CHAPTER X.
MOVEMENTS OF THE REGIMENT DURING THE MONTHS OF JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH AND APRIL - ARRIVAL IN ST. LOUIS - THE ARMY REVIEWED BY GEN. CURTIS - REMOVE TO PILOT KNOB - DRAW SHELTER TENTS - DISSATISFACTION WITH THEM - MARCH TO ST. GENEVIEVE - EMBARK FOR VICKSBURG - CONDITION OF TROOPS ON BOARD A TRANSPORT - VOYAGE DOWN THE RIVER AND ARRIVAL AT YOUNG'S POINT.
On January 5th, 1863, Brig. Gen. J. M. SCHOFIELD, having resumed command, the army was reviewed by him at Fayetteville, and the large amount of transportation allowed us by Gen. TOTTEN was reduced one half. This action on the part of the General, in view of the opinion then current that an active campaign was about being inaugurated, was received by the command with murmurs of discontent, from the fact that the rainy season had set in, rendering the roads exceedingly disagreeable for marching, and by being deprived of a large portion of our wagons the men would now be under the necessity of carrying their knapsacks, instead of having them hauled. But the order was carried out, and on the morning of the 6th the men found themselves on the march over a muddy road, encumbered with heavy knapsacks, going in the direction of Richland, at which place we bivouacked at 8 o'clock on the same evening in an
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open field. The march was resumed on the following morning, but after going five miles we halted at "Camp Rosecrans," where we tarried until the 10th, and then resumed the march, going into camp on the evening of the same day at Huntsville.
The division remained here until January 18th, the troops suffering under a more than ordinary complication of all the discomforts and ills incident to a winter campaign. Sometimes on half rations - occasionally on quarter rations, and frequently with no rations at all - harrassed with orders to move each morning, which were as often countermanded in the evening after remaining all day exposed to the rain without shelter, with our wagons loaded ready to move. The rain which had been falling incessantly for several days was now succeeded by a snow storm, which, added to the great scarcity of rations, increased the discomfort to such an extent that men grew indignant at the tender-footed policy of the General in regard to "respecting private property," and commenced pillaging from the inhabitants in order to prevent starvation among themselves. This state of affairs culminated on the 16th in some bold and successful attempts at robbery in the town, which induced Gen. SCHOFIELD to order another move, notwithstanding the almost impassable condition of the roads. Accordingly our brigade left Huntsville on the morning of the 18th, but after a short march again halted - the 20th Iowa going into camp on the same ground we occupied the preceding October when, it will be remembered, we made a forced march
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back to Osage Springs. Simultaneously with our arrival in camp orders were received to resume the march on the following morning. But the rain still continuing, a delay was occasioned in order to send out a party of observation, who returned in the evening reporting the roads impassable for our wagon trains, when we again pitched tents. A detail was then made to go in search of forage. The men were mounted on mules and set out with orders to "search for forage," but no means of bringing it to camp was provided in case the search proved successful, They returned after a few hours absence, bringing the intelligence that none could be found, and the rain having somewhat abated we broke camp on the morning of the 22nd and set out in the direction of Bentonville. The roads were found in such bad condition, however, that after proceeding a short distance our starving mules proved unable to draw the wagons through the mud, and by the delay occasioned from frequent halts, and incessant efforts required in extricating the wagons, the command became wearied, and parties commenced straggling off on the different roads and by-ways which promised the best walking until night set in, when the various detachments bivouacked wherever they happened to be at the time. Col. DYE, with portions of our own and the 37th Illinois regiments, rested on the War Eagle, eight miles distant from the correct route of march. The greater portion of the wagons having been left sticking fast in the mud, on the route of the previ-
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ous day's march, the 23rd was occupied in extricating and getting them into camp.
The march was resumed at daylight on the morning of the 24th, and brought the regiment within half a mile of Cross Hollows, where we bivouacked for the night. As the rations were now almost entirely exhausted, much anxiety was felt to reach the post at "Elkhorn" with as little delay as possible, and accordingly on the morning of the 25th the march was renewed at an early hour. The road being now over higher ground, the regiment, after a rapid march of eighteen miles, arrived at Elkhorn at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, where rations were drawn, and issued immediately after going into camp.
The march was resumed at 9 o'clock A. M., on the 26th, and we bivouacked the same evening about five miles north of Cassville. The weather had now become quite cold, and materially augmented the hardships endured on the march.
The brigade remained in camp here until the 29th, when the march was resumed, and continued on the following day, bringing us to "Camp Schofield," where we rested until February 14th, when we again moved a short distance, going into camp on a very pleasant site called "Camp Bliss." We tarried here until March 1st, when after another fatiguing march over a muddy road, we arrived at Ozark late in the evening, where we bivouacked for the night, and started again early on the following morning, marching eighteen miles to "White Oak Springs," where we rested for the night, and moved
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again next morning, arriving at "Hazlewood," (Gen. TOTTEN'S headquarters) about noon, where a temporary halt was made. After resting two hours orders were received to move on five miles further, to "Camp Bloomington," where we arrived late in the evening. The regiment was here paid for three months' service, on the 13th of March, the first pay we had received since going into the field, and rested until the 14th, when a further march of two days brought us to Elk Creek, where we remained until April 3rd. On the morning of the 3rd the march was resumed, and continued each day, until the 6th when we halted at "Camp Totten," within nine miles of Rolla, where we rested until the 23rd, and then moved hurriedly by rail to St. Louis, where we arrived on the 24th and were assigned to duty guarding the north wall of the Arsenal ground and Iron Mountain Railroad track.
We were never able to ascertain correctly the reason of our division being so hastily called to St. Louis, but rumor, as usual, supplied the absence of more satisfactory information. By this we learned that a formidable expedition, under command of Gen. PRICE and other Confederate leaders, was again advancing from Arkansas for the purpose of attempting the capture of St. Louis, with its immense stores of supplies. The rumor seemed to gain credence from the fact that part of our brigade were hurried on board steamers and left for some point below on the river, immediately on our arrival in the city, and
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a few days subsequently information came back that a battle had been fought, resulting in favor of the rebels.
Our regiment were nearly all in excellent health, at this time, and the weather being delightful, we took advantage of this short relaxation, and endeavored to enjoy the good fortune which had unexpectedly thrown us again into St. Louis to its fullest extent. Orders, although attempted to be enforced by a strong camp guard, were insufficient to confine men within camp, and at times there were scarcely men and officers enough present to fill the small details called for on guard duty each morning. It would be no exaggeration to say that two-thirds of our division could be found at any time during the day, and up to a late hour at night, strolling through the streets of the city, with no proper authority for being absent from camp. And in this, the men were merely imitating the example of their officers.
On the 11th of May we were ordered out to participate in the annual celebration given in honor of an early triumph of loyalty in Missouri, on the spot where organized treason met its first rebuke in the city - "Camp Jackson." The ceremonies were preceded by a review in front of Maj. Gen. CURTIS' headquarters, after which we were joined by the various militia organizations and societies of citizens, when the procession moved to the ground on which the celebration was to take place. The spot selected was one around which clustered in the memories of those who were residents of St. Louis in the early spring of '61, recollections of the opening
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struggle; where the notorious rebel Governor, Claib. Jackson, with his host of sympathizing traitors had established a camp and raised the standard of secession, but met prompt rebuke at the hands of the heroic LYON.
After stacking arms we dispersed over the grounds to witness the ceremonies. Addresses were delivered by a number of talented gentlemen, but owing to the noise and confusion unavoidable in such a vast assemblage of people, very few of their remarks could be heard except by those who had been so fortunate as to secure positions near the platform.
When this portion of the exercises was concluded, our attention was attracted to the disturbances which had arisen about the numerous refreshment stands, around which large numbers of soldiers had assembled. After a short contemplation of the tempting delicacies offered for sale, the men having no money to purchase - ( fac-simile being less current here than in the rural districts of the interior) - proceeded to take forcible possession - ejecting the owners from the premises by tumbling them over the fence headlong. All other efforts to restore order having failed, the long-roll was beat, and the command marched back to camp at double-quick.
These slight disturbances, however, might be reasonably expected, when we consider that an army such as ours, after many weary months of fatiguing marches - exposed to all the hardships incident to a continuous campaign during the inclement winter season - is suddenly disencumbered in great measure of military restraint,
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and thrown amid a vast throng of civilians. We had no money with which to purchase the luxuries thus temptingly spread before us by men who exercised little caution to conceal their sympathies with those whose treason had called us from home to endure the hardships of war, and we therefore drew them - not perhaps in strict accordance with "Regulations," but in a liberal construction of General BURNSIDE's recommendation to "subsist off the enemy." This proceeding was doubtless in its tendency subversive of good order and military discipline, but the boys satisfactorily explained away all objections by showing that the "exigencies of the service required it!"
The number of people on the ground during the day was estimated at 75,000.
On the evening of May 14th we received marching orders for the following morning, which was the signal for a general stampede of officers and men to the city, and during the night the camps were deserted by nearly all except a small portion of the camp-guards. However, morning found them all back, and prepared for the march.
We left camp at 8 o'clock and marched to the depot of the St. Louis and Iron Mountain Railroad, where we embarked on board a train of open cars, and were soon on our way to Pilot Knob, where we arrived after a pleasant ride of six hours. Disembarking we marched about one mile south of the town and encamped. A small portion of the regiment which had been left in charge of the regimental property at Rolla when the movement to St.
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Louis was made, rejoined us here - having marched across the country from Rolla.
Our stay at Pilot Knob lasted until June 3d, the time being passed in daily company and battalion drills. We also received four months' additional pay, and exchanged our old "French" for new "Shelter" tents - the latter, although at first much disliked by the men, were, after we became accustomed to them, preferred to the old ones.
On the morning of June 3d, orders were received to march within an hour, and our preparations were so hastily made, and transportation so limited, that much company property and surplus rations were abandoned for want of room on the wagons to transport them to St. Genevieve - whither we were going.
Passing through the little village of Ironton, near Pilot Knob, we saw a large number of "Pontoons," which called to recollection the stirring but unappreciated enterprize of Gen. J. C. FREMONT. These relics of the unfortunate General's military career were here collected and thrown carelessly aside to decay. In looking at them we could not avoid the reflection that their own and the military career of their illustrious projector were alike brief, and had shared a similar fate - both had been unappreciated and cast aside. Speculations also arose in our minds as to whether the time was far distant when these much needed and useful appendages of an army - (Pontoon Bridges) - would receive the attention and approval they deserved. It is scarcely necessary to add that, while the "Pontoons" very soon afterwards came
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into favor and general use, the popularity of the General who introduced them into Missouri continued to "grow smaller by degrees, and beautifully less."
After a fatiguing march of sixteen miles we halted late in the evening near the little town of Farmington, where we rested for the night, and resumed the march before daybreak next morning. Soon after starting we came upon a plank-road, and the day being pleasant were enabled to march rapidly - reaching the village of Valley Forge at sunset, where we again rested, being now but seven miles distant from St. Genevieve.
Many of the men during the past two days' march, threw away their "shelter tents," averring that they were useless, and also declaring it an "outrage to compel them to receive an article so worthless, and also carry it on the march." However, but a short time elapsed until the general aversion to "shelter" - (or, as they were more generally called, "Dog tents" - wore off, and the men who had thrown them away became solicitous to have them replaced by others.
We resumed the march on the morning of the 5th, and after passing through St. Genevieve, halted about two miles above the town, on the banks of the river, where our division were already embarking on board steamers. The boat on which we were to embark not yet having arrived from St. Louis, a camp guard was detailed and strenuous efforts made by our regimental commander to prevent straggling on the part of our exhausted men.
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Our campaigns in Missouri here ceased. We had marched on foot since leaving Rolla on the 16th of September, 1862, eleven hundred and twenty-seven miles! - most of our marches being made during the winter season, exposed to the rains, and over roads at times almost impassable on account of the mud. Much of the time we had been on half-rations, and with inadequate supplies of clothing. The hardships endured on these marches had thinned our ranks more than would as many hard fought battles. And now, even after the lapse of time, and subsequent more stirring scenes of sieges and battles in which we took part, our memories still retain vivid recollections of the lonely wayside graves where we deposited the bodies of our comrades along the route of these unparalleled marches. They fell - not in battle - but by disease contracted while in the performance of duties beyond their strength, and under circumstances of peculiar hardship. We shall never cease to honor their memories for the heroism which enabled many of them at times, even while suffering under disease, to still continue in the discharge of their duties.
For the information of such of my readers as have not been in the army, I will give some of the customs on a march, and also the order of embarkation by troops on board a transport - our embarkation at this time differing but little from that of any other regiment or army under similar circumstances.
Our wagons on leaving camp were attended by the company cooks, (usually four in number,) who each ac-
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companied the wagon containing their own company property, in order partly to guard against the loss of cooking utensils on the route, and also be prepared to commence preparations for cooking immediately on arriving in camp. In addition to the cooks all the stragglers of a regiment made the wagons a place of general rendezvous, as they were thereby enabled to secure more plunder during the march by the facilities afforded for secreting it on the wagons and having it hauled to camp. The convalescents also accompanied the wagons, on which they were permitted at times to ride. It will thus be seen that at the termination of a hard day's march no inconsiderable portion of an army is found with the trains. Immediately on arriving at the landing the property belonging to each company was unloaded under the superintendence of the quartermaster, when it was the duty of the cooks to guard against its being stolen by stragglers from other regiments. When ready to embark, an officer was detailed with a fatigue-party, to put the property on board the vessel. This duty finished, the regiment then marched to the boat, where the Adjutant assigned quarters to the respective companies as they arrived on board. The first company were marched to the hurricane-roof - as near the stern as they could be got - and placed directly across the boat; each successive company as it arrived were placed parallel with the first, until the top of the boat was filled; the remainder were then allowed to occupy the forecastle, the space between the cabin and guards, and, if room was still wanting - as was the case
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with us - some of the companies were under the necessity of sharing quarters with the mules and horses on the lower deck - sleeping on the coal-pile and in close proximity to the engine and boilers.
The condition of troops on board a transport is miserable in the extreme. Huddled together like hogs in a pen jostled and jammed from side to side - compelled to eat and sleep on the filthy decks - without exercise during the day, and trampled upon at night while endeavoring to sleep - with rations of half cooked meat and tasteless pilot-bread, and constantly inhaling the impure atmosphere engendered by the dense crowd on board, and arising from mules and horses on the lower deck. But notwithstanding the total absence of every comfort, I heard no complaints uttered by the men. They met this hardship as they had others, with a spirit of resignation which deprived it of much of its discomfort.
The officers, however, occupied the cabin - with guards stationed at the entrances to prevent intrusion from the soldiers - passing their time in reading, writing letters, and games of cards - ("Whisky Poker," "California Jack," and "Old Sledge," alternating with "Poker," "Muggins" and "Euchre.") A portion of the cabin was assigned to the Surgeons and occupied by our sick men, who were made as comfortable as circumstances would permit. No facilities were afforded for cooking on board, and we were under the necessity of landing for that purpose.
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Our chief consolation under these untoward circumstances was in the hope we felt that our long marches in Missouri were now over, and we were entering upon a new field, where we could do more efficient service in assisting to crush the rebellion, with less marching. Yet some fears were entertained that our destination might be the Tennessee river, in which case we should be disappointed in our wishes to join Gen. GRANT. However, this question would be settled on our arrival at Cairo.
The following remarks by a cotemporary writer (Lt. S. D. THOMPSON, of the Third Iowa,) are particularly
appropriate, as showing the sense of injustice entertained by the men in reference to the distinctive difference between their own and the condition of the officers, while on board a transport:
"With our officers, however, the case was different. They ate at the cabin table and had good Are. They slept in staterooms. They had the ladies' cabin to themselves, and guards were stationed to keep the soldiers out of it. This was just. They had a right to what they paid for. But such a contrast of comfort and misery looked decidedly bad, especially among men who at home were equals, and whom mutual hardship and peril should have made friends. To us, the soldiers, it was a convincing proof' that our officers were selfish and cared little for us. We could not see where they had merited so much more than we. Had they been braver in battle, or had they exposed themselves to greater danger? They
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were superior to us in rank and emoluments; but this superiority we had conferred with our votes. Was this sharing the hardships of war as they had promised to do while we were yet citizens? Moreover rank and emolument do not always answer the question of merit. Allowing that they had always done their duty in the places assigned them, had they done it better than we? Had they been more exemplary in morals, or more attentive to duty, or more patient under, suffering? Had they been so diligent in the acquisition of military knowledge as to be worthy of exemption from hardship? We could not see it. There was nothing peculiarly hard in their duties which should create this disparity. They did no fatigue duty. They did not carry a gun, a cartridge box, or a knapsack, on the march. They did not have to walk the sentinel's beat in storm. The surgeon did not abuse them when they were sick. When they said they were not able to do duty they were believed. But the Government had conferred on them these privileges. We had no right to complain."
Additional transports arrived about nine o'clock in the evening, and our regimental property was immediately shipped on board the J. D. Perry. The regiment marched on board about 11 o'clock P. M. Soon afterwards the boat was cast loose and commenced her voyage down the river. Little doubt now remained as to our destination, and great satisfaction was expressed at the prospect of joining Gen. Grant's forces, and participating in the capture of Vicksburg.
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We landed a short distance below the town of Commerce, on the Illinois shore, where rations were cooked and the boat put through a cleaning process, which was rendered necessary by her filthy condition.
We arrived at Cairo at 6 o'clock, same evening, (June 6th) where the boat landed for the purpose of coaling. Many gun-boats were at anchor near by, and we were much interested in examining these dark gloomy looking crafts, as they silently lay at anchor out in the stream, with the black muzzles of their guns protruding from the port-holes at the bow and on either side - and no one visible on the decks except the sentinels, who were slowly pacing their beats. Transports loaded with troops, similar to our own, were constantly arriving and departing - some up the Ohio river, and others down the Mississippi. The stillness was occasionally relieved by the cheers of a regiment on one boat as it recognized one on another with whom they had perhaps served in some past campaign or battle. At night, as these transports came hurrying past, with their dense mass of human freight, and volumes of black smoke rolling up from the chimneys - blazing at the bow from huge fires in the furnaces - lit up in front by two fiery eyes gleaming out in the darkness - one red, the other green - suspended from the tops of the chimneys - one might imagine them some huge monsters bent on an errand of destruction.
The object of our landing at Cairo having been accomplished, our fleet cast loose at 3 o'clock on the morning of June 7th, turning its course down the Mississippi,
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with the entire Army of the Frontier on board. As the boat swung around with her bow down stream, our satisfaction at the realization of our wishes to go to Vicksburg, found vent in deafening cheers, which were repeated by the troops on the other transports which accompanied us, and echoed by the gloomy forest along the river bank.
Gen. VANDEVER, commanding our division, came on board the boat at Cairo, and some of our officers were compelled to vacate their staterooms to accommodate his staff, which they did with ill - concealed reluctance. Gen. HERRON, we learned, had passed down the river a few days previously. We landed a short time at Columbus, Ky., and soon after resuming our journey passed Island No. 10, which at that time contained a large garrison, and was the rendezvous of contrabands, who were here in large numbers working on the fortifications.
We arrived at New Madrid at 11 o'clock A. M., where we again landed, and the 38th Iowa, who had been on duty at this place for some months, were added to our division, and put on board one of the transports - a negro regiment relieving them at that post.
No other landing was made until we reached Memphis, where we arrived early on the morning of the 8th, without interruption from the guerrillas, who had heretofore seldom allowed a transport to pass without firing into her.
We left Memphis at 4 o'clock A. M., next day, under convoy of two gun-boats - a precaution deemed necessary
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on account of the numerous bands of guerrillas who infested the river banks on either side, and, unless overawed by the presence of' a gun-boat, fired into all transports which passed either up or down stream. We stopped in the stream frequently during the day, while one of the gun-boats ran to some point in advance and shelled the woods vigorously for a short time.
We arrived at Helena at 2 o'clock P. M., same day, where we landed, and the regiment marched ashore, for the purpose of again having the boat cleaned. We reembarked and continued our voyage at half past 3 P. M., but as it was deemed unsafe to run after dark, we again landed late in the evening, and one company from each boat were sent on shore as pickets. Company E, of' our regiment, was sent off on this duty. We had beautiful moonlight until near 12 o'clock, when a most terrific rain storm set in accompanied by blinding flashes of lightning and peals of thunder which shook the ground on which we were standing. The wind, also blew almost a hurricane; during the storm the boats were blown from their anchors, and dispersed in all directions. However, the storm ceased about 3 o'clock in the morning, and as none of the boats were materially damaged, the pickets were taken on board, when the fleet got under way at daybreak.
We passed "Milliken's Bend" at 11 o'clock A. M., June 11th, and after a temporary stop at Young's Point, proceeded up the Yazoo River about twelve miles to a landing below Chickasaw Bluffs, where we again landed,
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and made preparations to disembark. The heavy booming of artillery at Vicksburg could now be distinctly heard, and evidences of the hard struggle which had been for some time going on in this vicinity, was seen in the badly damaged boats constantly plying on the Yazoo between Haines' Bluff and Young's Point - the cabins of some of them being almost torn off by shells. After remaining here nearly an hour, the fleet again cast loose and steamed down the Yazoo, landing a few miles below Young's Point on the Louisiana side of the river, where we disembarked a short distance above a mortar boat which lay close in under the bank, and was throwing shells at the enemy's water-batteries across the river at Vicksburg.
The great stronghold of rebellion on the Mississippi - the point to which public attention for many weary months had been directed with alternating hopes and fears - was now in plain view. VICKSBURG, with its deserted landing which was once the busy mart of trade, thronged with merchandise and hurrying steamers, now desolate and bare; its once crowded streets now marred with barricades, and void of any appearance of animated life; its bold bluffs, once the favorite resort of the pleasure seeker, now crowned with batteries vomiting forth defiance and death at those who had ever before been its friends; its palatial residences whose tin-covered roofs blazed in the setting sun, showing many openings through which had passed the descending shot and shell; and even as we looked at it flashes from bursting shells lit up
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the air above, or solid shot went crashing through the already half demolished buildings. We looked anxiously, but in vain, for any appearance of a human being within its precincts; no indications of its being inhabited could be seen aside from the smoke and thunder of its batteries which crowned every hill top and occupied every elevated position in the city. In looking at its cordon of redoubts, rifle-pits and solid breastworks, we felt sure of what we had never doubted - that this was the "Gibraltar" of secession, and that it could never be carried by storm if properly defended. We were also strongly impressed with the belief that those grumblers at home at Gen. GRANT'S slow progress ought to form an opinion after occupying a position in the front rank of one of the storming parties.