The enemy was driven back, but the Brigade lost in this action, Captain Theodore Sawyer and Lieutenant Henry W. Diebolt, two young and gallant officers of Company A, Twenty-seventh Ohio In- fantry, who were mortally wounded. After the battle of Dallas, the writer went from the front to the field hospital in the rear to find his friend Lieutenant Henry Diebolt. He was lying upon the bare ground with several hundred other dead and wounded soldiers of the Fourth Division. Many were groaning or rolling and toss- ing with pain. Some were talking incoherently and raving. After talking with Lieutenant Diebolt and consulting Dr. Denise, Surgeon of the Twenty- seventh Ohio, who made an examination of the character of the wound, it was found that Diebolt's wound was mortal. This fearful scene of suffering made a lasting impression upon the writer. On May 28th, the enemy made an attack with a large force and the Union lines were fiercely assailed. A bloody battle ensued upon open ground between Kingston and Cassville and skirmishing was kept up all night. Our army closed down at daylight, and the enemy being repulsed, broke and retreated beyond the Etowah River, with a loss of twenty-five hundred men. At midnight on May 29th, the enemy repeatedly charged the Union lines and the fighting was as severe as any ever experienced. Our whole army was now steadily working by the left until our strong infantry had reached and secured possession of all the wagon roads between New Hope, Allatoona and x\ckworth. Then Gerrard's and Stoneman's Cavalry were sent into the natural fortress of Allatoona. On June 4th, the Fourth Divi- sion moved toward the town of Ackworth. The train of wagons with pro- visions was left far behind and as a result, the soldiers went without supper. That night the men slept on the ground or upon fence rails, if they could be procured. On the following morning, it was found that the wagon train had not yet come up, -and so there was no breakfast. The heavy rain that set in made the roads so deep with mud that they were almost impassable. The enemy drew off from New Hope and evacuated their position. Thus in the month of May, the Confederate Army had been driven from its strong position at Dallas. The Union soldiers had marched one hundred miles over as rough a country as a civilized army had ever seen. And yet the men were prepared to go on, were anxious to fight and were confident of success. The aggregate loss of the Union Army during the month of May was, in killed, wounded and missing, nine thousand two hundred and ninety-nine. Losses During May. 151 General Joseph E. Johnston, commanding the Confederate Army, gave as his losses in killed and wounded during the month of May, five thousand three hundred and ninety-three and the loss in prisoners, three thousand two hundred and forty-five, making a total of eight thousand six hundred and thirty-eight. General Johnston was re-enforced during the month of May by Martin's and Jackson's Divisions and Quarles' Brigade of Cavalry. He gave his effective strength as sixty-four thousand four hundred and fifty-six men. In the natural strength of the country, the continuation of many mountain streams, and forests, the Confederate Army had a fair off- set to our numerical strength. On the 8th of June, General Frank P. Blair arrived at Ackworth with the two divisions of his Seventeenth Corps, that had been on veteran fur- lough. His nine thousand men with the new regiments that had joined us, equalled our losses in battle, by sickness and by detachments, so that our aggregate was about one hundred thousand effective men. Communication to all parts of the army was kept up by couriers along the cross roads or through the woods. McPherson's Army of the Tennessee moved to the right near Van Wert. The Fourth Division crossed the Etowah River on a canvas pontoon bridge and by fords. The skirmishers were attacked by artillery fire of shot and shell from the enemy, but after a sharp fight, he was silenced. The ammunition and subsistence trains of the Division followed the line of march during the night. General Thomas' Army of the Cumberland moved in the center and Schofield's Army of the Ohio, away to the left. Geary's Division extinguished the fire on the bridge across Pumpkin Vine Creek, and drove off the enemy's Cavalry. While following near to an important cross roads called "New Hope," a sharp battle ensued. The conflict was prolonged into the night which was pitch dark. The woods were dense, it rained hard and the convergence toward Dallas produced confusion. Meanwhile our armies were completing their deployments, gradually overlapping the enemy on the right and thus extending our left nearer and nearer the railroad. All this time a continu- ous battle, about ten miles in length was in progress. The strong skirmish lines took advantage of ever)' species of cover and both the enemy and our forces fortified each night with rifle trenches made of trees and brush with head logs, many of which grew to be as formidable as first class works of defence. The soldiers became extremely skillful in the construction of these works, because they realized their value and importance. They could be constructed without orders in a single night. On the night of June 10th, the troops of the Fourth Division were rear guard to the wagon train and they experienced a hard and dismal march. The rain poured down in torrents. The mud in the roads was deep in 152 Fuller's Ohio Brigade. many places. It was a section of country where mica was disseminated through the soil, making the hillsides so slippery that it was almost im- possible for the marching men to obtain a firm foothold ; the result was many unfortunate tumbles in the mud. is**- THE SKIRMISH LINE FEELING THE ENEMY. On June 12th the whole Fourth Division forming a heavy skirmish line, moved forward and took position at Big Shanty, in full view of Little and Big Kenesaw Mountains. After pushing the enemy back, the men constructed and occupied strong earthworks. A continuous battle was waged until the 19th when the enemy fell back from their position near the base of the Kenesaw Mountain. Our Division immediately occupied their works. In the operation, Company D of the Forty-Third Ohio captured a strong barricade from the Twenty-ninth Tennessee Regiment. Lieutenant James F Day of Company K was killed and Lieutenant Frank B. Hazelton of Company A of the Twenty-seventh Ohio was wounded while in the rifle pit. The works now occupied by us were very strong, having had a great amount of labor expended upon them, and they occupied a high ridge of ground. They were constructed by Governor Brown of Georgia, who em- ployed a large force of negro slaves to do the work. General Dodge ordered General Fuller to have the left of his brigade rest at the rock-cut near the mill and with the rest of the Fourth Division, to connect as near as practicable, with the left of General Morgan's Brigade of the Fourteenth Corps. This would place theirs on the right of the rail- road and would make his line run nearly north and south. He also com- manded the position to be more strongly intrenched. Little Kenesaw was now just to our right and Big Kenesaw on our left less than one mile distant. The men were obliged to sleep in a foul camp, just abandoned by the "secesh" forces. It was plain to be seen that the ra- Advance Upon Kenesaw Mountain. 153 tions of the rebels consisted of corn meal for they had left quantities of it. General Johnston had chosen the ground well for his army. It em- braced Kenesaw, Pine and Lost Mountains. His position on the heights, gave him a complete view over our field of operation. The Fourth Division with McPherson's Army of the Tennessee, occupied the ground to the left, following the railroad, which curved around the base of Kenesaw. Thomas' Army of the Cumberland was in the center, obliqued to the right, deploy- ing below Kenesaw and facing Pine Mountain. Schofield's Army of the Ohio, somewhat refused was on the general right, looking south, toward Lost Mountain. The railroad was repaired up to our skirmish line, close to the base of Kenesaw Mountain, and loaded trains of cars came to Big Shanty. A locomotive, detached, was run forward within range of the enemy's guns, to the tank to get water. The enemy opened fire, but the engineer returned safely to his train, answering the shots with the screams of his locomotive whistle, heightened by the shouts and loud cheers of our soldiers. Our developments were slow owing to the continuous rains. There were no roads except those improvised by each division for its supply train from Big Shanty to the camps. Meanwhile our army was developing against the enemy, intrenching every camp, a continuous line for ten miles, conforming to the irregular position of the enemy, so as to be ready for a sally. One morning at three o'clock, a rebel shouted clown from the top of the mountain: "Wake up, Yanks!" and immediately firing from both sides commenced. On June 26th, just at twilight, Captain Hamilton, a brave and intelli- gent officer of Company I of the Twenty-seventy Ohio, came to the writer at the earthworks, and while standing watching the carnage in front, he said in part : "I have given much attention to the important questions aris- ing between the North and the South, and they are of such vital interest not only to this country, but to mankind all over the world, that I should like to live long enough to know which side will win in this war, and what the result of this struggle for the Union will be." His manner and words gave the impression that he had a presentiment that he would be killed. Poor Hamilton! That very night he was shot, while in line of duty with his regiment ascending Kenesaw Mountain, and died a few days later. On this same night, Sergeant-Major Skilton of the Twenty-seventh Ohio and others were wounded. At this time the enemy's cavalry in our rear compelled us to detach cavalry back as far as Resaca and to strengthen all our infantry posts as far back as Nashville. Forrest had defeated General Sturgess at Guntown, Tennessee, but A. J. Smith with his two divisions of the Sixteenth and 154 Fuller's Ohio Brigade. Seventeenth Corps, which had been on the Red River expedition, was sent against Forrest and defeated him at Tupelo. There had been over twenty days of rain. The roads, fields, and woods became quagmires and almost impassable, after a few wagons had passed over them, yet the men were at work all the time and operations were pressed with earnestness. In June 27th, at nine o'clock in the morning, our troops moved to the assault all along the lines which fronted Kenesaw Mountain. A furious fire of artillery and musketry was kept up. The enemy met us with determined courage and in great force. The Fourth Division of McPherson's attacking columns, fought up to the face of the lesser Kene- saw, but could not reach the summit. Thomas' assaulting columns reached the parapet, where Generals Harker and Daniel McCook were mortally wounded. We did not break the rebel lines but held our ground within a few yards of the rebel trenches. Our loss was two thousand five hundred men. The rebels reported a loss of eight hundred and eight. While the battle was in progress, our forces crossed Olley's Creek on the right and gained a position on threatening the enemy's line of retreat, and then to increase the effect, our cavalry proceeded rapidly still further to the right. THE CAPTURE OF BIG AND LITTLE KENESAW MOUNTAIN. The Twenty-seventh, Thirty-ninth, Forty-third and Sixty-third Ohio Regiments with the whole Fourth Division now moved forward nearer to the bases of Little and Big Kenesaw Mountains which rise fifteen hundred feet from the plain. Then came the siege with its deadly skirmishing and fighting. Late at night, on the 27th of June, the Twenty-seventh and Thirty-ninth Ohio, relieving the Sixty-fourth Illinois, advanced cautiously up the mountain in the pitch darkness. The men, creeping and climbing around the rocks, clutched at the trees to assist them upward, and finally gained a position half way up to the summit. In this movement, the two regiments lost many valuable officers and men in killed and wounded. They were shot by the hidden foe, whose position was but a few yards in front. When morning dawned, they beheld from their rifle pits a great cannonading by the enemy at the top of the mountain where they had placed their batteries, and also from the Union batteries massed on the plain below. The solid shot from the latter, tore up trees, earth and rock, about the Con- federate defences. The mountain sides were enveloped in flame and smoke, and the noise of shot and shell passing through the air, over the heads of 156 Fuller's Ohio Brigade. the men was constant and terrible. The Twenty-seventh and Thirty-ninth Ohio were relieved by the Forty-third and Sixty-third Ohio. On July 2nd, the Twenty-seventh and Thirty-ninth Ohio again ad- vanced up the sides of the mountain. The enemy's batteries were silenced and on July 3rd, the Confederate Army evacuated its position and fled. General Fuller reported officially that the flag of the Twenty-seventh Ohio Regiment was first to wave from the top of the mountain. BATTLE OF KK.XESAW MOUNTAIN, UA. Confederate (Inns going up the llnuntain. Wading the Chattahoochee. 157 From the summit of the mountain was afforded a magnificent view of the surrounding country, beautiful indeed on that bright July day. To the southward were Lost Mountain, Pine Mountain, and Stone Mountain with the valley between, and the Chattahootchee River, twelve miles away, winding in its course westward. Atlanta, the objective point of the cam- paign, was seen on the plain, in the distance to the southward. The soldiers were filled with joy and zeal and marched on with songs of victory. The signals waved by the Confederates at the top of Kenesaw Mountain, were translated and used by the Union Signal Corps during their occupation of that stronghold. From these signals we learned of the death of the Con- federate General Polk. On July 4th, the army moved forward, the Fourth Division marching toward Ruff's Mills on Nick-o-Jack Creek. The right of our army swung around so as to threaten Marietta, and the enemy contracted his lines and covered his position every where, with entrenchments. CHARGE OF FULLER S OHIO BRIGADE. One of the most successful charges made during the war of the rebel- lion was that made by Fuller's Ohio Brigade at Ruff's Mills on Nick-o- Jack Creek, Georgia, six miles below Marietta, led by Colonel Noyes of the Thirty-ninth Ohio. On the morning of the above named day, the glorious fourth of July, the Fourth Division marched past the Twentieth and Twenty-third Corps and about ten o'clock, took the advance in line of battle and drove the enemy several miles through a wooded country, over fields and uneven ground forcing him out of his rifle pits, and back into his main works at Nick-o-Jack Creek. These defenses, — called the Smyrna line, — had been prepared by black labor, and were the most formidable yet met with by the Union Army. General Sherman selected the Twenty- seventh and Thirty-ninth Ohio to be placed in the advance and to make the charge. The Forty-third and Sixty-third were next in line, while the Eigh- teenth Missouri and Sixty-fourth Illinois with other troops on the right and left flank were ordered to make a feint. The charge was first ordered to take place at noon, but the work to be accomplished was of such a serious nature that Generals Sherman, Mc- Pherson, Dodge, Morgan L. Smith with other officers rode up to the posi- tion to examine it, and much doubt was expressed as to the ability of a small force to capture so strong a position. General Logan asked General Fuller to point out where the enemy lay. General Fuller replied," You can 158 Fuller's Ohio Brigade. see them by looking down that narrow road, through the timber, across that open field and behind those heavy works." "Well," said General Logan "Why don't you take them?" "We are just getting ready," answered the Brigade commander. General Morgan A. Smith remarked that more men would be lost by sunstroke than by bullet. Colonel Noyes (afterward Gov- ernor Noyes) was most earnest in his appeal for the opportunity to make the attempt, saying in a loud voice, "We can and will take the enemy's works. All we need is the order. The position of the men at this time was most fatiguing. They had marched so far all the morning hours, and since before noon had been lying upon the ground in battle line without food, expecting every moment to execute the forward movement. They were greatly fatigued and began to be impatient and were quite out of humor, embittered and desperate at the delay. There can hardly be a more depressing condition in practical warfare than to lie for hours exposed to a galling fire that cannot be effect- ually returned. Finally the order came to make the charge at six o'clock at night. A moment before that time each Captain placed himself in front of his com- pany and said, "Men, we are to take those works in our front. We must take them. Reserve your fire until you get to the enemy and don't waste ammunition. Remember that you have never retreated. Let everyone of you yell !" Promptly at the hour, Bugler H. C. Parmalee of Fuller's Brigade sounded the charge, the two regiments sprang from the ground and rushed forward. The whole field was covered with Union blue in an instant. Men never went faster nor cheered louder in the face of such a storm of bullets. Troops on the right, left and in the rear cheered with them. It seemed but a few minutes before the charging column was out of the woods, across the open fields, and were swarming over the enemys' earthworks which were captured and held, together with a regiment of North Caro- lina and Georgia troops, and with a great shout of triumph, our men raised the old flag over their conquest. The rest of the enemy fled, several were bayonetted in the fight at the works. Among those captured were two officers who said that they thought that the whole Yankee Army was coming at them. Both the enemy and our own troops heard the bugle sound at the same time, and the enemy being prepared, poured upon the charging column, heavy volleys of musketry fire. Their bullets struck the ground and cut the trees everywhere. Our loss in killed and wounded in this engagement was over one hundred and forty men in the two regiments. The Thirty-ninth Ohio lost its brave Colonel, E. F. Noyes, whose wound caused the amputation of his leg. 160 Fuller's Ohio Brigade. General Sprague said that the charge was the wedge that cleaned out the rebel works for a distance of six miles. Generals Fuller, McPherson, and Dodge announced that it was one of the most brilliant, bold and des- perate charges they had ever witnessed. Johnston's rebel army retreated to the-Chattahootchee River and crossed over that night. To the survivors who fought this fight to the finish, it was a momen- tous affair. They lost some of their best and bravest men who had served with them three years. One of the most sorrowful results of this battle was the death of three comrades, mess mates, members of Company G, of the Twenty-seventh Ohio, who fell, killed apparently by one bullet, pass- ing though their necks. The men were Sergeant William B. Atwell, and Corporals Andrew J. McFarran and William Jaynes. Private H. C. Evans was wounded in this charge. This Smyrna line of earthworks was the only line carried by a charge during the Atlanta Campaign. On July 5th, a march was made by the Division to the right flank of the army, a distance of eight miles. On the 7th, a camp was made near the Chattahoochee River on the extreme right of the army, on the Sand Town Ferry Road. The Confederates and Union men swam in the river and met each other, and some engaged in trading tobacco for coffee. July 9th, march was made on roads that were heavy with deep, hot sand for sixteen miles and camp was made south east of Marietta, Georgia. In this section of the country, some of the soldiers found muscadines, (a kind of grape,) growing, which being a change from ordinary fare, the men ate with great relish, the rations having been for many months only bacon, hard bread and coffee. On July 10th, the Division had a hot, dusty march of eleven miles to the left of the army. No halt was made except for meals and an occa- sional rest. This was the third march from one extreme flank of trie Army to the other, made by the fourth Division during the Atlanta cam- paign. These movements required forced marches and in hot weather were extremely fatiguing on soldiers. At Rossville Factory the troops waded the Chattahoochee River which was more than waist deep and about a half a mile wide with a rapid current. Meanwhile a band standing in mid- stream, played "Yankee Doodle". General G. M. Dodge, writing of this says : "It was as fine a sight as I ever saw, when Fuller's Ohio Brigade, in line of battle forded the river. The enemy's Cavalry held the other side. The troops moved across, holding their guns and cartridge boxes high above their heads. The rebels poured in a heavy fire but it was too high. Now and then a boy would step into a hole and disappear for a moment, but all got across and immediately sought shelter under the steep bank. Fuller reformed and made a charge, cleaning out the enemy in short order. National Forces Invest Atlanta. 161 Camp was made on the south bank of the river, rifle pits were thrown up and the troops made a good bridge over the river. The Forty-third Ohio was detached to hold this bridge until the army transportations then loading at Marietta, could cross the river. On Sunday July 17th, march was made toward Atlanta, engaging the enemy. July 18th camp was made at Nancy's Creek. July 19th, the Fourth Division moved at five o'clock in the morning and supported the force during the engagement at Peach Tree Creek, arriving at Decatur in time to receive a good shelling from the enemy's guns. The First Missouri Artillery of the Fourth Division wheeled into position and replied to the enemy with solid shot to such good effect that the enemy withdrew. In the evening part of the Fourth Division moved toward Atlanta, leaving the Sixty-third Ohio at Decatur. Our successful contraction of the enemy's line encouraged us but dis- couraged him. From the 10th of June to the 3rd of July, there was con- tinuous battle. Our losses in the several corps were seven thousand five hundred and sixty-five. The Confederate losses, reported by Johnston were five thousand nine hundred and forty-eight, showing that our losses were less in proportion than in the relative strength of the two armies, namely, six to ten, which the desperate game of war justified. The crossing of the Chattahoochee River and the breaking of the Au- gusta railroad was most handsomely executed and will be studied as an ex- ample of the art of war. The Confederate General Johnston, anticipating the movement of the Union Army from the mountains toward the Chattahoochee River and Atlanta, had built strong abatis and redoubts. A thousand slaves had been at work for more than a month on these lines, which extended from the river above the railroad bridge to Turner's Ferry, about six miles in ex- tent in the valley of the Chattahoochee. We held possession of the river above for eighteen miles, as far as Rossville, and below ten miles to the mouth of the Sweetwater. We held the high ground overlooking the move- ments of the enemy. From a hill, we could see the houses in Atlanta, nine miles distant, and the whole of the intervening valley of the Chattahoochee. We could see the camps of men and large trains of covered wagons and could observe the preparations for our reception on the other side. John- ston was anxious to defend and to save Atlanta, which was a city of vital importance to his army, and to the Confederacy itself. The rebel army evacuated its trenches and crossed the river in the night, burning the rail- road trestle bridge and pontoons, leaving us in full possession of the north bank. 162 . Fuller's Ohio Brigade. In the meantime, stores were accumulated at Marietta and Allatoona, both fortified and garrisoned points. The movement of our army toward Atlanta was on a general right wheel, the Army of the Cumberland on the right, Army of the Ohio in the center, and Fuller's Fourth Division with the Army of the Tennessee well over toward Stone Mountain, breaking up the railroad, its advance reaching Decatur at night where it came into com- munication with Schofield. Our lines were advanced in compact order close up to these finished intrenchments, strong parapets, with ditch, frize, chev- aux-de-frize, and abatis. Dodge's two divisions (Sweeny's Second and Fuller's Fourth) of the Sixteenth Corps, were directed from the main road along a diagonal one, that led to the extreme left of the Army of the Tennessee, which was then held by Giles A. Smith's Division of the Seventeenth Corps, for the pur- pose of strengthening that flank. Intrenching tools were sent to erect bat- teries. Stoneman's Cavalry had crossed the river at Cambletown to threat- en the railroad below Atlanta. At noon on the 20th, while the Army of the Cumberland was rest- ing, the enemy advanced rapidly from its trenches against them. After two hours of close conflict, the enemy retired leaving his dead and wounded on the field. "On the 20th of July 1864, at the carrying of Leggett's Hill in front of Atlanta, Colonel Tom Reynolds of the Seventeenth Corps, was shot through the leg. When the surgeons were debating in his hearing the pro- priety of amputating it, he begged them to spare his leg, because, as he said, it was very valuable, being an imported leg. (He was of Irish birth). This well-timed piece of wit saved his leg, for the surgeons said that if he could perpetrate a joke at such a time, they would trust to his vitality to save his limb." INVESTMENT OF ATLANTA. On the 21st, the Fourth Division supported the National forces in bat- tle and moved to the left to a point one mile south of the Augusta and At- lanta Railroad. On the morning of the 22nd of July, the 43rd Ohio started from the Chattahoochee River for Decatur, twenty miles distant, with a train of fif- teen hundred wagons. The fight was still in progress and General Sprague was making a most gallant resistance, with the Sixty-third Ohio, Twenty- fifth Wisconsin and Thirty-fifth New Jersey. The Forty-third was hurried forward by its Colonel and was placed in position to protect the wagon SHERMAN'S ATLANTA CAMPAICN. CHATTANOOGA TO ATLANTA. 164 Fuller's Ohio Brigade. train, while it filed off to the rear of the National Army. Through the audacity of Colonel Sprague combined with the promptness of Colonel Swayne and the fearless spirit of the men, not a single wagon was lost by the attack of Wheeler's and Iverson's Cavalry, thus averting a calamity that might have been fatal to the success of the National Army at that time- Early in the morning of the 22nd of July, in moving forward, the Sixteenth Army Corps was thrown out of position by the contraction of the circle of investment of the city. The Fourth Division and the Second Division closed up near the extreme left and rear of the Seventeenth Corps and the enemy fell back into their main works. These works were thirty feet high in some places, had been built by slave labor and were located on the easterly side of the town of Atlanta. The writer in company with sev- eral officers went to the front to observe the situation. The Georgia militia was then occupying part of the fortifications. They were dressed as citizens, in white shirt sleeves. Their artillery was passing up a street apparent- ly withdrawing from their position, but it was really part of the enemy's force then moving to their right, around the Union Army's left and rear. Sherman's Army at this time was stretched out from east to west about nine miles in length. It now closed up and invested the city. Gen- eral James B. McPherson, commanding the Army of the Tennessee, had General Logan's Fifteenth Army Corps across the Augusta Railroad, east of Atlanta. On its left was General Blair's Seventeenth Corps, with Gen- eral Dodge's left wing of the Sixteenth Corps. On the right of the Army of the Tennessee, were General Schofield's lines of the Army of the Ohio. Next on the right was General Thomas' Army of the Cumberland. Nearly all but the Sixteenth Corps were behind earthworks which had been hastily thrown up and nearly all had strong reserves. On July 22nd, all wagon trains were parked in the rear. Orders were given to the troops of the Second and Fourth Divisions of Dodge's Sixteenth Corps, to destroy every rail and tie from Decatur up to the skirmish line. Lively skirmishing was going on in front of Thomas' and Schofield's com- mands, on their right, and occasionally a gun toward Decatur, was fired, too far to the left-rear to be explained by known facts. General Fuller's Bugler, H. C. Parmalee, a soldier of Company G of the Twenty-seventh Ohio Regiment, had been fired upon by the enemy from the left-rear flank, while carrying orders, and he informed General Fuller of a large body of Confederates passing to our left. The General ordered him to sound the bugle call "into line". General McPherson hastily mounting his horse at headquarters, hurried down his lines to find what these sounds meant. He saw Sweeny's and Fuller's Division engage and Death of General AIcPherson. 165 drive the enemy back, and with the remark "they are doing well", he rode along a road leading across the wooded valley and disappeared into the woods, doubtless with a sense of great security. The sound of musketry was heard and McPherson's horse came back wounded, bleeding and riderless, and McPherson, the great leader was dead, shot by a force that had got around the Seventeenth Corps, through the blind woods in the rear of our left flank. The ball had ranged upward across his body, near the heart. His remains were sent home to Clyde Ohio, and there buried. He came from an old family of Scotch Presbyterians. He was an accomplished en- gineer of the highest order, and he was a thorough soldier. The railroad and wagon road from Decatur to Atlanta lay along a summit, from which the waters flowed by short steep valleys, into the Peach Tree and Chattahootchee to the west, and by other valleys of greater de- clivity toward the east. The ridges and level ground were mostly cleared, but where the valleys were broken, they were left in a state of nature, wooded and full of undergrowth. McPherson's line of battle was across this railroad, along a general ridge, with a gentle but cleared valley to his front between him and At- lanta, and another valley behind him was clear of timber in part, but to his left and rear, the country was heavily wooded. The Confederate General Hood, who had succeeded Johnston, during the night of July 21st, had withdrawn his army from his Peach Tree line and had occupied the fortified line of Atlanta, facing north and east. Leaving G. W. Smith's Division of militia, Stewart's and part of Hardee's Corps to oc- cupy the forts, his own Corps and part of Hardee's had marched out to the railroad, leading from McDonough to Decatur, and had turned so as to strike the left of McPherson's Army of the Tennessee "in air." At the same time, he had sent Wheeler's Division of cavalry against the trains parked 'at Decatur. Unluckily for our army, Gerrard's Division of Cavalry was away on a raid eastward to burn the bridges across the Ulcofauhatchee and yellow rivers, so that McPherson had no cavalry in hand to guard that flank. THE BATTLE OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA, JULY 22nd, 1864. The battle of July 22nd, was fought on the east side of Atlanta.. The troops engaged were the left wing of General Sherman's Union Army, consisting of the Fifteenth, Sixteenth, and Seventeenth Corps, commanded by General McPherson, against the gr'&t bulk of General Hood's Confed- erate Army which was composed of Hardee, Cheatham and Walker divi- sions. . ■ D to 1*3 btoS .So h "•op B v .2.2 b m <D OJ >'8 .1- M Q« . 5 » S •a" l^c "3 g'R ^ | S g B S 6 H.2b* oi to "• w » J B ft •b« o '• ■Sfe2 S J=H5 ? O ■8 B « a oE be' °^§ £b« BTTw,° ^ Jen « S0Bj= « .-as v 5 «a mi £ c jo 01 Qj C O 6 Si' v a $5 c 3.9.6 o Battle in the Open Field. 167 About one o'clock in the after noon the enemy had arrived at a point on the left and rear of the Union Army, and were well in position, they ad- vanced and struck the Union pickets, being enabled under cover of the for- est to approach quite near before he was discovered. Indeed his skirmish line had got into the field in the rear of General Giles A. Smith's Division of the Seventeenth Corps, unseen. At that moment, the Fourth Divisioi] with the exception of the Forty-third Ohio and the Sixty-third Ohio, and the Thirty-fifth New Jersey, and the Twenty-fifth Wisconsin, which were at Decatur, further east, was still closed up to the Seventeenth Corps,5 massed to strengthen any portion of the Union line, and at rest. The Second Division was north of the Augusta Railroad and was just in the best posi- tion to meet the coming enemy, who was curtained by the timber. Sudden- ly on the left, and rear, came the sound of firing. It startled the soldiers and instinctively the danger of a flank movement flashed upon their minds. Instantly they grasped their muskets. Orders were anticipated and every man fell into line. Officers mounted in great haste, and orderlies with dis- patches rode off at full speed. Orders to move were received in a mo- ment, to meet the impending danger on the left. The movement was on the double-quick for a distance of -a half a mile, then faced to the south, formed quickly into line of battle, at right angles with the Seventeenth Corps and as quickly as it takes to tell it, the battle was on and raging with greatest fury. Connection with the Seventeenth Corps on the right of this new position was not complete. A gap of one half a mile or more was left unoccupied by Union troops. It was -over this space on the unused road that General Fuller's command had just ifiarched and on which General McPherson, commander of the Army of the Tennessee, was riding when he was ambushed and killed. He had passed our troops who cheered him vociferously, had bowed his head in acknowledgement, with his usual gen- ial smile, and had ridden on unconscious of his danger to his death. The Fourth Division moved quickly for position to save our trains or to avoid a worse disaster. The Second Division was separated from the Fourth Division by a transverse ravine. The right of the rebel line had struck our left flank while in motion. The rebels attacked boldly and re- peatedly but met an equally fierce resistance and on that bloody ground the battle raged from a little after noon till night. When the enemy advanced, the men were lying upon the ground. .' No orders could keep them down. They rose to their feet, took deliberate aim and discharged their pieces. As soon as the Twenty-seventh and Thirty-ninth Ohio Regiments were halted, Company A of the Twenty-seventh Ohio, commanded by First Lieutenant Charles H. Smith, in the absence of Captain Bryan, was by 2 fe . c <i £ & ft. ■»( h v B 2 b § M Union Victory Decisive. . 169 order thrown forward as skirmishers to cover the field in front. The men advanced with the skirmishers of the Thirty-ninth Ohio on the double- quick over a rise of ground and went across the field like veterans as they were. They were under a terrific fire from the enemy who had formed in masses at the edge of the dense wood, and who advanced their whole line upon the field, four deep, their bullets pattering on the ground like rain- drops. The skirmishers held them at bay until the order was given for the Twenty-seventh and Thirty-ninth to charge. The two regiments sprang from the ground and rushed upon the enemy. Then came the impact of the two opposing forces — a battle waged in the open field, with no protection of earthworks on either side — a battle, the most sanguinary of the war. The flags of the Twenty-seventh and Thirty-ninth Ohio and of the Confederate regiments were placed side by side, and two opposing forces fought with desperation and bitterness to gain the mastery, until the Con- federate lines were broken and driven back into cover of the woods. In the meantime a large body of the enemy had passed through the open space to the rear, so that Fuller's Division was actually surrounded on the front, right flank and rear. General Fuller, observing this state of affairs, brought up part of a reserve regiment, the splendid Sixty-fourth Illinois, who struck the enemy, which had passed the rear, unawares, and pushed him back. At the same time, the Twenty-seventh and Thirty-ninth made a half wheel and com- menced firing into their flank, compelling them to retreat in confusion from the field, for the second time. The two regiments followed them to the tim- ber, but again the enemy reformed their lines under command of General Walker, who was killed while urging his men, almost at the instant of their forward movement. He fell in front of the firing line of the Twenty-seventh Ohio, Company A. The two regiments now lay flat upon the ground, firing at the advancing enemy. At this moment, General Fuller seized the flag of the Twenty-seventh, raised it aloft, and the two regiments moved forward with a great shout and drove the enemy back in final defeat. The sash and gauntlets belonging to General McPherson were found upon one of the enemy's dead. When the skirmishers were rejoining their regiment at the beginning of the engagement, three of them fell flat to the ground and the enemy ran over them. When the enemy retreated, the Union soldiers jumped up from the ground and rejoined the firing line. The work of Laird's Fourteenth Ohio Battery, stationed on the left of Fuller's Fourth Division was the greatest piece of artillery practice dur- ing the war. During the rebel charges, the guns of the Fourteenth Ohio were firing incessantly, the men at the guns were stripped and in their shirt sleeves. z < H H J H H B Fighting for Atlanta. 171 Twice the enemy drove the infantry back nearly to the muzzles of the guns of the battery. They recoiled and fell back from the destructive fire, with great gaps in their ranks. The Eighty-first Ohio men swarmed to the sup- port of the battery whose guns were then turned to the right, and across the front of Fuller's Division, at that time lying down on a rise of ground, just before they made their last charge. It was then that the Fourteenth Ohio Battery poured in one of the most destructive, fires upon the enemy, that was ever seen on any battle field. Men were literally blown to pieces and their lines melted away. Although we were winning a victory, it was horrible to see men so slaughtered. No army ever before fought to a successful finish a battle against such an overwhelming force. The enemy's dead bodies covered the field where they were slain in the unavailing attempt to break through the Union lines. The battle to the left, so far, had been fought on the Union side by less than five thousand men of Dodge's Sixteenth Corps, mainly by parts of Fuller's Fourth and Sweeny's Second Divisions. After the third repulse of the enemy's advance, the Twenty-seventh and Thirty-ninth Ohio Regi- ments moved to the right and attacked Cleburn's force in the rear and flank, preventing them from reforming or adjusting their lines, and from making a third attack upon the lines of the Seventeenth Corps, then commanded by General Blair, Leggett and Giles A. Smith, whose magnificent fighting during this clay, from both sides of the works, reads like romance rather than reality. These splendid veterans who had worked incessantly at in- trenching without rest for two nights, leaped over their works, put their backs to Atlanta, and received and repelled the charging columns that came upon them from the rear with demoniac yells, so characteristic of the Texans. But no sooner had the enemy been driven back on each occasion, when Cheatham's Corps advanced from' the direction of Atlanta, the second time covering the entire front of the Seventeenth and Fifteenth Corps. The Union troops, jumping to the right side of their works, repulsed each charge. Part of the Fifteenth Corps under General Logan, had lost some ground in this attack but recovered their line. That battle along the front of the Army of the Tennessee was des- perate and bloody beyond description. For vindictiveness and desper- ation, this encounter was never excelled. The carnage was terrible and sickening. The ground was covered with the mangled, dead and dying of both armies. The Twenty-seventh and Thirty-ninth Regiments alone, lost two hun- dred and seventy-three men killed or wounded. Cleburn reported to Har- dee that this battle was the bitterest of his life. 172 Fuller's Ohio Brigade. It was the purpose of the Confederates to flank the Union Army on its left, double back upon the center, and break up the investment of the city, and then drive the Union Army across the Chattahootchee River in retreat. The scene upon the field during the engagement was grand and impres- sive. It seemed that every mounted officer of the attacking column, was riding at the front of, or on the right, or the left of the first line of battle. Their regimental flags as well as ours, waved and fluttered in advance. Their movement was covered by a well-directed fire of artillery, posted in the woods on higher ground, but is seemed impossible for the enemy to face the sweeping fire of Fuller's and the other divisions. The sun shown down upon the field from a clear sky, the heat was excessive, and the sol- diers suffered from thirst almost beyond endurance. General Hood, commanding the Confederate forces occupied a posi- tion where much of both armies could be seen, directing the movements of his troops and finally suffering the mortification and humiliation of de- feat. Yet his vanity was such that he could not recognize his own faulty military judgement, but rashly blamed his troops, whose dead and bleed- ing bodies strewn over the field attested to their valor. He did not seem to comprehend the fact that he was confronted by experienced soldiers who had fought over hundreds of miles of territory, securing victories in every battle from Springfield, Missouri, to Donaldson, Shiloh, Iuka, Cor- inth, Vicksburg and Chattanooga; who had whipped his command through the mountains of northern Georgia ; who were accustomed to fierce as- saults and yells and who always gave the return blows strong and heavy. It was General Grant's old army, and it was General Grant himself who said of this army, "It is invincible. No foe can stop their onward march." When General Hood stood on the hill at Resaca, in May previous, and with bated breath, saw the Army of the Tennessee issue from the nar- row defile of Snake Creek Gap and roll in sweeping and beautiful lines over the hills and valleys, with the design of carrying that position, he was told by his Chief of Staff that the Army of the Tennessee was there to fight, it knew how to fight and was willing to fight. It must be regretted by all and especially by the tried and true soldiers of the Fourth, Fourteenth, Twentieth and Twenty-third Corps, commanded by Generals Thomas, Schofield, Slocum, and Howard, respectively, that General Sherman's order was not enforced to strike the foe in their front, which on the 22nd of July was only a thin line, notwithstanding they were behind works. If these four corps had been allowed to attack, Hood's Army would have been crushed and captured at Atlanta. Movements to the Right. 173 It is matter of history that only two Army commanders were killed in battle during the War of the Rebellion, both of whom were of the highest type of the American soldier. On the Confederate side, Albert Sydney Johnston, fell at Shiloh, April 6th, 1862. Surrounded by his friends, he fell at the hour of defeat. On the Union side, James B. McPherson on July 22nd, 1864. Alone with the exception of an orderly. He fell at the moment of victory. He was a gallant gentleman who blended the gentleness of the friend with the dignity of a soldier. The engagement lasted about five hours. The Union troops in pos- session of the battle field picked up the wounded and buried the dead. Many soldiers of Fuller's Division were wounded more than once. Some sat down and picked bullets out of their belts, guns, cartridge boxes, and canteens. The dead were brought from the battle field back to a clump of pines where in the presence of the survivors, they were buried wrapped in their blankets. Under the pines, two miles southeast of Atlanta, near where they fell, rest the brave heroes of Fuller's Ohio Brigade, and of his Div- ision. The battle of the 22nd of July in front of Atlanta is recognized among military men as one of the most obstinately fought, and the victory as most vital to the interests of the Union cause during the war of the rebellion. During the battle, the attacks upon our lines were made seven times and seven times repulsed. The final stampede of the enemy was complete. They left the field without semblance of organization, and retired during the night, inside of Atlanta. The Union troops captured eighteen stand of colors and five thousand stand of arms. The prisoners included thirty-three commissioned officers of high rank. The Union troops were in fine spirits over the results of the battle. MOVEMENT OF THE UNION A'RMY TO- THE RIGHT. The Division remained on the battle field until the 25th, when an ad- vance of a mile was made to the front. While on picket, the writer, be- ing an officer of the guard, received orders from General Sherman at two o'clock in the morning of the 27th, to vacate the whole line quietly, to al- low no fires, and to have no talking above a whisper. This was done and the Division with the Army of the Tennessee, swung around the entire army in a flank movement to the extreme right, marching twenty-eight miles and taking position the same evening, in a dense woods, across Proctor's Creek. The Seventeenth Corps came up the next morning on our right and the Fifteenth with them on the extreme right. 174 Fuller's Ohio Brigade. THE BATTLE OF THE 28th OF JULY. On the 28th of July the Division moved in line of battle, half a mile nearer to Atlanta and threw up breastworks. At ten o'clock in the morning two corps of the enemy, Lee's and Hardee's, massed against and attacked the lines of the Sixteenth and the Fifteenth Corps. They made six dis- tinct charges, but were repulsed with great slaughter. The Union forces captured five battle flags and two thousand muskets. Three regiments of the Fourth Division, (the Sixty-fourth Illinois, Thirty-fifth New Jersey and Sixty-third Ohio) were sent to re-enforce the Fifteenth Corps. At the end of July our infantry line was strongly intrenched, but was drawn out from the Augusta Road on the left to the Sand Town Road on the right, a distance of ten miles. The enemy presented a bold front with fortified lines that defied direct assault. The weather had been hot in the extreme. There had been a month of conflict without intermission. Many of our men had been killed or wounded. Willis Fisher of the Forty- third Ohio was torn to pieces by a shell while preparing his morning coffee. From July 1st to 31st, in all the Union corps, there were in killed, wounded and missing, nine thousand seven hundred and nineteen. This did not embrace the losses in the cavalry which was small. In the rebel army the losses including prisoners, from July 4th to 31st were ten thou- sand eight hundred and forty-one. BATTLE NEAR ATLANTA. Ezra Church in Foreground. July 28th, 1864. Assigned to the Seventeenth Corps. 175 The bridge across the Chattahoochee River had been reconstructed and the rear of our army was so well guarded that the trains arrived from Nashville daily and all wants were well-supplied. By August 4th, reports were received of the surrender of seven hun- dred of Stoneman's Cavalry, near Macon, Georgia. Stoneman stood and covered the escape of two small brigades while surrendering to Colonel Iverson. Colonels Brownlow, Adams, and Capron, with their detachments of cavalry, came in perfectly demoralized. McCook's Cavalry expedition had crossed the Chattahootchee River, then marched rapidly across the Macon Railroad at Lovejoy station. They tore up two miles of track, burned two trains of cars, cut away telegraph wires, killed eight hundred mules, burned five hundred wagons, and cap- tured five hundred men. Turning back to Newman, McCook found him- self completely surrounded by infantry and cavalry. He had to drop his prisoners and fight his way out to Turner's Ferry, losing about six hun- dred men. The weather continued hot and sultry, but the supplies of water and pro- visions were ample and our position before Atlanta, healthy. Our skir- mish line was held close up to the enemy and kept up a continuous clat- BATTLE LINES, EZRA CHURCH, Atlanta, July 28th, 1§64. 176 Fuller's Ohio Brigade ter of musketry. The main lines were held still further back, with mus- kets loaded and stacked ready for instant use. On the 7th of August, the Fourteenth Corps, now under command of Jefferson C. Davis, and Schofield's Corps, got around and assaulted the enemy and drove him behind his main breastworks which covered the rail- road from Atlanta to East Point. On the same day, the Twenty-seventh and Forty-third Ohio with the Thirty-ninth Ohio, the Eighteenth Mis- souri, and the Sixty-fourth Illinois, acting as reserves, advanced the line three hundred yards. They crossed an open field, went into thick woods, and built rifle pits along the brow of a ridge, the enemy falling back. The soldiers worked hard that sultry day, and they were tired when the shades of night gathered around them in the gloom of the pine and oak forest. Those who were not on duty, relaxed the constant vigilance in watching for the enemy, care was laid aside, and one by one, with a firm hold on their guns, they dropped off to sleep. Firing ceased along the line, the wind gradually quieted down, and the moon came up and shone through the trees. There was stillness in the balmy air. As was usual, the pickets were warned to listen for any signs of the enemy, and so a few men crawled out in front of the vidette, and stooping beneath the foliage of the trees and the underbrush, listened for sounds of moving troops, artillery or wagons. After lying there for some time, a slight breeze sprang up, carrying with it from the enemy's camp, the clear soft strains of music from a band, the noise of a vast camp, and confused sounds of voices continuing late into the night. There was no sign of attack. On August 8th, the third brigade of the Division arrived from Decatur, Alabama. The Seventeenth New York, commanded by Colonel John W. Tillson, were uniformed as Zouaves, with bright red fez and trousers. To- gether with other troops, they relieved the Twenty-seventh, Thirty-ninth and Forty-third Ohio Regiments and in a few minutes, created a small bat- tle, losing nine killed and wounded. The troops they relieved, returned to the trenches and soon the firing quieted down. The Zouaves exchanged their showy dress for the regulation uniform, soon afterward, for it was found that the bright color was a better mark for the enemy, causing greater mortality in battle. The men of the Fourth Division wore clothing stained by constant use, to the color of the Georgia soil and were less visible to the enemy. On the 10th, heavy parrot guns were received and placed in position and a sharp fire was kept up from all our batteries converging on Atlanta. Our infantry lines were advanced thereby shortening and strengthening our investment. The Twenty-seventh Ohio marched on August 10th, to Marietta, Georgia, and served under orders of the Provost Marshal. There Capture of Atlanta. 177 were eight thousand patients in the hospitals. Business blocks were used for army stores, and churches and hotels for the sick and wounded. On August 13th, all non-veterans from the Fourth Division went home. On August 25th, strong reconnaissances forward from our flanks, on the right and left, were made by our cavalry, in the hope of decoying Hood out of Atlanta, and to make him fight us on something like equal terms. Mean- while the utmost activity was ordered along our whole front by the in- fantry. CHAPTER XXIII. Sherman's Great Flank Movement. Kilpatrick's Cavalry made a circle of Atlanta, destroying the railroad about Jonesborough. General G. M. Dodge, commanding the Sixteenth Corps, had been wounded and had gone to the rear, and his two divisions were distributed to the Fifteenth and Seventeenth Corps. The Fourth Division of the Sixteenth Corps was now assigned as the First Division of the Seventeenth Corps. The Fourth and Twentieth Corps, closed up with the Fourteenth Corps at Utoy Creek. At the same time Gerrard's Cavalry, leaving their horses out of sight, occupied the vacant trenches, so that the enemy did not detect the change. SEVENTEENTH ARMY CORPS BADGE. On the 26th the First Division with Seventeenth and Fifteenth Corps, drew out of their trenches, made a wide circuit, and came up on the extreme right of the Fourteenth Corps, along Utoy Creek facing south. On the 25th, the Twentieth drew back to the railroad bridge at the Chattahoochee River to protect our railroad communication to the rear. On the following morning, some of the enemy came out of Atlanta and found our camps near the city, abandoned. There was great rejoic- ing in Atlanta that the "Yankees were gone." The fact was telegraphed all over the south. Several trains full of ladies came up from Macon to assist in the celebration of their supposed victory. On the 28th, the First Division reached the West Point railroad, the army lines extending from East Point to Fairburn, where the railroad track was heaved up in sections, the length of a regiment and then separ- ated rail by rail. Bonfires were made of the ties on which the rails were heated, carried to trees, wrapped around and left to cool. Thus it will be seen that General Sherman was one of the masters in the science of war He had moved his army twenty-six miles to the rear, in the face of the Con- federate Army and had placed them across the railroad at Jonesborough. General Sherman's Report. 179 On the 30th, the enemy made his first move at Mount Gilead, then to Morrow's Mills and intrenched at Jonesborugh. On September 1st, the Fourteenth Corps closed down on the north front of Jonesborough, con- necting with the Seventeenth Corps, his left reaching the Fourth Corps and then swept forward in full view, and went over the rebel parapets hand- somely. The First and Second Divisions of the Seventeenth Corps were sent around by his right rear to get below Jonesborough, to reach the rail- road and cut off the enemy's retreat, in that direction The Fourth Corps was hurried forward so as to lap around Jonesborough on the east, hop- ing there to capture the whole of Hardee's Corps, but night came on and Hardee escaped. Atlanta was now untenable and at two o'clock on the morning of the 2nd of September, after blowing up their arsenals and machine shops and burning their army stores, the city was abandoned by the Confederates and they moved out in retreat. The Twentieth Corps moved forward and took possession. In all these movements during the great swing of the army, to the right and below Atlanta, the Twenty-seventh, Thirty-ninth, Forty-third and Sixty-third Ohio Regiments were heavily engaged in battle, assisted in destroying railroads, and took part in all the movements of the Division and Army. JOHNNIE McCLAY. Musician Co. H, 43d O. V. V. I. Thirteen years old. The youngest boy in the Bri- gade if not in the Army, who, finding a Confed- erate picket post asleep at Jonesboro, Ga., dis- armed and captured the whole post, a corporal and three men. 180 Fuller's Ohio Brigade. The news of the capture of Atlanta "the gate city of the south" was spread to the Army. The men were wild with cheers, shouts and rejoic- ing. Their three months of toil and hardship had ended. The tidings flew to all parts of the north and congratulations came pouring back. Des- patches were received with the thanks of the President from the White House. General Grant at City Point, Virginia, ordered a salute with shot- ted guns from every, battery bearing upon the enemy. A Presidential election was agitating the North. Mr. Lincoln represented the National cause and the brilliant success at Atlanta made his election certain. Mc- Clellan had accepted the nomination of the so-called Democratic party, whose platform was that the war was a failure; The price of gold fell at all commercial centers. The greatest epoch of treason had been reached and the crisis of the war was now passed. The Thirty-ninth, Forty-third and Sixty-third Ohio Regiments with the First Division, Seventeenth Army Corps, Army of the Tennessee, went into camp at East Point, Georgia. The Twenty-seventh Ohio went into camp at Marietta and the Army of the Cumberland in and about Atlanta, and the Army of the Ohio at Decatur. Atlanta was made a military gar- rison, with no population to influence military measures. The question of supplying our army , so far in the interior, became a vital question for the military authorities to solve. We could not remain on the defensive simply holding Atlanta arid fighting for the safety of its railroads. Many citizens of Georgia in private interviews, with our officers, proclaimed that further resistance on the part of the south was madness, and would advocate the withdrawal of the people from the rebellion. Governor Joseph E. Brown of Georgia, ordered the state militia to withdraw from Hood's command, but he only furloughed them. The campaign just closed was the longest and the most continuously successful during the war of the rebellion. It covered a period of one hun- dred and twenty days, forcing the enemy a distance of nearly two hundred miles, through the mountains of northern Georgia. On each of these days the fighting rose to the proportions of a battle. The Confederate Commander Hood came from Virginia bringing with him veteran troops and boasting that he would show the southwestern Con- federates how to fight. He lost four battles around Atlanta, and then the city itself. A few weeks later, he lost his entire army. Hood was bold and rash. At last he made the mistake we had waited for so long; he sent his cavalry to the rear, far beyond reach of recall. In- stantly our cavalry was on his only remaining road and we followed quickly with our army and Atlanta fell into our possession, the fruit of well con- certed measures backed by a brave and competent army. Report of General Sherman. i 81 All black slaves from the plantations that came into the Union lines were enlisted as soldiers or put to work with shovel and pick on the forti- fications, or as teamsters, or servants. The following order indicates the foregoing. MARIETTA, GEORGIA, SEPTEMBER 6TH, 1864. I have sent Lieutenant Charles H. Smith of the Twenty-seventh Ohio Infantry to Atlanta to procure negroes to work on the fortifications and in the department here. Any assistance that may be rendered him, will be ap- preciated. We need two hundred able bodied negroes. Samuel Ross, Colonel Twentieth Connecticut V I. Commanding Post. General Logan who had been in command of the Army of the Tennes- see since the death of General McPherson, returned to the command of the Fifteenth Corps and was succeeded by General Howard who took com- mand of the Army of the Tennessee, on the 24th day of July, and on the 9th of September, issued a congratulatory order in which he said, "The country may never know with what patience labor and expense, you have tugged away at every natural and artificial obstacle that an enterprising and confident enemy could interpose. The terrific battles you have fought may never be realized nor accredited, still acclaim is already greeting you from the government and people, in view of the results you have helped to gain and I believe that a sense of the magnitude of the achievments of the last hundred days will not abate but increase with time and history. Our rejoicing is tempered as it must be, by the sorrow at the loss of com- panions in arms. On every hillside and in every valley, throughout your long and circuitous march, you have buried them. . I never saw fiercer as- saults than the enemy made, and I never saw troops more steady and self- possessed in action than your divisions that were continually engaged. For cheerfulness and obedience, rapidity of movement and confidence in battle, the Army of the Tennessee can not be surpassed. And it will con- tinue its fair record while it moves forward until the old flag floats in every proud city of the rebellion." General Hooker took offence because he was not given the command of the Army of the Tennessee in preference to General Howard and asked to be relieved from command of the Twentieth Corps. His request was immediately granted and he went home and reported that Sherman's Army had run up against a rock at Atlanta and the country should be prepared to hear of disaster in that quarter." "General Thomas, McPherson, and Schofield, had complained of General Hooker's disposition to "switch off" and to leave wide gaps in his line and other breaches of discipline and pro- prieties." 182 Fuller's Ohio Brigade report of major-general william t. sherman, united states army, commanding the military division of the missis- sippi, in part. Atlanta, Georgia, September 15th, 1864. On March 14th, General Grant summoned me to Nashville, Tennessee, for a conference. * * We had a full and complete understanding of the policy and plans for the ensuing campaign, covering a vast area of country, my part of which extended from Chattanooga to Vicksburg. On the 25th I began a tour of inspection. I had interviews with Gen- erals McPherson, commanding the Army of the Tennessee, at Huntsville, Thomas, at Chattanooga, Schofield at Knoxville. We fixed the first day of May as the time when all things should be ready. I found the depots at Nashville abundantly supplied and the railroads in very fair order, but the impoverished condition of the inhabitants of East Tennessee had forced the commanding officers of the posts to issue food to the people. * * The prolific soil soon afforded early vegetables, and wagons hauled meat and bread from Kentucky. I received from Lieutenant-General Grant, a map with letter of instructions. Subsequently I received notice from him that he would move from his camp at Culpepper, Virginia, on the 5th of May, and that he wanted me to do the same from Chattanooga. On the 27th of April, I put all the troops in motion toward Chattanooga. * * The Army of the Tennessee failed to receive certain divisions that were still kept on the Mississippi River. On the 1st of May the effective strength of the several armies was about as follows : Army of the Cum- berland, Major-General Thomas commanding, total sixty thousand sev».;n hundred and seventy-three, guns one hundred and thirty ; Army of the Tennessee, Major-General McPherson, commanding, total twenty if our thousand four hundred and sixty-five, guns ninety-six ; Army of the Ohio, Major-General Schofield commanding, total thirteen thousand five hun- dred and fifty-nine, guns twenty-eight ; grand aggregate of troops, ninety- eight thousand seven hundred and ninety-seven, guns two hundred and fifty-four. I repaired to Chattanooga in person on the 29th of April. By May 6th, General Thomas had grouped his army at and about Ringold, Gener- al Schofield at and near Cleveland, and General McPherson at and near Gordon's Mills on the Chickamauga. The enemy lay at Dalton, holding the Buzzard Roost pass, the line of Mill Creek to the north, and his line of railroad back to Atlanta, superior to me in cavalry, with three corps of infantry and artillery, viz : Hardee's, Hood's and Polk's, the whole com- manded by General Joe Johnston, of the Confederate Army. I estimated the cavalry under Wheeler about ten thousand and the infantry and artillery, fifty thousand. May 6th all the armies moved forward, General Thomas on Tunnell Hill, a gravelly range of hills covering the mouth of the famous Buzzard Roost Pass, through Rocky Face Ridge, General Schofield east of that range, approaching Dalton from the north and General McPherson aiming General Sherman's Report. 183 for Resaca, eighteen miles south of Dalton, through Snake Creek Gap and Sugar Valley. To strike Dalton was impracticable. My purpose was that General McPherson should reach the railroad at Resaca and destroy it to John- ston's rear, and then take up a strong defensive position near the mouth of the Gap, and to operate on the flank of the enemy as he retreated. Gen- eral McPherson moved rapidly with the Army of the Tennessee, reached the Gap on the 8th and passing through, completely surprised a brigade of cavalry that was coming to watch and defend it. He found Resaca too strong to be carried by assault and accordingly fell back and took a strong- position near the east end of the Gap. I left the Fourth Corps with cav- alry to watch the Buzzard Roost Road and moved the whole army to Re- saca. The enemy had full view of our movements and a better and shorter line to reach Resaca, to which place they retreated and occupied. Sending a division to the Sixteenth Corps, Army of the Tennessee with a pontoon train to Lay's Ferry with orders to cross the Oostanaula and to attack the enemy's line at Calhoune, I gradually enveloped the enemy at Resaca and pressed him so hard that he evacuated in the night of May 15th and retreated. General McPherson got across Camp Creek near its mouth and made a lodgment close up to the enemy's works, on hills that com- manded the railroad and trestle bridge, the day previous. The enemy made a short stand at Adairsville and Cassville and then retreated south of the Etowah River by the Allatoona Pass. On the 17th I had drawn General McPherson's Army from Woodland to Kingston, and delayed till the 23rd of May to fill wagons and replenish ammunition. General McPherson crossed the Connasene Creek near Kings- ton, and moved from his position to the south of Dallas, via Van Wert, on the 26th. On the 23rd. General Thomas was ordered to move on Dallas and General Schofield to keep on Thomas' left via Huntsville, Gerrard's Cavalry operating with McPherson. I knew the strength of Allatoona Pass. Ac- cordingly the army was moved past the range by other, more devious, diffi- cult, and natural roads that would admit of more equal terms with the enemy, should he attempt to meet us. The ground was very difficult, being densely wooded and composed of ridges and spurs of flinty ground, very barren of forage and difficult for roads. On the 28th, General McPherson was on the point of closing to his left on General Thomas, in front of New Hope Church, when suddenly the enemy made a bold and daring assault on him at Dallas. Our men had erected good breastworks and gave the enemy terrible and bloody repulses. I resolved to pass the enemy's right flank and place the whole army in front of Allatoona Pass. On- June 1st, we accomplished our real purpose of turning the Allatoona Pass, and we had full possession with the railroad clown as far as Kenesaw Mountain near Marietta, holding in some force, Dalton, Kingston, Rome and Resaca. I am fully aware that these detachments weaken me in the exact pro- portion our enemy has gained strength by picking up his detachments. Johnston represents to his people that his retreat is strategy ; but he has abandoned to us the best wheat growing region of Georgia and all its most 184 Fuller"s Ohio Brigade valuable iron works and foundries. On the 9th we moved forward to Big Shanty. Kenesaw, the bold and striking twin mountain lay before us with a high range of chestnut hills tending off to the northeast, terminating in another peak, called Brush Mountain. To our right was a smaller hill, called Pine Mountain, and beyond it in the distance, Lost Mountain. All these although linked in a continuous chain, present a sharp, conical appear- ance, prominent in the vast landscape that presents itself from any of the hills that abound in that region. Kenesaw Mountain, Lost Mountain and Pine Mountain form a triangle, Pine Mountain, the apex and Kenesaw and Lost Mountain, the base, covering perfectly the town of Marietta and the railroad back to the Chat- tahoochee. On each of these peaks the enemy had his signal stations. The summits were crowned with batteries and the spurs were alive with men busy in felling trees, and digging pits, and preparing for a grand struggle. The scene was enchanting, too beautiful to be disturbed by the harsh clamor of war but the Chattahoochee lay beyond and I had to reach it. General McPherson was moved forward toward Marietta, his right on the railroad. The Confederate General Polk was killed on the 14th. Pine Mountain was found abandoned on the 15th. General McPherson ad- vanced his line, gaining substantial advantage on the left. I ordered an assault on the center. On the 17th the enemy abandoned Lost Mountain and the long line of breastworks connecting it with Kenesaw Mountain. We continued to press all points, skirmishing in dense forests and across most difficult ravines, until we found him again strongly intrenched with Kenesaw as his salient point. During the time of our operations about Kenesaw, the weather was villianously bad, the rain fell, almost continuously for three weeks, render- ing our narrow wooded roads mere mud gullys. Our men daily worked close to our intrenched foe, keeping up an incessant firing, galling to him. General McPherson worked all the time to the south and east along the Sand Town Road. On the 22nd the enemy sallied and attacked. On the 27th two assaults were made, one near Little Kenesaw Mountain, by General McPherson, costing many valuable lives. On the night of July 27th, Gen- eral McPherson commanded a movement by the right down to and threatened Nick-o-Jack Creek and Turner's Ferry, across the Chattahoochee. The effect was instantaneous. The next morning Kenesaw was abandoned, and with the first dawn of day, I saw our skirmishers appear on the Moun- tain top. General McPherson was instructed to cross Nick-o-Jack Creek and attack the enemy in flank and rear. Johnston had intrenched a strong tete-de-pont on the Chattahoochee with an advanced intrenched line, across the road at Smyrna Camp Meeting Ground, five miles below Marietta. On the 4th of July we pushed a strong skirmish line down the main road, capturing the entire line of the enemy's pits, and made strong demonstration along Nick-o-Jack Creek and about Turner's Ferry, the 27th and 39th Ohio Regiments by a bold charge, captur- ing his main line of works, a line of unusual strength. This had the desired effect and the next morning the enemy was gone and our army moved to General Sherman's Report. 185 the Chattahoochee River with General McPherson's right at the mouth of Nick-o-Jack Creek. I transferred the Army of the Tennessee under General McPherson from the extreme right to the left, at Rosswell on the Chattahootchee above General Dodge's Sixteenth Corps in the advance, followed by all McPher- son's Army of the Tennessee. Atlanta was eight miles distant with its magazines, stores, arsenals, workshops, foundries and so forth. Its railroads converged there from the four great cardinal points. On the 17th. General McPherson directed his course, from Rosswell straight against the Augusta Railroad at some point east of Decatur near Stone Mountain, reaching the railroad seven miles east of Decatur on the 18th, then turning along the railroad into Decatur on the 19th. On the 20th the armies closed in converging toward Atlanta. About four o'clock in the afternoon, the enemy sallied from his works in force and fell in line of battle against our right center, on the Buck Head Road. After a severe battle, the enemy was driven back to his intrenchments. On the 21st we felt the enemy in his intrenched position which was found to crown the heights, overlooking the comparatively open ground of Peach 'free Creek, his right beyond the Augusta Road to the east, and his left well toward Turner's Perry on the Chattahootchee, at a general distance from Atlanta of about four miles. On the morning of the 22nd to my surprise, the whole line was abandoned. I thought the enemy had resolved to give us Atlanta without further contest, but General Johnston, the Confederate Commander, had been relieved and General Hood substituted. Our advanced ranks swept across the well finished parapets of the enemy and closed in upon Atlanta until we occupied a line in form of a circle. There we again found him occupying in force a line of finished re- doubts, which had been prepared for more than a year, covering all the roads leading to Atlanta, and we found him also busy in connecting these redoubts with curtains, strengthened by rifle trenches and abatis and chev- aux-de-frise. General McPherson who had advanced from Decatur, continued to fol- by General Dodge on its right. But as the general advance of all the low the railroad with the Fifteenth Corps commanded by General Logan, the Seventeenth, by General Blair, on its left, and the Sixteenth commanded armies contracted the circle, the Sixteenth Corps, commanded by General Dodge, was thrown out of the line by the Fifteenth, connecting on its right with General Schofield, near the Howard House. General McPherson, the night before had gained a high hill to the south and east of the railroad, where the Seventeenth Corps had, after a se- vere fight, driven the enemy, and it gave him a most commanding position, within easy view of the very heart of the city. He had thrown out working- parties to it and was making preparations to occupy it in strength with bat- teries. The Sixteenth Corps, commanded by General Dodge, was ordered from right to left to occupy this position, and make it a strong general left flank. General Dodge was moving by a diagonal path or wagon road lead- ing from the Decatur Road in the direction of General Blair's left flank. 186 Fuller's Ohio Brigade. About ten o'clock in the morning, I was examining the appearance of the enemy's line opposite the distillery. There we attracted enough of tht enemy's artillery and musketry to satisfy me that the enemy was in Atlanta in force. We had gone to a large dwelling close by, known as the Howard House, where General McPherson joined me. He described the condition of things on his flank and the disposition of his troops. I explained to him that if we met serious resistance in Atlanta, as present appearances indicated, instead of operation against it by the left, I would extend to the right, and that I did not want him to gain much distance to the left. He then described the hill occupied by General Legget's Division of General Blair's Seven- teenth Corps, as essential to the occupation of any ground on the east and south of the Augusta railroad, on account of its commanding nature. I therefore ratified his disposition of troops and modified a previous order I had already sent to him in writing to use General Dodge's Sixteenth Corps, thrown somewhat in reserve by the closing up of our lines, to break up the railroad, and I sanctioned its going as already ordered by General McPherson, to his left, to hold and fortify that position. The General remained with me until near noon, when some reports reached us that indicated a movement of the enemy on that (east) flank, he mounted and rode away with his staff. Gerrard's Cavalry had gone to Covington on the Augusta Road to break the two important bridges across the Yellow and Ulcofauhatchee Rivers, tributaries to the Ocumulgee. General McPherson had left his wagon train at Decatur, under a guard of three regiments, commanded by Colonel Sprague. Soon after General Mc- Pherson had left me, I heard the sound of musketry on our left and rear, at first mere pattering shots, but soon they grew in volume, accompanied by artillery, and about the same time the sound of guns was heard in the direction of Decatur. No doubt could be entertained of the enemy's plan of action, which was to throw a superior force on our left flank, while he held us with his forts in front. I hastily transmitted orders to all points of our center and right to press forward and give full employment to all the enemy in his lines. Not more than half an hour after General McPherson had left me, viz : about 12 :30 of the 22nd, his Adjutant-General, Lieutenant-Colonel Clark, rode up and reported that General McPherson was either dead or a prisoner, that he had ridden from me to General Dodge's Column, and had sent off nearly all his staff officers and orderlies on various errands and himself had passed into a narrow path or road (*over which the Twenty-seventh and Thirty- ninth Ohio Infantry had passed a short time before, going into position) that led to the left and rear of General Giles A. Smith's Division, which was the extreme left of the Seventeenth Corps. A few minutes after he had entered the woods, a sharp volley was heard in that direction, and his horse had come out riderless having two wounds. Instantly, I dispatched a staff officer to General Logan commanding the Fifteenth Corps, that he must assume command of the Army of the Ten- nessee and hold stubbornly the ground already chosen, especially the hill gained by General Legget, the night before. Already the whole line was engaged in battle. Hardee's Confederate troops had sallied from Atlanta *Wordsjn parenthisis are added by the Historian. General Sherman's Report. 187 and by a wide circuit to the east had struck General Blair's (Seventeenth Corps) left, and Dodge's (Sixteenth Corps with Fuller's Brigade) in motion. The Seventeenth Corps line along the old line of rebel trenches was fashioned to fight outward. A space of wooded ground of almost half a mile intervened between the columns of General Dodge's (Sixteenth Corps) and General Blair's (Seventeenth Corps) through which the enemy had poured. The last order ever given by General McPherson was to hurry a brigade of the Fifteenth Corps across from the railroad to fill this gap. While Hardee attacked in flank, Stewart's Corps was to attack in front directly out of the main works, but fortunately, their attacks were not simultaneous. The enemy swept across the hill opposite the Seventeenth Corps which our men were then fortifying, and captured a pioneer company its tools, and almost the entire working party, and bore down on our left until he encountered General Giles A. Smith's Division of the Seventeenth Corps, which was somewhat "in air," and forced to fight first from one side of the rifle parapets and then from the other, gradually withdrawing regiment by regiment so as to form a flank to General Legget's Division, which held the apex of the hill, which was the only point deemed essential to our plan. General Dodge's two divisions had caught and held well in check the enemy's right and punished him severely, capturing many prisoners. Gen- eral Giles A. Smith had gradually given up the extremity of his line and formed a new one, whose right connected with General Legget and his left refused, facing the south-east. On this ground and in this order the men fought well and desperately for nearly four hours checking and repulsing the enemy's attacks. In the meantime, Wheeler's Cavalry, our cavalry being absent, had reached Decatur and attempted to capture the wagon trains, but Colonel (now General) Sprague covered them with great skill and success, sending them back from Decatur until every wagon was safe. The enemy had taken a complete battery of six guns with its horses (Murray's) of the regular army, as it was moving along unsupported and unapprehensive of danger in a narrow, wooded road in that unguarded space between the head of General Dodge's Column and the line of battle on the ridge above, but most of the men escaped in the bushes. About four o'clock in the afternoon, there was a lull, during which the enemy felt forward and assailed the pickets that had been thrown for- ward in front of the Fifteenth Corps. A part of the line fell back but soon regained all its lost ground. Thus terminated the battle of July 22nd, which cost us three thousand seven hundred and twenty-two killed, wounded, and prisoners. McPherson's body was recovered in the heat of the battle and sent to Marietta and his northern home. He was a noble youth, of striking personal appearance, of the highest professional capacity, and a heart abounding with kindness that drew to him the affections of all men. His sudden death devolved the command of the Army of the Tennessee on General Logan, who nobly sustained his reputation and that of his veteran army and avenged the death of his comrade and commander. 188 Fuller's Ohio Brigade. The enemy left upon the field his dead and wounded and about a thousand well prisoners. His dead computed at 3240, from actual count. No doubt the enemy sustained an aggregate loss of fully 8000 men. The battle of July 22nd usually called the battle of Atlanta extended from the Howard House to General Giles A. Smith's position about a mile beyond the Augusta Railroad, and then back toward Decatur, the whole extent of ground being fully seven miles. In part, the ground was clear and in part densely wooded. I rode over it the next day and it bore the marks of a bloody conflict. The enemy had retired during the night inside of Atlanta and we remained masters of the situation outside. I purposely allowed the Army of the Tennessee to fight this battle almost unaided, save by the demonstrations on the part of Generals Schofreld and Thomas against the fortified lines to their immediate fronts because I knew that the attack- ing force could be only a part of Hood's Army, although a large part of his best troops, and that if any assistance was rendered by either of the armies, the Army of the Tennessee would be jealous. Nobly did they do their work that day, and terrible was the slaughter done to our enemy, though at a sad cost to ourselves. Our cavalry destroyed railroad bridges, trains of cars, 2000 bales oT cotton, depots of stores and ammunition. Having crippled the Augusta Railroad, I then addressed myself to the task of reaching the Macon Road, over which of necessity came the stores and ammunition, that alone main- tained the rebel army in Atlanta. I ordered the Army of the Tennessee to vacate its line, and to shift its right below Proctor's Creek, for a blow at the Macon Road, simultaneous with the movement of the Army of the Ten- nessee toward East Point. The cavalry under General Stoneman, Gerrard, McCook and Harrison moved partly by the left around Atlanta to McDonough, and partly by the right on Fayetteville, Stoneman asking to be allowed to continue and then proceed to Macon and Andersonville and release our prisoners of war con- fined at those points ; who were being so harshly treated. The Army of the Tennessee drew out of its lines near the Decatur Road during the night of July 26th and on the 27th moved behind the rest of the army to Proctor's Creek and south to prolong our line due south and facing east. On that day, Major-General Howard assumed command of the Army of the Tennessee and had the general supervision of the move- ment, which was made en-echelon, General Dodge's Corps (Sixteenth) on. the left nearest the enemy, the Seventeenth next to come up on its right, arid the Fifteenth Corps next on its right and refused as a flank, the whole to gain as much ground due south from the flank already established at Proc- tor's Creek, as was consistent with a proper strength. General Dodge's men got into line in the evening of the 27th. General Blair came into line on his right early on the morning of the 28th his right reaching Ezra Church, near Bell's Ferry Road. Here the Fifteenth Corps (Logan's) joined on and refused along a ridge well wooded, which par- tially commanded a view over the same fields. About ten o'clock in the morning, all the army was in position and busy throwing up the accustomed pile of rails and logs which after a while General Shermans Report. 189 assumed the form of a parapet. The skill and rapidity with which our men constructed these was wonderful, and was something new in the art of war. About this time I approached Ezra Church. There was considerable artillery firing- and I heard heavy musketry firing on the right. The enemy had come out of Atlanta by the Bell's Ferry Road, and formed his masses in the open field, behind a swell of ground, and after the artillery firing, ad- vanced in parallel lines directly against the Fifteenth Corps, expecting to catch that flank "in air." His advance was magnificent but founded on an error that cost him sadly. His ranks broke and fled. They rallied again and again as often as six times at some points. About four o'clock in the afternoon, the enemy disappeared, leaving six hundred and forty-two dead. Their loss was five thousand. General Logan drew brigades from the Sixteenth Corps during the battle to assist. Our loss was six hundred men, killed and wounded. This affair terminated all attempts of the enemy to check our extension by the flank and he remained on the defensive. On the 1st of August, the rest of the army moved taking a line below Utoy Creek. Schofield moved to East Point. General Hooker resigned. The Twentieth Corps was com- manded by Williams next, then Slocum. From the 2nd to the 5th we extended to the right. Stanley succeeded Howard to command the Fourth Corps. On August 18th, a movement was made by right flank to West Point Railroad, near Fairburn, afterward to Macon Road near Jonesborough. On the night of the 26th, the army of the Tennessee moved by a circuit well toward Sand Town across Camp Creek. The movement brought them on the West Point Railroad above Fairburn. The railroad was destroyed for twenty miles. The whole army moved the next day, the Army of the Tennessee on the right toward Jonesborough. The several columns moved on the 29th. The Army of the Tennessee, having the outer circle, had a greater distance to move. They encountered cavalry which they drove rapidly to Shoal Creek, where the enemy had artillery. Howard started them again, keeping them moving, passed the Renfroe Place, on the Decatur Road, and kept on toward Jonesborough, saved the bridge across Flint River, and did not halt until darkness compelled him, within half a mile of Jonesborough. On August 31st in the presence of a heavy force of the enemy he deployed the Fifteenth Corps and disposed the Sixteenth and Seventeenth on its flanks. The men covered their front with parapets and prepared to act offensively. During the 31st the enemy came out of his works, and attacked General Howard with Lee's and Hardee's Corps, and after a con- test of over two hours, withdrew leaving over four hundred dead on the ground. Orders were given for all the army to turn on Jonesborough. On September 1st, heavy explosions were heard at Atlanta, about two o'clock at night, twenty miles distant. At daybreak, the enemy had gone from his lines at Jonesborough. I ordered a general pursuit south, General Howard on the right. We overtook the enemy again at Lovejoy Station in a strong intrenched position, with his flanks well protected behind a branch of Walnut Creek, a confluent of Flint River to his left. We pushed close 190 Fuller's Ohio Brigade. up. Rumors arrived that Atlanta had been abandoned during the night of September 1st. I concluded it was idle to pursue the enemy through that wooded country with a view to his capture. On the 5th, we drew back to Jones- borough. On the 7th arrived at Rough and Ready. The Army of the Cumberland was camped around Atlanta, Army of the Tennessee <