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any questions or comments, please e-mail me at
larry@conzett.org. Thank you.
My Civil War Before, During and After
by
Josiah Conzett
Part 2
Clean Limbed, in evry Respect a Black Beauty. One the Tripp to Clarksville one day Our Head Surgeon Dr Lonce (?) Father of our Col. rode up to me and asked how I would Like to Change Horses with him. He rode a realy Fine Bay Mare - I declined (?) telling him that I was very Fond of my Horse and also Valued it highly as being A Sort of a Present to me from Maj Schaeffer - He rode On and I never heard anymore about it - A short Time after that We were Paid Off - so Sergt Ende and myself got a Pass for a 10 day Outing to Paduca - where by the Way we had so a good a Time that we came near being Run in to the Guard House by the Provost Gaurd for being out to late, and then Sent back to the Regiment in Disgrace - however by Runing and doging through Alleys and Around Corners we escaped them and got back to our Bording House - we were more carefull after that. Stayed out our Time - got back to Camp in Time & in good Shape Well Satisfied with our Trip & experience. Well on reaching Camp, I found my Horse Johnnie gone. On asking how it came, when he was in the Stable and There was a Stable Gaurd Day & Night - they said the Stable Gaurd was asleep and the Horse Stolen by Some one during that time - but the Gaurd was never Punished for it - nor could I find out who the Gaurd was at that time - Just at that time it did not come to me how irrational the cause or Excuse was - but later on it came to me, and it was plain enough - however it was Suggested to go out in the Country to look for him - So the Col gave me a 3 days Pass for myself & 2 Men. So one Morning I took Tom Allen and We Scoured the Country around for 50 Miles or more - were out 3 days & 2 Nights - Sleeping and Eating in any House We came to, when Eating & Sleeping Time came around and Standing Gaurd by Turns, for the Country was full of Gurrillas and it is a great Wonder we were not Killed or Captured, but we got Safly back to the Camp but without my Johnnie Horse. I found out soon after that by the Conivance of Lieut Moring, He had been Shipped to Omaha to Dr Lowe but I could do nothing - being Only A Non Com - so I had to Grin & Bear it - but I never got another like him and I Never forgot him.
in the Fall our Regiment went on A Scout up along the Tennesee,
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the Rebs about there were Getting pretty Thick & Bold. We came across them one Morning but as they were on the other Side of the River We could only Skirmish with them at that distance as the River was not Fordable anywhere near there, so I was Detailed with 10 or 15 Men of our Co to go back to Camp and bring up one of our 8 Pounders & other Ammunition. We started about 4 AM and got to Camp at Sundown (about 7 PM) the distance was fully 100 Miles the way we had to go. We got back to the Fighting Lines in Goodtime - When the Rebs Heard and Saw our Gun they Soon left, and we went back to Camp. it was on that Day that Billy Shankland sank down with a Hemerage of the Lungs. He was taken to Camp in an Ambulance hisFather Telegraphed for, who came in a few days - took him Home where he Died soon after. Billy was a Nice Boy and A Favorite in the Company. But an Inveberate Smoker. ***1862***(1862 in left margin of page) In the Fall I think October, The Battle of Perryville in Ky Took place between our Forces under Buell and the Rebs Under Bragg - the Forces were about Equal but Bragg Retreated & Buell very Slowly Advanced - it was a drawn Battle - but Treason on our side was strongly Hinted - as Buell was a Son in Law to Bragg, and he was Relieved of A Command and never was in the Army after that. John W. Morgan the Reb Cavalry Leader and Raider was on The Left Flank of Bragg to prevent Reinforcements Reaching Buell - this brought him Near us and in our Territory. Then Leiut Col Patrick with our Regiment was Ordard out to Meet & Whipp him if we could. But Her Run to fast for us. We Charged into Hopkinsville in the Grey of a Frosty October Morning with Sabers drawing, Riding by Fours expectin evry Moment To be amongst them - but thier Read Gaurd was going Just as fast out of the other end of Town, so besides A Little Skirmish with thier Rear Gaurd we got in No Fight with him - in Fact Morgan never did care to Fight and got out of it whenever he could his Main Object was to Harras our Troop Capture any Stragler Burn Bridgs Destroy Trains - and get back to his Sauve (?) Stamp Grounds as fast as he possibly could, such was the Celebrated (Gurrilla) Leader John W. Morgan C S A. We Captured Several Hundred Barrells of Flour He had to abondon at Hopkinsville that he in his Haste to get away from us, but the Flour was hardly any good, it was so Old that it was full of Flour
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Worms A Yard long. Well we Stayed there that Day and Night - Baked Flapjacks Worms and All by the Stack, destoryed What Flour we could not Eat, and Next Morning Started on the Trail of Morgan. Our Advance Gaurd soon Overtook thier Rear and up to Noon Kept Skirmishing with them, we had evidence of that & that Morgan did not get away with all his Men & Plunder by finding Dead Rebels along the Roadside evry little while, at Garratsburg Ky we Had about abandond the Chase - when all at once Our Rear Gaurd came rushing up Yelling that the Rebs were coming and Lieut of Co L was Killed. We were soon drawn up in Line to give them A Warm Reception planting our Only Gun in the Center of the Road - but they failed to come - it seems the Rear Gaurd under Garrity got Carless - he Orderd a Hallt and went into a Black Smith Shop to have his Horse Shod. Then a Number of Rebs from Ambush Rushed Up Opened Fire on them and Killing the Lieutenant then they rushed away again - Well our Tripp ended There and we went back to Camp again not having Acomplished very much.
Sometime during this Summer we were called over to Ft Donaldson. the Gurrilla Woodward and his Ragged Rebels Threatening the Small Garrison Stationed there. Vis the 13th Wisconsin Ifantry was sent back in Disgrace from the Front to Gaurd the Fort for Cowardice at the Battle of Shilo. Well they were near there we Ran into them on the Road and Near the Extensive Iron Works of John Bell Candidate for Prisedent in 1860 on an Independent Ticket. the Works were on the South West Bank of the Cumberland - We destroyed them. Well the Johnnies Laid a Trap for us and we Fell into it and got Severly Punished loosing Several Men Killed a few Captured among the Killed was one Commissioned Officer, dont Know thier Loss But some of them were Killed and Wounded. We Stayed at the Fort that day then went back to our Camp at Ft Heiman and took up the same Routine again Scouting around the Country Fighting Gurrillas and Buswackers. Now Captain Nott having Resigned, it left a Vacancy to be Filled, 1st Lieut M M Wheeler Promoted to Captain Levi Moring to 1st Lieut and Orderly Sergt A Guler to 2nd Lieut. I being next in Rank as Q M Sergt Should have been Promoted to Orderly Sergt, but owing to my Brother Daves Soliscitudefor my Safty I was Skipped and Sergt Carley became our
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Orderly Sergt, my Position as Q M Sergt would Keep me out of Danger of exposs ure of Battle by having to look out for our Stores and all Supplies wich was Nescessarly Kept in the Rear at such times and I was Responsible for thier Safty as well as for the Amunition that I had to give out. I However Never Missed a Scout Battle or Skirmish when with the command - but Dave allways tried to Shield me - so he Went to the Capt and Begged him to Keep me as I was. He Promised to do so and Kept his word by Promoting Carley and Carley made a good Orderly - he was a Large fine looking and Brave Man - evry inch a Soldier, but I felt very bad over it as it Kept me out of a Commission to the last of the War and would have been a Reflection on me as A Soldier had it not Been understood why it came about - and Dave allways Regretted it. We Celebrated the Promotion in great Shape as Apple Jack and Commissary Wisky was on hand for the Ocasion - but we will pass this up - Well thus we Spent our Time until the next February. ***1863***(1863 in left margin of page) When we were Sudenly called over to Fort Donaldson on the 13th (Feb) Forrast Wheeler and Wharton the Rebl Generals with quite a Large Force 5 to 6000 Men Sudenly apeared in their Front and demanded its Surendor. The Garrison consisted of the 80 Ill Infantry under Col Harding about 7 or 800 Men and One Company of our Regiment. The Col at once Telegraphed to our Col Low for Assistance wich He promptly Obeyed by sending us over. We did not get on the way until late in the Afternoon as it took some time to Cross the River (Tennessee) but we made what haste we could. We arived within 4 or 5 Miles of the Fort when it began to get Dark - Our Company had the Advance and Lieut Guler and Myself were Reding Side by Side in the Extreme Advance when while up a Hill and about half way up we Sudenly saw 3 or 4 Men Step out from behind some trees - the called - Halt! But at the same Time Raised thier Guns and Fired into Us Killing Liut Gulers Horse - We returned thier Fire with Our Revolvers when we Received Orders to Fall back to the Regiment - Of course they were the Rebs Picket and in all Probability the Outpost - As the Night was now dark and The Woods Thick and no telling what Force there was in front of us, the Col thought it prudent to wait where we were until Morning - We had only our Regiment 7 or 800 Strong
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we might Have got ourselves in a Nice Ambush had we gone on. Evry one of us might have been Killed or Captured for They would have had us at a great disadvantage behind Trees in the Dark in them Woods. Our Col did a Wise Thing there no doubt - He was allways very cautious to much So we often Thought - We chaffed and Fretted becaus we were Kept in the Rear Gaurding Forts when we should have been at the Front with the Main Army, and we Blamed him for it - But if so he done us a great Favor for had we been at the Front, many of us that got Home and those still Living would Now be filling Southern Graves - so under Providence to him We are indebted to reach Home again and be able to Tell our War Stories to our Children and Grand Children. Early next Morning We Marched on and in a Couple of Hours we reached the Fort but the Battle was over and the Rebs were gone. They Were frightened of the Apearance of our Gun Boats Comming up the Cumberland River and Throwing thier immense Shell amongst them, and also Knowing that we would be on Hand very soon. it was a Gallant Fight our Men made at the first Apearance of the Rebs Col Harding Called his Force into a Small Circular Fort defended by 2 or 3 Good Sized Cannon and though the Rebs Charged and Stormed the Fort up to its very Guns Twice and again during the Night Our Men Hurled them back with Grape Shot and Shell and Thier Rifles and Carabines - it was Well they had a Brave and Gallant Commander. Harding allthough an Old Man would Not Surrender. the Rebs lost in Killed Several Hundred Men and there were some Fearfull Sights for the (our Men) poured Grape Shot right into thier Faces as the Johnnies charged Right up to the very Muzzels of the Guns in thier effort to get inside and Capture the Fort, but they met more than thier Match that time. Our Boys were detailed to Burry the Dead - Brother Dave was one of the Detail and a Curious or Strange thing came to him - he found among the Dead Rebs the one that had him in charge when he was taken Prisonor on the 5th of May 1862, he recognized him by a Ring on his Finger that he took from Dave at that Time - The Loss on our Side was Triffling as our Men were protected Behind Earthworks and the Fort - Our Regiment followed up the Retreating Rebs, but they run to Fast and had to long a Start for us to cattch up, we got a few Straglers. I think Forrest was a good
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General one of the best Cavalry Leaders the Rebbels had, and lost few Battles, but this Time he got Whipped bad, and that by a largley inferior Force as to Numbers - we went back to Camp at Heiman and the rest of the Winter we were Quiet Scouting around and Riding out to Concord (?) to see our Little Southern Girl and Swap our Spare Coffe to her for a Diner or down to Turners to see if the Old Woman was yet Alive, or the Girls any Homlier or down to the Dutch Pony and Swap Yarns with the Old Man, and Flirt with the Pony when the Old People were not Watching. And so passed the Winter of 1862 & 1863.
The next Thing of Importance was when the New or Rumor came that a Large Force of Rebbels under General Forrest was gathering in the Vicinity somewhere near and about Parris Tennesee on the way to Paducah to Capture it, and by the way of a diversion Gobble up our Command and its Stores and Supply Depot wich at that Time were Large and Valuable, as besides our own Post Forts Henry and Donaldson drew all thier Supplies From here - Col Lowe at that Time being in Command of the 3 Posts - his Head Quarters being on a Steamer at our Landing, and we Knew that we could not Hold the Place against any Considerable Force - So Orders came to Pack up and prepare to Abandon the Camp - So very soon we left our Fine Camp where we had been for over a Year and had the Best time as to Comfort and Supplies we ever had in the 4 years of our Soldiers Life, but did not then Apreciate it as we afterwards did, and often wished we had not left it - for very soon after we were at the Front under Genl Rosencranz in Memfousborro Tennese. We were now with the 14th Corps Army of the Cumberland, Genl Geo H Thomas Commanding, and Under the Immediate Command of Genrl David Stanley, Commanding his Cavalry - We arived at Ft Donaldson. Well we arived the same day at Fort Donaldson Where on the Bluff Overlooking the Cumberland River We soon had a Comfortable Camp of Shacks, mostly of Shingels wich we got in about the same way as the Log Houses at Ft Heiman from the Frame Houses of the Village of Dover, Just outside of the Fort, and where the Rebbel Generals Floyed, Pillow and Bucknor Made thier Head Quarters befor and during the Battle of the 3 days - 13th 14th & 15th of February 1862 - There Genl Grant also Received the
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Surrender of the Fort from Genl Bucknor and made his Head Quarters until he Moved up to Pittsburg Landing - it was in an Old somewhat dillapedated half Log and Half Frame 2 Story Building, The Village Hotel - Dover was then a Poor Stragley Village of 4 or 500 Inhabitants, Mostly Woman and Children - The Men Folks and even the Boys of from 15 Years up were in the Rebbel Army, for this part of the Country was intensley (?) Suspicious (?) and the Woman have very plainly shoud it - - - My Schack was next to the Capt and Liutenants - very near to the best & most Respectable Building in the Village at that time Ocupied by a Widdow (so she said) and Two Grown Up Daughters, they were fairly good looking Girls and the best Educated and Behaved we had Met so far - they Kept Several Cows, so we traded of our Extray Supply of Coffee and Sugar for thier Milk - Butter and Butter Milk, wich were a Luxury to us as much so as Our Coffee & etc were to them. in this House we saw no Evidence of their using Tobacco in any form as we Did in nearly all we had Visited befor. Here we had A fine easy Time of it the few Weeks we were There - we Of course spent half of each day in Drill and Sword Exercise. The most exciting day or time we had whil there Was when one day we Saw a Smal Stern Wheel Boat coming down the River wich on nearer Aproach turned out to be a Rebbel Gun Boat with a Small Crew and one or Two Old fashoined Small Cannon. the River being very low as is allways the case in July & August, and in fact from May to September when it got Oposite our Camp it got Staranded in the Mud - Our Boys then Waded out and Captured it without any Trouble or Protest from the Rebs - who Poor Devils I guess were glad to Surrender. We Burnt the Boat and all Stores on it that were of any account and Very little them was of that. The Capture was mor Ludicours then Glorious, and for a long thime the Boys had lots of Fun over the Capture of a Gun Boat by Cavalry, - while here, Orders came from Washington for a Quarterly Ordinance Report from each Co and account of all Arms Amunition Horses & thier Equipment including evy Buckle & Strap as well as Bridles & Sadles and evything belonging to them no matter how Small or Isigniffciant, and the same as to all arms - Sabers Carabine & Revolvers and every Scrap and Soren (?) no matter how small that had been Received by each Company since we were in the Service.
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A Large Blank Folder was given to the Quarter Master of each Co to fill out - Now here was a poser, who had now been in the Service nearly 2 Years, had drawen Arms as often as We liked discarding we had any little Fault to find or want a Nice New Carabine Revolver Bridle or Saddle, with no thought on our Part that we would ever have to account for them. It was a hard nut for the Q M Sergt to Crack - the Order gave us I think 3 Weeks to Fill our and Send back - after Trying to solve the Riddle for Several Anxious days and Nights - I began to see my Way - So I filled Out the Blank by having Q send full Arms of all Kinds then issued for our full Company on the day we were Sworn in at St Louis Oct 1861. Also 1 Horse and all Equipment to each Man - I then took Stock of evrything Enumerated that was on hand in the Company. Then accounted for all that was Missing by Loss in A Battle here, a Skirmish There, by Wear out and now useless and by Loss in Capture And Unavoidable Loss in Retreat from the Enemy. The Capt or 1st Lieut of the Co sin an affidavit for each and evry Loss, and the Reason of or for it, so I made out affidavits to cover all up to date and there were many you may well Think - The Order also stated that Until the Statements were sent to the Ordinance Dept at Washington and if when Received, the were found Inaccurate or Wrong the Captain or 1st Lieutenants Pay would be stopped until a Satisfactory & Correct Account was Received - Well I took the Affidaveds and all Papers to Liut Moring explained it all to him telling him it was all I could see to do. Well he was anxious & Scared, as we now had several Months Pay due us - So he said he would Sign any or evrything I wanted, did not even Read them - so He Signed and Swore to all I had made out and I sent them to Washington. I will here Atisicpate the Anxious Time Spent by all the Captains until Next Pay wich came in October following. While we were at Camp in Maysville Ala and Capt (he was then) Moring was the only Captain in the Regiment that drew any Pay that time - our Report was exepted as Correct. He was elated but Forgot to give me the Hundred Dollars he Promised me if our Report was Correct. - he said he was so in Debt that it would take a good share of it to Square up - but said he would Pay me, but never did.
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While Stationed at Donaldson One day our Battalion Was Orderd on a Scout and Went to Waverly Tenn about 35 Miles from Camp - A Nice little Town in a Valley and 8 Miles From the Tennessee River. We Stayed there a few Hours Then Hearing that we were in a Hornets Nest likly to be Caught and Cut of from Camp by a Larger Force than We were - it was Thought best to get out, the Place was A great Rendevous for Gurrillas as it was so Situated in amongest the Mountains - Seldom Visited by our Troops And easy to defend with a Small Force. We were sent There in Hope of being able to Catch some of Woodards Men that we heard were there and to Break up and Scatter Them as they were a great annoyance to our Troops - especialy Pickets or Small Foraging Parties, by Sudenly storming (?) on our Men or Pickets from some ambush, Capturing and Killing them befor our Boys could get over thier Surprise, but we saw that they were gathering around us From a distance, so we gout out as soon as we could. by That time it was getting Towards Evening - our Company was The Rear Gaurd - we started on a Brisk Pace - but soon We heard them coming after us, so we increased our Pace to a Gallop and soon distanced them - in coming out, We Noticed a deep Cut in the Road 8 to 10 Foot Wide,- Our Horses seeing it Jumped over it easily, but when We came to it, it was Dark (in coming back) my Horse of course saw it - but I did not - so was not prepared for it. So when my Horse Sudenly Jumped over it - it Threw me high up in the Saddle so when I came down so hard in the Saddle the poor Little Horse Sank down on the Ground and could not Rise up again for all I could do, I then realized that his back was Broken. There I was alone in the Dark - The Command having all gone, and the Rebs Not far behind - so I had to take to the Woods and try To make the best way I could to our Camp wich I reach Early Next Morning - or rather our Pickets with whom I stayed until they were Relieved in a few Hours, it was a Lucky Escape for this Gurrillas were of that Class that showed Little Mercy to any of our Boys they Captured - and more often Hung them to the first good Tree they came to rather than Hold Them as Prisnors - we Retaliated in the same Style when we caught any that we Knew belonged to that Crowd. they wer Muders & bandits.
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About this Time were The Spencer Carabine was issued to the Regiment. The best Cavalry Arm up to this Time it was a Stock Loading Gun a 7 Shooter easy to Fire on Horseback and could be Loaded or Charged while in Motion, even on a Gallop after a little Practice. We now for the first time felt properly armed and were More willing to Face the Foe - A Splinde New & Large Colts Navy Revolver was given to us the Same Time - So now we felt like real Soldiers able and Willing to Meet the Rebs at any Time. About the Middle of May We were Orderd to Musfrusboro (?) at the Front to Join the Army under Rosencranz - we Marced Overland and Arived there in a Week or Ten days and went into The Camp on the Out Skirts of the Town - here we wer given The Shelter or as we called them Dog Tent. the consisted of 3 or 4 Yards of Heavy Sheeting that were to be Buttoned Together when ready to Set up - they were in 2 Pieces - with Loops on each piece to drive Peggs throug to Fasten to the ground - we could just Crawl in to them on hand and Keens and if not over 6 Foot Tall manage to Sit in an upright Position and Just long enough to lay down to Sleep - they were a Protection to us in any Ordinary Rain and Storm - We Strapped them on Top of our Blankets behind us on the Saddle - We soon however discarded them as to much Trouble for the little Comfort & Protection they gave - Here our Capt Wheeler received his Discharge having sent in his Resignation a short Time befor we left Ft Donaldson - Just why he sent in his Resignation was to us a Mysteri - we saw no Reason for it. No doubt he was Frightend into it for Some Misdemeanor or other that Lieut Moring told him made him Liable to a Court Marshall - we all always Thought it was one of Morings Sharp Tricks aided in Some way by Regimental Head Quarters, for he was not at all Popular there, and also Morings ambition to be Captain of the Company - wich he never should have been. This created another Vacancy in the Company - Liutant Guler became 1st Lieutenant Carly 1st Sergt should now have been made 2nd Lieutent and I from Q.M. Seargent should have been made 1st or Orderly Sergt - but instead Carley & me were Stepped over and Kept down by Promoting Over us A Man that had never done a days Duty in the Company ever Fired a Gun or Revolver against A Rebel or Saw one unless he was A Prisnor. Oscar Langworthy by Name - He was from A Wealthy and at that Time an
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Influential Family and a Distant Relation to Capt Moring - he was from the very first detailed as Clerk and Secretary to Col Lowe and to lots of the Boys in the Company he was never Known, as he rarely ever Showed his Face to us - after his Promotion he was of course Compelled to be with the Company and he became the Laughing Stock of it, and the Butt of evry Joke - I never Saw him give a Command - he never tried too, as he was Completly ignorant of anything - and did not Know how to Command - Right & Left Wheel or give the Simplest Command. Such was the Man that was Promoted over us, it was Rank Favoritism - but we had to Submit to - but it was Rank Injustice to Carly & me -
We remined in Camp here - Drilling evryday up to the 12th or 13th when Orders came to prepare to March with three days Rations. This we Knew Ment Buisness - For Bragg with his Army was in our Front His Outpost allmost in Sight, Recruited to its full quota since the Battle of Stone River last January, and they were Ready and Anxious to Meet us. Our Boys had made two Large Bake Ovens - we had 2 Regular Bakers by Trade in the Company - we or they could Bake into Bread 2 Barrells of Flour at the time, and they Knew thier Buisness, and made fine Bread - so as soon as we knew we had to Break Camp next Morning, the 2 Bakers were Set to Work and as plenty Flour had been Isued to us, the set to work and Backed until Revellie Blew to get up and prepare to Move. Just how much they Baked I never Knew but I issued as I remember now 2 Large Loaves to each Man. I did not have to give any to the Officers, and out of pure spite did not give them a Loaf - I persume the Bakers Fixed themselves and thier Friends good and plenty, but as they had Worked hard all Night, I just Winked at it. This same Night The Generals Quarter Master General Col J W Taylor of Dubuque Resplendent in his Full Uniform - Brass Buttons and All paid us a Visit most of the Dubuque Boys Knew him. he Shook Hands with all and Wished us all good Luck - we never saw him after that -
Next day we Moved out, but it began to Rain and it just Poured dow for 24 Hours converting the Roads into Mud Mire and Small Lakes and Streams, so the Army had to come to a Stand a few Miles out - the Trains were all Stalled in the Rear, so Rations Ran out,
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and none could Come up that day - it was Funny to see the Officers come Around the Boys Offering One dollar for a Hardtack. But the Boys had little themselves, so hung on to what They had, so Mr Col, Major, Captains & the rest had to Go Hungry as the Men often had to - the received little Sympathie from us, - the Following Night it Cleared up - The Wagons were able to reach us - Rations were issued and the Army Moved on,- on this day June 15th and Hot as could be we came up with the Rebs Pickets and Outpost - Skirmishing began at once, our Command the Cavalry under Genl Stanly Advanced on the Shelbyvill Pike, it was now Dry and Dusty and very Warm -. A Michigan Regiment had the Advance that day and had been Skirmishing with the Rebbels for Several Hours, some time in the Afternoon our Regiment was Orderd out to Relieve them, we Started out on a Trot down the Road - we were soon Saluted by Thier Artillery posted in the Middle of the Pike and the Infantry in A Field on our Left, a little nearer to us Pepperd into us pretty Lively - thier artillery (2 P-s) were about a Mile away but directly in our Front, now Opend on us But did us no Harm. Our Company had the Advance - I was Riding beside and about the Center of the Co When I heard an Exclamation back of me wich was, My God I am Hit or something like it - I Turned around and Saw Geo W Healy with his Hands Covering his Face and the Blood Surpting through his Finger and Running down pretty lively - I told him to drop out and go back to the Camp and see the Doctor, wich He did at once - We rode on a little farther and then turned to the right into a Clearing or as it Proved to be the back Yard of a Logg House - and We soon found the Rebs right in Front of us on the other side of the House when we began Playing Peek a Boo - Shooting at each other when ever A Head showed itself around the Corners. Jacob Schriener and myself turned our Attention to the Rebbels that Were firing into us from thier Position on the Left in a Meddow across the Turn Pike 3 or 4 Hundred Yards away. We Kneeled down by a Rail Fence and returned thier Compliment as fast as we could Fire our Carabines, They soon espied us and then some of them paid particular attention to us at once, and it got pretty Hot in that Corner. The Splinters from the Rails became more dangerous than the Butletes - One Bullets Severed The Bridle of Jakes Horse that he held on his Arm - for we held on to our
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Horses while we Fighting them - we drew back a Few Yards and Standing up holding the Bridles in the Crook of our Elbows Kept up the Firing - while standing there I all at once heard Jake Cursing and Swearing - Turning to him I saw the Blood running down his Face and saw a Small pebble embedid in his Check - a Bullet had struck the Pebble at his feet with such Force That it flew up into his face and Stuck there - we then Resumed our Sport until very soon after we were orderd to Mount and fall back - another Regiment comming to Relieve us - we had been on the Firing Line about 3 Hours. The Rebs having fallen back some distance and Thier Infantry Fire had stopped. Thier Artillary though Farther back Kept up a Slow Fire, but they had evidenly run out of Shot and Shell and so Pelted us with Rail Rod Iron, wich we could see coming Tumbling End over End and easily Dodge. Brother Dave was the Unlucky one again, he had hardy Mounted and got Started back when one of them P-s of R R Iron Struck his Horse and took of his Fore Leggs Slick and Clean, I wanted him to Mount on the Back of my Horse but as it was only one Mile back to the Command, he took to the Woods and soon Joined us. There were no Killed and but few Wounded and none Serriously in our Regiment in that Skirmish. I went to the Hospital Tent at once to see Healy - he was all right but had his Head Shaved and Bandaged up - he had been hit by a Ball on the very Top of his Head and Just Shaved of the Skin From his Scalp. it was a Close Call - had the ball Struck Him 1/8 of an inch lower down it would have Crashed into and through his Brain and his Fighting day had been over. It did not disable him - he was at his Post and ready for Duty right away - Well Bragg with his Army Retreated towards Shebyville - Our Regiment saw no farther Fighting in that Campaign, but were Constantly in the Saddle Guarding The Rear and Flanks of the Army until it reached Chattenoga on the Tennessee River early in September.
The 3 days Battle of Chicamagua was Fought on the of September. it was one of the Bloodiest of the intiere War - the Wors so far in the West, and the only Defeat of any consiquence the Western Army had so far Met with, and it was a bad One. And only for the Signal Bravery of Genl Geo H Thomas who coverd the
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Rear and Kept at Bay Bragg intere Army until they Reached Chattanooga. Rosencranz intere Army would have been Killed and Captured, and the States of Tennesse Alabama and Kentucky would have been once more in the Hands of the Rebbels, what would then Have been the Result is to fearfull to even Think of - But God be Thanked - he had raised up Two (now) Immoral Heroes to Fit the Time and Ocasion - Abraham Lincoln and General Grant and they proudly Met and Hurled the Exulting (?) Foe back never again to Menance these Fair but Blood Stained States with thier Ragged Hordes. We or Rather the Cavalry were Stationed at Crowfish Springs the Left Flank of the Army 20 Miles from Chattanooga. The Fighting was as Severe there as any part of the Field, and the Cavalry fully sustained its Reputation as Fighters as they were the last to leave the Field - we our Regiment Had but Little part in that 3 days Battle and Hardly within Sound of it Guns - Were on the very Extreme Left and were on Gaurd there to prevent the Rebbels From getting in the Rear of our Army - if they had - hardly a Man would have excaped - it was an important Trust to hold if not Glorious - but we were Orderd There and as such we had to Obey - but it was a Bitter Disapointment to us, for no True Soldier likes to be out of danger Gaurding the Rear when his Comrades a few Miles away are Fighting for thier Lives and the Life of the Nation - but some Troops had to do it, and it fell to our Lot to our great Regrett. When our Troops were Finaly safe behind the Fortifications of Chattanooga we (Our Regt) fell farther back to McMinsville Tennessee.
We remained there a Week or two, and then Moved to Maysville Alabama - near the Cumberland Mountains in the rear of The Army now Cooped up and nearly Starving & Freezing, For Bragg had promptly Moved up after the Battle and Occupied Mission Ridge and Lookout Mountain, all most Hemming them in, only a Narrow Road and vary difficult for Teams or Troops was left them, and through and Over this dangerous Road Grant finaly reached them, and afterwards as also did Genl Hooker with 2 Corps under Genls Howard and Slocum - We escaped that Fate and trying Time by being so far on the Left and retiring to McMinville - We remained at Maysville a few Weeks and wer there Paid - the first Pay We
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had since Leaving Ft Donaldson - This was the Time our Capt Moring was the only Capt in the Regiment that Got his Pay for the only correct Ordanance Report sent in. (Elswhaer in this Paper spoken of) but I did not get my Hundred dollars promised me - While here Genl Shermans Army from Vickburg passed by to Reinforce Genl Grant. We saw lots of the Boys we Knew amonsgt them - from Here some time in October we were Ordererd to Join Genl Crook who was after the Rebb Genl Joe Wheeler that had got through our Lines some how and in the Rear of our Army with quite a Large Cavalry Force, and Several Batteries of Artillery, he was creating quite a Panic, Tearing up our Rail Roads - destroying Bridges Capturing Our Wagon Loaded with Supplies for the Army at Chattanooga and Taking Prisnors small Bodies of our Men that were Gaurding them. it was getting Searious for the Boys at the Front. We got after him and Caught up with his Rear Gaurd at War Trace Tennesee. We our Company had quite a Severe Skirmish with them here - but got them on The Run in a couple of Hours. here is where our Major Bracket and our Capt Moring showed Thier Cowardice, as soon as Firing began they each took To a Tree, and from that safe retreat gave out thier Commands such as give them Hell Boys and such like. We Yelled and Hooted and tried to Shame them out but they stuck to thier Trees until the Rebs had gone- Brave Boys were they -Gone at thier Countrys Call one day To Shirk thier Duty and draw thier Pay - We folled them to & through The Town of Shelbyville Tenn.
Here I must digress and relatte an incadent to au (?) while We were Chasing the Rebs through Shelbyville on the Campaign Under Rocencranz in June, Miss Pauline Casshman at the Time a Noted Actress, had been Playing an Engagement In Louisville that Spring, had been asked by the Genl to Act as a Spy for him in the Rebel Army (For instructions and reason given to her see any Rileable War History) she consent and enterd the Rebbel Lines as a Persecuted Woman Having Sympathised with the South and drove out of the Union Lines for Talking S (?) to much and given Aid to Rebbel Soldiers & etc. She was received with Open Arms and Feeted and Toasted for many days - She Visited the Forts and Camps and gained Valuable Information could She have sent it through thier
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Lines - but at last for some Reason or another Bragg set a Watch on her, having got Suspicious through some of her Actions - Success had made Bold & Careless - A private Order for her Arrest was made by Bragg, wich through some Officer on Braggs Staff whom She had Infatuated reached her in Time - she Secured a Swift Horse and got nearly into our Lines when She was Over taken, and next Condemend to be Hung as A Spy - but befor she could be executed she was taken Sick with Typhoid Fever and prolonged her Sickness until Bragg and his Army had to Hustle out of Town by our Rapid Aproach - Bragg could not stop to get her out and did not want the Name of Hangin a Sick Woman, so He had to leave her. Whe we enterd the Town and we did it on the Gallopp, we passed her House, she Waved her Hadkerchief Franticly at us from the Window - We Saluted But at the Time did not Know her, she was sent back in an Ambulance and evry attention and Honor possible Was given her - and when she reached the North she Was Lionized and given the Glad hand by evrybody Sad to have to relate that all this so turned her Head That she took to drink and Fast Living and in a few Years reached the lowest depth and died an Outcast and Was Burried as a Pauper.
At Farmington Tennesee Wilders Brigade of Indianna Troop (the Advance) caught up with them, but they had Hidden in Thick Brush right near the Roadside that our Boys could not see them - so when our boys came up they at Such close Range fired Voley after Voley into them - taken so completly by Surprise and Of thier Gaurd the (our) Boys were a little disorganized and Stuned - but they were Vetterans of the best Type = they never Retreated a Foot, but quickly Railed and how they did pour it into them now flying Johnnies was a Caution, and how they did chase them Miles & Miles can only be realized by the Soldiers that have gone through a Similar Experience, and we had more than Once. Our Loss in Killed and Wounded I never heard of, but it was Heavy for so small a Force in so Short a time. the Rebs Lost was considerable too, we saw quite A Number of thier dead along the Road, and thier Wounded they took along Or hid in Friendly Houses near by. we followed them For several days - when on the 19th of October they finally Made a Stand (a Brigade of 2 or 3 Regiments) in the Valley
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Of the Sugar Creek Ala - as we came down he Hill into The Valley about one Mile Wide - right at the Foot we found Genl Crook his Staff and Battle Flag carried by Corporal Horton Dickinson of our Company awaiting us - he called a hallt for the Regiment to get up - our Company had the Advance that day - then he the (Genl) pointing to the Rebbels in Battle Line Acros the Valley at the Foot of the Hill - said to us - now Go in Boys - and Get my Mothers Son of them - we crossed a small Creek drew up in Battle Line - the Order was given Unsling Carabine and take Aim - the Order was given = Drop Carabine - Draw Sabere and Charge - as soon as the Rebs saw 6 or 7 Hundred Sabers Flash in the Sun (it was a Bright & Hot day) The turned and tried thier best to get away - but we were soon in thier Midst and many a Reb Saddle was empted in a short time in that Wild Scrambel - I did my Best to hurt somebody, for I Slashed and Stabbed at any and everything in my Way, but I am glad to be able now to say that I dont Know of any one I Hit or Hurt - our Loss was Triffling the Rebs were to anxious to get away to Fight - thier Loss in Killed and Captured was quite Considerable - Charlie Wiegel and Geo Thompson in thier Exitement got to far into the Reb Front but as they Knew they could not hold them they took Thier Horses and Arms and let them go, they were waiting for us by the Roadside Horseless and without Arms.
From this time until the Rebbels reached the Tennesee River our Regiment saw no more of the Johnnies only a few dead ones along the Roadside that the Advance Gaurd Killed. they crossed on A Pontoon Bridge thier Friend had laid for them, and when Our Command came up - it had been taken up and sent Away - Here ended our Chase - They got away with an immence amount of Plunder Horses and Stock included - it Was said he Wheeler crossed with 100 Army Wagons loaded Down with Valuable Plunder of evry discription - But we Punished them good for it in Killed Captured and Wounded.
We remained here a few day and then went up to Huntsville Ala - we laid here very quiet nothing doing on either side - both Parties glad to Rest especialy as the Rainy Season was aproaching. The
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Winter in that part of the South. One day while there A detail of Army Wagons with a Gaurd Was sent for to go to Nashville for Supplies, about 100 Wagons and 2 or 300 Men. Our Sutler Bob Sterling came to and asked if I would take two Teams along for him and see They go there and back in Safty. There was no Order against Thier going - but they had go at thier own Risk - no Gaurd was given them or even Allowed. he said he would send A Cook along and I could use a Wagon to Sleep in - and I could have the best he had too. Well I told him I would do the Best I could under Existing Orders, and I realy did so. I told 3 of the Boys to Ride near the Wagons and if attackted to Rush the Teams to the Front, and by allowing them to help Themselves to anthing Eatable and to Smoke all the Cigars they Wanted - they said, you Bet we will - and they faithfully did so - We arived at Nashville without any Trouble - Loaded up and Got back to Camp the same way - it was the fin es t and best Time I had during the War. A Regular Picnic all the way & Time.
One day our Col with one Battalion went out and Captured a Rebel Train - it had one Million #1000000 Dollars Abord going to Richmond, I persume - and it was in Uncle Sams Greenbacks at that - where they got it from I never heard - but the Col turned over to our HeadQuarters in Cahttanooge, while at Maysville Ala The Battles of Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge were Fought and Won by Grant. we had no share in either (our usual Luck) But we were in Hearing of the Guns. in about Mid December we broke camp and in a few days arivede at Pulaskee Tennesee.
We were taken to a Hillside with hardly any Wood or Timber To Start a Fire with - Only here and there a Rotten Tree standing and a few Water Soaked Loggs laying around, and none of the Boys had even A Shelter or Dog Tent exept mysellf - I had a Small Wedge Tent to Protect my Books and Quarterly Reports - and As Winter and the Rainey Season was at Hand it was a dourey Prospect for the Boys. it Rained Hailed and Snowed a little evry day - Old Men told us that was the Coldest & Hardest Winter They had for 60 Years, and lots or the most of themm had never Seen any Snow befor - it was to us Amusing to Improvise anything into
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Sleighs or Sleds - Boards - Shingles - Tubs or anything that Had a Flat and Smoth Surface to Slide down the Hill with. Although there was hardly enough snow to cover the Ground and Melted nearly as fast as it came down - the Ground was soon a mass of Mud and Slush. We Skirmashed around the Town and Country to Find Food to Cook with and to Keep from Freezing. the Boys had to find the best Spot they could to make thier Beds on and in the Morning would find thier Blankets Frozen to the Ground and all Covered with Mud. the most of them never laid down but Built a Log Fire and spent the Night Smoking Telling Stories and Dozing around the Fire. as I said I had a small Tent and every Night I would take in all I could, by turns, but I could never Get Brother Dave to come in. Shaw - he would say - I would Rather Sit around the Fire then Lay in that Stuffy Old Tent. One Night a Funny thing happend. I invited Tom Allen Horton Dickenson and one More whose Name I now cant think of for the Night - the Tent was Pitched on Sloping Ground. Horton Layed on the Lower Side. it was a pretty Tight Squeeze So we had to Snuggle up pretty close - it was Raining pretty Hard that Night to - in the Middle of the Night we were all Awakend by Horton Cursing - Swearing and Damning Some body and evrybody, and as Horton never Used Profane Language (he was the Goody Good Boy of the Caompany) we Thought something Serious had happned - it seems that Hortons Head had in some way got outside of the Tent, and some One passing by had Stepped right on his Face with thier or his Muddy Wet Boots. the Rain on him had failed to Waken him But that Did. Oh but he was Mad - no Wonder he Swore - But he never found out who did it of corce it was accidental. None of the Boys would do it on purpose - but it spoild his Night.
A few days (perhaps A Week) after being there, the Adjutant Came around telling us that Uncle Sam was so fond of the Old Soldiers, his dear Brave Vetterans, that he wanted them to Reinlist For the War, and as inducement he would give us Four Hundred Dollar in Bounty A 30 day Furlough Home and the 4 Months Pay then due us. How had we been in a Comfortable Camp with plenty of Supplies he would not got half the Regiment, but To get out of this Hole,
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where we were halve Starved and nearly Frooze with the prospect of remaining here until we all Died or Reinlisted was to Tempting, so when he came around for our Disicion and Enlistment Papers, out of the then 600 Odd Men 550 Signed the Papers and so were in for the War however long it lasted. Our Company now was 55 Strong not Counting the 3 Commissioned Officers - and out of those all but Three Re-inlisted, these were W J Morgans Jacob Schrienor and Matt Flannagan - the last 2 we did not care about - they had become Worthless to the Company - no more need be said. So next day we turned over our Horses & Equipments our Arms We Kept until we reached Nashville as we went their on Foot and were 60 Miles from there and in the Enemies Country. We Re-inlisted at Pulaski Tenn December 31st 1863. ***1864***(1864 in left margin of page) Left there Jan 1st 1864 - and arived in Nashville in 2 or 3 day after. We Camped in Very Large Hall Hom of what had been the A Lecture Room, 2 or 3 Companys of us, and it was a very Crowded Room - Oh but we were A Sight - we had not been able to draw any Clothes for nearly 8 Months, so we were to Say literly Coverd with Grey Backs of cource as Money was plenty all had been Paid off, our #400.00 dollars Bounty and 8 Months Pay - we lived pretty High and went to the Theatre & etc. When we got back to our Quarters, the first thing we did Was to Stripp of evry Stick of Clothing and Hunt for our Tormenters and great was the Slaughter thereof. it would Have been a Funny Sight to see 2 or 3 Hundred Stark Naked Men so Buisilu engaded in a Still Hunt For Vermin - this is not pleasent to relate or Read, but the Truth must be told, and as this is not a War History in any Sence only a Personal Experience, intend for my Children it will not (?) by Many - so! few will be Shocked -
We remained in Nashville 10 day or so, then Boarded a Stemmer down the Cumberland and Ohio - ariving at Cairo without any incedent happing worth Mentioning. We arived at Cairo late one Afternoon, but Allass the Provos Marshall would not let any of us get of to see the Town - Our Reputation had evidently got ahead of us - they Say that when the People at Clarksville heard of our coming the Cry was - Lock all the doors - and look to your Chick
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Coops - the 5th Iowa Jay Hawkers are Coming. So we had to stay on the Boat all that Night, well We Amused ourselves the bes we could - there was no Liquor Allowed the Men - but the Private Bottle was not wanting. The Officers of cource could get all they wanted - but all were On ther good behavoir as we were nearing Home. I well Remember the Songs and Stories of that on the Deck and all parts of the Boat, after Supper the Officers gathered Around the Tables and Poker was the Order. At the 1st Table were Cap Moring - Bob Sterling and 2 Liutants whose Names I now cant recal. The Game went on Quietly with Small Stakes & little Loss or Gain until Whisky wich by that time began to flow freely got its Hand in - then the Stakes began to increse more - Capt Moreing and Bob Sterling were now the only ones in the Game - The other droped out haveing I persume Lost Consederable Money. I was Sitting by the Side of Capt Moreing who at this Time was a heavy Winner - he had a big Stack of Greenback in Front of him (all of #3000 dollas) he was Drinking Hard and Noticing that Whiskey was getting the best of Him, I begged him to stop and go to Bed but He would not listen to me, and Bob Sterling Who by the way was our Sutler and Shrewed Gambler and perfectly not Dreinking but on the Sly Spilled the Liquor on the Floor, but constantly Urging Moring. I saw his Trick and so tried Hard to get Capt - Sterling the Told me to mind my Business and Moring also told to go to Bed. So I went to out State Room Him an me occupied the same One. I felt sure he would loose all he had to Starting befor They Quit the Game but I could do nothing to prevent it, and it turned out sometime about 4 or 5 Ock in the Morning he came Stumbling in and it Awakened me. I asked him how he came out and said, I guess Ive lost that Pile you saw befor me as you left and think He lost the most of his Pay to for very Soon after we left he came to us asking for a Loan. He said he gave most all to his Sisters - Well in the Morning early we wer Hustled abour a Train Waiting for us, and so without accident or Incident we Landed in Dunleith.
We found that the Good People of Dubuque had come over in 3 or 4 Large Omnibus Sleighs to Welcome us. But as we did not Arive until about 1 Ock AM and they Weather was very cold -(it was about the Last of January 1864) they went Home but left the Sleighs and
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Drivers there to wait for us. They lost No time in getting ous over neither, and Oh how good it felt to be at Home - in dear Old Dubuque after Nearly 3 Years roughing it. Most of the Boys went Right Home as Dave did, but I went to the Tenement House still run by Mr. Dickinson - Comrade Hortons Father. in the Morning as we went out on the Streets We found the Town Plasterd over with Bills saying or rather Reading - Turn out Citizens 35 Heroes are amongst us - A Bigg Rally will be held this Evening to receive them, and it was indeed a fine Demonstration and did our Hearts good - they told us the Town and all it contained was ours and Hoped we would have the Time of our Life during Our Stay - And we did have it too, and they lived up to thir Promise - nothing was to good for us - we Banquettes Dinnors and Dances nearly evry Night and it was for a few days hard for us to Pay for anything we wanted to Buy, but they got over That - When I left the Hotel in the Morning the first Thing I did, I went down to the Old Store it was Early so I saw only Poor Matt Ploeskli - he almost Broke his Neck Jumping over the Counter to Hug me. I wanted a pair of Suspenders - so when I reached For my Wallet I found I did not have it so I Rushed back to the Hotel and up to my Room and Met the Chamber Maid Just Coming out - she Had my Wallet in her Hand having found it under my Pillow - I guess I was glad. There was between 5 or 600 dollars in it - all my Pay and Bounty. Then I went Home - and the Reception I met with Can be immagined for all the Family were there. I gave Mother 300.00 dollars and told her not to give me any if I asked for it, and I will here say that When our Time was up I was nearly Strapped but I did not ask her for any - I should have stated in its proper place, that after we got our Money in Nashville We all Bought New Unifors - the Best that Regulations and Rank allowed - so we made a pretty fine show on the Streets of Dubuque - like a Lot of Briggadier Gnlrs. One day we all turned Out in Cutters each with his Best Girl - I took-Sister Mary -my best Girl was then in Plattville - we Rode all over Town and up around the Hills we made it as Lively as we Could - and Oh- how we were Cheered, it was a great day for us - it being Leap Year - The Girls one Eving gave us a Leap Year Party and Dance at the Lorimer House (Now the Wales) The Girls called for us in Slieghs Miss Hanna Jones was my Girl for the time - (she Married Randolph
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Kohouse after the War) and so our 30 days Flew by only to quickly but we did have a good time and one we long Remembred. To our credit it can be said there was now Rowdisim Riot or Seirous Infraction of the Law, nor very little Drunkeness Ammogst. we Realized that we were at Home Treated by all in the best possible was - so we tried to show The good People our aprciation of thier Treatment of us by showing them that Soldiers also could be Gentlemen. Well our Time was up and over so we had to go - so on the 7th of March we got our Duds Together after a fervent and often Tearful Farewell and A God Bless and bring all of you safly back to us - from Parents, Brothers Sisters & Sweethearts. We carossed the River partly in Boats, for the River was about to Open, when all were over we once More turned to wave a last Farewell as a large Party of our Folks and Friends came down to the River with us and to quite a Number it was a last Farewell indeed However (?) the Sleep in a Soldiers Grave away down South - My Dear Brother Dave amongst them.
We Boarded the Train, and in a few Hours were in Davenport our Rendevoux for the Regiment - We Were soon Hustled out to the Barracks on the Hill into the Dirtiest meanest dsolutte Camp I ever saw. it consisted of Low Houses or Shanties poorly Ventilated and in evry way to mean for a Dog to Live in - our Good Times were over indeed - but we did expect Better Quarters and Treatment from Iowa People and from the Home of a Number of our Regiment. So the most of us that had any mony left went down Town to Live - I had very little left - but as Capt Moring was under considrable Obligation To me I trusted to his seeing me through - he was Stopping at the Burtis House the Finest & Largest Hotel in the City - So there I went and Registerd. Meeting Moreing in the Lobby all he said was Hello Joe you here - so here I stayed - had a fine Room and at Meal time Orderd the Best on the Bill of Far, unil Order came to Board the Train for the Front. I walked out - asked no Questions and as no Bill was presented me I took it for granted that the Captain had fixed it All O. K. but I have allways doubted it as he had no Money Only what he Browed from us Boys while in Dubuque and his Credit was anything but good with the Officers of the Regiment - Well we Boarded the Train and of to the
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War again were we - we soon Arived at Cairo A Dismale Old Hole to pass Time in - we waited a whole day for the Boat at last it arived - We got a-Board - up the Ohio to Smithland then up the Cumberland along now to us Familliar Scenes Fort Donaldson Looked Forlorn and Lonesome - and at Clarksville There was neither Band - Banners or Reception Committees to give us the glad hand - but that is allways the Kind of Treatment that Good People receive from those they are trying to convert from Their Evil ways. We felt real bad over it. Well in due time we arived at Nashville were Taken out about 3 Miles to a real fine Camping ground Calling it after our new Col Patrick, so here we were once more.
Camp Patrick was a fine Camp - Located on High Ground Dry and Healthy - it was about 3 Miles South of the City of Nashville Tenn. and « Mile East of the Murfrusboro Dusty Pike at the North end a fine Little Creek gave us plenty Water for our Horses and All needed Camp uses exepting for our Drinking and Cooking uses and this was Supplied by a fine Spring on the Other Side of the Creek - The only Fault to Be found was the Scarcity of Trees for Shade for ourselves and Horses. On the West Side on still higher Ground about « Mile from our Camp there was a Fine Southern Mansion Occupied by the Owner of it and our Camp Ground. the Creek spoken of Flowed West into some Fences Grounds. the Road From Said Mansion Ran within about 50 Yards or so of the Creek, so when these People wanted to get to the City on the Pike they had to Pass that way - Now the Creek was a fine Bathing place, and we used at all Times. the People in passing could not help but See us, unles they turned thier Head wich they never did - in the Carriage there allways were Several Finly Dressd Goodlooking Ladies - they never turned their Heads away But Smiled. it seemed to amuse them, so as it did not offend Them - it certainly did not us - so we kept it up as long as we were there. One day a Very hard Wind Storm Struck Camp. There was only a little Rain - it layed a great many Tents Flat in my Tent there were at the Time 3 or 4 of the Boys - We Hung to the Poles & Tent with all our Might and managed to Keep it up right - but there was an Sad Accidnt caused By it - One of Company A Boys was Killed Acutaly cut in Two by the falling of one of the few Trees in Camp Across his Tent whil
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Comming. I saw him and it was A Cruel thing to see. Well we spent the time here in the Usual way - Drilly - Camp duties & c until The Eveng of the 7th of July. When Orders came to be ready with 3 days Rations To break Camp at early dawn the following Moring -
it was understood to be a Raid on the Rebs Line of Communication do all the damage we could to thier Lines of Supply & Transportation by Tearing up thier Rail Roads, Depots & Stores of any kind and Capturing all Prisnors we cold - in fact to inflict All the damage of any Kind we could in evry possible Way - Of cource we were all eager to go and all fully expected to. I had attended to all the Quarter Masters Need of the Co as to Issuing Arms and Ammunition and Clothing to the Men that needed them - My Books and Papers safly packed & last my own Needs attended to - I had to Work hard and fast to acomplish it. When to my Bitter disapointment late in the Night an Order came around Stating the the Adjutant of the Regiment - a Leutant of Co 5 and myself were detailed to Remain in Camp until further Orders - to Drill the Recruits 350 to 400 of whom 35 or 40 were with our Company and in allways prepare them for Active Duty when Orded to the Front. They were mostly the Greeenst of the Green and were a hard lot to put in Shape as Food for Rebbel Powder. it was a Bitter Pill For all. I tried hard to have the Order Recceided as Far as it concerned me - but it was no go the Captain Said he could not help me - the Order had to be Obeyed - So I determined to fix up Dave in a full New Suit From Hat to Shoes also New Revolver & Carabine As well as Bridle and Saddle - Well Revallie Blew befor Sunrise On the Morning of the 8th of July 1864 Breakfast over for Horse & Man - Mount, Front into Lines - A last hand grib and Goodby - then the Bugle - By Fours - Forward March - and soon our Comrades and Friends were out of Sight - This my las Goodby and the last I ever saw of my Dear Brother David. I felt allmost Hearbroken and brooded over it for Many days after they had gone. Well from that time On until we Joined the Regiment late in October or early November, we spent in Camp trying to do our Full duty by the men in Drill & c & c .
Early in August we got the first News from our Boys from Oscar Reece who came in from the Front. Our Regiment with three (?)
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others Had reached our Lines about 2 Weeks after leaving us - had Acomplished all and more they had Set out to do and Had had a Number of Skirmish in wich Billy Morgan and Dave had proved themselves Heros - on one Ocasion Capturing 2 Rebbels who were fully Equiped and Billy and Daves Carabine did not have a Cartridge in them. When they Orderd the 2 Rebs to throw down their Guns and Surrender wich they promptly did - this reads a good deal of a Munchenhausen Story - but it is true in evry detail corroberated by a Number of the Boys that saw it and Billy Morgan Yet lives to tell it - But that was like him & Dave - the Boys say they were allways the First in - and the last out of every Skirmish or Fight. They remained in Camp about Two Weeks - on the North Bank of the Chattahoui River in Front of the Rebel Lines and in Sight of Atlanta, When some Time towards the last of July - they our Regt with 3 others under Genl Ed McCook were Sent on an Expidition South in the Rear of the Rebel Lines to Cut thier Communications with ther Source of Supplies and Reinforcements - Our Regement was Commanded by Maj Horton Baird and our Company by 1st Lieutenant Andrew Galer - Our Valliant Captain and that Great 2nd Liutent O. A. Langworthy were to Tired to go - only those that had good Sound Horses were allowed to go. Brother Daves Horse was Completly used up so He had to stay back much against his Will. the Command Had gone but a few Miles When Billy Andrew got Sick. Dave gladly took his his Horse - so he Rode out to his Death. Billy to Camp - Safty and Home with the rest of us. Fortunate ones. Well the Rode into the Rebbel Lines and destroyed Mile after Mile of R R Tracks bisedes a great deal of other Property - One day the Captured a Large Wagon Train with its Gaurd Teamsters & c they Burned the Train and Paroled the Men - if Now they had turned back all would have been well - the had done all and more they had set out to do and the Line of Retreat was Yet Open - but No - Fate had Orderd it to otherwise, they Kept on one more day - and then it was to Late. A Large Rebbel Force was after Them - they now tried another Rout to try and cut thier way out But on the 30th of July were brought to Bay and Stop and Fight. This took place at Newman Ga. 4 Miles South of it and about 60 Miles South of Atlanta on the Plantation of an Old Retired Presbetarian Minister by Name of Cook.
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Here they stopped and Fought a greatly Superior Force for 3 or 4 Hours. Our Boy had a Battery of 3 Gunes - Light Field Artillary wich they Unlimberd Right in the Rear of said Ministers Hous - a a Logg One but quite a comfortable one. The Boys made hard use of them Guns - they Checked serveral Reb Rushes and no doubt did great Exuntion (?). They The Rebbels were hid from our Men and Shelterd By Heavy Brush and Timber and Seldom Showed Themselves exept when they attempted A Charge. But the Genl seeing that all would be up with Them in a short time as they were being Hemmed in Closer and Closer and the last possible chance for Retreat Cut of - Ordererd our Regiment to Dismount and Charge them in Hopes of gaining a little time and get out to the Yet Clear Road. And right Gallantly did the dear Old 5th Iowa Respond - The Scatterd the Rebs in that Charge far enough to gain Time for those that yet had Horses to gain the Road and then it was evry Man for himself- The Unhorsed Boys took to the Brush and tried to Escape that Way - but only a very few reached Camp - the Rest were Captured and for Months after Sufferd All the Maryterdome of that Hell on Earth, Andersonville and quite a Number Died amonsgt wich was Mart Tebbets. A quit Man but a good Solder and A Civil Enginer for the I C R R when he Inlisted With us in 1861, he was of our Company. But in that Fatal Charge my dear Brother Dave was instantly Killed By being Shot in the Head but he died as he said he Would like to if he had to die. A Solders Death on the Field in coming back from that Charge Most of the men saw him lying there - One of them Horton Was Brave and Thoughtfull enough to stop and take His Revolver to bring to me, but as he had lost his Horse He saw the chances of getting away very poor - so he gave it to Henry Sawer who was on Horseback telling him To give it to me with the Particulars and he did for he got to our Lines in Safty. The most Foolish thing I ever did and shall allways Regrett - that I did not Keep it and Bring it Home - But Turned it over to the Government.
Lieutenant Guler had also lost his Horse, so he with 3 or 4 of the Boys took to the Wood and were striking out in Direction of our Army, when suddenly confronted By a Squad of Rebbels who at once demanded thier Surrender - All the Boys Surrenderd exept Liut Guler He refused and Showed Fight when he he was Instantly Killed -
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Guler was A Good Man and A Brave Solider - He was not Brilliant but Was well liked by the Company and very Popular At Home - no one Knows where his Grave is as he Was left Where he Fell - he probably fills one of the Many Graves marked Unknown. The only one in that Party that excaped of that Party was Oscar Martin. He dropped behind a Logg when the Rebs Shot Crept in the Bushes unnoticed, and after the Party marched of - Struck into the Woods and of Wandering Around A Week or 10 Days Protected Fed and Guided he finaly reached Marrietta Ga without Hardly any Clothes Hat or Shoes but Oh so Happy. I had gone to the Regiment to Learn what particulars I Could of Brother Davids Death and was returning back to My Command and here fortunatly he saw me, So I took Him back with me and fixed him up so he was Once more A Soldier, it was from him I learned This Particulars about Gulers Death & c. The Train we Went back on was a Hospital Train Load to it fullest Capascity with Wounded from the Front, so the Oly Room for us was the Top. When we reached Dechard (?) Station at the foot of the Cumberland Mountains it began to get Dark and a very bad lot of Clouds were coming Down on us from the North and then it Rained and the Blew. Oh how it did Rain and Blow we only had A foot Wich plank to lay on and hold to. it was a fearfull Night and we expected evry Moment to be blowen of - But as all things will - this Night ended also. And in the Morning the Train Rolled into the Depot at Nashville, where we Thankfull to God for our Narrow Excape arived at Camp Patrick nearly Famished and Wet as drownded Rats, and more Then Glad to find ourselves Safe back in Camp.
When we came back from our Furlough we were short Three Companies of the Regiment - The Minnesota Boys - Companies - G I and K had left us - they remained North and were formed into what was from that time on Knowen as Bracketts Battallion, and during the Balance of the War were Fighting Indians out West and did Gallant Service. in their place the Famous 5th Iowa Infantry (who so greatly Distinguished themselves at Quakaand (?) Corinth Miss - who now were Reduced to such Numbers as to form Only Three Companies) was incorporated with our Regt and so formed the Companies of G I & K. We were glad To have these Brave Boys with us and now felt That we were indeed Iowa Boys. About this time Our Col Patrick
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Resigned and left us. J Morres Young the Capt of Co C became our Colonel - he was promoted Over Maj H Baird, why or what fore I never learned But he was a Brave little Cuss as they Boys put it and Led us Gallantly throughout the rest of the War, about the Middle of October the Regiment came back from the Front to Rest and fix up, and they need it to - they Were A Worn out Sorry looking lot and the Horses were About played out. So about Nov 1st those yet Mounted Went down to Kentucky after Fresh Horses - on the way and while at Cave City the Presidential Election Took place Lincolin Vers - Mc Clellan - and the Boys Went down into the Famous Mammoth Cave to caste and out of the 5 or 600 Men only 5 or 6 Voted for McClellan. A few days after the Regt got to Camp we were Orderd to the Front and Joined or rather Met the Army Corps under Genl Schoffield near Columbia Tenn, Retreating slowly and Fighting evry inch of Ground the Rebbel Army under Genl Hood who with a Largly Superier Force of 50 to 60000 Men was trying to prevent our Army of 30 to 35000 Men from getting to Nashville with Shermans Immense Train Loaded with Millions of Dollars worth of Stores of all Kinds he did not need or want on his March to the Sea. After his Capture of Atlanta he Rested His Tired Soldiers laid in all Needed Supplies for 60 days. He Sent Genl Thomas back with Schoffields Corps to look after Tennesee Kentucky & c & c instructing him to Pick up all the Troops Along the way that were Gaurding Posts Rail Roads and Stockades to prevent thier Capture. He with his Army At first for some days followed him hoping to find Give him Battle and destroy him once for all - but, Hood eluded him - so he (Sherman) sent Thomas his Final Instructions - returned to Atlanta and after a few Days and after practically destroying Atlanta so as to as far As possible make it useless as A Base of Supplies for the Rebbals after he left. He Cut the Telegraph Wires and Cut Of all Communication with the North - Started on his Famous March to the Sea with 60,000 of the best Soldiers Infantry Cavalry and Artillary that the World ever saw - But he left Thomas a Hard Job, for now the Rebs thought The saw thier Opportunity to Capture and Hold all they Lost and possibly Cross the Ohio get into Ohio - Indianna and so perhaps end the War in thier Favor and to that end bent every Energy - Marched Fought and
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Starved with such Bravery and Fortitude as only the American Soldier could or would - the were Brave Soldiers and I willingly pay that Tribute to them, but thier Defeat Was a foregone Conclusion, they were Fighting in a bad Cause and against American Soldiers Just as Brave and Determined as themselves and in A Rightious Cause - - Hood Crossed the Tennessee at Florence Ala and there our Trouble began - we had to Fight him evry Step of the Way - and only for A misunderstanding or as Hood Claims A Disobedience of his Orders and that to be one of his best Generals He would have Captured a large part of the Train if not all of it at Spring Hill and perhaps got into our Rear that would have been a disaster even now 1909 - Awfull to Contemplate, but it was not to be by Rapid and Travling our Trains escaped and were Kept on the Go until they reached Franklin. On the Morning of the 29th of November Our Brigade under (I think it was) our Col Young was sent out on the Lewiston Pike to Duck River Some 20 Miles To gaurd the Ford on the Left Flank to Prevent Forrest with his Cavalry from Crossing and So getting in the Rear of our Army, when we came within in a Mile of the River early in the Afternoon we Camped in the Wood on the Right of the Pike and right oposite A Logg House then deserted where our Colonel made his Head Quarters. We had hardly got our Horses Unsaddled and no Time to make even A Cup of Coffee - whe the Order Came for Co E to go to the River and Pickett it - Of cource Orders had to be Obeyed - in A short time We reached the River - and Seeing no Johnny Rebs We Crossed the Ford - sent out one Advance Gaurd and after Riding about one Mile the Gaurd Sudnly Stopped the Rode back on A Gallop and said The Rebbals were thick as Black Barries out there in the Brush waiting for us to Come on a little farther To get us in the Trapp they had sett. that satisfied us That our Friends in Butternut were on Hand - and and Willing to entertain us to thier Hospitalities - so we Turned and Went back accross the Ford, feeling sure We would soon see them - and so we did - we had Hardly reached our Side when we saw them as the Boys said Thick as Black Berries on the Oposite Side - One thing in our Favor the or our Side was much Higher than thiers we were on A Hill Side and could Shoot down at them - they had to Shoot at us Up hill - Neither Side had much Protection - there were very
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few Trees on either Side and what few there were - were as Often was the case Apropriated by the Officers - they Probably thought thier Orders from behind Trees or Stumps Would be plainer and better understood by the Men - They were ***Never Afraid or Scared Oh No***(underlined) at least so they Said after the Fighting was over. Well we Skirmished and Shot at each other all the Afternoon and though The Bulletts Zipped past our Ears (and no doubt thiers to) Pretty lively I Know on our Side no one was Killed or Even badly hurt, how it was with the Boys in Butternut we did not stop to enquire for very soon Matters that were of more intrest to us reached us from our Camp on the Pike - the Sun was now going down and we Thought we were in to stay all Night, so we were told to Unsaddle our Horses and give them A feed and Rub Down get a Cup of Coffee for ourselves then Saddle up again To be ready for any Call - I can distinctly Remember that I had not yet got my Saddle on the Ground or the Briddle of my Horse when an Orderly from Camp came Rushing up Crying - Sadle up - Sadle up - the Rebbels are in Our Camp. Well we Saddled up and never in Quicker Time and Made for Camp in Short Order. When we reached it we Found our Regiment there alone - at the first Alarm and Befor the Rebs got on the Pike between us and the Army At Franklin - the Other Regiments Skedaddled for Safty as fast as thier Horses would - Our Brave Littlele Red Headed Colnol waited for us to come up Vowing he Would not desert his Boys - it seems a Small Force of Rebs crossed A Ford above us that we Knew nothing Of coming up so unawares into our Camp through The Woods taking our Camp interly by Surprise - When we came up it was now Dark, we found our Regiment in Line awaiting us a little farther down The Pike where they had fallen back to the Rebs did not Attackt him I persume they were waiting for the rest Of thier Command to come up, but they had Built Camp Fires and Barricade the Pike with Loggs & Timber For quite A distance and had taken possession of the Logg House Spoken of and Knocked out the Mud Chiuking it was Plasterd with to poke thir Guns trough. The Fires on the Road Blinded us so we could not see Them but they could see us plainly and were so near Us as we Slowly Fought our way through them and the Barricades that it would have been easier for them to knock us of our Horses with thir Guns than to Shoot us and in that lay or Safty and the escape with so little Loss - (35 or 40 in our
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Regt mostly Captured) Well as Soon as our Company was in Line, Forward was the Order, our Advance had the Worst of it for they had To Break down the Barricads as much as possible and they did it pretty well for we did get over them Or very near all did. Our Bugelers were with the Advance and evry time A Barricade was leveled or nearly so they Sounded Forward Loud and Clear and Oh how good and grand them Bugles Sounded none but A Soldier Will or can Comprehend. They Send A Thrill through Me to this day 45 Years after when I think of that Night. W S Tebbets was Riding by my Side and as we passed that Logg House the Johnnies Peppard us fast and hard. evry The they gave us A Volley it Litt up the Old House to Blind us on that Side to. at one of thier Salutes Tibbets Turned towards me and Said - Seargent dont that make you Think of the 4th of July - Well Just at that time I Was thinking of other Matters - but he was allway a cool One. it was while we were nearly past the Line of Fires and over the the Barricades my Horse Suddenly Stumbeld on one of the Barricades and prepard as I thought I was it nearly Unhorsed me, my Feet flew Out of both Striups and I had to catch on the Mane of my Horse with the Bridle in my Left Hand - my Revolver was of cource in my Left hand and I did Not want to loose that - but I pretty quickly regained My Stirups and Recoverd myself and by that time I was past thier Lines and Barricades - but I was all Alone not one of our Men was in Sight or Hearing so Fast had they gone after getting out of that Trapp - it was Pitch dark on an Unknown Road with Rebbels all around me. it was A trying time I shall Never Forget it or that Night - I expected evry Moment To be Killed or Captured, But all I could do was to Go on and take my Chances. I Kew I was on the Pike That lead to Franklin, but did not Know but that my Horse might get into some other Road and Lead me Right into the Rebbels Lines - and I thought surly By this Time the Pike would be full of Forrests Men, So giving my Horse A free Rein commending myself To Providence and my Horses instinct I urged him On as fast as he would go and he needed but little Urging as he realy seemed to share my Thought. I rode On for perhaps One and A Half Hour - when all at Once I heard Sharp and Clear Halt who Comes here! At once I thought goodby Joe you will soon See the Boy in Andersonville, so I answerd - A Friend without the Counter Sign - one of the Boys Of the Brigade Picketing Duck River and of the 5th Iowa Cavalry - He then Orderd
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me to Advnce Throw down my Arms & c and to my great Surprise and Joy it was A Union Picket Gaurd and I was safe and in our Lines - He told me Our Regiment had come Stragling in , the last not very long ago, and were in Camp Ahead (not) to far away. I puched on and in a short Time found myself right amongst my Own Co E. There was no Loss in our Company Strange as it seems Where we were at such a Disadvantage and where The Rebels had us Just where the wanted us it seems Almost a Miracle that half the Regiment was not Killed and Captured that Terrible Night - The Loss in the Regiment I think was from 35 to 40 alltogether.
Next day Nov 30th was A never to be forgotten day. Terrible in its Consequences for the Confederacy. the our Army Had come to a Halt at Franklin - it had to do so To Save the immense Train it had brought so far and How so near Safty, but to Retreat without a Fight now Ment its Loss and a fearfull disaster to us. Althoug the Rebbels were badly Crippled - we were in the same fix. And they largly Our numberd us, we had to risk it so as To give the Trains a chance to pull out while we Fought Them and held them in Check, so early that Morning The Infantry and evrybody that could be spared was Set to Work throwing up such Breastworks as the short Time allowed. they were Slight hardly 3 feet high yet Still consederable Protection. A little Stream flowed through The North end of the Town, called Harpeth River, most of Our Army Crossed it and then waited the Foe - on the South Side there was a little Mud Fort, the only thing in Shape of A Fort anywhere around. there Schoffield and some of his Genrals waited for the Rebbal Advance. We our Regiment was sent out on the Fight Flank to Gaurd that point. it was about 3 Ock in the Afternoon When a Comotion was seen in the Rebbal Army about One Mile away and in plain Sight, in what seemed only A few Moments the Came on in Battle Formation - Seven Ranks deep Brigade Front, Bayonetts Glistning and Battle Flags Waving, it was a Grand Sight. One that is Thank God, seldom seen in this Country and once seen is never forgotten. To us it was fearfully Grand. in allmost less time than I can now Write it They were in our Front Charging up and on the slight Works - some of them broke through and got right in The Midst of our Men on the Left under Genls Stanly and Opdycke, and for a short time it looked like
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If you have any questions or comments, please e-mail me at
larry@conzett.org. Thank you.