CHAPTER III.
GENERAL APPEARANCE OF SPRINGFIELD - BRIGADE FORMED - GEN. TOTTEN - A ROUGH "JOKE" - ON THE MARCH - CAMP “MUSH” – “FAC SIMILE” CURRENCY - “Guss” A FINANCIER - MARCH TO MT. VERNON - EXCITING RUMORS - A NIGHT MARCH - BATTLE OF NEWTONIA - ARRIVE TOO LATE - INCIDENTS OF THE BATTLE - MARCH TO GADFLY AND STICK FAST IN THE MUD - INCIDENTS OF A RAINY NIGHT - MORNING AND BREAKFAST - MARCH TO CASSVILLE.
Springfield contains about two hundred houses of a decidedly better class than those of Rolla, with many beautiful suburban residences. The town gave strong evidence of the many and severe conflicts which had taken place in its vicinity, being the base of operations alternately for the contending armies, and therefore had acquired some historic interest. The streets were wide and pleasant, the sidewalks paved with brick on those bordering on the public square. In a ravine on the east side of the city, and near the stone fence over which Gen. FREMONT's gallant body guard passed in their desperate charge, was the famous spring of which we had so often heard, and which on visiting we found to be fully equal to its reputation. It issued clear and cold from a large rock some eight feet under the hill, the sides of the rock forming a substantial arch. Immediately in front of this arch from a deep rock basin
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flowed continually water sufficient to supply the army - men, mules and horses - without diminishing the supply - and the best we ever had the satisfaction of drinking. Being the principal depot for army supplies in this section of the State the streets presented quite a lively appearance, but the business aside from that which pertained to the army was very little. There was one printing office in this place, but no paper regularly issued, as the materials were constantly used for army purposes. During our stay I became acquainted with the proprietor, Mr. JOHN D. SMILEY, and was gratified to find him a staunch supporter of' the Union cause. He had, previous to the war, published a weekly and tri-weekly paper, succeeded in acquiring a valuable property, but from the vicissitudes of war had now been deprived of all but a small portion of' his printing office. I was in Springfield, and saw him on the day he was killed during Gen. MARMADUKE's attack on that place the following winter. He fell while gallantly fighting side by side with his fellow-citizens, who had been hastily called out and armed in defence of their homes, their firesides and their families.
A brigade was here formed, consisting of the 37th Illinois, 26th Indiana, 18th and 20th Iowa, 1st Iowa Cavalry, and one section of the 1st Missouri Light Artillery - Col. Wm. McE. DYE, of our regiment, being assigned to the command. The division of which our brigade formed part, was commanded by Brig. Gen. TOTTEN, who unfortunately, although a very efficient
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officer, soon gained the ill-will of a large portion of his command by what was considered unnecessary rigor in the enforcement of discipline, and by long and sudden forced marches, which appeared altogether without aim, as they were immediately followed by retrograde movements. Many absurd stories were told of his recklessness and inattention to the comfort and welfare of the men under his command, but we found them totally untrue; yet we frequently lost much personal property from our frequent forced night marches.
On one occasion, while the General and his staff were examining the fort, and had reined his horse near the edge of the ditch, a private belonging to the 37th Illinois, being slightly intoxicated and desiring some fun, suddenly threw himself violently against the side of the horse on which the General sat, and forced both horse and rider into it, but doing neither of them any serious injury. The man was put to work on the fort, by way of punishment, with ball and chain to his foot, and had ample time to meditate on the General's want of appreciation of what he intended as a "good joke."
On the morning of the 29th we received marching orders, and left Springfield about 3 o'clock in the after noon - taking the road to Little York - and reached "Camp Mush" at 7 o'clock the same evening. This camp was memorable to those of our men who had served with the First Iowa as the spot where that regiment at one time lay, subsisting on "mush" made of corn meal, which was the only rations they received. The
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place was known as "Pond Springs," three miles distant. from the town of Little York, the ground on the east being that occupied by the right of Gen. LYON'S army during the battle of Wilson's Creek. The ground is broken by abrupt hills and ravines, with little timber, except upon the west, in the vicinity of the creek. It was here I first learned that many of our men had commenced a large business in Confederate currency, or what seemed just as good, the fac simile money, which was then deemed by the rebel sympathizers better and safer than greenbacks. Having learned of this weakness of our "Southern brethren" before leaving Rolla, many of' them had bought large amounts of this spurious trash, which only purported to be an imitation of the Confederate note, and were now passing it off freely in the way of trade, but always in such amounts as required at least some change in return. We here met many who were willing to exchange "Lincoln greenbacks" for this fac simile stuff, dollar for dollar, and as the boys had purchased it at Rolla for about the original cost of the paper, they made quite a handsome profit in the transaction. Nor was "Guss" behind in this new speculation, for meeting with a secesh who thought larnen was of no use, offered to trade a large bill which the native thought a little suspicious; but "Guss" soon convinced him all was right by declaring, "dat war a new style Confederate note," which afterwards proved to be a patent medicine label. The Bank of "Fac Simile" will have a large
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run if it redeems all its notes our boys put in circulation in Missouri and Arkansas.
The camp was highly excited on the night of the 30th by various rumors of a battle said to be in progress at or near Mt. Vernon, between Gen. BLUNT's forces and the rebel army under Gen. RAINS. Gen. BLUNT, the report informed us, had been defeated and was then in full retreat. Orders came to company commanders to have three days' rations cooked and be ready to march at a moment's notice, which was immediately followed by another to extinguish all fires in camp - rendering obedience to the first impossible - and still again followed by another for the men to sleep upon their arms. The night passed, however, without further alarms, and we left on the following day at noon, taking the Mt. Vernon road, with one day's cooked rations, and after marching about eighteen miles encamped - as usual, in a field of thrifty weeds.
Next morning, October 2nd, we were again on the march at 7 o'clock. Rumor the night previous had located the battle ground eighteen miles beyond Mt. Vernon, and we accordingly passed through that town without halting, bivouacking for the night at a place called "Camp Sassafras." The citizens along our line of march during the day were evidently in a high state of excitement, and rumors multiplied as we advanced, but arriving in camp we learned from an "intelligent contraband" that the fighting was still thirty miles distant! and later still that there had yet been but little fighting
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done. Rumor also now informed us that the enemy were concentrating large forces at Newtonia, where they were strongly entrenched behind stone breastworks. Resting in camp until the 4th, we were ordered to prepare to march at 7 o'clock same evening, and leaving our transportation train under guard, that hour found us on our way to Newtonia. Orders were given that no loud talking or noise should be heard in the ranks. During the early part of the night we had clear moonlight and pleasant - marching over high prairie land, but about midnight heavy clouds obscured the moon and soon after rain commenced falling, and leaving the prairie we entered a heavily timbered tract of country which rendered the darkness intense. While crossing this prairie we were at one time ordered to halt, and while lying on the grass, had an opportunity of seeing an Indian regiment pass. They were mounted on horses, some of which had neither saddle nor bridle - the warriors painted, their waists bare - and as they trooped past in silence, except the pattering of the muffled feet of their horses on the soft prairie grass, resembled a troop of hideous spectres - with the 1st Iowa Cavalry they formed our advance.
The rain which continued to fall during the greater part of the night, had swelled all the creeks and rivulets on our way, and we frequently found ourselves floundering through water which often came over our boot tops. Continuing our march rapidly until near 11 o'clock, A. M., we suddenly heard in advance the heavy booming of artillery which told us the fight had commenced, and
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with renewed energy and a loud cheer we dashed forward at "double-quick." Owing to long fatigue and the incumbrance of heavy knapsacks, our pace had settled down to a walk, when some one in advance, as the sounds of battle increased, shouted, "Throw away your knapsacks, men," - when knapsacks, haversacks and blankets were thrown off, and thus lightened, we were but a few minutes passing over the intervening distance to the edge of the prairie, where the battlefield was in view. To the right and left, as far as the vision could extend, was a seemingly boundless prairie; in front, and about two miles distant, was the town of Newtonia, with its tall court-house cupola glistening in the sun; just to the left of it was the famous stone wall and barn, around which seemed to be several regiments drawn up in line of battle. Immediately in rear of the town rose a long line of abrupt hills, crowned with timber, and along the base of which, just entering the timber, were groups of flying horsemen, which we were afterwards informed was the "Texan Rangers," who composed the rear of the rebel army, and were now being hotly pursued by the Indians of Gen. BLUNT'S command, who kept up an irregular fire in their rear. We were immediately formed in line of battle - rifles loaded - and advanced. Our one and a half mile march in line was somewhat varied by an oblique, a half-wheel, and a few manouvres not laid down in the tactics - one of which consisted in the regiment first opening into wide gaps, and again suddenly closing, thus forcing the center companies into innumerable ranks.
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When within half a mile of the supposed enemy, we discovered that there, was no fighting for us to do, and halted, feeling somewhat chagrined that all these war-like manifestations had been made in the presence, not of enemies, but a large number of our friends who were quietly sitting on the fences and watching our manouvres with much apparent interest.
After stacking our arms those of the men who had thrown off their clothing, &c., returned to seek their property, but found that the Indians and stragglers from other regiments had already appropriated it. A rail fence near by furnished us abundant fuel, and large fires were soon blazing in our camp. A flock of sheep, quietly grazing on the prairie not far away, a few geese, and many chickens was then seized upon, and slaughtered, and secesh mutton-chops and poultry were soon broiling on coals, but the absence of salt rendered our repast unpalatable.
Many amusing occurrences took place during our advance, which will now be remembered with a smile by the actors themselves. I will only relate two, however, as too much space would be required for giving all.
We had just arrived where the artillery and musketry firing seemed to be but a short distance in advance, and every man was putting forth his best endeavors to reach the scene of strife as quickly as possible - when all at once we were startled by Lieut. D_'s shouting at the top of his voice - "Throw away your knapsacks, my bully boys! remember old Linn!!" and then, from ex-
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haustion, there followed a kind of indescribable howl. similar to what is called a "tiger," in cheering. Just at this instant some one in advance called out, "hold on to your knapsacks, men." Hearing this, the Lieutenant shouted again - "Hold on to your knapsacks, my bully boys! remember old Linn!!" and closed with another howl.
Capt. BYRAM by this time had his war spirit aroused, and determined that Scott county should be heard from also. Turning to his men, as he with difficulty kept pace with them in their rapid progress, he called out - "Soldiers, remember where you come from" then having lost distance, he ran forward a few moments, and again turned to finish his patriotic appeal - "and do as I do!!" - but unfortunately at this moment the Captain stepped into a mud-puddle, and falling was almost lost from view beneath the mud. However, he was unearthed and overtook us before we reached the prairie.
While we were forming line and getting our rifles loaded, an old darkey who had stolen himself from his master and followed us some days, was observed by the Chaplain making a movement as for retreat. He accosted him - "Well, Sam, now this war is all gotten up for your benefit, you ought to take a gun and help fight these rebels."
"Massa, I'se afeard them big guns - I is, sho'."
"But you must put hour trust in God, and you will not be hurt."
"Ise dunno 'bout dat - but if you tinks I orter do it,
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why I'll jis trus de Lord dis time an' do it, anyhow" - and getting an old gun he organized himself into a distinct force, and with "Guss," gallantly supported our rear.
The rebel fortifications consisted of a large three-story stone barn surrounded by a stone wall four feet in height, with a ditch inside running close along under the wall, being doubtless intended as a rifle-pit. If these works, however, were constructed as fortifications this idea was probably drawn from a like brilliant conception of Gen. PILLOW'S in Mexico, viz: putting the ditch inside the fort. Their force occupying these works was estimated at 7,000. On the preceding Tuesday, they had been attacked by a Union force of State Militia, but after a short action the Militia were defeated with a loss of forty in killed and wounded, when they retreated, leaving a few prisoners in the hands of the rebels. In our plan of attack, the place was to be approached on three sides; by our brigade on the east, and by two brigades of Gen. BLUNT'S army - one on the north and the other on the west. Owing to the rain which rendered the roads almost impassable for artillery, and difficulty of finding our way through the woods on the preceding night, we arrived after Gen. BLUNT made his attack, and the rebels retreating at once gave us no opportunity of participating in the battle, although we captured two prisoners on our arrival. Our wagons came in on the evening of the 6th and we immediately moved about two miles north from the town, and went into camp near the timber. Having
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salt now, and bread also, we relished our meat much better.
On the morning of the 7th we were suddenly called into line - camp broken up, and wagons loaded. After a rapid march of one mile we halted - the wagons were "parked" and the brigade formed in line of battle - cavalry on both flanks, and artillery in the centre; a skirmish line was then thrown forward towards some timber in our front, and we advanced on an imaginary enemy, through high weeds, frog-ponds, and corn-fields - over ditches and fences - creating great commotion among the rabbits, and carrying panic and death among the frogs. After some three hours hard work at this, an imaginary victory perched upon our banners, the rabbits were driven successfully from the field, the frogs annihilated, when we returned triumphantly to camp and slept on our arms, with orders to be prepared to resume our march at any moment On the morning of the 8th, however, we again pitched our tents, and during the day received orders to march the following morning at daybreak.
We left camp at Newtonia at 10 o'clock on the morning of the 9th, and took the road leading to Cassville. We had proceeded only about four miles when a heavy rain commenced falling, which continued without intermission until next morning, rendering the roads impassable for our wagons. Just at dark we filed off to the right from the main road a short distance, and bivouacked for the night in the woods. As usual, a rail fence
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furnished us excellent fuel, but as the rain still continued falling in torrents some trouble was experienced in getting fires to burn. But little effort was made to dry our clothing, in consequence of the continuance of the rain. My boots were filled with water, and not being able to pull them off, I lay down beside a tree and elevated my feet in order to allow the water to run out. I then determined to seek shelter at a log house I had observed a short distance back on the road, and accordingly started. After many unfortunate mishaps in getting over brush piles and logs in the darkness, I at length reached the house, but was informed at the door that it had been “appropriated for hospital purposes, and was filled with sick men and nurses." On entering, I was somewhat astonished at the great number and apparent activity of the nurses, but unable to see the sick men. A number of officers were present, who manifested a concern for the sick which I had failed to observe on any previous occasion. Whisky-toddies, and stewed chickens were being prepared and disposed of for the benefit of the sick by the nurses with a liberality which was astonishing. Finding the room uncomfortably crowded, after partaking the hospitality of the chief nurse, (Lt. S.) I repaired to a large barn on the opposite side of the road, and after forcing my way through the 37th Illinois, which seemed to have encamped bodily on the lower floor, climbed to the second story, where I found Surgeons RISTINE and BLANDING, Major THOMPSON, Captain BATES, and others of our own, with a few officers from
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other regiments, lying in the dirty chaff and straw with which the floor was covered. After lying down a few minutes, the great Annoyance from fleas and coldness of the night, compelled me to get up and seek a fire. Not being able to find accommodations at any that were burning on the lower floor, I determined to inaugurate a general conflagration where all could be accommodated. I accordingly collected all the dry rubbish convenient, and piled it up in a remote corner; then procured a brand, and, after getting the establishment well on fire, gave the alarm. There was soon a commotion which showed that all in that barn were not sleeping, but some inconsiderate person defeated the enterprise before much benefit was derived from my labor.
The rain having now somewhat abated, I returned to camp, lay down on the ground and experienced a new feature in hydropathy - a sleeping-bath. At daybreak, being quite hungry, I concluded to make an effort to procure breakfast at the little town of Gadfly, which stood only a short distance from camp. In company with two other officers we proceeded to the most promising looking house in the cluster of half dozen log huts that composed the village. On entering we found the room already occupied by a number of soldiers, and the lady of the house busily engaged in cooking corn-bread for them. However we determined to remain and await our turn, for breakfast. While doing so we were informed "that if we wanted anything beside corn-bread we would have to furnish it ourselves," as she had no provisions beside
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corn-meal, and no salt to season that." We were furnished, however, by a soldier present, with a ration of tea and sugar from his haversack, and as the men had now discovered hogs in a pen near by, and were butchering them, we also added a pork-steak to our scanty bill of fare.
While preparing breakfast the lady informed us that her husband was a soldier in the Confederate army, and would, she hoped, "shoot some of youens" for killing her hogs and cow, which were at that moment being slaughtered in the front yard. During breakfast we were much annoyed by chickens which in their endeavor to escape from the soldiers who were pursuing them, sometimes flew on the table and spilled our tea. When we offered pay for our breakfast, the lady informed us that "Lincoln money" would not be received - and as we had no Confederate money, we were indebted to a soldier for the loan of a $5 bill on the "Fac Simile" bank, which she received very thankfully.
We remained in camp here until the morning of the 12th, when we resumed our march for Cassville, where we arrived at 2 o'clock in the afternoon of the same day.