Showing posts with label 38th IL INF. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 38th IL INF. Show all posts

Sunday, July 9, 2017

1st Lieutenant Charles Wright Wills: May 27, 1862

Camp on Corinth Road, Miss., May 27, 1862.

Why don't you write me just a word, if no more? I'm almost uneasy. Not a line from home for a month. We hear that smallpox is raging in Canton, and — I want you to write. They say there is some smallpox in the center and right of the army, but think 'tis like the milk sickness of our Egypt, “a little further on.” There's enough sickness of other kinds, so we have no room for grumbling if we can't have that disease. The hospitals at Hamburg make almost a city. I think there can be no more sorrowful sight, real or imaginary, than that camp of the sick.

I don't know the number of patients, somewhere in thousands, all packed in tents as closely as they can lie, and with not one-tenth the care a sick horse would get at home. I suppose the surgeons, stewards and nurses have [f]eelings like men when they first enter the hospitals, but familarity with disease and suffering seem to make them careless and indifferent to a degree that surprises me, and I can't but look upon it as criminal. I suppose nearly half the bad cases are typhoid fever. Yellow fever, cholera and smallpox have never been known here to the citizens. They all say this is a very healthy country, and I believe it. Our boys are suffering from the change of climate and water, and as much as anything, the sudden change in temperature. Our regiment is improving in health now rapidly. We have gained about 40 for duty within a week. We had about 250 sick last week. The 17th has some 300. I found a batch of live secesh women last Sunday. I rode up to a fine looking house to get a glass of milk (I suppose I drink more milk than any six calves in Fulton) and found eight or ten ladies at dinner, accepted a rather cool invitation to dine wid’ ’em, and did justice to their peas and fodder generally, and was much amused. Think there was more spice to that dinner than I ever before saw. One black-eyed vixen opened the ball with “I don't see how you can hold your head up and look people in the face, engaged in the cause you are.” I told her I thought she had a free way of ’spressing her opinion. “Yes,” says she, “I can't use a gun but I can tongue lash you, and will every chance.” Then they all joined in, but I found that eating was my best “holt,” so they had it their own way. When I'd finished my dinner, told them “a la Buell,” that I thought their house would make, an excellent hospital, and that we'd probably bring out 80 or a 100 patients the next day for them to take care of. Scared them like the devil, all but one, and they all knew so much better places for the sick. This odd one said she had a way of “putting arsenic in some people's feed, and she'd do it, too.” Told her we'd give her a commish as chief taster, and put her through a course of quinine, asafœtida and sich. Said she'd like to see us dare to try it, she would. They were too much for me, but I'll never pass that place without calling. I'd give my shirt to have had Ame Babcock there. Those are the first outspoken female seceshers I have yet seen.

Deserters say that the Rebels have positively no forage or provisions in Corinth. That the Memphis and Mobile railways can barely bring enough daily, scraped from the whole length of the lines to feed the army. It is reported here that Sherman took possession of the Memphis road west of Corinth yesterday and has fortified his position. Pope got two or three men killed yesterday. There was about 5,000 of the enemy camped in the woods one and one-half miles in front of his posish, and he drove them back until they were reinforced and made him scoot again. I was out with a scout Sunday and started again last night at dark (Monday) and was out until 9 this a. m. The cause was some small bands raising the d---1 on our left. We didn't catch them. We were over to the Tennessee, Sunday, where we could see the sacred soil of Alabama. I like Alabama better than any other Southern State. She's never done the “blowing” the others have and people here say that she's nearer loyal than any other Southern state. They're raising loyal companies here now. There are two full in Savannah.

General Jeff C. Davis' division passed here to-day to join Pope's corps. Davis stopped with us and made quite a visit. General Ash of this division goes forward to-morrow. The 21st and 38th Illinois from Stules division went out yesterday. Eleven regiments in all added to Pope's command in two days; except the last two they were all at Pea Ridge and some at Wilson's Creek. A splendid lot of men but not drilled equal to many regiments of the “Army Miss.”

I don't honestly believe that we have with all our reinforcements 100,000 men here; but don't believe the Rebels have 75,000; of course I mean effective men that can be called on the field to fight. We have just received orders to move to front to-morrow.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 92-4

Sunday, August 17, 2014

38th Illinois Infantry

Organized at Camp Butler, Ill., and mustered in August 15, 1861. Ordered to Pilot Knob, Mo., September 20, 1861. Attached to Dept. of Missouri to March, 1862. 1st Brigade, Steele's Army of Southeast Missouri, to June, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, Army of Mississippi, to September, 1862. 31st Brigade, 9th Division, Army of the Ohio, to October, 1862. 31st Brigade, 9th Division, 3rd Corps, Army Ohio, to November, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, Right Wing 14th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to January, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 20th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to October, 1863. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 4th Army Corps, to June, 1865. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 4th Army Corps, to August, 1865. Dept. of Texas to December, 1865.

SERVICE. – Duty at Pilot Knob till March, 1862. Operations about Fredericktown, Mo., October 12-25, 1861. Action at Fredericktown October 21. Expedition against Thompson's forces November 2-12. Moved to Reeve's Station on Black River March 3-10, 1862, thence to Doniphan and Pocahontas March 31-April 21. Action at Putnam's Ferry, Mo., April 1. March to Jacksonport, Ark., April 30-May 4, thence to Cape Girardeau, Mo., May 10-21, and to Hamburg Landing, Tenn., May 21-24. Siege of Corinth, Miss., May 26-30. Pursuit to Booneville May 31-June 12. March to Jacinto and Ripley June 29-July 4. At Corinth, Miss., till August 14. March through Alabama to Nashville, Tenn., thence to Louisville, Ky., in pursuit of Bragg, August 14-September 26. Pursuit of Bragg into Kentucky October 1-16. Battle of Perryville October 8. Manchester, Ky., October 14. Stanford, Ky., October 14. March to Nashville, Tenn., October 16-November 9, and duty there till December 26. Reconnoissance toward Clarksville November 15-30. Advance on Murfreesboro, Tenn., December 26-30. Nolensville, Knob Gap, December 26. Battle of Stone's River December 30-31, 1862, and January 1-3, 1863. At Murfreesboro till June. Reconnoissance from Murfreesboro March 6-7. Methodist Church on Shelbyville Pike March 6. Reconnoissance to Versailles March 9-14. Operations on Edgeville Pike June 4. Middle Tennessee or Tullahoma Campaign June 24-July 7. Liberty Gap June 24-27. Occupation of Middle Tennessee till August 16. Passage of Cumberland Mountains and Tennessee River and Chickamauga (Ga.) Campaign August 16-September 22. Battle of Chickamauga, Ga., September 19-20. Siege of Chattanooga September 24-October 27. Reopening Tennessee River October 26-29. Duty at Bridgeport, Ala., till January 26, 1864. Moved to Ooltewah January 26. Reenlisted February 29, 1864. Veterans on furlough March 28 to June 9, rejoining at Ackworth, Ga. Non-Veterans attached to 101st Ohio Infantry during this time. Atlanta (Ga.) Campaign May to September, 1864. Tunnel Hill May 6-7. Demonstration on Rocky Faced Ridge May 8-11. Buzzard's Roost Gap May 8-9. Demonstration on Dalton May 9-13. Battle of Resaca May 14-15. Near Kingston May 18-19. Near Cassville May 19. Advance on Dallas May 22-25. Operations on line of Pumpkin Vine Creek and battles about Dallas, New Hope Church and Allatoona Hills May 25-June 5. Operations about Marietta and against Kenesaw Mountain June 10-July 2. Pine Hill June 11-14. Lost Mountain June 15-17. Assault on Kenesaw June 27. Ruff's Station July 4. Chattahoochie River July 5-17. Peach Tree Creek July 19-20. Siege of Atlanta July 22-August 25. Flank movement on Jonesboro August 25-30. Battle of Jonesboro August 31-September 1. Lovejoy Station September 2-6. Pursuit of Hood into Alabama October 3-30. Nashville Campaign November-December. Columbia, Duck River, November 24-27. Spring Hill November 29. Battle of Franklin November 30. Battle of Nashville December 15-16. Pursuit of Hood, to the Tennessee River, December 17-28. March to Huntsville, Ala., and duty there till March 13, 1865. Operations in East Tennessee till April 11. Moved to Nashville, Tenn., and duty there till June. Moved to New Orleans, La., June 17-25, thence to Indianola, Texas, July 12-15, and to Victoria, Texas. Duty there till December, 1865. Mustered out December 31, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 7 Officers and 107 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 3 Officers and 177 Enlisted men by disease. Total 294.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1062-3

Sunday, March 4, 2012

St. Louis News

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 18. – A disgraceful affair occurred at Jefferson City yesterday.  A local Sheriff seized a contraband on the arrival of the train from Otterville.  Lieut. Hannah, of the Ohio Cavalry, attempted to procure his release, when the Sheriff threatened to shoot him.  An order from headquarters released the negro and prevented serious collision.

The 21st Illinois is now at Greenville, and are about to start for Bloomfield.  The 33d and 38th are still at Pilot knob and Ironton.

The second seizure of goods was made at the residence of W. G. Clark, to-day, to make up a deficit existing after the former sale.  Steamboats are loading with troops as fast as possible.

Mr. Wm. McShenn of this city, accompanied by 12 experienced nurses, and an immense store of hospital supplies, leaves here this afternoon by railroad to supply comforts to the Ft. Donelson wounded.

Several secessionists who have been particularly biter since yesterday, have been arrested.  Secession here is generally remarkable quiet.

Claimants whose claims are ready for delivery from the Claims Commission of this city, are requested, by the Secretary of the Commission, to send or call for them immediately.

Memphis is spoken of by Gen. Halleck’s staff officers as the next place in his department to fall.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 22, 1862, p. 3

Friday, August 26, 2011

Theophilus Caton: Obituary

Last Veteran of Unionville Answers Taps

Unionville, Iowa – Thagothilus [sic] Caton who was 90 years old April 2 of this year and the last surviving Civil War veteran of Unionville died at [8]:28 a.m. today.  Mr. Caton leave seven children as follows: Mrs. Millie Pollard of Moravia; [Milthel] Caton of Oshkosh, Wis.; Edward Caton of Julesburg, Colo.; Mrs. Ethel Knapp of Hot Springs, Ark.; Mrs. Ola Hopkins of Unionville, Iowa; Arthur Caton of Unionville, Iowa, and Mrs. Laura Smith with whom Mr. Caton made his home.  His wife has been dead 16 years.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Baptist Church in Unionville and will be officiated by the Rev. Mr. Donahue of Moravia.

– Published in The Daily Iowegian, Centerville, Iowa, Saturday, October 17, 1931

Theophilus Caton, Co. F, 38th Illinois Infantry; Pension Index Card



SOURCE: Civil War And Later Veterans Pension Index at Fold3.com

Monday, April 11, 2011

From St. Louis

From St. Louis

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 19.

Accounts from every camp in the State represent the joy of our troops over the Donelson victory unbounded.  At Pilot Knob a salute was fired, and last evening the officers of Col. Carlin’s 38th Ills. gave a ball in honor of the event.

A little rebel outbreak took place yesterday morning twelve miles from Jefferson City.  Two companies of rebels organized near Stonington to join Price’s army.  Before leaving they revenged themselves on some loyal citizens by killing two and wounding five more.  Gen. Pope has dispatched two companies of cavalry after them, and their capture is almost certain.

Professor Swallow, State Geologist, residing at Columbia, Boone Co., was arrested to-day for disloyalty.

The reported burning of the bridge on the Memphis and Charleston R. R., at Decatur, Ala., by Union sympathizers, is not believed at headquarters.

Ten steamboats are advertised to leave for Paducah.  They carry troops up the Tennessee river.

Gen. Halleck has issued an order thanking Gen. Hunter, now in Kansas, for the energy displayed in organizing troops in this department prior to his (Halleck’s) arrival, by whose aid our arms were partially enabled to triumph at Ft. Donelson.  The meaning of this order, which takes the form of a telegraphic dispatch to Gen. Hunter, is by no means clear.

Gen. Halleck has also issued a spirited order congratulating our troops on their recent success, and encouraging them to look for future victories at times and places already selected.

On Change yesterday and to-day there has been a decided advance in every thing needed at the South, in anticipation of early permission to trade with Tennessee.  It is noticed that whiskey advanced considerably.

More arrests for disloyalty are constantly occurring.

Seventeen rebel prisoners not being guilty of a violation of the rules of war, were released to-day on giving bonds and subscribing to the oath.

Deputy provost marshal Thomas C. Fell proceeded to Alton this P. M. by Gen. Halleck’s order, to release a large number of prisoners from the penitentiary on parole, mostly those who have never borne arms.  Where bonds are given, secessionists are invariably preferred to Union men, as in cases of default no compunctions will be felt in seizing rebel property.

The 42d Illinois regiment went down the river last night on the War Eagle.  The Edward Walsh also carried fourteen hundred troops, and an immense quantity of baggage.

Brig. Gen. Pope and staff proceeded south immediately on the steamer Northerner, which boat also carries a regiment from St. Charles.

Constable’s Ohio Battery, and two batteries of the 1st Missouri Artillery are en route for the Cumberland river; likewise the Henry Chonteau steamer is loading with the baggage of the 24th Indiana regiment.

The shipment of pig lead from this point, without a permit, is prohibited.

Another company of nurses have left here for Cairo and vicinity, to attend the wounded from Fort Donelson.

The Provost Marshal has ordered all business to be suspended on the 22d inst.   Extensive preparations are progressing for a magnificent celebration.

The Sanitary Commission are preparing hospitals for a large accession of wounded patriots.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, February 21, 1862, p. 1

Saturday, April 2, 2011

From St. Louis

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 18.

A disgraceful affair occurred at Jefferson City yesterday.  The local sheriff seized a contraband on the arrival of the train from Otterville.  Lieut. Hannah, of the Ohio Cavalry then attempted to procure his release, when the sheriff threatened to shoot him.  An order from headquarters released the negro and prevented a serious collision.

The 21st Illinois is now at Greenville and about to start for Bloomfield.  The 33d and 38th are still at Pilot Knob and Ironton.

A second seizure of goods was made at the residence of W. J. Clark to-day, to make up a deficit existing after the former sale.

Steamboats are loading with troops as fast as possible.

Mr. Wm McSheen of this city, accompanied by 12 experienced nurses, and an immense store of hospital supplies, leaves here this p.m. by railroad, to supply comforts to the Fort Donelson wounded.

Several secessionists who have been particularly bitter since yesterday, have been arrested.  Secession here is generally remarkably quiet.  Claimants whose claims are ready for delivery from the claim commission of this city are requested by the Secretary of the commission to send or call for them immediately.

Memphis is spoken of by Gen. Halleck, as the next place in his department to fall.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 20, 1862, p. 1

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

A member of the 38th Ill. regiment...

...named Gavin, was shot and fatally wounded in Louisville on Saturday. Gavin was passing a hotel at the time an officer of an Indiana regiment was coming out, and his musket lightly hitting the officer, let to an affray in which Gavin was probably fatally shot, and the officer received a bad bayonet wound.

– Published in the Stark County News, Toulon, Illinois, Thursday, February 28, 1863