This morning Company H is detailed for foragers. The Fifteenth corps is
thrown into confusion to-day. The Third and Fourth Division get all mixed up,
General Corse with the Second Brigade takes the wrong road and gets lost in the
Pineries, taking some time to extricate himself and get on the right road.
SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 281
Maryland Heights, Va., September 21st, 1862.
Toward evening of
the 13th we left Frederic City and marched out on the National Turnpike toward
South Mountain, and halted for supper and a few hours rest near Middleton. It
was nearly midnight. We had made a rapid march of several miles, and were
tired, and hungry as wolves. Hardly had we stacked arms when Lieutenant Rath
inquired: "Where's John Conley?" John could not be found; he was
already off on an expedition of his own. "Well, then," said Rath,
"send me the next best thief; I want a chicken for my supper."
Our foragers soon
returned; the Lieutenant got his chicken, and we privates were fairly well
supplied with the products of the country. It strikes me as a little strange,
the facility with which a soldier learns to steal his grub. It must be the
effect of heredity. Perhaps, in the dim past, when our ancestors went on
"all fours," and roamed the forests in search of food; possibly at a
more recent date, but before a name was given to the deed; they formed the
habit of taking what they wanted wherever it could be found, provided they had
the physical power, or mental cunning, to accomplish it, and this habit, thus
formed, became instinct, and was transmitted to their descendants. At daylight
we were on the move, headed for South Mountain. We had an inkling—how obtained
I do not know; mental telepathy, perhaps, that occult, mysterious power that
enables us to divine the most secret thoughts of men-that a mass meeting was to
be held on that eminence to discuss the pros and cons of secession, and that
we, the Seventeenth, had received a pressing invitation to be present. The Pike
was in fine condition. Our men stepped off briskly, with long, swinging strides
that carried them rapidly over the ground. We marched in four ranks, by
companies, and were led by our gallant Colonel Withington. Company G was
seventh from the front, which gave me a view of over half the regiment. And it
was good to look upon. Only two weeks from home, our uniforms were untarnished.
Dress coats buttoned to the chin; upon our heads a high-crowned hat with a
feather stuck jauntily on one side. White gloves in our pockets; a wonder we
did not put them on, so little know we of the etiquette of war.
As we neared the
mountain, about nine o'clock in the morning, I scanned its rugged sides for
indications of the presence of our friends, the enemy, and, as I looked, I saw
a puff of smoke, and on the instant a shell sped howling above our heads,
bursting some half a mile beyond.
Every man of us
"bowed his acknowledgments;" then, as by one impulse, every spine
became rigid; every head was tossed in air; as if we would say: "My
Southern friend, we did the polite thing that time. No more concessions will
you get from us and—may God have mercy on your souls." Of our exploits on South
Mountain I will not write. They will be woven into history and will be within
the reach of all. About thirty of our brave boys were killed, and over one
hundred wounded. Captain Goldsmith was wounded in the shoulder and Lieutenant
Somers in the side. A number of Company G boys were wounded, but none were
killed in this battle.
Eli Sears, the best,
the most universally beloved of the regiment, is dead. He died the second day
after the battle. A rifle ball, early in the engagement, struck him in the left
breast and passed entirely through him. When I saw him he was so low he could
only speak in whispers. He gave me his hand, with a pleasant smile, and told me
he had but a few more hours to live. Bitterly do I mourn his loss. So kind, so
thoughtful, always preferring another to himself. He died as heroes die, as
calm and peaceful as an infant on its mother's breast. Albert Allen, Carmi
Boice and Charlie Goodall were in the thickest of the fight and escaped unhurt.
The Seventeenth has
been baptised in blood and christened "Stonewall." The battle of
Antietam was fought on Wednesday, September 17th, three days after South
Mountain. The Seventeenth did not lose so many in killed—eighteen or twenty, I
think, although the list is not yet made out—and eighty or ninety wounded.
Company G lost three killed, among whom was Anson Darling. We crossed the
Antietam River about 1 p. m., and about three o'clock charged up the heights,
which we carried, and advanced to near Sharpsburg. Here, our ammunition giving
out, we fell back behind the hill and quietly sat down ’mid bursting shells and
hurtling balls until relieved. As we sat waiting, a spent ball—a six-pounder—struck
a tree in front of us. Not having sufficient momentum to penetrate, it dropped
back upon the toe of my comrade on my left. With a fierce oath he sprang to his
feet and shouted, "Who the h--l? Oh!"
That night, while on
picket, when all my comrades were wrapped in slumber, and silence reigned
where, a few hours before, the tumult of battle raged, my willing thought
turned to my Northern home. The most vivid pictures arose before me—so real—could
they be imagination? And as I gazed upon these fancied visions and pressed them
to my soul as a living reality, I asked myself the question, "Can this be
homesickness?" The answer came, quick and decisive: No; I have never seen
the time—even for one short moment—that I could say to myself, “If I had not
enlisted, I would not." On the contrary, if, after the little experience I
have had, and the little knowledge I have gained, I had not enlisted, I would
do so within the hour.
SOURCE: David Lane, A
Soldier's Diary: The Story of a
Volunteer, 1862-1865, p. 10-13
Four miles
from Raleigh, April 13, 1865, 4 p. m.
The fourth
anniversary of the fall of Fort Sumter. How are you, chivalry? Made a nice
little march of 16 miles and could go on to town as well as not before dark if
it was necessary. Our left wing occupied Raleigh this morning with Kilpatrick
and the 14th A. C. No fighting worth mentioning. We crossed the Neuse six miles
from Raleigh on the paper mill bridge. This is the prettiest campaign we ever
made. No night marching, 60 miles in four days, and just what rations we
started with from Goldsboro in haversacks. Beautiful country to-day, high and
rolling. The bummers found whisky to-day and I saw a number dead drunk by the
roadside. They found an ice house and to-night we have ice water. Picked up a
number of Rebel deserters to-day. The woods are full of them.
Raleigh, N.
C., April 14, 1865, 1 p. m.
We passed
through town and were reviewed by Sherman, who stood at the south gate of the
State Capitol grounds. Just as Colonel Wright saluted, his horse turned his
heels towards Sherman and did some of the finest kicking that ever was seen. It
was most amusing. Raleigh is a fine old town. Many beautiful residences, and
the gardens filled with the choicest shrubbery.
The 14th A.
C. guards the place. Wheeler's men sacked it. Division headquarters received
orders to save their rations. What we have is to last 30 days and maybe 40
days. That means a long march, though it is hinted that we do not follow
Johnston. Some think we are going into East Tennessee. The citizens of Raleigh
generally come to their gates to look at us, but make no demonstrations that I
have heard of. The 14th A. C. is protecting them in all their rights. Not a
thing disturbed.
High rolling
country and large farms. The town is fortified all around, but works were old.
I never saw so few negroes in a Southern city. Our headquarter's foragers
brought in five Rebel deserters to-night, and five dozen eggs which I think
were the most valuable.
Davis Bridge, Rockfish Creek, March 11, 1865.
Ten miles
to-day, full seven of which had to be corduroyed. The worst road I ever saw.
The 17th corps occupied Fayetteville to-day. The foragers took the place. It is
as large as Columbia and has a large arsenal. Heard of two or three men being
captured by the Rebels yesterday and a couple today. They also made a little
dash on our rear to-day on the 3d division without accomplishing anything. I do
wish you could see the crowd of negroes following us. Some say 2,000 with our
division. I think fully 1,000.
SOURCE:
Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 360
Fayetteville,
N. C., March 12, 1865.
We are camped
a couple of miles from town. Marched about 13 miles to-day. Had to put down
pontoons at both branches of Rockfish creek. At the town of Rockfish, the 17th
A. C. burned a factory, throwing about 150 women out of employment. One of our
gunboats came up to this place to-day with dispatches for Sherman. It went back
before our division got in and took a lot of mail.
The 14th A.
C. is garrisoning this place, but the 17th got in first. The 97th Indiana boys,
who were captured back at Lynch's Creek, all got away from the enemy and back
to us to-day, five of them. Sherman said yesterday that the campaign ends only
with the war. Hear that Hampton whipped Kilpatrick splendidly. Don't think that
is any credit to him. Also hear that Bragg whipped Schofield at Kingston, that
Thomas has Lynchburg, and 30,000 other rumors. In the last 23 days the
commissary has issued only two and one half days' of bread. I lost my sword
to-day. Left it where we stopped for dinner. We have lost so much sleep of late
that at every halt half the command is asleep in a minute. I lay down and told
them not to wake me for dinner nor until the regiment moved. The regiment had
started when Frank woke me, and I got on my horse too stupid to think of
anything. Did not miss my sword for five miles, when I went back for it, but no
use. Foragers for the last week have been counting on rich spoils in the town,
and many of them have not reported to their regiments within six or eight days,
camping every night with the extreme advance. The day before the place was
taken, five men who were 15 miles ahead of the column ventured into town. They
were gobbled and one of them killed. Next morning 100 foragers hovered around
town until the column was within about six miles, when the foragers deployed as
skirmishers, and went for the town.
There were
about 1,000 Rebel cavalry herein who fell back before our boys skirmishing
lively, clear through the town, when they suddenly charged our fellows and
scooped them. Our loss in killed, wounded and captured is 25 or 30. They killed
several after they captured them, and one they hung up by the heels and cut his
throat. Our boys retreated about a mile from town, and went in again in more
solid order. They were too scattered the first time. They were successful and
routed Johnny, who left six dead in the streets.
SOURCE:
Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 360-1
Fifteen
miles, good roads, men only waded in swamps. Whole corps in camp before dark.
Well settled country and oceans of forage. Our foragers and the 7th Illinois
"mounted thieves" had a nice little fight to-day. Came near scaring
Wade Hampton's chivalry out of their boots; four dead Yanks, and 11 Rebels is
said to be the result. Our fellows run them off to the left of our road into
the 14th and 20, who hurried their march a little. We are 27 miles from Goldsboro
and 18 from Faisons on the railroad, which point we will probably make
to-morrow and possibly get our mail. If I don't get at least six letters from
you I will be much disappointed. We are much amused over the Rebel papers we
get. All seem to take “gobs” of comfort from Lee's declaration that
"Tecumseh” can and must be whipped. Several of them assert that our
treatment of citizens is good. Don't believe a word of it, though I wish it
were so.
Made 15
miles. Only two bad swamps. Very heavy artillery and musketry on our left (14th
and 20th Corps) all day. Hear this evening that our men suffered heavily.
General Lee is said to be here. Opinion is divided as to our having a battle
to-morrow. First rate country to-day and a good abundance of forage. The
farmers here have not many negroes. Rebel cavalry demonstrated on our left
to-day, quite lively and captured several foragers. Five foragers from our
regiment who had been out five days and whom we had about given up, returned
to-night. They have been with the 17th A. C. All quiet on our right.
SOURCE:
Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 364
March 5, 1865.
The 17th and all our corps, except our division, have crossed the
river. We follow in the morning. The enemy did not attempt to oppose us. The
boys say that an intercepted dispatch from Hampton to General Butler reads: “Do
not attempt to delay Sherman's march by destroying bridges, or any other means.
For God's sake let him get out of the country as quickly as possible.” Were I
one of the S. C. chivalry I'd be in favor of turning out en masse and building
up roads for him,
We will get out of S. C. to-morrow. I have not been in a house in the
State occupied by a citizen. Everything in Cheraw of any value to the enemy,
including cotton and business houses, is going up in smoke. Hear to-day that
Schofield is in Goldsboro or Fayetteville, N. C.
General Wood says we have 120 miles yet to make. You may give the
credit of Wilmington, Charleston and Georgetown to whom you please, we know
Sherman deserves it. We hear that that miserable Foster is claiming the glory
over his capture of Charleston. We are yet pretty short of breadstuffs, but
have plenty of meat. Sherman has been heard to say that this army can live on
fresh meat alone for 30 days. I'd like to see it tried on him. We think to-day that
Goldsboro is our resting place. You must understand that we don't know anything
at all about anything. Our foragers all went across the river this morning and
got plenty of flour, meal and meat. They were out 11 miles and saw a few
Rebels. The Rebels left seven cannon on the other side of the river, and burned
a very large amount of commissary and ordnance stores.
SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier,
p. 357
Crossed the Peedee this morning. Just after we passed through the town
a 12th Indiana boy seeing some powder scattered on the ground threw a coal on
it. It communicated with a concealed ammunition magazine and made a fine
explosion, killed and wounded 20 or 30 men in our division, stampeded a lot of
horses and burned some citizens. There have been half a dozen of such
explosions. Good country here, foragers get plenty, and also pick up many Rebel
deserters and stragglers. Our foragers yesterday found two of Kilpatrick's men
and five Rebel lieutenants all drunk and put them under guard.
SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier,
p. 358
Made 14 miles a little south of east. We passed about a mile south of Gates' old battle ground. A dozen foragers of the 99th Indiana were captured to-day, but our foragers caught more Rebels than that, besides 50 wagons and 200 horses and mules belonging to refugees. Stringent orders from Howard, Logan and Wood about stealing. It has rained for 24 hours. No enemy in front to-day. Got out of the clay hills again on sand-pine flats.
SOURCE: Charles
Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 352
February 25, 1865.
Have not moved to-day. Rebels captured 15 men of the 29 Missouri to-day. Our foragers have been straggling for seven or eight miles in every direction; three of our regiment captured a refugee camp of seven men, ten guns, two revolvers, some pistols and 25 mules. Ordered to keep men well in hand this p. m., as Rebel cavalry is demonstrating on our front and flanks. I think it must be at a respectful distance. Rumor says Longstreet is somewhere around. Think we are waiting for the left of the army to get up with us. Our foragers have been to Camden, 13 miles; pretty tall straggling. Others have been out southeast 11 miles, and saw our 2d and 4th divisions moving on a big road, side by side, going east. Nobody can yet decide what our destination is. It is reported to-day that 13 of our ad division foragers were found by the roadside dead, with a card marked “Fate of foragers;” also four of the 3d division killed. Gen. J. E. Smith, commanding, shot four of his prisoners in retaliation. Colonel Catterson says as we were marching to this camp to-day he had pointed out to him the tree under which Baron DeKalb died at the battle of Camden. Have had 48 hours of rain with a prospect of continuance.
SOURCE: Charles
Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 352
Fullersville, S. C., Sunday, February 26, 1865.
Sixty hours of rain terminated at daylight this morning, but it has not hurt the sandy roads a particle. We made 11 miles in four and one quarter hours, and are now waiting for a bridge to be completed over this creek, “Lynch's.” We think now we are on the road to Wilmington. The map shows a good deal of railroad to be destroyed on the way, but I think we will get through by the 15th of March. Expect “you uns” are getting anxious about “we uns” again. This is, I think, a much longer thing than the Savannah campaign. Our 4th division took 103 prisoners here last night and our ad took 200 more to-day. They are State Line Troops and muchly demoralized. It is a fact about that murdering yesterday. Sherman is out in a big retaliation order to-day. Wilmington is reported ours. Thunder and lightning last evening. Hear that the rain has raised the creek until it is three-quarters of a mile wide, and we won't get across to-morrow. I think I'll put down our principal campaigns:
|
1st. |
Dec., 1862, The Tallahatchie River Campaign |
120 miles. |
|
2nd. |
April, 1863, The Panola, Miss., 9 day's march |
180 miles. |
|
3rd. |
July, 1863, Jackson, Miss., Campaign |
100 miles. |
|
4th. |
Oct. & Nov., '63, Memphis to Chattanooga, and in |
|
|
5th. |
Dec. to Maryville, Tenn., and back to Scottsboro, Ala. |
800 miles. |
|
6th. |
Jan., '64, Wills Valley Campaign. |
100 miles. |
|
7th. |
Feb. & March, '64, Dalton, Ga., Campaign |
300 miles. |
|
8th. |
May until Sept., Atlanta Campaign. |
400 miles. |
|
9th. |
Oct., 1864, Atlanta to Gadsden, Ala., and return |
300 miles. |
|
10th. |
Nov. & Dec., Atlanta to Savannah. |
300 miles. |
|
|
Jan., Feb. & March, '65, The Carolina Campaign. |
400 miles. |
|
Total |
|
3,000 miles. |
A captain and seven men who went foraging yesterday are still missing, supposed to be captured or killed. And 20 men of the 97th Indiana who went out this morning are reported all killed by a 46th Ohio man, who was wounded and left for dead by the Rebels. He says the 97th boys paid for themselves in dead Rebels before they were overpowered. Our corps has now 500 prisoners, three times as many as we have lost.
Started at 7 a. m., moved one-half mile and laid still two hours waiting for Hazen and Smith to straighten out ahead of us.
I thought I'd tell you how we had been bored today, fooling along the road from 7 a. m. until 3 o'clock in the night, making five miles, but it disgusts me to think of it. Crossing the river is what delayed us. The Rebels held Hazen there four or five hours and shot a few men for him, but he run the 48th Illinois through some swamps on their flank, crossed and got some prisoners. They are from Hood's army and just got here yesterday. This North Edisto is about like the other branch. The 17th Corps crossed below our right, and the 20th on our left. Can't hear anything of the 14th or Kilpatrick. It is freezing now and has been very cold all day, yet to get clear water for dinner hundreds of the men waded out to the middle of the pond (muddy on the border) over their knees in water. They think nothing of it. It was the 2d Brigade 2d Division that waded the swamp and the river to flank the Rebels from the crossing. A large number of foragers waded with them just for devilment. It was from middle to arm-pit deep and I suppose they waded at least a mile. They got 54 prisoners, and the rest threw down guns, knapsacks and everything that impeded their flight. The flanking party did not lose a man. The men of this army surprise me every day with their endurance, spirit and recklessness.
SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 344-5
Made 18 miles to-day. Rear guard for the corps in the morning, but the 2d and 3d Divisions took a right hand road and in the p. m. the 4th Division also went to the right. We followed a cow path to camp. Passed through two large turpentine camps. The boys fired most all the trees and nearly burned us up. The smoke made the road very disagreeable. There is not much destruction of property since Logan's last order. Hear of no skirmishing. The chivalry give us very little trouble, never stop but at rivers. Foragers get a good many animals. Provisions plenty. Hear nothing of the left wing, or Kilpatrick.
SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 345
February 2, 1865.
The advance started at daylight, but we are the rear guard of the corps and will not get off before 4 p. m. We have no idea of our destination, but are now traveling the Augusta road.
The country is very level, but every mile or so there is a little swale or depression of but a few feet, and before a hundred wagons pass over it thorough corduroying is necessary. The foragers had sharp fighting for what they got to-day. We had two captured, Billy Haller and a 40th boy. Our boys captured several and killed three. Only made six miles.
SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 340
