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HISTORY

OK THE

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:TH 1

H

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JUinois Sufantry Volunteers,

OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE

" Hundred and Two Dozen,"

from AUGUST, 1862, to AUGUST, 1865.

By R. L. HOWARD,
CHAPLAESr.

SPRINGFIELD, ILL.:
PBlNTEU AND BOUND BY H. W. ROKKER.
1880.

PREFACE,

At the request of a portion of the survivors of our dear
old regiment, I have compiled and written its history.
Not because I recognized in myself any peculiar qualifica
tions for the task, but because I loved its members, was
proud of its record, and wished its history to be written.
The labor has been sandwiched in among the severe
duties of an arduous pastorate, and the result is not what
it might have been, if some leisure could have been given
to it. But it has been a labor of love, and as in my study
I have lived the old days, and fought the old battles over,
one after another, our dear comrades, both living and
dead, have seemed to stand by my side and fill my room,
as I could not have believed it possible after the lapse of
so many years. And in their coming, considering their
numbers, they have brought but little to pain, with much,
very much, to gladden. And if you, my dear readers,
enjoy the perusal of this book half as well as I have the
work of preparing it, I shall deem my labor an eminent
success.

IV Preface.
That much that is worthy has been rescued from what
¦would otherwise have been oblivion, I know. That there
is other material equally valuable that ought to be here, I
also know. But it was not at my command. All that
Gen. Howe, Maj. Field, Quartermaster Reece, Hospital
Steward Allaire, and Private Snedeker had, with my own
diary and papers, I have given you. Others, too, have
rendered valuable assistance, especially Capt. N. H. Pratt,
and Lieutenants Dorian and Richards. That the details
are correct in dates and figures, I am confident, and as far
as they go, the statements and facts of the work may be
relied upon.
If, when you have read the book, you pronounce favor
ably upon it, as a history in some degree worthy of the
old "Hundred and two dozen," instead of thanking me for
what I have so imperfectly done, thank one more laborious
and deserving than I— the inspirer and back-bone of the
enterprise, without whom the noble One Hundred and
Twenty-Fourth Illinois Infantry Volunteers would never
have had a written history— our old comrade and Quarter
master, Capt. A. N. Reece, of Chicago.
R. L. HOWARD.
Bangor, Me., Oct. i6, 1879.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTEB I.
Introduction— Companies, where raised, by whom, and their organization-
Jonas Smith— A Representative Regiment— Camp Butler— First Ex
periences—A Private for Quartermaster— The Extra Drawers— Field
OfBcei-s Chosen — Drill Sergeant and Awkward Squad- Our Visitors-
First Divine Service and Dress Parade— Muster Rolls— Richmond
Taken  :  1
CHAPTER II.
Muster-in— Martin Etter— Field and Staff— Other Troops with IIs-Drawing
Arms — Our First Deaths — Lieut. Willian — Off for the Front — Route
Changed— Columbus, Ky.— Mutiny— Embark for Jackson, Tenn  14
CHAPTER III.
Jackson— "A Young Brigade "—Camp Under the Poplars— Our Assign
ment and Commanders- Picket— Confiscation— The 20th Illinois and
Sutler's Goods — Mules, and the Quartermaster's Experience— Com
pany H on Provost Guard— Stoves— Three Companies get New Rifles
—Conflicting Orders— To Move at Last— Up all Night to be Ready to
Start— To Boliver by Cars— Up at 2 to Start at 10— Our First Marcli—
Overcoats all Right— Company F's Calves— Getting into Camp— Rails
—Camp Fires— McAllister's Battery— Astonislied at the Column-
Dust and Smoke— Suffering— Lagrange— '• So, Bossy "—On Picket— A
Dead Rebel— Positive Orders  23
CHAPTER IV.
" Inflation " — Camp Equipage Arrives— More Comfortable— Guarding
Rebel Property- Drill— A 30th Illinois Boy Disgusted— Grand Review
—A Day on Picket— Relieving Guard at the Depot—Off Again— The
Quartermaster's Troubles— Into Mississippi— Holly Springs- Heard
Firing— Tents Come Up, and How -Lumpkin's Mill— Abbieville—
" Rebs Skedaddled "—Raining Hard— Across the Tallahatchie and
Through the Mud single-file to Oxford— In the Advance, and What
Came of It— To the Yacona— Van Dorn in Our Rear—" About, Face ! "
—Improvement in Transportation — In Camp on the Tallahatchie —
Short Rations— Drawing Corn, &c  36
CHAPTER V.
Again Moving— Cari-ying a Dressed Hog on Horseback— Lagrange Once
More— On to Moscow in a Storm— CoUiersville and Guarding Railroad
—Six Inches of Suow and Boys Barefooted— Reach Memphis and Pro
ceed to Clear Land— Clothed up Once More— Dissatisfaction Created
by Northern Copperheads— A tew Desertions— Five Roll-calls a Day-
Dainties from Home, and the Sanitary Commission— A Great Deal of
Sickness— Pay to October 31st— Hopefteld Burnt— On the " Platte
Valley," and Down the Mississippi— Lake Providence— Peach Trees
in Bloom February 23d— A Beautiful Camp  50

Contents.

CHAPTER VI.
Resignations and Promotions— Routine Life— Heavy Rains— The Steamer
'^Henry Von Phul "—Levee Cut— Ben-y's Landing— A Wagon Load of
Fish— Religious Interest— Tremendous Storm in the Night— Corapany
G's Hog— Interesting Poetry— Col. Sloan in Trouble— Ad,1utant Gen
eral Thomas in Camp— Logan's Speech— Four Months' Pay— Off for
Somewhere— Milliken's Bend— Mortality Statistics— Graves on the
Levee— Volunteering to Run the Blockade— Gov. Yates— Demoralizing
Drill, and Dress Parade in our Shirt-sleeves— Views of Vicksburg—
Roses by the Mile, and Pride of China Trees  60
CHAPTER VII.
The Vicksburg Campaign Begun— On to Richmond— Col. Howe's Horse—
The Quartermaster's Experience— Still on— Ashwood Landing— Lake
St. Joseph, and Dr. Bowie's Mansion— Camp in 3,000 Acres of Corn-
Grand Gulf— Running the Batteries— The Tuscumbia— Crossing the
Mississippi on the' Mound City— Bruinsburg— The Quartermaster
Again— 'Just Before the Battle' —To the Front— Signs of a Fray-
Support the 31st— Capt. Potter Wounded— Up and at Them— Thomp
son's Hill— Chase Them Till Dark— Sleep on Our Arms— Port Gibson
—"Down With the Traitors, and Up Vvitli the Stars"— Wading the
Stream— Such a Country — Big Bayou Fere— Halted by a Shell or Two
—Line of Battle— A Long, Weary March to the Big Black— Grand
Gulf Evacuated— Resting— Sitting Up to Sleep— Transportation Up-
Rocky Springs— Utica — Special Orders  70
CHAPTER VIII.
Feeling Our Way— May 12th, Pickets Run a Race to Catch Up— Ray
mond— Our First Man Killed — Tlie Quartermaster's Story -Corporal
Brown— Into the Village in Style— Our Loss — Rebel News — On to
Clinton— Col. Sloan in Arrest— Toward Jackson— Rain and Mud—
Donble-Quicking for a Fight— Over Crocker's Battle-field- Jackson
Evacuated— Camp by the Deaf and Dumb In.stitute- Back Track-
Burying the Dead— Eighteen Miles Toward Vicksburg— Champion
Hills— 43d Georgia— BatteiT Taken— Our Loss, and Incidents— A
Night Ride, and a Scare— On to the Big Black— Crossing, and on to
Vicksburg  gg
CHAPTEB IX.
Before Vicksburg— The 22d of May— Our Position— Shirley's House-
Digging and Sharpshooting— Mortar Boats— "Giving Them Their Cof
fee"— Flag ot Truce— Three O'clock in the Morning— A Charge on
Co. H— Gen. Leggett— Headquarters Tents Up— Col. Sloan in Com
mand—Raked by -a Parloi-t Gun— Fort Hill Blown Up— rhe "Slaugh
ter Pen"— Our Losses- Lieut. Pratt Killed— Fort Blown Up Again—
"Abe's" Experience- The Beginning of the End— While Flags— Under
the Oak -Silence— July 4th— "Black Your Boots"— "Fall In"- "Hail
SS'"??, j'^i^^'^^^v.^''^ Rebs"-"Forward, March"-Into Vicksburg-
Ihe Old Flag to the Breeze— Cheer Upon Cheer  . . 104
CHAPTER X.
Logan Commanding Post, and the 45th Provost Guard- Our Friends ar
^"'"0^?" -5"=K*'* r^^ Night-The Cause of the wkV-Genera 0?de?s
^.^-.^'tr^"'"^?,'''® ^"i?^' '^"'J "1 Camp Once More-What We Saw in
Vicksburg -Caves -Starvation -Testimony of the Daily Citizen-
Famine Plaster-Graves-"But Vicksburg had not Suffered,© No ''"-
Di-es.s Parade-Paipled Prisoners-Pemberton 0ak-Sickness--Ma1
Pattison— Resignations and Promotions oii,is-iiess maj.

Contents. vii.

CjH A P.T E R XI.
Home— A Speech from Col. Howe— "City of Madison"— Monroe Expedi
tion— Jimsoii 'Weeds — Camp near Bayou Boeuf— Monroe — Leg-
gett's Order— Back Again— Twenty- four Miles the First Day- Only
Eight on Sunday— Then Twenty-flve Miles In the Heat— The Worn
and Weary Given Six Miles Extra— Home Once More— Col. Howe on
Mililaiy Commission to Condemn Rebel Property— A Scare— Moved
Camp— Marchinif Orders— The Brownsville and Bogue Chitto Expedi
tion—Over the Cliamplon Hills Battle Ground— In Camp Again  138
CHAPTER XII.
Reece's River Experience— A New Wagon Master— Details to Colored
Regiments— Conley's Mule— Roses— Moved to Big Black— Col. Howe
in Command — Logan's Faiewell — Battalion Drill — Trial Drill of
Brigade— Won Prize for Best Picket Duty— Officers' Mess— Regimental
Chapel^Leggett Division Commander— Force in Command ot Brigade
—Maj. Mann  152
CHAtP,T(ER tXIII.
Col. Sloan— Our Prize Drill— The Proud "Excelsior Regiment"— "Vete
ranizing"— Recruiting Detail  164
CHAPTER XIV
Marching Orders — Eastward, ho !— Gen. Sherman in Command— "Uncle
Johnny Lyle"— Line of Battle— Jackson Again— The Minister's Mule-
Brandon-" Uncle John" Ti'ades Mules— Officers' Mess in Cloyer—
Morton and Hillsborough— Houses Catch Fire— A Night on a Corduroy
Road — Decatur — Chunkey — Mule Teams Guard a Bridge— Meridian —
Some Destruction — Incidents— The Back Track— Diverge at Hillsbor—
ough— About the "Banner" — Better Rations— Mules in Plenty-
Canton— Turn Over the Animals— Bill of Fare— A Mail— Adjutant
Smith and Party Routed— Home with a Shout— The Quartermaster's
Department Slightly Aliead — Negro Accompaniment — Name of the
Expedition  180
CHAPTER XV.
Aurora's Respects— Conley Again- Col. Howe on Leave— Reece Detached
—New Guns— Wedding— Brigade Broken Up— Left Out in tlie Cold—
Every-Day Life— Circus — Horse Off for Dixie— Flag Surrendered— Its
Subsequent History— To Vicksburg Once More— Col. Howe Returned—
A Fish Story— Col. Sloan— Weather— Reece Up^the River— Recruits-
Defenses of Vicksburg— Big Black Evacuated— Respects of the Regi
ment  207
CHAPTER XVI.
Off on a Scout-Benton— Skirmishing— Vaughan 's Station— Yazoo City—
Sergt. Hanes Died— Reece Back— In aWell— Bigelow Quartermaster-
Military Execution— Howe's Address— Off to Jackson July 1st— Back
the 9th— Sanford Mortally Wounded— Inspected by Gen. Dana— Col.
Howe Home on Leave— Political Speaking— Respects to Gen. Dana-
Grand Review— On the "Shenango"— Mess-Running on the Boat-
White River— Off for Memphis  224
CHAPTER XVII.
Memphis— Fort Pickering, and Box Cars— Guarding Wood Choppers--An
Alai-m- Lieut. Spear Sick— Off on the "Magenta"— Capt. Kendall Left
Behind— Report at White River- On to Vicksburg— Run into the
Bank— Home Again— Relieve the 72d— Guard Mounting— 58th Ohio
With Us— 72d Leave— Move Into Their Camp— Provost Duty— Lincoln
Re-elected— i^'eu de .7<»«— Whiskey and Pistols— A Jubilee— Capt. Cal
lahan— A Noble Record- Women in Trade— Sword Presentation-
Closed the Year with a Funeral— Changes  247

Contents.

CHAPTER XVIII.
Ladies in Camp— Style— Detached Service— Maj. Mann on the Works-
Cavalry Movements -Troops Passing— Colored Regiments Go Down
the River— More Recruits— Gen. Canby In Command Below— Move at
Last— On the "Grey Eagle"- New Orleans— Camp Chalniette— Ladies
With Us— "No Bottom^'— 72d Again— Reece Back— Enjoy the City—
On the "Guiding Star"— A Jam— Over the Bar— Sea SicK— Dauphin
Island  264
CHAPTER XIX.
The "Festive Oyster"— Organization— Across the Bay— Reece and the
Teams— The "Father of Crooks"— Among the Pines— Brigade Drill-
Franking Letters— Fortifying- Further On — Skirmishing—" Wake
Nieodeinus"— Adjutant and Hodges Wounded— Spanish Foit— Geo. C.
Black Killed— Siege—Our Position— Wounded— A Fearful Day—
Killed— Officers Digging Bifle-Pits— Killed und Wounded— Siege
Progressing— General Bombardment — ^April 8th— Our Share in the
Capture— Capt. N. H. Pratt's Story  282
CHA'PTEE XX.
On the Move Again— Halt— Blakely Fallen— Brigade Meeting— Off for
Montgomery— Baldwin County Pines— Laurels— Florida— Accident-
News— Cheer Upon Cheer— Flags by the Way— A Union Woman—
Greeneville— 200 Guns— "Secesh'— Montgomery— Camp and Straw
berries—Provost Duty — Officers Quartered Out— DaUy Advertiser —
Lincoln Assassinated— May 1st— Chaplains' Meeting  309
CHAPTER XXI.
Col. Howe Commanding Brigade— Colored Children— Mail Once More-
Ears Cut Off- Dress Parade in State--Women after Mules--One
Woman's Opinion of God— Turn Over Flag— It's History— Col. Howe
and His Hostess— Dr. Gilmer— July 4th Approaching— Citizens wish to
Celebrate— Arrangements— Programme— The Day Itself, and the Cel
ebration—Disgusted—A Second Edition— A Little Marrying— Horses
Sold— New Officers— Hot but Healthy— Rumors— Off on the "Vir
ginia"— Going Home— Selma— Pokerish Bridges— Demopolis— On Top
of the Cars— Meridian Again— Recruits Transferred— "Watermelons-
Jackson— March and Pay for Rides to Big Black— Vicksburg— Cherry
Street Barracks--Sun-sti-oke  342
CHAPTER .VXII.
Muster- out Rolls— Headquarters at the Washington House--Equipments
Turned Over--The 'Woi-k Supposed to be Finished— Ltnd Married—
''J'^S®.." y.* ^^'i?.y '>"? Good-bye to Vicksburg— Aground-Mouth
of White River— The Last Sermon— At Cairo— On a " 'Wild Train " of
Thirty-five Cars with tlie 76th Illinois— Through the State— At Chi
cago—Soldiers' Best— Grand Reception at the Court House- Papers
Defective— Camp Douglas— Two Weeks of 'Waiting— Tridnne Article-
Ed. McGlvun— Paid off and Free at Last -Testimonials to Reece and
Durley— Oft for Home — Reception at Kewanee — The 'War-Path
'¦nded  38P
CHAPTER XXIII.
RELIGIOUS.
*^'"i^n^S '" the Regiment-Services in the Barracks-Chaplain Foskett-
All New to Us--Somewhat Discouraged-Ranks Thinned-Change of
Chaplains-Better Opportmities-Form a Chnrch-lts Officers-sTib
scription for Readuig-Bible Dictionaries-Protracted Meetings---rh,^

395

Contents. ix.

CHAPTER XXIV.
MEDICAL.
Introduction- Camp Butler— Dr, Reece— Dr. Bucher— Surgeon Angeli—
Allaire and Murray— Assistant Surgeon Kay— Running Narrative—
Dr. Jassoy—Kaymond— Champion Hills— Inside Vicksburg— A Word
of Praise— Extracts from Allaire— Eesignation of Dr. Angeli— Dr. Kay
Promoted— Dr. Jassoy Dismissed— Died, Killed and Discharged— No
Beason to Complain of our Medical Department— Kay and Allaire .... 417
CHAPTEB XXV
MISCELLANEOUS.
(Officers at Muster Out— The Few Unchanged— Our Music— Nye and
Mathews— "Judge" Austin— Postmastei-s— Hospital Stewards to Spare
—Mexican War Veterans— Logan's Letter at Memphis— Fort Hill
Detail— Spangler—Leggett's Letter to Adjt. Qeu. Fuller— McPherson's
Ditto— Desertions— Benections— One Story More  439
CHAPTEB XXVI.
OUR CAPTURED.
At Raymond — Sehoonover — Peter Victor— New Canton, Miss. — Sayles'
NaiTative— Horrors of Andeisonville— Final Release- Randall and
Wilder— ilallen and Phillips— Murphy Escaped— Dunning  462
CHAPTER XXVII.
Our Departed  472
CHAPTER XXVIII.
Reunions— Conclusion  485

Supplementary Note  493
appek dix  496

History of 124TH Illinois Infantry.

CHAPTER I

Introduction. — Companies, where raised, by whom, and their organi
zations. — Jonas Smith. — A representative regiment. — Camp But
ler. — First experiences. — Aprivatefor Quartermaster. — The extra
drawers. — ^Field officers chosen. — Drill sergeant and awkward
squad. — Our visitors. — First divine service and dress parade. —
Muster roUs. — Richmond taken.
IN THE Summer of 1862, "We are coming. Father
Abraham, three hundred thousand more," was the
refrain the thoroughly aroused North was singing, in
city and hamlet and town, from sea to sea ; but no
where was it nearer a verity than in the Sucker State,
whose prairies were all aflame with patriotism, and
whose sons kept step to the ringing chorus, till more
than sixty thousand of her noblest and truest were
freshly enrolled under liberty's banner, and following
their sixty thousand brothers to the field. A nation in
arms from Illinois alone.
This was the tidal wave of the war, and on its crest
were borne, impetuously thundering against the citadel
of treason, the deep convictions, the unflinching patriot
ism, the unwavering faith, and the conquering energies
of the land. The man of God sprang from his pulpit,
the judge laid aside his ermine, the advocate dropped

History of the 124TH

his brief, the physician left his patient, grave college
professors buckled on their swords as their classes shoul
dered arms for the front, and merchants, manufacturers,
mechanics, business men, and farmers, worth their tens
of thousands, wrote themselves ''privates" for their
country and liberty's sake, and went out from the beau
tiful homes of the prairie State to suffer and die, if need
be, in camp and field, that the nation might live.
It was at such a time, composed largely of such men,
and for such a purpose, that the 124th Regiment Illinois
Infantry Volunteers appeared upon the page of our war
history. Unlike other regiments, raised by and for in
dividual men, it substantially raised itself, and knew
nothing of its commanding officers, as such, until it
met or made them in camp.
Companies A and F were from the village of Kewa
nee, in Henry county. The story of their history, with
changes in names and dates, would, doubtless, be that
of others, therefore we give it. The exigencies of the
struggle and the call had wrought the enthusiasm of
the village to its highest pitch, when, on the morning of
August 7th, a muster roll was opened in the office of
Judge John H. Howe, and a meeting called for the
night. During the day 29 names were enrolled. At
night the rally was immense. Speeches were made by
Judge Howe, James Elliott, and other leading citizens,
and among them, one by R. A. Tenney, of Chicago^
formerly of Kewanee, who proposed to enlist. The
knowledge that "Ralph." as they loved to call him

Illinois Infantry.

would go, was electrifying, and the enlistment was kept
up till midnight, to be continued the ne.xt day, and fur
thered by liberal offers from those who could not go, to
aid those who could, till the morning of the 9th, just
forty-eight hours from the time the first name was signed,
when loi were enrolled. This number was subsequently
increased to ill, and the second company was raised
immediately. Two as noble companies as ever kept
step to the music of the Union, in one village, raised
by themselves, and well officered, within a week. Their
organizations were completed as follows :
Company A — R. A. Tenney, Captain.
Judge John H. Howe, ist Lieutenant.
Julius A. Pratt, 2d Lieutenant.
Company F — Matthew B. Potter, Captain.
Norman H. Pratt, 1st Lieutenant.
Enoch W. Taylor, 2d Lieutenant.
Subsequently these officers were all presented by their
fellow-townsmen of Kewanee and Wethersfield with
beautiful swords, which expressed not only the confi
dence of the givers in those who received them, but
their own heart in the cause.
Rev. H. B. Foskett, the Baptist minister of Kewanee,
afterwards Chaplain of the regiment, enlisted as a pri
vate in Company A, and A. N. Reece, of Chicago,
afterwards Quartermaster, did the same. In his case
there was not the remotest idea of promotion, as he
was the i loth man, and the officers all elected, while
the regimental organization was not even mooted. But

History of the 124TH

on that enlistment, very largely, the future of those
companies and of the regiment hinged, for it was Reece
who opened the negotiations with him who afterwards
became its Colonel.
Company B was recruited in Batavia and Lodi, in
Kane county, between the 3d and 15th of August, by
those who became its officers, and went into camp with
a rank and file of 93 men, under —
Adin Mann, Captain.
Edwin F. Stafford, 1st Lieutenant.
F. C. Van Vlack, 2d Lieutenant.
C, D and I were recruited with the view of raising a
Temperance regiment in the State, under B. H. Mills,
an ardent and efficient temperance worker. His effort
proved a failure for the want of concert in action, com
panies raised for it being spirited away by the bids of
rival organizations, till these three companies were its
only visible result. They were sufficient, however, to
cause the regiment to be frequently called the Temper
ance regiment, and to give it some inspiration and char
acter as such.
Company C was known as the Springfield company,
though it was partly raised in Jersey county. It con
tained 103 noble men, nearly all of whom were Good
Templars, and was organized in Carpenter's Hall,
Springfield, August 25th, with —
Henry L. Field, Captain.
John W. Terry, ist Lieutenant.
James Rickey, 2d Lieutenant.

Illinois Infantry.

Saturday, September 6th, this company was presented
with a very fine silk flag, of which it was justly proud,
and carried it as the flag of the regiment for many a
weary mile. The money, over sixty dollars, for the
purchase of this beautiful banner, was solicited by two
friends of the company and cause, Misses Amelia Lloyd
and Mary Devore. A sumptuous dinner was also pro
vided and served by many kind friends. The exercises
occurred in Wright's Grove, just west of the city, and
consisted of an inspiring presentation speech by Hon.
James C. Conkling, a brief response by Capt. Field,
followed by the abundant dinner, and a pleasant social
interview. Then came the joyous return to Camp But
ler. The day was one of the most interesting and me
morable in the history of this company
D was raised by Rev. Stephen Brink, a fighting Metho
dist minister and sterling patriot, of McDonough county,
principally from Colchester and Tennessee, with which
was consolidated a band of Good Templars from Chicago
and Dundee, under Asa A. Cowdery. Its officers
were — Stephen Brink, Captain.
A. A. Cowdery, ist Lieutenant.
Travis Mellor, 2d Lieutenant.
I was from Bruce and McComb, in McDonough
county, under Thomas K. Roach, and from Adams and
Pike counties, under Rev. R. L. Howard, of Barry, and
was organized with —
Thomas K. Roach, Captain.

History of the 124TH

R. L. Howard, 1st Lieutenant.
Benjamin A. Griffith, 2d Lieutenant.
E and H were mostly from Aurora, in Kane county,
though a fraction of the former was from Chicago and
Hennepin. This fraction, numbering nearly 40 men,
came into camp fully officered, with one Jonas Smith, of
Chicago, Captain, his son ist Lieutenant, and Preston
B. Durley, of Hennepin, who had enlisted most of the
men, as 2d Lieutenant. Capt. Smith seemed to be
about the only officer in camp, for a time, and the inex
perienced stood in wonderful awe of his straps and con
sequence, as he ordered them about with the airs of a
more than West Pointer. But it was soon found his
company could not be filled, and consequently its officers
could not be mustered. Adjutant Gen. Fuller said the
men would be consolidated with those from Aurora,
under William B. Sigley, also having a full complement
of officers, and the officers of both could be mustered
in as soldiers, and take their chances, or take themselves
where they liked. Capt. Smith and son promptly took
themselves away, and so faded these military lights from
our sky, while Durley alone, unselfish patriot that he
was, took off his sword and stepped into the ranks.
The Aurora men thus secured the organization, which
was effected with —
Wm. B. Sigley, Captain.
James H. Blackmore, ist Lieutenant.
Osborn Wilson, 2d Lieutenant.

Illinois Infantry. 7

H, which was a noble, full company, from Aurora,
was commanded by —
Rufus P. Pattison, Captain.
John W. Kendall, ist Lieutenant.
Justus D. Andrews, 2d Lieutenant.
Company G was mostly from New Boston and Mil-
lersburg, in Mercer county, and was officered by —
Lyman H. Scudder, Captain,
Ezra C. Benedict, 1st Lieutenant.
Benton Pratt, 2d Lieutenant.
K was from Sangamon, Wayne and other counties
south of Springfield, and was assigned to the regiment
by Adjutant General Fuller. Its officers were —
Rev. James H. Morgan, Captain.
Thomas I. Willian, 1st Lieutenant.
Stephen N. Sanders, 2d Lieutenant.
It will thus be seen that the regiment was a repre
sentative one, from its spontaneity and patriotism, as
also from the territory from which it was recruited, in
cluding, among others. Cook, Kane, Putnam, Henry,
Mercer, Sangamon, Christian, McDonough, Adams,
Pike, Jersey and Wayne counties. It was also peculiarly
a representative regiment, from the intelligence, moral
character and christian standing of its men. It con
tained eleven ordained and five licensed ministers of the
Gospel, including five commissioned officers besides the
Chaplain, and these ministers only appropriately repre
sented the noble band of temperance and christian work
ers with whom they were associated.

History of the 124TH

On the 27th day of August, the Springfield company.
Captain Field, reported at Camp Butler, about six miles
from Springfield, the rendezvous of the regiment. It
was an undesirable place, for the reason that all the bar
racks were full of rebel prisoners, with whom the new
recruits must come into quite too near proximity for
health and comfort. But there the thousands were
gathering for other organizations, and Company C led
the way for us, "drew provisions, " as the Captain called
it, and " soldiered their first night without blankets or
straw, under a few loose boards leaned against the stock
ade inclosing the rebel camo.
On the 28th, Lieutenant Cowdery arrived with his
Chicago boys, and on the 29th the rest of Company D
and Company I, having passed six companies of the
regiment at Camp Point, Adams county, without know
ing who they were, little dreaming that the strange faces
into which they peered so eagerly, as the train stopped
for a moment, were those of their noble comrades for
the next three years of war. The next day they arrived.
having spent over thirty hours at Camp Point for want
of transportation, without rations or shelter. A rough
introduction for nearly 600 such men, on their first night
from their comfortable homes, to find themselves dumped
in a little hamlet, at the junction of two railroads, with
scarcely houses enough to cover them all, much less
provision to feed them. But this was only a beginning.
Camp Butler was no better, except that rations were to

Illinois Inkanthy. 9
be had as soon as the mysteries of red-tape could be
sufficiently mastered to draw them.
The exposure of the first few nights soon began to tell
upon the constitutions of the boys. The location was
malarious, upon the banks of the Sangamon, while the
effluvia from a prisoner's camp, and the ignorance of
our own thousands of the necessary sanitary precautions,
combined to make the attendance upon Surgeon's call
increasingly large. The seeds of disease were rapidly
sown, and many a noble spirit was subsequently lost to
his country through the improvidence of Camp Butler.
All were on the ground now but Company K. In
spection speedily followed, while " falling in " and form
ing companies, with roll-call and breaking ranks, were
among our first lessons. One officer raised a good laugh
at his own expense by saying, "the company is dis
missed," though he did not say, ' ' with the benediction. "
Having no regimental organization, we as yet had no
Quartermaster. But nature, if not the government,
had provided one for us in Private Reece, of Company
A, who gave abundant evidence of being a bom Quarter
master, and endeared himself to all by his efficiency and
promptness in that time of our need, securing to us more
than other regiments- were able to get, some of which
had been much longer on the ground. We had already
drawn a few cooking utensils and some clothing from
the State supply, through the Post Quartermaster. But
now Reece came to our aid with all the cooking ' ' appa
ratus" required, and a full outfit of clothing and blankets,

10 History OF thk 124TH
obtained on his own personal responsibility. And
what was better still, if possible, he succeeded in getting
teams to haul us lumber, and supplied us with all the
saws, hammers, hatchets and nails our willing carpen
ters needed, and almost as by magic, commodious bar
racks sprang into existence, clean and sweet, while the
ground, dew and rain of Camp Butler, as sleeping luxu
ries, were numbered with the past. We were under
shelter of our own erection, well clad in " army blue,"
and our citizen's clothes sent home. Our messes were
organized, our cooks at their posts, and our companies
well to drilling in about one week.
One incident in the Quartermaster's department de
serves mention as showing how highly we were favored.
The Post Quartermaster had drawn a quantity of drawers
that were all wool, and far above the average. Reece
saw this at a glance, and put in his requisition for 3,000
pairs, the last of which were issued to the boys in Mis
sissippi. The like we never saw again in the service.
September 2d, field officers were chosen, as follows :
Thomas J. Sloan, of Chicago, Colonel.
!st Lieut. John H. Howe, of Co. A., Lieut. Col.
Capt. Rufus P. Pattison, of Co. H, Major.
This caused 2d Lieut. Juhus A. Pratt to become 1st
Lieutenant, and Edmond C. Raymond, 2d Lieutenant
in Company A, and John W. Kendall to be Captain,
Justus D. Andrews ist Lieutenant, and Theodore Pot
ter, 2d Lieutenant in Company H.

Ili.in'ois Infantry. 11
From this time to the day of leaving for the front the
drill was incessant. Sergeant Hiram H. Hall, of Com
pany E, formerly of the Ellsworth Zouaves, became Drill
Sergeant of the regiment, and gave the "awkward
squad" of officers their first lessons in "'Casey," and
the facings, dressings, wheelings and evolutions learned
of him in the morning were carefully, though often
laughably, interpreted to the companies in the afternoon.
From one company was heard the order, " Company,
right wheel, like a gate." From another, "Form a
straight line, like a picket fence."
Guard mounting, with sticks for guns, and all the
minutise of challenges, countersigns, relieving guard and
"grand rounds," which meant so little to us then, civil
ians as we were, were not forgotten, but came in to
vary the tedium of the drill, and break the monotony of
the nights. New fledged Captains sported their sashes
over their shoulders as Officers of the Day, feeling that
the destinies of their country were in their hands as
never before, and daring hardly to lie down for a mo
ment without their entire accoutrements on, even to
caps and revolvers, lest all should be lost.
Our wives came to visit us, and shared with trembling
the strange accommodations of our barracks, and looked
with anxious eyes into the faces of those who were to
be their husbands' comrades in the coming danger, in
battle, and it might be in death. Numberless patriotic
and personal friends came to cheer us, and cakes from
home. Bibles and pictures, were almost omnipresent.

12 History of the 124TH

On Sunday, September 7th, Chaplain Foskett, that
was to be, held divine service,, to which we were marched
by companies. His text was from Psalms 20 : 5 : "In
the name of otir God we will set up our banners. " The
sermon was forcible and patriotic, and encouraged us
greatly in the Lord. At 3 o'clock, Lieutenant Howard
preached in the barracks from Phil. 3 : 19, 20, and then,
strange proceedings to us, we had our first dress parade.
But we soon learned that Sunday, of all days, was the
day for military pageants. The awkwardness of that
occasion will never be forgotten. Adj't. W. E. Smith
was at his post, and Lieut. Col. Howe in command,
doing well. But the music was poor and everybody
green, and that which so soon became a mechanical
nicety, was the most trying thing of all, so far. Yet it
was a noble line, there first formed, and the vision of
its length and promise lingers with many of us still.
Muster-rolls soon became a vexation. They would
not be correct. The names would not wheel into line
alphabetically, with the privates reversed, while the offi
cers were straight forward. And just where, if any
where, might we "dot under," and could we erase a
letter if we made a mistake, or scratch a little and not
invaHdate the whole ? What momentous questions these
were, and how anxiously we asked them, especially as
"One said, 'aye,' and another said, 'no,'
So we could learn nothing, where'er we might go. "
But there were things funny as well as vexatious and
annoying. The spirits of the men were perfectly irre-

Illinois Infantry. 13
pressible. Songs, jokes and ringing laughter abounded.
The zest with which a ring would be formed and the
" Battle Hymn of the RepubHc," or " We'll rally round
the flag. Boys," sung, closing with rousing cheers for
the country and its President and flag, is inspiring still.
One night Goodhue and Gibbs, of Company D, roused
the whole camp with the news that Richmond was taken,
and the rebels had surrendered. They were on duty at
the main entrance to the stockade, and informed a few
strange soldiers, who had just come from the city, of
the important fact as they passed them in, and soon the
whole camp was in an uproar. Men were shouting and
drums beating, while the orators began to harrangue the
excited crowds, and the enthusiasm of the thousands
was tremendous. Messengers despatched to the city
presently returned with the intelligence that the news
lacked confirmation, and it soon became evident who
had been sold, but not by whom.

14 History of ihe 134TH

CH.VPTER II

Muster. — Martin Etter. — Field and Staff. — Other troops with us.
Drawing arms.— Our first deaths. — Lieut. Willian. — Off for the
front. — Route changed. — Columbus, Ky. — Meeting. — Embark for
Jackson, Tenn.

A^

T LAST the rolls were completed ; the tenth com
pany was assigned ; and that wonderfully impor
tant, and quite as wonderfully consequential personage,
the mustering officer — in this case Lieut. Ferdinand E.
DeCourcey, of the 13th U. S. Infantry — announced him
self ready and willing to pass us under his benign eye,
and the tenth of September dawned auspiciously upon
us. That date, to be written against so many noble
names, on so many papers, and in so many records, on
through the weary years — September 10, 1862.
After an apparently rigid, and certainly very impres
sive examination, from the manner in which it was con
ducted, mingled with grumblings and hard words, the
meaning of which we novices were not expected to
know ; after Martin Etter, of company I, aright-handed
man, had been kicked from the ranks by the indignant

Illinois IxFANTiiv. 15
Lieutenant for accidentally cutting off the first finger of
his right hand, while spHtting a little kindling wood ; and
after we had thought it was all completed two or three
times, we at last found we were "well and truly" a regi
ment of infantry, in the United States service, to be
known as the 124th Illinois Infantry Volunteers, com
monly called the "Hundred and two dozen," or the
"Bully two dozen," and entitled to all the honors of
war, provided we could win them. We had passed
through DeCourcey's hands, and had received his appro
bation — had been "cussed in," as the irreverent boys
called it — therefore we had character. We were some
body ; and the men received one month's pay and forty
dollars bounty — but the officers not a cent.
Our Field and Staff, as afterwards completed, were as
follows —
Colonel, Thomas J. Sloan, of Chicago.
Lt. Col., John H. Howe, of Kewanee.
Major, Rufus P. Pattison, of Aurora.
Surgeon, L. H. Angeli, of Aurora.
Chaplain, H. B. Foskett, of Kewanee.
Quartermaster, A. N. Reece, of Chicago.
Adjutant, Wm. E. Smith, of Woodstock.
1st Ass't Surgeon, James R. Kay, of Liberty.
2d Ass't Surgeon, John Jassoy, of Aurora.
NON-COMMISSIONED.
Sergeant- Maj or, John L. C. Richards.
Q. M. Sergeant, Preston B. Durley.

16

History of the 124111

Com. Sergeant, James A. Nye.
Hosp. Steward, Charles B. Allaire.
Principal ) Joseph E. Merrill.
Musicians \ Benjamin C. Bartlett.
At this time there were at Camp Butler, besides our
own, the following regiments —
82d, Colonel Fred. Hecker.

91st,

Henry M. Day.

97th,

Friend S. Rutherford.

107th,

Thomas Snell.

114th,

' James W. Judy.

115th,

' Jesse H. Moore.

117th,

Risden M. Moore.

1 1 8th,

John G. Fonda, Commanding Post

1 20th,

George W. McKeaig.

1 30th,

' Nathaniel Niles.

In all nearly iiooo men, in constant preparation for the
seat of war. A spirit of generous rivalry was eagerly
fostered. To be the best drilled and the best equipped
regiment, and the next to move, was the ambition of
all. Col. Hecker seemed to lead in battalion drill for a
time, and the gruff old German's ringing voice, as his
men sweltered the hours away in the field at his bidding,
was a source of considerable uneasiness to many of our
officers, who feared we were being distanced in the race.
But soon the gallant 82d left for the front, and we never
saw them again.
On the 27th ot September we drew arms — an old
French rifled musket, as poor and unserviceable as could

Illinois iNFANrRv. 17

well be.. The regiment felt insulted, and the complain
ings were loud, deep and general. Very many who
would pass for temperate speaking men, declared they
would never go to the front with such arms. The offi
cers, as well as the men, shared the disgust. This feel
ing bore speedy fruit.
On Sunday, the 29th, we had our first Grand Review,
with ten regiments in the line — all Camp Butler, who
were fit for duty. It was a goodly pageant, but many
of us never could see why it should have been on
Sunday. By this time sickness began to tell fearfully upon our
ranks. It was the unhealthy season of the year, and
prolific of febrile diseases. Many left us on sick fur
lough who never came to us again. On the 4th of Oc
tober we lost our first man by, death, at his home in
Batavia — Isaiah Noakes, of company B. His release
from service came soon. The next day, October 5th,
we had our first death in camp, and just at night com
pany F followed Albert Walton to the grave. It seemed
that our family had been invaded, and the thoughts sug
gested were varied and painful. It was the beginning
of that experience with "muffled drum and funeral note"
which soon became so frequent as to excite no atten
tion. Lieutenant Willian, of company K, was unwell the
day of muster, and soon left for home with a fever. We
never saw him again ; he lingered till the 5th of Novem
ber, and passed away. Our changes and exposure were

IS History of the i24th

doing their work ; our Colonel was in Springfield sick,
and all were anxious for a move. We were sick of Camp
Butler. The air was now full of marching orders. The other
regiments were leaving — Hecker and Snell and Day and
Rutherford had gone ; and now the Moores start, and
we see them off — for where, no one knows. We think
one hour we are going to the Potomac ; the next, Cin
cinnati and Louisville are in the ascendant. "Any
where but to Cairo," the boys all say, for it is so un
healthy that way. Not one of our Camp Butler regi
ments did we ever meet again but the 1 17th, Col. R. M.
Moore ; with that we came in contact a few times,
though not closely.
At last the long expected marching orders came, and
to our delight, for Cincinnati. Our stragglers were in,
our sick were transferred to the Post Hospital, and on
the 6th of October we bid a long farewell to our first
camp, which we had come to hate most cordially, though
with less reason than we thought. Now for the moun
tains of Eastern Kentucky and Tennessee, we said — in
the pure air, and by the limpid streams of that delight
ful region, the healthiest part of all the field of opera
tions, we shall speedily recover from the malarious
effects of Camp Butler.
In all but our muskets, a happier regiment never
started for the front. At 4 p. m, the whistle blew, and
we rolled away amid the waving of handkerchiefs and
the deafening huzzas of our thousands of friends.

Illinois Inf.vntrv. 19
But, alas ! for the uncertainty of all things military.
Before reaching Decatur our orders were changed, and
upon arriving there at midnight, we were whisked from
the Great W^estern to the Illinois Central R. R. , through
the mud, and headed south, bound for Cairo, after all.
But we were going from Camp Butler, and that was
something ; besides the boys were weary and sleepy, and
exhausted nature often silences mutterings that reason
and authority never can.
Cairo was reached about noon of the 7th. All were
heartily tired of riding — especially as the trip from De
catur had been in "cattle cars," as the boys called them
— -and glad to get ashore. Raids upon the eating saloons
were extensively organized, and small change was in
general requisition. Here our Quartermaster, ever on
the alert, succeeded in drawing a full supply of most
excellent tents. In a few hours all were embarked upon
the steamer Diadem and the barge Gazelle, for Colum
bus, Ky. , which we reached in the night, and debarked
the morning of the 8th.
In the afternoon the regiment was ordered on to the
cars for Jackson, Tenn. Everything was on board but
the men, and all was ready for a start, when, instead of
going on the cars, the long pent-up feelings of disgust
with the worthless arms broke out into open insubor
dination, and a part of the regiment stacked arms, and
refused to move. The "Hundred and two doozen, "
so anxious to meet the rebels, had actually mutinied
before it had been twenty-four hours in "Dixie."

20 History of the 124TH

This episode in our history needs more than a passing
notice. A part of the regiment had protested against the arms
at Camp Butler, urging that they were unfit for any
thing but drill and guard duty. But as concert in oppo
sition was wanting, the guns were issued. Every sub
sequent day had increased the conviction of their worth-
lessness. At Columbus the boys had been firing them
considerable ; the nipples had blown out in many instan
ces, the locks proved too weak, the range was inconsid
erable, the recoil tremendous, they heated rapidly, and
their aim was entirely unreliable. Expecting soon to
meet the foe, and believing that once away from our
base of supplies, they could get no better, it was scarcely
in nature for such men, accustomed to "rely upon their
own judgment, and not yet reduced to the condition of
military machines, to do other than they did, especially
as their views were correct. The guns were worthless ;
a part of the companies were sustained by their officers,
in whom the men had unbounded confidence, as well
they might, for they were men of good judgment and
undoubted patriotism. They felt they had been trifled
with, and were determined not to be sacrified by the
wilfulness of those whose judgment was no better than
their own.
An earnest appeal was made to the ¦ men by Lieut.
Col. Howe, who was in command, but it made httle, if
any, impression upon a part of the regiment. Matters
were becoming serious. ' The aid of the Commandant of

Illinois Infantry. 21

the Post was invoked, and it is said the guns of the fort
were turned upon us, while the troops present were
ordered to hold themselves in readiness to fire. This is
a little hypothetical, but it afforded a solution of the
whole question, all unlocked for. The men became
deeply incensed, as the reports were circulated, and
loudly affirmed their ability to whip out all the forces in
Columbus. This caused Col. Howe to suggest that if
they could whip out their friends with such arms, they
might be able to stand a good brush with the rebels upon
occasion, and the mutiny was at an end.
As we look at it now, after three years experience of
the stern discipline of war, terminating as it did, we are
not sorry it occurred — not even for the reputation of the
regiment. Our men asked for nothing but what was
right ; they did not refuse to go south, or to fight; they
only asked to be made efficient. Their patriotism and
courage did not suffer in the least ; and the officers who
took the same view were honored for it. And yet it
had to result in unqualified submission, in shouldering
the "old blunderbusses," as the boys called them, and
going on board the cars. Therefore, as the honest,
manly protest of thinking men, we are proud of it to
day ; as the graceful submission, after a little, of men
sworn to obey military orders unquestioningly, we are
equally so. There the civilian and the soldier met, and
the soldier triumphed, as was inevitable ; but the honors
were equally divided. But little subsequent reference

22 History of the i 24TH

was made to the affair in the regiment, or in any military
circles; the best of feeling soon prevailed, and all went
on the cars, after a little delay, and composed thems.elves
for a night ride to Jackson, waking up occasionally
among railroad guards, to realize they were at last in a
land under martial law.

Illinihs InF.\NTR"i

CHAPTER III

[Jackson. — "A young brigade. " — Camp under the poplars. — Our as
signment and commanders. — Picket. — Confiscation. — The 30tli
lUinois. and Sutler's goods. — Mules, and the Quartermaster's ex
perience. — Company H on Provost Guard.— Stoves. — Three Com
panies o-et new rifles. — Conflicting orders. — To move at last. — Up
all night to be ready to start. — To Bolivar by cars. — Up at 3, to
start at 10. — Our first march. — Overcoats all right. — Company F's
calves. — Getting into camp. — RaUs. — Camp fires. — McAllister's
Battery. — .Astonished at the column. — Dust and smoke. — Suffer
ing. — Lagrange. — "So, bos.sy." — On picket. — A dead rebel. — Posi
tive orders.

OCTOBER 9TH, at 3 a. m., found us at Jackson, len-
nessee, a thoroughly •"secesh" town, well laid out,
and beautifully embowered, though rather dingy, and
showing the effects of war. We marched about a mile
east of the town, into a beautiful skirt of timber, and
were told that was to be our camp — our first home in
" Dixie." We attracted a good deal of attention from our num
bers, and were frequently called " a young brigade," by
the soldiers we met, whose ranks had been sadly deple-

24 History of the 124T11

ted by their past service. So far we had all our men in
line. Not a detail had been made except by disease.
But we soon learned what assignments and details could
do in reducing numbers.
Our location was lovely. The timber was the chest
nut and the majestic southern poplar, or tulip tree —
Siriodendron tulipifera. The foliage, as yet untouched
by frost, was heavy, entirely shutting out the sun. The
ground was very even, and broom sage for bedding
abundant. We never found a more delightful camp, in
many respects, than this our first one.
Very soon our tents were issued, and the boys took
their first lessons in pitching them, and in the order and
police of the camp. Capt. Mann, of Company B, laid it
out for us. It was amazing how soon we all became to
pographical engineers, and our metes and bounds were
determined. And with everything new and tidy, our
camp was a pride to all, both officers and men.
We found ourselves assigned to the ist Brigade, 3d
Division, 17th Army Corps, consisting, after a few
changes, of the 20th, 31st, 45th and 124th Illinois, and
the 23d Indiana. The Brigade was commanded by Col.
C. C. Marsh, of the 20th Illinois ; the Division by Brig.
Gen. John A. Logan, formerly of the 31st Illinois, and
the Corps by Maj. Gen. J. B. McPherson. The Depart
ment was under General Grant, then at Bolivar. Our
Brigade and Division commanders came out to greet us
on our arrival, and the next day made us a ceremonious

Illinois Inka.ni'ry.

"visit," with their staffs, treating us most cordially, and
evidently pleased with our numbers and appearance.
Our first duty was picket. All the roads were heavily
guarded from two to three miles out, and our details
soon became heavy. But as the weather was fine and
the country a novelty, the boys rather Hked it, and
more especially as it gave them a chance to gather chest
nuts, beechnuts and persimmons, and perhaps to ' 'con
fiscate ' ' a small ' 'swine. ' ' The latter was almost sure to
be the case, if the rebel porkers took any liberties, for
the orders were very strict against allowing any "run
ning the guard." It is true, orders were equally strict
against confiscation, but the dignity of the guard was
always at stake when the unlucky pig sought to pass,
and that settled the question for him. The other order
was a general one, and the army in general might obey
it. His first duty was that of a picket. This view had
its little drawbacks, however, but they were usually more
annoying than serious. One day two of Company C's
men were caught by the ever vigilant aids of the Brigade
commander, in the heinous act of dressing a small hog
that had sought to evade their notice at their post.
Verbal orders were immediately issued to Lieut. Col.
Howe to stop two months' pay against them. He issued
the same verbal orders to Captain Field, as in duty
bound, but delicately hinted that verbal military orders
of such a character he feared were not binding, conse
quently the pay was not stopped. Neither was the kill
ing of hogs.

26 History of the 124TH

But while upon this subject we would mention that a
very salutary, though severe lesson, was taught the
whole command at Bolivar, soon after, in the matter of
confiscation A number of men of the 20th Illinois
confiscated the contents of two Sutler's tents, which re
sulted in the dismissal from the service of the two high
est officers ot the Regiment, and the assessment of $1200
against its pay-rolls.
Quartermaster Reece again began to improve his
opportunities by organizing his forces. This he did
with Walter M. McAuley, of Company B, as Wagon
Master, and an efficient corps of teamsters, one in which
there was very little change to the close of the war. He
then proceeded to "draw mules." His story shall be
told in his own language, copied from his diary: "I
often laugh at that day's experience ; there I was, fresh
from the counting-room and handling ledgers, tramping
around in the mud, giving my opinions with a knowing
look, as to the good points of the poorest, thinnest,
and worst used up mules that were ever gathered
together in any country — the fag end of all mule-
dom. The ' corral ' was filled with animals that had
been condemned as worn out in the service, the refuse
of the army that had been operating around Corinth.
The result was 78 mules, enough for 13 teams, and you
can imagine how proud I was to march into camp with
this beautiful collection of ' bones. ' But the boys con
soled me by saying, that when once in the enemy's
country, they would develope trading qualities that would

Illinois Infantry. 27
astonish me. How well they kept their word, every
man in the Regiment, and the rebels along the line of our
marches, cantestifj^"
One thing deserves to be mentioned here, which is,
that our regiment, large as it was, was allowed no more
transportation than the depleted ones, with less than
half the number of men ; only the regulation 13 teams.
But as yet we did not feel this.
Our drill was constant, the men rapidly laying the
foundations- for the superiority they afterwards attained.
Company H was detached as Provost Guard, with quar
ters in the Court House. We looked upon this as a
piece of good fortune on their part, and kept on with
our drill.
About this time stoves began to be popular, as the
weather was growing colder. A kind of sheet-iron affair,
which we foolishly t ought we could carry, and for which
we paid " secesh" tinners a good many dollars ; a folly
we did not repeat. Ever after we preferred to confiscate
brick and build fireplaces. They were more cheery and
far less expensive. Our tents w-ere put up on split logs,
as we were able to accomplish so much, good bunks
were made, and many of the boys constructed log kitch
ens, which made their quarters very comfortable. A
great improvement over Camp Butler.
Three of our companies drew new guns, a very pretty
piece, of the Austrian pattern, so called. They gave
great satisfaction to their lucky possessors, and were the
envy of the rest. But ultimately these, as well as the

28 History of the 124TH

others, gave place to the "Enfield," the standard in
fantry piece.
Toward the last of October, we began to hear of march
ing orders, and on Sunday, the 26th, they came, and all
was astir. Descriptive-rolls were made out for our sick,
and we were ready for a start, but we did not move.
Monday passed in waiting, and on Tuesday we were on
battalion drill again. The 29th marching orders were
repeated, to move at daylight, with ten days' rations
and 200 rounds of ammunition. In about an hour they
were countermanded, and the next day orders came to
prepare winter quarters, which we all relished, as we had
just had quite a snow storm. Really, if the enemy had
sought to learn what we were going to do, all we knew
would not have helped them much.
But marching orders came for certain, the evening of
the 1st of November, and so anxious were we. or our
officers, to be ready, that we sat up all night to make
sure. Some would have secured a little sleep, but about
I o'clock the order came from Colonel Sloan, who had
reached us a few days previous, to fill our canteens, as
there was no water on the road. Besides, our tents
were all struck over night, lest there should not be time
to do it in the morning. How the recollection of such
verdancy amuses us now, after learning to sleep soundly
in our tents till the drums began to beat "fall in."
We were in hne at 4 o'clock, Sunday morning, No
vember 2d, with our knapsacks and cartridge-boxes on,
and officers mounted. After a long time, productive of

Illinois Infantrv. 29

uncanny speech and foolish actions, we marched to the
depot, where there was no stir, to wait again. Towards
8 o'clock the other regiments began to put in a tardy
appearance, as we thought, though we noticed they were
quite soon enough for the transportation. Finally we
took possession of a number of " flats," and were off for
Bolivar, which we reached about noon. Here we found
ourselves, brigade as we were, only a small part of what
appeared to be a great army, and the accumulation of
war material was perfectly surprising. We bivouacked
about a mile from the depot, in a very pleasant spot by
a stream, with only the few trees and the heavens over
us, and the broad earth for our chamber and bed. The
experience of the previous night proved a soporific, and
after a good wash and a draft upon ourhaversacks, most
of us surrendered unconditionally to sleep.
The next morning we were up at 2 o'clock, and all
was bustle for breakfast. This was not as bad as the
night before, but was quite bad enough, for our line was
not formed till lO, and we did not move till some time
after. While in line we received a mail, the last we ex
pected to get for a long time, but in this we were agree
ably mistaken.
At last we began to move, and soon found ourselves,
for the .first time, a part of an advancing army, with its
officers and their staffs and escorts, its artillery, cavalry,
infantry, and trains stretched out indefinitely. It was
wonderful to us. Its order was chaotic. Its array was
bewildering. But we were in our places, and that was

30 History of the 124TH

all that was required of us just then. We started off
with alacrity, being all perfectly fresh, and though the
day was dry and hot, and we were so heavily loaded,
kept it up well. But our ignorance of marching told
against us. We really had no conception of the weari
ness of the way. Other regiments, knowing what was
before them, carried lighter loads, and as we would move
by them in forming, or they by us, would notice our
heavy overcoats strapped on our plethoric knapsacks,
and call out, " we will ha-ve your overcoats before night. "
Our boys knew full well what this all meant before the
day was over, but the other regiments did not get our
overcoats. We made about eleven miles in the heat
and dust, which was a good beginning.
About 4 o'clock five or six calves were observed by
the road-side, looking with apparent interest upon our
moving column. They were some six months old, and
in good condition, and many a soldier cast a wolfish eye
upon them. But as the ranks were unbroken and mov
ing, they appeared to be perfectly safe. And so they
were till Company F came along, for no one could stop
to molest them, or dared to, with the eyes of so many
subaltern aids upon them. But the boys of F just
opened their files, and hovering the unlucky calves into
their marching ranks, partially covered them with over
coats and blankets, and kept them along as though noth
ing had happened. No one who saw it will ever forget
the look of Fred. Statz, as he smiled benignly on those
new recruits. The reason as we afterwards learned was.

Illinois Infantry. 31

Statz was a butcher. On we moved till at last a skirt of
woods was reached, and all at once the line halted from
some obstruction in front. Company F was seen to
gradually deflect into the bushes with unbroken files,
till out of sight. In a moment a bawl was heard by
every ear, sure precursor of others, we thought, and of
the presence of angry aids and dire disaster. But Maj.
Pattison being near, comprehended the situation in an
instant, and called out in stentorian tones, "music, beat
up there," and immediately our drums and fifes were
played as if for dear life, and the other calves might have
solit their throats with bawling without any danger of
being heard. It is almost superfluous to add that the
musicians and the Major had veal for supper.
As this was our first march, so this was our first ex
perience getting into camp with an army. The long
halts and short advances were an enigma to us, like
almost everything else. But we soon learned why,
though this night's experience, like many others after,
failed to prove it pleasant ; still there was but little cause
for complaint, and ere the night fully shut in, we found
ourselves in a very comfortable camp, with plenty of
rails gathered, both for fuel and sleeping between, and
our fires all lighted. It was a sight never to be forgot
ten, those thousands of blazing fires, springing up in
lurid brightness, as if by magic, with the weird forms
flitting about among them, while the murmur of voices,
and the neighing of horses and braying of mules, added
not a little to the wiidness of the scene. For myself.

32 History of the 124TH

through the kindness of an officer from the 28th Illinois,
who had been in the service much longer than we, I had
cove oysters, sardines, and pine apple for supper, to
eke out the stores of my own haversack — not a very
common bill of fare on such a march.
There were said to be upward of 20,000 men in the
column, under Logan, Lauman and Veach, as division
commanders, and expecting to be joined by other forces
from Corinth, at some point below. We were informed
that we were expected to support McAllister's battery,
of two sections of rifled 24-pounders. We looked with
a great deal of interest at the wide-throated monsters,
and wondered what our future with them should be.
The next day we moved over fifteen miles Our con
ceptions of the magnitude of the column, and the move
ment of an army were more perfect than before, as the
start was more immediately under our notice. But we
soon became used to all this, and that which astonished
us at first, was thenceforth scarcely thought of.
Our sufferings this day were very great, on account of
the heat, smoke, dust and want of water. The troops
ahead — the cavalry, doubtless, for infantry never do
such things— had fired the fences by the roadside, and
many of the buildings, which made the smoke, at times,
almost suffocating ; the sun was fearfully hot for such
clothing as we wore, and such loads as we carried, while
the dust vv'as Minding. We never saw anything like it ;
it was said horses ran against trees, because they could
not see them. It coated us perfectly, being mixed with

Illinois Infantry. 33

the perspiration, till a mother would scarcely know her
son. We could easily have passed for contrabands.
Our canteens were empty ; of brooks there were none,
and before half-a-dozen could be suppHed from a well,
the rope or chain would be broken in the scramble, the
the bucket at the bottom, and the needed water en
tirely out of reach. Many of the boys carried their
overcoats through on the taunts of the previous day.
A great many were really broken down, in spite of their
grit ; the ambulances were full, and the officers were
loaded with muskets, cartridge boxes, and even knap
sacks, to help the poor sufferers, who, but for such
assistance, could not have reached camp. We often
marched farther in a day after that, sometimes nearly
double the distance, but never suffered so much again.
Just after dark we reached Lagrange, and our line
was formed a few rods east of Lagrange Synodical Col
lege, of the Presbyterian church. While we were stack
ing arms, a very fine cow came leisurely up within a
few steps in our rear, and one or two of our boys, not
in line, and not having the fear of the rebels or Colonel
Marsh's aids before their eyes, began to cultivate her
acquaintance. They stroked her glossy hide, and lay
ing hold of her horns, said, "so, bossy," in soothing
tones, till a reinforcement arrived with a hatchet, knock
ed her down, dressed her, and buried her "head, hide
and entrails, in a little more time than it takes to tell
the story. Soon after a Captain from the left of the reg
iment, passing by, hit a horn with his foot, and kindly

34 History of the 124TH

remarked, "Boys, you had better bury that a little
deeper." The boys took the hint, and sent him a piece
of beef So neatly was the thing done, that the Colonel
was really indignant the next day, that his regiment
should be accused of such a transaction.
Before our coffee could be pounded and made, and
our beef roasted on sticks, a detail came for picket, and
twenty-five men from each company were ordered out,
fully officered. After making the "grand rounds" of
all the headquarters for instruction, because no one
knew where to report, we marched about two miles fur
ther and reached our destination about midnight. We
immediately proceeded to make ourselves as comforta
ble as possible, though we were so far into rebeldom
now that danger was considered imminent, and the men
on duty were cautioned to be extremely vigilant. Con
sequently, at one post, the reserve had but little more
than become quiet, when the picket discharged his mus
ket. Upon going to him he was found to be coolly
re-loading, and he said he had shot at a rebel, who was
skulking upon him in the bushes, and he thought he
had killed him, for he had heard him groan since he
fired. Lieut. Cowdery, in command, made examina
tion, and there was a dead rebel, sure enough. The
shot had been a fatal one; but unfortunately for the
heroics of the case, the victim was clad in bristles instead
of the grey, and the exigencies of the hour demanded
his flaying. However, fresh pork was abundant in one
company the next morning.

Illinois Infantry.

Owing to the loss of the cow previously mentioned,
with other animals, serious complaints began to be made
by the good Unionists of Lagrange, and very strict
orders were issued agaidst foraging. Our boys, being
for the most part law-abiding, as the foregoing proves,
really thought, from the Colonel down, that these orders
were to be obeyed. But the old regiments paid little
attention to them, and their boys, to disguise themseh'cs
when caught, would frequently claim to belong to the
"Hundred and two dozen." This would be repeated at
Headquarters by the suffering citizens. And so it came
to pass, that it was honestly believed by many that we
were a "bad lot," and upon Lieut. Col. Howe's going
to see if we could draw rations of fresh ,meat, he was
told we could steal our living. He politely replied, "If
those are the orders from these Headquarters, they will
be obeyed."

36 History of the 124T11

CHAPTER IV.

"Inflation." — Camp equipage arrives.— More comfortable. — Guarding
rebel property. — Drill. —A 30th Illinois boy disgusted. — Grand re
view. — A day on picket. — Relie-ving guard at the depot. — Off again. —
The Quartermaster's troubles. — Into Mississippi. — HoUy Springs. —
Hear firing. — Tents come up, and how. — Lumpkin's mill. — Abbie-
¦ville. — Rebs "skedaddled. " — Raining hard. — Across the Tallahatchie ,
and through the mud single file to Oxford. — In the advance, and
what comes of it. — To the Yacona. — Van Dorn in our rear. — "About,
face. ''— Improvement in transportation. — In camp on the Talla
hatchie. — Short rations. — Drawing com, etc.
p^UR TRANSPORTATION had been left at Jackson.
yj The Quartermaster and his teamsters had practiced
"inflation" to the best of their ability, but the obsti
nate mules had declined ta inflate. No feeding seemed
to reach their case. So the baggage was put on the
cars, and the teams started through with empty wagons.
This was risky, as they were unguarded, but no harm
befel them. At Bolivar the wagons were loaded, and on
the nth of November we were gladdened by the sight
of our tents again. We immediately moved about three-
fourths of a mile, into a beautiful skirt of timber, and
pitched them, and soon were at home once more. Here

Illinois Infantrv. 37

we split puncheon and obtained boards, and floored our
tents nicely, which added not a little to our comfort and
health. We needed this, as sickness had begun to tell
sadly upon our ranks, and many of our noble boys had
died. Whisky rations were also issued for our health,
but by many they were poured upon the ground. Our
Surgeon believed commissary whisky and quinine were
a prophylactic, but very many of the regiment disagreed
with him and claimed the privileges of independent
thought and conviction. So they poured the whisky on
the ground.
We had a little experience guarding rebel property at
Lagrange, to which we did not take kindly. We found
the men all awa\- from home except the invalids and
aged, and the strange mingling of rebel bitterness with
women's tears failed to reach our sympathies. It was
very trying for an officer to have to drive off his own
men — his friends and neighbors whom he had known
and valued for years — and sometimes with hard words
and threats, from the property of those who would have
rejoiced to see him and them shot down like dogs, could
it have been done safely ; to defend those in whose
presence he 'did not believe his own life secure for a
minute. This was our first and last of this kind of duty,
save in a general way as provost guard.
Our time was fully occupied ; when not on duty we
were on drill. This varied from company to battalion,
and from battalion to brigade. The latter was impos
ing, and sometimes deepl}' interesting. We made good

3cS History of the 124TH

proficiency while here, in all that makes the soldier, save
fighting, and already attracted the attention of military
critics by our discipline and bearing.
A laughable incident occurred in the 30th Illinois,
during one ot those brigade drills, for which Lagrange
was famous. The ^ole command was executing, "On
the right by fileTaouble quick, march," when a soldier
on the extreme left became detached so far from the rest
of his regiment, that he stopped short, brought his
piece from a "right shoulder-shift" to the ground with
a thump, and called out, "There, by thunder, I'll not
budge another inch till I get my Descriptive Roll."
November 21st, we had our first inspection of arms,
followed by a Grand Review by Generals Grant, Mc
Pherson and Logan, with the whole division underarms.
It was the grandest pageant we had yet seen ; ' ' the
pomp and circumstance of glorious war."
About this time a portion of the regiment was sta
tioned, on an especially fine day, upon the highest hill
in all the country, south of our camp, on picket. The
view was magnificent. Most of our camps were visible,
while a large part of our forces were in sight, either
drilling or passing in review. Away to the southeast,
another army, as it seemed to us, about two miles
distant, was in the field, whose evolutions and flashing
arms were plainly discernable ; and the rattle of drums
and shouting of orders were borne to our ears from
every quarter. It looked as though we must be able to
take the world if we chose, as though we were perfectly

Illinois Inf.vntrv.

invincible. And later, when Price retreated before us,
we thought it a proof of his good sense, and wondered if
we should ever see a rebel in arms; if they would ever
dare to make a stand before such an overwhelming
force. A very sharp trick was practiced here by some boys
of another regiment, at the depot of the Memphis and
Charleston road. A large quantity of commissary and
sutler's stores were lying on the platform, under a heavy
guard. A few minutes before time to relieve guard,
some time in the night, but so near as to excite no sus
picion, the relief came, and the weary, sleepy boys on
duty, left for their rest. When a few minutes later the
real relief came, they found no one to relieve ; no
guards at their posts. And it soon appeared that a
false guard had been on extra duty, had broken open
sugar barrels, tobacco boxes, and other packages, and
helped themselves with a liberal hand, and gone. Who
they were was never known, but all learned that it was
well to make sure who constituted the relieving guard.
Thanksgiving day, November 27th, we received
marching orders, and the next day the whole army
moved. We were up at three, for starting on a march
was still a great thing with us, but we did not move till
eight. Then we headed south into Mississippi.
And now we were expected, for the first time, to take
everything with us. This made our Quartermaster,
with his thirteen skeleton teams, far from a happy man,
and more especially as many of the officers had just

40 History of the 124TH

been providing themselves with mess-chests quite up to
the regulation pattern, while it was hinted some had been
gathering relics for northern college museums. Be this
as it may, it was found when the wagons had been fully
loaded, that the tents and effects of three whole com
panies were as yet untouched. Recourse was had to
the brigade commander, who had previously returned,
disapproved, several requisitions for more transportation.
He said, ' 'Why in  haven't you drawn more teams ?"
Upon being told, he angrily replied, "If your teams are
not in line at 6 o'clock, I will attend to your case. "
Probably his shoulder-straps saved him from a little
trouble about that time. The Quartermaster returned
to the regiment and reported his failure. All sympa
thized with him, but that would not carry tents. There
we were, with 900 men, and no more transportation
than regiments having only 400. But the teams we had
were in line at 6, and started with us, while the Quar
termaster and his Sergeant, Durley, staid behind with
the rest of the baggage. This they succeeded in storing
in a warehouse in the course of the day, and then pushed
on for the regiment. The next day Reece reported the
case to Gen. Logan in the field. He asked Col. Marsh,
the brigade commander, with a surprised and indignant
look, what this all meant. He rephed that it was the
first he had ever heard of it. The Quartermaster then
told the whole story, or, as he says, "relieved his mind."
The result was an order on the Post Quartermaster back
at Lagrange for three more teams, which was duly hon-

IlI.INOIS IxKANTiO'. 41
- - --  4 _. _
ored, the baggage loaded, and the command overtaken
at Holly Springs — the Chaplain, Quartermaster and
three men having taken the train through, with only one
revolver to defend themselves with in case of an attack.
Perilous, but nothing succeeds like success. Once, on
nearing Holly Springs, they thought the\' were "gob
bled," sure enough, but it proved to be a company of
our cavalry that had alarmed them. The affair gave
Gen. Logan a place in the hearts and confidence of our
men which he never lost, and to which his subsequent
kindly acts proved him to be richly entitled.
The first day south of Lagrange we moved about ten
miles, going into camp in a cornfield at ten at night.
The next day was fine, we started early, and went into
camp at three, on the Coldwater, five miles from Holly
Springs. On the way we had been joined by other
forces, largely swelling our numbers. We enjoyed the
early camp and the running water, and to add to our de
light, received a mail.
At one o'clock. Sunday, November 30th, we marched
into Holly Springs, the county seat of Marshall county,
Mississippi, a noted rebel village, and went into camp
just across the railroad, east of town. Firing had been
heard to the southwest from about 1 1 o'clock, which be
came quite heavy and brisk later in the day. It was the
first we had heard, and made us hope Price would really
show fight after all.
The afternoon was showery and became quite threat
ening toward night to us who were tentless, but just

42 History of the 124TFI
before dark, who should dawn upon us but Reece, with
his face flushed with the joy of his transportation vic
tory, and followed by his grand procession of sixteen
six-mule teams, bringing all our baggage. Few of
us knew what he had risked and accomphshed, but
we knew how glad we were to see him. Our tents were
eagerly seized and rapidly pitched, but none too soon,
for many of us were well soaked before it was accom
plished, as the rain fell like a deluge. No tents were
ditched around for want of time, and sleeping was almost
impossible. It is said of Capt. Tenny and "Al. Sayles,"
that being kept up by a young Mississippi that ran under
their tent, they stood up and played checkers all night,
with wonderful resignation. The rain continued until
near morning, accompanied with incessant-lightning and
thunder, and then ic became quite cold.
As soon as it was light enough for the boys to see to
do it, they went to ditching, filling up puddles and mak
ing themselves secure against similar floods. But orders
came to move, and directly we had swept our cotton
city out of existence, and were on the wing for Abbie
ville. We pushed along briskly till near night, when
we encamped at Lumpkin's mill, in view of Waterford,
where we found McArthur's division moving toward the
front from their camp, as we were going into ours.
December 2d we were early astir, expecting a fight.
We were ordered to leave our knapsacks and weak men,
and Dr. Kay assured us that orders had been received
to clear the ambulances, for the enemy were expected

Illinois Infantrv. 43

to make a stand on the Tallahathie. We marched
rapidly on till about 1 1 o'clock, when we came in sight
of the rebel earthworks north of the river, to find them
evacuated, and the enemy .said to be in full tilt south.
It commenced raining about nine o'clock and kept it up
all day, most of the time pretty hard. We turned aside
into a skirt of woods and bivouacked without a blanket
or a tent ; with not even a rubber, as we had had no
opportunity to purchase or draw any such thing as yet.
McArthur's division again moved to the front, crossing
the river just before dark.
The next morning wc left our wet leaves and smould
ering fires quite early, without any great difficulty, and
moved down to the river. We did not cross till nearly
noon, when we double-quicked through the treacherous
bottom and on, past McArthur's division, the earth
works, Abbieville, and all our trains, till we found our
selves for the first time in the infantry advance, with the
untracked mud about six inches deep. The day became
fine and on we pushed, our flank movement gradually
thinning into single file, to beat a path, till our regiment
must have been two miles long. Just after dark, having
come eighteen miles since noon, we straggled through the
beautiful village of Oxford, and went into camp about
half a mile south of the town. There were scarcely men
enough in any company at the first, to locate it in the
line, and "stacking arms" was one of the lost arts.
But soon "where is Company A?" and "where is
Company B?" etc., began to ring out in every direc-

44 History of the 124TH

tion, and shortly the boys were in, and even strong
enough to make a draw upon the rebel commissary, for
there were few messes but what had bacon and sweet
potatoes the next morning, while sugar and tobacco
were strangely abundant.
W^" found Oxford, the county seat of Lafayette
county. Miss., to be a very pretty, well situated and
quite busy place. It is the seat of the State University,
and of a Cumberland Presbyterian Female College. The
buildings of the former are ample and pretentious, and
we found the Professors with their library, apparatus.
cabinets, etc. , mostly in their places, though a part of
the building had been used as a hospital, and we so con
tinued to use it. But all of the officials were as bitterly
hostile to us, as though we were of another race. In
doing the honors of the buildings and grounds for us
upon occasion, we could plainly read the inward curs
ings their politeness failed to hide. It hardly seemed
possible that we had been born under the same flag, had
helped to sustain and loved the same institutions, spoke
the same language, and up to within a few short months
had been one people, so cordially did they hate us.
Some of our regiment were detailed to the office of the
principal paper, to print military blanks, where we found
the evidences of ignorant secession abundant. The low
est and vilest of prejudices had been systematically pan
dered to, and page after page of known falsehoods pub
lished for the sake of fostering a spirit as uncalled for
and stupid, as it was devilish and cruel.

Illinois Infantry. 45
We remained here about a week, and were then moved
south about 13 miles, to a stream called the Yacona,
where we staid from the nth to the 22d of December.
The time was spent in foraging, trying to be comfort
able, listening to the rumors that were abundant, and
wondering what next. Clothing was getting a little
worn, and some employed themselves grumbling at the
Quartermaster because he did not meet all their de
mands. One field officer here filed his requisition for a
tent, and was greatly annoyed because it was not imme
diately honored. The Quartermaster told him he would
make out the papers, and possibly VanDorn would
honor them.
One of the many rumors with which the air was filled
was now verified. It was not that Steele had taken
Grenada, or Sherman Vicksburg, or that both were
marching to join us at Coffeeville, a few miles below,
much as we wanted such rumors to be true. But it was
one that struck us on the other tack, in a vulnerable
quarter, and taught us that the foe was not dead, and
even we might fear and feel him yet, invincible though
we thought we were.
It had been rumored that our communication was cut
off" in as many as three places at once, and Union City,
Trenton, Jackson, Corinth, LaGrange and Holly Springs
had each in turn been taken and burnt, and the railroad
demolished. But now the stern fact was, Holly Springs
had been captured by VanDorn, Col. Murphy of the
8th Wisconsin had betrayed his trust or proved incom-

46 History of the 124TH

petent, and all our supplies had been destroyed. The
railroad had been in good working order so far, and a
large collection of quartermaster and commissary stores
and ordnance had been accumulated there, to follow us
as soon as the necessary repairs across the Tallahatchie
could be made. But the blow had been struck by the
fleet rebel, and a retreat was inevitable.
So, on the morning of December 22d, we left "Camp
Turnabout," as the boys ever afterwards called it, and
began to retrace our steps. This was the only retreat
our regiment ever knew, and this was without having
seen an enemy. The railroad was totally destroyed
behind us, and we pushed on, re-crossing the Talla
hatchie on the 24th. On Christmas day we moved
camp about a mile, and pitched our tents in a skirt of
timber, as though we expected to remain there all
winter. One thing our regiment had gained by this move
ment which must not be overlooked. Says Reece, in
his admirable way, "when we left Jackson it took a
whole team of six mules to make a shadow, but now we
have as fine a lot of mules as any regiment with us, and
all due to the superior trading qualities of our teamsters.
Out of ninety-six mules that we started from Holly
Springs with, only twelve remain, and this change has
been effected without a requisition on Uncle Sam."
Here we spent New Year's day, and remained till
the 5th of January, 1863, spending twelve days in our
Tallahatchie home. Our commissary had gone into

Illinois Infantry. 47

bankruptcy, and the question of subsistence was a very
serious one. First we were put upon three-quarter,
then half and soon afterward upon one-quarter rations.
At last the pinch came, and corn was issued in the ear
to eke out our supplies. Many are the comical recol
lections of those days. General Logan came through
our camp at one time, and in his cheery way called out,
" How are you getting along, boys?" to be answered
with, ' ' Pretty well, General, only those blamed mules
are eating up all our rations." So far did they carry
the joke that Commissary Sergeant Nye says, a guard
had to be set over the mules at feeding to keep the boys
from filling their haversacks. Certain it is that at draw
ing time some of the boys would harness up in four and
six mule fashion, with bits of old gear, and come with a
driver, furiously neighing for their feed. Others again
would go down on all fours, and grunt and squeal, pick
ing it up in their teeth, and making all manner of sport
in the emergency. Surely the straits could not have been
very desperate. This was the first and last time we were
ever on limited rations.
Foraging was conducted on a grand scale. A hundred
wagons at once would go out fifteen, twenty, and even
twenty-five miles for supplies, escorted by whole regi
ments of infantry, with cavalry and artillery, and com
manded by Generals of divisions. Such occasions, with
our commissariat so low, brought the average "bum
mer " rapidly into notice, and actually made a hero of
him in the camp on his return. It is really questionable

48 History of the 124TH

if the vicinity of Holly Springs had much cause to feli
citate itself on the results of the VanDorn burning,
when our protracted stay and foraging were taken into
the account.
When on these expeditions, the boys usually managed
to get what they called one ''square meal." and their
experiences were often deeply interesting. On one
occasion the Quartermaster and Charlie Miles were in
dulging in a breakfast, some distance from the train, on
a lonely road, where the usual member of "War-wid
ows" was found, when a boy was observed being put
upon a horse, and directed down a back road by one of
the ladies. Miles insisted that the movement meant
guerrillas, who were doubtless lurking near, but Reece,
that it only meant to save the horse. Miles' appetite
failed him, however, and v\hen he proposed to go, the
widows were so anxious for him to stay, that Reece
concluded it meant guerrillas too, and both hastily re
joined the foraging column, but little better for their
breakfast. Miles took his regular rations more kindly
after that, but the lesson seemed to be wholly lost upon
Reece. An amusing incident occurred early in our straits
here, that helped out one company's rations wonder
fully. General Denver's division started for Memphis,
and, as usual, many were by the roadside to see it
pass. Just as a Headquarters train was going by, all at
once a wagon-sheet slipped back off the bows, and a
number of articles came thrashing to the around. The

Illinois Infantry. 40
wheel locker called to the driver, who stopped the team,
left his saddle and came back to repair damages. Of course
every team, and all behind, was stopped by this team.
The driver proceeded puickly to put the sheet back in
its place, and as he did so, he said, "It is them d  d
peas." This directed a Lieutenant's eye to a well filled
sack lying among camp kettles, chairs, and a Sibley
tent in the road. These were speedily re-loaded, when
the driver vaulted into his saddle, cracked his whip and
started, leaving the sack of peas untouched. The Lieu
tenant comprehended the situation at a glance, sprang
and picked up the sack, with a hundred men looking on,
and bore it to the road side before the team behind
could reach him, or any one else seemed to understand
the move. But just as he said to a man of his company,
who chanced to be there, "Lay hold, Charlie," a mur
mur of approbation broke from the road line, and such
expressions as, ''Well done, by thunder," "See that,
will you," and "Bully for the Lieutenant," saluted them
as they moved off in great glee for camp. The sack
contained about two and a half bushels of as fine stock
peas as the south ever grew, and that company drew no
corn.

,50 HiSTOIlY OF THE I24Tn

CHAPTER V

Again moving. — Can-ying a dressed hog on horseback. — Lagrange
once more. — On to Moscow in a storm. — CoUierville, and guarding
railroad. — Si's inches of snow, and boy s barefooted. —Reach Memphis
and proceed to clear land. — Clothed up once more, — Dissatisfaction
created by northern copperheads. — A few desertions. — Five roll
calls a day. ^Dainties from home and the Sanitary Commission. — A
great deal of sickness. — Pay to October 81st. — Hopefield burnt. — On
the "Platte Valley," and down the Mississippi. — Lake Providence.
Peach trees in bloom, February 33d, — A beautiful camp.

SHUT OL^T from all the world as we were, without a
mail from Dec. 19th, and with all kinds of rumors,
first that Richmond, Vicksburg and Mobile had been
taken, and again that we had been defeated under Burn
side and everybody else, it may well be imagined that
when marching orders came, January 4th, we were glad
to get them, and on the 5th we struck our tents with a
will, and started north. The blue-birds were singing
sweetly, and the going was fine, and we enjoyed it. We
went into camp at Holly Springs after dark, and rested
well. The place showed the effects of its visitation.

Illinois Infantrv. .51
The railroad depot was a sad sight to us, because of the
remains of arms, ambulances and wagons, but the rebels
doubtless felt worse for the spoiled town.
On the 7th we reached Lagrange again, and went into
camp about three-fourths of a mile from our old home,
in a cotton field, without wood or water, wondering
why we could not be permitted to seek our old quarters,
as we expected to remain here some time. The boys
really felt disappointed. They were at sea. No mail,
no rations, no anything. As well not be at Lagrange,
with the locomotive whistles shrieking in your ears.
During this day Reece and Durley had a bit of adven
ture, which deserves to be told. They had concluded
to do a little foraging on their own account, as the train
was jogging along safely, so they rode some five or six
miles from the column before finding anything worthy
of their notice in the "cleaned out" country. At last
they reached a house where they found an antiquated
' 'secessioner, " who politely requested them to leave,
upon learning their business. But the colored individual
was at hand, who informed them that he had just "done
cleaned" some very nice pigs, a few months old, and
led the way to where they were still hanging. Durley
said they must have one of these ; so down one came,
which he rolled up carefully in his rubber blanket, and
with the assistance of the negro, placed on the horse in
front. Reece secured a small bag of dried apples, and
they started, with the long distance before them, leav
ing the darky in high glee over what he considered a

52 History of the 124TH

good joke on "old massa." But before going far, as
Reece tells the story, Durley concluded the whole joke
was on him. The pig, being freshly dressed, was limp
and flabby, and exceedingly hard to balance on a trot
ting horse in a slippery rubber blanket ; seeing which,
Reece would say, "Hurry up, Durley, or we shall not
reach the train before night." Durley begging him
not to hurry, Reece would start up, give Durley's
horse a dig, and away go the pig to the ground.
After laughing it out, Reece would help him to reload,
only to shortly repeat the same experiment, and again
shake his sides at the lofty tumbling of the pig and Dur
ley's ludicrous discomfiture. But the joke soon became
stale to Durley, and he left the pig on the ground, and
rode away, having carried it less than a mile. They
soon made a detour, obtained some dinner, and then
started more rapidly for the regiment. Shortly after
they fell in with an artillery man with two fresh hams
tied together, and hanging over his horse's neck. Upon
being asked where he obtained them, he replied, "Some
d — d fool tried to carry a whole hog, and couldn't, so
he left it lying in the road. He must have been a new
recruit, or he would have known better than that."
Reece and Durley both agreed with him, but it was all
the former could do to keep from telling where the fool
was. A warning look from Durley alone prevented.
They reached the camp after dark, and the dried apples
were nicely stowed away in a wagon. But the next
morning they were gone, so the "honors were easy,"

Illinois Infantrv. 5.")

and nothing remained of the day's foraging but the food
for laughter, and this story.
Upon reaching Lagrange we found that a large part
of our stored baggage had been stolen, involving con
siderable personal loss. Of course we had no redress.
We only remained one night in our desolate camp, and
left the next day on the line of the Memphis and Charles
ton Railroad, for a guard. We moved west from five
to eight miles, and divided up at different posts. About
lO o'clock we drew full rations once more, and our
breakfast waited till then, for our haversacks were empty.
The next day we sent out foraging parties, by direction
of some higher headquarters, which returned full-
handed to find us under marching orders again. So our
beef and pork and sweet potatoes, which we expected
to enjoy so much, had to be left for whoever might
come after us, and we had to push on to Moscow in a
very heavy rain. We arrived after dark and took pos
session of houses sufficient to shelter us. Two compa
nies occupied the Masonic Hall, where the regalia and
fixtures were all left at our disposal. It looked strange
to see two rows of guns stacked through the hall, which
appeared as though the Lodge had just left it. But
probably they had not held a meeting for months. We
had speaking and singing, as befitted the place, and all
were in good spirits despite the rain and mud of the
march. January iith, we reached CoUiersville, still farther
west of the railroad, and from there were distributed.

,54 History of the 124-rH
some of us back from one to four miles along the track.
On the 1 2th still other changes were made, and then we
settled down for a few days, which proved very trying.
with our head-quarters at CoUiersville. On the 13th we
received a mail, our first since leaving "Camp Turna
bout," twenty-fi-ve days.
Our tents were only temporarily pitched. We had
no floors or bunks, and were poorly prepared for the
storm which now burst upon us. On the 14th it rained
incessantly and heavily. A deluge of water, almost at
the point of freezing. On the 15th it turned to snow,
which fell till it lay upon the wet ground upwards of six
inches deep. The oldest inhabitant said he had never
seen the like, and that it must be a touch of "northern
manners," which we had brought with us. It then
turned very cold, and we suffered exceedingly. Ink
froze in our valises before our rail fires, and the water
in our canteens became solid in spite of us. Our only
recourse was to keep the rails blazing night and day in
front of our tents. This lasted for three days, and was
an experience never to be forgotten. We felt thankful
ever after that our campaigning was in "Dixie," despite
its summer heat, rather than in the teeth of our north
ern winters.
On the 19th, after an all night's rain with which our
cold snap terminated, and which had softened the snow
to about four inches of slush, we were reheved, and
moved back to CoUiersville, where the regiment were
together once more. A sorrier plight we could scarcely

Illinois Infantry. 55

be in. Our clothing had become very ragged and insuf
ficient, and many of the boys had been barefooted for
days ; scarcely any one had dry feet- Sickness was
telling fearfully upon us ; a great many were entirely
helpless ; but no alternative presented ; we must rough
it through. So our wet tents were pitched, and our
beds made in the slush for the night. Some were for
tunate enough to get a few rails, or a bit of board to
keep them out of the snow and water, which was
more than ankle deep. I think I remember seeing a
Lieutenant come into camp triumphantly, with a double
gate on his shoulder, which he had earned more than
half a mile, and over which one tent was pitched in
high glee. What a bed-chamber success to achieve.
And just before dark our barefooted and sick were
loaded on some flat cars and started for Memphis,
which was another piece of wonderful good fortune.
We almost envied them as they rolled away, armed
with their Descriptive Rolls, the soldier's guaranty for
all he needs.
The next morning we moved on, and reached Mem
phis, in tolerably good order, the evening of the 2 1st.
We went into camp in a fine piece of timber near the
rest of our brigade, about three miles from the city.
Here we proceeded to make ourselves as comfortable
as we could, flooring our tents, and building bunks and
chimneys, and consuming large quantities of the valua
ble timber in which we were encamped. So thorough
were we that it seemed more like clearing land than

56 History of the 124TH
simply getting a little wood and timber, and had it not
been for the almost incessant rain while lying there,
scarcely a tree would have remained standing in our
camp. Our first business was to get clothed up and shod,
and none too soon was it done for the suffering boys.
The Quartermaster's efforts were untiring, and for a time
he was the hardest worked officer in the regiment. But
the sunny smile never faded from his face, and no one
was prouder of the appearance of the ''Hundred and
two dozen" than he.
While lying here our patriotism passed through a trial
of another, and an unexpected kind. We had been
moving in force against the foe for months, without a
chance to strike a blow ; we had suffered a great" deal ;
the winter had been severe, our rations had been short,
we had received no pay, and a great many were sick
Now we were within earshot of home and its com
forts, the river that flowed at our feet laved the shores
of our own State, all looked discouraging in the east,
the citizens of Memphis were very communicative, and
prophetic of evil to us, and to cap the climax, rebels
from home, northern copperheads, filled our camps and
sought to discourage and reduce us. It was the night
of the war. It was even affirmed that members'of the
Illinois legislature were on active duty in the city, furn
ishing means and citizens' clothes to soldiers to get them
to desert. Certain it is that many did desert, and all
the commands suffered more or less. But perhaps none

Illinois Infantry. 57
less than we, as only four of our men yielded to the
pressure and left, and three of them were of foreign
nationality. To lessen opportunities for evil communications, a
rigid pass system was enforced throughout the, com
mand, and five roll calls a day were ordered. Inspec
tions, too, and drill and reviews sprang into existenc'e
once more. The Sanitary Commission came to us with
appreciated favors, the first we had received, and boxes
of "goodies" began to pour in from home. The spirits
of all began to revive. Our ranks were still sadly thin
ned by sickness, and many had died, but the rest seemed
to rise from the gloom, and the night was past.
On the 14th and 15th of February, Maj. T J. Osgood
visited, and paid us to October 31st, two months' pay,
the first any officer had received. Though not what we
had a right to expect, it was accepted very thankfully,
and did much to allay the discontent of the boys and
raise our spirts. It also contributed not a little to our
comfort, and perhaps to our health, though it is ques
tionable if soldiers are generally benefited by having
money to spend freely in the interest of their haversacks.
On the 19th of February some of our regiment, who
were on duty on the Division Quartermaster's boat,
"Catahoula," lying at the levee, saw a speck of war be
yond anything previously witnessed. The little village
of Hopefield, on the Arkansas side of the river, had
been a favorite guerrilla haunt, and from the shelter ot
its houses, firing across into the steamers and city, had

58 History of the 124TH
been frequent and sometimes deadly. At last orders
were issued to destroj' the place. The gunboats pro
ceeded to shell the woods in the rear, a:nd under cover
of their fire, troops landed and applied the torch to
every house. The heavy cannonading and the rising
flames gave war, to us, a sterner meaning.
At 10 o'clock, on the 20th of February, we found our
selves on board of the steamer ' 'Platte Valley, " with the
whole of Logan's Division in company, evidently bound
down the river. It was a fine day, and t e scene was
one of great activity. Having our part done, and be
ing safely stowed away on a fine boat, we were pre
pared to enjoy all we saw with a keen relish. Brig.
Gen. John A. Haynie had relieved Col. Marsh of the
command of our brigade, much to our gratification, and
his headquarters were on the boat with us. The day
wore away and still the troops were marching down the
levee, and embarking on steamer after steamer, and
mules and wagons were being loaded, with various
stores and supplies, till it seemed that nothing was to
be left in Memphis. The next day it rained furiously
the long hours away, but we were comfortable, and
therefore willing to lie still and wait the developments,
as the little steam that all the boats had up, slightly
fizzed, and "nothing more." We were probably wait
ing for the 22d of February, "for luck," for before day
light the next morning steam was raised, the lines were
cast off, and the sun-rising of Washington's birth-day
found us proudly steaming down the father of waters, sail-

Illinois Infantrv. 59
ing to victory. Yes, to victory, though many of our
bravest were sailing to their graves. As it was Sunday,
Chaplain Foskett preached us an excellent sermon,
which was greatly enjoyed by many.
A little before lo o'clock the next morning we landed
at the village of Providence, in Louisiana, where a canal
was being cut through from the river to Lake Provi
dence, but a short distance, in the hope to do some
thing toward flanking Vicksburg, through Mason and
Tensas bayous.
We found ourselves in the lovliest country we had yet
seen. In fact, it was almost a paradise. Though but
the 23d of February, peach trees were in full bloom,
roses and spireas were abundant, and the air was soft
and balmy as our May. McArthur's Division was
already on the ground, and we were marched beyond
it, about five miles from the river, to a lovely camp on
the bank of the lake. We passed several beautiful
plantations and palatial residences before reaching our
camp, only to find ourselves among others finer and
more noble still, if possible. How sad that the ruth
less hand of war should be laid upon such loveliness.
But these planters had invoked our presence. They
had helped to bring on the war, little thinking the hated
''Yanks" would ever get so far — would ever sit down in
front of their mansions, and intrude into the presence
of their household gods. But there we were, and our
coming was a lesson of justice such as God often teaches,
and we abode our allotted time in their Eden, quite
content.

60 History of the i 24TH

CHAPTER VI

Resignations and promotions. — Routine life. — Heavy rains. — The
steamer " Henry Von Phul. '' — Levee cut. — Berry's Landing. — A
wagon load of fish. — Religious interest. — Tremendous storm in the
night. — Company G's hog. — Interesting poetry. — Col. Sloan in
trouble. — Adjt. Gen. Thomas in camp. — Logan's speech. — Four
months' pay. — Off for somewhere. — Milliken's Bend. — Mortality
statistics. — Graves on the levee. — Volunteering to run the block
ade. — Gov. Yates. — Demoralizing drill and dress parade in our shirt
sleeves. — Views of Vicksburg. — Roses by the mile, and Pride of
China trees.
OUR STAY at Memphis afforded such of our officers
as had wearied of the service an opportunity to re
sign, of which they gladly availed themselves. Lieut.
Andrews, of Company H, resigned January 28th, which
promoted Lieut. Potter to ist Lieutenant, and Sergt.
Greenville A. Spear to 2d Lieutenant. Capt. Morgan,
of Company K, resigned February 5th, which made
Lieut. S. N. Sanders Captain, Lieut. Willian having
previously died, and Sergt. Hiram H. Hall, of Company
E, 1st Lieutenant. 2d Lieut. Rickey, of Company
C, resigned the same date, and Orderly Lew. Dorian
was promoted accordingly. 1st Lieut. Benedict, of

Illinois Infantrv. 61

Company G, left us February i6th, which raised Benton
Pratt to his vacant office, and made Orderly John W.
Mosby 2d Lieutenant.
Our life at Lake Providence was not remarkable for
anything. General Haynie was taken sick and left us,
which put Colonel Sloan in command of the brigade for
three weeks, when Colonel Marsh returned again. We
did some drilling, and practiced target firing when we
discharged our picket guns. We also foraged a little.
One trip, on the 3d of March, under command of Col.
Stevenson, of Missouri, was particularly enjoyable. It
was through a very lovely and rich country, on a fine
da}', and was perfectly successful. Our object was
sweet potatoes and corn, and the wagons, two from each
regiment in the division, were filled from one plantation,
without seeming to diminish the supply. We also got
a few Irish potatoes, though not enough to go round.
We had some very heavy rains while here, and at one
time it seemed as though the whole country must be in
undated, such sheets of water fell. But the dry land
prevailed at last. The steaming heat told sadly upon
some of our men, and our Surgeons had their hands
full. Many, too, left for the general hospitals, but
others who had been left sick at Memphis began to come
in, and our ranks were kept tolerably full.
On Sunday, the 15th of March, in a heavy rain, we
' broke camp, and floundered through the mud to the
river, to embark on the steamer ' 'Henry Von Phul, " with
the 20th Illinois, We lay on board her the rest of that

62 History of the 124TH

day, and all the next. Toward evening of the i6th, the
levee was cut through, and the waters of the river turned
into Lake Providence. The troops yelled with dehght
as the torrent tore through, for it seemed to promise us
some advantage. But no good ever came of it, except
that of damage to the enemy.
The forenoon of the 17th we moved up the river about
five miles, and debarked at our next soldiers' home,
called Berry's Landing, or Vista Plantation. We were
this time near the levee, and coula see all the steamers
from our camp as they passed to and fro, loaded with
troops. We were soon very nicely fixed up, bunks
were made, and Reece's sleek mules robbed of corn-
fodder for our beds. The water was poor. It was pro
cured by sinking barrels anywhere we chose. They
would speedily fill, the water looked pure, and was pal
atable, but it was doubtless unhealthy, and the Surgeons
forbade our using it, ordering us to get water from the
river ; an order which very few obeyed. The standing
water in the rear of our camp came up to within a few
rods of us, and was visibly affected by the canal below.
At one time we really thought it would drown us out,
as it rose at the rate of about an inch an hour. But the
tide and our fears subsided together, and we were the
gainers by a wagon load of buffalo fish, which were
gathered from among the cotton rows, where the reced
ing waters had left them.
While here we had considerable religious interest in
our regiment. Chaplain Button, of the 20th Illinois,

Illinois Infantry. 63

preached for us two sermons of great power, and our
Chaplain and ministers inaugurated extra services, which
were largely attended. Prayer meetings of absorbing
¦interest were held in some of the tents nearly every
night, and not a few were reclaimed and quickened,
while some started to live a christian life.
One of the most furious storms occurred here which
we ever experienced. It was about midnight, and came
upon us without warning. The water fell in torrents,
while the wind was almost a tornado. Many a tent
yielded to its fury, while all through the camp were
half-naked men. tugging at tent corners, driving stakes
and trying to save the wrecks. Fortunately the fury of
the storm was of short duration, and soon all was com
parative quiet again.
A ridiculous affair transpired at this time, the particu
lars of which are involved in something of a mystery.
It seems, however, that Colonel Sloan, who was in com
mand of the regiment again, had become involved in a
difficulty with some of Company G about a hog,
which he had probably sought to rescue from them in
the interest of the "secesh" owner, and had put the
boys under arrest. The result was a neatly formed grave
on the levee, in a conspicuous place, with head and foot
boards complete. On the former, written in a bold
hand, was this poetic effusion :
" This sow has died without a moan.
Beneath the nose of Colonel Sloan.
Charged by men on murder bent,

64 Historv of THE 124TH

She breathed her last close by his tent.
In digging her grave, we've done our best,
While we, the murderers, were under arrest.
Now Surgeon, let this poor corpse be,
So neatly buried by Company G.
For in this world her troubles are o'er,
She was a sow, but Sloan's a bore.
Reader, tread lightly on her head.
For if she gasps, by thunder, you're dead. "
The feeling indicated by this poetry was pretty largely
shared by the whole regiment. Col Sloan had most
signally failed to commend himself to the confidence of
officers or men, and any litttle thing would weigh heav
ily against him. At a regimental inspection of arms
which he had just conducted, he had thrown pieces back
so violently as to bruise and lacerate several hands and
fingers, and then insisted he was right. This, trivial as
it was, seemed to precipitate action, and all of the line
officers of the regiment, save Capt. Mann, of com
pany B, signed a petition to Col, Marsh, to have him
summoned before an Examining Board, to inquire into
his competency. If he blundered so in camp, what.
we asked, would he do in the face of the enemy ? Our
petition was favorably entertained, a day set, and he was
summoned to appear. He immediately sent for the
officers, and marched them down by the river, in a re
tired place, when he took the centre of a circle and
made us a speech. The substance of it was a desire to
have us withdraw our petition, and give him our confi
dence again upon his avowal of good intentions, or, at
least, to give him a further trial. This the officers unan-

Illinois Infantry. 65

imously declined to do, affirming that the office and
the occasion demanded the requisite knowledge and
ability. We were too near the enemy to educate a
commander, and he must stand upon his merits. Then,
as we soon learned, commenced a course of study in
the Colonel's tent, which was protracted and exhaustive,
and that was all that came of our petition, for we moved
too soon for him to appear before the Board, and there
the matter dropped.
On the 8th of April our division was massed to hear
Adjutant General Lorenzo Thomas, on the government
policy of arming the negroes. His remarks were dry
and formal, and while many approved some hissed at
the mention of negro soldiers. After him General
McPherson spoke for a few minutes, and then introduced
General Logan, our own division commander, who gave
us a thrilling speech in favor of the new policy, which
overbore all opposition, and elicited rousing cheers of
approval. In his speech, which I imperfectly outline
from memory, he made a personal confession.
He said he had been educated to love slavery and all
who supported it, and to believe that whatever opposed
it was wrong. But this war had opened his eyes.
Slavery had struck at the life of the Republic, and there
remained no alternative but to strike slavery. He had
entered the service to help put down the rebellion, and
had been proscribed and abused for doing it. He and
his wife could a "tale unfold" of copperhead malignity
that would astonish us. But by the help of God he

66 History of the 124TH
would never sheathe his sword till the rebellion was
crushed out. And in order to do that, we must hurt
the rebels in every way possible. Shoot them with
shot and shell and minnie balls and, cold steel, and,
d  n them, shoot them with "niggers." They are
vulnerable in that quarter. Take their corn-raisers and
women-protectors and fort-builders from them, and set
them to stopping bullets for us, and the thing is done.
And you, my old "Dirty-first," — addressing himself to
his own old regiment, the 31st Illinois, which stood
right before him — you are willing even a colored man
should shield you from rebel bullets. I know you are.
So we'U unite on this policy, putting the one who is the
innocent cause of this war, who has everything to gain
or lose in this war, in the front rank, and pressing on to
victory. And when we have gained it, we'll all hear
the plaudit, ' ' well done, good and faithful servants,
come to father Abraham's bosom."
The 31st was won. From that day we heard but lit
tle against negro troops. Step by step the army and
the land rose to the demands of the hour, to the indica
tions of the will of God.
Receiving four months' pay was the next event of
importance, for which we were particularly thankful.
Our communications with home were perfect, and what
ever the future should do for us, our families and friends
were sure of so much. The companies sent home from
$2,000 to $3,500 each.

Illinois Infantry. 67
On the iSthof April we embarked on the "Sioux City"
for somewhere, most of our division having previously
gone. We started about half-past six at night, and ran
down by poor Providence, with the waters surging
through and over her. In the night a heavy storm
came on, and the whole fleet tied up till daylight.
Sunday, the 19th, we reached Milliken's Bend before
breakfast, and tied up in company with fully fifty steam
boats, stretching along the levee for more than a mile,
all in the interest of this dreadful war. After staying a
couple of hours we ran back up the river about two
miles and landed, going into a pretty camp, high and
dry, half a mile from the levee, where we were soon at
home again.
Here I took the pains to get the mortality statistics of
the regiment, as far as known, and found we had lost 51
men, distributed as follows : A, 2 ; B and C, each 3 ;
D. 7 ; E, 5 ; F and G, each 7; H, i ; I, 4; and K, 12.
About as many more had been discharged for disability,
so that we were not so strong by over a hundred men as
we were seven months before, and yet had not even
been in a skirmish. At that rate it would cost us nearly
500 men to get through our three years' service, without
a battle. So do the hardships of early campaigning
tell. This view of the service was strikingly corroborated
by the levee both above and below the Bend, for miles.
In less than a two mile walk, 200 graves were counted,
and all from sickness. They were stuck in everywhere.

68 History of the 124TH
by twos and threes and singly. And the great army
wagons had gone lurching over some of them, as the
Icv'ce was our military road, and they could not be
avoided. Neat boards were at all these graves, telling
name and regiment, and every northwestern state had
its share, with some from Virginia, Kentucky and Ten
nessee. All this had been done in a few weeks' time.
On the 2 1st volunteers were called for to run the
blockade on transports, and so many offered to go, even
whole companies, that selections were impossible, and
none of our boys went. We heard the firing distinctly,
and saw the flashes of the guns the evening of the 22d,
when the batteries were passed.
< In the forenoon of the 22d we had a grand review to
receive Governor Yates, who made us a very effective
speech, which drew tears from many eyes. What a
noble, patriotic heart was his. Representative E. B.
Washburne, of Galena, was with him, and also addressed
us. His esteemed regiment, the 45 th IlHnois, was in our
brigade. That afternoon we had a very trying battalion drill in
the broiling sun, which did not add to the affection ex
isting for our Colonel. At its close we were ordered on
dress parade, and its formalities gone through with in
our shirt sleeves, to which we had been reduced by the
heat of the drill. It seemed an uncalled for and slov
enly exhibit, and certainly was demoralizing.
Several of our officers went down to Young's Point.
and beyond the canal, on the picket boat. Diligent, and

Illinois Infantry. 69
had very fair views of Vicksburg and its defences. We
could see the muzzles of the guns, and the flashing of
the sunlight on the bayonets of the sentries. Little we
thought so many weary miles, and graves as yet undug,
lay between us and the prize our glasses brought so
near. At Milliken's Bend we were embowered in roses.
Rose hedges stretched out in many directions, and were
in full bloom. Rose leaves covered the ground under
them, and the air was heavy with their odor. . The
Pride of China tree was first met with in flower here, a
sort of straggling, lilac bloom, pretty on the trees, but
not choice for cutting or fragrance. How we wished
the tree could be devoted to its legitimate use, accord
ing to the chorus —
" We'll hang Jeff. Davis on a Pride of China tree,
As we go marching on. "

70 History of the 124TH

CHAPTER VII

The Vicksburg campaign begun. — On to Richmond. — Col. Howe's
horse. — The Quartermaster's experience. — Still on. — Ashwood Land
ing. — Lake St. Joseph and Dr. Bowie's mansion. — Camp in 3,000
acres of corn. — Grand Gulf. — Running the batteries. — The "Tuscum
bia " — Crossing the Mississippi on the "Mound City." — Bruinsburg
— The Quartermaster again. — "Just before the battle." — To the
front. — Signs of a fray. — Support the 31st. — Capt. Potter wounded.
— Up and at them. — Thompson's HUl. — Chase them till dark. —
Sleep on our arms. — Port Gibson. — "Down with the traitors, and
up -with the stars." — Wading the stream. — Such a, country. — Big
Bayou Pers. — Halted by a still or two. — Line of battle. — A long,
weary march to the Big Black. — Grand Gulf evacuated. — Resting. —
Sitting up to sleep. — Transportation up. — Rocky Springs. —Utica. —
Special orders.
ON THE 25th of April, the long expected move
ment on Vicksburg began in earnest. Other troops
had occupied positions opposite Warrenton and below
before, but not so as to give the enemy a clear idea of
our intentions, who still, doubtless, thought we were
expecting to move in force, by the way of Steele's
Bayou, the Sunflower, Yazoo Pass, or some other open
ing above. Now the 17th Army Corps, under McPher-

Illinois Infantry. 71
son, broke camp to move to the right of McClernand,
and to be in turn rapidly followed by Sherman.
We left much of our baggage and all of our sick,
Capt. Roach, of company I, being in command of our
invalid camp ; Col. Sloan, too, on account of sickness,
remained behind, Lieut. Col. Howe being in command.
In the best of spirits, and with our bands all playing,
we struck away from the river into the interior of Lou
isiana, in gallant style, Quinby's division in the advance.
The day was warm, but the scenery was lovely, which
made our marching easy. We soon struck Willow
Bayou, below Walnut, and passing down it by Tellula,
a station on the demolished Vicksburg and Texas Rail
road, crossed Rroundaway Bayou, and went into camp
near Richmond, having made a twelve mile march with
comparative ease for the men, but not for the teams, as
the road cut up very badly.
While we were much enjoying our camp, just at sun
down, an unfortunate incident occurred. Col. Howe
turned out his valuable horse, Rodney, which he had
recently received from home, to play and graze. In
some way he stumbled upon the rough ground, badly
breaking his left fore shoulder, and had to be shot. It
seemed such a pity to shoot the beautiful, noble fellow,
and the Colonel and horse had the sympathy of the
whole regiment.
Our Quarterm'Ester had a little personal experience,
which deserves to be told. He had received orders
from brigade headquarters to remain with the surplus

72 History of the 124TH

equipage, but being desirous to go with the regiment,
and having a quantity of flour which the teams allowed
could not cairy — we had just drawn flour, after eating
hard bread for a long time in camp — he loaded up an
extra in the afternoon with flour and grain, disobeyed
orders, and leaving Durley in charge of the stores, took
"Charlie" Miles for body-guard, and with his teamsters
slipped out. He expected to reach the regiment by
night easily, having the whole road to himself But he
did not know what a whole army could do to Louisiana
roads. Frequently they had to unload and roll the flour
and carry the grain sacks past the bad places, in mud
up to their knees. Night came on and no camp was
reached, or likely to be. At last he left his team and
pushed on with Miles. But it was no use ; it was too
dark and muddy to go through, so they camped in a
blacksmith shop by the roadside, in which Reece fell
over the anvil. That, in turn, fell upon his foot, and
from its effects he has not recovered to this day. The
next morning they rode through among the wagons,
caissons and cannon that had been stuck the day before,
and joined the regiment just as it was moving out again,
and reported to Col. Howe, who kindly promised to
intercede at brigade headquarters. Says Reece, "All
the transportation of the 124th was in its place that
morning, which could not be said of any other regiment
in our brigade."
The 26th we moved out again aX seven o'clock, through
a lovely country. Stopped to rest awhile at a fine plant-

Illinois Infantry. 73
ation belonging to a Capt. Holmes, and went into camp
early, just after a very heavy shower, having made about
the same distance as yesterday. Firing towards the
river was heavy a part of the day, and all night The
next day we pushed on by New Carthage in heavy rain
and through horrid mud. Such a plastering, and so
many stuck teams, we had never known before. How
they ever all got through is a mystery still. We camped
at Dunbar s plantation, on Roundaway bayou. Our
teams all came up, but too late, having been hindered
by others on their way. We marched only about eight
miles. The 28th we got off" about ten o'clock, and after cross
ing the bayon had a fine levee road for a few miles.
Passed by a Judge Perkins' plantation and reached the
river at a place called Ashwood Landing. Here we
found the "Cheeseman," ''Forest Queen" and "Hori
zon," that had run the blockade at Vicksburg, and
Hovey's division, of McClernand's corps, embarking on
them. We expected to follow them, but instead were pulled
out about midnight to march farther down. Our road
was good, the night fine, and we rather enjoyed it.
About daylight we had a halt and a cup of coffee, and
then began to wind around Lake St. Joseph, through
the richest and most delightful country we had yet seen.
The residences of the planters were splendid ; among
them that of a Dr. Bowie, was conspicuous for its ele
gance and surroundings, and none the less so for its

74 History ok the 124TH
furniture. But it fell a prey to the flames before the
army passed, though not by the hands of any of Logan's
division. We had all passed ere it was burnt, and
learned of it with unfeigned regret ; not that we cared
for its owner, but it was a "thing of beauty" and
deserved a better fate. The boys this day obtained
quantities of cabbage, beets, onions, green peas, string
beans and blackberries, but our march of twenty miles
and upwards, in the heat, was very exhausting.
We went into camp at last near the east end of the
horse-shoe lake, in a corn-field, said to contain 3,000
acres. It looked very large, even to an lUinoisan. The
corn was upwards of knee high, and even as though it
had grown by rule. It was a pity to see it punished as
the camping ground of an army.
We were only a mile and a half from the landing
above Grand Gulf, which many of us visited, weary as
we were, before we slept. There had been a gunboat
attack on the formidable rebel batteries there that day,
and the shots were still occasional from our side, though
eliciting no reply. While we were at the landing, our
gunboats and transports suddenly wheeled into line and
started down the river, past the batteries. We started
for camp, but had not gone far before we heard from
the rebels, and merry music they made of it, till our
fleet had all passed, which was done in safety.
The next morning, April 30th, we marched about
five miles to a landing below, where we saw our whole
fleet, transports and gunboats, loaded with troops, and

Illinois Infantry. 75
steaming away down the river at our approach ; or all
except the "Tuscumbia," which lay at the shore with
no steam up. Having leisure^ some of us went on
board of her, and found her sadly disabled in the fight
of the day before. She was in fact ruined, helpless ;
three out of four of her hog-chains had been let down
by shooting off" the stanchions, so that she was ' ' hog
ged, " as sailors term it. Her smoke-stacks had been
riddled, her exposed wood work was in splinters, she
having been struck eighty-two times, and her casing had
been pierced in several places. Five men on board had
been killed, and a much greater number wounded. The
killed were lying in as many coffins, side by side, before
us, with the flag for which they had died spread over
them. About three p. M. our turn came, and we went on
board the gunboat " Mound City," fairly covering her
up. We ran down the river about eight miles, and
landed at Bruinsburg, on the Mississippi shore. Here
we found the whole of McClernand's corps, some of
whom were falling in for a start as we landed. Our
regiment and the 23d Indiana were in the advance of
our division.
Bruinsburg was a delightful landing, innocent of any
houses that we saw, but covered with a rich carpet of
hitherto untrodden grass, that furnished a charming
camping ground, with the river and its puffing steamers
on one side, and the heavily wooded Mississippi hills on
the other. No rebel had disputed our approach, and

76 History of the 124TI1
save for the ugly scars on the " Tuscumbia," we could
hardly bring ourselves to believe there was any foe in
tending to oppose us.
In the haste to cross the troops, the horses of the field
officers had been ordered left behind. This was very
rough on many officers that night and the next day or
two, but Reece was on hand as usual, and smuggled
over the horses of our officers, with those of a battery.
He tried it the second time before succeeding. The
first time he was detected and ordered off" the barge, for
which he was very thankful, as that barge sunk and
many animals were lost. But he came out ahead the
second time, and our officers were mounted for the
march next day, which they all voted was better than
leaving Reece at Milliken's Bend.
Gov. Yates and E. B. Washburne addressed us again
that evening. The Governor told of opening the Missis
sippi river the next day, of putting an end to the rebellion
by breaking its back, and of our boys covering them
selves all over with glory. Of course it quickened the
pulse of our patriotism somewhat, and under orders to
march at four the next morning, we lay down under
the peaceful heavens to rest, expecting ere another
nightfall to meet the enemy.
Our sleep was troubled, as troops were moving out
all night, and long ere the morning the sound of distant
firing could be distinctly heard. We were moving early,
and started about halfpast six. having been detained
some time for artillery to pass. We pushed uji the

Illinois Infantry. 77
river about two miles, and then wound into the hills,
rather slowly at first, and then more rapidly, all the time
listening to the firing. The day was hot, and as we
moved faster we suffered greatly. The Mississippi sun
almost roasted us. Blankets and overcoats were abund
ant by the roadside.
Soon we began to see signs of the fray. About eight
miles out we met a large squad of rebel prisoners under
guard, going to the river. Just after, we saw their
wagons, left in their retreat, and knew that we had been
driving them. A little farther on and the wounded of
both sides began to appear, with occasionally a dead
man. Then we reached a hospital by the roadside, to
which they were bringing the wounded on stretchers.
The next thing we were met by an Aid, and ordered to
" unsling knapsacks," which we did with three cheers
for the Stars and Stripes, and moved rapidly to the
front. It was then about one o'clock.
We soon came to a section of a battery, playing rap-
ily upon some frame houses in the distance, about which
we could see the shells burst, but saw no enemy. We
were filed to the left from the road and halted ; but be
fore we did so a few minnie balls "zipped" over our
heads, though from where we could not tell, and while
resting an answering shell or two came back from the
Johnnies, striking near our guns. We saw the 23d
Indiana move down toward a skirt of timber on our
right front, and were told we were to support them.
But soon it was whispered that Col. Sanderson, their

78 History of the i 24111
commander, had said he did not want us to support
him, as we were an untried regiment, but that Col.
McCook, of the 31st Illinois, had said, '"Let them sup
port me." Certain it is that the 31st were deployed as
skirmishers, and we went to their support, though prob
ably Col. Sanderson said no such thing, as he stoutly
denied it. We found ourselves in an old plowed field.
in front of our artiller\', and were ordered to lie down ;
an order which we very promptly obeyed. Our ground
was slightly descending toward the direction of the
enemy. From some woods in front of our right the
balls began to whiz quite unpleasantly, but no enemy
appeared. We were confident the45th were in the woods,
for we had seen them enter, therefore our friends must
be between us and the rebels. Still the balls struck
uncomfortably close, and often made us cringe, as the
Httle puffs of dust would rise from the ground where the
bullets entered. Another minute and Capt. Potter, of
company F, was wounded in the heel, the first man hit
in the " Hundred and two dozen." Capt. Bedford, on
the brigade staff, ordered the Chaplain and musicians to
accompany Capt. Potter to the rear, and we wondered
who, and what next. In a few minutes a real artillery
duel began, and the rebels answered back in earnest,
just clearing our right. We moved forward and halted
again, while the firing of the 45th in the timber rattled
merrily. Shortly a shout was heard, the 31st were all
on their feet and closing up in front of our left, and we
were ordered forward in time to fire two volle\ s at the

Illinois Infantry. 79
retreating greybacks. Col. McCook shouted, "Give it
to them," and forward we went with a will, but they
were fleeter than we. So much for Thompson's Hill,
where we first smelt powder in the presence of the foe.
Our only loss was Capt. Potter, who never fully recov
ered Irom the effects of his wound, and resigned the
yth of August, following. Our forces lost but few com
pared with the enemy, whose loss in prisoners was
nearly a thousand, with Gen. Tracy killed.
We soon came to a halt, with the ground quite plen
tifully strewn with the knapsacks and blankets of the
retreating foe. We noticed, with interest, that the
former were marked "Alabama," "Mississippi," "Lou
isiana," etc. Some of our boys replaced the blankets
thrown away on the march in the forenoon, but these
were usually very poor compared with ours. Trinkets,
letters and keepsakes from the emptied knapsacks passed
rapidly from hand to hand. It was all very strange to
us. While at a halt. Gen. Grant came riding by alone,
and said, so quietly and naturally, "I never want sol
diers to do better," and, "You have behaved yourselves
weU, " that it did us good, though we knew we had done
very little.
We followed the rebels until dark, having a slight
brush with them as a parting salute, in which we mor
tally wounded the Adjutant of the 31st Alabama, who
was left to die in our hands. His name was McAfee,
and was shot through the bowels. Poor fellow, his
groans were distressing, but the next morning put an

80 History of the 124TH

end to to his sufferings. We lay on our arms all night
without any fire, and as the night was cool and our
blankets few, our condition, following the heat and
relaxation of the day, may well be imagined. We were
not loth to leave our pillows at the earliest instant.
Off at six and passing several dead rebels, we pushed
on rapidly to the pretty village of Port Gibson, which
we reached to find the enemy had left in hot haste,
burning the bridge over the Little Bayou Pere behind
them. We entered the place in fine style, and stacked
arms in one of the principal streets. Having a little
conversation with some of the surprised citizens, we
found there were those among them who had really
thought that Yankees had horns, and were in doubt as
to our being the genuine article, because those append
ages seemed to be wanting. We soon resumed our
march, and treated them to "Down with the traitors and
up with the stars," in full chorus, as we passed througli
the streets. We made a detour to the southeast after
leaving the village, on account of the burnt bridge, and
waded a beautiful running stream some miles away,
which we think was the same Little Bayou Pere. It was
several yards wide and about half leg deep. We strip
ped off our shoes and stockings and went into it with a
relish. It was truly grateful to our sore and heated feet.
After leaving Port Gibson we found the road lined with
gaping darkies, all ready to welcome us. Some of them
joined us that day to share the fortunes of war with us
to the end. We passed some very pretty places, and

Illinois Infantry. 81
moved in all about fifteen miles, camping at last near
the Big Bayou Pere, northwest of Port Gibson, about
half-past nine at night. We were certainly tired enough
to rest, after the excitement of the two days, and the
experience of the previous night.
The country through which we had come from the
river was to us a wonder. Without mountains or rocks,
it was the most rugged we had ever seen, being a con
tinual succession of sharp pitches from fifty to a hundred
feet high. It was up and down for a while, through
cuts in the hills that were almost defiles, with the stiff"
clay forming perpendicular walls on either hand, and
then winding along on the surmounted crest of one of
those zigzag, dirt waves, or hog's backs, for as much
longer, to dip for a transverse section at last, with but
little gained for all our toiling.
The forests, which were abundant, were luxurious and
brilliant. We no:iceJ the oak in upwards of twenty va
rieties, from the shrub-like chincapin, to the lofty yellow
and Spanish. The poplar, or tulip tree, in full bloom,
was everywhere in its majestic beauty. The chestnut,
beech, maple, linden, elm, ash, cottonwood, hickory,
pecan, black walnut, sycamore, sweet and black gum, '
pine, mulberry, hackberry, hornbeam, dogwood, per
simmon, sassafras, holly and bay were abundant, with
the splendid magnolia grandiflora, and the wonderful
umbrella tree, both in blossom. The flowers of the lat
ter, of the purest white, were nearly a foot across. Add

History of the 124TH

to these the monstrous grapevines, and the many shrubs
unknown to us, with which the woods were filled, and
the picture of vegetation is large enough, if not com
plete. The cultivated fields were for the mos't part side
hills, plowed and planted in water tables, to keep them
from washing, but the corn and cotton were fine, show
ing that the soil was productive, and that industry,
whether black or white, was sure to be rewarded here.
Only man is at fault in all this southern land.
The morning of May 3d we crossed the Big Bayou
Pere just after daylight, on a suspension bridge, which
the enemy had tried to burn, but which we had repaired
the night before. It swung some and looked scary, as
we passed over the charred timbers, but the cables were
all right, and we crossed safely to find plenty of rebel
"sign." Their picket-fires were yet smouldering. within
a few rods of the bridge. Our brigade was in the ad
vance, and we pushed along briskly for about a mile,
when "bang" went a cannon on a hill in front of us, fol
lowed by the bursting of a sheh and a puff of smoke
almost directly over our heads. This was followed by
another and another very soon.
We were easily halted and soon formed in hne of bat
tle, our regiment to the left of the road in an orchard.
After waiting a httle for our artillerj', we commenced
advancing through the corn fields, cane brakes, briar
patches and woods, and over the fences, in the broilino-
sun, in hopes to catch a handful of saucy rebels, who

Illinois Infantry. 83
were covering their retreat, and trying to keep us from
intercepting their forces, which were just then evacuating
Grand Gulf
We moved in this way about three miles, to our great
disgust, during which there was a little skirmishing, but
we did not share in it. We then resumed our flank
movement in the dust and heat, and kept it up till ten
at night, when we camped within three miles of Big
Black river, above Grand Gulf, to find the enemy had
crossed at three o'clock that afternoon. About seventy
stragglers were taken by our forces, and we picketed
the river that night, across which a bullet occasionally
straggled when we talked too loud. This was a very
trying day's march for us, having been upwards of
twenty miles, of which three were in line of battle. But
we should not have cared had not the Johnnies slipped
through our fingers so easily.
The next three days we moved only a few rods to get
a better shade, and spent our time mostly in resting,
which we much needed. On the night of the 4th we
were roused from slumber, and compelled to sit up by
a heavy rain, to keep our blankets dry, which could not
be carried if wet. A vision of a Lieutenant is before
our eye as we write to-day, who, after rolling up his
blanket and shawl, and getting them under either arm,
with his rubber about his neck, sat down on a log on a
steep hillside, where he got to sleep, fell off" on the
lower side of the log, and roUed nearly to the bottom of

84 History of 'iiie 124-111

the hill before he could stop. The next day our tents
came up, by the way of Grand Gulf, which put an end
to such soldiering. Our communication was now open
with the whole outside world again, and our mails were
large. Gen. Sherman's corps passed us while lying
here, and about this time Col. Sloan overtook us and
assumed command, while Col. Marsh left us forever,
and was succeeded by Brig. Gen. John E. Smith, for
merly of the 45th lUinois.
On the 7th we were in motion again, and went about
five miles, when we halted for McClernand to pass us,
which he did, evidently moving rather to the left, nearer
the Big Black than we. He was so long in passing that
we pitched our tents for the night, and occupied them
the next day and night. On the 8th we had our last
dress parade till after the fall of Vicksburg. We also
received congratulatory general orders from Grant, on
crossing the river and effecting a secure lodgment in the
enemy's territory. The 9th we struck tents about one
in the afternoon, and marched about seven miles, pass
ing the little hamlet of Rocky Springs. A part of the
way we had a delightful road, on a ridge heavily shaded
with towering pines,
Sunday, the loth, we were astir early but did not
move till after one, when we made about eight miles,
passing through the badly used up village of Utica, and
camping by a tannery, some two miles beyond. Here
special orders were issued for each regiment to be in

Illinois Infantry. 85

line of battle, fully equiped, one hour before daybreak
every morning, and to have no music till further orders.
The latter was literally obeyed for nearly two months.
Not a note of music was heard in the whole command
till the surrender of Vicksbursf.

History of the 124TH

CHAPTER VIII

Feeling our way. — May 13th. — Pickets run a race to catch up. — Ray
mond.— Our first man kUled. — The Quartermaster's story.— Corpo
ral Brown. — Into the viUage in style. — Our loss. — Rebel news. — On
to Clinton.— Col. Sloan in arrest. — Toward Jackson. — Rain and
mud. — Double-quicking for a fight. — Over Crocker's battlefield. —
Jackson evacuated. — Camp by the Deaf and Dumb Institute. — Back
track. — Burying the Dead. — Eighteen mUes toward Vicksburg. —
Champion HUls. — 43d Georgia. — Battery taken. — Our loss, and inci
dents. — A night ride and a scare. — On to the Big Black. — Crossing,
and on to Vicksburg.

ON THE nth of May we were in hne of battle at
three o'clock, according to orders. During the
day we moved about three miles, the enemy evidently
being in front of us, and our officers feeling their way
very carefully. Companies H and I were ordered on
picket and stationed about a mile away, off the line of
march. The morning of the 12th the command started
early, Logan's division in the advance. By some over
sight the pickets were not relieved till after the regirhent
had gone, and had to run a race to overtake it, pass
ing by the whole of Crocker's division, and much of

Illinois Infantry. 87
their own. When they came up t"ne teams were corral
led, and firing was heard ahead.
About noon the halt was general, and preparations
lively. Soon the firing became heavy, and two men in
company A were hit. We were deployed to the right,
and moved forward through an old field, with shells
striking quite frequently a little to our left. Seeing this,
we were moved by the flank farther to the right, and
then by front, in line of battle, into some heavy woods,
with the 45 th on our right. Company B was deployed
as skirmishers. As our artillery got into position the
firing became tremendous ; and soon the musketry was
heavier than the cannonading. We lay down awhile,
and then advanced a few rods to lie down again. The
timber was very thick, and as we could see nothing, we
had not yet fired a gun. Soon the bullets began to
rattle, and to cut the leaves over us, which came sifting
down upon us. We must have lain in this place
for an hour or more, during which time the spit and zip
of the balls was incessant, and the crash deafening. But
fortunately for us the bullets flew just above us, as the
trees accurately proved. At last there was talk of rebels
in sight, and though we had instructions not to fire, for
our skirmishers must be in our front, Capt. Scudder, of
company G, which was then our left, said he knew he
saw "greybacks," and sung out "fire." Maj Pattison
repeated it, and the left of the regiment put in a volley
or two in good style.
We were soon ordered forward, and in a few steps

88 History of the 124TH
found ourselves in a wooded creek bed, a couple of yards
wide, and the banks of which were some seven or eight
feet deep. Here the Johnnies had evidently been lying
till within a very few minutes. Our skirmishers had
moved more to the right and failed to strike them. We
passed rapidly out of the woods into an open field, upon
entering which we found some wounded rebels, who had
probably fallen under our fire, as they said they had
just been hit. Among them was a rebel Captain. Maj.
Pattison took his sword, and some of our men carried
him into the shade. We pushed on a few rods and
raised the brow of a hill in hopes to get a glimpse of the
foe ; but none was in sight. Whether by command, or
involuntarily, we halted, and stood for a moment. Sud
denly the wind began to rush by us strangely, and the
bullets sang among us like a nest of bumblebees, and a
crash was heard from a fence and thicket on our right
front. It was almost an enfilading fire, hitting several,
instantly killing John Martin, of company E, and mor
tally wounding Josiah W. Goodwin, of company D.
We were clear ahead of our command. We dropped
down a moment, but soon rising poured it into them for
a few volleys, when they ceased firing and "skedaddled."
We moved forward a little farther, but were soon or
dered by an aid to fall back under the brow of the hill,
the enemy having taken a battery in position directly in
our front. This we did, and our guns soon opened upon
them. They replied spiritedly for a few minutes, some

Illinois Infantry. 89
of the shells passing over our heads, but directly they
''limbered to the rear," and the firing ceased.
Quartermaster Reece tells his story as follows : ''I
had ridden forward with "Judge" Austin, our Ordnance
Sergeant, and halted on the top of a hill to lunch.
While we could see troops being moved here and there,
we did not dream the enemy was on the opposite side
of the ravine. We had seated ourselves under a tree,
and just commenced our dinner, when, whiz went a shell
over our heads. To say we were surprised would not
begin to express it. Soon another shell came, and an
other, until it was evident we were drawing the fire of
the enemy, and I suggested to Austin that we had bet
ter go to the rear, as doubtless the teams required our
attention. By this time the engagement became gen
eral, and the roaring of the musketry and hissing of the
shells was terrible. Soon orders came for Austin and
his ammunition team, and as he was moving down the
road, Lieut. Warner, acting Quartermaster of the 20th
Illinois, came up and requested me to go with him to the
battle-field. Lieut. Col. Richards, of his regiment, had
been shot, who had brought him up as a boy, and he
wished to find him. As we rode across the open field
before reaching the woods where the 20th were engaged,
it seemed as though every shot fired went over this
space. Upon reaching the timber we found about
twenty of the regiment lying in a row, cold and stiff in
death, and among them Lieut. Col. Richards. As I
could be of no use to Lieut. Warner, I rode around

90 History of the 124TH
near the bridge where Austin was distributing cartridges,
when Gen. Leggett, riding by, ordered me to seek a
safer position for my team, on account of so many shells
falling near the wagon. I must confess this order was
welcome, as the place was too warm for me. But just
as I was leaving, Corp. Brown of our regiment, came
running to me and asked for transportation to the rear,
because he was shot. Upon asking him where, he re
plied, "In my side, and the blood is running down ; you
must take me to a surgeon." I told him I could see no
blood, and proceeded to examine him, to find that his
canteen had been struck by a spent ball, and the con
tents were running down his side. He had felt the clip
and the wet, which he supposed was blood. When he
found the true state of affairs, it is remarkable what a
change came over him. But he soon settled the ques
tion of going to the rear, by double-quicking it over the
hill to the regiment."
Our whole division soon advanced on Raymond,
which was nearly two miles ahead, moving most of the
way in line of battle by regiments ; a sort of straggling
echelon. The country was open and the display was
fine. We halted for an hour or more in the town, which
is the county seat of Hinds county. Then we moved
about a mile beyond, and camped at the base of a beau
tiful height, getting settled before dark.
The loss of our brigade in this battle was considerable,
though ours, as a regiment, was slight. The 20th lost
eighty, killed and wounded, including four commissioned

Illinois Infantry. 91
officers killed. The 23d Indiana lost ninety, killed and
wounded, and thirty prisoners. The 31st Illinois also
suffered badly, but the 45 th much less. The rebel loss
must have been heavy, and Gen. Tilghman was killed.
A portion of the time it was almost a hand to hand
fight, and Capt. Holcomb, on Gen. Logan's staff",
affirmed that the crash of musketry was more terrific for
about an hour than at Donelson or Shiloh. How we
could go through it and lose no more, was a wonder to
us all. Dr. Kay was left with our wounded, in charge
of the division hospital.
The next morning we obtained a Jackson paper of the
1 2th, giving an account of Hooker's great battle, and
the death of "Stonewall" Jackson. It also told us of
our own movements, that we were to be whipped near
Raymond, and would never reach Jackson, if that was
our objective point. But it complained sadly of the
behavior of some of Johnston's new levies, and various
other things in connection with the scare at the Capital.
Evidently this part of Mississippi was in no very envi
able frame of mind.
While lying upon our arms by the roadside. General
Sherman's forces passed us again, taking what was called
the Mississippi Springs road to our right. We soon
after moved nearly due north, Crocker's division in the
advance. The day was hot and the roads dusty for a
while, but before we reached Chnton we were refreshed
by a fine shower, and found ourselves at a romantic vii-

92 History of the 124TH
lage, eight miles north of Raymond and ten west of
Jackson. Owing to some mistake in assignments we did not get
into camp till far into the night, which was exceedingly
dark, and yet we had reached Clinton quite early. The
men were wet and weary, the camp very steep and rug
ged, and our teams slow in finding us. It was about as
unpleasant as it could well be, we thought, and conse
quently very productive of hard words and complainings.
The morning of the 14th we slept late ; it was broad
daylight when we began to arouse ourselves, and we
wondered what it meant. Upon looking toward our
Colonel's tent we saw no stir, though other regiments
were all alive as usual. It soon flashed upon our con
sciousness that the Colonel's nap had been too long,
though we could hardly blame him. Directly an Orderly
called upon him and inquired why his regiment was not
in line. We were all routed instantly, but too late for
the line. Very soon thereafter an officer came for the
Colonel's sword, and upon falling in Lieut. Col. Howe
took command of the regiment, while Col. Sloan rode in
the rear. His excuse was, that his Orderly had failed
to awaken him, so poor Robert Hogaboom alone was to
blame. We took the road for Jackson, Crocker's division in
the advance again. The morning was heavy and
threatening. Soon it began to pour down rain, and the
men were thoroughly drenched; and the mud. too,
became fearful, a kind of thin porridge from six to eic^ht

Illinois Infantry. 93
inches deep in places, and in others a heavy, sticky clay
that almost held us fast. After a little respite a second
shower began, heavier than ever. It also became cooler,
and as the drenched boys struggled on under their
heavier loads, it would sometimes strike to their stom
achs, and they would stop by the roadside and vomit as
though they were sea-sick. But still on.
Soon we began to hear firing ahead, and in a few min
utes we were moved onto the railroad track and hastened
forward for the fight. Presently the musketry rattle
was heard, and our speed became a double-quick, though
not till our knapsacks were disposed of The rain also
ceased for a time, and on we went for a couple of miles,
till all who could keep up were in a glow of heat, that
bid defiance to cooler air and wet clothing. The firing
ceased, but, "On the right by file into line, double-
quick, march," rang out, and off" the railroad to the
right like a cracking whip we went, up a smart pitch
into the bushes, and swept on. We soon came to our
dead and wounded, and so knew we were on our battle
field. But neither friend or foe was there, save the help
less, and we halted. A few moments and we moved on
again, though not so fast. Past the rebel dead and
wounded we went. Our whole brigade came up, and
other troops, and alternately advancing and halting, still
in line of battle, some two or three hours passed. Now
we would stand in a plowed field, over shoe in mud, till
we were chilled through and through. Then we would
find solid footing for a little while in a skirt of timber.

94 History of the 124TH
But no more enemy ; no more firing ; a little more rain ;
a great deal of wonder, and later, a wagon train in the
distance, moving north.
Soon a column of smoke began to rise to the east of
us, in the direction of Jackson. It looked like burning
grease ; what could it be ? Directly cheering was heard.
An Orderly brought us the news, Jackson was evacu
ated ; Johnston had fired his commissary stores and
"skedaddled." It was then two o'clock.
The wagon train we had seen on the ridge to the
north was that of the rebels, and we with others started
in pursuit, but the chase was soon given up as hopeless.
They had too much of a start, so we turned back and
went into camp, as wet as drowned rats, near the Deaf
and Dumb Institute, west of the city. We found this
used by them as a hospital, and their Surgeons still on
duty. Jackson, the capital of Mississippi, was ours,
but we had not helped to take it, neither did we see it.
We said surely, that night as we dried our pants and
drawers on sticks by our fires, and tried to make our
selves comfortable, surely we shall now have a little rest,
and to-morrow we shall see the city.
But to-morrow came, and at halfpast six we took our
back track. Why, we could not fell ; it was all dark to
us ; we little knew that Pemberton had marched out of
Vickburg, thinking that while McPherson and Sher
man were at Jackson, he could eat up McClernand on
the Big Black. And so we little scented the wisdom of
the move we were so reluctantly making.

Illinois Infantry. 95
As we moved back over the battlefield of yesterday
we saw a party burying the dead. In one trench seven
teen of our boys were laid, with their faces exposed as
we looked on them in that peaceful morning light.
Many of them had feet badly blistered by their march
to die, with their shoes cut open here and there to re
lieve the pain. Their clothing was soaking wet, and
their pants stiff" with mud to their knees. Some of them
looked strangely pleasant, some so frightful. One had
a Testament firmly grasped in his hands, open as though
he had died reading it. His face wore a smile, and we
wondered how many of them had lingered long hours
in agony, ere the relief of death came to them, perhaps
in the night — the dark, lonely night. Such is war, and
we turned, sickening, away.
Past Clinton, eighteen miles directly toward Vicks
burg, we marched the 15 th, The going had improved
greatly, the air was cooler, and the distance was made
with comparative ease. Our camp was lovely that night,
and we enjoyed it much.
The sun of May i6th rose hot. We got off" about
nine o'clock as rear guard, and moved along quite
briskly. At half-past eleven we came to where a large
quantity of cotton was burning by the roadside, and
halted. While there we heard the roar of cannon on
our left front, -which soon became heavy and incessant.
Soon we moved on, and directly found our trains all
corraled. "Unsling knapsacks," was followed by "dou
ble-quick," which we had come to know meant business.

96 History of the 124TH
We rapidly passed to the right of what seemed to be
the brunt of the battle, as it was then raging, up a long
slope under a scattering fire, and were ordered to lie
down for a few minutes, in line of battle, just under the
brow of the hill. A battery, under Maj. Stollbrand,
Logan's Chief of Artillery, was playing on the foe from
our right and left. Gen. Smith and staff were near,
looking anxious. We were ordered to load, and fix
bayonets, as there was fear of a rebel charge upon the
guns on our left ; but the fear was groundless. Hovey
was giving them about all they could manage in that
direction. We were soon ordered forward, and rose the
brow of the hill to find the land open in front of us for a
considerable distance. It gently descended for about
forty rods, to rise again nearly as much farther, to the
foot of an abrupt pitch, on the top of which a rebel bat
tery was placed, and doing rapid execution. Between
us and that were several high rail fences, and at the foot
of the hill beneath the battery, their troops were massed
against the yellowish bank, almost the color of the
ground they were hugging. These were raining upon
us, whde the woods to our left were full of our forces
and the rebels in fierce conflict.
We commenced firing rapidly and moved forward
quartering over the first fence, and down through the
fields over the others. A little trouble was experienced
in unfixing bayonets, which interfered with our loading,
but our ranks did not falter. The battery poured grape
and cannister into us, but we were descending and they

Illinois Infantry. 97
mostly overshot us. Wildly we swept on, and our exe
cution upon the foe was fearful. Our ranks, too, thin
ned, but our momentum was irresistible. The rebels
at the foot of the hill, as we neared them, threw down
their arms and begged for mercy. Scarcely a man
escaped. The Captain of the battery fell, pierced with
twelve bullets. Horses had remained hitched to some
of the pieces, to be piled dead in a gateway and ob
struct the passage. The four guns were ours, and the
resistance ceased.
This proved to have been a flanking movement, turn
ing the enemy's left, and it had been perfectly success
ful. By the time it was accomplished they were in full
retreat, and the battle of Champion Hills was over.
We had gone into action with about 350 men, and taken
nearly that number of prisoners, mostly from the 43d
Georgia, which opposed us at the foot of the hill. They
went into action with 850 men, 300 of whom were taken
prisoners and 250 killed and wounded. Their Colonel,
Skid Harris, fell mortally wounded, and their Major, J.
W. Anderson, was killed on the spot. Both were neatly
buried on the brow of the hill near where they fell, by
our men the next day. We covered ourselves with
glory, but at the cost of many precious lives.
Our loss in killed and wounded was 63. Of these
Martin Lenox, Alphonso Rice, Geo. A. Snow, and Pe
ter F. Shyler, of company H, Henry Shultz, of com
pany D, and Henry C, Ferguson, of company I, were
killed outright, and buried in one grave on the field.

History of the 124TH

Orderly Sergeant Hiram J. Howland, of company E,
Orderly Sergeant John Vlerebone, of company C, and
Henry T. Forrest, of company I, lived a few hours, and
Thomas Broadbent, of D, John Kidston, ot E, Nathan
iel Copper, of F, John T. Bates, and Charles Shafer, of
G, George P. Hezlep and Thompson Thomas, of I, and
James T. Keen, of K, all died of their wounds.
Several of our officers had narrow escapes. Capt.
Scudder was hit by a ball which cut a gash nearly two
inches long on the top of his head. A trifle taller and
the Captain — who was over six feet — would not have
shared in our victory. Capt. Sanders was shot through
the neck by a buck shot, the two wounds being about
two inches apart, but neither of these officers left the
regiment. Orderly Sergeant Abraham Newland, com
pany D, was shot in the face, and left to die upon the
field, but was picked up later, and carried to the hospi
tal, to recover and become the honored Captain of his
company. A story about him deserves to be told, as
illustrating the temperance principles of the regiment,
he being one of tf e Good Templar members. His jaws
and mouth seemed to be all shot to pieces, and he was
apparently in a sinking condition. Seeing this. Surgeon
Angeli directed him to have a little brandy, which the
dying man, as they thought him to be, refused. Later
the Surgeon himself told him he must take some stimu
lant or die. Newland motioned for paper and pencil
and wrote, "If I die, I will die sober." This seemed
to anger the Surgeon for a moment, and turning away.

Illinois Infantry. 99
he muttered, "Die, then." But his great heart triumphed
over his proiessional pride, and he gave the Sergeant
the best of attention, to see him rally and get well, with
scarcely a trace of the wound.
Adj't. W. E. Smith was seriously wounded in the
thigh; Lieut. B. A. Griffith lost a thumb, and Capt.
Field was twice grazed, the last time sharply, cutting
the clothing in three places, by passing balls.
Shultz, of Company D, had been on duty with the
teams for months, till after they were corraled for this
fight, when he was ordered by his Captain to take a gun
and go with the company, which he did without a mur
mur, only to die. Many incidents of personal bravery
occurred, but to tell them were almost invidious where
all were so brave. The whole regiment, from Colonel
Howe down, seemed to regret the close of the battle.
Having gotten well into it, and punishing the rebels
badly, it did not last quite long enough. We seemed
to be transformed into furies, with a passion for war.
Certainly we were veterans now.
We pushed on about a mile and bivouacked in a piece
of woods, to find, as the excitement passed, that we
greatly needed rest. Others were in the advance, and
firing through the night was occasional. The next
morning we moved early to the music of cannonading
ahead. Dead rebels were frequently passed by the
roadside, and prisoners were corraled here and there.
Moved rapidly till about ten o'clock, when the firing
seemed to have ceased, and we stacked arms in a nar-

100 History of the 124TH
row strip of woods, between the road and the Big Black
river, about two miles above the railroad bridge. Here
we learned of the successes of the morning, at the cross
ing below us, and that the enemy that had escaped us
was retreating in disorder upon Vicksburg, after des
troying all the bridges.
So, Pemberton's effort to surprise McClernand and
defeat' Grant, in detafl, had ended in his own utter dis
comfiture, in the loss of thousands of men in killed,
wounded and prisoners, and all the artillery he had this
side of the Big Black ; as we afterwards learned, over
eighty pieces of cannon. Instead of his surprising us,
he was surprised. Upon the testimony of a rebel Lieu
tenant, one of his batteries went into position six times
at Champion Hill, and then was captured without hav
ing fired a shot.
An extract from the Quartermaster's diary will be rel
ished at this point : "I was anxious to see the ground
over which Gen. Hovey's division had fought, for from
my position it seemed that they had done some of the
-hardest fighting of the day. As I rode through the
woods it was quite dark, and when I reached points
where the forces had been massed, I could hardly keep
my horse from stepping on dead or wounded soldiers.
Several clung to my horse and to my feet, and begged
me for God's sake to give them water. Water was the
cry all through the woods. I of course emptied my can
teen, but I could do no more. I cannot describe the
scenes of that night. It sickens me to think of them

Illinois Infantry. 101
now, and should I live a hundred years they will never
be effaced from my memory. In every direction could
be seen the lights carried by those in search of the
wounded, as they moved among the trees. All at once
I found myself mixed up with wheels, caissons, cannon,
horses and dead soldiers, and found it was where a bat
tery had made its last desperate stand. It seemed as if
every man and horse had been killed. Heart-sick, I
left for the road, soon falling in with Lieut. Blake, Quar
termaster of the 45th, and my own Wagon Master,
McAuley. We rode along to the house near where our
regiment had captured the battery, and thought we
would bivouack for the night. So we dismounted,
hitched our horses, and lay down on the ground. The
house was used for a hospital, and the wounded were
still being brought in, which made it almost impossible
for us to get to sleep, with the moans and groans in our
ears. But we did fall asleep at last, to be suddenly
awakened by what we supposed was a cavalry charge
upon us. We lost no time in mounting, but in my
haste I had neglected to unhitch, and as I applied spurs
to my horse, he would rear and pitch so that I could
scarcely manage him. I soon found out what was the
trouble, and rectified it, and we ascertained that instead
of a cavalry charge, we were the victims of a "bum
mer's" charge. A squad of soldiers had taken a cart
and filled it with camp kettles and cooking utensils, and
hitched a mule to it, which was opposed to working
single. The result was a runaway, and as the cart came

102 History of the 124TH
thundering down the road, hitting every wagon in its
way, it really seemed as though a thousand cavalrymen
were on us. Blake and McAuley had a good deal of
sport at my expense, and it was really amusing to hear
them describe the comical figure I cut, trying to make
my horse pull up the tree to which I had hitched him.
We remained by the Big Black during the i8th, while
a pontoon bridge was being built of lumber from demol
ished houses and barns. Gen. Sherman had the only
pontoon train in the army, and he was crossing above
us, and pushing on to Haines' Bluff" and the north of
Vicksburg. McClernand was crossing two miles further
down by the burnt bridges. While lying here we drew
flour and baked cakes in the ashes. Our Hospital Stew
ard and Apothecary also joined us from "Hard Times"
landing, below the mouth of the Big Black, where they
had been since we crossed the Mississippi.
A Httle after midnight, the morning of the 19th, we
started out by companies as train guard, and crossed the
river, halting by corrals, and staying an hour or two in
several places. Towards daylight we moved on more
rapidly, and soon began to hear heavy firing. This
continued all day, and proved for the most part to be
Sherman, who took Haines' Bluff", and opened commu
nication for us with Yazoo, ere night fell. In fact, our
teams started for rations to the north of Vicksburg that
day. We camped in various places that night, as our duty
required, but the morning of the 20th we were relieved

Illinois Infantry. 103
early, and soon were a regiment again, and with our
brigade, except company G, which was corral guard
during the whole of the siege which followed. The
firing was heavy all day. We went into position under
the crest of a hill, where our batteries were firing over
us rapidly, and the bullets from the enemy's line sing
ing merrily in reply, and so, with us, began the siege of
Vicksburg.

104 History of the 124TH

CHAPTER IX.

Before Vicksburg. — The 22d of May. — Our position. — Shirley's house.
Digging and sharpshooting. — Mortar boats. — "Giving them their
coffee." — Flag of truce, three o'clock in the morning. — A charge on
Company H. — Gen. Leggett. — Headquarter tents up. — Col. Sloan in
command. —Raked by a Parrott gun. — Fort Hill blown up. — The
" Slaughter Pen." — Our losses. — Lieut. Pratt killed. — Fort blown
up again. — " Abe's " experience. — The beginning of the end. — White
flags. — Under the oak. — Silence. — July 4th. — " Black your boots."—
" Fall in. "— " Hail Columbia. "— " See the rebs. "— " Forward,
march." — Into Vicksburg. — The old flag to the breeze. — Cheer
upon cheer.
FRESH FROM the victories of Champion Hills and
the Big Black, we expected to make short work
wi th Vicksburg. Sherman had already gained substan
tial advantages on the north, taking several strong
works, and as soon as we could bring up all our forces,
we thought to walk over their extended lines with ease.
It could not be that the men whom we had just whipped
so terribly, and who had strewn their retreat with the
proofs of their demoralization, would make any stand.
We doubted if they would fully man their lines, and
every hour of the 20th and 21st we expected some new

Illinois Infantry. 105

development, a conflict it might be for a little time, or
some discovery of their weakness which we could take
advantage of that would end the campaign.
Therefore, as our batteries went into position and
opened on them fiercely, and on the night of the 20th
advanced nearer, and shelled them with terrible effect,
we said they could not stand it long, and it must be the
beginning of a speedy end. But these days passed
without any lull in their fire. Their bullets were sing
ing everywhere, and seemed all the more spiteful on ac
count of our shelling. Vicksburg did not fall.
We were lying on the side of a steep hill, just below
its crest, to the right of and near the Jackson road, due
east of the city. A few trees were over us, serving for
shade and to brace against in our sleep, lest we should
slip out of our pants, if not to the bottom of the hill.
What was beyond we scarcely knew, though we after
wards learned there were more such hills, on which the
trees had been felled, where there were any, and briars
and cane were growing, forming a perfect abatis. The
hills were nearly a hundred feet high where we were,
and very steep, running in nearly every direction, but
mainly parallel to the rebel lines. Twisting and tortu
ous were the snake-like defiles between them.
Gen. McPherson held the center of the lines. On our
right was Ransom's brigade, of McArthur's division of
our corps. Next to him was Blair's division of Sher
man's corps, in plain sight. Then the rebel line angled
west to the river, and was opposed by Tuttle and Steele

106 History of the 124TH
under Sherman. On the left of our division, under
Logan, was Crocker's. Then McClernand's corps, of
four full divisions, under Hovey, Osterhaus, A. J.
Smith and Carr, stretched away to the south, and with
Lauman's division of the i6th corps, afterwards added,
and Porter's mortar fleet on the river, completed the in
vestment. Ours was the highest and roughest ground
upon the whole line, affording us great facilities for ob
servation, right and left. It also led to the concentration
of artillery near us, giving us, if it were possible, the
Babel of the siege.
As yet we had nothing to protect us. Little fires
were kindled at the foot of the hill, to boil our coffee,
but our sleep was without shelter, and with many
without blankets, while the showers found us waiting
(as the ground waits) for our accustomed drenching.
Samuel S. AUender, of Company C, liad his left arm
shattered while near the Shirley house for water, losing
about five inches of the bone below the shoulder. One
man of Company E was also struck in the neck, while
skirmishing. We lay on our arms, watched, the mortac
shells from Porter's fleet beginning^ to "fall at three
o'clock each morning, ana occasionally during uie day,
as something unusual seemed to be going on among the
rebels. So passed two days and nights.
The morning of the 2 2d everything was astir. Lad
ders were being carried by, and our Generals were in
earnest consultation. At nine o'clock our regiment was
called into hne, the officers " to the front and centre,"
to be told by Col. Howe, that a charge was to be made

Illinois Infantry. 107
upon the enemy's works at ten o'clock precisely ; that
we were to move with fixed bayonets, without firing a
gun, in column of regiments, our regiment in the rear
of the brigade. Meantime we had moved forward, over
one hill to a second, to the right of a house on the Jack
son road. The little remaining time till ten we spent in
giving directions to comrades, in case of disaster, and
awaited the issue with what composure we might. The
cannonade became furious along the whole line, and for
half an hour the thunder was terrific.
Soon our brigade moved. Past us on our left went
the gallant 20th and 45th, and so the rest to their sta
tions. We exchanged hurried words with some of them
as they moved by. We advanced near the crest of the
ridge, among some beautiful peach and pear trees,
heavily laden with half grown fruit, where we had a
commanding view of Ransom's and Blair's forces to our
right, with the opposing rebel lines, and of nearly two
miles to our left. Here we were halted, and awaited
orders. Company A was detached for sharp-shooting,
and moved to a sheltered position out of sight on our
right, to join us no more till after the surrendei-. Com
pany B, Capt. Mann, was detailed for skirmish duty,
and moved to the front. Soon the battle became furi
ous everywhere, and we could see the wreaths of blue
smoke curling over the rebel earthworks as their rifles
cracked, right and left, directly under our exploding
shells, as though they were not harming them in the
least. Our men advanced, under Blair and Ransom,

108 History of the 124TH

on the double-quick, in full view of our position. Some
reeled and fell, others pressing On, gained the works
and planted their flags upon them, but they could not
enter, and after a fierce struggle for a few moments they
sank down on the outside under the friendly cover. It
was of no use, they were too few, and the enemy's fire
was too galling, concentrated as so much of it was on
single points reached by our enfeebled columns. The
wounded crawled under the shelter of logs where they
could. The dead lay there in sight. The flags still
waved, for the rebels dared not expose themselves to
cut them down. We could watch it all. How was it
going with our boys, we wondered. Them we could
not see, and no tidings reached us. So the hours wore
away. At two o'clock there was a fearful struggle on our
right again. Clear up to the works our boys surged
only to be mowed down by scores. They fired up the
works, and tried to fire over, but it wasin vain. Then
a little shower of rain was followed by another effort,
but they failed. How we suffered as we watched them
fall. Later the battle raged more fearfully on our left.
McClernand thought he had effected a lodgment. Re
inforcements were sent him, and the strife was terrible.
We could see and hear ft all. But night closed in upon
us, and we were outside of Vicksburg still. Companies
E, H, I and K were ordered on picket, as it grew dark,
and stationed within a few yards of the rebel earthworks,
where we could hear them talking quite plainly. And
so this memorable day was ended.

Illinois Infantry. 109
But before we slept we learned that the brave Maj.
Cowan, of the 45th, Col. Ne/ins, of the nth, and Col.
DoUins, oi the 8 ist, had been killed, and Capt. Bedford,
our brigade Adjutant, was seriously wounded. We had
not lost a man, or scarcely been under fire, save com
pany B. Such are the fortunes of war. The rest of
our brigade moved back of us, except the 45th, which
took a position slightly in the rear of our left, and where
the night of the 22d found us, we remained during the
the siege. It was really the most advanced position on
the whole line of investment, as far as we knew. And
that night ended our unprotected picketing. It was too
dangerous, and we were fired upon sharply in the early
morning, ere we withdrew.
Our position was now in Shirley's peach orchard, with
our left resting on his house — the "white house," as we
called it. Mr. Shirley was at home, and claimed to be
a Union man. The 45th used part of the house for
headquarters. Only the side to the rear could be safely
occupied, and the whole house was fearfhlly scarred by
bullets. The hill which sheltered us was in the form of
a half horse shoe, open on our right, quartering toward
the rebel lines in front of Ransom and Blair, and leav
ing us badly exposed, but for the distance. On our left
the crest curved to the rear by Shirley's house, and on
it the Jackson road came for a few rods, to continue
therefrom a little to the left, toward the rebel lines and
the city. Four brass pieces went into position just
under the crest of the hill in front of us. Here we dug

110 History of the 124TH

into the side hill, made terraces to "fall in" on, and pre
pared to stay, to "guard the rebels," as it was termed.
Without a tent, we put our rubber blankets on sticks,
or built "chebangs" of whatever we could lay our hands
on, and made ourselves comfortable as possible, setthng
down to the rigors of a siege.
Rifle pits were immediately dug in every available
direction, timbers were placed on the dirt crests in front
of them, with notches or gains for firing through, and
these were kept hot day and night. Our picketing was
this continual sharpshooting. Heavy siege guns were
brought up from Yazoo, and mounted wherever the
ground was favorable, about fifty pieces, large and small,
being near us. A protected way was dug from our rear,
passing just to our left, through Shirley's door yard,
wide enough to drive artillery through, with occasional
spaces to turn around in. This was a heavy job, and
our details for fatigue were very irksome. This covered
way ultimately reached "Fort Hill," as it was called,
the key to the rebel centre.
The firing from the mortar fleet, beyond the long
point west of the city, was continuous, and at night we
could easily' watch the shells, tracing their flight by the
burning fuses. Frequently they would explode in the
air over the doomed city, with a very loud report, but
others again could be heard to strike before exploding,
though it was full three miles away, to be followed soon
after by a stifled roar. Our cannonading was often ter
rific. For an hour or more, as fast as the guns could be

Illinois Infantry. Ill

worked, they would pour it into them, sometimes a
hundred at one report, seemingly. Columbiads, Dahl-
grens, Parrotts, Howitzers and James rifled, all mixed
together, a real artillery concert. "Giving them their
coffee," this was called. Occasionally they would an
swer back with a Whitworth projectile, or a small mor-,
tar shell, but their firing was unfrequent. Their light
artillery had nearly all been lost east of the Big Black.
Being under the range of our own guns, some fearful
accidents occurred from defective ammunition. On the
24th of May two men of the 30th Illinois were dread
fully mangled by the premature explosion of a shell.
One had his right leg and arm torn into shreds. The
other both legs. Death soon relieved them from their
agony. May 25th a ripple was raised by a flag of truce on the
enemy's lines. We hoped it meant surrender, but it
only asked for the burial of the dead of the 22d, both
theirs and ours. There had been no opportunity for
close search, and the stench forced them to this step.
The dead were nearer them than us. From three to
eight p. M. we had a respite, during which we looked
eacii other in the face, talked a little, and then settled
down to our work of death again.
On the 29th of May, Capt. Rogers, of McAllister's
battery, near us, was killed by a rebel bullet, during the
cannonading. The brave Capt. DeGolyer, who skirm
ished with his battery early in the siege, was mortally

112 History of the 124TH
wounded while lying in his tent in the rear, about this
time. An extract from my diary of Sunday, Moy 31st, will
give an idea of what it was to us . ' Opened at three
o'clock in the morning, with the most terrific cannonade
on our part I ever heard. Up and in line. The night
was perfectly hideous. A hundred guns at once, and
half as many exploding shells answering back, with
streams of fire and dense smoke. Like Pandemonium,
for nearly an hour the deafening roar was kept up, and
the enemy must have been severely punished. "
On the 1st of June, two ten-pound Parrotts were
planted near our heads to help steady the nerves when
drinking our coffee. The same day one of the 24-pound
Howitzers recoiled over the bank, and made a breech
charge on Company H, tearing down among the "che
bangs" for some distance, and finally bringing up against
a small tree. Fortunately no one was hurt.
On the 2d of June, Adam Pulling, of Company F.
was killed while sharp-shooting.
On the 4th, Gen. John E. Smith was assigned to the
command of what had been Quimby's division, recently
commanded by Gen. Crocker, and Gen. M. D. Leggott,
of the 78th Ohio, took command of our brigade, which
he retained until assigned to the command of the divis
ion, being over us in aU, nearly a year, during which he
greatly endeared himself to both officers and men.
On the 8th of June Oscar T. Cooley, .of company B,
was killed by a chance shot, while lying in his bunk.

Illinois Infantry. 113
On the 14th Nelson Phillips, of company C, whose
bravery was conspicuous at Champion Hills, was struck
in the face by part of a bullet, which had struck a ring
on his gunstock, while sharp-shooting, of which wound,
erysipelas having set in, he died in two weeks.
On the 17th a wall tent for each company and one for
regimental headquarters came up, and were set into the
side hill by terracing. But they were in full view of the
rebels on our right.
On the 1 8th Col. Sloan was released from arrest, by
the expiration of the time for which he could be held,
without a trial, and resumed command.
And so the siege dragged its weary length along.
Heavy details were always in the rifle pits, and equally
heavy ones always on fatigue. Our covered way reached
clear to the enemy's works, and then we mined under
them. Every day' brought us something new, some in
cident, sensation or rumor, to relieve the tedium. One
day it would be Johnston, and troops to the rear ; an
other, Capt. Hickenlooper and his wooden mortar; then
Foster, or "Coonskin," and his observatory, or Gen.
Parks and his ninth corps above us. Gen. McClernand
was relieved of his command, and "white hat," or a
rebel Gen. Green, of Missouri, was killed in front of
our regiment, for variety.
On the 20th the enemy stirred us up considerably,
and materially lessened the chances of our stagnation,
if any existed, by firing several 20-pound Parrott shells
among us, from in front of Blair. One shot away a corner

114 History of the 124TH
stake of company I's tent, after exploring a mess-chest
for company D, and went dashing among the "che
bangs" of C and H, without doing any farther damage.
A second cut the ridge-pole of the same tent in two, a
third cut off" the hand of a colored cook, and a fourth
buried itself and ricocheted to kill two men in a Minne
sota regiment, more than two miles away. We saw it
as it left us, and sped away on its errand of death.
Still others struck nearer the foot of the hill where some
of the boys had their fires kindled, and did their cook
ing, of one of which Maj. ann, then Captain of com
pany B, relates an amusing incident. Company E's
boys had built quite a pretentious oven, the results of
which they enjoyed hugely, but from which the smoke
was frequently drawn up the hill into the quarters of
company B, greatly to the disgust of those whose eyes
had to suffer. While the shells were falling quite thickly,
the smoke was also on duty, and Lieut. Stafford, of
company B, stepping out from their headquarters, rub
bing his eyes, said he hoped the next shell would smash
company E's oven. He had but little more than uttered
the words before one came booming to its mark, and
"knocked it all to smithereens," as the Major said when
telling the story. But this gun could fire but two or
three shots at a time before a whole pack of artillery would
be trained upon it, and its firing would cease. In the
course of a day or two it was completely silenced, hav
ing been partially dismounted, as we found after the sur
render. It had also been previously struck several

Illinois Infantry. 115
times, proving the accuracy of our aim, though sustain
ing but little damage. The enemy had constructed a
most ingenious dirt casemate for it ; and, considering the
many times it was discharged at us within such easy
range, it was really strange that no more damage was
done to us.
On the 23d of June Maj. Chase gave us his compli
ments in two months' pay.
On the 25th of June Lieut. Julius A. Pratt, of com
pany A, was instantly killed by a stray bullet. He had
been suffering with sickness for a few days, and was off"
duty, sitting in his tent, in what was supposed to be as
safe a place as any on the lines. His elbows were re
clining on his knees, with his face forward resting on his
hands. The ball had probably glanced from the limb
of a tree on the crest of the hill above the tent, and
ranging downward, entered at the back of his neck,
coming out under one of his eyes. Lieut. Pratt was
the only officer we had killed. He was capable, faith
ful, brave and popular, and at the time of his death was
in command of his company, Capt. Tenney being ab
sent sick. Lieut. Norman H. Pratt, his brother, then
in command of company F, after innumerable rebuffs
and delays, succeeded in procuring a leave of absence
and a casket, and took his remains north, to his home
in Kewanee, Illinois, where they now repose.
Also on the 25 th Fort Hill, as we called it, was blown
up. Twelve hundred pounds of powder had been safely
placed under it, divided in four places, and great expect-

116 History of the 124TH
ations were entertained of success. Our forces were all
in line and awaiting the result, hoping to walk into
Vicksburg. The gallant 45th was in the van. The ex
plosion took place about four o'clock, but instead of
effecting a breach in the fort, it only changed its face to
us. The 45 th rushed forward with great spirit, to be
met by a most deadly fire, which they heroically re
turned. It appeared that the falling earth had formed a
new line of defence for the rebels, leaving a sort of cul-
dc sac to the rear, into which our brave boys poured,
only to be mercilessly slaughtered. Maj. Fiske was in
stantly killed, Lieut. Col. Smith was mortally, and Col.
Maltby severely wounded, while the loss in a few min
utes was 59 men. The 31st relieved them after a little,
and kept up the firing till dark, losing 30 men, among
whom was their Lieut. Col. mortally wounded. Other
regiments in turn reheved them, and held the fort dur
ing the night.
We lay on our arms, and in the morning of the 26th
Companies H and I were ordered into the breach. The
enemy threw hand grenades with rapidity and deadly
eff"ect. Our men loaded under cover of the dirt, and
reaching up, fired over. This was done for thirty'min-
utes, when two other companies relieved them, and
such was the order of the day. As the reliefs returned
to the "Slaughter Pen," as ft soon came to be called,
it was hke moving into a deadly battle in cold blood.'
At last the night came on, and the 3d brigade relieved

Illinois Infantry. 117

us. The fearful day, the most trying and horrid in our
history, was past.
And we had lost forty-nine men in killed and wounded.
Of these Corporal Vance, of Company C, was torn
almost to pieces by .a hand grenade that exploded in
his lap, followed by another at his left side as he lay on
the ground. George Grabendike and George W. Lan-
ham, of the same Company, were fearfully mangled by
another hand grenade, and died the next day. John J.
Smith, of Company E, shared the same fate, living only
long enough to be carried to the hospital. Jacob Raper,
of Company D, and Presley Peek, of Company K,
were mortally wounded, and Lieut. Potter, of Company
H, and Corporal M. W. Morgan, of Company K,
severely. But little if any advantage was gained by all
this, and on the 27th the breach was as effectually held
by our guns and sharp-shooters, though at some dis
tance away, as it had been at such fearful cost.
Many incidents of this terrible day ought to find a
place in this history, and would if they could be rescued
from oblivion. Our loss, while it does not show heavily
on .paper, was very large for the numbers engaged.
Forty-nine men from eight companies, already worn to
exceeding thinness by the vigors of the siege, and with
no field officers engaged, is a large per cent. An idea
of the proportion may be gained by the statement that at
one time, after a sharp succession of hand grenades from
the enemy, only six men were left in the breach, two of
Company H, with Lieut. Spear, and two of Company C,

118 History of the 124TH

with Capt. Field, all the rest having been killed, wounded,
or, for the time, left the Fort. The Captain, himself,
during this time, was struck on the left hip by a piece
of shell, causing a severe bruise, though not penetrating
the clothing.
General Logan personally complimented the brave
men who so gallantly stood at their post through such
an hour of slaughter.
During the same afternoon L. Hegans, of Company C,
was so stunned by the near bursting of a shell, that
blood started from his ears, and he was partially deaf
ened for months. Serg't. C. M. Cassatt, of the same
Company, and others, were also severely stunned from
the same cause, some being insensible for a time.
Everything had been unusually active since the 26th,
and on July ist the Fort was blown up again. Quite as
much damage was done as before, and -with no loss to
us. Six persons were blown into our lines, three of
whom were colored, and one of them, named "Abe,"
survived his transit. Theodore R. Davis, of Harper's
Weekly, sketched him on the spot, all dirt and tatters
as he was. He said he went up two miles, saw stars,
met his master — who was one of the white men killed —
coming down, etc., a part of which — seeing stars — was
doubtless true. He was the hero of the hour, and
seemed to enjoy it vastly. The rebels were seen dig
ging very actively immediately after the explosion, which
indicated severe punishment.

Illinois Infantry. 119
On the 2d of July firing was very brisk on both sides,
the enemy discharging volleys on our left. Our can-
nonnading was especially furious, and we treated them
very plentifully to the twelve-pound shells from a wooden
mortar, in return for their hand grenades of the 26th.
An ounce and a half of powder would toss them over
very prettily, and land them where we chose. John P.
Mathews, of Company F, was mortally wounded by a
loose bullet from one of our shells which burst prema
turely. It struck him in the hip, and he died the nth
of July. He was but a boy in years, though a veteran
in service, and always ready, willing and cheerful.
But the end drew near. At eight o'clock in the
morning, July 3d, a white flag was noticed away to our
left on the rebel works. Soon another appeared, and
another, and, directly, one in front of us. The firing
ceased, and all was still, the first time since May 25th,
thirty-nine days. Soon greybacks began to show them
selves all along the lines. Heads first, cautiously, then
bodies, and we straightened up too, in many places only
a few yards from them. The works were mounted and
we looked each other in the face, the line of motley and
the line of blue. How eager we all were to see, and
what did it all mean ? Was it to bury the dead again —
their dead — or the prelude to a surrender ? And so the
forenoon wore away. About halfpast one a scare
occurred. We all dropped, and a few shots were fired,
but "cease firing" rang out everywhere, and no one

120 History of the 124TH
was specially anxious to disobey ; we had all had about
enough of that.
A few minutes later, and a stir near the white house
on our left indicated something unusual, and all eyes
were turned in that direction. Soon our quiet Captain,
the determined, self-possessed, heroic Grant, came rid
ing down our covered way, with McPherson, Logan,
Ord, A. J. Smith and other officers, and half a score of
orderlies, and paased on toward the rebel works. As
they left the trench and emerged into open view, three
horsemen, followed by orderlies, came out from the
rebel lines and advanced to meet them. These were,
Pemberton, Bowen and Col. Montgomery, Pemberton's
chiefof staff". All dismounted as they met, a general
hand shaking followed, and then Grant, McPherson and
A. J. Smith were seated with the rebel three, under a
large, narrow-leaved oak, in peaceful conference. This
augured favorably, but still the mortar fleet kept thun
dering away. At four o'clock the conference had ended,
and our men were all ordered down. The rebels, too,
had disappeared, but there was no firing.
As night drew on the' silence began to be fearfully
oppressive. For so many long days and nights ft had
been a continuous battle. Not a minute but the crack
of the rifle or the boom of the cannon had been in our
ears. And much of the time it had been deafening.
Now ft was still, absolutely still. The tremendous te?i-
sion was over. We had not felt it so overwhelmingly
earlier in the day when ve could look and see but now

Illinois Infantry. 121
it began to pain us. It was leaden. We could not
bear it ; it settled down so close ; it hugged us with its
hollow, unseen arms, till we could scarcely breathe.
Only those whose experience has been similar, can ima
gine the weight we carried through that otherwise happy
night. Few of us slept much, and none well.
The morning of Saturday, the 4th of July, dawned
gloriously. It was our nation's birthday, and we felt it.
We sympathized with it as nevei' before. The oppres
sion of the day and night had given place to light feel
ing. We seemed to tread on air. We put our feet
down in a sort of uncertain way, and it was so strange
to stand up straight whenever we chose. But as yet we
had no news. No orders.
A little later and report said the city was to be sur
rendered at ten o'clock. Then rumor said Grant's stern
terms had been rejected. Soon we were ordered to
black our boots, which was done with a will. All the
finery we had, whether paper collars or white gloves,
was in speedy requisition. And, thanks to our efficient
Quartermaster, despite the rigors of the siege, we were
far from being a shabby lot. What the battle and sick
ness had left of us looked weU.
Just before 10 o'clock, "FaU in" was the word, and in
a moment we were in our places, shoulder to shoulder,
as we had often been, but never with such a feeling,
never so proud of each other before.
A moment later our brigade band, one of the best in
the service, startled the leaden air and us together.

122 History of the 124TH
by bursting out with "Hail Columbia," hidden from us
in the white house on our left. We had not thought of
music ; it had been so long since we had heard any, that
its place had dropped out, or been filled with shot and
shell. Since Utica Cross Roads, May loth, but few of
us had heard a note, save a bugle call one evening in the
direction of Pleasant Dale, some miles away. And now,
as these strains welled out so exultingly, and the chords
of our hearts were swept, we went down before them,
and strong men wept like babes. This was followed by
"The Star-Spangled Banner," during the playing of
which we received a mail. While the Johnnies marched
out in front of us, and at many other places along the
line, stacked arms, and marched back again. "See
the rebs," we cried, under our breath, lest we should
lose a note of the music, then "Forward, march," rang
out, and the gallant 1st brigade. Gen. M: D. Leggett,
commanding, of Logan's fighting, 3d division, took up
its line of march into Vicksburg.
Past the rebel gun stacks, over the works, with our
field bands playing, through among the gazing Johnnies,
right down the Jackson road we went, the 45th leading.
Not a dog barked at us, not a cat shied round a corner.
Poor things, they had aU been eaten in the straitness of
the siege.
The roads were dusty and the day was hot, but this
was our celebration, and our steps did not falter. On
we went through the scorching road cuts, sweltering.
It was farther than we thought. When should we reach

Illinois Infantry. 123
the retreating city ? But at last the houses grew thicker,
the hospital was passed, and cheer upon cheer was
heard. ' 'Ah ! that is the court house, and, see, the
stars and stripes are floating from the cupola where the
45th have placed them. Now boys, hip, hip, hurrah."
And we shouted lustily. Our wild huzzas rent the
air. We shall never, we can never shout so again. The
long beleagured, stoutly defended, and sadly punished
city was purs at last, and it has ever since seemed to us,
who shared in the glories of that day, that we had two
Fourths to celebrate. One for our national birth, and
one for Vicksburg.

124 History of the 124TH

CHAPTER X

Logan commanding Post, and the 45th Provost guard. — Our friends
at home. — On picket at night. — The cause of the war. — General
Orders, No. 20. — Inside the Unes, and In camp once more. — What
we saw in Vicksburg. — Caves. — Starvation. — Testimony of the
Daily Citizen. — Famine plaster. — Graves. — But Vicksburg had not
suffered, 0, no! — Dress parade. — Paroled prisoners. — Pemberton
oak. —Sickness. — Major Pattison. — Resignations and promotions.

M

AJOR GENERAL JOHN A. LOGAN was given
command of the Post of Vicksburg, the gallant
45th Illinois, of our brigade, was assigned to Provost
duty, with headquarters in the court house, and so the
military occupation was complete.
Our first thought after the surrender was of the loved
ones at home. ' ' To them the release from the fearful
tension has not yet come," we said; " they share not
our joy to-day ; they think of us and pray for us as still
in the battle ; O, that they could know how it is with
us," breathed many a loving heart, and we never sighed
for telegraphic communication with our homes at any
other time in the service as we did that day. But we

Illinois Infantry. 125
found some solace in the voluminous letters and ample
details of our victory and joy, which we penned for the
dear ones' future perusal.
We soon returned to our old quarters outside the
lines, and heavy details were made upon us for guard
duty, every foot of the long line of rebel works being
picketed, and by nightfall of that memorable day the
scene had changed from one of two opposing forces con
fronting each other, to that of an immense corral of the
disarmed butternut and grey, vigilantly guarded by the
victorious blue. Our portion of the lines extended from
the right of our position, by Ransom's, to the corner
fort in front of Blair, making nearly three-fourths of a
mile, all of which was thronged with hungry, eagerly
questioning Johnnies. They had heard nothing reliable
from the outside world for weeks, and, scanty as their
rations had become, consisting of little beside mule beef
and stock peas, they were in many instances quite as
hungry for intelligence as for food, and made as vigorous
demands upon our newspapers and talking powers as
upon our. haversacks.
Some of the mistaken statements about the war, vol
unteered by the prisoners that night, would have been
vastly amusing to us, had it not been for the fact they
made us conscious of, that we had an ignorance to con
tend against which was scarcely less powerful and dan
gerous than the Confederacy in arms. One of the state
ments was made by a consequential Colonel, who had
come in to extinguish the Yankee officer, who had

126 History of the 124TH
proved to be a little too well informed for his more hum
ble opponent, and was in these words : ' ' Sir, you are
responsible for this war and all its horrors ; you have
brought it upon us ; not a blow would ever have been
struck, sir, not a gun fired, sir, but for Abraham Lin
coln's emancipation proclamation. " Any reply to such
a statement was absolutely out of the question.
The next day the following was issued, which ex
plains itself Of course we appropriated our share :
Headquarters i 7th Army Corps,
Department of the Tennessee,
Vicksburg, Miss., July 4, 1863.
[General Orders No. 20.]
Soldiers of the i ph Army Corps :
Again I rejoice with you over your brilliant achieve
ments, and your unparallelled success.
Hardly had your flag floated to the breeze on the
Capitol of Mississippi, when springing to the call of our
NOBLE commander, VOU rushed upon the defiant columns
of the enemy at Champion Hills and drove him in con
fusion and dismay across the Big Black, to his defences
within the stronghold of Vicksburg.
Your assaulting columns, which moved promptly upon
his works on the 22d of May, and which stood for hours
undaunted, under a withering fire, were unsuccessful
only because no men could take the position by storm.
With tireless energy, with sleepless vigilance, by night
and by day, with battery and with rifle pit, with trench
and mine, you made your sure approaches, until over-

Illinois Infantry. 127
come by fatigue, and driven to despair in the attempt to
oppose your irresistible progress, the whole garrison of
over thirty thousand men with all their arms and muni
tions of war, have, on this the anniversary of our
National Independence, surrendered to the invincible
troops of the Army of the Tennessee.
The achievements of this hour will give a new mean
ing to this memorable day, and Vicksburg will brighten
the glow in the patriot's heart, which kindles at the
mention of Bunker Hill and Yorktown.
This is, indeed, an auspicious day for you. The God
of Battles is with you ; the dawn of a conquered peace
is breaking upon you ; the plaudits of an admiring world
will hail you wherever you may go, and it will be an
ennobling heritage surpassing all riches, to have been of
the I 7th Army Corps on the 4th of July, 1863.
JAMES B. McPHERSON,
Official : Major General.
Wm. '1. Clark,
Colonel and Assistant Adjutant General.
Ere the nightfall of the 5th we had moved inside the
lines, to the left of the Jackson road, and our company
tents and equipage having come up — thanks to our
Quartermaster — and A and G being in their places once
more, we were a regiment in camp again.
And now we had a little leisure to look at Vicksburg,
and inspect the prize we had been trying to draw so
long. We found the place, which was never very beau-

128 History of the 124TH
tiful or wealthy, in a sorry plight from the fierceness and
long continuance of our shelling, both from the mortar
boats and the rear. There was scarcely a building of
any kind uninjured, and many were nearly or quite
ruined. For the most part the dwellings had been
deserted during the siege, and the people had burrowed
into the clay hills, digging them full of caves, with the
entrances of the size of small hay-cocks, in the steep
banks of the road cuts. Into these they had carried
stoves, beds, rugs, etc. , and had managed to live in them
for weeks, comparatively safe. Occasionally, however,
a mortar shell would tear through the too thin protec
tion over their heads, and explode in the midst of some
wretched family with fearful effect.
Of food in the city we found very little. The fear of
starvation had really forced Pemberton to surrender.
The last issue of the Daily Citizen, of July 2d, was
found in form upon the stone, and several copies, on
wall paper, lying in the office. Our boys put in a square
at the foot of the last column, announcing our presence
in the city, and struck off an edition for Yankee circula
tion, otherwise just as J. M. Swords, the proprietor,
left it. Two articles from its columns we copy entire,
upon the food question ; certainly it ought to be
authority :
"Weare indebted to Major Gillespie for a steak of
Confederate beef, alias meat. We have tried it, and
can assure our friends that if it is rendered necessary,
they need have no scruples at eating the meat. It is

Illinois Infantry. 129
sweet, savory and tender, and so long as we have a mule
left we are satisfied our soldiers will be content to sub
sist on it."
" Victimized. — We learned of an instance wherein a
' knight of the quill ' and a ' deciple of the black art, '
with malice in their hearts and vengeance in their eyes,
ruthlessly put a period to the existence of a venerable
feline, that has for time, not within the memory of the
oldest inhabitant, faithfully discharged the duties to be
expected of him to the terror of sundry vermin in his
neighborhood Poor, defunct Thomas was then pre
pared not for the grave, but the pot, and several friends
invited to partake of a nice rabbit. As a matter of
course, no one would wound the feelings of another,
especially in these times, by refusing a cordial invitation
to dinner, and the guests assisted in consuming the poor
animal with a rehsh that did honor to their epicurean
tastes. The ' sold ' assure us that the meat was deli
cious, and that pussy must look out for her safety."
We also give an extract from another article on the
same subject :
' ' A rumor has reached us that parties in our city
have been, and are now, selling flour at five dollars per
pound, molasses at ten dollars per gallon, and corn at
ten dollars per bushel. We have not as yet proved the
fact upon the parties accused, but this allusion to the
subject may induce some of our citizens to ascertain
whether such prices have been paid, and to whom ; and
if so, let a brand not only be placed upon their brow,

130 History of the 124TH
but let it be seared into their very brain I that humanity
may scorn and shun them as they would the portals of
heU itself"
The appearance of the people corroborated the state
ments of the paper. We did not find a rugged looking
person in the city ; the higher officers even were hag
gard and wan, and our first duty was to issue rations to
all, both soldiers and citizens.
The ground near the lines was in a filthy condition
from the prevalence of diarrhoea among the rebel sol
diers, and the impossibility of their digging or using sinks,
on account of being so hard pressed by our forces. Could
the surface have been fairly turned over, and had they
not been cooked, it seemed as though the undigested
stock peas, as they lay where they had been voided,
would have seeded the land for a crop. Police duty was
necessarily arduous, and subsequent sickness was doubt
less largely owing to the effluvia our utmost pains-taking
was powerless to escape.
Rebel graves were stuck in everywhere along the
lines, singly, and by twos and threes, wherever there
was a spot sheltered so they could safely bury, or level
enough for two or three graves together. Very many
had been buried in the trenches where they fell, as we
suspected then, and soon found upon repairing the
works, and in few instances were they buried so deep
that the stench, and often the green flies did not become
a great annoyance. When we blew up Fort Hill, upon
remodehngthe works, sometime after, the mass of legs.

Illinois Infantry. 131
arms, and other decaying remains turned up by the
spade, was so great as to give us new ideas of the terri
ble punishment we had inflicted upon them, and to cause
us to seriously fear for the effect upon our health, des
pite our utmost precautions.
But notwithstanding all we found to prove their fear
ful suffering and loss during the siege, everybody in
Vicksburg — unless talking upon some other subject, and
telling the truth by accident — stoutly maintained that we
had done them very little if any damage. The long and
terrible struggle which had terminated in the uncondi
tional surrender of more than 30,000 famishing troops,
and such a vast quantity of munitions of war, which,
ere it reached that result, had wiped out whole batteries
and companies, till not a man remained, which had
rained iron hail and leaden death upon their devoted
heads from a thousand cannon and more than 50,000
rifles, night and day, for weeks, till every place of busi
ness was closed, and all dwellings abandoned, the in
habitants having gone into the earth like prairie dogs for
safety, and which had killed non-combatants by scores
and hundreds in their places of shelter, and as they
sought to go a few steps by night in the streets, all that
had been a mere bagatelle — a simple farce. We had
been greatly mistaken if we thought we had punished
them much ; very greatly mistaken. But we must have
suffered terribly, they said. Such ability to hide the
plainest facts from their eyes, and fortify themselves in
transparent falsehoods which had nearly ruined tiiem,

132 History of the 124TH
we could scarcely believe a sane people capable of But
there it was, before us every day, and some of its
changes continually ringing in our ears.
On the 9th of July we had dress parade for the first
time in months. It was sad to look at our decimated
ranks, and many an eye filled with tears for those whose
places were vacant. But upon the whole the occasion
was a proud one ; it was a parade of veterans.
On the nth and 12th the paroled prisoners passed
outside the works for their homes, after being searched
in line for powder and arms, which some were trying to
smuggle out. Many severely reprobated Gen. Grant
for paroling them, alleging that they would not regard
their parole. But he had not the transportation requi
site for sending them north, unless he took it from our
sick and wounded, who were loading every boat ; neither
had he the rations for them so far, or where they were,
with all the citizens to feed. He had no alternative with
such a multitude on his hands, besides it was confidently
believed by many, that after such fearful punishment as
they had received, if permitted to scatter, very many of
them would be lost to the Confederacy, without any fur
ther cost to us, and that they might prove to be the
moulders of a healthier public sentiment throughout the
south. On the 1 5th of July we moved camp again about three-
fourths of a mile, taking a position about equi-distant
from the Jackson road and the rebel works, in front of

Illinois Infantry. 133
the right of Ransom's old position. We gained in
height, shade and water by the change.
About this time the oak under which Grant and
Pemberton sat, July 3d, became the object of very spe
cial interest to the soldiers. It was a somewhat preten
tious tree, about eighteen inches in diameter, of a narrow
leaved variety, and ought to have been sacredly pre
served, like the charter oak at Hartford, Conn., and the
Washington elm at Cambridge, Mass. But the idea was
conceived of making relics of it, and it was cut down
and dug up, even to every little fragment of its roots,
and gone, before what was being done was known by
those who might have saved it. It was divided up and
sold for fabulous sums for canes, boxes, sets in rings,
etc., and cords were probably palmed off" upon the credu
lous for Pemberton oak, which the tree was as innocent
of as a poplar. Lately a small monument and iron rail
ing marked the spot, but these, too, yielded to vandal
hands, and were subsequently replaced by others.
Notwithstanding the skill and pains-taking of our
medical staff", sickness began to tell fearfully upon the
regiment. The heat was excessive, the stench was
deadly, and the duty hard. A malarial fever, of a pecu
liar type, became very prevalent. After suffering a few
hours, the patients would turn yellow as saffion. Some
thought it the veritable yellow fever, and were greatly
alarmed, but the boys who recovered from it christened
it " the break-bones fever," by which name it is gener
ally remembered. Sanitary stores were plenty, our

134 History of the 124TH
hospital accommodations as good as they could be made
in tents and booths, and the care of the nurses was un
remitting. All chronic cases were sent to the general
hospitals or furloughed, that every energy might be ex
pended upon that class which needed it most. The
Hospital Steward, C. B. Allaire, refused a furlough
home, to remain at his post, and too much praise can
not be given to all who did what they could at this
juncture. But despite everything our mortality list was
fearfully large.
On the 26th of July a bomb-shell exploded in our
camp, in the dismissal of Major R. P. Pattison from the
service, by order of the_ War Department, which had
already taken effect July 9th. There was something so
peculiarly cruel in this order, coming just when it did,
and having been cooking just when it had, while a brave
officer was undergoing all the perils and rigors of such a
campaign and siege, that, had it been really deserved,
it would still have secured for him the sympathy of all
patriotic men in the service or out of it. But based
upon a technicality, as it was, its reprobation was uni
versal, and the sympathy with the Major was very
demonstrative and deep. It seemed that Company H,
of Aurora, of which the Major was Captain, had been
entitled, like many others, to pay for subsistence between
the time of its enlistment and its drawing rations at
Camp Butler. For this subsistence the Major had put
in a claim against the government, as very many others
had under the same circumstances, as though he had

Illinois Infantry. 135

subsisted the men. This claim had been allowed, he
had received the money, and divided it pro rata among
the men, who had really subsisted themselves, and were
entitled to the pay for it. The government was not
wronged, and the Major was not a gainer. For this,
and this alone, he was dismissed from the service. He
immediately bade us a sad farewell, and i astening to
Washington, laid his case before the proper authorities.
The dismissal was promptly revoked, and he soon re
ceived an order restoring him to his rank and command,
but having had advantageous offers of business extended
him, which had been accepted previous to its receipt, he
did not rejoin the regiment. This was one of the very
few really unpleasant episodes of our regimental life, for
which there seemed to be no sufficient cause.
About this time many other changes took place in our
command. Owing to a partial failure of his sight.
Chaplain Foskett resigned July ist, leaving us just
before the surrender. Religious services were still sus
tained in the regiment, however, the sick visited, and
the dead appropriately buried, by Capt. Brink, of Com
pany D, and 1st Lieut. Howard, of Company I, who
were both ministers. Later a petition, at the instiga
tion of the men, was signed by all the officers of the
regiment, for Lieut. Howard's promotion to the vacant
Chaplaincy, upon which he was commissioned Chaplain
and subsequently accepted the office, remaining with the
regiment till its muster out of service.

136 History of the 124TH
Capt. R. A. Tenny, of Company A, had tried to
struggle through the campaign until reduced almost to a
skeleton, and even his life was despaired of, when he
felt compelled to resign. It was hard for us to lose
the inimitable, inspiring, once jolly "Ralph" from
among us, but there was no alternative. His resigna
tion, bearing date July 9th, and the death of Lieut.
Julius A. Pratt, caused the promotion of 2d Lieut. E.
C. Raymond to the Captaincy, while Orderly D. Ames
Bigelow became 1st Lieutenant, and Serg't. Warren F.
Dodge 2d Lieutenant.
Capt. Stephen Brink, of Company D, and 1st Lieut.
A. A. Cowderey both resigned soon after the surren
der. The latter had been on detached printing service
since he left us at Oxford, Miss., in December, 1862.
Abraham Newland became Captain of this Company,
and Henry J. Brockway 1st Lieutenant.
Capt. Mathew B. Potter, of Company F, who was
wounded at Thompson's Hill, also resigned from disa
bility, and 1st Lieut. Norman H. Pratt became Captain,
and 2d Lieut. Enoch W. Taylor 1st Lieutenant.
Capt. Thomas K. Roach, of Company I, who had
been at MiUiken's Bend, La., during most of the cam
paign, in command of convalescent camp, came to the
regiment just before the surrender, but was unable to
resume command of his company on account of severe
sickness, and resigned July nth. 1st Lieut. Howard
having been promoted Chaplain, 2d Lieut. Benjamin A.

Illinois Infantry. 137
Griffith became Captain, and Sergt. Elijah Barton ist
Lieutenant. First Lieutenants John W. Terry, of company C, and
James H. Blackmore, of company E, also resigned, and
2d Lieutenant Lewis Dorian, and Sergeant Reese L.
Merriman, were respectively promoted to the vacancies.
On the 17th of July Maj. Marston paid us to June
30th. Our communications were now open with the north.
Our friends began to visit us, and, saving the sickness,
we commenced gradually to recover from the exhaustion
of the campaign, and regain our former elasticity and
tone. Quartermaster Reece had a little detached experience
about this time, which deserves to be told, in connection
with the death of a brother, which occurred on the Big
Black. But at his request it is omitted, only as we say
that his exhaustion during his brother's sickness, and
the wearying trip home to Illinois with the remains,
brought on a protracted fever, which detained him at
home for three months, during which time the business
of the Quartermaster's department was admirably mana
ged by Quartermaster-Sergeant Durley.

138 History of the 124TH

CHAPTER XI

Home. — A speech from Col. Howe. — "City of Madison." — Monroe ex
pedition. — Jamestown weeds.— =Camp near Bayou Boeuf. — Monroe.
— Leggett's order. — Back again. — Twenty-four miles the first day. —
Only eight on Sunday. — Then twenty-five miles in the heat. — The
worn and weary given six miles extra.— Home once more. — Col.
Howe on military commission to condemn rebel property. — A scare.
— Moved camp. — Marching orders. — The Brownsville and Bogue
Chitto expedition. — Over the Champion HUls battle ground. — In
camp again.
GREAT NUMBERS of the men were furioughed
from Vicksburg, and many precious lives thereby
saved. In other instances the furloughs came too late,
and the ailing ones reached home only to die there.
Most of the officers, too, were granted leave of absence,
from four to six at a time, and the dear ones at the
north were gladdened by the presence of many they
had feared they should never greet again. Nearly every
officer and well soldier going up the river had one or
more discharged men under his care, making the trip
one of great weariness and anxiety. And often the
effort to assist the poor invalids home terminated in

Illinois Infantry. 139
burying them by the way, and carrying home their last
words, and a few little mementos of a soldier's undying
love. Thus while many homes were brightened by the
dear one's presence as July and August sped by, over
many others the pall settled down to be lifted no more.
On the nth of August, upon the return of Lieut.
Col. Howe from his leave of absence, the boys called
him out for a speech, and he addressed them very
happily. Col. Sloan also made some remarks, and the
occasion was one of some interest. A little different
from the daily routine of heat, picket and fatigue.
August 19, a shocking accident occurred at Vicks
burg, in the blowing up of the steamer ' ' City of Madi
son." She was being loaded with ordnance at the
wharf-boat, and it was said a percussion shell was acci
dentally dropped and discharged, communicating with
about 800,000 rounds of ammunition, which exploded
with terrible force, tearing the boat all to pieces save a
part of the hull, which immediately sunk. About
thirty were killed and wounded, and the scene beggared
description. None of our boys were on the steamer at
the time.
On the 2 1 St of August, about noon, marching orders
were received, for where no one knew, and all the bus
tle and preparation of getting off were ours once more.
By order of Col. Sloan, Lieut. Col. Howe was left in
charge of the camp, and at 6 p. m. , led by the brigade
band, the regiment marched down to the landing, and
embarked on the "Sam Gaty," with the 23d Indiana.

140 History of the 124TH
The force proved to consist of General Logan's fight
ing 3d division, under command of Gen. John D. Ste
venson, of Missouri. We soon pulled out into the
stream and steamed up the river. The night was
oporessively hot, and the mosquitos fearfully active, so
that but little rest was to be had. All were astir early
the next morning, and soon after breakfast Goodrich
landing was reached, on the Louisiana shore, about
si.Nity miles up the river, and the command debarked.
We marched up the bank about three miles to the Dor-
sett plantation, took possession of the grove near the
mansion, went into camp, and spent the day, greatly
enjoying the shade and a bath in the Mississippi, as a
relief from the extreme heat.
The morning of the 23d, which was Sunday, we moved
early, marching back to the landing, and then striking
due west for Bayou Tensas, eight miles distant. The
road lay through a heavily timbered, low, flat country,
which had been flooded when the levee Was cut at
Providence, to the height of about fifteen feet, as we
could see on all the trees. The opening for the road
was so wide that the timber afforded us no shelter, and
we were shut into a narrow wagon track in the centre of
it by the wonderful Jamestown and other weeds, which
towered above our heads, emitting a peculiarly offensive
and sickening odor. The heat was intense, and many
of the men were completely overcome by it. Says
Captain Pratt, of Company F : " Upon attempting to
form a line and stack arms at Bayou Tensas, Sergeant

Illinois Infantry. 141
Green and three or four men were all I had, while Com
pany A could not form a stack. This is simply an in
dex of the condition of the command. I was personally
never more prostrated than by the heat and the noxious,
mephitic odors arising from the vegetation through
which we passed that day."
The bayou was reached at two o'clock, and its dark,
murky waters hailed with delight. Here the regiment
bivouacked for the night. The water was warm and un
palatable, but the rest was a luxury, though in a cypress
swamp, amid snakes, lizards and alligators.
August 24th, moved at nine o'clock in the roasting
heat, and traveled slowly. We were told by the intelli
gent contrabands that the rebels were in force ahead,
under General Walker, with thirty pieces of artillery.
We stopped for coffee and roasting-ears about thirty
minutes, reached Bayou Mason about three o'clock, and
bivouacked, finding good water.
The 25th we moved about fourteen miles through a
land of plenty, which kept the boys and the darky
cooks in clover. But towards night the surface of the
country changed, and we bivouacked in a swamp, wet
and dismal enough. Captain Pratt tells the story in this
wise : ' ' We obtained water out of sink holes and mule
tracks, of a long previous date. It was green and had
remarkable body. After boiling and skimming, we
made coffee with it, and eating our hard-tack, lay down
in our blankets, and found the repose that comes so
readily to the innocent, the weary and the just. Before

142 History of the 124T11
we had slept long, however, some of those indefatigable,
restless spirits known as ' bummers, ' who are always on
the move, and finding out what seems past finding out,
came in with canteens full of clear, sparkling water,
saying that three miles ahead was a river (Bayou Boeuf)
of such water, witli a sandy bottom and numerous
springs. Then the air became lurid and sulphurous
with curses, loud, long and deep, from men who thought
a commander who knew so httle about the topography
of a country was either an incompetent ass, or utterly
unfeeling." Probably a part of the command was near
the stream, but that did not help us.
Here Hospital Steward Allaire, in searching for water,
was lost for some time in a canebrake, and Lieut. Mil
ler, on Gen. Leggett's staff", was lost for the night, caus
ing serious alarm. But he found his way into the hues
again in the early morning.
On the 26th we marched at seven o'clock, and halted
at the river Boeuf at eleven o'clock for lunch. We
then forded the stream at Point Jefferson Landing, and
passed on to the quiet village of Oak Ridge, reaching
it late in the afternoon. Here a wedding was in proo^-
ress, which was terminated in some haste, leaving the
wedding-cake for our boys, which they relished im
mensely. On the 27th an order was read prohibiting foraging
in the Parishes we are now passing through, because
the inhabitants are said to be loyal. Our route lay
through a swampy forest for much of the way to-day,

Illinois Infantry. 143
over corduroy roads. We halted for rest in a dark,
cypress swamp, through which a still darker lagoon
wound its tortuous course. The water was quite cold,
but unpleasant to the taste. We marched sixteen miles
and went into camp at night, eight miles from Monroe,
with the expectation of meeting the enemy to-morrow.
Had inspection of arms the first thing in the morning
of the 28th, which we knew meant business. Our
brigade had the advance, with the 31st Illinois in
front. The country through which we began to move
was very fine, th^ plantations being large and well im
proved, orchards of apple, peach and apricot trees
numerous and flourishing, and the buildings large, rich
and often pretentious. Nothing seemed wanting to
make the land a paradise, but to eliminate the ignorance
and bitterness of the people, and diffuse intelligence
and a loving spirit in their place. How often are we
compelled to remember and endorse the poetical senti
ment, "Man's inhumanity to man makes countless
thousands mourn."
When within about two miles of Monroe we heard
the booming of artillery ahead, which somewhat quick
ened our pulses, and we hastened forward. But we
soon learned that the redoubtable foe had fled, and
Monroe was ours.
We marched through the place with drums beating
and colors flying, the people seeming to be really glad
to see us. The negroes especially were shouting and
laughing in high glee, as though the day of jubilee had

144 History op the 124TH
really come. We found Monroe a very pretty and some
what wealthy place, the seat of government of Wachita
Parish, and pleasantly situated upon the bank of the
Wachita river, a lovely and inviting stream. We went
into camp in a delightful shade upon its banks, expecting
to remain some time.
Gen. Leggett, our brigade commander, soon made us
a speech, telling us we were in the "land of plenty,"
that fruit and vegetables were in abundance, and we
were to have a full supply. The citizens were going to
make us munificent donations in the morning, and we
were to send our wagons for the bountiful store. But
in the meantime we were not to touch or disturb a thing,
for these were Union people, and sent for us to come
there to drive the rebels out. The boys responded with
a shout of "Hurrah for Leggett," and "Bully for Mon
roe," and spent the rest of the day on their good be
havior, bathing in the limpid, pebbly-bottomed Wachita,
and chatting about home, and the good things of the
morrow. Sergeant-iMajor Richards describes the realizations of
the morning of the 29th as follows :
"O happy anticipations of yesterday! What a van
ishing of bountiful, good things does the reality of the
morning's order cause, turning our hopes into disap
pointment and bitterness. ' Backward, march, ' was the
word, starting at six a.m. The boys were simply mad,
and cursed Gen. Leggett up and down for deceiving
them so. It was a little the most complete ' sell ' in

Illinois Infantry. 145
the way of promises that we had ever been made the
victims of, and seemed so needless. We could not get
over it all day, and the boys were just spoiling for a
fight, or an opportunity to clean somebody out."
To add to the cause for complaint, the haste with
which we were moved, was very trying. Without hav
ing accomplished anything, or being in any danger, the
average soldier could not understand why we should be
kept at such a pace, and compelled to make twenty-
four miles in such a hot day, unless it was to run away
from the negroes, who literally swarmed about us.
We reached our old camp on Oak Hill at ten p. m.,
and needed no rocking to sleep.
The next day we marched only eight miles, and bivou
acked on the east bank of the river Boeuf, having crossed
it two miles below Point Jefferson Landing. The rest
was very acceptable, and especially so to many, as it
was Sunday. Some of the men, however, improved
the opportunity to forage a little, and among other
things made the pleasant acquaintance of the musca
dine grape, which was very plenty in the forests.
On Monday, August 31st, we marched twenty-five
miles in the heat and dust, starting at five o'clock in the
morning. This was simply terrible, and all the more
so, as it seemed to be entirely unnecessary. So many
of the men were crippled and used up that, after lying
in camp all day September i, they were detached from
the command, to the number of about a hundred, and,
under Capt. Pratt, of company F, started forward at

146 History of the 124TH
 ¦i 
five p. M. , with orders to proceed to the Mississippi and
go up the river three miles, and bivouack. This they
did, reaching the designated point a little before day
light, all terribly exhausted and footsore, and throwing
themselves upon the ground with sighs of immense
relief Meantime the whole command was moved forward at
a break-neck pace, starting at eleven o'clock at night,
and reached the landing at six a. m. , September 2d, our
regiment having, as the boys expressed it, raced the
23d Indiana all night, laying out the Hoosiers by the
roadside quite plentifully. The command was immedi
ately embarked, we going, with our whole brigade, upon
the " Sam Gaty " again. This necessitated an order for
Captain Pratt's command to countermarch to the landing
forthwith in order to go with us, which the poor boys
did, thereby gaining the sorry privilege of marching six
miles further by starting six hours earlier. This gives
some faint idea of the wisdom and military sagacity
manifested in the conduct of the Monroe expedition,
which, to many an officer and soldier, looked like the
exploit of that famous king who marched an armj' up a
hill, and then — marched down again. That evening
found us in our home camp at Vicksburg, where we
were permitted to welcome Adjutant Smith once more,
who had not been with us since wounded at Champion
Hills. The rest of September passed without anything
worthy of special notice.

Illinois Infantry. 147
October 1st, Lieut. Col. Howe was detailed on a mili
tary commission to condemn rebel properly, with Gen.
Leggett, president, and Capt. Chauncey Black, of the
17th Illinois, the other member. This necessarily took
the Colonel from us considerable of the time, though he
still occupied his regimental quarters. The commission
held sessions and adjourned from time to time for
months. On the 6th of October, after our division had been
on general review once more, which had quickened our
military pulses a little, we were treated to quite a scare.
There had been rumors of hovering rebels for several
days, and an extensive line of new fo^rtificatiOns had
been commenced, intended to be impregnable, but they
were not completed, and there was a general feeling of
insecurity, should any formidable demonstration be
made against us. A very heavy thunder shower occur
red in the early part of the night, and in the midst of it
the report was circulated that the enemy had driven in
our pickets on the Big Black, and were advancing upon
us in force. Some were incredulous, but there was also
considerable alarm. The regiment was immediately
ordered out on picket, and passed the night under arms.
But no enemy appeared, and the morning brought us
to camp and quiet again.
October 9th we moved our camp into an orchard,
nearer the city, and expected, from the nature of the
move, to have the privilege of occupying it for the win
ter. But we had scarcely begun to make ourselves com-

148 History of the 124TH
fortable when marching orders were received, coming
just after service on Sunday, the nth, and immediately
all was bustle in drawing rations, and getting ready for
a start. We did not get off" until six A. m., on the 14th,
when we moved east on the Jackson road, by our old
siege quarters. Our force consisted of Gen. Logan's
division, though he was not with us, and a few cavalry.
At the Big Black we were joined by Gen. Tuttle's divis
ion, of Sherman's Army Corps, the whole being under
Gen. McPherson. We moved along very nicely, the
men being fresh, the roads fine, and the day cool, and
made about sixteen miles, camping on the Big Black
before nightfall.
The morning of the 15th of October is memorable for
the tremendous racket kept up for a full hour in beating
reveille. The noise would have easily indicated the pre
sence of 40,000 men, and if it was a piece of strategy,
just what effect it was to produce, and where, would be
open questions. We moved again at six, crossed the
Big Black, and pushed on towards Canton, through a
fine country, heavily timbered, in which the dark ever
green magnolia and holly seemed struggling against the
approach of winter, as indicated by the deciduous trees
that had cast their foliage. It was as though the torrid
zone had stretched out her fingers on the ridges to repel
the en croachment.of the familiar polar regions, saying
to them despite their naked creeping down the valleys,
"Thus far shaft thou come, and no farther. " Ween-

Illinois Infantry. 149

joyed the march very much, picked a few grapes and
chincapins by the roadside, when halting, which we fre
quently did, and actually saw one magnolia blossom, at
that unusual season of the year. About three o'clock
we passed through the village of Brownsville, and soon
found our teams corraled and heard firing. Skirmishers
were thrown out, lines of battle were formed, and busi
ness was indicated generally. The skirmishing con
tinued, more or less brisk, till nightfall, and we bivou
acked where we lay in line of battle.
The next morning was beautiful. We were early
astir, but did not move. Shelling was heard at a dis
tance, and we were informed the force confronting us
was a body of about i,8oo cavalry, under Wirt Adams
or Cosby. The whole day was spent in maneuvering
and trying to flank the enemy. Occasionally the firing
would be quite heavy, and then comparatively still.
Some casualties occurred, but mostly in the cavalry.
The Bogue Chitto creek was in our front and the enemy
used their superior knowledge of the ground to good
advantage, though a part of our force crossed the creek
upon their flank. We encamped quietly a few rods
from the creek at night.
Peter Victor was captured and murdered that day, as
we learned subsequently. His body was found in a
ravine. The morning of the 17th they commenced shelling us
about six o'clock. Our brigade crossed the creek and
deployed in a cornfield, throwing out skirmishers. Our

150 History of the 124TH
artillery soon opened and we advanced in line of battle
for upwards of a mile. The most of our command was
in sight a part of the time, advancing in column of bri
gades, and the display was very fine, the effect being
heightened by the shelling from both sides, and the
curling smoke in the air as time shells bhrst over their
position and our advancing lines. Soon we saw their
cavalry moving rapidly to our left, and upon ascending
the higher ground found their position deserted, though
our advance had found a few to fire at, with a section of
artillery, up to within a few minutes. We soon moved
forward briskly by the flank and pursued them till nearly
dark, when we burnt a tannery, and manufactory of some
kind of war material, and faOing back a little for forage
and water, went into camp. It rained heavily in the
night. The next morning we retraced our steps a few
miles, and then diverged southward toward Clinton,
which we reached about four o'clock. While halting
there for a little rest, the enemy's skirmishers opened
upon our rear, but we paid them but little attention.
moving on toward Vicksburg, and going into camp
about eight o'clock, the other side of the road from our
old camping ground the night before the battle of Cham
pion Hills. As we afterwards learned, the enemy had
brought up Loring's division of infantry against us, be
sides Wirt Adams, Logan, Cosby, and Whitman's bri
gades of cavalry. We really had retreated from the
face of a superior foe, but the men did not know ft.

Illinois Infantry. 151
The morning of October 19th was lovely. We had
plenty of leisure for breakfast and got off" at last about
eight o'clock, well refreshed, moving over the familiar
road, and the battle ground of Champion Hills. Our
brigade band played a while before we started, and the
enemy were firing occasional shots into our rear, which
heightened our interest in the occasion and place, but
we kept up our flank movement undisturbed, with our
band playing and flags unfurled. We especially marked
the course of our own regiment, saw the graves of our
comrades, and also those of Colonel Skid Harris, and
Major J. W. Anderson, of the 43d Georgia, killed at
the previous battle. Our emotions can be better ima
gined than described.
We pushed on over the same road of May 17th, past
Ed ward's. Station, crossed the Big Black on a pontoon
bridge just above the burnt railroad bridge, and camped
at Bovina.
About the middle of the afternoon of the 20th we
reached camp in Vicksburg, and were at home again,
where we were gladdened by the presence of Quarter
master Reece, after an absence of over three months.

152 History of the 124TH

CHAPTER XII

Reece's river experience. — A new wagonmaster. — Details to colored
regiments. — Conley's mule. — Roses, — Moved to Big Black. — Colonel
Howe in command. — Logan's farewell. — Battalion drill. — Trial drill
of brigade. — Won prize for best picket duty. — Ofiicers' mess. —
Regimental chapel. — Leggett division commander. — Force in com
mand of brigade. — Major Mann.
COMING DOWN the river on the steamer "Live
Oak," in company with Colonel Stolbrand, Logan's
chief of artillery, Captain Raymond, of our regiment,
and other officers, and a number of citizens of the south.
Quartermaster Reece had a bit of experience, which we
insert in his own language, as bringing out a phase of
army life, and of the character of the rebellion, which
deserves to be recorded :
'' After the fall of Vicksburg the guerrillas infested
both sides of the river, and gave our transports a great
deal of trouble, few boats passing up or down without
being fired into. Requiring some wood one morning we
landed at a wood yard. As soon as the plank was run
out several stepped on the bank, I being among the

Illinois Infantry. 153

number, but the clerk of the boat, who had gone ashore
as usual, decided very suddenly not to purchase, has
tened on board, and the plank was drawn in so quickly
that some of us had to jump lively to keep from being
left, and before we reached the stairs leading to the
cabin, we were saluted with a shower of bullets from
guerrillas secreted behind the wood. Had the clerk
concluded to purchase there would have been trouble.
Our Captain was an old rebel, and hav'ing surrendered
one boat on the Missouri river, no doubt would have
surrendered this But the Pilot was true to the Union
and a brave man. After the second volley the guerril
las made a target of him as he stood at the wheel, trying
to get the boat out into the current, and their shots
broke the glass all around him. As the bullets and glass
were flying he was heard to say, ' ' Shoot away, you
devils, you can't have this boat." And, thanks to his
pluck and skill, they did not get the boat.
Upon entering the cabin, I found the greatest confu
sion existing. I hastened to my state-room and ob
tained my revolver, (though I might as well have pro
cured a club,) and then took a survey of the comical
scene. One man had a cane-seated chair, holding it
over his head for protection, and a number were lying
as close to the floor as they could possibly get. The
women and children had retreated to their state-rooms,
and were trying to barricade their doors for safety, while
one of the waiters on the boat had piled the extra leaves
of the table on the floor, and was lying on the wrong

154 History of the 124TH
side of them, under their shelter. In the language of a
colored man, "Sich scattering among the citizens I never
did see." But the soldiers were mostly on deck, pre
pared for anything that might occur, though aside from
the breaking of glass in the wheel-house and side of the
boat, no great damage was done.
The officers and soldiers on board soon held a meet
ing, and as our suspicions had been aroused by the ac
tion of the Captain, we selected a good man to watch
him during the remainder of the trip, with instructions
to shoot him at once in case of any proceeding which
should place us or the boat in peril."
Upon Reece's return, he found himself with a new
Wagon-Master, McAuley having received promotion to
a Lieutenancy in a colored regiment, and C. C. Miles,
of company A, having been appointed in his place.
Miles filled that position with efficiency for the rest of
our term of service.
About this time a great number of our boys sought
and obtained promotion in the colored service, thereby
increasing their pay without increasing their risks, but
usually rendering their associations far less pleasant.
For a time the loss of so many threatened to essentially
impair our strength and efficiency, especially in some
companies where it became almost epidemic, those who
had gone being bent upon getting others to go to be
with them, and there was considerable complaining
among those who cared most for our regimental record.
Company A resisted so stoutly as not to lose a man.

Illinois Infantry. 155
The following is believed to be a nearly correct list of
those who left us, though several whose names are in
cluded did not go till the following year. Most of them
received commissions, but what rank they attained can
not be learned in time for insertion here :
Wm. A. Bingham, Walter M. McAuley, Henry A.
Lewis and Theodore Wood, of Company B ; Noah
Hodge, D. C. Caward, J. J. Eubank, W. W. Leverett,
J. H. Slaughter and C. B. Thacher, of Company C ;
Jos. A. Dean, Victor M. Dewey, Geo. W. Weeks and
Robt. A. Hogaboom, Company D; Wm. Getchel, Homer
J. EUiott, Horace J. Hall. John Fairweather, Frank
Pinney, Jacob G. Forney, Maurice C. Ryan, Napoleon
J. Smith and Hiram G. Wyckoff", of Company E ; Ed
ward H. Cheeney, Alfred H. Carson and Thomas M.
Custer, of Company F ; John P. Dungan, of Company
G ; O. D. Bonney, Samuel A. Campbell, Florence M.
Crosby, Solomon S. Dennison, Asahel Judd, Harvey
S. Seymore and Joseph Sedgwick, of Company H ; and
A. B. Kelly, of Company I. Add to these Xenophen
Beher, of Company H, who was made Principal Musi
cian as Chief Bugler of the 3d U. S. C. C, and we have
a reduction of our numbers by the loss of thirty-six
competent, reliable men.
Sometime in October Ransom Conley, of Company
B, one of our teamsters, had a little characteristic expe
rience, too good to be lost. The story is taken from
Reece's diary. A favorite lead mule of Conley's, which
he had taught a number of tricks, was missing from the

156 History of the 124TH
corral . After hunting a long time, he was found in the
corral of the 8 ist Illinois, with his mane shaved off and
otherwise disguised, so that it was difficult to recognize
him. Conley insisted that it was his mule, but the boys
of the 8 1st declared it was not. So he laid his griev
ance before Lieut. Root, the regimental Quartermaster,
who knew the circumstances, how his boys procured
the mule, and being fond of a joke, he asked Conley
how he could identify his mule. Among other tricks
which Conley had taught the mule, was one to follow
when patted upon the neck. So he immediately ans
wered, "All I have to do is to pat that mule on the
neck and he will follow me all around the corral." But
this the 8 1st boys knew of, and had taught the mule
a counteracting trick, when he was patted upon the neck
to kick instead of foUowing. This Lieut. Root under
stood, so he gave Conley permission to go and prove
his property. He thought surely he was all right, and
would soon be in possession of his favorite again, but
upon patting the mule upon the neck, to his great aston
ishment and disgust, he wheeled and kicked him. But
the indomitable teamster would not give it up that way,
though the laugh was so perfectly on him, and he had
nothing personal to gain or lose by it, but pressed his
claim till in January after, when he obtained the follow
ing order from Army Corps headquarters, which is pro
bably without a parallel in the service :

Illinois Infantry. 157
Headquarters, 17TH Army Corps,
Vicksburg, Jan, 14th, 1864.
Ransom Conley, private teamster 124th regiment Illi
nois volunteers, has permission to get a mule belonging
to his team, upon proper identification of the same.
By order of
MAJ. GEN. McPHERSON.
L. S. Willard, Major and A. D. C
Upon this Conley triumphed, riding off" his mule with
the greatest satisfaction, and all admired the pluck with
which he had prosecuted his claim. The original order
is in our hands as we write the story ; but more of Con
ley by and by.
The last of October the weather began to stiffen, and
several nights ice formed, once or twice an inch in thick
ness ; but notwithstanding this the gardens were still full
of flowers, which seemed to bid defiance to the approach
of winter. On the 31st day of October the Chaplain
had two flower pots of full bloom, perpetual roses, on
his rude table in his tent, containing forty-seven varie
ties, some of which were very large and rich beyond
description. After the lapse of years the memory of
them is still an inspiration and a joy.
On the 7th of November we moved camp to the Big
Black river, fourteen miles east of Vicksburg, and re
lieved Gen. Tuttle's command. We went out by rail,
and got fixed up and comfortable by nightfall, without
any extra effort. Our location was a fine one, about
half a mile from the station and the river, where the

158 History of the 124TH

enemy burnt the bridges in their retreat of the 17th of
May previous. We understood this was to be our
winter quarters, so we made arrangements accordingly
from the first, and our camp soon assumed a character
for convenience and comfort equal to, if not surpassing
any other we ever had. Our tents were boarded up and
floored, and we all had brick fire-places and chimneys,
with an abundance of fuel and the best of water. Being
on the main Jackson road, we had access to all the
country afforded, and often availed ourselves of oppor
tunities to add to our rations. We remained in this
camp till the 5th of April, 1864, almost six months.
The next day after reaching Big Black, Col. Sloan
being under charges, and having been summoned before
a court martial, turned over the command of the regi
ment to Capt Mann, of company B, the ranking Cap
tain, not recognizing the presence of Lieut. Col. Howe,
who was with the regiment at the time. He assumed
that Col. Howe's being on duty on a military commis
sion, which held sessions from time to time, disqualified
him from command in the regiment ; but Gen. Leggett
immediately issued an order placing him in command.
The next day several of the officers were summoned to
appear before the court martial as witnesses.
The 1 3th of November was a sad day for the 3d divis
ion, being the occasion of General Logan's leave-taking,
upon promotion to another command. We went on re
view in the forenoon, at the close of which he addressed
us very feelingly for a few minutes, and bade us an affec-

Illinois Infantry. 159
tionate good by. By his uniform sympathy and kind
ness, his readiness to aid us in any emergency, his well-
recognized ability and soldierly qualities, and by his
stern, uncompromising and unselfish patriotism. General
Logan had greatly endeared himself to us all. We re
posed almost implicit confidence in him, both in camp
and under fire, and parted with him with deep regret,
following his fortunes thenceforth, during the war and
subsequently, with a lively and anxious personal inter
est. Among all our commanders' names none is en
graven more deeply in the heart tablets of "the hundred
and two dozen," than that of Maj. Gen, John A. Logan.
From this time until February, under the efficient
command of Lieut. Col. Howe, battalion drill became
an almost daily exercise. With very little fatigue
duty to do, the time was at our disposal, and well was it
improved. Five days in a week, frequently twice in a
day, and occasionally three hours at a stretch, were we
under arms in the field, until every duty man became a
drill expert, and every officer could have handled the
regiment as well as a company. The brigade and divis
ion shared the spirit, and all the region of the Big Black,
except on rainy days and Sundays, was one great, occu
pied drill ground.
In keeping with this spirit. Gen. Leggett, then com
manding our brigade, offered a prize to the best drilled
regiment, of twenty days exemption from fatigue duty,
and to the regiment which should perform picket duty
in' the most vigilant and soldierly manner, of twenty

160 History of the ii^ta
days exemption therefrom. The latter we won, while
the 31st Illinois won the former, the trial drill being had
before Gen. McPherson, and other officers on the 25th
inst. Our success and our failure alike stimulated us, and
from that hour we entered the lists against all competi
tors, determined to carry off the honors, whatever they
might be.
About this time an institution sprang into existence
among us, which will always be remembered with lively
satisfaction by all who shared in its blessings. It was
christened "'Ihe Officers' Mess." Previously we had
messed, we hardly knew how ; Col. Sloan had messed
by himself; Lieut. Col. Howe, Chaplain Howard and
Capt. Field had messed together for a time; the Sur
geons messed at the hospital; the Quartermaster at the
corral, and the company officers with their commands,
or united by twos and threes, as the case might be.
Our pretentious mess-chests of the regulation pattern
had been long ago spilled out by the exigencies of our
transportation, and we could boast of but very little in
the way of real cuUnary comfort It became apparent
that by clubbing together we could have our cooking
apparatus carried, and so have far better facilities, and
could run a large institution for less money than so
many smaller ones, and there being no impediment in
our way in the shape of personal dislikes and hostilities,
we concluded to turn our separate "kits" in together,
and try a regimental mess. Some went into it with mis
givings, but it ultimately brought in every officer in the
regiment save Quartermaster Reece, who was so situated

Illinois Infantry. 161
with the corral that it seemed almost impossible for him
to leave it.
Sergeant Major Richards took charge of the institu
tion at the first, with Justus Dodge, of company E, de
tailed as cook. Occasionally Chaplain Howard and
others would relieve Richards for a time, make the re
quisitions, collect the accounts and settle the bills, but
Dodge remained cook nearly as long as the mess ex
isted, which was until we reached Montgomery, Ala
bama, in April, 1865, and it was broken up by our
being gratuitously quartered upon the citizens, at their
special request.
Many were the pleasant hours and festive occasions of
the old mess table, and sweet the fellowship we shared
during the remaining months of our sojourn together,
and much of the esprit de corps of our regiment was
doubtless owing to our mess table discussions and after
dinner talks. As we look back now, after a lapse of
fifteen years, we can almost see those noble men file
into our mess tent at meal time, and seat themselves
again as they used to on the Big Black, and at Vicks
burg, and New Orleans. How the individualities of
men stand out at "feeding time." Some would take
their seats in silence, and with only a nod to the right-
hand man ; others, and of that number was Capt. Field,
would speak pleasantly to every man near, and secure a
reply ; some would commence eating immediately and
look hungrily over the board, as though there was
danger of " short commons " under the administration

162 History of the 124TH
of Richards and Dodge, while others, not seeming to
care for their food, would leave their plates untouched
for a time and discuss the last drill, some army incident,
the current rumors, or the latest news. Capt. N, H.
Pratt, the stateliest gentleman of us all, would carefully
spread his handkerchief upon his knee, sitting a little
remote from the table, and go about his meal with all
the precision of a dress parade, while Richards would be
full of apologies if the fare was scanty, or look his ex
pectations if it was unusually good. And then the
ringing jokes and hearty laughter around that board,
how their waves ebb and flow still. Enshrined in our
memories, we all unite to-day in saying, " AU hail ! to
our officers' mess."
Another thing achieved upon the Big Black at this
time was a regimental meeting house. As the winter
forbade service in the open air, this had come to be a
rehgious, if not a military necessity, so the boys went
to work with a will, rolled up a commodious log body,
covered it with condemned fla^s, which the Chaplain
had secured, floored and seaftfed it, .and put in a good
brick fireplace, and, behold, we had a desirable place of
worship, which very many most richly enjoyed. A
series of meetings was held in it, which were largely
attended and productive of much spiritual good, and we
used it for our officers' gatherings whUe planning for our
subsequent drill victories. ¦ It was so much of an insti
tution that upon moving to Vicksburg in the spring we
reproduced it in the form of a chapel tent.

Illinois Infantry. 163
Our brigade commander. Gen, M. D. Leggett, for
merly of the 78th Ohio, in the 2d brigade of our divis
ion, »was now assigned to the command of the division,
and Gen. M. F. Force, formerly of the 20th Ohio, also
in our division, was assigned to the command of our
brigade. These were both officers of sterling worth,
and became very popular with their commands. Capt.
Mann, of company B, was promoted Major of our regi
ment, and mustered December i8th, and this brings us
to the close of the eventful year 1863.

164 History of the 124TH

CHAPTER XIII

Col. Sloan. — Our prize drill. — The proud "Excelsior Regiment."—
" Veteranizing. " — Recruiting detail.
AS HAS BEEN previously stated, the regiment,
both officers and men, had been greatly dissatisfied
with the command of our Colonel, Thomas J. Sloan.
This had broken out at Vista Plantation, in Louisiana,
at Clinton, while on the march to Vicksburg, and during
the siege. Between him and Lieut. Col. Howe a very
bitter feeling had sprung up, and there was apparently
no way to allay it. Reece and others had vainly tried
to bring about a reconciliation, but right or wrong, the
Colonel persisted in his course, urging that if he did not
it would be yielding to an inferior officer. Col. Howe
at one time tendered his resignation, in order to escape
the petty tyranny under which he maintained he was
suffering, and the Colonel promptly accepted it ; but it
was returned unaccepted from superior headquarters, in
which it was very well known Col. Sloan was no favor
ite. In fact there were several General officers who
entertained for him a most cordial dislike, whUe on the
contrary, Lieut. Col. Howe was held in high esteem.

Illinois Inj'antry. 165
The Colonel's outranking some other officers may have
had something to do with this, through continual repre
sentations from them to commanding Generals, but that
would not change the fact. As might have been ex
pected, when Lieut Col. Howe found he could not
escape from the vexations of his position by resignation,
but rather that he was relied upon to assist in relieving
the command of the presence of Col. Sloan, he pro
ceeded in the matter of an investigation.
A court martial was convened at Vicksburg, Novem
ber 5th, before which the Colonel was summoned.
Upon appearing he peremptorily challenged Gen.
Maltby, who was a member, and the court dissolved.
He probably thought that would dispose of the case,
but it only aggravated it. Orders were immediately
issued convening another court, with the additional order
for him to turn over the command of the regiment,
which he had not been directed to do before. So, on
the 8 th of November, the day after we reached the Big
Black, he turned over the command to Capt. Mann, of
company B, as stated in the last chapter, who was the
ranking Captain. It occasioned no surprise that he did
not recognize the presence of Lieut. Col. Howe, and
simply leave the regiment in his hands, for he very well
knew the Lieutenant Colonel was near the bottom of the
whole trouble. But it would have been far better for
him to do so, however humiliating, for that act consti
tuted a grave military offense, in perfect keeping with
others complained of and hastened his fall.

166 History of the 124TH

On the loth of November the court convened, and
Lieut. Col. Howe testified. Sessions were held from
day to day, and other officers of the regiment were ex
amined as witnesses. At last the court dissolved,
leaving us in comparative ignorance of its finding,
though we knew the Colonel did not return to resume
command, and Madam Rumor said he was to be dis
missed the service. So the matter stood until the 15th
of January, 1864, when an order of dismissal was re
ceived and read the following day on dress parade,
taking effect the 15th of December previous.
Thus terminated the connection of Col. Sloan with
our regiment. He immediately went to Washington
and laid his case before Judge Advocate General Holt,
for examination, who reported favorably upon it, and
his dismissal was revoked, with permission to resume
his command in case the regiment was entitled to a Co
lonel. But our numbers had been so thinned by the
service that we were below the minimum entitled to that
office, and he was never reinstated.
Col. Sloan had some very warm friends in the regi
ment, and most of us were sad at his leaving, or more
especially at the manner of it. We would much rather it
were otherwise. But it was best as it was, and a sense
of relief was experienced at the terniination of the con
troversy that had disturbed us so long. He was a man
of considerable ability, most certainly was brave, and to
some extent was noble and generous. But he was im-

Illinois Infantry. 167
pulsive, conceited and dictatorial. Having taken a po
sition, however hastily, he seemed to feel under obliga
tions to himself to maintain it at whatever hazard, and
could brook no opposition from any source. He also
carried his personal feelings into his official intercourse
in a manner prejudicial to the service as well as himself
and descended to little vindictive acts which illy became
his rank and station. Said one who understood him
well, "The great trouble with him was that he did not
understand human nature, and tried to enforce his
school-room rules and regulations in his regiment, which
rebelled at being treated like a parcel of school boys."
He felt at leaving that he had been sacrificed, which
was, to some extent, true, for without doubt the case
was decided against him before the trial was begun, as
he was told it certainly would be, in time to have saved
himself. As we look at it now, at this distance, we
sum it all up in this, that while he did not really deserve
to be dismissed, the service demanded that he should
be, and military necessities are inexorable and merciless,
as more than he had occasion to prove.
The month of January, 1864, will always be a memo
rable one in the history of the regiment, on account ol
the excitement and glory of our prize drills, and win
ning the proud distinction of being the "BannerJ^Regi-
ment" of the division. After the prize drills of our
brigade in November, Gen. Leggett, then promo
ted to the command of the division, issued the following
order :

168 History of the 124TH
" Headquarters Third Division,
17TH Army Corps,
Vicksburg, Miss., Dec. 3d, 1863.
General Orders No. 4. ]
' ' The General commanding the 3d division, desiring to
bring the troops of his command to the highest possible
condition of drill and discipline, and believing that every
soldier, at the expiration of his first term of enlistment,
should be sufficiently conversant with the tactics to ma
neuver correctly a company or battalion, proposes the
following as an inducement to drill and efficiency.
" He will provide two battle flags, one blue and the
other red — the blue for the infantry, and the red for the
artillery. On each flag will be inscribed in silver letters,
" 3d Division, 17th Army Corps, Excelsior."
' ' The blue flag will be presented to the regiment of the
division which, in battalion drill, soldierly appearance,
condition of camp, discipline and aU those quahties
which characterize the efficient, soldierly and model
regiment, shaU present the best claim to the title of
"Excelsior Regiment of the 3d Division."
' ' The regiment that wins this flag will not be permitted
to take it from the division, and will be required to hold
it subject to being taken by any other regiment of the
division that may, at any subsequent driU and inspection,
be deemed more worthy of carrying it.
' ' The red flag will be given to the artillery of the divis
ion on precisely the same terms as the blue flag is to the
infantry.

Illinois Infantry. 169
' ' In determining the battery entitled to it account will
be taken of the drill, the con'dition of camp, the personal
appearance and discipline of the men, the condition of
the horses, harnesses, wagons, guns, gun-carriages, and
everything pertaining to the efficiency and soldierly
appearance of the battery.
' ' The first trial day will be designated as soon as the
flags arrive, after which any regiment or battery desiring
to compete for the flag of its arm of the service, can do
so by giving five days' notice to the regiment or battery
"nolding it, and to these headquarters.
" The regiment or battery carrying these flags will be
designated, "The Excelsior Regiment," and "The
Excelsior Battery."
' ' These flags will only be carried on parade and in bat
tle, and either of them will be taken possession of by
the division commander whenever in camp, on the
march, or on the field of battle, the regiment or battery
carrying it shall become unworthy of the distinction
given by its possession. By order of
"BRIG. GEN. LEGGETT.
"J. C. Douglas, Ass't. Adj't. Gen."
This very naturally raised the pulses of the men to
fever heat throughout the division, and every regiment
put forth a heroic effort to win the banner. Among so
many, and some of them as fine bodies of men as the
service could boast, it seemed almost impossible that we

170 History of the 124TH
should succeed, but our noble men, from the highest
officer down, seemed animated by one common impulse
to triumph. Our bfficers held meetings night after
night in our meeting house, and discussed the matter,
laying plans so as to cover every possible contingency,
and every day saw a new blow struck, or an advance
step taken toward the desired consummation. Come
upon us whoever might, and where they chose, on duty
or dress parade, in camp or company quarters, in the
hospital or at the corral, everything was simply perfect,
everywhere and alwa\-s.
The Quartermaster and his efficient Sergeant, Durley,
entered into the struggle with as much zest as any in
the regiment, and contributed greatly to our success.
They drew surplus clothing, and had every man not only
newly clothed but fitted throughout ; no slouch coats
and bagging breeches would do for them. Caps were
procured by telegraph from Memphis, and upon the
trial drill days each soldier appeared in new clothes,
white gloves and paper collar, as though just emerged
from a band-box.
The plan of the trial drills was, that the brigade should
drill in order, from 1st to 3d, on separate days, and the
three victorious regiments should then meet and drih
against each other. The same committee was to decide
in the several brigades, and also in the final contest.
Accordingly on the 20th of January, the ist brigade
drilled, and the 124th won. The next day the 2d bri-

Illinois Infantry. 171
gade drilled, and the 78th Ohio won ; this was General
Leggett's old regiment, and the one he doubtless ex
pected would win the banner. On the 22d the 3d bri
gade drilled, and the 17th lUinois, Gen. Ross' old regi
ment, won. Our competitors were now before us.
The following is the committee's report of the contest
in our own brigade: "Vicksburg, Miss., Jan. 21st, 1864.
''The committee appointed to decide upon the merits
of the different regiments comprising the ist Brigade,
3d Division, 17th Army Corps, as regards their profi
ciency in battalion movements, manual of arms, clean
liness of camp, and soldierly appearance of the men,
feel sensibly the difficulty under which they labor when
all did well, and all are entitled to great credit.
' 'It is the unanimous opinion of the committee that the
124th Illinois Infantry is entitled to the proud name of
the "Excelsior Regiment" of the 1st Brigade. Both
officers and men deserve the greatest credit for neat and
cleanly appearance of their persons, as well as that of
the camp, and Lieut. Col. Howe, commanding the regi
ment, for the high state of discipline and drill to which
he has brought it.
"The 31st lUinois Infantry, in the judgment of the
committee, came next. The bad habit of a great number of
the men in breaking the alignment of the ranks to avoid
small puddles of water, thereby causing the loss of step

172 History of the i24TH
and confusion in the ranks, is much to be censured, and
told very much against them. The committee found
the camp and quarters of the regiment in excellent con
dition. Lieut. Col. Pearson is deserving of great credit
for his manner of giving commands, which were more
correctly given than by any other commanding officer.
"The 45th regiment Illinois Infantry lacked steadi
ness in maneuvering, but did splendidly. Maj. Duer,
for the short time that he has been in command, shows
an aptness for maneuvering a battalion, which promises
to be of great service to the regiment. The men looked
well and the camp was in fine condition. The regiment
bears a name, of which all connected with it should be
proud, and by close attention to drilling may yet be the
"Excelsior Regiment" of the brigade.
"The noble, glorious old 20th Illinois labored under
many disadvantages, which showed against it. The
regiment should aspire to carry the ' 'Excelsior Banner,"
which would be in keeping with its reputation for gal
lantry and bravery in the field.
"The 124th must look weU to its laurels, and should
it be so fortunate as to carry the Division Banner, see
to it that it never disgraces the reputation of the 3d,
better known as Logan's old Division.
"Gen. Force cannot but be proud of his Brigade, and
must feel an abiding confidence in men who are so
highly disciplined.

Illinois Inf.-vntry. 173
'"To Gen, Leggett and his staff", and Gen. Force and
staff", the committee return their sincere thanks for the
many courtesies that were extended to them.
"Signed, "James H. Coats, Col. 11th 111. Infantry.
"A. Walker Webber, Col. 1st Miss. Infantry.
"J. C. Abercrombie, Lt. Col. llht la. Infantry.
"Joseph Stockton, Lt. Col. 72d 111. Infantry.
"Orrin C. Town, Lt. and A. D. C."
The next day after the drill of the 3rd Brigade — the
long to be remembered 23d of January — all were astir
early, and in their best condition. At half-past eight the
whole regiment embarked on a special train for Vicks
burg, in high glee. Not a man who could get away
was left behind, whether he was to participate in the
drill or not. Upon reaching the city the line was
formed and the regiment marched to Gen. Leggett's,
and subsequently to Gen. McPherson's headquarters,
and saluted them. We then marched to the drill ground,
about two miles below the city, stacked arms and ate
our dinner, resting till the other regiments arrived.
The drill began at I o'clock. The weather was like
June, and everything propitious. The 78th Ohio drUled
first, the 17th Illinois next, and we last, giving us there
by a slight advantage. Each regiment had forty
minutes for drill. The ground was carefully guarded
by the 20th Ohio, the guards being stationed about
twenty feet apart. This was absolutely necessary on

174 History of the 124TH
account of the immense crowd. When the drilling was
ended the regiments were formed on three sides of a
square, the I24th fronting the open side where the com
mittee and Generals were stationed. The award having
been made. Gen. McPherson advanced, and in a short,
but very happy and complimentary speech, presented
the glorious old "Hundred and two dozen" with the
coveted and nobly won "Excelsior Banner. " The other
regiments then gave us three rousing cheers as the "Ex
celsior Regiment," and officers crowded around to con
gratulate us. We cheered our gallant competitors in
return, knowing that we had barely won, for their drill
ing had been our especial admiration. All then march
ed back to the city, our bands playing and banners
proudly flying, where we saluted our Division Com
mander once more, and embarked for the Big Black, as
proud a regiment as the service could boast. Upon
reaching home we found the 20th Illinois in hne to re
ceive us, as an escort of honor, sharing with us in the
triumph of our Brigade.
The following is the report of the committee of award,
carefully preserved by Reece, for whic. every partici
pant in the victory of that day, when he comes to read
it again, will heartily thank him. It wUl be observed
that the report is issued as a General Order, series of
1864, bearing date six days subsequent to the drill,
which gives it additional value :

Illinois Infantry. 175
"Headquarters Third Division,
17TH Army Corps,
Vicksburg, Miss., Jan. 29th, 1864.
"General Order No. 2.]
"The following report of the committee elected to
award the "Excelsior Flag," is published for the inform
ation of all concerned :
"Vicksburg, Miss., Jan. 23d, I864.
"In deciding between the 124th regiment Illinois In
fantry, 78th Ohio Infantry, and 17th Illinois Infantry,
the committee had a difficult and unpleasant task to per
form, as in their estimation all deserved an 'Excelsior
Banner. ' It was hard to decide between troops so well
drilled in the school of the battalion, and manual of
arms as those which appeared before them. But one
banner was to be given, and no other choice was left
them but to decide between the brave competitors.
"The 124th Illinois was the unanimous choice of the
committee. Their alignments were as near perfect as
the nature of the grounds would admit. In wheeling
into line the distances were correctly estimated by the
company officers. The ' charge bayonets ' on the
double-quick was splendidly done. The steady hne
they kept before an imaginary foe, it is to be hoped will
only be excelled when they see the enemy in front.
"The 78th Ohio did gloriously, and surpassed the
1 24th in the manual of arms.

176 History of the 124TH

"The 17th Illinois, true and tried, did fully as well as
could be expected of them under the circumstances.
Their 'rightabout' was splendidly done. All did well.
The cheers which greeted the successful competitors,
and which were so heartily responded to, showed with
what friendly feelings the trial has been conducted.
"Gen. Leggett, commanding the division, and Gen
erals Force and Maltby, and Col. Potts, commanding
brigades, may well be proud of the honor of command
ing such a noble body of troops. No division in the
camp bears a nobler record than the 3d, of the 17th
Army Corps. With such brave men to lead them, and
with men ever willing to follow, they will gain for them
selves more glory and honor in the future.
" Let the spirit of emulation then be kept up ; let aU
strive to see who will or who will not keep the ' Excel
sior Banner, ' having in view that all they may do is for
their own credit, their country's good, and for the dear
old Stars and Stripes.
"The committee have given their decision without
any partiality or favor ; they judged only of what they
saw before them.
"In closing their duties they trust that these
brave men may reap the benefits of their work, and

Illinois Infantry. 177

ever be proud of having belonged to the glorious 3d
division. "Signed, "James H. Coats, Col. 11th 111. Infantry.
"A. Watson "Webber, Col. 1st Miss. Infantry.
"J. C. Abercrombie, Lt. Col. lltli Iowa Inf'ty.
"Joseph Stockton, Lt. Col. 72d 111. Infantry.
"O. C. Town, Lt. and .A.. D. C.
By order of
"BRIG. GEN. LEGGETT.
"J. C. Douglas, Ass't. Adj't. Gen.
The next day, which was Sunday, our beautiful prize
banner was borne upon dress parade, and our brigade
band came over and played for us. Lieut. Col. Howe
made us a speech after the parade was dismissed, and
we rested for a time upon our laurels, " the observed of
all observers. "
Previous to this time the question of re-enlistment
had become an absorbing one to all those organizations
whose term of service would expire the following sum
mer, among which were all our brigade excepting our
regiment. The government had offered a large bounty
to everv soldier who should re-enlist for three years or
during the war, or "veteranize," as it was caUed, and
to each organization, three-fourths of whom should re-
enlist, a prolonged visit home in a body by the veter
ans, and the assurance of retaining its organization.
Little by little the re-enlistment fever rose under the

178 History of the 124TH
home and bounty pressure, added to the latent patriot
ism of the men, and the prospective early close of the
war, until nearly every organization in our command
which had a right to " veteranize " had done so. On
the nth of January the 20th, 31st and 45th Illinois com
pleted their re-enlistment, and had a jollification over it,
marching to brigade headquarters at night, with torches
and music, where they were congratulated by General
Force. They were the first in our division to " veter
anize," and rejoiced greatly over the assurance of re
taining their organizations and fame, as well they might.
But other regiments in the command had previously
done so, and some had already gone home on regimen
tal furlough, the 14th Wisconsin, which was among the
first, having left Vicksburg for Madison, on the 3d of
January. Rumors began to be circulated that our command was
to be re-organized, and only veteran regiments retained
in it. This put us at once upon the anxious seat, as it
would leave us out in the cold, and we had become so
much attached to our old companions in arms that we
would have re-enlisted for the sake of remaining with
them, had we been permitted to do so. Our officers
believing the regiment would "veteranize" if it had
the opportunity, put forth strenuous efforts to secure
the privUege, but they were of no avail. None of the
regiments of 1862 were included in veteran orders.
The returning regiments were authorized to recruit
while absent on veteran furlough, thereby filling up

Illinois Infantry. 179
their depleted ranks, and in some instances swelling
their numbers to the maximum again, and affording re
lief to very many officers who had been awaiting pro
motion. To guard against too great disparity in num
bers between them and us upon their return, and
to secure whatever we might in the way of promotion,
Lieut. Col. Howe obtained an order to that effect, and
on the 27th of January started two commissioned and
eleven non-commissioned officers home on recruiting
service. Capt. E. C. Raymond, of company A, and
Lieut. H, J. Brockway, of company D, were the com
missioned officers, and after completing the service upon
which he was sent, Capt. Raymond was detached at
Springfield, Illinois, and never joined us for duty again.

180 History of the 124TH

CHAPTER XIV,

Marching orders. — Eastward, ho! — Gen. Sherman in command. —
"Uncle Johnny Lyle." — Line of battle. — Jackson again. — The min
ister's mule. — Brandon. — "XJncle John trades mules." — Otficers
mess in clover. — Morton and Hillsborough. — Houses catch fire. — A
night on a corduroy road, — Decatur. — Chunkey. — Mule teams guard
a bridge. — ^Meridian. — Some destruction. — Incidents. — The back
track. — Diverge at Hillsborough. — About the "Banner." — Better
rations. — Mules in plenty. — Canton. — Turn over the animals. —
Bill of fare. — A mail. — Adjutant Smith and party routed. — Home
with a shout. — The Quartermaster's department slightly ahead. —
Negro accompaniment. — The name of the expedition.

ARCHING ORDERS had been in the air for some
__^VJL days, but on the 2d of February they appeared
on paper, and were read on dress parade, to take effect
at an hour's notice. The next morning, at eight o'clock,
a brigade of cavalry came into camp, and halted till
about noon, when they commenced to cross the Big
Black. Previous to their crossing, the infantry began to
arrive in large numbers, and stack arms on our drill
ground. Among them, later, came the 2d and 3d bri
gades of our division, who stacked arms immediately in
front of our camp, making it pleasant and lively for us.

Illinois Infantry. 181

In the mean time our teams were in order and wagons
loaded up, and we were ready for the command to "fall
in," leaving our tents all standing, and the camp in
command of Capt. Newdand, of company D, whose wife
had just come to pay him a visit. For about half a day
we enjoyed the rare luxury of being on a march without
having started, while we waited for the cavalry to cross.
The -iveather was fine, and the continually shifting scene
exciting to an extreme. To add to it, one of the pon
toon boats sunk under the passing cavalry train, and the
river banks were lined with the crowds watching the re
pairs. As the sun began rapidly to decline, we won
dered if ¦we should move at all, but the repairs were at
length completed, the cavalry were over, and winding
across the bottom eastward, and drum after drum said
to the different infantry regiments, "fall in." Evidently
there was a controlling mind somewhere bringing order
out of this human confusion, and the scampering across
the grounds from every direction, in response to the
eloquence of the long roll, was one of the kaleidoscopic
pictures of the day. About six o'clock our drums beat,
we "fell in," "shouldered arms," and took up our line
of march eastward, across the Big Black, going about
five miles into a pleasant camp, where rails were plenty,
and introducing ourselves to our "shelter tents." Some
of the boys were badly daubed with mud coming through
the miry bottom, but all were in the best of spirits.
Quartermaster Reece had taken his usual precaution in
selecting teams for the expedition, and it was well that

182 History of the i24th
he had, for the road from the river to our camp was
lined with wagons stuck in the mud. But ours, as al
ways when possible, came through safely and early.
We found that our force consisted of two divisions of
our own Army Corps, under its gallant commander.
Gen. McPherson, and two of the i6th, under S. A.
Hurlbut, with Winslow's cavalry brigade, the whole
being under the command of Gen. W. T. Sherman.
Reposing the utmost confidence in the commanding
officers, and being with old fighting comrades again, we
were ready for almost anything in our line, and hoped
to be able to strike a blow at the heart of "secession"
before our return.
We had a new recruit with us on this expedition, not
borne upon the roUs, in the person of John Lyle, of
Kewanee, an old patriot, who had come down only a
day or two before our starting, "to see the boys," and
visit his relatives in the regiment. He was familiarly
called "Uncle John," and was quite a favorite among
those who knew him. The Quartermaster took great
interest in him, and when it was found that he was wil
ling to go with us, if he was permitted to do so, offered
to render him any assistance in his power, and assigned
him to the Sutler's wagon with Charlie Wilson, telling
him to ride until the boys could "borrow a mule" for
him. So he mounted the wagon all right, and started
with the train, but before getting far he began to be
uneasy, and told Chariie he could not ride and see the
mules draw so hard, therefore he would walk to make

Illinois Infantry, 183

it easier for them. Charlie told him to sit stUl, that it
was nothing strange to see mules flounder about so,
that they were all right as long as their ears were in
sight, etc., etc., but dear uncle John's sympathies with
the laboring team quite overcame him, and slipping off"
the wagon in the very worst part of the bottom, nothing
more was seen of him that night. The next morning,
however, he put in an appearance betimes, but such a
sight. The boys said it would have puzzled his wife to
recognize him, his mud disguise was so complete. But
not a word of complaint escaped his lips, and repairing
to a stream of water he soon made his toilet, and was
all ready for further adventures. He was a very short,
stout man, and it would not require a very deep mud-
hole to hide him entirely. He laughingly said he ex
plored more than one such that night. It was a pretty
rough initiation for an old man, but he kept on with us
as though nothing had happened, and stood it well,
though not mounted till we reached Jackson. He also
did us good service many times on the expedition as a
forager. The 4th of February was a day of long halts and
short distances. The command was early on the move,
and did not go into camp till nine at night, passing the
old battle ground of Champion Hills in the meantime,
and stopping long enough to give every one a chance to
fully explore it. Our advance skirmished considerable
and sustained some loss, but it did not affect us.

184 History of' the 124TH

On the 5th skirmishing began at daylight and con
tinued all day. We started at half-past six, with our
division in the advance, the 2d brigade leading. Just
before reaching Clinton, which we did about eleven
o'clock, the 3d brigade took the lead, but after passing
that place our brigade was thrown into the advance, and
held it the rest of the day, the 124th in front. The
enemy took position just east of Clinton, and we were
deployed in line of battle, following our skirmishers
through fields and woods for some distance, with occa
sional halts. During this time we had three men
wounded, one of whom, Cleveland Acox, of company
B, died of his wounds at Clinton, the 7th of March fol
lowing. Gen. Hurlbut's corps came upon the right
flank of the rebels about three o'clock, and came near
bagging them, but they soon gave us a practical illus
tration of tall skedaddling, and most of them escaped.
Nearly all our forces were in sight a portion of the time
we were thus advancing, and the view was very grand.
Private Snedeker, of company H, makes this entry in
his diary : "Our whole force was in sight at this time,
both the 1 6th and 17 th army corps. It was a most im
posing and beautiful spectacle to see the different divis
ions and brigades in line of battle, with colors flying,
the artillery in position, and the signal flags waving. It
was the pomp of war, and it stirred within me feelings
that are indescribable." Portions of the rebel force were
also in sight. This scene will never be forgotten by any
one who was present and saw it.

Illinois Infantry. 185

The enemy left their dead and wounded in their
retreat, and many of our own boys were passed over on
the field. One of them had the top and back of his
head entirely shot away by a shell. We marched in
hne ot battle till nearly sundown, when we resumed our
movement by the flank, and advanced rapidly on Jack
son, entering the city about nine o'clock at night, the
124th ahead. As we marched in with music and cheer
ing, we were greeted by one woman, who waved a lamp,
and by a smaU boy, who sung out, "hurrah for the
Yanks!" Only our brigade entered the city that night,
and we passed through the town into camp on the Can
ton road, just within the northern limits, having marched
over twenty miles that day.
The Jackson of February, 1864, was not the Jackson
of May, 1863. Then it was a beautiful city; now it
was a heap of ruins. Some of the citizens called it
"ChimneyvUle," from the great number of standing
chimneys from which the buildings had been burned.
We remained here over the 6th, during which time it
seemed as though everything that had previously escaped
the torch managed to take fire, especially on the business
streets. The destruction was peculiarly sad, and years
will not efface the effects of the war in Jackson.
Here ''Uncle John" was mounted on an aged mule
that had apparently been long since mustered out of
service to die. but having by independent foraging re
gained a very little of the vigor of his youth, and being
the best we could do for our traveling companion, a sad-

186 History of the i2^th
die and bridle were furnished, and the aged couple made
quite a respectable appearance. Before we left, how
ever, a minister came to Col. Howe and claimed the
mule, requesting its return, but the Colonel could see
no reason for granting his request, and he left in far from
the best humor. Says Reece: "After the war was
over, while spending a Sunday at Kewanee, Col. Howe
invited me to attend church with him, but before reach
ing the church he informed me that the minister we
expected to hear preach was the one that wanted him to
return ' uncle John's' mule, at Jackson, Miss., he having
come north and been called to preach to this church, no
doubt thinking he could do a great deal of good in com
panies A and F, of our old regiment. "
As an instance of the destruction and waste of prop
erty in Jackson, one of our men in his diary records
seeing a colored boy thrumming on a "dismounted"
piano in a gutter, while passing through the streets of
the city. Though of no consequence compared with the
loss of lives and homes, and the terrible sufferings of
war, this serves to illustrate its peculiar wantonness in
all manner of needless destruction, and presents a pic
ture to be retained with others against future temptation.
The morning of the yth we resumed our march, cross
ing Pearl river on a fine pontoon bridge, which it was
said the rebels had built. We halted till eleven o'clock
on the eastern shore for Crocker's division to pass us,
and then pushed on rapidly through a hilly, weU tim
bered country, with a very red soU, going into camp

Illinois Infantry. 187

about two miles east of the once pretty village of Bran
don, having marched about fifteen miles. This place,
hke Jackson, was none the better or richer for our occu
pation, foraging and fire doing fearful work, and as usual
attacking the loveliest and costliest first. By our "occu
pation" I do not mean that of our regiment, but of our
forces ; our regiment did not halt in Brandon.
The next day we moved about sixteen miles, a good
deal of the way through heavy pine timber, which made
it very pleasant marching. Foraging seemed to be the
order of the day, no one interposing any objections, and
since crossing Pearl river our march had been through a
country far better supplied than that between Big Black
and Jackson, which had been foraged clean, not a hen's
cackle being heard, or a pig's track seen.
Reece says: "During the day Eagle and 'uncle John'
started out on a foraging expedition, and towards night
we found them sitting by the roadside, with their ani
mals loaded with poultry and other edibles, and what
was more, 'uncle John' was in possession of a very fine
mule, but little like the one he rode away in the morn
ing. Upon inquiry I found h'e had 'traded with a
planter.' "
The officers' mess was largely indebted to "uncle
John" for valuable assistance during the expedition, and
especially this day, when their rations included about all
the country afforded and in abundance. He seemed to
enjoy foraging and displayed a peculiar talent for it.

188 History of the 124TH
The 9th of February we marched about seven miles,
between the hours of nine o'clock a. m and one o'clock
p. M., and encamped at Moreton station, on the Vicks
burg and Eastern Railroad, spending the rest of the day
in destroying the road. It was currently reported that
the enemy, 16,000 strong, intended to fight us here, but
if such had been their intention, they evidently changed
their mind.
The following day we moved to Hillsborough, passing
through it in the evening, and going into camp about two
miles east of the town. This was a day of excitement
and apprehension. The i6th Army Corps was in the
advance, and did considerable skirmishing in the fore
noon, which it was expected might lead to an engage
ment at any moment. Upon reaching Hillsborough
they were fired upon from the houses, which led to the
burning of the town. Our regiment was center, train
guard, and we were annoyed a great deal by the heat
from burning buildings, which sometimes put our wa
gons and mules in jeopardy. Before getting into camp
we had to cross a creek where the enem3'^had just burnt
a bridge, and did not stack arms till ten o'clock at night,
having come about fifteen miles. Some of our 2d bri
gade, we learned, were captured at Moreton, in the
morning after we left, so we were between two fires ;
rebels in front and rebels in the rear, and nearly every
thing on fire by the way, besides.
February i ith we lay in camp until nearly five p. m ,
having a corral of about fifty prisoners to guard, mostly

Illinois Infantry. 139

Texans. After moving a mOe or more we entered a pine
swamp, and halted till after midnight for Crocker's
division to cross it, expecting to move every minute.
At last, about three o'clock in the morning, we reached
a miserable camp, almost destitute of wood and water,
where we remained tiU nine a. m., though but few of us
lay down tiU after daylight. But our train fared worse
than our regiment, starting at five p. m. and moving till
eight o'clock the next morning. Reece's description of
that night is worth giving entire :
"I consider this the most unpleasant night I ever
spent in the service. The road was the poorest kind of
corduroy, and was built as we moved. Great care had
to be taken to keep in the track, for if once off, 'no bot
tom' would be the cry. Then to add to our other
troubles, the fires had gotten under good headway, and
the dead, dry trees were burning very rapidly, lighting
up the heavens with a lurid light, while they were fall
ing in every direction, across the road and elsewhere,
with a continual crash, often impeding our progress, an'd
the noise made by the workmen, the crack of whips and
the yells of the drivers as the train would close up, made
one almost think he was approaching the infernal re
gions. The scenes of that night are indelibly impressed
upon my memory, and as I write it seems as if it was
only last night that I had passed through them. We
had several very narrow escapes from falling trees, and
before reaching the corduroy road had frequently to re
move them before we could proceed."

190 History of the 124TH

On the 1 2th we were ordered to fall in when our train
came up, which was so soon after getting into camp
that those who slept a little had no time to get break
fast, while those who got breakfast had no time to sleep.
After crossing another swamp we halted for a time for
other troops to pass, and the rest was very grateful ;
pushed on later and made fifteen miles, camping in
Decatur at seven p. m. Here the rebels had made a
dash on General Hurlbut's train, in the former part of
the day, and killed twenty mules before being repulsed.
As a consequence the town had shared the fate of Hills
borough and Brandon, and was but little better when
we reached it than a pile of smoking ruins. The enemy
at this time seemed to be all around us, but this was his
first direct attack. Previous to this there had been
quite extensive skirmishing, and so many foragers had
been picked up that subsisting off" the country had been
rendered rather precarious, somewhat to our disgust.
One of our men who was on picket the night after reach
ing Decatur, and stationed on the road on which we had
come, says the rear guard of our army did not arrive
till after one in the morning, which gives some idea of
the character of army movements, and how little can be
told of the whole by the experience or history of a part.
The next day we moved without noteworthy incident
about ten miles, and encamped on the Little Chunkey
creek, our brigade by itself 'Ihe marching was tedious
and the country poor. A foraging party came in empty
handed, but we had a good night's sleep.

Illinois Lnfantry. 191

The 14th, which was Sunday, was a stirring day for
our brigade. At six a. m, we were fairly under way for
Chunkey Station, on the Big Chunkey creek, eight miles
distant, with orders to burn the railroad bridge, .station
house, the stockades and all unoccupied buildings, and
tear up the track, and return. We reached there about
nine o'clock, and completely surprised about 1,500
cavalry, under Wirt Adams, driving them across the
creek after a sharp skirmish, in which three of the 45th
were wounded, and capturing eight wagons. Some of
these they left in the creek after starting, cutting the
traces and barely escaping with their mules. We burnt
everything, according to orders, including two stockades
and a storehouse with considerable cotton. Our regi
ment set fire to the bridge. The enemy's surprise was
so complete that Snedeker says in his diary : ' 'We
came upon them while they were eating their breakfast,
and so unexpectedly that they left their butter and their
corn bread already buttered in their haste to getaway."
After resting about an hour we moved toward the Meri
dian road by another route, and reached it in ten miles,
at one p. m. , making a pretty good day's work, as we
thought, and one rather enjoyable. A few minutes after
we reached the main line of march, the rebels came up
and fired a few shots into the train of an Iowa brigade,
but did no damage. Our halt at one o'clock proved to
be for the remainder of the day and the night, and we
greatly enjoyed our rest in a beautiful pine forest.

192 History of the 124TH
The morning of the 1 5th it rained for about five hours,
and we did not move until eleven o'clock. From that
time we pushed on steadily through bad swamps with
swoUen streams, and over "Stony Hill," where it was
rumored the enemy intended to make a stand. The
position was a strong one, but no enemy was there.
About seven p. m. we went into camp near the Chicka-
maha creek, having marched about twelve miles. Here,
says Allaire, "we found our teams and some comfort,
being completely wet through and very hungry."
At this place our train had been a bridge guard. Not
having gone with us to Chunkey, our teams had kept
with the other trains on the Meridian road, but upon
reaching here. Gen. Leggett ordered Reece to halt and
guard the bridge until our brigade came up. He
thought at first the General was joking, but upon finding
he was not, packed his wagons and took an inventory
of materials of war, finding he had thirteen wagons,
fifteen men, and ten guns, with which to guard a bridge
of considerable importance in the midst of an enemy's
country, and in the presence of a daring and vigilant
foe. But nothing daunted, he put out his pickets, and
"held the fort" in good order tUl after dark, when our
boys came up, and all had a good deal of sport about
guarding bridges with mule teams, wondering if Gen.
Leggett had any military precedent for such an order.
Reece says, in this connection, that he often wondered
why our trains were not attacked oftener and more
damagingly in this campaign than they were. They

Illinois Infantry. 193

were frequently many miles in length, and seldom
guarded by any considerable force, affording opportuni
ties for being struck and badly cut up, almost any day,
before our troops could have been concentrated for their
defense. Probably the reason why they were not, was
to be found in the presence of our cavalry on our flanks,
which afforded us a protection we did not see, besides
giving our Generals continual information as to the
whereabouts and movements of the rebels, and they,
knowing we were not in any immediate danger, permit
ted us to straggle. That our trains were not attacked
when so stretched out at any time, is one of the facts of
the expedition.
The next day, February i6th, we marched five miles,
into Meridian, and went into camp at eleven o'clock. In
the afternoon we were detailed to destroy railroads. We
found the place sadly injured by fire, yet showing signs
of having been of considerable consequence to the
enemy. Being the crossing of the Mobile & Ohio, and
the Vicksburg & Charieston railroads, its importance in
the movement of troops and supplies was very great,
and extensive barracks and storehouses, with an arsenal,
hospital, etc., had been recently erected, aU of wood
and of very cheap construction. The rebel force, which
consisted of French's and Loring's divisions of infantry,
and Lee's cavalry, under the command of Lieut. Gen.
Bishop Polk, had fallen back across the Tombigbee, and
Meridian was at our mercy. For three days we were busily
occupied destroying railroads and r.ebel property, remain-

194 History of the 124TH
ing here till the morning of the 20th. The last buUding
to burn was the arsenal, which contained a great many
old shot guns and rifles, with some fixed ammunition,
and when the heat discharged the guns and fired the
shells, the music was lively and some scampering was
done. While here our rations run low, and how to eke them
out was quite a question, while some of the expedients
resorted to were not a little amusing. The grave Maj.
Mann tried his hand quite successfully at baking a ' 'corn
dodger" on a board, but did not succeed as well in cap
turing a stray pig which he attacked with his drawn
sabre. The piney woods rooter was altogether too
fleet for him. Company H foraged a couple of sheep
one day, which "Wash" Baker, the under-cook, tried
to roast over a pit of live coals in a sort of barbacue
style. But Snedeker declares they were ' 'awfully cook
ed, and not much tougher than sole leather." Compa
nies C and H secured about three barrels of pea-nuts, or
"goobers," as the southerners call them, which came
very timely, and John Eagle, our regimental blacksmith,
ever on the alert, made a discovery of some flour, sugar,
etc. So he went to the Quartermaster for assistance,
who laid the case before the Colonel. He, with visions
of nice warm biscuits before his eyes, sent for a detail
and gave the command to John, who marched directly
to a somewhat prominent house and demanded admit
tance. This was refused, but he played the officer so
weU as to finally effect an entrance, and soon found quite

Illinois Infantry. 195

a quantity of flour, with some sugar and saleratus, hid
den under some carpets. All this was rolled out, an
old wagon, pressed into service for the purpose, was
loaded up, and the whole was at headquarters directly.
After the barrels were emptied, the Quartermaster had
the wagon taken off" another way and the barrels burnt,
so as to hide the tracks, and then the officers lived on
the top shelf again. The owner made an effort at head
quarters to have the flour returned, but did not succeed.
The biscuit in the camp chest of the officers' mess pro
bably hindered. It was a great mystery to other regi
ments where we obtained flour.
Reece says he formed the acquaintance here of a Miss
Davis, who was raised in Massachusetts, and had been
south several years teaching, who was the most bitter
rebel he ever met. One day she passed his quarters
and said she had been down to draw her rations, show
ing about a dozen ears of corn, which she said was all
she could get. And then she added, she would be
wUling to live on corn for a year if the south could only
succeed. Such was the spirit manifested by nearly all
the women of the south. They seemed to glory in
their sufferings.
" Soon after our arrival at Meridian," says an extract
from a diary, ' ' a soldier was seen to deliberately set fire
to an occupied residence, and when the family took
refuge in another house, he followed and wantonly
applied the torch to that. Upon being arrested he gave
as a reason for what he had done, that some time previ-

196 History op the 124TH
ous he had been a prisoner in rebel hands, and in being
transferred had stopped at Meridian. While waiting
transportation at the depot, this woman, whose house
he had burnt, had stepped up to him without provoca
tion or cause, and deliberately spit in his face, and he
had sworn he would be revenged. All who witnessed
the burning buildings can testify that he kept his word,
and it is almost useless to add that he was not punished. "
The morning of the 20th witnessed our departure
from Meridian, on the homeward track. The four left
companies were detailed to burn all the unoccupied
buildings, and the rest started about si.x o'clock, guard
ing a squad of prisoners. Quite a number of white
families and a great many colored people left with us, in
all manner of vehicles, drawn by horses, mules and
oxen. Peach and plum trees were in fuU bloom, filling
the air with fragrance and our eyes with beauty ; the
day was favorable and the going good, so that the men
kept well closed up, and reached camp easily at four
p. m. , having marched eighteen miles. We passed a
good deal of land already ploughed and fitted for the
seed, which looked strange to us northerners at this
season of the year.
Very little forage was found for man or beast, as we
were on the ground we had so recently cleaned out.
Often it was extremely difficult to supply the teams,
and many little squabbles were had over a few bundles
of corn fodder, between teamsters and those foraging for
officers' horses. Eariier in the service the headquarters

Illinois Infantry. 197

men usually came out ahead on such occasions, but now
teamsters stood up for their rights, and an officer's horse
was accounted no better by them than a regimental
mule. After enjoying our beautiful bivouack among the
pines, we started at eight o'clock the morning of the
2 1 St, and went into camp at Decatur, at three p. m.,
having come thirteen miles. We turned over our
prisoners to General Maltby, and so were relieved of
them, and having a delightful camp, could have enjoyed
it but for the scarcity of rations. An empty haversack
is a great misfortune to a soldier. An order was issued
here to send the mounted men of each regiment ahead
to overtake the supply train for rations, and as our regi
ment usually had its full share of such, now reinforced
by "uncle John," we felt sure of our share of supplies.
They started at five o'clock the next morning, and over
took the train twenty miles distant. After securing
supphes, they returned about six miles and awaited our
arrival. We reached camp at eight p. m., and after
drawing one day's rations of hard bread, coffee and
bacon, and two of sugar, things were lovely again.
The 23d we moved into Hillsborough, coming up with
the trains and the i6th Army Corps ; went into camp
at one o'clock, and had a little chance to wash and rest.
The weather was very fine and the roads, save on the
old corduroy, quite dusty.
General Leggett issued an order to our division here,
stating that he had only one day's rations left, and con

198 History of the 124TH
sequently should take a new route through a good
country, bidding farewell to swamps and corduroys, and
that each regiment must subsist itself He could not
have issued a more satisfactory order, and though we
were a long distance from Vicksburg, rejoiced in being
out of rations, for the opportunity it afforded us of satis
fying our own wants. On the morning of the 24th we
broke camp at six, and diverged northward, sending out •
a foraging detail from each company, and marching
eighteen miles, our division in the advance.
And now began our "Banner" troubles, proving to
us very conclusively that exaltation has its draw
backs, which largely discount the happiness it brings ;
a part of the stipulation in the award of the "Banner"
being, that any misconduct on the part of the men hold
ing it, in camp or on the march, would be sufficient
cause for the General commanding to take it from them,
we had been on our guard and good behavior at all
times. Often on this campaign things not strictly
according to orders had been laid to the 124th, and now
that we had to forage for food as well as for fodder, it
seemed that every regiment in the command was a
model compared with the "Excelsior." But in no in
stance could any charges against us be proven, and we
had the proud satisfaction of carrying the flag for thirty
one days on the most destructive march the southwest
had then known, on our go.od conduct, which speaks
volumes for the class of men composing the old "Hun
dred and two dozen "

Illinois iNFANrRY. jgg

We went into camp at three o'clock, and awaited the
return of our foragers, who appeared in due time in two
squads, one with an ox team and wagon, heavily loaded
with meat, sugar, rice, salt, meal, and some flour ; the
other with a four-mule team, with hams, potatoes, chick
ens, turkeys and geese. Our commissary department
was immediatelyiflourishing, and all enjoyed it.
The 25th we marched only about seven miles, halting
for Gen. Hurlbut's command to cross Pearl river. Our
foragers were quite as successful as the day before, com
ing into camp with two yoke of oxen and a good wagon,
well loaded with provisions. So many of our boys were
mounted to-day as to recall the inquiry of Col. Marsh,
when we entered Memphis, of what cavalry we be
longed to. '
On the 26th we crossed Pearl river, marched sixteen
miles, and went into camp at Canton, at eight p. m.
One diary of a non-combatant says : "Went foraging,
and captured two wagons and eight mules." This sheds
further light upon the mule question ; in fact they may
be said to have been plenty.
We found Canton a very neat and pleasant place,
rather the most so of any we had seen in the State.' The
inhabitants seemed to be more than usually wealthy and
intelligent. We remained here from Friday night to
the next Tuesday noon, moving camp twice in the time,
and being called into line at bedtime one night by a false
alarm. At the time of this alarm, about halfpast eight
o'clock p. m. , nearly all the regiment had retired for the

200 History of the 124TH
night, but immediately at the startling sound of the
bugle, and Col. Howe's 'fall into line, I24ih," officers
and men sprang to their feet, into their garments and
accoutrements, and were in line of battle, to a man,
within two minutes, so the Colonel afterwards told us.
The cause of this alarm was a reported attack of the
enemy on our pickets.
Here, too, our mules largely slipped from our control
through an order to turn over all surplus animals to the
Division Quartermaster, but Reece having left some
teams at Big Black that needed recruiting, determined to
maintain his advantage, if possible, and while turning
over so many mules that he was reported as having
obeyed the order, managed to corral a number of the
best where they were not discovered, through the aid of
his willing teamsters, so that soon after we started again.
Quartermaster Williams remarked that it was wonderful
how soon our boys picked up mules on a march.
While here our foragers sustained their previous repu
tation, and our rations were kept at the full. "In
writing home, February 28th," says an officer, "I find
my bill of fare for that day was buscuit, ham, chicken,
fresh pork, beef sweet potatoes, butter, eggs, honey,
and persimmon butter ; not much like war. Of course
this lasted but one day, but we enjoyed it while it
lasted." On the 29th a train reached us from the Big Black,
with three days' rations and a mail, under the escort of
one of Gen. Tuttle's brigades. We cared nothing for

Illinois Infantry. 201

the rations, but the mail was a delight, as we had not
had one since starting. Some of the boys were almost
wild with joy. A month with no tidings from home is
a great w-hile. Says one officer: "My share was thir
teen letters." Another received twenty, and so on
down. The same day is memorable in our history for an
occurrence of an entirely different character, which cast
a very unexpected gloom over us in the midst of our
joy. Adjutant Smith had gone out in the morning with
a detail of ten men from our regiment, who were
mounted, ostensibly for foraging, but really under orders
on a scouting expedition. After dark news was re
ceived that he had been attacked by 300 rebel cavalry,
and it was feared was killed or captured with all his com
mand. We were immediately ordered to his assistance
and went a short distance, but soon returned because it
was too late. The details of this affair, as given by
Corporal Alford S. Sayles, of company A, who was in
it, are substantially as follows :
"We numbered forty men and two officers, a Captain
from the 20th Illinois being in command. Ten were
from our regiment. We were all mounted, and were
ordered to go out about ten miles and stay till four
o'clock, unless necessary to report sooner. It was
rumored that the enemy were endeavoring to intercept
our out-coming train from the Big Black, and we were
to do cavalry duty as scouts. We went out as ordered.

202 History of the i241H
staid our appointed time, and were on our way back
when we were intercepted by Wirt Adams, with about
I lOO men, constituting the advance of Gen. Jackson's
cavalry. At first we saw only a few men on horseback,
in the road ahead of us, wearing blue overcoats, and
thinking they were our cavalry, were not apprehensive
of danger, but being fired upon by a hidden foe outside
the road, evidently connected with the blue coats, we
took the alarm. Those whom we saw were only a
decoy, expecting us as cavalry to charge them, while
their whole force was waiting to receive us, but being
infantry ve dismounted, got over the fence, and com
menced fire upon them in the flank, which disarranged
their plan and caused them to develope their strength,
and endeavor to close in upon us. We fought as long
as possible against such fearful odds, and did some exe
cution, but it was soon over. Some of our number
were killed, sixteen were captured, and the rest escaped.
One man was shot while stamping his bUls in the ground,
after being taken. Another was shot in the back while
trying to escape. I was among the captured, and learned
of the force after being taken. We were so near Can
ton that we distinctly heard our drums beat reveille that
night." Corporal Sayles' narrative as a prisoner, from this
point, may be found near the close of this volume, and
is fearful enough to make one shrink from shaking hands
over the "bloody chasm" even at this day.

Illinois Infantry. 203
The morning of March ist five companies .of the regi
ment were ordered out to the relief of the Adjutant and
his party, if any could be afforded. After going about
a mile we discovered him and some of the men near the
railroad track, making for camp. We hailed them and
they immediately came to us, reporting that further
search was useless, upon which we returned. Our loss
in this sad affair was seven men, only three out of ten
reaching camp, one of whom, from company D, name
forgotten, was wounded. Of the seven, Sayles, of com
pany A, has been mentioned, Cyrus W. Randall, of
company E, died at Andersonville, Ga. , the 12th of
October following, and Wallace Wilder, of company H,
at AnnapoUs, Md., March i6th, 1865, after having been
exchanged. Both of these were literally starved to
death. Samuel Mallen and Edward Phillips, of com
pany K, were never heard from, but George C. Mur
phy, of company I, escaped within a few miles of Can
ton, and after considerable skulking and suffering, re
joined the regiment, safe and sound. Who the seventh
man was is not now known so as to be available here.
The Adjutant and those who came in with him lost their
horses and lay all night in a swamp, hardly daring to
stir, but very thankful to escape so.
While we were in Canton a large force was kept con
stantly employed in destroying the railroad, by bending
and breaking the rails, and burning the ties. In some
instances the rails were wound around trees and left so,

204 History of the 124TH
as though a special effort was put forth to render the
work of destruction noticeable. The round-house,
machine shops, twenty-four locomotives, and a large
amount of rolling stock, was also destroyed, a cavalry
force under Col. Winslow the previous summer having
done a part of it.
At noon, March ist, our work at Canton seemed to
be finished, and we were once more moving toward
home. We made slow progress, and went into camp
on Montgomery's plantation at ten at night, having gone
only about six miles. Having rained all the forenoon,
it was exceedingly muddy. Sometimes the teams
would go only about a wagon's length, and then have to
stop an hour. The next day the going was better, and
we marched about fifteen miles, passing through Liv
ingston at noon. Cannonading was heard in our rear,
and rebel cavalry were seen on our left, at one time,
from the top of a high hill. Our camp at night was on
the Bogue Chitto once more.
March 3d our brigade moved to the rear, and formed
in hne of battle on the side of what was caUed Queen's
Hill, lying there till noon, during which time all the rest
of the army crossed the creek. We then moved for
ward, unmolested, (though a few cavalry were seen at a
distance,) passing through Brownsville, at four o'clock,
and going into camp at seven, having made about fifteen
mUes. The next day, March 4th, we marched the in
tervening fourteen miles, and reached our camp on the

Illinois Infantry. 205

Big Black at two o'clock, crossing the river and filing
into quarters with a glad shout. The 47th Illinois had
been occupying our tents in our absence, but vacated
upon our arrival, and we were at home again, after
an absence of thirty days, and a march of over 300
miles. The Quartermaster says this expedition was decidedly
beneficial to his department, as he not only replenished
the teams he had with him, but those he left in camp.
There were very strict orders against allowing any extra
animals to cross the bridge over the Big Black, but there
were none against their swimming the river above, which
may account to the Division Quartermaster, at this late
day, for the presence of so many fresh mules in the
corral of the 1 24th.
The return of our troops was attended by the most
remarkable hegira of negroes the southwest had ever
known. Over 5,000 came in with us, of every age,
quality and condition. Some were on foot, marching
all the way from Meridian, loaded down hke pack mules,
women carrying feather beds the whole distance upon
their heads, and heavy bundles in arms besides. Others
were in wagons of every quality and kind known to the
south, drawn by mules, horses, oxen, a horse and a
mule, an ox and a mule, or a cow and an ox, hitched
up with ropes, chains, bark, leather, raw-: ide, straw, or
what not. Twenty-eight little, bare, kinky heads were
counted, sticking up over the sides of one high box

206 History of the 124TH
wagon, very like chicken heads above the slats of a
coop, and all were happy. They were making for
"God's country," as they called all inside our lines,
and preferred to take every risk for freedom They
passed in toward Vicksburg, and we resumed our old
ways on the Big Black once more, remembering with
the deepest interest our "Meridian raid."

Illinois Infantry. 207

CHAPTER XV

Aurora's respects. — Conley again. — Col. Howe on leave. — Reece de
tached.— New g^uns. — Wedding. — Brigade broken up. — Left out in
the cold.— Every day hfe. — Circus. — Horse off for Dixie. — Plag
surrendered. — Its subsequent history. — To Vicksburg once more. —
Col. Howe returned. — A fish story. — Col. Sloan. — Weather. — Reece
up the river. — Recruits. — Defences of Vicksburg. — Big Black evacu
ated. — Respects of the regiment.
COMPANIES E and H enjoyed a little surprise upon
reaching camp, in finding a pair of socks for each
man from the ladies of Aurora, with a darning needle,
yarn, thread, needles and pins, and a letter in each pair.
God bless the patriotic women of the North, for their
many proofs of interest in our cause, and love for the
soldiers, of which this is but an instance.
Before dismissing the " Meridian raid," Conley must
come in for a little further notice, as he and Reece had
a little "bout, "and this was its fashion: While on
the Meridian march, says Reece, ' 'I had an arrangement
with my teamsters by which they took turns in going to
the cattle corral for beef after the day's march. It so

208 History of the 124TH
happened that the night we arrived at Moreton, Wilson,
whose turn it was, could not go, owing to the load he
had, and as Conley's wagon was empty, I requested him
to go, which he declined to do. I told him to do so or
go to his company. Upon that he took off his hat and,
scratching his head, (which he always did when in trou
ble,) delivered himself as follows: 'Now see here.
Quartermaster, this ain't fair, to get a man a hundred
miles from camp, with no gun, and then send him to his
company. If I had a gun I'd go to the company, but
not having any, I guess I'll go after the beef As he
was one of my first teamsters, and had never carried a
gun, I thought this was a sensible conclusion. But soon
after this he played a joke on me, which causes me, at
this late day, to laugh when I recall it. We generally
had a few extra mules with the train, and one afternoon
he put a saddle on one, and leaving his helper with his
team, was riding along in considerable style. Upon
falling in with him he praised his mule so highly that I
was induced to exchange with him for a short time, to
test his good qualities. Soon after Conley disappeared,
and I did not see him again until after reaching camp.
My mule went nicely until just before dark, when, upon
attempting to ride over a long bridge, he positively re
fused to go. All my efforts were in vain, so I had to
dismount and lead him across. Upon remounting, he
again refused to go. By this time it was quite dark,
and the troops and trains had all passed. I was getting
in a hurry, but every time I mounted, he would stub-

Illinois Infantry. 209

bornly refuse to move. Mules were plenty, but saddles
were not. and as I did not like to carry the saddle over
the hUls to camp. I had no alternative but to lead the
mule, which I did, not reaching the camp tUl quite late,
and had I met Conley that night I fear he would have
gone to his company, gun or no gun. He had had
some such experience with the mule before I came up,
hence his anxiety for me to test his good riding quali
ties." The next day after reaching Big Black, Col. Howe
went to Vicksburg to obtain an order to go home, which
he succeeded in doing, and started on the "War Eagle"
March 8th, leaving Maj. Mann in command. Before
he left Vicksburg he was presented with a fine sabre by
Judge O'Neil and others with whom he had been asso
ciated upon the Military Commission.
On the 1 3th of March Reece was detached as Post Quar
termaster, by order of Gen. Leggett, and reported to Col.
R. K. Scott for duty, who was then in command of the
Post of Big Black. Some of his experience while ab
sent from us will be from time to time inserted in these
pages. For. much of the time while away he carried
the resDonsibility of the Quartermasters department in
our regiment, and Durley did the work.
On the 15th of March the regiment drew new guns,
the regulation Springfield piece, with which the men
were weU pleased. New accoutrements were i.ssued
with them, and aU the "old traps" were duly "turned
over."

210 History of the 124TH
The i6th of March a novel war incident occurred, of
which it would be difficult to tell who was the hero. Hav
ing been so long on the Big Black our boys had become
pretty well acquainted with all the citizens near, of
whom there were a good many, and some of whom pro
fessed Union sentiments. At all events they treated
the boys kindly, and for tender, or other considerations,
in some instances, became very intimate with them.
The result was that, as in peace, so in war, young peo
ple would be true to their antecedents, and triumph
over every obstacle in the way of their fancied happi
ness. And so Chaplain Howard was approached by
two men of the regiment with the request that he would
marry them to two sisters by the name of Ivy, who,
with their mother, were refugees from somewhere, liv
ing in the immediate vicinity of our camp. He declined
to take the responsibility of so grave a step, and coun
seled against it, urging that it would be in violation of
the terms of their enlistment, it could not have been
properly considered, it would involve them in expense
and trouble which they were but poorly furnished
against, etc. But finding them persistent, he at last
consented to officiate in case they would get the written
consent of the commander of the regiment and of the
Post. So encouraged they went to Capt. Field, who
was temporarily in command of the regiment, in the
absence of Maj. Mann, and procured the following
"license :"

Illinois Infantry. 211

"Black River, Miss., March 15, 1864.
" To Whom it may Concern:
' ' I hereby cheerfully and freely give my consent for
Mr. Henry C. West, company G, 124th lUinois Infant
ry, and Miss Caroline Ivy ; also, Mr. John C. Lovell,
company D, same regiment, and Miss Adaline Ivy, to
become, respectively, man and zvife. and for any one who
has legal authority so to do, to marry them.
" HENRY L. FIELD, Capt. Co. C,
"Temporarily com'dg 124th 111. Inf
"Approved :
John B. Raymond,
Capt. and Prov. Marshal,
3d Division, 17th Army Corps."
Armed with this formidable document. West and
Lovell came to the Chaplain after prayer-meeting, the •
night of the i6th, who accompanied them across the
drill ground to the humble residence of the girls, whom
he found with their mother and a few friends, in a con
dition of somewhat nervous expectancy, and speedily
allayed all their apprehensions, and made them happy
by pronouncing the talismanic words that made them,
as Capt, Field said, "respectively, man and wife." Of
these marriages it may be said, as far as known, they re
sulted as happily as though contracted in peace. Mrs.
Lovell lived only a few months, dying of fever in Vicks
burg in July following, and Lovell died at home on sick
leave in May, 1865. West and wife were living to-

212 HiSTORV OF THE I24TII
gether at last accounts, he having been mustered out in
the South in June, 1865.
Up to this time we had hoped, in some way, to be
permitted to remain in our old brigade and division.
But now orders and decisions rapidly multiplied against
us. On the 13th, 17th and 19th, respectively, the vet
erans of the 20th, 45th and 31st left for home, and our
brigade was broken up. The non veterans of the 2d
brigade came out from Vicksburg and occupied the camp
of the 4Sth, and in the absence of Gen. Leggett, and
the other brigade commanders, all on veteran leave or
business. Gen, Dennis became commander of the division
and Post. He soon left, like the rest, and Col. R. K.
Scott of the 78th Ohio, a non-veteran, afteward Governor
of South Carolina, became the ranking officer on the Big
Black. Every step in these movements widened the distance
between us and our old companions in arms, and we
never saw the veterans again. The non-veterans staid
with us awhUe, and we yet hoped, hoped for the sake of
the flag we stiU carried, and our proud name among
them, that some plan would be devised by which zve at
least, might be made an exception in the re-organization
of the army, for eastern campaigning, on a veteran
basis. But gradually the newer regiments took the
places of the veteran organizations, the 72d and 8ist
Illinois being thrown into proximity with us, the non-
veterans left for the north as the leave of the veterans

Illinois Infantry. 213
expired, and we were out in the cold, beyond a pread-
venture. We thought, in our pique, that the banner
had something to do with it ; that it was designed to re
organize us out to regain that, as they dared not hope
to get it in any other way, since we were as well able to
keep it by drilling and regimental superiority as we had
been to gain it. In fact, no 'regiment had the temerity
to challenge us to a contest for it. But while many still
think there was such a design, others have long ago re
linquished the idea, and doubtless for good reasons.
During the rest of our stay upon the Big Black, our
duties were without any very noteworthy incidents.
Occasionally a flag of truce would come in, and our
officers would go out to meet it, and confer with the
bearers. Once an ambulance train was sent out under a
flag of truce for some of our men who were wounded on
the Meridian raid, and had been paroled. Our pickets
were fired on a few times, and we had a scare or two,
with the usual number of rumors of every kind known
to soldiers in the face of the enemy. John Fitzgerald,
of company G, was mortally wounded in camp ; a circus
came out and tried the experiment of a performance for
the benefit of soldiers alone, with but meagre success ;
the Colonel's horse got loose and skedaddled across the
'-'spittoon" bridge, as a rebel woman called it, into
Dixie, in spite of all efforts to stop him ; a few deserters
came in, and police, drawing rations. Surgeon's call,
picket, and dress parade, made up the rest.

214 History of the 124TH
At last, on the 5th of April, Col. Scott came to our
regimental headquarters, in person, having previously
sent for the banner and been refused, with a detail and
a written order for the proud "Excelsior Banner," which
we had so nobly won. The order set forth that, as we
were no longer in the 3d Division, 17th Army Corps,
etc. , we ¦would surrender the flag as the property of the
Division, to the proper officer, upon his receipting for
it, which the Colonel did, and Major Mann relinquished
it to him, much as a mother says "good by" to a son
at parting. This assured our fate, and was really the
first thing addressed to us, that officially did so.
Of the subsequent history of the flag we know but
this : On one or two occasions during the Atlanta cam
paign, the 78th Ohio undertook to carry it, but the
20th, 31st and 45th Illinois would not permit it, as that
regiment had never won it, and had no right to carry it ;
that is, they made so much sport of the 78th that they
were glad to deposit it at headquarters, and let it alone.
After the war, being desirous of having it present at our
first re-union, at Kewanee, General Howe sent a request
to General Leggett, to send it to him, and he would be
responsible for its return. General Leggett promptly
sent the following reply: ''That during the Atlanta
campaign his tent was captured, together with his uni
form and the 'Excelsior flag.'" So our regiment was
the only one that ever carried it, and was thereby alone
entitled to the proud distinction of the "Excelsior"

Illinois Infantry. 215

regiment, which it ever retained, while the banner, as a
trophy of war, may have done duty in many ways in
rebel hands.
As soon as the banner was obtained, the non-veterans
of the whole division. Colonel Scott in command, left
for Vicksburg and Cairo, on the cars, their objective
point being Chattanooga and northern Georgia, under
Sherman. Braver men and braver officers were not in
the service than those of our old brigade, division and
army corps. How longingly and lovingly we foUowed
them in our memories and prayers. And when one
after another fell, with the gallant McPherson (July 22d,
1864) at their head, we mourned them as though they
had fallen by our side in the strife. Within a few hours
we too were on the move for Vicksburg, taking with us
all our lumber, with the evident intention of staying
awhile and making ourselves comfortable. We were
now officially informed that we were assigned to garrison
duty in the city and Post of Vicksburg, with Gen. J. A.
Maltby commanding brigade. We went into camp on
a hiU somewhat in the rear of the city hospital, on
ground previously occupied by the 30th IlUnois, and in
the course of a day or two were quite comfortable again.
On the 1 2th of AprU Col. Howe returned from home,
and was received as usual, with marks of respect and
confidence, by the regiment, and called out to make a
speech. The boys soon settled down into their routine
of duty, which for the present was mostly picket, as the

216 History of the 124TH

colored troops, of which there were several regiments in
the city, had been hitherto called upon for fatigue, and
the 72d lUinois were on provost duty. It was always
deeply interesting to us to picket the line of our old
approaches to the works, and guard our historic spots,
and our picket line at this time was mainly the line of
the old rebel breastworks.
On the 1 6th of April the officers' mess got up a fish
ing party, and having obtained a detail of a mule team,
started out in force to capture the denizens of some of
the contiguous waters. It is now remembered that
Chaplain Howard, who was then running the mess, and
made some pretentions to piscatorial skill, was in the lead,
and that Captains Kendall and Griffith, Adj't. Smith and
Serg't. Maj. Richards were of the party. Who the others
were is not remembered, though it is believed Captains
Field and Stafford were along. The first point made
was Long Lake, on the Yazoo bottom, being contiguous
to the historic Chickasaw Bayou, where Gen. Sherman
was defeated in December, 1862. Armed with fishing
tackle enough to fill the wagon with fish, and plenty of
bait, we expected some sport. But upon reaching the
waters we found the "gar" so plenty that ft was almost
impossible to sink a baited hook below them, and after
feeding them an hour or two, we gave it up in disgust,
only one of the party succeeding in capturing a fish
other than a ''gar." Capt. Griffith caught one small
perch, a sorry specimen, truly, for the officers' mess of
the "hundred and two dozen," and we knew no way as

Illinois Infantry. 217
anglers to help ourselves. At this juncture some one,
probably a teamster, told us that some men were catch
ing catfish at the mouth of Steele's Bayou, just across
the Yazoo, and to the bank of that river we went.
Leaving our team we ferried over, found the fisher
men, and 'speedily interviewed them. They had fish
in plenty, a car full, as they called the sunken box where
they kept them. We went and looked at them. They
were fine fish, ranging all the way from five to a hun
dred pounds. But they wanted a shiUing a pound for
them, live weight. Twelve and a half cents a pound for
catfish, when the river was full of them! But we bought
one weighing forty pounds, at last, and were about to
start back when some one asked them what they would
take for the "run of the lines." That promised a little
sport. A little fishing after all. It seemed they had
quite recently run four of their lines, of which they had
five, so they offered to take five dollars, which the boys
readily promised to give, and were off" for the sport. The
Adjutant, with Kendall and Griffith, was in a separate
boat, while the Chaplain was in with the fishermen who
did the work" The four lines were run with but little
success. Perhaps two small fish of ten or twelve pounds
apiece was all. And then the fisherman was going to
stop. It would be of no use to run the other. There
was nothing on it. It was some ways offi It was bait
ed for "buff"alo" fish. etc. But the boys had no idea of
being put off" so. A bargain was a bargain. And he
wisely yielded to our mild persuasions, and proceeded

218 History of the 124TH
to line No. 5. Soon a fine catfish was caught weighing
twenty-five or thirty pounds, and then a smaller one,
and the men felt that they were slightly ahead, while the
fisher's face was correspondingly blank. But the feature
of the entertainment was yet to come. Directly a
nervous jerk or two indicated another fish, and of a large
size. Expectation, which had risen on tip toe, as the
downward "chug" continued, soon became wild, as the
fisherman, who had caught a glimpse of the leviathan in
the muddy water, sung out, "he is not fast ; he is not
fast, and I have no gaff-hook with me ; has anybody a
pistol to shoot him with?" The Adjutant said, "I
have," and coming closer with his boat, and cocking his
pistol, was ready to fire, while every eye was strained
upon the surging line. Another lift and the fisherman
caUed out. "he is fast ; he is fast," and soon he was a
struggling, floundering mass of about seventy pounds of
catfish among us in the boat, and we were exultant.
The reason why he had said he was not fast was, that
getting a glimpse of him at first, in the muddy water,
and of an eel nearer to the main line than he, he had
thought the eel was on the hook instead of the catfish,
which was true, as the eel had first taken the bait and
was hooked, while the catfish had then taken the eel.
But the latter had objected so decidedly to being swal
lowed, that he had run out through the catfish's gills,
and then taken a hitch or two around the standing line
above, tying up Mr. Catfish as securely as though he
had been strung by the fisherman. We now had our

Illinois Infantry. 219
money's worth of sport, besides our surplus fish, and a
big yarn, and went home satisfied. As for the fisher
man, the sport and excitement of so novel an occurrence,
more than made him amends for the loss he sustained in
his bargain. The pure fisherman had triumphed over
the mercenary features of the transaction.
While taking tea in 1878 at his own home with a Cap
tain, who was with us on that fishing excursion, his wife
said, "Of aU my husband's army stories, there is but
one which I feel inclined to doubt, and that is about a
big catfish and an eel which he says they caught." In
terrupting her, I said, "Perhaps you will let me tell the
story and see if he has stretched it. We have not met
for years, and there can be no collusion between us."
So I told it substantially as related here, and when I had
finished, she simply remarked, "I wUl believe John
now." On the 19th of April we received a visit from Col.
Sloan. He had been out to see us before, first coming
to camp on the loth, and having been in Vicksburg
since that time. And there had been a great deal of
talk about his status und intentions. Some said he was
reinstated, and it was feared such might be the case.
But when he came this day, and the officers, at his re
quest, were called together, he frankly told us that he
could not be reinstated except by our consent, for which
he was then a suppliant. Just what the reasons were,
or who had given them, we do not remember, but we

220 History of the 124TH
knew we should soon be entitled to a Colonel, as recruits
were expected, and so entertained the matter very seri
ously, giving an emphatic protest, . with two or three
exceptions, against his return. Several hours were spent
in the discussion of the matter, and it caused a great
deal of feeling, but that discussion closed up this case
forever. The Colonel never returned to us again.
This was the most trying April we spent in the serv
ice. Not having chimneys, as on the Big Black, it
required quite an effort, very frequently, to keep com
fortable in camp. Allaire says of the 9th: "This day
has been one of the most disagreeably cold, and we have
no fire ; windy, and we have eyes, so we have- dust.
Like many others, it has been spent entirely for one
purpose, keeping comfortable, and with ill success."
On the 24th we were all shivering, and one man attracted
considerable sympathetic attention, if he did not quite
succeed in setting a new fashion, by going about with
his blanket on. The wind blew "tremendiously" several
days, as our diaries have it, and it was colder than Feb
ruary, on the Meridian raid.
During this month, Reece was acting Assistant Quar
termaster for the non-veteran camp of the 17th Army
Corps, and superintended the removal of all its camp
and garrison equipage to Cairo, Illinois, remaining with
it till the return of the veterans, and the eve of their
departure for the field. All the non-veterans, and every
mule and wagon belonging to the Army Corps, were

Illinois Infantry. 221
sent up the river on one boat, "a three decker tub," as
Reece caUed it, by order of Ass't. Adj't., Gen. Col. Wm.
T. Clark, of General McPherson's staff. Upon being
remonstrated with, he swelled up and said, they should
all go on that boat if it sunk it, and go they did; though
they had to land twice to let the soldiers air themselves
and clean the boat. If Colonel Clark had been along
he would never have given another order. This is re
lated here more particularly in view of the lamentable
sinking of the "Sultana," some months later, from the
same cause. That and this were simply "damnable,"
as more than one soldier expressed it.
Upon reaching Columbus, Kentucky, after a long and
tedious trip, with most of the boys on deck, we noticed
a great coramotion in the town, and upon landing, were
informed that Forrest was in the rear, and they expected
him to attack them every hour, therefore we must dis
embark and assist them. Col. Scott and several other
officers concluded to reconnoitre first, Reece being of
the number, and upon riding over the hills, were soon
met by scouts, who reported Forrest in full retreat. He
doubtless thought all Grant's army was on that one
boat, from its appearance, and hastened to get away.
Reece says, that of all mud he saw in the service, that
at Cairo was the worst, and the teamsters were all glad
to get away from it. "No bottom," with a mule team,
was not an altogether pleasant thing.

222 History of the 124TH

On the 20th of April, eighty-five recruits reached
Vicksburg for our regiment, and most of our recruiting
detail returned. Company D had received nine recruits
in December, 1863, but these were the fruits of our own
effort, and were mostly from among old acquaintances
and friends ; hence their coming was hailed with delight.
They were enlisted for particular companies, and were
immediately assigned to them, giving their ranks an
appearance somewhat like the olden time.
By this time the new defences of Vicksburg were in
such a state of forwardness, or completion, that we
began to feel quite secure. The line was continuous,
with heavy batteries occurring at important points,
among which batteries Castle, Grant, and Sherman,
were especially strong and prominent. The line was
very much shorter than the old rebel line, and in case of
an attack, could be manned quicker by reason of its
nearness, and held by a much smaller force.
Following, legitimately, upon the completion of the
defences of Vicksburg, the Post of the Big Black was
evacuated April 28th, and the troops that could be
spared, were dispatched to other localities, many of them
to Red river, under General Banks, thus materially re
ducing the force in the vicinity of the city.
The command of Vicksburg was changed about this
time. General H. W. Slocum, of New York, being
assigned to it. and on the 30th of April, after dress
parade, we proceeded, as a regiment, to pay our

Illinois Infantry. 223
respects to him, at his headquarters, and were courte
ously received. After leaving Post Headquarters, we
repaired to General McArthur's, and gave him a com
plimentary caU, which he seemed to appreciate very
highly. And so closed April, 1864, with us in a new
organization, and settled down in Vicksburg, with a
prospect of remaining there indefinitely.

224 History of the 124TH

CHAPTER XVI.

Off on a scout. — Benton. — Skirmishing. — Vaughan's Station. — Yazoo
City. — Back the 21st. — Sergeant Hanes died. — Reece back. — In a
well. — Bigelow Quartermaster. — Military execution. — Howe's ad
dress. — Off to Jackson July 1st, — Back the 9th. — Sanford mortally
wounded. — Inspected by G-en. Dana. —Col. Howe home on leave. —
Political speaking. — Respects to Gen. Dana. — Grand Review. — On
the "Shenango." — Mess running on the boat. — White river. — Off for
Memphis.
ON THE 2d of May we moved our camp to a posi
tion near the cemetery, just north of the vaUey
road, and nearer the city than we had been before, where
it remained till October We had just succeeded in
making ourselves comfortable, when marching orders
were received, and on the 4th we left on what proved to
be an eighteen days' scout. We moved at halfpast six,
as rearguard, and found ourselves in a brigade with the
nth and 72d lUinois, Colonel Coats, of the nth, com
manding, with General McArthur in command of the
expedition. The weather was warm, and the roads
were dusty, making our march of twenty-two miles very
hard upon the men. We gained onlv about sixteen

Illinois Infantry. 225
miles by our march of twenty-two, on account of making
a detour toward the Big Black, and then west again, and
our camp was some distance in the rear of our command.
The next day we started as soon as light, rejoined our
brigade, and marched twenty-five miles, getting into
camp before night. Our cavalry skirmished some dur
ing the day, but we had no trouble, except from a cane-
brake. We passed through the dilapidated town of
Mechanicsburg, a strange name for a southern hamlet,
where there are no mechanics, and every other man is a
doctor. We were played and sung to sleep at night by
a rebel girl's performance at a piano, her principal tune
being the "bonnie blue flag." If Miss Celia Lester (or
the lady who used to bear that name) should ever read
this history, she may recall the occurrence.
On the 6th we marched about seventeen miles and
camped by a creek. The principal feature of the day
was the capture of five rebels by a squad of our cavalry.
They had been stationed there to capture stragglers,
and came very near taking one of General McArthur's
staff, our cavalry coming up just in time to capture the
captors. Some of the way to-day our men foraged quite
extensively, as we were where the Yankees had never
been before. Chickens were plenty in camp at night.
We were off at four, the morning of the 7th ; heard
shelling at halfpast nine, and soon were in line of battle,
and ordered to load. Shortly after we advanced through
Benton, where the enemy had made a stand, and were
shelling as we came up. We marched through by the

226 History of the 124TH

flank, in quick time, and formed in line of battle again,
in the rear of Bolton's battery. Skirmishers were thrown
out, and the enemy fell back. After advancing a short
distance and finding them gone, we filed out into the
Lexington road and followed them about four miles, re
turning and encamping about half a mile east of Benton,
in an orchard. Lieut. Pomeroy, of the 72d, was mor
tally wounded by a shell, and one of the 7th Ohio bat
tery was killed at Benton. The enemy left two dead
upon the field. One of our shells dismounted a rebel
piece by breaking the axle, and they drew it off" by a
rope round the gun, dragging it four miles in the dirt.
We also captured a rebel courier, with dispatches from
Lee to Adj't. Gen. Cooper, who rode right up to our
men without knowing we were there.
The 8th, 9th, loth and nth we remained in camp
while our cavalry were off" toward Black river, and else
where, though a little skirmishing in the afternoon of
the 9th, threw us into line of battle for about half an
hour, and finally moved us half a mile to a more pleas
ant camp, near the 7th Ohio battery. Some rebels
were seen across a ploughed field near us, and in close
proximity to a building of some kind. Upon investiga
tion it was found to contain corn, which explained their
presence, and Adj't Smith and Orderly Campbell, of
company H, burnt it. One gun of the 7th Ohio battery
was taken out to the picket lines, and shelled the woods
quite extensively on the nth.

Illinois Infantry. 227

On the 1 2th our regiment made a reconnoisance to
the east about eight miles, with artillery and cavalry,
evidently seeking for a fight, or on a wild goose chase.
There was a good deal of grumbling at Gen. McArthur
among the boys. Our cavalry went on farther to the
Big Black, and we waited for their return. Then we
moved north awhile, and finally returned to camp at
Benton, tired, dirty, and complaining. After getting
to bed, orders came to march at five the next morning.
with three days rations and one team. That made the
boys all mad. They could see no sense in it. But we
started betimes the 13th, after seeing our train and sick
men off for Yazoo City. Our route was on the Lex
ington road for a time, and then diverged toward
Vaughan's Station. About nine o'clock our cavalry
came up with the rebels and had a heavy skirmish with
them in an open field, which soon involved the artillery
and infantry, and the enemy retreated. Capt. Starr, of
the colored cavalry, was mortally wounded. About
noon the enemy made another stand, which brought us
all into line again, with our skirmishers engaged. We
advanced about two miles, some of the time under fire
from their shells, and occasionally seeing a dead rebel,
until it appeared they had fled, and then went into camp
near the house of a Dr. Frost, a Surgeon in the 30th
Mississippi. He was at home upon our approach, hav
ing been wounded at Chickamauga, but chose to leave
with Adams, despite his wounds, rather than be cap
tured by us. We had marched about sixteen miles this

228 History op the i 24TH

day, and as we learned afterwards, had punished the
enemy considerably, their dead being hidden away in
houses as we passed, only to be brought out when their
scare was over. Three were in one house. Just after
sunset a few rebels came to the edge of the woods and
fired into one part of our camp, but they were soon
chased away.
The morning of the 14th we had inspection of car
tridge boxes, and a part of the cavalry, with the i ith
Illinois, started at five o'clock, to burn the railroad
bridge over the Big Black, north of Canton. But they
found the enemy too strongly posted, and returned with
out accomphshing their mission, after losing three men.
The rest of us started at seven, and marched to Deason-
viUe, where we waited for the nth to join us, and then
returned to our cimp at Benton, having marched twelve
miles. The next day we marched to Yazoo City very
easily, and encamped on the bluffs above the town.
Found the "Autocrat" and two other vessels belonging
to the Marine Brigade there, and proceeded to draw
rations. The i6th and 17th we remained in camp, and .saw the
court house and many other buildings burnt. We put
our sick and foot-sore on the boats and started for Vicks
burg the morning of the i8th, going into camp at Liv
erpool Heights, fifteen miles below, but having gone
five miles out of our way to get there.
The 19th we marched seventeen miles down the val
ley road, passing through the used-up village of Sar-

Illinois Infantry. 229

tartia. The 20th we made sixteen miles more, reach
ing Haines' Bluff, and the 21st we arrived at our old
camp in Vicksburg again, having been gone eighteen
days, and accomplished very little.
The 27th of May Sergeant James Hanes, of company
B, died, and was buried the same day. He was a
favorite in his company, and beloved by all who knew
him, and his funeral was the largest and most solemn
ever attended in tf e regiment. We lost some brave
men by sickness during the summer of 1864, but for the
most part the regiment was healthy, all having learned
better how to take care of themselves, our exposure not
being as great as the previous season, and the men be
ing partially acclimated. A reference to the roster at
the end of this volume will furnish aU mortality sta
tistics. Soon after we returned from our scout, Reece return
ed from his Illinois service. But he was not permitted
to more than shake hands with us before he was de
tached again by order of Gen. Maltby, as Brigade Quar
termaster, and entered upon his duties at brigade head
quarters, some distance from the regiment. Having an
invitation to take tea with us soon after leaving, he met
with an adventure which was at once ridiculous and
grave. The nearest way from brigade headquarters to
the regiment was through a ravine near the base of the
bluffs, where troops had been in camp earlier in the sea
son, and had dug several wells, which were partially
hidden by the vegetation which had sprung up since

230 History of the 124TH

they left. Starting on horseback to fulfill his engage
ment, in full uniform, he proceeded as usual tiU he came
to the ravine, where he found a squad of colored troops
drilling. His horse shied at some movement made, and
jumping to one side, disappeared in one of these wells,
rider and all. Having extricated his feet from the stir
rups, providentially, when the horse stopped he found
himself standing on its head, and just able to reach the
grass above him. The negroes seeing him disappear in
such a way, hastened to the rescue, and soon had him
on terra firma uninjured, but plus a heavy coat of mud.
Then they sent to headquarters and procured picks,
spades and ropes, and after "sapping" the well, suc
ceeded in extricating the horse without damage, greatly
to the surprise of all. "But," says Reece, "I did not
wish to repeat the performance, and I lost my supper."
When brigade headquarters were moved to the city,
as they subsequently were, and it became apparent that
all things were to continue as they were running for
some length of time, Reece requested Col. Howe to
appoint Lieut. Bigelow as Regimental Quartermaster,
which was done, and he so served us till March foUow
ing, (after we left Vicksburg,) when Reece returned to
the regiment ; 2d Lieut. W, F. Dodge meantime com
manding company A.
For the next few weeks nothing transpired worthy of
mention. We did no drilling for two reasons : we
did not need it, save the recruits, and there was but
little opportunity. We were on picket daily, and did

Illinois iNKANrRV. 231

some fatigue, but June, 1864, was an uneventful month
to the "Hundred and two dozen." A ripple was created
on the 24th by a military execution, which many of us
witnessed. A colored soldier who had murdered his
wife, was shot in the presence of a vast concourse of
people, soldiers and others, on our drill and review
ground, south of the city. He seemed not to believe he
was to be shot, but regarded it all as an immense joke
to the last. He was shot sitting on his coffin, and was
pierced by five balls, expiring almost instantly.
On the 26th of June, the anniversary of the ' ' Slaugh
ter pen" in Fort Hill, Col. Howe issued the following
address : "Headquarters 124TH III. Inf'ty,
Vicksburg, Miss., June 26, 1864.
' ' Officers and Soldiers :
"1 deem it fit and proper to make note and mention
that this is the anniversary of a day never to be forgot
ten by you — a day which will live in history — and of
which you may weU be proud — the day of the assault by
you upon Fort Hill, the bulwark of the rebel defenses
of Vicksburg.
"Consecrated by the blood of your heroic comrades,
who nobly fell in that deadly contest of fire and blood,
as well as by the steady, dauntless valor of all engaged,
ft has shed untarnished and enduring lustre upon your
fame and prowess as American soldiers.
"Cherishing the memory of our fallen brothers, emu
lating their patriotic devotion to the cause of Freedom

232 History of the 124TH

and good government, let us strive to maintain the repu
tation you this day won, and by the blessing of Him
who rules the destinies of Nations, may its next return
witness the final overthrow of a wicked and causeless
rebeUion — the complete restoration of the government
over all the land, and a glorious and honorable peace,
nobly and honorably won !
"J. H. HOWE.
Lieut. Col. Commanding."
During most of the month of June, Col. Howe was
in command of the brigade, in the absence of General
Maltby, while Major Mann was in command of the
regiment. July 1st the regiment started on what we termed the
Jackson expedition, under General Slocum, and did not
return until the 9th. The details of this week of our
history are singularly wanting, as for some cause not one
of those whose diaries are relied upon were present.
The Chaplain remained in camp on account of the sick
ness and expected death of some who wished him with
them. The Hospital Steward, Allaire, was ordered to
remain in charge of the hospital ; Snedeker was home
on furlough, and Reece was on detached service. Col.
Howe was in command of the regiment again, but unlike
his usual practice, kept no diary on the expedition, and
leaving for home immediately on our return, wrote us
letters covering it. It appears that we encamped on
the Big Black the first night, near our old camping
ground, the men being greatly exhausted from the heat,

Illinois Infantry. 2.5]

but from some cause we did not reach Clinton till the
4th. As usual the enemy was found here, and our pick
ets to the east were soon driven in with some loss.
Rallying, however, they in return drove the rebels, and
occupied their stations. On the Sth the 124th had the
lead, and pushed the enemy ahead slowly till about
eleven o'clock, when a rebel battery of four Napoleon
guns opened upon us, and a flank movement was exe
cuted to dislodge them. This was entirely successful,
though a few of our force were wounded. Our men
suffered greatly from the extreme heat, but we pushed
on and occupied Jackson that night, going into camp
near Pearl river. The next morning our regiment was
detailed to destroy a bridge across the river which was
in process of construction, and accomplished our work
by noon, though not without considerable opposition
and some loss. Immediately thereafter we started for
home, with bands playing and banners flying, as though
we had nothing more to fear or to do. But about three
miles out we were brought to a sudden halt by the fire
of two masked batteries, one in our front and the other
upon our right flank. The first shot came near unhors
ing Col. Howe We moved into a piece of woods
which was exposed to the rebel fire, while the 46th Illi
nois, under Col. Dornblazer, and other portions of the
command were more immediately engaged, some of
them with considerable loss. We remained in this posi
tion all night, lying on our arms, and the next morning
renewed the engagement, the 124th leading, and soon

234 History of the 124TH
routed the enemy, who retreated in great haste. Our
train had been in considerable peril in this affair, and at
one time we expected to suffer material loss. As it
was, our killed and wounded were said to be about 300
men, among whom were Horatio G. Sanford, of com
pany A, who died July 17th, and Serg't. James M.
Griffith, of company I. The name of the affair was
Jackson Cross Roads, and the enemy were, in part at
least, under the command of General Gholson. On our
return from Alabama, in 1865, we had him for a travel
ing companion through Mississippi, and he expressed
himself in terms of high admiration of the gallantry of
our forces, and of chagrin at their failure to ' 'gobble us
up," which they confidently expected to do. He lost a
hand in the affair by a shot from one of our guns. Our
Color Sergeants, Wesley S. Stokes, of company I, and
James H. Hodges, of company K, bore themselves with
such bravery, that Col, Howe specially complimented
them for it.
Capt. Field, who was present, inserts the following
when revising the manuscript :
••While in this piece of woods, through which the rebel
artillery were frequently firing their whizzing missiles,
several stirring scenes were witnessed — some decidedly
laughable, but some as decidedly otherwise. A few
'colored gentlemen,' cooks, or officers' servants, were
with our forces, who were by no means fond of flying
cannon shot. One of these darkies was large, awkward,
and wore an enormous white linen duster. He was

Illinois Infantry. 235
an.xious to get through the woods, or at least to some
portion farther west, and was watching his chances
between shots, seeming to conclude, as weU he might,
that. the rebels were making-his great white coat a spe
cial mark for target practice, and that the day of final
reckoning with Jdm was close at hand. As this interest
ing gentleman was jumping from tree to tree, trying to
dodge the big balls, and had just taken refuge behind
an unusually large one, looking out first to one side, and
then the other, with a terribly puzzled and distressed
looking countenance, a cannon shot, with a horrid
noise, came tearing through the limbs and bushes, when
the darky sprang out to one side, then, expecting to be
hit if he went that way, back to the other, and when
about half way between two large trees, the ball cutting
off" a large limb over his head, in an instant, as for dear
life, he fell flat on his belly, with arms and legs widely
spread out, and white coat covering about a square rod
of ground. But as soon as he decided that he was not
killed, he sprang to his astonished feet, and disappeared
in far less time than it takes to tell it.
While we were lying here, the rebels, in plain sight,
moved forward quite a force of infantry, in line of battle,
with right flank toward us, within easy cannon range; but
as we had no artillery at hand, the opportunity of tearing
their beautiful lines to pieces, was lost. A mounted
rebel sharp-shooter also appeared suddenly from behind
a house, some twenty rods from our regiment, took a
hasty survey of the scene before him, drew up his gun

236 History of the 124TH

and fired a shot amongst us, and was out of sight before
one of our men was quick enough to bring him down,
though several shots were sent after him. Fortunately
his shot hit no one, though it was a wonder."
Capt, Griffith of Co. I, always ready for a joke, says
of the teamsters in the moment of their greatest peril,
while driving over an exposed portion of the road : •'It
was wonderful how their language changed. Instead of
swearing at their mules, as was their custom, when
they came there they said, ' Now, good mulies, come,
good mulies, get up, wont you ; now do, please,' but the
moment they were by, they cracked their whips as of
old, and said, 'Now, d — n you, get up'." Our boys all
felt sore over this scout. It was a new phase of war for
them, for though they did not retreat in the face of the
foe, they accomplished nothing worthy of their courage
and skill, and could extract very little from it that was
flattering to their prowess or patriotism.
Gen. Slocum, during this action, though several times
exposed, behaved with remarkable coolness and gal
lantry. On the 23d of July we had a day so cool that Dr.
Jassoy came to breakfast with his overcoat on, and we
aU shivered for the want of a fire in our mess tent.
Nothing else transpired out of the usual routine till the
29th, when we were inspected by a strange and fine
looking officer, and soon found him to be Maj. Gen. N.
J. T. Dana. All sorts of rumors were afloat regarding
his presence with us, and our future ; but we soon set-

Illinois Infantry. 237
tied down into our accustomed quiet upon learning that
Gen. Slocum had been relieved, and Gen. Dana had
been assigned to the command of Vicksburg.
On the 13th of August Col. Howe returned from his
leave of absence, and about the same time we began to
be somewhat excited politically, Lincoln having been
re-nominated for the Presidency by the Republicans, and
McClellan nominated by the Democrats. All the citi
zens of Vicksburg, with one exception, as far as we
knew, were in sympathy with the Democrats, and
ardently desired the election of McClellan. That ex
ception was a gentleman by the name of Mygatt, a local
Methodist minister, and one who figured quite exten
sively in Vicksburg for a time.
On the 24th of September the feeling culminated in a
mass meeting at regimental headquarters, which was re
ported by Maj. Mann for the Aurora Beacon, as follows:
From the 124TH. "Vicksburg, Miss., Sept. 26.
' 'Editors Beacon : — Although we are ' 'away down
South in Dixie," and shut out, in a great measure, from
participation in the great political contest now going on
at the North ; and although we have exchanged the
wide awake torchlight of I860, for the sabre and bayo
net of 1864, and fought over many bloody fields the
traitor enemies of our country, far from friends, and
wives 'and little ones and homes, yet we have not lost a
whit of our interest in all these loved objects, nor for
gotten our obligations and duties as citizens, nor abated

238 History of the 124TH
one jot in our determination to overthrow all the traitor
enemies of free institutions, under whatever garb or dis
guise. And our copperhead traitors at home having
deprived us of the privilege of doing this in a quiet way
with the ballot, we are more determined than ever to do
it with the bullet and bayonet. And although as sol
diers we earnestly desire peace, we here resolve on the
ground of our battles and our toils, that Grant, Sher
man, Farragut, and Honest Abe shall be our peace com
missioners, instead of Vallandingham, Seymour, Pen
dleton and McClellan. With these sentiments glowing
in the breast of nearly every "soldier boy," the old
124th, on the evening of the 24th instant, with Gen.
Maltby's brigade band at their head, organized them
selves into an impromptu mass meeting, before the regi
mental headquarters, and called out Col. J. H. Howe
to perform the dissecting process upon the body of
modern copperhead Democracy, which he did in splendid
style, in an earnest, able and patriotic speech of near two
hours' length, discussing the issues now before the
American people, smashing the Chicago platform to
splinters, cutting McClellan's letter into ribbons, and
exposing the hypocrisy and treason of the so-called
peace party.
"At the close of the Colonel's speech the following
resolutions were adopted with a rousing cheer, with only
one dissenting voice, followed with the "Star Spangled
Banner" by the band, when Chaplain Howard being caUed
out, made a few patriotic remarks, defining his political

Illinois Infantry. 239
faith, and the meeting closed with a deep feeling against
those who have disfranchised their defenders.
Yours, ADIN MANN."
"Resolved, That we regard the recent Convention at
Chicago, which nominated George B. McClellan for the
Presidency, as an assemblage of mercenary, plotting
traitors, no less guilty of moral treason than those who
are in arms against the government, and seeking its
overthrow and destruction. That they are less entitled
to our respect than those in arms, inasmuch as they are
wanting in courage and manhood to go into the field like
men, and vindicate the principles they avow.
''Resolved, That we regard the platform adopted by
that Convention as a craven-hearted and cowardly sur
render of the government to its wicked enemies — a base
betrayal of the holiest cause for which men ever drew
the sword, and an open insult to our brave comrades
who have fallen in defense of the Union.
"Resolved, That having been long separated from our
homes and friends, to the sacrifice of our business, pro
perty, and all we hold dear on earth except our country,
we most ardently desire peace, and should hail its return
with inexpressible joy and gratitude — but such peace
must be a just, honorable, and permanent one, predica
ted upon the unconditional restoration of the Union,
indemnity for the government, and submission to its
authority throughout the land ; and no propositions

240 History of the 124TH
should be made or entertained which should not clearly
embrace these terms.
' 'Resolved, That having borne the flag of our country
on many a weary march, and amid the smoke and thun
der of battle, we can never consent to see it trailed in
• the dust at the feet of traitors, and we can never consent
to sue for peace at the feet of an enemy who began this
war without a cause, who has waged it for unholy pur
poses, and whose hands are red with the blood of our
countrymen — an enemy whom we have beaten and
driven into the last ditch, where he will be overwhelmed
and destroyed in a brief period, if the people are true to
themselves and their country, and sustain like men
their brethren in the field."
' 'Resolved, That the shortest and surest road to hon
orable and permanent peace, is through a vigorous
prosecution of the war ; and to that end the army should
be largely increased, and its ranks kept filled ; and our
enemies thus speedily overwhelmed by superior num
bers, instead of being allowed to prolong a bloody and
cruel war year after year, by equal numbers employed
against them. That all true men who are worthy of a
good government are willing to fight for it, and those
who are unwilUng to do so should be compeUed to, as
all who share in the benefits of the government are also
bound to share its burdens, and if necessary take up
arms in its defense."
"Resolved, That we should regard a change in the
administration of the government at this time as a change

Illinois Infantry. 241

of front in the face of the enemy ; always difficult of
execution and perilous to be attempted, as likely to
break our lines and throw us into confusion, at a time
when we should present an unbroken front to the foe. "
Resolved, That we are deeply grateful to the noble
and patriotic w omen of the loyal States, fortheir devo
tion to the cause of constitutional liberty and the Union,
in the hour of its peril ; and we assure them that they
shall never need defenders so long as the 'boys in blue'
can draw a sword or fix a bayonet ; but we most earn
estly ask of them that they see to it that the race of the
traitors who are seeking to destroy the Union, and the
sneaks and cowards who will not fight for it, be not
perpetuated on the earth."
Resolved, That we do not worship at the shrine of any
man or party, and that we repudiate the whole brood of
political politicians and army speculators, who are only
seeking their own advantage and profit, and who are
fattening upon the miseries and sorro vs of their country,
but we will strike hands with and sustain all who are
contending earnestly and disinterestedly for the restora
tion of the Union, and the salvation of the country,
wherever they are found. "
"Entertaining these views, we are in favor of the
platform of principles adopted at the Baltimore Union
Convention, and the re-election of Abraham Lincoln to
the Presidency of the United States."

242 History of the 124TH
In this connection it may be as well to insert the fol
lowing from the Vicksburg Herald, expressing the
political status of our regiment, at the time the Ohio
soldiers voted :
"At a vote taken in the 124th regiment, Illinois in
fantry, the 'Excelsior' regiment of the old 3d Division,
17th Army Corps, and a regiment which presents one of
the finest organizations of Illinois troops, the following
was the result: Whole number of votes cast, 516 —
for Abraham Lincoln, 502 ; for George B. McClellan,
14. If there is another regiment outside the veteran
organizations which can beat this vote for Uncle Abra
ham, we would like to hear from it."
And still we jogged along in the service, doing little
but picket duty. The Marine Brigade had been dis
banded, as such, and put on shore as infantry. Some of
these refused to do duty and were arrested, but after a
little, submitted. And now on dress parade an order
was read assigning us with them to a certain portion of
the fortifications in case of attack, of which there were
continual rumors. 'Ihe 5th United States Heavy Artil
lery, colored, under Col. Leib, was assigned to its por
tion of the works, and one night a scare was gotten up
for drill purposes, and the old Marine Brigade, with the
5th United States, colored, were hurried into the works
as though Vicksburg depended upon their celerity and
valor, but we were permitted to sleep through it all.
On the 25 th of September we paid our respects to Gen-

Illinois Infantry. 243

eral Dana, at his headquarters, and on the 27th he
reviewed all the white troops belonging to the Post, des
pite a heavy shower that fell just as we were going
to the review ground, and so passed our time till
October 13th.
Meantime the air had been full of rumors of service in
the field, as usual, and on the 12th we had been ordered
to hold ourselves in readiness to march, at a minute's
notice. But no orders to start came till after six o'clock
the evening of the 13th, when we packed up light, leav
ing our tents standing, went down town at ten o'clock,
and embarked on the stern-wheeler, "Shenango," bound
up the river. We had heard we were to go to Missouri,
to chase Price, and then home in November, to vote ;
but all these pleasant anticipations were dissipated by
the announcement that our destination was the mouth
of White river, in Arkansas, where a large force was
coUecting to operate against Marmaduke, under General
.Pleasonton, General Dennis' division having recently
gone there. We seemed to be alone, and got off" at last
a httle past one o'clock the morning of the 14th. All
the forenoon of that day we lay at Paw Paw Island,
wooding, where some of our boys had a little difficulty
that they will not soon forget, for the apprehensions it
crave them. In the afternoon a white crane that was
hard pressed by two eagles took refuge on the boat,
says Snedeker, and the boys caught it.
The officers ate two meals on the boat, at seventy-five
cents each, when they concluded the fare was too poor

244 History of the 124TH

and the price too steep to endure it. So the officers'
mess was set to running on board, much to the disgust
of the steward of the boat. He offered to do better, but
his day of boarding grace was past, and we preferred
Dodge to anything he could do.
The morning of the i6th, which was Sunday, we tied
up at the mouth of White river, Arkansas, at three
o'clock, and lay till sunrise, when we debarked, stacked
arms, and got our breakfast. During the day we saw
the "Baltic" and "Nebraska" come in loaded with
troops from Morganza, and the "T. E. Tutt," load
ed with cavalry from up the river, which, added to
the forces already there, made quite an army. We
went on board the "Shenango" at night to sleep, and
expected to go up White river, from that move
ment, as boats were going up loaded. But about one
o'clock the next morning we were ordered off" in a
hurry, as some other regiment wanted her, and we
rather liked the move, thinking, perhaps, the steward
had had something to do with it, because we did not
patronize him. Soon after sunrise we were moved half
a mile back from the river, and went into camp, while
the "Shenango" loaded up with some other regiment,
and was off for Des Arc, or some point above. Durino-
the day the 29th Illinois arrived, and among other regi
ments we saw the i6ist New York. We made ourselves
as comfortable as we could, protecting against the sun
and dew with brush, and awaited developements. Before
night we were ordered to be ready to embark on the

Illinois Infantry. 245

"Colonel Cowles, " for White river, at five o'clock the
next morning.
The I Sth. reveille beat at forty minutes past three,
and at five we were moving into the "Colonel Cowles"
according to orders, fully satisfied that the interior of
Arkansas, much as we disliked it, was to be our desti
nation for a time. The officers ate breakfast on the
boat, finding the fare better than on the ''Shenango,"
and the Quartermaster was just finishing his loading pre
paratory to a start, with steam up, when we saw a fine
steamer coming down the river light, and with great
speed. As she drew near we were all interested in two
things : that she was about to land, and there were no
passengers or troops on board of her. As soon as the
plank was out, she communicated with headquarters,
and immediately an Aid came dashing up, and ordered
us from the "Colonel Cowles" onto the stranger — the
"T. L, McGill, " for Memphis, Forest and Chalmers
were threatening them there, and they had sent for re
lief The 76th Illinois was thrown on board with us,
and at twenty-five minutes past eleven A. m. , we were
on our way up the Father of Waters, immensely thank
ful for the scare, since it had changed our destination.
The Sth and nth Illinois, and the 30th Missouri fol
lowed on the "Baltic," and the sick were put on the
"Nebraska" for the same place, to keep them with their
respective commands. This was one of the strangest
moves of our history, and occasioned no little specula-

246 History of the 124TH
tion. "What does it all mean?" was in everybody's
mouth. The afternoon, and the run at high speed,
were most delightful. The river wsa full of wild geese
and ducks, and we passed enormous flocks of pelicans,
which contributed to keep our excitement very high,
and when we lay down to sleep at a late hour, after
passing Helena, the changes, of the day, and the wild
anticipations for the morrow almost forbade our rest.

Illinois Infantry. 247

CHAPTER XVII.

Memphis. — Fort Pickering and box cars. — Guarding wood choppers. —
An alarm. — Lieut. Spear sick. — Off on the "Magenta." — Capt. Ken
dall left behind. — Report at White river. — On to Vicksburg. — Ran
into the bank. — Home again. — Relieve the72d, — Guard mounting. —
.'jSth Ohio with us. — 73d leave. — Move into their camp. — Provost
duty. — Lincoln re-elected. — "Weu de joie."— Whisky and pistols. —
A jubilee. — Chaplain Calahan, — Anoble record. — ^Women in trade. —
Sword presentation. — Closed the year with a funeral. — Changes.
AT 11:30 A. M., the 19th of October, we reached
the badly frightened city of Memphis, to find the
scare was over. After sundry reporting we were per
mitted to land, and marched into Fort Pickering, where
we were stowed away in a number of freight cars stand
ing on the track. The officers succeeded in obtaining
quarters in a contiguous house, and we proceeded to
make ourselves as comfortable as possible. We found
Memphis in a poor condition to withstand an attack,
and there was much cause for her fright. The works
were totally insufficient, and her force inadequate. The
colored troops, of which there were a good many, were
not in as high a state of discipline and efficiency as those

248 History of the 124TH
at Vicksburg, and could not be relied upon except for
numbers and pluck. We had quite an exciting time the
morning of the 20th, being aroused at four o'clock, and
having battalion drill till daylight. The whole of our
new force was in line ; but just what it was for we never
found out, unless it was to impress somebody with the
consequence of our presence, and the celerity of our
movements. The next day we drilled again awhile, in
order to keep our blood stirring, as we had nothing else
to do. But the 22d we were sent five miles outside to
guard wood choppers from rebel depredations. We
reached quarters again a little past four, and in the eve
ning had a scare, bringing us all out under arms. But
it was a false alarm. We had no chance to do any
fighting. Lieutenant G. A. Spear, of company H, was taken
sick while with us here in officers' quarters, and grew
rapidly worse. Dr. Kay did all he could for him, but
without avail. And when we were ordered on board
the "Magenta,'' on the 24th, having done all we could
for Memphis, he was unable to go with us, and de
termined to go to the officers' hospital. Capt. Kendall
started with him, and being delayed some way, the boat
swung out and left him. The Captain soon rejoined us,
but we never saw Lieut. Spear again. He died in hos
pital six days after we left. *
The "Magenta," on which we were now embarked, was
a new and splendid boat, and ran finely, but was so
heavily loaded when she reached Memphis, that she

Illinois Infantry. 249
ought not to have received us. As it was, we had to
leave our ambulance and one six-mule team for want of
room. We^ reported at the mouth of White river at one
o'clock P. M. on the 25th, and were then ordered to
repair immediately to Vicksburg, which was immensely
satisfactory to us all. So we did not debark, and our
good steamer swung out again with us at 2:20, and pro
ceeded on her way down the river. In the night a very
heavy rain and storm came on us, and made it quite
lively for a time. The rudder of the boat received some
damage, and as a consequence we ran squarely into the
bank a few miles above Vicksburg, the evening of the
26th, and were pretty badly scared. It was very
dark and the Captain of the boat getting the im
pression that we were sinking, ordered the women
into the "Texas" for safety. That produced a panic
among the other passengers, and not a little affected the
soldiers. But the pilot had ordered the engines revers
ed as soon as he saw the danger, so that the shock was
very light to what it would have been, and soon finding
the boat was not taking water, quiet was restored, and
we moved on down as though nothing had happened.
We reached Vicksburg at 1 1 p. m, , and marched out to
camp at midnight through mud shoe deep. Late as it
was, our mail, which had accumulated in our thirteen
days absence, had to be distributed, and doubtless for
the most part read before retiring. After resting and
fixing up one day, the guards and detailed men from the

250 History of the 124TH
72d Illinois were relieved by us on the 28th, and it be
came a fixed fact that we were assigned to provost duty
in their place. And so on the 29th day of October we
were further initiated into all the mysteries and techni
calities of guard mounting, which became our morning
pastime every other day, from that time till the 25th of
February, 1S65.
Associated with us in provost duty was the 5 Sth
Ohio, with which we passed the next four months very
pleasantly, relieving each other every alternate morning,
thus having a day on and a day off" duty continuously,
for the whole of both regiments.
October 30th the 72d broke camp and embarked on
the steamer "Continental." It being our off" day, we
very generally accompanied them to the boat, parting
with them with sincere regrets. They were very nicely
fixed for the winter, and left their quarters with a feel
ing of sadness. But what was their loss was our gain,
for the next day we moved into their camp, spreading
our tents over their floors and bunks and around their
brick chimneys, with which they had taken so much
pains. And as there was no one to take our camp, we
naturally added our lumber to what they left, which ma
terially improved our condition, making us cook-houses,
tables, etc. , till we, as soldiers, had but little more to
desire. We were also well into the city, so that we had
but a short distance to travel. Most of our men and all
the officers could come home, some time in the day, for
their meals. But whUe aU this was very nice, but few

Illinois Infantry. 251
of us liked provost duty. It was not up to the standard
of the proud old "Excelsior" regiment. There was no
dash, no honor, no military renown in it. We were but
an armed police on our beats all over the city. We
were stationed in jails, at refugee quarters, steamboat
landings, wood yards, stables and theatres, and had to
hover around drinking holes, gambling dens, and broth
els. We had to become posted in all the iniquity of
the city, patrol all the streets, and come in contact with
all its villains, and such a life can but be demorali
zing to the average soldier. If we had been permitted
to choose, there were very few of our number but would
have gladly gone to the front, despite its peril, and the
leaving of our comfortable quarters at this season of the
year. On the 9th of November Gen. Morgan L. Smith,
formerly Colonel of the Sth Missouri, assumed command
of the Post of Vicksburg, which he retained during
nearly all the rest of our stay, though Gen Dana still
commanded the District.
On Sunday evening, November 13th, our hearts were
gladdened by the intelligence from the North that
Lincoln was undoubtedly re-elected, and an extract from
a private letter of the 17th, is interesting reading in
1879, when rebel Brigadiers have so nearly captured
our government, and we give it place :
" The news grows better and better with every arri
val. A two-thirds majority in Congress, a clear ma
jority of the whole electoral vote given to Lincoln, so

252 History of the 124TH
as to convince the world, had every State voted, rebels
and all, he would still have been elected ; Union Gov
ernors in New York and Missouri, a Union Senator in
the place of Richardson in Illinois, liberty written so
high that no copperhead hand can ever reach it to mar its
beauty, our long list of Union Generals sustained. Grant,
Sherman, Sheridan, Butler, Farragut, Burnside, Hook
er, Dix, Sickles, Hancock, and our own glorious Lo
gan, all of whom were democrats. O,, it is good. Our
graves have not been dug down here for naught, neither
has our blood flowed in vain. Widows can rejoice
and orphans smile, while old and young can shout to
gether for joy. ' Praise God from whom all blessings
flow'!" On the 14th, at five o'clock p. m. , a "feu de joie"
was fired, of 35 guns from each battery in the line of
our works, twelve in number, making 420 guns, in
honor of our President's re election. We richly enjoyed
the republican thunder as the 9, 10, and ii-inch guns
roared as if they would split their throats. It was real
secesh squelching. The following was the order for it :
"Headquarters District of Vicksburg,
Vicksburg, Miss., Nov. 14, 1864.
Circular. J
A National Salute will be fired under direction of
Colonel Leib, from the batteries of Fort Grant, at five
p, M. to-day, to express the joy of the troops at the
success of the Union cause in the late Presidential

Illinois Infantry. 253
election, and their great satisfaction at this new proof
that the people of this country will stand by the army,
till this war is completely fought out and the rebellion
entirely crushed.
By command of
Major General N. J. T. DANA.
(Signed) F. W. Fox,
Assistant Adjutant General.
The 1 6th of November a disgraceful and tragic affair
took place at the headquarters of Colonel Osband, of the
3d United States colored cavalry, who was then com
manding a brigade in Vicksburg. The details will be of
interest to ail who knew of it at the time it occurred,
and are from a paper written by the Chaplain to a tem
perance organization at home :
•'The social glass — what hast thou done?
"Capt. Alexander S. Jessup, of the 5th Illinois cav
alry, and Lieut. Maurice Dee, of the nth Illinois
cavalry, were firm and devoted friends. Having been
associated together in the toils and hardships of many
an arduous campaign, and being alike genial, loyal and
brave, their association became very intimate, until it
was a subject of general remark, and each was wont to
say of the other, 'he is my best friend. ' They were
doing duty on the staff" of Col. Osband, of the 3d United
States colored cavalry, who was at that time command
ing a brigade ; when on the i6th day of November last,
at Col. Osband's headquarters in Vicksburg, they, with

254 History of the 124TH

others, became merry over their cups. The drinking
was merely social, without any thought of excess, and
the whole party would have scorned the imputation of
drunkenness. But as they became exhilerated, the con
versation turned upon the fact of Capt. Jessup's being
an unerring pistol shot, accompanied with the usual
amount of bravado on such subjects. At last a proposi
tion was made to test the matter, a la Tell, and Lieut.
Dee volunteered to place a tin goblet on his head for the
Captain to shoot off". He took his position against the
side of the room, with the goblet turned downwards on
his head, and his friend raised the pistol to fire. Just at
that moment the Lieutenant, whose position had been
scarcely erect, straightened himself up in his partially
drunken bravery, making, by the extension of his neck,
back and limbs, a difference of about two inches in his
height. Too late was the movement : The Captain's
finger was on the trigger, the hammer fell, and the fatal
bullet came crashing through the Lieutenant's brain.
He fell in the agonies of death, and never spoke again.
The Captain, in agony, exclaimed, "My God, I have
killed my best friend !" and placed his pistol to his
own head. By the exertions of those present, the rash
act of suicide was prevented, and his wretched hfe is
StiU spared. A cloud has settled down over him darker
than the grave. The consequences of that hour's indul
gence have ruined him to his country, to his family, to
his friends, to his own consience, and perhaps to his God.
Though living, he were better dead, he says, and not

Illi.nois Infantry. 255
all the waters of the earth can wash the stain upon his
soul away.
I saw the mournful procession as it followed Lieut.
Dee to the grave. All the officers of his regiment
were there in their sorrow, and as they rode slowly
along, following the hearse with their sabres reversed, I
could but think of the cause. I pointed to the sad cav
alcade and said, 'Whisky has done this,' promising my
self to be more devoted to the cause of temperance than
ever before. I also felt glad that there were schools of
temperance through the north, where earnest women
and brave men were educating the rising generation to
shun such a fate."
On the night of the 30th of November, an election
jubilee was held in the Methodist Church in Vicksburg,
nominally under the auspices of the Union League, but
which was largely controlled by the officers of the 124th.
The Glee Club was from our regiment, and consisted of
Captains Field, Merriman and Newland, Adj't. Smith
and Serg't. Kent, under the lead of Chaplain Howard.
The report of the occasion, from the Vicksburg Herald,
is inserted entire :
"A GREAT JUBILEE!

A PERFECT SUCCESS!

"According to announcement made yesterday, a large
concourse of citizens and soldiers assembled at the
Methodist Church at seven o'clock last evening, to talk

256 History of the 124TH
and rejoice over the victory which has been achieved in
the re-election of Abraham Lincoln to the Presidency
of the United States. The celebration, if we may so
call it, was gotten up by the Vicksburg Council of the
Union League, and was one of the finest of the kind
we ever witnessed in the South. It was a most perfect
success, and was conducted-with unbounded unanimity
and good feeling. The officers and members of the
Union League appeared in the full regalia adopted by
the Vicksburgh Council, and presented a very fine
appearance. Captain Curtiss, our Provost Marshall,
and a more worthy gentleman or officer is seldom met
with, is President of the Council, and presided over
the meeting.
"Long before the hour announced for the exercises
to begin arrived, every available niche of room in the
church was filled with as intelligent and patriotic an
audience as ever assembled in this city. The ladies,
and 'God bless them,' gave their smiUng presence and
cheer to the occasion.
"The Post Band, under direction of Prof Slater,
discoursed the ever-popular 'Yankee Doodle,' after
which prayer was off"ered by the Chaplain, the Rev.
A. Mygatt. The President then introduced to the au
dience Col. Howe, of the 124th Illinois Infantry, who
spoke for half an hour sentiments of eloquent patriot
ism, which called forth bursts of applause from his
audience. He began by saying that he stood before
his audience in obedience to orders— he was one of the

Illinois Infantry. 257
'chaps in blue, ' whose duty it was to obey orders. He
referred most touchingly to the change of circumstances
which has taken place in this city — to the Fourth of
July, when the city capitulated — when the glorious old
Union Flag waved in triumph from the dome of the
Court House ; but he thought that event dwindled into
insignificance when contrasted with this occasion. It
was not in the re-election of Abraham Lincoln, that we
have to rejoice most, but the triumph of Union and
Liberty over disunion and slavery.
"We made a full phonographic report of his speech,
but regret the lateness of the hour at which we write
will not permit us to give a more extended notice of it.
' 'The Glee Club sang a most appropriate and beau
tiful song, entitled 'A Thousand Years.'
"Major Dickey, Paymaster in the United States Army,
was next introduced and was received amid bursts of
applause. Chaplain Howard, of the 124th Illinois Infantry,
and Chaplain Calahan, of the 48th United States colored
infantry, made excellent speeches.
Then A. Mygatt was announced as an old citizen of
Vicksburg, and a thorough Union man, and was receiv
ed with rapturous applause as he related the trials of
Union men in this city, who fought against secession,
and stood true to the old flag. He regarded slavery as
the cause of the rebellion,* and that with its death, trea
son dies out to be heard of no more. He pictured, in

258 History of the 124TH

glowing terms, the glorious future for redeemed and free
Mississippi. "Major Barnes, of the 50th United States colored in
fantry, was called upon and responded in a few brief and
patriotic remarks, after which the assemblage gave three
cheers for "honest old Abe, " and our brave Generals
and soldiers in the field.
' 'The exercises were interspersed with songs from the
Glee Club. The assemblage retired, with the band
playing. We regret our inability to give the exercises
of the occasion a more extended and deserving notice.
It was one which has never been witnessed in this city
before — one which the spirit of American institutions
calls forth wherever it is free to act."
The songs we sung, in addition to the one mentioned
above, were, "The New Union — Now and Forever,"
"The Ship of State," "Hail Columbia," "Battle Cry of
Freedom," "Uncle Sam's Funeral," "What's the Mat
ter?" "Gay and Happy Suckers," and "Young
Napoleon." Chaplain Calahan achieved a remarkable success at
the opening of his speech on this occasion, not men
tioned in the report. He is very far from being a hand
some man, and when he chooses, can look almost hide
ous, with his bristly hair standing out straight, aU over
his head, and an ugly frown upon his brow. Upon
taking the pulpit and putting on his worst look, he said,
"just imagine me to be the devil." The effect was
electric, overwhelming. We shouted and roared, and

Illinois Infantry. 259
clapped hands and stamped. It was so easy, so natural
to do as he said. When order was partially restored
the vast audience would break out again, and again.
At last he spoke once more, but only to repeat his
words to be interrupted by the same wild cheering. It
was a perfect whirlwind, from which it seemed impossi
ble to recover. But when finally he was permitted to
finish his remark, it proved to be this: "Not that I am
ambitious in that direction, but if I was the devil, what
do you think I would do with the copperheads? I
would put them into the lowest, lonesomest, darkest,
hottest corner of hell, and 1 would not permit a decent,
respectable devil to speak to one of them to all eternity. "
The effect of such an introduction can be better imagined
than described.
Not far from this time, or soon after entering upon
provost duty, the Vicksburg Herald paid its respects to
us, as a regiment, as follows :
"A NOBLE RECORD.
" The 124th regiment Illinois infantry, now encamped
at this place, has a record of which the noble regiment
may well be proud. It has been in service nearly three
years, and in a contest for superiority in driU, was
awarded the banner over all competitors, in the division
to which it belonged, the 3d division, 17th Army Corps.
In battle it has proven worthy of the great State from
which it hails, and its deeds of valor, stand as enduring

260 History of the 124TH
records of the heroism of the officers and men compos
ing it. But it has, if possible, a record more to be
boasted of than that of valor or discipline. Although
so long a time has elapsed since its formation as a regi
ment, and notwithstanding the diversity of character of
its numerous members, and the perilous scenes of trial
and temptation it has passed through during this excit
ing war, it makes the proud and glorious boast, that not
a man in the 124th Illinois infantry has ever been
brought before a general court martial to be tried for a
violation of the Articles of War, or any General Order.
"Is it not a noble record — and may not the 'Sucker
State' point with pride and pleasure to this gallant regi
ment, and say, 'these are my jewels. '
"May every member of the regiment continue to feel
that its honor is in his keeping, so that when it shall
have fulfilled its allotted time of service, it may make
the same proud boast as now. 'No member of the 124th
has ever been before a court martial'."
One of the pleasant or unpleasant features of provost
duty was the arresting of secession women, who had
become experts at smuggUng and carrying rebel mails,
and our officers and men had to be continuaUy on the
alert for them. Thirteen, who had been caught, were
sent outside the lines at one time, and forbidden to re
turn. As an indication of southern feehng against the
arming of the negroes, it is affirmed that a rebel citizen
prisoner cut off" his hand with an axe, in jaU No. i, to
avoid going out to work under a colored guard. Or it

Illinois Infantry. 261
may have been to avoid the work alone. Few men in
the south have any great relish for manual labor.
The evening of December 7th the non-commissioned
officers of the regiment, headed by Serg't-Maj. Rich
ards, and Quartermaster-Serg't. Durley, presented Col.
Howe with a very beautiful and costly sword. Richards
made the speech, the Colonel responded very happily,
and it was a time of general good feeling
With us the year 1864 closed with the funeral of Sam
uel E. AUard, of company F, another of our brave and
true men. We had all become weary of carrying
our heroes, one by one, up the valley to their last rest
ing place, so frequently did we have to do it. And yet
we were comparatively free from sickness, and had not
half as many funerals as the cavalry regiments of Gen.
Washburn's command. Our camp was where we saw
them all go by, and heard every volley fired, so we were
in possession of the facts.
Quite a number of changes took place among the
officers in our regiment in the year 1864. Surgeon An
geli, after suffering some time with sickness, was honor-
bly discharged the ist of June, and Ass't. Surgeon Kay
was pro.moted to Surgeon July 1st. Second Ass't. Sur
geon Jassoy was dismissed the service November 17th.
We never knew much about the facts of the latter case,
but presume the reiterated political sentiments of the
doctor had something to do with it. He denied being
a copperhead, but was most heartily opposed to the ad
ministration of Lincoln, which made it very unpleasant for

262 History of the 124TH
him in military circles, and in a regiment so pronounced
and radical as ours, and doubtless some of his uncalled for
remarks hastened his departure. Dr. Angeli and Dr.
Jassoy were both skillful and able men, and had many
friends in the regiment, and having both since died, we
feel like speaking of them with the utmost respect and
tenderness. Following the promotion of Maj. Mann, in 1865, 1st
Lieut. Edwin F. Stafford was promoted to Captain, 2d
Lt F. C. Fan Vlack to ist Lt. , and Sergt. Christopher
H, KeUer to 2d Lieut, of company B, the first two
dating February Sth, and the last one July 26th.
More recruits having reached us, company C bacame
entitled to a 2d Lieutenant, and Serg't.-Maj. John L.
C. Richards was promoted to that office, dating Decem
ber 5 th.
Capt. Sigley, of company E, resigned June 27th, and
1st Lieut. Reese L. Merriman was promoted to fill va
cancy August 5th. September loth Serg't. Wm. H.
Anderson was promoted to 1st Lieutenant.
Company F becoming entitled to a 2d Lieutenant, 1st
Serg't. Edward R. Breckons was promoted thereto De
cember 31st.
Capt, Scudder, of company G, resigned June 29th,
and 1st Lieut, Benton Pratt became Captain August
27th, and 2d Lieut. John W. Mosby became ist Lieut.
September 27th.
1st Lieut. Theodore Potter, of company H, resigned
December 26th, 1863, but his papers were not returned

Illinois Infa,ntry. 263
approved till nearly a month later, and 2d Lieut. G. A.
Spear was mustered ist Lieut. March 9th, 1864; He
died October 30th, and ist Serg't. Freeman L. Camp-
beU was promoted to ist Lieut. December 29th.
1st Lieut. Elijah Borton, of company I, resigned June
25th, and Serg't. Joel H. Masten was promoted to fill
the vacancy. Date of muster not given.
Companies A, D and K remained unchanged through
the year.
Serg't. John W. Wharton, of company G, was made
Sergeant-Major of the regiment, to fill vacancy, occa
sioned by the promotion of Serg't-Maj. Richards.

264 History of the 124TH

CHAPTER XVIII

Ladies in camp. — Style. — Detached service. — Major Mann on the
works. — Cavalry movements. — Troops passing. — Colored regiments
go down the river. — More recruits. — Gen. Canby in command below.
— Move at last. — On the "Grey Eagle. " — Mew Orleans. — Camp Chal-
mette. — Ladies with us. — "No bottom. " — 72d again. — Reece back. —
Enjoy the city. — On the "Guiding Star." — A jam. — Over the bar. —
Sea sick. — Dauphin Island.

WE BEGAN the last year of our service, 1865, in
Vicksburg, under most favorable circumstances.
Col. Howe, Dr. Kay, Captains Newland and Sanders,
and Lieut. Mosby were favored with the company of
their wives, who did very much to enliven and cheer all
our military circles, being present with us at meals, in
the officers' mess, and forming the miclei of little even
ing gatherings in our different quarters. Some of the
men, too, had their wives with them, prominent among
whom was Mrs. Henry H. Evans, of Aurora, who will
long be remembered by many a soldier whose hospital
life she cheered by her kindly presence.

Illinois Infantry. 265
Our men came to discharge their duties with a pre
cision, ease and grace, which can only be acquired by
long practice, and in general appearance, whether on
parade or duty, were the peers of any in the service.
Having nothing better to do, we "ran to style," as was
often facetiously remarked. And this was sometimes
made the occasion for a little pleasantry, as for instance,
Allaire says in his diary of January 27th: "Drew up a
petition to Col. Howe to request him to order P. B.
Durley, Quartermaster-Sergeant, to wear his chevrons.
He is putting on more style than his position warrants."
Durley was wearing a military blouse without decora
tions, which might lead some to take him for a commis
sioned officer, especially as he was a man of fine and
commanding appearance, and "Charley," as his equal in
rank, gave him this little "nudge." Our rations and
supplies as officers and men,, were those of garrison ser
vice, wood and coal being issued to us as though we
were in Fort Hamilton in New York harbor.
Many of our officers were on detached service while
here, as the regiments for pro»^ost guard hadless call for
officers than men. Col. Howe and Capt. Field were
absent very much of the time on military commissions
and courts martial. Captains N. H. Pratt, Stafford,
Kendall, Newland, Griffith, and others, also had their
turns, and Major Mann was permanently detached as
engineer in charge of all the defenses of Vicksburg, not
being with us at the muster out of the regiment.

266 History of the 124TH

We had not passed far into the year before Vicksburg
became unusually stirring as a military point. On the
5th of January, General Grierson, with his famous cav
alry raiders paid us a visit, having left Memphis on the
2 1st of December previous. They brought in about
600 prisoners and 800 horses and mules, and remained
with us a few days, though the prisoners went up the
river at once. On the nth other cavalry arrived, and
the city was full of them, but on the 13th they nearly
all left by boat, making the levee lively for a while.
Early in February troops began to arrive from above,
belonging to Gen. A. J. Smith's command, sometimes
two or three boat loads coming in a day, until the note
of preparation for some where was heard in every
direction. About the same time the colored regiments began to
leave for below, four going in one day, leaving their bar
racks for the temporary occupancy of the newly arrived
troops. We were mixed up in the rumors occasioned
by these movements, and were one day going to the
front somewhere, while the next would send us into the
empty barracks to stay. Meantime the hum continued,
"Smith's guerrillas," as they were caUed, had nearly aU
come down the river, the colored troops, save Colonel
Leib's regiment, had nearly aU gone, and we were still
mounting guard and patroling the city as though its ex
istence depended alone upon us. In fact, Gen. M. L.
Smith, who now commanded the district. Gen. Wash
burn, who was in some way identified with the troops,

Illinois Infantry-. 267
and Gen. Maltby, who had just come into the command
of the Post, all said we could not be spared. Of course
we believed them, and made up our minds to stay. So
Allaire made garden, for hospital use in the spring and
summer, sending home for seeds, and when we left, had
peas two inches high, and lettuce, corn, etc., growing
finely, with flowering plants set out in his hospital
yard. Recruits, too, came, company A receiving twenty,
and other companies a few, and we proceeded to initiate
them into all the mysteries of provost duty, as though
that was all the service they were to see, while they
were delighted with it as a very safe way of saving their
country. On the whole, probably at no time in our
service, was our future more clearly indicated than at
Vicksburg during the early part of the year. We had
a desire to go to the front, most of us disliking the
effeminacy of our existing life, and when we learned
Gen. Canby, who was in command of the Department
of the Gulf, was preparing to move against Mobile, our
military ardor and patriotism began to boil. But we
were mixed up in everything where we were. Colonel
Howe was President of a General Court Martial, whose
work was unfinished; Major Mann was on the works;
Reece was at headquarters, and our men were running
hospitals, prisons, homes, boats, corrals, commissions,
offices and churches, and we could not go. Therefore
the rest of our term of service must be given to Vicks
burg. In keeping with this, on the 21st of February,

268 History of the 124TH
Col. Howe — and he was now Colonel by brevet — was
sent to Messenger's Ferry, on the Big Black, to meet a
flag of truce and effect an exchange of prisoners, and
that meant stay, when everybody else seemed to be
going. But on the 24th we were relieved everywhere as if by
magic — all but Major Mann — and were ordered to pro
ceed to New Orleans and report to General Canby.
How easily we let go of everything, and took ourselves
out of the places where we had been indispensable so
long ! Even Allaire could leave his garden that his in
dustry and skill had started, and our surplus accumula
tions could be boxed and sent north with wonderful dis
patch, tiU by the morning of the 25th we were reduced
to light traveling weight, and ready for the field. As
man after man came in from here and there, who had
been gone for weeks, we at last came to hail them with
cheers, and there was an indescribable delight in our
oneness again.
It had been raining very heavily a large share of the
time for several days, till everything possible was afloat,
and we scarcely hoped for a fair day in which to say
good by to our long-time home at Vicksburg. But it came
at the last minute. It rained all day the 24th ; a heavy
thunder shower, lasting all night, with a young deluge
faUing. But about sunrise the 25th it broke away and
we struck tents and marched to the levee, Vicksburg's
defence departing. We were ordered to be on board at
daylight, but the "Grey Eagle" was wind bound, or

Illinois Infantry. 269

something else, on the DeSoto shore, and did not come
over till afternoon. We embarked at three p, m, , waved
our adieus to those we left behind, and at 6 o'clock swung
off from our home of nearly two years, and were bowling
down the Father of Waters in quest of new adventures
and fresh fields of fame. We enjoyed the passage down
the river very much. The boat was a fine one and not
crowded. Being in tl e regular passenger line, she
made all the landings, giving us an opportunity to see
Natchez, Baton Rouge, etc., and as the trees were just
leafing out, and the plum trees in blossom, the land
scape was particularly inviting. Gunboats lined the
river, an iron-clad in one place and a tin-clad or two in
another. At the mouth of Red river there were five
tin-clads, one monitor, and two rams, one of which was
the captured ram "Tennessee." All of these were of
great interest to us, and especially were we pleased to
seethe "Mound City, "our old friend of Bruinsburg,
once more.
¦ At nine o'clock a. m. , on the 27th of February, we
reached the city of New Orleans, and Col. Howe went
on shore to report to Gen. Canby. The scene was a
a busy and entrancing one. The peculiar mingling of
river and sea-going vessels was new to many of us.
United States transports and gunboats were plenty, with
their taper masts and spars ; two ocean steamers lay at
their wharves, the beautiful blockade-runner "Circas
sian" lay anchored in the stream, and the river being
very high, we almost looked down upon the city, which

270 History of the 124TH
seemed to lie seething and boiling at our feet. The levee
was a perfect whirl of excitement. Great stacks of grain in
sacks, and freight in barrels, with piles of cotton bales,
were here and there, covered with canvas to protect
from the drizzling rain which was falling. Steamboats
and ships were loading, while six mule teams, and drays,
and carts were rushing hither and thither, with a crack
ing of whips, scolding of mates, yelling of roustabouts,
and general clamor that exceeded anything of the
kind we had before witnessed. We drank it all in
eagerly. Babel as it was, from the deck of our good
steamer, while awaiting the return of Col. Howe, who
soon came with orders to report to Gen. A. J. Smith,
at Camp Chalmette, about four miles down the river.
As soon as the vessel had discharged her regular
freight, we steamed down past the United States bar
racks below the city, and soon found ourselves in prox
imity to a vast encampment of troops, which explained
to us at a glance, the destination of the thousands
that had been passing Vicksburg for the last twenty
days. We reported to Gen. Smith, as ordered, but for
some reason did not debark, lying on the boat ah night.
The next morning, however, we went ashore betimes,
thankful for one good night's rest, and went into camp
near the levee, in a grassy field, which had been left
rough, from growing corn or cotton years before.
Orange groves were near us, the oleander in its plenty
and luxuriance Uned the fence corners, Jackson's maga
zine and battle-ground monument were close by ; in fact

Illinois Infantry. 271
we were on a part of the old theatre of war, and were
in the best of spirits. We said we could he in the soft
grass between the old corn rows, and all would be lovely.
So our tents went up with a will, and we were at home
in the field again.
The ladies with the regiment, Mrs. Howe, Mrs. Kay,
and the others, had improved the opportunity of visiting
New Orleans, so unexpectedly afforded them, and had
come down the river with us. But now, knowing our
destination to be to the front, they began to arrange for
their leave taking, and the first step toward it was
"doing" New Orleans. So the afternoon of our landing
at Camp Chalmette found many of the officers returning
to the city on the same boat, to escort the ladies, see
the sights, and bid them good by at their departure.
All this was pleasantly accomplished, and then we re
turned to our duties in camp.
On the 2d of March we indulged in the old time luxury
of dress parade, and on the 4th witnessed a fireman's dis
play in the city, which was very fine, it being inaugura
tion day. It was a wonder to us, in a time of war,
when the south had been so depleted to fill the ranks of
the confederate army, how such a parade could be had.
But there it was, though of course the ranks were very
largely filled by exempts and negroes. Algiers and Car-
roliton contributed their share to the display.
On the 5th of March an ocean steamer, loaded up with
negro troops below us, and left for the gulf Meantime
we were reducing everything to the lightest possible

272 History of the 124TH,
condition. Our tents were many of them turned over
and condemned, the order being for ' 'three wagons to a
regiment." Allaire says the regimental hospital lost its
identity, being left without a medicine wagon, ambu
lance or tent, the dispensary consisting of a medicine
chest of the smallest dimensions, and a knapsack.
The night of the 7th of March we enjoyed the luxury
of one of the heaviest showers we ever experienced,
a rainfall peculiar to lower latitudes, and of the power
of which the North affords no example. It seemed for
a time as though the Mississippi was spilling out in
sheets, and we should be overwhelmed in spite of us.
Of course we were but poorly protected against such a
deluge, many of us being in shelter tents ; but the worst
was from beneath. Few of us had any bunks, as we
had no lumber, and our cradle beds in the grass between
the corn rows became our undoing. The shower came
on about two o'clock, just when we were sleeping most
soundly. Many were awakened, first by the waters
rising under them, and while the senses of hundreds
were only partially unlocked, some wag cried out in the
twang of the river men in heaving the lead, •'six feet."
This set the camp in a roar of laughter, and was imme
diately replied to by some one in a different voice, from
another quarter of the camp, with the cry of "seven
feet," indicating the rapid deepening of the waters.
And now the boatmen themselves could not have called
it more skillfully than the thoroughly aroused soldiers
did, as they ran through the whole range of the lead

Illinois Infantry. 273

line, in every pitch and quality of voice, from the piping
treble to the deepest bass, with drawl and twang and
snap, and inflections up, and inflections down. It was
"eight feet," and "nine feet," and "a quarter less
twain," and "mark twain," and "mark under water
twain," the water still rising as the rain stiU poured, and
everybody laughing ready to split, till at last the climax
was reached, and the calling ended by the deepest bass
voice of all, groaning out from a remote quarter, with a
dying cadence which forbade response, save with a yell,
"no bottom." O, it was cruel, it was excruciating to
have to laugh so, all drenched as we were, in the dark
ness of the night, and the floods still pouring. Many
came right out from their tents, and yelled in their
agony of laughter, crying, "O dear, it will kill me," and
splashed through the camp like otters in a stream.
Everybody was good natured, no evil effects of our
drenching followed, and to day Camp Chalmette has no
more vivid recollections for us than those of that night,
culminating in that wonderful "no bottom." Many of
us would give more than a penny to know who was the
owner of that sepulchral bass.
We found ourselves with the 72d Illinois again at this
camp, report assigning us to a brigade with them. But
this was not to be, though we were with them for the
first few days, and in the same division throughout the
campaign. Little differences in rank of regimental
commanders often changed the brigading of troops, rps-
pect being had to future contingencies, which might

274 History of the 124TH

involve much more than an unskilled man would suspect.
In this case the 72d was taken from our brigade, after
fairly starting with us, and why, no one at the time
could tell.
While here Reece returned to us, and once more as
sumed the position of a plain Quartermaster, remaining
with us to the close of the war. The day after his arri
val he was detailed as Brigade Quartermaster, but
declined to accept, and recommending Lieut. Bigelow
for that post, he was detailed instead.
We improved the time while here to see New Orleans,
having but little to do after disposing of our surplus
stores, except to occasionally go on dress parade. The
monument and magazine, the cemeteries with their
tombs above ground, the shell roads. Lake Pontchar-
train, the custom house, theatre, markets, all came in
for a share of our attention. The street cars ran nearly
to our camp, so that our communication was easy, and
we suffered no part of the time to hang heavy on our
hands. The passage of tugs with their tows of ves
sels was always interesting to us, going by, three or four
together often, almost above our heads, lying nearly
under the levee, as we did, with the river booming high.
It was the time of the year to enjoy it. There was no
danger of sickness, it was not very hot, flowers were
abundant, and all vegetation, save the orange, at its
best, with the birds singing on every bough. Why
should we not enjoy it ?

Illinois Infantry. 275
But the end came, and on the nth of March we were
ordered to embark on the ocean steamer "Guiding
Star," of the New York '"Star line'" Our transporta
tion had all gone by the way of Lake Pontchartrain and
Grant's Pass, with Durley in charge, and we were ready
to move. But the steamer was coaling, and did not re
port for us till Sunday the i2th, about nine o'clock,
when she anchored in the river abreast of us, and the
river steamer "Fairchild" stuck her nose into the levee
to take us on board. We were not long in reporting,
and quickly found ourselves, nearly 3,000 strong, on
this leviathan of the deep, including the Sth Iowa, Col.
Geddes commanding, and the 72d, Sist, loSth and
124th Illinois, with brigade headquarters. We made a
perfect jam. Three of the regiments were stCA^ed away
in the steerage and hold, and the others were on deck,
where the crowd was so great that the Captain did not
go aft to his cabin once while we were on board. He
scarcely could without stepping on the men. About
halfpast eleven the anchor was tripped, and away we
sped down the river, the wind blowing almost a gale.
Of course we were not lonesome, and there was the charm
of novelty about it all, as we passed the orange groves
that sometimes lined the banks, met the tows, took a
look at Forts St. Phillips and Jackson, saw an occasional
alligator, and especially as we observed the peculiar
character of the shores a little farther down, which were
only narrow strips of uncertain land, serving but to guide
the mighty river safely out to sea. But a few rods, for

276 History of the 124TH
many miles, separated us from the blue water on either
hand, which was in marked contrast with the turbid
stream on whose bosom we were sailing.
At last the river divided and we took a right-hand
channel, finding ourselves at the southwest pass at sun
down, and too late for the tide over the bar. So we an
chored in the stream for the night. The "Morning
Star" and "Evening Star," the consorts of our ship,
one outward and the other inward bound, were stuck in
the channel on the bar, and as our vessel was the larg
est, drawing over twenty-one feet of water, our prospect
for crossing was not very hopeful.
The 13th we lay all day on the ship. There was no
water on the bar, so said, and there the other steamers
still lay. In the afternoon it began to rain quite heavily,
and the men on deck suffered from it, being unable to
stir or help themselves; and yet the men m the hold
suffered most from the impure air, and nothing to see.
It was all wrong, besides the officers had to pay a dollar
a meal or go without, as no one could cook at all, or
even make a cup of coffee. The boat was so top-heavy
that she lay lurched over, arid the poor feUows "lying
two deep," as Allaire says, had to be on a continual
strain, lest feet and heads should come into unpleasant
contact. It began to be soldiering with a vengeance.
There was no longer any charm in the novelty.
But we had telegraphed to the city for aid, and the
morning of the 14th the "Fairchild" steamed alongside

Illinois Infantry, 277

in the rain, when our regiment, with the Sist, went on
board of her, dirty and forbidding as she was. It gave
us more room, and we could stretch our cramped limbs
a little. We passed a most cheerless day, as it rained
heavily for a great part of it, and then a dense fog set
tled down upon us. When it became evident we should
not get over the bar that day, the "Fairchild" ran up
to some old coal barges which lay along the shore, if
shore it could be called, and we spent some time in
racing over them to stir our blood, and save our temper.
The "Evening Star" came over the bar upon the last
instant, leaving a passage clear for us, but we could not
do in the fog, from our position, what she had been able
to do from hers. She could get off the bar, being on it
in the right place, but we stood no chance of finding that
place to pass. As she steamed slowly by us that after
noon, while we lay on the "Fairchild," and we looked
up and read her name — "Evening Star" — in great let
ters on the stern so high above us, how little we thought
of her foundering in the gulf stream a few years later,
with those hundreds on board. Ill-fated steamer, what
an end was thine ! What a mass of filth and rottenness,
as well as of nobility, ^nd moral worth thou didst take
down to the depths with thee ! Only twelve out of
upwards of nine hundred were saved, and among her
passengers were over a hundred courtezans, a circus
company, and a French opera troupe.
The morning of the 15th the commissary boat, "Col
onel Colburn," came to us with rations, and soon after

278 History of the 124TH
our ship passed out over the bar. At noon we untied
from our coal barges and steamed after her, running
close alongside the "Morning Star" in our passage out.
and pitching nicely with our flat craft in the roll of the
sea. The "Guiding Star" had swung around to the
right behind the narrow tongue of land, so that we
lashed alongside her safely, and unloaded ourselves from
the hurricane deck of the "Fairchild," taking our before-
time stowage. At four o'clock we weighed anchor, and
steamed out on the Gulf of Mexico, in the teeth of both
wind and waves.
The new motion of the vessel soon began to take
effect, and unpleasant sounds to arise from all quarters.
One of the commissioned officers, a Captain in the
"Hundred and two dozen," was discovered in a very few
minutes, trying to hold his head out of the round light
in his state room, and of all the officers on board the
vessel, numbering over a hundred and fifty, but one put
in an appearance at the supper table. The men were
soon in a sad plight from sea-sickness ; their crowded
condition rendered it impossible for them to go to the
vessel side, or anywhere else to vomit, so there was no
alternative but to "heave up JcWiah" just where they
were, and the result can well be imagined. A heavier
wind-squaU came on in the night, pitching us about fear
fully for awhile, followed by a strong northwester, and a
slimier, sourer, sorrier set of men than our brigade could
exhibit the next morning, it would have been difficult

Illinois Infantry. 279
to find. The squall was accompanied with rain, drench
ing those exposed, but the air was pure on deck, while
the poor fellows in the hold, had to breathe their vomit
over and over the whole night long as well as lie in it.
It would have been a satisfaction to many of us, and we
would almost have defended it as being pious, if we
could have condemned the officers who crammed us so,
to breathe the stifling, filthy, mephitic odors of that
night, till they learned wisdom. There was no excuse for
such crowding. At sunrise the morning of the i6th,
we were in sight of Pelican island light, and soon in
muddy water again, from Mobile bay. A short time
brought us to anchor in the channel between Forts
Morgan and Gaines, waiting for lighters. We were not
in an enviable frame of mind after our abuse ; we could
not be; we were entirely too filthy for that. If we
could have taken some of the masters of transportation,
and consequential department quartermasters out of
their elegant quarters, and daubed them with our filth,
and held their noses to it awhile, that would have soothed
us amazingly. But our position soon helped to mollify
us. We were where the noble Farragut had been
lashed to the mast of the "Hartford," and had won the
victory of Mobile bay. Here was the grave of the
"Tecumseh" and the gallant Craven. '1 here was mas
sive Fort Morgan on our right, with the stars and stripes
waving over her. Fort Gaines lay near us on our left,
and in the stream by us was the "Richmond." Here
was the new theatre of war. Up the bay yonder was

280 History of the 124TH
Mobile, the last port of any importance in rebel hands,
and we were to take her. Our patriotism began to re
vive ; and a shoal of porpoises commenced to disport
themselves around the vessel, rolling and tumbling,
seemingly for our gratification. There was inspiration
in the scene.
At one o'clock the "Tamaulipas, " a large tug, came
alongside, and the 72d, with some of our regiment, went
on board of her. The "Laura" followed carrying three
companies of us, and the rest on the "N. W. Thomas"
were all soon landed safely at Fort Gaines, on Dauphin
island, in the State of Alabama. How rejoiced we were
to get on shore — on the clean, white sand. What a con
trast there was between it and our soiled clothing. And
how we stretched our limbs. It was such a luxury to
walk about. The island pitched and rolled some, but
really it felt more natural. It brought up more satisfac
torily. All was bustle and confusion, but we soon
brought comparative order out of it, as old campaigners
can, and marching out on the beach about three
miles, bivouacked for the night, making our beds in the
clean sand, close down by the great heaving sea. An
extract from my diary of that night shall close this
chapter : .
"Went into camp on the sand, with the pines for a
background, our camp fronting south toward the irre-
pressable rolling surf Was profoundly impressed with
the majesty of the sea while coming out on the beach,
with the tide coming in, but stiU more so, if possible.

Illinois Infantry. 281
when lying on the sand, listening to the voices of
the wild waves, and gazing up at our starry canopy
in this delightful night, with Jupiter and Mars in
the ascendant, and Orion brightly beaming down
upon us. The soldiers' nautical merriment, gushing
out so comically, and exuberantly, after their confine
ment on the steamship, added interest to the scene ; and
I felt like rendering thanks, deep and full, to the great
Maker and Ruler of all this, as I closed my eyes for
slumber."

282 History of the 124TH

CHAPTER XIX.

The "festive oyster." — Organization. — Across the bay. — Reece and the
teams.— The "father of crooks. "—Among the pines.— Brigade drill.
—Franking letters.— Fortifying. — Further on. — Skirmishing.—
"Wake Nicodemus." — Adjutant and Hodges wounded. — Spanish
Fort. — George C. Black killed, — Siege.— Our position. — Wounded. —
A fearful day.— Killed.— Officers digging rifle pits. — KUled and
wounded. — Siege progressing. — General bombardment. — ApiH Sth.
— Our share in the capture. — Capt. N. H. Pratt's story.
WHILE ON Dauphin island we had some sport
fishing for oysters ; though it is probable most of
the men were more successful in obtaining black mus
cles, which were very plenty. We lacked the boats and
rakes necessary for extensive oyster fishing from the
island, but from the point above Fort Morgan, where
our teams were landed, they could be obtained at low
tide in great plenty, and Reece says Durley and the
teamsters were growing fat on them, when he joined
them. Eagle, the blacksmith, proved to be the cham
pion oyster eater, and could empty the second bucket
fuU of them in the shell, wondering as he finished how
anybody could like them ! Some crabs, and a few fish

Illinois Infantry. 283
of various kinds, were obtained by our boys while lying
here, and the getting of them helped relieve the tedious-
ness of our waiting hours.
We now learned definitely that we were assigned to
the 3d Brigade of the 3d Division, i6th Army Corps.
The 72d had gone lo the ist Brigade under Col. J. B.
Moore, and our Brigade was now composed of four reg
iments, the Sth Iowa, and the Sist, loSth and 124th Il
linois, Col. Geddes, of the Sth Iowa commanding. Gen.
E. A. Carr was in command of the division. The other
two divisions of this corps, under Gen. A. J. Smith,
were commanded by Generals McArthur and Garrard.
The 13th Army Corps with us. Gen. Gordon Granger
commanding, consisted of Benton's and Veatch's divis
ions and Bertram's brigade. We had besides the usual
complement of artillery and cavalry, the whole com
manded by Maj. Gen. E. R. S. Canby. In addition
Gen. F. Steele was operating from Fort Barrancas, Flor
ida, with a respectable force, consisting largely of cavalry
and colored troops, and two, brigades of the second di
vision of the 13th Corps, under Gen. Andrews.
The 17th and iSth of March we remained in camp,
but the 19th the expected marching orders were receiv
ed, and we moved down to Fort Gaines to embark, with
orders for the officers to leave even their valises. All
day long other regiments were embarking, and we
watched them, but our turn did not come, and toward
night we bivouacked and tried to make ourselves com
fortable.

284 History of the 124TH
The 20th we remained in our bivouack, and endured
the rain and cold wind, which made the day far from
pleasant. The night was absolutely dreadful. The
wind came surging in upon us from the gulf and comfort
and sleep were to us strangers. But the morning of the
2 1st we embarked on the "Peerless" and the "Thomas,"
with orders to cross the bay and proceed up Fish river,
and report to Gen. Carr. We executed our part of the
order very soon after our cheerless, wet breakfast, and
steamed across the bay with due dispatch, but stuck on
the bar, at the mouth of the river. For about seven
hours we tugged and backed and filled, and at last,
through the aid of the third boat, the "Red Chief" we
got over, as we thought. But we went no further that
night, and staid on the boats.
The 22d we stuck again several times, and were
assisted by the "Iberville," "Elk" and "Reserve,"
and did not get weU into the river tUl about two o'clock
in the afternoon. This left some of our boys in an
unpleasant predicament, being separated from their blan
kets and supplies. Capt. Field borrowed two boxes
of hard bread in one instance, to eke out our rations.
At four o'clock in the afternoon Danley's mill was
reached and we debarked well satisfied to be on shore
again despite the many attractions of Fish river.
Meantime Reece was not inactive. While on Dauphin
island we were separated from our transportation, which
was on the neck east of Fort Morgan, and as a conse- ¦
quence he had to borrow whenever we needed a team.

Illinois Infantry. 285
As soon as we embarked he started for the corral, taking
passage in a sort of tug, which was going there, and
found everything in good shape. The next point was to
reach us with the wagons, valises, etc. , which was no
easy matter. It became a serious question whether
they should rejoin the regiment at all again. But word
came that a boat was to be at the pier at last, and
whether he was on the list or not, he determined his
teams should go on board. So word was given to be
ready, and as but one team could go on the pier at a
time, it became a point to be first. As soon as the boat
landed, Reece asked to seethe list, and finding our regi
ment was not on it, determined to put it on, so giving
Miles and Durley the signal, they hurried the teams
ahead, and got where they could not be passed, or
turned back, and therefore had to be taken. There was
some swearing and scolding when it was found there
were more teams on than were called for, but at last the
officer said it was a flank movement, which he had not
expected, but he guessed they could get along without
much inconvenience ; and Reece thought it was better
to crowd mules and wagons a little, than men, as on the
"Guiding Star." So in due time our transportation
reached Fish river, or the "Father of crooks, " as Reece
calls it, and debarking at Danley's mill, soon came up
with the regiment. This was an event to the blanket-
less men and the destitute officers.
We found ourselves now in the sand among the pines.
These were of the long-leaved, or southern variety,

286 History of the 124TH
(Pinus Australis,) and were the only recommendation of
the country. The soil was literally good for nothing,
but the lumber and resin business had been, and still
might be an institution. Nearly every tree had been
scarified or boxed for turpentine, in the immediate
vicinity of Fish river, and in many other portions of the
country through which we passed. There were but few
houses, and they were inhabited by a people as forsaken
as the land where they dwelt. We rather enjoyed our
marching under the grateful shade of these trees, especi
ally as the fallen leaves made it soft for our feet. But
had we been mules, we should not have liked the sand,
and more particularly in some treacherous places where
the thin wet crust easily gave way, and revealed the
quick-sands below.
For two days we remained in our first camp, while
the 13th corps was closing up, and crossing the river,
and awaiting the arrival of some heavier guns. Both of
these days we had brigade drill, the first we had had for
a long time, and we began to feel quite at home on the
field with our new associates, recalling the old "Excel
sior" days of the first brigade, in "Logan's fighting 3d
Division." The boys improved much of their leisure here in writ
ing to their friends, and as stamps were scarce, they
largely avaUed themselves of the soldiers' franking privil
ege. This imposed a new, and sometimes rather onerous
duty upon commissioned officers, and so it came to pass
that most of it was done by the Chaplain. One morning

Illinois Infantry. 287
a much scribbled letter was brought him to frank,
upon which the writer had already put the following,
which illustrates the temper of the soldier :
"Soldier's letter, 'nary red,'
'Hard tack' in the place of bread.
Postmaster, please shove it through,
'Nary' stamp and seven month's due."
This was not a production of the 124th, for our regi
ment had been well paid.
While lying on Fish river we fortified quite heavily,
throwing up log pens and filling in with dirt. The shov
eling was very easy in the light soil, but the necessity
for the work was scarcely apparent to the average soldier.
Our force appeared strong enough to whip anything that
could be brought against us here, without any protec
tion ; and so it was, but a little intrenching might save
a good many valuable lives, in case of an unexpected
attack. March 25th we broke camp at nine o'clock, moving
by easy stages through the 13th Corps. Before start
ing a man by the name of Cockburn, of the loSth lUi
nois, was found dead by the side of a log. Probably a
congestive chill was the cause. But it was so sad to
think of a brave soldier's coming so far from home and
loved ones, to die alone by the side of a log in the dark
ness of the night. He was soon buried under the pines,
where he remained in his last slumber, and we passed
on and left him "in the grave where the soldier had laid
him." We did not see a house during that day, for

288 History of the 124TH
twelve miles; but our roads were pleasant, the weather
fine, the men fresh, and we camped early, on a nice
grassy knoll, called Deer Park, near a stream of excel
lent water. After a bath, we were in a good frame of
mind to appreciate our brigade and field bands as they
discoursed sweet music, which seemed to wind among
the pines like the twining of the convolvulus. The
13th Corps was near us, but our own Corps was some
what in the advance. We had heard firing ahead du
ring the day, and intrenched at night according to Gen
eral Orders.
The 26th was a lovely day and we moved early, through
the same unvarying pine forest. Our route was nearly
north, and we thought our destination was Blakely.
The 13th Corps had diverged to the westward soon after
starting. Very soon Gen. Canby and Gen. Osterhaus
came riding by, it being the first time we had seen our
commander, and directly after we saw a house — the first
since leaving Fish river. We had gone but a little way
when firing was heard ahead and quite a detention
occurred. But, though skirmishing was kept up all
day, we were not engaged. We marched about ten
miles, crossing quite a stream, where we saw some fresh
graves, and went into camp on some high ground about
one o'clock. Here the men had a good wash, and soon
composed themselves for rest. It being Sunday, to
wards evening the Chaplain sang a hymn under a pine,
and gathering the boys about him, preached to them
from "Dehver us from evil."

Illinois Infantry. 289
By the first mail after reaching Fish river, the Chap
lain received the new song, entitled "Wake Nicode
mus, " and the Glee Club had introduced it under the
pines in our two days' camp, with telling effect, inso
much that it had become a by-word throughout our
division, the boys speaking of our hunt after the rebels as
being an expedition to "Wake Nicodemus," and won
dering, as we started in the morning if we should suc
ceed in waking him that day. The 27th proved to be
the day in which we did wake him, and the opening
account of it, with the movements of our troops, is
taken from Gen. Andrews' "Campaign of Mobile :"
"Gen. Carr learned, late on the evening of the 26th,
that the i6th Corps would turn back in the morning
against Spanish Fort ; and knowing it would be his
turn in the advance, he gave the requisite instructions
to his brigade commanders. The morning of the 27th
came with a prospect of heavy rain, which to veteran
soldiers was some sign of a battle. The men had taken
their accustomed breakfast, of hard bread, coffee, and
a slice of bacon, toasted on a stick — as Achilles cook
ed the fat chine at the feast for the heroes. The
usual hum of talk and speculation was heard around
the expiring fires of their bivouac. By the men in the
ranks all plans of strategy are freely canvassed, and up
to this morning they had expected to move on to the
Alabama river. Soon was heard the spirited roll on
the drum to "fall in," greeted by that habitual and
never-to-be-forgotten shout or cheer of the men. Then

290 History of the 124TH

the cartridge-box with its "forty rounds" is buckled on ;
the blanket is twisted up and thrown over the shoulders ;
the intrenching tools are picked up, the muskets taken,
each company is formed, the roll called, and, at the time
fixed, whether in ten or fifteen minutes, the regiments
are in line.
"Leaving Garrard's division at Sibley's mill. Smith put
the 1st and 3d divisions of his corps in motion. Carr's
(3d) division had the advance, with Geddes' (3d) brigade
in advance of the division ; and at the head of the col
umn was the Sist Illinois, numbering three hundred, five
companies of which, under Col. A. W. Rogers, were
deployed as skirmishers, with the other five companies,
under Capt S. L. Campbell, in reserve. In these
woods were numerous trails, which had been made in
hauling lumber to the neighboring miUs, and the guns
being silent at Spanish Fort, the column had to find its
way as best it could,
"Carr had gone four miles, and his advance, the Sist
Illinois, had just passed the brow of the hill overlooking
Minette bayou, where the day before the bridge had
been burned, when suddenly a volley came from a con
federate regiment, concealed in the bushes, four hundred
yards distant, on the opposite side. This was the 2 1st
Alabama, Lieut. Col. James M. Williams, having two
hundred and twenty-five men. General Smith narrowly
escaped, and some shots took effect in the Sist. Colo
nel Rogers returned the fire smartly, and was ordered by

Illinois Infantry. 291
General Smith to remain there with his regiment and
hold that position.
"The 124th Illinois, Col. John H. Howe commanding,
then took the advance, with five of his companies
deployed as skirmishers, under command of Capt. Field,
acting Major.
' 'When within about a mile of Spanish Fort, General
Smith caused both divisions to deploy in line of battle,
and it was his purpose, of course, to have his movements
concealed from the enemy.
"Carr's division, on the right, had formed in two lines;
the first consisting of the 3d (Geddes') brigade, the loSth
Illinois on the right, the Sth Iowa on the left, the 124th
Illinois deployed as skirmishers in front. The second
line, consisting of the ist (Moore's) and the 2d (Ward's)
brigades; Moore's having the 33d Wisconsin on the
right, the 72d Illinois in the centre, the 95th Illinois on
the left, and the 44th Missouri in reserve ; and Ward's
having the 14th Wisconsin on the right, the 49th Mis
souri in the centre, the 40th Missouri on the left. The
latter brigade had wheeled into line on the double-quick,
and had been a few minutes in position, when the
corps commander rode along with a stern countenance.
At sight of their " chief" the men of the 49th Missouri
gave a cheer, which could be heard in the confederate
lines. Thus foiled in his efforts to conceal the position,
he rebuked the men in a few hasty words. In half a
minute a shell from the confederate works came screech
ing through the trees, and dropped close to the men who

292 History of the 124TH
had cheered. It did not burst as it fell, and the men
gave back a little. Seeing this. Smith cried out to them,
"stand up to it! You had no business cheering."
"Carr's centre and the light batteries approached by
the Blakely road. Sharp skirmishing commenced about
ten o'clock a. m, , when within a mile of Spanish Fort.
The confederate sharp-shooters were in advance of their
rifle pits, using the hills and trees for cover.
"At this hour McArthur's division was in line on the
left of Carr's, and connecting with the left of the i6th
corps. Granger had come up with the 13th corps ; so that
the investment was nearly complete. The. troops
advanced with alacrity, their banners all unfurled. Their
line was three miles in length, and presented a splendid
appearance moving through the open woods. Sharp
skirmishing was constant along the whole front. The
confederates, apprehending an assault, also kept up a
vehement shelling with their heavy and light guns, and
there was all the stir and clamor of battle.
' 'The confederates had the advantage of being on the
defensive, and being concealed, while the federals had
the disadvantage of exposure, in pressing forward against
the fire of sharp-shooters, and over the obstacles on the
ground, but at the same time they had the moral advan
tage there is in the prestige and momentum of constantly
gaining ground.
"Up to noon no federal artillery had opened, but the
light batteries of each division were near by in the hol
lows. A little after noon, Carr caused the 14th Indiana

Illinois Infantry. 293
light battery, Capt. F. W. Morse, to open from a ridge
about eight hundred yards from Red Fort, and near the
position afterward occupied by the naval battery. Capt.
Morse's fire was replied to with spirit during the after
noon, and many shots fell close, but no injury was sus
tained. Soon afterward the ist Indiana light battery,
Capt. L. Jacoby, opened from a prominent position, a
little to the left and front of the 14th. Both batteries
were supported by Moore's brigade.
"It was now toward the middle of the afternoon. The
rain was coming down in a steady pour, and the fierce
ness of the artillery fire had abated.
"Carr, expecting to be ordered to assault, and feeling
confident the works could be carried in his front, exerted
himself to keep his lines compact.
"The 124th Illinois had pressed on fearlessly, gaining
distance of half a mile in advance of its brigade, when
the confederate skirmishers were met, and after a warm
contest, driven precipitously into their works. Five of
that regiment fell, including its Adjutant, Lieut. W. E.
Smith, and the color-sergeant. On the extreme right
was the loSth lUinois, Col. Charles Turner, which sus
tained a loss of six. Its skirmishers were commanded
by Capt. W. M. Bullock, a daring and efficient officer,
who fell, with his thigh badly shattered by a musket
ball ; but lie refused to allow any of the men to expose
themselves in helping him away, and dragged himself
to the rear. The Sth Iowa, distinguished for discipline
and gallantry, Lieut. Col. Bell commanding, was next

.294 History of the 124TH
on the left, and had thirteen men wounded by musketry,
and of this number six were non-commissioned officers.
"Next on the left, in Moore's brigade, was the 33d
Wisconsin, which sustained a loss of six wounded, in
cluding Major George R. Frank. The loss in the 72d
Illinois, was two, and the 95th Illinois four. In Ward's
brigade there was a loss of one man in each regiment ;
so that the whole casualties in Carr's division, were
thirty-nine. The confederates in his front had been
driven into their main works, and his line was established
six hundred yards, on an average, therefrom. The en
suing night the division busily intrenched."
From this account of General Andrews, it will be
seen, that while the Sist were first in action at Minette
bridge, our regiment was the first to develop Spanish
Fort, and so to really "wake Nicodemus." The forces
met by the Sist belonged to Holtzclaw's brigade, acting
with the division of the Missouri Gen. Cockrell — now
U. S. Senator, and he a rebel from a State that did not
secede, God save the mark — and were a part of the de
fense of Blakely. So, too, Garrard's division, of our
corps, left at Sibley's mill, took no part in the siege of
Spanish Fort, but operated against Blakely. Also, it
will be noticed, the account of our advancing fearlessly
and gaining the distance of half a mile from our brigade,
is put after the account of shelling by the light batteries.
The order in point of time is previously given. We
struck the enemy a httle before nine o'clock, the skir
mishing became general about ten, and the artillery

Illinois Infantry. 295
opened about noon. Within a few minutes after the
"ball opened." the Adjutant was hit in the thigh, the
bullet entering about an inch from the wound made at
Champion Hills. He was on horse-back when struck,
the other field officers having dismounted. He was con
veyed to the rear, and sent to New Orleans, and north,
not recovering in time to return to us again. Color
Sergeant Hodges, of company K, was also struck in the
arm, receiving a serious wound very soon after the firing
commenced. We pressed the enemy forward very rap
idly, our men sometimes moving upon the run, not
knowing at first that a fort was before us, and secured
a good position from which we could see their works
and command their guns. We were relieved from skir
mishing before noon, and closed up in our place in the
brigade. And this was Spanish Fort, seven miles east of Mo
bile, on the opposite side of the bay. The right of the
works rested on the bay, or on the Apalachee river, at
its entrance into the bay, and the left rested on Bay Mi
nette, a body of water almost detached on the south,
but connecting with the river above. The extent of the
works facing south and east was about two miles in
length, and the batteries were all on high and command
ing ground. The surface was covered with open pine
timber, but in front of the outer line of works the trees
were felled for a few hundred yards Every ravine had
borne a heavy growth of hard wood, which having
been slashed made, with the underbrush and vines, an

296 History op the 124TH
almost impassable obstruction. The ditch in front of
breast-works was five feet deep and eight feet wide, but
in front of Fort McDermett it was deeper and wider.
In front of the batteries were also detached rifle-pits for
sharp-shooters, and along the entire front was a line of
abatis fifteen feet wide. Torpedoes had been planted
quite thickly in open places, as also in the roads ap
proaching th§ fort, or "subterra shells," as the enemy
eloquently called them. But the strength of the place
consisted in two strongly inclosed and bastioned forts,
Old Spanish Fort and Fort McDermett, heavily armed
with columbiads, Parrotts and Brooks' rifled guns. Red
fort was also heavy and well armed, but not enclosed.
The whole number of guns in the works, including bat
teries Huger and Tracy on the river, was fifty-seven,
during the first days of the siege. Hence we had more
to contend against, providing the earth-works were
equaUy strong and well manned, than at Vicksburg,
where the enemy had but little artillery which he could
make effective against us. The earth-works were equally
strong in many places but not quite so complete. In
fact, on their extreme left, owing to the marshy charac
ter of the ground, there was a space which was scarcely
protected at all, or only by a slashing. The garrison
consisted of about four thousand men, all of whom were
veterans from Hood's army, except the Alabama re
serves, under Gen. Thomas. Gen. R. L. Gibson was
in command, and his reliable infantry force consisted of
his own, Holtzclaw's, and Ector's brigades. Gen. D.

Illinois Infantry. 297
H. Maury was in command of the district, with his
headquarters at Mobile, and Lieut. Gen. Richard Tay
lor, of the Department, with his headquarters at Meri
dian, Mississippi. General Lidell was in command at
Blakely. Toward night Private Geo. C. Black, of company K,
was shot through the bowels, and died the next day.
There was something peculiarly sad about the death of
poor Black. He was a good faithful man and soldier,
and as far as known was liked by all. Some months
before he had lost his voice, and for a long time did not
speak save in a whisper. He was urged to ask for a
discharge, but he insisted that he was able-bodied and
did his duty like a man. Owing to his inability to speak,
he was given a detail as cook, and served in that capa
city for sometime, having but recently taken his position
in the ranks again, where he claimed he could do better
service now than when the regiment was on provost
duty. Before night we had begun to intrench and dig rifle-
pits, and to settle down to the hard work of a siege.
Some of our officers thought an assault would be con
clusive in our favor, but most thought every day spent
in pressing the enemy would tell more fearfully on them
than on us, and so in the end we should hurt them
worse, with less loss of life on our part. Our gun-boats
were close by in the bay, our heavy guns well up. and
the investment complete by night-fall, and we also pro
ceeded to dig holes in the ground, to put our "doer

298 History of the 124TH
tents" over, giving it all a character of permanence as
well as of protection and comfort.
Our position in the hne of investment was, as follows :
The 1 6th Army Corps had the right of the line, our
division the right of the Corps, and our brigade the
right of the division, resting on Bay Minette. The Sist
remained by the bridge across the bayou, where they
encountered Cockrell. The 108th had the right of our
brigade, the Sth Iowa the centre, and we the left. Next
to us was the 1st brigade. Col. J. B. Moore command
ing, with the 33d Wisconsin, the 72d and 95th Illinois,
and the 44th Missouri in consecutive order. The 33d
Wisconsin lapped by on the left of our regiment, owing
to the peculiar formation of the ground, so that com
pany A of theirs lay nearly in front of our company B,
and our "cherbangs" intermingled. The ground where
we lay was sufficiently rising toward the enemy's works
to afford us some protection, which we made do good
service by "burrowing," as we called it. Just in our
rear was a partial valley running toward Bay Minette,
and open toward batteries Huger and Tracy in the dis
tance. Beyond the valley the ground was ascending
again, so that going to the rear brought us in full view
of the enemy's sharp-shooters for several rods. The
pine was quite plenty over all the ground, and towards
Bay Minette, oak, hickory and other timber was min
gled freely with it. And here, with the men working
like beavers, and the battle raging for more than two
miles, the night of the 27th closed in on us in a drizzhng

Illinois Infantry. 299
rain, with the prospect of an indefinite and painful con
tinuance. Our blankets came up in good style, and
those of us who could be spared from duty, managed to
sleep some, despite the groaning of a wounded negro,
who had been fired on by one of our pickets, in the dark
ness, while trying to come into our lines. Two of them
came, risking their lives to do it, but this one was un
fortunately badly wounded.
The morning of the 2Sth opened fair, which was en
joyable after the rain. It also opened lively ; the rebel
gun-boats, in the river near battery Huger, threw some
heavy shells over us, and the firing in the rifle-pits was
a perfect roar. Early in the day Mammon, of company
D, was shot through the arm, and toward evening,
Gregg, of company B, was hit in the thigh. The 29th
was a repetition of the 2Sth, in the fighting, but a dark
and wet day. Hazzard, of company D, was badly
wounded. Our approaches were a little closer, and the
artiUery firing a little heavier.
The 30th was a memorable day. We were roused at
midnight by a general scare. All turned out, but the
alarm proved to be false. Comparative quiet was re
stored, and some rest was obtained. Nothing unusual
occurred till noon, the storm of lead and iron falling
about as yesterday. Crashing could be heard in the
timber toward Bay Minette, occasionally, as a rebel
shell would cut down a tree, and our bay batteries would
reply with increased fury. But at noon one of the events
of our history occurred. The officers were at dinner,

300 History of the 124TH
seated upon logs and camp chairs under the pines, in
the little valley in the rear of our "cherbangs,' and
were cH?itting as usual, discussing the progress of the
siege over our coffee, when a rushing sound from a mis
sile was heard approaching us from the right, and hustling
and shrieking through the air, apparently not more than
ten feet above our heads. It seemed savagely to tear
the air all to pieces, and to leave it empty. We in
stinctively turned our heads the way it went, as our
coffee cups dropped from nerveless hands, and at
the instant heard it strike among the "cherbangs" of
company B, and the 33d Wisconsin, with a heavy thud,
as though a barrel of sand had been driven into the
earth. Another instant and there was a terrific explo
sion, followed by the ascent of logs, sticks, tents, dirt,
guns, clothing, and we thought arms and legs, into the
air. Our hearts fainted at the sight ; it was horrid. We
started for the spot, and meeting some boys of company
B, leading Corporal Jackson Hovey away, who was
only stunned, we hoped for the best. But on reaching
the spot the scene beggared description. Corporal Ra-
salva Fisk, of company B, was found to be dangerously,
and as it afterwards proved, mortally wounded, and five
others slightly, while company A, of the 33d Wiscon
sin, had twelve men struck. There they lay groaning,
poor fellows, with their legs broken and torn so that
their feet only held by pieces of skin, some one, some
both feet, some a foot and a hand, while the hole in the
earth torn but by the shell was larger than a hogshead.

Illinois Infantry. 301
and the debris lay scattered all around. The men were
off duty, having been in the rifle-pits all night, and it
looked so hard to be slaughtered that way in their tents.
I think five of the 33d Wisconsin were mortally wounded
and eighteen in all were struck. The shell was said to
be a hundred pounder, from a Brooks rifled gun on a
rebel gunboat. But this was not all. While we were
still in the quarters of company B, a second shell, with
its unearthly screaming, came up our line, and exploded
in the air a little in front of us, doing no damage. But
the next was a messenger of death again. It exploded
also in the air, just over the left of the Sth Iowa, and
two pieces of it, one of which was a ragged, brass
flange, came tearing down into company A, and killed
two men, John Her/ett and Wm. H. Wilson. They
had just been ordered on duty, and were putting on
their equipments when they fell. Wilson, who had
been with us only since February 6th, was bucklyig his
cartridge box belt, and the piece that struck him cut off
both his hands, and cut him so nearly in two that it is
said a part of him fell one side up, and a part the other.
His hip and thigh bones were stripped and broken on
one side, and a piece of bone carried into company I,
several yards away, which was five inches long. He
never knew what hurt him. Hervett was a stalwart
young German, and had been with us from the first.
He was a good, reliable soldier, full of rollicking fun, as^
he was of patriotism and courage, and was known by

302 History of the 124TH
the regiment as "lager John," from his expressed fond
ness for the German national beverage. He was struck
in the side and a piece torn out half as large as a man's
head. He clapped his hands to the place, calling
out, "my God, boys, I'm shot," and feU dead. By
this time the regiment became terrified, or horrified, one
scarcely can tell which. All our skiU and valor seemed
to be set aside and rendered useless, by this distant and
>-et deadly foe. None of our works were able to resist
such a monster shell. Our rifles were as jack straws
and our caves as films of gauze against such a weapon,
at such a range. And to-day it is seriously believed
that whatever our complexion was before, just then we
would have passed for white men. But the rebels did
not know what they were doing, and only one more shell
was fired, which did no damage. Our batteries opened
on the gun-boat with some effect, and she soon with
drew. The enemy's report gives battery Huger credit
for the shelling, and says it was stopped because one
shell fell inside their own works. At all events she
came in for a share in our return fire, though our gun
ners thought it was the gun-boat near her that did the
execution. All that afternoon and eariy night, we
spent in strengthening our works, and rendering our
"cherbangs" more secure from our right. We worked
with a will,' with the ghastly scenes of the day before
our eyes.
The 31st of March the battle raged as usual, the
firing from the rifle-pits sometimes rising almost to a

Illinois Infantry. 303
roar and drowning the artillery. Wc learned of the
sinking of the "Milwaukee" and "Osage' by torpedoes,
and that the "Octorara" had opened on the rebels. We
lost no men.
The sixth day of the siege, the morning revealed a
new battery on the enemy's left, so close to our right
that they could almost fire into our backs a little further
up the line. This made work on the "cherbangs" lively
again. Men can face almost any danger when they are
engaged in it, but even old soldiers never acquire a rel
ish for punishment when off" duty. They like to be per
mitted to rest in safety. Our approaches began to be
pushed with greater spirit, our commissioned officers
working in the trenches all night. Orlando Brace, of
company A, was wounded in the shoulder on picket,
which was the only loss we sustained this day, but the
next, George W. Lester, of the same company, was
kiUed in his quarters, by a minnfe ball in his head. And
on the morning of that day we found the enemy had
dug advance rifle-pits in the night, evidently with a de
sign to head us off", from which they opened on us very
briskly. As a consequence our officers were kept in
our rifle-pits all day, directing operations, and as soon
as dark all sprang to it again, including Col. Howe, Maj.
Field. Chaplain Howard, and Hospital Steward Allaire,
and dug with a will, till far into the night. The enemy
annoyed us with a galling fire, but save poor Lester,
who was not on duty, none were hit. The 8 ist were

304 History of the i24th

relieved from their detached service, and took up a po
sition in the line, upon our extreme right.
April 3d the eighth day of the siege gave us no new
experience. Samuel Adams, of company F, was shot
through the head in the rifle-pits. Another one of our
brave men gone. The diary of a Confederate officer on
this day, says, "The enemy seems to be most vigorous
in front of our left."
April 4th was noted for a very heavy bombardment,
lasting from five till seven p. m. We had thirty-eight
siege guns, including mortars, and thirty-seven field
guns in position, and the orders were for each gun to
fire every three minutes. It was a grand bombardment,
and a correspondent says, ' 'The earth actually trembled
from this mighty fire."
For the next three days the siege progressed as usual.
Our approaches were gradually tightening around the
doomed works, our artillery going into new and enfila
ding positions, and the enemy's fire slackening, save in
their rifle-pits. We began to hear heavy cannonading
in the direction of Blakely, in the lull of our fire, and
Gen. Veatch's division having gone to Gen. Steele's aid
on the 3d, we knew that meant business. We also
heard of Wilson's dash on Selma, and knew the hopes
of the enemy were cut off" in that direction.
On the 5 th McKenzie and Swigert, of company D,
were wounded, and on the 6th Matthew Manning, of
company C, was shot dead in the rifle-pits. He was

Illinois Infantry. 305
one of the best men in the regiment, a thorough chris-
tion, full of patience and patriotism, living with his
Bible in his hand and leaning on his God. He was the
last man we had killed in the service.
April Sth, the 13th and last day of the siege, opened
fair and cool after a heavy rain on the 7th. Skirmishing
had been going on all night, but there had been very
little artillery firing. About noon we received orders
to be ready to march with twenty days' rations ; five in
haversacks and fifteen in wagons. This the men did not
relish. It seemed like cheating them out of the fruits of
a well-earned victory. The order was caused by a false
alarm of Confederate troops gathering near Stockton.
At five p. M. our brigade was ordered into the rifle-pits,
as there was to be a general bombardment. Soon after,
it began from ninety-six guns, fifty-three of which were
siege guns. The enemy also were shelling heavily, hav
ing commenced a little before we did, and the effect was
terrific. The corps commanders had discretionary orders from
the beginning of the siege to take every advantage that
promised decisive results, and those orders had been
communicated to division commanders. Just when the
cannonading was at its height. Gen. Carr determined to
carry a crest covered with pines on the enemy's left,
constituting a sort of detached portion of their works,
for the purpose of planting a battery. The execution

306 History of- the 124TH
of this undertaking was given by Col. Geddes to Lieut.
Col. Bell, of the Sth Iowa, who accomplished it gal
lantly, though not without severe loss. In doing it he
had pushed forward only three companies of his regi
ment, while all the rest of the brigade was engaged in
the rifle-pits, where the firing was so heavy that it some
what blinded the rebels to what was being done on their
left. So when those who were first attacked had yield
ed, and the victorious Sth moved on to adjacent pits,
they were a perfect surprise to their occupants, who
cither surrendered or were shot down in their tracks.
In this way the gallant Sth took and occupied about 300
yards of the Confederate works, with three stands of
colors and about 350 prisoners before enemies or friends
hardly realized what was being attempted. In fact it
was a surprise to themselves, and was one of the most
dashing and briUiant exploits of the war. It was now,
and had been some time quite dark, but gaining a knowl
edge of what was going forward, the rest of the brigade,
including our regiment, gallantly rushed out of the
trenches and entered the works. Apprehending an
attack, we were ordered to commence intrenching to
hold our ground, as- no other portion of the besieging
force was in concert with us. This we actually com
menced to do. But our regiment was soon formed in
line to repel assault, one having just been made upon
the Sth Iowa advance, and repelled. Company A, un
der Lieut. W. F. Dodge was then sent out as a skirmish

Illinois Infantry. 307
line to feel of the enemy on our right front, whUe com
pany F, commanded by Capt. N. H. Pratt, was sent
out for the same purpose in front of our left Capt.
Pratt deployed his company with his left resting on the
enemy's main line of works, and swept forward. After
advancing about a hundred and fifty yards, a piece of
artillery opened on them with grape, but they speedily
captured it, sustaining no damage, and with it eight or
ten prisoners and another gun. Sending his prisoners
to the rear, the Captain requested permission to con
tinue his advance, giving as a reason that he believed
the enemy were evacuating, and these few men were
only a feint to cover the escape of the main body.
Company F continued to move forward, capturing
eight or ten pieces of artillery, and more men than its
own force numbered, till nearly midnight. Some of the
men inquired if the Captain was going to take company
F to Mobile unsupported. But at last the rest of the
regiment came up to find the rebels really gone, pene
trating as far in the darkness as Old Spanish Fort, which
it reached about midnight. Here we stacked arms and
rested a little, scrambling meantime for the possession
of the guns, and for the hams and corn meal left by the
garrison. But very soon the "Octorara, " not knowing
of the change of administration in the Fort, sent a hun
dred-pounder shell at us, and it was deemed prudent to
withdraw. So we returned to our quarters, reaching
them about three o'clock in the morning, confidant that

308 History of the £24th
we had done a pretty good night's work. The division
took about 500 prisoners, of which we took our fuU
share. The troops on our left took the confederates in
the rifle-pits in front of them, who had been left to their
fate by the retreating garrison, but they did not do it
until after midnight upon learning that the Fort as in
our hands.

Illinois Infantry. 309

CHAPTER XX,

On the move again. — Halt. — Blakely fallen. — Brigade meeting. — Off
for Montgomery. — Baldwin county pines. — Laurels. — Florida. —
Accident. — News. — Cheer upon cheer. — Flags by the way. — A Union
woman. — Greenville. — Two hundred guns. — "Secesh." — Mont
gomery. — Camp, and strawberries. — Provost duty. — Officers quar
tered out. — Daily Advertiser. — Lincoln assassinated. — May 1st.—
Chaplain's meeting.
WE SLEPT LATE the morning of April 9th ; it
was still, and we were so weary. About eleven
o'clock we were ordered to march, and a little after
twelve we bade good by to our burrows and bomb-
proofs, and our beds of pine straw, and also to the
graves of our brave comrades, and started, as we sup
posed, for Blakely. We moved to the rear and north
ward, crossed bayou Minette, and going about three and
a half miles, bivouacked for the night. All day long
our artillery from Spanish Fort had been pushing for
Blakely ; and all day long we had heard the thunder in
that direction. But here we were, in a beautiful pine
grove, ready to enjoy the sweet stillness of a Sabbath

310 History of the 124TH

evening, if we should be permitted to do so, with the
consciousness that our part of the fighting here was
done, and well done, and the hope that Blakely would
prove to be the "last ditch" of the confederacy, as we
already had rumors of the fall of Richmond. It was a
pleasant halt. The next iporning all was still to the
northward, but the batteries on the river below us,
Huger and Tracy, sheUed the bridge by which we had
crossed bayou Minette, quite heavily, and somewhat an
noyed our troops that were crossing. As a conse
quence, the battery on Bay Minette opened on them
with spirit, and another one was planted near where we
now were on the north shore of Bay Minette, to rake
them in the morning. We soon learned that Blakely
had been taken by assault the evening before, and the
prisoners began to pass by early in the day. There
were in all nearly 3,000, of whom very many were espe
cially noticeable from their extreme old age or youthful-
ness. They were Thomas' Alabama reserves, and truly,
as was often said, both the cradle and the grave lad
been robbed to furnish them. They appeared surprised
to find so many "boys in blue," hning the road to Span
ish Fort, as though they had thought -ve were all at
Blakely, and would often ask, "where did you Yanks
all come from ?" At ten o'clock on the nth we moved
camp about three miles, as it was expected Huger and
Tracy would reply to our new battery as soon as it
opened, and that would imperil us. As expected, we
had but just gone when the shells began to mow down

Illinois Infantry. 311
the trees in what had been our camp, cutting one off"
about a foot in diameter close by where the Colonel's
tent had stood. This was the last of Huger and Tracy,
as they were both evacuated in the night following, and
our gun-boats ran up to Blakely. The same day Admi
ral Thatcher, with the 13th Corps, crossed to Mobile.
We remained in camp near Blakely, on the 12th,
looking over the forsaken place, and conversing with the
rebel wounded. We found the colored division, under
General Hawkins, had done good service in the siege,
and had lost quite heavily ; more than the white troops.
There was no imputation upon their courage, but quite
the contrary.
The night of the 12th we had a brigade service. Col.
Howe had been called out the evening of the loth, and
made a congratulatory speech, reading a circular con
taining the tidings of the fall of Richnaond, and the pa
triotic side of our exploits had been well brought out in
songs, cheers and general felicitations. But now it be
gan to be felt that we ought to unite in a kind of thanks
giving service to God for the victories vouchsafed us,
and the prospects of returning peace. So the brigade
band played the ''call" in the twilight, and the men
assembled in their strength under the pines, near Col.
Geddes' headquarters. Chaplain Gue, of the. io8th
Illinois, opened the services. Chaplain Howard preached
from Ps. 50: 14, 15. ''Offer unto God thanksgiving;
and pay thy vows unto the Most High : and call upon
me in the day of trouble : I wiU deliver thee, and

312 History of the 124TH
thou shaft glorify me;" and Chaplain Carner, of the
Sist Illinois, closed. It was a scene long to be remem
bered, in which we seemed to get a very firm hold upon
the promises of God as the representatives of our na
tion, in which light we regarded ourselves and our serv
ice. And the pines of Alabama rang out with the sweet
notes of our praise to the God of battles, in sympathy
with the booming of liberty's guns, whose echoes then
had scarcely ceased. We all enjoyed it most heartily.
The morning of the 13th was rainy and disagreeable.
We were ordered to move at eleven. While waiting
we heard the firing at Mobile in honor of our occupation
of the city. Even the booming of the guns proclaimed
their office. It was not death and war, it was hfe and
peace they were bellowing from their flaming throats.
About the time set we swung out, as we afterwards
learned, for Montgomery, 170 miles distant by rail, and
more than that by wagon road. We took the Stockton
road, passed through the camp of Gen. Hawkins' divis
ion, and marched about nine miles. Our camp for the
night was a very pleasant one, and we enjoyed it much.
AU were in excellent spirits. Ihe next day we started
at seven o'clock, struck east, leaving our road of the day
before, crossed a railroad track, and reached another
road where we found Gen. Garrard's division was pass
ing. Here we halted for them to go by, and then pulled
out very rapidly, making about sixteen miles. The roads
were bad for the teams, which often stuck in the sand,
and the walking was far from being easy for the men.

Illinois Infantry. 313
The country was the same unbroken pine forest, liter
ally good for nothing, reminding one of the answer in
the old geographies to the question, "What are the
principal productions of North Carolina?'^ — "Pitch, tar
and turpentine. " We saw residents at only two houses,
and they were near where we camped. And it would
be difficult to tell which looked the worse, the dilapida
ted, tumble-down houses, or the squalid inmate's. But
our camp was pleasant, as a camp among the. pines
always is, in good weather, when pine straw is abundant
for beds.
The 15th was lowery, but we had had a good rest,
and started early, pushing along through the same kind
of country at a more rapid rate than the day before, and
making the same distance. We got our tents up and
into them just in time to escape a fine shower, having
gained about two and a half hours on yesterday by our
greater speed. But we — and particularly the sore
footed — did not see any wisdom in that, and would have
preferred being till six o'clock making the distance,
instead of accomplishing it at half-past three. There
was some gain however, for we had time to enjoy the
banks of a beautiful stream of water, which was fringed
by a species of laurel that was in full bloom, and very
elegant. It was new to most of us, and is a delightful
remembrance to those who love flowers, even till this
day. We probably passed a half dozen occupied houses
during the day.

314 History of the 124TH
The 1 6th we were in the rear and did not get off" till
two and a half o'clock p. m. The 1st division led, and
as the 2d went by about 1 1 o'clock, having marched five
miles, they were inquiring for a camp. Whether be
cause they were tired out, or because they thought we
had already gone into camp, we could not tell. W^ '
moved along quite pleasantly, after we got started, and
reached camp at eight o'clock, having made about twelve
miles. The country was a little better, and we saw some
more signs of life and civilization. We actually saw
corn growing, the first in Alabama, it being about three
inches high. How different from the corn in Louisiana
in the spring of 1863. We were still said to be in Bald
win county, the same that we had been in ever since
we crossed the bay.
It was supposed at the time, that this day, or the day
before we crossed a little corner of Florida, but from
later investigation we find it quite unlikely, to say the
least. There was no one on the route for two or three
days that seemed to know where we were, so our
information was very meagre.
The 17th we got off at seven o'clock, and moved
along quite lively till we crossed the Escambia, or as
the natives called it, the "Scamby." Then we increas
ed our speed considerably for some distance, tUl a halt
was very welcome. Later in the day we forded the
Little Escambia, the water being about two and a half
feet deep. This day the country began to improve and
some few farms were seen, which were at least good to

Illinois Infantry. 315
look at. The timber began to change and while the
pine abounded, it was mostly of another variety, the
"pinus mitis," or the short leaved yellow pine. Most
magnificent oaks skirted the streams, of the willow va
rieties, some of which were evergreen, while the shingle
and chestnut oaks were plenty. Our old friends of Mis
sissippi, the bay, holly, gum and poplar began to appear.
We made about sixteen miles and bivouacked in a very
pleasant place at four o'clock. A sad accident occurred
just after dark in company K. We all heard the report
of a small pistol, followed by a scream from the midst
of a knot of men seated by a camp fire, and observing
a commotion immediately after, we ran to the spot to
find that Capt. Sanders had accidentally discharged his
pistol into the eye of one of his men. It was a pop-gun
affair, and the ball passed some few feet before taking
effect, but it had been a center shot in the right eye of
Ethan M. Murgel, completely bursting it without break
ing the skin around it. The ball seemed to be lodged
near the skin about two inches back on the temple, as
though the bone had been broken outward, a great
bunch having risen there almost immediately. Surgeon
Kay was soon on hand and did all in his power to make
the poor sufferer comfortable, but did not succeed in
extracting the ball. We feared it would terminate mor
tally, dut it did not. He stood it bravely, keeping
along with us in the ambulance to Montgomery, and
was discharged June 25th for disability, having fully re
covered, minus the eye.

316 History of the 124TH
The I Sth we marched at six a. m., the country stUl
improving. Passed two or three quite fine houses,
really guilty of having been painted. Went through
the iitUe hamlet of "Burnt Corn," where we saw a man
at work in a wagon shop as though peace had come sure
enough. The boys did some foraging and some pur
chasing by the way. Guards were stationed at every
house to prevent the former, but they did little more
than make believe. The cheeky soldiers were not de
terred by them in the least. The difficulty in buying
was in paying. The inhabitants had become for the
most part, sick of their own money, and did not quite see
their way clear to take ours. And if they did take it,
they wanted the same prices for their truck that they
had been getting for it in confederate scrip, which of
course we could not stand. Two dollars and a half a
dozen for eggs, was a little too steep. We got into
camp at three o'clock, having marched our average six
teen miles. A few prisoners were captured by some of
our command and passed to the rear, and we saw a few
straggling chestnut trees during the day, which served
to vary the forest scenery.
We left this Alabama pine home about noon, the
19th, being behind again. Troops had been marching
by ever since daylight. We moved on slowly through
about the same kind of a country as yesterday, not
reaching camp, which was an unusually poor one, tiU
after night, but making our usual distance. But we
were all in glowing spirits. No night in all our marches

Illinois Infantry. 317
had we gone into camp with a prouder step and lighter
hearts than this. And this was the reason of it : About
three o'clock a courrier had overtaken us from Mobile
with the official announcement that Lee and Johnston
had surrendered, and the rebel government had fled.
As regiment after regiment behind us heard the news,
they cheered to the echo. Their shouts almost rent the
air. Soon it was our turn, and then they caught it up
beyond us as the escort sped on, hastening to the front.
How the volleys of cheers rolled out. The entrails had
dropped out of the rebellion at last. The end had
come. Though "it was long, long, long on the way,"
it had come. Jeff. Davis was a fugitive. "Glory be to
God," we said, and then we shouted again. The na
tives began to inquire what it all meant, and we to
tell them. They were all out of their houses to see and
hear now, and seemed to be as deeply interested as we,
though differently, perhaps.
Both yesterday and to-day were remarkable for a dis
play of flags at the houses, which in this improved
country were quite thick. Mostly they were only white
cloth, signifying a desire to be kindly treated. But
occasionally they were more pretentions. One said,
"The Union forever," and another, "The United States
forever." Doubtless there was real loyalty in this por
tion of Alabama, before it was crushed out by Wm. L.
Yancey and others of his stripe. And their flags might
have represented the sentiments of their owners; at
least we thought so, for how could anybody be other

318 History of the 124TH

than Union then. There was no confederacy any more ;
and so we kindly returned all their advances, whether
white or colored, accepted all the flowers they offered
us from their yards in passing, which were not a few,
and actually wore button-hole bouquets presented by
rebel fingers, for the first time in the south. Occasion
ally a lady would express Union sentiments in conver
sation with us, the like of which we had never heard in
Dixie before. Sometime in the afternoon we passed
through a little burg called "Midway," but midway
between what or where we did not learn.
April 20th we jogged along finely and easily, though
there were a great many sore feet in the army. The
day was cool and the roads were good. We crossed
Sturtevant's creek, quite a stream, flowing to our left
towards the Alabama. We also passed the home of the
then Governor of Alabama, Thomas Hill Watts, and
where his mother then resided. She did not appear, as
the inhabitants had generally done since the news ; too
much secesh dignity for that. But the colored girls
were distributing pinks to the officers whUe passing.
We again marched about sixteen miles, and went into
camp on Pine Barren creek at night. This was the last
of our pine camps, our whispering homes in Dixie.
The 2 1 St was a day long to be remembered on account
of the rain and mud ; both were fearful. The soldiers
plodded through, wet, drabbled, and thoroughly dis
gusted, peace or no peace. Teams stuck, unloaded,
and corralled, were abundant. The supply train was

Illinois Infantry. 319
left hopeless in the rear. The ist and 3d divisions
reached Greenville, the county seat of Butler county,
and camped, having gone thirteen miles, and about as
hard a thirteen miles as any we ever traveled in the
south. But the day furnished a story of a model Union
woman, to embellish our regimental history, which
ought to outlive the recollection of the rain and mud.
The Chaplain and Serg't. Maj. Wharton rode ahead,
by permission of the Colonel, to find a place to warm,
dry, and rest a little, if possible, and procure some re
freshments, as nothing could be had on the road.
Selecting a house which looked rather inviting, where
no horses were already hitched, they stopped and made
their wants known, being kindly received. The family
consisted of a lank, elderly man, the husband and father,
by the name of Cheatham, with his wife and two daugh
ters-in-law. Both of the latter were widows, their hus
bands having been killed in the war. The man was too
aged even for the Alabama reserves, and so was at home,
but the family could evidently have gotten along very
well without him, for in the house, at least, he was only
a Lieutenant, with no prospect of promotion. The
mother was an invalid, though her disease, whatever it
was, did not affect her tongue in the least. All these
things were rapidly noticed while a warm fire was being
built and the table spread by the mother's direction, the
old man going after a couple of chickens at her bidding.
The girls were very chipper for widows of so recent a

320 History of the 124TH
date. They explained how they had managed to keep
up style since the blockade had diminished their resour
ces, showing the hats their own deft fingers had braided,
and the trimming for them which their feminine skill
had constructed out of scarlet, white and yellow flannel
by twisting. They also apologized for not wearing
mourning, as it was not to be had, etc. , etc. , all of which
was very interesting. Meantime various remarks were
dropped in the interest of peace and union, and lament
ing the cruelties of the war, which they pronounced
uncalled for and inhuman, until we were prepared to
expect almost anything in the way of union sentiment
from any one of the family. The dinner was discussed
in due time, all sitting down to it together, as is the
custom in the north, but not in the south, and ample
justice was done to it, the old lady in particular seeming
to enjoy it amazingly. At last the regiment having
come up, Wharton left, and the Chaplain was preparing
to follow, he having lain down on a lounge for a little
while to rest, when the mother expressed a desire for a
few words more, and the following conversation occurred :
"So, Chaplain, you really think that the war is ended,
that there will be no more of this cruel fighting and
bloodshed among us, do you. Chaplain?"
"Yes, madam, I think the war is over, or nearly so.
There may be a little skirmishing beyond the Mississippi,
or in isolated places yet, but there probably will be no
more heavy fighting. "

Illinois Infantry. 321
And then the invalid swayed herself to and fro in her
easy chair, and raising her eyes and hands toward heaven,
said: ' 'Bless the Lord. O, how glad I am to hear it. Bless
the Lord."
"But, Chaplain, do you think the north and south
will come together in peace, and love each other as they
used to, and do business together as though the war had
never been, do you Chaplain ?"
"Yes, madam, I think so. It may be some time first,
but ultimately I think the breaches will all be healed,
business will resume its channels, and our relations will
be as close and pleasant as before the war, if not more
so, now the disturbing element of slavery is out of the
way. ' '
"Bless the Lord. Husband, do you hear that? Girls,
do you hear it ? Bless the Lord. O, my heart is glad
to hear such words. I never expected to hear them
again, never. I had given up all hopes. Bless the
Lord." And she almost fainted, seemingly, in her ecstacy.
It made a profound impression upon the Chaplain. He
expected to hear some noble union utterances in a mo
ment more. As soon as she had recovered her breath
a little, during which time no one spoke, she began
again. "But, Chaplain, just see here. Now you know there's
been a great deal of bad blood stirred up ; more'n there
ought to have been. Chaplain, and do you think folks

322 rflSTORY OF THE 124TH
will get over it ? Do you think we can go up north like
we used to, and you come down here, and take papers,
and all such things, and go on and live together just as
though this awful, wicked war had never been ? Do you
think that, Chaplain ? Can you think it ?" And she
almost screamed as she gesticulated in her earnestness.
"Yes, madam, I do believe that not only is the war
over, but very soon its bitterness and enmities, and
ruptures in social and business relations will be past,
and we shall come the closer together from Maine to
Texas, and from the great lakes to the gulf, for these
few years' trial of each others' mettle, power, andneeds.
War will prove under God a broom to sweep away mis
understandings and wrongs, and a cement to unite us
more closely together forever."
And then she rose from her chair, and striking an atti
tude of over-mastering joy, raised her clasped hands
toward heaven, and cried out, "O, my soul, bless the
Lord. I wiU praise him. Do you hear what the Chap
lain says ? Do you — hear it ? He says we shall aU
come together, north and south, east and west, just as
though nothing had ever happened. That's what he
says. And then" — and the climax was evidently com
ing, for she was almost wild with joyous emotion — "and
then I can get some more of Jayne's pills. Chaplain ;
some more of Jayne's pills ; I have'nt had any for two
years. Chaplain ; not for two years. I laid in for two
years at the beginning of the war. Chaplain, but I've

Illinois Infantry. 323
been out for two years. Now I can get some more,
O, bless the Lord."
And she sank back in her chair exhausted, with her
hands upon her face, sobbing, "Bless the Lord," while
the Chaplain bade her good by, with thanks to the rest
of the family, and closed the door upon the scene, mus
ing upon the depth and quality of southern union
sentiment. Greenville we found to be a small, uninteresting place,
on the railroad from Tensas Landing to Montgomery,
about forty-five miles from the latter. It rejoiced in a
small, confederate hospital, and a few poorly constructed
barracks, and contained a good many refugees from
Pensacola and Barrancas. We found quite a number of
paroled rebel soldiers promenading the grass-grown
streets, in a listless uncertain way, as though they
scarcely knew what to do with themselves. But they
were all defiant and consequental as though they had
never been whipped, and expected to close the war with
an overwhelming southern victory the next day.
The command did not move the 22d, except to bring
up the trains and those in the rear, but having received
orders from the War Department to that effect, pro
ceeded to give expression to our opinions of the surren
der of Lee and Johnson by firing two hundred guns.
This we did at two o'clock p. m. , waking the echos of
Butler county quite extensively, and of Greenville in
particular, our brigade band meanwhile discoursing its
sweetest music at General Carr's headquarters.

324 History of the 124TH
The rebels had heard a rumor of Lee's surrender
before we reached the place, but were very incredulous.
They had thought him to be invincible. As soon as we
arrived they eagerly inquired of us about it, hoping it
lacked confirmation. Upon our declaring it to be true,
they would turn away sadly, for the most part convinced
it was so, but a few determined not to believe it at all,
and one violent, opinionated rebel declared he would
not, even if Jesus Christ said it was so. The salute of
the afternoon gave it official emphasis to all.
As an illustration of the ignorance of a portion of the
rebel army, the following are told :
Upon talking with a paroled soldier, possessed of
average intelligence, upon the prospect of a speedy close
of the war, adverse to the south, he ventured to dissent
very strongly. The south was not whipped ; she could
not be ; it was folly to think of such a thing. We asked
why he thought so ; her cities and seaports were in our
hands, her great Captain had surrendered ; what could
she do? He replied that we might take Vicksburg,
Mobile, Charleston and Richmond, as we probably had
done, but there were places we could not take. Upon
pressing him to tell what places, he at last replied, with
a candor that was transparent, "You cannot take
Island No. 10."
The other is, if possible, still more ridiculous, but
unfortunately not as well authenticated :
The fact was being urged by one of the rebel soldiers,
in the presence of a squad of our boys, that we were not

Illinois Infantry. 325
Yankees ; we were western men. They could whip
Yankees ; Lee's army had uniformly done so, and they
could. This was often presented by the defeated rebels
in the southwest, as an apology for their failures, and
our boys had, as often wished, to take the lingering
conceit out of them some way, if possible ; so on this
occasion one of the boys said, "I'm a Yankee." ''Be
ye?" said Johnny, "one of the reg'lar kind ?" "Yis,"
said our Yankee, adopting the twang, "Yis, I s'pose
I be." "One of the wooden nutmeg kind?" "Yis, I
s'pose I be." "Well thare, now do you think you can
fool me on one of them things ? Mebbe you never
made any yourself?" "Yis, I s'pose I have. " "Well,
I say, how d'ye do it? Just whittle 'em right out?"
•'Yis, that's aU. It's nothing when you get the hang
of it." "Well, I say, you hav'nt got one about ye,
have ye, Mr. ? You could'nt fool me with one of 'em,
no how, but I'd jest like to see one of the things, to
see how it looks." Our Yankee designedly had a nut
meg in his pocket, which he very readily handed to
Johnny, as the last specimen of his jack-knife manufac
ture. Johnny took it, smelled it, whittled it, tasted of
it with the utmost pains-taking, and at last returned it
saying, "I be durned if I can tell whether it is wooden
or ginooine, and if you can whittle out such nutmegs
as that, I can't see for my part why you can't fight as
well as anybody."
Poor, nonplused fellow, he had honestly thought,
with thousands of others in the south, that the Yankees

326 History of the 124TH

actuaUy whittled out bogus nutmegs with their jack-
knives. While in GreenviUe, the Chaplain was sitting, with
other officers, on the porch at a Mr. Quina's, where
several of the citizens were gathered, among whom was
a lady by the name of Gonzales, of Spanish extraction.
She was an interested listener to aU the conversation,
but said nothing. Presently a citizen came in and an
nounced that her husband was kUled at West Point,
Georgia, in the storming of that place by Gen. Wilson,
six days before. Poor woman. A moment before she
was dreaming of peace, and thinking of her husband,
spared to her clear through the bloody war, in which so
many others had fallen. But now at the very last min
ute the cup was dashed from her lips, and a night of
deepest anguish had closed around her. How she
screamed in her bewildering grief, and her daughter, a
bright little girl of seven or eight years, running up at
that instant, attracted by her mother's cries, upon learn
ing the cause, added her shrieks to those of her widowed
mother. And as they were locked in each others' arms,
and their heart-rending expressions of affection for the
lost one, and sympathy for each other found such pain
ful utterance, we of the north had a new exhibit of war,
and saw in that southern scene a picture of the thousands
through all the land, where the cruel blight had fallen.
Though we sympathized deeply with the stricken ones
before us, we felt as never before for the widowed and
orphaned of our own loved homes in the north.

Illinois Infantry. 327
While here a colored woman was met, surrounded by
others who corroborated her story, who was one of the
clearest and most beautiful white persons in point of
complexion we ever saw. She was addressed as the
mistress of the house, but affirmed she was a slave,
though she was her master's daughter. She was nursing
a babe with a complexion as clear as her own, and the
interrogator was somewhat bewildered by the phase of
affairs, when she said it was her master's child It was
thought she only intended to refer to her master's owner
ship in it, it being her child, as though slavery had not
been abolished, and we hastened to assure them all that
such rights and ownerships were in the past ; they were
absolutely free. But she blushingly corrected the mis
take by saying she meant no such thing ; her master
was her babe's father as well as her own. O, slavery !
We had speaking and singing at our headquarters
that night. Col. Howe making one of his effective
speeches, while "Nicodemus," "Old Shady," and other
songs were rendered for the benefit of Greenville. Gen.
Grierson and his cavalry passed through during the
day. Sunday, April 23d, was a bright, cool day. Our tents
were struck and teams loaded at seven a. m., and at
nine we were on the move again, crossing Persimmon
and HaU's creeks, and taking it quite leisurely till after
nine o'clock at night. As the evening came on it was
cold enough for overcoats, and some very bad places

328 History of the 124TH
were found, but we were used to all that. We made
about sixteen miles.
A lovely morning greeted us upon the 24th. We
rose early and soon dispatched our breakfast, as we had
not much to eat ; our supply train was not yet up. Of
course we did some little foraging during the day. We
marched very steadily from about eight a. m. to five p.
m., going full twenty miles, and passing through the
village of Sandy Ridge, in Lowndes county, on the way.
We crossed the Pintlalla creek by the Bethel Baptist
Church, in Montgomery county, and went into camp on
the plantation of Gen. Wm. L. Allen, with our whole
division in sight. Our position was close by the resi
dence, on a high knoll, with a beautiful sward, and
although we lacked our long-time bed of pine straw, we
managed to make ourselves quite comfortable, and
especially so because of the distance we had come.
Gov. Watts met us here with a flag of truce, requesting
us not to enter Montgomery. O, no. The city must
be spared, if possible, even if she was the first capital
of the confederacy. War must not be permitted to hurt
her, though she provoked and began it, and certainly no
one did more to precipitate the war upon us than one of
Montgomery's men, Wm. L. Yancey. Gov. Watts
might have improved his time to much better advantage
in getting the city ready to receive us, for his requests
and pleadings were lost upon our commander; they
seemed but as the vaperings of an idle brain.
We found a rolling and better improved section of the
country after leaving Greenville, with many abodes of

Illinois Infantry. 329
wealth and luxury. Gen. Allen, where we were en
camped, formerly worked forty hands, which meant
comparative opulence. In speaking of a man's worth
in this section of the country, instead of saying as at the
north, he is worth so many dollars, the statement would
invariably be, he works so many hands, or has so many
mules. No reference would be made to land, even, as
that was of comparatively little account. But the labor,
the hands and mules, they were all important. How
unwittingly oftentimes truth comes to be spoken.
Labor is wealth, and brawn and muscle as well as intel
lect and character are above acres and gold. The power
of production for the good of our race, is humanity's
noblest earthly treasure, and he who has it in himself is
rich ; more independently rich than he who can com
mand it, for the time being, in others.
Tuesday, April 25 th, we broke camp at half-past six
a. m., with music playing and banners flying, and started
for Montgomery, thirteen miles distant. We found the
country stiU improving, and gradually becoming more
level. The soil seemed to be deeper and far more pro
ductive, the maple having largely taken the place of the
pine. Cotoma creek was crossed in due time, and about
fifteen minutes past one we slowly entered the city, as
we began the day's march, with music playing and ban
ners flying. Our objective point was reached at last,
and our weary march of one hundred and seventy miles
in thirteen days.

230 History of the 124TH
A description of the city is scarcely called for in this
history. We found it pleasant and clean, though show
ing some of the ravages of war. Gen. Wilson had
necessarily punished it some when in it a few days pre
vious, and the rebel Gen. Buford had punished it more
just before it fell into Gen. Wilson's hands, having burnt
all the cotton sheds and warehouses with their contents,
as though that could hurt us. The people lined the
streets and filled the yards upon our entrance, the colored
portion of course giving us a hearty welcome. A local
flag, that of the "Montgomery True Blues, " was flying
from the dome of the capital ; they wanted to fly some
thing. The confederate rag they dared not fly, so they
simply went for Montgomery. ''Lord, bless me and my
wife." What a satire upon State or any other sover
eignty save that of our Nation. What a ridiculous posi
tion to put a State capital in, a noble city in such a coun
try as ours. Of course the silly make-shift came down
speedily, and the glorious stars and stripes were flung
out once more over the desecrated spot where the con
federacy was cradled, and as we gazed up Pennsylvania
street at the graceful folds, it seemed as though the
breath of Heaven kissed them with more loving tender
ness for their four years' absence. It was a proud
moment for us, and one full of happy auguries for our
Nation. Such occasions went far to make us forget the
hardships and losses of the service.
We went into camp in a very pleasant, shaded lot in
side the city, just across a street from the African Metho-

Illinois Infantry. 331

dist, or Zion Church Immediately in our rear was an
extensive strawberry bed, and as soon as our guns were
stacked the strawberries had to suffer. They were just
in their prime, and there were very few of the boys who
cared to do so, who did not secure a fair portion. There
was no one to say us nay, or claim ownership. We
were speedily informed that our brigade was to do gar
rison duty, and we were to be provost guard again. Col.
Geddes being Post Commander. This was eminently
satisfactory to us, and we proceeded to make ourselves
pretty much at home.
Our officers' mess, which had flourished hitherto, now
suffered somewhat from the farming out of some of our
officers among the citizens. We had but little more
than gone into camp before they were present in force
to offer quarters and board gratis, for the sake of the
protection of an officer's presence in their houses, and
as the war seemed to be over and peace at hand, it was
deemed best to accept their hospitality in some instan
ces, as a means of cultivating those friendly relations
which it would be for the interest of all to speedily
restore. So the Colonel went to one place, the Surgeon
to Judge Saffolds', the Chaplain to Mr. Watson's, etc.,
etc. But some of the officers objected to any such
arrangements, and remained with the regiment ; their
hatred of the principles of secession and their sterling
independence forbidding their acceptance of the selfish
courtesies. And so the mess still run, but with dimin
ished numbers.

332 History of the 124TH
Just here some extracts from the last issue of the
Montgomery Daily Advertiser are inserted, to illustrate
the habit in the south of bolstering up their fainting
hopes by the most unlikely and senseless reports. Hav
ing had full particulars of the surrender of Lee, which
were published in the issue of April 21st, an extra
Advertiser of the 24th contains the following :
"News from Gen. Lee's army have been received
since the reported capitulation. The whole story appears
to have been based upon the surrender of Custis Lee
and his small force. Gen. R. E. Lee is stiU fighting
Grant, over whom he is reported to have gained two
brilliant victories. ' '
And again :
' 'We learn from a gentleman who left Vicksburg on
Tuesday" — this was Monday, almost a week later —
' 'that a Federal dispatch boat had arrived at that place,
bringing additional information of the state of affairs in
the north, by which we learn, although it was not gen
erally made public, that a great battle had been fought
between Johnston and Sherman, in which Johnston was
victorious, capturing over 20,000 prisoners, besides kill
ing and wounding a large number. If this information
should prove correct, and it is generally believed in
Vicksburg, the condition of our aff"airs in North Caro
lina is much better than we were led to suppose from
previous accounts."

Illinois Infantry. 333
Editorially the same issue says :
"The news from Vicksburg of a victory gained by
Johnston over Sherman, is confirmed by the Macon
(Georgia) papers. It was in consequence of this defeat
that Sherman proposed the armistice."
And so they tried to galvanize life into the dead con
federacy — to whistle among the tombs in their despair.
As early as the day before we reached Montgomery,
rumors had been heard of the assassination of our Presi
dent, but they had not been credited. In the Advertiser
of the 24th we found a statement to that effect, but it
was alongside those we have just given of Lee and
Johnston's victories, which we knew were false, so we
gave the other no credit. It was too horrid ; too pre
posterous. We could not entertain the thought for a
moment. So the time slipped along tiU the 29th of
AprU, four days after we reached Montgomery, before
the sad inteUigence was received through authentic chan
nels, that our beloved President, the immortal Lincoln,
was no more — and that he had fallen by an assassin's
hand. We need not try in this history to describe the
effect of the tidings upon us, or upon the Nation. That
is written too deeply in the memories of all who shared
in the grief of that fearful hour. But it seemed to us
that we had even greater C2.\is& for grief if possible, than
those who were not in the field. We were now among
those who could but rejoice while we wept, if they were
in sympathy with the rebellion. This was the legiti
mate result of their teachings and acts, from Sum-

334 History of the 124TH
ter to the end. Andersonville and Salisbury, and Fort
Pillow had prepared the southern mind for this, if
it needed any preparation beyond that naturally afforded
by the barbarities of slavery. And with this people all
around us, at the first capital of a government under
whose fostering arms such atrocities had been perpe
trated, far removed from all the soothing, sympathetic
influences of our own homes, was it to be wondered at
that we felt as though we too had been smitten ? That
in taking away our "master from our heads," in the
language of Scripture, they had nearly taken our lives ?
We staggered under the blow. Veterans though we
had become in the years of strife, we were palsied now.
All hearts melted. There was no soundness under our
feet. No way of safety to look. What would not this
people and their diabolical teachings do ? And what
were we called upon to do among them ? was the ques
tion. What, in case they, by word or look, expressed
their joy ? What, any way ? And in these latter ques
tions we found relief It was, at first, and for some
time, our only rehef And to-day it ought to be re
corded as a wonder, almost a miracle of moderation and
control, that under the circumstances the south was not
doomed when Lincoln feU. We were among them every
where. They were entirely in our power. They had
proclaimed themselves rebels, with taunts and boastings o
in all circles. They had justified every step their worst
leaders had taken everywhere. They had spit upon us

Illinois Infantry. 335
publicly and privately. They had called this man every
thing vile for four years. They began by threatening
his life on his way to Washington, and now they had
killed him. Yes, they. It made no difference whose
hand struck the blow, the animus, the teaching, was
their's. And now we could take our fill of vengeance.
Had they been in our place it would have been done,
and they felt it ; keenly they felt it. They saw in Mont
gomery and elsewhere that their lives hung by a thread.
That in keeping with a world's history, rivers of blood
should flow. And their cheeks blanched in our pres
ence. But we did not strike. We placed our hands
upon our bleeding hearts, and looking heavenward,
asked God to give us grace to restrain us, though in the
midst of people who, as we believed, would not have
left a man of us alive had the case been reversed, to
help us set the world an example of Christian heroism
and forbearance, such as would find no parallel in
history. And to the eternal credit of the Union
army be it written, that not one retributive blow was
struck through all the southern States. It is true they
hastened everywhere to disavow the act, and claimed to
regret it as deeply as we. But with their prints in our
hands, and their record before us, we could not but be
heve the disavowals were, in most instances, more the
result of a wholesome fear than of genuine sympathy,
though we gave them the benefit of their asseverations.
Whether we were mistaken in our conclusions, let the
massacres and midnight horrors of fourteen years of a

336 History of the 124TH
reconstructed south, answer. Coushatta and Edgefield,
and Kemper county, Mississippi, and other places, can
best tell whether the act of Wilkes Booth was sincerely
condemned. The Montgomery Mail, of May ist, appeared in
mourning, and said much about the non-complicity of
the rebel government in the assassination. "Wicked
and wrong-headed as it might have been," it said, "we
cannot belie v'e that the Richmond head of the rebellion
has any sympathy with, or is in any way accessory to
this diabolical murder." And further, it affirmed, "As
for the unfortunate masses of the south, who have been
made the unwilling instruments of this rebellion, and
who have been the chief sufferers under the grinding
despotism in which it resulted, they deplore the event
quite as much as their countrymen of the north, and
would rejoice in common with their fellow-citizens of the
entire nation in the apprehension and punishment of the
assassins and their accomplices."
This is from a press and people who, a few years
later, publicly abused the government for the execution
of Mrs. Surratt as an accomplice in the assassination.
But it was good reading, and might have been honest,
upon the day when all our flags were at half mast and
draped in mourning, and our funeral guns firing, as they
were May ist, according to the foUowing orders:

Illinois Infantry. 3^7
"Headquarters, Post of Montgomery,
Montgomery, Ala., AprU 30th, 1S65.
"General Orders No. 4. J
It is with tjie deepest regret that the Colonel com
manding pubhshes the following announcement :
"Headquarters Army and Division
OF West Mississipp,
Mobile, Alabama, AprU 20th, 1S65.
' 'General Field Orders No. 29. ]
"With profound sorrow the Major General command
ing announces to this army the death, by assassination,
of the President of the United States, and of the Secre
tary of State.
"Appropriate funeral honors will be ordered by the
War Department, but in testimony of the deep grief
which prevails in this army, the public offices will be
closed, the flags will be displayed at half staff", half hour
guns will be fired from sunrise until sunset, and minute
guns from twelve o'clock m. until one o'clock p. m., at
each Post within the limits of this command, on the day
next succeeding the receipt of this order.
"By order of
"Major General E. R. S. CANBY.
("Signed) "C. T. CHRISTENSEN,
Lieut. Col., Ass't Adj't General.
"Official: ("Signed) "J. HOUGH, A. A. General"

338 History of the 124TH

In compliance with the above order, and in testimony
of the profound grief felt by the troops composing the
garrison of this Post, and by the loyal people of this
place at the great National calamity, thus officiaUy an
nounced aU public offices and places of business within
the limits of this Post, will be closed from sunrise until
sunset, to-morrow. May ist, 1S65.
"By order of
"Col. JAMES L. GEDDES.
"W. F. Henry,
Capt. and Post Adjutant."
The Montgomery Mail, of May 6th, contained the
following, which reflected the sentiment of the army at
the time very accurately, and doubtless exerted quite
an influence in moulding it, as there were twenty-two
Chaplains present at the meeting :
"Pursuant to published notice, the U. S. Army Chap
lains at Montgomery, Alabama, assembled at the State
House, Wednesday, May 3d, 1S65. A Chaplains' As
sociation was organized, by the election of Rev. Joseph
Porter, 6ist U. S. Infantry, President, and Rev. F.
Humphrey, I2th Iowa Infantry, Secretary.
"Earnest discussion then followed on the state of re
hgion in the army, the condition of the country, the
death of the President, and the prospects of peace. A
committee was appointed to arrange for holding religious
services in Montgomery, on Sunday next ; also a com
mittee to draft resolutions expressive of the feelings of

Illinois Infantry. 339
the Chaplains, as ministers of Christ, in regard to the
assassination of President Lincoln. The association
then adjourned to meet again Thursday afternoon, when
the following preamble and resolutions were reported,
and after very interesting remarks upon them by many
Chaplains present, were unanimously adopted :
' ' Whereas, The spirit of secession which first moved
men to insult our Nation's flag, and seek to destroy our
Nation's life, which has plunged our country into civil
war and produced the untold suffering, devastation,
bloodshed and death, of the last four years, has culmin
ated in the assassination of our beloved President, Abra
ham Lincoln, mysteriously permitted by Divine Provi
dence ; therefore,
"Resolved, By the Chaplains' Association of the U.S.
army, at Montgomery, Alabama ; that we bow in sad
ness of heart, but with entire submission before the
inscrutable blow, firmly convinced that God, in His
wisdom and sovereign mercy, will overrule it for the
Nation's good.
"Resolved, That in Abraham Lincoln we recognized
one raised up by God for the emergencies of the times
in which he lived, and the position he was called upon
to fill, as Chief Magistrate of our great Nation, in the
hour of its peril, and in his conduct of the affairs of
State, and discharge of the responsibilities resting upon
him, he has commended himself to our warm sympathy,
generous confidence and tender regard to a greater ex
tent than any President ever did before.

340 History of the 124TH

^'¦Resolved, That we mourn his loss as a man, a firm,
consistent patriot, a profound, lenient, yet unimpeach
able Executive, and a sincere Christian ; that, in his
death, we have lost a father, a brother, and a kind friend ;
one we hoped would have been permitted to finish the
work he had so nobly begun, and to guide the Ship of
State through the angry tempest of civil war and loom
ing breakers of treason and hate, to the fair haven of
fraternal love and peace.
"Resolved, That we still stand pledged to his oft ex
pressed wish 'that all men might be free, ' and we believe
the Nation's zeal and devotion to the principles of which
he stood before the American people and the world as
the exponent, will not be abated by the martyrdom of
our leader, who has set the seal of sacrifice to a life's
devotion. "Resolved, That we will cordially support Andrew
Johnson in the discharge of his duties as President of
the United States, praying that the Divine hand may
lead him as his predecessor was led, in the responsible
task of restoring peace, protecting personal rights, and
establishing the perpetuity of our Nation, ruling over
the people in righteousness.
"¦Resolved, That we reprobate everywhere and at all
proper times," not only the fiendish act of assassination
itself, but the spirft of bitter hatred and malice out of
which it grew ; yet, we urge upon our Nation, and espe
cially upon our forces in the south, the cultivation of

Illinois Infantry. 341
 P 
charity and forbearance, and the promotion of kindly
relations, in a Christian spirit, in our intercourse with
all our enemies, thus mourning truly for our deceased
President by practicing his virtues.
"J. H. MOORE,
Chaplain 95th 111. Inf ty Vol.
"R. L. HOWARD,
Chaplain 124th IU. Ini'ty.
"E. M. EDWARDS,
Chaplain 7th Minn. Inf ty.
"A resolution was then passed requesting the Secre
tary to furnish the editor of the Montgomery Mail with
an outline of the proceedings, and a copy of the resolu
tions, with an invitation to publish the same.
"Adjourned to meet Monday next, at the three p. m.,
in the chamber of the House of Representatives.
"F. HUMPHREY, Secretary."

342 History of the 124TH

CHAPTER XXI.

Col. Howe comma'ding brigade.— Colored children.— MaU once
more.— Ears cut off.— Dress parade in state.— Women after mules.—
One woman's opinion of God. — Tum over flag. — Its history.— Col.
Howe and his hostess.— Dr. Gilmer.— July 4th approaching.— Citi
zens wish to celebrate. — Arrangements. — Programme. —The day
itself, and the celebration.— Disgusted. — A second edition. — A little
marrying.— Sold horses.— New officers.— Hot but healthy.— Ru
mors.— Off on the "'Virginia. "—Going heme.— Selma— Pokerish
bridges.— DemopoUs.— On top of the cars.— Meridian again.— Re
cruits transferred.— Watermelons.— Jackson.— March and pay to
Big Black.— Vicksburg.— Cherry street barracks. —Sun-stroke.
BY THE ABSENCE of Colonel Turner, of the loSth
lUinois, Colonel Howe became our brigade com
mander, soon after reaching Montgomery, and Captain
Field, the ranking Captain, assumed command of the
regiment; yet both of these officers were on courts
martial and military commissions most of the time we
were in the city, leaving the regiment almost to run
itself This it could do very easily on provost duty, and
the more especially as every officer in it was able to
command a battahon if necessary.

Illinois Infantry. 343
Our camp, as has been stated, was in close proximity
to the colored church, and one Sunday morning, at the
close of their Sunday school, forty-three colored children
came trooping into it, all under twelve or fourteen years
of age. Three of the number, two girls and one boy,
seemed to be white, and their being with the colored
ones, excited a little surprise. But upon approaching
them and inquiring about it, they affirm.ed they were
"little nigs" too. Having our attention so forcibly
called to the subject of southern "miscegenation,"
caused us to notice them all, and of the forty-three, only
three could by any possibility be called black ; all the
rest had been more or less bleached under the christian
izing influence of slavery. And the proportion would
hold good among all the children of the south. Not
over seven per cent, of the rising generation in slavery
were of undiluted blood.
On the 7th of May we received a mail once more, the
first since leaving Blakely. How anxiously we had
waited and watched for it, none but soldiers know.
Guard mounting and dress parade had come to be
fashionable in the regiment again, and on the 14th of
May, Gen. Smith's band furnished our music, and Gen.
Carr and Col. Geddes were present. We felt a little
like the old "Excelsior" regiment once more.
The same day we had another illustration of the beau
ties and moral elevation of slavery, in the arrival of three
colored people, one man and two women, with their
ears cut off close to their heads. One of the women

344 History of the 124TH
had lost a part of her scalp, too, as well as her ears, and
had a part of her face skinned. It was reported as done
at a place about forty miles distant, toward Georgia,
called Society Hill, and seemed to be a purely fiendish
act, without provocation or cause. The man who did it
was not their master, overseer, or any official, military
or civil. He simply did it, as was stated, because he
wanted to, and then said, "Go and tell the Yankees
did it." A more brutal thing we never saw. And yet
it was "off the same piece." Wirtz, Forrest, Chalmers,
Wilkes Booth, Dr. Blackburn, Jefferson Davis, and the
hero of Society Hill, had one common parentage, and
each in his way presented the legitimate fruit of the
southern institution.
For several weeks the regiment moved on in the
nearly even tenor of its way. Sometimes we would
have battalion drill for an hour or two, and its dress pa
rades were always attended by crowds of spectators,
military and civil, being the most imposing in the city.
We also had frequent speaking, and singing by the glee
club, at regimental headquarters. Meanwhile the coun
try moved steadih- towards peace, and all the troops
save our division, left for parts unknown. We began
to be anxious for our time to come, and talked about it
more than about anything or all things else. Chaplain
Howard, who was dispatched to New Orleans on busi
ness for the officers, in anticipation of our muster-out,
and left by rail on the evening of the 19th of May, had
a little peculiar experience, which we narrate here :

Illinois Infantry. 345

The train was loaded for the most part with rebel sol
diers from Lee and Johnston's armies, who had been
thronging the city for several days, and were being
passed home as rapidly as possible. Ihere were on
board also a half dozen ladies from Greenville and below,
who had been to Montgomery for the purpose of getting
mules, if possible, from the Quartermaster's department,
to aid, as they said, in raising a crop. The department
had been very kind, and upon proof of loyalty, had
given animals to a great many for that purpose. But
these, for some reason, had failed, and as a consequence
were not in a very amiable frame of mind. Excepting
two Union soldiers in each car as a guard, the Chaplain
was the only Union man known to be on board, and
being recognized by his dress, the ladies soon commen
ced upon him concerning the way they had been rebuff
ed at Montgomery. The Chaplain mildly observed that
it was no fault of his, but the ladies became more and
more persistent and insolent in their remarks, feeling
secure in their surroundings, till at last he told them that
he did not wish to hold any conversation with them
upon the subject. That it was of no use. It could not
prove beneficial to them or him, and if they pleased he
would greatly prefer not to talk with them at all, as they
could not agree. The cars were so crowded that he* had
no alternative but to stay where he was or go without a
seat, as there were scores standing up. This appeal
silenced all the ladies but one, who persisted in the at
tack, notwithstanding one of her number begged of her

346 History of the 124TH

to desist. Such words as "mean, cruel, contemptible,
cowardly, craven, mercenary, white-livered, rotten-
hearted," with a good many others of the same kind,
fell from her lips quite freely, without a word of reply
or provocation. At last the Chaplain appealed to her
sense of right and wrong, and to her common delicacy
as a woman, asking her of what use it could be to use
such terms to a minister of the gospel, who was no more
responsible for the war and the state of things than she
was, and could help them no more than she could.
After they had appealed to war they must abide the re
sult. God had decided against them, and there was no
help for it.
At that she quickly responded, "Do you believe God
had anything to do with the result of this war ?"
The Chaplain replied, "Certainly. Do you think so
many thousands can be marshaled, and the earth shake
beneath their tread, so many lives can be taken, such
rivers of blood and tears flow, and so many graves be
dug, and He who takes note even of the sparrow's fall,
have nothing to do with it ? Yes, madam, the God of
battles has decided this strife, and has done it in the in
terest of the north and liberty, and the south must sub
mit. :'
At that she rose from her seat, and gesticulating
wildly, with every nerve quivering from intense excite
ment, she almost shrieked out, "I don't believe God
had a thing to do with this war, sir, not a thing. And

Illinois Infantry. 347
if he did, I don't want anything more to do with him,
for he isn't the man I took him to be."
On the loth of May our old, battle-scarred flag was
inspected by Captain Scott, A. A. I. General, 3d Di
vision, i6th Army Corps, by order of Maj. Gen. A. J.
Smith, and ordered to be dropped from our returns,
and deposited at the capital of Illinois. The follow
ing is its war history, deposited wtth it at Springfield :
"Headquarters 124TH Reg. III. Inf'ty,
Montgomery, Ala., May loth, 1S65.
"These colors were borne by the 124th regiment
on the march of Gen. Grant's grand army from La
grange, Tennessee, to the Yacona, Mississippi, and
return to Lagrange, Tenn., in December, 1862.
"Also from Lagrange to Memphis, Tenn., in Jan
uary, 1863; from Memphis to Lake Providence. La.,
in February, 1S63, and from thence via. Milliken's
Bend and Bruinsburg to Port Gibson, Miss., in April,
1863. "They were carried in and through the following
engagements: Port Gibson, May ist, 1863 ; Raymond,
May 1 2th, 1863 ; Jackson, May 14th, 1863 ; Cham
pion Hills, May i6th, 1863 ; Siege of Vicksburg,
including the assault on the enemy's works May 22d,
and Fort Hill, June 26th, 1S63.
"They were also borne on the Monroe, La., and
Brownsville, Miss., campaigns, in August and October,
1863, and in the great Meridian expedition, under
Gen. 'Sherman, in February, 1864.

348 History of the 124TH
"They were also carried by the regiment on the oc
casion of the Champion Drill of the 3d (Logan's) Di
vision, 17th Army Corps, when the 124th regiment
won the Prize Banner, which was presented to it by
Maj. Gen. McPherson, January 23d, 1S64, as the Ex
celsior Regiment of the 3d Division, 17th Army Corps.
"During all this period the regiment constituted a
portion of the 3d (Logan's) Division, 17th Army Corps.
"These colors were also borne by the regiment in
the campaign against Yazoo City, and in the battle of
Benton, Miss., in May, 1S64, under Gen. McArthur.
' 'Also in the Jackson, Mississippi, campaign, and in
the battle at Jackson Cross Roads, in July, 1864, under
Gen. Slocum, and in the White river and Memphis ex
pedition in October, 1864.
' 'They were also borne by the regiment (though too
much torn and shattered for actual use) in the great
campaign against Mobile and Montgomery, Alabama,
in March and AprU, 1865, under Gen. Canby, including
the siege of Spanish Fort, and the storming and capture
of the enemy's works, April Sth, 1865, by the 3d Bri
gade, 3d Division, 1 6th Army Corps, of which the
124th regiment was a part.
"During the period including the foregoing opera
tions, the regiment marched, by land and water, over
4, 100 miles, and was engaged in fourteen skirmishes.
ten battles, and two sieges, of forty-seven days and

Illinois Infantry. 349
nights, and thirteen days and nights, respectively, thus
being under the fire of the enemy eighty-two days and
sixty nights.
"J. H. HOWE,
Col. by Brevet, Commanding Regiment."
As illustrating the temper of Montgomery society,
and its continual argument against the principles of the
northern people, the foUowing story is told, and it also
presenlis the hollowness of southern pretension :
Col. Howe's hostess, who by the way was very much
of a lady after the fashion of the south, lost no oppor
tunity for rallying him upon what she was pleased to
term negro equality, as believed in by all who favored
the emancipation of the slaves. Having been on the
street one day she came home in great glee, and with
the air of one who is certain of a crushing triumph, com
menced upon the favorite subject in this wise :
"Now, Colonel, you may deny it as much as you
please, but it is just as I tell you. The northerners all
mean negro equality, and they'll practice it too. Even
your officers will practice it right before our eyes, in
broad daylight. What do you think I saw to-day on a
street corner, as bold and shameless as could be ? I'll
tell you. I saw a Lieutenant, yes, a Lieutenant, with
his shoulder-straps on — I don't know what regiment he
belonged to, but he was a Union Lieutenant — hobnob
bing with a colored girl. Yes, actually flirting with her,
Colonel, as well pleased and interested as though she'd

350 History of the 124TH
been white. Now, you needn't teU me you don't be
lieve in negro equality and mixing up with the colored
people. You do believe in it. What I see with my
own eyes is proof positive, I must accept it, and it is
just as I thought it was."
The Colonel calmly replied that he was sorry the Lieu
tenant had done such a thing, and that it was in very poor
taste for him to flirt with a black girl, though that proved
nothing as to the sentiments of the northern people.
He thought there were not many even of our unmarried
soldiers, so far from home and all society, who would
care to flirt with negroes.
"She was not a negro," said the lady, quickly, "she
was a bright yellow girl, and they were enjoying it im
mensely. "
"Ah!" said the Colonel, "that changes the case
quite materially. She was part white, was she ?"
"O, yes. She was real bright and pretty. She was
above the average of colored girls, considerably above,
and weU dressed. But then she was colored for all that.
Now, what do you think of such things ?"
"And you are sure they were flirting?" asked the
Colonel. "Certainly," said she. "There could be no mistake
about thit."
"And they both seemed to enjoy it?" he asked
again.

Illinois Infantry. 351

"O, yes. She was as pleased as could be. I know
them well. I understand them. They can't deceive
me. And the Lieutenant was the picture of happiness.
"And you say she was real pretty?" inquired the
Colonel once more, "of fine features, and quite light
complexion ?"
"Yes, she was very fair and engaging. Now, Colonel,
if you had seen it as I did, what would you have said ?
Wouldn't you have called it negro equality ?"
"Well, I don't know," he replied, slowly. "I proba
bly should have wondered how in the name of God she
came to be so white."
Poor, annihilated woman. The bleaching process of
the south was never presented to her in quite that light
before. The Colonel used to relate this conversation
with great satisfaction, and it was most richly enjoyed
by us all at the time.
A case showing the peculiar beauties of slavery from
another point of view, occurred about this time. Resi
ding in the suburbs of Montgomery was one Dr. Gil
mer, who owned quite a good farm and a few hands,
before the amancipation act freed them, and managed,
with a little practice as a physician, to maintain some
considerable state up to the time of our arrival ; and at
that time, whether from fear, uncertainty, or what, his
colored people were all with him, including an old wo
man upwards of ninety years of age, as he himself
admitted. She was very feeble, being scarcely able to
drag herself about, and could gain no strength from her

352 History of the 124TH

food, which, owing to its coarse character, she could not
chew. This woman the doctor set to hoeing beans, and
upon visiting her in the field some time after, found she
had accomplished but little. So he jerked her hoe from
her in his rage, and knocked her down with it, striking
her two or three blows after she fell. The act being
reported to Col. Howe, he sent for him, and inquired
about it, expecting, of course, if it was not all a mis
take, that the doctor would plead excitement, or having
struck a harder blow than he intended. But to the
Colonel's utter astonishment he not only confessed all he
was charged with, but stoutly maintained that he had a
right to knock her down, lazy old slut that she was.
She was his, and it was nobody's business what he did
with her. If he had killed her it would have been bet
ter for her, as she was old enough to die ; and it would
have been better for him, for she could not do enough
to pay for her living any more, and consequently it
could not be expected of him that he should maintain
her. The work must be pounded out of her, or she
must be pounded to death, was the sum of his state
ment. The bitter invective and scorn, mingled with noble,
liberty-loving and humanitarian sentiments that poured
from the Colonel's lips at the doctor's heathen avowal,
were enough to overwhelm any one less stolid than he.
But he sat and heard it apparently unmoved, while all
that stood by fairly writhed for him under the weight of
the infliction, though scorning him from the depths of

Illinois Infantry. 353
their hearts. It was a scene long to be remembered,
though possibly it did no good save to deepen our con
victions of the horrors and brutalizing effects of slavery,
the corner stone of the southern idea and civilization.
The approaching 4th of July we took but little note
of, after it became evident that we must spend it in
Montgomery. It could not bring us much beyond what
we might have any day, if we desired it, namely, a little
speaking and singing in camp. Had we been at home
with our loved ones it would have been different. The
presence of wives and sweethearts is always necessary,
even to a respectable endeavor to celebrate, unless it be
such a celebration as ours of 1863.
But some of the citizens of Montgomery, for reasons
best known to themselves, began to talk about having a
real, old-fashioned time — one that should mean some
thing, as the 4th used to be before slavery wiped it out.
This may need a little explanation. Since secession,
not only had the 4th of July been like any other day
in Dixie, but for long years it had existed only in name
as a holiday. It could not be explained to the slave —
its language was one he could not bear. And so the
firing of guns and burning of fire-crackers in the south
had ceased on the 4th, and come to be done only at
Christmas. That could be satisfactorily explained to
the intelligent chattel, and not unsettle him with the
absurdities of Independence Day. And it was infinitely
better to burn powder in the face of the babe in the
manger, than to talk of liberty to a northern slave.

354 History of the 124TH
We hailed the desire of the few citizens to celebrate
the day according to its old traditions, as an indication
of returning sense, which it was for the interest of all to
cultivate, and so the military met a little squad of them
at Post Headquarters, to choose a committee of arrange
ments and put the' matter in as good shape as possible,
the 124th being represented by Maj. Field. General
orders had previously been issued by Army Corps ahd
Post commanders, as follows, and the programme in full
appeared with them in the Daily Mail, so that all Mont
gomery was fully apprised of what was to be done.
"Headquarters, i6th Army Corps,
Montgomery, Ala., June 28, 1S65.
"General Orders No. 21. J
"Upon Tuesday, the 4th day of July next, the Anni
versary of the Independence of the United States, a
Federal salute of thirteen guns will be fired at sunrise,
and a National salute at meridian, at each military post
and camp of this command provided with artillery and
ammunition. "Division commanders wUl issue the necessary orders
for the proper parades and celebrations, within their
respective commands.
"By order of MAJ. GEN. A. J. SMITH.
J. HOUGH,
Lieut. Col. and Ass't Adj't Gen.
'Official : ^
JAS. B. COMSTOCK, Capt. and Ass't A. G."

Illinois Infantry. 355
"Headquarters, Post of Montgomery,
Montgomery, Ala., June 30, 1S65.
"General Orders No. 11. J
I. Incompliance with General Orders No. 19, Head
quarters 3d Division, i6th Army Corps, current series,
the approaching Anniversary of our National Independ
ence will be observed by the troops of this command
with appropriate ceremonies on Tuesday, the Fourth
day of July next.
II. A Federal salute will be fired at sunrise, and a
National salute at 12 o'clock m.
III. The several military organizations of this com
mand will report promptly at eight o'clock A. M., at these
headquarters, to Brevet Col. J. H. Howe, 124th Illinois
Infantry Volunteers, who will be in command of the
troops during the ceremonies.
IV. A procession will be formed at eight o'clock
A. m. , consisting of the military, city authorities, civic
organizations, and citizens, under the directions of the
Officer of the Day and Marshal of the Day, and proceed
to the grove to join in other ceremonies appropriate to
the occasion.
V. All drinking saloons or places for the sale of in
toxicating liquors will be kept closed during the entire
day, and no spirituous or intoxicating liquors will be
sold or given away ; and all public places of business,
except eating houses, wiU be closed from eight o'clock
A. M., until four o'clock p. m.

356 History of THh 124TH
VI. All loyal citizens are invited to join and take
part in the ceremonies of the occasion, and it is believed
that the present is a most auspicious time for American
citizens to testify their appreciation of the government
under which we live.
"By order of COL. CHARLES TURNER.
W. F. HENRY, Capt. and Post Adjutant.
FOURTH OF JULY.

GRAND CELEBRATION IN MONTGOMERY.

The committee of arrangements have decided upon
the following programme of ceremonies for the celebra
tion of the Anniversary of the Declaration of American
Independence, in Montgomery, on Tuesday next, July
4th, 1865 :
PROGRAMME:

Order of Procession.

Marshal of the Day, H. P. Watson,
Officer of the Day, Maj. L. W. Clark, loSth Regiment
Illinois Infantry,
Music,
Maj. Gen. A. J. Smith and staff,
Brev. Maj. Gen. E. A. Carr and staff".
Post Commandant and staff.
Brigade Commander and staff,

Illinois Infantry. 357

Troops of Third Brigade,
Artillery,
Troops of other commands who may wish to join the
procession. Music,
Mayor and City Council of Montgomery,
Masonic Fraternity,
Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
City Fire Department,
Committee of Arrangements,
Citizens on foot.
Citizens in carriages and on horseback.
ORDER OF movement.
The procession will be formed on Commerce street,
the right resting on the Artesian Basin, and extending
towards the river, and will be put in motion under the
direction of the Officer of the Day and Marshal of the
Day, at eight o'clock a. m,, moving up Market street,
to the Capitol, and down Bainbridge to Madison ; thence
to Perry street, and up Perry to South ; thence to Court
street, and down Court to Roberts' grove, where the
following programme of ceremonies will be observed :
Prayer by Rev. Dr. Petrie,
Music by the Singing Choir,
Reading of the Declaration of Independence, by Chap
lain Howard, 124th Illinois Volunteers,
Music — National Air, by Band,
Oration of the Day — Hon. Milton J. Saffold,
Music by Band,

258 History of the 134TH

committee of arrangements.
Lieut. Col. W. R. LACKLAND,
loSth Reg. IU. Inf ty Vol.
Maj. WM. STUBBS,
Sth Reg. Iowa Inf ty Vol.
Maj. J. P. COWEN,
Sist Reg. IU. Infty Vol.
Col. J. J. SEIBELS,
Col. ED. HARRISON,
JOEL WHITE,
E. H. METCALF,
F. M. GILMER.
July i, 1S65.
By this it will be seen that the arrangements were
complete, and sufficient notice given to ensure a full and
hearty co-operation from every quarter. Five of the
eight members of the committee were citizens, and as
sumed to speak for Montgomery with authority. Col.
Seibels, who had been a foreign minister somewhere, at
some time, was very sanguine as to the result, and had
three citizens put on the programme, to two from the
army, in order to placate and harmonize them, and also
to convince us that they were heartily in sympathy wfth
the- effort ; or rather, three out of four were citizens, for
the Officer of the Day was a daily appointment, and he
had no authority whatever in the procession, that he or
any other officer did not possess before. So it was
Marshal Watson, Chaplain Petrie and Orator Saffold,
from the one side, and Reader Howard from the other.

Illinois Infantry. 359
But this we cared nothing about at the time. We were
only anxious for success, and if Col. Seibels, or any one
else in Montgomery, could lead off to advantage, and
largely aid in the formation of union sentiment, we were
all heartily glad of it, even if thereby he could become
Military Governor of an unreconstructed State, which
seemed to be his object. So we awaited the day with
deep interest, though not without many misgivings
among the more observing. Of course there would be
no failure on our part.
The 4th dawned clear and hot, bidding fair tor a swelt
ering, if nothing more. The Federal salutes were fired
at Post headquarters, and in the contiguous camps, and
the drums beat as usual. But not a sound else disturbed
the stillness. In fact unusual quiet reigned. Not a
hack or dray was on the streets — not a vehicle of any
kind. It was a holiday, therefore no work was being
done, and the places of business were all closed. Soldiers,
officers and colored people could be met on the streets,
but no white citizens. Even the small boy was wanting.
Up to the beating of "fall in," nothing like it for still
ness and desertion had been experienced by us in the
city. Everybody seemed to be gone from home. Not
a piece of bunting was displayed anywhere except where
our bands had raised it. It made us think of a funeral ;
it was far less lively than May ist, which was sacred to
the memory of our martyred President. There was no
note or sign of preparation anywhere. Nobody com
ing into the city from the suburbs or country.

360 History of the 124TH
At last the regiments formed and moved to their sta
tions. Buttoned up to their throats in their sweltering
uniforms, they took their places in comparative silence.
There was no outside inspiration attending a step of
their movements. Soon the Major Generals with their
staffs appeared, our Brigade and Post commanders were
in their places, and the line was formed according to the
programme. Marshal Watson, of the now union city of
Montgomery, Alabama, being in full command. Right
bravely did he flourish his baton over the distinguished
officers and brave men, the veterans of a four years'
war, made necessary, in part, by the action of this same
recusant city. -He, by courtesy, for Montgomery's dear
sake, was our Generalissimo.
But where was Montgomery ? Where was the Civic
portion of the grand procession ? Here were the mili
tary in full, four splendid regiments, with Arm)- Corps,
Division, Brigade and Post commanders and staffs, all
under a civiUan, and untitled, and hitherto unknown
man to us, and one certainly of questionable antecedents
with respect to loyalty. So much we could see. But
where those whose presence alone should entitle him to
the honor of marshaling us ? We certainly did not need
him for simple purposes of command. The Generals
who had led us through the fire and carnage of battle
were surely able to lead us through the streets of a city
in time of peace.
So we looked back on the line for the Mayor and City
Council, but in vain ; for the Masonic Fraternity, and

Illinois Infantry. 361
the Odd-Fellows, but they were not there. Then we
looked forthe Fire Department, the Committee of Ar
rangements, and the citizens on foot, in carriages, and
on horseback, and this is what we saw, one colored hose
company was in line, led by Foreman No. 3. who was
a white man, Foreman No. i refused to appear, and
Foreman No. 2 had sworn he would not, but this one
white man had nobly responded to the demand of his
colored company, and appeared at its head, trumpet in
hand, thus making it possible for it to express its loyalty
on Independence Day, as it could not do, according to
State laws, without' a white foreman. One carriage
brought up the rear, containing the Orator of the Day,
Col. Seibels, and possibly one or two other gentlemen
of the Committee of Arrangements. A beautiful page
ant, truly, in Division No, 2, of the grand procession ;
a colored hose company, and one carriage ; a hundred
black men, and four or five white ones. This was Mont
gomery on the glorious 4th of July, in an old fashioned
celebration ; and the exhibit was a representative one.
What was manifest in the line was true of the city.
Every house was shut, doors, blinds and all, as we
marched through the streets. Not a casement was
open. Not a white female face was seen. Not a hand
kerchief fluttered. Up Market street to the Capitol,
down Bainbridge, and through Madison, Perry, South
and Court, we moved, with our bands playing and ban
ners waving, a military pageant, composed as it was of
a Nation's heroes, that would have profoundly stirred

362 History of the 124TH

any northern city, and brought its citizens by tens of thou
sands to the balconies and streets, with bunting and cam
bric, and bouquets and smiles ; and not even a look of
sympathy and greeting met us anywhere. It seemed
like a great funeral with the dead in every house, or
what was perhaps worse, a march through the grave
yard of our Nation's hopes. We felt insulted. The
only bright thing in sight, besides the burning sun above
us, was in the dusky faces of the members of that hose
company. In them we saw our only friends, and the
Nation's only southern defenders. Many later steps in
reconstruction have doubtless been taken under the in
spiration of such experiences as ours of that day. And
better would it have been for us now, if we had the
white man less, and the colored man more.
But the rest of the story is to be told. Roberts' grove
was reached at last. Our campaign under Marshal
Watson was so far a success. The military was properly
arranged near the stand. There was no trouble about
that, as there was no crowd. Col. Seibels and Judge
Saffold alighted from their lonely carriage and took their
places, and aU was ready to commence, when it was dis
covered that Dr. Petrie, the citizen Chaplain, was not
present. He had thought too much of himself and of
the south, to disgrace either by an appearance. He
was not in sympathy with the day. He was behind the
barred casements at home, mourning over the corpse of
the confederacy. And so there was counseling to be
done among the chieftains of the occasion. Watson

Illinois Infantry. 363
and Seibels, and Saffold put their heads together. Chap
lains were present. Gere and Carner were there in their
uniforms, as well as Howard, and they could not fail to
be recognized. But, no. It would never do to call on
one of them. There was no telling what a northern
man would pray for, if once be started. He might pray
for the confederacy, and that would be an outrage upon
their feelings. And then it would certainly look badly
if Montgomery didn't do pretty much all of it, since
they had started out on that line, especially all there was
any honor in doing. At least that was about the way
their talk sounded to us who did not hear it, but were
quietly awaiting its long deferred termination. But a
very satisfactory way out of the dilemma presented
itself. Rev. Mr. Johnson, pastor of a Protestant Metho
dist church in Montgomery, was espied, sitting under
a tree near by, and invited to come on to the stand and
pray, which he did. And why should he not ? He
had nothing at stake to hinder, like Dr. Petrie. The
Protestant Methodist church was the Benjamin of the
southern Israel, unlike the influential, Presbyterian
church of the Rev. Doctor, and the particular, Protes
tant Methodist church of Montgomery, was one of the
smallest in Benjamin. Nobody of any consequence be
longed to it, and Rev. Mr. Johnson himself was far from
being a Saul. He was not a head and shoulders taller
than his brethren by any means, so he had nothing to
lose personally, and could pray at a fourth of July cele
bration, with union soldiers present, without essential

364 History of the 124TH
damage. In fact, it was more, than suspected, as he sat
alone so strangely and conveniently, that he had been
invited to be there for that very purpose by those who
professed to be greatly surprised at the absence of
Dr. Petrie.
At the close of the very short and common-place
prayer, the "Singing Choir" was found to be absent
also, which was platform failure No. 2. No apology
was offered for it by the distinguished citizens who had
it in charge. The band was invited to play, which it
did, and we of the Glee Club could not but nod at each
other, as we thought of the music that might have been
furnished, had we been invited to sing.
Chaplain Howard then read the Declaration of Inde
pendence with a full, clear voice, and, led to do so by
the painful features of the celebration thus far, gave
marked expression to those portions of it which a liberty-
loving man is glad to hear. The colored hose company
seemed to enjoy it greatly. Probably it was new to the
most of them.
A National air by the band was then given, followed
by the oration, by his honor. Judge Saffold. And what
shaU we say of that ? What, in justice, can we say of
it? We knew that it was a hard place to put a citizen
of Montgomery in, however able and feariess he might
be, and that a prudent man would avoid it. But the
Judge had chosen to assume the responsibilities of the
position. It was a coveted opportunity to him ; one
which should make him famous at the north, and place

Illinois Infantry. 365

him in the front rank of southern reconstruction. It
was a sort of political God-send, which should give him
claims that he could press at Washington in the future ;
and all that was against him. But still we hoped he
would rise to the requirements of the occasion, and en
tertain some just sense of its importance. We did not
expect what we would have liked to hear, sentiments in
full sympathy with loyal, northern thought ; but we did
expect to hear some noble, manly utterances in keeping
with the irresistible logic of passing events. Some allu
sions to the facts of the las; four years, and our presence
there under arms, woven in somewhere, in a way, if not
firm and decided, at least plausible and diplomatic. We
did expect him to advert to the emancipation of the
colored race, if not with express approbation, certainly
as a very proper war measure, and one to which the
former master must prepare to submit.
But we were disappointed. For nearly an hour we
were fed upon what, under the circumstances, seemed
the veriest trash possible. It was a simple exploration
among the ruins of the past, without one allusion to the
present. He lauded our pilgrim fathers at Cape Cod
with great unction, instead of on Plymouth Rock ; dis
covered the Pacific with Balboa and the Mississippi with
DeSoto ; followed the fortunes of the army of the revo
lution, via Valley Forge to Yorktown and a glorious
victory, and called to mind our common heritage in the
triumphs of our arms in ^lexico. He also left our
shores and went backward like the shadow on the dial

366 History of the 124TH
of Ahaz, to Marathon, Thermopylae, and the "base of
Pompey's pillar, where great Caesar lay along," and all
without pointing a living truth, or possessing the merit
of being an illustration. Poor man, how he traveled,
and how disgusted we were with him, as with the fine-
tooth comb of his witless effort he raked among the
ashes of by-gone centuries, and turned bodily away from
all the fires of the living, battling, glowing present. Not
an allusion, even the remotest, did he make to the war,
our flag, emancipation, treason, secession, the union as
such, or the dangers that beset our government, or the
fact of our presence there. If he had been asleep for
five years, and just waked up in time for that speech,
he could not have been more oblivious to the issues of
the hour than he seemed to be. And as we thought of
what he should have said that he did not say, and it be
came apparent that he was about to close without say
ing a word of it, from being simply disgusted, we be
came enraged. We felt insulted, outraged by him. It
was the crowning indignity of the day ; it seemed to be
studied, intended Montgomery had closed its doors
and staid at home in good taste compared with this man,
who had volunteered to be our orator, and thrust him
self upon us on such a sacred occasion, in order to com
pel us to hsten to his ignoring platitudes and senseless
drivel, and leave us shamed and guilty by his sUence,
because we were where we had no call to be, and enga.
ged in doing that which was unworthy a 4th of Julv
mention in our presence. We could not and we would

Illinois Infantry. 367

not submit to any such thing. Whatever his reasons
were — and they were probably those of a shallow time-
server, as we come to see it now — we determined to
change the whole order of things. To be marched and
counter-marched in the broiling sun, as we had been,
through the deserted streets of a contemptuous city, so
many brave men and gallant officers, captured by four
or five double-dealing, pretentious southerners,- and
then to have it all end in this way, was not to be en
dured for a moment. s
So we said to our fellow-soldiers of the other regi
ments, as we left the grove, "Come over to the camp of
the 'hundred and two dozen' when you hear the 'assem
bly,' and we'll have another edition," and they invari
ably replied, "we'll come."
From that time till dusk was principally spent in com
paring notes on what had already transpired, which
proved to be simply manufacturing thunder for the
evening, for the more we thought about the matter and
discussed it, the more indignant we became. There
were no ameliorating circumstances, and no one haz
arded so much as the faintest suspicion that there might
be another view taken of the affair. It was simply out
rageous from beginning to end. And so the long after
noon wore away.
About dusk the "assembly" was beaten with a will
in our beautiful camp, though not before scores were
gathered there. The multitudes soon responded. We
had previously invited in a number of the citizens with

368 History of the 124TH
whom we were somewhat intimate, so that we had sev
eral more of them in the Colonel's tent than were pres
ent at the grand, union celebration in the morning.
They dared turn out now. This would not involve a
loss of southern caste. And t'ne knowledge that some
thing more than usual was going on, had filled all the
balconies and piazzas within sight and hearing of us, the
ladies being largely ni the ascendant.
Next the tent were the soldiers by hundreds, not only
of our own brigade, but of the other commands near us.
Outside of them were the colored people in large num^
bers, both male and female, and beyond them the whites
again. The evening was all that could be desired for
out of door speaking, and its temperature was particu
larly inviting and grateful after the scorching heat of the
day. Nothing outward was wanting to complete the
inspiration of the hour, and all was in a quiver of expect
ation. The exercises began with a stirring song by our
glee club, and notwithstanding the interest that had
given character to our music at Vicksburg after the
election. Captains Field, Merriman and Newland, and
Sergeant Kent never sung before as they did that night.
There was a peculiar emphasis given everything, that
was in marked contrast with the maudlin twaddle of the
day, and "The Star Spangled Banner," "The Union,
Now and Forever," and "A Thousand Years," rang
out upon the evening air like the irrevocable utterances
of the gods set to music, as the time sped on and the
enthusiasm rose higher and higher still.

Illinois Infantry. 369

Col. Howe was the orator of the occasion, and for
over an hour he handled treason and secession with a
master's hand. His denunciations of the leaders in the
rebellion, including its petticoat head, and his warnings
to the slaveocrats of Montgomery were a revelation to
hundreds who heard him ; and why we were there that
day in arms, and what for, though not to their credit,
were not among the debateable things when he had fin
ished. Conviction had been carried to many a heart
which had failed to realize the situation before, and
we were all rejoicing in the opportunity for free speech
at night, which the failure of the morning had afforded
us. After more songs. Chaplain Howard was called for,
who added his testimony to the truth the Colonel had
spoken ; and by the time we closed, if there had re
mained any lingering doubts in the minds of the citi
zens as to who had conquered, in the strife, and
whether the slaves had really been freed, they must
have been dissipated. So our 4th of July was a suc
cess after all, and one of the pleasant memories of our
service is of that night and its ringing utterances.
The War Department having issued instructions
through the Freedman's Bureau for all the colored
people living together as husband and wife to be legally
married or separated, wherever our armies should come,
upon reaching Montgomery there was found to be so
much of that work to do, that Chaplain Buckley, Post
Superintendent of Freedmen, sought assistance, and

370 History of the 124TH
upon the 7th of July I began to aid him by marrying
fourteen couples. I then fitted up a room for my greater
convenience, and within ten days married eighty two
couples more, as my share in this reformatory work,
or ninety-six couples in all.
Most of these were but the legalizing of so called
marriages of long standing, and in many instances the
elite of colored society and the honored members of the
African churches were the subjects. The first day two
rhinisters were married, who had lived with their wives
for years, and raised large families. One of these min
isters was a former slave of the Hon. Henry W. Hill-
iard, and bore his old master's name.
One instance of this re-marrying was peculiarly affect
ing. A woman about fifty years old presented herself,
with others, and said her husband would be in soon,
and wished the papers made out against he came, as he
was in a hurry. She was tall and commanding in ap
pearance, richly dressed, and of more than usual intel
ligence, commending herself at once to the favorable
consideration of a stranger. The papers were comple
ted and one or two waiting couples had been disposed
of, when a short, heavy, yellow man came in, bare
footed, bareheaded, and wearing only a pair of blue
overalls and a red flannel shirt, which was open at the
collar, and sleeves rolled above his elbows. He had a
blacksnake whip in his hand which he cracked a time or
two between the gate and the open door, and he left a
horse and dray standing outside. As he entered he was

Illinois Infantry. 371

addressed by this woman at once as her husband, and took
his place on the floor by her side, with the whip still in
his hand. The simple service was soon over, and at its
close he turned to his new wife, with whom he had lived
more than thirty years — I having married their daugh
ter who was thirty years old, in the forenoon — and rais
ing his right hand and eyes toward heaven, while the
great tears rolled down his cheeks, he said, "I thank
thee, O God, that I have been permitted to live to kiss
my wife," and then kissed her with a tenderness that was
indescribable. My eyes, too, filled with tears as I wit
nessed the scene, and I said, ' 'Despite all his deceptive
appearances and disadvantages, here is one of nature's
noblemen. " He then offered me a five dollar bill, which
I refused to take, affirming that I could not rob a freed-
man of an hour*^ earnings. Then he asked me how much

I would take, aading, "I wish you to understand that
this is worth something to me, sir." I replied, "The fee
for recording at the Freedmen's Bureau is fifty cents, and
if you choose you may give me a little more. " He handed
me a two dollar bill, with profuse thanks, went out with
his wife, cracking his whip, and, leaving her to go home
alone as she came, mounted his dray, and drove off", as
happy a man as I ever saw.
This marrying resulted in keeping my room liberally
supplied with fruit of all kinds known to the season and
place, and with the richest of cakes in great profusion,
as expressions of gratitude for the service rendered, on

372 History of the i 24TH

the part of those who had little else to give. The fifty
cents for recording, and a great watermelon, or a peck
of peaches and figs for the certificate, made it all right.
And the day we left Montgomery I was escorted by
hundreds of these grateful people to the steamboat land
ing, in a hack which they had furnished, and bidden
good by with as deep and genuine regrets as are experi
enced by those of whiter faces, and they were fully re
ciprocated by me.
About this time the certainty of our being speedily
discharged, led us to begin to "trim ship," and as apart
of that work the field officers all disposed of their horses,
and from thenceforth went on foot ; hence there could
be no more reviews. All that was past, and in sympa
thy with it our dress-parade ceased. Fortunately for us
horses were in tolerably good demand in Montgomery.
Quartermaster Reece, too, was ordered to turn over
aU his splendid teams, which was a great grief to him
and Durley, and shared in by us all. But the teamsters,
poor fellows, felt it the most keenly. It was really a
breaking up to them, and as they sauntered around after
their mules were gone, like Othello, without an occupa
tion, they were really to be pitied. But they had the
satisfaction of hearing the Post Quartermaster say, their
teams were the best he had ever receipted for.
After the wounding of Adjutant Smith, at Spanish
Fort, Serg't. Maj. Wharton acted as Adjutant, and his
promotion to a 1st Lieutenancy was at last obtained,

Illinois Infantry. 373

but he was not mustered on account of our leaving the
service so soon. Since leaving Vicksburg, however, we
had secured the prortiotion and muster of 2d Lieutenants
Thomas P. Price, of company D ; Wm. B, Day, of
company G ; James A. Griffith, of company I ; and
John B. Mabry, of company K ; while Harvey B. Pow
ers, of company E, and Geo. M. Cronk, of company
H, were commissioned 2d Lieutenants, but not mustered.
Col. Howe was also brevetted Brigadier General, and
Maj. Mann was commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel, and
Capt. Field, Major.
The last few weeks of our stay in this city were ex
tremely hot, the thermometer creeping up to Ii2°in
the shade,, on the 7th of July. But there was very lit
tle, sickness in the regiment, and we did not lose a man
during all our stay in Alabama, after leaving Spanish
Fort. Rumors of leaving became very abundant soon after
the 4th, and as usual they were of all kinds and shapes.
Sometimes we were going back to New Orleans, and
home by way of the Atlantic and Washington. Some
times we were to be mustered out where we were,
and scatter as we chose, and one day it was confidently
affirmed that the muster-out officer had arrived for that
purpose. But most of the rumors made Vicksburg the
first objective point, from which we were to go north in
a body, which proved to be correct. And we had not
long to wait for their confirmation. Orders were re-

374 History of the 124TH

ceived to prepare rolls upon which to transfer our re
cruits to other organizations, and we went about it in
earnest, realizing that the end was near. On the 14th of
July some Missouri troops started for home, and the ice
was broken, as the boys called it.
On Sunday, the i6th, orders were received to embark
on the first boat for Vicksburg. All was on the qui vive
in an instant. The day that had been quiet as Sunday
should be till that moment, was quiet no longer. Home
seemed very near, and every heart was throbbing. We
were the first Illinois regiment to move, thanks to the
influence and indomitable energy of Gen. Howe. A
heavy rain and wind came on in the afternoon, but did
not abate our ardor in the least, and we could have em
barked in an hour had there been a boat.
Early in the morning of the 17th word was brought
that a steamer was at the landing ready for us, and
though it was raining quite hard, our boys immediately
struck their tents, and were anxiously awaiting orders to
go on board. Our neighbors of the other regiments
were all greatly surprised at the celerity of our move
ments in getting off", as none of them were yet readv.
But though they envied us, they rejoiced at our good
fortune, and bade us say in lUinois that they were com
ing. At halfpast one o'clock we were all safely be
stowed upon the steamer "Virginia," having bidden
good by to Gen. Carr and staff, and the hundreds of
others who were there to see us off". The bell rung, the

Illinois Infantry. 375
plank was pulled in, and we swung out into the Ala
bama, and headed down the stream for Selma and Vicks
burg, en route for home, bidding farewell to Mont
gomery, most of us, forever.
We reached Selma about ten o'clock at night, and re
mained on the boat tiU morning, most of us getting a
tolerable night's rest. We debarked early, breakfasted
from our haversacks and at restaurants — our officers'
mess, at least, being defunct — and went on board the
cars at eight o'clock for Demopolis. A few of us im
proved the brief moment before starting in visiting the
ruins of the Confederate States Arsenal, as the grand
cavalry raider. Gen. Wilson, left them. The destruc
tion was found to be very complete, but our regrets
were few.
Soon after starting we crossed two very pokerish
bridges, one of which was over the Cahaba. They
were simply a track laid on pine piles, in some instan
ces, as it seemed to us, as many as thirty or forty feet
high, and our heavily loaded train swayed its frail sup
ports to and fro, as we slowly rolled over them, giving
us a real scare. But we crossed in safety, and accord
ing to the old proverb, ought to speak well of the bridges,
though we confess to no desire to repeat the ride.
At two p. m. we found ourselves at Demopolis, and
went on board the ferry-boat "Robert Watson," steam
ing down the Tombigbee to McDowell's Landing.
There we found the 117th Illinois on their way home.

376 History of the 124TH
and had to wait for them to get off. In about an hour
we followed them on a train for Meridian, Mississippi.
Having only box cars and not enough of them, our
accommodations were not very good, and many of us
took the roofs of the cars for sleeping purposes, in pref
erence to the crowded, suffocating insides, and we en
joyed our risky choice amazingly.
About three o'clock a. m., the 19th of July, we were
awakened by the statement that we were once more in
Meridian ; that Meridian to which we had paid our
respects in February, 1864, and left in ashes. We re
made our beds upon the platform at the depot, and
wherever else we could make ourselves comfortable, to
finish our night's sleep. But unlike the old time, we
did not lie upon our arms, or put out any guards.
Meridian had become quiet and safe.
That day we spent where we were, and transferred
our recruits to the 33d Illinois, which was in camp there.
It was hard for the boys to leave us, and hard for us to
part with them. Some of them had been with us ever
since we went to the front, sharing with us in aU our
campaigns, and it seemed especially hard for them to be
obliged to stay while we went home, because they had
a few days less time to their credit. But there was no
alternative. Dvringthe day the Sist and 114th Illinois, and the
loth Minnesota came in, on their way home which

Illinois Infantry. 377
made the forlorn looking place quite lively. The citi
zens seemed determined to improve their opportunity
for making up their war losses while we were tlere, as
far as possible, charging us a dollar for meals, and, as
Allaire says, "Setting on victuals no one could eat."
But we could stand it one day, especially as we were
going home.
The 20th we were on the cars again, for Jackson, and
rather enjoyed the ride. It is true we had only box
cars, but we had more of them, so we could make our
selves more comfortable, and it was in the daytime and
tolerably pleasant. And at every place the train stop
ped the inhabitants came flocking with watermelons for
sale, which were disposed of so cheaply, unlike the Meri
dian dinners, that we all indulged in them, and they
became the rage. Nearly everybody was cutting mel
ons, and saying, "Now try a piece of my melon," and,
"You must help me eat mine," all the way to Jackson.
Great, luscious forty-pounders, for ten or fifteen cents
apiece ; we have never seen their like since, either for
size or sweetness. Gen. Gholson, who tried a hand
with us at Jackson Cross Roads, in July, 1S64, and lost
a hand in doing it, was with us on the train, and shared
our watermelons, learning that we were a part of the
force he did not whip that day.
We reached Jackson about four o'clock in the after
noon, and Reece obtained transportation for our bag
gage across Pearl river, where it awaited a wagon train

378 History of the 124TH

to the Big Black. We rested awhile and then started
out to march a few miles in the cool of the evening, as
the railroad was not in operation, and the distance to the
Big Black had to be made on foot. Many of the officers
took hacks, paying as high as ten dollars ap'ece for the
ride, and pushing on all night, reached Vicksburg the
next day. The men, too, clubbed together many of
them, and hired mule teams to carry their personal bag
gage, paying in one or two instances, fifty dollars a com
pany. This was the more necessary as many of them
had extra loads in the shape of bird-cages with young
mocking birds, and other things they were anxious to
get home as souvenirs of the war.
A few miles out the regiment halted for the night,
and the next day moved on to Edwards' Station, pass
ing through Clinton, and over our old battle-field of
Champion Hills for the last time, and getting into camp
about ten at night, having rested during the heat of the
day. On Saturday, the 22d, the Big Black was reached
once more, and the cars carried the last of us into Vicks
burg, where we found lodgment in the Cherry street
barracks, having finished our last' march in the service.
And a trying one it had been, in the heat and dust, after
so long relaxation at Montgomery. We found Lieut.
Taylor, of company F, Quartermaster at Big Black,
who rendered many of us kindly aid in our need, and
proceeded to get ready to go home with us.

Illinois Infantry. 379
But our fatiguing march from Jackson was not so sad
as our ride from the Big Black, for one of our brave
men, Benjamin A. Noble, of company G, was sunstruck
on the roof of a car, and died soon after reaching the
depot in Vicksburg. To pass through so much un
scathed, and die thus, on his 'A^ay home was, indeed,
strange.

380 History of the 124TH

CHAPTER XXII,

Muster-out rolls. — Headquarters at the Washington House. — Equip
ments turned over. — The work supposed to be finished. — Lind mar
ried. — On the "Ida Handy, "and good by to Vicksburg. — Aground.
— Mouth of White river. — The last sermon. — At Cairo. — On a "wild
train" of 35 cars with the 76th Illinois — Through the State. — At
Chicago. — Soldier's Rest. — Grand reception at the Court House. —
Papers defective. —Camp Douglas.— Two weeks of waiting.— 7HJttm«
article. Ed. McGlynn. — Paid off and free at last. — Testimonials to
Reece and Durley. — OflE for home. — Reception at Kewanee. — The
war-path ended.

M

ONDAY, JULY 24th. saw us aU at work on mus-
. yi. ter-out rolls and final papers. No one whose hand
was clerkly was idle. Our headquarters were at the
Washington House, where Gen. Howe staid, and in his
rooms every step was discussed, and every effort put forth
to ensure the greatest dispatch. Tuesday was devoted to
the same tasks, and a part of Wednesday, when the
roUs being finished, our equipments, eiccept our arms,
were turned over, and we passed through the formality,
as we supposed, of a complete muster-out. But our
rolls were not signed, as we could not be paid in fuU

Illinois Infantry. 381
where we were, our time being incomplete, and we were
ordered to report at Chicago for final payment, and our
discharge papers.
Thursday some other little details were attended to,
by the direction of the mustering officer, and we were
ready to start for home on the first suitable boat. We
did not propose to take an unsuitable one if we could
avoid it.
But before we could get off" another little affair, which
was a muster-in, instead of a muster-out, had to be at
tended to at the Washington House, in the shape of a
wedding. Andrew Lind, of company A, who had so
long been Col. Howe's orderly, had found a buxom
widow in Vicksburg, by the name of Mrs. Josephine S.
Burland. who was willing to accompany him to his
northern home. So the aid of the Chaplain was invoked,
and the last official act of our long, Vicksburg sojourn
was the making of so much of the north and south, one.
The 28th of July the "Ida Handy" reached the land
ing from below about three o'clock, and we were soon
on board of her with all our remaining effects. At five
p. m., we got off", and were steaming up the "Father of
Waters" on our last trip, having said farewell to our
many friends, and also to the bloody hills of Vicksburg.
Two incidents occurred on the 29th, which were of
some interest to us at the time. One was getting
aground, where we lay about three hours, to our great
disgust. But we were finally pulled off by the "Bos-
tona" and "Gunboat No. lO," and were on our way
again, though with less confidence in the management

382 History of the 124TH

of the steamer. No vessel going up the river, and
as slowly as we were, should get aground so badly.
Going down stream with the current to set us on harder
would have been pardonable.
The other incident occurred at the mouth of White
river, where the 6th Kansas regiment was ordered on
board, with us for Cairo, and the Captain of the boat
raised no objection. But Gen. Howe, remembering the
"Sultana" horror, from overcrowding, and having had
enough of the sardine packing business on the "Guiding
Star," ordered them off" the boat. In this he was most
heartily sustained by every member of our regiment,
though we deeply sympathized with the Kansas boys
in their impatience and disappointment. In the eve
ning we indulged in a little of our old "piney woods"
music, in the cabin, and gave "Old Shady," with other
pieces, a sort of going home emphasis.
Sunday evening, July 30th, the Chaplain preached his
last sermon to the regiment, in the cabin, from Gen.
13: 12, 13. It was an earnest appeal to the men, upon
their engaging in the pursuits of peace, among which
they were at liberty to choose, not to pitch their tents
toward Sodom simply because the plain was well
watered, but to counsel with God, and pitch in the plain
of Mamre, which is Hebron. And it closed with the
hope that all the dear old regiment, so soon to be sepa
rated on earth, might be re-united in Heaven.
On Monday we reached Memphis at two a. m , and
made but a short stop, leaving again a little after day-

Illinois Infantry. 383
light. But short as our stay was, the "Grey Eagle"
passed us there, with the 76th Illinois on board, making
us think regretfully of our three hours on the sand-bar,
and an.xious about our transportation from Cairo. But
we could not help ourselves. They were ahead, and
our boat stubbornly refused to run only about eight
miles an hour.
A httle after noon on the ist day of August, we reached
Cairo, and once more were upon the soil of our own
State as a regiment, what was left of us. Sadly we
looked down the river, up which we had just come, and
thought of our brave comrades who had gone down
that same dark stream to die. They once stood with us
here in their strength and hope, but they are not with
us now. Our ranks have been greatly thinned by our
part in a Nation's sacrifice. But we had little time to
indulge in sad thoughts, even for men so worthy, for we
were almost home, and there was joy ahead.
To make sure of transportation upon reaching Illinois,
and knowing the 76th were ready to leave Vicksburg
when we did, Reece had telegraphed from there to Cap
tain Black, at Cairo, to provide especially for us. But
the dispatch was not received, and the 76th were there
first. So upon Gen. Howe's reporting our arrival, he
was advised to go back on board the steamer and pro
ceed to St. Louis, as it would be two or three days be
fore cars could be furnished us at Cairo. Here was a
dilemma, and one which found us but poorly provided
with patience. To be run by and headed off" after such

384 History of the 124TH

a fashion, was peculiariy trying. But the same energy
and perseverance that had served us so well in many
an emergency in Dixie, prevailed in Cairo, for the
authorities were manipulated into consenting to put both
regiments on a freight train and start us off" together.
This was much better than waiting, especially if we
had to see the 76th leave in passenger coaches. We
were on a level now, and our pride demanded that.
So at four o'clock, having been in Cairo only a little
over three hours, both regiments were loaded on a "wild
train," as one without any right of way is called, con
sisting of thirty-five freight cars ; and, covering roofs as
well as filling the insides, a moving mass of blue, we
started in great glee on our triumphal procession through
the whole length of our home State.
Our train was so heavy that from Centralia it required
two engines to draw it, and being a wild one, we some
times ran very slowly, as we could go but a little dis
tance before being obliged to wait for those who had
the right of way. But wherever we came we were re
ceived with the greatest enthusiasm and the heartiest wel
come. Crowds flocked to the depots to greet us, and
handkerchiefs waved from countless windows and balco
nies by the way. At Champaign City, owing to the
company of the 76th, which was partly raised in Cham
paign county, bountiful refreshments were awaiting us,
provided by the ladies, and we stopped about three
hours to enjoy them. Many of our comrades of that
regiment met their wives and children there, and we

Illinois Infantry. 385
rejoiced with them in their greetings, only to long
more impatiently to go forward to ours. We became
greatly wearied by our positions on the long trip,
being without seats only as our feet dangled from
the roofs of the cars, or we sat upon the floors.
But at last, about nine o'clock Thursday morning,
August 3d, after being forty- one hours on the way, we
slowly rolled along the shore of Lake Michigan into the
great union depot, at the foot of Lake street, Chicago,
and this, our last ride together, all in blue, was ended.
Chicago was all astir to receive us. From the time
that we came near the first house in the city, men,
women and children stood ready to give us a cordial
welcome. "This is grand," said Capt. Stafford, as we
rode along the lake front, past the myriads of waving
cambrics, where even the business of the great city
seemed to pause to do us honor.
We were seized upon by a committee of citizens as
soon as we alighted from the train, and hurried away to
the Soldiers' Rest for breakfast. And even now we well
remember that we did ample justice to the bill of fare,
waited upon as we were by those whose bright smiles
and kind attentions made us doubly welcome.
From breakfast, which we were a little long in dis
cussing, we were marched to the Court House, where a
public reception awaited us, an account of which we
copy in fuU from the Tribune of that date, omitting the
historical sketches and rosters :

386 History of the 124TH
"At an early hour yesterday morning, the 124th and
76th regiments of Illinois volunteers arrived here, the
former direct from Montgomery, Alabama, and the lat
ter from Galveston, Texas. They breakfasted at the
Soldiers' Rest, and at a little after twelve o'clock marched
up to the Court House square, where, under direction
of Colonel Bowen, of the Governor's staff", a reception
was tendered them. A very large concourse of people
assembled to greet the returning veterans when they
marched up before the Court House, the 76th on the
right, and by division closed in mass. They were
greeted with a succession of the most hearty and enthu
siastic cheers, warmly expressing the proud and grateful
feelings with which our people regard their gallant de
fenders. When the cheers had ceased and the band had
brought to a close one of those elaborate and patriotic
airs which, once commenced; they always persevere in
finishing, under aU circumstances, Mayor Rice addressed
the soldiers in a few warm hearted words of welcome,
speaking of the noble sacrifices they had made, and the
courage and discipline by which they had won their ever
green laurels of victory, and aided in saving the life of
the Nation. He was succeeded by Hon. I. N. Arnold,
who made an eloquent speech of considerable length, in
which he spoke of the gallantry of the regiments before
him, the arduous service and the terrible battles which
they had endured, and of the gratitude toward them
which fiUed every loyal American heart.

Illinois Infantry. 387

"Colonel A. W. Mack, the former commandant of
the 76th regiment, made a brief, but pointed and spirited
address. "Colonel J. H. Howe made the first response in be-
lialf of the 124th regiment. He spoke first of the grati
tude they felt for the warm reception they had just
received, and then with commendable pride in the brave
boys under his command, reverted to the toils, dangers
and hardships they had undergone without murmuring,
and with the highest honor to themselves and the
country. 'Ihey went forth at the darkest hour of our
great struggle, leaving behind them all men hold dear
on earth, next to country and honor, with a full con
sciousness of the severity of the conflict in which they
were about to engage, but sustained by a noble and pat
riotic sense of duty. In all their service, during which
they have marched over seven thousand miles, and been
engaged in two sieges and twenty-four pitched battles
and skirmishes, they have never been obliged to fall
back before the enemy, have never failed to drive him
wherever brought into action, and have borne their bat
tle flag without a single stain, except those which have
fallen on it from the blood of its brave defenders.
Although it had been the fortune of other regiments, as
brave and thoroughly disciplined as they, to be at times
repulsed, the 124th had to thank God that they had
never been so unfortunate, but that victory had always
attended their arms. In conclusion he again returned
thanks to the people of Chicago, and especially to the

388 History of the 124TH
D  — ,
ladies both of this city and the rest of Illinois, for their
unremitting attention to the wants of the soldiers in the
field, and the hearty welcome they extended to them on
their return home.
"Colonel S. T. Busey remarked that Col. Howe had
so weU expressed all he felt that there was little or
nothing left for him to say, except to return his thanks
in behalf of his command for the warm reception and
kind treatment they had received, and this he did with
his whole heart.
"On the conclusion of Col. Busey's brief remarks,
the band performed the "Star Spangled Banner, " the
regiments marched by the flank out of the square, then
opened ranks and assumed the handsome but unusual
marching order of "knapsack rest," or "cross shoulder
shift," and thus disappeared down Washington street,
amid the long continued cheers of the assembled thous
ands of citizens. A finer looking body of soldiers has
scarce ever been seen in our streets, weU used as our
city is to military display. They marched with an erect
and easy carriage, accuracy of step and time, which
stamped them at once as thoroughly disciplined veter
ans, and drew forth the highest encomiums from those
who witnessed their marching.
"At the Soldiers' Rest they partook of an excellent
dinner, furnished by the ladies of the Rest, aided by the
citizens' committee, under the management of Colonel
Bowen, and then marched out to Camp Douglas."

Illinois Infantry. 389
The sketch from the Tribune makes the further state
ment, that the regiment returned with only four hundred,
officers and men, the remainder having been killed in bat
tle, died of disease contracted in the army, been dis
charged from disability, resigned or transferred. This
was substantially correct, as the subsequent figures will
show. So far the 3d day of August, 1S65, had been very
pleasant, and we had drank deeply of its happiness.
But ere nightfall our joy had all vanished, and we were
entering upon one of the most vexatious and uncalled
for experiences of our army life. It was true we were
well cared for and quite comfortable, outwardly. We
were among friends with no enemy to meet in deadly
conflict, or trying march to make. But what seemed to
us the very worst thing possible under the circumstan
ces, occurred. Our muster-out papers were pronounced
defective, and that placed us in a worse condition than
as though we had done nothing at Vicksburg. To have
been bungled over by one officer so far away, was to
hinder others from undertaking our case.
But there was a possibility that the matter might be
remedied by addressing the authorities at Washington,
and on that hope we rested for a time, assured that the
officers in Chicago would do all they possibly could for
us. While the correspondence was going on, some few
obtained leave of absence and went home for a day or
two. It was almost impossible for them to do other
wise, being so near their loved ones from whom they

390 History of the 124TH
had been separated so long. Others had their wives
come to them as soon as the dilemma presented itself,
and several of the officers went to the hotels on that
account. But the regiment remained at Camp Douglas,
and there the officers were present a part of the time at
least each day till the end came.
Our worst fears were all reahzed. The officer at
Vicksburg had signed nothing, and the officers in Chi
cago could not complete his work. Neither could they
undertake anew for us till specially directed to that
effect, and the time consumed in waiting and corres
ponding, with that necessarily required to do the work
all over again when permitted to go about it, dragged
on almost interminably. Not till the evening of the
1 6th, two long weeks, were we released from our sense
less thralldom. The following from the Trihine pre
sents the case somewhat forcibly :
"The 124th regiment lUinois volunteers, are just now
in no little trouble about their muster-out of the service.
They claim to be mustered out, and show an order from
one commanding General, sending them to Vicksburg
to be mustered out, and another from another General,
directing their muster-out after their arrival there. But
the mustering officer, whoever he was, has not signed a
single one of their muster-rolls or discharges, so that
there is no official knowledge here of that important
ceremonial having been gone through with. There can
be no doubt that their statements are true, but through
the lamentable ignorance of the mustering-out officer

Illinois Infantry. 391
they are now unable to get their pay or be discharged
until that point is settled.
"For the past two days Capt. Pomeroy, United
States Mustering Officer here, has been telegraphing
and corresponding with the department, with a view to
the adjustment of the difficulty, but matters still remain
in statu quo.
"Meanwhile the regiment expresses itself with no
small degree of force in the premises, and in a manner
fully just, but decidedly uncomplimentary to the mus
tering-out officer.
"We have already had occasion to refer more than
once to the almost incalculable trouble and annoyance,
occasioned by the stupidity or carelessness of officers in
the field, to whom this and other like important duties
have been intrusted ; and again we do so even more
strongly than before, as this is a peculiarly aggravated
case. Heretofore the sufferers have been but individu
als. But now, by the inconceivable and immeasurable
stupidity of one shoulder-strapped official, a whole regi
ment of several hundred men are kept in the most
annoying suspense for days and possibly weeks, just at
the time when they are most anxious to be free to hasten
to their loved ones to whom they are brought so near."
The day before our discharge, one of our number,
who had come to Chicago in good health, was released
by another mustering-out officer. The delay of red tape
is aU unknown to death. Poor Ed. McGlynn, of com
pany E, was found dying in camp of a congestive chUl,

392 History of the 124TH

the morning of the 15 th. The excesses of a weary
waiting among the temptations of Chicago had been too
great for him, and in the midst of the formalities of our
glad release from our three years of service, he was lying
among us cold in death, having gone through the perils
and hardships of the war to die like Abner, at the
last. But the good time coming finally came, though
"It was long, long, long on the way,"
and on the 15th our new rolls were completed, the re
quisite formalities gone through with again, our guns
turned over, and Capt. Geo. W. HiU, of the 13th
United States infantry, began to sign our discharges.
while Maj. H. B. Reece commenced to pay us off", and
by the evening of the i6th the work was done, the regi
ment disbanded, and most of us had gone our ways to
meet no more tUlthe Roll-call over the River, the sadness
of our farewells being greatly lessened by our impatience
to share in the delights of other scenes awaiting us.
While we were awaiting our discharge a very pleas
ant event occurred in the parlors of the Adams House,
where Quartermaster Reece with his amiable wife were
stopping. It was the presentation of testimonials of
respect and appreciation from the officers of the regi
ment to him and Q. M. Serg't. Durley, for their re
markably efficient discharge of the duties of the Quarter
master's Department. The gifts were two neat gold
and silver medals, and the presentation was made by

Illinois Infantry. 393
Gen. Howe in a very happy speech, in which he re
viewed the history of the Quartermaster's Department
in a way to show that the gifts were no empty compli
ments. The whole was richly enjoyed by the officers
present, and was a perfect surprise to Reece, which he
laughingly says now, all ought to have known from the
very eloquent speech which he did not make. So still
had the whole thing been kept that Durley was not
present, and had to receive his medal subsequently,
because he could not be found for the occasion.
It had been arranged that the companies going down
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, should get
off together if possible, on the evening of the i6th, and
this was partially done, so that, while it effected but
little at Aurora, where three companies stopped, it ac
complished something at Kewanee the morning of the
1 7th, where the citizens were awaiting the arrival of the
train at seven o'clock, with a sumptuous breakfast pre
pared. Companies A and F, with Gen. Howe, were at
home there, and all were wild with delight. Large por
tions of D and I were in company, and shared in the
feast and welcome. That evening a general reception
was given to the returned veterans, in every way worthy
of the occasion, the men and the place. And other por
tions of the regiment were similarly welcomed and
feasted at their respective homes.
While rejoicing in the sense of our freedom and the
delights of home, more than one of us strangely missed

394 History of the 124TH
the old routine, and was sad at the absence of the tent-
mates and comrades whose hearts had been knit together
in the same privations, and welded in the same strife.
There was an abruptness about it all that troubled us.
But gradually we fell back into our old habits and re
turned to the pursuits of peace, not sorry that the war
path which had led us so far, and for eighty-two days.
and sixty nights under the enemy's fire, was ended.

Illinois Infantry. 395

CHAPTER XXIII.

RELIGIOUS.
Ministers in the regiment. — Services in the barracks. — Chaplain Fos
kett. — All new to us. — Somewhat discouraged. — Ranks thinned. —
Change of Chaplains. — Better opportunities. — Form a church. — Its
of&cers. — Subscription for reading. — Bible dictionaries. — Protracted
meetings. — The Christian Commission. — Singing school. — -Bible
class. — Weekly prayer meetings. — Chaplain in the State House at
Montgomery. — ^African emotion. — Church los.ses by death. — Letters
given and church disbanded.
FEW REGIMENTS entered the service with as strong
a religious force as the 124th. It numbered fifteen
ministers in the ranks, besides its Chaplain, nearly if not
quite equaling the 73d Illinois in that respect, which was
usually known as "the preachers regiment." There
belonged as follows :
Company C — ist Lieut. John W. Terry,
" Private Reuben Gregg.
Company D — Capt. Stephen Brink,
" Private Victor M. Dewey,
" L. C. Kelsey.

396 History of the 124TH
Company I — Capt. Thos. K. Roach,
1st Lieut. R. L. Howard,
Orderly Joseph Lyon,
2d Serg't. Joel H. Masten,
" Corporal Milo Hobart,
Dexter Millay,
" Private G. Miles Colwell,
" " Haywood Howell,
" Elijah G. Lyon.
Company K — Capt. James H. Morgan.
Of these, five were Free Baptists, four were Episco
pal Methodists, three Cumberland Presbyterians, and
one each, Baptist, Wesleyan Methodist, and Unitarian,
several of whom left their pulpits for the field only from
a stern sense of duty to their country, and because so
many of their members were going into the service and
needed them.
With so many ministers it necessarily followed that
the per cent, of professing Christians in the regiment
must have been very large, and something to be truly
thankful for, on the part of all those who cared for its
moral and spiritual interests.
Among those who were not ministers were many
whose piety and religious influence were quite as marked
and effective, as in many who were, and it promised to
be comparatively easy for us to maintain religious inter
ests, and make spiritual progress despite the inevitable
hindrances of the service.

Illinois Infantry. 397
We commenced our weekly prayer meetings at Camp
Butler, as soon as our barracks were built, and we had a
place to hold them. They were seasons of deep inter
est. In addition to the Sunday morning services by
the Chaplain, we had afternoon preaching in the bar
racks by Capt. Brink, Lieut. Howard, and others, so
that some of us were really gainers in religious privileges
by being in the service. And all our meetings appeared
to be well appreciated.
Chaplain Foskett entered upon thfe duties of his office
with commendable zeal, and the confidence of the regi
ment. While in Camp Butler nothing occurred to seri
ously interfere with our volunteer services, or more
than once or twice with our Sunday preaching. So we
had no knowledge there of the difficulties and trials
awaiting us. Of course we understood that a portion of
both officers and men were indifferent as to whether we
had any Chaplain, or religious services ; but we were
prepared to prosecute our Christian work, as at home,
notwithstanding that, and even to make some head
against serious opposition in case it 'vvas encountered,
which, we are glad to be able to say, was not. Strong
as we were we anticipated but little real trouble from
any source.
And so we went to the field. Learning of our minis
terial personnel, other regiments began to draw upon us
for assistance, both in burying their dead, and conduct
ing divine service; and scarcely a Sunday passed in

398 History of the 124TH

camp without some of our ministers being on duty else
where, besides our sustaining our own work.
But the details of the service in the field were
found to be engrossing, new to us as it all was,
and what was worse, the conditions of our religious
privileges were equally new, and very unyielding. We
knew not how to take advantage of anything. We
could really be sure of no one at any time. Permanent
details and sickness took away our men. Sunday
seemed to be the favorite day for parades, inspections
and reviews. There was no time to preach or pray.
And there was an incongruity be:ween our calling, and
our profession as Christians, that for a time threaten
the foundations of our faith and our character together.
War with its Sunday desecration and spirit was so un
like the peace and teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.
They appeared to be irreconcilable. Even our Chap
lain began to be discouraged. We had no regimental
prayer meeting under his control, our social meetings
all being company gatherings, which he had seldom
attended, and as the service began to tell upon us to our
hurt, and our Sunday services were less frequently held,
and more thinly attended, he appeared to regard the
religious prospects of the regiment as comparatively
hopeless. And so passed our first winter, during which
we all felt that we were losing spiritual ground.
And some of our ministers were among the first to
leave us. Capt. Morgan resigned, Hobart and Gregg
were detached, E. G. Lyon and HoweU were discharged.

Illinois Infantry. 399
and others were sick. And the same was true of many
of our most reliable Christian men. The dark days of
our regiment, spiritually, as well as otherwise, were
upon us, and our hearts and hopes fainted.
At Berry's Landing, in March, we had some deeply
interesting meetings, which somewhat revived and
cheered us. Chaplain Foskett brought Chaplain But
ton, of the 20th Illinois, to his aid, who preached to us
two or three evenings, and our ministers entered zeal
ously into the work. The voice of prayer was heard
every evening for two weeks or more in some of our
tents, and from some lips before unused to pray.
But the Vicksburg campaign was upon us, and that
put an effectual period to all our services for a time.
During the seige Chaplain Foskett went to the Division
Hospital, where he could be of most service to the sick
and wounded, and from there, his eyes failing him, he
left us for home before the surrender, his resignation
bearing date July ist, 1863.
That left us without any official religious direction,
though after we settled down quietly in camp once more
we resumed our prayer meetings, and had preaching as
formerly by some one of our ministers. During, or
soon after the close of the seige, Captains Brink and
Roach and Lieutenant Terry resigned, which still far
ther reduced our effective ministerial force, leaving us
but four out of our former number of fifteen, upon whom
we could rely.

400 History of the 124TH
The Christian men of the regiment seemed to appre
hend its condition and wants, and immediately set about
securing a Chaplain, which was done by the promotion
of Lieutenant Howard, of Company I, to that position,
upon a petition signed by all the officers in the regi
ment, as stated in Chapter 10.
He entered upon the discharge of his duties Septem
ber 9, 1863, with the full confidence of the regiment,
and with some advantages which his predecessor had
necessarily lacked. These were chiefly, an experience
in the field and the work ; a more favorable state of
mind in the regiment, owing somewhat to the rigors of
the seige and summer, and somewhat to our having been
longer in the service, so that we had adjusted ourselves
to our recognized wants, and were now able to meet
them ; and a period of comparative quiet which afforded
better opportunities for work than had been previously
enjoyed. One of the first things done under the new Chaplain,
after the extension of the prayer meeting boundaries to
include all, by having it at his tent, was the organization
of a regimental church, which should throw around its
members the restraints and influences, and finvest them
with the responsibilities of churches at home In this
he was heartily supported by every active Christian in
the regiment. A fuU account of the organization is in.
serted, with the covenant and accompanying articles :
' ' It being deemed necessary in some way to secure
the utmost harmony in effort, and the co-operation of

Illinois Infantry. 401

all Christians in the regiment, in promoting the interests
of the cause of Christ therein ; after advising with sev
eral of the brethren, a meeting was called by the Chap
lain to be held at three o'clock p. m, , on Sunday, October
4th, 1863, to take into consideration the propriety of
organizing a Regimental Christian Association."
"Sunday, Oct. 4th, 1863.
'• Met according to appointment. Opened the meet
ing with prayer. The subject of the oall was earnestly
discussed by the brethren, and the opinion was unan
imous in favor of such an organization. On motion, a
committee of three, consisting of Chaplain R. L. How
ard, Captain H. L. Field and Lieutenant Abraham
Newland, was appointed to draft a Covenant and resolu
tions, and report the result in one week.
" A committee of two was also appointed, consisting
of Rev. Victor M. Dewey and Sergeant Wm. C. Kent,
to write a letter of sympathy and condolence to sister
Oman, widow of brother Henry Oman, of Company A,
¦recently deceased, expressing the confidence of the
meeting and regiment in his Christian character and tri
umphant death.
" Adjourned to meet in one week."
"Sunday, Oct. nth, 1863.
'•Met according to adjournment. After other ser
vices were through, the committee appointed one week
ago reported the following, which was unanimously
adopted by the brethren present. The letter for Mrs.

402 History of the 124TH

Oman was also read and requested to be sent, as ex
pressing the views and feeling of the meeting.
"H. L. FIELD, Secretary."
• ' Covenant and Articles of Association of the Christian
Union of the 1 2\th Illinois Infantry Volunteer Regi
ment. "We, whose names are hereto appended, behev-
ing in the cardinal points of Christian doctrine, and
trusting that we have passed from death until life,
through repentance and faith in our Saviour Jesus Christ,
and believing that it wiU be promotive of the great in
terests of Christianity among us, do subscribe our names
to the following Covenant and Articles :
" We do solemnly covenant and promise with each
other and before God, that we will live lives devoted to the
service of our Lord Jesus Christ, following His example
while here upon earth, walking as far as in us lies in all
the ordinances of God's house blameless. That we will
love and carefully watch over each other, reprove, re
buke and exhort, with all long-suffering and prayer,
maintaining gospel discipline in our midst.
' 'That we will sustain the means of grace to the best
of our ability, and labor by precept and example to
bring sinners to a knowledge of the truth, by pointing
them to the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of
the world. That among special sins we will discourage
and prayerfully counsel against profanity, intemperance,
card-playing and all games of chance, and other kindred

Illinois Infantry. 403
vices. And in general we will endeavor, by well
ordered lives, to honor and glorify God, assist each
other in the way to heaven, and do good among our
associates. "Art. I. The officers of this Union shaU consist of
a Moderator, a Clerk, and a Committee of Ten, the lat
ter to be chosen, as far as practicable, one from each
company of the regiment. These officers shall be elected
quarterly. "Art. 2. It shaU be the duty of the 'Moderator to
preside at all business meetings of the Union, and in his
absence the Clerk shall call the meeting to order, and a
Moderator pro. tern, shall be appointed.
"Art. 3. It shall be the duty of the Clerk to keep
an accurate record of the proceedings of this Union, in
a book provided for that purpose, and do all other writ
ing usually pertaining to his office.
"Art. 4. It shaU be the duty of the Committee of
Ten, chosen from the different companies in the regi
ment, to aid in the distribution of reading matter, and
to make any suggestions that may occur to them for the
general benefit of their respective companies.
"Art. 5. It shall be the duty of the aforesaid offi
cers of the Union, in conjunction with the Chaplain of
the regiment, to counsel with and warn any members
who may at any time become careless of duty, or step
aside from the correct path, and try, in the spirit of love
and meekness, to restore such to the path of virtue and
eodliness.

404 History of the 124TH
"Art. 6. In case of the death of any member of our
Union, there shall be a committee of one or more, as
shall seem best, appointed to write a letter of sympathy
and condolence to the friends of the deceased.
"Art. 7. In case of the discharge of any member
from the military service, or at the close of our term of
service as soldiers, it shall be the duty of the Clerk,
with those who may be appointed to assist him, to pre
pare for every such one who may then be a member of
this Union in' good standing, a letter stating that fact,
and cordially recommending him as a proper person for
membership in any Gospel church.
¦ 'Art. S. On the first Monday evening of each month
there shall be a monthly covenant and experience meet
ing, for the purpose of hearing especially from the dif
ferent members as to their individual progress, or what
may have occurred of interest to the Union during the
preceding month.
"Art. 9. Meetings for business shaU be held every
alternative Friday evening ; and such meetings mav be
called at any time, when necessary, by the Chaplain, or
by any five members. Such meetings shall always be
opened and closed with prayer.
"Art. 10. This Covenant and these Articles may be
altered or amended by a two-thirds vote of the mem
bers present and voting, at any regular meeting of the
Union." The first business meeting of the Union, after the
signing of the Covenant and Articles, to which sixteen

Illinois Infantry. 405
names had been appended, was held on Monday evening,
November 2d, when seven others united by experience
and a vote. An election of officers was then held, with
the following result :
Moderator: Capt. Henry L. Field, company C.
Clerk: Rev. Victor M. Dewey, company D.
Committe of Ten : Serg't. Wm. C. Kent, company
A ; Cleveland Acox, company B ; Matthew Manning,
company C ; Thomas Conner, company D ; Herrick
Blanchard, company F ; James D. Sisk, company G ;
Corporal Charles A. Hannaford, company I ; Sergeant
Wesley Hudgens, company K.
No member was chosen from company E, for the
reason that no one had yet joined from that company,
but at a subsequent meeting Private Job. H. Yaggy was
chosen to fiU the vacancy, and several of our most active
members, at a later period, were from company E.
The minutes of this regimental church afford some
very interesting reading to a lover of the old regiment.
Under the date of November 20th, 1863, on the Big
Black, this entry is found :
' 'A motion was then made by the Chaplain to appoint
a committee of three by the Moderator, to take into
consideration the propriety of building a place of wor
ship. Remarks were made by the Chaplain and Brother
Newland, and the motion prevailed, whereupon the
Moderator appointed Brethren Howard, Newland and
Blanchard said committee."

406 History of the 124TH
That was the beginning of our chapel experience, and
led to the erection of the commodious place of worship,
which did us such good service there, and was repeated
later in Vicksburg. But an account of that has already
been given in the body of the history.
Under the same date occurs another entry, not already
noticed, which introduces us to the beginning of an im
portant work among us :
"Brother Conner, of company D, then suggested that
a collection be taken in the different companies for the
purpose of purchasing reading matter for the regiment.
A motion was then made to instruct the Committee of
Ten to raise what they could for that purpose, and the
motion prevailed."
Subsequently the committee reported $92.95 col
lected, of which I12.20 was from the field and staff,
$12.00 from company C, |ii.oo from company I, and
$10.00 each from H and K. each of the other companies
contributing a share. This was increased at a later date,
and the following papers were subscribed for with a part
of the money :
New York Tribime, tri-weekly, one copy.
Chicago Tribune, tri-weekly, one copy.
Cincinnati Com^nercial, tri-weekly, one copy.
Harper's Weekly, one copy.
New York Independent, ten copies.
Northwestern Christian Advocate, five copies.
Christian Times, ten copies.
Morning Star, fifteen copies.

Illinois Infantry. 407
The two latter papers we received at reduced rates,
and we were also favored with extra copies from benevo
lent sources at the north.
The 27th of December, 1863, after a deeply interest
ing service, the ordinance of baptism was administered
by the Chaplain, in Clear creek, near our camp, the
candidates being three members of the 20th lUinois,
Geo. F. Smith, Wm. Nixon and Samuel Proud. Chap
lain Richards, of the 20th, was present, and assisted by
the water's side.
Somewhat later the Watchman and Reflector, two
copies, and the Atlantic Monthly, were subscribed for,
and our subscription list, in full, was kept up to the end
of our service. In addition to our papers a Bible Dic
tionary was purchased by each company, and the study
of the Scriptures was entered upon by several, with
more of leisure and a deeper interest than ever before.
For several weeks while on the Big Black, we held
meetings every night, assisted by Chaplain Richards, of
the 20th. Several were converted and reclaimed, and
most of the regiments in the brigade shared, to some
extent, in the work.
The Christian Commission, from time to time, sent
men to see us, who were always a help to us, and the
aid afforded us by that organization, while in Vicksburg,
in furnishing additional reading, keeping open rooms for
the resort of soldiers, sustaining lectures and lyceums,
and so creating, with the aid of soldiers' and officers'
wives, a kind of northern or home society, can never

408 History of the 124TH

be fully told. Our gatherings in the basement of the
Presbyterian Church in that city, where Messrs. Black,
MauU, Parmalee and Corey, in turn, had charge, and
where those noble young ladies from the north, Miss
Bissell and Miss Levings, were always ready to cheer us
with their sympathy, and encourage us by their Chris
tian counsel, will never be forgotten by many of the
members of the "Hundred and two dozen." They were
bright spots in our army life ; oases in the southern
social desert.
In addition to other expedients for making the sol
dier's hfe one of improvement and culture, a singing
school was taught by the Chaplain in our chapel tent
at Vicksburg, which pleasantly, as well as profitably,
employed many an hour during the long months of
1S64. A black-board was procured and the class began
in the rudiments, several of its members making great
proficiancy. A Bible class was conducted for nearly a year, and
made a success both in attendance and interest. Though
broken in upon by all manner of details and duties, each
recurring Sabbath found a goodly number present with
their Bibles, and their smiling faces, eager for their
wonted refreshing from the stores of divine truth.
But our prayer meetings were the great promoters of
spiritual life and power among us. Two of these were
sustained each week during all the later portion of our
regimental existence, being held on Sunday and Wed
nesday evenings. Different ones were appointed to lead

Illinois Infantry. 409
them, and they were often seasons of inspiration and re
freshing. True, we lacked, and "we sometimes pined for
the sympathetic utterances, and the peculiar tenderness
of the female element in our home meetings, but we
often left our hallowed chapel, naming it "Bethel"
in our hearts, because there God had met us so
wonderfully. A few extracts from our church records must be of
interest to all who loved to meet with us :
"Wednesday, Aug. 31st, 1864.
"Prayer meeting at the usual hour. The Lord was
present, and that to bless. The brethren were strength
ened and still determined to press on.
•'Evan H. Noyes, Clerk.
"Wednesday, Oct. 5th, 1864.
"Held our usual prayer meeting. Brother Manning
led the opening exercises. A good degree of interest
was manifested, and several spoke who had taken no
part with us for a long time. Our hearts were greatly
cheered. "Sunday Evening, Oct. 9th.
' 'Prayer meeting led by Brother Mumma, of company
D. More than usual interest was fel^, and the love of
God was richly enjoyed. "R. L. Howard, Clerk.

410 History of the 124TH
"Wednesday, Feb. ist, 1S65.
"Prayer meeting this evening as usual, led by the
Chaplain. An unusually large attendance, notwith
standing the inclemency of the weather. The Lord was
with us indeed. "R. S. Thompson, Clerk"
Occasionally, however, our prayer meetings would be
a failure, though we were not on duty, and sometimes
from trivial causes. The record of Wednesday evening,
December 2 1 St, 1S64, says, "No prayer meeting because
it was too windy to keep the stove-pipe up." But on
another occasion there was surely cause for a failure, as
the record says, ''There was no prayer meeting to-night
on account of the present storm, and the chapel tent
having blown down. " The last record of a prayer meet
ing is of the date of July 5th, 1S65, at Montgomery,
Alabama, and is in these words : ' 'Prayer meeting led
by the Chaplain." But though our army prayer meet
ing days are numbered, the voice of prayer is not yet
hushed on the lips of those who used to enjoy them.
One of the peculiar incidents of our religious history
is that of a sermon delivered by Chaplain Howard, in
the State House at Montgomery, Alabama, April 30th,
1S65. It was the first public appearance of a union
Minister of the Gospel in that city, which had rocked
the cradle of secession as the first capital of the confed
eracy. And the service was held in the place where
Yancey was wont to spout treason, and where Davis
was inaugurated. Where a short time before, his hfe

Illinois Infantry. 411

would not have been worth a groat, had the speaker
dared to utter such sentiments as constituted the staple
of his discourse on that occasion.
The meeting was held at the instance of a number of
the Chaplains, several of whom bore a part in the ser
vices. The Senate Chamber was used as being the more
commodious, and was densely packed, many citizens
and some ladies being present, though by far the largest
part were soldiers. The text was from Luke 8: 53,
"And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was
dead." The sermon was a presentation of the seeming hope
lessness of the union cause as illustrated by the death of
the little maid, with the south, the copperheads, and
the envious monarchists of the old world laughing us to
scorn. Until we ceased to return contrabands, and by
the emancipation proclamation declared that the issue
in God's war was against slavery, those who prophesied
our faUure seemed to have the truth on their side. The
little maid was dead. But when our blows were directed
against the giant evil, victory began everywhere to
perch upon our standard, and the God of battles turned
away the scorn of our adversaries on many a gory field,
lifting up the Union into the promise of a new and
more glorious life, which we and our children should
live to see.
One other incident, which occurred at Montgomery,
is worthy of mention. The Chaplain occasionally
preached for the Zion, or African Methodist Church,

412 History of the 124TH

whose house of worship stood near our camp. One
evening in his opening prayer, the house being very
full, he referred to the fact that with a good many,
emancipation was as yet only an experiment, the wisdom
of which was by no means settled, and prayed some
what in this wise :
"O Lord, help them so to live, so to take the neces
sary steps to secure their own elevation, mental, moral
and religious, that not only the friends i}f emancipation
but its enemies, the gazing world, and even their old
masters, as they behold their well-doing in righteous
ness, shall be compelled to say that Thou in freeing them
hast done well."
As the conclusion was reached the whole congrega
tion, which had been almost breathlessly silent, broke
out into a wild storm of responses and shouting, rising
almost en m.asse to their feet, and crying "amen,"
" glory to God," "haUelujah," "done weU," "yes,
yes, Massa Lord, done well," till the scene beggared
description. All the impulsiveness of that impulsive
people had been fired like a magazine by an unconscious
spark, and though the Chaplain sought the whole service
through to calm them, it was nearly in vain. It made
but little difference to them how he talked, or what he
said more. Their minds were full. The one idea had
taken complete possession with power, and though there
would be comparative quiet for a few moments, at times,
some brother or sister would groan out in tones of deep
est feeling, as though it was impossible to repress it.

Illinois Infantry. 413
' 'That's it, Massa Lord, that Thou in freeing us hast done
well, ' and scores would spring to their feet in an in
stant, as though electrified, and rocking to and fro would
wring and clap their hands, and shout "amen," "glory
to God," and "yes, Massa Lord, done well," almost as
wildly as at the first. It was a scene long to be re
membered by one unaccustomed to such demonstra
tions, but which, though it argued but little for their
power of self-control, spoke volumes for their keen
appreciation of the truth, and for the sentiments of
their hearts.
The time at last drew near for us to leave the service,
and to carry out the provisions of our organization with
regard to all worthy members. Upon examination of
our record it is found that we had expelled five mem
bers ; given letters to three, namely : Rev. Victor M.
Dewey, of company D, promoted in the colored service ;
James D. Sisk, of company G, discharged for disability,
and Francis Flanigan, of the 45th Illinois, the only mem
ber received from without our regiment ; while three
had died. These were: Cleveland Acox, of company
B, who died of wounds on the Big Black, Mississippi,
March 7th, 1S64; Matthew Manning, of company C,
kiUed at Spanish Fort, Alabama, AprU 6th, 1865, and
Amos B. Johnson, of company I, who died in hospital,
at Quincy, Illinois, AprU 27th, 1865. To the friends of
these, as well as to the widows of Henry Oman, of com
pany A, and Daniel Jenkins, of company E, letters of
condolence and sympathy were sent.

414 History of the 124TH

And there remained of the sixty-eight in all, who had
joined our church, thirty-nine members, according to the
report of the committee appointed for that purpose, to
whom letters should be granted, namely : R. L. How
ard, Chaplain ; Henry L. Field, Captain company C,
(now Major) ; Abraham Newland, Captain company D ;
Joel H. Mastin, 1st Lieutenant company 1 ; Thomas P.
Price, 2d Lieutenant company D ; Harvey B. Powers,
2d Lieutenant company E ; W. C. Kent, 1st Sergeant
company A; David T. . Guy, 1st Sergeant company I ;
Sergeants, Henry W. Hulse, company D ; R. S.
Thompson, company E ; Jackson D. Thornton, com
pany G ; Charles H. Snedeker, company H ; Charles
A. Hannaford and Isaac R. Hughes, company I ; and
Wesley Hudgens, company K ; Corporals, James Con
stant and William G. Grabendike, company C ; Thomas
Conner and Jacob Warntz, company D ; Lewis T.
Hickok, William Smith and Job H. Yaggy, company
E ; Garrett Brown and Frank Steinbaugh, company F ;
and Evan H. Noyes, company I ; Privates, John C.
O'Conner and H. M. Van Winkle, company C ; Joseph
Duncan and John Johnston, company D ; Herrick
Blanchard, Peter Herbener, David J. Leech and David
Magee, company F ; Uriah Clark, company G ; Horace
N. Drake, company H ; G. Miles ColweU, Bud Good
ing and J. M. Morgan, company I ; and B. C. Bartlett,
principal musician.
The letter given to the above members was as fol
lows :

Illinois Infantry. 415
• • To any Gospel Church, and the People of God wherever
this may come ; Greeting :
"This niay certify that Brother  has
been a member in good standing of the Regimental
Christian Union of the 124th Illinois Infantry, and has
so demeaned himself by a 'well-ordered life and a godly
conversation, ' as to secure the confidence of his brethren
in Christ, and the approval of his comrades in arms.
He has maintained his integrity, and the cause of Christ
has not been 'evil spoken of on his account.
"We therefore recommend him to the confidence and
fellowship of the saints, wherever his lot in life may be
cast, praying the blessing of God to rest richly upon
him. "Done for and in behalf of the Regimental Christian
Union, Montgomery, Alabama, July 7th, 1865.
"R. S. Thompson, Clerk."
The letters were not all issued at Montgomery, and
the work was not finished and the church d.'sbanded till
after our last sermon on the "Ida Handy," when going
up the Mississippi towards \ ome. Then and not till
then did we say our farewells as brethren, feeling that
the days of our sweet fellowship together, and pleasant
relations in Christ were numbered below, but pledging
each other so still to fight God's battles, as to meet
again at the roll-call of the grand army above.
Before closing this chapter, it should be further said,
that our subscription for reading during the last year of
our service, included, for Chicago Tribune, $16.25 ;

416 History of the 124TH
Harpers' Weekly, $19 ; Northwestern and Quarterly
Reviews, $6.25 ; Brownlow's Whig, $3.00; and sun
dry other papers not in the former list, $4.00 ; while
only the New York Tribune and Cincinnati Commercial,
one copy each, had been discontinued.
And the Chaplain would gratefully put on record his
sense of the invaluable aid rendered him by Captains
Field and Newland in all his efforts for the spiritual
good of the regiment. Never for a moment, in any
work, did he lack for their sympathy and efficient co
operation.

Illinois Infantry. 417

CHAPTER XXIV.

MEDICAL.

Introduction. — Camp Butler. — Dr. Reece. — Dr. Bucher. — Surgeon
AngeU. — AUaire and Murray. — ^Assistant Surgeon Kay. — Running
narrative  Dr. Jassoy. — Raymond. — Champion Hills. — Inside
Vicksburg. — A word of praise. — ^Extracts from Allaire. — Resigna
tion of Dr. AngeU. — Dr. Kay promoted. — Dr. Jassoy dismissed. —
Died, killed and discharged. — No reason to complain of our medical
department. — Kay and Allaire.

TT WAS DESIGNED to have this chapter of our
X history written by some one connected with the
medical department, and after Dr. Kay declined, C. B.
Allaire, our Hospital Steward, undertook the task. But
a press of business prevented him from completing it,
and, atlast, it was left for the same pen that has pre
pared the rest of the work, utterly incompetent as the
result may prove it to have been. Copious extracts
from what Allaire has written, it is hoped, will measur
ably redeem the effort, and if it were possible, all of his
valuable paper should appear, as it contains critical
matter upon the sanitary condition of the volunteer

418 History of the 124TH
forces, and the medical practice in the army, which is
deserving of general attention. .The limits of the work
alone forbid its insertion.
Upon soldiers going into camp, all those habits of
life upon which good health so largely depends, are
necessarily broken up. Regularity in diet and rest at
home, gave way to a regularity — if such it can be
called — of quite another kind, in which the night upon
duty alternates with the uncertain doings of the day, and
no adequate provision can be made for that protection
from the weather and security in sleep, which are essential
to average health. The amount of exercise taken,
almost invariably is changed, whether the soldier be
from the walks of an active or a sedentary life, while
between the efforts at becoming accustomed to the
"hard tack" and grease of the regular rations, and the
gorgings, when half starved, upon the "goodies" furn
ished from contiguous homes, the experience of soldiers
before leaving their own State is apt to be quite as trying
as that at any other period of their service, even when
their camp is healthy. But when to the inevitable is
added the malarious character of such a locahty as Camp
Butler, lying on the banks of the sluggish Sangamon, in
the most unhealthy season of the year, with the grounds
over-crowded by thousands, all novices in the art of
camp cleanliness, and for some days a horde of rebel
prisoners in their midst, it should not seem astonishing
that disease developed rapidly among us, coming as

Illinois Infantry. 419
many of us did from northern portions of the State.
Almost from the very first men began to sicken and to
die. We had scarcely made the acquaintance of a com
missary before we needed to make that of a Surgeon.
But Surgeon, we had none; and so our sick were
sent inside the stockade to report to Surgeon Reece —
brother of Quartermaster Reece — then on duty as Post
Surgeon, who kindly volunteered to prescribe for them,
and when necessary admitted them to the Post Hospital.
But this could not possibly continue long. Other regi
ments were in a similar condition, and the demand upon
one man, however willing and able, was too great to be
honored. At this critical juncture it was found that we had a
medical practitioner among us in the person of Charles
A. Bucher, of company B. and on the nth of Septem
ber, he was detailed by Colonel Fonda, commanding
Post, as Acting Assistant Surgeon, and assigned to duty
in our regiment. He immediately entered upon the dis
charge of his duties, and had the entire care of our sick
in camp for nearly a month of this most trying period in
our history. He proved himself to be the right man
in the right place ; and, by his efforts for the sick, and
advice to the well, rendered us invaluable service.
On the Sth of October, Dr. L, H. AngeU, of Aurora,
joined the regiment as its Surgeon, and immediately as
sumed the responsibilities of his office, though Dr.
Bucher superintended the removals of our sick to the

420 History of the 124TH
Post Hospital, and otherwise disposed of all those who
were unable to travel, upon our starting for the front,
October 6th.
Owing to the patriotism of Dr. Bucher, which had
led him to enter the service as a private, and the skill
with which he had filled the higher post when called
upon, it was reasonably expected and hoped by his
friends, who were many, that he would be commissioned
Assistant Surgeon. But Surgeon AngeU was not favor
able to such a move, from some considerations of prac
tice, therefore the Doctor quietly passed into hospital
service under the new administration, and in the Feb
ruary following procured a discharge, to be subsequently
appointed Assistant Surgeon of the 72d Illinois, and
serve in that capacity with honor to himself to the close
of the war.
Surgeon AngeU proved to be very capable and effi
cient. Blunt, outspoken and absolute, oftentimes to an
extreme, he was still warm-hearted and sympathetic,
and whUe the ''play-offs" were most roundly berated by
him, the really sick knew he was their competent friend,
and valued him accordingly. He was especially skillful
as a Surgeon, as was afterwards proved, and a man of
indomitable energy and large executive ability.
He immediately organized his department with Charles
B. Allaire, of company H, Hospital Steward, and Wil
liam T. Murray, of the same company, in charge of the
medicine wagon, and secured the necessary details of
nurses, cook and teamsters for efficient Hospital service

Illinois Infantry. 421
in the field. Upon going into our first camp in Dixie,
at Jackson, Tennessee, with our beautiful new tents,
conspicuous near them was our Hospital tent with the
yellow flag flying over it, and surrounded by all that
was necessary to a medical headquarters, constituting a
sort of standing invitation to every one in the regiment
to be sick for the sake of an entry there.
And a great many were sick. The seeds of disease at
Camp Butler had been sown too surely to be eradicated
by travel, and they speedily germinated in the farther
south to which we had come, so that in a few days our
Hospital was full to overflowing. The prevailing dis
eases were dysentery and fevers, and of the latter many
cases were typhoid.
While at Jackson, Dr. James R. Kay, of Liberty,
Illinois, reached us with the rank of ist Assistant Sur
geon, and was thenceforth identified with our regiment.
When we moved from Jackson, all of our sick, num
bering about fifty, were left in his hands. Surgeon
AngeU going with us on our campaign. Of that num
ber, our loss by death, was only eight, but many others
went from there to general hospitals who never re
turned to service. If they survived their initiation it
was with ruined constitutions, which compelled an ulti
mate discharge for disability.
The same causes operated at Lagrange, Memphis,
and in Louisiana, as has been already stated in the

422 History of the 124TH

body of the history, each region taking large toll of the
brave men who had ventured all for their country.
Fifty more of our number died before we really entered
upon the Vicksburg campaign. Of these, eight died at
Lagrange, one at Oxford, twenty-three at Memphis,
nine at Lake Providence, and the rest in northern hos
pitals, or on sick furlough.
At Lagrange the men began to take more pains with
their beds, the idea that lying on the ground was con
ducive to health, having been pretty well exploded by
the prevalence of the fall rains, and the increase ofrhe-u-
matic difficulties. But floors and bunks could not
always be had, even at a Surgeon's order, and especially
during our changes along the Memphis & Charleston
Railroad, in January, 1863, when the snow was so deep
and the cold so severe. And but few had rubber
blankets, there having been no opportunity to procure
them since their use became so well known, so that not
all could be done that was desirable in the direction of
our sleeping until after we reached Memphis.
And we also made some progress in other sanitary
respects, which became preservative to the partially well,
if not actually restorative to the sick, which served to
check the inroads of disease in many stiU on duty, and
tone up the systems of the convalescent.
Another change among us was pretty effectually
wrought by the severities of our first winter in the ser
vice, in weeding out a large per cent, of the faint-hearted
and weak-willed, who lacked the strength of character to

Illinois Infantry. 423

repel disease and triumph over difficulties, so that by
far the greater part of those who moved from Milliken's
Bend in April, were physical stalwarts, who could snap
their fingers in the face of most diseases, while the others
had been discharged for disability, were still in hospitals
somewhere, or had obtained positions on detached ser
vice less trying to their constitutions than exposure in
the field. Not that all on such service were of that
character, by any means, for very many had been sought
for their peculiar qualifications for certain duties, who
would have preferred the front. But where such posts
were attainable by those who had made up their minds
that they could not stand so much exposure, they inva
riably secured them at every hazard.
Our period of homesickness, too, was largely over by
the summer of 1S63, so that we had but little more to
suffer from that. It had doubtless kiUed some, but
having survived its first attacks the subsequent ones
were comparatively harmless.
At Memphis, in January, 1S63, Dr. John Jassoy, of
Aurora, reached us as 2d Assistant Surgeon, his muster
dating the 2 ist. He immediately went upon duty at
Surgeon's call, the others caring for the Hospital, and
assisting in the general work in the city. Nearly all of
those whom we lost in Memphis died after being trans
ferred to general hospitals.
Nothing deserving of especial notice in this chapter
occurred during our stay in Louisiana. When we
crossed the Mississippi at Bruinsburg, and moved on

424 History of the 124TH

Port Gibson, our hospital remained behind at Hard
Times Landing on the river, nearly opposite Grand
Gulf There our sick were sent as long as we kept
communication open to the rear, Capt. Potter, who was
wounded at Thompson's HiU, and Capt. Tenney, whose
health failed in our advance, finding an asylum there.
But when we cut loose from below and swung around,
via. Jackson and Champion HiUs, to a new base above
Vicksburg, our hospital followed us, and Allaire came
up with it on the 17th of May, joining us at Big Black,
after marching sixty-seven miles in three days without
losing a patient.
At Raymond, Dr. Kay was left in charge of the sick
and wounded of our Division, whom he moved into the
village, where they were all captured by a rebel regi
ment from Kentucky, raised, as the Doctor says, near
Hopkinsville, his old home. But he took no pains to
awaken old recollections, or inquire for acquaintances.
Some few of those able to move were hurried off" to Con
federate prisions, but the greater number were only pa
roled, including all belonging to our regiment, most of
whom were ultimately sent to parole camp at St: Louis,
where they were detained some months before an ex
change was effected.
At Champion Hills, Surgeon AngeU had charge of
our Division Hospital and rendered good service. But
being so near Vicksburg and our new base on the Ya
zoo, the wounded were soon moved and mostly sent up
the river, the surgeon returning again to his old post

Illinois Infantry. 425
with the regiment, where he remained during the siege.
Upon Dr. Kay's joining us from Raymond, which he
did very early in the siege, he took charge of our Di
vision Hospital till relieved by Surgeon Hill, of one of
the Ohio regiments, who was afterwards in charge of
Hospital No. 2. in the city, as many of our sick boys
have occasion to remember. Dr, Kay remained on
duty under him until after the surrender.
As the siege progressed our severely wounded were
removed immediately to the Division Hospital, which
was nearly two miles away, and it was there that George
Grabendike and George W. Lanham of company C,
Jacob Raper of company D, and John J. Smith of com
pany E, died of wounds received in the '' slaughter pen"
on the 26th of June. Only one of our wounded died in
the regimental hospital, namely. Nelson Phillips of com
pany C. He was only slightly wounded in the face,
and died of erysipelas, which soon set in.
A part of the time Dr. Jassoy was with us, but oftener
on duty elsewhere. Having three surgeons, if a bat
tery needed assistance, a refugee's camp, or some other
regiment, we were called upon for a detail. And later,
small-pox hospitals, prisons, freedmen and everything
else for which surgeons were needed, were largely sup
plied from our medical staff".
Immediately after the surrender our regimental Hos
pital assumed greater proportions than ever before or
after. A favorable locality was selected near our sec
ond camp, especial reference being had to good water and

426 History of the 124TH
pure air, and everything was done that was possible for
the comfort and speedy convalesence of our sick, whose
numbers, already large, were fearfully increasing. The
malarial fever which had begun its inroads before the
siege terminated, and taken off" Guy, Hodges and Rude,
was threatening us all. Oman, Steele, Miller, Allison,
Robertson and Shaw soon fell victims. Several others
were put on Hospital boats and started north only to
die." Some were discharged who did not live to get
home, and a feeling of apprehension and gloom became
very general among the men. Under these circum
stances it was of the highest importance that our Sur
geon and Hospital attaches should be the right men in
the right places. And they evidently were. While
every nerve was exerted for the good of the sick, and
their treatment was the very best the service could com
mand and human skill furnish, the manner in which the
apprehehsions of the men were met, and their fears al
layed by Surgeon AngeU, was masterful and potent.
Suffering himself from the encroachments of disease,
under which he sank only a few months later, and often
sorely tried by the thousand things that were inevitable
to his position and surroundings, he appears to-day, as
we look back through more than sixteen years upon him,
as the incarnation of hope and confidence which went
far to reinspire us all, and a mine of unfaiUng resources
and energy more needful to us just then, than aU the
Major-Generals in the service. And he succeeded in
imparting so much of his spirit and courage to all con
nected with the Hospital, that light beamed out of its

Illinois Infantry. 427

darkness, and new life sprung up in the presence of its
dead. Whatever it might have been at some times, a
Hospital detaU was no easy, or "soft thing," during the
summer and faU of 1863, and so well did all acquit
themselves that we have as great reason to be proua of
our medical department in the time of our greatest need,
as we have of any other in our regiment.
The magnitude of the service rendered is made further
apparent by the statement in Allaire's diary, of Septem
ber 24th, that up to that time, as shown by the report
books, there had been nine hundred and fifty-five cases
treated. While this necessarily includes several men
more than once, or it may be twice, it in no instance in
cludes the same attack of sickness twice. If a pa
tient was in the hospital weeks at a time, it was but
once. But if he was discharged as cured, and subse
quently re-entered, it was counted a new case.
July 9th, Dr. Jassoy was assigned to duty in the Con
federate Hospital in the city, and about the same time
Dr. Kay was detailed to the 7th Missouri, where he re
mained till the sickly season was well over, when he
was assigned to Hospital No. 2, under Dr. Hill again.
Some extracts from a paper written by Hospital Stew
ard Allaire are here given, which will commend them
selves to the good sense of all.
" As a rule patients did not like to be sent to a Gen
eral Hospital, prefering to take their chances for recov
ery where they were, to separation from their comrades.

428 History of the 124TH

and the possibility of being left out of the coming cam
paign. As a matter of history, however, I must say
that there were exceptions to this rule. . We almost al
ways had in the regiment one or more patients who
were "playing off," as it was termed, and it may seem
paradoxical to assert that such cases were the most in
curable, and if they did not get a discharge from the
service, the most fatal cases we had to treat. They al
ways came to "'Surgeon's call," and with faces as long
and wretched as it was possible to make them. When
asked by the Surgeon how they felt, their replies were
always of a discouraging character, and assumed a few
stereotyped forms, as 'I'm powerful weak this mornin,'
or ''bout the same,' or 'I think I'm a little worse.'
When' a case of this kind had been on hand some time,
the Captain of the company to which the man belonged
would drop in and ask the Doctor if he didn't think that
man had better have a discharge.
This was a question the Surgeon knew he would have
to answer sooner or later. To say, yes, was to give
direct encouragement to others to pursue the same
course, and thus very materially weaken and impair the
efficiency of the service. To say, no, the Surgeon knew
would surely cost the man's life. Such cases were,
whenever practicable, sent to a General Hospital and re
ceived their discharges from there. By this mode of
dealing with them the moral effect upon other men was
gained. They were lost sight of by their comrades, and

Illinois Infantry. 429
if discharged it would not be known in the regiment,
perhaps for months.
Right here may be as good a place as any to say, that
the medical department of our regiment never had the
affection and respect of the men in the ranks. This feel
ing extended even to the nurses and teamsters. Every
body about the Hospital was supposed to have a "good
time, " more comforts and fewer dangers. It may not be
too strong an expression to say, we were all cordially
hated. Ldo not blame any one for holding these views.
Had I been in the ranks, I should have been of the same
opinion. And yet, among the nurses especially — I wish
I could remember all their names — we had some of the
most self-sacrificing, kind-hearted men I ever knew in
my life. They never spared themselves if they could
add in any way to the comfort of a fellow soldier. I
have known them to carry some man's gun, or knap
sack, or blaakets all day, their own being among the
Hospital baggage. In camp they were always watch
ful and attentive in the discharge of their duty. Such
men were John C. O'Connor, Jacob Messmore, David
J. Leech and some others whose kind deeds I shall never
forget, but whose names I cannot recall, * * * *
* * While perhaps kind words were not wasted
upon the ailing ones, I do not remember an instanse
where the comforts or delicacies provided by the gov
ernment or friends at home were diverted from their in
tended purpose. If the supply was ample, as was al
ways the case at posts and depots of supplies, they were

430 History of the 124TH
used occasianally in the Hospital mess, but as a rule, so
far as the mess was concerned. Hospital attendants fared
no better than common soldiers. In the field this was
always the case. But when there were no sick to be
cared for on the march, we usually had cots to sleep on,
plenty of blankets, tents, and a full supply of cooking
utensils, which the common soldier did not haVe, and
were exempt from all kinds of camp duty, therefore we
were regarded as a privileged class."
Speaking of the transformation from citizens to sol
diers at the first, and the sickness that followed, he
says :
••We soon accumulated a full supply of patients, as
can readily be imagined would naturally result from
taking a large body of men from the regular diet and
habits of their homes, and placing them in the open air,
with nothing to do and plenty to eat, each having the
idea that to be a perfect soldier he must disregard all
the natural laws of health, live and be as filthy as possi
ble. These ideas were imbibed from the old troops
with whom we were then for the first time thrown in
contact. I am glad to be able to say that the good
sense of our men soon prevailed, and ever after each
provided himself with as many comforts as possible, and
found satisfaction and health in cleanliness, regular
habits, and well cooked food."
•'It was thought strange by many soldiers, that at
Surgeon's daily morning call, when the sick in camp
reported for treatment, so many should receive exactly

Illinois Infantry. 431

the same prescription, or medicine. This is explained
by the fact that a large body of men, each fed on ex
actly the same articles of diet, with the variations of
good and bad cooking, all clothed and sheltered alike,
and exposed to the same influences of weather and
water, all rising and retiring at about the same hour,
and having as nearly as possible the same amount of
exercise, would naturally, aside from constitutional pre
disposition, be subject to the same diseases. And yet,
in the ingratitude of the human heart, I believe many
of these poor fellows thought themselves ill-treated be
cause they received the same as others, suffering from
the same trouble."
"I want to make a suggestion here to the Surgeon
General in the next war. It is this, that in some way
knowledge shall be imparted to every soldier in the
army in regard to the common laws of health and the
care of the body. Make it incumbent upon the Surgeon
of each regiment, that he shall appear on dress-parade,
at least once or twice a month, and instruct the men
orally in regard to these matters, dealing with them as
they present themselves at the time. If upon a march,
and the diet has been changed, that should receive
attention, and instructions be given in regard to the
mode of cooking, etc. In this way thousands of lives
and millions of money could be saved in every cam
paign. Many men would take much better care of
themselves if they only knew how. Many, it is true.

432 History of the 124TH
would not, but if only one life should be saved to its
country and friends, I think any Surgeon should feel
amply repaid."
"In receiving supplies from the Sanitary and Chris
tian Commissions, we frequently found letters pinned to
the articles sent, written by the fair donors, desiring to
hear from the recipients of their kindness, and know
where their favors went, when and how they were used,
etc. A great many of these were answered, and in
that way very pleasant correspondences began. We
always felt that the least we could do in return for the
weary and persistent labor of those kind friends at
home, who worked so unremittingly for our comfort,
was to let them know that the supplies reached those
for whom they were intended, and' now that we look
back it seems marvellous that so much should have been
done for the comfort of the soldiers at the front, with-
¦out the knowledge of the donors as to whether their
munificence was well expended or wasted. So much by
faith, and forthe love of our feUow men."
"It was surprising where so many boards came from,
as we used in our floors, bunks, etc., but it should be
remembered that we had no use for fences, out-build
ings, cotton-gin houses, and the like, and I have even
known of houses being burnt to get the nails."
"A favorite dish was prepared as follows : A piece
of bacon was fried to a crisp in the pan, and aU the
grease carefully saved. While this was being done, a

Illinois Infantry. 433

few pieces of "hard tack" were slightly moistened in
cold water, the meat was taken out of the pan, and the
crackers put into the hot grease, where they were fried
till nearly all the water was driven off", and the crackers
saturated with lard. A little salt and pepper were
added, and if the coffee had been put on to boil at the
proper time, the meal was ready. It must be confessed
that it was not bad to eat ; not half so bad as it was to
digest. Probably almost any person in perfect health
could stand a meal of this kind once in a while, but if I
had a valuable ostrich, I should not like to risk such a
diet on him as a regular thing."
'•I don't remember now just how it happened, but
at the siege of Spanish Fort, on Mobile Bay, I was left
in charge of the medical department of the regiment.
We were all burrowed in the ground to protect ourselves
from the shells of the enemy, and had no place for the
sick or wounded, they being sent each day to the gen
eral hospital. It was probably not considered necessary
that I should have a cook to prepare my meals, and so
I prepared them myself, according to the recipe given
above. I was in perfect health at the beginning of this
course of diet, but in a week I began to feel the results,
and am satisfied that I should have been a patient in the
Hospital in another week. But the enemy kindly
vacated and let us in, and I very gladly gave up the
culinary department."
•'When stationed at a post or in camp for any length
of time, we had the privilege of creating a Hospital

434 History of the 124TH
fund with the Division or Post Commissary. Each
month the value of a ration was computed. We were
entitled to draw rations for all in the Hospital, patients,
nurses, and all alike. Of course the sick could not eat
a full ration, and the Hospital Steward was allowed to
draw the money in lieu of the rations not drawn. With
this money were purchased butter, ice, condensed milk,
vegetables, and such articles as could be obtained. If
we could have bought at reasonable prices, quite an
addition could have been made to our bill of fare, but
prices were usually so high that very little benefit was
derived from the fund, though sometimes as high as two
hundred dollars was thus accumulated in a month. We
were obliged to make returns to the proper authorities,
of the amount of the fund, and also of the use made of
it, with the necessary vouchers. In this way the gov
ernment did all it could for the comfort of the sick and
wounded. "At times between campaigns, soldiers sick and not
likely to be fit for duty within thirty days, were granted
furioughs for that time. In this way thousands of lives
were saved. It was really astonishing what transforma
tions took place in the physical condition of many
patients in so short a time. They came back, without
exception, greatly improved, many of them almost be
yond recognition. "
' 'The fitness of men for duty was always a 'bone of
contention, ' and it was a very common practice for the

Illinois Infantry. 435
Orderly Sergeant or Company Commander, to excuse
men who were not excused by the Surgeon.
"Men frequently complained of being sick when the
duty was particularly arduous or dangerous, and on the
other hand many brave men were known to report
themselves and insist upon doing duty at such times
when they were totally unfit for it.
' 'The number reported each morning would v^ary from
five to fifty, these being all cases that could be treated
in company quarters, by reporting themselves daily.
When a man became so sick that the presence of a Sur
geon was necessary, he was sent to the Regimental
Hospital, as the men were never visited in their own
quarters except in case of an emergency."
On the 1st of June, 1864, Dr. Angell's health having
entirely failed, he was honorably discharged from the
service. For several months he had tried to resign,
knowing that he could be of very little further use, and
that he owed it to himself to seek the rest and quiet of
home. But for some reason his resignation was not ac
cepted, and at last he demanded and obtained a full
discharge. Dr. Kay was promoted to the rank of Surgeon from
the same date, to fill the vacancy, and was with the regi
ment from that time to its muster-out in 1865. Dr.
Jassoy was dismissed the service the 17th of November
following, and the vacancy never was filled.

436 History of the 124TH

An examination of the Adjutant General's Report of
the State of Illinois, gives the following statistics, bear
ing upon the medical history of our regiment :
The number discharged for disability, including
wounds, was 140, divided very evenly between the com
panies, A and B losing 17 each, which were the highest,
and E, 1 and K, 12 each, which were the lowest. The
number killed in action was iS, D, E and G losing one
each, the lowest, and H losing four, which was the high
est. The loss by death other than killed in action, was
154, of which K lost 29, which was the highest number,
F 20, the next highest, while H and I were the lowest,
losing ten each. The total loss was 312. Of the deaths
23 were caused by wounds, as specified in the report,
and four occurred in the enemies hands or after ex
change. There were also 41 transferred to the Invalid
and Veteran Reserve Corps, and five were absent sick
at the muster-out of the regiment. Of officers we lost
by death only three, namely, ist Lieut. Thomas J.
WiUian, of company K, who died at Cotton Hill, Illi
nois, Nov. 5th, 1862, having never gone to the front ;
1st Lieut Juhus A. Pratt, of company A, who was
kiUed at Vicksburg, June 26th, 1863 ; and ist Lieut.
GranvUle A. Spear, of company H, who died at Mem
phis, October 30th, 1S64. The total, as above is 361,
which is exclusive of resignations of officers, and dis
charges for causes other than disability. The o-rand
total would be considerably over 400.

Illinois Infantry. 437

From a careful perusal of the foregoing, with its facts
and figures, it is thought even the most prejudiced .sol
diers in the regiment — those who were sure they had
the most reason to complain of their treatment — will
unite in saying we had no cause to complain of our
Medical Department. Alive to the welfare of the men,
and anxious to promote their health and efficiency
through proper diet and cleanliness, as well as through
care and prescriptions when sick, our Surgeons and
their aids were as justly entitled to the honors attaching
to our name as the "Excelsior" regiment as any others,
and in their way contributed as largely to win them.
Never did our Hospital in any sense fall below our
proud record in other things, though submitted to the
severest tests, and those who used to make merry at the
morning call, as Bartlett and Merrill played it, singing
through the camp to the music of the fife :
" Go to the Doctor to get your quinine,
Go to the Doctor and get your piUs, "
would to-day be found among its warmest defenders and
friends. Even the broken speech of Dr. Jassoy, who,
the boys averred, when he asked them to show their
tongues, used to say some curious things, has a
ring of ability in it, and comes down from those years
to his credit instead of otherwise. The laughter of
those days has been long since hushed in the sorro'w
that he and Dr. AngeU come no more with us. The
latter died at Camp Chase, in Ohio, about the close of

438 History of the 124TH
the war, and Dr. Jassoy passed away at his home, No
vember 2ist, 1S76.
Dr. Kay is now a physician in good practice at Bush-
nell, lUinois, and Hospital Steward Allaire is a manufac
turing pharmacist at Peoria, achieving for himself the
success his energy and ability deserve.

Illinois Infantry. 439

CHAPTER XXV.

MISCELLANEOUS.
Officers at muster-out. — The few unchanged. — Our music. — Nye and
Matthews.— "Judge" Austin. — Postmasters. — Hospital Stewards to
spare. — Mexican war veteran. — Logan's letter at Memphis. — Fort
HiU detail. — Spangler. — Leggett's letter to Adj't Gen. Puller. — Mc
Pherson's ditto. — Desertions. — Reflections. — One story more.
THE ROSTER of our commissioned officers, as mus
tered out at Camp Douglas, Chicago, August 15,
1S65, (those promoted not having been mustered, be
cause the regiment was below the minimum number,)
was as follows :
Lieut. Col., J. H. Howe.
Quartermaster, A. N. Reece.
Surgeon, J. R. Kay.
Chaplain, R. L. Howard.
Company A — Captain, E. C. Raymond.
1st Lieut. D. Ames Bigelow.
2d Lieut. Warren F. Dodge.

440 History of the 124TH
Company B — Captain, Edwin F. Stafford.
1st Lieut. F. C. Van Vlack.
2d Lieut. C. H. Keller.
Company C — Captain, Henry L. Field.
1st Lieut. Lewis Dorian.
2d Lieut. John L. C. Richards.
Company D — Captain, Abraham Newland.
1st Lieut. Henry J. Brockway.
2d Lieut. Thomas P. Price.
Company E — Captain, Reese L. Merriman.
1st Lieut. William H. Anderson.
Company F — Captain, Norman H. Pratt.
1st Lieut. Enoch W. Taylor.
2d Lieut. Edward R. Breckons.
Company G — Captain, Benton Pratt.
1st Lieut. John W. Mosby.
2d Lieut. William B. Day.
Company H — Captain, John W. Kendall.
1st Lieut. Freeman B. Campbell.
Company I — Captain, Benjamin A. Griffith.
1st Lieut. Joel H. Masten.
2d Lieut. James M. Griffith.
Company K — Captain, Stephen N. Sanders.
1st Lieut. Hiram H. Hall.
2d Lieut. John B. Mabry.

Illinois Infantry. 441

Harvey B. Powers, of company E, and George M.
Cronk, of company H, held commissions as 2d Lieuten
ants, but not having been mustered in as such, they
were mustered out as Sergeants.
Maj, Adin Mann was absent on detached service, and
was not mustered out with the regiment.
Adjutant Wm. E. Smith had been discharged the 15th
of May previous, he being north on leave, wounded,
and the return of the regiment being so near.
A comparison of this roster with the one of Septem
ber loth, 1862. wiU show four names unchanged, to-wit,
those of Lieut. Col. Howe, Quartermaster Reece, and
Captains Field and Kendall. But of these all had been
virtually changed, save one. Lieut. Col. Howe had
been commissioned Colonel, and brevetted Brig. Gen
eral ; Capt. Field had been commissioned Major, when
Maj. Mann was commissioned Lieut. Colonel, and had
acted as such for some time, while Capt. Kendall had
gone into camp as ist Lieutenant, and had been promo
ted when Capt. Pattison was elected Major.
Therefore, of all our field and line officers. Quarter
master A. N. Reece was the only one mustered out Au
gust 15th, 1865, without any change since going into
camp at the first, and he not for lack of opportunity and
invitation for promotion, had he consented to leave the
regiment. Of our non-commissioned officers, Preston B. Durley,
Q. M. Serg't, and Charles B. Allaire, Hospital Steward,

442 History of the 124TH
on the staff", and four duty Sergeants and three Cor
porals in the line, were all that served the whole time
through unchanged. The Sergeants were Jas. S. Stone,
of A ; C. M. Cassatt, of C, and Leonard Mitchelson
and George S. Green, of F, while John Butterwick, of
A, and Garrett Brown and Chester B. Vail, of F, were
the Corporals, making a grand total of ten officers to
whom the service had brought no changes. Ten out of
one hundred and seventy-three, or one in seventeen.
Of the changes, seventeen Sergeants had been promo
ted to Lieutenants, and two to Captains, while one Cor
poral and two privates had received 2d Lieutenant's
commissions. From the non-commissioned staff" there
had been but one actual promotion, that of Sergeant
Major Richards to be 2d Lieutenant in company C, and
who was in command of that company for nearly a year,
whUe the Captain was acting Major, and the 1st Lieuten
ant detached. Sergeant Major Wharton had been com
missioned 1st Lieutenant, to fill the vacant Adjutancy,
but had not been mustered.
Our music deserves a word of mention. We were
mustered with sixteen musicians, seven companies hav
ing two each, and only one company — F — having none.
But of that number only three were really efficient, and
two of them, Joseph E. Merrill, of company H, drum
mer, and B. C. Bartlett, of company C, fifer, were made
Principal Musicians. The rest were musicians in em
bryo. Our first efforts at dress parade were somewhat
amusing, when they reached the musical feature, and as

Illinois Infantry. 443

f )r reveille or tattoo, we could not think of indulging in
any such luxuries. We very well remember one day at
Camp Butler, when, for some reason, MerriU and Bart
lett were absent and there was no fifer, Adj't. Smith
labored long to induce the three or four drummers who
were present to '•beat off" in front of the regiment. At
last he succeeded, only to be mortified by their breaking
down before they had gone half the length of the line.
But such a state of things could not continue long,
and under the instruction of the Principal Musicians, B.
C. Bartlett and Merrill, proficiency came rapidly into
pleasant notice. Some changes were made. A bright
little boy, of company B, whose name we have forgot
ten, went home sick, and was soon discharged. Charles
H. Burrows, of company C, became bass drummer, and
Wm. H. Bartlett, of company C, and John Vining, of
company A, were pressed into service as fifers, who had
not been enlisted as musicians. Carr, King, Pinney,
Swafford, Smirl and Sill, learned to drum, and we soon
had a field band of ten, of which any regiment might
well be proud. One which could not be broken up, or
rendered inefficient as long as a fifer and drummer re
mained. Beher, of company H, was discharged in Jan
uary, 1864, for promotion as Chief Bugler in a cavalry
regiment, and Pinney, of company E, for promotion as
Hospital Steward, but the rest of the efficient regimental
band remained to the close of the war, and came home
with the regiment. Even to-day do we tread a little
more firmly, and unconsciously drop into the swinging

444 History of the 124TH

step of the olden time, as we think of the stirring strains
that used to rest us on our weary marches, when
"Dixie." weU played, helped to put down the rebellion,
and our band, like our muskets, wrought its share in
the glorious work.
Of Commissary Sergeants, we had two. The first
was James A. Nye, of company F, who served the regi
ment in that capacity long and faithfully, and will be
held in lasting remembrance as our cracker man. His
conscientious fairness and firmness won for him the con
fidence of all, both in the regiment and out of it. Being
somewhat grave and particular, and a little advanced in
years, he received the sobriquet of "Pap Nye," and
will be affectionately spoken of as such as long as there
are survivors of the "Hundred and two dozen. " But
he at last became weary of the burdens of his position,
which called for a great many extra hours, and had its
peculiar responsibilities and vexations, and asked to be
relieved and returned to his company, which was done,
and Ambrose Mathews, of company A, appointed in
his place. He served in that capacity for the rest of our
time, to the satisfaction of all.
Another institution in our regiment was Erastus
Austin, first duty Sergeant of company P. He was a
very large and -fine looking man, with a sprinkhng of
grey, which caused him to be called "Judge," and such
was his bearing that most of those unacquainted with him
till they met him in the regiment, supposed him to have
been a dispenser of justice in some capacity before he

Illinois Infantry. 445

entered the service. With us, however, he became a
dispenser of cartridges, and as Ordnance Sergernt found
a position all were glad to see him fill, and where he
could be quite as useful as in the line, for which his
weight and years had apparently disqualified him. But
upon the promotion of Breckons to a Lieutenancy in
December, 1S64, the "Judge" came down from his
wagon and was on hand for his place as Orderly Ser
geant, which he filled till the muster-out of the regi
ment, apparently as little inconvenienced by the change
as many a lighter and younger man.
While we are remembering the non-combatants, the
Postmaster should not be forgotten. Among all the
friends of the soldier none were more anxiously watched
for than he. None were interrogated oftener, "Have
you a maU?" "Why don't you get a mail?" or
•'When do you think we shall have mail?" were ques
tions he had to run the gauntlet of from one end of
the regiment to the other nearly every time he ap
peared, and answer till his tongue was tired. He was
supposed to know all about the delays, whether by
land or water, and his oft repeated ''I don't know," was
sometimes accounted scarcely honest. Our first Post
master was James H. Pinney, of company A, who
served as such till sometime during the Vicksburg cam
paign, when Albert Gibbs, of company D, was ap
pointed, and served as such to the close of the war. Our
longest and last remembrances are with him, and
through his faithful hands foi* months the outgoing and

446 History of the 124TH
incoming streams of loving correspondence flowed with
out a break, gladdening us and lighting up the northern
homes where the dear ones dwelt.
Different companies were distinguished in the service
for different things, as company B for the tenacity with
which it hung together, only one man in the company
having sought or taken a transfer to the Veteran Reserve
or Invalid Corps, and he being absent when he did it.
Company H was distinguished for receiving no recruits,
when the other companies received many, only two
being accredited to it during the war, and yet it seemed
to have nearly as full ranks as the rest. It had the
usual number of deceased and discharged, and the larg
est number of killed in action. It had furnished its
quota to other organizations, including the Veteran Re
serve Corps and the Colored service, and in addition had
given three Hospital Stewards to the Regular Army,
namely, Henry E. Daniels, George S. Prindle and Mel-
vin Tarble. But it probably had fewer men on detached
service, and fewer sick, which would account for its
large number always present for duty. It was also the
young mens' company in the regiment, nearly all its
members, with its officers, after the first year, being
single men. At muster-out there were not a dozen mar
ried men in the company.
A quiet, unobtrusive private in company G, always at
his post and ready for duty, which he discharged in a
manner at once easy and perfect, proves to have been a
real veteran, though it was known to but few at the

Illinois Infantry. 447
time. And he was abundantly qualified both by native
talent and previous discipline to command us all where
he obeyed so well. His name was Jackson D. Thorn
ton, and he had served through the Mexican war, in
Capt. Pemberton's company, in the 7th Regulars, and
a subsequent term of enlistment in the U. S. Marines,
on the west coast of Africa, in suppressing the slave
trade. His soldierly qualities were soon recognized in
his company, and he was appointed Sergeant, to fill the
first vacancy.
The following letter, kindly furnished by Color Serg't.
Wesley S. Stokes, of company I, explains itself and
pours a flood of historic light upon the darkness of the
winter of 1862 and 1863 :
"Headquarters 3D Division,
17TH Army Corps,
Memphis, Tenn., Feb. 12th, 1S63.
"My Fellow- Soldiers :
"Debility from recent Ulness has prevented and stiU
prevents me from appearing amongst you as has been
my custom and is my desire. It is for this cause I deem
it my duty to communicate with you now, and give you
the assurance that your General still maintains unshaken
confidence in your patriotism and devotion, and in the
ultimate success of our glorious cause.
"I am aware that influences of the most discouraging
and treasonable character, well calculated and designed
to render you dissatisfied, have recently been brought

448 History of the 124TH
to bear upon some of you by professed friends. News
papers containing treasonable articles, artfully falsifying
the public sentiment at your homes, have been circu
lated in your camps.
"Intriguing political tricksters, demagogues and time-
servers, whose corrupt deeds are but a faint reflex of
their more corrupt hearts, seem determined to drive our
people to anarchy and destruction. They have hoped
by magnifying the reverses of our arms, basely misrep
resenting the conduct and slandering the character of
our soldiers in the field, and boldly denouncing the acts
of the constituted authorities of the government as un
constitutional usurpations, to produce general demorali
zation in the army, and thereby reap their political
reward — to weaken the cause we have espoused, and aid
those arch traitors of the south to dismember our mighty
Republic, and traU in the dust the emblem of our
National unity, greatness and glory.
"Let me remind you, my countrymen, that we are
soldiers of the Federal Union, armed for the preserva
tion of the Federal Constitution, and the maintenance of
its laws and authority. Upon your faithfulness and
devotion, heroism and gallantry, depends its perpetuity.
To us has been committed this sacred inheritance, bap
tized in the blood of our fathers. We are soldiers of a
government that has always blessed us with prosperity
and happiness. It has given to every American citizen
the largest freedom and the most perfect equality of
rights and privileges. It has afforded us security in

Illinois Infantry. 449

person and property, and blessed us till under its bene
ficent influence we were the proudest Nation on earth.
"We should be united in our efforts to put down a
rebeUion that now, like an earthquake, rocks the Nation
from State to State, and from centre to circumference,
and threatens to engulf us all in one common ruin, the
horrors of which no pen can portray. We have sol
emnly sworn to bear true faith to this government,
preserve its constitution, and defend its glorious flag
against all its enemies and opposers. To our hands
have been committed the liberties, the prosperity and
the happiness of future generations. Shall we betray
such a trust ? Shall the brilliance of your past achieve
ments be dimmed and tarnished by hesitation, discord
and dissension, while armed traitors menace you in front,
and unarmed traitors intrigue against you in the rear ?
"We are in no way responsible for any action of the
civil authorities. We constitute the military arm of the
government. That the civil power is threatened and
attempted to be paralyzed, is the reason for a resort to
military. To aid the civil authorities in the exercise of
their authority — not to oppose or obstruct — is our office.
And shall we forget this duty, and stop to wrangle and
dispute over this or that political act or measure, whUe
the country is bleeding at every pore, while a fearful
wail of anguish wrung from the heart of a distracted
people is borne upon every breeze, and widows and
orphans are appealing to us to avenge the loss of their
loved ones, who have fallen by our side in defense of

450 History of the 124TH

the old, blood-stained banner, and while the Temple of
Liberty itself is being shaken to its base by the ruthless
blows of traitors, who have desecrated our flag, ob
structed our National highways, destroyed our peace,
desolated our firesides, and draped thousands of homes
in mourning ?
"Let us stand firm at our posts of duty and of honor,
yielding a cheerful obedience to all orders from our supe
riors until by our united efforts the Stars and Stripes
shall be planted in every city, town and hamlet of the
rebellious States. We can then return to our homes and
through the ballot-box peacefully redress all our wrongs,
if any we have.
' 'While I rely upon you with confidence and pride, I
blush to confess that recently some of those who were
once our comrades in arms, have so far forgotten their
honor, their oaths and their country, as to shamefully
desert us, and skulkingly make their way to their homes,
where, like culprits, they dare not look an honest
man in the face. Disgrace and ignominy — if they
escape the penalty of the law — will not only follow
them to their dishonored graves, but will stamp their
names and lineage with infamy to the latest generation.
The scorn and contempt of every true man will ever
foUow tlose base men. who, forgetful of their oaths,
have, like cowardly spaniels, deserted their comrades
in arms in the face of the foe, and their country in the
hour of its greatest peril. Every true-hearted mother
or father, brother, sister or wife, will spurn the coward

Illinois Infantry. 451
who could thus not only disgrace himself, but his name
and his kindred. An indelible stamp of infamy should
be branded upon his cheek, that ah who look upon his
vile countenance may feel for him the contempt his
cowardice merits. Could I believe that such conduct
found either justification or excuse in your hearts, or
that you would for a moment falter in our glorious pur
pose of saving the Nation from threatened wreck and
hopeless ruin, I would invoke from Deity as the great
est boon, a common grave to save us from such infamy
and disgrace.
"The day is not far distant when traitors and cowards
north and south will cower before the indignation of
an outraged people. March bravely onward; nerve
your strong arms to the task of overthrowing every ob
stacle in the pathway of victory, until, with shouts of
triumph the last gun is fired that proclaims us a united
people, under the old flag and one government. Patriot
soldiers, this great work accomplished, the reward for
such service will be realized ; the blessings and honors
of a grateful people will be yours.
"JOHN A. LOGAN,
Brig. Gen. Commanding."
It was not fully stated in the body of the history that
our regiment furnished most of the miners under Fort
Hill, but such was the case, and as it was a work of
more than usual hardship and peril, it is due to the brave
men who had it in charge to make especial mention of
the fact. In companies A, D, F and I, were a large

452 History of the 124TH
number of miners from the coal fields near Kewanee and
Colchester. But as A was detached it furnished no de
tails for fatigue during the siege, and D, F and I were
entitled to the credit. The 45th Illinois supplied the
rest, and it will please all who wrought so arduously there
to know that their work is not forgotten.
The following statement, by Capt. B. A. Griffith, of
company I, is of interest as showing how closely we
were related to the rebellion at the outset, and how our
magnanimity and forbearance were even then abused :
"In regard to Spangler, he came into McDonough
county from Missouri just after the war commenced,
and told me he had enlisted as 1st Sergeant in company
C, 6th Missouri, rebel, and showed me a confidential
letter from Claiborne Jackson, Governor of Missouri,
authorizing h.m to raise a regiment for the confederate
army, with the promise that he should name the officers
if successful. He hisisted upon my joining and assist
ing him. I told him my opinion of the thing plainly,
but promised to try to keep the boys from hanging him
in their indignation, till he could settle up some business
for his father, and get out of lUinois.
"I next saw him on the Big Black river, when we
were encamped at Rocky Springs, after the battle of
Port Gibson. He told me he was A. A. General on
Gen. Mart Green's staff, and insisted on our meeting
between the pickets, which I declined.
"We met again on the field at Champion Hills. My
wound was dressed on the field, but I afterwards went

Illinois Infantry. 453

back from the command to the Hospital. As I was
passing where General Osterhaus' division had been en
gaged, where the dead and wounded lay in piles, I was
called to by some one lying almost in the road, with a
red blanket under him and a knapsack for a pillow. It
was Spangler. He reached out his hand and grasped
mine, and said he was going to eat his supper with
'Stonewall Jackson' that night. He raised up and I ex
amined his wound, which was just in the edge of the
hair on the back of his neck. I did not think it was
dangerous, but he said he was dying then. He asked
me to send word to his people, which I did. There
were from ten to fifteen of his old company dead and
wounded around him. I stopped as I returned about
an hour afterwards, and he was dead."
The officers who were sent home from the Big Black,
on recruiting service, in January, 1S64, in addition to
their regular papers, were furnished with the following
autogrrph letters to the Adjutant General of the State,
to aid them in their work, which, for the testimony they
bear, are worthy of being preserved in our history, and
one of them is perfectly invaluable because of the fate
of its writer whom we loved so well :
"Headquarters 30 Division. 17TH A. C,
Vicksburg, Miss., Jan. 26th, 1864.
"Brig. Gen. A. C. Fuller, Adj't. Gen. Ills :
"General: — Permit me lo bespeak your especial
attention to the 124th Illinois Infantry Volunteers, and
ask that facihties may be offered to fill its ranks.

454 History of the 124TH
"Under the skillful management of Lieut. Col, Howe
and the excellent line officers of the regiment, the 124th
Illinois has become one of the very best regiments
among the many good ones from that State. In the old
3d Division, Logan's old veterans, the 124th Illinois is
to-day the Excelsior regiment, and carries the Blue Flag
described in the enclosed Orders No. 4.
"I am. General, your obedient servant,
"M. D. LEGGETT,
Brig: Gen. Commanding."
"Headquarters 17TH Army Corps,
Vicksburg, Miss., Jan. 24th, 1864.
"Col. a. C. Fuller,
Adjt. Gen. Ills., Springfield:
•'Colonel: DetaUs from the 124th lUinois Vol-
untees have been sent home to obtain recruits for the
regiment, and I trust you will do everything you can
consistently to facilitate their object.
"The regiment, though one of the youngest in the
3d Division (late Logan's) has won a proud position in
my command, having distinguished itself for bravery
and gallantry on the battle-field, and recently carried oft
the ' Prize Banner, ' competing fairly with all the regi
ments in the Division. The regimental and line officers
are thoroughly in earnest, and well qualified for their
positions, and you can rest assured that recruits joining

Illinois Infantry. 455
this regiment will find a good school in which they
can learn everything appertaining to the duties of
a soldier. "Very respectfully your ob't serv't,
"JAMES B, McPHERSON,
Major Gen. Commanding."
A statement has already been made in the body of
the history about desertions,, which puts the matter
right, so far as it goes. But there is room for a fe'v
words more. Company K had been unfortunate either
in the character or locality of some of its men. Proba
bly the latter, for two reasons : First, that they lived so
near Springfield that they were permitted to go home
for a day or two and did not return. Second, that they
were in a section of the State where the copperhead in
fluence was felt the most. Certain it is, that out of
thirty-five desertions in the regiment, eleven, or nearly
one-third are charged to company K, six of whom were
from its original ranks, and five from its recruits. Of
the six, five never joined the company in the field, hav
ing gone home from Camp Butler. Of the rest of the
desertions, seven were from among recruits, and there
fore had no bearing upon the original material of the
regiment, while the most part of the remainder were
foreigners. Companies B, F and H did not lose a man
by desertion, which deserves proud mention, and C only
one from its original number, and he never went to the
front.

456 History of the 124TH
Before closing this chapter, where they will be in
place, if anywhere, a few remarks may be indulged.
The record of the 124th was in many respects peculiar.
And while that record has been already brought out in
these pages, and the character of the regiment faithfully
presented, there are some things which even a careful
perusal of this history would fail to suggest. Things
that for the most part a comparison with other regi
ments is necessary to bring out.
Of these the most important is that we were a very
fortunate, or a wonderfully favored regiment. While
taking our places willingly wherever we were assigned
by our superior officers, we were never but once in a
place to be slaughtered, or where we suffered any heavy
loss. Other regiments in our own brigades, as the 20th
Illinois at Raymond, the 45th lUinois on the 25th of
June, in the breach at Fort Hill, and Col. Dornblazer's
at Jackson Cross Roads, suffered far more heavily than
we. On the 22d of May, in front of Vicksburg, we did
not lose a man, and yet we were under arms all the day,
and in sight of our comrades of other regiments who feU
by hundreds. Our list of killed in action and died of
wounds, forty-two in all, according to report, is very
small for a regiment exposed as long as we were, un
der fire over eighty days and sixty nights. Single com
panies have lost as many in an hour, almost at a volley.
Again, we did not lose an officer in action. Not one
was shot down at the head of his regiment or company.
Colonels and Majors and Captains feU all around us.

Illinois Infantry. 4.57

Col. DoUins was killed on one side of us and Col. Nev
ins on the other on the same day, whUe Maj. Cowenfell
in our front, but our officers were untouched.
We were always on the winning side. Other regi
ments had their reverses ; we had none. We knew
nothing about defeat ; and consequently we were never
compelled to retreat in the face of the foe. We re
turned from some of our expeditions in Mississippi with
out accomplishing anything worthy of our efforts, and
with the enemy dogging us in the rear, but whenever
we chose we held him at bay, or drove him back at our
pleasure. In every march made, we went where we
started to go, and came back when we got ready.
We never lost a prisoner in action, or had a man cap
tured who was with the regiment at the time, We did
not lose a flag, a team, or a drum, or even a gun when
we were together.
We were never on short rations but twice, and scarcely
knew what it meant then. Real suffering from want of
food was no part of our experience.
We were not only well fed, but we were well clothed
and well paid. No regiment in the service fared better
in those things than we. No regiment in the army,
east or west, was made more comfortable in the dis
charge of its duty for the same length of time ; none
was held in higher estimation by its commanding offi
cers, as far as we knew, or obtained more favors when
it craved them.

458 History of the 124TH
It is true we were re-organized out of the 3d Division,
17th Army Corps, and so had to give up our "Excel
sior Banner," and did not go with Sherman to Atlanta
and the sea. But we remained at Vicksburg, and were
thus spared the perils and hardships we coveted, and
many of our brave men are living to-day because of our
good fortune in not having our own way.
While we were a marching and a fighting regiment,
the peers of the best, we were a parade regiment. Our
personnel was of that kind that unites the polish and
glitter of a showy life with the depth and power of the
higher ; the garishness of shoulder-straps, sashes and
white gloves in provost service with the grime and blood
that are born of the truest courage and sublimest patriot
ism in battle.
Unlike other regiments whose record is a military one
alone, however gratifying and brilliant, we were so
situated and constituted that we exercised a potent
political and social influence. Our long stay at Vicks
burg. including the political campaign of 1864. with our
jubilation upon the re-election of Lincoln, and our 4th
of July at Montgomery in 1865, are in point. We
were not only mUitary custodians and a pohce force in
those cities, but we were in close contact with their lead
ing minds, contributing largely to the restoration of
society and in the manufacture of public sentiment for
the coming years. Not that many another regiment
from the Sucker State could not have done the same

Illinois Infantry. 459

had it been where we were, just as we could have suf
fered as some of them did, had we been where they
were ; but that such was the fortune of war and rehabili
tation for us, and it was certainly exceptional.
And in all this experience so unusual, affording the
amplest opportunities for developement toward the bad,
through the unthought of temptations of a people long
debauched by slavery and its kindred vices, not an in
stance of meanness, inefficiency, double-dealing, dis
loyalty or moral cowardice was brought home to us to
stay. (A little strong. Chaplain! — Reviser.) We
went through it not only unscathed but a positive
power for good. Our officers and men were com
petent, loyal, brave and true. And now, as we some
times look over the past of our history, and at the
turbulent condition of some of the nations of earth, and
are led to wonder if we may not again be called to arms
in defense of our own loved land and government, not
one of us but says, should we have to go, as far as
those still living should render it possible, we would go
with our dear, old, tried comrades of the "Hundred and
two dozen."
And there is scarcely a man of us alive but what
writes his name "stalwart" to-day. as he hears the yell
of the rebel Brigadiers in Congress, and the crack of the
shot-gun in Yazoo county, Mississippi, where our war
path used to lie.
One story completes this miscellaneous chapter, which
would hardly be sufficiently miscellaneous without it.

460 History op the 124TH
The material is furnished by Major Mann, an-d it is sub
stantially as follows :
"On the 22d of May, company B was detailed for
skirmish duty, and deploying on the safe side of the hill
where they lay, the men went over its crest in advance
of the charging regiments. Throwing themselves flat
upon the ground, and taking advantage of everything
that would afford them shelter, they moved forward as
rapidly as possible, keeping up a deadly fire upon the
enemy's works. As soon as our regiments appeared
over the hill, the whole line of the fortifications was a
blaze of fire, which continued all the long day. Gaining
positions as near as they could to the enemy, for a time
the skirmishers answered back, comparatively unnoticed,
the attention of the rebels being directed to the larger
bodies. But as the day wore away and the danger from
the charge was less imminent, they began to turn their
fire upon the skirmishers, and compeUed them to hug
the ground in sheer desperation, not daring to raise a
head or hand for hours, as the first attempt to do so
would be saluted with scores of bullets at short range.
Being out of water, and the sun extremely hot, their
suffering became severe, and the question of relief from
it a vital one. While in this condition, just protected
by a stump scarcely as thick as his body, one of the men
saw a hzard near him, moving among the grass and
weeds with the celerity of its kind, as though nothing
unusual was transpiring around it. He naturally fell to

Illinois Infantry. 461

moralizing upon that fact, and directly thought if he
were only a lizard how easily and safely he could get
away. For a moment he almost envied the reptile, as
it was darting back and forth so near him, but the next,
a ball struck it and cut it neatly in two where it lay,
and he then rejoiced in his manhood and his protecang
stump, without a farther wish for the immunity from
danger which a reptile might possibly enjoy."

462 History of the 124TH

CHAPTER XXVI.

OTJR CAPTURED.
At Raymond. — Sehoonover. — Peter Victor.— Near Canton, Miss.—
Sayles' narrative. —Horrors of Andersonville. —Final release.- —
Randall and Wilder. —Mallen and PhiUips. —Murphy escaped.—
Dunning.

AS HAS BEEN stated, we lost no prisoners from
the regiment directly, either in camp or action.
But some of our men were captured when absent. The
first instance of this kind occurred at Raymond, where
the sick and wounded left in charge of Dr. Kay, after
the battle, were taken and paroled. Josiah W. Good
win, of company D, who died of wounds received in the
battle, May 12th, died a prisoner of war. But as none
from our number were taken to rebel prisons at that
time, we scarcely realized they had been captured.
Adolphus Sehoonover, of company A, was captured
by some lurking foe, Aug. i8th, 1863, while we were
on the Monroe expedition. He was probably on a com
missary foray on his own account, as nothing was known

Illinois Infantry. 453

of the facts at the time. He was reported missing till
March, 1864, when official inteUigence was received of
his death while a prisoner of war, at Shreveport, Lou
isiana. Peter Victor, of company B, was captured by some
party or parties while we were on the Bogue Chitto ex
pedition, October i6th, 1863, and his remains were
found in a gully where he had evidently been murdered
and stripped. As we were surrounded by rebels during
all the time we were in that vicinity, and especially as
he was a perfectly harmless and inoffensive man, who
could not have been disposed of in that way by our own
soldiers, it was generally believed that he had wandered
too far from his command, with the above result.
But it was upon our return from the "Meridian raid,"
in February, 1864, when lying at Canton, Mississippi,
that our greatest misfortune of this kind befel us, as has
already been mentioned in its place, in Chapter 14.
Corporal Alford S. Sayles, of company A, who was
one of the captured, gives the following account of the
affair, and his subsequent experience. The language
has been varied for the sake of a more perfect connec
tion, but the statements are substantially as he made
them. •'On the 29th of February a scouting expedition was
undertaken, commanded by a Captain of the 20th Illi
nois, and Adjutant Smith, of our regiment, which con
sisted of forty men, of whom ten were from the 124th, or

464 History of the 124TH

one man from each company, as I understood it. It was
reported that the enemy's cavalry were making a demon
stration between us and the Big Black, with the probable
intenti-on of capturing our supply train from there. We
were ordered to go out about ten miles and remain till
four o'clock, and were mounted as cavalry. There was
considerable of a scramble in some of the companies for
the privilege of going upon this expedition, as it was
expected to be more than usually enjoyable. Our num
bers were thought to be sufficiently formidable, we were
well mounted and officered, and anticipated a dashing
ride. We had done as directed, and were returning just be
fore night, not having seen an enemy, and therefore not
expecting any danger. When within some three or four
miles of our camp, as we were moving along on a swing
ing trot, we saw men on horseback in the road ahead of
us, with blue overcoats on, whom we took to be our
cavalry, and keeping on directly toward them without
slackening our pace, we were saluted with a volley from
some of their party, who were hidden by a fence in a
field. They had concluded that when thus attacked we
would naturally charge through them and endeavor to
escape, or close out the affair with the usual cavalry
dash, and had a regiment just ahead ready to receive us.
But being infantry, we disappointed them by instantly
dismounting, getting over the fence, and opening fire
upon them, partly in the flank. Surprised, and with
their plan frustrated, they immediately developed their

Illinois Infantry. 465

strength, and began to close rapidly about us. Seeing
how useless a contest with such overwhelming numbers
would be, most of our party broke for the nearest tim
ber, which was low and swampy, and several of them
succeeded in getting away. Some were killed outright,
one being shot in the back while running, who, I think,
belonged to our regiment. Another was killed while
stamping his money in the ground after being taken, and
sixteen in all were captured.
"The enemy proved to be the advance of Gen. Jack
son's cavalry, and were about i lOO strong, under the
command of Wirt Adams.-
"We were all stripped and robbed of everything of
value. I hated to lose my boots, which were nearly
new, but a Lieutenant took them and left me bare
footed. "Fearing I should lose my pants, as others had done,
which were also new, I stooped over, unobserved, and
tore them up the legs to save them.
''We remained nearly where we were until about two
o'clock in the morning, hearing our drums beat distinctly
at tattoo, with feelings that are a pain to remember.
Some got a little sleep, but there was none for me. At,
that time they broke camp and started westward, going
about sixteen miles, the prisoners all being barefooted and
bareheaded, with very little to eat. The next day they
struck northeast and run us across the country 172 miles,

466 History of the 124TH
as they called it, to Gainesville, in Alabama. We suf
fered greatly on the way, our feet being in a frightful
condition. Sometimes the feeblest of us were allowed
to ride for a little ways.
"From Gainsville we were taken by steamer to Ca
haba, where we remained about six weeks. Then they
told us we were to be paroled, and we felt pretty weU
about it, but the statement was only a refinement of
cruelty, for we were taken directly to AndersonviUe,
Georgia, which was then intended to be the great, per
manent prison pen and graveyard for the Union soldiers
in their hands. We were among the second lot that
arrived there, about 5,000 having previously come,
nearly at one time, from Belle Isle. But so rapidly did
they follow us that on the 30th of June, only about two
months after our arrival, there were 33,000 men draw
ing rations within an enclosure of only twelve acres, with
two acres of swamp in the middle of that. The story
of our exposure and suffering is a part of the fearful
history of the war, and need not be repeated by me.
I found my brother-in-law from Iowa among the prison
ers, and was with him when death kindly put a period
to his suffering.
"In July the authorities evidently became alarmed by
the result of their atrocities, and began to enlarge the
stockade. There was apparently nothing to prevent
their doing that before, except the disposition on their
part. If food was scarce, certainly ground was not, '

Illinois Infantry. 467
and we might at least have had plenty of room, and
purer air. But their efforts were too late to be of much
avail. So many had died before the new grounds were
opened, that we scarcely needed them.
"I was there all summer, and shared and saw it all.
Our forces were only ninety miles away at one time, and
two divisions of cavalry could easily have delivered us.
We did not blame the government for not exchanging
us ; it would have given the rebels so many able-bodied
men in our places, and taken us in our helplessness —
there was not a man among us for months who was fit
for duty.
"The Sth of September they became alarmed and
commenced to run us out. I was taken away the 12th
to Charleston, and then to Florence, South Carolina.
There we lay in a field till they built a stockade, and
were nearly starved to death. Rations for eighteen days
were three spoonfuls of meal and two of beans per day,
with an occasional spoonful of molasses. During five
months in Florence we drew meat only once. After we
got into the stockade they gave us a pint of meal a day,
or its equivalent in beans. Sometimes we had a trifle
of salt, but only a pinch. A spoonful of salt was worth
as much as a pint of meal among us.
"We lay there tiU Sherman reached Columbia. I
lost the run of dates after leaving Andersonville. When
they found that Sherman was at Columbia, they began

468 History of the 124TH

to take us away from Florence. There were about
11,000 of us there at that time, and the mortality had
been fearful. We were first taken to Wilmington, N.
C. , to be paroled, so said. But something occurring,
we were removed to Goldsborough, and back into the
woods, where we lay two weeks. Our condition can
neither be described nor imagined. Then we were
started for Wilmington again, this time to certainly be
paroled. When within eight miles of the place it was
captured by our forces and we could distinctly hear the
firing and shouting.
"Having been unloaded from the train, we were
hastily put on board again and run back to Golds
borough, which we reached in the night, and immedi
ately started for the woods once more. On the way I
dropped for the first time, and about 150 others did the
same. We lay where we fell till morning, when they
picked us up, loaded us into wagons and took us to a
warehouse, where we remained till we were paroled,
which was about two weeks after.
' 'We were then taken to Wilmington by rail, and I
was left in the car after all the rest were removed, prob
ably through some oversight. I think I must have
remained there nearly an hour, expecting every moment
some one would come after me, but becoming anxious
about it, I crawled out on the platform of the car.
Being unable to see anybody or anything from where I
was, except the long train as it stood on the curved

Illinois Infantry. 4G9

track, I concluded to try to get down, and accordingly
dropped to the ground. But I could not stand, and
consequently rolled down the bank about twenty-five
feet into the swamp. From this new position I looked
up and could see the "Stars and Stripes" on the flag-sfaff
of a steamer just ahead. I never felt so glad in my life.
I picked myself up and went up the bank, as I would
not have believed it possible. I was received kindly on
board the steamer and given a cup of coffee and two
'hard tack. ' I really thought I was in paradise. In
side of five minutes after I got on board the steamer the
train backed out. I had just saved myself
"From there I was taken to Annapolis, where I was
clothed and given ration, or commutation money. As
soon as I was able to travel, I was started for parole
camp at St. Louis, Mo., going through Columbus,
Ohio. At the latter place I had my first square meal,
at a restaurant, taking the whole bill of fare. From St.
Louis I obtained a furlough home, and reached there in
time to hear of the assassination of our beloved President.
Having been ordered to repair to St. Louis for discharge,
I slopped at Camp Butler on my way, and was finallj'
discharged from there, June 27th, 1865.
"Randall, Wilder and I were separated at Anderson
ville, and I lost track of them entirely. They called me
Corporal while we were together, and the title stuck to
me aU through my prison life. I think one of our regi
ment died at Cahaba.

470 History of the 124TH
"My health is entirely broken. I can do but little,
and nothing that involves any mental strain. Some
times I dare not trust myself to transact any important
business, and can scarcely remember anything. At
other times when I have taken the greatest of care of
my exercise and diet, and do not read at all, my head
seems to be quite clear. But at the best I am only a
wrecik. One of the survivors of the horrors of Ander
sonville, and an exhibit of the tender mercies of the
rebeUion." Of Cyrus W. Randall, of company E, who was taken
with Sayles, nothing is known except what is contained
in the foregoing narrative, only that the records of
AndersonviUe state that he died there, October 12th,
1864, and give the number of his grave as 10,772.
Wallace Wilder, of company H, another one of the
victims, lived to be exchanged, probably about the
same time that Sayles was, and reached Annapolis,
where he died March i6th, 1S65.
Samuel Mallen and Edward Phillips, of company K,
were never heard from. If Sayles was right as to one
of our regiment being shot at the time the rest were
taken, and another one's dying at Cahaba, that would
account for them.
George C. Murphy, of company I, succeeded in
escaping after being captured, and returned to the regi
ment a few days subsequently, upon the Big Black.

Illinois Infantry. 471
The rest of the company got away that night, and came
in with the Adjutant the next morning.
While we were on the march from Fish river, in Ala
bama, to Spanish Fort, Silas W. Dunning, of company
E, fell into the hands of some prowling cavalrymen,
and was detained by them for a few days, suffering but
little inconvenience therefrom. And this completes the
hst of our captured as far as known.

472 History of the 124TH

CHAPTER XXVII.

OUR DEPARTED.
SINCE THEIR honorable discharge from the service
of their country, by the muster-out of the regiment,
or previously, several of our number have died, and our
numbers have been slowly but surely thinning. Already
we look each other in the face with a saddened feeling,
when we meet from- year to year, because our old com
rades come up with us no more, and because we remem
ber that very soon our places, like theirs, will be vaicant,
and there will be none to fill them. The youth, the
strength, the valor of the old ' 'Hundred and two dozen"
will have passed away, and save in the Union we fought
to maintain, and the liberties and land we cherished, will
have left no trace behind.
As we think of the near future to us all, and of the
heroism of those already deceased, we feel like paying
a tribute of respect to the patriotism, courage and mem
ory of our departed comrades, as far as our information
permits, deeply regretting that our knowledge is insuffi
cient to make the list complete.

Illinois Infantry. 473

And first upon it must stand the name of our be
loved commander. Brevet Brig. Gen. J. H. Howe, who
died at Laredo, Texas, April 3d, 1S73 ; and we beUeve
the interest taken in him by the brave men whom he
commanded so long and weU. demands the insertion of
the following obituary and editorial from the Kewanee
Independent :
OBITUARY. "Kewanee, AprU 21st, 1873.
••The funeral of General John H. Howe was attended
yesterday at the Congregational Church in this place,
by an immense concourse of people of all classes, each
one eager to bear some humble part in token of friend
ship, or in testimony to the worth of our honored and
loved friend and brother, now gone from us to return no
more. A very appropriate tribute and sermon was de
livered by the Rev. H. B. Foskett, of Monmouth, his
first Chaplain in the army, and for a long time previous
a personal friend of Gen. Howe and his family.
"Gen. John H. Howe was born in Riga, Monroe
county, New York, September 12th, 1822, and died at
Laredo, Texas, on the 3d of April, being in the fifty-first
year of his age. Early in life he chose as his line of active
service and duty the profession of the law, and was ad
mitted to the bar in Ashtabula county, Ohio. From
thence, in 1S55, he removed to this place, where he
resided until his death.

474 History of the 124TH
' 'In his profession as a lawyer he always held an hon
orable position — not only as an able advocate and coun
selor, but equally as a jurist, discharging the duties of
judge with impartiality, and to the satisfaction of his
compeers and clients.
"Judge Howe was always a friend of the poor, and
always sought their welfare, as many now living will
testify. He was largely a peace-maker, advising settle
ment of differences among neighbors, when it could be
without the surrender of right and justice. And thus
he won his way to the confidence and hearts of his
friends, and was in the way of merited reward and pop
ularity when the sky lowered and the nation's sun was
overcast by the war-cloud of rebellion. When treason
was openly advocated in the halls of Congress — when
the southern States, one after another, declared for
State rights, and demanded the surrender of the doc
trines and principles of the Declaration of Independ
ence, and of the Union of these United States — no
heart was more grieved and no voice more firm and de
cided than was his ; and when they madly, blindly
grasped the sword, and rallied under the palmetto in
defiance of the Stars and Stripes, the ' red, white and
blue, ' the 'glorious old flag of the Union, ' and when the
boom of the cannon, and the shock of the iron enginery
of war, felt through the land, as Sumter's walls were
battered, told that the ' Rubicon was past, ' that it was
dismemberment and disunion and the consequent over
throw of the Government, or war and victory for its

Illinois Infantry. 475
defense and the overthrow of the rebellion, then it was
that the love of home and friends, and the advantages,
pecuniary and political, gained by years of toil and
strict integrity in his profession, gave way before the
love of country. The tide of patriotism that was roll
ing over the loyal north like an ocean wave driven by
the tempest, was hailed and welcomed by our departed
friend with a profound determination to lay at once upon
his country's altar his services, his fortune, and if need
be, his life.
"And in all this his confiding and devoted wife was a
partner and a conqueror, cheering every one who could
to buckle on the armor of a soldier in defense of liberty
and the Union. And when the call came for 300,000 more
men, and then quickly for 300,000 more. Judge Howe
was among the first to respond. In his own office, steps
were immediately taken and plans matured for organi
zation, and on the 9th of August, 1S62, his name was
enrolled with many others in this community, and Sep
tember lOth they were mustered into the 124th regi
ment of Illinois Volunteers, J. H. Howe holding the
rank of Lieut. Colonel. They were soon under march
ing orders, and how bravely and nobly this regiment,
with Col. Howe as their gallant leader, acted their part
in the bloody drama of the war of the rebellion, the fol
lowing historic sketch will indicate. *****
"Through all this leaden rain of death the life of the
heroic General was spared, and when the rebellion
waned, and the war-cloud began to lift, the struggle

476 History of the 124TH

being ended, no one was more glad or joyous than he.
The country saved and the enemy subdued, he was
eager to lay down his honors, and return to the quiet
prosecution of his chosen profession.
"Of a generous and genial nature. Gen. Howe loved
his intimate friends ardently, and k was in the bosom of
society at home, and especially of his family, that he
was most honored and loved. Commencing his public
life so nearly with the beginning of this town, he at
once entered heartily into all its public improvements,
contributing liberally, and often beyond his means, for
the support and maintenance of all the public interests
of the then new and rising village. And we had fondly
hoped that after the war closed he might here spend the
rest of his life in the enjoyment of that promotion and
success which his talent and service to his country so
richly merited. But God's ways are not as our ways.
Almost immediately on his return from the army it was
whispered in intimate circles, ' The General looks bad ;
he is sick. ' These indications were even more anxiously
noticed by his wife, who was quick to discern the insid
ious approaches of disease. Nor were those alarms
false. Consumption had already begun its fatal work.
"Still he was comforted, and for two years by the
appointment of the President, filled the office of Chief
Justice of the Territory of Wyoming, discharging aU the
duties of this office with great acceptance to the people
and credit to himself And although for those years in
tervening, he has with an iron will fought against the

Illinois Infantry. 477
enemy in ambush, most of the time performing active
labor in his profession, still the citadel of life, which had
come to be a besieged fortress, gradually gave way,
until it was evident that the last battle must soon be
fought, unless something could be done to divert the
enemy. "Change of climate was suggested and plans were
soon perfected, and by solicitation of anxious friends,
President Grant gave him a commission as secretary to
the United States Commission to Mexico and Texas, for
investigating border difficulties. In this perilous jour
ney, with all its anxieties, his excellent wife, by night
and by day, was his companion and comforter. For a
time hopes were entertained, and cheerful letters to
home friends awakened expectations, which made the
news of his rapidly failing health the more painful.
"At Laredo, Texas, 300 mUes from railroad commu
nication, in the very midst of savage hordes of Indians,
that have of late disturbed that border State, he halted
in the march, laid off" his armor, and after giving affec
tionate and kind counsel to his comrades and to his wife,
with comforting messages for his children whom he
loved so ardently, and making several requests with
reference to his funeral, he took the hand of his weeping
wife, saying, •Don't weep, Juha ; my time has come —
I am ready. I am at peace with God and all mankind,'
and with a smile upon his countenance, jell asleep.
"Mrs. Howe now had opportunity for brave and
heroic action. So far from home, 300 miles inland from

478 History of the 124TH
railroads, and among savages, what should be done?
Should he be buried in a strange and desolate land ? It
could not be. Her purpose was already taken. His
dust should rest in the 'home circle' in the family lot,
already sacred to the memory of loved ones gone. It
would make this notice, already too- long, wearisome to
detail the incidents of that lonely- journey, a large part
of which was performed in a government wagon, with
only a partial escort. But what will not the love and
heroism of a noble woman accomplish. It should be
said, however, that during the General's sickness and
death, and on the passage to the railroad station, the
officers of the Commission rendered every possible aid
and attention.
"Mrs. Howe arrived at Kewanee with the body em
balmed, on the morning of the 17th, and yesterday it
was laid away for the resurrection, in the family lot,
while many hundreds of soldiers and citizens and friends
testified by their presence and tears, 'We are all mourn
ers to-day. '
"He leaves behind to lament his loss, his devoted
wife and four children, who will now gather up and cher
ish many, many precious memories of the departed.
And may they each be able to say with a cheerful sub
mission, 'He doeth aU things weU,' 'Though he slay
me, yet wiU I trust in Him.' G."

Illinois Infantry. 479
EDITORIAL— Earth to Earth.
"The last sad tribute of respect was paid to the re
mains of the late Hon. J. H. Howe, on Sunday, the
20th inst, by a large concourse of friends, many of
whom came from neighboring towns and cities to join
in the mournful cerennony of consigning the remains of
him they had so long known and honored to their last
resting place.
"It is known to our readers, that in his rapidly failing
health, Mr. Howe sought and obtained an appoint
ment under the government, whose duties took him to
the Mexican frontier, in the hope that his health would
be benefitted by the mildness of the climate, and that
Mrs. Howe accompanied him on what proved to be his
last earthly journey. For a short time after reaching
his destination he seemed to rally, and was encouraged
to hope that his sojourn there would be attended with
permanent benefit. But, alas, the hope was short-lived,
and he died at Laredo, Texas, on the 3d inst. As soon
as the necessary preparations could be made, Mrs. Howe
in charge of the remains of her late husband, accompan
ied by a military escort, started for Austin, Texas, a dis
tance of about 300 miles, and the nearest railroad poinf.
This long, tedious, and lonely journey was safely ac
complished, and she left Austin on the 14th, from which
she made a rapid journey home, coming all the way
by rail, and reaching here on Thursday morning,
the 17th.

480 History of the 124TH
"The Masonic fraternity, of which Mr. Howe had
long been a member, took charge of the arrangements
for the funeral, notifying friends, companions and asso
ciates in the varied career of his public life, numbers of
whom came from a distance to pay the last tribute of
respect to his remains. Many of the officers and sol-
diers who served with and under him in the late war,
were present and participated in the funeral services.
"The Masonic order turned out in much greater force
than on any former occasion in this place. Galva con
tributed a delegation some forty strong, while the fra
ternity of Neponset, Princeton, and Galesburg were
represented. "The procession was formed at Masonic HaU, and
preceded by a band of music, proceeded to the late resi
dence of the deceased, at about two o'clock, p m. , from
whence it moved to the Congregational Church, where an
appropriate and impressive discourse was delivered by
Rev. Foskett, and the usual services performed. After
the close of which, and the performance of that portion
of the Masonic funeral services adapted to the church, the
procession was re-formed and took up its mournful line
of march, escorting the remains of him who had so often
moved with the throng in life, to their final resting place
in the silent tomb, to which they were consigned with
the solemn and impressive services peculiar to the
order.

Illinois Infantry. 481
"On returning to the Hall, the Lodge of this place
passed appropriate resolutions of respect for the de
ceased, and condolence with the bereaved family."
Surgeon L. H. Angell, who was honorably dis
charged from the service for disability, June ist, 1S64,
died subsequently at Camp Chase, in Ohio, but the
time and circumstances of his decease are not known.
Second Assistant Surgeon John Jassoy, died at his
residence, in Aurora, Ills,, November 21st, 1876.
First Lieutenant Wm. H. Anderson, of company E,
died in Texas, January 15th, 1S76.
Second Lieutenant Christopher H. Keller, of com
pany B. died at his home, in Batavia, Kane county.
Ills., August 5th, 1876. The following notice of his
death is from the Batavia News, of August 6th :
"C. H. Keller was born in Hinsdale, Cattaraugus,
county, N. Y. , April 20th, 1840, and came to lUinois
with his parents in the spring of 1844. He labored
with them as a dutiful and faithful son till in answer to
the call of his country for defenders in her hour of peril,
he enlisted in the 124th Illinois, serving faithfully tUl
the close of the war, and being mustered out as Lieu
tenant. His comrades in arms all speak of him in the
highest terms as a soldier and true friend. Many of
them were present at his funeral, some coming from a
long distance. At the close of the war he returned to

482 History of the 124th
his work on the farm, where he was soon called by the
long sickness and ultimate death of his father, to assume
the responsibilities of the head of the family. His pleas
ant home, for so many years made cheerful by his pres
ence, now seems desolate. Three children, a wife,
mother and grandmother, representatives of four gener
ations, mourn over his departure. But they mourn not
without comfort. Faithful in all duties and responsi
bilities that were placed upon him, though dead to them
he is with that blessed company that wear the crown of
eternal life. "
Second Lieutenant Edward R. Breckons, of company
F, is also deceased. Being a coal miner of long experi
ence and tried skill and faithfulness, he was offered a situ
ation in Pennsylvania, as Superintendent in charge, which
promised better for him financially than anything he
could command in Illinois. So he removed from Kewa
nee, where he had previously resided, to his new eastern
home, where he was prospering finely tiU an accident
occurred in the mine or shaft, by which he lost his life.
The time and partiuculars are unknown to the writer,
but the fact remains that another family is in mourning,
and another one of the brave, true and tried officers of our
noble regiment, who came home with us, has been gath
ered to his reward, and we mourn his loss.
Sergeant Asa Bunton, of company A, passed away
only this last spring, of chronic diarrhoea, contracted in
the army. For some years he had been wasting awa\',
some of the time having no control over his appetite

Illinois Infantry. 483

whatever, being like a child in his weakness, in the
hands of his friends. At other times he would seem to
rally for a while, and a little hope would spring up in the
hearts of those who loved him so well. But he is gone
at last. He was a brave soldier and every way a worthy
man, and really gave not three years alone, but his life
to his country.
Principal Musician Joseph E. Merrill,' formerly of
company H, is gone from us. He was young and
apparently healthy, and his early death was a surprise
as well as a grief to all. He died within the past two
years, but we cannot give the exact time
Wallace W. Baker, of company H, is among those
we mourn, he having died within the past few years.
He was the athlete of the regiment, and in many res
pects a choice spirit, full of life and energy. But while
many of the older and staid linger, his march below is
ended. Both of- the above came home with us.
First Lieutenant Ezra C. Benedict, of company G,
who resigned February i6th, 1863, at Memphis, Ten
nessee, has since died at his home in New Boston, lUi
nois. His health was never good after his short sojourn
in the south, and he passed away greatly beloved and
regretted by all who knew him, leaving a large family to
mourn a patriot husband and father's loss.
Jay Martin, who was mustered out of service Au
gust 15th, 1865, as 1st Sergeant of company G, has
since died, as stated by Sergeant J. D. Thornton, but
no particulars are given.

484 History of the 124TH
Privates Martin Kinseman and William Nadge, he
also reports dead, but no time or place, while Private
Henry Knickerbocker died at Rock Island in 1877,
and Daniel McGrath at Memphis, Tennessee, in the
same year — all of company G, and who were mustered
out August 15th, 1S65.

Illinois Infantry. 485

CHAPTER XXVIII.

re-unions.  CONCLUSION.
SINCE THE CLOSE of the war, the "Hundred and
two dozen" has not been enirely lost to itself It
was the understanding at the muster-out at Chicago,
that the loth of September, the anniversary of our muster-
iu at Camp Butler, should be our re-union day.
Pursuant to that plan, our first meeting was held at
Kewanee in 1867, and was one of great interest. The
citizens of that beautiful village made ready a lovely
grove for our reception, spread immense tables, even to
groaning beneath their burdens, with the substantials
and delicacies of their garden soil, and welcomed us and
others by thousands.
The attendance on the part of the regiment was large,
Aurora and Batavia appearing in their strength, C, D,
and I being well represented ; Tenney and Reece were
present from Chicago, Chaplain Howard from Michigan,
Durley from Hennepin, and Serg't. Major Wharton
drove across from Millersburg.

486 History of the 124TH
Speeches were made by Generals Howe and Carr,
Maj. Mann, Rev. Mr. Van Wagner, Capt. Newland,
Chap. Howard, and others. The Chaplain sung "Old
Shady," and "A Thousand Years," the boys all joining
in the chorus as they did under the pines in the days
gone by, and Serg't. Kent sung "We've drunk from
the same Canteen," with inspiriting effect.
The next gathering was in Aurora, in 186S, and was
like its predecessor in attendance, interest and cheer.
The citizens of that beautiful city seemed to vie with
those of Kewanee in giving a welcome to their patriot
defenders, though the gallant old 36th had the first, and
therefore, it might have been supposed, the chief claim
upon their public spirit and efforts.
In 1 87 1 another re-union was held at Kewanee, which
was the last attended by our beloved commander. Gen.
Howe. Maj. Mann was chosen Chairman, and Chap
lain Howard Secretary, and at the in.stance of Gen.
Howe, a permanent organization was effected, looking
towards the coUection of material, and the ultimate pub
lication of a history of the regiment. Of this organi
zation Capt. Stafford was President, Chaplain Howard
Recording Secretary, and Capt. Kendall Corresponding
Secretary. Gen. Howe, Capt. Newland, Chaplain Howard, and
others made speeches ; our old songs were rendered with
some of the zest and eclat of the days gone by, and
Kewanee gave us a bounteous supper at one of her

Illinois Infantry. 487

hotels, at which the old time "hard tack" knights were
most ably supported by their wives and sweethearts as
table-companions. The homes of the citizens were
aU open to us during our stay, and many of our battles
were fought over again, and the weary miles re-marched,
as we gathered with them around their pleasant fire
sides. The account of the day, as published, closed with
the following, which voiced the painful thought of more
than one at our parting:
"At midnight the whistle was heard, not hke the
reveille of memory, and after another cup of coffee, pre
pared by loving hands, and another warm and lingering
grasp, in which the fingers were compelled in many in
stances to do duty for the speechless lips, we were off"
in the darkness, as we had often been for the foe, and
the re-union of 187 1 was a thing of the past."
The next gathering was to have been held at Chicago,
but naturally slipped down to Batavia, and was richly
enjoyed by aU present. That beautiful and thriving
place could do, and did as well as her sisters in enter
taining the veterans of a regiment of which she was
justly proud, and to which she contributed such a noble
body of men as company B.
"The fifth annual re-union," as the report called it, was
held in Aurora, in 1S76, spacing over eleven years from
our muster-out. About fifty of the survivors of the
regiment were present, and were nobly entertained by

488 History of the 124TH
the ladies and citizens, the Aurora Cornet Band, the
Aurora Light Guards, and Post No. 20, G. A. R.
Maj. Mann, Rev. Samuel Paine, Rev. H. W. Thomas,
and Col. Stambaugh, made the principal speeches, and
a bounteous supper was served.
Capt. Tenney, of Chicago, presided, and the question
of a history was so prominently before the meeting
that, on motion of O. D. Bonney, a committee, consist
ing of Maj. Mann, Quartermaster Reece, and Hon. H.
H. Evans was appointed to take the work in hand, and
report upon its practicability at the next meeting, which
was voted to be holden in Batavia, in 1877.
Resolutions of respect, condolence and sympathy
were adopted, in view of the loss sustained by us and
their families, in the deaths of General Howe and Lieu
tenants Keller and Breckons.
Sept. 10, 1877, the re-union was held at Batavia, accord
ing to appointment, and was as truly enjoyable as its pre
decessors had been. At this gathering Maj. H. L, Field,
of Upper Alton, acted as Chairman, and P. B. Durley,
of Hennepin, as Secretary. A lengthy report was sub
mitted by the publication committee, and formed the
main topic for discussion. It having been ascertained
that sufficient material could be gathered for a truly valu
able history, and that Chaplain Howard, then a resident
of Lewiston, Maine, would undertake the work of com-
pihng ft, subscriptions were taken upon the spot suffi
cient to guarantee its success, and the Chaplain was

Illinois Infantry. 489

chosen Historian. A committee of revision was also
chosen, consisting of Maj. H. L. Field and Silas Wright
Dunning, of company E, but the latter was unable to
serve. It was decided to hold the next re-union in Chicago,
and that the Historian should be invited to be present,
with his work in as good a state of forwardness as pos
sible. This was carried into effect at the Tremont
House, in Chicago, September loth, 187S, and Chaplain
Howard was present, with nine chapters of the written
history, including the siege of Vicksburg. He had also
visited Batavia, Aurora, Kewanee, Colchester, Upper
Alton, Jerseyville, and New Boston, and lectured in the
interest of the work. The attendance in Chicago was
much less than had been expected, on account of a
greater military attraction and re-union at Amboy. But
the history spirit was high, and our plans were matured
to such an extent, either over our sumptuous dinner, or
in our club room, that the work from that hour was an
assured success.
By vote, at Chicago, the selection of a place for our
next re-union was left to a committee of three, Tenney,
Stafford and Field. After due correspondence, as the
State Fair was then to be in session in Springfield, it
was decided to hold the next in that city, September
30th, 1879. A local committee of arrangements was
appointed, of which Captain Lewis Dorian was chair
man, and an effort was made to secure General Logan
to address us, but previous engagements prevented.

490 History of the 124TH
An immense gathering of the soldiers of the northwest,
at Aurora, August 22d, 23d and 24th, had given those
of our regiment in the north end of the State as much
"re-union" as they cared to attend in 1879; and, to
crown the whole, after all our arrangements were made,
and Judge (formerly Colonel) Jas. H. Matheny had
kindly consented to address us. President Hayes and party
had a grand reception at the Executive Mansion of
Gov. CuUom, the same evening appointed for our re
union ! But, not to be defeated by these untoward cir
cumstances, and in keeping with the well known spirit
of the regiment, a stalwart dozen or so did "re-unite,"
some of whom had not seen the faces of the others since
the day of our muster-out at Chicago, in August, 1865 ;
heard the encouraging report, forwarded by Quarter
master Reece, that full 600 copies of the history had
been subscribed for, at $1 a copy ; the amount already
paid in, etc ; saw the 2S4 pages of manuscript sent by
Chaplain Howard to the revising committee, and then,
in accordance with the benign suggestion of Judge
Matheny, who, under the circumstances, wisely prefer
red to save his speech for some other re-union, adjourned
to the great Reception at Gov. CuUom's, which was, in
deed a magnificent affair.
It was fully intended to have the History ready for
delivery by September, 1879, the time set for the re
union at Springfield. But the delays incident to the
magnitude of the work, and the fact that the Historian

Illinois Infantry. 491

was meantime conducting the labors of an arduous pas
torate, prevented.
But now it is completed. And whether its appear
ance, in the morning of iSSo, shall prove a bond to draw
us together, often and closer in the years to come, or
whether the work itself shall suffice us, so that in its
silent pages we shall live our perils over again to our
fullest, and_ feel less of the hungering that has prompted
us to traverse the weary miles to grasp a comrade's
hand, remains to be seen.
The one who has been buried for months over these
pages, never prized the members of the noble old regi
ment more highly, trusted them more fully, or loved
them more dearly than now. And as he forecasts the
threatening sky of treason, corruption and hate, hanging
low over the granite of the east, and prairies of the west,
as well as over the cotton-fields and sugar plantations of
the south, he rejoices that so many of the men that fol
lowed our old "Excelsior" banner live stiU, and many
more like them live also, writing their names ' 'Stalwart. "
And because they live he has hope, hope for our country,
hope for them, hope that the patriotism and valor that
sufficed in the face of the foe in arms, will prove equal
to the emergency now. And that hope causes a yearn
ing for a lookin the same determined eyes, and another
march with the same proud step by the side of the tried
and true, stronger than any entertained before. It may,
or it may not be reahzed ; He who watches over nations

492 History of the 124TH

only knows what awaits us, and He who cares for indi
viduals alone can tell our future as men ; but there are
none of our number who do not rejoice at what we have
been permitted to do, and stand ready, if need be, to
peril our lives again for our country and liberty and
right.

Supplementary Note. 493

SUPPLEMENTARY NOTE.

a word of explanation seems due from the Revising Committee.
At the reunion at Batavia, September 10th, 1877, it will be remem
bered by those present, that among other steps taken to forward and
complete the preparation of the History, such a committee was
appointed, consisting of the undersigned and Silas Wright Dunning,
of company E. On corresponding vrith Mr. Dunning, it was learned
that he could not attend to this duty ; and hence the entire work of
revision has, much to the latter's regret, fallen upon the other mem
ber of the committee.
At first, with all his other duties and responsibilities, it is but proper
for him to say that he felt wholly unequal to the task, and unwUling,
alone, to assume so great a responsibility . But, after correspondence
with the Publishing Committee — there seeming to be no other course,
without extra trouble and delay — the task was undertaken, and not
withstanding the constant duties of the pastorate of a church,
and the extra labor of a change of residence meantime, it has been
carried through with such of ability and carefulness as he was able
to bestow upon it. The first 284 pages of manuscript were received
about September 25th, 1879, and, as soon as possible, passed over to
the hands of the printer, Mr, H. W. Rokker, of Springfield, when the
work of- publishing began in earnest.
About November 25th over 100 pages more of fools-cap manuscript,
with eight pages of chapter headings for the forepart of the book,
were received, and soon followed the other to the printer's office.
About the middle of December the chapter on Reunions" was received

494 Supplementary Note.

and forwarded, which completed the Chaplain's laborious part of the
work. From October, 1879, tOl the work of publishing was done,
(about the last of January, 1880,) from one to four parcels of
manuscript a week, -with accompanying proof containing from six to
eighteen pages each, have been passing from the printer to the reviser,
and back again, with as little delay as possible. And no doubt aU
interested are thoroughly glad that the end has at last come.
The labor of re-rising, while undertaken with much reluctance and
apprehension, felt to be, as it was, one of great responsibility, and
necessarUy requiring much time, has been one of absorbing interest,
and, in the highest sense of that term, "a labor of fo»6." As the
Chaplain has already testified, so the present -svriter can truly add,
that he had never thought so much of the old regiment, to which he
had the honor of belonging, as since reading over, in this connected
way, the record of its history. And as he now casts about and has the
evidence that a large number of its survi-ring members are filling
places_|of honor and trust in the various walks of Ufe, the con-riction
deepens that every man who belonged thereto has reason to recall,
with pride, his connection with this regiment. Among those who
served most, if not all the time, as privates, at least two have been
called to fill seats in the Legislatures of their respective States —
Hon. Henry H. Evans, (Co. H.) of Aurora, Illinois, to whose influence
was largely due the present militia law of this State; and Hon.
Harrison W. Beck, formerly of company C, in the Legislature of
Kansas. Others, whose names it is not necessary to mention, both of
officers and men, have also gained great credit to themselves in
different ways, and thereby reflected honor upon their old regiment.
But a word more concerning the work itself, before closing. After
all the pains taken by Chaplain Howard in preparing the History,
which has involved a cast amount of labor, and all the care the
undersigned has been able to bestow, both in revising the manuscript
before going to press and the proof-sheets afterwards, some inaccu
racies will doubtless remain, especially in the spelling of men's names
in the appendix — many of them unusual, and necessarily copied from
the muster-out roUs of the State, which are very inaccurate in this
respect. A few mistakes as to facts may be discovered, which might

Supplementary Note. 495

have been avoided had more of the regiment been within consulting
distance. But the assertion is ventured that the entire substance of
the history of the regiment will be found embodied in this work ; and
that for accuracy of detail, where so many facts, dates and names
were involved, it will compare favorably with any similar work pub
lished. HENRY L. FIELD,
Once Captain Co. C, and Major 124th 111. Inf.,
Gommittee on Remsion.
Rantotjl, Champaign Cotintt, III.,
January, 1880.

496 Appendix.

APPENDIX.

REGIMENTAL ROSTER.

FIELD AND STAFF — COMMISSIONED.
Mustered out Aug. 15, 1865, at damp Douglas, Illinois.
Lieut. Col. John H. Howe, commissioned Colonel; Quartermaster
Alonzo N. Reece; Surgeon James R. Kay; Chaplain R. L. Howard.
ABSENT ON DETACHED SERVICE.
Major Adin Mann, commissioned Lieutenant Colonel.
HONOBABLT DISOHABGED PKEVIOtTSLT.
Adjutant Wm. E. Smith, wounds, May 15, 1865 ; Surgeon L. H.
Angell, disability, June 1, 1864. RESIGNED.
Chaplain H. B. Foskett, July 1, 1863.
MUSTERED-OUT IN LOWER RANK.
Major Henry L. Field, as Captain company C.
dismissed.
Col. Thomas J. Sloan, Dec. 15, 1863; Maj. R. P. Pattison, July 9,
1863-restored, but did not re-join regiment. Second Asst. Surg.
John Jassoy, Nov. 17, 1864.

Appendix. 497

NON-COMMISSIONED.
Mustered out Aug. 15, 1865.
Sergeant-Major James W. Wharton, commissioned Adjutant; Quar
termaster Sergeant Preston B. Durley ; Commissary Sergeant Ambrose
Mathews ; Hospital Steward Charles B. AUaire ; Principal Musicians
Joseph B. Merrill, Benjamin C. Bartlett.
PROMOTED.
Serg't. Maj. J. L. C. Richards, 3d Lieutenant company 0, Dec.
5, 1864. RETURNED TO COMPANY F, AT HIS OWN REQUEST.
Commissary Sergeant James A, Nye, after two years' faithful

COMPANY A.
Mustered out Aug. 15, 1865.
Captain Edmond C. Raymond; 1st Lieut. D. Ames Bigelow; 2d
Lieut. Warren F. Dodge; 1st Sergeant Wm. C. Kent. Sergeants: James
S. Stone, Matthew F. Boyles, Lewis I. Elliott, Asa Bunton. Corporals :
John Butterwick, John Glarrett, Jr., Frank Goodenow, Frank Hud
son, Henry Rentfrow; Musicians, Robert G. Williams, Henry Carr;
Wagoner Charles C. MUes. Privates: Daniel S. Adams, WUliam L.
Abby, William Blomberg, James M. Blevins, Simeon Baker, Joseph
F. Baines, Jacob S. Baines, George A. Davis, James Ford, John Hip-
pert, John Hooper, Chester S. Harrington, Josiah B. Harrington,
John M. Knox, Fred. M. Leacroft, Andrew Lind, Marcus B. Lester,
Jacob Messmore, John Mahnesmith, Abraham Mehew, Craven New
ton, George P. Slocum, Charles Thaya, Rescum H. Thompson, John
Vining, Andrew L. Wood, Charles O. WUson, George Wickton.
Mustered out at other times.
Corporals: Alford S. Sayles, June 28, 1865; Orlando Brace, Oct, 14,
1865, badly wounded. Privates: Charles C. CuUy, May 31, 1865; Isaac
Cook, June 5, 1865; Henry Duffield, Jr., May 35, 1865; Samuel A.

498 Appendix.

Gardner, June 13, 1865 ; WUliam Hurst, July 5, 1865 ; Benjamin Me
hew, June 16, 1865 ; Frank E. Norton and James H. Pinney, June 3,
1865; Joseph Sadler, Aug. 10, 1865; George TunnecUfEe, May 18,
1865; Charles H. Vanclave, June 5, 1865; Charles H. Winters, July
33, 1865. Recruits: WiUiam Mocroft and Edwin R. Slocum, June
15, 1865. RBSIONED.
Captain Ralph A. Tenney, July 9, 1863.
DISCHARGED FOB DISABILITY.
Sergeant Edward F. Pease, March 8, 1863. Corporals: Seth R.
Slocum, Feb. 5, 1863; Jacob Pottorf, May 30, 1865. Privates: John
Beck, Dec. 8, 1863; James Donnelly, Aug. 7, 1863; Albion Good,
Nov. 16, 1863; Moses A. Hawkes, Dec. 13, 1863; Joseph R. HUls,
Aug. 10, 1863; Christopher Ledren, July 36, 1864; Stephen D. Me
hew, Aug, 11, 1863; WUliam H. McAdams, AprU 1, 1863; WiUiam
Stover, Feb. 3, 1863; Harvey Shires, Oct. 32, 1863; CorneUus W.
Young, May 30, 1865. Recruits: Washington Elliott, Dec. 20, 1864;
James Thompson, July 17, 1865.

1 st Lieutenant Julius A. Pratt, June 25, 1863, at Vicksburg, Miss.
Privates: John Hervett and Wm. H. Wilson, at Spanish Fort, Ala.,
March 30, 1865; George W. Lester, at Spanish Fort. Ala., AprU 2,
1865. DIED.
Corporals: James C. Leech, at home, April 3, 1863; WiUiam M.
Steele, Vicksburg, Miss., Aug. 7, 1863; Asa Smith, Fort Gaines, AprU
19, 1865; John, Test, Memphis, Tenn., Sept. 8, 1863; Henry C. Wor-
den. Vicksburg, Miss., Aug. 3, 1864. Privates: Henry S. Goodrich,
St. Louis, Mo., May 32, 1863; WUliam Johnson, at home, Oct, 8,
1863; Henry Oman, Vicksburg, Miss.. Aug. 18, 1863; Horatio G. San
ford, of wounds, Vicksburg, Miss., July 17, 1864; John Stratton,
Jackson, Tenn., Oct. 13, 1863; Adolphus Sehoonover, prisoner,
Shreveport, La., March, 1864; Thomas Thomas, Quincy, IU,, July 11,
1864; Oassius Winn, Lake Providence, La., Majch 27, 1863.

Appendix. 499

TRANSFEBBED.
Corporals : Ambrose Mathews, to non-commissioned staff ; Tracy P.
Sykes, to V R. C, Oct. 33, 1863, mustered out as Sergeant, June 24,
1865; Champlin Lester, to 33d Illinois, July 16, 1865. Privates: Levi
Leek, Invalid Corps, April 3, 1864; Latham B. Stewart, Invalid Corps,
Sept. 3, 1864; James H. Winn, Invalid Corps, Jan. 3, 1864. Recruits:.
Montgomery Austin, John .1. Bloom, Oliver Frink, Samuel Ferris,
Daniel Hendricks, Thomas Hicks, Augustus Hulsizer, Norris D. Lyle,
Robert McGiUiard, AUen W. Penn, Harry Rankin, WUliam Slocum,
George W. Slocum, Joseph F. TunneclifEe, John M. Thommett, Elias
Thrasher, Horton VaU, Thomas Whiffin, and Robert Walton, to 33d
Illinois, July 16, 1865. DKSEBTED.
Privates: Peter Benoit, July 1, 1863; Hiram Dexter, July 30, 1863;
James W. Dugan, Sept. 12, 1863 ; Andrew Townsend, July 15, 1863.
UNDER COOKS— colored.
Abraham Cook, Csesar McAlpine, and HUlyard Piper, mustered out
Aug. 15, 1865; Albert Shades, discharged f or disabUity, Nov. 34, 1864.

COMPANY B.
Mustered out Aug. 15, 1865.
Captain Edwin F. Stafford; 1st Lieut. F. C. VanVlack; 3d Lieut.
Christopher H. KeUer; 1st Sergeant Henry P. Brown; Seegeants:
John H. Morse, CuUen Keefe, Franklin S. Hanks, GUbert W. Young.
Corporals: Frederick V. L.Morris, Charles B. Baasett, Michael Jor
dan, Jas. T. McMaster, Jackson L. Hovey, Hicks FrydendaU, John H.
Mole, Patrick Welsh. Privates: James D. Austin, Theodore P. BaU,
John Black. John Brown, Emory Caskey, Charles W. Cook, George W.
Gregg, Harlow Helmer, James C. Henrie, WiUiam J. HoUister, Ed
ward L. Hunt, Henry C. Joy, WUliam Johnson, Hiram Jenkins, Alonzo
H. Kelsey, Thomas W. McAuley, Jamee Martin, Charies H, MaUo,
Nathaniel RatclifEe, Ferdinand G. Stephenson, WiUiam C. TuUoch,
George Voorhees, Orson Weaver, Edwin A. WUliams, WUUam Walrod.

600 Appendix.

DISCHARGED.
1st Sergeant H. Emory Abbott, disabUity, March 3, 1863; Sergeant
Fred. V. D. Vanline, discharged June 19, 1863. Corporals: Norman
L. Shults, May 34, 1865; Salem B. Town, dis. Feb. 28, 1863. Musi
cians: John BuUard, dis, Feb. 33, 1863; Charles P. Robertson, dis.
Jan. 1, 1863. Privates: William A. Bingham, promoted Feb. 3, 1864;
John S. BaU, dis. Dec. 16, 1863; WUliam Boardman, dis. .Ian. 30, 1863;
Hyde H. Black, May 34, 1865; Ebenezer Bradley, Aug. 20, 1864; .las.
Bradley, May 24, 1865; JuUus G. Brown, May 34, 1865; Charles A.
Bucher, dis. Feb. 33, 1863; Charles Cleveland, dis. .lune 3. 1865; OU-
verB. Douglas, dis. Feb. 22, 1865; Louis A. Desrosier, May 34, 1865;
Charles B. Grover, dis. Aug. 12, 1864; Albert . I ohnston, .June 14, 1865;
Andrew Leroy, wounds, Aug. 33, 1863; Henry A. Lewis, prom. July
10, 1863; John W. Lumm, .lune 3, 1865; Francis W. Mann, May 24,
1865; Frederick MiUer, wounds, Oct. 10, 1863; Noah Monroe, May 34,
1865; Thomas O'Connor, May 34, 1865; WUUam Reed, dis. Feb. 38,
1863; EUshaP. Stone, dis. AprU 35, 1863, .James K. Stephenson, dis.
Sept. 11, 1863; Emanuel Sturgis, dis. Feb. 33, 1863; Theodore Wood,
prom. .Inly 20, 1864; Daniel Whipple, dis. Jan. 20, 1863. Most of the
above, unmarked, were discharged on General Order No. 77, Western
Department, discharging those absent from their commands on de
tached service, and is entered by some of the company commanders
as "mustered out," to which it was regarded as being equivalent.
PBOMOTED.
Captain Adin Mann, Major, Dec. 18, 1863.
KILLED.
Private Oscar T. Cooley, Vicksburg, Miss., June 8, 1863.
DIED.
Sergeant .lames Hanes, Vicksburg, Miss., May 37, 1864. Corporals:
Rosaloo Fisk, wounds, New Orieans, La., AprU 31, 1865; Isaac S.
Hedges, at home, Aug. 15, 1863. Privates: Cleveland Acox, wounds,
Clinton, Miss., March 7, 1864; Samuel Ball, at home, Feb. 32, 1863;
Franklin Boyd, Memphis, Tenn., .lune 23, 1863; Joseph Barrett, on
Hosp. boat, Aug. 29, 1863; Milton Beverly, Memphis, Tenn., July 13,

Appendix. goi

1863; Martin C. Jones, St. Louis, Mo., Aug. 3, 1863; Isaiah Noakes,
at home, Oct. 4, 1868, (our first death); Simon H. Paul, Memphis,
Tenn., Feb. 1,"). 1863; Menard L. Stone, Memphis, Tenn., April 31,
1863; Samuel ^. Updike, on Hosp. boat. May 15, 1863; Kirby Waite,
St. Louis, Mo., March 3, 1863; Peter Victor, captured and murdered
by the enemy near Benton, Miss., Oct. 16, 1863.
TRANSFEBBED.
Private Ransom Conley, to V. R. C. Recruits: Andrew Anderson,
Edwin M. Benedict, Josiah L. Coolidge, John H. Cleveland, David
E. Dean, Michael Davis, Edwin F. Fish, Francis C. Joy, Charles Lap-
pin, RusseU Massee, Frederick L, Manning, Valentine McDonald,
WiUiam H. Price, Gyms R. Ross, William J. Reynolds, Clark Wood,
to 33d Illinois, July 16, 1865.
ON DETACHED SEBVICE AT MUSTEB-OUT OF REGIMENT.
Walter M. McAuley.
ABSENT sick AT MUSTER-OUT OF BEGIMENT.
WUUam Noakes. UNACCOUNTED FOE.
John Crooks. UNDER COOKS — colored.
Joseph Johnson and Lewis Nowles, mustered out Aug. 15, 1865.

COMPANY C.
Mustered out Aug. 15, 1865.
Captain Henry L. Field; 1st Lieut. Lewis Dorian; 2d Lieut. John
L. C. Richards; 1st Sergeant Ninian C. Beatty. Sergeants: C. M.
Cassatt, Lafayette Hegans, Joseph E. Wood, B. F. Goodman. Corpo
rals: James Constant, William Grabendike, Charles H. HoweU, Royal
M. Lee, WUliam F. Norris, Thomas Ross, Levris N. Smith, Albert Tru
man. Privates: Charles H. Burrows, WiUiam H. Bartlett, EU Cad-
walader, J. G. Franklin, WiUiam Franklin. John Havener, Wilbur F.

502' Aependix.

Hesser, Thomas Hughes, A. C. Johnson, B. F. MUler, Stephen March,
John- Nelson, .lohn C. O'Connor, George W. Perrmgs, F. A. Shinkle,
James Smirl, Alfred H. Titus, Horatio M. VanWinkle, W. H. Wicker-
sham, y
Mustered out at other times.
Privates: S. E. Beck, June 19, 1865; .1. .1. Cook, June 29, 1865; H.
H. Hays, .Inly 13, 1865, wounded; Charles B. Payne, July 13, 1865,
wounded; Robert TindaU, .June 25, 1865; WiUiam S. Walker, May
1 8, 1865. Recruits : Harrison W. Beck, May 31, 1865 ; Timothy Booth,
,lune 19th, 1865,' Leroy Lamb, June 9, 1865.
BESIGNBD.
1st Lieut. John W. Terry, July 37, 1863; 3d Lieut, lames Rickey,
Feb. 5, 1863. DISCHARGED.
1st Sergeant .lohn J. White, dis. .lune 10, 1863. Corporals: P. H.
Conant, dis. Feb. 5, 1864; Noah Hodge, prom. Oct. 17, 1864. Pri
vates; Samuels. Alexander, wounds, Oct. 2, 1863; James H. Burrows,
dis. Feb 11, 1863; R. C. Butler, dis. March 9, 1863; R. N Beard, dis.
Jan. 1, 1863; D. C. Coward, prom. Oct. 6, 1864; H. P. Daggett, dis.
Feb. 24, 1863; J.J. Eubank, prom. Jan. 1, 1864; Reuben Gregg, Jan.
5, 1865; J. P. Hansel, dis. March 15, 1863; W. W. Leverett, prom.
June 15, 1865; Charles F. MUls, prom. August, 1863; Henry M. Stoker,
dis Feb. 33, 1863; J.H. Slaughter, prom. May 11, 1864; C. B. Thacher,
prom. July 19, 1864. Recruits: MUton C. Brown, April 8, 1865; Rees
S Bell, dis June 3, 1863; Jesse R. Cadwalader, dis. June 13, 1865;
Thomas K MiUs, dis June 3, 1863; Mason McCrellis, dis. Sept. 23,
1864; John J. H. McDow, dis. Jan 18, 1865,

Corporal R. C. Vance, Vicksburg, Miss., .June 26, 1863 ; Private Mat
thew Manning, Spanish Fort, Ala . April 6, 1865.

Sergeant John Vlerebone, wounds, near Champion HUlSj May 18,
1863. Corporals: Lloyd M. KUby, *Lagrange, Tenn, Dec. 7, 1853;
Solomon FuUenwider, Camp Butler, IU. , Jan. 10, 1864; David Hawker,

Appendix. 593

Vicksburg, Miss., Nov. 34, 1863. Privates: Frederick Austin, Detroit,
Mich,, Sept. 8, 1863; Charles Barton, Lake Providence, La., March
10, 1863; JohnG Givens, Lake Providence,  , 1763; H.H, Dowues,
Vicksburg, Sept. 37, 1864; Wm. Gaston, Vicksburg, Sept. 37, 1864;
George Grabendike, wounds, Vicksburg, June 37, 1863; Thornton
Hughes, Memphis, Tenn , July 14, 1863; George W. Lanham, wounds,
Vicksburg, June 37, 1863; J, C. Motherly, Laclede, Mo,, Sept 15,
1863; Nelson PhUUps, wounds, Vicksburg, June 38, 1863; L. D. SeU,
on steamer "Crescent City," July 9, 1863.
tbansfbkbed.
Musician B. C. Bartlett, to non-commissioned staff. Privates: Con
rad Brown, V. R. C, July 1, 1864; J. L. Culver, V. R. C, Dec. 33,
1863; L. H. Converse, V. R. C, July 39, 1863; Levi Crane, V. R. C,
July 1, 1864; WiUiam Manning, V. R. C, AprU 3, 1864; George W.
Rutherford, V. R. C, Oct. 28, 1863; George Shinkle, V. R. C, AprU
3, 1864; J. M. VanarsdeU, V. R. C, Oct. 28, 1863; Peter Vlerebone,
V. R. C, June 37, 1864. Recruits: James Abercrombie, John C. Bar
ley, Robert A. Barnes, Henry W. Beck, Pinkney S. Barton, Andrew
J. CarroU, Leander Curtis, Henry Duquoin, P. W. Dougherty, Elisha
Folds, Hiram Grabendike, Patrick GaUagher, Linus Humiston,
Richard Hodge, PUny G. Hays, J. K. P. Kennedy, JohnW. Lucas,
John H. Land, Joseph S. Malott, John Malone, John H. MoGee, Rob
ert Murphy, Jeremiah O'DonneU, John RUey, Henry C. RUey, Henry
H. Sisson, MUton B, Stringham, WUliam R. Smith, Samuel W. Sam
son, Henry C. Terry, James Whitaker, John L. WUson, to 33d Illinois,
July 16, 1865. DESERTED.
Private John S. Fleming, 1863. Recruits: Samuel Clark, Thomas
Haley, Francis K. Reed. unaccounted foe.
Recruit Edward Heinline. UNDER COOKS — colored,
Abram Lovely and Cohnan Wyatt, mustered out Aug. 15, 1865;
Bristol Beddel, absent sick at muster-put of regiment.

504 Appendix.
COMPANY D.
Mustered out Aug. 15, 1865.
Captain Abraham Newland; 1st Lieut. Henry J. Brockway; 3d
Lieut. Thomas P. Price; 1st Sergeant Jas. SeUens. Sergeants:
Henry W. Hulse, Joseph Jackson, John Dungan, Thomas Hunn.
Corporals: Robert Chapin, WUUam MUboume, John T. Smith,
Benjamin F. Spicer, Jacob Warntz; Musicians: William S. WUson,
Hanby WUson; Privates: Dennis B. Aiken, Daniel Byerle, Thomas
Conner, WiUiam M. Green, Joseph C. Gilmer, Benjamin W. Goodhue,
Albert Gibbs, WUliam Hickman, A. J. Hainline, Besley Hobbs,
Milford G. Harris, John Johnson, Edward KeUey, Anthony Lohn,
Francis M. Mourning, David Mumma, Israel L. Shreves, John TerriU,
George M. Young ; Recruit John B. Kimball.
Mustered out at Other Times.
Private WUUam F. Deener, July 5, 1865.
EESIGNED.
Capt. Stephen Brink, Aug. 11, 1863; Ist Lieut. Asa A, Cowdery,
July 34, 1863; 3d Lieut. Travis MeUor, June 20, 1863.
DISCHAEGED.
Sergeant Joseph A, Dean, prom,, Dec. 3, 1864; Corporals: John
Baylan, dis., Feb. 3, 1864; Frank B. Reeves, wounds, Sept. 18, 1863;
James H. Kirk, dis., Nov. 8, 1862; Abraham G. Bechtel, dis., June 5,
1865; Privates: Daniel Brown, dis., Sept. 18, 1863; George Butt, at
Springfield, IU., in 1862; Victor M. Dewey, prom., Sept. 20, 1864;
Albert M, Dunton, wounds, Oct. 27, 1864; John W. Ennis,  , 1865;
Charles Harvey, dis., Dec. 15, 1864; Robert A. Hogaboom, prom.,
Jan. 18, 1864; Stephen A, Houghton, dis., October 13, 1863; Lorenzo
C. Kelsey, July 7, 1865; WUUam McKenzie, Wounds, June 5, 1865;
John J. Moore, dis.. Mar. 17, 1865; WUliam H. Moulton, dis., Aug. 6,
1863; Joseph L. Satterlee, June 5, 1865; Hugh E. Wear, dis., Feb. 18,
1863; WiUiam J. Waller, dis., Oct. 1, 1864; Geo. W. Weeks, prom.,
June 33, 1864; Recruits; Nicholas Bloomshine, June 8, 1865; WUliam
Hazzard, wounds, June 5. 1865; Timothy A, Holmes, dis., July 6,
1865; Walter Shannon, dis., May 31, 1865.

Appendix. 505

KILLED.
Private Henry Shultz, Champion HUls, May 16, 1863.
DIED.
1st Sergeant Solomon H, Dean, at home, Nov. 13, 1863; Sergeant
John Bechtel, Lake Providence, La., Mar. 21, 1863; Corporal William
E. Tolhurst, at home, Oct. 31, 1863; Privates: Thomas Broadbent,
wounds, near Champion HUls, May 19, 1863; Abner Barrett, Keokuk,
Iowa, Oct. 24, 1863; John Bainbridge, Memphis, Tenn., Jan, 38, 1803;
WUUam H. H. Boyd, Jackson, Tenn., Nov. 15, 1862; Simon Calbert,
Memphis, Term., July 34, 1863; James M. Causey, Jackson, Tenn.,
Nov. 6, 1863; Job Gartside, St. Louis, Mo., Nov. 1, 1864; Josiah W.
Goodwin, wounds received at Raymond, Miss., May 16, 1863; George
HaU, Jackson, Tenn. , Oct. 30, 1863 ; Jacob Raper, wounds, Vicksburg,
Miss., June 39, 1863; David Tolhurst, Dundee, IU., Oct. 31, 1863;
Recruits: John H. LoveU, at home. May 36, 1865; Franklin Meyers,
Big Black, Miss., AprU 4, 1864. TRANSFEBBED.
Sergeant WUliam Orwing, Invalid Corps, Sept. 3, 1863; Privates:
Oscar Bamhart, Co. E, John Kidston, Co. E, Patrick Y. MiUlen, In
valid Corps, Jan. 15, 1864, Blbridge C. Nelson, Invalid Corps, Aug. 10,
1864; Recruits: Frederick Bloomshine, WUliam J. Burford, James
D. Brower, WUUam H. Delay, Jacob Delay, Joseph Duncan, John W.
Holton, Albert H. Hutchinson, Francis M. Huff, Alfred H. Hodgkin,
Henry M. Jarvis, David JeiUrins, Hugh McCuUough, Robert MitcheU,
John Moore, Henry J. Mammon, Frank J. MUton, Joseph Nixon,
Alfred Orr, WiUiam A. Pyle, Henry C. Pitman, Joseph H. Richards,
John S. Richards, Michael 0. Sullivan, Edward Shannon, George R.
Sheets, Zachariah Swigart, Almon D. TwitcheU, James M. Wear, to
33d IlUnois, July 16, 1865.
ABSENT SICK AT MUSTBE-OUT OF BEGIMENT.
Private Sylvester Parker. DESERTED.
Privates: John Austin, Oct. 34, 1863; John Smith, Jan. 30, 1863;
John York, Jan. 29, 1863. Recruits: Isaac Mayhom, Jan. 8, 1865;
Patrick PhiUips, Jan. 24, 1865.

506 Appendix.

UNDEB COOKS — Colored.
James Gordon, Thomas McLean, Henry S. Sheridan, and Henry
Winters, mustered out Aug. 15, 1865.

COMPANY E.
Mustered out Aug. 15, 1865.
Captain Reese L. Merriman; 1st Lieut. Wm. H. Anderson; 1st Ser
geant Harvey B. Powers. Sergeants: John I. Bromfield, Patrick M.
Fitzgerald, Richard S. Thompson, John 0. Wagner. Corporals: Henry
Dickson, Lewis T. Hickok, Herbert Lane, Joseph D. Robinson, WUUam
Smith, Job H. Yaggy, Wagoner Fowler Irwin. Privates: George H.
Brown, Thomas D. Cuthbert, Justus Dodge, Marshall Dorr, Sylvester
D. Blderkin, Arthur M. Gamsey, William M. Hale, Charles Hartman,
John Kamey, David S. Miller, NeU McGlaughUn, Amos B. Morey,
Horace McKay, James Smith, Joseph Thompson, Charles Usher,
Daniel Vinson, George W. VVampole, John G. WeUlein, David Weigler,
WUUam White. Mustered out at other times.
Corporal James W. Lusk, June 13, 1865. Privates: Joseph B.
Albert, May 15, 1865; Charles D. Bigelow, June 4, 1865; Jonathan
Crosby, May 39, 1865; SUas W. Dunning, July 32, 1865; Michael
Maloney, at Baton Rouge, La., - - , 1865; Joseph D. Newman, July
29, 1865. RESIGNED.
Captain WUliam B. Sigley, June 27, 1864; 1st Lieut. James H.
Blackmore, July 24, 1863; 3d Lieut. Osborn WUson, July 13, 1863.
PBOMOTED.
Sergeant Hiram H. HaU, to be 3d Lieutenant, Co. K.
DISCHAEGED.
Sergeants: WUUam Getchel, prom., Dec. 30, 1863; Homer J.
ElUott, prom., Oct. 9, 1863; Horace J. HaU, prom., Jan. o. 1864.
Corporal John Fairweather, prom., Aug. 14, 1863. Musician Frank

Appendix. 507
Pinney, prom., July 36, 1864. Privates: Nelson P. Atwood, dis.,
Oct. 21, 1862; Pierce Brennan, dis., Jan. 19, 1863; Hiram E. Corey,
dis., March 3, 1863; Jacob G. Forney, prom.. Feb. 22, 1864; Lanson
Hinman, dis., March 5, 1863; Abram Matter, dis., Sept. 11, 1863;
WUUam Mears, dis., Sept. 17, 1864; Maurice C. Ryan, prom., Dec. 30,
1863; John E. Roach, dis., AprU 15, 1863; George H. Rogers, dis.,
July 26, 1864; David D. Speer, dis., Sept. 17, 1864; Martin L. Stage,
dis., Oct. 39, 1864; Napoleon J. Smith, prom., Aug. 1, 1863; WiUiam
Vintner, dis., Dec. 18, 1863; Hiram G. Wyckoff, prom., April 23, 1863.
Recruits: Nelson W. Hinkston, dis., AprU 15, 1861; Oscar Barnhart,
Aug. 31, 1863. KILLED.
Private John Martin, Raymond, Miss., May 12, 1863.

1st Sergeant Hiram J. Howland, wounds, near Champion Hills,
Miss., May 17, 1863. Corporals: Robert B. Stephens, Lagrange,
Tenn., Dec. 5, 1863; Howard C. Dunlary, Jackson, Tenn., Feb. 10,
1863. Privates: WUliam A. Butler, Lagrange, Tenn., Dec. 5, 1862;
Charles L. Cheeney, Jackson, Tenn., Oct. 24, 1862; John H. French,
Vicksburg, Miss., Nov. 14, 1864; Daniel Jenkins, Vicksburg, Jan. 11,
1864; Edward McGlynn, Camp Douglas, IU., Aug. 15, 1865; Joseph
R. Miller Vicksburg, July 38, 1863; Peter Rackmeyer, Memphis,
Tenn., June 10, 1863; Adam N. Roach, Lake Providence, La., April
22, 1863; Cyrus W. Randall, AndersonvUle, Ga., while a prisoner of
war, grave No. 10,772; John J. Smith, wounds, Vicksburg, June 26,
1863 ; Monroe Turner, Memphis, Jan. 36, 1863, Recruit John Kidston,
wounds, near Champion HUls, Miss., May 18, 1863.
TBANSFEEBED.
Corporal Ezra D. Race, V. R. C, Oct. 36, 1863. Privates: Preston
B, Durley, non-commissoned staff; Jacob S, Lautz, V. R. C, Oct.
36, 1863; Horace Miner, V. R. C, June 30, 1864, mustered out July
5, 1865, as 1st Serg't; Charies M. Plummer, V. R. C, AprU 3, 1K64;
John H. Ward, V. R. C, Oct. 36, 1863. Recruits: Alonzo V. Howard
and WiUiam J. Ryan, to 33d IU., July 16, 1865.

508 Appendix.

ABSENT AT MUSTEB-OUT OF BEGIMENT.
Private John St. Martin, at Vicksburg, wounded — unofficiaUy
reported transferred to V. R. C.
DBSEBTED.
Privates: Sebra Emerson, Oct. 6, 1863, Henry Weber, Oct. 6, 1863;
Recruit Paul Bamhart, Oct. 6, 1863.
UNDEB COOK — Colored.
Robert Ramsbury, mustered out Aug. 15, 1865.

COMPANY F.
Mustered out Aug. 15, 1865.
Captain Norman H, Pratt; 1st Lieut. Enoch W. Taylor; 3d Lieut.
Edward R. Breckons; 1st Sergeant Erastus Austin; Sergeants Leonard
Mitchelson, George S. Green, John MulUgan; Corporals: Garrett
Brown, Chester B. Vail, John H. Carson, Thomas E. Houle, Harrison
W. MerrUl, WUson Sowerby, Frank Steinbaugh ; Privates: Nathaniel
AUard, Charles Bennett, David Beeman, Herrick Blanchard, Julius
Charlet, WUliam Couvee, John Coon, WUUam G. Clark, John Eagle,
Peter Herbener, Henry Hudson, Charles Harrison, Olof H. Johnson,
Silas T. Jarrnan, David J. Leech, David Magee, WiUiam McPherson,
John B. Munshaw, WUUam O'Neal, Launcelot Oliver, Buemer W.
Oliver, Lanty OUver, Joseph Price, Charles Peck, Frederick W.
Statz, WiUiam O. WiUard, Robert Wonders.
Mustered out at oilier times.
Sergeant Joseph L. Flint, June 29, 1865; Corporal James Porter,
May 30, 1865; Privates: Timothy L. Carson, June 3, 1865; Joseph
Emory, May 17, 1865; Thomas Fleming, May 38, 1865; Samuel C.
McBride, May 31, 1865; James A. Nye, May 17, 1865; Sylvester
Sweet, July 25, 1865; George Wonders, June 34, 1865. Recruits:
John L. Moffat, June 15, 1865; Thomas Murray, June 15, 1865.

Appendix. 509

EESIGNED.
Captain Mathew B. Potter, Aug. 7, 1863.
PBOMOTED.
Private Tliomas M. Custer, 1st Lieut, in 46th U. S. C. Inf.
DISCH.A.EGED.
Corporals: Henry H. Sloan, dis.. Mar. 4, 1864; Edward H. Cheeney,
prom., AprU 37, 1803. Privates: John Boden, dis., Aug. 21, 1863-
Alfred H. Carson, prom., Dec. 1, 1863; James T. Goeney, dis., Oct. 6,
1863; James Haney, dis., March 24, 1863; George S. Jarman, dis.,
Aug. 6, 1863; Lewis Johnson, dis., March 34, 1863; Louis EmUe
Lardon, dis., July 13, 1865; Richard Martin, dis., July 31, 1863;
Robert Moore, dis., April 15, 1863; Joshua Shipley, dis., Aug. 6, 1863;
Isaac L. Sloan, dis., Feb. 15, 1863; Edward Weinman, dis., March 38,
1864; Peter Work, wounds, Sept. 16, 1864; Alexander C. Younkin,
dis., Nov. 16, 1863. KILLED.
Privates: Samuel F. Adams, Spanish Forij, Ala., AprU 3, 1865;
Adam Pulling, Vicksburg, Miss., June 3, 1863.

Corporals: Samuel M. Likes, Vicksburg, Sept. 38, 1864; James B.
Pratt, Vicksburg, Nov. 7, 1863. Privates : Ezra L. Aikens, Vicksburg,
Oct. 7, 1863; Samuel B. AUard, Vicksburg, Dec. 31, 1864; John W.
Atkins, at home, Oct. 11, 1862; Nathaniel Copper, wounds, near Cham
pion Hills, Miss., May 31, 1863; Thomas Daughman, Jackson, Tenn.,
Oct. 31, 1863; WUUam Dustin, Cairo, IU., Oct. 7, 1864; Alexander
Karnes, St. Louis, Mo., Aug. 19, 1863; John P. Mathews, wounds,
Vicksburg, July 11, 1863; David Morris, Chickasaw Bayon, Miss.,
July 3, 1863; Shedrick Oliver, Lagrange, Tenn., Nov. 15, 1863; James
Oliver, Memphis, Tenn., Aug. 3, 1863; James C, Pyle, at home, Oct.
16, 1863; John C. Smith. Cairo, IU., Aug. 7, 1863; John Taylor,
Lagrange, Tenn, Nov. 19, 1863; Albert Walton, Camp Butler, IU ,
Oct. 5, 1863; Alexander Weir, Memphis, Sept. 4, 1863; James H.
Whaley, Lake Providence, La., April 4, 1863; Recruit, Jacob Schuy-
hart, Vicksburg, July 3, 1864.

510 Appendix.

TBANSPEBEED.
Privates: John Demar, V. R. C, March 31, 1864; James W. Smith,
V. R. C, Sept. 29, 1863. Recruits: Joseph Adams, Henry Ankel,
Joseph Allbee, James M. Beatty, Andrew Conoway, Wm. H. Carson,
Walter A. FeU, Alvin Gaily, Sheldon Hodges, Andre\J J. Hickson,
WUliam Hall, James M. Jones, Samuel Jones, Leopold Kempin, John
Lehman, John McLelland, Adolph Nehring, Thomas W. Rule, Isaac
Shipley, Joseph Sackrider, Andrew TumbuU, DeWitt C. WUson,
Joseph Wonders, William S. WUson, Joshua Wilkins, John Zumbrun,
Cyrus L. Zumbrun, John Zang, to 33d IU., July 16, 1865.
ABSENT AT THE MUSTBR-OUT OF THE REGIMENT.
Recruit William W. Wearmouth. Afterwards honorably accounted
for. UNDER COOKS — colored.
Joseph McGrew, James Simms, Reuben Taylor and Elias Tibbs, all
mustered out Aug. 15, 1865.

COMPANY G.
Mustered out Aug. 15, 1865.
Captain Benton Pratt; 1st Lieut John W. Mosby; 2d Lieut. WU
liam B. Day; 1st Sergeant Jay Martin; Sergeants: MUton Anderson,
Lukens Hall, Geo. H. Arnold, Jackson D. Thornton; Corporals: WU
liam H. Garrett, William Goddard, Marion Gross, WUliam R. Heggs,
Augustus MuUenberg, David Noble, Patrick Welch; Musicians: Edwin
H, Damon, Levi F, Swafford; Wagoner, Henry Tieman: Privates;
Chas. A. Brusor, Shadrach C. Burlingame, Jasper A. Commons,
Nathan Commons, Rossler, Delabar, WiUiam Dobbins, David David
son, Francis P. Eckert, Alfred Foreman, SeweU Garrett, James
Hindman, Walter D. Hodson, George W. Jackson, James .fames,
Andrew Johnson, John T. Jack, Martin Kinseman Henry Knicker
bocker, Abraham Linsefelter, Uriah Lutz, Augustus Lawson, John
McKinley, Frederick MuUenberg, Amo M. MeWhorter, Joseph MUls,

Appendix. 511

WUUam Nadge,. Marion Riggs, Benjamin C. Stratton, Augustus J.
Spolader, John Spear, Moses Shores, John W. Williams, Joseph Wag
ner, David L. Y'oung ; Recruit, Daniel McGrath.
Mtistered out at other times.
Privates: Uriah Clark, .lune 8, 1865; Cyrus G. Jackson, May 27,
1865; Henry West, June 13, 1865. BESIGNBD.
Captain Lyman H. Scudder, June 29, 1864; 1st Lieutenant Ezra C.
Benedict, Feb. 16, 1863. DISCHAEGED.
Corporals : Isom Jackson, dis. , Nov. 9, 1863 ; Thomas Fuller, June
15, 1S65; Privates: Jefferson Allington, dis. , Dec. 33, 1864; Frederick
S. Batchelder, dis., Nov. 14, 1863; John P. Dungan, prom., Dec. 1,
1864; Loren Fuller, June 15, 1865; Jeremiah Fryer, dis., Dec. 16,
1863; Amos Goddard, dis., Jan. 31, 1864; Samuel S. Goddard, dis.,
Sept. 3, 1864; James Gross, dis., Aug. 13, 1863; Americus Lawrence,
dis., Nov. 14, 1863; WUUam H. Mosby, dis., AprU 30, 1863; James D.
.Sisk, dis., Oct. 7, 1864; David Townsend, dis., March 38, 1863;
Joshua W. West, dis., June 12, 1863. Recruit Alvin P. FuUer, dis.,
June 4, 1865. KILLED.
Private John T. Bates, Champion HiUs, Miss., May 16, 1863.
DIED.
Privates: Joseph S. Dungan, St. Louis, AprU 9, 1863; John
Fitzgerald, accidentally shot, Big Black, Miss., March 25, 1864; James
Lee, Memphis, Term., February 17, 1863; Levi Landreth, Memphis,
March 16, 1863; John D. Linn, Memphis, February 19, 1863;
George Middleton, Memphis, March 18, 1863; Benjamin A. Noble,
Vicksburg, Miss., July 22, 1865; George Sloan, Memphis, March
8, 1863; Oliver G. Swafford, Lake Providence, La., May 8, 1863;
Charles Shafer, wounds, Memphis, June 18, 1863. Recruit Henry
Sloan, Memphis, March 3, 1863.

512 Appendix.

TRANSFEBBED.
Corporal James W. Wharton, non-commissioned staff. Privates:
WUliam H. Burr, Invalid Corps, Sept. 15, 1863 ; Loami Brown, V. R.
C, Sept. 15, 1865; WUliam Chichester, V. R. C, May 31, 1864; Levi
T. Faulkner, Invalid Corps, AprU 33, 1864; WiUiam R. James, Invalid
Corps, May 31, 1864; Joseph B. Thornton, Invalid Corps, April 22,
1864. Recruits: WUUam Anderson, Thomas Bratton, Benjamin
Bowman, Isaac Downs, Jesse M. Derrickson, David H. Derrickson,
Oliver P. Essley, Harrison P. FuUer, Marion James, John W.
Jackson, Clans H. Pettersen, Charles R. Swift, GUbert Sloan, Harrison
Shoemaker, William T. Trusler, Orson Wood, to 33d Illinois, July 16,
1865. ABSENT SICK AT MUSTBE-OUT OF BEGIMENT.
Privates: Joseph W. Bates, John H. Shaw.
ABSENT WITHOUT LEAVE AT MUSTEB-OUT OF BEGIMENT.
Recruit Charles Day. DESBBTED.
Privates: WiUiam Hiskey, Jan. 33, 1863; Charles Hildebrand, Feb.
32, 1863; Myron Williams, AprU 3, 1863.
UNDER COOKS — colored.
WUliam Gould, Robert Malvin, Jesse Owens, and John Ousley,
mustered out Aug. 15, 1865 .

COMPANY H.
Mustered out Aug. 15, 1865.
Captain John W. KendaU; 1st Lieut. Freeman L. CampbeU; 1st
•Sergeant George M. Cronk; Sergeants: Samuel MUner, Henry
Frausham, Charles H. Snedeker, Byron Snow. Corporals: Frank
BaUey, Jason Gregory, James H. Hurd, Emerson Pinney, George
W. Rake. Wagoner Albert B. Albee. Privates: Merritt AUen,
Theodore Rammer, John D. Church, WUUam Cassalee, WUliam E.
Carpenter, WUUam H. Crosby, James R. Chidester, Warren H.

Appendix. 5j^3
Ensign, Henry H. Evans, Jacob F. Fisher, Theodore Golden, Martin
J. Gould, Willis A. Gardner, WUliam Huiibut, Daniel Harris, Herman
Kennedy, Henry J. Mostow, George Ormes, Albert Stickles, Martin J.
Tarble, WUUam Wright, Charles Woodward, Albert A. Westover,
Harvey Woodcock. Mustered out at other times.
Sergeant Wallace W. Baker, May 31, 1865. Corporal Wilford A.
Seymore, June 7, 1865. Privates: Gustavus Aucutt, May 28, 1865;
Horax:e N. Drake, May 3, 1865; WUUam T. Murray, June 17, 1865;
Charles B. Otis, June 3, 1865 ; RusseU Richardson, May 28, 1865 ; Jay
J. Tarble, May 28, 1865; George A. 'White, May 23, 1865.
BESIGNBD.
1st Lieut. Justiu D. Andrews, Jan. 28, 1863; 1st Lieut, Theodore
Potter, wounded, Dec. 26, 1863. DISCHAEGED.
Sergeant Oliver D. Bonney, prom., Jan, 13, 1864. Corpoials:
Levi Morgan, July 6, 1865; Joseph Sedgwick, prom., Dec. 15, 1863,
Musician, Xenophon Beher, prom., Jan. 19, 1864. Privates: Robert
T. Anderson, dis., Nov. 21, 1863; George H. Baker, dis, March 29,
1863; Samuel A. CampbeU, prom. , Jan. 4, 1864 ; Florence M. Crosby,
prom., Jan. 10, 1864; Henry B. Daniels, prom., Dec. 11, 1863; Solomon
S. Dennison, prom. , Dec. 13, 1863 ; James A. Eggleston, dis. , Aug. 26,
1863; Charles Edson, dis., May 7, 1863; James R. GUlett, Jan. 3,
1863 ; Austin P. Hatch, dis. , Aug. 7, 1863 ; Asahel Judd, prom. , Jan.
3, 1864; George S. Prindle, prom,. May 12, 1863; George W. Slate,
dis., Oct. 8, 1864; Harvey S. Seymore, prom., AprU 2, 1864; David
Smith, wounds, AprU 35, 1864; Melvin Tarble, prom., Aug. 31, 1863;
WiUiam Van Sickle, dis., Oct. 30, 1862; John Waldvogel, dis., Nov.
18, 1862; John Woodward, dis., Aug. 26, 1863; Evans M. Waterman,
dis., March 6, 1863; Henry Young, dis., Dec. 3, 1863. Recruit, Henry
Loomis, dis., Feb. 26, 1863. KILLED.
Privates: Martin Lenox, Alphonzo Rice, George A. Snow, and
Peter F. Shyler, all at Champion HUls, Miss., May 16, 1863.

514 Appendix.

died.
1st Lieut. Granville A. Spear, Memphis, Tenn., Oct. 30, 1864.
Corporals: Alvin A. Page, Lagrange, Tenn., Nov. 23, 1862; David H.
Parsons, at home, July 23, 1864. Privates: Orin C. AUison, Vicks
burg, Miss., Aug. 16, 1863; John MUes, Chicago, IU., AprU 14, 1865;
John J. Potter, St. Louis, Mo., Aug. 12, 1863; Leroy J. Smith,
drowned, Sept. 39, 1863, while trying to escape from burning Str.
"CampbeU"; Charles Tittsworth, wounds, Memphis, Teim., June 33,
1863; Wallace WUder, Annapolis, Md., just after exchange as prisoner
of war, March 16, 1865. Recruit, Luther M. Trask, Vicksburg, Dec.
5, 1863. TBANSFEEBED.
Corporal George R. Robinson, V. R. C, Jan. 15, 1864; Musician
Joseph B. MerrUl, non-commissioned staff. Privates: Charles B.
Allaire, non-commissioned staff; TheophUus Gaines, V. R. C, AprU
3, 1864; John A. MUler, V. R. C, Oct. 38, 1863; Oriando J. McCul-
lom, V. R. C, Jan. 15, 1865,
DETACHED AT MUSTEB-OUT OP BEGIMENT.
Private WUliam Ferriu. UNDEB COOK— colored.
Washington Baker, mustered out Aug. 15, 1865.

COMPANY I.
Mustered out Aug. 15, 1865.
Captain Benjamin A. Griffith; 1st Lieut. Joel H. Masten; 3d Lieut.
James M. Griffith; 1st Sergeant David T. Guy. Sergeants: Thomas
H. Beasley, Charles A. Hannaford; Color-Serg't. Wesley S. Stokes.
Corporals: WUUam M. CampbeU, Thomas Foley, Gary F. Griffith,
WUUam F. SUvertson. Musician Albert V. SiU. Privates: JohnW.
Browning, Shared A. Bugg, WUliam Burrows, WUUam Carlyle, G.
MUes ColweU, WUliam H. Duncan, WUUam Foster, Budd Gooding,
Joseph H. HainUne, James F. Harris, Penuel Leake, WUUam

Appendix. 515

McCauley, WiUiam Murfiu, George C. Murphy, Joseph B. Overton,
George H. Petei-son, Luke Snow, Moses F. Wooley, Job Yard. Re
cruits : John Creasey, James Warriner.
Mustered out at other times.
Sergeant Isaac R. Hughes, July 5, 1865. Corporals: WiUiam B.
Hawkins, June 6, 1865; Joseph C. Teas, wounds, July 34, 1865.
Privates: Bdwiu Divine, May 33, 1865; Jabez Edwards, June 15, 1865;
WUliam B. Greenup, May 30, 1865 ; MUo Hobart, June 9, 1865. Re
cruits: Roily R. Branson, May 37, 1865; John Devault, May 32, 1865.
BISSIGNED.
Captain Thomas K. Roach, July 11, 1863; 1st Lieut. Elijah Boreton,
June 35, 1864. PBOMOTED.
1st Lieut. R. L. Howard, Chaplain, Sept. 9, 1863.
DISCHAEGED.
Sergeant James S. Shryack, dis., Feb. 10, 1863. Corporal Jesse See.
dis., AprU 4, 1863. Musician MUton J. Stokes, dis., Dec. 10, 1863.
Privates: Haywood HoweU, dis., March 13, 1863; Adolphus B. Kelly.
prom., July 17, 1863; BUjah G. Lyon, dis., Nov. 16, 1863; Dexter
MUlay, dis., Feb. 25, 1864; Alfred Paulk, dis., at Jackson, Tenn.;
Isaac N. StodgiU, dis., Aug. 9, 1863, died on way home. Recruits:
David I. HainUne,  , 1863; John M. Morgan,  , 1865; John H.
Reiner, dis., Aug. 9, 1863, died shortly after.
KILLED.
Privates: Henry C. Ferguson and Henry T. Forest, at Champion
HUls, Miss., May 16, 1863. died.
Privates: Benjamin F. Bugg, Memphis, Tenn., Feb. 17, 1863;
Albert G. Buttz, Vicksburg, Miss., June 39, 1863; Abraham C.
Gooding, at home, Oct. 33, 1863; Nathaniel M. Guy, Vicksburg, July
8, 1863; Amos B. Johnson, Quincy, IU., AprU 37, 1865; Jasper
Kinnett, Memphis, Feb. 11, 1863; WiUiam C. Morris, Oxford, Miss.,
Dec. 16, 1863; Flavins J. Sypherd, at home, Dec. 37, 1864; Thompson
Thomas, wounds, St. Louis, July 30, 1863.

616 Appendix.

TBANSFEEBED.

1st Sergeant Joseph Lyon, V. R. C, Feb. 11, 1864; Sergeant
Thomas 0. Bugg, V. R. C, Oct. 28, 1863. Privates: Harrison Vt.
Beck, to Co. C ; Rees S. BeU, to Co. C ; Henry P. Brown, to Co. B ;
Paul Bamhart, to Co. E; Ephraim Frost, V. R. C, Oct. 38, 1863,
wounds; John G. Given, to Co. C; Josiah D. Harrison, V. R, C,
March 15, 1864; Lewis T. Hickok, to Co. E; Charles H. MaUo, to Co.
B; James T. McMaster, to Co. B; Thomas K. MUls, to Co. C; Samuel
Parack, V. R, C, March 15, 1864; Nathaniel Ratliff, to Co. B; George
W. Wampole, to Co. B; Edwin A. WUUams, to Co. B. Recruits:
Corporals Bernhart Gilbert, Evan H. Noyes and Sylvester L. WUUams,
to 33d Illinois, July 16, 1865 ; Privates WUUam H. Cloud, Charles L.
BUison, Hiram FuUerton, James M. Foley, George G. Gilbert, James
R. Gilbert, Lyman Gooding, Joseph T. Griffin, Robert B. Hawkins,
John Keeler, John N. Lovell, Charles W. LoveU, Calvin McGraw,
George Morton, Luther Murphy, WUliam O. Sweeney, John Smith,
and WUUam H. Victory, to 33d lUmois, July 16, 1865.
ABSENT SICK AT MUSTEB-OUT OF BEGIMENT.
Private John C. Phillips. DESBBTED.
Privates: Thomas J. Bowers, from home in 1863; Daniel McDonand,
Oct. 3, 1863; Patrick McMuUen, Feb. 11, 1863. Recruits: George C.
Cooper, March 13, 1865 ; Benjamin McCann, March 4, e865.
UNDEB COOKS — Colored.
Mike Hobson, mustered out Aug. 15, 1865; Isaac WiUiams, died at
Vicksburg, Miss., June 7, 1864.

COMPANY K.
Mustered out Aug. 15, 1865.
Captain Stephen N. Sanders; 1st Lieut. Hiram H. Hall; 3d Lieut.
John B. Mabry; 1st Seargent Peter C. Rape. Sergeants: Wesley
Hudgen, .Tames H. Hodges. Color-Serg't: Thomas J. Sanders,
Balaam N. Brown. Corporals: WUliam P. Simpson, George W.

Appendix. 517

Easley; James W. George, WUliam B. Hankins, Thomas J. Harris,
William B. Mabry, D. B. Thomason, Joseph Wagoner. Musician,
WiUiam R. Hampton. Wagoner, James N. Bland. Privates: WiUiam
H. Brooks, John P. Colburn, WUliam Campbell, .lohn Conrad, John
G. Barley, Henry Frasier, Shepherd Hudson, Fountain W. Halley,
Joseph B. Harden, George Harden, Absalom Lusk, Jacob B, Proctor,
Samuel Peek, John Peek, George H. Payne, John T, Puckett, Alfred
N. Rape, Johnson F, Schultz, Loren Shirtlef, David C. Walker, James
B. Ward, Presley E. WUUams. Recruits: Nathaniel Grundy, William
T. MuUen, WUUam R. Pugh, Charles H. Talbot.
Mustered out at other times.
Privates: Richard J. HoUoway, June 16, 1865; Chrisley W. Keen,
Sept. 14, 1865, to date Aug. 15, 1865.
EESIGNED.
Captain James H, Morgan, Feb. 5, 1863 ; 3d Lieut. WUliam H. Car
ter, Oct. 39, 1864. DISCHAEGED.
Corporals: Ethan M. Mengel. dis.. June 35, 1865; MaxweU W. Mor
gan, wounds, Nov. 15 1863. Privates: Abraham Baker, dis.. Nov. 8,
1863; Phillip W Bradley, dis.. July 17. 1863; WiUiam A. Craddock,
dis.. May 5. 1863; WUUam F. Campbell June 5. 1865; Bela Gather,
dis., June 16. 1865; George M. Martin, dis.. Feb. 5, 1863; Daniel
Norton, dis., March 18, 1863; Newton A. Ooley. dis. AprU 6, 1863;
JohnM. Robenson dis., March 30, 1863; John Smith, June 16 1865;
JohnD. TUley, dis.. Dec. 13, 1863; WiUiam A. Trousdale, dis.. Dec.
16, 1863. KILLED.
Sergeant James T. Keen, Champion Hills. Miss., May 16, 1863.
died.
1st Lieut. Thomas I. WUlian Cotton Hills, IU.. Nov. 5 1863.
Sergeants: Levi B. Mengel, Lake Providence, La., AprU 13 1863;
WUUam H. Hodges, Vicksburg. Miss. June 9, 1863. Corporals; Ben-
jamm K. Proctor, at home. Jan. 33 1864; GUbert L. Rude Vicks
burg, July 3 1863. Privates: WUliam H. Brandt, Natchez, Miss.,

518 Appendix.

AprU 31. 1865; John C. Bradley. St. Louis. Mo., Dec. 16, 1863;
Joseph B. Bridges Young's Point, La., July 3, 1863; George C. Black.
wounds, Spanish Fort. , Ala. , March 38, 1865 ; Charles H. Christian .
Big Black, Mifs., Nov. 17. 1863; RoUa J. Carter. Jackson, Tenn. Nov.
15. 1863; Harrison T. Easley. Big Black, Miss.. Dec. 4. 1863; James
W. Gregory, St. Louis, May 8 1863; Josiah Kirk, Memphis, Tenn.,
March 3, 1863; John Loftis, Memphis, Feb. 31. 1863; Andrew Mc-
Crary, Memphis, March 18 1863; Presley T. Peek, Lake Providence,
La.. March 38, 1863; Presley Peek, wounds Vicksburg, June 37. 1863;
WUUam Pugh, Memphis, Feb. 6, 1863; John Robertson, Vicksburg,
Aug. 11, 1863; Quartus N. Rice, Lagrange Tenn., Dec. 31, 1862; John
Rabe, Lagrange. Jan. 31, 1863; James W. Shaw, Vicksburg, July 30,
1864; WiUiam T. Vangan, St. Louis, AprU 38, 1863; Newton J, Van-
gan, at home, AprU 8 1864; George Wright Big Black, Miss..' Dec. 4,
1863. Recruits: GUbert S. Hankins, at home. Dec. 31, 1864; Isaac
P. Kinnerby. Memphis April 5. 1863; Job S. Lupton. Memphis,
March 35, 1863. missing.
Privates Samuel MaUon and Edward PhUUps, Canton, Miss., Feb.
29, 1864. (See chapter on Our Captured.)
TEANSFEREED.
Private Pleasant Easley, V. R. C, Oct. 28, 1863. Recruits: Henry
Brown, Tobias Blackman, Benjamin Blackman, WUliam H. Crowder,
Joseph Godfrey, WUUam L. Horton Oscar F. Herron, George
McByers, Finley McDoweU, George W. Martin, George Robbins,
Martin L. Sanders, John F. Sanders Andrew D. Sanders, WUUam
Smith, Washington Tobey, Henry A. WUkinson, to 33d lUinois, July
16, 1865. bejected foe disabilitv.
Recruit WUUam D. Gash. DESBBTED.
Corporal WUUam Haynes; Musician Andrew Jordan. Privates:
John C. Abel, John W. Galyen, Jasper Hudson, Thomas H. MUbum,
July 4, 1864. Recruits: Joseph Arguett, James D. Hamel, George
King, James A. Martin, and John Risley, dropped July 4, 1864. The
first five were dropped July 31, 1863, having never gone to the front.

Appendix. 519

UNDEE cooks — colored.
Charles Baldwin, deserted Sept. 30, 1864; Charles Bracey, mustered
out, Aug. 15, 1865.
Unassigned recruits, never loith the regiment, mustered out.
George KrUl, June 8, 1865 ; Ferdinand Kreeger, June 3, 1865.
DISCHAEGED.
Wmiam Hosier, May 14, 1864; D. L. Toland, WUUam H. WUson.
DIED.
Thomas Ashton, Camp Butler, IU., April 16, 1864; PhUip HeU,
Camp Butler, Dec. 31, 1864; WUliam Tompkins, Camp Butler, April
9, 1864. bejected.
WiUiam J. Case, Peter Clark, WiUiam C. Orr, Kenyon O. Wood.
unaccounted fob.
John H. Bambrun, Charles W. Brent, WUUam J. Davis, James C.
Herrington, Mortimer Lyon, John W. MuUen, James McMann, John
Moore, Michael J. Murray, J mes McCafferty, Phelix L. PhUUps,
Andrew SUl, Alfonso Tisler, Charles M. Tompkins, Frederick
TerwiUiger, Leander M. Thompson.

YALE UNIVERSITY

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