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The History of the Fifty-ninth Regiment Illinois Volunteers

by David Lathrop · English · Gutenberg #45558 · 402,524 chars · public domain (US)

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Title: The History of the Fifty-ninth Regiment Illinois Volunteers

Author: David Lathrop


        
Release date: May 1, 2014 [eBook #45558]
                Most recently updated: October 24, 2024

Language: English

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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HISTORY OF THE FIFTY-NINTH REGIMENT ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS ***

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without note. Irregularities and inconsistencies in the text have
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  [Illustration:

  COL. P. SIDNEY POST.                 LIEUT. COL. C. H. FREDRICK.
  LIEUT. COL. CLAYTON HALL.            MAJ. J. M. STOOKEY.
  D^R. H. J. MAYNARD.                  ADJT. FRANK CLARK.
  CAPT. MINNETT.                       CAPT. J. C. HENDERSON.

  Lith. by W^m. BRADEN & C^o. Indianapolis.]




THE HISTORY OF THE FIFTY-NINTH REGIMENT ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS,

OR A THREE YEARS' CAMPAIGN THROUGH MISSOURI, ARKANSAS, MISSISSIPPI,
TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY, WITH A DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTRY, TOWNS,
SKIRMISHES AND BATTLES--INCIDENTS, CASUALTIES AND ANECDOTES MET WITH
ON THE WAY; AND EMBELLISHED WITH TWENTY-FOUR LITHOGRAPHED PORTRAITS
OF THE OFFICERS OF THE REGIMENT.


BY DR. D. LATHROP.


HALL & HUTCHINSON,
PRINTERS AND BINDERS, INDIANAPOLIS, IND.
1865.


Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand eight
hundred and sixty-five,
BY DR. DAVID LATHROP,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for
the District of Indiana.

HALL & HUTCHINSON, STEREOTYPERS, PRINTERS AND BINDERS.




INTRODUCTION.


Early in the month of May, 1861, C. H. Frederick and David McGibbon,
two prominent citizens of St. Louis, Mo., called on General Lyon, and
proffered to raise a regiment of infantry, to serve for three years, or
during the war. C. H. Frederick, having previously served his country
in a military capacity, and being familiar with military tactics, was
deemed by General Lyon, a very suitable person to engage in the
undertaking, and immediately authorized to recruit and organize a
regiment, and to have command of the same.

Colonel Frederick, at the breaking out of the rebellion, was engaged in
a lucrative business in St. Louis, but at the call of his country he
sacrificed his profitable interests, and gave his energies to the
preservation of the Union. After an immense amount of difficulty,
Colonel Frederick and his co-worker, Major McGibbon, working night and
day, succeeded in enlisting enough loyal friends in and around St.
Louis, to enable them to accomplish their purpose. By the middle of
June three companies, and a nucleus of the fourth, was collected and
rendezvoused at the St. Louis arsenal. Captains Hale, Renfrew, Veatch,
and Elliott commanding.

About this time Captain S. W. Kelly was induced to become a recruiting
officer, to assist in filling up the regiment. By the 24th of June he
had recruited seventy men in his own neighborhood, and on that day an
election was held, and S. W. Kelly was unanimously elected Captain,
John Kelly First Lieutenant, and H. J. Maynard Second Lieutenant. On
the 6th day of August, 1861, Captain Kelly numbered on the muster roll
of his company, (F,) at the St. Louis Arsenal, seventy-one men; and
through his influence three other companies had joined in the
organization of the regiment. Captain Stookey, of Belleville, Ill., had
recruited a large company of men for the service, and was now induced
to join this regiment, thus making nine companies in rendezvous at the
Arsenal on the 6th day of August.

As soon as the first three companies were formed, and before they were
uniformed, they were sent down to Cape Girardeau, Mo., that place being
threatened by the enemy, to assist in building fortifications. As soon
as the next three companies were mustered in, and before they were
uniformed, they were ordered to Pilot Knob, Mo. Here they underwent
great hardship, not having uniforms or blankets, and scarcely anything
to make them comfortable. The other three companies on their arrival at
St. Louis, were sent with Colonel Frederick up the South-west branch of
the Pacific railroad, to protect the bridges, etc., in order to keep
that road open for the retreat of General Lyon's army after their
defeat at Wilson's Creek, Mo. This work being accomplished, Colonel
Frederick returned to St. Louis, and after overcoming many difficulties
succeeded in getting the nine companies back to the arsenal. The next
thing to be done, was to have them uniformed and drilled. This, also,
was perseveringly and successfully attended to by the Colonel and Major
McGibbon.

The men and the officers with one or two exceptions, were sadly
deficient in a knowledge of military tactics or drills, and Colonel
Frederick consequently took upon himself the task of drilling the
regiment daily. In a short space of time he succeeded in making them
quite well acquainted with company and battalion drills.

About the 1st of September 1861, Colonel Frederick and Major McGibbon,
in order to promote the welfare of the regiment and secure good to the
Union cause, tendered the command to Captain J. C. Kelton, then A.A.G.
for General Fremont. Captain Kelton, after a time, accepted the command
with the proviso that Frederick should have the Lieut. Colonelcy, and
McGibbon the Majority. This arrangement was speedily confirmed by an
election of the officers of the regiment, and the organization became
complete,--one company only being required to make a full regiment.
Upon Colonel Kelton assuming command, he procured the Tenth Company,
viz. Company K, Captain Snyder, of Chicago, Ills., commanding, and this
completed the Ninth Missouri, Volunteer Regiment.

Company K, was organized in the city of Chicago in the month of
September, 1861. A majority of the men were recruited by Lieutenant
Abram J. Davids. It was originally intended as a company of sappers and
miners, to be attached to Bissell's Engineer Regiment of the West. At
least that was the inducement held out to the men. On the 5th of
September the company was not quite full, and its services being needed
immediately, forty-five men were taken from the Forty-Second Illinois,
(then organizing at Chicago), and enrolled with the company on its
muster into service on the 6th day of September, making an aggregate of
ninety-seven men. Their camp equipage was drawn on the night of the
6th, and on the morning of the 7th marched under the command of Captain
Henry N. Snyder, to the Chicago, Alton and St. Louis depot, and took
the cars for St. Louis. They arrived at Illinoistown the evening of the
same day, and in the morning crossed the Mississippi, and marched
through St. Louis to Benton barracks; they here learned that they were
to be attached to the Ninth Regiment Missouri Volunteer Infantry. It
caused considerable dissatisfaction in the company, not that they had
any objection to the regiment, but they wished to enter the arm of
service for which they were recruited. Notwithstanding, there was no
disobedience of orders.

On the 2d of September they were armed with Harper's Ferry rifles, and
well equipped throughout; no company in the service ever started out
better supplied with ordnance and camp equipage. On the afternoon of
the 22d of September they left Benton barracks, marched to the depot,
and took the cars en route for Jefferson City, where they arrived the
next evening. They joined the Ninth Missouri on the following morning,
and embarked with them on the steamer War Eagle, September 30th, bound
for Boonville.

On the 22d of September, 1861, the regiment was ordered to Jefferson
City, Mo., and on the 26th again ordered to Boonville, Mo. After
remaining in camp a short time, Colonel Kelton was placed in command of
a brigade, under General Pope. The brigade consisted of the Ninth
Missouri, Lieut. Colonel Frederick, commanding; Thirty-Seventh
Illinois, Colonel Julius White, commanding, and the Fifth Iowa, Colonel
Worthington, commanding.

While at the St. Louis Arsenal, two companies under the command of
Lieut. Colonel C. H. Frederick, were sent by Colonel F. P. Blair, up
the Mississippi river to Howell's Island, where he captured five
valuable steamboats from the hands of the rebels, who were about to use
them to cross their forces to the south side, to join the rebel General
Price. The total value of property thus secured from the hands of the
rebels, amounted to two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. He also
skirmished over the island in search of a rebel camp, and by this
movement it was effectually broken up. Those two companies were
composed of picked men from the different companies of the regiment.




Contents


CHAPTER I.

CHAPTER II.

CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER IV.

CHAPTER V.

CHAPTER VI.

CHAPTER VII.

CHAPTER VIII.

CHAPTER IX.

CHAPTER X.

CHAPTER XI.

CHAPTER XII.

CHAPTER XIII.

CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XV.

CHAPTER XVI.

CHAPTER XVII.

CHAPTER XVIII.

CHAPTER XIX.

CHAPTER XX.

CHAPTER XXI.

CHAPTER XXII.

CHAPTER XXIII.

CHAPTER XXIV.

CHAPTER XXV.

CHAPTER XXVI.

CHAPTER XXVII.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

CHAPTER XXIX.

CHAPTER XXX.




HISTORY OF THE FIFTY-NINTH REGIMENT,

ILLINOIS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.




CHAPTER I.


The Fifty Ninth Illinois Regiment entered the service of the United
States, on the 6th day of September, 1861, under the cognomen of Ninth
Missouri, at St. Louis, in that State. At that time the State of
Illinois had filled her quota of volunteers, and would not receive the
services of the patriotic young men who had collected themselves
together for the purpose of preserving the glorious Union, then in
danger of being severed.

The call of the President for seventy-five thousand volunteers, as well
as that for forty-two thousand, had been so speedily filled by men
whose business engagements, and perhaps entire want of business,
permitted to enter the service without much sacrifice on their part,
excluded, for the time being, these noble men from entering the service
in the name of their own State. Although disappointed, they were still
determined to devote their services to their country in some useful
field of labor. Missouri was the most convenient and available State
for this purpose, and was willing to accept of their aid, and hence the
companies were organized into the Ninth Regiment of Missouri
Volunteers, on the 6th of September, 1861.

General Fremont was in command of the department of Missouri, and as
soon as the regiment was fully equipped, he ordered that it should
report to General Pope, at Jefferson City, Mo. In the best of spirits
the men left the old barracks and marched to the river for embarkation.
The old and rickety steamer War Eagle lay in waiting, with steam up, to
receive them. A very pleasant and lively time was passed in going up,
and on their arrival at Jefferson City, a pretty camping ground
received them, to await further orders. Here the regiment lay in camp
until the 30th of September, when they were again embarked for farther
up the river.

At Jefferson City the regiment was joined by a pioneer company of
ninety-seven men, and by a squad of twenty men recruited by Captain
Kelly, of Company F, who fell into ranks as the regiment was
re-embarking on the same old War Eagle, for "up the river."

The embarkation of a regiment, was, at that early day of the war, an
exciting scene. Never before had such scenes been witnessed by the
citizens of our inland river towns, nor had the men of the regiment
ever before exhibited themselves to the gaze of the populace in such a
display as they now did. The regiment was first marched in column down
to the wharf, and ordered to stack arms. Then, as the way was open, one
company at a time was marched to the boat and took quarters as
directed. The quarters of each soldier consisted of just room enough to
stand, or sit upon his knapsack on the floor, selected somewhere within
the region of his own company. The regiment as it marched to the
landing, to the time of the fife and drum, attracted the notice of the
whole city. Its appearance was really captivating. The uniform being
all new and unsoiled, and consisting of a closely fitting jacket of
fine gray cloth, and pants of the same material, looked exceedingly
neat and pleasing to the eye, and their knapsacks, cartridge boxes and
guns, all new, and glistering in the sunshine, caused a sensation
indescribable. No regiment has ever entered the service with more ├ęclat
than the Ninth Missouri. The men, wagons, horses and mules, all being
huddled indiscriminately on board, the bell rang, and the old boat
steamed up the turbid Missouri. During the night the boat rounded to at
Boonville, Mo., and the regiment went into camp here for fourteen days,
for the purpose of collecting supplies and fitting up for a campaign
into the interior.

Boonville is a pretty town, of perhaps one thousand inhabitants, and is
situated on the right bank of the Missouri River. It seems to be quite
a flourishing place, and has something of an inland trade. The country
in the vicinity is good and under good cultivation, and the
improvements on the adjoining farms are excellent. The land is
considerably broken, but very productive. It is a most splendid fruit
country. No country in the world can produce larger and finer apples
and peaches, than that around Boonville, as the soldiers of the Ninth
can testify. It is also a fine grape region and can boast of many fine
vineyards. Wine is made here to some extent, as the Ninth can also
testify, for they had the pleasure of tasting some of it, as well as
having plenty of fruit while in camp here. A majority of the citizens
are professedly friends to the cause of the Union, and are disposed to
treat the soldier kindly and with hospitality, so long, at least, as
the Union army is in the neighborhood. There are some who turn the cold
shoulder and show a disposition to insult and annoyance, but they are
more numerous in the country than in town, and this is more to our
liking than otherwise; for it is but little we need from the citizens
in town, but from the country we need mules, horses and forage, and
confiscation is now the order of the day.

As soon as the regiment had comfortably arranged camp, a detail was
made to go into the country prospecting for contraband stock. There
were twelve or fifteen wagons to each regiment to be furnished with
mules or horses, at the rate of six to a team. The boys were not many
days in finding stock enough to supply the demand, and in doing so they
found some amusement for themselves, and received many deep and bitter
curses from the owners of the stock.

Some four miles down the river, lived a wealthy old rebel sympathizer,
who possessed several mules and some fine horses, which the boys took a
fancy to, and concluded they must have. The old gentleman stubbornly
refused to give them up, and made threats to shoot any one who
attempted to interfere with his property. The prospecting party were
too few in number to catch the mules and bring them off, so they
started one of their number to camp after reinforcements, while the
others remained to guard the stock, and amuse the old secesh with some
of their Union arguments. The old man, at first, seemed very uneasy,
but after a time quieted himself so as to apparently enjoy the society
of the boys very much. Thus time passed until night approached, and
supper was announced. The boys partook of the bounties of the table,
and again engaged the old gentleman in conversation, and thus the hours
went by till bed time. An invitation to retire was proffered them,
which they politely refused, preferring rather to bunk it on the floor,
where they were, than to indulge the luxury of sheets and feathers. If
the old gentleman entertained any suspicions of roguery on the part of
the boys, he gave no indications of the fact, but quietly wished them a
good night's rest, and withdrew to his own apartment for the night.
About three in the morning, the reinforcements arrived from camp, and
quietly proceeded to let out and drive the mules off to town, while the
boys on guard bridled and saddled four good horses and joined the
detachment. Early in the morning, the old farmer presented himself to
Colonel Kelton with his complaints. Patiently the Colonel listened to
him, and then gave him vouchers for his confiscated property, to be
paid if he should prove himself a faithful, good citizen of the United
States. Thus, in the course of ten days, was the wagons all supplied
with good teams.

Other preparations for a campaign being nearly completed, the regiment
was in daily anticipation of a move. The sick were sent to town to be
left at hospital. Dr. H. J. Maynard, First Assistant Surgeon of the
regiment, was assigned to the duty of fitting up quarters for their
reception, and with energy of purpose and goodness of heart he
performed the duty. Fifty of the regiment were unfitted to start on the
campaign on account of sickness. There were many cases of measles. This
disease had attacked some of the boys at Jefferson City; three of whom
were left in hospital there. Many of the cases left in charge of Dr.
Maynard, were critical, but by his kind care and good treatment,
speedily recovered.

The regiment was now in good condition for a march, and the boys all
anxious to try the realities of a campaign. The weather was delightful
and the roads good. Price and his army was somewhere in the country,
and every one desired to be after him. Drilling had been faithfully
practiced since coming to Boonville, and the men began to feel like old
soldiers in military tactics, and were confident if they could overtake
Price he would be defeated, and the war in Missouri would be speedily
terminated. Orders finally came to march, and on the morning of the
12th of October, all was hurry and confusion in preparation for the
start. Tents were to be struck and the wagons loaded. Knapsacks were to
be packed and comfortably fitted to the back; haversacks to be filled
with plenty of rations; wild mules to be caught from the corral and
hitched to the wagons; and last, though not least, pretty apple girls
and wash women to be settled with before leaving. All was accomplished
in due time, and about noon the brigade moved out.

Three regiments composed the brigade: the Ninth Missouri, the Fifth
Iowa and the Thirty-seventh Illinois--three as good regiments as ever
shouldered a musket. Colonel Kelton was in command of the brigade.

While in camp here, two boys who had joined the regiment at St. Louis,
deserted, and were never heard of. Their names are now forgotten, as
they should be, and they themselves are now perhaps, if living, no more
than wandering vagabonds.




CHAPTER II.


On Sunday, the 12th day of October, 1861, the brigade bid adieu to the
attractions and comforts of civilized society, for the long period of
three years or during the war. Little did they think, as they marched
through the streets of Boonville, that it would require three years of
sacrifice for the government of the United States to put down so
insignificant a rebellion as that which was now raging through its
borders. They doubted not of the ability of our armies now in Missouri,
to drive Price from the State, and restore peace in a few months. Their
confidence in Fremont, in their own commanders and in themselves was
unbounded. Their belief that the rebels would not withstand an equal
contest, was well founded and did not diminish their ardor or their
hopes of a speedy termination of the rebellion. They looked forward to
a campaign of a few months duration, and then to a return to their
homes, with peace attending them on the way. But how sadly were they to
be disappointed! They supposed the policy upon which the war was to be
conducted was fully established, and that all there was to do was to
whip out the rebels, who were at this time in arms against them. They
did not anticipate that time, as it passed, would develop new schemes
and new policies until the whole became entirely revolutionized, and
magnified into the most terrible rebellion the world ever witnessed.
They did not think that while they were going to battle with the enemy
in their front, the Government at Washington was changing its policy,
so that instead of one they would have ten rebels to fight, and instead
of a six months campaign they would have a five years war. They had
read the closing words of the President's inaugural address, to-wit:
"Physically speaking, we can not separate. We can not remove our
respective sections from each other, nor build an impassable wall
between them. A husband and wife may be divorced and go out of the
presence and beyond the reach of each other; but the different parts of
our country can not do this. They can not but remain face to face; and
intercourse, either amicable or hostile, must continue between them. Is
it possible, then, to make that intercourse more advantageous or more
satisfactory after separation than before? Can aliens make treaties
easier than friends can make laws? Can treaties be more faithfully
enforced between aliens, than laws can among friends? Suppose you go to
war; you can not fight always, and when, after much loss on both sides,
and no gain on either, you cease fighting, the identical questions, as
to terms of intercourse, are again upon you.

"To the extent of my ability I shall take care, as the Constitution
itself expressly enjoins upon me, that the laws of the Union be
faithfully executed in all the States. Doing this I deem to be only a
simple duty on my part. I shall perfectly perform it, so far as is
practicable, unless my rightful masters, the American people, shall
withhold the requisition, or, in some authoritative manner, direct the
contrary. I trust this will not be regarded as a menace, but only as
the declared purpose of the Union, that it will constitutionally defend
and maintain itself. In doing this there need be no bloodshed or
violence, and there shall be none, unless it is forced upon the
national authority. The power confided to me will be used to hold,
occupy and possess the property and places belonging to the government,
and collect the duties and imports. But _beyond what may be necessary
for these objects, there will be no invasion--no using of force against
or among the people anywhere_.

"In your hands, my dissatisfied fellow-countrymen, and not in mine, is
the momentous issue of civil war. You have no oath registered in Heaven
to destroy the government: while I shall have the most solemn one to
preserve, protect and defend it." And they had all confidence in the
promises of the President, that the "laws of the Union should be
faithfully executed in _all_ the States," and that the power confided
to him would be used to "hold, occupy and possess the property and
places belonging to the government, and collect the duties and imposts;
but beyond what may be necessary for these objects, there will be no
invasion--no using of force against or among the people anywhere." And
they knew that Congress had voted, for the use of the President, one
hundred thousand more men, and one hundred million more dollars than he
had requested, to make the contest a short and decisive one," and they
knew that that number of men was about "one-tenth, of those, of proper
age, within the regions where apparently all are willing to engage,"
and that the "sum is less than a twenty-third part of the value owned
by the men who seem ready to devote the whole." Knowing these things,
the members of the Ninth Missouri marched out from Boonville with light
hearts and heavy knapsacks, without a murmur. They knew that while they
were under Fremont, they were entirely able to destroy every vestige of
rebellion in Missouri. Over three hundred thousand soldiers, in other
fields, were waiting orders from the Federal government, or were in
active service; and that sixty odd vessels, with one thousand one
hundred and seventy-four guns, were in commission, and twenty-three
steam gun boats were on the stocks rapidly approaching completion, if
not already completed. That sixty regiments of Federal troops were
encamped near Washington, and that every armory in the land was at work
night and day. Knowing all these things, why should they not anticipate
a speedy termination to their soldier life, and enjoy in anticipation
home society once more? Alas, little did they suppose that they
themselves were to be the instruments in the hands of the President to
work out the "salvation of the Almighty."

It is said that Governor Yates, of Illinois, telegraphed to the
President at a certain time, to "call out one million of men, instead
of three hundred thousand, that he might make quick work of the
rebellion." The President replied: "Hold on Dick; let's wait and see
the salvation of the Almighty." Had the President deemed it policy to
have adopted Dick's advice, the rebellion might have been quelled, but
perhaps the cause would not have been removed; and our good, honest
President has not only been aiming to quell the rebellion, but to
remove the cause at the same time. Hence the instrumentality of the
army in establishing the policy of the administration. As the army
progressed in strength and military discipline, so did the views of the
administration and people change in regard to what might be
accomplished in the destruction of the _casus belli_. And hence the
"military necessities."

The brigade marched a few miles from town and bivouacked for the night.
On the 13th and 14th it marched about twenty-eight miles, and went into
camp near Syracuse.

The country is here not so broken as at Boonville, and is under good
cultivation, with neat and comfortable farm houses and barns dotting
the whole landscape.

The regiment lay in camp here on the 15th, and on the morning of the
16th, struck tents and took up the line of march for the rebel army.
Price is reported to be about seventy-five miles to the south-west,
erecting fortifications.

Since leaving Boonville, some of those who were indisposed on starting,
had become so sick as to be unable to proceed, and were consequently
taken to Syracuse, and left there to be disposed of by the Medical
Director in charge. From Syracuse they were sent to St. Louis, to the
hospital.

When leaving camp, the writer being detained until after the regiment
had moved, came across a young man who had laid himself down by the
road-side to die, as he said. He was taking the measles and was quite
sick. The Surgeon of the regiment, Dr. Hazlett, had overlooked, or been
deceived in the appearance of this young man at the morning
examination, and had ordered him to march with the regiment. This he
was unable to do, and would have been left by the road-side if he had
not been accidentally discovered. With some difficulty he was conveyed
to Syracuse and left in hospital. The commander of his company was
subsequently notified of his death in the St. Louis hospital.




CHAPTER III.


From the 16th to the 23d of October, the regiment continued its line of
march daily. It moved in a south-western direction, crossing the
Pacific railroad at Otterville.

Otterville is a small town on the railroad, near the right bank of the
Lamoine river. It numbers from three to five hundred inhabitants, most
of whom are very indifferent to the Union cause. No manifestations of
rejoicing were shown on the approach of the noble men who were coming
to protect them from the ravages of the rebel army; no stars and
stripes were spread to the breeze as they came in sight, but every one
manifested a coolness which indicated very distinctly in which
direction their sympathies lay.

The country still continues to be very good. The farming lands are here
under good cultivation and well improved. The soil is productive, and
gives liberally into the hands of the cultivator. Every one seems to be
prospering but somewhat discouraged at this time, as Price's army made
rather heavy draws on their granaries and larders as he passed through
here, and the Union army is now claiming a share of what they have
left. There is yet an abundance to supply all demands, and no one need
to suffer.

The brigade passes through Otterville without halting, and none but a
few stragglers have any thing to say to the citizens, either to
aggravate or soothe them. The direction taken is towards Warsaw, on the
Osage river, where, it is rumored, Price is entrenching.

The routine of a campaign is now fully commenced. Reveille is sounded
at five o'clock in the morning--all hands must then turn out to roll
call--breakfast is cooked, and at seven the bugle sounds to fall in for
the march. Two hours steady march follows, and then a rest of ten
minutes, and _thus_ until twelve or fifteen miles is passed over,
when, if wood and water is convenient, camp is selected, tents are
pitched, supper is provided, retreat is sounded, and all becomes quiet
for the night. Thus it was with the Ninth, until their arrival at
Warsaw. There is nothing to enliven the monotony of the march but the
lively jokes and sallies of wit of the boys, and the change of scenery
through which they pass.

The distance from Otterville to Warsaw, by the roads the regiment
moved, is perhaps seventy miles, and the face of the country is
considerably variegated. For the most part it is a level, unbroken
region until you approach the bluffs of the Osage. The land is however
rolling and enough diversified with hills and elevated peaks, to make
it interesting to the traveler.

On the 23d of October, the regiment went into camp two miles north of
Warsaw, to await the construction of a military bridge across the Osage
river. The Osage at this point is about three hundred yards wide, with
abrupt high banks and a deep swift current, so that it is impossible to
cross an army in any other way than by means of a strong substantial
bridge.

On the arrival of the division, as many "sappers and miners" and
laborers as could be profitably employed, were set to work, and in
forty-eight hours the bridge was ready for crossing. It was a very rude
structure, but answered every purpose.

At Warsaw other troops came in from other directions, and swelled the
forces which were to cross at this point to quite a large army. Some
arrived in the morning before the Ninth, and about ten thousand passed
the regiment after it had gone into camp. The weather continues
delightful, and regiments coming in and passing, with their bright guns
and accoutrements, present a splendid and most cheering spectacle.

There was great disappointment manifested by the troops on their
arrival here and finding that Price was still on the wing. Here is
where madame rumor had strongly entrenched the rebel army, and the boys
had confidently expected to have a battle with him at this point. Their
chagrin was great when they learned that he had still two or three
weeks the start of them towards Arkansas. They were consoled somewhat
by a probability that he might stop at Springfield and give them
battle. They now felt that after being reinforced by so vast an army as
seemed to have joined them here, they could whip the whole southern
confederacy, before breakfast, some bright morning, if it could be
found. Although disappointed, they were not discouraged, but were very
eager for the pursuit to recommence.

While laying here those who could get passes, and some who could not,
went over to town, and spent the day in making observations. Warsaw was
the first town the boys had any leisure or opportunity to visit since
leaving Boonville, and it was quite a treat for them to chat with the
citizens, and partake of their hospitalities. A few of them came back
to camp pretty blue,--something besides water having been found in
Warsaw,--and a few did not return until the next morning, having found
some other attractions to detain them.

Although there was quite a number of men reporting to the surgeon at
the morning sick call, there were but few serious cases of disease in
the regiment at this time. The seeds of the measles had produced its
fruits and disappeared, and now the regiment was comparatively healthy.
While laying here, news was received of the death of Johnson Kyle, of
Company D, at Jefferson City. He was one of the three left there sick
with the Measles, when the regiment started for Boonville. His name
heads the list of deaths to be recorded by the regiment, after leaving
St. Louis. John Burk, of Co. F, very soon followed him, and occupies
the second place in that honored list.




CHAPTER IV.


On the morning of the 25th of October, the troops commenced crossing
the river, and about 11 o'clock, A.M., the Ninth Missouri landed on
the opposite shore, and halted an hour for dinner, and for stragglers
to come up from Warsaw. Although orders against straggling was very
strict, and the punishment threatened, severe, many of the soldiers
fell out of ranks, and slipped off to town.

Warsaw is situated on the left bank of the Osage river, and is the
largest town passed through since leaving Boonville. There being no
towns of any size within many miles of it, it has quite an extended
country trade, and boasts of several large stores and business houses
of different kinds. The rebels while here, two weeks since, supplied
themselves with goods to a large amount, from two or three Union Stores
which were in the town. The merchants and citizens here are still
undecided as to which cause they should give their influence. They are
all, however, willing to be let alone. No demonstrations of
satisfaction or the contrary, was manifested while the army remained
here.

At 1 o'clock, the bugle sounded, and the line of march was again taken
up and continued until the 30th, when the army went into camp for a day
or two, at Humansville. The direction from Warsaw to Humansville, is
southward, and the fear of the men now was, that the rebels were making
for Arkansas. Rumor again had it that they were fortifying somewhere
between here and Springfield, Missouri; but the boys did not credit it.
Nothing reliable could be obtained of their whereabouts, and Arkansas
appeared to be the most inviting place for a fleeing army. At any rate,
it was evident that they had so far, fled as fast as they had been
pursued.

The country from the Osage to this point is poor, broken and rocky. It
seems as though nature intended this as the stone quarry for the
universe. Here is stone enough to supply the United States with
building material for centuries. The roads are all stone, the hills are
solid rock, and the fields are stone. There is very little tillable
lands south of the Osage, until within the vicinity of Humansville.
There are a few farms, and occasionally a small town, but they are for
the most part deserted. The inhabitants, perhaps, have gone south with
Price. Quincy, the largest town on the road, is entirely deserted; the
citizens all being rebels.

The only incident of note, during the march from the Osage, to
Humansville, was the return to the army of Major White and his Prairie
Scouts.

On the 30th of September, Price evacuated Lexington, and commenced a
retreat to the south. He left a rebel guard there in charge of some
Union prisoners. On the 15th of October, Major White, commanding a
squadron of cavalry, called Prairie Scouts, with two and twenty men,
made a forced march of nearly sixty miles, surprised Lexington,
dispersed the rebels, captured sixty or seventy prisoners, took two
steam ferry boats, and some other less valuable articles, secured the
Union prisoners left there, and with a rebel captured flag, returned by
another route to Warsaw, traveling with neither provisions nor
transportation, and joining Fremont's forces south of the Osage. As
characteristic of the energy of the men whom Gen. Fremont gathered
about him, it is worth narrating, that Major White's horses being
unshod, he procured some old iron, called for blacksmiths from the
ranks, took possession of two unoccupied blacksmith's shop, and in five
days made the shoes and shod all his horses. At another time, the
cartridges being spoiled by rain, they procured powder and lead, and
turning a carpenter's shop into a cartridge factory, made three
thousand cartridges. Such men could march, if necessary, without
waiting for army wagons and regular equipments. As the Major and his
Prairie Scouts proceeded to Head Quarters, they were greeted with cheer
after cheer by the soldiers. The rebel flag, being the first they had
seen, was a great curiosity to the boys. In contrast with their own
loved stars and stripes, it was an insignificant affair. Its stars and
bars elicited the scorn and contempt of every one who saw it. The
curses bestowed upon it were not loud, but they were deep and came from
the heart.




CHAPTER V.


On the 30th of October, the Brigade went into camp, near Humansville.
Humansville, is a small town in Hickory County, Mo., and is the only
place where any demonstrations were made, in honor of the stars and
stripes, between Boonville and Springfield. Here the soldiers of the
Union were welcomed by the waiving of flags and the smiles of the
women, and the kindly greetings of the citizens generally. A portion of
Price's army had passed through this place, some three weeks before,
and had carried off all the goods belonging to the merchants, and had
mistreated the inhabitants of the town and vicinity to such a degree,
that they were heartily tired of their presence, and were rejoiced at
the approach of the Federal troops.

The weather continues pleasant, and an opportunity is here offered the
boys to wash up their clothing. This was rather an amusing task, as
they had not as yet become accustomed to such work. Fires were started
along the branches, and by the use of their camp kettles, they managed
to hang out quite a respectable lot of clean _army linen_. Those
having money and not being partial to the washing business, had their
washing done by the women of the town, at the rate of ten cents per
piece.

When going into camp it was thought that, perhaps, several days would
be spent here, to allow the men some rest and to ascertain the distance
to, and position of the enemy; but about noon of the 31st, orders came
to be ready to march at a moment's notice.

The sick of the regiment, had been increasing for the last ten days, to
such an extent, that now there was no means of conveying them any
farther. Thus far, they had been transported in wagons, but it was now
necessary to select such as could not, in a measure, provide for
themselves, and leave them behind. The Surgeon, therefore, fitted up
the Meeting-house in town, in the best possible manner, and removed the
sick to it. A cook, some nurses, and several days rations, were left
with them. Poor fellows! they all nearly starved to death before they
could get away, and three did die from the effects of disease and want
of proper nourishment. After the army left, the patriotism of the
ladies and gentlemen of the town, oozed out at their fingers ends, and
our sick boys could get nothing from them. One man, John Clemens, of
Co. H, who was very sick when taken there, died on the 4th of November.
Bromwell Kitchen, of Co. F, soon followed, and Nathaniel B. Westbrook,
of Co. A, died on the 20th. The others eventually found their way to
the regiment.

At 4 o'clock orders were received to strike tents and move out. An hour
was now spent in busy preparation for the march. No one had thought
that there would be a move before morning, and all were taken by
surprise at the order to march just as night was setting in.
Conjectures flew thick and fast through camp, as to what caused the
haste in moving. Some supposed that Price was not far away, and that
they were going to surprise him by a night attack. Some supposed one
thing and some another, but all was wrapped in uncertainty.

At 6 o'clock, the bugle sounded to fall in, and the first night march
of the regiment, now commenced. Camp was one and a half miles west of
Humansville, and to get to the main road to Springfield, the regiment
had to retrace its march back through the town. When therefore it
commenced filing off in the direction it had come, the impression
prevailed that they were on the retreat. Retreat! retreat, passed along
the line, we are on the retreat--what does this mean, was the general
inquiry. As soon, however, as they had passed through town, and struck
the Springfield road, they found that they were not retreating, but
were continuing their old line of march. This pleased them, and with
alacrity they moved forward. The moon had not yet made its appearance,
and the evening was quite dark. Several of the boys in going over the
rough roads, fell and crippled themselves so as to be unable to
proceed. The large stones which composed the road, would sometimes form
steps of six inches in height, and in stepping, they would fall forward
with serious results. The moon now makes her appearance, bright and
fair, and the road becomes distinct so that marching becomes easy, and
much more rapid progress is made. The march continued till near
morning, when the troops bivouacked for a few hours rest.

The bugle again sounds, and the march is continued. At 12 o'clock, a
halt is again called, and an order is brought round to lighten baggage.
All extra, useless and heavy baggage is ordered to be left, under
guard, until brought forward by the wagon train. This is indicative of
a forced march, or a going into battle. The latter is not probable, as
no enemy is reported near. At 2 o'clock, the regiment moved out in
light equipments.

Shortly after starting, a rumor got afloat that Price was really making
a stand at Springfield. This news was received with a shout, and a more
rapid movement of the troops. From this time until its arrival at
Springfield, the regiment had no other than absolutely needful rest.
The nearer the approach to Springfield, the more confirmed became the
report of the rebel army being in that vicinity. The regiment having
made ten or twelve miles this afternoon, went into camp on the banks of
a small creek, which happened to run in the right place for their
convenience.

Here an incident occurred which came very near terminating the life of
one of the boys. He had gone to the creek to wash, and while there,
walked out on a small log which projected from the bank over the water.
His weight was too great for the support of the log; it gave way and he
fell with his back across a log below him, and his head and shoulders
into the water. He was badly hurt, and had there been no assistance
near by, he would have drowned. He was unable to march for several
days, so as to keep up with the regiment. The march from here to
Springfield was uninterrupted, and on the night of the 3d of November,
the regiment went into camp within easy distance of Springfield.

On the morning of the 5th, the Ninth Missouri found itself encamped on
the out skirts of a large army. Fremont had arrived with the greater
portion of his army several days before, and driven Price from
Springfield, and was now awaiting for the balance of his forces to come
up. The Ninth had marched, in the last two days and nights, over fifty
miles, to be in time for the anticipated advance, and they were now
rejoiced that they had arrived in due season. A more happy set of men
than those of the Ninth Missouri, could not have been found in the
army. It had been on the march twenty days, with but little prospect of
overtaking the enemy. Now the enemy were before them, and their march
was perhaps terminated for the present.




CHAPTER VI.


On the approach of General Fremont, Price had fallen back to a chosen
position, some ten miles south of Springfield, leaving a garrison of
three or four hundred men to hold the place, until he could get
thoroughly entrenched in his new position, and to give General
McCulloch time to join him from below, with his Texas and Arkansas
forces.

General Fremont, in order to disperse this rebel garrison and get
possession of the town, directed Major Zagonyi, commandant of General
Fremont's body guard, to ride forward with a force of about three
hundred, to make a reconnaissance, and, if practicable, capture or
disperse the rebels, and take possession of the village. Major Zagonyi
was a Hungarian officer, drawn to the western service by the fame of
Fremont.

He had himself recruited the body guard which he commanded. It
consisted of three companies of carefully picked men, armed with light
sabers and revolvers. The first company also carried carbines. One
hundred and sixty of this guard, with one hundred and forty of Major
White's Prairie Scouts, already spoken of, constituted his force. As he
advanced, he learned that the rebel guard had been reinforced, and that
over two thousand men were ready to receive him. They had also been
warned of his approach, and surprise was impossible. Prudence would
have dictated that he return for reinforcements.

But Fremont's body guard had been a subject of much ridicule and abuse.
He determined to make good its reputation for valor, at least. Perhaps
by attacking the enemy in the rear, he might still secure the benefit
of a surprise. This advantage he would gain, if possible. A detour of
twelve miles around Springfield brought them to the rebel's position,
but upon their south flank.

They were strongly posted just west of the village, on the top of a
hill, which sloped toward the west. Immediately in their rear was a
thick wood, impenetrable by cavalry. Before they came within sight of
the enemy, Zagonyi halted his men. Drawing them up in line, he
addressed them in the following brief and nervous words:

"Fellow-soldiers, this is your first battle. For our three hundred, the
enemy are two thousand. If any of you are sick or tired by the long
march, or if any think the number is too great, now is the time to turn
back."

He paused; no one was sick or tired. "We must not retreat," he
continued. "Our honor, and the honor of our General, and of our
country, tell us to go on. I will lead you. We have been called holiday
soldiers for the pavements of St. Louis. To-day we will show that we
are soldiers for the battle. Your watchword shall be 'Fremont and the
Union!' Draw saber! By the right flank--quick trot--march!"

With that shout--"Fremont and the Union!"--upon their lips, their
horses pressed into a quick gallop, they turn the corner which brings
them in sight of the foe. There is no surprise. In line of battle,
protected in the rear by a wood which no cavalry can enter, the rebels
stand, forewarned, ready to receive the charge. There is no time to
delay--none to draw back. In a moment they have reached the foot of the
hill. The rebel fire sweeps over their heads. The Prairie Scouts, by a
misunderstanding of orders, become separated from their companions, and
fail to join them again. Up the steep hill the hundred and sixty men
press upon the two thousand of their foe. Seven guard horses fell upon
a space not more than twenty feet square. But nothing can check their
wild enthusiasm. They break through the rebel line. They drive the
infantry back into the woods. They scatter the hostile cavalry on this
side, and on that. They pursue the flying rebels down the hill again,
and through the streets of the village.

It seems incredible, yet it is sober history--not romance; in less than
three minutes, that body-guard of a hundred and sixty men had utterly
routed and scattered an enemy twenty-two hundred strong. Planting the
Union flag upon the court house, they retire as night set in, that they
may not be surprised in the darkness by new rebel forces. Their loss
was sixteen killed and twenty eight wounded, out of the whole three
hundred.

This has been pronounced an unnecessary sacrifice. The charge, it is
said, was ill judged. But the bravery surely merits the highest
commendation, and the success sanctifies the judgment of Zagonyi, which
directed the assault. Moreover, we needed the example of this
chivalrous dash and daring, to wake up some of our too cautious
generals, and to inspire that enthusiasm and that confidence of
success, which are essential to great accomplishments. For let it not
be forgotten, that this was an expedition, which, in its ultimate
results, was designed to sweep the Mississippi to the Gulf.

The ladies of Springfield, thus redeemed from rebel marauders,
requested permission to present to their heroic deliver a Union flag.
Will it be believed? When this body-guard returned to St. Louis, by
peremptory orders from Washington, it was disbanded; the officers
retired from service, and the men were denied rations and forage. It
was deemed inexpedient that a corps should exist, so enthusiastically
devoted to their chivalrous leader. In the order which came for their
disbanding, they were condemned for "words spoken at Springfield."
Condemned for that war-cry, which inspired to as glorious a charge as
was ever made on battle field, "Fremont and the Union."

Zagonyi, in his official report of the battle, says: "Their war-cry,
'Fremont and the Union,' broke forth like thunder. Half of my command
charged upon the infantry, and the remainder upon the cavalry, breaking
their line at every point. The infantry retired into the thick wood,
where it was impossible to follow them. The cavalry fled in all
directions through the town. I rallied and charged through the streets,
in all directions, about twenty times, returning at last to the court
house, where I raised the flag of one of my companies, liberated the
prisoners, and united my men, who now amounted to seventy, the rest
being scattered or lost.

"From the beginning to the end, the body-guard behaved with the utmost
coolness. I have seen battles and cavalry charges before; but I never
imagined that a body of men could endure and accomplish so much in the
face of such fearful disadvantage. At the cry of 'Fremont and the
Union,' which was raised at every charge, they dashed forward
repeatedly in perfect order, and with resistless energy. Many of my
officers, non-commissioned officers and privates, had three, or even
four horses killed under them. Many performed acts of heroism; not one
but did his whole duty."

On the 29th of October, General Fremont established his head-quarters
at Springfield. From Boonville to Springfield he had invariably marched
with the advance of his army. On the 30th, General Ashboth brought up
his division, and General Lane, on the same day, appeared with his
brigade of Kansas border men, and two hundred mounted Indians and
negroes. And on the 2d and 3d of November, General Pope brought up the
rear with his command, of which the Ninth Missouri formed a part.

Since leaving Humansville, the health of the regiment continued good.
Nearly all the men had been able to march up with the regiment. Those
who gave out on the way were given passes by the Surgeon to fall back
on the train and ride on the wagons. At this time there was but one
ambulance allowed to each regiment, and this was used principally by
the Surgeon for his own convenience, to the exclusion of the sick and
disabled.

Ambulances had been provided, to move in the rear of the regiments on a
march, and to attend them in time of battle for the purpose of
transporting those who became disabled on the march, and for hauling
the wounded from the battle field; but the Surgeons did not seem to
understand it in that light. They took it for granted that ambulances
were an especial comfort provided for themselves, and appropriated them
accordingly. Many an anxious look is cast at the lazy Doctor, riding in
the ambulance, by the sick, sore-footed soldier. Many a sick, weary and
worn-out soldier is allowed to fall by the wayside, or to climb on the
top of a loaded lumbering old army wagon, and ride with the hot sun
pouring his ardent rays upon him, until night, or until the march is
ended; while the healthy, robust Surgeon takes his ease in the closely
covered and nicely cushioned ambulance.

The Surgeon is allowed two horses for his especial use, and now his
lackey, detailed from the ranks, is riding one and leading the other
behind the ambulance. The Surgeon has ridden on horse back during the
cool of the morning, but now the heat is too oppressive and he retires
to the shade of the vehicles, leaving his fat, sleek and magnificently
caparisoned charger to be cared for by the unmanly soldier, who prefers
being a lackey to wearing the honor and manhood of the man in the
ranks.

The staff officers, and those of the line also, are allowed by
government eleven dollars per month to pay servants for attending them,
but as a general rule, they manage to get a soldier from the ranks to
do their work, at the expense of the government, and put the eleven
dollars into their own pockets. There are some men who scorn to stoop
to such trickery; but it is a notable fact, that there are many,
wearing the insignia of high official stations, who take advantage of
their oath for the pitiful sum of eleven dollars per month. And it is
also a fact, that there are men who have voluntarily taken upon
themselves an oath to serve their country as good soldiers, who
willingly allow themselves to be placed upon a footing with the veriest
colored slaves in the land. The language is not too harsh. A soldier
has been seen washing the feet and trimming the toe-nails of his
captain, and this not only once, but habitually. The appellation given
to him, and those of his calling, was "Toe-Pick."




CHAPTER VII.


On the morning of the 5th the regiment moved quarters to within a mile
of town, and pitched their tents in regular camp order. The whole
country for miles around Springfield was now filled with tents, and
soldiers were as thick as ants on an ant hill. The whole army of
Fremont was now here, and was said to number seventy-two thousand--or,
there was said to be seventy-two thousand rations issued. A more noble
looking set of men were never gathered into an army. Filled with
enthusiasm and confidence in their leader, this army could not have
been defeated by any rebel force brought against it. The men were very
anxious for a forward move toward the enemy, and rumor had it that in a
day or two the enemy would be met. But, alas! for human calculations.
No movement was at this time to be made against the foe; but, instead,
an inglorious retreat. Shame, and deathless infamy, attend the
instigators of the retrograde movement of this splendid army.

On the 2d day of November General Fremont received notice of his recall
to St. Louis to answer charges preferred against him, and of his being
superseded in his command by General Hunter. Why was this retrograde
movement to be made? Why was General Fremont removed from the command
at this most auspicious moment? "Not until the secret _political_
history of the rebellion, which unmasks hearts and exhibits motives,
shall be written, can these questions be fully answered."

As soon as the intelligence that General Fremont was superseded by
General Hunter spread through the camp, the wildest excitement
everywhere prevailed. "Officers and men organized themselves into
indignation meetings. Large numbers of officers declared their
determination to resign. Whole companies threw down their arms."

General Fremont consecrated all his personal influence, entreating the
men to remain, like true patriots, at their posts. He sent immediately
to General Hunter the intelligence of his appointment, and, without
delay, issued the following beautiful and effective appeal to the army:

    "HEAD-QUARTERS WESTERN DEP'T.,

    "SPRINGFIELD, MO., Nov. 2d, 1861.

    "SOLDIERS OF THE MISSISSIPPI ARMY:--Agreeably to orders this day
    received I take leave of you. Although our army has been of sudden
    growth, we have grown up together, and I have become familiar with
    the brave and generous spirits which you bring to the defense of
    your country, and which makes me anticipate for you a brilliant
    career. Continue as you have begun, and give to my successor the
    same cordial and enthusiastic support with which you have
    encouraged me. Emulate the splendid example which you have already
    before you, and let me remain, as I am, proud of the noble army
    which I had thus far labored to bring together. Soldiers, I regret
    to leave you. Most sincerely I thank you for the regard and
    confidence you have invariably shown to me. I deeply regret that I
    shall not have the honor to lead you to the victory which you are
    just about to win; but I shall claim to share with you in the joy
    of every triumph, and trust always to be fraternally remembered by
    my companions in arms.

    "J. C. FREMONT,

    "Major-General U.S.A."

In the evening, one hundred and ten officers, including every
brigadier-general in the army, visited General Fremont in a body. They
presented him a written address, full of sympathy and respect, and
earnestly urged him to lead them against the enemy. General Fremont
replied to the address, that, if General Hunter did not arrive before
morning, he would comply with their request. At eight o'clock in the
evening he accordingly issued the order of battle. The enemy occupied
the same ground as that which they had occupied in the battle of
Wilson's Creek. General Lyon's plan of attack was to be substantially
followed.

The rebels were to be surrounded. Generals Sigel and Lane were to
assail them in the rear, General Ashboth from the east, Generals
McKinstry and Pope in front. The attack was to be simultaneous. Every
camp was astir with the inspiriting news. Every soldier was full of
enthusiasm.

But at midnight General Hunter arrived. General Fremont informed him of
the condition of affairs, advised him of his plans, and surrendered the
command into his hands. The order for battle was forthwith
countermanded, and orders were issued to the army to prepare to turn
their backs upon the foe, and retrace their march to St. Louis. The
next morning General Fremont and his staff left the camp. As he passed
along the soldiers crowded the streets and the roadsides to witness his
departure, and, as they returned to their quarters, each one asked
himself the question: "Why has Fremont been removed?" No ground for his
removal had ever been made known. It was suggested that he was too
extravagant in the financial management of his department. But there
was no more justice in charging him with extravagance than there would
have been any other General in command of a department. "Wherever there
is carrion the vultures flock." Wherever there is an opportunity for
public plunder corrupt men greedily gather. They abounded in
Washington, in New York, in St. Louis; but no definite charges could be
made that General Fremont ever participated in any scheme to defraud
the Government. The mystery lay in the fact that General Fremont was
far in advance of the nation's representatives, either in the field or
cabinet. "He realized that the rebels were in earnest. He realized that
all attempts at pacification by timidity and concessions to traitors
were unavailing, and would but add fuel to the flame. He realized that
the only way to stop rebellion was to chastise rebels with the rod of
justice." And, realizing these things, he issued the following
proclamation, which gave great offense to the more timid officials:

    "HEAD-QUARTERS WESTERN DEP'T.

    "ST. LOUIS, MO., August 31st, 1861.

    "Circumstances, in my judgment, of sufficient urgency, render it
    necessary that the Commanding General of this Department should
    assume the administrative powers of the State. Its disorganized
    condition, the helplessness of the civil authority, the total
    insecurity of life, and the devastation of property by bands of
    murderers and marauders, who infest nearly every county in the
    State, and avail themselves of the public misfortunes and the
    vicinity of a hostile force, to gratify private and neighborhood
    vengeance, and who find an enemy wherever they find
    plunder,--finally demand the severest measures to repress the daily
    increasing crimes and outrages, which are driving off the
    inhabitants and ruining the State. In this condition, the public
    safety and the success of our armies require unity of purpose,
    without let or hindrance, to the prompt administration of affairs.

    "In order, therefore, to suppress disorder, to maintain, as far as
    now practicable, the public peace, and to give security and
    protection to the persons and property of loyal citizens, I do
    hereby extend, and declare established, martial law throughout the
    State of Missouri. The lines of the army of occupation in this
    State are, for the present, declared to extend from Leavenworth, by
    way of the posts of Jefferson City, Rolla and Ironton, to Cape
    Girardeau, on the Mississippi River. All persons who shall be taken
    with arms in their hands within these lines shall be tried by court
    martial, and, if found guilty, will be shot. The property, real and
    personal, of all persons in the State of Missouri who shall take up
    arms against the United States, and who shall be directly proven to
    have taken active part with their enemies in the field, is declared
    to be confiscated to the public use; and their slaves, if any they
    have, are hereby declared free men.

    "All persons who shall be proven to have destroyed, after the
    publication of this order, railroad tracks, bridges or telegraphs,
    shall suffer the extreme penalty of the law. All persons engaged in
    treasonable correspondence, in giving or procuring aid to the
    enemies of the United States, in fomenting tumult, in disturbing
    the public tranquility, by creating and circulating false reports
    or incendiary documents, are in their own interest warned that they
    are exposing themselves to sudden and sure punishment.

    "All persons who have been led away from their allegiance are
    required to return to their homes forthwith; any such absence
    without sufficient cause will be held to be presumptive evidence
    against them.

    "The object of this declaration is to place in the hands of the
    military authorities the power to give instantaneous effect to
    existing laws, and to supply such deficiencies as the conditions of
    war demand. But it is not intended to suspend the ordinary
    tribunals of the country, where the law will be administered by the
    civil officers in the usual manner, and with their customary
    authority, while the same can be peaceably exercised.

    "The Commanding General will labor vigilantly for the public
    welfare, and in his efforts for their safety, hopes to obtain not
    only the acquiescence but the active support of the loyal people of
    the country.

    "J. C. FREMONT,

    "Major-General Commanding."

"An out-cry from all pro-slavery _partisans_, in all parts of the
country, went up against the man who had first dared to proclaim
liberty to the slaves of rebels." A demand was made for his removal.
Fair means were not alone used for this end. The most strenuous efforts
were secretly made to undermine him in the confidence of the
Administration, and by bitter public attacks through the press to rob
him of the confidence of the people. And success attended those
efforts.

The President, whose duty it was to hold a controlling influence in the
councils of the nation, coincided with this intriguing faction against
his better judgment, and submitted to this great injustice--injustice
both to Fremont and the country. The proclamation of General Fremont
was accordingly modified, and Fremont himself deprived of his command.

On the reception of the President's letter, requesting him to modify
his proclamation, Fremont replied:

"If," said he, "your better judgment decides that I was wrong in the
article respecting the liberation of slaves, I have to ask that you
will openly direct me to make the correction. The implied censure will
be received as a soldier always should receive the reprimand of his
chief. If I were to retract of my own accord it would imply that I
myself thought it wrong, and that I had acted without the reflection
which the gravity of the point demanded. But I did not. I acted with
full deliberation, and with the certain conviction that it was a
measure right and necessary, and I think so still."

General Fremont submitted to the modification, which was to confine the
confiscation and liberation of only such slaves as had been actually
employed by the rebels in military service. If they worked the guns
they were to be free. If they only raised the cotton which enabled the
rebels to buy the guns they were not to be free, but to be returned to
their masters if they should escape to our lines in search of freedom.
But this did not satisfy those who were even more anxious to treat the
rebels with conciliation and have Fremont removed and his influence
destroyed, than to strike the rebellion with heavy blows. Let Fremont
be removed at all hazards. He was removed, and his army was recalled
from Springfield, and in less than six months another army under
General Curtis, pursuing the same plan which General Fremont had
formed, and governed by the very policy recommended in his
proclamation, marched over the same ground, under much more adverse
circumstances, and met the enemy only after a tedious pursuit of one
hundred and twenty miles farther off than the fall before.

On the morning of the 4th of November Abraham C. Coats, of Company C,
was brought into the regimental hospital in an entirely unconscious
condition. He was taken in the night with what was supposed to be a
congestive chill. Every means known to the Surgeon was resorted to to
restore him to consciousness and preserve his life, but all were
unavailing. He never spoke after being brought in, and died about noon
of the next day. A _post mortem_ examination revealed nothing to
indicate the cause of his death.

Several of the boys were taken sick while in camp here, and when the
regiment marched they were loaded into an army wagon to be transported
to wherever the regiment might be destined. One of these died in the
wagon the second night after leaving Springfield and was buried by the
roadside. The others, after eight days' torture, arrived, more dead
than alive, at Syracuse, where they remained in hospital all winter.




CHAPTER VIII.


On the morning of the 9th of November, with sad hearts and elongated
countenances, the Ninth Missouri Volunteers took up the line of march,
which they had so lately spun out in such glorious anticipations, to
wind it back to the very place from whence they had started one month
before.

The weather still continued fine, but the roads had become so awful
dusty, that suffocation threatened to be the fate of every one who
traveled them. There had been no rain since leaving Boonville. Water
was becoming scarce, excepting in the larger streams; although Missouri
is usually abundantly supplied with that refreshing element. Abundant
crystal streams of purest water; springs bubbling from many a creviced
rock and wells of unfailing depths, are met with every where in
southern Missouri.

The regiment followed its old line of march, until after crossing the
Osage, when it took the most direct road to Otterville. From Otterville
it continued down the railroad to Syracuse, where it arrived on the
17th of November, having marched from Springfield in eight days,
without rest. In its devious course from Boonville to Springfield, and
from Springfield to Syracuse, the regiment had marched over three
hundred miles.

On arriving at Syracuse, it bivouacked on a common in town, in
anticipation of taking the cars in a day or two for St. Louis. Rumor
had it, that the troops were all going to St. Louis, either to go into
winter quarters or to be sent South. No one thought of wintering at
Syracuse.

There was no enemy within one hundred and fifty miles of this place,
and a necessity for stopping here did not exist. Yet, in this vicinity
were they destined to lay in idleness for three long months.

As the regiment passed Warsaw, on its return, some of the boys, who had
learned the working of the wires on their previous visit, again slipped
from the ranks and succeeded in getting their canteens filled with the
ardent. Two of these, on coming into camp just in the dusk of the
evening, caused quite a sensation. They had been "hale fellows well
met," until whisky had got advantage of their better judgment, when
they agreed to disagree, and the one using the breech of his gun, as
the strongest argument he could think of, knocked the other over the
head with so severe a blow as to cause insensibility. A crowd was soon
collected, and the belligerent one was placed under guard, while the
defunct was hurried to the hospital, to be placed in hands of the
Surgeon. On examination, the Surgeon discovered something of a cut on
the scalp, which was bleeding pretty freely; and having a little too
much of the ardent in his own hat to see single, he pronounced the man
mortally wounded, with a fractured skull.

After having the bruise dressed, the Surgeon retired to his own
quarters, leaving the impression that the man would not live through
the night; in fact he gave it as his opinion, that he was in _articuls
mortis_ at this moment.

The commander of the regiment placed the one who gave the death-blow,
under double guard, binding his hands and feet so as there should be no
possibility of escape. By and by all retired to their quarters, and
none, except the guard and the watchers by the side of the dying man,
were awake in camp. The man lay very quiet until about eleven o'clock,
when he was observed to draw a very heavy and prolonged inspiration.
Soon another followed, and his eyes opened. For a moment they wandered
restlessly over the tent, and then he sprung to his feet.

"Well! where the hell am I? What does this mean? Say, what is the
meaning of this? Is this the hospital? How is it that I am here? I'm
not sick. There is nothing the matter with me; where is my quarters,
say, I am not going to stay here, that's certain!" and off he started
like a quarter horse for his company.

The mystery was, that he was very much intoxicated when he was hit, and
the blow only set him into a most profound drunken slumber. Early the
next morning the Colonel released the prisoner, and the Surgeon passed
the joke in good spirits, although his reputation in prognosis was
somewhat impaired by the incident.




CHAPTER IX.


On the arrival of the regiment at Syracuse it was discovered that about
fifty of the men were on the sick list. Some were quite sick from the
effects of the continued jolting they had suffered in the wagons, while
others were only worn down by hard marching.

The Surgeon immediately took possession of the Planter House, a
deserted hotel in town, and established his hospital in it. Straw was
procured, and the men were as comfortably placed upon it over the floor
as circumstances would admit.

On the morning of the 18th the regiment was moved out two miles from
town, and went into regular camp.

As the men were marching through the town the rain descended in
torrents, wetting them thoroughly. This was the first rain seen since
leaving Boonville, and was received in high glee.

Visions of St. Louis now began to grow dim in the eyes of some of the
men, although many still believed that they were only waiting
transportation. The Surgeon delayed, from day to day, making any
provisions for the comfort of the sick, expecting orders to ship them
for St. Louis. But orders never came, and it became a fixed fact that
the regiment was to winter here.

Newspapers were brought to Syracuse daily, and something of what was
going on in the world could be learned from them. During the last month
a newspaper had not been seen in the regiment. Some of the officers
would occasionally get a paper, but the soldiers never. From these it
was ascertained that the war was still progressing, and that the
rebellion was assuming a magnitude of unexpected dimensions.

Many of the soldiers were led to believe, by their withdrawal from
Springfield, that their services would not much longer be required in
the field, and that they would soon be allowed to go home, but on
reading the papers they lay aside all such pleasing ideas.

The weather was now becoming quite cool, and tents were more carefully
pitched than usual--ditches were dug, and embankments thrown up, to
keep the cold winds from blowing in under them. Good warm blankets were
issued, and a new suit of clothing provided, so that, so far as
possible, suffering might be prevented. Plenty of wood was provided,
and on cold days large fires were burning in front of every tent. At
night pans of living coals were taken into the tents as substitutes for
stoves. Thus they managed to keep quite comfortable. Army rations were
in abundance, and the citizens were liberal in their supply of cakes,
pies and apples, at a moderate compensation, and sometimes without any
pay whatever. Occasionally one would come into camp more greedy of gain
than his neighbor, or, perhaps, tinctured a little with secession
proclivities; in such cases "confiscation" was the word, and his load
would soon disappear, without his being any the richer.

The sick men, who were left at Boonville under the care of Doctor
Maynard, now joined the regiment. Without an exception, the kind care
and judicious treatment of this excellent Surgeon had restored all to
good health, and they joined the regiment in good spirits, and were
welcomed most cordially by their comrades.

About the 10th of December the regiment broke camp here and moved out
to the bottoms of the Lamoine river. The object of the move was the
erection of fortifications for the defense of the railroad bridge
across the Lamoine. Their camp was selected on some swamp-bottom lands
on the left bank of the river. The boys were immediately set to work
cutting the trees and cleaning off the grounds, while details were sent
off to work on the fortifications on the opposite bank of the river.

On the morning of the 14th marching orders were issued for the next
day, and on the 15th, through a heavy snow storm, they marched to
Sedalia, twenty-five miles distant. The roads were bad, and the
marching very heavy, yet most of the men came into camp with the
regiment. They were marched out for the purpose of cutting off recruits
and a large supply train going to Price's army. When they arrived at
Sedalia the work was being accomplished by another portion of the
Division. A part of Davis' Division had taken another route, and had
succeeded in overtaking and capturing some seventy wagons and one
thousand one hundred prisoners, among whom was the son of the old
General. The Ninth Missouri consequently had nothing to do but march
back to its camp on the Lamoine. This it was two days in accomplishing.
Thus marching fifty miles in three days. Thus making in all, since
leaving Boonville, fully four hundred miles. Here the regiment remained
until the 25th of January, 1862.

When the regiment removed from Syracuse to the Lamoine, the Surgeon,
Doctor Hazlett, went with them, leaving sixty sick men at Syracuse in
charge of the Hospital Steward, without having made any preparations
yet for their comfort. The building was very well calculated for an
hospital, but needed renovating very badly, and should have had bunks
built for the patients to lay on; but nothing of the kind had been
attended to; and now, to attend to the wants of sixty sick men, only
one nurse, one cook and the Steward, were to be had. Many of the men
were desperately sick, and should have had better care taken of them;
but, fortunately, only two cases proved fatal after the Surgeon
left--Henry Rue, of Company F, on the 1st day of January, 1862, and
John Rule, of Company D, on the 28th of the same month. Two also died
while the Surgeon was in attendance--Boston Cherrington, of Company A,
and McClenning, of Company E. At the Lamoine, Phillip Shindola, of
Company B, James Edwards, Company C, George W. Lewis and William St.
George, Company B, and William S. Gore, Company F, were taken sick, and
died in January, 1862.

The living at the Hospital consisted of beef, pilot-bread, sugar and
coffee or tea.

There was an hospital fund of money, accumulated by the commutation of
rations belonging to sick men; but, as with the ambulances, the
Surgeons are sometimes dishonest enough to appropriate this fund to
their own use. The cooking facilities about the hospital consisted in a
camp-kettle, (holding about five gallons,) for coffee or tea, and one
of the same size for boiling beef, and a log fire out of doors. With
these facilities the cook prepared the rations for sixty sick soldiers
for over two months, rain, snow or shine, as the case might be.

The manner of feeding the patients was thus: The kettle of coffee and
soup is brought into the center of the room where the sick are, and
tin-cups are filled and handed round, and a "shingle" (pilot cracker)
is handed at the same time, with a piece of boiled beef on it. If the
patient has had money he has perhaps provided himself with a biscuit or
piece of light bread, purchased of some citizen. The men set around
over the floor on their straw pallets, and eat, some swearing at the
coffee, and some cursing the soup, and all making some remark or other
about the fare. One, for instance, would like some potatoes or chicken
soup; one some bread and milk, one some corn bread, and another would
fancy mush and milk. Sometimes these things could be procured by paying
their own money for them, and thus there would be a feast. Poor
fellows! They deserve better things than these, but it is impossible
for the Steward and attendants to provide anything more suitable. May
God forgive those who should look after these things for neglecting
their duty, or for being dishonest.

The soldier in camp lives very similar to this: Messes are formed from
the occupants of one tent, perhaps numbering four or five, or more; the
rations are drawn, and all cooked in the same vessels. A small
camp-kettle supplies them with coffee, and a larger one with boiled
beef, bean-soup, etc. Then, with tin-cups, tin-plates, knives and
forks, they pitch in, each one helping himself until he is satisfied.
While eating he either stands or sits on the ground, as he may elect.
Thus they live day after day and month after month and no variety
unless they buy and pay for it them selves. Many of them _do_ spend all
their wages in buying something to eat. It is amusing to look through
the streets of Syracuse, and see the soldiers buying the _luxuries_
that the farmers' wives bring to town to sell. Here are several wagons,
surrounded by soldiers, buying and trying to buy, sausage meat, fresh
pork, chickens, butter, eggs, pies, cakes, corn-bread, milk, apples,
etc. The argus eyes of the ladies are kept busy, or else they make
small profits. While many are honestly paying for what they get, others
are playing confiscation, and dishonestly getting what they do not pay
for. Pies and cakes are in great demand; and such pies! The pie-crust
is made by wetting some flour with water until it becomes pasty, some
sour apples are then wrapped up in it, and it is then dried in a
moderately heated oven. When it is sufficiently done it can't be
broken, but must be twisted asunder and swallowed in mass; yet the
soldiers pay a quarter for such pies, and consider them a luxury.

The first case of bushwhacking known to the regiment occurred at
Syracuse. A boy belonging to the Eighth Indiana Regiment was on his way
to join his regiment, and stopping at the hospital to ascertain where
he would find it, was induced to stay a day or two before going
farther. The day following he walked out into the brush, about one
hundred yards from the hospital, and was shot down by some unseen hand.
The report of the gun was heard at the hospital, and in a few moments
the body was found, laying on the snow, in a dying condition. There was
an inch or two of snow on the ground, and it was thought the murderer
might be found by his foot-prints in the snow. Several of the boys from
the hospital started immediately in pursuit. The afternoon was spent in
following foot marks through the woods, but nothing definite was ever
learned of who committed the murder. One of the scouts reported on his
return that "the scoundrel would never shoot another soldier,"
intimating that he had overtaken and shot the bushwhacker; but credit
was not given to his story.

Toward the latter part of January, 1862, a post hospital was
established at Otterville, near the Lamoine, and Dr. Hazlett, Surgeon
of the Ninth Missouri, was appointed Post Surgeon. Dr. Maynard, in
consequence, was relieved at Boonville, and, greatly to the
satisfaction of the boys, took charge of the regiment. The Regimental
Hospital Steward being yet at Syracuse, Dr. Maynard requested the
Colonel of the regiment to order him to report to him for duty, as his
presence was more needed at the regiment than at the hospital. The
patients at Syracuse were about being removed to Otterville.

From this request of Doctor Maynard resulted a decision which may be of
importance to many hospital stewards in the army. Many young men
receive the appointment of hospital steward without knowing or
inquiring to whom they are responsible for their good conduct, or whose
orders they are in duty bound to obey. Hence they are imposed upon by
the surgeons, and are made nothing less than menials for those vampires
of the Government. On the request of Doctor Maynard, Lieutenant-Colonel
Frederick, commanding the regiment, issued the order desired. On the
same day Doctor Hazlett, Surgeon of the regiment, issued a similar
order for the Steward to report to him at Otterville for duty. The
decision in the case was, that "the Steward was subject only to the
orders of the commanding officer of the regiment." This decision has
since been confirmed. A hospital steward is not a surgeon's orderly.

Rumor now prevailed that the regiment would leave the Lamoine in a
short time, and outside movements tended very much toward confirming
the rumor. The sick were all ordered to Otterville; the hospital stores
were inspected and reported, and any deficiency in the supply was
ordered to be filled. There was, however, no want of hospital supplies
at this time, thanks to the ladies of Wisconsin.

A delegation from those charitable ladies had, but a few days before,
visited the army, with a large quantity of comforts, quilts, drawers,
shirts, handkerchiefs, and magazines and newspapers, which they
distributed to hospitals at the towns, and to the regiments, with
liberal hands. God will abundantly bless the ladies of Wisconsin. When
they have forgotten that their hands had prepared these inestimable
presents for the soldier, his prayers will be ascending in their
behalf. The death-bed of the soldier is made comfortable by the
thoughtful liberality of these kind friends, and their hearts go out in
thankful praises and gratitude to the fair donors.




CHAPTER X.


Orders were received by the regiment, on the morning of the 23d, to be
ready to march at 8 o'clock, on the morning of the 25th, with three
days rations in the haversack of each soldier.

The morning of the 25th of January, 1862, made its appearance, clear
and cold, and found the regiment in marching trim. Some of the boys
would have preferred waiting a day or two, as they were expecting a
large supply of good things, from home. Some companies had already
received their boxes of pies, cakes, turkeys, butter and etceteras; but
one or two other companies had failed to receive theirs, and were
looking for them by every train. Letters had informed them of their
being on the way, and the boys were starving to have them arrive; but
there was no help for it, they must march and leave their 'goodies' for
some one else to devour. It was too bad to so disappoint the kind good
friends at home, and still worse to be so disappointed themselves.
There was no use of lamentations. At 8 o'clock the bugle sounded to
fall in, and the troops moved out. The direction taken, was down the
railroad, towards Syracuse; but before night, Syracuse was left in the
rear, and Tipton, a small town six miles farther east, was approached.
Here the regiment went into camp for the night. Early the next morning,
the regiment crossed the railroad, and moved in a southerly direction,
leaving all hopes of going to St. Louis, at Tipton. While on this day's
march, an amusing incident occurred, showing conclusively in which
direction the feelings of the soldier inclines.

One Moore, a citizen of Syracuse, with his overseer, came riding along
by the regiments, in search of one of his slaves. The negro had
disappeared from Syracuse, the day before, and old Moore had rightly
suspected that he had joined the army. The Ninth Missouri, happened to
be the regiment he was with. On discovering the boy, old Moore rode up
to him, and ordered that he mount behind the overseer and ride back to
town. The soldiers soon crowded around between the negro and his
master, and ordered the latter to leave. The old gentleman did not
incline to do so, without taking his negro with him. But the threats
and threatening attitude of some of the boys, gave him to understand
that he was not safe in remaining, and concluding that discretion was
the better part of valor, he began an inglorious retreat, which at
first was slow and reluctant; but as missiles of different kinds began
to increase in thickness, his own speed increased accordingly, until
him and his man Friday, disappeared under a sharp run of their horses.
Nothing more was ever heard of old Moore, but his negro continued a
good servant in the regiment, for more than a year.

The march was now continued through a very wild and broken region of
country, with very bad roads and stormy weather, until the 2d day of
February, when the Osage river was again to be crossed.

The regiment went into camp, on the left bank of the Osage, on the
afternoon of the 2d, during a heavy snow storm. The weather had been
stormy, ever since leaving Syracuse, and here it culminated in a cold
driving snow storm. No one who has not experienced the trial, can
imagine how disagreeable it is to go into camp under such circumstances
as now surrounded the army. Rainy weather can be endured, and even
enjoyed, as was proven on this march; but cold snowy weather is very
trying to the nerves.

One evening the regiment went into camp, on a low piece of meadow land,
near the Gravoi creek, after marching in the rain all day. They were
wet, muddy and hungry. Orders had been issued to burn no rails on this
march, under severe penalties. But here there was no other wood
convenient, and the question with the boys was, how are we to make
coffee? Twilight was consumed in trying to find something to start a
fire with, but without success. As soon as darkness became visible, the
rails began to move from the fence enclosing the meadow, and in half an
hour thereafter, most genial and glowing fires were burning in all
directions. Owing to bad roads, the camp equipage did not come up till
towards morning, consequently there was no tents to pitch, and the
entire night was spent by many of the boys, in dancing and whooping
around the fires, in seemingly the most perfect enjoyment, although it
rained in torrents. The next morning disclosed the fact that the meadow
was all out-doors.

The question now arose, "how is the river to be crossed?"

"Look yonder," says a boy pointing down the river. "Yonder's a
steamboat."

A steamboat on the Osage river! This was a surprise, no one had thought
of crossing the river on a steamboat, but it seems that small boats had
occasionally made their trips up to this point, and now one was here
expressly to assist in crossing the army. She was just getting up
steam, and pretty soon the troops commenced crossing. While the troops
were crossing on the boat, the trains and artillery were crossing on a
military bridge, constructed for the purpose. By noon of the 4th, the
whole command was in camp, on the right bank of the river.

The troops lay here on the 5th to rest. The town, at the mouth of Sinn
creek, is mostly deserted, the citizens being mostly rebels. The
wealthiest and most respected one among them, is a Union man, and has
given his money and influence freely, in support of the Government. A
few weeks ago, he had a very large store here, and was doing an
extensive business, but a squad of rebel Jayhawkers, visited him, and
nearly robbed his store of all its goods. A remnant only was left.
These were purchased by 'our' boys, now, at their own price, which was
not at a great profit to the owner. The owner is now absent, and our
boys do their own clerking. Hats, caps, tobacco, and cigars, seem to be
most ready sale. Here the boys also procured some excellent
cherry-bounce, on which they had a real jollification.

On the 6th, the line of march was taken up, and continued towards
Lebanon, where the regiment arrived on the evening of the 7th. These
were two days heavy marching, making fourteen miles on the 6th, and
sixteen miles on the 7th, on very hilly and muddy roads. It is called
seventy-five miles from here to Syracuse; but in coming, the regiment
had marched some days twelve miles, and were at night, only five miles
from the place of starting. Thus making at least, eighty-five miles in
ten days marching, through the most inclement weather, and over the
worst possible roads.

The regiment went into camp, a few miles west of Lebanon, and lay by on
the 8th and 9th, to await the arrival of more troops.

While laying here, John Baker, of Company F, died, and was buried in
the grave yard at Lebanon.

The 9th, is the Sabbath day--a day appointed and established among
christians for public worship, and as a day of rest from labor; but
among the 5,000 men that are here, very few are aware that it is
Sunday, or a day of rest.

The fife and drums are playing and beating as lively, as on any week
day, and the men are as busy drilling as they were through the week
days, in regular camp. It is the first sunny day for two weeks, and
hence the lively appearance of camp. A brass band is discoursing sweet
music, over towards Lebanon, which can be heard very distinctly by the
Ninth, and some of the boys are enjoying its melody, instead of
participating in the hilarity of those around them.

A sham battle is to be fought this afternoon, in anticipation of a real
one, which is expected to be had with the enemy, in a few days. Price
is reported to be fortifying himself, seventeen miles this side of
Springfield, which is about thirty miles from here. The battle has been
decided, and now preparations are being made for an early march in the
morning.

While laying here, a gentleman and lady, of African descent, who had
been with the regiment since leaving St. Louis, concluded that they
would retire from the army, to the shades of private life. The man had
gained the confidence of the boys, and on leaving, they placed in his
hands a considerable sum of money, to be given to their friends at
home. One man gave him a good horse, to take for him, to St. Louis. He
departed, and so the money and horse departed with him, and neither was
ever heard of afterwards. The temptation was too great for a negro's
cupidity.




CHAPTER XI.


On the morning of the 10th, the army was again on the move, the Ninth
Missouri bringing up the rear of Jeff. C. Davis' division. The roads
were very bad, but the weather was favorable, and the country more
level than from Syracuse here. The sick and much extra baggage was left
at Lebanon, to be brought up at a more convenient season.

It was now anticipated that the enemy would be attempting to impede the
advance of our army, but no indications of their presence was
discovered until the evening of the 12th. About one o'clock, of the
12th, General Sigel's column, which was advancing on another road, some
half mile to our left, came upon their out-posts pickets, and a sharp
skirmish ensued. As soon, however, as a piece of artillery could be
brought to bear upon them, they fled in confusion, leaving the road
undisputed. This was the first firing of artillery the Ninth Missouri
had ever heard, and it caused a general excitement. The army halted
about four o'clock, in a good position, and several companies from the
different regiments were sent out through the woods as skirmishers.
Companies F and A of the Ninth, was ordered to scout the woods for a
mile or two in front. They were very proud of the distinction, and
elicited the envy of the other companies. With erect and martial step,
those two companies--the one, (Company F,) commanded by Captain Kelly;
the other, (Company A,) by Captain Hale--filed off into the woods in
search of the hidden foe. The boys in camp listened anxiously for the
report of fire arms, and soon, in the distance, several volleys of
musketry announced that the enemy had been found.

On the return of our skirmishers in the morning, they reported, that
before they had advanced over half a mile, they heard firing in their
front, and that Major Black, commanding the skirmishers, ordered an
advance on double quick. The underbrush was thick and intensely dark,
but by strenuous efforts the men succeeded in reaching an open space
and getting into line of battle, just as the rebels began to disappear
in an inglorious retreat. Some five hundred rebels had made a vigorous
attack upon our cavalry pickets, (First Missouri,) but had been
handsomely repulsed, with a loss of five killed and thirteen wounded,
before the infantry could come up.

Before going out, many of the boys took the precaution to leave their
money and valuables in the hands of their friends, so that if they
should be killed or captured, their effects would be safe.

Early on the morning of the 13th, the army was again in motion.
Springfield was now only seventeen miles distant, and no fortifications
were yet discovered. Price is now known to be at Springfield, and he
must either fight or run within the next forty-eight hours.

The army proceeded to within five miles of Springfield without any
indications of the enemy; but now coming to an open country the troops
were halted, and a long line of battle was formed across a very large
piece of meadow land. The line was formed in front of some heavy timber
skirting the meadow, and the supposition was that the enemy was posted
in the timber, ready for battle. The troops marched into line on double
quick, and in splendid style. The Ninth Missouri, led by its noble
commander, Lieut. Colonel C. H. Frederick, now had an opportunity of
displaying its proficiency in rapidity of action, and fell into line
with the precision of veterans. Very soon the whole line was formed,
and the men standing on their arms awaiting further orders. General
Curtis and staff now rode along the line, with the announcement that
Springfield was in our possession. Price had evacuated without a fight.
The news was received with a shout and the tossing of hats in the air,
mingled with curses and maledictions. Although it was pleasing news,
yet the disappointment in not getting satisfaction out of the infernal
scoundrels, was great among the troops. The line of battle was now
broken and the troops again formed into marching order. And now
commenced the most wonderful retreat and pursuit of two opposing
armies, that the world had ever witnessed.

Price commenced the evacuation of Springfield on the 12th, and in four
hours after the rear of his army had left the town, our advance was
passing through in pursuit. It was said by the rebel sympathizers in
town, that Price would make a stand at Wilson's Creek, ten miles below
town; that he had twenty thousand fighting men, and would drive Curtis
as he had General Lyon the summer before. It was more than probable
that the rebel army numbered at least that many, if not more. Price had
returned from Lexington to Springfield, on the 23d of December, 1861,
with his whole army, and had been using all his energies to recruit and
fill up his army until now. "He began to raise fifty thousand men for
the Southern Confederacy, the object of which was to secure him the
commission of Major General in the Southern Confederacy. He soon
accomplished his object.

The men are sworn into the service for twelve months. Several regiments
of the State Guard were soon broken up; they went into it very readily,
because they were made to believe that as soon as Price was promoted,
he would have power to order troops from any of the Southern States,
and that they would soon make a clean thing of it in Missouri, and also
invade Kansas and leave it as the Lord made it, without a house to
shelter Jayhawkers. These men felt confident that they would soon be
let loose to accomplish this glorious work, and were highly delighted
with the idea, but the poor fellows were badly fooled. General Curtis
and his brave boys were now rather interfering with their glorious
anticipations.

The army made no delay in passing through town, but marched about three
miles beyond, before going into camp. Camp was pitched on a large farm
belonging to an old rebel, and his effects had now fallen into
unsparing hands. The old gentleman had left a large, fine house, large
barn and good log stable on his premises. The log stable was designed
and worked up into quite a strong fort for the protection of the house
and barn. Heavy timbers and earth were so thrown together as to be a
perfect defence against musket balls, and port holes were opened for
the use of the besieged. But they dare not use it at this time, and our
boys soon made it untenable in the future. Soon after dark the house
and barn afforded plenty of light to see to go to bed by, all over
camp. Every thing about the premises was destroyed. The next morning
ashes and embers alone marked the spot where the house and barn stood;
and posts and bottom rails indicated where fences had been.

On the 14th the march was continued to Wilson's Creek, for dinner, and
several miles beyond for camp. Wilson's Creek is the scene of General
Lyon's defeat and death, and the writer can do no better than
transcribe, from Abbott's History of the Civil War in America, an
account of the whole affair:

Wilson's Creek is a tributary of White River. From the village of
Springfield, there is one road leading to Fayetteville, Arkansas,
running in a south-westerly direction. Another road pursuing a course
nearly due west, conducts to Mount Vernon. Along the banks of Wilson's
Creek there is a cross road, which connects the Fayetteville and the
Mount Vernon roads. The valley of this creek is about twenty rods in
width, bounded by gentle sloping hills, which are covered with scrub
oaks a few feet high, except where the land is in cultivation. Upon
this cross road about three miles in length, equally accessible from
Springfield by either of the roads we have mentioned, the rebel camp
was situated.

Concealed by the shades of evening, on the 9th of August, General Lyon,
with floating banners, but silent bands, emerged from the streets of
Springfield, to attack by surprise, if possible, the foe, outnumbering
him nearly three to one. His force was divided; one part under his own
command, moved along the Mount Vernon road, to attack the enemy in
front, while the other part, under the intrepid Colonel Sigel, with six
pieces of artillery, two companies of cavalry, and several regiments of
infantry, took the Fayetteville road, with instructions to attack the
rebels in the rear. Precautions were taken, to render the surprise as
complete as possible, and it was hoped that the rebels, distracted by
the presence of an enemy, thus unexpectedly assailing them on both
sides, and taken by surprise, might be effectually put to flight. It is
proper to add, that the term of service of the Fifth Regiment of
Missouri Volunteers, had expired; that Colonel Sigel, had gone to them,
company by company, and by his personal influence, had induced them to
re-enlist for eight days; that this re-enlistment expired on the 9th,
the day before the battle; that many of the officers had gone home, and
that a considerable part of Sigel's force, was composed of raw
recruits.

The morning of the 10th of August, was just beginning to dawn, when
Colonel Sigel cautiously arrived within a mile of the rebel camp. So
quietly did he advance, that some forty of the rebels going from their
camp to get water and provisions, were taken prisoners without being
able to give their commanders any warning of their danger. Silently the
Union troops ascended the hills, which bordered the creek, and there
beheld spread out before them, the tents of the foe. The rebels were at
their breakfast. Colonel Sigel bringing his artillery into position,
with a well directed shot into the midst of their encampment, gave the
rebels the first intimation of his presence. They were thrown into
utter disorder, by the suddenness of the surprise, and retreated in
confusion down the valley. The infantry pursued, and quickly formed in
the camp, so lately occupied by the rebels. The rebels, however,
recovering from the first panic, were almost as quickly formed into
line of battle, and Colonel Sigel found his little force opposed by
one, three thousand strong. The artillerymen moved down into the
valley, to co-operate with the infantry, and after a short fight, the
enemy retired in some confusion. Meanwhile, the sound of heavy firing
from the other end of the valley, was distinctly heard, and it was
evident that Lyon was there, engaging the enemy in force. In order to
aid Lyon, Colonel Sigel pressed forward his columns up the valley,
selecting a position to cut off any attempted retreat of the enemy. He
had already succeeded in taking over one hundred prisoners, when by a
natural, but unfortunate mistake, his well-laid plans were overturned,
and he was compelled to retreat. The firing in the north-west had
ceased. He presumed that Lyon had been successful, and that his troops
were in pursuit of the enemy. This was confirmed by the appearance to
the east of him, of large bodies of rebels, apparently retreating to
the south. Of course there could be no communications between him and
Lyon, as the rebel force was directly between them. At this juncture,
word was brought to Colonel Sigel, that Lyon's forces were advancing
triumphantly up the road. His troops were told not to fire upon them,
and with exultant hearts, they waved their flags, to those whom they
supposed to be their victorious comrades.

Suddenly from the advancing troops, there burst upon Sigel's little
band, a point-blank destructive fire, which covered the ground with the
dying and the dead. At the same moment, from the adjoining hills, where
they had supposed that Lyon's victorious troops were pursuing the
enemy, there came plunging down upon them shot and shell, from a rebel
battery. The Unionists were thrown into utter confusion, for they still
believed that the volleys which swept their ranks, came from their
friends. The gloom of the morning, and the absence of all uniform,
prevented the prompt detection of the error. The cry ran from mouth to
mouth, "our friends are firing upon us." The soldiers could not be
dissuaded from this belief, until many had fallen. Nearly all the
artillery horses were shot down at their guns, and death was sweeping
the ranks. Most of these young patriots, had recently came from their
peaceful homes, and had never before heard the spiteful whistle of a
hostile bullet. It is not strange that a panic should have ensued.
Under these circumstances, it might have been expected in the best
drilled army. Five cannon were abandoned in the disorderly retreat. The
foe, exultant and with hideous yells, came rushing on. Colonel Sigel
himself, in his efforts to arrest the rout, narrowly escaped capture.
With anguish, he afterwards summed up, that, out of his heroic little
band, he had lost, in dead, wounded and missing, eight hundred and
ninety-two. Some popular complaints have been uttered against Colonel
Sigel, for not having afterwards, with the remnant of his forces,
formed a junction with General Lyon. But this was not possible. There
were but two roads, by which he could gain access to Lyon's position,
at the other end of the valley. One was the long circuitous route of
twenty miles, by the way of Springfield. The other, was the valley
road, then in full possession of the exultant rebel army. There was,
therefore, nothing for Colonel Sigel to do, but to withdraw his
shattered and bleeding ranks as safely as possible, from the field.

General Lyon, meanwhile, having left Springfield at about the same
time, with Colonel Sigel, arrived at one o'clock in the morning, in
view of the enemy's campfires. Here his column lay, on its arms, till
daylight, when it moved forward. The enemy had pickets thrown out at
this point, and their surprise, was therefore, less complete than it
had been in the rear. By the time Lyon reached the northern end of the
camp, he found the enemy prepared to receive him. He succeeded,
however, after a brief struggle, in gaining a commanding eminence at
the north of the valley, in which the camp was situated. Captain
Plummer, with four companies of infantry, protected his left flank. The
battle was now commenced, by a fire of shot and shell from Captain
Totten's battery, and soon became general. In vain did the rebel host
endeavor to drive Lyon from his well chosen position.

On the right, on the left, and in front, they assailed him, in charge
succeeding charge, but in vain. His quick eye detected every movement,
and successfully met and defeated it. The overwhelming number of the
rebels, enabled them to replace, after each repulse, their defeated
forces with fresh regiments, while Lyon's little band found no time for
rest, no respite from the battle. The rebel host, surged wave after
wave upon his heroic lines, as billows of the sea dash upon the coast.
And as the rocks upon the coast beat back the flood, so did these
heroic soldiers of freedom, with courage which would have ennobled
veterans, and with patriotism which has won a nation's homage and love,
hurl back the tireless surges of rebellion, which threatened to engulf
them. It will be enough for any of these patriots to say. "I was at the
battle of Wilson's Creek," to secure the warmest grasp of every
patriot's hand.

Wherever the missiles of death flew thickest, and the peril of the
battle was most imminent, there was General Lyon surely to be found.
His young troops needed this encouragement on the part of their adored
leader, and it inspired them with bravery, which nothing else could
have conferred. His horse had been shot under him; three times he had
been wounded, and, though faint from the loss of blood, he refused to
retire even to have his wounds dressed; in vain did his officers
beseech him to avoid so much exposure. It was one of those eventful
hours, which Gen. Lyon fully comprehended, in which there was no hope
but in despair. Again and again had the enemy been repulsed, only to
return again and again with fresh troops, to the charge. Colonels
Mitchell, Deitzler and Andrews, were all severely wounded. All the men
were exhausted with the long and unintermitted battle, and it seemed as
though one puff of war's fierce tempest would now sweep away the thin
and tremulous line. Just then the rebels again formed in a fresh and
solid column for the charge. With firm and rapid tread, and raising
unearthly yells, they swept up the slope. General Lyon called for the
troops standing nearest him to form for an opposing charge. Undaunted,
and ready for the battle as ever, they inquired: "Who will be our
leader?" "Come on, brave men," shouted Gen. Lyon, "I will lead you." In
a moment he was at their head. At the next moment they were on the full
run; at the next a deadly storm of bullets swept their ranks,
staggering, but not checking them in their impetuous advance; on, on
they rushed for God and liberty, and in another moment the foe were
dispersed like dust by the gale. The victory was entire. This division
of the rebels could rally no more. The army was saved; _but Lyon was
dead_! Two bullets had pierced his bosom. As he fell, one of his
officers sprang to his side, and inquired anxiously: "Are you hurt?"
"Not much," was his faint reply. They were his last words. He fell
asleep, to wake no more. O! hateful pro-slavery rebellion! Such are the
victims immolated upon thy polluted shrine. Indignation is blended with
the tears we shed over such sacrifices, which we have been compelled to
offer to the demon of slavery. A nation mourned the loss of Lyon, the
true Christian knight, without fear and without reproach. His remains
now repose in the peaceful graveyard of his native village.

While passing this battle ground the soldiers picked up many human
skulls and bones, which were scatted upon the earth, in the places,
perhaps, where the soldiers to whom they belonged had fallen.

On Friday evening, (the 16th,) after twenty-four hours' retreat from
Springfield, the rebel army was encamped on Crane Creek, twenty-nine
miles distant. The Federal army was five miles in the rear, preparing
to make an early start in pursuit next day. Price had placed his train
in his advance. About one hundred wagons contained supplies, which were
brought into Springfield from Forsyth only a few hours before the
retreat was ordered. He will have some advantage among the hills, and
the rebel sympathizers here claim that he will be reinforced by twelve
or fifteen regiments from Bentonville, under General Van Dorn. On
Friday afternoon four officers and thirteen privates were captured by
our forces and sent to Springfield. They were captured near the rebel
outposts by a squad of the First Missouri Cavalry. They were looking up
mules, and got into our advance, supposing they were rebel pickets. The
same evening Lieutenant Bushnell advanced on the rebel pickets with his
mountain howitzer, and threw four shells, scattering them like sheep.

About six o'clock the army halted near Dug Springs, and prepared to
bivouac for the night; but, before the preparations were completed,
orders came to push forward. A messenger had announced that our cavalry
was close upon the enemy, and desired that the infantry be sent forward
in support. Hunger, fatigue, and all, were forgotten. Onward was the
word, until twelve o'clock at night. The division of General Davis was
in the advance, with the cavalry of Colonel Ellis and Major McConnell.
The enemy had halted on Crane Creek, and, had not the night been so
terribly dark, it is more than likely General Curtis would have
attacked him immediately, but he was fearful of being drawn into an
ambuscade. The troops lay on their arms awaiting the break of day.

At an early hour February 15th, the column moved forward, but during
the night Price had again fled, leaving a large portion of his camp
equipage, and a number of wagons. During that day the chase was very
exciting, there being constant skirmishing between our advance and his
rear guard. The road was strewn with broken wagons, dead and dying
mules and horses, and every conceivable kind of goods. At four o'clock
in the afternoon the booming of cannon notified us that Price had made
a stand. The Dubuque battery was pushed forward, and for an hour we had
a fine artillery fight. By the time our infantry got up the enemy had
precipitately fled. On the 16th instant we pushed on, finding many
evidences of the hasty flight in that day's march. During the afternoon
our cavalry again overtook the rebels at Cross Timbers, and here was
made a gallant charge by Colonel Harry Pease and forty men. Coming on
the enemy's picket, they drove it in, dashing at once in the very midst
of his camp. One of our men, a lieutenant of cavalry, was wounded, and
five or six horses killed. The enemy's loss was much greater. The
charge was really one of the most brilliant things that occurred on the
route. On the 17th instant we had several skirmishes, and at last
discovered the enemy in position on the south side of Sugar Creek.
Taking it altogether the flight of Price, and our pursuit, will form
one of the most interesting passages in the history of the war.

The valley through which Sugar Creek pursues its meandering course is
nearly half a mile in width at Trott's Store. From the brows of the
opposite ridges the distance is somewhat more, as the road winds.
Skirmishing between the pickets of the two armies occurred during the
morning, when Price moved out of sight beyond the brow of the
south-western hills. His army, as was since ascertained, then formed in
two lines on both sides of the road, and two Louisiana regiments, under
command of Colonel Louis Herbert, which had arrived from Cross Hollows
to reinforce Price, marched with their batteries, determined to give us
a warm reception. Two of the enemy's cannon were planted on the brow of
the hill, overlooking Sugar Creek, and their pieces were also ranged
along the road, about two hundred yards apart, for half a mile or more.
These pieces had prolongs attached, indicating that a running fight was
intended in case of pursuit. In the meantime our cavalry formed on the
opposite side of the valley, and marched across the creek to a point
near Trott's Store, and halted. The enemy then opened fire from their
batteries. One shot fell short, and a shell exploded over the heads of
our men stationed on the opposite hill, doing no damage. Captain
Hardin, of the Ninth Iowa Battery, answered the enemy's fire from the
opposite bluff, throwing three shells from a howitzer with such good
effect that the enemy were forced to fall back with their battery.
General Curtis then ordered the cavalry to move up the hill and charge
on the retreating foe. The order was gallantly obeyed by Colonel Ellis,
in command of the First Missouri Cavalry, followed by Major Wright,
leading his battalion, and Major McConnell, with the Third Battalion of
the Third Illinois Cavalry. The whole force of our cavalry making the
attack numbered some eight hundred. Gaining the brow of the hill, it
was ascertained that they had fallen back over a mile to an open field,
where their battery was again stationed, and the enemy in force, formed
in line. Our cavalry, regardless of danger, plunged forward to the
charge on the enemy's position, mostly screened by the intervening
woods. Nothing could have withstood the impetuosity of such a charge,
had not our advance, led by Colonel Ellis, when debouching from the
woods into the open field, been met by a murderous fire poured in upon
their ranks from behind the trees. Our loss was seven in killed and
wounded at this point. Inevitable destruction, without a chance to
resist so galling a fire, caused our brave men to recoil, when Colonel
Ellis, with great coolness and presence of mind, ordered his men to
right and left and scour the woods. The order was obeyed with telling
effect on the enemy, many of whom were cut down behind their places of
concealment, and the rest fled. Meantime Major McConnell, with his
battalion, left the road, and, deploying to the left, advanced on the
enemy's line, while Majors Wright and Boliver performed the same
maneuver on the right.

Two regiments of infantry arrived to support the cavalry, and formed in
line. Colonel Phelps' regiment deployed on the left of the road, and
Lieutenant-Colonel Herron, with the Ninth Iowa, deployed on the right.
Captain Hayden, of the Dubuque battery, answered the enemy's batteries,
which had opened upon our advancing columns, with a brisk fire. The
cannonading was kept up for a few minutes, when the enemy precipitately
fled, taking away most of his killed. Other regiments were coming into
the field to take part in the ball. Among the latter was the Fourth
Iowa. The men, anxious for the fray, had pulled off their coats and
threw them aside.

There is little doubt that if the rebels had been followed up closely
the rout would have been complete, and no time would have been given
them to burn their barracks at Cross Hollows.

The Colonel Herbert who commanded the rebel brigade was the gentleman
of California notoriety, who slew the waiter at Willard's Hotel, a few
years since. The other Confederate Colonels under him in the fight were
McRae and McNair.

Among the badly wounded is J. A. Edwards, of Co. H, Eighth Indiana. He
belonged to the infantry, but, getting possession of a horse, was the
foremost in the fight, running the gauntlet of the leaden hail, which
poured in upon him from the timber, without quailing. He got ahead of
the cavalry, and was cut off by the enemy.

The Hospital Steward of the Third Illinois cavalry (Baker) had his
horse shot down. He fell with the horse, dismounted, and leaped upon
another horse in the melee, and rushed forward on the enemy with
renewed vigor. Like Edwards, he had no business in the fight, but
nothing could keep him from pushing to the front and have a "hand" in.

A man belonging to the Dubuque battery had his horse's head taken off
by a cannon ball. He was leaning forward at the moment, and the ball
passed just above him, doing no injury.

The inhabitants along this route, from Cassville to this point, were
told by Price's army that the Northern troops were marching down, and
were burning all the houses, ravishing the women, and killing the
children. These ignorant people, it seems, believed the silly tale, and
the result is that a general stampede took place. Men procured teams,
gathered up what little valuables could be carried along, and, taking
their families aboard, deserted their homes. Only three men were found
in Cassville when our army arrived.

At Keitsville nearly all the inhabitants fled. From that point to Cross
Hollows about two-thirds of the inhabitants on the road have deserted
their dwellings. In several houses the tables were spread for
breakfast, and in the hurry of flight were thus left. The wash-tub was
seen filled with water on the back of the chair, indicating that the
hegira occurred, as it actually did, on a "wash-day." The doors were
ajar, the clock on the mantelpiece had ceased ticking, feather beds
were piled in the center of the floor, all sorts of furniture were
scattered about, and not a sound was heard but the mewing of a cat. An
air of lonesome, heart-sick desolation prevailed. One large dwelling
was recently burned down, and the ruins were still smoking. Surely the
leaders in this cursed civil war will have much to answer for.

Although strict orders forbid our boys from disturbing any private
property, they, nevertheless, helped themselves to such things as they
fancied. Clothing, quilts, dishes, cooking utensils, hams, lard,
molasses, vinegar, meal, beans, and whatever else their hands inclined
toward, was appropriated.

Rations at this time were very small, owing to having outmarched the
provision train, and the boys were very glad to have such opportunities
of filling up. Coffee had been played out several days before, and many
had been restricted to hominy and parched corn. But now the fleeing
rebels had left enough to more than satisfy their hunger, and they were
not disposed to treat their liberality with contempt. Some Indiana
troops threatened mutiny, on the 16th, in consequence of not having
their proper provisions. They positively refused to march any farther
until they were supplied with rations. Appropriations supplied them.




CHAPTER XII.


After laying in camp two days on Sugar Creek, resting from the
wearisome march it had undergone since leaving Springfield, the
regiment again moved out in the pursuit. After making somewhat of a
circuitous route by Osage Springs, it arrived in the neighborhood of
Cross Hollows, and went into camp, on the 22d day of February--lacking
three days of being one month since leaving Syracuse, Mo. During that
time it had marched over two hundred and fifty miles.

Cross Hollows, from which Price's army has just disappeared beyond
pursuit, is on the Fayetteville road, eighteen miles from that place,
and sixteen miles from the Arkansas line, in Benton county. The road
passes due south at this point, along the bed of a deep valley with
precipitous sides, covered with brush, and the eminences covered with
forests of black-jacks and swamp-oaks. Two other ravines cut across
this valley at right angels, the other obliquely in a south-east and
north-west direction. The junction of these ravines is called "Cross
Hollows." A cantonment of three thousand Arkansas infantry has been
located here during the winter. An excellent spring gushes forth under
one of the banks, giving origin to a creek. It was thought that the six
bold promontories, which send their salient points into the valley,
would constitute natural ramparts for placing cannon to enfilade the
gorges and render the place impregnable, but it seems that the gorges
were untenable in the face of the ardent troops of General Curtis. This
is the last place at which it has been said by rebel sympathisers, that
Price was going to give the Federal army battle. It is now said that he
has fled to the mountains of Indian Territory, where it would be
useless to undertake a pursuit.

  [Illustration:

  LIEUT. C. C. DOOLITTLE.              LIEUT. JOHN KELLY.
  LIEUT. ANDERSON.                     LIEUT. MOSSMAN.
  LIEUT. R. D. IRVINE.                 LIEUT. SANDERSON.
  SERGT. T. J. MELVIN.                 SERGT. CH^s. SMITH.

  Lith. by W^m. BRADEN & C^o. Indianapolis.]

Ben McCulloch arrived from Fort Smith the day before the fight at Sugar
Creek, but did not participate in any part of the action, except the
retreat. He insisted on making a stand at Cross Hollows, but Price
objected. His habit of running has become a second nature to him. The
stampede of the deluded people was exceeded only by the hurry of the
rebel army to get away.

Camp Benjamin, located in a beautiful place, three miles west of Cross
Hollows, in the principal valley, had one hundred and eight commodious
huts erected, with chimneys in the center. The rebels burned all but
five, and in the hurry of their flight, left thirty game cocks: some of
these brandished silver spurs. Their best fighting material was thus
evidently left behind. A book containing the general orders, and a
quantity of brass knuckles were also left behind by the chivalry. It is
a wonder to our troops why the two grist mills at this point were not
fired.

As soon as the Federal army went into camp, many refugees returned to
our lines, among whom were two intelligent women from their homes south
of Fayetteville. They represented that their husbands were Union men,
who fled to avoid being pressed into the rebel service. A threat was
made that the wives of such who favored the Union cause would be hung,
and many of these poor women were trying to make their way into the
Federal lines to escape this threatened doom. The day before these
women left home, there were two Union men hung at Hewit's Mills. These
women were piloted through to our lines by an intelligent
contraband--the trusty slave of their father. This negro says that the
retreat of Price was preceded by dispatches sent ahead, calling every
citizen to arms. A perfect reign of terror prevails; committees were
appointed to hang every man refusing to join the rebel army. People
were removing their provisions to the woods and burying them, and
fleeing in large numbers to the mountains. By a recent act, no negro
must be found beyond his master's premises, under pain of thirty-nine
lashes, administered on the bare back. A few weeks since, five negroes
caught fishing together in a stream, twelve miles from Fayetteville,
were hung, and their bird-pecked carcass can be seen swinging in the
air to this day, as a warning to others. The negros are told that the
Northern Abolitionists are trying to get them in their power for the
purpose of transporting them to Cuba. This negro says that the war has
made the Southern men "mighty temperate;" none but the vilest corn
whisky can be procured. The "quality" are suffering headaches from
being deprived of their accustomed beverage, coffee. Sassafras tea,
used as a substitute, sweetened with sorghum, was not generally
relished. Coffee in Fayetteville held at sixty cents a pound, and none
could be had even at that price. Sheeting and shirting was worth one
dollar a yard. The negro made a statement to General Curtis, and gave
the latter a plan showing the roads through the Boston Mountains. Full
confidence is placed in his statement. The two women and negro were
sent forward to Springfield.

On the evening of the 24th, the head of a train on the way, five miles
this side of Keitsville, and four wagons belonging to a Sutler of the
Twenty-Second Indiana, were burned. The balance of the train,
containing five days provisions, was several miles behind, and returned
to Cassville. On the same evening, Captain Montgomery's command, of
Wright's battalion, stationed at Keitsville, was attacked by eight
hundred and fifty Texan Rangers, under Colonel Young. Montgomery and
his men escaped to Cassville, with the loss of two killed, one wounded
and one taken prisoner. Seventy-five horses were left in possession of
the rebels. The enemy, it appears, came on our pickets in the dark. In
reply to "who comes there?" the answer was, "a friend." The rebels then
rushed forward, the pickets fired, but were overpowered. The enemy
rushed into Keitsville and fired upon the house occupied by the
cavalry. Captain Montgomery did not order a fire in the darkness and
confusion, as his men and the enemy became undistinguishable. The
rebels had two killed and one wounded. They said they were Texan
Rangers, encamped on Sugar Creek, and had burned one of our trains and
intended to destroy another.

On the 21st, one of the First Missouri Cavalry ventured into
Bentonville, the county seat of Benton county, five miles from Cross
Hollows, alone; got into difficulty with some citizens, and was
literally stoned to death. The next day, the company to which he
belonged retaliated by burning several houses and razing the town
generally.

While laying here, the news came to camp, that the Ninth Regiment of
Missouri Volunteers was no longer a Missouri regiment, but was now
numbered among the honored regiments of its own State, and was
hereafter to be known as the Fifty-Ninth Illinois Regiment. The news
was received with acclamations of hearty satisfaction. Colonel Julius
White, who now commanded the brigade, read the dispatch announcing the
fact, and the Major of the regiment, P. Sidney Post, made some few,
well chosen and congratulatory remarks, which were received with three
hearty cheers. Three cheers for Colonel White; three for Colonel C. H.
Frederick, and three times three for the State of Illinois.

While at the Lamoine, some time in January, Captain S. W. Kelly,
Captain Winters and Captain Elliott got up a petition to the Secretary
of War, to have the regiment transferred from the Missouri to the
Illinois service. Nine-tenths of the men in the regiment were from that
State, and the feeling was almost universal in favor of the transfer.
In order to add weight and influence to the petition, they procured the
signatures of General Palmer and Colonel White, now commanding brigade,
and, with one exception, all the line officers of the regiment. Colonel
Frederick being a citizen of Missouri, and having used great exertions
and made much personal sacrifice to recruit and organize the regiment
for his own State, did not feel inclined to encourage the petition. Yet
he most generously withheld any effort to prevent its free circulation
and passage to the Secretary of War; and after the transfer, he
withheld not his kindly feeling towards the regiment, nor spared any
labor to promote its efficiency or welfare. Through the personal
influence of General Palmer, the Adjutant General of Illinois, and
Governor Yates became interested in the matter, and through their
exertions the petition was acted upon.




CHAPTER XIII.


On the 24th, the regiment moved to a more pleasant situation, and
anticipated going into regular camp for some time, as it was rumored
that the campaign was now fully lengthened out, and that the tents and
extra baggage that had been left at Lebanon was coming up. The army
also needed rest. The grounds were accordingly measured off in military
style, and tents pitched in systematic order. The weather is
delightful, and if the men had plenty of rations, they would enjoy it
hugely; but hunger is annoying. There was a scarcity of provisions, and
for several days coffee had disappeared from camp. It was two hundred
miles to our base of supplies, and mule teams are proverbially slow,
especially in muddy roads and with lazy drivers. The country is scouted
over by the boys, but they find little to compensate them for their
trouble. The citizens have nothing left for themselves.

Colonel Kelton was recalled to St. Louis, soon after returning from
Springfield, in the fall, and placed on the staff of General Halleck.
Major McGibbon had also returned to St. Louis, and in consequence,
their positions were vacant in the regiment. Camp Halleck, where the
regiment now lay, was the first since leaving the Lamoine, that
afforded any leisure for consultations as to who should fill these
important positions. The result of several night meetings of the
officers of the regiment, was the election of P. Sidney Post to the
position of Colonel, and Captain J. C. Winters to that of Major.

P. Sidney Post left a promising law practice in Galesburg, Ill., and
came to St. Louis with Captain Clayton Hale's company, (Company A,)
and at the organization of the regiment received the appointment of
Adjutant. This position he had filled with entire satisfaction to the
regiment and credit to himself. And from this position had, deservedly,
been promoted to the position of Major, and from Major _now_ to the
Colonelcy.

Lieut. Colonel C. H. Frederick had commanded the regiment ever since
leaving Boonville, to the entire satisfaction of the men in the ranks;
but being a strict disciplinarian, both as regarded men and officers,
he had procured the ill will of some of the latter, and hence the
election of the regimental Major to the position which rightfully
belonged to him. Such injustice frequently occurs in the army.

Captain J. C. Winters commanded a company, (G,) which he had recruited
near White Hall, Ill., and was richly deserving the position of Major.
He had served in the Mexican war, and was one of the first military men
in the regiment.

The regiment now lay basking in the sun shine for several days. Their
time was spent in discussing rumors concerning the enemy, and in taking
a retrospect of their previous hardships and long marches.

The rumors to be discussed were that Price was now at Boston Mountains
filling up and preparing his army for a return to give us battle, and
drive the invaders from Arkansas and Missouri. The retrospect included
the time spent in marches since leaving St. Louis up to the present at
Camp Halleck.

It was now only five months since leaving the arsenal at St. Louis, and
the regiment had marched over seven hundred miles. Camp Halleck is six
miles south of Bentonville, the county town of Benton county. Benton
county is the north-west county of Arkansas. To get here, the regiment
left Boonville, Mo., and marched to Syracuse; from thence to
Otterville; thence to Sedalia, Warsaw, Bolivar, and Springfield. Then
from Springfield through Warsaw back to Syracuse. Then from Syracuse to
Sedalia and back to Otterville. From Otterville to Typton, thence by
Lynn Creek Ferry across the Osage to Lebanon and on to Springfield.
From Springfield through Cassville, Keitsville and Bentonville to Camp
Halleck, Arkansas.

Another matter of discussion is, "where to, next?" This is not known,
but one thing is known, and that is, that a march of two or three
hundred miles is before us. We are two hundred miles west of Cairo,
three hundred or more from St. Louis, and these are the two points
nearest home. If we go on south, it is eighty miles to the nearest
steam boat landing, on the Arkansas River, and there is no probability
of our riding on a steam boat, so that to do the very best we can, we
have two hundred miles to march.

And still another topic of conversation, is the probabilities of a
speedy termination of the war. Those who have been home on furloughs,
and are now returning, bring reports that the people at home and around
St. Louis, are firmly in the belief that peace will soon be proclaimed.
The soldier's heart expands with joy at these glad tidings. If all the
armies of the Union have been as successful as _this_, the joy and
hope is not delusive. May the hope of a speedy termination of the war
be not as delusive as the anticipation that the Fifty-Ninth would have
a long rest in Camp Halleck.

On the morning of the 1st of March, General Davis' division broke up
camp near Osage Springs, and fell back about ten miles, to a stronger
position on Sugar Creek. The Fifty-Ninth Illinois Regiment going into
camp on the summit of one of the small mountains of this region. This
is not really a mountainous country, yet the hills are so gigantic that
_mountain_ would not be an improper appellation. The hill on which
the Fifty-Ninth is encamped is three hundred feet above the bed of
Sugar Creek, in the valley below, and seems to be composed of millions
of little rocks thrown together in one huge pile. Its surface is
literally nothing else but fractional pieces of stone--and these the
soldier must have for his bed. Yet he sleeps soundly.

The second day of March came in cold, and during the day some snow
fell, as did also on the 3d and 4th. This made it very disagreeable in
camp. Short rations, thin clothing, and some with bare feet, caused a
good deal of suffering and no little discontent among the troops.

An incident, new and intensely interesting, occurred to the Fifty-Ninth
on the afternoon of the 5th of March. Sometime in January, a slight
difficulty had occurred between Captain ---- and one of his men, in
relation to who should furnish the Captain's fire with wood. The
Captain was inclined to have his fire supplied with wood at the expense
of the dignity of this young private, and the young man was determined
he should not, and hence came the charge of "disobedience of orders."
Before, however, the thing was entirely settled some further
difficulties occurred, and the young man was threatened with corporeal
punishment; this he resisted with his knife, cutting the clothes of the
Lieutenant of the company, and threatening to take his life. This added
to the previous charge, one of still greater gravity. The young man was
court-martialed, and sentenced to have his head shaved, his uniform
taken from him, and to be drummed out of the service.

On the afternoon of the 5th, this farce was played off, to the delight
of some, and the disgust of many. The whole division was called out and
formed in two lines across an open field in the valley, to witness the
great show. At an appointed time, the young man made his appearance at
one end of the amphitheater, with shaved head, uncovered, accompanied
by two guards with fixed bayonets, and a fife and drum following in his
rear. To the tune of the rogues march, he was thus paraded from one end
of the line to the other, and back to the place of beginning. The farce
was now over, and the young man supposed to be forever ruined. But not
so. It only made him a hero and martyr in the eyes of the soldiers.
Their sympathies were all excited in his favor. They saw in the act
nothing but tyranny, on the part of the officers who pronounced the
sentence, and folly in its execution.

On returning to camp, a subscription was raised in his behalf, and
quite a sum was donated to defray his expenses to parts unknown. He
went to Cassville, and immediately enlisted in the Montgomery Guards,
and about the time his hair had grown to a respectable length, he
married one of the fairest maidens of the country.

Rumors now began to thicken, that the enemy was really returning upon
us. And in fact they were, for on the morning of the 6th, they made an
attack upon General Sigel, at Bentonville, and drove him to the main
lines at Sugar Creek.

General Curtis, in anticipation of an attack, had erected some
fortifications in and around the main crossing of Sugar Creek--which he
prided himself very much with, but which, in fact, were small affairs.
After General Sigel had safely placed his command in position, he
reported to General Curtis in person. The General received him at the
door, and before asking him in, inquired his opinion in regard to the
fortifications he had erected. General Sigel merely glanced his eyes
over the works, and without any remarks, inquired if General Curtis had
anything to eat at his quarters, as he was almost starved to death, and
alighting from his horse, walked into the tent without a word of the
fortifications. He seemed to think that his supper was of more
importance than General Curtis' fortifications.




CHAPTER XIV.


The morning of the 7th of March broke clear and pleasant over the hills
and valley of Sugar Creek and Cross Timbers. The soldiers were
everywhere, early on the alert, and camp presented a good deal the
appearance of a bee-hive on a sunny morning. Better spirits than had
been for several days seemed to prevail among the boys, and all was
cheerful. There seemed to be no thought that before another morning
should break on Cross Timbers, many who now felt so buoyant and full of
hope would be numbered among the "brave boys slain." Little did they
realize that this bright morning was the harbinger of such a bloody
sun-set as closed this day, over the battle-ground of Pea Ridge.

About seven o'clock orders were received at regimental head-quarters to
strike tents immediately, and move out toward the right. The right, or,
rather, rear of the army, lay at this time across the road leading to
Cassville. The regiment, as soon as the tents and camp equipage could
be loaded in the wagons, moved in a circuitous route, through the
brush, until it struck the Cassville road, one mile north of Sugar
Creek. Here it filed to the right, and halted, about fifty yards east
of the road, apparently to wait further orders. It seemed as though the
plan of the battle was yet undecided. An hour elapsed while in this
position, and then the order came to "fall in." The regiment now
retraced its steps to the road, and again stacked arms. In a short time
thereafter, several horsemen were seen coming down the road from the
right, at break-neck speed. Some had lost their hats, some their coats,
some their guns, and nearly all of them had lost their wits. "The
rebels--the rebels are coming in the rear!" was their war cry, as they
charged along the road toward some place of safety. They received, and
deserved, the jeers of the soldiers, as they passed.

The rebels had made a slight attack on the rear as a feint, and these
cowardly cavalry had fled to save their paltry carcasses from the rebel
balls. Shame on such dastards!

It was now eleven o'clock, and the enemy was attacking our left wing in
earnest. Davis' division now moved forward on the double-quick, through
Leetown, and half a mile beyond, where it formed in line as rapidly and
judiciously as the brushy condition of the position would admit. On the
road leading west from Leetown, and three-quarters of a mile distant,
is an open field of, perhaps, twenty acres, with a cross fence through
its center, and skirted with densely thick underbrush all around it. On
the east side of this field the Fifty-Ninth and Thirty-Seventh Illinois
were placed in line. When first gaining this position, no enemy were in
sight, but very soon a column of men were seen filing through the
timber, to the left of the field, and coming into line in our front. At
first it was supposed to be a column of our own men, as the thickness
of the underbrush prevented from distinguishing the motley uniforms of
the rebels from our own. The mistake was soon discovered by some of the
men, but the order to fire was withheld from our boys until a volley
from the rebel column was poured into them. Then the fact that it was
the enemy became too evident, and the fire was returned with double
interest. The firing now became incessant. Volley after volley, in
quick succession, was sent by our brave boys into the falling ranks of
the enemy. For a long time it seemed as though no impression was being
made upon the column of the enemy, although those who were not engaged
could see men falling from their ranks by scores. They kept their ranks
always full, by marching fresh regiments up to take the place of
decimated ones. Thus one single, unrelieved line, stood and fought five
different regiments, from one o'clock until darkness closed the scene.
The first fire from the enemy killed and wounded several of the men of
both regiments, but it created no panic, no confusion, in either. The
Fifty-Ninth only replied with a more hearty good will. At one time
their ammunition gave out, and they fell back to a safer position,
until it could be replenished. They then advanced to their old
position, and let into the rebels with increased energy.

During the whole afternoon not a man flinched, not an officer wavered.
One or two subordinate officers failed to share the honors of the
battle, by being dilatory about going in, and a very few of the men;
but those that were there did their whole duty, and more than prudence
demanded of them.

Companies K and F suffered more in killed and wounded than any other
two companies, from their being in a more exposed position, on the left
of the regiment. At the first fire several of their men fell. Captain
Snyder, commanding Company K, and Captain Kelly, commanding Company F,
by their coolness and good judgment, soon maneuvered their companies
into such positions as was most destructive against the enemy, and most
protective to themselves. During the whole action these two officers
displayed a bravery and clearness of judgment worthy of all imitation.
Captains Hale, Paine, Winters, Elliott, Veatch and Taylor, alike
deserve honorable mention for their bravery and daring during the
engagement. Each vied with the other in proper conduct and exemplary
bravery. Colonel Frederick and Major Post were ever present where duty
called, fearless of consequences. Although constantly exposed, Colonel
Frederick escaped unharmed; not so with Major Post. About the middle of
the afternoon, a minnie ball struck him on the arm, passing through the
fleshy parts without injury to the bone, and yet making a severe wound.
He retired to have his arm dressed, and then, only by the peremptory
order of the Surgeon, was he prevented from going back into the fight.

The Assistant Surgeon of the regiment, Doctor H. J. Maynard, now acting
Surgeon, in the absence of Doctor Hazlett, established his
head-quarters at Leetown, where the wounded were ordered to be brought
for surgical attention. Very soon after the first volley the wounded
began to arrive, and continued to come, as fast, and sometimes faster,
than they could be attended to, the remainder of the day. Thirty-eight
from the Fifty-Ninth alone were brought in. Doctor Maynard, assisted by
his Hospital Steward, (the writer of these pages,) by his surgical
skill and kindness of treatment, made these men as comfortable as the
nature of their wounds would admit.

The names of those brought from the field wounded are as follows:

From Company K: James Yocum, Corporal Willard W. Sheppard, Corporal
William Burns, John B. Bass, V. S. Hawk, Julius Hiederick, Emuel
Herbert, James Higgins, Sergeant Peter Elliott, Patrick Powers, John J.
Rue, and James Donathy, wounded. Michael D. Sullivan, of this company,
was killed on the field. Thirteen wounded, and one killed.

The wounded of Company F were: John W. Williams, Silas P. Kamer,
Sergeant Samuel J. Spohn, Hiram Snearly, John Chittenden, William
Welker, David Groves, and Davis L. Kelly. James H. Furgueson, of
Company F, was killed on the field. Eight wounded, and one killed.

Company B had two wounded, viz: Richard Ernest, and G. B. Finch, and
one killed on the field--G. W. Evans.

The wounded of Company H were: William H. Smith, John L. Ransom,
William N. McGowan, John W. Hurst. Peter P. Goodman was killed on the
field. Four wounded, and one killed.

Company D lost three killed on the field, to wit: Eugene Cramball,
Henry Spohn, and Isaac Palmer.

Company I lost three killed--Alfred B. Blake, Henry Cramer, and William
H. Cline.

Company C, one wounded--James Murphy.

There were a few whose names the writer has mislaid and forgotten.

Toward evening the fire began to slacken, and by five o'clock had
entirely ceased, both armies being willing to withdraw from the
contest. The Fifty-Ninth fell back to the east of Leetown, a short
distance, and lay on their arms till morning.

On the morning of the 8th, just as the sun began to redden the eastern
horizon, the booming of cannon was heard from the direction of
Cassville. It was very soon ascertained that General Sigel had engaged
with the enemy, on our right. The Fifty-Ninth was soon in motion toward
the scene of action. Arriving on the ground, they were placed in
position, again in front of the enemy, and similar to yesterday, with
an open field between them. They remained in this position but a short
time, when they were ordered to charge across the field, and rout the
enemy from the woods beyond. This was accomplished without the loss of
a man. The enemy were driven from the woods, and the Fifty-Ninth had
played its part of this great tragedy. Their position, before making
the charge, was behind a fence, in range of a rebel battery, and the
shot from this battery was very annoying, although no one was hit by
it. They lay on their stomachs, so that the shot, for the most part,
passed over them. Occasionally one would fall short, and throw the dirt
into their faces, through the cracks in the fence. One, in particular,
struck so near to the head of one of the boys as to fill his eyes
completely. "D--n the thing," said he, and, twisting himself around,
until his other end was directed toward the enemy, he remarked that
"now they might shoot, and be d--d." While making the charge, a
musket-ball passed through the clothing of Captain Kelly, and dropped
into his boot-leg. In the early part of the day, while Colonel
Frederick was riding in front of the regiment, a twelve-pound
cannon-ball passed so close to his head as to knock him from his horse,
insensible. It was several hours before he could be restored to
consciousness, and many days before he entirely recovered from the
concussion.

During the fight of the 7th, very many narrow escapes of the men
occurred. One boy, while loading his gun, had the ram-rod knocked from
his hand, by a musket ball from the enemy. Another one had his
gun-barrel hit, and bent so bad as to be useless. One man had three
bullets to pass through his hat, and many escaped with holes through
different parts of their clothing. The great wonder is, that all were
not killed--their escape can only be accounted for, on the principles
that "God and right was on our side."

An anecdote was told of the regimental hospital nurse, who is a "live
Dutchman in a fight," and when not employed, was always in the front.
Soon after the engagement commenced, he, with his gun, was standing
near Davidson's battery, looking at the scene, when one of the
battery-men discovered a rebel, in the distance, making preparations to
shoot at him. The battery-man warned him of his danger, and pointed to
the rebel; instantly the nurse raised his gun, and both guns cracked at
the same time. The rebel fell, and Ebling was unharmed.

During the night of the 7th, Dr. Maynard, had a sufficient number of
tents pitched, to shelter comfortably all the wounded, and the morning
of the 8th presented a sad, but lively appearance at Leetown. Cooks and
nurses, were active in providing for and administering to the wants of
the unfortunate heroes of the day before. Nothing that would tend to
alleviate their sufferings, was neglected. Long will the wounded of Pea
Ridge, remember Dr. H. J. Maynard.

Sunday, the 9th, was a day of rest to the Fifty-Ninth. The enemy had
disappeared, and all was quiet over the hills of Cross Timbers. The
soldiers had nothing to do, but wander over the battle-field, and talk
of the incidents of the two day's fight. And this was enough for one
day. The dead and wounded were, many of them, still on the field. The
rebel dead were all unburied, and many of their wounded were uncared
for. Detachments from the rebel army were busy, under a flag of truce,
in collecting and carrying their wounded to hospital, and in burying
their dead. Many are hid away in the bushes, who will never have a
burial. Years hence, their bones will be discovered bleaching in the
sun. Such is the case on every battle field. Friend and foe alike, are
left undiscovered. Some, perhaps, mortally wounded, crawl away to the
shelter of a friendly thicket, that they may escape capture by the
enemy, and here remain, until death claims them for his own. Months
hence, they are discovered, and then the cry goes out, that the enemy
is barbarous, because the dead were left unburied.

The scene over this field of carnage, beggars all description. Sights
calculated to chill the blood, and strike the mind with horror, meet
you on every side. Here is a human body, with the mangled remnants of a
head, which a cannon ball has torn to fragments. There lies another
with both legs shot away. Here is one, the top of whose skull is gone,
leaving the brain all exposed to the weather, and see! he is still
alive. After twenty-four hours in this condition, he yet lives. Great
is the tenacity of human life! Look yonder! there is one whose light of
life has gone out, as a lighted lamp in a gentle wind. There is no
disturbance of features, no marks of violence about him. He is sitting
at the roots of a large tree, with his back supported by the trunk; his
gun is resting in the bend of his arm; how natural! while sitting thus,
a minnie ball had pierced his heart, and thus he died. The number on
his cap denotes the regiment to which he belongs, which is now in
another part of the field; thus accounting for his not having yet
received burial. Ah! here comes two men with the same numbers on their
caps that he has on his, and they are in search of him. How fortunate
they are. They are his friends and were his mess-mates. How sad to find
him thus, what news to send his friends at home! His mother! 'Twill
break her heart; so loved was he, so loved by all who knew him. He had
a premonition of his doom the morning of the battle, and told his
friends so, told them he would be killed that day, and gave them all
his letters and his pictures of the dear ones at home. Among them was a
picture of his hearts beloved, his betrothed, an angel in beauty. These
two friends weep, and we pass on.

What is that fellow doing? That fellow in the dress of a Union soldier,
what is he doing? He is rifling the pockets of the dead. Let's see what
he has found in that man's pocket. A small pocket book, and a letter or
two, pen knife and comb. The pocket book has two or three dollars of
confederate script, for the dead man was a rebel, and a locket of hair,
very fine silky hair, evidently clipped from the locks of some very
young person, perhaps an infant daughter. How mean this Union soldier
is, to rob the parent dead of this cherished memento of his lovely
little daughter! Why not bury it with him?

The man those men are lifting so carefully into the ambulance yonder,
was wounded yesterday morning, and has been lying on the cold ground
without any covering, ever since. His wound was not a mortal one, but
now his limbs are all stiffened by the exposure, and his life is the
sacrifice. Had he remained a short time longer in his exposed
condition, he would have added one more to the number of these they are
collecting for burial, over in that pleasant grove. The grave is being
dug, and only seven have yet been found to fill it. It is large enough
to hold at least a dozen. The Union soldier, when buried by his
comrades, is generally buried in a civilized manner; but rebels are
traitors together, while living, and are not separated in the grave,
when dead. Such are a few of the many interesting sights that meet the
eye, in passing over the battle ground of Pea Ridge, on this Sabbath
morning.

Sergeant Silas Carner, and private John Williams, of Company F, died in
the hospital from the effects of their wounds on the 8th, and were
buried with the honors of war. Wm. N. McGowan, of Company H, Samuel J.
Spohn of Company F, and John W. Hurst of Company H, died, the two
former on the 12th, and the latter on the 13th. Wm. N. McGowan was one
of the musicians for the regiment. It was his duty to beat the drum,
not to handle the musket; but when he saw his comrades marching to the
battle, his brave heart spurned the idea of his remaining idle. He
shouldered a musket, fell into ranks with his old company, and manfully
assisted in repelling the foe. He remained on the field doing his duty,
until towards the close of the day's battle, when a minnie ball struck
him, and he was brought off mortally wounded. He lingered, under great
suffering, but with a proud consciousness of the noble sacrifice he was
making for his country, until the morning of the 12th, when he expired
with the resignation of a hero. All honor to the brave! In this brave
boy's pocket, was twenty dollars in money, which was placed in the
hands of Captain ----, to be forwarded to his widowed mother, at
Charleston, Illinois. Several months afterwards, the writer was
informed, by letter received from this poor widow woman, that the money
had never been given to her. Captain ---- resigned his commission soon
after the battle of Pea Ridge, and it is to be hoped he found a resting
place in some parts _unknown_ to anybody. Many a dollar, belonging
to the dead soldier, has been thus appropriated.

After a very stormy night, Monday morning came in clear and pleasant,
and hundreds of idle soldiers were scattered over the battle field, to
the west of Leetown, in search of whatsoever might be found there.
General Davis' Division was lying to the east, and General Sigel's to
the north of town. About eight o'clock, boom went a cannon, from the
direction of Sigel's camp, and a shell went hurling over Leetown, in
the direction of the battle field. Soon another followed, and at the
same time a column of cavalry was seen approaching from the west, which
was supposed to be rebel. "The rebels are coming, the rebels are
coming," was shouted from mouth to mouth, over the field, and each one
broke for his regiment. The attention of all in town, was attracted by
the reports of the guns, and the street was soon lined by the curious,
eager to know what was up. "The rebels are coming," came up the street,
followed closely by scores of fleeing soldiers, some on horseback, but
many more on foot, each vying with the other, as to who should get out
of the way the quickest. "The rebels are coming, stop them!" cries a
horseman, with hat off and hair flying in the wind. "What's up?" asks
one of the boys of this valorous horseman. "The rebels are coming, and
I am trying to stop these fellows--halt there!" and away he goes, more
frightened than the rest. Pretty soon, General Sigel comes riding very
deliberately up the road, by himself, and some one asks him the cause
of the stampede. "Oh, nothing," said he, with a peculiar twinkle of the
eye, "I was only making a few of my leetle arrangements." Discipline
had become too loose to suit his military fancy, and he had arranged
this scare for the purpose of putting the army on the _qui vive_. In
five minutes after the first report, the whole army was under arms,
ready for any emergency. The first shell fired, struck not far from a
forage train that was bringing in corn, and the way they came into camp
was a caution to all mule drivers. No one was hurt, only in feelings.




CHAPTER XV.


On the afternoon of the 10th, the regiment moved with the division, a
few miles south of Leetown, and here the writer lost sight of it for
several days, as he was detained at the hospital to assist in caring
for the wounded. Nothing, however, of interest occurred during his
absence, except the visit of the Paymaster, and a few changes of camp.

By remaining at hospital, the writer escaped much hard fare, as the
army was, for several days, entirely destitute of provisions, and
subsisted solely on parched corn and _nothing else_. By very great
exertions, Dr. Maynard succeeded in keeping a supply at the hospital,
until the orders came to move all the wounded to Cassville, twenty
miles farther north.

On the 14th, the wounded were started for Cassville; some were too
badly hurt to be handled so roughly, and were not sent. Among these
were James Murphy and John L. Ransom, and John B. Bass, who had a leg
amputated. James Murphy died on the 18th. The others were subsequently
brought up. The writer was ordered to report at Cassville with the
wounded, and here is an extract from a letter written to his daughter
soon after his arrival:

"Wednesday morning, the 19th. I am up pretty early this morning as
usual. The sun is just beginning to tinge the horizon with his red
beams, and the promise of a pretty day is written on the sky above him.
The night has been a stormy one. It was raining when I spread my
blankets, but now the sky is clear, the atmosphere pure and bracing,
and indicates a few days of fine spring weather. Spring is opening
earlier here than in Illinois, as we are farther south. If you will
examine, you will find that Cassville is more than two hundred miles
south of where you live, and of course the climate is more mild and the
seasons earlier. We have had quite a number of warm, spring-like days,
and the grass looks quite green. The buds on the trees will soon open
out, and it will not be long till nature will all be clothed in its
summer garb.

"Cassville is situated in a pretty location. It is in a small valley,
surrounded by hills of different magnitude. On the east are several
ridges of considerable height, dotted on their sides with cedar trees
in green, which are nature to the rocky hill sides of this region. At
the foot of one of these ridges, a four story mill contrasts her white
coating of paint with the green of the cedar, and produces a pleasing,
romantic picture. A small stream meanders along at the base of those
hills, with here and there a spring gushing from among the rocks, or
boiling up from even the bed of the stream. On the west there are also
hills of considerable height. The valley is a mile wide, and two or
three miles long, or perhaps more. The soil is rich and productive.
From my room I can look out over a field of wheat, which completely
clothes the ground in living green. It is quite refreshing to sit here,
and look upon a green spot of earth, after having contemplated only the
sear and barren trunks of trees and brush for four long months of
winter. From another window I can see a pretty little cottage, white as
the driven snow, nestled in among the surroundings of a cultivated
home. A large fine orchard, and all the out-buildings of comfort, and
all deserted. Wounded soldiers are spread over the floors of the house,
and soldiers' horses are tied to and destroying the fruit trees, and
soldiers' fires have burned the rails and boards which inclose the
premises. Dreadful are the ravages of war! Cassville is situated in the
center of this valley, and was a thriving, pretty town before the war.
There are about forty good dwelling houses, six store rooms, and a very
decent little court house, besides blacksmith shops, &c.

"When we came here, there were only four families remaining in town,
and they were women and children, the men being in the army. Now, there
are over four hundred wounded and sick soldiers quartered here; every
house is full and some are in tents outside. The houses are being torn
up, so as to be made more convenient for bedding the wounded. The
fencing before the door yard is being torn down and burned, and
anything which adds to the comfort and convenience of those here, is
being appropriated without let or hindrance.

"There is another pretty town, five miles from here, in precisely the
same condition, filled with sick and wounded. These two towns are
samples of all the towns in Missouri, where the armies have been. The
citizens have fled and the soldiers have destroyed their property. Many
fine houses have been burned on our march, and others entirely riddled,
windows broken, doors torn from their hinges, &c. Both armies are
engaged in destroying; what the enemy leaves, our men destroy. The
enemy destroys Union property, and the Union troops destroy secesh
property--and there being only the two kinds of property, it is
ALL destroyed.

"An express rider has just came in from the army, bringing news that
Price is moving towards them again. We, here, can't tell what reliance
can be given the report. If it is true, and he should continue to
advance, there will be some more hard fighting. I do most sincerely
hope that our regiment may not get into another engagement here. If it
should, we, in the hospital, will not get away from here for two or
three months to come, unless Price should be victorious and drive us
out on double quick; for the wounded will be brought here, and of
course will prolong our time as much longer as the difference between
the time of the first fight and that which shall come off now. But it
is not on account of that alone, that I am unfriendly to another
battle. I have seen enough of the suffering attending the wounded of
the last battle. Poor fellows! They bear it patiently, and make light
of the most serious wounds. I do not suppose it would be very
interesting to you to read a description of the wounds we have to dress
every morning, or I would describe some of them. We have eighty
different wounds to dress in our building, and you can imagine how
great the variety. Some are about the head, some about the body, arms,
legs, feet and hands; some are only slightly wounded, but the majority
are badly hurt. One poor fellow died yesterday, from the effect of a
ball through the lungs; and others will die from their wounds. Our men
are well provided for here. They have all the attention from Surgeons
and nurses that they require, and all the food and other comforts
necessary for them. Dr. Clark, of the Thirty-Seventh Illinois
Volunteers, is our Surgeon. Dr. Maynard was left with the regiment. I
am in charge of the wounded from our regiment, and Thomas Kelly is with
us as Warden. We two are the only ones of our acquaintances here,
excepting Hiram Snearly, who is quite badly wounded, the ball passing
through the arm, close to the shoulder, and into the side under the
arm, and coming out below the shoulder blade behind. His wound seems to
be doing well, yet it is difficult to tell what the result may be. I
shall now retire from the desk, and finish this short epistle at some
other sitting.

"I am sleepy to-day, at three o'clock, because of not sleeping well
last night. The floor, some how or other, was unusually hard last
night, and caused me to be restless. I prophesied fair weather
yesterday--this is the 20th--but was deceived by appearances. We are
very often deceived by appearances. In an hour after I had made the
prophesy, the sky was completely clouded over, and has remained so ever
since; and now it is spitting snow.

"Reports are still coming in of the advance of the enemy, and the
retreat of our army. It is said that Price has been strongly
reinforced, and now numbers more men than he did at first. We have also
been reinforced to the number of one thousand men, but are still far
inferior, as to number, to the enemy. It is probable, that our army
will make a stand at or near Keitsville, eight miles from here, where,
if the enemy comes upon them, they will have a hard fight.

"The Fifty-Ninth and the Thirty-Seventh Illinois regiments, occupied
the court house as an hospital. Dr. Clark, of the Thirty-Seventh
Illinois, having the supervision of the whole.

"On the 23d of March, it became evident that Johnson Kelly, of Company
D, Fifty-Ninth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, would either have to
undergo the operation of having his leg amputated, or lose his life--or
perhaps both. Dr. Clark proceeded to the operation. Chloroform was
administered in the usual manner, and the leg taken off without the
knowledge of the patient. The amputation was very handsomely performed,
but it proved to be useless. In four hours the patient was dead.
Johnson Kelly was buried with the honors of war, on the 24th of March,
1862. Hiram Snearly lingered until the 22d of April, 1862, with the
hope firmly fixed in his mind that he would get well. He was told by
the Surgeon and by his friends, that he could not survive, but he
believed them not. His spirits were buoyant to the very last hour of
his existence. He died and was also buried with the honors of a
soldier.

"A day or two after coming to Cassville, Dr. Clark requested a detail
from the Provost Marshall, to clean up around the court house. Captain
Montgomery happened to have a squad of rebel prisoners at Cassville, at
this time, and they were set to work picking up the rubbish in the
court house yard--Captain Montgomery overseeing them himself. From the
wrongs his family had received at their hands, his heart had become
entirely callous to any pity. With the greatest apparent satisfaction,
he rode round among these fellows very much like one of their own negro
drivers, with whip in hand and bitter curses on his tongue; and if one
ceased from his labor, whack went the whip and glib the tongue.

"Among these prisoners was an intelligent Catholic priest, from
Louisiana. This morning he was unwell, and entirely unaccustomed to
picking up chips, his progress at work was rather slow. The Captain
seemed to take special delight in tormenting him. 'Well,' says he, 'old
fellow I pity you, indeed; but it can't be helped. You must take care
in the future to be caught in better company. If you had kept out of
the company of these imps of hell, you would not now be degrading
yourself by manual labor--work away then my old priesty.'"




CHAPTER XVI.


On the 6th of April the Fifty-Ninth, with the balance of the Division,
arrived at Cassville, en route for Forsyth, which is sixty miles east
of here. After halting long enough to rest, and visit their wounded
friends in hospital, they moved out some two miles to the east of the
town, and encamped on Big Mill Creek. The march was continued on the
seventh, through the most dreary and least inhabited portion of
Missouri that the army had yet seen. For seven or eight miles east of
Cassville the soil is arid, and covered with small white flint-stone,
with here and there a miserably poor specimen of a black-jack,
struggling for a scanty existence. From this upper plateau of the Ozark
Mountains, the road drops down through a narrow defile, with hills two
hundred feet high on either side, the base of the hills meeting so
close at the foot as barely to admit the passage of a wagon, until it
emerges into the Rock House Creek Valley. From this point the valley
begins to widen to the south, where, as far as the eye can reach, the
horizon is bounded by a low range of purple-colored hills.

This beautiful valley has been the frequent scene of lawless incursions
from the rebel outlaws, and the inhabitants, before the arrival of the
Union army in the vicinity, were kept in a continued state of
trepidation and alarm. The people are mostly Union in their sentiments,
there being but three secesh in this whole region of country. Bands of
outlaws frequently came down from Cassville, and would rob the Union
men of everything in the house--blankets, bread and bacon. If they
caught the owner, he would be taken under guard to Cassville, where he
would be tried before a self-constituted vigilance committee.

The head of this committee was the notorious "Joe Peevy," former
Sheriff of Barry county. This Peevy was a terror to the whole country.
He is resolute, brave, and a man of great and indomitable energy. He
seems to have been governed in his actions by a spirit of rude justice,
which he administered alike to friend and foe. His capture and
imprisonment at Cassville, by our men, gave great satisfaction to the
people everywhere.

General Curtis, while passing through Keitsville, had planted a Union
flag on one of the houses in town, and this man Peevy, a few days
afterwards, took it down, and carried it off. In a few days, therefore,
some of our boys came across him, in the timber, and brought him to
Cassville, under guard.

Joe Peevy came down through this valley, last summer, with a squad of
his lawless jay-hawkers, and got a handsome drubbing by the hardy
mountaineers, under Charles Galloway and "Old Jimmy Moore," at Clark's
Mill, on Flat Creek. Only one Union man, by the name of Boyce, was
killed, while twelve of the rebels were left on the field hors du
combat. A man named Jeff. Hudson was waylaid, last week, by a party of
secesh, and fired upon. He was hit in the toe, but returned the fire on
his pursuers, while falling back, and made his escape. Another young
man, named James Reeves, was shot at, while returning home, the other
evening, near Jenkins' Creek.

The farms through this valley, in the neighborhood of the main roads,
are laid waste. Fences are burned up, and buildings are deserted, and
torn to pieces. No preparations are being made for putting in spring
crops by the few farmers yet remaining here.

    "To mute, and to material things,
    New life revolving summer brings;
    The gentle call dead nature hears,
    And in her glory re-appears.
    But O! this country's winter state,
    What second spring shall renovate."

The evening of the 8th found the regiment encamped at a place called
"Cape Fair," in Stone county, Missouri. It reached this "God-forsaken"
place after having marched over a broken range of mountains, of some
twenty-five miles, since morning. The direct distance would not exceed
twelve miles, to the old camp, but, owing to the circuitous windings of
the road, it was increased two-fold.

No one can have an adequate idea of the picturesque scenery, and wild
alpine views, which everywhere greets the eye of the traveler in this
section of the State.

The road passes along the winding crests of a successive range of
mountains, frequently curving around, and doubling, so that, in many
places, the head of the column seemed to be marching to the rear, and
to be within speaking distance of the troops two or three miles behind.
Occasionally the eye would overlook profound gorges, of seemingly
impenetrable depth, anon broad valleys would appear on either side, and
the blue tops of mist-covered mountains be seen away to the north, as
far as Springfield, or shutting in the horizon, on the south, far
beyond the Arkansas line, some sixteen miles distant. This noble
scenery extorted frequent expressions of surprise and admiration from
the most indifferent spectator of the sublime in natural scenery. We
frequently saw those singular looking hills, often met in Missouri,
covered with a white, flinty rock, as if sown broad-cast, giving the
landscape an appearance as if whitened by a snow-storm, or a shower of
ashes.

We passed through a portion of the extensive "pinery," from which
lumber of a fine quality is procured, and transported for building
material to various parts of the State. The day was cloudy, and the
melancholy murmur of the breeze through the "pine tree's wavy top,"
added to the sombre character of our march. Not a house was to be seen,
nor did we meet with but one solitary passenger, who, of course, was
taken in hand by each successive officer, and subjected to an ex-parte
examination. The desolate condition of the region passed was hit off by
a cavalry-man, who volunteered the opinion "that a blue-jay, in flying
over, would have to carry a haversack, lashed to his wings, or starve."
The assertion would certainly be true of a "blue-jayhawker."

Cape Fair, where we are encamped, has a few windowless huts, situated
in the bend of Flat Creek. The latter stream, which bubbles up out of
the ground at Cassville, is here anything but flat. The stream, like
the "arrowy Rhone," pours an angry, black volume past here, as it comes
down from the mountains, and, at this period of the year, is swollen so
as to be impassable, except to horses or boats. Flat Creek empties into
James River, a mile below this point. The latter stream is so much
swollen, by the recent freshets, that fording is impracticable, and the
army, it is thought, will have to rest here several days, unless the
stream, some three miles below, at Mr. Carr's, is fordable.

Had Price been a few miles on the other side, it would not have taken
the army long to have found a way of crossing over.

In coming from Springfield the streams were not an impediment. The
cavalry were invariably in the advance, with some mountain howitzers,
and, whenever they could come within shelling distance of the enemy,
they threw some shells at them. The report of the guns would come back
over the hills to the column of infantry, and then the order would
surely be sent along the line to double-quick. The column would move
off, for a mile or two, on double-quick, and if a stream, large or
small, was to be crossed, no halt would be made, but "forward" was the
word, and the stream was crossed. This stream would have been crossed,
in the same way, had the enemy been in the front. Fortunately there was
no great emergency, as it was rather uncertain where the enemy would
spring up. Rumors were unreliable, and positive information could not
be had as to Price's whereabouts. A force was known to be at Forsyth,
but how large, or of what importance, no one seemed to know; yet it was
important that the army should be on the move, as this was an
out-of-the-way place, and rations might soon become scarce. How was the
river to be crossed? Some suggested one plan, and some another. But the
ingenuity of some one suggested a bridge of wagons for the troops to
march over on. Wagons were, therefore, placed in line, from one shore
to the other, and boards laid over the tops of the wagon beds. This
made an excellent bridge for footmen, and, by four o'clock of the 9th,
the army was all over, and in camp on the opposite shore.

The march was continued the next morning, and the evening of the 10th
witnessed the camping of the army on the east bank of Big Bear River,
forty-eight miles from Cassville.

The streams in this country are most beautiful. They are not large, nor
deep, but of very rapid current. Their waters, excepting after heavy
rains, when they become thickened by the washings from the mountains,
are as clear as the purest crystal. They are fed by springs from the
mountain gorges, and these are so numerous as to increase the small
rivulet to a good-sized stream, within the distance of a few miles.

The march, at one time, was down a narrow ravine, at the head of which
was issuing, from under an overhanging rock, a small spring. In
following down the ravine, this stream was crossed several times, and
each crossing developed a largely increased stream, when, at the last
crossing, not five miles from the first little spring, the water was up
to the axle-trees of the wagons, and at least twenty feet in width, and
large fish were seen swimming beneath its pellucid surface.

On the morning of the 11th, the regiment pitched tents at the foot of
one of the rugged Ozark mounts, that overlook the small valley of Big
Bear River. The camp is named "Good News," because here was received
the news of the capture of Island Number Ten, by General Pope. It is
ten miles from Forsyth, in Taney county, Missouri.

An incident of exceeding interest occurred here on the afternoon of
Sunday, the 13th. It was no less than the delivery of a sermon by the
Chaplain of the regiment.

Dr. Hazlett had returned to the regiment while it lay at Cassville, and
was now in charge--Doctor Maynard being still detained with the wounded
at Leetown. On the evening of the arrival in camp here, the wagons were
not all up, in consequence of bad roads, and Doctor Hazlett was without
blankets. Lieutenant Brasher, Quartermaster of the regiment, was a
particular friend of the Doctor's, and proffered to lend him blankets
for the night. The Doctor sent his orderly, and had a nice bed made.
Being very tired, he soon fell asleep, and slept soundly for two or
three hours. Something now seemed to disturb his slumbers; he became
restless; a crawling sensation pervaded his skin, and the inclination
to scratch was irresistible. From this time forward there was no more
rest for the Doctor. Some two hours earlier than was his custom he
arose from his couch, unrefreshed, and in bad humor. After sick-call he
retired to ascertain the cause of his peculiar sensations. The fact
soon became patent that he was literally covered with "body-guard,"
(army lice.) "Hell and furies, Chris., look at these blankets, and see
what's on them!" was his immediate orders to Chris. An examination
showed them full of body-lice. "Carry them out, and burn the d--d
things!" and out the Doctor rushed, in search of the Quartermaster.

"Brasher, did you know that those blankets you loaned me last night
were filled with lice?"

"Why, no; were they?" says Brasher, very innocently. "Well, now, maybe
they were, for my negro has been using them for the last month."

The Doctor's anger was great, but he manfully swallowed it, and
received the joke, and a bottle of whisky, with the best grace
possible. There was no man in the regiment who prided himself so much
in having neat clothing, and a cleanly person, as Doctor Hazlett, and
this, perhaps, was the only time he had ever been tormented by these
"plebeian tormentors."




CHAPTER XVII.


On the morning of the 16th of April, the regiment broke camp on Bear
River, re-crossed it, and filed off up its western bank, until it came
to Bull Run, then up Bull Run fifteen miles, to Bull's Mills, when it
again went into camp. In coming up the run, it was necessary for the
boys to wade it nineteen times. One man in particular, was compelled to
take it, deep or shallow, because of some previous misconduct. He was
tied to the tail-gate of a wagon, and thus trudged all day "_nolens
volens_." Tying men behind wagons, on the march, is a favorite way
of punishing the soldier for trivial offenses.

The encampment is now in a small valley, entirely shut in by mountains,
excepting the narrow gorge through which Bull Run finds its way to Bear
River. From where the writer sits, the view is beautiful. Many of the
trees on the opposite mountain side, are clothed in their summer garb,
and many are only putting on their vestments of green, with sear and
yellow leaves exposed beneath. Here is one green as can be, just
beyond, is another red with flowers of the red bud, and then another,
as white as the driven snow, with dogwood blossoms. Now is a spot of
green earth, and just above it hangs a heavy mass of moss-grown rock,
threatening the destruction of this magnificent scenery, by its speedy
fall. Flowers of many kinds, are blooming everywhere around. Sweet
Williams, Johny-jump-up's and blue bells are abundant, and lend
enchantment to the view.

At the foot of this mountain slope, are the white tents of the
regiments. The blue smoke of their camp fires, is apparently climbing
the mountain, giving a peculiar shade to the picture. Soldiers are
everywhere mingled in the scene, some are busy cooking, some sitting or
lying down, some walking, and _there_ is an officer on horseback. To
the right is the mill and the dwelling house of the miller. Close by
the mill, are some soldiers, fishing, and they complete the scene, as
presented on the 18th day of April, 1862.

Some excitement was created in camp, on the morning of the 19th, by the
appearance of three very indignant ladies from the country, seeking
Colonel Frederick's head-quarters, for the purpose of entering
complaint against two boys of the Fifty-Ninth, for creating a
disturbance at their house the night before, and sleeping with two of
these ladies "_nolens volens_." The other, the mother of the two
younger ladies, was on the hunt of a cavalry man, who was guilty of
some offense against her. These boys were arrested and court-martialed.
Two were convicted and one acquitted. The two convicted ones, were
summarily drummed out of service with shaved heads.

The Division broke up camp again on the 20th, and moved out in the rain
and over the muddiest roads imaginable. They marched this day twenty
miles, without anything to eat from the time of starting, until going
into camp, and many of the boys had no supper the night before.

At West Plains, some fifty of the Fifty-Ninth, were detached to report
under Captain Elliott, to the gun-boat fleet, then laying at Cairo, for
duty. They left the regiment about, the 25th of April, from which time,
they spent the remainder of their term of service on the water. From
West Plains, the regiment proceeded to Sulphur Rock, arriving there on
the 8th of May.

On the 10th of May, the Fifty-Ninth Illinois, Twenty-Second Indiana,
and the Twenty-Fifth and Thirty-Fifth Illinois regiments, being
detached from General Curtis's command, started "en route" for Cape
Girardeau, Missouri. After marching nine days out of ten, these
regiments arrived at the Cape on the evening of the 20th of May; having
marched two hundred and fifty miles in ten days, resting one. On the
morning of the 20th, the Fifty-Ninth started in the rear of the column.
They were some thirty-five miles from the Cape, and all very anxious to
arrive at their destination. The Twenty-Second Indiana was next ahead
of the Fifty-Ninth, and equally as eager to make the Cape that day. It
was a hard march, and about sundown all the regiments had bivouacked,
except the Twenty-Second and Fifty-Ninth. These pulled ahead and passed
the others some mile or two, when the Twenty-Second caved in. The
Fifty-Ninth pushed on and came out nearest the Cape, and went into
camp, exultant over their grey-hound perseverance.

These regiments, on their arrival at Cape Girardeau, presented a "war
worn" and rugged appearance. Some were entirely destitute of shoes,
some had no coats, some were without hats, and many possessed only the
remnants of pantaloons. Teams were immediately sent off to town for
clothing and rations, and by the next evening, the men scarcely knew
themselves in their new uniform.

The 23d was a bright fair day, and Colonel Frederick priding himself
exceedingly on the fine appearance of his regiment, determined to
exhibit them to the admiring gaze of the citizens of the Cape. At nine
o'clock, they left camp and marched to town, arriving in town the band
struck up a lively march, and the steady tramp of the boys, to the time
of the music, attracted the attention of the multitude. After marching
through several streets, the regiment stacked arms and proceeded by
companies, to the Paymaster's office, to receive their pay. After
getting paid, the regiment fell into line and marched to the landing,
where a steamboat was in waiting, to take them on board. This was the
first indications of a ride, since leaving the old War Eagle, at
Boonville. Since then, the regiment had marched twelve hundred miles,
and now to be transported was quite a treat.

At five o'clock, on the 23d, the boat left the camp for Hamburg
landing. When opposite Paducah, Governor Yates, of Illinois, from the
guards of another boat, addressed a few congratulatory and cheering
remarks to the Fifty-Ninth, "upon what had transpired while they were
out in the wilderness." Arriving at Hamburg landing on the 25th, the
regiment went into camp some two miles from the river, out towards
Corinth.

Hamburg is the landing for all of General Halleck's army supplies, at
this time, and the scene about the landing, is a lively one. Boats are
coming up and unloading their cargoes daily. Mules, horses, wagons,
rations, &c., are everywhere lumbering up the bluffs. From the boats
the supplies are loaded into wagons, and forwarded to the army now
before Corinth. Here are still seen many of the effects of the late
battle. Here are the bluffs from which it is said many of our brave
boys threw themselves into the river, to escape from the pursuing
enemy." "Brave boys were they." Here the regiment was furnished with a
new outfit of camp equipage, wagons and horses.

Corinth was now supposed to be their destination, and in confirmation,
the march towards that place was commenced on the morning of the 27th.
The country from Hamburg landing to Corinth, is an unbroken wild, level
and swampy. After a march of sixteen miles, over a recently constructed
military road, the regiment went into camp about three miles to the
north of Corinth.

After the battle of Pea Ridge, P. Sidney Post obtained leave of
absence, until his wound should so far heal, as to permit of active
service. _Here_ he rejoined the regiment as Colonel of the same,
having received a commission during his absence. Lieut. Colonel C. H.
Frederick, after having commanded the regiment for nine months, with
honor to himself and credit to the regiment, now resigned his command
to Colonel Post, and very soon, thereafter, received and accepted an
appointment on General Jeff. C. Davis' staff.

On the morning of the 28th, the regiment moved into position before the
works of the enemy, leaving the tents standing, and the camp equipage
all in camp. Some skirmishing was occurring occasionally, between our
pickets and those of the enemy, but no fighting of any consequence.

The evacuation of Corinth, by the rebels, commenced on the 28th, so at
least it was reported around camp, and so it was believed by several of
the Division commanders; but General Halleck either discredited it or
did not wish to encourage such an idea. General Pope was satisfied of
the fact, and solicited the privilege of moving his command into a
position that would prevent their escape; but was refused the request,
with the reply that they could not escape. Large trees in elevated
positions, had been selected and trimmed, and "look outs" stationed on
the tops of these, so that the movements of the rebels could be seen in
Corinth. These "look outs" confirmed the reports of the evacuation. No
efforts were, however, made to prevent it. General Halleck's army all
lay quietly behind their breastworks, to the north of town, leaving the
way for the enemy to escape, entirely open; whereas, a small force
could have been sent to prevent it and with General Halleck's army, the
whole rebel army could have been captured. This was seen and believed
by nearly all the privates in the army; yet on the morning of the 30th,
Corinth was in our possession without a fight, _and nothing else_.

The vast army, that General Halleck had been for months collecting,
from all parts of the country at an enormous expense, and the great
amount of labor and suffering of this vast army had all been in
vain--entirely useless. Corinth and the whole territory left in our
possession, was entirely worthless. And all this because Beauregard
would not remain in Corinth until Halleck could dig his way under his
fortifications and blow him up.

As soon as the rebels, with all their material, were out of danger from
our troops, a forward movement was ordered. Great and universal
disappointment was manifested by the whole army when the fact was known
that the rebels were all gone. Many and bitter were the curses against
General Halleck. Every man felt that it was by his incapacity, want of
energy, or a good feeling towards the rebel army, that they escaped so
easily. All confidence was lost in the capacity of General Halleck as a
commander, and it has never been restored by any of his subsequent
official acts. There has been two great errors committed by some body
during this war. The one was the removal of Fremont from the command at
Springfield, Mo., and the other is the placing Halleck in command of
the army before Corinth.

The fortifications about Corinth were found to be trivial, in
comparison to what was expected. One line of breast works of weak
construction, and nothing but a few slight embrasures comprised the
whole thing. Such fortifications one year afterwards, would have been
looked upon as no impediment to the advance of our army.

On the 30th, the Fifty-Ninth Illinois again broke camp, and moved out
ten miles below Corinth, where they awaited the reconstruction of a
bridge, which the rebels had burned. Cannonading is occasionally heard
in the distance, which indicates that our advance is skirmishing with
the rear of the flying enemy. Camp is pitched near Boonville, Miss.,
and on the morning of the 2d of June, the regiment moves out on a
scout, leaving every thing but their blankets and haversacks in camp.
Those unable to march are left in charge of an officer, to guard the
camp, and the sick are left in the care of the Hospital Steward. The
regiment pursued the enemy about twenty miles without overtaking them,
and then returned to camp. It now lay in camp ten days without
molestation. The enemy had fled beyond pursuit for the time being, but
was still in hearing distance of our scouts, and the anticipation of
another move was daily increasing. Instead of pursuing the enemy, the
regiment returned to within two miles of Corinth, on the 12th, and went
into regular camp on Clear Creek. There having been no rain for two
weeks, the roads were now very dusty, and the marching very
disagreeable; consequently it was a pleasant thing to go into camp on
the shady banks of a clear stream of running water.

This weather is delightful; only when the sun is at the meridian, then
it is a little too hot for comfort. The early morning in camp is
delightful, especially. The sun is just peeping up through the
tree-tops. The birds are singing their early matins, before the smoke
of camp becomes too thick for their vocal organs. The mules are adding
their musical braying for their feed of dry oats, and the drivers are
aiding the mules with their morning notes of universal cursing. To
arise these mornings and witness all this, is charming.

The boys are now having easy, good times. They have plenty of leisure
to lay in the shade, and write letters to their friends at home.
Policing of camp grounds in the morning, is all that is required of
them, and this is usually done by extra-duty men. These are lazy
fellows who will not get up in the morning in time to answer to their
names at roll call. As a punishment, they are used as scavengers for
the benefit of the industrious ones.

There is considerable sickness amongst the men at this time, owing,
perhaps, to the hot, dry weather, and bad water of this region. There
are some nice springs along Clear Creek, but as a general thing, the
only drinking water the men have had since leaving the Tennessee River,
has been obtained from the marshes which here abound. All this region
of country around Corinth, is a low, swampy, worthless marsh. Why, in
the name of common sense, the rebel army was ever molested in the
peaceable possession of Corinth is more than can now be comprehended.
Why not have left them here; that they might starve, or sicken and die
after their own liking.

There are some very noisy fellows in camp, and it seems as though they
are always making the most noise when respect for others should keep
them most quiet. There are two good brass bands in the immediate
neighborhood of our regiment, which frequently dispense most delightful
music--but many times these rude fellows are like the dog in the
manger, they will neither listen themselves, or let any one else enjoy
the music. They are just the kind of men for an army, though--for a
"man who has no music in his soul, is fit for treasons, stratagems and
spoils."

The boys have many ways of amusing themselves while laying in camp, and
some of these they put into practice here. The most profitable and
interesting of all others, is the attendance on the prayer meetings,
the Chaplain is now conducting in the regiment. The Rev. Shoemate has
been with the regiment since its organization, and has preached some
three times since leaving Boonville, and is now having the first prayer
meetings. These sermons and meetings have only cost the government the
moderate sum of two hundred and fifty dollars each. An active,
energetic and christian Chaplain is of invaluable service to the army,
but an unconverted Chaplain is a nuisance. If there is any place on
God's fair earth, where wickedness "stalketh abroad in daylight," it is
in the army. It is lamentable to hear and see the profanity and
wickedness which every where and all the time meets the ear and eye.
Ninety-nine men out of every hundred are profane swearers. Gambling is
not quite so universal, yet there are hundreds of young men who devote
all their leisure time to this nefarious practice. Walk through camp at
almost any hour, and you will see squads of young men engaged in
risking their money and their souls on the chance throw of the die.
This game is called "chuck-a-luck." A faithful, working christian
Chaplain, would, in a great measure, control these practices among the
young men of the army.

While at Cross Timbers, in Arkansas, Captain Kelly, of Company F,
resigned his commission, on account of ill health, and returned to his
home in Illinois. Captain Kelly was invariably inclined to be kind and
generous towards his men, even to the sacrifice of his own comfort, and
his departure was regretted by all. As a testimony of the regard and
esteem which the officers of the regiment had for Captain Kelly, the
following "expression" was handed to him by the Major, whose name heads
the list of signers:

"We, the officers of the Fifty-Ninth Illinois Volunteer Regiment, take
this method of expressing our esteem of Captain S. W. Kelly, as an
officer and as a gentleman. In camps and on the march, as his health
and strength permitted, his duties were always promptly and faithfully
attended to. On the battle field he was firm and unflinching. In
retiring to private life, he bears with him our best wishes." Signed J.
C. Winters, and by twenty other officers of the regiment.

On the resignation of Captain Kelly, the command of Company F devolved
on Lieutenant John Kelly. The Lieutenant had faithfully filled the
position from that time until now, and was justly entitled to a
commission as Captain of the company. This, however, he failed to
receive. Lieutenant Curry, of Company C, of the same regiment, obtained
the commission, and took command of the company after its arrival at
Jacinto, Miss. By the resignation of Captain Taylor, of Company H,
Lieutenant A. Anthony, was left in command of _that_ company. More
fortunate than Lieutenant Kelly, he subsequently obtained a Captain's
commission and commanded the company as such, until ill health
compelled him also to resign.

On the 20th of June, the regiment received orders to move out towards
Jacinto, Miss., without tents or baggage, and to leave the sick,
cripples and convalescents behind. It marched some twenty miles and
bivouacked within two or three miles of Jacinto. Here they remained
until the 28th. On the 26th, orders were received at camp to remove the
sick to General Field hospital at Corinth, and bring forward the tents
and other camp equipage to the regiment. This was accomplished in good
order; the trains reporting to the regiment about eleven o'clock, on
the 28th. While laying in camp, sickness had increased considerably,
and now there was quite a number to be left at hospital. When the train
arrived at the regiment, it was under marching orders and making
preparations to move. Rations were being distributed to the men, and
the Surgeons were drawing a supply of medicines and other hospital
stores for their respective regiments. All the indications were that a
long and rapid march was in contemplation, or else an engagement with
the enemy. Old soldiers are not often deceived in their prognosis.




CHAPTER XVIII.


At three o'clock of the 28th, the regiment again started on the march.
Rumor had it that the destination was Holly Springs, which is
thirty-five miles south of Memphis. The roads were now in good
condition. The dust was nicely settled by a previous rain, and the
weather was not so excessively hot as it had been a few days before.
The men were well rested, and in good health and spirits. The teams
were in good condition, and all seemed propitious for a successful
campaign.

Passing through Jacinto, towards Rienzi, the regiment made eight miles,
and went into camp. The next morning, starting early, it made fifteen
miles, and went into camp one-half mile east of the town of Ripley.

This is quite a pretty town, of, perhaps one thousand inhabitants. It
is the county town of Tippah County, Mississippi, and is prettily
situated in the best portion of the country the regiment had visited.
This was Sunday, and the citizens were all at church when our army made
its appearance. The minister was reading a hymn when our advance was
first descried, and some one at the church door sang out, the "Yankees
are coming!" It may be supposed that this created some alarm--perhaps
as much as the cry of fire would have done. The congregation rushed for
the door, and, as fast as they could get out of the house,
skedaddled--some for their homes, but most of them for the timber, on
double-quick. It can easily be believed that there was some tall
running about this time. They were taken entirely by surprise. The
rebel soldiers that had been there, a few days before, were all gone to
some other point, and their withdrawal had caused the citizens to
suppose that the town of Ripley was in perfect security; but now, of
course, they expected, if caught, to be roasted, and eaten by the
cannibal Yankees. Our army, however, marched through the town in
perfect good order, molesting no one, nor touching a thing belonging to
any one.

A few negroes, three or four old men, and some children, were

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