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THE CITIZEN-SOLDIER;

OE,

MEMOIRS OF A YOLUNTEER.

BY
JOHN BEATTY.

CINCINNATI:
WILSTACH, BALDWIN & CO., PUBLISHERS,
Nos. T41 AND 143 Race Street.
1879.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1879, by
ELLEN B. HENDERSON,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

TO MY BROTHER,
MAJOE WILLIAM GUELEY BEATTY,
WHOSE GENEROUS SACRIFICE OP HIS OWN INCLINATION AT THE
COMMENCEMENT OP THE WAR, AND FAITHFUL DEVOTION
TO MY FAMILY AND BUSINESS,
ENABLED ME TO ENTER THE ARMY AND REMAIN THREE YEARS,
THIS VOLUME
IS RESPECTFULLY AND AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED.

INTRODUCTORY.

In the lifetime of all who arrive at mature age,
there comes a period when a strong desire is felt to
know more of the past, especially to know more of
those from whom we claim descent. Many find even
their chief pleasure in searching among parish records
and local histories for some knowledge of ancestors,
who for a hundred or five hundred years have been
sleeping in the grave. Long pilgrimages are made to
the Old World for this purpose, and when the traveler
discovers in the crowded church-yard a moss-covered,
crumbling stone, which bears the name he seeks, he
takes infinite pains to decipher the half-obliterated
epitaph, and finds in this often what he regards as
ample remuneration for all his trouble. How vastly
greater would be his satisfaction if he could obtain
even the simplest and briefest history of those in
whom he takes so deep an intei-est. Who were they?
How were their days spent, and amongst what sur
roundings? What were their thoughts, fears, hopes,
acts? Who were their associates, and on which side
of the great questions of the day did they stand? A
full or even partial answer to these queries would pos
sess for him an incalculable value.
So, sitting here to-night, in my little library, with
wife and children near, and by God's great kindness

VI INTRODUCTORY.
all in life and health, I look forward one, two, five
hundred years, and see in each succeeding century, and
possibly in each generation, so long as the name shall
last, a wonder-eyed boy, curious youth, or inquisitive
old man, exjoloring closets and libraries for things of
the old time, stumbling finally on this volume, which
has, by the charity of the State Librarian, still been
preserved ; he discovers, with quickening pulse, that it
bears his own name, and that it was written for him
by one whose body has for centuries beeii dust. Dull
and uninteresting as it may be to others, for him it
will possess an inexpressible charm. It is his own
blood speaking to him from the shadowy and almost
forgotten past. The message may be poorly written,
the matter in the main may be worthless, and the
greater events recorded may be dwarfed by more re
cent and important ones, but the volume is neverthe
less of absorbing interest to him, for by it he is enabled
to look into the face and heart of one of his own kin,
who lived when the Nation was young. In leaving
this unpretentious record, therefore, I seek to do simply
what I would have had my fathers do for me.
Kinsmen of the coming centuries, I bid you hail and
godspeed !
Columbus, December 16, 1878.

The Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry served under
two separate terms of enlistment — the one for three
months, and the other for three years.
The regiment was organized April 21, 1861, and on

INTRODUCTORY. vli
April 27th it was mustered into the United States
service, with the following field ofiicers : Isaac H.
Marrow, Colonel ; John Beatty, Lieutenant-Colonel,
and J. Warren Keifer, Major.
The writer's record begins with the day on which
his regiment entered Virginia, June 22, 1861, and ends
on January 1, 1864. He does not undertake to present
a history of the organizations with which he was con
nected, nor does he attempt to describe the opera
tions of armies. His record consists merely of matters
¦which came under his own observation, and of camp
gossip, rumors, trifling incidents, idle speculations, and
the numberless items, small and great, which, in one
way and another, enter into and affect the life of a sol
dier. In short, he has sought simply to gather up the
scraps which fell in his waj^, leaving to other and more
competent hands the weightier matters of the great
civil war.
Many errors of opinion and of fact he might now
correct, and many items which appear unworthy of a
paragraph he might now strike out, but he prefers to
leave the record as it was written, when cyclopedias
could not be consulted, nor time taken for thorough in
vestigation. Who can really know what an army is unless he
mingles with the individuals who compose it, and
learns how they live, think, talk, and act?

THE CITIZEN SOLDIER;

OR,

MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER.

JUNE, 1861.

22. Arrived at Bellaire at 3 p. M. There is
trouble in the neighborhood of Grafton. Have been
ordered to that place.
The Third is now on the Virginia side, and will
in a few minutes take the cars.
23. Reached Grafton at 1 p. M. All avowed
secessiooists have run away ; but there are, doubtless,
jmany persons here still who .sympathize with the
enemy, and who secretly inform him of all our
movements. 24. Colonel Marrow and I dined with Colonel
Smith, member of the Virginia Legislature. He
professes to be a Union man, but his sympathies are
evidently with the South. He feels that the South is
wrong, but does not relish the idea of Ohio troops

10 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [June,
coming upon Virginia soil to fight Virginians. The
Union sentiment here is said to be strengthening
daily. 26. An-ived at Clarksburg about midnight, and
remained on the cars until morning. AVe are now
encamped on a hillside, and for the first time my bed
is made in my own tent.
Clarksburg has apparently stood still for fifty years.
Most of the houses are old style, built by the fathers
and grandfathers of the present occupants. Here, for
the first time, we find slaves, each of the wealthier,
or, rather, each of the well-to-do, families owning
a few. There are probably thirty-five hundred troops in
this vicinity — the Third, Fourth, Eighteenth, Nine
teenth, and part of the Twenty-second Ohio, one
company of cavalry, and one of artillery. Rumors
of skirmishes and small fights a few miles off; but
as yet the only gunpowder we have snielled is our
own. 28. At twelve o'clock to-day our battalion left
Clarksburg, followed a stream called Elk creek for
eight miles, and then encamped for the night. This
is the first march on foot we have made. The coun
try through which we passed is extremely hilly and
broken, but apparently fertile. If the people of
W^estern Virginia were united against us, it would be
almost impossil)le for our army to advance. In many
places the creek on one side, and the perpendicular
banks on the other, leave a strip barely wide enough
for a wagon road.

i86i.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. H
Buckhannon, twenty miles in advance of us, is said
to be in the hands of the secession troops. To-morrow,
or the day after, if they do not leave, a battle will
take place. Our men appear eager for the fray, and
I pray they may be as successful in the fight as they
are anxious for one.
29. It is half-past eight o'clock, and we are still
but eight miles from Clarksburg. We were informed
this morning that the secession troops had left Buck
hannon, and fallen back to their fortifications at
Laurel Hill and Rich mountain. It is said General
McClellan will be here to-morrow, and take command
of the forces in person.
In enumerating the troops in this vicinity, I omit
ted to mention Colonel Robert McCook's Dutch regi-
ment, which is in camp two miles from us. The
Seventh Ohio Infantry is now at Clarksburg, and will,
I think, move in this direction to-morrow.
Provisions outside of camp are very scarce. I took
breakfast with a farmer this morning, and can say
truly that I have eaten much better meals in my life.
We had cofPee without sugar, short-cake without but
ter, and a little salt pork, exceedingly fat. I asked
him what the charge was, and he said " Ninepence,"
which means one shilling. I rejoiced his old soul by
giving him two shillings.
The country people here have been grossly deceived
by their political leaders. They have been made to
believe that Lincoln was elected for the sole pur
pose of liberating the negro; that our army is
marching into Virjinia to free their slaves, destroy

12 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [June,
their property, and murder their families; that we,
not they, have set the Constitution and laws at de
fiance, and that in resisting us they are simply de
fending their homes and fighting for their constitu
tional rights.

i86i.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 13

JULY, 1861.

2. Reached Buckhannon at 5 p. M., and encamped
beside the Fourth Ohio, in a meadow, one mile from
town. The country through which we marched is
exceedingly hilly ; or, perhaps, I might say mountain
ous. The scenery is delightful. The road for miles
is cut around great hills, and is just wide enough for
a wagon. A step to the left would send one tumbling
a hundred or two hundred feet below, and to the
right the hills rise hundreds of feet above. The
hills, half way to their summits, are covered with
com, wheat, or grass, while further up the forest is as
dense as it could well have been a hundred years ago.
3. For the first time to-day, I saw men bringing
tobacco to market in bags. ' One old man brought a
bag of natural leaf into camp to sell to the soldiers,
price ten cents per pound. He brought it to a poor
market, however, for the men have been bankrupt for
weeks, and could not buy tobacco at a dime a bagfull.
4. The Fourth has passed off quietly in the little
town of Buckhannon and in camp.
At ten o'clock the Third and Fourth Regiments
were reviewed by General McClellan. The day was
excessively warm, and the men, buttoned up in their

14 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [JuLV,
dress-coats, were much wearied when the parade -was
over. In the court-house this evening, the soldiers had
what they call a " stag dance." Camp life to a young
man who has nothing specially to tie him to home
has many attractions — abundance of company, con
tinual excitement, and all the fun and frolic that a
thousand light-hearted boys can devise.
To-night, in one tent, a dozen or more are singing
" Dixie " at the top of their voices. In another " The
Star-Spangled Banner " is being executed so hori'ibly
that even a secessionist ought to pity the poor tune.
Stories, cards, wrestling, boxing, racing, all these and
a thousand other things enter into a day in camp.
The roving, uncertain life of a soldier has a tendency
to harden and demoralize most men. The restraints
of home, family, and society are not felt. The fact
that a few hours may put them in battle, where their
lives will not be worth a fig, is forgotten. They think
a hundred times less of the perils by which they may
be surrounded than their friends do at home. They
encourage and strengthen each other to such an ex
tent that, when exposed to danger, imminent though
it be, they do not seem to realize it.
7. On the 5th instant a scouting party, under Cap
tain Lawson, started for Middle Fork bridge, a point
eighteen miles from camp. At eight o'clock last
night, when I brought the battalion from the drill-
ground, I found that a messenger had arrived with
intelligence that Lawson had been surrounded by a
force of probably four hundred, and that, in the en-

t86i.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER, 15
gagement, one of his men had been killed and three
wounded. The camp was alive with excitement.
Each company of the Third had contributed five men
to Captain Lawson's detachment, and each company,
therefore, felt a special interest in it. The messenger
stated that Captain Lawson was in great need of heljj,
and General McClellan at once ordered four compa
nies of infantry and twenty mounted men to move to
his assistance. I had command of the detachment,
and left camp about nine o'clock p. m., accompanied
by a guide. The night was dark. My command
moved on silently and rapidly. After proceeding
about three miles, we left the turnpike and turned
onto a narrow, broken, bad road, leading through the
woods, which we followed about eight miles, when
we met Captain Lawson's detachment on its way
back. Here we removed the wounded from the
farm wagon in which they had been conveyed thus
far, to an ambulance brought with us for the purpose,
countermarched, and reached our quarters about three
o'clock this morning.
I will not undertake to give the details of Captain
Lawson's skirmish. I may say, however, that the
number of the enemy killed and wounded, lacerated
and torn, by Corporal Casey, was beyond all compu
tation. Had the rebels not succeeded in getting a
covered bridge between themselves and the invincible
Irishman, he would, if we may believe his own state
ment, have annihilated the whole force, and brought
back the head of their commanding officer on the
point of his bayonet.

16 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [July,
8. This mOrning, at seven o'clock, our tents were
struck, and, with General McClellan and staff in ad
vance, we moved to Middle Fork bridge. It was
here that Captain Lawson's skirmish on Saturday had
occurred. The man killed had been buried by the
Fourth Ohio before our arrival. Almost every house
along the road is deserted by the men, the women
sometimes remaining. The few Union men of this
section have, for weeks past, been hiding away in the
hills. Now the secessionists have taken to the woods.
The utmost bitterness of feeling exists between the
two. A man was found to-day, within a half mile of
this camp, with his head cut off and entrails ripped
out, probably a Union man who had been hounded
down and killed. The Dutch regiment (McCook'.s),
when it took jJossession of the bridge, had a slight
skirmish with the enemy, and, I learn, killed two
men. On the day after to-morrow I apprehend the
first great battle will be fought in Western Virginia.
I ate breakfast in Buckhannon at six o'clock A. M.,
and now, at six o'clock p. m. am awaiting my second
meal. The boys, I ascertain, searched one secession house
on the road, and found three guns and a small amount
of ammunition. The guns were hunting pieces, all
loaded. The woman of the house was very indig
nant, and spoke in disrespectful terms of the Union
men of the neighborhood, whom she suspected of in
stigating the search. She said she " had come from a
higher sphere than they, and would not lay down with
dogs." She was an Eastern Virginia Avoman, and.

i86i.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 17
although poor as a church mouse, thought herself su
perior to West Virginia people. As an indication of
this lady's refinement and loyalty, it is only necessary
to say that a day or two before she had displayed r
secession flag made, as she very frankly told the sol
diers, of the tail of an old shirt, with J. D. and S. C.
on it, the letters standing for Jefferson Davis and the
Southern Confederacy.
Four or five thousand men are encamped here,
huddled together in a little circular valley, with high
hills surrounding. A company of cavalry is just go
ing by my tent on the road toward Beverly, probably
to watch the front.
As we were leaving camp this morning, an officer
of an Ohio regiment rode at break -neck speed along
the line, inquiring for General McClellan, and yelling,
as he passed, that four companies of the regiment to
which he belongs had been surrounded at Glendale,
by twelve hundred secessionists, under O. Jennings
Wise. Our men, misapprehending the statement,
thought-Buckhannon had been attacked, and were in
a great state of excitement.
The officers of General Schleich's staff were with
me on to-day's march, and the younger members,
Captains Hunter and Dubois, got off whatever poetry
they had in them of a military cast. " On Linden
when the sun was low," was recited to the hills
of Western Virginia in a manner that must have
touched even the stoniest of them. I could think
of nothing but " There was a sound of revelry by

18 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; (July,
night," and as this was not particularly applicable to
the occasion, owing to the exceeding brightness of the
sun, and the entire absence of all revelry, I thought
best not to astonish my companions by exhibiting my
knowledge of the poets.
West Virginia hogs are the longest, lankest, boni
est animals in creation. I am reminded of this by
that broth of an Irish lad, Conway, who says, in sub
stance, and with a broad Celtic accent, that their noses
have to be sharpened every morning to enable them
to pick a living among the rocks.
Colonel Marrow informs me that an attack is ap
prehended to-night. We have sent out strong pick
ets. . The cannon are so placed as to shoot up the
road. Our regiment is to form on the left of the
turnpike, and the Dutch regiment on the right, in
case the secession forces should be bold enough to
come down on us.
9. Moved from the Middle Fork of the Buckhan
non river at seven o'clock this morning, and arrived at
Roaring creek at four P. m. We came over the hills
with all the pomp and circumstance of glorious war;
infantry, cavalry, artillery, and hundreds of army
wagons ; the whole stretching along the mountain
road for miles. The tops of the Alleghanies can now
be seen plainly. We are at the foot of Rich mount
ain, encamped where our brothers of the secession or
der pitched tlieir tents last night. Our advance guard
gave them a few shots and they fled precipitately
to the mountains, burning the bridge behind them.
When our regiment arrived a few shots were heard.

i86i.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 19
and the bayonets and bright barrels of the enemy's
guns could be seen on the hills.
It clouded up shortly after, and before we had
pitched our tents, the clouds came over Rich mount
ain, settling down upon and hiding its summit en
tirely. Heaven gave us a specimen of its artillery
firing, and a heavy shower fell, drenching us all com
pletely. As I write, the sound of a cannon comes
booming over the mountain. There it goes again !
Whether -it is at Phillippi or Laurel Hill, I can not
tell. Certain it is that the portion of our army ad
vancing up the Valley river is in battle, somewhere,
and not many miles away.
We do not know the strength of our opponents,
nor the character and extent of their fortifications.
These mountain passes must be ugly things to go
through when in possession of an enemy ; our boys
look forward, however, to a day of battle as one of
rare sport. I do not. I endeavor to picture to my
self all its terror.s, so that I may not be surprised and
dumbfounded when the shock comes. Our army is
probably now making one of the most interesting
chapters of American history. God grant it may be
a chapter our Northern people will not be ashamed
to read !
I am not confident of a speedy termination of the
M'ar. These people are in the wrong, but have been
made to believe they are in the right — that we are the
invaders of their hearth.stones, come to conquer and
destroy. That they will fight with desperation, I
have no doubt. Nature has fortified the country for

20 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; Uuly,
them. He is foolishly oversanguine who predicts an
easy victory over such a people, intrenched amidst
mountains and hills. I believe the war will run into
a war of emancipation, and when it ends African
slavery will have ended also. It would not, perhaps,
be politic to say so, but if I had the army in my own
hands, I would take a short cut to what I am sure
will be the end — commence the work of emancipation
at once, and leave every foot of soil behind me free.
10. From the best information obtainable, we are
led to believe the mountains and hills lying between
this place and Beverly are strongly fortified and full
of men. We can see a part of the enemy's fortifica
tions very plainly from a hill west of camp. Our
regiment was ordered to be in readiness to march,
and was under arms two hours. During this time
the Dutch regiment (McCook's), the Fourth Ohio,
four pieces of artillery, one company of cavalry, with
General McClellan, marched to the front, the Dutch
men in advance. They proceeded, say a mile, when
they overhauled the enemy's pickets, and in the little
skirmish which ensued one man of McCook's regi
ment was shot, and two of the enemy captured.
By these prisoners it is affirmed that eight or
nine thousand men are in the hills before us, well
armed, with heavy artillery planted so as to com
mand the road for miles. How true this is we can
not tell. Enough, however, has been learned to sat
isfy McClellan that it is not advisable to attack to
day. What surprises me is that the General should
know so little about the character of the country, the

i86i.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 21
number of the enemy, and the extent of his fortifi
cations. During the day, Colonel Marrow, apparently under
a high state of excitement, informed me that he had
just had an interview with George (he usually speaks
of General McClellan in this familiar way), that an
attack was to be made, and the Third was to lead the
column. He desired me, therefore, to get out my
horse at once, take four men with me, and search the
woods in our front for a practicable road to the en
emy. I asked if General McClellan had given him
any information that would aid me in this enterprise,
such as the position of the rebels, the location of their
outposts, their distance from us, and the character of
the country between our camp and theirs. He re
plied that George had not. It occurred to me that
four men were rather too few, if the work contem
plated was a reconnoissance, and rather too many if
the service required was simply that for which spies
are usually employed. I therefore spoke distrust-
ingly of the proposed expedition, and questioned the
propriety of sending so small a force, so utterly
without information, upon so hazardous an enter
prise, and apparently so foolish a one. My lan
guage gave offense, and when I finally inquired what
four men I should take, the Colonel told me, rather
abruptly, to take whom I pleased, and look where I
pleased. His manner, rather than his words, indi
cated a doubt of my courage, and I turned from him,
mounted my horse, and started for the front, determ
ined to obey the order to the best of my ability, but

22 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [July,
to risk the lives of no others on what was evidently a^
fool's errand. After proceeding some distance, I
found that the wagon-master was at my heels, and,
together, we traced every cowpath and mountain road
we could find, and passed half a mile beyond the
enemy's outposts, and over ground visited by his
scouts almost hourly. When I returned to make my
report, I was curtly informed that no report was de
sired, as the plan had been changed.
A little after midnight the Colonel returned from
head-quarters with important information, which he
desired to communicate to the regiment. The men
were, therefore, ordered to turn out, and came hesi
tatingly and sleepily from their tents. They looked
like shadows as they gathered in the darkness about
their chieftain. It was the hour when graveyards are
supposed to yawn, and the sheeted dead to walk
abroad. The gallant Colonel, with a voice in perfect
accord with the solemnity of the hour, and the
funereal character of the scene, addressed us, in sub
stance, as follows:
" Soldiers of the Third : The assault on the ene
my's works will be made in the early morning. The
Third will lead the column. The secessionists have
ten thousand men and forty rifled cannon. They
are strongly fortified. They have more men and
more cannon than we have. They will cut us to
pieces. Marching to attack such an enemy, so in
trenched and so armed, is marching to a butcher-
shop rather than to a battle. There is bloody work

i86i.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 23
ahead. Many of you, boys, will go out who will never
come back again."
As this speech progressed my hair began to stiffen
at the roots, and a chilly sensation like that Avhich
might ensue from the unexpected and clammy touch
of the dead, ran through me. It was hard to die so
young and so far from home. Theological questions
which before had attracted little or no attention,
now came uppermost in our minds. We thought of
mothers, wives, sweethearts — of opportunities lost,
and of good advice disregarded. Some soldiers
kicked together the expiring fragments of a cahip-
fire, and the little blaze which sprang up revealed
scores of pallid faces. In short, we all wanted to go
home. When a boy I had read Plutarch, and knew some
thing of the great warriors of the old time; but I
could not, for the life of me, recall an instance
wherein they had made such an address to their sol
diers on the eve of battle. It was their habit, at
such a time, to speak encouragingly and hopefully.
With all due respect, therefore, for the superior rank
and wisdom of the Colonel, I plucked him by the
sleeve, took him one side, and modestly suggested
that his speech had had rather a depressing effect on
the regiment, and had taken that spirit out of the
boys so necessary to enable them to do well in battle.
I urged him to correct the mistake, and speak to
them hopefully. He replied that what he had said
was true, and they should know the truth.
The morning dawned ; but instead of beinff called

24 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [July,
upon to lead the column, we were left to the inglori
ous duty of guarding tiie camp, while other regiments
moved forward toward the enemy's line. In half an
hour, in all probability, the work of destruction will
commence. I began this memoranda on the evening
of the 10th, and now close it on the morning of the
11th. 11. At 10 A. M. we were ordered to the front;
passed quite a number of regiments on our way
thither, and finally took position not far from the en
emy's works. We were now at the head of the col
umn. A small brook crossed the road at this point,
and the thick woods concealed us from the enemy.
A few rods further on, a bend in the road gave us a
good view of the entire front of his fortifications.
Major Keifer and a few other gentlemen, in their
anxiety to get more definite information in regard to
the position of the secessionists, and the extent of
their works, went up the road, and were saluted by a
shot from their battery. We expected every mo
ment to receive an order to advance. After a time,
however, we ascertained that Rosecrans, with a
brigade, was seeking the enemy's rear by a mountain
path, and we conjectured that, so soon as he had
reached it, we would be ordered to make the assault
in front. It was a dark, gloomy day, and the hours
passed slowly.
Between two and three o'clock we heard shots in
the rear of the fortifications ; then volleys of mus
ketry, and the roar of artillery. Every man sprang
to his feet, assured that the moment for making the

i86i.l OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 25
attack had arrived. General McClellan and staff
came galloping up, and a thousand faces turned to
hear the order to advance; but no order was given.
The General halted a few paces from our line, and sat
on his horse listening to the guns, apparently in
doubt as to what to do ; and as he sat there with in
decision stamped on every line of his countenance,
the battle grew fiercer in the enemy's rear. Every
volley could be heard distinctly. There would occa
sionally be a lull for a moment, and then the uproar
would break out again with increased violence. If
the enemy is too strong for us to attack, what must be
the fate of Rosecrans' four regiments, cut off from us,
and struggling against such odds? Hours passed;
and as the last straggling shots and final silence told
us the battle had ended, gloom settled down on every
soldier's heart, and the belief grew strong that Rose
crans had been defeated, and his brigade cut to pieces
or captured. This belief grew to certain conviction
soon after, when we heard .shout after shout go up
from the fortifications in our front.
Major Keifer with two companies had, early in
the afternoon, climbed the hill on our right to look
for a position from which artillery could be used
effectively. The ground over which he moved was
broken and covered with a dense growth of trees and
underbrush ; finally an elevation was discovered which
commanded the enemy's camp, but before a road could
be cut, and the artillery brought up, it was too late in
the day to begin the attack.
3

26 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; IJuly,
Night came on. It was intensely dark. About
nine o'clock we were ordered to withdraw our pickets
quietly and return to our old quarters. On our way
thither a rough voice cried: "Halt! Who comes
there?" And a thousand shadowy forms sprang up
before tis. The challenge was from Colonel Robert
McCook, and the regiment his. The scene reminded
me of the one where
"That whistle garrisoned the glen
At once with full five hundred men,
As if the yawning hill to heaven
A subterranean host had given."
12. We were rejoiced this morning to hear of
Rosecrans' success, and, at the .same time, not well
pleased at the escape of the enemy under cover of
night. We were ordered to move, and got under
way at eight o'clock. On the road we met General
Rosecrans and staff. He was jubilant, as well he
might be, and as he rode by received the congratula
tions of the officers and cheers of the men.
Arriving on yesterday's battlefield, the regiment
was allowed a half hour for rest. The dead had
been gathered and placed in a long trench, which
was still open. The wounded of both armies were
in hospital, receiving the attention of the surgeons.
There were a few prisoners, most of them too un
well to accompany their friends in retreat.
Soon after reaching the summit of Rich mountain,
we caught glimpses of Tygart's valley, and of Cheat

t86i.l OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 27
mountain beyond, and before nightfall reached Bev
erly and went into camp.
13. Six or eight hundred Southern troops sent in
a flag of truce, and surrendered unconditionally.
They are a portion of the force which fought Rose
crans at Rich mountain, and Morris at Laurel Hill.
We started up the Valley river at seven o'clock
this morning, our regiment in the lead. Found most
of the houses deserted. Both Union men and seces
sionists had fled. The Southern troops, retreating in
this direction, had frightened the people greatly, by
telling them that we shot men, ravished women, and
destroyed property. When within three-quarters of
a mile of Huttonville, we were informed that forty
or fifty mounted secessionists were there. The order
to double-quick was given, and the regiment entered
the village on a run. As we made a turn in the
road, we discovered a squad of cavalry retreating
rajDidly. The bridge over the river had been burned,
and was still .smoking. Our troops sent up a hurrah
and quickened their pace, but they had already trav
eled eleven miles on a light breakfast, and were not
in condition to run down cavalry. That we might
not lose at least one shot at the enemy, I got an En
field rifle from one of the men, galloped forward, and
fired at the retreating squad. It was the best shot •!
could make, and I am forced to say it was a very poor
one, for no one fell. On second thought, it occurred
to me that it would have been criminal to have killed
one of these men, for his death could have had no
possible effert on the result of the war.

28 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [JOLV,
Huttonville is a very sinall place at the foot of
Cheat mountain. We halted there perhaps one hour,
to await the arrival of General McClellan ; and when
he came up, were ordered forward to secure a mount
ain pass. It is thought fifteen hundred secessionists
are a few miles ahead, near the top of the mountain.
Two Indiana regiments and one battery are with us.
More troops are probably following.
The man who owns the farm on which we are en
camped is, with his family, sleeping in the woods to
night, if, indeed, he sleeps at all.
14. The Ninth and Fourth Ohio, Fifteenth Indi
ana, and one company of cavalry, stai'ted up the
mountain between seven and eight o'clock. The
Colonel being unwell, I followed with the Third.
Awful rumors were afloat of fortifications and rebels
at the top; but we found no fortifications, and as for
the rebels, they were scampering for Staunton as fast
as their legs could carry them.
This mountain scenery is magnificent. As we
climbed the Cheat the views were the grandest I ever
looked upon. Nests of hills, appearing like eggs
of the mountain ; ravines so dark that one could not
guess their depth ; openings, the ends of which
seemed lost in a blue mist; broken-backed mount
ains, long mountains, round mountains, mountains
sloping gently to the summit; others so steep a
squirrel could hardly climb them; fatherly mount
ains, with their children clustered about them, clothed
in birch, pine, and cedar; mountain streams, spark-

iS6i.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 29
ling now in the sunlight, then dashing down into ap
parently fathomless abysses.
It was a beautiful day, and the march was delight
ful. The road is crooked beyond description, but
very solid and smooth.
The farmer on whose premises we are encamped
has returned from the woods. He has discovered
that we are not so bad as we were reported. Most of
the negroes have been left at home. Many were in
camp to-day with corn-bread, pies, and cakes to sell.
Fox, my servant, went out this afternoon and bought
a basket of bread. He brought in two chickens also,
which he said were presented to him. I suspect Fox
does not always tell the truth.
16. The Fourteenth Indiana and one company of
cavalry went to the summit this morning to fortify.
The Colonel has gone to Beverly. The boys repeat
his Rich mountain speech with slight variations :
"Men, there are ten thousand secessionists in Rich
mountain, with forty rifled cannon, well fortified.
There's bloody work ahead. You are going to a
butcher-shop rather than a battle. Ten thousand
men and forty rifled cannon ! Hostler, you d — d
scoundrel, why don't you wipe Jerome's nose?"
Jerome is the Colonel's horse, known in camp as the
White Bull.
Conway, who has been detailed to attend to the
Colonel's horses, is almost as good a speech-maker as
the Colonel. This, in brief, is Conway's address to
the White Bull :
"Stand still there, now, or I'll make yer stand

30 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; tJi'i-Y,
still. Hold up yer head there, now, or I '11 make
yer hold it up. Keep quiet; what the h — U yer
'bout there, now ? D — n you ! do you want me to hit
you a lick over the snoot, now — do you? Are you a
inviten' me to pound you over the head with a saw-
log ? D — n yer ugly pictures, whoa !"
18. This afternoon, when riding down to Hutton
ville, I met three or four hundred sorry-looking sol
diers. They were without arms. On inquiry, I
found they were a part of the secession army, who,
finding no way of escape, had come into our lines
and surrendered. They were badly dressed, and a
hard, dissolute-looking lot of men. To use the lan
guage of one of the soldiers, they were " a milk-
sickly set of fellows," and would have died off prob
ably without any help from us if they had been kept
in the mountains a little longer. They were on their
way to Staunton. General McClellan had very gen
erously provided them with provisions for three days,
and wagons to carry the sick and wounded ; and so,
footsore, weary, and chopfallen, they go over the
hills. An unpleasant rumor is in camp to-night, to the
effect that General Patterson has been defeated at
Williamsport. This, if true, will counterbalance our
successes in Western Virginia, and make the game
an even one.
The Southern soldiers mentioned above are en
camped for the night a little over a mile from here.
About dusk I walked over to their camp. They
were gathered around their fires preparing supper.

i86i.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 31
Many of them say they were decei\'edj aud entered
the service because they were led to believe that the
Northern army would confiscate their property, lili-
erate their slaves, and play the devil generally. As
they thought this was true, there was nothing left fin-
them to do but to take up arms and defend themselves.
While we were at Buckhannon, an old farmer-
looking man visited us daily, bringing tobacco, corn-
bread, and cucumber pickles. This innocent old gen-
man proves to have been a spy, and obtained his
reward in the loss of a leg at Rich mountain.
19. To-day, eleven men belonging to a company
of cavalry which accompanied the Fourteenth Indi
ana to the Summit, were sent out on a scouting expe
dition. When about ten miles from camp, on the op
posite side of the mountain, they halted, and while
watering their horses were fired upon. One man was
killed and three wounded. The other .seven fled.
Colonel Kimball sent out a detachment to bring in
the wounded ; but whether it succeeded or not I
have not heard.
A musician belonging to the Fourth Ohio, when
six miles out of Beverly, on his way to Phillippi,
was fired upon and instantly killed. So goes what
little there is of war in Western Virginia.
20. The most interesting of all days in the mount
ains is one on which the sky is filled with floating
clouds, not hiding it entirely, but leaving here aud
there patches of blue. Then the shadows shift from
place to place, as the moving clouds either let in the
sunshine or exclude it. Standing at my tent-door at

32 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER ; (July,
eleven o'clock in the morning, with a stiff breeze go
ing, and the clouds on the wing, we see a peak, now
in the sunshine, then in the shadow, and the lights
and shadows chasing each other from point to point
over the mountains, presenting altogether a pano
rama most beautiful to look upon, and such an one as
God only can present.
I can almost believe now that men become, to
some extent, like the country in which they live. In
the plain country the inhabitants learn to traffic,
come to regard money-getting as the great object in
life, and have but a dim perception of those higlier
emotions from which spring the noblest acts. In a
mountain country God has made many things
sublime, and some things very beautiful. The
rugged, the smooth, the sunshine, and the shadow
meet one at every turn. Here are peak.s getting the
earliest sunlight of the morning, and the latest of
the evening; ravines so deep the light of day can
never penetrate them ; bold, rugged, perpendicular
rocks, which have breasted the storms for ages ; gen
tle slopes, swelling away until their summits seem
to dip in the blue sky; streams, cold and clear, leap- '
ing from' crag to crag, and rushing down nobody
knows whither. Like the country, may we not look
to find the people unpolished, rugged and uneven,
capable of the noblest heroism or the most infernal
villainy — their lives full of lights and shadows, eleva
tions and depressions ?
The mountains, rising one above another, suggest,
forcibly enough, the infinite power of the Creator,

i86i.J OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 33
and when the peaks come in contact with the clouds
it requires but little imagination to make one feel
that God, as at Sinai, has set His foot upon the earth,
and that earth and heaven are really very near each
other. 21. This morning, at two o'clock, I was rattled up
by a sentinel, who had come to camp in hot haste to
inform me that he had seen and fired upon a body of
twenty-five or more men, probably the advance guard
of the enemy. He desired me to send two companies
to strengthen the outpost. I preferred, however, to
go myself to the scene of the trouble ; and, after inves
tigation, concluded that the guard had been alarmed
by a couple of cows.
Another lot of secession prisoners, some sixty
in number, passed by this afternoon. They were
highly pleased with the manner in which they had
been treated by their captors.
The sound of a musket is just heard on the picket
post, three-quarters of a mile away, and the shot is
being repeated by our line of sentinels. * * *
The whole camp has been in an uproar. Many men,
half asleep, rushed from their tents and fired off their
guns in their company grounds. Others, supposing
the enemy near, became excited and discharged theirs
also. The tents were struck, Loomis' Fir.st Michigan
Battery manned, and we awaited the attack, but none
was made. It was a false alarm. Some sentinel
probably halted a stump and fired, thus rousing a
thousand men from their warm beds. This is the
first night alarm we have had.

34 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [July,
22. We hear that General Cox has been beaten on
the Kanawha; that our forces have been repulsed at
Manassas Gap, and that our troops have been unsuc
cessful in Missouri. I trust the greater part, if not
all, of this is untrue.
We have been expecting orders to march, but they
have not come. The men are very anxious to be
moving, and when moving, strange to say, always
very anxious to stop.
23. Officers and men are low-spirited to-night.
The news of yesterday has been confirmed. Our
army has been beaten at Manassas with terrible loss.
General McClellan has left Beverly for Washington.
General Rosecrans will assume command in Western
Virginia. We are informed that twenty miles from
us, in the direction of Staunton, some three thousand
seces-sionists are in camp. We shall probably move
against them.
24. The news from Manassas Junction is a little
more cheering, and all feel better to-day.
We have now a force of about four thousand men
in this vicinity, and two or three thousand at Bev
erly. We shall be in telegraphic communication
Avith the North to-morrow.
The inoou is at its full to-night, and one of the
most beautiful sights I have witnessed was its rising
above the mountain. First the sky lighted up, then
a halo appeared, then the edge of the moon, not
bigger than a star, then the half-moon, not semi-circu
lar, but blazing up like a great gaslight, and, finally,
the full, round moon had climbed to the top, and

i86i.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 35
seemed to stop a moment to rest and look down on
the valley.
27. The Colonel left for Ohio to-day, to be gone
two weeks.
I came from the quarters of Brigadier-General
Schleich a few minutes ago. He is a three-months'
brigadier, and a rampant demagogue. Schleich said
that slaves who accompanied their masters to the
field, when captured, should be sent to Cuba and sold
to pay the expenses of the war. I suggested that it
would be better to take them to Canada and liberate
them, and that so soon as the Government began to
sell negroes to pay the expen.ses of the war I would
throw up my commission and go home. Schleich was
a State Senator when the war began. He is what
might be called a tremendous little man, swears terri
bly, and imagines that he thereby shows his snap.
Snap, in his opinion, is indispensable to a military
man. If snap is the only thing a soldier needs, and
profanity is snap, Schleich is a second Napoleon.
This General Snap will go home, at the expiration of
his three-month.s' term, unregretted by officers and
men. !Major Hugh Ewing will, return with him.
Last night the Major became thoroughly elevated,
and he is not quite sober yet. He thinks, when in
his cups, that our generals are too careful of their
men. "AVhat are a th-thousand men," said he,
"when (hie) principle is at stake? Men's lives (hie)
should n't be thought of at such a time (hie).
Amount to nothing (hie). Our generals are too d — d
slow" (hie). The Major is a man of excellent nat-

36 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [July,
ural capacity, the son of Hon. Thomas Ewing, of
Lancaster, and brother-in-law of W. T. Sherman,
now a colonel or brigadier-general in the army. W.
T. Sherman is the brother of John Sherman.
The news from Manassas is very bad. The dis
graceful flight of our troops will do us more injury,
and is more to be regretted, than the lo.ss of fifty
thousand men. It will impart new life, courage, and
confidence to our enemies. They will say to their
troops : "You see how these scoundrels run when you
stand up to them."
29. Was slightly unwell this morning ; but about
noon accompanied General Reynolds, Colonel Wag
ner, Colonel Heffron, and a squad of cavalry, up
the valley, and returned somewhat tired, but quite
well. Lieutenant-Colonel Owen was also of the
party. He is fifty or fifty-five years old, a thin,
spare man, of very ordinary personal appearance, but
of fine scientific and literary attainments. For some
years he was a professor in a Southern military
school. He has held the position of State Geologist
of Indiana, and is the son of the celebrated Robert
J. Owen, who founded the Communist Society at
New Harmony, Indiana. Every sprig, leaf, and stem
on the route suggested to Colonel Owen something to
talk about, and he proved to be a very entertaining
companion. General Reynolds is a graduate of West Point, and
has the theory of war completely ; but whether he has
the broad, practical common sense, more important
than book knowledge, time will determine. As yet

i86i.) OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 37
he is an untried quantity, and, therefore, unknown.
30. About two o'clock p. m., for want of some
thing better to do, I climbed the high mountain in
front of our camp. The side is as steep as the roof
of a gothic house. By taking hold of bushes and
limbs of trees, after a half hour of very hard work, I
managed to get to the top, completely exhausted.
The outlook was magnificent. Tygart's valley, the
river winding through it, and a boundless succession
of mountains and ridges, all lay before me. My atten
tion, however, was soon diverted from the landscape to
the huckleberries. They were abundant; and now and
then I stumbled on patches of delicious raspberries.
I remained on the mountain, resting and picking
berries, until half-past four. I must be in camp at
six to post my pickets, but there was no occasion for
haste. So, after a time, I started leisurely down, not
the way I had come up, but, as I supposed, down the
eastern slope, a way, apparently, not so steep and dif
ficult as the one by which I had ascended. I trav
eled on, through vines and bushes, over fallen timber,
and under great trees, from which I could scarcely
obtain a glimpse of the sky, until finally I came to a
mountain stream. I expected to find the road, not
the stream, and began to be a little uncertain as to
my whereabouts. After reflection, I concluded I
would be most likely to reach camp by going up the
stream, and so started. Trees in many places had
fallen across the ravine, and my progress was neither
easy nor rapid ; but I pushed on as best I could. I
never knew so well before what a mountain stream

38 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [July,
was. I scrambled over rocks and fallen trees, and
through thickets of laurel, until I was completely
worn out. Lying down on the rocks, which in high
water formed part of the bed of the stream, I took a
drink, looked at my watch, and found it was half-past
five. My pickets were to be posted at six. Having
but a half hour left, I started on. I could see no
opening yet. The stream twisted and turned, keep
ing no one general direction for twenty rods, and
hardly for tAventy feet. It grew smaller, and as the
ravine narrowed the way became more difficult. Six
o'clock had now come. I could not see the sun, and
only occasionally could get glimpses of the sky. I
began to realize that I was lost; but concluded finally
that I would climb the mountain again, and ascertain,
if I could, in what direction the camp lay. I have
had some hard tramps, and have done some hard
work, but never labored half so hard in a whole week
as I did for one hour in getting up that mountain,
pushing through vines, climbing over logs, breaking
through brush. Three or four times I lay down out
of breath, utterly exhausted, and thought I would
proceed no further until morning; but when I
thought of my pickets, and reflected that General
Reynolds would not excuse a trip so foolish and
untimely, I made new efforts and pushed on. Finally
I reached the summit of the mountain, but found it
not the one from which I had descended. Still
higher mountains were around me. The trees and
bu,shes were so dense I could hardly see a rod before
me. It was now seven o'clock, an hour after the

i86i.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 39
time when I should have been in camp. I lay down,
determined to remain all night ; but my clothing was
so thin that I soon became chilly, and so got up and
started on again. Once I became entangled in a
wilderness of grapevines and briers, and had much
difficulty in getting through them. It v/as now half-
past seven, and growing dark ; but, fortunately, at this
time, I heard a dog bark, a good way off to the right,
and, turning in that direction, I came to a cowpath.
Which end of it should I take? Either end, I con
cluded, would be better than to remain where I was;
so I worked myself into a dog-trot, wound down
around the side of the mountain, and reached the
road, a mile and a half south of camp, and went to
my quarters fast as my legs could carry me. I found
mv detail for picket duty waiting and wondering what
could so detain the officer of the day.
31. The Fifteenth Indiana, Colonel Wagner,
moved up the valley eight miles.
The sickly months are now on us. Considerable
dysentery among the men, and many reported unfit
for duty.
Mv limbs are stiff and sore from yesterday's exer
cise, but my adventure proves to have been a lucky
one. The mountain path I stumbled on was un
known to us before, and we find, on inquiry, that it
leads over the ridges. The enemy might, by taking
this path, follow it up during the day, encamp almost
within our picket lines without being discovered, and
then, under cover of night, or in the early morning.

40 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; Oulv,
come down upon us while we were in our beds. It
will be picketed hereafter.
A private of Company E wrote home that he had
killed two secessionists. A Zanesville paper pub
lished the letter. When the boys of his company
read it they obtained spades, called on the soldier who
had drawn so heavily on the credulity of his friends,
and told him they had come to bury the dead. The
poor fellow protested, apologized, and excused him
self as best he could, but all to no purpose. He is
never likely to hear the last of it.
I am reminded that when coming from Bellaire to
Fetterman, a soldier doing guard duty on the railroad
said that a few mornings before he had gone out,
killed two secessionists who were just sitting down to
breakfast, and then eaten the breakfast himself.

i36i.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 41

AUGUST, 1861.

1. It is said the pickets of the Fourteenth Indi
ana and the enemy's cavalry came in collision to-day,
and that three of the latter were killed.
It is now 9 p. M. Sergeants are calling the roll
foT the last time to-night. In half an hour taps will
be sounded and the lights extinguished in every pri
vate's tent. The first call in the morning, reveille, is
at five ; breakfast call, six ; surgeon's call, seven ;
drill, eight; recall, eleven; dinner, twelve; drill
again at four; recall, five; guard-mounting, half-past
five; first call for dress-parade, six; second call, half-
past six ; tattoo at nine, and taps at half-past. So the
day goes round.
Hardee for a month or more was a book of impene
trable mysteries. The words conveyed no idea to my
mind, and the movements described were utterly be
yond my comprehension ; but now the whole thing
comes almost without study.
2. Jerrolaman went out this afternoon and picked
nearly a peck of blackberries. Berries of various
kinds are very abundant. The fox-grape is also found
in great plenty, and as big as one's thumb.
4

42 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [August,
The Indianians are great ramblers. Lieutenant
Bell says they can be traced all over the country, for
they not only eat all the berries, but nibble the thorns
off the bushes.
General Reynolds told me, this evening, he thought
it probable we would be attacked soon. Have been
distributing ammunition, forty rounds to the man.
My black horse was missing this morning. Con
way looked for him the greater part of the day, and
finally found him in possession of an Indiana captain.
It happened in this way : Captain Rupp, Thirteenth
Indiana, told his men he would give forty dollars for
a sesesh horse, and they took my horse out of the pas
ture, delivered it to him, and got the money. He
rode the horse up the valley to Colonel Wagner's sta
tion, and when he returned bragged considerably over
his good luck ; but about dark Conway interviewed
him on the subject, when a change came o'er the
spirit of his dream. Colonel Sullivan tells me the
officers now talk to Rupp about the fine points of his
horse, ask to borrow him, and desire to know when
he proposes to ride again.
A little group of soldiers are sitting around a
camp-fire, not far away, entertaining each other with
stories and otherwise. Just now one of them lifts up
his voice, and in a melancholly strain sings :
Somebody  " is weeping
For gallant Andy Gray,
Who now in death lies sleeping
Ou the field of Monterey."

i86i.J OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 43
While I write he strikes into another air, and these
are the words as I catch them :
" Come back, come back, my party fair maid !
Ten thousand of my jlnture on you I will bestow
If you '11 consent to marry me ;
Oh, do not say me no."
But the maid is indifferent to jintures, and re
plies indignantly:
'¦ Oh, hold your tongue, captain, your words are all in vain ;
I liave a handsome sweetheart now across the main,
And if I do not find him I'll mourn continuali."
More of this interesting dialogue between the cap
tain and the pretty fair maid I can not catch.
The sky is clear, but the night very dark. I do
not contemplate my ride to the picket posts with any
great degree of pleasure. A cowardly sentinel is
more likely to shoot at you than a brave one. The
fears of the former do not give him time to consider
whether the person advancing is friend or foe.
3. We hear of the enemy daily. Colonel Kim
ball, on the mountain, and Colonel Wagner, up the
valley, are both in hourly expectation of an attack.
The enemy, encouraged by his successes at Manassas,
will probably attempt to retrieve his losses in Western
Virginia. 4. At one o'clock p. m. General Reynolds sent for
me. Two of Colonel Wagner's companies had been
surrounded, and an attack on Wagner's position ex
pected to-night. The enemy reported three thousand

44 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; (August,
strong, tie desired me to send half of my regiment
and two of Loomis' guns to the support of Wagner.
I took six companies and started up the valley.
Reached Wagner's quarters at six o'clock. Brought
neither tents nor provisions, and to-night will turn in
with the Indianians.
It is true that the enemy number three thousand ;
the main body being ten or fifteen miles away. Their
pickets and ours, however, are near each other; but
General Reynolds was misinformed as to two of
Wagner's companies. They had not been surrounded.
To-morrow Colonel Wagner and I will make a
reconnoissance, and ascertain if the rebels are ready
to fight. Wagner has six hundred and fifty men fit
for duty, and I have four hundred. Besides these,
we have three pieces of artillery. Altogether, we
expect to be able to hoe them a pretty good row, if
they should advance' on us. Four of the enemy were
captured to-day. A company of cavalry is approach
ing. "Halt! who comes there?" cries the sentinel.
" Lieutenant Denny, without the countersign." " All
right," shouts Colonel Wagner, " let him come."
I Avrite with at least four fleas hopping about on my
legs. 5. To-day we felt our way up the valley eight
miles, but did not reach the rebels.
To-night our pickets were sure they heard firing
off in the direction of Kanawha. If so. Cox and
AVise must be having a pleasant little interchange of
lead. The chaplain of the Thirteenth- Indiana is the

i86i.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 45
counterpart of Scott's Holy Clerk of Copmanhurst,
or the fighting friar of the times of Robin Hood.
In answer to some request he has just said that he will
" go to thunder before doing it." The first time I
saw this fighting parson was at the burnt bridge near
Huttonville. He had two revolvers and a hatchet in
his belt, and appeared more like a firebrand of war
than a minister of peace. I now hear the rough
voice of a braggadocio captain in the adjoining tent,
who, if we may believe his own story, is the most
formidable man alive. His hair-breadth escapes are
innumerable, and his anxiety to get at the enemy is
intense. Is it not ancient Pi.stol come again to aston
ish the world by deeds of reckle.ss daring?
We have sent out a scouting party, and hope to
learn something more of the rebels during the night.
Wagner, Major Wood, Captain Abbott, and others
are having a game of whist.
6. Our camp equipage came up to-day, so that we
are now in our own tents.
Four of my companies are on picket, scattered up
the valley for miles, and half of the other two are
doing guard duty in the neighborhood of the camp.
I do not, by any means, approve of throwing out
such heavy pickets and scattering our men so much.
We are in the presence of a force probably twice as
large as our own, and should keep our troops well in
hand. Our scouts have been busy ; but, although they
have brought in a few prisoners, mostly farmers resid
ing in the vicinity of the enemy's camp, we have ob-

46 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER ; [August,
tained but little information respecting the rebels. I
intend to send out a scouting party in the morning.
Lieutenant Driscoll will command it. He is a brave,
and, I think, prudent officer, and will leave camp at
four o'clock, follow the road six miles, then take to
the mountains, and endeavor to reach a point where
he can overlook the enemy and estimate his strength.
7. The scouting party sent out this morning were
conveyed by wagons six miles up the valley, and were
to take to the mountain.?, half a mile beyond. I in
structed Lieutenant Driscoll to exercise the utmost
caution, and not take his men further than he thought
reasonably safe. Of course perfect safety is not ex
pected. Our object, however, is to get information,
not to give it by losing the squad.
At eleven o'clock a courier came in hot haste from
the front, to inform us that a flag of truce, borne by
a Confederate major, with an escort of six dragoons,
was on the way to camp. Colonel Wagner and I
rode out to meet the party, and were introduced to
Major Lee, the son, as I subsequently ascertained, of
General Robert E. Lee, of Virginia. The Major in
formed us that his communication could only be im
parted to our General, and a courier was at once dis
patched to Huttonville.
At four o'clock General Reynolds -arrived, accom
panied by Colonel Sullivan and a company of cavalry.
Wagner and I joined the General's party, and all gal
loped to the outpost, to interview the Confederate ma
jor. His letter contained a proposition to exchange
prisoners captured by the rebels at Manassas for those

'86i] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 47
taken at Rich mountain. The General appointed a
day on which a definite answer should be returned
and Major Lee, accompanied by Lieutenant-Colonel
Owen and myself, rode to the outlying picket station,
where his escort had been halted and detained.
Major Lee is near my own age, a heavy set, but
well-proportioned man, somewhat inclined to boast,
not overly profound, and thoroughly impregnated
with the idea that he is a Virginian and a Lee withal.
As I shook hands at parting with this scion of an
illustrious house, he complimented me by saying that
he hoped soon to have the honor of meeting me on
the battlefield. I assured him that it would afford
me pleasure, and I should make all reasonable efforts
to gratify him in this regard. I did not desire to
fight, of course, but I was bound not to be excelled
in the matter of knightly courtesy.
8. Major AVood, Fifteenth Indiana, thought he
heard chopping last night, and imagined that the ene
my was engaged in cutting a road to our rear.
Lieutenant Driscoll and party returned to-day.
They slept on the mountains last night; were inside
the enemy's picket lines ; heard reveille sounded this
morning, but could not obtain a view of the camp.
Have just returned from a sixteen-mile ride, visit
ing picket posts. The latter half of the ride was
after nightfall. Found officers and men vigilant and
ready to meet an attack.
Obtained some fine huckleberries and blackberries
on the mountain to-day. Had a blackberry pie and
pudding for dinner. Rather too much happiness for

48 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [August,
one day ; but then the crust of the pudding was tol
erably tough. The grass is a foot high in parts of
t my tent, where it has not been trodden down, and the
gentle grasshopper makes music all the day, and like
wise all the night.
Our fortifications are progressing slowly. If the
enemy intends to attack at all, he will probably do so
before they are complete ; and if he does not, the
fortifications will be of no use to us. But this is the
philosophy of a lazy man, and very similar to that of
the Irishman Avho did not put roof on his cabin :
when it rained he could not, and in fair weather he
did not need it.
9. Pickets report firing, artillery and musketry,
over the mountain, in the direction of Kimball.
The enemy's scouts were within three, miles of our
camp this afternoon, evidently looking for a path
that would enable them to get to our rear. Fifty men
have just been sent in pursuit; but owing to a little
misunderstanding of instructions, I fear the expedi
tion will be fruitless. Colonel Wagner neither thinks
clearly nor talks with any degree of exactness. He
has a loose, slip-shod, indefinite way with him, that
tends to confusion and leads to misunderstandings
and trouble.
I have been over the mountain on our left, hunt
ing up the paths and familiarizing myself with the
ground, so as to be ready to defeat any effort that may
be made to turn our flank. Colonel Owen has been
investigating the mountain on our right. The Colonel
is a good thinker, an excellent conversationalist, and

i86i.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 49
a very learned man. Geology is his darling, and he
keeps one eye on the enemy, and the other on the
rocks. 10. Aly tent is on the bank of the A^alley river.
The Avater, clear as crystal, as it hurries on over the
rocks, keeps up a continuous murmur.
There will be a storm to-night. The sky is very
dark, the wind ri.sing, and every few minutes a vivid
flash of lightning illuminates the valley, and the
thunder rolls off among the mountains with a rumb-
bling, echoing noise, like that which the gods might
make in putting a hundred trains of celestial artillciy
in position.
11. Lieutenant Bowen, of topographical engi
neers, and myself, with ten men, carrying axes and
guns, started up the mountain at seven o'clock this
morning, followed a path to the crest, or dividing
ridge, and felled trees to obstruct the way as much as
possible. Returned to camp for dinner.
During the afternoon Lieutenant AV. O. ]\IerrilI,
Lieutenant Bowen, and I, ascended the mountain
again by a new route. After reaching the crest, wc en
deavored to find the path which Lieutenant Bowen and
I had traveled over in the morning, but were unable
to do so. We continued our search until it became
quite dark, when the two engineers, as well as myself,
became utterly bewildered. Finally, Lieutenant Mer
rill took out his pocket compass, and saidthe camp was
in that direction, pointing with his hand. I insisted
he was wrong ; that he would not reach camp by going

50 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [August,
that Avay. He insisted that he would, and must be
governed by some general principles, and so started off
on his own hook, leaving us to pursue our own course.
Finally Bowen lost confidence in me, said I was not
going in the right direction at all, and insisted that
we should turn squarely around, and go the opposite
way. At last I yielded with many misgivings, and
allowed him to lead. After going down a thousand
feet or more, we found ourselves in a ravine, through
which a small stream of water flowed. Following
this, we finally reached the valley. AYe knew now
exactly where we were, and by wading the river
reached the road, and so got to camj^ at nine o'clock
at night.
Merrill, who was governed by general principles,
failed to strike the camp directly, strayed three or
four miles to the right of it, came down in Stewart's
run valley, and did not reach camp until about mid
night. On our trip to-day, we found a bear trap, made of
heavy logs, the lid arranged to fall when the bear
entered and touched the bait.
12. This is the fourth day that Cajitain Cnnard's
company has been lying in the woods, three miles
from camp, guarding an important road, although a
very rough and rugged one. Companies upon duty
like this, remain at their posts day aud night, good
weather and bad, without any shelter, except that
afforded by the trees, or by little booths constructed
of logs and branches. From the main station, where
the captain remains, sub-pickets are sent out in

«86i.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 51
charge of sergeants and corporals, and these often
make little houses of logs, which they cover with
cedar boughs or branches of laurel, and denominate
forts. In the wilderness, to-day, I stumbled upon
Fort Stiner, the head-quarters of a sub-picket com
manded by Corporal AA'illiam Stiner, of the Third.
The Corporal and such of his men as were off duty,
were sitting about a fire, heating coffee and roasting
slices of fat pork, preparing thus the noonday meal.
13. At noon Colonel Marrow, Major Keifer, and I,
took dinner with Esquire Stalnaker, an old-style man,
born fifty years ago in the log house where he now
lives. Two spinning-wheels were in the best room,
and rattled away with a music which carried me back
to the pioneer days of Ohio. A little girl of five or
six years stole up to the wheel when the mother's
back was turned, and tried her skill on a roll. How
proud and delighted .she was when she had sjsun the
wool into a long, uneven thread, and secured it safely
on the spindle. Surely, the child of the palace,
reared in the lap of luxury and with her hands in
the mother's jewel-box, could not have been happier
or more triumphant in her bearing.
These AA^est A'^irginians are uncultivated, unedu
cated and rough, and need the common school to civ
ilize and modernize them. Alany have never .seen a
railroad, and the telegraph is to them an incompre
hensible mystery.
Governor Dennison has appointed a Mr. John G.
Mitchell, of Columbus, adjutant of the Third.
14. Privates Vincent and Watson, sentinels of a

52 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [August,
sub-picket, under command of Corporal Stiner, dis
covered a man stealing through the woods, and halted
him. He professed to be a farm hand; said his em
ployer had a mountain farm not far away, where he
pastured cattle. A two-year-old steer had strayed off,
and he was looking for him. His clothes were fear
fully torn by brush and briars. His hands and face
were scratched by thorns. He had taken off his boots
to relieve his swollen feet, and was carrying them in
his hands. Imitating the language and manners of
an uneducated AVest Virginian, he asked the sentinel
if he " had seed anything of a red steer." The sen
tinel had not. After continuing the conversation for
a time, he finally said : " AVell, I must be a goin' ;
it is a gettin' late, and I am durned feared I won't
git back to the farm afore night. Good day." "Hold
on," said the sentinel; "better go and see the Cap
tain." " 0, no; do n't want to trouble him ; it is not
likely he has seed the steer, and it's a gettin' late."
"Come right along," replied the sentinel, bringing
his gun down; "the Captain will not mind being
troubled ; in fact, I am instructed to take such men
as you to him."
Captain Cunard questioned the prisoner closely,
asked whom he worked for, how much he was getting
a month for his services, and, finally, pointing to the
long-legged military boots which he was still holding
in his hands, asked how much they cost. " Fifteen
dollars," replied the prisoner." "Fifteen dollars! Is
not that rather more than a farm hand who ge'ts but
twelve dollars a month can afford to pay for boots?"

i86i.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 53
inquired the Captain. "AVell, the fact is, boots is a,
gettin' high since the war, as well as every thing,
else." But Captain Cunard was not satisfied. The
prisoner was not well up in the character he had un
dertaken to play, and was told that he must go to
head-quarters. Finding that he was caught, he at
once threw off the mask, and confessed that he was
Captain J. A. De Lagniel, formerly of the regular
army, but now in the Confederate service. AA^ounded
at the battle of Rich mountain, he had been secreted
at a farm-house near Beverly until able to travel, and
was now trying to get around our pickets and reach
the rebel army. He had been in the mountains five
days and four nights. The provisions with which he
started, and which consisted of a little bag of biscuit,
had become moldy. He thought, from the distance
traveled, that he must be beyond our lines and out of
danger. De Lagniel is an educated man, and his wife and
friends believe him to have been killed at Rich
mountain. He speaks in high terms of Captain
Cunard, and says, when the latter began to question
him, he soon found it was useless to play Major
Andre, for Paulding was before him, too sharp to be
deceived and too honest to be bribed. When De
Lagniel was brought into camp he was wet and shiv
ering, weak, and thoroughly broken down by starva
tion, cold, exposure, and fatigue. The officers sup
plied him with the clothing necessary to make him
comfortable. 15. I have a hundred axmen in my charge, fell-

54 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [August,
ing timber on the mountain, and constructing rough
breastAVorks to protect our left flank.
General Reynolds came up to-day to see De
Lagniel. They are old acquaintances, were at AA'est
Point together, and know each other like brothers.
The irrepressible Corporal Casey, Avho, in fact, had
nothing whatever to do with the capture of De
Lagniel, is now surrounded by a little group of sol
diers. He is talking to them about the prisoner,
who, since it is known that he is an acquaintance of
General Reynolds, has become a person of great im
portance in the camp. The Corporal speaks in the
broadest Irish brogue, and is telling his hearers that
he knew the fellow was a sesesh at once ; that he lev
eled his musket at him and towld him to halt ; that
if he hadn't marched straight up to him he would
have put a minnie ball through his heart ; that he
had his gun cocked and his finger on the trigger, and
was a mind to shoot him anyway. Then he tells how
he propounded this and that question, which confused
the prisoner, and finally concludes by saying that De
Lagniel might be d — d thankful indade that he es
caped with his life.
The Corporal is the best-known man in the regi
ment. He prides himself greatly on the Middle
Fork "skrimage." A day or two after that affair,
and at a time when whisky was so scarce that it was
worth its weight in gold, some officers called the Cor
poral up and asked him to give them an account of the
"skrimage." Before he entered upon the subject, it
was suggested that Captain Dubois, Avho had the little

i86i.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. §5
whisky there vras in the party, should give him a
taste to loosen his tongue. The Corporal, nothing
loth, took the flask, and, raising it to his mouth,
emptied it, to the utter dismay of the Captain and
his friends. The dhrap had the effect desired. The
Corporal described, with great particulai'ity, his man
ner of going into action, dwelt with much emphasis
on the hand-to-hand encounters, the thrusts, the par
ries, the final clubbing of the musket, and the utter
discomfiture aud mortal wounding of his antagonist.
In fact by this time there Avere two of them ; and
finally, as the fight progressed, a dozen or more
bounced doAvn on him. It was lively ! There was
no time for the loading of guns. AVhack, thump,
crack ! The head of one Avas broken, another lay dy
ing of a bayonet thrust, and still another had per
ished under the sledge-hammer bloAv of his fist. The
ground was covered now with the slain. He stood
knee-deep in secesh blood ; but a bugle sounded away
off on the hills, and the d — d scoundrels Avho were
able to get aAvay ran off as fast as their legs could
carry them. Had they stood up like men he
would hav^e destroyed the whole regiment; for, you
see, he was just getting his hand in. "But, Cor
poral," . inquired Captain Hunter, "what were the
other soldiers of your company doing all this time?"
" Bless your sowl. Captain, and do you think I had
nothing to do but to watch the boys? Be jabers, it
was a day Avhen every man had to look after him
self" 16. The opinion seems to be growing that the reb-

56 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [August,
els do not intend to attack us. They have put it off
too long.
A scouting party will start out in the morning, un
der the guidance of " old Leather Breeches," a primi
tive AVest Virginian, Avho has spent his life in the
mountains. His right name is Bennett. He Avears
an antiquated pair of buckskin pantaloons, and has a
cabin-home on the mountain, twelve miles aAvay.
A tambourine is being played near by, and Fox,
with a heart much lighter than his complexion, is in
dulging in a double shuffle.
There are many snakes in the mountains: rattle
snakes, coppcrhead.s, blacksnakes, and almost every
other variety of the snake kind; in short, the boys
have snake on the brain. To-day one of the chop
pers made a sudden grab for his trouser leg; a snake
Avas craAvling up. He held the loathsome reptile
tightly by the head and body, and Avas fearfully agi
tated. A comrade slit down the leg of the pantaloon
with a knife, Avhen lo ! an innocent little roll of red
flannel was discovered.
The boys are very liberal in the bestoAval of titles.
Colonel Hogseye is indebted to them for his commis
sion. The Colonel commands an ax just now. Ordi
narily he carries a musket, sleeps and dines with his
subordinates, and is not aboA^e traveling on foot.
Fox's real name, I ascertained lately, is William
Washington. His brother, iiOAV in the service of the
surgeon, is called Handsome, and Colonel MarroAv's
servant is known by the boys as the Bay Nigger.
17. Was awakened this morning at one o'clock,

i86i.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 57
by a soldier in search of a surgeon. One of our
pickets had been AA'ounded. The post Avas on the
river bank. The sentinel saw a man approaching on
the opposite side of the river, challenged, and saw
him level his gun. Both fired. The sentinel Avas
wounded in the leg by a small squirrel bullet. The
other man Avas evidently wounded, for after it became
light enough he was traced half a mile by blood on
the ground, Aveeds, and leaves. The surgeon is of the
opinion that the ball struck his left arm. From in
formation obtained this morning, it is believed this
man is secreted not many miles away. A party of
ten has been sent to look for him.
This is by far the pleasantest camp we have CA^er
had. The river runs its whole length. The hospital
and surgeons' tents are located on a A'ery pretty little
island, a quiet, retired spot, festooned Avith vines, in
the shadow of great trees, and carpeted with moss soft
and velvety as the best of Brussels.
18. The name of our camp is properly Elk Water,
not Elk Fork. The little stream AA'hich comes doAvn
to the river, from which the camp derives its name,
is called Elk Water, because tradition affirms that in
early days the elk frequented the little valley through
which it runs.
The fog has been going up from the mountains, and
the rain coming down in the valley. The river roars
a little louder than usual, and its water is a little less
clear. The party sent in pursuit of the bushwhacker has
returned. Found no one.

58 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [August,
Two men were seen this evening, armed with rifles,
prowling among the bushes near the place where the
affair of last night occurred. They Avere fired upon,
but escaped.
An accident, which particularly interests my old
company, occurred a feAV minutes ago. John Heskett,
Jeff Long, and four or five other men, were detailed
from Company I for picket duty. Heskett and Long
are intimate friends, and were playing together, the
one Avith a knife and the other Avith a pocket pistol.
The pistol was discharged accidentally, and the ball
struck Heskett in the neck, inflicting a serious Avound,
but whether fatal or not the surgeon can not yet tell.
The affair has cast a shadoAv over the company.
Young Heskett bears himself braA^ely. Long is in
consolable, and begs the boys to shoot him.
20. These mountain streams are unreliable. We
had come to regard the one on Avdiich Ave are en
camped as a quiet, orderly little riA^er, that Avould be
good enough to notify us Avlien it proposed to swell
out and overflow the adjacent country. In fact we
had bragged about it, made all sorts of complimentary
mention of it, put our tents on its margin, and al-
loAved it to encircle our sick and Avounded; but we
have noAV lost all confidence in it. Yesterday, about
noon, it began to rise. It had been raining, and we
thought it natural enough that the Avaters should in
crease a little. At four o'clock it had swelled very
considerably, but still kept within its bed of rock and
gravel, and we admired it all the more for the energy
displayed in hurrying along branches, logs, and some-

t86i.] OR, MEMOIRS or A VOLUNTEER. 59
times whole trees. At six o'clock Ave found it Avas
rising at the rate of one foot per hour, and that the
water had noAV crept to within a few feet of the hos
pital tent, in which lay tAvo AVOunded and a dozen or
more of sick. Dr. McMeens became alarmed and
called for help. Thirty or more boys stripped, swam
to the island, and removed the hospital to higher
ground — to the highest ground, in fact, which the
i.sland afforded. The boys returned, and we felt safe.
At seven o'clock, hoAA-ever, Ave found the river still
rising rapidlj'. It covered nearly the whole island.
Logs, brush, green trees, and all manner of drift went
sweeping by at tremendous speed, and the water
rushed over land Avhich had been dry half an hour
before, Avith apparently as strong a current as that in
the channel. AVe kncAV then that the sick and
Avounded were in danger. How to rescue them Avas
now the question. A raft Avas suggested; but a raft
could not be controlled in such a current, and if it
went to pieces or Avas hurried away, the sick and
Avounded must drown. Fortunately a better way was
suggested ; getting into a Avagon, I ordered the
driver to go above some distance, so that Ave could
move Avith the current, and then ford the stream.
After many difficulties, occa,sioned mainly by floal:ing
logs and driftwood, and SAvimming the horses part of
the way, aa'c succeeded in getting over. I saAV it was
impossible to carry the sick back, and that there Avas
but one Avay to render them secure. I had the horses
unhitched, and told the driver to swim them back and
bring over two or three more wagons. Two more

60 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [August,
finally reached me, and one team, in attempting to
cress, was carried doAvu stream and drowned. I had
the three wagons placed on the highest point I could
find, then chained together and staked securely to the
ground. Over the boxes of two of these Ave rolled
the hospital tent, and on this placed the sick and
AA'ounded, ju.st as the Avater Avas creeping upon us. On
the third wagon Ave put the hospital stores. It Avas
now quite dark. Not more than four feet square of
dryland remained of all our beautiful island ; and the
river Avas still rising. AVe watched the Avater Avith
much anxiety. At ten o'clock it reached the Avagon
hubs, and covered cA^ery foot of the ground; but soon
after we Avere pleased to see that it began to go down
a little. Those of us Avho could not get into the
wagons had climbed the trees. At one o'clock it
commenced to rain again, Avhen Ave managed to hoist
a tent over the sick. At two o'clock the long-roll,
the signal for battle, Avas beaten in camp, and we
could just hear, aboA^e the roar of the Avater, the noise
made by the men as they hurriedly turned out and
fell into line.
It Avill not do, however, to conclude that this Avas
altogether a night of terrors. It was, in fact, not so
very disagreeable after all. There Avas a by-play go
ing on much of the time, Avhich seiwed to illuminate
the thick darkness, and divert our minds from the
gloomier aspects of the scene. Smith, the teamster
Avho brought me across, had returned to the mainland
with the horses, and then .SAvam back to the island.
By midnight he had become A'ery drunk. One of the

iS6t.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. Gl
hospital attendants Avas A'ery far gone in his cups, also.
These two gentlemen did not seem to get along ami
cably ; in fact, they kept up a fusillade of Avords all
night, and so kept us awake. The teamster insisted
that the hospital attendant should address him as Air.
Smith. The Smith family, he argued, was of the
highest respectability, and being an honored member
of that family, he Avould permit no man under the
rank of a Alajor-General to call him Jake. George
McClellan sometimes addressed him by his christian
name; but then George and he were Cincinnatians,
old neighbors, and intimate personal friends, and, of
course, took liberties with each other. This could
not justify one who carried out pukes and slop-buck
ets from a field hospital in calling him Jake, or
CA'en Jacob.
Mr. Smith's allusions to the hospital attendant Avere
not receiA'ed by that gentleman in the most amiable
spirit. He grcAV profane,' and insisted that he Avas not
only as good a man as Smith, but a much better one,
and he dared the bloviating mule scrubber to get
doAvn off his perch and stand up before him like a
man. But .Jake's temper remained unruffled, and
along toAvard morning, in a voice more remarka
ble for strength than melody, he favored us Avith a
song: " Ho ! gif ghlass uf goodt laaser du me ;
Du mine fadter, mine modter, mine vife :
Der day's vork vos don^, undt we '11 see
Vot bleasures der vos un dis life,

62 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [August,
Undt ve sit us aroundt mit der table,
Undt ve speak uf der oldt, oldt time,
Ven we lif un dot house mit der gable,
Un der vine-cladt banks uf der Rhine;
Undt mine fadter, his voice vos a quiver,
Undt mine modter, her eyes vos un tears.
Ash da dthot uf dot home un der river,
Undt kindt friendst uf earlier years;
Undt I saidt du mine fadter be cheerie,
Du mine modter not longer lookt sadt,
Here 's a blace undt a rest for der weary,
Uud ledt us eat, drink, undt be gladt.
So idt ever vos cheerful mitin;
Vot dtho' idt be stormy mitoudt,
Vot care I vor der vorld undt idts din,
Ven dose I luf best vos about ;
So libft up your ghlass, mine modter,
Undt lihf't up yours, Gretchen, my dear,
Undt libft up your lauger, mine fadter,
Undt drink du long life und good cheer."
21. Francis Union Avas shot and killed by one of
our OAvn sentinels last night, the ball entering just
under the nose. This resulted from the cowardice of
the soldier who fired. He Avas afraid to give the ne/c-
cesary challenge: four simple Avords: "Halt! Avho
comes there?" Avould haA^e saved a life. This illustrates
the danger there is in Aasiting pickets at night. If the
sentinel halts the man, the man may fire at the senti
nel. The latter, if timid, therefore makes sure of

i86i.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 63
the first shot, and does not challenge. AA^e buried the
dead soldier with all the honors due one of his rank, on
a beautiful hill in the rear of our fortifications. He
AA-as Avith me on the mountain chopping, a fcAV davs
ago, strong, healthy, A'igorous, and young. No more
hard Avork for him!
23. AA^ith AA^agner, Merrill, and Bowen, I rode
up the mountaiu on our left this afternoon. AA^e had
one field-glass and two spy-glasses, and obtained a
magnificent vicAV of the surrounding country. Here
and there Ave coulcl see a cultivated spot or grazing
farm on the top of the mountain; but more frequently
these Avere on the slopes. AVe descried one house
Avith our glasses ou the very tiptop of Rich, and so
far away that it seemed no larger than a tent. Hoav
the man of the house gets up to his airy height and
gets down again puzzles us. He has the first gu.sh
of the sunshine in the morning, and the latest gleam
in the evening. Very often, indeed, he must look
doAvn ujoon the clouds, and, if he has a tender heart,
pity the poor devils in the valley Avho are being
rained on continually. Is it a pleasant home ? Has
he Avife and children iiv that mountain nest? Is
he a man of dogs and guns, Avho spends his years in
the mountains and glens hunting for bear and deer ?
Alay it not be the baronial castle of "old Leather
Breeches" himself?
Away off to the ea.st a cloud, black and heavy, is
resting on a peak of the Cheat. Around it the
mountain is gloAving in the summer sun, and appears
.soft and green. A gauze of shimmerin''- blue man-

64 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [August,
ties the crest, darkens in the coves, and becomes quite
black in the gorges. The rugged rocks and scraggy
trees, if there be any, are at this distance invisible,
and nothing is seen but Avhat delights the eye and
quickens the imagination.
AA''e see by the papers that Ohio is preparing to or
ganize a grand Union party, Avith a platform on Avhich
both Republicans and Democrats can stand. I am
glad of this. There .should be but one i')arty in the
North, and that party willing to make all sacrifices
for the Union.
24. Last night a sentinel on one of the picket
posts halted a stump and demanded the countersign.
No response being made, he fired. The entire Fif
teenth Indiana sprang to arms; the cannoniers gath
ered about their guns, and a thousand eyes peered into
the darkness to get a glimpse of the approaching ene
my. But the stump, evidently intimidated by the
first shot, did not advance, and so the Hoosiers re
turned again to their couches, to dream, doubtless, of
the subject of a song \'ery common- noAv in camp,
to Avit : "Old Governor Wise,
W'ith his goggle eyes."
25. The Twenty-third Ohio, Colonel Scammon,
Avill be here to-morrow. Stanley AlattheAvs is the
lieutenant-colonel of this regiment, and my old friend,
Rutherford B. Hayes, the major. The latter is an ac
complished gentleman, graduate of Harvard Law
School, and will, it is said, in all probability, succeed

i86i.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 65
Gurley in Congress. MatthcAVS has a fine reputation
as a speaker and laAvyer, and, I have been told, is the
most promising young man in Ohio. Scammon is a
AA'est Pointer.
26. FIa'c companies of the Twenty-third Ohio and
fiA'e companies of the Ninth Ohio arrived to-day,
and are encamped in a maple grove about a mile
below us. A detachment of cavalry came up also,
and is quartered near. Other regiments are coming.
It is said the larger portion of the troops in AA'^est
Virginia are tending in this direction ; but on Avliat
particular point it is proposed to concentrate them
rumor saith not.
General AlcClellan did not go far enough at first.
After the defeat of Pegram, at Rich mountain, and
Garnett, at Laurel Hill, the Southern army of this
section Avas utterly demoralized. It scattered, and the
men composing it, Avho Avere not captured, fled, terror
stricken, to their homes. AA'e could have marched to
Staunton Avithout opposition, and taken possession of
the very strongholds the enemy is now fortifying
against us. If in our advanced position supplies could
not have been obtained from the North, the army
might have subsisted off the country. Thus, by push
ing vigorously forward, we could haA^e divided the
enemy's forces, and thus saved our army in the East
from humiliating defeat. This is the way it looks to
me ; but, after all, there may have been a thousand
good reasons for remaining here, of which I know
nothing. One thing, however, is, I think, very evi-
6

66 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [August,
dent : a successful army, elated with victory, and eager
to advance, is not likely td be defeated by a dicpirited
opponent. One-fourth, at least, of the strength of
this army disappeared when it heard of the rebel tri
umphs on the Potomac.

Latter part of August the writer was sent to Ohio
for recruits for the regiment, and did not return to
camp until the middle of September.

i86i.] OR, MEAIOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 67

SEPTEMBER 1861.

19. Reached camp yesterday at noon. My re
cruits arriA'cd to-day.
The eneniA' Avas here in mv absence in strength and
majesty, and repeated, with a slight variation, the
grand exploit of the King of France, by
" Marching up the hill with twenty thousadd men,
And straightway marching down again."
There Avas liA^ely skirmishing for a few days, and
hot AVork expected ; but, for reasons unknown to us,
the enemy retired precipitately.
On Sunday morning last fifty men of the Sixth
Ohio, Avlien on picket, were surprised and captured.
Aly friend, Lieutenant Merrill, fell into the hands of
the enemy, and is noAV probably on his Avay to Castle
Pinckney. Further than this our rebellious friends
did us no damage. Our men, at this point, killed
Colonel AA^ashingi:()n, wounded a fcAv others, and fur
ther than this inmcted but little injury upon the en
emy. The country people near whom the rebels en
camped say they got to fighting among themselves.
The North Carolinians Avere determined to go home.

68 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [September,
and regiments from other States claimed that their
term of service had expired, and Avanted to leave. I
am glad they did, and trust they may go home, hang
up their guns, and go to work like sensible people,
for then I could do the same.
23. This afternoon I rode by a mountain path to a
loff cabin in which a half dozen Avounded Tennessee-
ans are lying. One poor felloAV had his leg ampu
tated yesterday, and Avas A'cry feeble. One had been
struck by a ball on the head and a buckshot in the
lungs. Two boys Avere but slightly wounded, and
were in good spirits. To one of these — a jovial,
pleasant boy — Dr. Seves said, good humoredly : " You
need have no fears of dying from a gunshot; you
are too big a devil, and Avere born to be hung."
Colonel MarroAV sought to question this same fel-
loAV in regard to the strength of the enemy, Avhen
the boy said: "Are you a commissioned officer?"
"Yes," replied Marrow. " Then," returned he, "you
ought to know that a priA-ate soldier don't know any
thing." In returning to camp, Ave folloAved a path Avhich
led to a place where a regiment of the rebels
had encamped one night. They had evidently
become panic-stricken and left in hot haste. The
Avoods Avere strcAvn Avith knapsacks, blankets, and
canteens. The ride Avas a pleasant one. The path, first Avild
and rugged, finally led to a charming little valley,
through Avhich Beckey's creek hurries doAvn to the
river. Leaving this, Ave traveled up the side of a ra-

i86i.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 69
vine, through Avhich a little stream fretted and
fumed, and dashed into spray against slimy rocks,
and then gathered itself up for another charge, and so
pushed gallantly on toward the A'alley and the sun
shine. What a glorious scene ! The sky filled with stars ;
the rising moon ; two mountain walls so high, appa
rently, that one might step from them into heaven ;
the rapid river, the thousand Avhite tents dotting the
valley, the camp fires, the shadoAvy forms of soldiers;
in short, just enough of heaven and earth visible to
put one's fancy on the gallop. The boys are in groups
about their fires. The A'oice of the troubadour is
heard. It is a pleasant song that he sings, and I
catch part of it.
" The minstrel 's returned from the war.
With spirits as buoyant as air.
And thus on the tuneful guitar
He sings in the bower of the fair:
The noise of the battle is over ;
The bugle no more calls to arms ;
A soldier no more, but a lover,
I kneel to the power of thy charms.
Sweet lady, dear lady, I 'm thine ;
I bend to the magic of beauty,
Though the banner and helmet are mine,
Yet love calls the soldier to duty."
24. Our Indiana friends are proA'iding for the
winter by laying in a stock of household furniture at
very much less than its original cost, and without

70 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [Septemdeb,
CA^en consulting the OAvners. It is probable that our
Ohio boys steal occasionally, but they certainly do
not prosecute the business openly and courageously.
26. The Thirteenth Indiana, Sixth Ohio, and two
pieces of artillery Avent up the valley at noon, to feel
the enemy. It rained during the afternoon, and since
nightfall has poured doAvn in torrents. The poor fel
lows who are now trudging along in the darkness and
storm, Avill think, doubtless, of home and Avarm beds.
It requires a pure article of patriotism, and a large
quantity of it, to make one obliA'ious for months at a
time of all the comforts of civil life.
This is the day designated by the President for
fasting and prayer. Parson Strong held service in
the regiment, and the Rev. Mr. Reed, of Zanesville,
Ohio, deliA'ered a very eloquent exhortation. I trust
the supplications of the Church and the people may
haA'e effect, and bring that Higher PoAver to our as
sistance Avhich hitherto has apparently not been Avith
our arms especially.
27. To-night almost the entire valley is inundated.
Many tents are Avaist high in water, and Avhere others
•stood this morning the Avater is ten feet deep. Two
men of the Sixth Ohio are reported droAvned. The
Avater got around them before they became aAvare of it,
and in endeavoring to escape they were swept down
the stream and lost. The river seems to stretch from
the base of one mountain to the other, and the whole
valley is one Avild scene of excitement. AA'herever a
spot of dry ground can be found, huge log fires are
burning, and men by the dozen are grouped around

iS6i.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 71
them, anxiously watching the Avater and discussing
the situation. Tents have been hastily pitched on
the hills, and camp fires, each with its group of men,
are blazing ¦ in many places along the side of the
mountain. The rain has fallen steadily all day.
28. The Thirteenth Indiana and Sixth Ohio re
turned. The reconnoissance Avas unsuccessful, the
weather being unfavorable.

72 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [October,

OCTOBER, 1861.

2. Our camp is almost deserted. The tents of
eight regiments dot the valley; but those of tAVO
regiments and a half only are occupied. The
Hoosiers have all gone to Cheat mountain summit.
They propose to steal upon the enemy during the
night, take him by surprise, and thrash him thor
oughly. I pray they may be successful, for since
Rich mountain our army has done nothing Avorthy of
a paragraph. Rosecrans' affair at Carnifex was a
barren thing ; certainly no battle and no victory, and
the operations in this vicinity haA'e at no time risen
to the dignity of a skirmish.
Captain McDougal, with nearly one hundred men
and three days' provisions, started up the valley this
morning, Avith instructions to go in sight of the en
emy, the object being to lead the latter to suppose the
advance guard of our army is before him. By this
device it is expected to keep the enemy in our front
from going to the assistance of the rebels now threat
ening Kimball.
3. To-night, half an hour ago, received a dispatch
from the top of Cheat, which reads as follows:
" All back. Made a very interesting reconnoissance.

i86i.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 73
Killed a large number of the enemy. Very small
loss on our side, J, J. Reynolds,
Brigadier-General ."
AVhy, Avhen the battle was progressing so advan
tageously for our side, did they not go on ? This,
then, is the result of the grand demonstration on the
other side of the mountain.
McDougal's company returned, and report the en
emy fallen back.
The frost has touched the foliage, and the mount
ain peaks look like mammoth bouquets ; green, red,
yellow, and every modification of these colors appear
mingled in every possible fanciful and tasteful Avay.
Another dispatch has just come from the top of
Cheat, Avritten, I doubt not, after the Indianians had
returned to camp and draAvn their Avhisky ration. It
sounds bigger than the first. I copy if:
"Found the rebels draAvn up in line of battle one
mile outside of their fortifications, droA^e them back
to their intrenchments, and continued the fight four
hours. Ten of our men AA^ounded and ten killed.
Two or three hundred of the enemy killed."
If it be true that so many of the rebels Avere killed,
it is probable that two thousand at least Avere
wounded; and when three hundred are killed and
two thousand Avounded, out of an army of tAvelve or
fifteen hundred men, the business is done up A^ery
thoroughly. The dispatch Avhich Avent to Richmond
to-night, I have no doubt, stated that "the Federals
attacked in great force, outnumbering us tAvo or three
7

74 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; (October,
to one, and after a terrific engagement, lasting five
hours, they were repulsed at all points Avith great
slaughter. Our loss one killed and five wounded.
Federal loss, five hundred killed and twenty-five
hundred Avounded." Thus are victories Avoii and his
tories made. Verily the pen is mightier than the
sword. 4. The Indianians have been returning from the
summit all day, straggling along in squads of from
three to a full company.
The men are tired, and the camp is quiet as a
house. Six thousand are sleeping away a small por
tion of their three AA^eary years of military service.
This TIME stretches out before them, a broad, un
known, and extra-hazardous sea, with promise of
some smooth sailing, but many days and nights of
heavy Avinds and Avaves, in Avhich some — hoAV many ! —
Avill be carried doAvn.
Their thoughts have now forced the sentinel lines,
leaped the mountains, jumped the rivers, hastened
home, and are lingering about the old fireside, look
ing in at the cupboard, and hovering over faces and
places that haA'e been groAving dearer to them every
day for the last fiA^e months. Old-fashioned places,
tame and uninteresting then, but now how loved!
Aud as for the faces, they are those of mothers, wives,
and sweethearts, around Avhich are entAvined the ten-
derest of memories. But at daybreak, Avhen reveille
is sounded, these Avanderers must come trooping back
again in time for "hard-tack" and double quick.

i86i.J OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 75
5. Some of the Indiana regiments are utterly be
yond discipline. The men are good, stout, hearty, in
telligent fellows, and Avill make excellent .soldiers;
but they haA'e now no regard for their officers, and,
as a rule, do as they please. They came straggling
back yesterday from the top of Cheat unofficered, and
in the most unsoldierly manner. As one of these
stray Indianians Avas coming into camp, he saAV a
snake in the river and cocked his gun. He Avas near
the quarters of the Sixth Ohio, and many men Avere
on the opposite side of the stream, among them a
lieutenant, Avho called to the Indianian and begged
him for God's sake not to fire; but the latter, un
mindful of Avhat Avas said, blazed away. The ball,
striking the water, glanced and hit the lieutenant in
the breast, killing him almost instantly.
6. The Third and Sixth Ohio, Avith Loomis' bat
tery, left camp at half-past three in the afternoon,
and took the Huntersville turnpike for Big Springs,
where Lee's army has been encamped for some
months. At nine o'clock we reached Logan's Mill,
where the column harlted for the night. It had
rained heavily for some hours, and Avas still raining.
The boys Avent into camp thoroughly wet, and very
hungry and tired ; but they soon had a hundred fires
kindled, and, gathering around these, prepared and
ate supper.
I never looked upon a Avilder or more interesting
scene. The valley is blazing with camp-fires ; the
men flit around them like shadows. Now some in-

76 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [Octooer,
domitable spirit, determined that neither rain nor
weather shall get him doAvn, strikes up ;
" Oh ! say, can you see by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming.
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous
fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly stream-
ing?"
A hundred voices join in, and the very mountains,
AA'hich loom up in the fire-light like great walls, whose
tops are lost in the darkness, resound Avith a rude
melody befiting so Avild a night and so wild a scene.
But the songs are not all patriotic. Love and fun
make contribution also, and a voice, which may be
that of the invincible Irishman, Corporal Casey,
sings :
" 'T was a windy night, about two o'clock in the morning,
An Irish lad, so tight, all the wind and weather scorning,
At Judy Callaghan's door, sitting upon the paling.
His love tale he did pour, and this is part of his wailing :
Only say you '11 be mistress Brallaghan ;
Do n't say nay, charming Judy Callaghan."
A score of voices -pick up the chorus, and the hills
and mountains seem to join in the Corporal's appeal
to the charming Judy;
" Only say you 'II be mistress Brallaghan ;
Do n't say nay, charming Judy Callaghan."
Lieutenant Root is in command of Loomis' bat-

i86i.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 77
tery. Just before reaching Logan's one of his pro
vision Avagons tumbled doAvn a precipice, severely in
juring three men and breaking the Avagon in pieces.
7. Left Logan's mill before the sun was up. The
rain continues, and the mud is deep. At eleA'cn
o'clock Ave reached what is knoAvn as Marshall's .store,
near which, until recently, the enemy had a pretty
large camp. Halted at the place half an hour, and
then moved four miles further on, where Ave found the
roads impassable for our artillery and transportation.
Learning that the enemy had abandoned Big
Springs and fallen back to Huntersville, the soldiers
were permitted to break ranks, Avhile Colonel Marrow
and Alajor Keifer, Avith a company of cavalry, rode
forward to the Springs. Colonel Nick Anderson, Ad
jutant Alitchell and I foUoAved. We found on the
road CA'idence of the recent presence of a very large
force. Quite a number of wagons had been left be
hind. Many tents had been ripped, cut to pieces, or
burned, so as to render them worthless. A large
number of beef hides Avere strung along the road.
One Avagon, loaded with muskets, had been destroyed.
All of which showed, simply, that before the rebels
abandoned the place the roads had become so bad
that they could not carry off their baggage.
The object of the expedition being now accom
plished, we started back at three o'clock in the after
noon, and encamped for the night at Marshall's store.
8. Resumed the march early, found the river
waist high, and current swift; but the men all got
over safely, and Ave reached camp at one o'clock.

78 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER ; [October,
The Third has been assigned to a ncAv brigade, to
be commanded by Brigadier-General Dumont, of In
diana. The paymaster has come at last.
AVillis, my new servant, is a colored gentleman of
much experience and varied accomplishments. He
has been a barber on a MLssissi^jpi river steamboat,
and a daguerreian artist. He knows much of the
South, and manipulates a fiddle Avith wonderful skill.
He is enlivening the hours now with his violin.
Oblivious to rain, mud, and the monotony of the
camp, my thoughts are carried by the music to other
and pleasanter scenes ; to the cottage home, to Avife
and children, to a time still further away Avhen Ave
had no children, whSn Ave were making the prelim
inary arrangements for starting in the Avorld together,
Avhen her cheeks were ruddier than uoav, when Avealth
and fame and happiness seemed lying just before me,
ready to be gathered in, and farther aAvay still, to a
gentle, blue-eyed mother — now long gone — teaching
her child to lisp his first simple prayer.
9. The day has been clear. The mountains, dec
orated by the artistic fingers of Jack Frost, loom up
in the sun.shine like magnificent, highly-colored, and
beautiful pictures.
The night is grand. The moon, a crescent, noAV
rests for a moment on the highest peak of the Cheat,
and by its light suggests, rather than rCA'eals, the out
line of hill, valley, cove and mountain.
The boys are Avide awake and merry. The fair
Aveather has put new spirit in them all, and possibly

>86i.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 79
the presence of the paymaster has contributed some-
Avhat to the good feeling which prevails.
Hark! This from the company quarters:
" Her golden hair in ringlets fair ;
Her eyes like diamonds shining ;
Her slender waist, her carriage chaste,
Left me, poor soul, a pining.
But let the night be e'er so dark,
Or e'er so wet and rainy,
I will return safe back again
To the girl I left behind me."
From another quarter, in the rich brogue of the
Celt, Ave have :
" Did you hear of the widow Malonc,
Ohone !
Who lived in the town of Athlone,
Alone ?
Oh ! she melted the hearts
Of the swains in those parts;
So lovely the widow Malone,
Ohonc !
So lovely the widow Malone.
10. Mr. Strong, the chaplain, has a prayer meet
ing in the adjoining tent. His prayers and exhorta
tions fill me Avith an almost irresistible inclination to
close my eyes and shut out the vanities, cares, and
vexations of the Avorld. Parson Strong is dull, but
he is very industrious, and on secular days devotes
his physical 'and mental powers to the work of tan-

80 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; (October,
ning three sheepskins and a calf's hide. On every
fair day he has the skins strung on a pole before his
tent to get the sun. He combs the avooI to get it
clean, and takes especial delight in rubbing the hides
to make them soft and pliable. I told the parson the
other day that I could not have the utmost confidence
in a shepherd Avho took so much pleasure in tanning
hides. AVhile Parson Strong and a devoted few are singing
the songs of Zion, the boys are having cotillion par
ties in other parts of the camp. On the parade
ground of one company Willis is officiating as
musician, and the gentlemen go through "honors to
partners " and " circle all " Avith apparentlj' as much
pleasure as if their partners had pink cheek.s, white
slippers, and dresses looped up Avith rosettes.
There comes from the Chaplain's tent a sweet and
solemn refrain :
" Perhaps He will admit my plea.
Perhaps will hear my prayer ;
But if I perish I will pray,
And perish only there.
I can but perish if I go.
I am resolved to try,
For if I stay away I know
I must forever die."
While these old hymns are sounding in our ears,
Ave are almo.st tempted to go, even if we do perish.
Surely nothing has such poAver to make us forget
earth and its round of troubles as these SAveet old

i86i.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 81
church, songs, familiar from earliest childhood, and
Avrought into the most tender memories, until Ave
come to regard them as a sort of sacred stream, on
Avhicli some day our souls Avill float aAvay happily to
the better country.
12. The parson is in my tent doing his best
to extract something solemn out of Willis' violin.
Now he stumbles on a strain of " SAveet Home," then
a scratch of " Lang Syne ;" but the latter soon breaks
its neck over " Old Hundred," and all three tunes
finally mix up and merge into "I would not live
ahvay, I ask not to stay," Avhich, for the purpose of
steadying his hand, the parson sings aloud. I look
at him and affect surprise that a reverend gentleman
¦ should take any pleasure in so vain and Avicked an in
strument, and express a hope that the business of
tanning skins has not utterly demoralized him.
AVillis pretends to a taste in music far superior to
that of the common " nigger." He plays a A'ery fine
thing, and Avhen I fisk what it is, replies : " Norma,
an opera piece." Since the parson's exit he has been
eifccuting " Norma" Avith great spirit, and, so far as I
am able to judge, with wonderful skill. I doubt not
his thoughts are a thou.sand miles hence, among broAvn-
skinned wenches, dressed in crimson robes, and dec
orated Avith ponderous ear-drops. In fact, " Norma"
is good, and goes far to carry one out of the Avilder-
ness. 13. It is after tattoo. Parson Strong's prayer-
meeting has been dismissed an hour, and the camp is
'as quiet as if deserted. The day has been a duplicate

82 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [October,
of yesterday, cold and windy. To-night the moon is
sailing through a Avilderness of clouds, noAV breaking
out and throwing a mellow light over valley and
mountain, then plunging into obscurity, and leaving
all in thick darkness.
Major Keifer, Adjutant Mitchell, and Private
Jerroloaman have been stretching their legs before
my fireplace all the evening. The Adjutant being
hopelessly in loA'e, naturally enough gave the conver
sation a sentimental turn, and our thoughts have been
Avandering among the rosy years when our hearts
throbbed under the gleam of one bright particular
star (I mean one each), and our souls alternated be
tween hope and fear, happiness and despair. Three
of us, hoAvever, have some experience in wedded life, •
and the gallant Adjutant is reasonably confident that
he Avill obtain further knoAvledge on the subject if
this cruel Avar ever comes to an end and his SAveet-
heart survives.
14. The paymaster has been busy. The boys are
very bitter against the sutler, realizing, for the first
time, that "sutler's chips" cost money, and that they
have Avasted on jimcracks too much of their hard
earnings. CouAvay has taken a solemn Irish oath that
the sutler shall never get another cent of him. But
these are like the half repentant, but resultless, mut-
terings of the confirmed drunkard. The "new leaf"
proposed to be turned over is ncA'er turned.
16. Am told that some of the boys lost in gam
bling every farthing of their money half an hour after
receiving it from the paymaster.

i86i.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 83
An Indiana soldier thrcAV a bombshell into the fire
to-day, and three men were seriously wounded by the
explosion.

The writer Avas absent from camp from October
21st to latter part of November, serving on court-
martial, first at Huttonville, and afterward at Bev
erly. In November the Third Avas transferred to Ken
tucky.

84 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [Novembee,

NOVEMBER, 1861.

30. The Third is encamped five miles south of
Louisville, on the SeA'cnth -street plank road.
As Ave inarched through the city my attention Avas
directed to a sign bearing the inscription, in large
black letters.

We have knoAvn, to be sure, that negroes AA'ere
bought and sold, like cattle and tobacco, but it, nev
ertheless, 'awakened new, and not by any means
agreeable, sensations to see the humiliating fact an
nounced on the broad side of a commercial house.
These signs must come doAvn.
The climate of Kentucky is A'ariable, freezing
nights and thawing in the day. The soil in this lo
cality is rich, and, Avhere trodden, extremely muddy.
AVe shall miss the clear Avater of the mountain
streams. A large number of troops are concentrat
ing here.

tBSi.l OR, ME.MOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 85

DECEMBER, 1861.

1. Sunday has just slipped away. Parson Strong
attempted to get an audience; but a corporal's guard,
for numbers, Avere all who desired to be ministered to
in spiritual things.
The Colonel spends much of his time in Louis
ville. He complains bitterly because the company
officers do not remain in camp, and yet fails to set
them a good example in this regard. AVe have suc
ceeded poorly in holding our men. Quite a number
dodged off Avhile the boat Avas lying at the landing in
Cincinnati, and still more managed to get through
the guard lines and have gone to Louisville. The
invincible Corporal Casey has not yet put in an ap
pearance. The boys of the Sixth Ohio are exceedingly jubi
lant ; the entire regiment has been allowed a furlough
for six days. This Avas done to satisfy the men, who
had become mutinous becau,se they Avere not per
mitted to stop at Cincinnati on their way hither.
4. Rode to Louisville this afternoon ; in the
evening attended the theatre, and saw the notorious
Adah Isaacs Menken Heenan. The house was packed
with soldiers, mostly of the Sixth Ohio. It seemed

86 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [December,
probable at one time that there Avould be a general free
fight; but the brawlers Avere finally quieted and the
play Avent on. One of the performers resembled an
old AVest Virginia acquaintance so greatly that the
boys at once y'clepped him Stalnaker, and howled
fearfully Avhenever he made his appearance.
7. Moved three miles nearer Louisville and en
camped in a grove. Have had much difficulty in keep
ing the men in camp ; and this evening, to prevent
a general stampede, ordered the guards to load their
guns and shoot the first man Avho attempted to break
over. Have succeeded also in getting the officers to
remain; notified them yesterday that charges Avould
be preferred against all Avho left Avithout permission,
and this afternoon I put my A'ery good friend. Lieu
tenant Dale, under arrest for disregarding the order.
12. In camp near Elizabethtown. The road over
which we marched was excellent; but owing to de
tention at Salt river, Avhere the troops and trains
had to be ferried over, we Avere a day longer coming
here than we expected to be. The Aveather has been
delightful, warm as spring time. The nights are
beautiful. The regiment was greatly demoralized by our
stay in the vicinity of Louisville, and on the march
hither the boys Avere very disorderly and loth to
obey ; but, by dint of much scolding, Ave succeeded
in getting them all through.
13. Have been attached to the Seventeenth Brig
ade, and assigned to the Third Division ; the latter
commanded bv General O. M. Mitchell. The General

i86i.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 87
remarked to me this morning, that the best drilled
and conditioned regiments Avould lead in the march
toAvard Nashville.
15. Jake Smith, the driver of the head-quarters
Avagon, on his arrival in Elizabethtown Avent to the
hotel, and in an imperious Avay ordered dinner,
assuring the landlord, with much emphasis, that he
Avas " no damned common officer, and wanted a good
dinner." 18. In camp at Bacon creek, eight miles north
of Green river. Have been tAvo days on the way
from Elizabethtown ; the road was bad. There Avere
nine regiments in the column, which extended as far
'almost as the eye could reach.
At Louisville I Avas compelled to bear heavily on
officers and men. On the march hither I haA'e dealt
A'ery thoroughly Avith some of the most disorderly,
and in consequence have become unpopular with the
regiment. 20. General Alitchell called this afternoon and
requested, me to form the regiment in a square. I
did so, and he addressed it for tAventy minutes on
guard duty, throwing in here and there patriotic
expressions, Avhich encouraged and delighted the boys
very much. When he departed they gave him three
rousing cheers.
21. A reconnois.sance was made beyond Green
river yesterday, and no enemy found.
We are .short of supplies; entirely out of sugar,
coffee, and candles, and the boys to-night indicated
some faint symptoms of insubordination, but I as-

88 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [December,
sured them Ave had made every effort possible to
obtain these articles, and so quieted them.
Major Keifer Avas officer in charge of the camp yes-
terda}', and Avhen making the rounds last night a
sentinel challenged, " Halt ! Avho comes there ?" The
sergeant responded, " Grand rounds," Avhereupon the
weary and disappointed Irishman retorted in angry
tones : " Divil take the grand rounds, I thought it the
relafe comin'."
22. The pleasant days have ended. The clouds
hang heavy and black, and the rain descends in
torrents. After eleven o'clock last night I accompanied Gen
eral Mitchell to ten regiments, and Avith him made the'
grand rounds in mo.st of them. As we rode from
camp to camp the General made the time most agree
able and profitable to me, by deliA'ering a A'ery able
lecture on military affairs ; laying doAvn Avhat he de
nominated a simple and sure foundation for the begin
ner to build upon.
The Avind is high and our stove smokes prodig
iously. I have been out in the rain endeavoring to
turn the pipe, but haA'e not mended the matter at all.
The Major insists that it is better to freeze than to be
smoked to death, so avc shall extinguish the fire and
freeze. Adjutant Mitchell has been commissioned captain
and assigned to Company C.
25. Gave passes to all the boys Avho desired to
leave camp. The Major, Adjutant and I had a right
royal Christmas dinner and a pleasant time. A fine

i86i.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 89
fat chicken, fried mush, coffee, peaches and milk, were
on the table. The Major is engaged noAV in heating
the second tea-pot of Avater for punch purposes. His
countenance has become quite rosy; this is doubtless
the effect of the fire. He has been unusually poAver-
ful in argument; but Avhether his intellect has been
stimulated by the fire, the tea, or the punch, we are
at this time wholly unable to decide ; he certainly
handles the tea-pot Avith consummate skill, and at
tacks the punch Avith exceeding vigor.
27. No orders to adA'ance. Armies travel slowly
indeed. AA'^ithiu fifteen miles of the enemy and idly
rotting in the mud.
Acting Brigadier-General MarroAV Avhen informed
that Dumont Avould assume command of the brigade,
became suddenly and violently ill, asked for and ob
tained a thirty-day leave.
I would give much to be home Avith the children
during this holiday time ; but unfortunately my health
is too good, and Avill continue so in spite of me. The
Major, poor man, is troubled in the same AVay.
28. Lieutenant St. John goes to Loui.sville with
a man who Avas arrested as a spy ; and strange to say
the arrest was made at the instance of the prisoner's
uncle, Avho is a captain in the Union army.
Captain Mitchell assumes command of company
C to-morrow. The Colonel is incensed at the Major
and me, because of the Adjutant's promotion. He
intended to make a place in the company for a non
commissioned officer, who begged money from the
8

90 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [December,
boys to buy him a sword. AVe astoni-shed him, how
ever, by shoAving three commissions — one for the Ad
jutant, and one each for a first and second lieutenant,
all of the company's OAvn choo.siug.
30. Called on General Dumont this morning; he
is a small man, Avith a thin piping voice, but an edu
cated and affable gentleman. Did not make his
acquaintance in West Virginia, he being unwell while
there and confined to his quarters.
This is a peculiar country ; there are innumerable
caverns, and CA'ery few rods places are found where
the crust of the earth appears to have broken and
sunk doAvn hundreds of feet. One mile from camp
there is a large and interesting cave, which has been
explored probably by every soldier of the regiment.
31. General Buell is here, and a grand review took
place to-day.
Since Ave left Elkwater there has been a steadily
increasing element of insubordination manifested
in many Avays, but notably in an unwillingness
to drill, in stealing from camp and remaining aAvay
for days. This, if tolerated much longer, Avill de
moralize even the best of men and render the regi
ment Avorthless.

i86z.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLVNTEER. 91

JANUARY, 1862.

1. Albert, the cook, was SAvindled in the purchase
of a foAvl for our Ncav Year's dinner; he supposed
he Avas getting a young and tender turkey, but we
find it to be an ancient Shanghai rooster, with flesh as
tough as Avhitleather. This discovery has cast a
shade of melancholy over the Major.
The boys, out of pure devilment, set fire to the
leaves, and to-night the forest Avas illuminated. The
flames advanced so rapidly that, at one time, Ave
feared they might get beyond control, but the fire Avas
finally Avhipped out, not, however, without making
as much noise in the operation as Avould be likely to
occur at the burning of an entire city.
5. General Mitchell has Lssued an immense num
ber of orders, and of course holds the commandants
of regiments responsible for their execution. I haA'e,
as in duty bound, done my best to enforce them, and
the men think me unnecessarily severe.
To-day a .soldier about half drunk was arrested for
leaving camp Avithout permission and brought to my
quarters; he had two canteens of Avhisky on his per
son. I remonstrated with him mildly, but he grcAV
.saucy, insubordinate, and finally insolent and insult-

92 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [January,
ing; he said he did not care a damn for Avhat I thought
or did, and was ready to go to the guard-house ; in fact
wanted to go there. Finally, becoming exasperated, I
took the canteens from him, poured out the Avhisky,
and directed Captain Patterson to strap him to a tree
until he cooled off somewhat. The Cajitain failing in
his efforts to fasten him securely, I took my saddle
girth, backed him up to the tree, buckled him to it,
and returned to my quarters. This proved to be the
last straw which broke the unfortunate camel's back.
It was a high-handed outrage upon the person of a
A'olunteer soldier; the last and Avorst of the many
arbitrary and severe acts of which I had been guilty.
The regiment seemed to arise en masse, and led on by
a fcAV reckless men who had long disliked me, ad
vanced with threats and fearful oaths toward my tent.
The bitter hatred which the men entertained for me
had now culminated. It being Sunday the whole
regiment was off duty, and while some, and perhaps
many, of the boys had no desire to resort to violent
measures, yet all evidently sympathized with the pris
oner, and regarded my action as arbitrary and cruel.
The position of the soldier Avas a humiliating one,
but it gave him no bodily pain. Possibly I had no
authority for punishing him in this Avay; and had I
taken time for reflection it is more than probable I
should haA'e found some other and less objectionable
mode ; confinement in the guard -house, however,
would haA'e been no punishment for such a man ; on
the contrary it Avould haA'e afforded him that relief
from disagreeable duty which he desired. At any

i862.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 93
rate the act, Avhether right or wrong, had been done,
and I must either stand by it now or abandon all
hope of controlling the regiment hereafter. I watched
the mob, unobserved by it, from an opening in my
tent door. SaAV it gather, consult, advance, and could
hear the boisterous and threatening language A'ery
plainly. Buckling my pistol belt under my coat
where it could not be seen, I stepped out ju.st as
the leaders advanced to the tree for the purpose of
releasing the man. I asked them A'ery quietly Avhat
they proposed to do. Then I explained to them hoAV
the soldier had violated orders, Avhich I Avas bouiid by
my oath to enforce; how, Avhen I undertook to remon
strate kindly against such unsoldierly conduct, he
had insulted and defied me. Then I continued as
calmly as I ever .spoke, "I understand you have come
here to untie him; let the man who desires to un
dertake the AVork begin — if there be a dozen men
here who have it in their minds to do this thing — let
them step forward — I dare them to do it." They saw
before them a quiet, plain man who was ready to die
if need be; they could not doubt his honesty of pur
pose. He gave them time to act and aiLswer, they
stood irresolute and silent; Avith a wave of the hand
he bade them go to their quarters, and they went.
General Mitchell hearing of my trouble sent for
me. I explained to him the difficulties under Avhich I
was laboring; told him Avhat I had done and why I
had done it. He said he understood my position
fully, that I must go ahead, do my duty and he
would stand by me, and, if necessary, su.stain me Avith

94 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [January,
his Avhole division. I rejilied that I needed no assist
ance ; that the officers, with but few exceptions, Avere
my friends, and that I belicA'ed there were enough
good, sensible soldiers in the regiment to see me
through. He talked very kindly to me; but I feel
greatly discouraged. The Colonel has practically
abandoned the regiment in this period of bad weather,
Avhen rigorous discipline is to be enforced, and the
boys seem to feel that I am taking advantage of his
absence to display my authority, and require from
them the performance of hard and unnecessary tasks.
Many non-commissioned officers have been reduced
to the ranks by court-martial for being absent Avith
out leave, and many privates haA'e been punished
in A'arious Avays for the same reason. It was my
duty to approve or disapprove the finding of the
court. DisapproA'al in the majority of cases Avould
have been subversive of all discipline. Approval
has brought doAvn upon me not only the hatred and
curses of the soldiers tried and punished, but in .some
instances the ill-Avill also of their fathers, aa'Iio for
years Avere my neighbors and friends.
Very many of these soldiers think they should be
allowed to Avork Avhen they please, play AA'hen they
please, and, in short, do as they please. Until this
idea is expelled from their minds the regiment will
be but little if any better than a mob.
7. AA^e hear of the C(donel occasionally. He is
still at Louisville, running his train on the broad
gauge. His regiment, he says, has been maneuvering
in the face of the enemy beyond Green river, threat-

" i862.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 95
ened with an attack day and night. Constant vigi
lance and continued exposure in this most inclement
season of the year, so undermined his health that he
Avas compelled to retire a little Avhile to recuperate.
He affirms that he has the best regiment of soldiers
in the service; but, unfortunately, has not a field
officer Avorth a damn.
Robt. E. Lee was the great man of the rebel army
in AA'est A^irginia. The boys all talked about Lee,
and told hoAV they would pink him if opportunity
offered. But Simon BoliA'ar Buckner is the man here
on Avhom they all threaten to fall violently. There
are certainly a hundred soldiers in the Third, each
one of whom swears every day that he would Avhip
Simon Bolivar Buckner quicker than a wink if he
dared present himself. Simon is in danger.
Had the third sergeants in my school to-night.
Am getting to be a pretty good teacher.
10. General Alitchell gave the officers a very in
teresting lecture this evening. He is indefatigable.
The Avhole diA'ision has become a school.
Had five lieutenants before me. Lesson : grand
guards and other outposts.
11. The General summoned the officers of his
division about him and went through the form of
sending out advanced guard, posting picket, grand
guards, outpost.s, and sentinels. During these exer
cises we rode fifteen or tAventy miles, and listened to
at least twenty speeches. Aly horse was very gay,
and I had the pleasure of running many races.
I learned something, and am learning a little each

96 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [January,
day. Had the lieutenants in my school again to
night. Les,soii : detachments, recoiinois.sances, parti
sans, and flankers.
12. The officers dress better, as a rule, than in
West Virginia. The only man who has not, in this
regard, changed for the better, is the Major. He con
tinues the careless fellow he was. Occasionally he
makes an effort to have his boots polished; but finds
the day altogether too short for the work, and aban
dons the job in despair.
14. Every day we have the roar of artillery, the
rattle of musketry, the prancing of impatient steeds,
the marching and countermarching of battalions, the
roll of the drum, the clash and clatter of sabers, and
the thunder of a thousand mounted men, as they
hurry hither and yon. But nobody is hurt; it is all
practice and drill.
16. People Avho Ii\'e in houses Avould hardly be
lieve one can sleep comfortably Avith his nose sep
arated from the coldest AA'inter Avind by simply a thin
cotton canvas; but such is the fact.
19. General Dumont called. He is to-day com
mandant of the camp. The General is an eccentric
genius, and has an inexhau.stible fund of good
stories. He uses the AVords "damned"- and "be-
damned " rather too often ; but this adds, rather than
detracts, from his popularity. He dispenses good
whisky at his quarters very freely, and this has a
tendency also to elevate him in the estimation of his
subordinates. General Mitchell never drinks and never swears.

i862.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 97
Occasionally he uses the AVords "confound it" "in
rather savage style ; but further than this I have
never heard him go. Mitchell is military ; Dumont
militia. The latter Avinks at the shortcomings of the
soldier ; the former does not.
25. We are not studying so much as we
were. The General's grasp has relaxed, and he
does not hold us Avith a tight reign and stiff bit
any longer.
There is a great deal of sickness among the troops;
many cases of colds, rheumatism, and fever, resulting
from exposure. Passing through the company quar
ters of our regiment at midnight, I was alarmed by
the constant and heavy coughing of the men. I fear
the Avinter will send many more to the grave than the
bullets of the enemy, for a year to come.
26. A body of cavalry got in our rear last night
and attempted to destroy the Nolan . creek bridge ;
but it Avas driven off by the guard, after a sharp en
gagement, in which report says nine of the enemy
were killed and six of our men.
The enemy is doing but little in our front. A
night or two ago he A'entured to within a fcAV miles
of our forces on Green river, burnt a station-house,
and retired.
28. The Colonel returned at noon. I was among
the first to A'isit him. He greeted me very cordially,
and called God to Avitness that he had never spoken
a disjjaraging Avord of me. Busy bodies and liars, he
said, had created all the trouble between us. He had
9

98 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; IJanuaey,
heard that charges Avere to be preferred against him ;
he knew they could not be sustained, and believed
it an attempt of his enemies to injure him and pre
vent his promotion. He affirmed that he had enlisted
from the purest of motives, and entered into a gen
eral defense of his acts as an officer and gentleman.
I listened respectfully to his statement, and then said :
" Colonel, if your conduct has been such as you de
scribe, you need not fear an investigation. I hold in
my hand the charges and specifications of which you
have heard. They are signed by my hand. I make
them believing them to be true. If false, the court
will so find, and I shall be the one to suffer. If true,
you are unfit to command this regiment or any other,
and it should be known. I present the charges to
you, the commanding officer of the Third Regiment,
and Avith them a Avritten request that they be for-
Avarded to the General commanding the division."
He took the package, tore open the envelope, and
seated himself while he read.
In less than an hour Captains LaAvson and Wing
called on me to report that the Colonel Avould resign
if I Avould withdraw the charges. I consented to
do so.
31. Had dress parade this evening, at which the
Colonel officiated, it being his first appearance since
his return.
Ascertaining that he had not sent in his resigna
tion, I Avrote him a note calling attention to the promise
made on the 29th in,stant, and suggesting that it

i862.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 99
Avould be Avell to terminate an unpleasant matter with
out unnecessary delay.
AVe had a case of disappointed love in the regiment
last night. A sergeant of Captain Mitchell's com
pany Avas engaged to a girl of Athens county. They
Avere to be married upon his return from the Avar, and
until Avithiu a month have been corresponding regu
larly. Suddenly and Avithout ex:planation she ceased
to Avrite, Avhy he could not imagine. He never, hoAV-
ever, doubted that she Avould be faithful to him. His
anxiety to hear from home increased, until finally he
learned from her brother, a soldier of the Eighteenth
Ohio, that she was married. Strong, healthy, good-
looking felloAV that he Avas, this intelligence prostrated
him completely, and made him crazy as a loon. He
imagined that he was in hell, thought Dr. Seyes the
devil, and so violent did he become that they had to
bind him.
This morning he is more calm, but still deranged.
He thought the straws in his bunk Avere thorns, and
would pluck at them Avith his fingers and exclaim :
"My God, ain't they sharp?" Captain Mitchell
called, and the boys said: "Sergeant, don't you know
him?" "Yes," he replied, "he is one of the devils."
The Captain said : " Sergeant, do n't you know where
you are ?" " Of course I do ; I 'm in hell." When
they were binding him he said : " That's right ; heap
on the coals; put me in the hottest place." While
Dr. Seyes was preparing something to quiet him —
laudanum, perhaps — he said : " Bring on your poison ;
I'll take it."

100 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [January,
The boys, Avhile living roughly, exposed to hard
ships and dangers, think more of their sweethearts
than ever before, and are constantly recurring, in
their talk, to the comfortable homes and pleasant
scenes from which they are for the present sep
arated.

i862.] OR. MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. IQl

FEBRUARY, 1862.

1. The Colonel sent in his resignation this morn
ing. It Avill go to Department head-quarters to
morrow. SaAV the new moon over my right shoulder this even
ing, Avhich I accept as an omen of good luck. Let
it come. It Avill suit me just as Avell noAV as at any
time. If deceived, I shall never more have faith in
the moon j and as for the man in the moon, I shall
call him a cheat to his face.
2. The devil is to pay in the regiment. The
Colonel is doing his utmost to create a disturbance.
His friends are busy among the privates. At noon
an effort Avas made to get up a demonstration on the
color line in his behalf. Now a petition is being cir
culated among the privates requesting Major Keifer
and me to resign.
The night is as dark as pitch. A few minutes ago
a .shout went up for the Colonel, and Avas SAvelled from
point to point along the line of company tents, until
noAV possibly five hundred A'oices have joined in the
yell. The Colonel's friends tell the boys that if he
were to remain he Avould obtain leave for the regi
ment to go back to Camp Dennison to recruit; that

102 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [February,-
he Avas about to obtain rifles and Zouave uniforms for
them, and that there is a conspiracy among the officers
to crush him.
3. Petitions from four companies, embracing two
hundred and twenty-five names, have been presented,
requesting the Major and Lieutenant-Colonel to resign.
4. AVe closed up the day Avith a dress parade, the
Colonel in command. The camp is more boisterous
than usual. No more petitions have been presented.
The Major received a package from home to-night
containing, among other articles, a pair of slippers,
Avhich, greatly to my advantage, were too small for
him. They were turned over to me, and it happens
that no little thing could have been more acceptable.
The bright moonlight of to-night enlivens our
spirits somcAvhat, and fills us with ncAv courage. The
days have been dark and gloomy, and the nights still
more so, for many days and nights past.
From the band of the Tenth Ohio, half a mile
away, come strains mellow and SAveet. The air is
full of moonlight and music. The boys are in a hap
pier mood, and a round, full voice comes to us from
the tents Avith the Avords of an old Scotch song :
" March, march, Ettrick and Teviotdale !
AA'^hy, my lads, dinna ye march forward in order ?
M.-irch, march, Eskale and Liddlesdale !
All the blue bonnets are over the border.
Many a banner spread flutters above your head,
Many a crest that is famous in story ;
Blount and make ready, then, sons of the mountain glen !
Fight for the King and the old Scottish border !

i862.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 103
5. The Major and Mr. Furay are engaged in a
tremendous dispute. Furay is positive he can not be
mistaken, and the Alajor laughs him to scorn. AA^hen
these gentlemen lock horns in dead earnest the clatter
of Avords becomes terrible, and the combat ends only
when both fall on their cots exhausted.
6. The Colonel's resignation has been accepted.
He delivered his valedictory to the regiment this
evening. Subsequently he passed through the com
pany quarters, shaking hands with the boys and bid
ding them farewell. Still later he made a .speech, in
AA'hich he called God to Avitness that he was a loyal
man, and promised to pray for us all. The regiment
is disorderly, if not mutinous even. The best thing
he can do for it and himself is to get out.
8. The Colonel has bidden us a final adieu. His
most dcA'oted adherents escorted him to the depot,
and returned miserably drunk.
One of the color guards, an honest, sensible, good-
looking boy, has Avritten me a letter of encourage
ment. I trust that soon all will feel as kindly to
ward me as he.
10. We left Bacon creek at noon. There were
ten thou.sand men in advance of us, with immense
baggage trains. The roads bad, and our march slow,
tedious, and disagreeable. Many of the officers im
bibed freely, and the senior surgeon, an educated gen
tleman, and very popular Avith the boys, became
gloriously elevated. He kept his eye pealed for se
cesh, and before reaching Munfordsville found a cit
izen twice as big as himself in possession of a double-

104 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; (February,
barreled shot-gun. Taking it for granted that he was
an enemy, the Doctor drew a revolver and bade him
surrender unconditionally. The boys said the Doctor
Avas as tight as a little bull. What phase of inebriety
this remark indicated I am unable to say; but certain
it is that he did not for a moment lose sight of his
gigantic prisoner, nor give him the slightest oppor
tunity to escape. He was quite triumphant in his
bearing; directed the movements of the captive in a
loud and imperious tone, and favored him with much
patriotic advice.
A Avagon with six unbroken mules attached is an,
uncertain conveyance. If the mules are desired to
stop suddenly, they are certain not to do so, and if
commanded to start suddenly, they are just as sure not
to obey. If, after an immense amount of Avhipping and
many ferA'ent asseverations on the part of the driver
that all mules should be in Tophet, they conclude
to start at all, they go as if determined to reach the
place indicated without unnecessary delay. If a mud-
hole, ditch, tree, or any other obstacle lies in the way,
and the driver cries Avhoa, the mules redouble their
speed, and rush forward as if they did not in the
slightest degree consider themseh'cs responsible either
for the driver's neck or the traps with which the
wagon is laden.
It was about eight o'clock in the evening when we
crossed the bridge over Green river. The moon had
around it a halo, in which appeared very distinctly
all the colors of the National flag — red, white, and
blue — and the boys said it was a good omen ; that

iS62.] OR, MEAIOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 105
they were Union people up there, and had hung out
the Stars and Stripes.
12. To-morroAV Ave start for BoAvling Green, our
division in the lead. Before night Ave shall overtake
the rebels, and before the next evening Avill doubtless
fight a battle.
13. Long before sunrise the whole division was
astir, and at seven o'clock moved forward, our brigade
in the center. Far as the eye could reach, both in
front and rear, the road was crowded AA'ith men. A
score of bands filled the air Avith martial strains, while
the morning sun brightened the muskets, and made
the flags look more cheerful and brilliant. The day
was AA'arm and pleasant. The country before us was,
in a military sense, unexplored, and every ear Avas
open to catch the sound of the first gun. The con
viction that a battle Avas imminent kept the men
steady and prevented straggling. We passed many
fine houses, and extensive, AvellimproA'ed farms. But
few Avhite people Avere seen. The negroes appeared
to have entire possession.
Six miles from Green river a young and very pretty
girl stood in the doorAvay of a handsome farm-house
and waved the flag of the Union. Cheer after cheer
arose along the line; officers saluted, soldiers Avaved
their hats, and the bands played "Yankee Doodle"
and " Dixie." That loyal girl captured a thousand
hearts, and I trust some gallant soldier who shall Avin
honorable scars in battle may return in good time to
croAvn her his Queen of Love and Beauty.
From this on for fifteen miles we found neither

106 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [February,
springs nor streams. The country is cavernous, and
the only Avater is that of the ponds. In all of these
Ave discovered dead and decaying horses, mules, and
dogs. The rebels in this way had sought to deprive
us of water ; but while their action in this regard oc
casioned a vast deal of profanity among the , boys, it
did not in the least retard the column. We were,
hoAvever, delayed somewhat by the felled trees with
which they had obstructed miles of the road. At
sunset Ave halted and pitched our tents in a large field,
near what is knoAvn as Bell's Tavern, on the Louis
ville and Nashville Railroad. We had marched
eighteen miles.
The Avater used in the preparation of the evening
meal Avas that of the ponds. The thought of the rot
ting dogs, horses, and mules, could not be banished,
and Avhen the Major sipped his coffee in a doubtful
Avay and remarked that it tasted soupy, my stomach
quivered on the turning point, and, hungry as I was,
the supper gave me no further enjoyment.
14. Resumed the march at daylight. Suoav fell
last night. The day was exceedingly cold, and the
Avind pierced through us like needles of ice. I think
I never experienced so sudden and extreme a change
in the Aveather. It Avas too cold to ride, and I dis
mounted and Avalked twelve miles. We Avere certain
of a fight, and so pushed on Avith rapid pace. A reg
iment of caA'alry and Loomis' battery AAcre in ad
vance. When Avithin ten miles of Bowling Green
the guns opened in our front. LeaA'ing the regiment
in charge of the Major, I rode ahead rapidly as I

i862.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 107
could, and reached the riA'er bank opposite BoAvling
Green in time to see a detachment of rebel cavalry
fire the buildings Avhich contained their army stores.
The town Avas ablaze in twenty different places.
They had destroyed the bridge OAcr Barren river in
the morning, and now, having finished the Avork of
destruction, went galloping over the hills. AA'^hen the
regiment arrived, it Avas quartered in a camp but re
cently CA'acuated by the enemy. The night Avas bit
ter cold ; but the boys soon had a hundred fires
blazing, and made themselves very comfortable.
15. This morning Ave were called out at daylight
to cross the river and take possession of the toAvn; a
sorrier, hungrier lot of felloAVs never rolled out of
Avarm blankets into the icy Avind. It AA'as impossible
for many of them to get their wet and frozen shoes
on, but Ave hurried down to the riA'er, and Avere there
halted until if Avas ascertained that our presence on
the opposite side Avas not required, Avhen Ave Avent
back to our old quarters.
16. To-day we crossed the Big Barren, and are
now in BoAvling Green. Turchin's brigade preceded
us, and has gutted many houses. The rebels burned
a million dollars AA'orth of stores, but left enough
pork, salt beef, and other necessaries to supply our
division for a month; in fact the cigar I am smoking,
the paper on which I write, the ink and pen, were all
captured. General Beauregard left the day before our arriA'al.
It is said he was for days reported to be lying in
General Hardee's quarters, dangerou.sly ill, and that

108 _THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [February.
under cover of this report he left town dressed in
citizen's clothes and visited our camps on Green
River. 18. The Aveather is turning warm again, the men
are quartered in houses. I room at the hotel. This
sort of life, however plea'sant it may be, has a demor
alizing effect upon the soldier.
19. Spent the forenoon at the river assisting some-
Avhat in getting our transportation over. It is a rainy
day, and I got wet to the skin and thoroughly chilled.
After dinner I Avent to bed while .William, my ser
vant, put a feAV necessary stitches in my apparel, and
dried my underclothing and boots. I am badly off
for clothing; my coat is out at the elbows, and my
pantaloons are in a revolutionary condition, the seat
having seceded.
The Cincinnati Gazette of the 14th instant reports
that I have been promoted. Thanks.
20. AVe learn from a reliable source that Na.sliville
has been evacuated. The enemy is said to be concen
trating at Murfreesboro, twenty or thirty miles
beyond. The river has risen fifteen feet, and many of our
teams are still on the other side. The Avater SAvelled
so rapidly that tAvo teams of six mules each, parked
on the river bank la.st night so as to be in readiness
to cross on the ferry this morning, AA'ere SAvept away.
Captain IMitchell returned this evening from a trip
North. We are glad to have him back again.
21. Hear that Fort Donelson has been taken
after a terrible fight, and ten thousand ears are eager

i862,] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 109
to hear more about the engagement. No teams
crossed the river to-day ; aa'c are flood bound.
There Avas an immense number of deaths in the
rebel army while it encamped here. It is said three
thousand Southern soldiers are buried in the vicinity
of the town. They could not stand the rigorous
Northern climate. A Mississippi regiment reported
but thirteen men for duty.
22. MoA'ed at seven in the morning toAvard Nash
ville without Avagons, tents or camp equipage.
Marched tAventy miles in the rain and were drenched
completely. The boys found some sort of shelter
during the night in tobacco houses, barns, and straw
piles. 23. The day pleasant and sunshiny. The feet
of the men badly blistered, and the regiment limps
along in AA'retched style; made fifteen miles.
24. Routed out at daylight and ordered to make
NashA'ille, a distance of thirty-two miles. Many of
the boys have no shoes, and the feet of many are still
very sore The journey seems long, but we are at
the head of the column, and that stimulates us some
what. Have sent my horse to the rear to help along
the very lame, and am making the march on foot.
The martial band of the regiment is doing its
utmost to keep the boys in good spirits ; the base
drum sounds like distant thunder, and the Avind of
Hughes, the fifer, is inexhaustible; he can bloAV five
miles at a stretch. The members of the band are in
good pluck, and when not playing, either sing, tell
stories, or indulge in reminiscences of a personal char-

110 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [February,
acter. Russia has been badgering AVilliam Heney,
a drummer. He says that Avhile at Elkwater Heney
sparked one of Esquire Stalnaker's daughters, and
that the lady's little sister going into the room quite
suddenly one evening called back to the father,
" Dad, dad, AVilliam Heney has got his arm around
Susan Jane !" Heney affirms that the story is untrue.
Lochey favors us Avith a song, which is known as the
warble. " Thou, thou reignest in this bosom,
There, there hast thou thy throne ;
Thou, thou knowest that I love thee ;
Am I not fondly thine own?
Ya — ya — ya — ya.
Am I not fondly thine own ?
CHORUS.
Das unda claus ish mein.
Das unda claus ish mein,
Cants do nic mock un do.
On the banks of the Ohio river,
In a cot lives my Rosa so fair ;
She is called Jim Johnson's darky,
And has nice curly black hair.
Tre alo, tre alo, tre ola, ti.
0 come with me to the dear little spot,
And I'll show you the place I was born,
In a little log hut by a clear running brook,
Where blossom the wild plum and thorn.
Tre ola, tre ola, tree la ti.

i862.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. HI
Mein fadter, mein modter, mein sister, mein frau,
Undt swi glass of beer for meinself,
Undt dey call mein wife one blacksmit shop;
Such dings I never did see in my life.
Tre ola, tre ola, tre ola ti."
25. General Nelson's command came up the Cum
berland by boat and entered Nashville ahead of us.
The city, hoAvever, had surrendered to our division
before Nelson arrived. We failed simply in being
the first troops to occupy it, and this resulted from
detention at the riA'er-crossing.
27. Crossed the Cumberland and moA'ed through
Nashville; the regiment behaved handsomely, and
was followed by a great croAvd of colored people, Avho
appeared to be delighted with the music. General
Mitchell complimented us on our good behavior and
appearance. 28. Captain AA''ilson, Fourth Ohio Cavalry, was
•shot dead while on picket. One of his sergeants had
eight balls put through him, but still lives.

112 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [March,

MARCH, 1862.

1. Our brigade, in command of General Dumont,
started for Lavergne, a village eleven miles out on the
Murfreesboro road, to look after a regiment of cav
alry said to be in occupation of the place. Arrived
there a little before sunset, but found the enemy had
disappeared. The troops obtained whisky in the village, and
many of the soldiers became noisy and disorderly.
A little after nightfall the compliments of a Mrs.
Harris were presented" to me, with request that I
would be kind enough to call. The handsome little
white cottage Avhere she lived was near our bivouac.
It Avas the best house in the village ; and, as I ascer
tained afterward, very tastefully if not elegantly
furnished. She was a woman of perhaps forty. Her
husband and daughter were absent; the former, I
think, in the Confederate service. She had only a
servant Avith her, and Avas considerably frightened
and greatly incensed at the conduct of some soldiers,
of she knew not Avhat' regiment, who had persisted in
coming into her house and treating her rudely. In
short, she desired protection. She had a lively
tongue in her head, and her request for a guard Avas,

iS62.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 113
I thought, not preferred in the gentlest and most amia
ble Avay. Her comments on our Northern soldiers
Avere certainly not complimentary to them. She said
she had supposed hitherto that soldiers were gentlemen.
I confessed that they ought to be at least. She said,
rather emphatically, that Southern soldiers were gen
tlemen. I replied that I did not doubt at all the
correctness of her statement ; but, unfortunately, the
branch of the Northern army to which I had the
honor to belong had not been able to get near enough
to them to obtain any personal knowledge on the
subject. The upshot of the five minutes' interview was a
promise to send a soldier to protect Mrs. Harris'
property and person during the night.
Returning to the regiment I sent for Sergeant
Woolbaugh. He is one of the handsomest men in
the regiment; a printer by trade, an excellent con
versationalist, a man of extensive reading, and of
thorough information respecting current affairs. I
said: "Sergeant, I desire you to brighten up your
musket, and clothes if need be, go over to the little
white cottage on the right and stand guard." " All
right, sir."
As he was leaving I called' to him : " If the lady
of the house shows any inclination to talk with you,
encourage and gratify her to the top of her bent. I
want her to know Avhat sort of men our Northern
soldiers are."
The Sergeant in due time introduced himself to
10

114 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [March,
Mrs. Harris, and was invited into the sitting room.
They soon engaged in conversation, and finally fell
into a discussion of the issue between the North and
South Avhicli lasted until after midnight. The lady,
although treated with all courtesy, certainly obtained
no advantage in the controversy, and must have
arisen from it with her ideas respecting Northern
soldiers very materially changed.
2. Started on the return to Nashville at three
o'clock in the morning. The boys being again dis
appointed in not finding the enemy, and considerably
under the influence of liquor, conducted themselves
in a most disorderly and unsoldierly way.
Have not had a change of clothing since we crossed
the Great Barren river.
6. Regiment on picket.
When returning from the front I met a soldier of
the Thirty-seventh Indiana, trudging along with his
gun on his shoulder. I asked him Avhere he was
going ; he replied that his father lived four miles
beyond, and he had just heard that his brother Avas
home from the Southern army on sick leaA'e, and he
was going out to take him prisoner.
8. This afternoon the camp was greatly excited
over a daring feat of i body of cavalry under John
Morgan. It succeeded in getting almost inside the
camps, and was five miles inside of our outposts. It
came into the main road betAveen Avhere Kennett's
caA'alry regiment is encamped and Nashville; cap
tured a Avagon train, took the drivers. Captain Bra-
den, of Indiana, who was in charge of the train, and

i862.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 115
eighty-three horses, and started on a by-road back for
Alurfreesboro. General Alitchell immediately dis
patched Keunett in pursuit. About fifteen miles out
the rebels Avere overtaken and our men and horses re
captured. Tavo rebels Avere killed and two taken ;
Kennett is still in hot pursuit. Captain Braden says,
as the rebels were riding aAvay they were exceedingly
jubilant over the success of their adventure, and
promised to introduce him to General Hardee in the
eA'ening. AViiliout asking the Captain's permission
they gave him a very poor horse in exchange for a
A'ery good one, put him at the head of the column
and guarded him vigilantly; but Avhen Kennett ajD-
p'jared and the running fight occurred he dodged off
at full speed, lay down on his horse, and although
fired at many times escaped unhurt.
Alorgan's men knoAV the country so well that all the
by-roads and cow-paths are familiar to them; the
citizens keep them informed also as to the location of
our camps and picket posts, and if need be are ready
to serve them either as guides or spies, hence the suc
cess Avhich attended the earlier part of their enter
prise does not indicate so great a want of vigilance
on the part of our troops, as might at first thought be
supposed. 9. The enemy made a descent on one of our out
posts, killed one man and wounded another.
16. AVent to Nashville this morning to buy a few
necessaries. While aAvaiting dinner at the St. Cloud
I took a seat outside the door. Quite a number of
Union officers were seated or standing in front of the

116 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [March,
hotel, when Iavo avcII, extremely Avell, dressed Avomen,
followed by a negro lady, approached, and Avhile pass
ing us held their noses. What disagreeable thing the
atmosphere in our immediate vicinity contained that
made it necessary for these lovely women to so pinch
their nasal protuberances, I could not discover; cer
tainly the officers looked cleanly, many of them
were young men of the "double-bullioned" kind,
who had spared no expense in decorating their per
sons with shoulder straps, golden bugles, and other
shining trappings Avhich appertain somehoAV to glo
rious Avar.
After dinner I dropped into a drug store to buy a
cake of soap. The druggist gave me, in the way of
change, several miserably executed shinplasters. I
asked :
" Do you call this money ?"
" I do."
"I Avonder that every printing office in the South
does not commence the manufacture of such money."
" O, no," he replied in a sneering way; "in the
North they might do that, but in the South no one is
disposed to make counterfeit money."
" Yes," I retorted, " the Southern people are very
honest no doubt, but I apprehend there is a better
reason for not counterfeiting the money than you
have assigned. It is probably not Avorth counterfeit
ing." Private Hawes of the Third is remarkably fond of
pies, and a notorious straggler Avithal. He has just
returned to camp after being away for some days, and

i862.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 117
accounts for his absence by saying that he AA'as in the
country looking for pies, when Morgan's men ap
peared suddenly, shot his horse from under him,
mounted him behind a soldier and carried him away.
The private is now in the guard -house entertaining a
select company Avith a narrative of his adventures.
We have much trouble with escaped negroes. In
some way Ave have obtained the reputation of being
abolitionists, and the colored folks get into our regi
mental lines, and in some mysterious Avay are so dis
posed of that their masters never hear of them again.
It is possible the two saw-bones, Avho officiate at the
hospital, dissect, or desiccate, or boil them in the in
terest of science, or in the manufacture of the villain
ous compounds with Avhich they dose us when ill.
At any rate, Ave know that many of these sable crea
tures, Avho joined us at Bowling Green and on the
road to Nashville, can not now be found. Their
masters, folloAving the regiment, made complaint to
General Buell, and, as Ave learn, spoke disparagingly
of the Third. An order issued requiring us to sur
render the negroes to the claimants, and to keep col
ored folks out of our camp hereafter. I obeyed the
order promptly; commanded all the colored men in
camp to assemble at a certain hour and be turned over
to their masters ; but the misguided souls, if indeed
there were any, failed to put in an appearance, and
could not be found. The scamps, I fear, took ad
vantage of my notice and hid away, much to the re
gret of all who desire to preserve the Union as it
Avas, and greatly to the chagrin of the gentlemen who

118 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [March,
expected to take them handcuffed back to Kentucky.
One of these fugitives, a handsome mulatto boy, bor-
jowed five dollars of me, and the same amount
of Doctor Seyes, not half an hour before the time
when he was to be delivered up, but I fear now the
money will never be repaid.
18 Started for Murfreesboro. The day is beauti
ful and the regiment marches well. Encamped for the
night near LaA'ergne. I called on my friend Mrs.
Harris. She received me cordially and introduced
me to her daughter, a handsome young lady of sev
enteen or eighteen. -They Avere both extremely
Southern in their vieAvs, but chatted jdeasantly over
the situation, and Airs. Harris spoke of Sergeant
Woolbaugh, the guard furnished her on our first visit,
in very complimentary terms; in fact, .she Avas sur
prised to find such men in the ranks of the Federal
army. I assured her that there Avere scores like him
in every regiment, and that our army was made up of
the flower of the Northern people.
19. The rebels having burned the bridges on the
direct road, Ave Avere compelled to diverge to the left
and take a longer route; toward evening Ave Avent
into camp on the plantation of a AvidoAV lady, and
here for the first time in my life I saAV a field of cot
ton ; the old stalks still standing Avith many bulbs
Avhich had escaped the pickers.
20. Turned out at four o'clock in the morning,
got breakfast, struck our tents, and Avere ready to
march at six ; but the brigade being noAV ordered to
take the rear, we stood uncovered in a drenching rain

tS62.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 119
three hours for the division and transportation to pass.
All Avere thoroughly Avet and benumbed Avith cold,
but as if to show contempt for the Aveather the Third-
sang Avith great unction :
" There is a land of pure delight,
Where saints immortal reign ;
Infinite day excludes the night,
And pleasures banish pain.
There everlasting spring abides,
And never withering flowers ;
Death, like a narrow sea, divides
This heavenly land from ours."
Soon after getting under Avay the sky cleared, and
the sun made its appearance ; the band struck up,
and at every plantation negroes came flocking to the
roadside to see us. They are the only friends we
find. They have heard of the abolition array, the
music, the banners, the glittering arms ; po.ssibly the
hope that their ma.sters Avill be humbled and their
OAvn condition improved, gladdens their hearts and
leads them to welcome us Avith extravagant manifesta
tions of joy. They keep time to the music with feet
and hands, and hurrah " fur de ole flag and de Union,"
sometimes following us for miles. Parson Strong at
tempts to do a little missionary Avork. A dozen or
more negroes stand in a group by the roadside. Said
the Parson to an old man : " My friend, are you re
ligious?"

120 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [Maech,
" No, massa, I is not ; seben of ray folks is, an dey
is all prayen fur your side."
Hailing a little knot, I said : " Boys where do you
live ? "
" Lib Avid Massa  , sah."
"All Union people, I suppose?"
"Dey say dey is, but dey isn't."
One old AVoman — evidently a great-grandmother in
Israel — climbed on the fence, clapped her hands,
shouted for joy, and "bressed de Lord dat dar Avas de
ole flag agin."
To a colored boy who stole into our lines last night,
Avith his little bundle under his arm, the Major said:
" Does n't it make you feel bad to run away from
your masters ?"
" Oh, no, massa ; dey is gone, too."
Reached Murfreesboro in the afternoon.
22. Men at Avork rebuilding the railroad bridge.
General Dumont returns to Nashville. Colonel
Lytic, of the Tenth Ohio, Avill assume command of
our brigade.
My servant has imposed upon me for about a
month. He arises in the morning when he pleases;
prepares my meals Avhen it suits his pleasure, and is
disposed in every thing to make me adapt my busi
ness to his OAvn notions. This morning I became so
provoked over his insolence and laziness that, in a
moment of passion, I knocked him doAvn. Since
then there has been a decided improvement in his
bearing. The bloAV seems to have awakened him to
a sense of his duty.

i862.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 121
25. So soon as the railroad is repaired, an im
mense amount of cotton Avill be sent East from this
section. The crops of two seasons are in the hands
of the producer. AA'^e are encamped in a cotton field.
Peach trees are noAV in bloom, and many early flowers
are to be seen.
26. The boys are having a grand cotillion party
on the green in front of my tent, and appear to have
entirely forgotten the privations, hardships, and dan
gers of soldiering.
The army for a temperate, cleanly, cheerful man,
is, I have no doubt, the healthiest place in the Avorld.
The coarse fare provided by the Government is the
most Avholesome that can be furnished. The boys
ofteuest on the sick list are those Avho are constantly
running to the sutler's for gingerbread, SAveetmeats,
raisins, and nuts. They eat enormous quantities of
this uuAvholesome stuff, and lose appetite for more
substantial food. Finding that all desire for hard
bread and bacon has disappeared, they conclude that
they must be ill, and instead of taking exercise, lie
in their tents until they finally become really sick.
A contented, temperate, cheerful, cleanly man will
live forever in the army ; but a despondent, intem
perate, gluttonous, dirty soldier, let him be never so
fat and strong when he enters the service, is sure to
get on the sick list, and finally into the hospital.
The dance on the green is progressing with in
creased A'igor. The music is excellent. At this mo
ment the gentlemen are going to the right; now they
11

122 THE CITIZEN SOLDLER ; [...arch,
promenade all ; in a minute more the ladies Avill he
in the center, and four hands round. That broth of
an Irish boy, ConAvay, wears a rooster's feather in his
cap, and has for a partner a soldier twice as big as
himself, whom he calls Susan. As they swing
ConAvay yells at the top of his voice : " Come round,
old gal !"
28. General Mitchell returned from Nashville on
a hand-car. 30. This is a pleasant Sunday. The sun shines,
the birds sing, and the air stirs pleasantly.
The colored people of Alurfreesboro pour out in
great numbers on Sunday evenings to Avitness dress
parade, some of them in excellent holiday attire. The
Avomen sport flounces and the men canes. Many are
nearly Avhite, and all slaves.
Murfreesboro is an aristocratic toAvn. Alany of the
citizens have as fine carriages as are to be seen in
Cincinnati or Washington. On pleasant Aveek-day
cA'cnings they sometimes come out to Avitness the
parades. The ladies, so far as I can judge by a
glimpse through a carriage AvindoAv, are richly and
elegantly dressed.
The poor Avhites are as poor as rot, and the rich are
very rich. There is no substantial well-to-do middle
class. The slaves are, in fact, the middle class here.
They are not considered so good, of course, as their
masters, but a great deal better than the Avhite trash.
One enthusiastic colored man said in my hearing this
CA'ening : " You look like solgers. No wonder dat
you AA'ip de white trash ob de Southern army. Dey

i862.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 123
ced dey could Avip two ob you, but I guess one ob you
could Avip two ob dem. You is jest as big as dey is,
and maybe a little bigger."
A few miles from here, at a cross roads, is a guide-
board: "B®°15 miles to Liberty." If liberty were
indeed but fifteen miles away, the stars to-night
would see a thousand negroes dancing on the way
thither; old men Avith their Avives and bundles; young
men Avith their SAveethearts; little barefooted chil
dren, all singing in their hearts:
"De day ob jubilee hab come, ho ho I"
On the march hither we passed a little, contempti
ble, tumble-doAvn, seven-by-nine frame school-house.
OA'er the door, in large letters, Avere the Avords:
Cbnteal Academy.
The boys laughed and .said : " If this is called an
academy, what sort of things must their common
school-houses be?" But Tennessee is albeautiful State.
All it lacks is free schools and freemen.
31. Colonel Keifer, in command of four hundred
men, started with ninety wagons for Nashville. He
will repair the railroad in two or three places and re
turn with provisions.

124 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [Ai'ril,

APRIL, 1862.

3. Struck our tents and started south, at two
o'clock this afternoon ; marched fifteen miles and
bivouacked for the night.
4. Resumed the march at seven o'clock in the
morning, the Third in adA'ance. At one place on the
road a young negro, perhaps eighteen years old, broke
from his hiding in the Avoods, and Avith hat in
hand and a broad grin on his face, came running to
me. " Massa," said he, " I wants to go Avid you." " I
am sorry, my boy, that I can not take you. I am not
permitted to do it." The light Avent out of the poor
felloAv's eyes in a moment, and, putting on his
slouched hat, he went aAvay sorroAvful enough. It
seems cruel to turn our backs on these, our only friends.
If a dog came up Avagging his tail at sight of us, we
could not help liking him better than the maister, Avho
not only looks sullen and cro.ss at our approach, but
in his heart desires our destruction.
As Ave approach the Alabama line Ave find fewer,
but handsomer, houses ; larger plantations, and ne
groes more numerous. We saw droves of women
working in the fields. When their ears caught the
first notes of the music, they Avould drop the hoe and

i862.) OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 125
come running to the road, their faces all aglow Avith
pleasure. May avc not hope that their darkened minds
caught glimpses of the suil of a better life, noAV ris
ing for them?
Last night my bed-room Avas as grand as that ever
occupied by a prince. The floor Avas carpeted Avith
soft, green, velvety grass. For walls it had the pri
meval forest, with its drapery of luxuriant foliage.
The ceiling, higher even than one's thoughts can
measure, Avas studded Avith stars innumerable. The
crescent moon added to its beauty for aAvhile, but
disappeared long before I dropped off to sleep.
AVe entered Shelbyville at noon. There are more
Union people here than at Murfreesboro, and we
saAV many glad faces as Ave marched through the
streets. The band made the sky ring Avith music,
and the regiment deported splendidly. One old
woman clapped her hands and thanked heaven that
we had come at last. Apparently almost wild Avith
joy, she shouted after u.s, "God be Avith you!"
AA^e AA'ent into camp on Duck river, one mile from
the town.
5. General Mitchell complimented me on the good
behavior and good appearance of the Third. He
said it Avas the best regiment in his division. At
Bacon creek, Kentucky, he Avas particularly severe on
us, and attributed all our trouble to defective disci
pline and bad management on the part of the officers.
On the evening when the acceptance of Marrow's
resignation Avas read, the General was present. After
parade was dismis.sed, I shook hands Avith him and

126 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [Apkil,
said : " General, give us a little time and we Avill make
the Third the best regiment in your division." The
old gentleman was glad to hear me say so, but smiled
dubiously. . I am glad to haA'e him acknoAvledge so
soon that Ave have fulfilled the promise.
At Murfreesboro heavy details were made for
bridge building, and one day, while superintending
the Avork, the General addressed the detail from
the Third in a very uncomplimentary way: "You
lazy scoundrels, go to work! Your regiment is the
promptest in the division to report for duty, but you
Avill not AVork." At another time he gave an order to
a soldier Avhich Avas not obeyed with sufficient alac
rity, Avh en he yelled: "What regiment do you be
long to?" "The Third." "Well, sir, I thought
you Avere one of the obstinate devils of that regi
ment." At another time he rode into our camp, and
the boys fiiiled to rise at his approach, when he reined
in his horse suddenly and shouted: "Get up here,
you lazy scoundrels, and treat your superiors with
respect!" Riding on a little further, a private passed
Avithout touching his cap : " Plold on, here," said the
General, "do n't you knoAV how to salute a superior?''
"Yes," stammered the boy, "but I did not see you."
"Hold up your head like a soldier, and you will
see me."
One night I Avas making the rounds in the Second
Ohio Avith the General. The guard did not turn out
promptly and he became angry ; diving into the
guard-tent to rout them up, he ran against a big
fellow so violently that he was nearly thrown off his

i862.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 127
legs. This increased his fury, and seizing the soldier
by the coat collar he shook him roughly, and- said :
" You insolent dog, I'll stand insolence from no man.
Officer, put this man under arrest immediately."
On the same night the guard of the Thirty-third
Ohio turned out sloAvly, and some of them were found
to have stolen off to their quarters. The General
was still in a bad humor. " Where is the officer of
the day ?" he asked. " At his quarters, sir," replied
a sergeant. " Present him the compliments of the
General commanding, and tell him if he does not
come to the guard-tent at once, I Avill send a file of
soldiers after him." The officer appeared very soon.
I refer to these incidents to show simply that the men
of other regiments received reprimands as well as
those of my own.
6. Late in the evening the officers of the regi
ment, with the string band, started on a serenading
expedition. After playing sundry airs and singing
diA'crs songs, Ethiopian and otherwise, at the residence
of a Mr. Warren, Miss Julia Gurnie, si.ster of Mrs.
AVarren, appeared on the veranda and made to us a
very pretty Union speech. After a general introduc
tion to the family and a cordial reception, we bade
them good-night, and started for another portion of
the village. On the way thither we dropped into the
store of a Mr. Armstrong, and imbibed rather
copioasly of apple-jack, to protect us against the
night air, which, by the way, is ahvays dangerous
when apple-jack is convenient. After thus fortifying
ourselves, Ave proceeded to 'the residence of a Mr.

128 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [April,
Storey. His doors Avere thrOAvn open, and we entered
his parlors. Here we had the honor to be introduced
to Miss Storey, a handsome young lady, and Lieuten
ant O'Brien, nephew of Parson BroAvnlow.
Lieutenant O'Brien is an officer of the rebel army.
He accompanied Parson BroAvnloAV to Nashville un
der a flag of truce, and has been loitering on his Avay
back until the present time. He wears the Confed
erate gray, and Avhen we entered the room Avas seated
on the sofa Avith Miss Storey. After being intro
duced in due form, I placed myself by the young lady
and endeavored to at least divide her attention Avith
my Confederate friend. The apple-jack dilated most
engagingly on the remarkable beauty of the eA'ening,
the pleasantness of the weather generally, and the de-
lightfulness of Shelbyville. There was a piano in the
room, and finally, after having occupied her attention
jointly Avith O'Brien for some time, I took the lib
erty to a.sk her to favor us Avith a song; but she
pleaded an aAvful cold, and asked to be excused. The
apple-jack excused her. The Storeys are pleasant
people, and I trust that, full as we Avere, we did noth
ing to les.sen their respect for us.
From Mr. Storey's we went to the house of Mr.
Cooper, President of the Shelbyville Bank, but were
not invited in, the family haA'ing retired.
Our last call Avas at the residence of Mr. Weasner^
Avhilom member of the Tennessee Legislature. The
doors were here thrown open, and a cordial invitation
given us to enter. A pitcher of good wine was set out,
and soon after Miss Weasner, a very pretty young lady

I862.J OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 129
appeared, and played and sang many patriotic songs.
AVhen finally Ave bade this plea.sant family good
night, it was borde^-ing on the Sabbath, and we re
turned to camp.
7. Colonel Kennett, at the head of three hundred
cavalry, made a dash into the country toward the
Tennessee riA'er, captured and destroyed a train on a
branch of the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad,
and returned to camp to-night with fifteen prisoners.
8. Party at Mr. Warren's, to Avhich many of the
officers have gone.
9. Moved at six o'clock in the morning. Roads
sloppy, and in many places overflowed. Marched
sixteen miles.
10. Resumed the march at six o'clock A. M.
Reached Fayetteville at noon. Passed through the
town and encamped one mile beyond. General
Mitchell, with Turchin's and Sill's bi'igades and two
batteries, left for Huntsville on our arrival.
There are various and contradictory rumors afloat
respecting the condition of affairs at Shiloh. The
rebel sympathizers here are jubilant OA'er Avhat they
claim, is reliable intelligence, that our army has been
surprised and defeated. Another report, coming via
Nashville, says that a part of our army Avas terribly
beaten on Sunday; but reinforcements arriving on
Monday, the rebels were driven back, and our losses
of the first day retrieved.
A courier arrived about dark with dispatches for
General Mitchell ; but they were forwarded to him
unopened.

130 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [April,
13. Confused and unsatisfactory accounts still
reach us of the great battle at Pittsburg Landing.
It is strange Avhat fortune, good .or ill, our division
has had. Taking the lead at Green river, we doubted
not that a battle awaited us at BoAvling Green. In
advance again on the march to Nashville, Ave were
sure of fighting when we reached that place. Start
ing again, the division pushed on alone to Mur
freesboro, Shelbyville, Fayetteville, and finally to
Huntsville and Decatur, Alabama, at each place ex
pecting a battle, and yet meeting Avith no opposition.
With but one division upon this line, we looked for
hard Avork and great danger, and yet have found
neither. As we advanced the honors Ave expected to
Avin haA'e receded or gone elsewhere, to be snatched
up by other divisions. The boys say the Third is-
fated never to see a battle; that the Third Ohio in
Mexico saAV no fighting; that there is something mag
ical in the number AA'hich preserves it from all danger.
14. The Fifteenth Kentucky remains here. The
Third and Tenth Ohio moved at three in the after
noon. Roads bad and progress slow. Bivouacked
for the night near a distillery. Many of the men
drunk; the Tenth Ohio particularly Avild.
15. Resumed the march at six in the morning.
Passed the plantation of Leonidas Polk AValker. He
is said to be the Avealthiest man in North Alabama.
His domain extends for fifteen miles along the road.
The OA'erseer's house and the negro huts near it make
quite a village.
Met a good many young men returning from

i862.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 1,31
Corinth and Pittsburg Landing. Quite a number of
them had been in the Sunday's battle, and, being
AA'ounded, had been sent back to Huntsville. General
Mitchell had captured and released them on parole.
Some had their heads bandaged, others their arms,
Avhile others, unable to walk, Avere conveyed
in wagons. As they passed, our men made many
good-natured remarks, as, " Well, boys, you 're tired
of soldiering, ar'n't you?" "Goin' home on fur
lough, eh?" "Played out." "Another bold soger
boy!" "See the soger !"
At one point a hundred or more colored people,
consisting of men, AVomen, and children, flocked to
the roadside. The band struck up, and they accom
panied the regiment for a mile or more, crowding and
jostling each other in their endeavors to keep abreast
of the music. The boys Avere wonderfully amused,
and addressed to the motley troupe all the commands
known to the A'olunteer service : " Steady on the
right;" "Guide center;" "ForAvard, double quick."
Reached Huntsville at fiA'e in the afternoon.
16. Just after sunset Colonel Keifer and I strolled
into the toAvn, stopped at the hotel for a moment,
Avhere Ave saw a rebel officer in his gray uniform run
ning about on parole. Visited the railroad depot,
Avhere some Iavo hundred rebels, are confined. The
prisoners Avere variously engaged; some chatting,
others playing cards, Avhile a few of a more devo
tional turn Avere singing
" Come thou fount of every blessing.
Tunc my heart to sing thy praise."

182 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [April,
By his timely arrival General Alitchell cut a divis
ion of rebel troops in tAVO. Four thousand got by,
and were thus enabled to join .the rebel army at
Corinth, Avhile about the same number were obliged
to return to Chattanooga.
20. At Decatur. The Memphis and Charleston
R-ailroad cresses the Tennessee river at this point..
The town is a dilapidated old concern, as ugly as
HuntsA'ille is handsome.
There is a canebrake near the camp, and e\'ery sol
dier in the regiment has provided himself Avith a
fishing-rod; A'ery long, straight, beautiful rods they
are, too.
The Avhite rebel, Avho has done his utmost to bring
about the rebellion, is lionized, called a plucky fellow,
a great man, Avhile the negro, Avho Avelcomes us, who
is ready to peril his life to aid us, is kicked, cuffed,
and driven back to his master, there to be scourged
for his kindness to us. Billy, my .servant, tells me
that a colored man Avas Avhipped to death by a planter
Avho lives near here, for giving information to our
men. I do not doubt it. AVe worm out of these
poor creatures a knowledge of the places where stores
are secreted, or compel them to serve as guides, and
then turn them out to be scourged or murdered.
There must be a change in this regard before we shall
be worthy of success.
21. A detachment went to Somerville yesterday.
While searching for buried arms forty-two hundred
dollars, in gold, silver, and bank-notes, were found.

i862.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 133
The money is, undoubtedly, private property, and
will, I presume, be returned to the owner.
Fine, large fish are caught in the Tennessee. AVe
have a buffalo for supper — a good sort of fish — weigh
ing six pounds.
General Mitchell has been made a Major-General.
He is a deserving officer. No other man with so few
troops has A'entured so far into the enemy's country, and
accomplished so much. Battles if they result favora
bly are great helps to the cause, but the general who
by a bold dash accomplishes equally imporant results,
without loss of life, is entitled to as great praise cer
tainly as he Avho fights and wins a victory.
Colonel Keifer aud I have been on horseback mo.st
of the afternoon, examining all the roads leading from
Decatur. On our way back to camp avc called at Mr.
Rather's. He AA'as a member of the Alabama Senate,
favored the secession movement, but claims now to be
heartily .sorry for it. He receiA'ed us cordially; in
troduced us to to Mrs. Rather, brought in Avine of his
OAvn manufacture, and urged us to drink heartily.
23. A beautiful day has gone by and a beautiful
starlit night has come. The camp is very still.
The melody of the frog, if melody it can be called,
and the ripple of the Tennessee, are the only sounds
to be heard. Thoughts of home and the quiet even
ings; of youth and the gay visions; of the thousand
and one pleasant scenes in life; of Avhat we might
have been and where Ave might have been, had the
cards of our life been shuffled differently; of the
deeds Ave might do, if peradventure the opportunity

134 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [April,
were offered, and the little Ave have done; all come
up to-night, and Ave cheAV 'the cud over and over,
Avithout being able to determine Avhether it is bitter or
SAveet. The enemy, three hundred strong, made a da.sh on
our picket last night, Avounded one man, and made an
unsuccessful effort to retake a bridge.
24. Our forces are on the alert. I lay down in my
clothes last night, or rather this morning, for it Avas
betAveen one and two o'clock Avhen I retired. The
diA'ision is stretched over a hundred- miles of raihvay,
but in position to concentrate in a feAV hours.
Before leaving this place, the rebels built a cotton
fort, using in its construction probably five hundred
bales. To-day Ave filled the bridge over the Tennessee Avith
combustible material, and put it in condition to burn
readily, in case we find it necessary to retire to the
north side.
A man Avith his son and two daughters arrived to
night from Chattanooga, having come all the way —
one hundred and fifty miles probably — in a small
skiff. 25. Price, Avith ten thousand men, is reported ad-
A'ancing from Memphis. Turchin had a skirmish
AA'ith his advance guard near Tuscumbia.
26. Turchin's brigade returned from Tuscumbia
and cro.ssed the Tennessee.
27. The Tenth and Third crossed to the north
side of the river, and Lieutenant-Colonel Burke of
the Tenth applied the torch to the bridge; in a few

i862.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 135
minutes the fire extended along its Avhole length, and
as Ave marched aAvay, the flames Avere hissing among
its timbers, and the smoke hung like a cloud above
it. 28. Ordered to moA'e to Stevenson. Took a
freight train and proceeded to Bellefonte, where we
found a bridge had been burned ; leaving the cars Ave
marched until tAvelve o'clock at night, and then
biA'Ouacked on the railroad track.
29. Resumed the march at daylight ; one mile be
yond Stevenson we found the Ninth Brigade, Colonel
Sill, in line of battle ; formed the Third in support
of Loomis' Battery, and remained in this position un
til two in the afternoon, when General Mitchell ar
rived and ordered the Ninth Brigade, Loomis' Bat
tery and my regiment to move forAvard. At WidoAv's
creek aa'b met a detachment of the enemy ; a few shots
from the battery and a volley from our skirmish line
drove it back, and we hastened on toward Bridgeport,
exchanging .shots occasionally with the enemy on the
way. About five o'clock Ave formed in line of battle, on
high ground in the Avoods, one-half mile from Bridge
port, the Third having the right of the column, and
moved .steadily forward until Ave came in sight of the
toAvn and the enemy. The order to double quick
was then given, and Ave dashed into the village on a
run. The enemy stood for a moment and then left as
fast as legs could carry him; in fact he departed in
such haste that but fcAv mu.skcts and one shot from a
six pound gun were fired at us; one piece of his ar-

136 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [April,
tillery Avas found still loaded. AVe captured fifty pris
oners, a number of horses, tAVO pieces of artillery and
many muskets. The bridge OA'cr the Tennessee had
already been filled Avith combustible material, and
Avhen the rear of the rebel column passed over
the match Avas applied ; the fire extended rapidly, and
Ave found it impossible to proceed further.
The fright of the enemy AA'as .so great that, after get
ting beyond the river a mile or more, he thrcAv aAvay
over a thousand muskets, and abandoned CA'ery thing
that could impede his flight. Unfortunately, howcA'er,
before a raft could be constructed to couA'cy our troops
across the river, the rebels recovered from their panic,
backed doAvn a railroad train, and gathered up most
of their arms and camp equipage.
A little more coolness on the part of our troops
Avould haA'e enabled us to capture twenty-fiA'C or thirty
caA'alrymen, AA'ho came riding into Bridgeport, sup
posing it to be still in the hands of their friends. As
they approached, a fcAV scattering shots Avere fired at
them by the excited soldiers, Avhen they wheeled and
succeeded in making their escajie.
30. The troops are short of proA'isions ; there is a
grist mill near, but the OAvner claims that it is out of re
pair, and can not be put in running order for some
days, as part of the machinery is missing. On inquiry,
I found that the OAvner of the mill AA'as a rebel, and
that the missing machinery had probably been hidden
by himself I therefore said to him that if he did not
have the mill going by noon, I would burn it down;

i862.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 137
by ten o'clock it Avas running, and at three in the af
ternoon Ave had an abundance of corn meal.
A detachment of the Third under Colonel Keifer
crossed the riA'er and reconnoitered the country be
yond. It "found no enemy, but returned to camp Avith
an abundance of bacon — an article A'ery greatly
needed by our troops.
Started at nine o'clock P. M. for Stevenson ; march
ed all night. Whenever we stopped on the Avay to
rest, the boys would fall asleep on the roadside, and
we found much difficulty in getting them through.
12

138 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [May,

MAY, 1862.

1. Moved to Bellefonte.
2. Took the cars for Huntsville.
At Paint Rock the train Avas fired upon, and six or
eight men Avounded. As soon as it could be done, I
had the train stopped, and, taking a file of soldiers,
returned to the village. The telegraph line had been
cut, and the wire was lying in the street. Calling the
citizens together, I said to them that this bushwhack
ing must cease. The Federal troops had tolerated it
already too long. Hereafter every time the telegraph
Avire was cut we Avould burn a house; every time a
train Avas fired upon Ave should hang a man ; and we
would continue to do this until every house was
burned and every man hanged betAveen Decatur and
Bridgeport. If they wanted to fight they should en
ter the army, meet us like honorable men, and not,
assassin-like, fire at us from the AA'Oods and run. We
proposed to hold the citizens responsible for these
coAvardly assaults, and if they did not drive these
bushwhackers from among.st them, Ave should make
them more uncomfortable than they Avould be in hell.
I then set fire to the town, took three citizens with

1862.) OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 139
me, returned to the train, and proceeded to Hunts
ville. Paint Rock has long been a rendezvous for bush-
AA'hackers and bridge burners. One of the men
taken is a notorious guerrilla, and was of the party
that made the dash on our wagon train at Nashville.
The week has been an active one. On last Satur
day night I slept a few hours on the bridge at De
catur. The next night I bivouacked in a cotton
field; the next I lay from midnight until four in
the morning on the railroad track ; the next I slept
at Bridgeport on the soft side of a board, and on
the return to Stevenson I did not sleep at all. My
health is excellent.
5. Captain Cunard was sent yesterday to Paint
Rock to arrest certain parties suspected of burning
bridges, tearing up the railroad track, and bu.shAvhack-
ing soldiers. To-day he returned Avith tAventy-six
prisoners. General Alitchell is Avell pleased Avith my action in
the Paint Rock matter. The burning of the town
has created a sensation, and is spoken of approvingly
by the officers and enthusiastically by the men. It is
the inauguration of the true policy, and the only one
that will preserve us from constant annoyance.
The General rode into our camp this evening, and
made us a stirring speech, in Avhich he dilated upon
the rapidity of our movements and the invincibility
of our division.
8. The road to Shelbyville is unsafe for small
parties. Guerrilla bands are very actiA'e. Two or

140 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [May,
three of our supply trains have been captured and
destroyed. Detachments are sent out every day to
capture or disperse these citizen cut-throats.
10. Have been appointed President of a Board of
Administration for the post of Huntsville. After an
ineffectual effort to get the members of the Board to
gether, I concluded to spend a day out of camp, the
first for more than six months; so I strolled over to
the hotel, took a bath, ate dinner, smoked, read, and
.slept until supper time, dispatched that meal, and
returned to my quarters in the cool of the evening.
We have in our camp a superabundance of ne
groes. One of these, a Georgian, belonged to a cap
tain of rebel cavalry, and fell into our hands at
Bridgeport. Since that affair he has attached him
self to me. The other negroes I do not knoAV. In
fact they are too numerous to mention. Whence
they came or Avhither they are going it is impossible
to say. They lie around contentedly, and are de
lighted Avhen we give them an opportunity to serve
us. All the colored people of Alabama are anxious
to go " wid yer and Avait on you folks." There are
not fifty negroes in the South Avho Avould not risk
their lives for freedom. The man yvho affirms that
they are contented and hapj)y, and do not desire to
escape, is either a falsifier or a fool.
11. Attended divine service with Captain Mc
Dougal at the Presbyterian Church. The edifice is
very fine. The audience Avas small ; the sermon tol
erable. Troubles, the preacher said, were sent to
discipline us. The army was of God ; they should,

i862.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 141
therefore, submit to it, not as slaves, but as Chris
tians, just as they submitted to other distasteful and
calamitous dispensations.
12. My letters from home have fallen into the
hands of John Morgan. The envelopes were picked
up in the road and forwarded to me. My wife should
feel encouraged. It is not every body's letters that
are pounced upon at midnight, taken at the point of
the bayonet, and read by the flickering light of the
camp-fire. MoA'ed at two o'clock this afternoon. Reached
Athens after nightfall, and bivouacked on the Fair
Ground. 18. Alarched to Elk river. A great many negroes
from the neighboring plantations came to see us, among
them an elderly colored man, Avhose sanctimonious
bearing indicated that he AA'as a minister of the Gos
pel. The boys insisted that he should preach to
them, and, after some hesitation, the old man
mounted a stump, lined a hymn from memory, sang
it, and then commenced his discourse. He had not
proceeded very far when he uttered this sentence :
" De good Lord He hab called me to preach de Gos-
pil. Many sinners hab been wakened by my poor
words to de new life. De Lord He hab been A'ery
kind to me, an' I can nebber pay Him fur all He
done fur me."
" Never pay the Lord ?" broke in the boys ; " ne\'er
pay the Lord? Oh! you wicked nigger ! Just hear
him! He says he is never going to pay the Lord!"
The preacher endeavored to explain : the kindness

142 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [May,
and mercy of the Lord had been so great that it
Avas impossible for a poor sinner to make any suffi
cient return ; but the boys would accept no explana
tion. "Here," they shouted, "is a nigger Avho will
not pay the Lord !" and they groaned and cried, " Oh !
Oh !" and swore that they never saw so Avicked a man-
before. Fortunately for the poor colored man, a
Dutchman began to interrogate him in broken En
glish, and the tAvo soon fell into a discussion of
some point in theology, Avhen the boys espoused the
negro's side of the question, and insisted that the
Dutchman Avas no match for him in argument.
Finally, by groans and hisses, they compelled the
Dutchman to abandon the controversy, leaving the
colored man Avell pleased that he had vanquished his
opponent and re-established himself in the good
opinion of his hearers.
14. Resumed the march at tAvo o'clock in the
morning, and proceeded to a point knoAvn as the
LoAver Ferry. Ascertaining here that the enemy had
recrossed the Tennessee, and was pushing southAvard,
Ave abandoned pursuit and turned to retrace our
steps to Huntsville. Leaving the regiment in com
mand of Colonel Keifer, I accompanied General
Mitchell on the return, and reached camp a little
after dark.
16. Appointed Provost Marshal of the city.
Have been busy hearing all .sorts of complaints, sign
ing passes for all sorts of persons, sending guards to
this and that place in the city, and doing the numer
ous other things necessary to be done in a ci(y under

t862.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 143
martial law. Captain Mitchell and Lieutenant AVil-
son are my assistants, and, in fact, do most of the
AVork. The citizens say I am the youngest Gov
ernor they ever had.
17. Captain Alitchell and I were invited to a
strawberry supper at Judge Lane's. Found General
Mitehell and staff. Colonel Kennett, Lieutenant-Col
onel Birdsall, and Captain Loomis, of the army, there.
Mr. and Mrs. Judge Lane, Colonel and Major Davis,
and a general, AA'hose name I can not recall, were
the only citizens present. General Mitchell monop
olized the conversation. He was determined to make
all understand that he Avas the greatest of living sol
diers. Had his counsel prevailed, the Confederacy
AA'ould have been knocked to pieces long ago. The
evening was a very pleasant one.
A few days ago Ave had John Alorgan utterly anni- >
hilated; but he seems to have gathered up the dis
persed atoms and rebuilt himself. In the destruction
of our supply trains he imagines, doubtless, that he is
inflicting a great injury upon our division; but he is
mistaken. The bread and meat we fail to get from
the loyal States are made good to us from the smoke
houses and granaries of the disloyal. Our boys find
Alabama hams better than Uncle Sam's sidemeat,
and fresh bread better than hard crackers. So that
every time this dashing cavalryman destroys a pro
vision train, their hearts are gladdened, and they shout
"Bully for Morgan!"
19. Rumor says that Richmond is in the hands of
our troops; and from the same source we learn that

144 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [Mav,
a large force of the enemy is between us and Nash
ville. Fifteen hundred mounted men were within
seventeen miles of Huntsville yesterday. A regi
ment Avith four pieces of artillery, under command of
Colonel Lytle, was sent toward Fayetteville to look
after them.
20. The busiest time in the Provost Marshal's
office is between eight o'clock in the morning and
noon. Then many persons apply for passes to go
outside the lines and for guards to protect property.
Others come to make complaints that houses have
been broken open, or that horses, dogs, and negroes,
have strayed aAvay or been stolen.
23. The men of Huntsville haA'e settled down to
a patient endurance of military rule. They say but
little, and treat us Avith all politeness. The women,
hoAvever, are outspoken in their hostility, and marvel-
ously bitter. A flag of truce came in last night from
Chattanooga, and the bearers Avere OA'erAvhelmed with
visits and favors from the ladies. AVhen they took
supper at the Huntsville Hotel, the large dining-
room Avas crowded with fair faces and bright eyes;
but the men prudently held aloof.
A day or tAvo ago one of our Confederate prisoners
died. The ladies filled the hearse to overfloAving
Avith floAvers, and a large number of them accompa
nied the soldier to his last resting-place.
The foolish, yet absolute, devotion of the women to
the Southern cause does much to keep it alive. It
encourages, nay forces, the young to enter the army,
and compels them to continue what the more sensible

t862.j OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 145
Southerners knoAv to be a hopeless struggle. But we
must not judge these Huntsville Avomeii too harshly.
Here are the families of many of the leading men of
Alabama; of generals, colonels, majors, captains, and
lieutenants in the Confederate army; of men, even,
Avho hold cabinet positions at Richmond, and of
many young men who are clerks in the departments
of the rebel GoA'ernment. Their wives, daughters,
sisters, and SAveethearts feel, doubtless, that the honor
of these gentlemen, and po.ssibly their lives, depend
upon the success of the Confederacy.
To-day two young negro men from Jackson county
came in Avlth their Avives. They Avere newly married,
and taking their Avedding journqy. The vision of a
better and higher life had lured them from the old
plantation where they were born. At midnight they
had stolen quietly aAvay, plodded many weary miles
on foot, confident that the rainbow and the bag of
gold Avere in the camp of the Federal army.
25. This In-door life has made me ill. I am as
yellow as an orange. The doctors say I have the
jaundice. 13

146 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [June,

JUNE, 1862.

3. Have requested General Mitchell to relieve me
from duty as Provost Marshal ; am now AvhoUy unfit
to do business.
We have heard of the evacuation of Corinth. The
simple withdraAval of the enemy amounts to but little,
if anything ; he still lives, is organized and ready to
do battle on some other field.
5. Go home on sick leave.
SjC Sp 'J' ^i^ ^
25. There were three little girls on the Louisville
packet, about the age of my own children. They
were great romps. I said to one, " what is your
name ?" She replied " Pudin' an' tame." So I called
her Pudin', and she became very angry, so angry in
deed that she cried. The other little girls laughed
heartily, and called her Pudin' also, and then asked
my name. I ansAvered John Smith; they insisted
then that Pudin' was my Avife, and called her Pudin'
Smith. This made Pudin' furious, and she abused her
companions and me terribly; but John Smith in
vested a little money in cherries, and thus pacified
Pudin', and so got to Louisville without getting his
hair pulled. I saw no more of Pudin' until she got
off the cars at Elizabethtown. Going up to her, we

~i862,] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 147
shook hands, and I said, "Good-by, Pudin'." She
hung her head for a moment, and tried to look angry,
but finally breaking into a laugh she said, " I do n't
like you at all any Avay, good-by."
27. Reached Huntsville. The regiment in good
condition, boys well; weather hot. General Buell
arrived last night. McCook's Division is here; Nel
son, Crittenden, and Wood on the road hither.

148 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; QuLV,

JULY, 1862.

2. We know, or think Ave knoAV, that a great bat
tle has been fought near Richmond, but the result for
some reason is Avithheld. AVe speculate, talk, and
compare notes, but this makes us only the more eager
for definite information.
I am almost as well as ever, not quite so strong, but
a feAV days Avill make me right again,
3. It is exceedingly dull ; we are resting as quietly
and leisurely as we could at home. There are no
drills, and no expeditions. The army is holding its
breath in anxiety to hear from Richmond. If Mc
Clellan has been whipped, the country must in time
knoAV it; if successful, it would be rejoiced to hear it.
AVhy, therefore, should the particulars, and even the
result of the fighting, be suppressed. Rumor gives us
a thousand conflicting stories of the battle, but rumor
has many tongues and lies Avith all.
General Mitchell departed for Washington yester
day. The rebels at Chattanooga claim that McClellan
has been terribly whipped, and fired guns along their
Avhole line, within hearing of our troops. In honor of
the victory.
A lieutenant of the Nineteenth Illinois, who fell

1862] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 149
into the enemy's hands, has just returned on parole,
and claims to have seen a dispatch from the Adjutant-
General of the Southern Confederacy, stating that
M •Clellan had been defeated and his army cut to
pieces. He believes it.
Aly horse is as fat as a stall-fed ox. He has had a
very easy time during my absence.
To-morrow is the Fourth, hitherto glorious, but
noAV, like to-day's meridian sun, clouded, and sending
out a someAvhat uncertain light. Has the great expe
riment failed ? Shall we hail the Fourth as the birth
day of a great Nation, or weep over it as the
beginning of a political enterprise Avhich resulted in
dissolution, anarchy and ruin ? Let us lift up our eyes
and be hopeful. The daAvn may be even now
breaking. The boys propose to have a barbecue to-morrow,
and roast a corpulent, good-natured Ethiopian, named
Caesar. They are now discussing the matter very
voluminously, in Caesar's presence. He thinks they
are probably joking; but still they seem to be greatly
in earnest, and he knoAvs little of these Yankees, and
thinks maybe his "massa tole him de truff about dem,
after all." "The Fourth is a great day," the boys go
on to say, " whereon Yankees ahvays dine on roast
nigger. It is a part of their religion. It is this
which makes colored folks so scarce in the North."
Shall Cffi.sar be stuffed or not? That is really the
only que.stion. One party claims that if Caesar be
stuffed with vegetables and nicely roasted, he Avill be
delicious. The other party insists that Caesar is suffi-

150 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [July,
ciently stuffed already ; vegetables would not improA'e
him. They have eaten roast nigger both ways and
know. So the discussion waxes hot, and the dusky
Alabamian has some fear, even, that his last day may
be draAving very near.
4. Thirty-four guns were fired at noon.
5. An Atlanta paper of the 1st instant says the
Confederates have Avon a decisive victory at Rich
mond. No Northern papers have been allowed to
come into camp.
6. McCook moved toAvard Chattanooga. General
W. S. Smith has command of our division.
The boys have a great many game chickens. Not
long ago Company G, of the Third, and Company G,
of the Tenth, had a rooster fight, the stakes being fif
teen dollars a side. After numerous attacks, retreats,
charges, and counter-charges, the Tenth rooster suc
cumbed like 'a hero, and the other was carried in
triumph from the field. General Mitchell made his
appearance near the scene at the conclusion of the
conflict ; but, supposing the croAvd to be an enthu-
sia,stic lot of soldiers Avho were cheering him, passed
on, Avell pleased with them and him.self.
The boys, have a variety of information from Rich
mond to-day. One party affirms that McClellan has
been cut to pieces; that a dispatch to that effect has
been received by General Buell. Another insists that
he has obtained a decided advantage, and is heat
ing the shot to burn Richmond; while still an
other affirms that he has utterly destroyed Richmond,

i862.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 151
and, Marius-Iike, is sitting amid the ruins of that ill-
fated city, eating soav belly and doe-christers.
7. Am detailed to serve on court-martial.
DETAIL FOE 'THE COURT.
General James A. Grarfield.
Colonel Jacob Ammen.
Colonel Curren Pope.
Colonel Jones.
Colonel Marc Mundy.
Colonel Sedgewick.
Colonel John Beatty.
CouA'ened at Athens at ten o'clock this morning.
Organized and adjourned to meet at ten to-morrow.
General Buell proposes, I understand, to give Gen
eral Mitchell's administration of affairs in North Ala
bama a thorough overhauling. It is asserted that the
latter has been interested in cotton speculations; but
investigation, I am well satisfied, will show that
General Mitchell has been strictly honest, and has
done nothing to compromise his honor, or cast even
the slightest shadow upon his good name.
The fir.st ease to be tried is that of Colonel J. B.
Turchin, Nineteenth Illinois. He is charged with
permitting his command, the Eighth Brigade, to
steal, rob, and commit all manner of outrages.
10. Our court has been adjourning from day to
day, iintil Colonel Turchin should succeed in procur
ing counsel; but it is noAv in full blast.
Nelson's division is quartered here. The town is
enveloped ^t^ a dense cloud of dust.

152 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; (July,
14. There are many wealthy planters in this sec
tion. One of the witnesses before our court has a
cotton crop on hand worth sixty thousand dollars.
Another swears that Turchin's brigade robbed him of
tAvelve hundred dollars' worth of silver plate.
Turchin's brigade has stolen a hundred thousand
dollars' Avorth of watches, plate, and jewelry, in North
ern Alabama. Turchin has gone to one extreme, for
Avar can not justify the gutting of private houses and
the robbery of peaceable citizens, for the benefit of
individual officers or soldiers; but there is another
extreme, more amiable and pleasant to look upon, but
not less fatal to the cause. Buell is likely to go to
that. He is inaugurating the dancing-master policy:
"By your leave, my dear sir, we will have a fight;
that is, if you are sufficiently fortified ; no hurry ;
take your OAvn time." To the busliAvhacker : " Am
sorry yon gentlemen fire at our trains from behind
stumps, logs, and ditches. Had you not better cease
this sort of Avarfare? Now do, my good fellows, stop,
I beg of you." To the citizen rebel: "You are a
chivalrous people ; you have been aggravated by the
abolitionists into .subscribing cotton to the Southern
Confederacy ; you had, of course, a right to dispose
of your OAvn property to suit yourselves, but we prefer
that you AA'ould, in future, make no more subscrip
tions of that kind, and in the meantime we propose
to protect your property and guard your negroes."
Turchin's policy is bad enough ; it may indeed be the
policy of the devil; but Buell's policy is that of the
amiable idiot. There is a better policy than either.

i862.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 153
It will neither steal nor maraud ; it avIU do nothing
for the sake of individual gain, and, on the other
hand, it will not crouch to rebels; it Avill not fear to
hurt the feelings of traitors ; it Avill not fritter aAvay
the army and the revenue of the Government in the
in.sane effort to protect men who have forfeited all
right to protection. The policy we need is one that
will march boldly, defiantly, through the rebel States,
indifferent as to Avhether this traitor's cotton is safe,
or that traitor's negroes run away; calling things by
their right names; crushing those who have aided
and abetted treason, whether in the army or out. In
short, we want an iron policy that will not tolerate
treason; that avIU demand immediate and uncondi
tional obedience as the price of protection.
15. The post at Murfreesboro, occupied by two
regiments of infantry and one battery, under Critten
den, of Indiana, has surrendered to the enemy. A
bridge and a portion of the railroad track between
this place and Pulaski have been destroyed. A large
rebel force is said to be north of the Tennessee. It
cros.sed the river at Chattanooga.
18. The star of the Confederacy appears to be ris
ing, and I doubt not it Avill continue to ascend until
the rose-water policy now pursued by the Northern
army is superseded by one more determined and A'ig-
orous. AVe should look more to the interests of the
North, and less to those of the South. AVe should
visit on the aiders, abettors, and supporters of the
Southern army someAvhat of the severity Avhich hith
erto has been aimed at that army only. Who are

154 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [July,
most deserving of our leniency, those who take arms
and go to the field, or those Avho remain at home,
raising corn, oats, and bacon to subsist them? Plain
people, who know little of constitutional hair-split
ting, could decide this question only one way; but
it seems those who have charge of our armies can not
decide it in any sensible way. They say: "You would
not disturb peaceable citizens by levying contribu
tions from them?" Why not? If the husbands,
brothers, and fathers of these people, their natural
leaders and guardians, do not care for them, why
should we ? If they disregard and trample upon that
laAV Avhich gaA'e all protection, and plunge the country
into war, why should we be perpetually hindered and
thAvarted in our efforts to secure peace by our care fo
those whom they have abq,ndoned? If we make th
country through which we pass furnish supplies to
our army, the inhabitants avIU have less to furnish
our enemies. The surplus products of the country
should be gathered into the Federal granaries, so that
they could not, by possibility, go to feed the rebels.
The loyal and innocent might occasionally and for the
present suffer, but peace when once establshed Avould
afford ample opportunity to investigate and repay
these sufferers. Shall we continue to protect the
property of our enemies, and lose the lives of our
friends? It is said that it is hard to deprive men of
their horses, cattle, grain, simply because they differ
from us in opinion; but is it not harder still to de-
priA'e men of their IIa'cs for the same reason ? The
opinions from which Ave differ in this instance are

iS62.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 155
treasonable. The man Avho, of his own free will,
supplies the wood is no AA'hit better than he who
kindles the fire; and the man Avho supplies the am
munition neither better nor worse than he who does
the killing. The severest punishment should be
inflicted upon the soldier who appropriates either pri
vate or public property to his OAvn use ; but the Gov
ernment should lay its mailed hand upon treasonable
communities, and teach them that war is no holiday
pastime. 19. Returned to Huntsville this afternoon; Gen
eral Garfield Avith me. He will visit our quarters to
morrow and dine Avith us.
General Rousseau has been assigned to the com-
Taand of our division. I am glad to hear that he
"iscards the rose-water policy of General Buell under
his nose, and is a great deal more thorough and se
vere in his treatment of rebels than General Mitchell.
He sent the Rev. Air. Ross to jail to-day for preach
ing a secession sermon last Sunday. He damns the
Rebel sympathizers, and says if the negro stands in the
way of the Union he mu.st get out. Rousseau is a
Kentuckian, and it is very encouraging to learn that
he talks as he does.
Turchin has been made a brigadier.
21. An order issued late last evening transferring
our court from Athens to Huntsville.
Colonel Turchin's case is still before us. No
official notice of his promotion has been communi
cated to the court.
23. Garfield and Ammen are our guests. They

156 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [July,
are sitting with Colonel Keifer, in the open air, in front
of our tent. AA^e have eaten supper, and Colonel Am
men has the floor; he always h.as it. He is somcAvhat
superstitious. He never likes to see the moon through
brush. He is to some extent a believer in dreams.
On one occasion he dreamed that his father, Avho Avas
droAvned, came up from the muddy Avater, looked
angrily at him, and endeavored to stab him with a
rusty knife. In his effort to escajie he aAvoke. Fall
ing to sleej) again, his father reappeared and made a
second attempt to stab him. This so thoroughly
aroused and troubled him that he could not sleep. In
the morning he told this dream to a friend, aud Avas
informed that tAvo members of his family Avould soon
die. Soon after he Avas summoned home, when he
found his mother dead and his sister dying of cholera.
At another time he felt a sharp pain in the back of
his neck, and Avas impres.sed Avith the idea that he had
been shot. Soon afterward he learned that his
brother in the South had been shot in the back of the
neck and killed. He believes that his OAvn sensation
of pain Avas experienced at the very instant when his
brother received the fatal Avound ; but as he could not
remember the precise hour when he was startled by
the disagreeable impression, he could not be positive
that the occurrences were simultaneous. When going
into battle at Greenbrier and at Shiloh, the belief that
his time to die had not come rendered him cool and
fearless. He ncA'er felt more at ease or more secure.
So Avhen, at two different times, he was very ill, and

l862.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 157
informed that he could not live through the night, he
felt absolutely sure that he Avould recover.
Garfield had a very impressionable relatlA'C. The
night before his fight with Humphrey Marshall, she
wrote a very accurate general description of the bat
tle, giving the position of the troops ; referring to the
reinforcements Avhich came up, and the great shout
with AA'hich they Avere welcomed.
These mysterious impressions suggested the exist
ence of an undiscovered, or possibly an undeveloped
principle in nature, Avhich time and investigation
would ultimately make familiar.
Colonel Ammen says, " If superstition, or a belief
in the supernatural, is an indication of weakness. Na
poleon and Sir AA'^ alter Scott were the weakest of
men." AVith General Garfield I called on General Rousseau
this morning. He is a larger and handsomer man
than Mitchell, but I think lacks the latter's energy,
culture, sy.stem, and industry.
24. We can not boast of what is occurring in this
department. The tide seems to have set against us
everyvvhere. The week of battles before Richmond
was a week of defeats. I trust the new policy indi
cated by the confiscation act, just passed by Congress,
will have good effect. It Avill, at least, enable us to
weaken the enemy, as we have not thus far done, and
strengthen ourselves, as we have hitherto not been
able to do. Slavery is the enemy's weak point, the
key to his position. If we can tear down this insti
tution, the rebels will lose all interest in the Confed-

158 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [July.
eracy, and be too glad to escape with their lives, to be
very particular about what they call their rights.
Colonel Ammen has just received notice of his con
firmation as brigadier. He is a strange combination
of simplicity and wisdom, full of good stories, and
tells those against himself with a great deal more
pleasure than any others.
Colonels Turchin, Mihalotzy, Gazley, and Captain
Edgerton form a group by the window; all are smok
ing vigorously, and speculating probably on the result
of the present and prospective trials. Mihalotzy is
AA'hat is commonly termed " Dutch ;" but whether he
is from the German States, Russia, Prussia, or Poland,
I know not.
Ammen left camp early this morning, saying he
would go to toAvn and see if he could find an idea, he
was pretty nearly run out. He talks incessantly ; his
narratives abound in episode, parenthesis, switches,
side-cuts, and before he gets through, one will con
clude a dozen times that he has forgotten the tale he
entered upon, but he never does.
Colonel Stanley, Eighteenth Ohio, has just come in.
He has in his time been a grave and reverend senator
of Ohio; he never loses sight of this fact, and never
fails to impress it upon those with whom he comes in
contact. An order has just been issued, and is now being
circulated among the members of the court, purport
ing to come from General Ammen, and signed with
his name. It recites the fact of his promotion, and
forbids any one hereafter to call him Uncle Jacob,

i862.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 159
that title being entirely too familiar and undignified
for one of his rank. All who violate the order are
threatened with the direst punishment.
The General says if such orders please the court,
he will not object to their being issued; it certainly
requires but very little ability to get them up.
The General prides himself on what he calls deli
cate irony. He says, in the town of Ripley, men Avho
can not manage a dray successfully criticise the con
duct of this and that general with great severity;
Avhen they appeal to him, he tells them quietly he
has not the capacity to judge of such matters ; it re
quires a great mind and a thorough understanding of
all the circumstances.
After all I have said about General Ammen, it is
hardly necessary to remark that he does most of the
talking. To-day Garfield and Keifer, who of course enter
tain the kindliest feelings, and the greatest respect for
the General, in a spirit of fun, entered into a conspir
acy against him. They proposed for one night to do
all the talking themselves, and not alloAV him to edge
in even a AVord. After supper Garfield was to com
mence with the earliest incidents of his childhood, and
without allowing himself to be interrupted, continue
until he had given a complete narrative of his life and
adventures ; then Keifer Avas to strike in and finish up
the night. General Ammen Avas not to be permitted
to open his mouth except to yawn.
AVe ate supper and immediately adjourned to the
adjoining tent. Before Garfield was fairly seated on

160 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [July,
his camp stool, he began to talk with the easy and de
liberate manner of a man who had much to say.
He dAvelt eloquently on the minutest details of his
early life, as if they were matters of the utmost im
portance. Keifer Avas not only an attentive listener,
but seemed Avonderfully interested. Uncle Jacob un
dertook to thrust in a word here and there, but Gar
field was too much absorbed to notice him, and so
pushed on steadily, warming up as he proceeded.
Unfortunately for his scheme, hoAvever, before he had
gone far he made a touching reference to his mother,
when Uncle Jacob, gesticulating energetically, and
with his forefinger leveled at the speaker, cried:
"Just a word — just one word right there," and so
persisted until Garfield was compelled either to yield
or be, absolutely discourteous. The General, there
fore, got in his word ; nay, he held the floor for the
remainder of the evening. The conspirators made
brave efforts to put him doAvn and cut him off, but they
were unsuccessful. At midnight, Avhen Keifer and I
left, he was still talking; and after we had got into
bed, he, with his suspenders dangling about his legs,
thrust his head into our tent-door, and faA'ored us
with the few observations we had lost by reason of
our hasty departure. Keifer turned his face to the
Avail and groaned. Poor man ! he had been hoisted
by his OAvn petard. I think Uncle Jacob suspected
that the young men had set up a job on him.
The regiment went on a foraging expedition yester
day, under Colonel Keifer, and was some fifteen miles

i862.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 161
from Huntsville, in the direction of the Tennessee
river. At one o'clock last night our picket was confronted
by about one hundred and fifty of the enemy's cav
alry ; but no shots Avere exchanged.
29. The rebel cavalry were riding in the mount
ains south of us last night. A heavy mounted patrol
of our troops was making the rounds at midnight.
There was some picket firing along toAvard morning;
but nothing occurred of importance.
Our forces are holding the great scope of country
betAA'een Memphis and Bridgeport, guarding bridges,
railroads, and toAvns, frittering away the strength of a
great army, and wasting ou^ men by permitting them
to be picked up in detail. In short, Ave put down
from fifty to one hundred, here and there, at points
convenient to the enemy, as bait for them. They take
the bait frequently, and always when they run no risk
of being caught. The climate, and the insane effort
to garrison the AvhoIe country, consumes our troops,
and we make no progress. May the good Lord be
with us, and deliver us from idleness and imbecility;
and especially, O ! Lord, grant a little every-day
sense — that very common sense which plain people
use in the management of their business affairs — to
the illustrious generals who have our armies in hand!
30. We have just concluded Colonel Turchin's
case, and forwarded the proceedings to General Buell.
General Ammen for many years belonged to a club,
the menders of which AA'ere required either to sing a
14

162 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [July,
song or tell a story. He could not sing, and, conse
quently, took to stories, and very few can tell one
better. The General is a member of the Episcopal
Church, and, although a pious man, emphasizes his
language occasionally by an oath. When conducting
his brigade from the boat at Pittsburg Landing to
position on the field, he was compelled to pass through
the immense crowd of skedaddlers who had sought
shelter under the bluffs from the storm of bullets. A
chaplain of one of the disorganized regiments was
haranguing the mob in AA'hat may be termed the
whangdoodle style : " Rally, men ; rally, and we may
yet be saved. O ! rally ! For God and your coun
try's sake rally ! R-a-l-l-y ! O-h ! r-a-l-l-y around
the flag of your c-o-w-n-try, my c-o-wn-tryme-n!"
" Shut up, you God damned old fool !" said Ammen,
" or I 'II break your head ! Get out of the way!"
General Garfield is lying on the lounge unwell.
He has an attack of the jaundice, and will, I think,
start home to-morrow.
I find an article on the tables of the South, which,
with coffee, I like very much. The wheat dough is
rolled very thin, cut in strips the width of a table-
knife, and about as long, baked until well done ; if
browned, all the better. They become crisp and
brittle, and better than the best of crackers.
31. General Ammen is so interesting to me that
I can not aA'oid talking about him, especially when
items are scarce, as they are noAv. Our court takes a
recess at one, and assembles again at half-past three,
giA'ing us two hours and a half for dinner. To-day

i862.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 163
the conversation turned on the various grasses North
and South. After the General had described the pe
culiar grasses of many sections, he drifted to the
people South avIio lived on farms, Avhere he had seen
a variety of grass unknoAvn in the North, and the
following story was told :
In the part of Mississippi where he resided for a
number of years, there lived a Northern family
named Greenfield. When he was there the farm was
known as the Greenfield farm. It Avas the peculiar
grass on this farm which suggested the story. The
Greenfields Avere Quakers, originally from Philadel
phia. One of the Avealthiest members of the family
was a little weazen-faced old maid, of fifty years or
more. Her OA'crseer Avas a large, fine looking young
man named Roach. After he had been in her service
a year she took a fancy to him, and proposed to give
him twenty thousand dollars if he would marry her.
He accepted, and they AA'ere duly married. A year
after she grcAv tired of Avedlock, and proposed to give
thirty thousand dollars to be unmarried. He ac
cepted this proposition also. They united in a peti
tion for a divorce and obtained it. Roach took the
fifty thousand dollars thus made and invested it in the
Yazoo country. The property increased in value rap
idly, and he soon became a millionaire. When Gen
eral Ammen saw him, he had married again more to
his liking, and was one of the prominent men in his
section. The farm of the Gillyards lay near that of the
Greenfields, and this suggested another story. A

164 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER, SJuly,
Miss Gillyard was a great heiress; owned plantations
in Mississippi, and an interest in a large estate in
South Carolina. A doctor of prepossessing appear
ance came from the latter State, and commenced
practice in the neighborhood, and an acquaintance of
a few months resulted in a marriage. After living to
gether a year very happily, they started on a A'isit to
South Carolina; she to visit relatives and look after
her interest in the estate mentioned, and he to see his
friends. On the Avay it was agreed that he should
attend to his Avife's business, and so full power to sell
or dispose of the property, or her interest therein, was
given him. At Charleston she was met by the rela
tives with whom she was to remain, Avhile the Doctor
proceeded to a different part of the State to see his
friends, and afterAvard attend to business. When
about to separate, like a jolly soul, he proposed that
they should drink to each other's health during the
separation. The wine was produced; they touched
glasses, and raised them to their lips, when the door
opened suddenly and the Doctor was called. Setting
his wine on the table, he stepped out of the room,
and the wife, more affectionate, possibly, than most
women, took the glass Avhich his lips had touched and
put her own in its place. The husband reappeared
shortly, and they drank off the wine. In an hour he
Avas dead, and she in the deepest affliction. After she
had recovered somcAvhat from the shock, she left
Charleston to visit his people. She found them poor,
and that he had a wife and three children. The truth

i862.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 165
then broke in upon her ; he had drank the wine pre
pared for her.
This story suggested one involving some of Miss
Gillyard's relations.
Two lady cousins resided in the same toAvn. The
father of one had amassed a handsome fortune in the
tailoring business. The father of the other had been
a saddler, and, carrying on the business extensively,
had also become Avealthy. The descendaut of the
saddler would refer to her cousin's father as the
tailor, and intimate that his calling was certainly not
that of a gentleman. The other hearing of this, and
meeting her one evening at a large party, said:
" Cousin Julia, I hear that you have said my father
was nothing but a tailor. Now, this is true ; he was
a tailor, and a very good one, too. By his industry
and judgment he made a large fortune, which I am
enjoying. I respect him ; am grateful, and not
ashamed of him, if he was a tailor. Your father was
a saddler, and a very good one. He, by industry and
good management, accumulated great wealth, Avhich
you are enjoying. I see no reason, therefore, why we
should not both be proud of our fathers, and I cer
tainly can see no reason why a man-tailor should not
be just as good as a horse-tailor."

166 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [August,

AUGUST, 1862.

1. The Judge-Advocate, Captain Swayne, was
unwell this morning. The court, therefore, took
a recess until three o'clock. Captain Edger-
ton's case was disposed of last evening. Colonel
Mihalotzy's will come before us to-day. A court-
martial proceeds always with due respect to red tape.
The questions to Avitnesses are written out; the
answers are written down ; the statement of the ac
cused is in Avriting, and the defense of the accused's
counsel is written ; so that the court snaps its fingers
at time, as if it were of no consequence, and seven
men, against whom there are no charges, are likely
to spend their natural lives in investigating seven
men, more or less, against Avhom there are charges.
It is thus the rebels are being subjugated, the Union
re-united, the Constitution and the laAVS enforced.
3. Among the curiosities in camp are two young
coons and a pet opossum. The latter is the prop
erty of Augustus Caesar, the esquire of Adjutant
Wilson. Caesar restrains the opos.sum with a string,
and looks forward with great pleasure to the time
Avhen he Avill be fat enough to eat. The coons are
just now playing on the wild cherry tree in front

1862.1 OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 167
of my tent, and several colored boys are watching
them Avith great interest. One of these, a native
Alabamian, tells me "de coon am a great fiter; he
can Avip a dog berry often ; but de possum can Avip
de coon, for he jist takes one holt on de coon,
goes to sleep, an' nebber lets go ; de coon he scratch
an' bite, but de possum he nebber min'; he keeps
his holt, shuts his eyes, and bimeby de coon he
knocks under. De she coon am savager dan de he
coon. I climbed a tree onct, an' de she coon come
out ob her hole mitey saA'age, an' I leg go, an'
tumbled down to de groun', and like ter busted my
head. De she coon am berry savage. De possum
can 't run berry fast, but de coon can run faster 'n
a dog. You c^n tote a possum, but you can 't tote
a coon, he scratch an' bite so."
The gentlemen of the South ha\'e a great fond
ness for jcAvelry, canes, cigars, and dogs. Out of
forty Avhite men thirty-nine, at least, will have canes,
and on Sunday the fortieth will have one also.
White men rarely Avork here. There are, it is true,
tailors, merchants, saddlers, and jewelers, but the
whites never drive teams, work in the fields, or en
gage in what may be termed rough work.
Judging from the number of stores and present
stocks, Huntsville, in the better times, does a heavier
retail jcAvelry business than Cleveland or Columbus.
Every planter, and every wealthy or even well-to-do
man, has plate. Diamonds, rings, gold watches,
chains, and bracelets are to be found in every family.
The negroes buy large amounts of cheap jewelry, and

168 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [August,
the trade in this branch is enormous. One may walk
a whole day in a Northern city Avithout seeing a
ruffled shirt. Here they are very common.
The case of Colonel Mihalotzy Avas concluded
to-day. 5. General Ammen was a teacher for years at
West Point, at Natchez, Mississippi, in Kentucky,
Indiana, and recently at Ripley, Ohio. He has de
voted particular attention to the education of chil
dren, and has no confidence in the usual mode of
teaching them. He labors to strengthen or cultivate,
first : attention, and to this end never allows their in
terest in anything to flag ; Avhenever he discovers that
their minds have become weary of a subject, he take."
the book from them and turns their tlpught in a ne^^,
direction. Nor does he alloAV their attention to be
divided between two or three objects at the same time.
By his method they acquire the power to concentrate
their whole mind upon a given subject. The next
thing to be cultivated is observation ; teach them to no
tice whatever may be around, and describe it. What
did you see Avhen you came up street? The child may
answer a pig. What is a pig, hoAV did it look, de
scribe it. SaAV a man, did you? Was he large or
small ? How Avas he dressed ? A room ? What is a
room? Thus Avill they be taught to observe every
thing, aud to talk about what they observe, and learn
not only to think but to express their thoughts. He
often amuses them by what he terms opposites. To
illustrate : He will say " black," the child Avill an
swer " white." Long, .short ; good, bad ; heavy,

i862.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A A'OLUNTEER. 1G9
light; dark, light. "What kind of light," he will
ask, " is th^t kind which is the opposite of heavy ?"
Here is a puzzle for them. Next in importance to
observation, and to be strengthened at the same time,
is the memory. They are required to learn little
pieces; short stories perhaps, or songs that their
minds can comprehend ; not too long, for neither the
memory nor the attention should be overtaxed.
7. As General Ammen and I \A'ere returning to
camp this eA'ening, we AA'ere joined by Colonel Fry, of
General Buell's staff, who informed us that General
Robert McCook Avas murdered, near Winchester, yes
terday, by a small band of guerrillas. McCook Avas
unAvell, riding in an ambulance some distance in ad
vance of the column; while stopping in front of a
farm-house to make some enquiry, the guerrillas made
a sudden dash, the escort fled, and McCook was killed
Avhile lying in the ambulance defenseless. When the
Dutchmen of his old regiment learned of the unfor
tunate occurrence they became uncontrollable, and
destroyed the buildings and property on five planta
tions near the scene of the murder. McCook had re
cently been promoted for gallantry at Mill Springs.
He AA'as a brave, bluff, talented man, and his loss will
be sorely felt.
Captain Mitchell started home in charge of a re
cruiting party this morning. I am anxious to fill the
regiment to a thousand strong.
8. General Ammen was at Buell's quarters this
evening, and ascertains that hot work is expected soon.
15

170 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [August,
The enemy Is concentrating a heavy force between
Bridgeport and Chattanooga. .^
The night is exceedingly beautiful; our camp lies
at the foot of a low range of mountains called the
Montesano ; the sky seems supported by them. A
cavalry patrol is just coming down the road, on its
return to camp, and the men are singing :
" An exile from home, splendor dazzles in vain,
Oh I give me my lowly thatched cottage again ;
The birds singing gayly, that came at my call.
Give me them, with the peace of mind dearer than all.
Home, home, sweet home, there is no place like home ;
There is no place like home."
9. I have sometimes wondered how unimportant
occurences could suggest so much, but the faculty of
association brings similar things before the mind, and
a thousand collateral subjects as well. The band of
the Tenth Ohio is playing. Where, and under Avhat
circumstances, haA'e I heard other bands? The ques
tion carries my thoughts into half the States of the
Union, Into a multitude of places, into an innumer
able variety of scenes — faces, conversations, theatres,
balls, speeches, songs — the chain is endless, and It
might be followed for a lifetime.
10. The enemy, a thousand strong, is said to be
within five miles of us. One hundred and sixty-five
men of the Third, under Major Lawson, and five
companies of cavalry, the whole commanded by Colo
nel Kennett, left at two o'clock to reconnoiter the

i862.i OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 171
front; they will probably go to the river unless the
enemy is met on the way.
A negro came in about four o'clock to report that
the enemy's pickets were at his master's house, five
miles from here, at the foot of the other slope of the
mountain. He was such an ignorant fellow that his
report Avas hardly intelligible. We sent him back,
telling him to bring us more definite information.
He was a field hand, bare-footed, horny-handed, and
very black, but he knew all about "de mountings;
dey can't kotch him nohow. If de sesesh am at
Massa Bob's when I git back, I come to-night an' tell
yer all." AVith these words, this poor proprietor of a
dilapidated pair of pants and shirt, started over the
mountains. What are his thoughts about the war, and
its probable effects on his own fortunes, as he trudges
along over the hills ? Is It the desire for freedom, or
the dislike for his overseer, that prompts him to run
five miles of a Sunday to give this information?
Possibly both.
Caesar said to the Adjutant, "Massa Wilson,. may
I go to church?" "What do you want to go church
for, Caesar?" "To hear de Gospel." One day Caesar
said to me, "Co'nel, you belongs to de meetin don't
you?" "Why so, Caesar?" " Kase I nebber heard
you SAvar any."
To-day one of the pet coons got after a chicken.
A young half-naked negro took after the coon ; aud a
long and crooked chase the chicken, coon, and negro
had of It.
12. At five o'clock the members of the court met

172 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [August,
to say good-by, aud drink a dozen bottles of Scotch
ale at General Ammen's expense. This was quite a
spree for the General, and quite his own spree. It
was a big thing, equal aImo.st to the battle of "Shea-
loh." They were pint bottles, and the General would
persist in acting upon the theory that one bottle would
fill all our glasses. Seeing the glasses empty he
would call for another bottle, and say to us, "Gentle
men, I have ordered another bottle." The General
evidently drinks, when he imbibes at all, simply to be
social, and a thimble-full would answer his purpose as
well as a barrel.
The court called on General Buell ; he is cold,
smooth-toned, silent, the opposite of Nelson, who is
ardent, loud-mouthed, and violent.
17. Colonel Keifer has just received a telegram
Informing him that he has been appointed Colonel of
the One Hundred and Tenth Ohio. I regret his de
parture too much to rejoice over his promotion. He
has been a faithful officer, always prompt and cheer
ful; much better qualified to command the regiment
than Its Colonel.
Watermelons, peaches, nectarines, are abundant.
Peaches thrive better in this climate than apples. I
have eaten almost the whole of a watermelon to-day,
and am somewhat satiated. The melon had a cross
(-f) on the rind. I enquired of the negro who
brought it in, what the mark meant, aud he replied,
"de patch war OAvned principally by a good many
niggars, sah, an' dey dcAvIded dem afore day got ripe.

i862.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 173
an' put de mark on de rine, to show dat de p'tic'lar
melon belonged to a p'tic'lar niggar, sah."
Governor Tod is damaging the old regiments by
injudicious promotions. He does In some Instances,
it Is true, reward faithful soldiers ; but often complain
ing, unwilling, incompetent fellows are promoted, who
get upon the sick list to avoid duty ; lay upon their
backs Avhen they should be on their feet, and are ca
rousing when they should be asleep. On the march,
instead of pushing along resolutely at the head of
their command, they fall back and get into an ambu
lance. The troops have no confidence in them ; their
presence renders a whole company Avorthless, and this
company contributes greatly to the demoralization of
a regiment. 22. A little vine has crept into my tent and put
out a handsome flower.
General Buell and staff, with bag and baggage, left
this morning.
25. Ordered to moA'e.
29. We are at Decherd, Tennessee. I am weak,
discouraged, and Avorn out Avith Idleness.
The negroes are busily engaged throAving up earth
works and building stockades. To-night, as they
were in line, I stopped a moment to hear the sergeant
call the roll, "Scipio McDonald." "Here I is, sah,"
"Caesar— Caesar McDonald." "Caesar was 'sleep las'
I saw ob him, sah." These negroes take the family
name of their masters.
The whole army is concentrated here, or near here;
but nobody knows anything, except that the Avater is

174 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [August,
bad, whisky scarce, dust abundant, and the air loaded
with the scent and melody of a thousand mules.
These long-eared creatures give us every variety of
sound of which they are capable, from the deep bass
bray to the most attenuated whiany.
The Thirty-third Ohio was shelled out of its fortifi
cations at Battle creek yesterday. Colonel Moore Is
in the adjoining tent, giving an account of his trials
and tribulations to Shanks of the New York Herald.
Fifty of the Third, under Lieutenant Carpenter,
weiit to Stevenson yesterday ; on their return they were
fired upon by guerrillas. Jack Boston shot a man and
captured a horse.

i862.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 175

SEPTEMBER, 1862.

4. Army has fellen back to Murfreesboro.
5. At Nashville.
6. To-night we cross the Cumberland.
7. Bivouacked in Edgefield, at the north end of
the railroad bridge. Troops pouring over the bridge
and pushing North rapidly. One of Loomis' men was
shot dead last night while attempting to run by a sen
tinel. 10. The moving army with its immense transpor
tation train, raises such a cloud of dust that It Is im
possible to see fifty yards ahead.
11. Arrived at Bowling Green. The two armies
are running a race for the Ohio river. At this time
Bragg has the lead.

176 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [October,

OCTOBER, 1862.

3. At TaylorsA'Ille, Kentucky. Our first day's
march out of Louisville was disagreeable beyond pre
cedent. The boys had been full of whisky for three
days, and fell out of the ranks by .scores. The road
for sixteen miles Avas lined with stragglers. The new
men bore the march badly. Rain fell yesterday after
noon and during the night; I awoke at three o'clock
this morning to find myself lying in a puddle of wa
ter. A soldier of Captain Rossman's company was
wrestling Avith another, and being thrown, died almost
instantly from the effect of the fall.
4. At Bloomfield. Shelled the rebels out of the
woods In Avhich we are noAV bivouacking, and picked
up a few prisoners. The greater part of the rebel
army is, we are told, at Bardstown — twelve miles
EAvay. 5. Still at Bloomfield, in readiness to move at a
moment's notice.
7. Moved to Maxvllle, and bivouacked for the
night.
Pereyville.
8. Started in the early morning toward Perry ville.

i862.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 177
The occasional boom of guns at the front notified us
that the enemy was not far distant. A little later the
rattle of musketry mingled with the roar of artillery,
and we kncAV the A'anguard was having lively Avork.
The boys marched well and were in high spirits; the
long-looked for battle appeared really near, and that
old notion that the Third was fated never to see a
fight seemed now likely to be exploded. At ten
o'clock we were hastened forward and placed In battle
line on the left of the MaxA'IIIe and Perry ville road;
the caA'alry in our front appeared to be seriously en
gaged, and every eye peered eagerly through the
woods to catch a glimpse of the enemy. But in a
little Avhile the firing ceased, and with a feeling of
disappointment the boys lounged about on the ground
and logs awaiting further orders.
They came very soon. At 11 A. M. the Third was
directed to take the head of the column and move
forward. We anticipated no danger, for Rousseau and
his staff were in advance of us, followed by Lytle
and his staff. The regiment was marching ' by the
flank, and had proceeded to the brow of the hill
overlooking a branch of the Chaplin river, and was
about to descend into the valley, when the enemy's ar
tillery opened in front with great fury. Rousseau and
his staff wheeled suddenly out of the road to the left,
accompanied by Lytle. After a moment spent by
them In consultation, I was ordered to countermarch
my regiment to the bottom of the hill Ave had just
ascended, and file off to the right of the road.
Loomis' and Simonson's Batteries were soon put In

178 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [October,
position, and began to reply to the enemy. A furious
interchange of shell and solid shot occurred, but
after a little Avhile our batteries ceased firing, and we
had comparative silence.
About 2 o'clock the rebel infantry was seen advan
cing across the valley, and I ordered the Third to
ascend the hill and take position on the crest. The en
emy's batteries now reopened with redoubled fury, and
the air seemed filled with shot and exploding shells.
Finding the rebels were still too far away to make our
muskets effective, I ordered the boys to He down and
aAvait their nearer approach. They advanced under
cover of a house on the side hill, and having-reached
a point one hundred and fifty yards distant, deployed
behind a stone fence Avhich Avas hidden from us by
standing corn. At this time the left of my regiment
rested on the Maxvllle and Perryville road ; the line
extending along the crest of the hill, and the right
passing somewhat behind a barn filled with hay. In
this position, with the enemy's batteries pouring upon
us a most destructive fire, the Third aro.se and deliv
ered its first volley. For a time, I do not know how
long thereafter, It seemed as if all hell had broken
loose ; the air was filled with hissing balls ; shells
were exploding continuously, and the noise of the
guns was deafening ; finally the barn on the right took
fire, and the flames bursting from roof, windows, doors,
and interstices between the logs, threw the right of
the regiment into disorder; the confusion, however,
was but temporary. The boys closed up to the left,
steadied themselves on the colors, and stood bravely

1862.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 179
to the work. Nearly tAvo hundred of my five hun
dred men now lay dead and wounded on the little
strip of ground oA'er Avhich we fought.
Colonel Curren Pope, of the Fifteenth Kentucky,
whose regiment was being held in reserve at the bot
tom of the hill, had already tAvice requested me to re
tire my men and allow him totake the position. Find
ing now that our ammunition was exhausted, I sent
him notice, and as his regiment marched to the crest
the Third was withdrawn in as perfect order, I think,
as It ever moved from the drill-ground. The Fif
teenth made a gallant fight, and lost heavily both In
officers and men; In fact, the Lieutenant-Colonel and
Major fell mortally wounded while it was moving into
position. Colonel Pope was also wounded, but not so
seriously as to prevent his continuing in command.
The enemy getting noAV upon its right and rear, the
regiment was compelled to retire from the crest.
After consultation with Colonel Pope, it was deter
mined to move our regiments to the left, and form
line perpendicular to the one originally taken, and
thus give protection to the rear and right of the
troops on our left. The enemy observing this move
ment, and accepting it as an indication of withdrawal,
advanced rapidly toward us, when I about faced my
regiment, and ordered the men to fix bayonets and
move forward to meet him ; but before we had pro
ceeded many yards, I was overtaken by Lientenant
Grover, of Colonel Lytle's staff, with an order to retire.
Turning Into a ravine a few rods distant, we found
an ammunition wagon, and, under a dropping fire

180 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; (October,
from the enemy, refilled our empty cartridge boxes.
Ascertaining Avhile here that Colonel Lytle Avas cer
tainly Avounded, and probably killed, I reported at
once for duty to Colonel Len. Harris, commanding
Ninth Brigade of our division ; but night soon there
after put an end to the engagement.
We bivouacked in a c(5rn-field. The regiment had
groAvn suddenly small. It AA'as a sorry night for us
indeed. Every company had its long list of killed,
wounded, and missing. Over two hundred were
gone. Nearly two hundred, we felt quite sure, had
fallen dead or disabled on the field. Many eyes were
In tears, and many hearts Avere bleeding for lost com
rades and dear friends. General Rousseau rides up
in the darkness, and, as Ave gather around him, says,
in a voice tremulous with emotion : " Boys of the
Third, you stood in that withering fire like men of
iron." They did.
They are thirsty and hungry. Few, however, think
either of food or Avater. Their thoughts are on the
crest of that little hill, Avhere Cunard, AIcDougal, St.
John, Starr, and scores of others die cold in death.
They think of the Avounded and suffering, and speak
to each other of the terrible ordeal through which
they have passed, with bated breath and in solemn
tones, as if a laugh, or jest, or frivolous word, would
be an Insult to the slain.
They have long sought for a battle, and often been
disappointed and sore because they failed to find one ;
but now, for the fir.st time, they really realize what a
battle is. They see it is to men AA'hat an arctic wind

i862.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 181
is to autumn leaves, and are astonished to find
that any haA'e outlived the furious storm of deadly
missiles. The enemy is in the woods before us, and as the
sentinels occasionally exchange shots, Ave can see the
flash of their guns and hear the whistle of bullets
above our heads. The tAvo armies are too near to
sleep comfortably, or cA'en safely, so the boys cling to
their muskets and keep ready for action. It is a long
night, but it finally comes to an end.
9. The enemy has disappeared, and we go to the
hill where our fight occurred. AVithin the compass
of a few rods we find a hundred men of the Third
and Fifteenth lying stiff and cold. Beside these there
are many wounded, whom we pick up tenderly, carry
off and provide for. Men are already digging
trenches, and In a little, while the dead are gathered
together for interment. We have looked upon such
scenes before ; but then the faces Avere strange to us.
Now they are the familiar faces of Intimate personal
friends, to whom we are Indebted for many kindly
acts. We hear convulsive sobs, see eyes swollen and
streaming with tears, and as our fallen comrades are
deposited in their narrdw grave, the lines of Wolfe
recur to us :
" No useless coffin inclosed his breast ;
Not in sheet or in shroud we wound him,
But he lay like a warrior taking his rest.
With his martial cloak around him.
r^ "^ "T^ 'J^

182 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [Octobee,
Slowly and sadly we laid him down
From the field of his fame iresh and gory;
We carved not a line, we raised not a stone.
But left him alone with his glory."
13. We are in a field near Harrodsburg. Moved
yesterday from Perryville. We are without tents.
Rain is falling, and the men uncomfortable.
Many, perhaps most, of the boys of the regiment
disliked me thoroughly. They thought me too
strict, too rigid in the enforcement of orders; but
now they are, without exception, my fast friends.
During the battle of Chaplin Hills, while the ene
my's artillery Avas playing upon us with terrible effect,
I ordered them to lie doAvn. The shot, shell, and
canister came thick as hail, hissing, exploding, and
tearing up the ground around us. There Avas a uni
versal cry from the boys that I should lie down also ;
but I continued to walk up and down the line, watch
ing the approaching enemy, and replied to their en
treaties, " No ; it is my time to stand guard now, and
I Avill not lie down."
Meeting Captain Loomis yesterday, he said: "Do
you know you captured a regiment at Chaplin Hills?"
" I do not." " Yes, you captured the Third. You
have not a man now who would n't die for you."
I haA'e been too much occupied of late to record
even the most interesting and important events. I
should like to preserve the names of the private sol
diers who behaved like heroes in the battle ; but I
have only time to mention the fact that our colors

I862.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 183
changed hands seven times during the engagement.
Six of our color bearers were either killed or
wounded, and as the sixth man was falling, a soldier of
Company C, named David C. Walker, a boyish fellow,
whose cheeks were ruddy as a girl's, and who had lost
his hat in the fight, sprang forward, caught the fall
ing flag, then stepping out In front of the regiment,
waved it triumphantly, and carried It to the end of
the battle.
On the next morning I made him color bearer, and
undertook to thank him for his gallantry, but my
eyes filled and voice choked, and I was unable to
articulate a word. He understood me, doubtless.
If it had not been for McCook's foolish haste, it is
more than probable that Bragg would have been
most thoroughly Avhipped and utterly routed. As it
was, two or three divisions had to contend for half a
day with one of the largest and best disciplined of
the Confederate armies, and that, too, when our
troops In force Avere lying but a few miles In the rear,
ready and eager to be led Into the engagement. The
whole affair is a mystery to me. McCook is, doubt
less, to blame for being hasty; but may not Buell be
censurable for being slow,? And may it not be true
that this butchery of men has resulted from the petty
jeolousies existing between the commanders of differ
ent army corps and divisions?
19. Encamped in a broken, hilly field, five miles
south of Crab Orchard. From Perryville to this
place, there has been each day occasional cannonad
ing ; but this morning I have heard no guns. The

184 THE CITIEZN SOLDIER; [October,
Cumberland mountains are in sight. We are pushing
forward as fast probably as it is possible for a great
army to move. Buell is here superintending the
movement. 24. In the woods near Lebanon, and still without
tents. Bragg has left Kentucky, and Is thought to
be hastening toward Nashville. We shall follow him_
Having noAv twice traA'cled the road, the march is
likely to prove tedious and uninteresting. The army
has been marching almo.st con.stantly for tAvo months,
and bivouacking at night with an insufficiency of
clothing. The troops are lying in an immense grove of large
beech. We have had supper, and a very good one^
by the way : pickled salmon, currant jelly, fried ham,
butter, coffee, and crackers. It is now long after
nightfall, and the forest is aglow with a thousand
campfires. The hum of ten thousand voices strikes
the ear like the roar of a distant sea. A band away
off to the right is mingling its music with the noise,
and a mule now and then breaks in with a voice not
governed by any rules of melody known to man.

i862.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 185

NOVEMBER, 1862.

9. In camp at Sinking Spring, Kentucky.
Thomas commands the Fourteenth Army Corps,
consisting of Rousseau's, Palmer's, Dumont's, Neg-
ley's, and Fry's divisions ; say 40,000 men. Mc
Cook has Sill's, Jeff C. Davis', and Granger's;
say 24,000. Crittenden has three divisions, say
24,000. A large army, which ought to sweep to Mo
bile without difficulty.
Sinking Spring, as it is called by some. Mill Spring
by others, and by still others Lost river, is quite a
large stream. It rises from the ground, runs 'forty
rods or more, enters a cave, and is lost. The Avreck
of an old mill stands on Its banks! Bowling Green
is three miles southward.
When we get a little further south, we shall find at
this season of the year persimmons and opossums In
abundance. Jack says: "Possum am better dan
chicken. In de fall we hunt de possum ebbery night
'cept Sunday. He am mitey good an' fat, sah ; some
times he too fat."
We move at ten o'clock to-morrow.
11. We have settled down at Mitchellville for a
16

186 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [November,
few days. After dinner Furay and I rode six miles
beyond this, on the road to NashA'ille, to the house of
a Union farmer whose acquaintance I made last
spring. The old gentleman was very glad to see us,
and Insisted upon our remaining until after supper.
In fact, he urged us to stay all night; but we con
sented to remain for supper only, and would not alloAV
him to put our horses in the stable.
We learned that a little over a week ago the rebels en
deavored to enforce the conscription law in this neigh
borhood, and one of Mr. Baily's sons Avas notified to
appear at Gallatin to enter the Southern army. He
was Informed that if he did not appear voluntarily at
the appointed time, he would be taken, either dead or
alive. He did not go, and since has been constantly
on the watch, expecting the guerrilla bands, which ren
dezvous at Tyree Springs, ten miles distant, to come for
the purpose of taking him away. When, therefore, he
saw Furay and me galloping up to the house, he
mounted his horse and rode for the woods as fast as his
steed could carry him. After we had been there half
an hour, he returned, and, while shaking hands with us,
said : "You scared me out of a full year's growth."
Morgan, with a force, the strength of which Is va
riously estimated, passed near this a few days ago.
Many of Mr. Baily's neighbors are members of the
guerrilla bands, and all of them willing spies and in
formers. We had a splendid supper: chicken, pork, ham,
milk, pumpkin pie ; In short, there was every thing
on the table that a hungry man could desire.

I862.J OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 187
I had introduced Mr. Furay as the correspondent
of the Cincinnati Gazette ; but the good folks, not un
derstanding this long title exactly, dubbed him Doctor.
There were three strapping girls in the family, who
did not make their appearance until they had taken
time to put on their Sunday clothes. To one of these
the Doctor paid special attention, and finally won his
way so far into her good favor as to induce her to
play him a tune on the dulcimer, an abominable in
strument, which she pounded with two little sticks.
The Doctor declared that the music was good — excel
lent — charming. He now attempts to get out of this
outi-ageous falsehood by affirming that he referred
simply to the air — the tune — and not to the manner
in which it was executed by the young lady. This,
however, is a mere quibble.
It was quite dark when we said good-by to this
kind-hearted, excellent family, and started on our
way back to camp. The woods were on fire for miles
along the road. Many fences and farm buildings had
caught. One large house tumbled In as Ave were
passing, and the fences, out-buildings, and trees were
all enveloped in flames. While riding slowly for
ward, and looking back upon the dense cloud of
smoke, the flames stretching as far almost as the eye
could reach, the dry trees standing up like immense
pillars of fire, we were startled not a little by the sen
tinel's challenge, "Halt!" There had been no pick
ets on the road Avhen we were going out, and we were,
therefore, uncertain whether the challenge came from
our own men or those of John Morgan. "Who

188 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [November,
comes there?" continued the sentinel. "Friends."
"Advance friends, and give the countersign." Going
up to the sentinel, I told him who we were, and that
we had not the countersign. After a little delay, the
officer of the guard came and allowed us to proceed.
12. To-day farmer Baily came to see us. I sent
his good wife a haversack of coffee, to remunerate her
somcAvhat for the excellent dinner she had given us.
He urged us to come again, and said they would
have a turkey prepared for us this afternoon ; but I
declined with thanks.
15. At eight o'clock to-morrow morning we shall
move to Tyree Spring,s, a little village situated in the
heart of a wild, broken tract of country, which, of
late, has been a favorite rendezvous for guerrillas and
highwaymen. Citizens and soldiers traveling to and
from Nashville, during the last two months, have, at
or near this place, been compelled to empty their
pockets, and Avhen their clothes Avere better than
those of their captors, have been compelled to spare
them also.
We have no certain Information as to the enemy's
whereabouts. One rumor says he is at Lavergne, an
other locates him at Murfreesboro, and still another
puts him at Chattanooga. - General Rosecrans is now
in command, and, urged on by the desires of the North,
may follow him to the latter place this winter. A
man from whom the people are each day expecting
some extraordinary action, some tremendous battle, in
which the enemy shall be annihilated, is unfortunately
situated, and likely very soon to become unpopular.

i862.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 189
It takes two to make a fight, as it does to make a
bargain. General John Pope is the only Avarrior of
modern times who can find a battle Avhenever he
Avants to, and take any number of prisoners his heart
desires. Even his brilliant achievements, however,
afford the people but temporary satisfaction, for, upon
investigation, they are unable to find either the cap-'
tlA'es or the discomfited hosts.
I predict that in tAveh'e months Rosecrans will be
as unpopular as Buell. After the affair at Rich
mountain, the former was a great favorite. When
placed In command of the forces In Western Virginia,
the people expected hourly to hear of Floyd's destruc
tion ; but after a whole summer Avas spent in the vain
endeavor to chase down the enemy and bring him
to battle, they began to abuse Rosecrans, and he
finally left that department, much as Buell has left
this. Our generals should, undoubtedly, do more,
but our people should certainly expect less.
19. At Tyree Springs. Am the presiding officer
of a court-martial.
The supplies for the great army at Nashville and
beyond, are wagoned over this road from Mitchellville
to Edgefield Junction. Immense trains are passing
continually. 20. General Bob Mitchell dined with me to-day.
He Is on the way to Nashville. Blows his own
trumpet, as of old, and expects that a division will he-
given him.
30. This Is a delightful Indian summer day. I
have been in the forest, under the persimmon and

190 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [November,
butternut trees. It is the first ramble I have had at
this season for years, and I thought of the many
quiet places in the thick woods of the old homestead,
where long ago I hunted for hickory-nuts and wal
nuts; then of Its hazel thickets, through Avhich were
scattered the wild plum, black-haw, and thorn-
apple — perfect solitudes, in which the squirrels and'
birds had the happiest of times. How pleasant It is
to recur to those days ; and how well I remember
every path through the dense woods, and every little
open grassy plot, made brilliant by the summer sun
shine.

i862.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 191

DECEMBER, 1862.

2. We move to-morrow, at six o'clock in the
morning, to Nashville.
9. Nashville. Every thing indicates an early move
ment. AVhether a reconnoissance is intended or a per
manent advance, I do not even undertake to guess.
The capture of a brigade, at Hartsville, by John
Morgan, has awakened the army into something like
life ; before it was idly awaiting the rise of the Cum
berland, but this bold dash of the rebels has made it
bristle up like an angry boar; and this morning, I am
told, it starts out trf show Its tusks to the enemy.
Our division has been ordered to be in readiness.
The kind of weather we desire now, is that which
is generally considered the most disagreeable, namely,
a long rain; two weeks of rain-fall is necessary to
make the Cumberland navigable, and thus ensure to
us abundant supplies.
The whole army feels deeply mortified over the loss
of the brigade at Hartsville ; report says it was cap
tured by an inferior force. One of our regiments did
not fire a gun, and certainly the other two could not
have made a very obstinate resistance. I am glad

192 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [December,
Ohio does not haA'e to bear the whole blame; two-
thirds is rather too much.
10. During all of the latter part of last night
troops Avere pouring through Nashville, and going
southward. Our division, Rousseau's, moved three
miles beyond the city, and Avent into camp on the
Franklin road.
14. Our court has been holding its sessions in the
city, but to-day it adjourned to meet at division head
quarters to-morrow at ten o'clock A. M.
The most interesting character of our court-martial
is Colonel H. C. Hobart, of the TAventy-first AViscon-
sin ; a gentleman Avho has held many important pub
lic positions in his OAvn State, and Avhose knowledge of
the law, fondness for debate, obstinacy in the mainte
nance of his opinion.s, love of fun, and kind-hearted
ness, are immense. He makes use of the phrase, "in jny
country," Avhen he refers to any thing which has taken
place in Wisconsin ; from this Ave infer that he is a
foreigner, and pretend to regard him as a savage from
the great West. He has, therefore, been dubbed Chief
of the Wisconsins. The court occasionally becomes
exceedingly melloAV of an evening, and then the favor
ite theme is the"injin." Such horrible practices as
dog eating and cannibalism are imputed to the Chief
To-night Ave visited the theater to Avitness Ingomar.
On returning to our room at Bassay's restaurant, the
members took solemn Irish oaths that the man with
the sheep-skin on his back, purporting to be Ingomar,
was no other than Hobart, the Wisconsin savage;
and the supposition that such an individual could ever

1862.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 193
reform, and become fitted for civilized society, was a
monstrous fiction, too improbable even for the stage.
It should not be presumed from this, hoAvever, that
the subject of our raillery holds his tongue all the
time. On the contrary, he expresses the liveliest con
tempt for the opinions of his colleagues of the court-
martial, and professes to think if it were not for the
aid which the Nation receives from his countrymen,
the Wisconsins, the effort to restore the Union would
be an utter failure.
Bassay's restaurant is a famous resort for military
gentlemen. Major-General Hamilton just now took
dinner ; Major-General Lew Wallace, Brigadier-Gen
erals Tyler and Schoepf, and Major Donn Piatt oc
cupy rooms on the floor above us, and take their meals
here; so that we move in the vicinity of the most
illustrious of men. We are hardly prepared now to
say that we are on intimate terms with the gentlemen
who bear these historic names; but Ave are at least
allowed to look at them from a respectful distance.
A few years hence, when they are so far away as to
make contradiction improbable, if not Impossible, we
may claim to have been their boon companions, and
to have drank and played whist with them in the
most genial and friendly Avay.
16. This afternoon Negley sent over a request for
help, stating that his forage train had been attacked.
The alarm, however, proved groundless. A fcAV shots
only had been fired at the foragers.
17. The ncAvs from Fredericksburg has cast' a
17

194 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [Decembeb,
shadoAV over the army. We did hope that Burnside
would be successful, and thus brighten the prospect
for a speedy peace; but we are in deeper gloom noAv
than ever. The repulse at Fredericksburg, v/hile it
has disabled thousands, has disheartened, if not de
moralized a great army, and given confidence and
strength to the rebels every-where. It may be, hoAV-
ever, that this defeat Avas necessary to bring us clearly
to the point of extinguishing slaA'ery in all the States.
The time is near Avhen the strength of the President's
resolution in this regard will be put to the test. I
trust he Avill be firm. The mere reconstruction of the
Union on the old basis would not pay humanity for
all the blood shed since the war began. The extinc
tion of slavery, perhaps, will.
While the North raises immense numbers of men,
and scatters them to the four Avinds, the enemy con
centrates, fortifies, and awaits attack. AVill the man
ever come to consolidate these innumerable detach
ments of the National army, and then sweep through
the Confederacy like a tornado ?
It is said that many regiments in the Eastern army
number less than one hundred men, and yet have a
full complement of field and company officers. This
is ridiculous ; nay, it Is an outrage upon the tax-pay
ers of the North. Worse still, so long as such a skel
eton is called a regiment. It Is likely to bring discredit
upon the State and Nation ; for hoAV can it perform the
work of a regiment when It has but one-tenth of a
regiment's strength? These regiments should be con-

J862.J OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 195
solidated, and the superfluous officers either sent home
or put into the ranks.
20. This morning, at one o'clock, we were or
dered to hold ourselves in readiness to march at a
moment's notice, with five days' rations. Court has
adjourned to meet at nine o'clock A. M. Monday. It
is disposing of cases quite rapidly, and I think next
week, if there be no interruption.?, it avIII be able to
clear the docket.
A brigade, which went out with a forage train yes
terday, captured a Confederate lieutenant at a private
house. He was engaged at the moment of his cap
ture In writing a letter to his sweetheart. The letter
was headed Nashville, and he was evidently intent
upon deceiving his lady-love into the belief that he
had penetrated the Yankee lines, and was surrounded
by foes. Had the letter reached her fair hands, what
earnest prayers Avould have gone up for the succor of
this bold and reckless youth.
There Avas a meeting of the generals yesterday, but
for what purpose they only knoAV.
21. The dispatches from Indianapolis speak of the
probable promotion of Colonel Jones, Forty-second
Indiana. This seems like a joke to those who know
him. He can not manage a regiment, and not even
his best friends have any confidence in his military
capacity. In Indiana, however, they promote every
body to brigadierships. Sol Meredith, who Avent into
the service long after the war began, and who. In
drilling his regiment, would say : " Battalion, right or
left face, as the case may be, march," was made a

196 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [December,
brigadier some time ago. Mllroy, Crittenden, and
many others were promoted for Inconsiderable serv
ices in engagements which have long since been
forgotten by the public. Their promotions were
not made for the benefit of the service, but for the
political advancement of the men Avho caused them
to be made.
Last evening, a little after dark, we were startled
by heavy cannonading on our left, and thought the
enemy was making an attack. The boys in our di
vision were all aglow with excitement, and cheered
loudly ; but after ten or fifteen minutes the firing
ceased, and I have heard no more about it.
The rebels are before us in force. The old game
of concentration is probably being played. The re
pulse of our army at Fredericksburg Avill embolden
them. It will also enable them to spare troops to
reinforce Bragg. The Confederates are on the inside
of the circle, while we are on the outside, scattered
far and wide. They can cut across and concentrate
rapidly, Avhile we must move around. They can meet
Burnside at Fredericksburg, and then whip across the
country and face us, thus making a smaller army than
ours outnumber us in every battle.
In the South the army makes public opinion, and
moves along unaffected by it. In the North the army
has little or nothing to do Avith the creation of public
sentiment, and yet is its servant. The people of the
North, who were clamoring for action, are probably
responsible for the fatal repulse at Fredericksburg
and the defeat at Bull run. The North must be pa-

i862.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 197
tient, and get to understand that the work before us
is not one that can be accomplished in a day or
month. It should be pushed deliberately, yet persist
ently. We should get rid of a vast number of men
Avho are forever in hospital. They are an expense to
the country, and an Incumbrance to the army. We
should consolidate regiments, and send home thou
sands of unnecessary officers, Avho draw pay and yet
make no adequate return for it.
28. The court met this morning as usual. We
are now going on the fifth AA'eek of the session. New
cases arise just about as fast as old ones are dis
posed of.
The boys in front of my tent are singing:
" We are going home, we are going home,
To die no more."
Were they to devote as much time to praying as
they do to singing, they would soon establish a repu
tation for piety ; but, unfortunately for them, after
the hymn they generally proceed to swear, instead of
prayer, and one is left in doubt as to what home they
propose to go to.
25. About noon there were several discharges of
artillery in our front, and last night occasional shots
served as cheerful reminders that the enemy was
near. At an expense of one dollar and seventy-five cents,
I procured a small turkey and had a Christmas dinner;
but it lacked the collaterals, and was a failure.
For twenty months now I have been a sojourner in

198 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; December,
camps, a dweller in tents, going hither and yon, at all
hours of the day and night, in all sorts of Aveather,
sleeping for Aveeks at a stretch Avithout shelter, and
yet I have been strong and healthy. Hoav very thank
ful I should feel on this Christmas night! There
goes the boom of a cannon at the front.
26. This morning Ave started south on the Frank
lin road. When some ten miles away from Nashville,
we turned toAvard Murfreesboro, and are now en
camped in the AVOods, near the head-Avaters of the
Little Harpeth. -The march Avas exceedingly un
pleasant. Rain began to fall about the time of start
ing, and continued to pour doAvn heavily for four
hours, Avetting us all thoroughly.
I have command of the brigade.
27. We moved at eight o'clock this morning, over
a very bad dirt road, from Wilson's pike to the No-
lansville road, where we are noAV bivouacking.
About ten the artillery commenced thundering in our
front, and continued during the greater portion of the
day. Marched two miles toAvard Triune to support
AlcCook, Avho was having a little bout with the en
emy; but the engagement ending, Ave returned to our
present quarters in a drenching rain. Saw General
Thomas, our corps commander, going to and return
ing from the front. We are sixteen miles from Nash
ville, on a road running midway between Franklin
and Murfreesboro. The enemy is suppo,sed to be in
force at the latter place.
28. At four o'clock p. M. aa'c aa'ctc ordered to leave
baggage and teams behind, and march to StcAvart's

i862.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 199
creek, a point tAventy miles from Nashville. Night
had set in before the brigade got fairly under way.
The road runs through a barren, hilly, pine diistrict,
and Avas exceedingly bad. At eleven o'clock at night
Ave reached the place Indicated, and lay on the damp
ground until morning.
29. At eight o'clock A. M. the artillery opened in
our front; but after perhaps tAVO hours of irregular
firing, it ceased altogether, and we were led to the
conclusion that but feAV rebels Avere in this vicinitj',
the main body being at Murfreesboro, probably.
Going to the front about ten o'clock, I met General
Hascall. He had had a little fight at Lavergne, the
Twenty-sixth Ohio losing twenty men, and his brigade
thirty altogether. He also had a skirmish at this
place, in Avhich he captured a fcAV prisoners. SaAV
General Thomas riding to the front. Rosecrans is
here, and most of the Army of the Cumberland either
here or hereabouts. AlcCook's corps had an incon
siderable engagement at Triune on Saturday. Loss
small on both sides.
Riding by a farm-house this afternoon, I caught a
glimpse of Miss Harris, of Lavergne, at the window,
and stopped to talk Avith her a minute. The young
lady and her mother have experienced a great deal of
trouble recently. They were shelled out of Lavergne
three times, two of the shells passing through her
mother's house. She claims to haA'e been shot at once
by a soldier of the One Hundred and Nineteenth Il
linois, the ball splintering the window-sill near her
head. Her mother's hou.se has been converted into a

200 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [December,
hospital, and the clothes of the family taken for
bandages. She is, therefore, more rebellious now
than ever. She Is getting her rights, poor
girl !
30. A little after daylight the brigade moved, and
proceeded to within three miles of Murfreesboro,
Avhere Ave have been awaiting orders since ten o'clock
A. M.
The first boom of artillery Avas heard at ten o'clock.
Since then there has been almost a continuous roar.
McCook's corps is in advance of us, perhaps a mile
and a half, and, with divisions from other corps,
has been gradually approaching the enemy all day,
driving his skirmishers from one point to an
other. About four o'clock in the afternoon the artillery fir
ing became more vigorous, and, with Colonel Fore
man, of the Fifteenth Kentucky, I rode to the front,
and then along our advanced line from right to left.
Our artillery stationed on the higher points was being
fired rapidly. The skirmishers Avere advancing cau
tiously, and the contest between the two lines Avas
quite exciting. As I supposed, our army is feeling
its Avay Into position. To-morroAV, doubtless, the
grand battle will be fought, Avhen I trust the good
Lord will grant us a glorious victory, and one that
Avill make glad the hearts of all loyal people on New-
Year's Day.
I saw Lieutenant-Colonel Given, Eighteenth Ohio.
Taa'cIa'c of his men had been Avounded. Met Colonel
AVaffner, Fifteenth Indiana. StarkAveather's brigade

i862.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 201
lost its wagon train this forenoon. Jeff C. DaA'is, I
am told, was wounded this evening. A shell ex
ploded near a group, consisting of General Rose
crans and staff, killing two horses and wounding
two men. STONE KIVEE.
31. At six o'clock In the morning my brigade
marches to the front and forms in line of battle. The
roar of musketry and artillery is inces.sant. At nine
o'clock we move into the cedar Avoods on the right to
support McCook, who Is reported to be giving Avay.
General Rousseau points me to the place he desires me
to defend, and enjoins me to "hold it until hell freezes
over," at the same time telling me that he may be
found immediately on the left of my brigade with
Loomis' battery. I take position. An open wood is
in my front; but where the line is formed, and to the
right and left, the cedar thicket is so dense as to ren
der it impos.sible to see the length of a regiment.
The enemy comes up directly, and the fight begins.
The roar of the guns to the right, left, and front
of my brigade sounds like the continuous pounding
on a thousand anvils. My men are faA'orably situ
ated, being concealed by the cedars, Avhile the enemy,
advancing through the open woods, is fully exposed.
Early in the action Colonel Foreman, of the Fif
teenth Kentucky, is killed, and his regiment retires
in disorder. The Third Ohio, Eighty-eighth, and
Forty-second Indiana, hold the position, and driver

202 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [December,
their fire so effectively that the enemy is finally forced
back. I find a Michigan regiment and attach it to
my command, and send a staff officer to General
Rousseau to report progress ; but before he has time
to return, the enemy makes another and more furi
ous assault upon my line. After a fierce struggle,
lasting from forty to sixty minutes, we succeed in re
pelling this also. I send again to General Rousseau,
and am soon after informed that neither he nor
Loomis' battery can be found. Troops are reported
to be falling back hastily, and in disorder, on my left.
I send a staff officer to the right, and ascertain that
Scribner's and Shepperd's brigades are gone. I con
clude that the contingency has arisen to which
General Rousseau referred — that is to say, that hell
has frozen over — and about face my brigade and
march to the rear, where the guns appear to he
hammering away with redoubled fury. In the edge
of the woods, and not far from the Murfreesboro
pike, I find the new line of battle, and take po
sition. Five minutes after the enemy strike us. For a
time — I can not even guess hoAV long — the line stands
bravely to the Avork ; but the regiments on our left
get into disorder, and finally become panic-stricken.
The fright spreads, and my brigade sweeps by. me to
the open field in our rear. I hasten to the colors,
stop them, and endeaA'or to rally the men. The field
is by this time covered with flying troops, and the
enemy's fire is most deadly. My brigade, hoAvever,
begins to steady it.self on the colors, Avhen my horse

i862.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 203
is shot under me, and I fall heavily to the ground.
Before I have time to recover my feet, my troops,
Avith thousands of others, sweep in disorder to the
rear, and I am left standing alone. Going back to
the railroad, I find my men, General Rousseau,
Loomis, and, in fact, the larger part of the army.
The artillery has been concentrated at this point, and
now opens upon the advancing columns of the en
emy with fearful effect, and continues its thunders
until nightfall. The artillery saved the army. The
battle during the Avhole day was terrific.
I find that soon after the fight began in the
cedars, our division Avas ordered back to a ncAv line,
and that the order had been delivered to Scribner
and Shepperd, but not to me. They had, conse
quently, retired to the second position under fire, and
had suffered most terribly in the operation ; Avhile
my brigade, being forgotten by the diA'ision com
mander, or by the officer Avhose duty it was to conA'cy
the order, had held its ground until it had tAA'ice re
pulsed the enemy, and then changed position in com
parative safetj'. A retrograde movement under fire
must necessarily be extremely hazardous. It demor
alizes your own men, who can not, at the moment,
understand the purpose of the movement, while it
encourages the enemy. The one accepts it as an
indication of defeat; the other as an assurance of
victory. McCook had been surprised and shattered in
the morning. This unexpected success had inspired

204 THE CITIZEN VOLUNTEER; [December,
the rebels and dispirited us. They fought like
devils, and the victory — if victory there was to
either army — belonged to them.
When the sun Avent doAvn, and the firing ceased,
the Union army, despondent, but not despairing,
Aveary and hungry, but still hopeful, lay on its
arms, ready to renew the conflict on the morrow.

i863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 205

JANUARY, 1863.

1. At dawn we are all in line, expecting every
moment the re-commencement of the fearful struggle.
Occasionally a battery engages a battery opposite, and
the skirmishers keep up a continual roar of small
arms; but until nearly night there is no heavy
fighting. Both armies want rest; both have suffered
terribly. Here and there little parties are engaged
burying the dead, which lie thick around us. Now
the mangled remains of a poor boy of the Third Is
being deposited in a shalloAv grave. A whole charge
of canister seems to have gone through him. Gen
erals Rosecrans and Thomas are riding over the field,
now halting to speak words of encouragement to the
troops, then going on to inspect portions of the line.
I have been supplied with a new horse, but one far
Inferior to the dead stallion. A little before sundown
all hell seems to break loose again, and for about an
hour the thunder of the artillery and A'olleys of mus
ketry are deafening; but It is simply the evening
salutation of the combatants. The darkness deepens;
the weather is raw and disagreeable. Fifty thousand
hungry men are stretched beside their guns again on
the field. Fortunately I have a piece of raw pork

206 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [January,
and a fcAV crackers in my pocket. No food ever
tasted sweeter. The night Is gloomy enough ; but
our spirits are rising. AVe all glory in the obstinacy
Avith Avhioh Rosecrans has clung to his position. I
draAV closer to the camp-fire, and, pushing the brands
together, take out my little Bible, and as I open it
my eyes fall on the xci Psalm :
"I Avill say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my
fortress, my God; in Him Avill I trust. Surely He
shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and
from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee
with His feathers, and under His wings shall be thy
trust. His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night, nor
for the arrow that flieth by day ; nor for the pestilence
that walketh In darkness, nor for the destruction that
wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall by thy
side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it
shall not come nigh thee."
Camp-fires innumerable are glimmering In the
darkness. Noav and then a few mounted men gal
lop by. Scattering shots are heard along the picket
line. The gloom has lifted, and I wrap myself in
my blanket and lie down contentedly for the night.
2. At sunrise we have a shower of solid shot and
shell. The Chicago Board of Trade battery is si
lenced. The shot roll up the Alurfreesboro pike like
balls on a bowling alley. Many horses are killed.
A soldier near me, while walking deliberately to the
rear, to seek a place of greater safety, is struck be
tween the shoulders by a ricochetting ball, and in-

i863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 207
stantly killed. AVe are ordered to be in readiness to
repel an attack, and form line of battle amid this
fearful storm of iron. Gaunther and Loomis get
their batteries in position, and, after twenty or thirty
minutes' active AVork, silence the enemy and compel
him to AvithdraAV. Then we have a lull until one or
tAA'o o'clock, Avhen Van Cleve's division on the left is
attacked. As the volume of musketry increases, and
the sound groAvs nearer, we understand that our
troops are being driven back, and brigade after
brigade double quicks from the right and center, across
the open field, to render aid. Battery after battery
goes in the same direction on the run, the drivers
lashing the horses to their utmost speed. The thun
der of the guns becomes more violent ; the volleys of
musketry grow into one prolonged and unceasing roll.
Now we hear the yell which betokens encouraged
hearts ; but Avhose yell ? Thank God, It is ours ! The
conflict is Avorking southAvard ; the enemy has been
checked, repulsed, and is uoav In retreat. So ends
another day.
The hungry soldiers cut steaks from the slain
horses, and, with the scanty supplies which have come
forward, gather around the fires to prepare supper,
and talk over the incidents of the day. The prospect
seems brighter. We have held the ground, and in
this last encounter have whipped the enemy. There
is more cheerful conA'ersation among the men
They discuss the battle, the officers, and each other,
and give us now and then a snatch of song. Officers
come over from adjoining brigades, hoping to find a

208 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [January,
little Avhlsky, but learn, Avith apparent resignation and
Avell-felgned composure, that the canteens have been
long empty; that even the private flasks, which
officers carry Avith the photographs of their sweet
hearts. In a side pocket next to their hearts, are desti
tute of even the flavor of this article of prime
necessity. My much-esteemed colleague of the court-
martial, Colonel Hobart, stumbles up in the thick
darkness to pay his respects. The sentinel, mistaking
him for a private, tells him, with an oath, that this is
neither the time nor place for stragglers, and orders
him back to his regiment; and so the night wears
on, and fifty thousand men lay upon their guns again.
3. Colonel Shanklin, with a strong detachment
from my brigade, Avas captured last night while on
picket. Rifle pits are being dug, and I am ordered
to protect the workmen. The rebels hold a strip of
Avoods In our immediate front, and we get up a liArely
skirmish with them. Our men, hoAvever, appear loth
to adA'ance far enough to afford the necessary protec
tion to the Avorkers. Vexed at their unAvIIIIngness to
venture out, I ride forward and start over a line to
Avhich I desire the skirmishers to advance, and dis
cover, before I have gone tAventy yards, that I have
done a foolish thing. A hundred muskets open on
me from the Avoods ; but the eyes of my own brigade
and of other troops are on me, and I can not back
out. I quicken the pace of my horse somewhat, and
continue my perilous course. The bullets whistle like
bees about my head, but I ride the Avhole length of
the proposed skirmish line, and get back to the

i863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 209
brigade in safety. Colonel Humphrey, of the Eighty-
eighth Indiana, comes up to me, and with a tremor
in his voice, which Indicates much feeling, says : " My
God, Colonel, never do that again !" The caution 'u.
unnecessary. I had already made up my mind never
to do it again. We keep up a vigorous skirmish with
the enemy for hours, losing now and then a man;
but later in the day we are relieved from this duty,
and retire to a quieter place.
About nightfall General Rousseau desires me to
get two regiments In readiness, and, as soon as It
becomes quite dark, charge upon and clean out the
woods in our front. I select the Third Ohio and
Eighty-eighth Indiana for this duty, and at the ap
pointed time we form line In the open field in front
of Gaunther's battery, and as we start, the battery
commences to shell the woods. As we get nearer the
objective point, I put the men on the double quick.
The rebels, discovering our approach, open a heavy
fire, but in the darkness shoot too high. The blaze
of their guns reveals their exact position to us. We
reach the rude log breastAvorks behind which they
are standing and grapple with them. Colonel
Humphrey receives a scA'ere thrust from a bayonet;
others are wounded, and some killed. It is pitch
dark under the trees. Some of Gaunther's shells fall
short, and alarm the men. Unable to find either staff
officer or orderly, I ride back and request him to ele
vate his guns. Returning, I find my troops blazing
away with great energy ; but, so far as I can discover,
18

210 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [Januaitt,
their fire is not returned. It is difficult, however, in
the noise, confusion, and darkness, to direct their
movements, and impossible to stop the firing. In
the meantime a new danger threatens. Spear's Ten-
nesseeans have been sent to support us, probably
without any definite instructions. They are, most of
them, raw troops, and, becoming either excited or
alarmed at the terrible racket in the woods, deliver
scattering shots in our rear. I ride back and urge
them either to cease firing or move to the left, go for
ward and look after our flank. One regiment does
move as directed ; but the others are immovable, and
it Is with great difficulty that I succeed In making
them understand that in firing they are more likely to
Injure friends than foes. Fortunately, soon after this,
the ammunition of the Third and Eighty-eighth be
coming exhausted, the firing in the Avoods ceases, and.
as the enemy has already abandoned the field, the
affair ends. I try to find General Rousseau to report
results, but can not; and so, worn out with fatigue
and excitement, lie down for another night.
4. Every thing quiet in our front. It is reported
that the enemy has disappeared. Investigation con--
firms the report, and the cavalry push into Murfrees
boro and beyond.
During the forenoon the army crosses Stone River,
and with music, banners, and rejoicings, takes posses
sion of the old camps of the enemy. So the long and
doubtful struggle ends.
5. I ride over the battle-field. In one place a
caisson and five horses are lying, the latter killed in

1863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER 211
harness, and all fallen together. Nationals and Con
federates, young, middle-aged, and old, are scattered
OA'er the woods and fields for miles.' Poor Wright, of
my old company, lay at the barricade in the woods
which we stormed on the night of the last day.
Many others lay about him. Further on we find
men with their legs shot off; one with brains scooped
out with a cannon ball; another with half a face
gone; another AA'ith entrails protruding; young
AVinnegard, of the Third, has one foot off and both
legs pierced by grape at the thighs; another boy lies
with his hands clasped above his head. Indicating that
his last words Avere a prayer. Many Confederate
sharpshooters lay behind stumps, rails, and logs, shot
In the head. A young boy, dressed in the Confed
erate uniform, lies with his face turned to the sky,
and looks as if he might be sleeping. Poor boy !
what thoughts of home, mother, death, and eternity,
commingled in his brain as the life-blood ebbed aAvay !
Many Avounded horses are limping over the field.
One mule, I heard of, had a leg blown off on the
first day's battle ; next morning It was on the spot
where first wounded ; at night It was still standing
there, not having moved an inch all day, patiently
suffering. It knew not why nor for what. How many
poor men moaned through the cold nights in the
thick woods, where the first day's battle occurred,
calling in vain to man for help, and finally making
their last solemn petition to God!
In the evening I met Rous.seau, McCook, and Crit
tenden. They had been Imbibing freely. Rousseau

212 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [January,
Insisted upon my turning back and going Avith them
to^ his quarters. Crittenden Avas the merriest of
the party. On the way he sang, in a voice far
from melodious, a pastorial ditty with which child
hood is familiar: " Mary had a little lamb,
His fleece was white as snow,
And every-where that Mary went
The lamb was sure to go."
Evidently the lion had left the chieftain's heart,
and the Iamb had entered and taken possession.
McCook complimented me by saying that my
brigade fought Avell. He should knoAV, for he .sat be
hind It at the commencement of the second assault of
the enemy In the cedars, on the first day; but very
soon thereafter disappeared. Just when he left, and
why he did so, I do not know.
At Rous.seau's we found a large number of staff and
line officers. The demijohn was introduced, and all
paid their respects to It. The ludicrous incidents, of
which there are more or less even In battles, of the
last five days, were referred to, and much merriment
prevailed. 6. The army is being reorganized, and we are
busily engaged repairing the damages sustained in the
battle. Visited the hospitals, and, so far as possible, looked
after the Avounded of my brigade. To-morrow the
chaplains will endeavor to hunt them all up, and re
port their Avhereabouts and condition.

1863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 213
7. I was called upon late in the evening to make
a report of the operations of my brigade immedi
ately, as General Rousseau intends to leave for Louis
ville In the morning. It is impossible to collect the in
formation necessary in the short time allowed me. One
of my regimental commanders. Colonel Foreman, was
killed ; another. Colonel Humphrey, was wounded, and
is in hospital; another, Lieutenant-Colonel Shanklin,
Avas captured, and is absent; but I gathered up hastily
what facts I could obtain as to the casualties in the
several regiments, and wrote my report in the few
minutes Avhich remained for me to do so, and sent it
in. I have not had an opportunity to do justice
either to my brigade or myself.
13. Move In the direction of Columbia, on a
reconnoitering expedition. My brigade stops at Sa
lem, and the cavalry pushes on.
14. Have been exposed to a drenching rain for
thirty hours. The men are cold, hungry, and mu
tinous. 15. Ordered back to Murfreesboro, and march
thither in a storm of snow and sleet. It is decidedly
the coldest day we have experienced since last winter.
I find two numbers of Harper's Weekly on my re
turn. They abound in war stories. The tAvo heroes,
of whom I read to-night, received saber cuts on the
face and head, obtained leave of absence, returned
home, and married forthwith. Saber cuts are very
rare in the Army of the Cumberland, and If young
officers were compelled to defer entering into wedlock
until they got wounds of this kind, there would be

214 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [January,
precious fcAV soldiers married. Bullet wounds are
common enough; but the hand-to-hand encounters,
knightly contests of swords, the cleaving of head
pieces and shattering of spears, are not incidents of
modern warfare.
The long rain has completely saturated the ground.
The floor of my tent is muddy ; but my bed will be
dry, and as I have not had my clothes off for three
days, I look forward to a comfortable night's rest.
The picture in Harper, of "Christmas Eve," will
bring tears to the eyes of many a poor fellow shiver
ing over the camp-fire in this Avinter season. The
children in the crib, the stockings in which Santa
Claus deposits his treasures, recall the pleasantest
night of the year.
Speaking of Christmas reminds me of the mistletoe
bough. Mistletoe abounds here. Old, leafless trees
are covered and green with It. It Avas in blossom a
week or two ago, if avc may call its white Avax-like
berries blossoms. They are known as Christmas
blossoms. The vine takes root in the bark — in any
crack, hole, or crevice of the tree — and continues
green all winter. The berries groAV in clusters.
16. I have as guests Mr. and Mrs. Johnson
House, my old neighbors. They have come from
their quiet home In Ohio to look over a battle-field,
and I take pleasure in showing them the points of in
terest. Mr. House, with great frankness, tells me, in
the presence of my staff, that he had been afraid I
was not qualified for the high position I hold, and
that I was getting along too fast ; but he now feels

1863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 215
satisfied that I am capable and Avorthy, and would be
well pleased to see me again promoted. I introduced
my friends to Lieutenant A"an Pelt, of Loomis' bat
tery, and Mr. House asked : " Lieutenant, Avill these
guns shoot with any kind of decision ?" " Precision,"
I suggested. " Yes," Van Pelt replied, " they will
throw a ball pretty close to the mark."
17. Dr. Peck tells me that the wounded of the
Third are doing well, and all comfortably quartered.
He is an excellent physician and surgeon, and the
boys are well pleased with him.

216 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [Februakv,

FEBRUARY, 1863.

3. This has been the coldest day of the season in
this latitude. The ground is frozen hard. I made
the round of the picket line after dinner, and Avas
thoroughly chilled. Visited the hospital this eA'en
ing. Young Willets, of the Third, Avhoin I thought
getting along Avell before I left for home, died two
days before my return. Benedict is dead, and Glenn,
poor fellow, will go next. His leg is in a sling, and
he is compelled to lie in one position all the time.
Mortification has set in, and he can not last more than
a day or two. Murfreesboro Is one great hospital,
filled with Nationals and Confederates.
4. At noon cannonading began on our left and
front, and continued with Intervals until sunset. I
have heard no explanation of the firing, but think it
probable our troops started up the Shelbyville road to
reconnoiter, discovered the enemy, and a small fight
ensued. 5. It is said the enemy came within six miles of
Murfreesboro yesterday, and attacked a forage train.
The weather has been somewhat undecided, and far
from agreeable.
6. A lot of rebel papers, dated January 31st, have

1863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 217
been brought in. They contain many extracts clipped
from the Northern Democratic press, and the South
ern soul is jubilant over the fact that a large party in
Ohio and Indiana denounce President Lincoln. The
rebels Infer from this that the war must end soon, and
the independence of the Southern States be acknowl
edged. Our friends at home should not giA'e aid and
comfort to the enemy. They may excite hopes which,
in time, they Avill themselves be compelled to help
crush. 7. FeAV of the men Avhq started home when I did
have returned. The General is becoming excited on
the subject of absentees. From General Thomas'
corps alone there are sixteen thousand men absent,
sick, pretending to be sick, or otherAvise. Of my
brigade there are sixteen hundred men present for
duty, and over thirteen hundred absent — nearly one-
half away. The condition of other brigades is simi
lar. If a man once gets away, either into hospital* or
ou detached duty, it is almost impossible to get him
back again to his regiment. A false excuse, backed
up by the false statement of a family physician, has
hitherto been accepted ; but hereafter, I am told, it
Avill not be. Uncle Sam can not much longer stand
the drain upon his finances Avhich these malingerers
occasion, and his reputation suffers also, for he can
not do with fifty thousand men what it requires one
hundred thou.sand to accomplish.
People may say Rosecrans had at the battle of
Murfreesboro nearly one hundred regiments. A reg-
19

218 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [Februarv,
imeut should contain a thousand men; in a hundred
regiments, therefore, there should haA'e been one hun
dred thousand men. With this force he should have
swallowed Bragg; but they must understand that the
largest of these regiments did not contain over five
hundred men fit for duty, and very many not over
three hundred. The men in hospital, the skulkers at
home, and the skedaddlers here, count only on the
muster and pay-rolls; our friends at home should re
member, therefore, that when they take a soldier by
the hand Avho should be Avith his regiment, and say to
him, " Poor felloAV, you have seen hard times enough,
stay a little longer, the army Avill not miss you," that
some other poor felloAV, too brave and manly to shirk,
shiA'crs through the long Avinter hours at his OAvn post,
and then through other long hours at the post of
the ab,sentee, thus doing double duty ; and they
should bear in mind, also, that in battle this same
po*r fellow has to fight for two, and that battles are
lost, the AA'ar prolonged, and the National arms often
disgraced, by reason of the absence of the men whom
they encourage to remain at home a day or tAvo
longer. If every Northern soldier able to do duty
Avould do it, Rosecrans could sweep to Mobile in
ninety days ; but Avith this skeleton of an army, Ave
rest in doubt and idleness. There is a screw loo.se
somcAvhere. 10. Fortifications are being constructed. My men
are working on them.
Just now I heard the whistle of a locomotive, on
the opposite side of the river. This is the first inti-

1S63.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 219
mation we haA'e had of the completion of the road to
this point. The bridge avIU be finished in a day or
two, and then the trains avIII arrive and depart from
Murfreesboro regularly.
11. Called at Colonel Wilder's quarters, and while
there met General J. J. Reynolds. He made a brief
allusion to the Stalnaker times. On my return to
camp, I stopped for a fcAV minutes at Department
head-quarters to see Garfield. General Rosecrans
came into the room; but, as I Avas dressed in citizens'
clothes, did not at first recognize me. Garfield said :
"General Rosecrans, Colonel Beatty." The General
took me by the hand, turned my face to the light, and
said he did not haA'e a fair view of me before.
"Well," he continued, "you are a general noAV, are
you ?" I told him I Avas not sure yet, and he said :
" Is it uncertainty or modesty that makes you doubt?"
" Uncertainty." " Well," he replied, " you and Sam
Beatty have both been recommended. I guess it will
be all right." He invited me to remain for supper,
but I declined.
16. To-day I rode over the battle-field, starting
at the river and folloAving the enemy's line off to their
left, then crossing over on to the right of our line,
and following it to the left. For miles through the
AVOods evidences of the terrible conflict meet one at
every step. Trees peppered with bullet and buckshot,
and now and then one cut down by cannon ball;
unexploded shell, solid shot, dead horses, broken
caissons, haA'crsacks, old shoes, hats, fragments of
muskets, and unused cartridges, are to be seen every-

220 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [Febkuarv,
Avhere. In an open space in the oak woods is a long
strip of fresh earth, in Avhich forty-one sticks are
standing, Avith Intervals between them of perhaps a
foot. Here forty-one poor felloAVS lie under the fresh
earth, Avith nothing but the forty-one little sticks
above to mark the spot. Just beyond this are tAventy-
five sticks, to indicate the last resting-place of twenty-
five brave men ; and so we found these graves in the
woods, meadoAv.s, corn-fields, cotton-fields, every-
Avhere. AVe stumbled on one grave in a solitary spot
in the thick cedars, where the sunshine never pene
trates. At the head of the little mound of fresh
earth a round stick was standing, and on the top of
this was an old felt hat; the hat still doing duty over
the head, if not on the head, of the dead soldier who
lay there. The rain and sun and groAving A'egetation
of one summer Avill render it impo.ssible to find these
graves. The grass avIII cover the fresh earth, the
sticks Avill either rot or become dif^placed, and then
there Avill be nothing to indicate that —
" Perhaps in this neglected spot is laid
Some heart once pregnant with celestial fire;
Hands that the rod of empire might have swayed.
Or waked to ecstasy the living lyre."
17. The army is turning its attention ±o politics
somcAvhat. Generals and colonels are ventilating
their opinions through the press. I think their let
ters may have good effect upon the people at home,
and prevent them from discouraging the army and
crippling the Administration. Surely the effort now

1863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 221
being put forth by a great party in the North to
convince the troops in the field that this Is an un
just war, an abolition or nigger war, must have a
tendency to injure the army, and, if persisted in, may
finally ruin it.
19. AVork on the fortifications still continues.
This Is to be a depot of supplies, and there are pro
visions enough already here to subsist the army for
a month. Noav that the Cumberland is high, and
the railroads in running order, any amount of sup
plies may be brought through.
Expeditions go out occasionally to different parts
of the country, and slight affairs occur, which are
magnified Into serious engagements; but really noth
ing of any Importance has transpired since we obtained
possession of Murfreesboro. A day or tAvo ago we
had an account of an expedition into the enemy's
country by the One Hundred and Twenty-third Illi
nois, Colonel Monroe commanding. According to
this veracious report, the Colonel had a severe fight,
killed a large number of the enemy, and captured
three hundred stand of arms; but the truth is, that
he did not take time to count the rebel dead, and
the arms taken were one hundred old muskets found
In a house by the road.slde.
The expeditions sent out to capture John Morgan
have all been failures. His oavu knowledge of the
country is thorough, and besides, he has in his com
mand men from every neighborhood, who know not
only every road and cow-path in the locality, but
woman, and child. The people serve

222 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [February,
him also, by advising him of all our movements.
They guide him to our detachments when they are
weak, and Avarn him away from them Avhen strong.
AVere the rebel army in Ohio, and as bitterly hated
by the people of that State as the Nationals are by
those of Kentucky and Tennessee, it Avould be an
easy matter indeed to hang upon the skirts of that
army, pick up stragglers, burn bridges, attack Avagon
trains, and now and then pounce doAvn on an outlying
picket and take It in.
20. Colonel Lytle, my old brigade commander,
called on me to-day. He informed me that he had
not been assigned yet. I inferred from this that he
thought it utterly impossible for one so distinguished
as himself to come down to a regiment. His OAvn
regiment, the Tenth Ohio, is here, and nominally a
part of my brigade, although It has not acted with it
since Rosecrans assumed command of the Army of
the Cumberland. Under Lieutenant-Colonel Burke,
It is doing guard duty at Department head-quarters.

J863] OR, MEkoiRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 223

MARCH, 1863.

1. There is talk of consolidation at Wa.shington.
This Is a sensible idea, and should be carried into
effect at once. There are too many officers and too
few men. The regiments should be consolidated, and
kept full by conscription, if it can not be done other
wise. The best officers should be retained, and the
others sent home to stand their chances of the draft.
A major of the Fifteenth Kentucky sent in his
resignation a few days ago, assigning as a reason
for so doing that the object of the war was now the
elevation of the negro. The concluding paragraph
of his letter was in these words: "The service can not
possibly suffer by my resignation." The document
pa.ssed through my hands on Its way to Department
head -quarters, and I indorsed it as follows:
" Major H. F. Kalfus, Fifteenth Kentucky Volun
teer Infantry, being ' painfully and reluctantly con
vinced ' that the party In power is disposed to elevate
the negro, desires to quit the serA'ice. I trust he will
be allowed to do so, and cheerfully certify to the
correctness of one statement which he makes herein,
to-wit: The service can not possibly suffer by his
resignation."

224 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [March,
General Rosecrans has just sent me an order to ar
rest the Major, and send him under guard to the Pro-
A'ost-Marshal General. The arrest Avill be made in a
fcAV minutes, and may create some excitement among
our Kentucky friends.
3. The fortifications are progressing. The men
work four hours each day in the trenches. The re
mainder of the time they spend pretty much as they
see fit.
General Garfield is now chief of staff. It is the
first instance in the West of an officer of Ws rank be
ing assigned to that position. It is an important
])lace, hoAvcver, and one too often held not merely by
officer.s of inferior rank, but of decidedly inferior abil
ity. General Buell had a colonel as chief of staff, and,
until the appointment of Garfield, General Ro.secrans
had a lieutenant-colonel or major.
To-night an ugly and most singular specimen of
the negro called to obtain employment. He was not
over three feet and a half high, hump-backed,
crooked-legged, and quite forty years old. Poking
his head into my tent, and, taking off his hat, he .said :
"Is de Co'nel in?" "Yes." " Hurd you wants a
boy, sah. Man tole me Co'nel Eighty-eighth Olehio
Avants a boy, sah." "What can you do? Can you
cook?" "Yas, sah." "Where did you learn to
cook ?" " On de plantation, sah." " What is your
master's name?" "Rucker, sah." "Is he a loval
man?" "No, sah, he not a lawyer; his brudder, de
cussen one, is de lawyer." " Is he secesh ?" "O, yas,
sah; yas, he sesesh." "It is the Colonel of the

1863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 225
Eighty-eighth Indiana you should see ;" and I directed
him to the Colonel's tent. As he turned to leave, he
muttered, " Man tole me Eighty-eighth Olehio ;" but
he went hobbling over to the Eighty-eighth, with
fear, anxiety, and hope struggling In his old face.
4. Major Kalfus, Fifteenth Kentucky, arrested on
Sunday, and since held in close confinement, was dis
honorably dismissed from the service to-day for using
treasonable language in tendering his resignation.
He was escorted outside the lines and turned loose.
The Major is a cross-roads politician, and will, I doubt
not, be a lion among his half-loyal neighbors Avhen he
returns home.
5. Our picket on the Manchester pike was driven
in to-day. The caA'alry, under General Stanley, went
to the rescue, when a fight occurred. No partic
ulars. 9. T. Buchanan Reid, the poet, entertained us at
the court-house this evening. The room had been
trimmed up by the rebels for a ball. The words,
"Shiloh," "Fort Donelson," "Hartsville," "Santa
Rosa," " Pensacola," were surrounded with CA'crgreens.
The letter "B," painted on the walls in a dozen
places, was encompassed by Avreaths of flowers, now
faded and yellow. My native modesty led me to
conclude that the letter so highly honored .stood for
Bragg, and not for the commander of the Seventeenth
Brigade, U. S. A.
General Garfield introduced Mr. Reid by a short
speech, not delivered in his' usual happy style. I
was impressed with the Idea all the time, that he

226 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [March,
had too many buttons on his coat — he certainly had
a great many buttons — and the splendor of the double
roAv possibly detracted somewhat from the splendor
of his remarks.
Mr. Reid is a small man, and has not sufficient
voice to make himself heard distinctly in so large a
hall. In a parlor his recitations would be capital.
He read from his oavu poem, " The Wagoner," a de
scription of the battle of BrandyAvine. It is pos.sibly
a very good representation of that battle ; but. If so,
the battle of Brandywine was very unlike that of
Stone river. At Brandywine, it appears, the generals
slashed around among the enemy's infantry Avith drawn
SAVords, doing most of the hard fighting and most of
the killing themselves. I did not discover anything
of that kind at Stone riA'er. It is possible the style
Avent out of fashion before the rebellion began. It
would, however, be very satisfactory to the rank and
file to see it restored. Mr. Reid said some good
things in his lecture, and was well applauded ; but,
in the main, he was too ethereal, vapory, and fanciful
for the most of us leather-heads. When he puts a
soldier-boy on the top of a high mountain to sing
patriotic songs, and bid defiance to King George be
cause " Eagle is King," we are impressed with the
idea that that soldier could have been put to better
use ; that, in fact, he is entirely out of the line of
duty. The position assigned him is unnatural, and
the modern soldier-boy will be apt to conclude that
nobody but a simpleton would be likely to wander
about in solitary places, extemporizing in measured

1863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 227
sentences; besides it is hard work, as I know from
experience. I tried my hand at it the other day un
til my head ached, and this Is the best I could do:
0 I Lord, when will this war end?
These days of marchings, nights of lonely guard?
This terrible expenditure of health and life?
Where is the glory ? Where is the reward.
For sacrifice of comfort, quiet, peace?
For sacrifice of children, wife, and friends ?
For sacrifice of firesides — genial homes?
What hour, what gift, will ever make amends
For broken health, for bruised flesh and bones.
For lives cut short by bullet, blade, disease?
Where balm to heal the Avidow's heart, or what
Shall soothe a mother's grief for woes like these?
Hold, murmurer, hold ! Is country naught to thee?
Is freedom nothing? Naught an honored name?
What though the days be cold, or the nights dark,
The brave heart kindles for itself a flame
That warms and lightens up the world (
Home I What 's home, if in craven shame
We seek its hearthstone ? Bitterest of cold.
Better creep thither bruised, and torn, and lame,
Than seek it in health when justice needs our aid.
Where is the glory? Where is the reward?
Think of the generations that will come
To praise and bless the hero. Think of God,
Who in due time will call His soldiers home.
How comfort mother for the loss of son ?
What balm to which her heaviest grief must yield?
Ah I the plain, simple, ever-glorious words:
" Your son died nobly on the battle-field !"

228 THE CITIEZN SOLDIER; (March,
What balm to soothe a widow's aching heart?
The grand assurance that in the battle shock
Foremost her husband stood, defying all,
For freedom aud truth, unyielding as the rock.
Then, courage, all, and when the strife is past,
And grief for lost ones takes a milder hue.
This thought shall crown the living and the dead :
" He lived, he died, to God and duty true."
10. Rain has been descending most of the day,
and just now is pouring doAvn with great violence. A
happy party in the adjoining tent are exercising their
lungs on a negro melody, of which this is something
like the chorus :
" De massa run, ha, ha !
De nigger stay, ho, ho I
It mus' be now de kingdom comin',
And de year of jubelo."
I can not affirm that the music with Avhich these
gentlemen so abound, on this rainy and dismal night,
has that soothing effect on the human heart ascribed
to music in general; but, hoAvever little I may feel
like rejoicing noAV, I am quite sure I shall feel hap
pier Avhen the concert ends. The singers have con
cluded the negro melody, and are breathing out
their souls in a sentimental piece. Now and then,
when more than ordinarily successful in the higher
strains, they nearly equal the most exalted efforts of
the tom-cat; and then, again, in the execution of the
lower notes and more pathetic passages, we are
brought nigh unto tears by an Inimitable imita-

1863.1 OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 229
tion of the wailings of a very young and sick
kitten, '¦Do they miss me at home; do they miss me?"
I venture to say they do, and with much gratifica
tion if, when there, you fiivored them often Avith this
infernal noise.
14. The weather is remarkably fine to-day. I
saAV Mrs. and Major-General McCook and Mrs. and
Major-General Wood going out to the battle-field, on
horseback, this morning. Mrs. General Rosecrans
arrived last night on a special train.
16. The roads are becoming good, and every body
is on horseback. Many officers have their avIa'cs here.
On the way to Murfreesboro this morning, I met two
ladies with an escort going to the battle-field. Re
turning I met General Rosecrans and wife. The Gen
eral hallooed after me, " Hoav d 'ye do ?" to Avhich I
shouted back, at the top of my voice, the very orig
inal reply, "Very aa'cII, thank you." From the num
ber of ladles gathering in, one might very reasonably
conclude that no adA'ance was contemplated soon.
Still all signs fail in war times, as they do in dry
weather. As a rule, perhaps, when a moA'ement ap
pears most improbable, we should be on the lookout
for orders to start.
The army, under Rosecrans' administration, looks
better than It ever did before. He certainly enters
into his work with his whole soul, and unless some
unlucky mishap knocks his feet from under him, he
Avill soon be recognized as the first general of the

230 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [March,
Union. I account for his success thus far, in part at
least, by the fact that he has been long enough away
from West Point, mixing AvIth the people, to get a
little common sense rubbed into him.
While Avriting the last Avord above, the string band
of the Third struck up at the door of my tent. Go
ing out, I found all the commissioned officers of that
regiment standing in line. Adjutant Wilson nudged
me, and said they expected a speech. I asked if beer
Avould not suit them better. He thought not. I
haA'e not attempted to make a speech for tAvo years,
and never made a successful attempt in my life ;
but I knocked the ashes out of my pipe and
began :
" Gentlemen : I am Informed that all the officers
of the Third are here. I am certainly very glad to
see you, and extremely sorry that I am not better pre
pared to receive and entertain you. The press in
forms us that I have been very highly honored. If
the report that I have been promoted is true, I am
indebted to your gallantry, and that of the brave men
of the Third, for the honor. You gave me my first
position, and then were kind enough to deem me
worthy of a second ; and if noAV I have obtained a
third, and higher one, it is because I have had the
good fortune to command good soldiers. The step
upAvard In rank will simply increase my debt of grat
itude to you."
The officers responded cordially, by assuring me
that they rejoiced over my promotion, and were

1863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 231
anxious that I should continue In command of the
brigade to which the Third is attached.
Charlie DaA'ison can sing as many songs as Mickey
Free, of " Charles O'Malley," and sing them well.
In Irish melodies he Is especially happy. Hark!
"Dear Erin, how sweetly thy green bosom rises,
An emerald set in the ring of the sea ;
Each blade of thy meadows my faithful heart prizes.
Thou Queen of the West, the world's cush la machree,
* ^ =7= * ,* ^
Thy sons they are brave; but the battle once over.
In brotherly peace with their foes they agree,
And the roseate cheeks of thy daughters discover.
The soul-speaking blush that says cush la machree."
17. Dined Avith General Wagner, and, in com
pany with AVagner and General Palmer, witnessed an
artillery reA'ieAV.
18. Aly brigade is still at work on the fortifica
tions. They are, hoAvever, nearly completed.
Shelter tents were issued to our division to-day.
We are still using the larger tent; but It is evidently
the intention to leave these behind when we move.
Last fall the shelter tents Avere used for a time by the
Pioneer Brigade. They are so small that a man can
not stand up in them. The boys were then very bitter
in condemnation of them, and called them dog tents and
dog pens. Almost every one of these tents was marked
in a Avay to indicate the unfavorable opinion which
the boys entertained of them, and in riding through

232 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [March,
the company quarters of the Pioneer Brigade, the
eye would fall on inscriptions of this sort:
PUPS FOE SALE  RAT- TERRIERS  BULL PUPS HERE —
DOG-HOLE NO. 1 — SONS OF BITCHES WITHIN —
DOGS — PURPS.
General Rosecrans and staff, while riding by one
day, were greeted with a tremendous boAv-woAV. The
boys Avere on their hands and knees, stretching their
heads out of the ends of the tents, barking furiously
at the passing cavalcade. The General laughed
heartily, and promised them better accommodations.
The ncAA'S from Vicksburg is somcAvhat encour
aging, but certainly very indefinite, and far from sat
isfactory. 19. RevicAvs are the order of the hour. All the
brigades of our division, except mine, Avere rcA'icAved
by General Rosecrans this afternoon. It was a fine
display, but hard on the soldiers; they were kept so
long standing.
At MiddletoAvn, sixteen miles away, the rebels are
four thousand strong, and Avithin a day or two they
have A'entured to Salem, five miles distant.
20. Loomis, Avho has just returned from home,
called this evening, and Ave drank a bottle of Avine
over the promotion. He is in trouble about his com
mission as colonel of artillery. Tavo months ago the
Governor of Alichigan gave him the commission, and
since that time he has been Avearing a colonel's uni
form ; but General Rosecrans has expressed doubts

1863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 233
about his right to assume the rank. Loomis is all
right, doubtless, and to-morroAV, Avhen the matter is
talked over betAveen the General and himself, it will'
be settled satisfactorily.
21. I have been running over Russell's diary,
"North and South," and must say the Yankee Na
tion, when looked at through Mr. Russell's specta
cles, does not appear enveloped In that star-spangled
glory and super-celestial blue with which It is Avont to
loom up before patriotic eyes on Fourth of July occa
sions. He has treated us, hoAvever, fully as well as
we have treated him. We became angry because he
told unpleasant truths about us, and he became en
raged because we abused him for it. He thanks God
that he is not an American ; and should not we. In a
spirit of conciliation, meet him half way, and feel
thankful that he is not ?
Flaming dispatches will appear In the Northern
papers to-morrow respecting the defeat of John Mor
gan, by a small brigade of our troops under Colonel
Hall. The report will say that forty of the enemy
were killed, one hundred and fifty wounded, and one
hundred an4.tAventy captured; loss on our side Incon
siderable. The reporters have probably contributed
largely to the brilliancy of this affair. It is always
safe to accept with distrust all reports which affirm
that a few men, Avith little loss, routed, slaughtered,
or captured a large force.
Peach and cherry trees are In full bloom. The
grass is beginning to creep out. Summer birds ocea-
20

234 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [March,
slonally sing around us. In a fcAV Aveeks more the
trees Avill be in full leaf again.
23. General Negley, who went home some time
ago, returned to-day, and, I see, Avears two stars.
General Brannan arrived a day or two ago. He
was on the train captured by guerrillas, but was re.s-
cued a few minutes after.
The boys have a rumor that Bragg is near, and has
sent General Rosecrans a very polite note requesting
him to surrender Murfreesboro at once. If the latter
refuses to accept this most gentlemanly invitation to
deliver up all his forces, Bragg proposes to commence
an assault upon our Avorks at tAvelve M., and show us
no mercy. This, of course, is reliable.
At sunset rain began to fall, and has continued to
pour doAvn steadily ever since. The night is gloomy.
Adjutant Wilson, in the next tent, is endeavoring
to lift himself from the slough of despond by hum
ming a ditty of true love ; but the effort is evidently
a failure. This morning I stood on the bank of the river
and observed the pontoniers as they threw their bridge
of boats across the stream. TavIcc each week they
unload the pontoons from the wagons, run them into
the Avater, put the scantling from boat to boat, lay
down the plank, and thus make a good bridge on
which men, horses, and wagons can cross. After com--
pleting the bridge, they immediately begin to take it
up, load the lumber and pontoons on the wagons, and
return to camp. They can bridge any stream between

i863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 235
this and the Tennessee in an hour, and can put a
bridge over that in probably three hours.
General Rosecran.s makes a fine display in his visits
about the camps. He is accompanied by his staff and
a large and Avell-equipped escort, with outriders in
front and rear. The National flag is borne at the
head of the column.
Rosecrans is of medium height and stout, not quite
so tall as AlcCook, and not nearly so heavy. McCook
is young, and very fleshy. Rousseau Is by far the
handsomest man in the army ; tall and well-propor
tioned, but possibly a little too bulky. R. S. Granger
is a little man, Avith a heavy, light sandy mustache.
AVood Is a small man, short and slim, with dark com
plexion, and black Avhiskers. Crittenden, the major-
general, is a spare man, medium height, lank, com
mon sort of face, well whiskered. Major-General
Stanley, the caA'alryman, is of good size, gentlemanly
In bearing, light complexion, brown hair. McCook
and AVood swear like pirates, and affect the rough-
and-ready style. Rou.sseau is glA'en to profanity
somewhat, and blusters occasionally. Ro.secrans in
dulges in an oath uoav and then ; but is a member of
the Catholic Church in good standing. Crittenden, I
doubt not, SAvears like a trooper, and yet I have never
heard him do so. He is a good drinker; and the
same can be said of Rousseau. Rosecrans is an edu
cated officer, Avho has rubbed much against the Avorld,
and has experience. Rousseau is brave, but knoAVS
little of military science. McCook is a chucklehead.
Wood and Crittenden know how to blow their own

236 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [March,
horns exceedingly avcII. Alajor-General Thomas is
tall, heavy, sedate ; Avhiskers and head grayish. Puts
on less .style than any of those named, and is a gen
tlemanly, modest, reliable soldier. Rosecrans and
McCook shave clean ; Crittenden and Wood go the
whole Avhisker ; Thomas shaves the upper lip. Rose
crans' nose is large, and curves down ; Rousseau's is
large, and curves up ; McCook has a weak nose, that
would do no credit to a baby. Rosecrans' laugh is not
one of the free, open, hearty kind ; Rousseau has a
good laugh, but shows poor teeth; McCook has a
grin, which excites the suspicion that he is either still
very green or deficient in the upper story.
22. Colonels AVilder and Fbnkhauser called. We
had just disposed of a bottle of wine, when Colonel
Harker made his appearance, and we entered forth
with upon another. Colonel Wilder expects to ac
complish a great work with his mounted infantry.
He Is endeavoring to arm them with the Henry rifle,
a gun which, Avith a slight twist of the wrist, will
throw sixteen bullets in almost that many seconds. I
have no doubt he Avill render his command very effi
cient and useful, for he has wonderful energy and
nerve, and is, besides, sensible and practical. Colonel
Harker is greatly disappointed because he was not
confirmed as brigadier-general during the last session
of Congress. He is certainly young enough to afford
to wait; but he seems to fear that, after commanding
a brigade for nine months, he may have to go back to
a regiment. He feels, too, that, being a New Jersey
man, commanding Ohio troops, neither State avIU take

1863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 237
an Interest in him, and render him that assistance
Avhich, under other circumstances, either of them
might do. These gentlemen dined Avith me. Harker
and Wilder expressed a high opinion of General
Buell. Wilder says Gilbert is a d — d scoundrel, and
responsible for the loss at Mumfordsvllle. Harker,
however, defended Gilbert, and is the only man I
have ever heard speak favorably of him.
The train coming from Nashville to-day was fired
upon and four men Avounded. Yesterday there was a
force of the enemy along the Avhole south front of our
picket line.
From the cook's tent, In the rear, comes a devo
tional refrain: " I 'm gui-en home, I 'm gui-en home.
To d-i-e no mo'."
24. We are still pursuing the even tenor of our
way on the fortifications. There are no indications of
an advance. The army, however, is Avell equipped,
in good spirits, and prepared to move at an hour's
notice. Its confidence In Rosecrans is boundless,
and whatever it may be required to do, it avIU, I
doubt not, do with a will.
The conscript law, and that clause especially which
provides for the granting of a limited number of fur
loughs, glA'es great satisfaction to the men. They not
only feel that they will soon have help, but that if
their conduct be good, there will be a fair chance for
them to see home before the expiration of their term

238 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [March,
of enlistment. Hitherto they have been something
like prisoners Avithout hope.
26. Another little misfortune has occurred to our
arms at BrentAvood. The Twenty-second AVisconsin,
numbering four hundred men, Avas captured by Gen
eral Forrest. The rebels succeed admirably in gath
ering up and consolidating our scattered troops.
The Adjutant and others are having a concert in
the next tent, and certainly laugh more over their
OAvn performance than singers do generally. They
haA'e just executed " The foin ould Irish gintleman,"
And are at this present writing shouting
" Vive r America, home of the free."
I think it more than probable that as their enthusi
asm increases, the punch In their punch-bowl dimin
ishes. 27. A mule has just broken the stillness of the
night by a most discordant bray, and I am reminded
that all horses are to be turned over to the mounted
•infantry regiments, and mules used in the teams in
their stead. Mules are far better for the wagons than
horses. They require less food, are hardier, and
stand up better under rough work and irregular
feeding. I catch the faintest possible sound of a A'iolin
Some indomitable spirit is enlivening the night, and
trenching upon the Sabbath, by giving loose rein to
his genius.

1863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 239
During the light baggage and rapid marches of the
latter part of Buell's administration, together with
the mishaps at Perryville, the string band of the
Third was A'ery considerably damaged; but the boys
have recently resuscitated and revived it to all the
glory and usefulness of former days. One of its
sweetest singers, hoAvever, has either deserted or re
tired to hospital or barracks, Avhere the duties are less
onerous and life more safe. His greatest hit was a
song knoAvn as " The AVarble," in Avhich the folloAV-
ing lines occurred :
" Mein fadter, mein modter, mein sister, mein frau,
Und zwi glass of beer for meinself.
Dey called mein frau one blaeksmit-schopt ;
Und such dings I never did see in my life."
When, at Shelbyville and Huntsville, this melody
mingled Avith the moonlight of summer evenings, peo
ple generally AA'ere deluded into the supposition that an
ethereal songster was on the wing, enrapturing them
with harmonies of other spheres. But sutlers, it is
well knoAvn, are men of little or no refinement, Avith
ears for money rather than music. To their unappre-
ciative and perverted senses the Avarble seemed sim
ply a dolorous appeal for more whisky; and while
delivering up their last bottle to get rid of the Avarbler
and his friends, in order that they might get sleep
themselves, they have been knoAvn to express the
hope that both song and singers might, without un
necessary delay, go to that region which* we are told
is paved with good intentions.

240 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; (March,
The A'oice of a colored person in the rear breaks in
upon my recollections of the warbler. The most in
teresting and ugliest negro now in camp, is known as
Simon Bolivar Buckner. He is an animal that has
been Avorth In his day eighteen hundred dollars, an
estray from the estate of General S. B. Buckner. He
manages, by blacking boots and baking leather pies,
to make money. He deluded me into buying a sec
ond pie from him one day, by assuring me, "on
honah, sah, dat de las pie Avas better 'n de fus', case he
hab strawberries in him." True, the pie had "straw
berries In him," but not enough to pay one for chew
ing the Avhit-leather crust.
30. Read Judge HoIt'_s review of the proceedings
and findings in the case of Fitzjohn Porter. ' If the
review presents the facts fairly. Porter should have
been not only dismissed, but hung. An officer who,
with thirteen thousand men, will remain idle when
within sight of the dust and in hearing of the shouts
of the enemy and the noise of battle, knoAving that
his friends are contending against superior numbers,
and having good reason to believe that they are
likely to be overAvhelmed, deserves no mercy.
It is dull. I have hardly enough to do to keep
me awake. The members of the staff each haA'e
their separate duties to perform, which keep, them
more or le^s engaged. The quartermaster issues
clothing to the troops; the commissary of subsist
ence issues food; the inspector looks into the con
dition of each regiment as to clothing, arms, and

iS53.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 241
camp equipage ; the adjutant makes out the detail
for guard and other duties, and transmits brders re
ceived from the division commander to the regi
ments. AH of these officers have certain reports
to make also, which consumes much of their time.

21

242 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER ; [Aprii,,

APRIL, 1863.

1. Adjutant Wilson received a letter to-day,
Avritten in a hand that bespoke the writer to be
feminine. He looked at the name, but could not
recollect haA'ing heard it before. The writer assured
him, hoAvever, that she was an old friend, and said
many tender and complimentary things of him. He
tried to think; called the roll of his lady friends, but
the advantage, as people say, Avhich the Avriter had of
him Avas entirely too great. If he had ever heard
the name, he found it impossible now to recall it.
Finally, as he Avas going to fold the letter and put it
aAvay, he noticed one line at the top, written upside
doAvn. On reading it the my,stery was solved : " If
this reaches you on the first day of April, a reply to
it is not expected."
The colored gentlemen of the staff are in a great
state of excitement. One of the number has been
illustrating the truth of that maxim Avhich affirms
that a nigger Avill steal. The Avar of words is terri
ble. " Yer d — d ole nigger thief," says one. " Hush !
I '11 break yer black jaw fer yer," .says another. They
say very fcAV harder things of each other than "you
dam nigger." One would think the pot in this in-

«863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 243
stance would hardly take to calling the kettle black,
but it does. They use the Avord nigger to express
contempt, dislike, or defiance, as often and freely as
the whites. Finally, the parties to this controversy
agree to leave the matter to "de Co'nel." The ac
cused was the first to thrust his head Into my tent,
and ask permission to enter. " Dey is a gAvine to tell
yer as I stole some money from ole Hason. I didn't
done it, Co'nel ; as sure as I 'm a livln' I did n't done
it." " Yaas, yer did, you lyin' nigger !" broke in old
Hason. "Now, Co'nel, I want ter tell you the
straight of it." I listened patiently to the old man's
statement and to the evidence adduced, and as it was
very clear that the accused was guilty, put him under
guard. The first day of April has been very pleasant, cool
but clear. The night is beautiful; the moon is at its
full almost, and its light falls mellow and soft on the
scene around me. The redoubt is near, with its guns
standing sentinel at each corner, the long line of earth
works stretches off to the right and left; the river
gleams and sparkles as it flows between its rugged
banks of stone; the shadoAvy flags rise and fall lazily ;
the sentinels walk to and fro on their beats Avith sil
vered bayonets, and the dull glare of the camp-fires,
and the snow-white tents, are seen every-where.
Somebody, possibly the Adjutant, whose thoughts
may be still running on the fair unknown, breaks
forth : " O why did she flatter my boyish pride,
She is going to leave me now ;"

244 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [April,
And then, with a vehemence which betokens des
peration, " I'll hang my harp on a willow tree,
And off to the wars again."
From which I infer It would be highly satisfactory
to the young man to be demolished at the enemy's
earliest convenience.
A large amount of stores are accumulated here.
Forty thousand boxes of hard bread are stacked in
one pile at the depot, and greater quantities of flour,
pork, vinegar, and molasses, than I have ever seen
before. 3. An Indiana newspaper reached camp to-day
containing an obituary notice of a lieutenant of the
Eighty-eighth Indiana. It gives quite a lengthy
biographical sketch of the deceased, and closes with a
letter which purports to have been written on the
battle-field by one Lieutenant John Thomas, in which
Lieutenant Wildman, the subject of the sketch, Is said
to have been shot near Murfreesboro, and that his
last words were : " Bury me where I have fallen, and
do not allow my body to be removed." The letter is
exceedingly complimentary to the said lamented
young man, and affirms that "he was the hero of
heroes, noted for his reckless daring, and universally
beloved." The singular feature about this whole mat
ter is that the letter Avas written by the lamented
young officer himself to his own uncle. The deceased
justifies his action by saying that he had expended
two dollars for foolscap and one dollar for postage

1863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 245
stamps in Avriting to the d — d old fool, and never re
ceived a reply, and he concluded finally he would
Avrite a letter which would interest him. It appears
by the paper referred to that the lieutenant succeeded.
The uncle and his family are in mourning for an
other martyr gone — the hero of heroes and the uni
versally beloA'ed.
Lieutenant DuBarry, topographical engineer, has
just been promenading the line of tents In his night
shirt, with a club, in search of some scoundrel, sup
posed to be the Adjutant, AA'ho has stuffed his bed
Avith stove-wood and stones. Wilson, on seeing the
ghostly apparition approach, breaks into song:
" Meet me by moonlight alone.
And there I will tell you a tale."
Lieutenant Orr, commissary of subsistence, coming
up at this time, remarks to DuBarry that he " is sur
prised to see him take it so coolly," whereupon the
latter, notwithstanding the chilliness of the atmos
phere, and the extreme thinness of his dress, ex
presses himself with very considerable warmth.
Patterson, a clerk, and as likely to be the offender as
any one, now joins the party, and affirms, AvIth great
earnestness, that " this practical joke business must
end, or somebody avIII get hurt."
4. Saw Major-General McCook, wife, and staff
riding out this morning. General Rosecrans was out
this afternoon, but I did not see him. At this hour
the signal corps Is communicating from the dome of
the court-house with the forces at Triune, sixteen

246 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [April,
miles away, and with the troops at Readyville and
other points. In daylight this is done by flags, at
night by torches.
5. There are many fine residences in Murfreesboro
and vicinity; but the trees and shrubbery, Avhich con
tributed In a great degree to their beauty and com
fort, have been cut or trampled doAvn and destroyed.
Many frame houses, and very good ones, too, have
been torn down, and the lumber and timber used In
the construction of hospitals.
There is a fearful stench in many places near here,
arising from decaying horses and mules, Avhich have
not been properly buried, or probably not buried at
all. The camps, as a rule, are Avell policed and kept
clean ; but the country for miles around is strewn
with dead animals, and the Avarm weather is begin
ning to tell on them.
6. It is .said that the Third Regiment, with others,
is to leaA'e to-morrow on an expedition which may
keep it away for months. No official notice of the
matter has been given me, and I trust the report may
be unfounded. I should be sorry Indeed to be sep
arated from the regiment. I have been with It noAV
tAVO years, and to lose it Avould be like losing the
greater number of my army friends and acquaint
ances. 7. The incident of the day, to me at least, is the
departure of the Third. It left on the two P. M.
train for NashA'ille. I do not think I have been
properly treated. They should at least have con
sulted me before detaching my old regiment. I am

1863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 247
Informed that Colonel Streight, who is in command of
the expedition, was permitted to select the regiments,
and the matter has been conducted so secretly that,
before I had an intimation of what was contemplated,
it was too late to take any steps to keep the Third.
I never expect to be In command of It again. It Avill
get Into another current, and drift into other brig
ades, divisions, and army corps. The idea of being
mounted was very agreeable to both officers and men ;
but a little experience in that branch of the serA'ice
will probably lead them to regret the choice they
have made. My best wishes go Avith them.
All are looking with eager eyes toAvard Vicksburg.
Its fall would send a thrill of joy through the loyal
heart of the country, especially if accompanied by
the capture of the Confederate troops now in posses
sion. 8. Six months ago this night, parching with thirst
and pinched with hunger, we were lying on Chaplin
Hills, thinking over the terrible battle of the after
noon, expecting its renewal In the morning, listen
ing to the shots on the picket line, and notified by
an occasional bullet that the enemy was occupying
the thick woods just in our front, and very near. A
little over three months ago we were In the hurry,
confusion, anxiety, and suspense of an undecided bat
tle, surrounded by the dead and dying, with the ene
my's "long line of camp-fires before us. Since then
we have had a quiet time, each succeeding day seem
ing the dullest.
Rode into town this afternoon; invested twenty-

248 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [April,
five cents in two red apples ; spoke to Captain Blair,
of Reynolds' staff; exchanged nods with W. D. B.,
of the Commercial ; saw a saddle horse run away
with its rider ; returned to camp ; entertained Shanks,
of the New York Herald, for ten minutes; drank a
glass of wine with Colonel Taylor, Fifteenth Ken
tucky, and .soon after dropped off to sleep.
A brass band is now playing, away over on the
Lebanon pike. The pontoniers are singing a psalm,
with a vicAV, doubtless, to making the oaths Avith
which they intend to close the night appear more
forcible. The signal lights are waving to and fro
from the dome of the court-house. The hungry
mules of the Pioneer Corps are making the night
hideous with howls. So, and amid such scenes, the
tedious hours pass by.
10. A soldier of the Fortieth Indiana, who, dur
ing the battle of Stone river, abandoned his company
and regiment, and remained aAvay until the fight
ended, was shot this afternoon. Another will be shot
on the 14th instant for deserting last fall. A man in
our division who was sentenced to be shot, made his
escape. It seems these cases were not affected by the new
laAV, and the President's proclamation to deserters.
Hitherto deserters have been seldom punished, and,
as a rule, never as severely as the law allowed.
My parchment arrived to-day, and I have written
the necessary letter of acceptance and taken the oath,
and henceforth shall subscribe myself yours, very re-

1863.I OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 249
spectfuUy, B. G., which, in my case, will probably
stand for big goose.
General Rosecrans halted a moment before my
quarters this evening, shook hands Avith me very cor
dially, and Introduced me to his brother, the Bishop,
as a young general. The General asked why I had
not called. I replied that I knew he must be bu,sy,
and did not care to intrude. " True," said he, " I am
busy, but haA'e always time to say how d'ye do." He
promised me another regiment to replace the Third,
and said my boys looked fat enough to kick up their
heels. The General's popularity AvIth the army is
Immense. On review, the other day, he saw a ser
geant who had no haversack ; calling the attention of
the boys to it he said : " This sergeant is without a
haversack ; he depends on you for food ; don't give
him a bite; let him starve."
The General appears to be well pleased with his
fortifications, and asked me if I did not think it
looked like remaining. I replied that the works
were strong, and a small force could hold them, and
that I should be well pleased if the enemy would at
tack us here, instead of compelling us to go further
south. "Yes," said he, "I wish they would."
General Lytle is to be assigned to Stanley Matthews'
brigade. The latter Avas recently elected judge, and
will resign and return to Cincinnati.
The anti-Copperhead resolution business of the
army must be pretty well exhau.sted. All the resolu
tions and letters on this subject that may appear here
after may be accepted as bids for office. They bave^

250 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [April,
hoAvever, done a great deal of good, and I trust the
public will not be forced to sAvallow an overdose. I
had a faint inclination, at one time, to folloAV the ex
ample of my brother officers, and write a patriotic
letter, but concluded to reserve my fire, and have had
reason to congratulate mj'self .since that I did so, for
these letters have been as plenty as blackberries, and
many of them not half so good.
A Republican has not much need to write. His
patriotism is taken for granted. He is understood to
be Avilling to go the Avhole nigger, and, like the ogre
of the story books, to Avhom the most delicious morsel
was an old Avoman, lick his chops and ask for more.
Wilder came in yesterday, Avith his mounted infan
try, from a scout of eight or ten days, bringing sixty
or seventy prisoners and a large number of horses.
11. A railway train Avas destroyed by the rebels
near Lavergne yesterday. One hundred officers fell
into the hands of the enemy, and probably one hun
dred thousand dollars in money, on the way to
soldier.s' families, was taken. This feat was accom
plished right under the no.se of our troops.
To the uninitiated army life is A'cry fascinating.
The long marches, nights of picket, and ordeal of
battle are so festooned by the imagination of the in
experienced with shoulder straps, glittering blades,
music, banners, and glory, as to be irresistible; but
when we sit down to the hard crackers and salt pork,
with which the soldier Is wont to regale himself, Ave
can not aA'oid recurring to the loaded tables and de
licious morsels of other days, and are likely at such

i863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 251
times to put hard crackers and glory on one side,
the good things of home and peace on the other and
OAving probably to the unsubstantial quality of glory,
and the adamantine quality of the crackers, arrive at
conclusions not at all favorable to army life.
A felloAV claiming to have been sent here by the
Governor of Maine to write songs for the army, and
who wrote songs for quite a number of regiments,
Avas arrested some days ago on the charge of being a
spy. Last night he attempted to get aAvay from the
guard, and was shot. DraAvings of our fortifications
were found in his boots. He Avas quite well knoAvn
throughout the army, and for a long time unsus
pected. 12. Called on General Rous.seau. He referred to
his trip to Washington, and dAvelt Avith great pleas
ure on the various efforts of the people along the
route to do him honor. At Lancaster, PennsylA'ania,
they stood In the cold an hour and a half aAvaiting
his appearance. Our division, he informs me, is un
derstood to possess the chivalric and dashing qualities
which the people admire. With all due respect, I
suggested that dash was a good thing, doubtless, but
steady, obstinate, Avell-directed fighting was better,
and, in the end, would always succeed.
W. D. B., of the Commercial, Major McDoAvell, of
Rousseau's staff, and Lieutenant Porter, called this
afternoon. My report of the operations of my brig
ade at Stone river AA'as referred to. Bickham
thought it did not do justice to my ooramand, and
I have no doubt it is a sorry affair, compared with

252 THE CITIZEN VOLUNTEER; [April,
the elaborate reports of many others. The historian
Avho accepts these reports as reliable, and permits
himself to be guided by them through all the Avind-
ings of a five-days' battle, Avith the expectation of
finally allotting to each one of forty brigades the
proper credit, will probably not be .successful. My
report was called for late one evening, written hastily,
without having before me the reports of my regi
mental commanders, and is incomplete, unsatisfac
tory to me, and unjust to my brigade.
13. General Thomas called for a moment this
evening, to congratulate me on my promotion.
The practical-joke business is occasionally resumed.
Quartermaster Wells was astonished to find that his
stove would not draw, or, rather, that the smoke, con
trary to rule, insisted upon coming down instead of
going up. Examination led to the discovery that the
pipe was stuffed with old ncAv.spapers. Their removal
heated the stove and his temper at the same time,, but
produced a coolness elsewhere, which the practical
joker affected to think quite unaccountable.
14. Colonel Dodge, commanding the Second Brig
ade of Johnson's division, called this afternoon. The
Colonel is a very Industrious talker, chewer, spitter,
and drinker. He has been under some tremendous
hot firing, I can tell you! Well, if he don't know
what heavy firing is, and the d — dest hottest work,
too, then there is no use for men to talk ! The truth
Is, however much other men may try to conceal it, his
command stood its ground at Shiloh, and never gave
back an Inch. No, sir! Every other brigade fal-

1863.] OR. MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 253
tered or fell back, damned If they didn't; but he
drOA'e the enemy, got 'era started, other brigades took
courage and joined in the chase. At Stone river he
droA'e the enemy again. Bullets came thicker 'n hail ;
but his men stood up. He was with 'em. Damned
hot, you better believe ! Well, if he must say it him
self, he knew what hard fighting was. Why, sir, one
of his men has five bullets in him ; dam' me If he
hasn't five! Says he, Dick .says he, how did they hit
you so many times ? The first time I fired, says Dick,
I killed an officer ; yes, sir, killed him dead ; saw him
fall, dam me, If he did n't, sir ; and at the same time,
says Dick, I got a ball in my leg ; rose up to fire
again, and got one In my other leg, and one in my
thigh, and fell ; got on my knees to fire the third
time, says Dick, and received two more. Well, you
see, the firing was hotter 'n hell, and Colonel Dodge
knows what hot firing Is, sir !
15. Since the fight at Franklin, and the capture
of the passenger train at Lavergne, nothing of inter
est has occurred. There were only fifteen or twenty
officers on the captured train. A large amount of
money, however, fell into rebel hands. The post
master of our division was on the train, and the Con
federates compelled him to accompany them ten miles.
He says they could have been traced very easily by
the letters which they opened and scattered along the
road. 16. Morgan, with a considerable force, has taken
possession of Lebanon, and troops are on the way
thither to rout him. The tunnel near Gallatin has

254 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; fAPRiI,,
been blown up, and in consequence trains on the
Nashville and Louisville Railroad are not running.
17. Am member of a board whose duty it avIII be
to Inquire into the competency, qualifications, and
conduct of volunteer officers. The other members
are Colonels Scribner, Hambright, and Taylor. We
called in a body on General Rousseau, and found
him reading "Les Miserables." He apologized for
his shabby appearance by saying that he had become
interested in a foolish novel. Colonel Scribner ex
pressed great admiration for the characters Jean Val
Jean and Javort, when the General confessed to a
very decided anxiety to have Javort's neck twisted.
This is the feeling of the reader at first; but Avhen
he finds the old granite man taking his own life as
punishment for sAverving once from Avhat he consid
ered to be the line of duty, our admiration for him is
scarcely less than that we entertain for Jean Val
Jean. 18. The Columbus (Ohio) Journal, of late date,
under the head of " Arrivals," says : "General John
Beatty has just married one of Ohio's loveliest
daughters, and is stopping at the Neil House. Good
for the General." This is a slander. I trust the
paper of the next day made proper correction,
and laid the charge, AA'here it belongs, to wit:
on General Samuel. If General Sam continues to
demean himself in this youthful manner, I shall
have to beg him to change his name. My reputation
can not stand many more such bloM'S. What must
tho.se Avho knoAv I have a wife and children think.

1863.J OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 255
when they see it announced that I have married
again, and am stopping at the Neil Avith "one of
Ohio's loveliest daughters ?" What a horrible reflec
tion upon the character of a constant and faithful
husband ! (This last sentence Is Avritten for my Avife.)
19. Colonel Taylor and I rode over to General
Rousseau's this morning. Returning, we were joined
by Colonel Nicholas, Second Kentucky; Colonel
Hobart, TAventy-first Wisconsin, and Lieutenant-Col
onel Bingham, First AVisconsin, all of AA'hom took
dinner AA'ith me. AVe had a right pleasant party, but
rather boisterous, possibly, for the Sabbath day.
There is at this moment a lively discussion in
progress in the cook's tent, between two African gen
tlemen, in regard to military affairs. Old Hason says:
" Oh, hush, darkey !" Buckner replies : " Yer done
no what'r talkin' about, nigger." "I'll bet yer a
thousand dollars." "Hush! yer ain't got five cents."
"Gor Avay, yer don't no nuffin'." And so the debate
continues; but, like many others, leads simply to con
fusion and bitterness.
20. This evening an order came transferring my
brigade to Negley's division. It will be knoAvn here
after as the Second Brigade, Second Division, Foiir-
teenth Army Corps.
28. Late last Monday night an officer from Stokes'
battery reported to me for duty. I told him I had
received no orders, and kncAV of no reason why he
should repo°rt to me, and that in all probability
General Samuel Beatty, of Van Cleve's division, Avas
the per.son to whom he shoold report. I regarded

256 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [April,
the matter as simply one of the many blunders which
were occurring because there Avere two men of the
same name and rank commanding brigades in this
army ; and so, soon after the officer left, I went to
bed. Before I had gotten fairly to sleep, some one
knocked again at my tent-door. While rising to
strike a light the person entered, and said that he
had been ordered to report to me. Supposing it to
be the officer of the battery persisting in his mistake,
I replied as before, and then turned over and went to
sleep. I thought no more of the matter until 11:30
A. M. next day, AA'hen an order came which should
have been delivered twenty-four hours before, re
quiring me to get my brigade in readiness, and with
one regiment of Colonel Harker's command and the
Chicago Board of Trade Battery, move toward Nash
A'ille at tAA'o o'clock Tuesday morning. Then, of
course, I knew why the tAVO officers had reported to
me on the night previous, and saw that there had
been an inexcusable delay In the transmission of the
order to me. Giving the necessary directions to the
regimental commanders, and sending notice to Harker
and the battery, I proceeded with all dispatch direct
to Department head-quarters, whence the order had
issued, to explain the delay. When I entered Gen
eral Rosecrans shook hands with me cordially, and
seemed pleased to see me; but I had no sooner an
nounced my business, and Informed him that the or
der had been delivered to me not ten minutes before,
than he flew into a violent passion, and asked if a
battery and regiment had not reported to me the night

1863.J OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 257
before. I replied yes, and Avas proceeding to give
my reasons for supposing that the officers reporting
them were In error, when he shouted: "Why, in hell
and damnation, did you not mount your horse and
come to head-quarters to inquire what it meant?" I
undertook again to tell him I had received no , or
der, and as my brigade had been detailed to work on
fortifications I AA'as expecting none ; that I had taken
it for granted that It was another of the many mis
takes occurring constantly because there Avere two
officers of the same name and rank In the army, and
had so told the parties reporting; but he would not
listen to me. His face was inflamed with anger, his
rage uncontrollable, his language most ungentlemanly,
abu.sive, and insulting. Garfield and many officers,
commissioned and non-commissioned, and possibly
not a feAV civilian.?, were present to witness my hu
miliation. For an instant I was tempted to strike
him ; but my better sense checked me. I turned on
my heel and left the room. Death would have had
few terrors for me just then. I had never felt such
bitter mortification before, and it seemed to me that
I was utterly and irreparably disgraced. HoAvever,
I had a duty to perform, and Avhile in the execution
of that I would have time to think.
My brigade, one regiment of Colonel Harker's
brigade, and the Chicago Board of Trade Battery,
were already on the road. We marched rapidly, and
that night (Tuesday) encamped in the woods north of
Lavergne. Rain fell most of the night; but the
22

258 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [April,
men had shelter tents, and I passed the time com
fortably in a Avagon. The next morning at daylight
we started again, and a little after sunrise arrived at
Scrougeville. Here my orders directed me to halt
and Avatch the movements of the enemy. The rebel
cavalry, in pretty strong force, had been in the vicin
ity during the day and evening before ; but on learn
ing of our apjDi'oach had galloped aAvay. We were
exceedingly active, and scoured the country for miles
around, but did not succeed in getting sight of even
one of these dashing cavaliers.
The sky cleared, the AA'eather became delightful, and
the five days spent in the neighborhood of Scrouge
ville Avere very agreeable. It was a pleasant change
from the dull routine of camp duty, and my men
were in exuberant spirits, excessively merry and gay.
While there, a good-looking non-commissioned of
ficer of the battery came up to me, and, extending his
hand, said : " How do you do. General?" I shook him
by the hand, but could not for the life of me recol
lect that I had ever seen him before. Seeing that I
failed to recognize him, he said: "My name is
Concklin. I kneAV you at Sandusky, and used to
know your wife well." Still I could not remember
him. " You kncAV General Patterson ?" he asked.
"Yes." "Alary Patterson?" "Yes; I shall never
forget her." " Do you recollect a stroll doAvn to the
bay shore one moonlight night?" Of course I re
membered It. This Avas John Concklin, Alary's
cousin. I remembered very well hoAV he devoted
himself to one I felt considerable interest in, Avhile

1S63.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 259
his cousin Mary and I talked in a jocular way about
the cost of housekeeping, both agreeing that it would
require but a very small sum to set up such an estab
lishment as our modest ambition demanded. I Avas
heartily glad to meet the young man. He looks very
different from the smooth-faced boy of ten years ago.
I Avas slightly jealous of him then, and I do not
know but I might have reason to be now, for he is a
fine, manly fellow.
At ScrougCA'ille — how softly the name ripples on
the ear! — we Avere entertained magnificently. Above
us AA'as the azure canopy ; around us a dense forest of
cedars, and in a shady nook, a syK'an retreat as it
Avere, a barrel of choice beer. The mocking-birds
caroled from the evergreen boughs. The plaintive
melody of the doA'e came to us from over the hills,
and pies at a quarter each poured in upon us in pro
fusion; and such pies ! When night threAV over us her
shadoAvy mantle, and the crescent moon blessed us
Avith her melloAV light, the notes of the whip-poor-will
mingling Avith the bark of watch-dogs and the bar
baric melody of the Ethiopian, floated out on the
genial air, and, as stretched on the green sward, we
smoked our pipes and drank our beer, thoughts of
fairy land possessed us, and we looked wonderingly
around and inquired, is Scrougeville a reality or a
vision? I fear Ave shall never see the like of Scrouge
ville again.
On the morning of the 26th instant I received a
telegram ordering our immediate return, and we
reached Murfreesboro at two o'clock p. m. same day.

260 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; (April,
I had not forgotten the terrible scolding received
from the General just before starting on this expedi
tion ; in fact, I am not likely ever to forget It. It had
noAV been a millstone on my heart for a week. I could
not stand it. What could I do ? At first I thought
I Avould send in my resignation, but that I concluded
would afford me no relief; on the contrary, it would
look as if I had been driven out of the army. My
next impulse Avas to ask to be relieved from duty in
this department, and assigned elsewhere ; but on sec
ond thought this did not seem desirable. It would
appear as if I was running aAvay from the displeas
ure of the commanding general, and Avould affect me
unfavorably whercA'er I might go. I felt that if I
was to blame at all in this matter, it Avas in a very
slight degree. The General's language was utterly
inexcusable. He Avas a man simply, and I concluded
finally that I would not leave either the army or the
department under a cloud. I, therefore, sat doAvn
and wrote the following letter:
" Murfreesboro, April 27, 1863.
" Major-General W. S. Eosecrans,
" Commanding Department of the Gumherland :
" SiE — Your attack upon me, on the morning of
the 21st Instant, has been the subject of thought
since. I have been absent on duty five days, and,
therefore, haA'e not referred to it before. It is the
first time since I entered the army, tAvo years ago, as
it is the first time in my life, that it has been my mis
fortune to listen to abuse so violent and unreasonable

1863] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 261
as that Avith AA'hich you Avere pleased to favor me in
the presence of the aids, orderlies, officer.s, and visit
ors, at your quarters. While I am unAvilling to rest
quietly under the disgrace and ridicule which at
taches to the subject of such a tirade, I do not ques
tion your right to censure when there has been
remissness In the discharge of duties; and to such
reasonable admonition I am ever ready to yield re
spectful and earnest attention ; but I knoAV of no
rule, principle, or precedent, which confers upon the
General commanding this Department the right to
address language to an officer which, if used by a pri
vate soldier to his company officer, or by a company
officer to a private soldier, would be deemed dis
graceful and lead to the punishment of the one or
the dismissal of the other. Insisting, therefore, upon
that right, Avhich I conceive belongs to the priA'ate in
the ranks, as Avell at to every subordinate officer In
the army who has been aggrieved, I demand from
you an apology for the insulting language addressed
to me on the morning of the 21st Instant.
" I am, sir, respectfully,
"Your obedient servant,
"John Beatty, Brig.-Gen'l."
I sent this. Would it be regarded as an act of
presumption and treated with ridicule and contempt?
I feared It might, and sat thinking anxiously over
the matter until my orderly returned, with the envel
ope marked " W. S. R.," the army mode of acknowl-

262 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [April,
edging receipt of letter or order. Fifteen minutes
later this reply came :
"Head-quarters Department op the Cumberland,]
" Murfreesboro, ^priV, 1863. J
" AIy Dear General — I have just received the
inclosed note, marked " Private," but addressed to
me as commanding the Department of the Cumber
land. It compromises you in so many ways that I
return It to you. I am your friend, and regretted
that the circumstances of the case compelled me, as a
commanding officer, to express myself Avarmly about a
matter Avhich might haA'e cost us dearly, to one for
whom I felt so kindly. You Avill report to me in
person, Avithout delay. W. S. Rosecrans, Alaj.-Gen'l.
" Brig.-Gen'l John Beatty, Fortifications, Stone
ri ver. »
"P. S. — It might be well to bring this inclosure
with you."
The inclosure referred to was, of course, my letter
to him. The ansAver AA-as not, by any means, an apol
ogy. On the contrary, it assumed that he was justifi
able in censuring me as he did, and yet it expressed
good feeling for me. It was probably Avritten In
haste, and without thought. It was not satisfactory;
but I Avas led by it to hope that I could reach a point
which would be.
I obeyed the order to report promptly. He took
me Into his private office, where avc talked over the

1863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 263
Avhole affair together. He expressed regret that he
had not knoAvn all the circumstances before, and said,
in conclusion: "I am your friend. Some men I like
to scold, for I don't like them; but I haA'e always
entertained the best of feeling for you." Taking me,
at the close of our IntervicAV, from his private office
into the public room, where General Garfield and
others Avere, he turned and asked if it was all right —
If I was satisfied. I expressed my thanks, shook
hands with him, and left, feeling a thousand times
more attached to him, and more respect for him than
I had CA'er felt before. He had the poAver to crush
me, for at this time he is almost omnipotent in this
department, and by a simple word he might have
driven me from the army, disgraced In the estimation
of both soldiers and citizens. His magnanimity and
kindness, hoAVCA'er, lifted a great load from my spirits,
and made me feel like a new man ; and I am very
sure that he felt better and happier also, for no man
does a generous act to one beloAV him in rank or sta
tion, Avithout being recompensed therefor by a feeling
of the liveliest satisfaction. I may have been too sen-
.sitive, and may not, probably did not, realize fully
the necessity for prompt action, and the weight of re
sponsibility which rested upon the General. There
are times when there is no time for explanation ;
great exigencies. In the presence of which lives, for
tunes, friendships, and all matters of lesser impor
tance must give way; moments when men's thoughts
are so concentrated on a single object, and their whole

264 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [April,
being so wrought up, that they can see nothing, knoAV
nothing, but the calamity they desire to aA'crt, or the
victory they desire to achieve. Nashville had been
threatened. To have lost it, or alloAved it to be gut
ted by the enemy, Avould haA'e been a great misfor
tune to the army, and brought doAvn upon Rosecrans
not only the anathemas of the War Department, but
would have gone far to lose him the confidence
of the Avhole people. He supposed the enemy's
movements had been checked, and was startled and
thrown off his balance by discovering that they were
still unoppo,sed. The error was attributable in part
possibly to me, in part to a series of blunders, which
had resulted from the fact that there were two per
sons In the army of the same name and rank, hut
mainly to those who failed to transmit the order in
proper time.
29. Our large tents have been taken away, and
shelter tents substituted. This eA'ening, Avhen the
boys crawled into the latter, they gave utterance,
good-humoredly, to every A'ariety of howl, bark,
snap, whine, and growl of which the dog is supposed
to be capable.
Colonel George Humphreys, Eighty-eighth Indi
ana, whom I supposed to be a full-blooded Hoosier,
tells me he is a Scotchman, and AA'as born in Ayr
shire, in the same house in which Robert Burns had
birth. His grandfather, James Humphreys, Avas the
neighbor and companion of the poet. It AA'as of
him he wrote this epitaph, at an ale-house, In the way
of pleasantry :

iS63.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 265
" Below these stanes lie Jamie's banes.
O ! Death, in my opinion,
You ne'er took sie a blither'n bitch
Into thy dark dominion."
30. This afternoon called on General Thomas;
met General R. S. Granger ; paid my respects to
General Negley, and stopped for a moment at General
Rousseau's. The latter Avas about to take a horse
back ride with his daughter, to whom I was Intro
duced.

266 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; (May,

MAY, 1863.

1. The One Hundred and Thirteenth Ohio is at
Franklin. Colonel AVilcox has resigned ; Lieuten
ant-Colonel Alitchell Avill succeed to the colonelcy.
I rode over the battle-field with the latter this after
noon. 4. Tavo men from Breckenridge's command strayed
Into our lines to-day.
7. Colonels Hobart, Taylor, Nicholas, and Captain
Nevin spent the afternoon Avith me.
The intelligence from Hooker's army is contradict
ory and unintelligible. We hope it was successful, and
yet find little beside the headlines in the telegraphic
column to sustain that hope. The German regiments
are said to have behaved badly. This is, probably,
an error. Germans, as a rule, are reliable soldiers.
This, I think, is Carl Schurz's first battle ; an un
fortunate beginning for him.
9. The arrest of Vallandingham, we learn from
the ncAVspapers, is creating a great deal of excite
ment In the North. I am pleased to see the au
thorities commencing at the root and not among the
branches. I have just read Consul Ander.son's appeal to the peo-

1863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 267
pie of the United States in favor of an extensive rep
resentation of American live stock, machinery, and
manufactures, at the coming fair in Hamburg. Friend
James made a long letter of It ; and, I doubt not,
drank a gallon of good Dutch beer after each par
agraph. 11. The Confederate papers say Streight's com
mand was surrendered to four hundred and fifty
rebels. I do not belicA'c it. The Third Ohio would
have whipped that many of the enemy on any field
and under any circumstances. The expedition was a
foolish one. Colonel Harker, AA'ho knoAVS Streight
Avell, predicted the fate which has overtaken him.
He Is brave, but deficient in judgment. The state
ment that his command surrendered to an inferior
force Is, doubtless, false. Forrest had, I venture to
say, nearer four thousand and fifty than four hundred
and fifty. The rebels ahvays have a great many men
before a battle, but not many after. They profess still
to believe in the one-rebel-to-three- Yankee theory,
and make their statements to correspond. The facts
Avhen ascertained will, I have no doubt, show that
the Union brigade was pursued by an overwhelming
force, and being exhausted by constant riding, re
peated fights, want of food and sleep, surrendered after
ammunition had given out and all pos.sibility of es
cape gone. The enemy is strong In cavalry, and it is
not at all probable that he would have sent but four
hu;idred and- fifty men to look after a brigade, which
had boldly ventured hundreds of miles Inside his
lines. In fact. General Forrest seldom, if ever.

268 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [Mav,
travels Avith so small a command as he is said to have
had on this occasion.
13. An order has been Issued prohibiting women
from visiting the army. I infer from this that a
movement is contemplated.
14. General Negley called to-day, and remained
for half an hour. He Is a large, rosy-cheeked, hand
some, affable man, and a good disciplinarian.
I am going to have a horse-race in the morning
with Major AIcDoAvell, of Rousseau's staff. Stakes
two bottles of Avine.
When we entered Murfreesboro, nearly a year ago,
the boys brought in a lame horse, which they had
picked up on the road. The horse hobbled along
with difficulty, and for a long time Avas used to carry
the knapsacks and guns of soldiers AA'ho Avere either
too uuAvell or too lazy to transport these burdens
themseh'es. The horse had belonged to a Texas
cavalryman, and had been abandoned Avhen so lame
as to be unfit for service. Finally, when his shat
tered hoof got Avell, he Avas transferred from the
hospital department to the quartermaster's, where he
became a favorite. The quartermaster called my
attention to the horse, aud I had him appraised and
took him for my OAvn use. Under the skillful and
attentive hands of my hostler he soon shook off his
shaggy coat of ugly broAvn, and put on one of vel
vety black. After a few days of trial I discovered
not only that he Avas an easy goer, but had the Sf)eed
of the Avind. AVhen at his fastest pace he is liable to
overreach ; it AA'as thus that his left fore hoof had

1863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 269
, been .shattered. To prevent a recurrence of the acci
dent, I keep his hoof protected by leathers. I be
lieve he is the fastest horse in the Army of the
Cumberland. 15. Alajor McDoAvell did not put in an appearance
until after I had returned from my morning ride.
He brought Colonel Loomis with him to Avitness the
grand affair; but as it was late, Ave finally concluded
to postpone the race until another morning.
Some one has been kind enough to lay on my table
a handsome bunch of red pinks and yellow roses.
AIy staff has been increased, the late addition be
ing "U. S.," a large and very lazy yellow dog. The
tAVO letters which giA'e him his title are branded on
his shoulder. He sticks A'ery close to me, for the rea
son, possibly, that I do not kick him, and say "Get
out," as most persons are tempted to do Avhen they
look upon his most unprepcssessing visage. He is a
solemn dog, and probably has had a rough roAV to
hoe through life. At times, Avhen I speak an encour
aging word, he brightens up, and makes an effort to
be playful; but cheerfulness is his forte no more than
"fiten" was A. Ward'.s, and he soon relapses into the
deepest melancholy.
16. Read Emil Schalk's article on Hooker. It is
an easy matter for that gentleman to sit In his library,
plan a campaign, and win a battle. I could do that
myself; but wh5n Ave undertake to make the cam
paign, fight the battle, and Avin the victory, we find It
A'ery much more difficult. Book farmers are Avonder
fully successful on paper, and show how fortunes may

270 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [Mat
be gathered in a single season, but when they come
doAvn to practical farming, they discover quite often
that frost, or rain, or drouth, plays the mischief Avith
their theories, and renders them bankrupt.
It can be demonstrated, doubtless, that a certain
blow, delivered at a certain place and time, against a
certain force, Avill crush it; but does it not require
Infinite skill and poAver to select the place and time
Avith certainty? A broken bridge, SAVoUen stream, or
even the most trifling incident, Avhich no man can
foresee or overrule, may disarrange and render futile
the best-laid plans, and lead to defeat aud disaster.
After a battle we can easily look back and see where
mistakes have been made ; but it Is more difficult, if
not impossible, to look forward and avoid them.
AVar is a blind and uncertain game at best, and Avho-
ever plays it succe,ssfully must not only hold good
cards, but play them discreetly, and under the most
favorable circumstances.
17. Starkweather informs me that he has been
urged to return to Wisconsin and become a candidate
for governor, and for fear he might accede to the
wishes of the people in this regard, the present gOA'-
ernor Avas urging his promotion. He Is still unde
cided whether to accept a brigadier's commission or
the nomination for this high cIa'II office. Wind.
18. Tavo deserters came into our lines to-day.
They Avere members of a regiment in Cleburne's
division, and left their command at Fosterville, ten
or fifteen miles out. They represent the Southern
army in our front as very strong, in good condition

1863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 271
and fine spirits. The rebel successes on the Rappa
hannock haA'e Inspired them Avith ncAV life, and have,
to some extent, dispirited us. AVe do not, however,
build largely on the Eastern army. It is an excel
lent body of men, in good discipline, but for some
reason it has been unfortunate. AVhen we hear, there
fore, that the Eastern army is going to fight, Ave make
up our minds that it is going to be defeated, and Avhen
the result is announced we feel sad enough, but not
disappointed. 19. Generals Rosecrans, Negley, and Garfield,
Avith the staffs of the tAvo former, appeared on the
field where I Avas drilling the brigade. General Rose
crans greeted me A'ery cordially. I am satisfied that
those who allow themseh'cs to be damned once Avith
out remonstrance are very likely to be damned always.
I am becoming quite an early riser; have seen the
sun rise every morning for two weeks. Saw the
moon OA'er my right .shoulder. Lucky month ahead.
Am dcA'oting a little more time than usual to my mil
itary books.
Colonel Moody, Seventy-fourth Ohio, has resigned.
20. This afternoon I received orders to be in
readiness to move at a moment's notice.
21. The days now give us a specimen of the four
seasons. At sunrise it is pretty fair winter for this
latitude. An hour after, good spring; at noon, mid
summer; at sunset, fall. Flies are too numerous to
mention even by the million. They come on drill at
8 A. M. and continue their evolutions until sundown.
Wilson, Orr, and DuBarry are indisposed. My cast-

272 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [May,
iron con.stitution holds good. As a rule, I take no
medicine or medical advice. In a few instances I
have acceded to the Avishes of my friends, and ajjplied
to the doctors ; but have been careful not to allow
their prescriptions to get further than my vest
pocket. The colt has just Avhiunied in response to another
horse. He is in fine condition ; coat as sleek and
glossy as that of a bridegroom. Yesterday I rode
him on drill, and the little scamp got Into a quarrel
with another horse, reared up, and made a plunge
that came near unseating me. He agrees with Wil
son's horse very avcII, but seems to think It his duty
to exercise a sort of paternal care over him ; and so
on all occasions Avhen po.ssible he takes the reins of
Wilson's bridle between his teeth and holds it tightly,
as if determined that the speed of the Adjutant's
horse .should be regulated by his OAvn. My black is
also In excellent condition, and certainly very fast.
My race has not yet come off.
23. ReceiA'ed a box of catawba Avine and pawpaAV
brandy from Colonel James G. Jones, half of which
I Avas requested to deliver to General Rosecran.s, and
the other half keep to drink to the Colonel's health,
which at present is very poor.
Colonel Gus AVood called this afternoon. He is
one of those who Avere captured on the railroad train
near Lavergne, 10th of last April, and has returned
to camp via Tullahoma, Chattanooga, and Richmond.
He says the rebel troops are in good condition and
good spirits; thinks there Is an Immense force in

IS63-] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 273
our front, and that it would not be advisable to ad
vance. The enlisted men of the Third are at Annapolis,
Alaryland, and Avill soon be at Camp Chase, Ohio.
The officers are in Libby.
The box of cigars presented to me by my old
friend, AV. H. MarA'in, still holds out. Whenever I
am in a great straight for a smoke I try one ; but I
haA'e not yet succeeded in finding a good one. I
affect to be very liberal, and pass the box around
freely; but all AA'ho have tried the cigars once Insist
that they do not smoke. They will probably last to
the end of the war.
26. The privates of the Eighty-eighth Indiana
presented a two-hundred-dollar sword to Colonel
Humphreys, and the Colonel felt it to be his duty to
invest the price of the sword in beer for the boys.
Lieutenant Orr was kind enough to give me a field
glass. Hewitt's Kentucky battery has been assigned to me.
Colonel Loomis has assumed command of his battery
again. His commission as colonel Avas simply a
complimentary one, conferred by the Governor of
Michigan. He should be recognized by the War De
partment as colonel. No man in the army is better
entitled to the position. His services at Perryville
and Stone river, to say nothing of those In West Vir
ginia and North Alabama, would be but poorly
requited by promotion.
Hewitt's battery has not been fortunate in the past.
It was captured at this place last summer, when Gen-

274 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [May,
eral T. T. Crittenden Avas taken, and lost quite a num
ber of men, horses, and one gun, in the battle of Stone
river. 28. At midnight orderlies went clattering around
the camps with orders for the troops to be supplied
Avith fiA'e days' provisions, and in readiness to march
at a moment's notice. We expected to be sent away
this morning, but no orders have yet come to move.
Mrs. Colonel B. F. Scribner sent me a very hand
some bouquet Avith her compliments.
Mr. Furay accompanied Vallandigham outside the
Federal lines, and received from him a parting dec
laration, AA'ritten in pencil and signed by himself,
wherein he claimed that he was a citizen of Ohio and
of the United States, brought there by force and
against his Avill, and that he delivered himself up as a
jirisoner of war.
30. Captain Gilbert E. AVinters, A. C. S., took tea
Avith me. He is as jovial as the most successful man
in the world, and overruns with small jokes and
stories, many of which he claims were told him, by
President Lincoln. From this we might infer that
the President has very little to do but entertain aud
amuse gentlemen, Avho apply to him for appointments,
Avith conversation so coarse that it would be discred
itable to a stable boy.
31. ReceiA'ed a letter from daughter Nellie, a little
school girl. She "wishes the war was out." So do I.

1863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 275

JUNE, 1863.

1. By invitation, the mounted officers of our
brigade accompanied General Negley to Avitness the
revicAv of Rousseau's division. There were quite a
large number of spectators, including a fcAV ladies.
I was introduced to General AVood for the first time,
although I have knoAvn him by sight, and known
of him Avell, for months. Many officers of Wood's
and Negley's divisions were present. After the
review, and AvhIle the troops were leaving the field.
Colonel Ducat, Inspector-General on General Rose
crans' staff, and Colonel Harker, challenged me for
a race. Soon after. Major AIcDowell, of Rousseau's
staff, joined the party; and, while Ave were getting
into position for the start. General Wagner, who
has a long-legged white horse, which, he insisted,
could beat any thing on the ground, took place in
the line. McCook, Wood, Loomis, and many others,
stopped to witness the race. The horses were all
pacers; it was, in fact, a gathering of the best
horses In the army, and each man felt confident.
I was ab.solutely sure my black would win, and
the result proved that I was correct.

276 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; QuNE,
The only time during the race that I Avas honored
with the company of my competitors, Avas at the
starting ; then, I observed, they Avere all up ; but a
half a minute later the black took the lead. The
old fellow had CA'idently been on the track before,
and felt as much interest in the contest as his
owner. He kncAV Avhat Avas expected of him, and
as he Avent flying OA'cr the ground astonished me,
as he did every body else. Loomis, Avho professes
to know much about horses, said to me before the
race took place, " Your's is a good-looking horse,
but he can 't beat McDoAvell's." Before leaving
the field, hoAVCA'er, he admitted that he had been
mistaken. AIy horse was quicker of foot than he
supposed. 2. Called on Colonel Scribner and Avife, AA'here
I met also Colonel Griffin and Avife; had a long
conversation about spiritualism, mesmerism, clair
voyance, and subjects of that ilk. At night there
Avas a fearful thunder-storm. The rain descended
in torrents, and the peals of thunder Avere, I think,
louder and more frequent than I ever heard before.
Met Loomis; he had accompanied General Rose
crans and others to Avitness the trial of a machine,
invented by AVilder, for tearing up railroad tracks
and injuring the rails in such a manner as to
render them worthless. Hitherto the rebels, when
they have torn up our railroads, haA'e placed the
bars crosswise on a pile of ties, set fire to the latter,
and so heated and bent the rails; but by heating
them again they could be easily straightened and

1863.1 OR, ME.MOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 277
made good. AVilder's instrument tAvists them so they
can not be used again.
The Ncav York Herald, I observe, refers Avith
great severity to General Hascall's administration
of affairs in Indiana ; saying that " to place such
a brainless fool In a military command is not simply
an error, it is a crime." This is grossly unjust.
Hascall Is not only a gallant soldier, but a man of
education and excellent sense. He has been active,
and possibly severe, in his opposition to treasonable
organizations and notoriously disloyal men, Avhose
influence was exerted to discourage enlistments and
retard the enforcement of the draft. Unfortunately,
in time of cIa'II Avar, besides the great exigencies
which arise to threaten the commouAvealth, Innu
merable lesser CA'ils gather like flies about an open
wound, to annoy. Irritate, and kill. Against these the
laAV has made no adequate provision. The military
must, therefore, often Interpose for the public good,
without Avaiting for legislative authority, or the slow
processes of the civil law, just as the fireman must
proceed to batter doAvn the doors of a burning edifice,
without stopping to obtain the owner's permission to
enter and subdue the flames.
3. Our division Avas reviewed to-day. The spec
tators were numerous, numbering among other dis
tinguished personages Generals Rosecrans, Thomas,
Crittenden, Rousseau, Sheridan, and Wood. The
Aveather was fayorable, and the review a success.
In the evening, a large party gathered at Negley's

278 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [June,
¦quarters, Avhere lunch and punch were provided in
abundance. Generals Wood and Crittenden, of the TAventy-
first Army Corps, claimed that I did not beat Wag
ner fairly in the horse-race the other day. I ex
pressed a willingness to satisfy them that I could
do so any day; and, further, that my horse could
out-go any thing in the TAventy-first Corps. The
upshot of the matter is that we have a race arranged
for Friday afternoon at four o'clock.
The party was a merry one ; gentlemen imbibed
freely. General Rosecrans' face was as red as a
beet; he had, hoAvever, been talking Avith ladies,
and being a diffident man, Avas possibly blushing.
Wood persisted that the Twenty-first Corps could
not be beaten in a horse-race, and that Wagner's
long-legged Avhite was the most wonderful pacer he
ever saw. Negley seemed possessed with the idea
that every body was trying to escape, and that it
was necessary for him to seize them by the arm and
haul them back to the table; he seemed also to be
laboring under the delusion that his guests would
not drink unless he kept his eye on them, and forced
them to do so. Lieutenant- Colonel Ducat, an Irish
man of the Charles O'Malley school, insisted upon
introducing me to the ladies, but fortunately I was
sober enough to decline the invitation. Harker, late
in the evening, thought he discovered a disposition
on the part of others to play off on him; he felt in
duty bound to empty a full tumbler, while they
Shirked by taking only half of one, AA'hich he affirmed

1863.] OR, M EMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 279
was unfair and inexcusable. General Thomas, after
sitting at his Avine an hour, conversing the while with
a lady, arose from the table evidently very much
refreshed, and proceeded to make himself exceedingly
agreeable. I ncA'er knew the old gentleman to be so
affable, cordial, and complimentary before.
4. The guns have been reverberating in our front
all day. I am told that Sheridan's division advanced
on the Shelbyville road. It is probable that a part,
if not the Avhole, of the firing is in his front.
5. Read the Autobiography of Peter Cartright.
It is AA'ritten in the language of the frontier, and pre
sents a rough, strong, uneducated man, full of vanity,
courage, and religious zeal. He never reached the
full measure of dignity requisite to a minister of the
Gospel. There are many amusing* incidents in the
volume, and many tales of adventures with sinners, in
the cabin, on the road, and at camp meeting. In all of
Avhich Cartright gets the better of the sons of Belial,
and triumphs in the Lord.
8. The One Hundred and Fourth Illinois, Colonel
Moore, reported to me for duty, so that I have now
four regiments and a battery. This Colonel Moore
is the same who was in command at Hartsville, and
Avhose regiment and brigade were captured by the
ubiquitous John Morgan last Avinter. He has but
recently returned from the South, where, for a time,
he was confined In Libby prison.
The rebels are still proAAling about our lines, but
making no great demonstrations of power.
9. Governor (?) Billy Williams, of Indiana, dined

280 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [June,
with me to-day; he resides in AVarsaw, is a politician,
a fair speaker, and an inveterate story teller.
AVilson has been appointed Assistant Adjutant-Gen
eral, with the rank of captain.
13. Had brigade drill in a large clover field, just
outside the picket line. The men Avere In fine condi
tion, Avell dressed, and Avell equipped. I kept them
on the jump for tAvo hours. Generals Thomas and
Negley were present, and Avere Avell pleased. I doubt
If any brigade in the army can execute a greater
variety of movements than mine, or go through them
In better style. My voice is excellent, I can make
myself heard distinctly by a AA'hole brigade, without
becoming hoarse by hours of exertion. Starkweather
has the best voice in the army; he can be heard a
mile aAvay.
Our division and brigade flags have been changed
from light to dark blue. They look almost like a
black no-quarter flag.
We have one solitary rooster : he crows early in
the morning, all day, and through the night If it be
moonlight. He mounted a stump near my door this
morning, stood between the tent and the sun, so that
his shadow fell on the caiiA'as, and croAved for half an
hour at the top of his voice. I think the scamp knew
I Avas lying abed longer than usual, and was deter
mined to make me get up. He is on the most inti
mate terms Avith the .soldiers, and struts about the
camp with an air of as much importance as if he
AA'ore shoulder-straps, and had been reared at West
Point. He enters the boys' tents, and inspects their

1863.1 OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 281
quarters Avith all the freedom and Independence of a
regularly detailed inspecting officer. He is a fine
type of the soldier, proud and vain, Avith a tremend
ous opinion of his oaa'u fighting qualities.
16. Had a grand corps drill. The line of troops,
when stretched out, Avas over a mile in length. The
Corps was like a clumsy giant, and hours Avere re
quired to execute the simplest movement. When,
for Instance, Ave changed front, my brigade marched
nearly. If not quite, a mile to take position in the
new line. The Avaving of banners, the flashing of
sabers and bayonets, the clattering to and fro of
muddle-headed aids-de-camp on impatient steeds, the
heaA'y rumble of artillery Avagons, the blue coats of
the soldiers, the golden trappings of the field and
staff, made a grand scene for the disinterested spec
tator to look upon ; but Avith the thermometer rang
ing from eighty-five to one hundred, it Avas hard Avork
for the soldier Avho bore knapsack, haversack, and
gun, and calculated to produce an unusual amount of
perspiration, and not a little profanity. Alajor-Gen-
eral Thomas guided the immense mass of men, Avhile
the operations of the divisions Avere superintended by
their respective commanders. I fear the brigade and
regimental commanders profited little by the drill, but
I hope the major-generals learned something. The
latter, in their devotion to strategy, have evidently
neglected tactics, and failed to unravel the mysteries
of the school of the battalion.
In the morning, with my division commander, I
24

282 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [June,
called on General Thomas, at his quarters, and had
the honor to accept from his hands the most abomin
able cigar it has ever been my misfortune to attempt
to smoke.
19. The army has been lying here now nearly six
months. It has of late been kept pretty busy. Sun
day morning inspections, monthly inspections of
troops, frequent inspections of arms and ammunition,
innumerable drills, and constant picketing.
Colonel Miller assumes command of a brigade in
Johnson's division. Since the troops were at Nash
ville he has been commanding Avhat Avas knoAvn as
the Second Brigade of Negley's division ; but the col
onels of the brigade objected to having an imported
colonel placed OA'er them, and so Aliller takes com
mand of the brigade to Avhich his regiment is attached.
He Is a brave man and a good officer. Colonel Hark
er's brigade has been relieved from duty at the fortifi
cations, and is now encamped near us, on the Liberty
road. 21. Mrs. Colonel Scribner and Mrs. Colonel Griffin
stopped at my tent-door for a moment this morning.
They were on horseback, and each had a child on
the saddle. They were giving Airs. Scribner's chil
dren a little ride.
Attended divine serA'ice in the camp of the Eighty-
eighth Indiana, and afterward called for a fcAV min
utes on Colonel Moore, of the One Hundred and
Fourth Illinois. On returning to my quarters I found
Colonels Hobart and Taylor awaiting me. They were
about to visit Colonel T. P. Nicholas, of the Second

i863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 283
Kentucky Cavalry, and desired me to accompanj'
them. We dined with Colonel Nicholas, and, as is
the custom, observed the apostolic injunction of tak
ing something for the stomach's sake. ToAvard even
ing Ave visited the field hospital, and paid our respects
to Surgeon FInley and lady. Here, much against our
wills, we were compelled to empty a bottle of sherry.
On the way to our oaa'u quarters Colonel Taylor in
sisted upon our calling Avith him to see a friend, with
whom we Avere obliged to take a glass of ale. So
that it was about dark Avhen we three sober gentlemen
dreAV near to our respectlA'e quarters. We had become
immensely eloquent on the conduct of the war, and
Avith great unanimity concluded that if Grant were to
take Vicksburg he A\'ould be entitled to our profound-
est admiration and respect. Hobart, as usual, spoke
of his State as if it were a separate and Independent
nation, whose sons, In imitation of LaFayette, Kos
ciusko and DeKalb, were devoting their best blood to
the maintenance of free government in a foreign land;
AA'hlle TaA'lor, incited thereto by this eulogy on Wis
consin, took up the cudgel for Kentucky, and dwelt
enthusiastically on the gallantry of her men and the
unrivaled beauty of her women.
When I dismounted and turned my horse over to
the servant, I caught a glimpse of the signal lights on
the dome of the court-house, and was astonished to
find just double the usual number, in the act of per
forming a Dutch waltz. I concluded that the Signal
Corps must be drunk. Saddened by the reflection
that those occupying high places, whose duty it was

284 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [June,
to let their light .shine before men, should be found in
this condition of hopeless inebriety, I heaved a sigh
which might have been mistaken by the uncharitable
for a hic-cough, and lay down to rest.
23. My colt had a sore eye a day or two ago, but
it is now getting Avell. The boys pet him, and by
pinching him have taught him to bite. I fear they
Avill spoil him. I haA'C not ridden him much of late.
He has a Avay of walking on his hind legs, for Avhich
the saddles in u.se are not calculated, and there is, con
sequently, a constant tendency, on the part of the
rider, to slip over his tail.
Captain Wells sent a colored teamster, who had just
come in, tired aud hungry, to his quarters for dinner.
Simon Bolivar Buckner, who uoav has charge of the
commissary and culinary branch of the Captain's es
tablishment, Avas in the act of dining Avhen the team
ster entered the tent and seated himself at the table.
Buckner, astonished at this unceremonious intrusion,
exclaimed : " What you cloin' liar, sah?" "De Capin
tole me fer to come and get my dinnah." "Hell,"
shouted Buckner, " does de Capin 'spose I 'm guiane
to eatAvId a d — n common nigger? Git out'er har,
till I'm done got through."
Buckner gets married every time Ave move camp.
On last Sunday Captain Wells found him dressed very
elaborately, in Avhite vest and clean linen, and said to
him : " AVhat's in the wind, Buckner?" " GAvine to
be married dis ebening, sah." " What time?" "Five
o'clock, sah." "Can't spare you, Buckner. Expect
friends here to dine at six, and want a good dinner

1863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 285
gotten up." " Berry aa'cII, sah ; can pos'pone de
Avedin', sah. Dis'pintment to lady, sah; but It'll be
all right."
24. The note of preparation for a general adA'ance
sounded late last night. Reynolds moved at 4 A. m.;
Rousseau at 7; our division avIII leaA'e at 10. A long
line of cavalry Is at this moment going out on the
Manchester pike. * * * *
Rain commenced falling soon after we left Mur
freesboro, and continued the remainder of the day.
The roads Avere sloppy, and marching disagreeable^
Encamped at Big creek for the night; Rousseau and
Reynolds In advance.
Before leaving Murfreesboro I handed John Avhat I
supposed to be a package of tea, and told him to fill
my canteen Avith cold tea. On the road I took tAvo
or three drinks, and thought it tasted strongly of to
bacco; but I accounted for it on the supposition that
I had been smoking too much, and that the tobacco
taste was in my mouth, and not in the tea. After get
ting Into camp I drank of it again, AA'hen it occurred
to me that John had neglected to cleanse the canteen
before putting the tea in, and so I began to scold him.
"I did clean it, sah," retorted John. "Well, this
tea," I replied, "tastes very much like tobacco juice."
"It is terbacker juice, sah." " Why, how is that?"
" You gib me paper terbacker, an' tole me hab some
tea made, sah, and I done jes as you tole me, sah."
" Why you are a fool, John ; did you suppose I
wanted you to make me tea out of tobacco ?" " Don

286 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [June,
knoAV, sah ; dat's Avhat you tole me, sah ; done jes as
you tole me, sah."
25. Alarched to HooA'er's Gap. Heavy skirmish
ing in front during the day. Reynolds lo.st fifteen
killed, and quite a number Avounded. A stubborn
fight Avas expected, and our division moved up to
take part In it ; but the enemy fell back. Rain has
been falling most of the day. A pain in my side
admonishes me that I should have AVorn heavier
boots. 26. Moved to Beech Grove. Cannonading in
front during the Avhole day ; but Ave have now become
so accustomed to the noise of the guns that it hardly
excites remark. The sky is still cloudy, and I
fear avc shall haA'e more rain to-night. The boys
are busy gathering leaA'CS and tAvigs to keep them
from the damp ground. General Negley's quarters
are a fcAV rods to my left, and General Thomas' just
beloAv us, at the bottom of the hill. Reynolds is four
miles in advance.
27. AVe left Beech Grove, or Jacob's Store, this
morning, at five o'clock, and conducted the Avagon
train of our division through to Manchester. Rose
crans and Reynolds are here. The latter took posses
sion of the place two or three hours before my
brigade reached It, and the former came up three
hours after we had gone Into camp. We are now
tAveh'e miles from Tullahoma. The guns are thun
dering off in the direction of Wartrace. Hardie's
corps was driven from Fairfield this morning.

j863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 287
AIy baggage has not come, and I am compelled
to sleep on the Avet ground in a still wetter over
coat. 28. My baggage arrived during the night, and
this morning I changed my clothes and expected to
spend the Sabbath quietly; but about 10 A. m. I was
ordered to proceed to Hillsboro, a place eight miles
from Manchester, on the old stage road to Chatta
nooga. AVhen we were moving out I met Durbiii
AVard, who asked me Avhere I Avas going. I told
him. " AVhy," said he, " I thought, from the rose in
your button-hole, that you Avere going to a wedding."
"No," I replied; "but I hope we are going to noth
ing more serious."
29. My position is one of great danger, being so
far from support and so near the enemy. Last night
my pickets on the Tullahoma road were driven in,
after a sharp fight, and my command was put in line
of battle, and so remained for an hour or more; but
we were not again disturbed. No fires were built, and
the darkness was impenetrable.
At noon I received orders to proceed to Bobo's
Cross-roads, and reach that point before nightfall.
There were two Avays of going there : the one via
Manchester was comparatively safe, although consider
ably out of the direct line; the other was direct, but
somcAvhat unsafe, because It would take me near the
enemy's front. The distance by this shorter route
was eleven miles. I chose the latter. It led
through a sparsely settled, open oak country. Two

288 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [June,
regiments of AVheeler's cavalry had been hovering
about Hillsboro during the day, eA'idently Avatehing
our moA'cments. After proceeding about three miles,
a da.sh Avas made i-ipon my skirmish line, which re
sulted in the killing of a lieutenant, the capture of
one man, and the wounding of several others. I in
stantly formed line of battle, and pushed forward as
rapidly as the nature of the ground would admit;
but the enemy fell back.
About five o'clock, as we drew near Bobo's, two
cannon shots and quite a brisk fire of musketry ad-
A'ised us that the rebels Avere either still in posses
sion of the Cross-roads or our friends Avere mistaking
us for the enemy. I formed line of battle, and or
dered the feAV cavalrymen AA'ho accompanied me to
make a detour to the right and rear, and ascer
tain, if possible, Avho were in our front. The
videttes soon after reported the enemy advancing,
with a squadron of cavalry in the lead, and I put
my artillery in position to give them a raking fire
Avhen they should reach a bend of the road. At
this moment Avhen life and death seemed to hang
in the balance, and Avhen we supposed we Avere in
the presence of a very considerable, if not an over-
Avhelming, force of the enemy, a half-groAvn hog
emerged from the AVOods, and ran across the road.
Fifty men sprang from the ranks and gaA'e it
chase, and before order was fully restored, and
the line readjusted, my cavalry returned AA'ith the
information that the troops in front were our own.

I863.J OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 289
The Incidents of the last six days would fill
a volume ; but I have been on horseback so much,
and otherwise so thoroughly engaged, that I have
been, and am now, too Aveary to note them down,
even if I had the conveniences at hand for so
doing.

25

290 THE CITIZEN SOLDIERj [July,

JULY, 1863.

1. My brigade, Avith a battalion of cavalry at
tached, started from Bobo's Cross-roads in the direc
tion of AVinchester. When one mile out Ave picked
up three deserters, Avho reported that the rebels had
evacuated Tullahoma, and Avere In full retreat. Half
a mile further along I overtook the enemy's rear
guard, when a sharp fight occurred betAveen the cav
alry, resulting, I think. In very little injury to either
party. The enemy fell back a mile or more, when he
opened on us with artillery, and a sharp artillery
fight took place, which lasted for perhaps thirty
minutes. Several men on both sides Avere killed and
Avounded. The enemy finally retired, and taking a
second position awaited our arrival, and opened on us
again. I pushed forAvard in the thick woods, and
drove him from point to point for seven miles.
Negley followed with the other brigades of the di
vision, ready to support me in case the enemy proved
too strong, but I did not need assistance. The force
opposed to us simply desired to retard pursuit; and
whenever we pushed against it vigorously fell back.
2. This morning we discover that we bivouacked
during the night within half a mile of a large force

»863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 291
of rebel cavalry and infantry. After proceeding a
little way, we found the enemy in position on the
bluffs on the opposite side of Elk river, with his
artillery planted so as to sweep the road leading to
the bridge. Halting my infantry and cavalry under
the cover of the hill, I sent to the rear for an ad
ditional battery, and, before the enemy seemed to be
aware of what we were doing, I got ten guns In
position on the crest of the hill and commenced
firing. The enemy's cavalry and infantry, which up
to this time had lined the opposite hills, began to
scatter In great confusion; but avc did not have It all
our OAvn Avay by any means. The rebels replied with
.shot and shell very vigorously, and for half an hour
the fight Avas very interesting; at the end of that
time, howcA'er, their batteries limbered up and left
on the double quick. In the meantime, I had sent
a detachment of Infantry to occupy a stockade which
the enemy had constructed near the bridge, and from
this position good AVork Avas done by driving off his
sharpshooters. We found the bridge partially burned,
and the river too much swollen for either the men or
trains to ford it. Rousseau and Brannan, I under
stand, succeeded in crossing at an upper ford, and are
in hot pursuit.
3. Repaired the bridge, and crossed the river this
morning; and are now bh'ouacking on the ground
over which the cavalry fought yesterday afternoon —
quite a number of the dead were discovered in the
woods and fields. We picked up, at Elk river, an
order of Brigadier-General Wharton, commanding

292 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [July,
the troops Avhich have been serving as the rear guard
of the enemy's column. It reads as folloAvs :
" Colonel Hamar : Retire the artillery Avhen
you think best. Hold the position as long as you
can Avith your sharpshooters; Avhen forced back, write
to CrCAV to that effect. Anderson is on your right.
Report all movements to me on this road.
" Jxo. A. AVharton, Brigadier-General.
" July 2d, 1863."
I have been almost constantly In the saddle, and
have hardly slept a quiet three hours since we started
on this expedition. AIy brigade has picked up prob
ably a hundred prisoners.
4. At tAvelve o'clock, noon, my brigade Avas
ordered to take the advance, and make the top of
the Cumberland before nightfall; proceeding four
miles, -Ave reached the base of the mountain, and
began the ascent. The road Avas exceedingly rough,
and the rebels had made It impassable, for artillery,
by rolling great rocks into it and felling trees across
it. The axmen Avere ordered up, and while they were
clearing aAvay the ob.structions I rode ahead with
the cavalry to the summit, and some four miles on
the ridge beyond. In the meantime, General Negley
ordered the artillery and infantry to return to the
foot of the mountain, Avhere Ave are now encamped.
5. Since Ave left Alurfreesboro (June 24) rain has
been falling almost constantly; to-day it has been
coming doAvn in torrents, and the Ioav grounds around
us are overfloAved.

1863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 293
Rousseau's division is encamped near us on the
left, Reynolds in the rear.
The other day, Avhile sitting on the fence by the
roadside smoking my pipe, Avaiting for my troops to
get in readiness to march, some one cried out, " Here
is a philosopher," and General Reynolds rode up and
shook my hand A'ery cordially.
AI)' brigade has been so fortunate, thus far, as to
win the confidence of the commanding generals. It
has, during the last week, served as a sort of a coav-
catcher for Negley's division. At Elk river General
Thomas rode up, Avhile I Avas making my dispositions
to attack the enemy, and approA'ed Avhat I had done
and was doing.
We hear that the Army of the East has won a
decisiA'e victory in Pennsylvania. This is grand ! It
will show the rebels that It avIU not do to jiut their
feet on free soil. Now if Grant succeeds in taking
Vicksburg, and Rosecrans drives Bragg beyond the
Tennessee, the country will have reason to rejoice
with exceeding great joy.
6. An old lady, Avhose home is on the side of the
mountain, called on me to-day and said she had not
had a cup of coffee since the war commenced. She
was evidently very poor; and, although we had no
coffee to spare, I gave her enough to remind her
again of the taste.
Our soldiers have been making a clean SAveep of
the hogs, .sheep, and poultry on the route. For the
rich rebels I have no sympathy, but the poor we must
pity. The war cuts off from them entirely the food

294 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [July,
which, in the best of times, they acquire with great
labor and difficulty. The forage for the army horses
and mules, and avc have an Immense number, consists
almost wholly of wheat in the sheaf — wheat that has
been selling for ten dollars per bushel In Confederate
money. I have seen hundreds of acres of Avheat in
the sheaf disappear in an hour. Rails haA'e been
burned without stint, and numberless fields of grow
ing corn left unprotected. However much suffering
this destruction of property may entail on the people
of this section, I am inclined to think the effect Avill
be good. It will bring them to a realizing sense of
the loss sustained when they threw aside the protect
ing shield of the old Constitution, and the security
which they enjoyed in the Union.
The season's crop of wheat, corn, oats, and hogs
would have been of the utmost value to the Confeder
ate army; when destroyed, there will be nothing in
middle Tennessee to tempt it back.
7. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of Tennesseeans
have deserted from the Southern army and are now
Avandering about in the mountains, endeavoring to
get to their homes. They are mostly conscripted men.
My command has gathered up hundreds, and the
mountains and coves in this vicinity are said to be
full of them.
It rains incessantly. We moved to Decherd and
encamped on a ridge, but are now knee-deep in mud
and surrounded by water.
This morning a hundred guns echoed among the
mountain gorges over the glad Intelligence from the

1863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 295
East and South : Meade has won a famous victory,
and Grant has taken Vicksburg.
Stragglers and deserters from Bragg's army con
tinue to come in. It is doubtless unfortunate for the
country that rain and bad roads prevented our fol-
loAvIng up Bragg closely and forcing him to fight in
the present demoralized condition of his army. We
would have been certain of a decisive victory.
9. Dined with General Negley. Colonels Stough-
ton and Surwell, brigade commanders, were present.
The dinner Avas excellent ; soups, punch, wine,
blackberries were on the table; and, to men who for
a fortnight had been feeding on hard crackers and
salt pork, seemed delicious. The General got his face
poisoned while riding through the woods on the 2d
Instant, and he now looks like an old bruiser.
McCook, Avhose corps lies near Winchester, called
while we were at Negley's; he looks, if possible, more
like a blockhead than ever, and it is astonishing to
me that he should be permitted to retain command of
a corps for a single hour. He brought us cheering
information, hoAvever. The intelligence received
from the East and South a few days ago has been
confirmed, and the success of our armies even greater
than first reports led us to believe.
10. We have a cow at brigade head-quarters.
Blackberries are very abundant. The sky has
cleared, but the Cumberland mountains are this
morning covered by a thin veil of mist. Supply
trains arrived last night.
11. We hear nothing of the rebel army. Rose-

296 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [July,
crans, doubtless, knows its Avhereabouts, but his
subordinates do not. A fcAv of the enemy may be
lingering In the vicinity of StcA'cnson and Bridge
port, but the main body is, doubtless, beyond the
Tennessee. The rebel sympathizers here acknowl
edge that Bragg has been outgeneraled. Our cavalry
.started on the 9th instant for Huntsville, Athens, and
Decatur, and I have no doubt these places were re-oc
cupied without opposition.
The rebel caA'alry is said to be utterly Avorn out,
and for this reason has performed a very insignificant
part in recent operations.
The fall of Vicksburg, defeat of Lee, and retreat
of Bragg, Avill, doubtless, render the adoption of an
entirely new plan necessary. How long it will take
to perfect this, and get ready for a concerted move
ment, I have no idea.
12. Our soldiers, I am told, have been entering
the houses of priA'ate citizens, taking whatever they
saw fit, and committing many outrages. I trust,
hoAvever, they have not been doing so badly as the
people would have us believe. The latter are all dis
posed to grumble; and if a hungry soldier squints
Avistfully at a chicken, some one is ready to complain
that the fowls are in danger, and that they are the
property of a lone Avoman, a widow, with nothing
under the sun to eat but chickens. In nine cases out
of ten the husbands of these lone women are in the
Confederate army ; but still they are women, and
should be treated well.
14. The brigade baker has come up, and will have

1863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 297
his oven in operation this afternoon ; so we shall have
fresh bread again.
General Rosecrans will allow no ladies to come to
the front. This Avould seem to be conclusive that no
gentlemen avIU be permitted to go to the rear.
16. We haA'e blackberries and milk for breakfast,
dinner, and supper. To-night we had hot ginger
bread also. I have eaten too much, and feel uncom
fortable. Aleade's A'ictory has been growing small by degrees
and beautifully less ; but the success of Grant has im-
proA'ed sufficiently on first reports to make it all up.
Our success in this department, although attended
with little loss of life, has been very gratifying. We
have extended our lines over the most productiA'e re
gion of Tennessee, and have possession also of all
North Alabama, a rich tract of country, the loss of
which must be sorely felt by the rebels.
18. To-night I receiA'ed a bundle of Northern
papers, and among others the Union (?) Register.
While reading it I felt almost glad that I was not at
home, for certainly I should be very uncomfortable if
compelled to listen every day to such treasonable at
tacks upon the Administration, sugar-coated though
they be with hypocritical professions of devotion to
the Union, the Constitution, and the soldier. How
supremely wicked these men are, Avho, for their own
personal advantage, or for party success, use every
possible means to bring the Administration into dis
respect, and withhold from it what, at this time, it so
greatly needs, the hearty support and co-operation of

298 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [July,
the people. The simple fact that abuse of the party
in power encourages the rebels, not only by evincing
disaffection and division in the North, but by leading
them to believe, also, that their conduct is justifiable,
should, of itself, be sufficient to deter honest and
patriotic men from using such language as may be
found in the opposition press. The blood of many
thousand soldiers will rest upon the peace party, and
certainly the blood of many misguided people at the
North must be charged to the same account. The
draft riots of New York and elscAvhere these croakers
and libelers are alone responsible for. After the war
has ended there will be abundant time to discuss the
manner in which it has been conducted. Certainly
quarreling over it now can only tend to the defeat and
disgrace of our arms.
We hardly hear of politics in the army, and I cer
tainly did not dream before that there was so much
bitterness of feeling among the people in the North.
Republicans, Democrats, and every body else think
nearly alike here. I know of none Avho sympathize
with the so-called peace party. It is universally
damned, for there is no soldier so ignorant that he
does not knoAV and feel that this party is prolonging
the war by stimulating his enemies. A child can see
this. The rebel papers, which every soldier occasion
ally obtains, prove it beyond a peradventure.
20. Mrs. General Negley, it appears, has been al-
loAved to visit her husband. Mrs. General McCook is
said to be coming.
Received a public document, in which I find all the

1863.J OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 299
reports of the battle of Stone river, and, I am sorry
to say, my report Is the poorest and most unsatisfac
tory of the whole lot. The printer, as if for the pur
pose of aggravating me beyond endurance, has, by an
error of punctuation, transformed Avhat I considered a
very considerable and creditable action, into an in
considerable skirmish. The report should read :
" On the second and third days my brigade was in
front, a portion of the time skirmishing. On the
night of January 3d, two regiments, led by myself,
drove the enemy from their breastworks in the edge
of the woods."
This appears in the volume as follows :
" On the second and third days my brigade was in
front a portion of the time. Skirmishing on the
night of January 3d, tAVO regiments, led my myself,
drove the enemy from the breastworks in the edge
of the woods."
Thus, by taking the last word of one sentence and
making it the first word of another, the intelligent
compositor belittles a night fight for which I thought
my command deserved no inconsiderable credit. I
regret noAV that I did not take the time to make an
elaborate report of the operations of my brigade, de
scribing all the terrible situations in Avhich it had
been placed, and dwelling with special emphasis
on the courage and splendid fighting of the men. In
contrast with my stupidly modest report, is that of
Brigadier-General Spears. He does not hesitate to

300 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER ; [July,
claim for his troops all the credit of the night engage
ment referred to ; and yet Avhile my men stormed the
barricade of logs, and cleaned out the Avoods, his were
lying on their faces fully tAvo hundred yards in the
rear, and I should never have known that they Avere
even that near the enemy if his raw soldiers had not
fired an occasional shot into us from behind. If
General Spears Avas Avith his men, he must have
knoAvn that his report of their action on that occasion
was utterly untruthful. If, hoAvever, as I apprehend,
he was behind the rifle pits, six hundred yards in
the rear, he might, like thousaiid.s of others, Avho were
distant .spectators of the scene, have honestly con
ceived that his troops Avere doing the fighting. Gen
eral Rous.seau's report contradicts his statements,
and in a meager Avay accords the credit to my regi
ments. Officers are more selfi.sh, dishonest, and grasping in
their struggle for notoriety than the miser for gold.
They lay claim to every thing Avithin reach, Avhether
it belongs to them or not. I know absolutely that
many of the reports in the volume before me are base
exaggerations — romances, founded upon the smallest
conceivable amount of fact. They are simply elab
orate essays, Avhich seek to show that the author was
a little braver, a little more skillful in the manage
ment of his men, and a little Avorthier than anybody
else. I know of one officer Avho has great credit, in
official reports and in the newspapers, for a battle in
which he did not participate at all. In fact, he did
not reach the field until after the enemy had not only

»863.1 OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 301
been repulsed, but retired out of sight; and yet he
has not the manliness to correct the error, and glA'e
the honor to Avhom it is due.
21. ^ The day has been a pleasant one. The night
is delightful. The ncAV moon faA'ors us Avith just suf
ficient light to reveal fully the great oaks, the Avhite
tents, and the shadoAA'y outline of the Cumberland
mountains. The pious fcAV of the Eighty-eighth In
diana, assembled in a booth constructed of branches,
are breathing out their devotional inspirations and
aspirations, in an old hymn which carries us back to
the churches and homes of the civilized world, or, as
the boys term It, "God's country."
Katydids from a hundred trees are vigorous and
relentless in their accusations against poor. Katy.
That Avas a pleasant conceit of Holmes, "What did
poor Katy do?" I never appreciated It fully until I
came into the country of the katydids.
Tavo trains, laden Avith forage, commissary, and
quartermaster stores, are puffing aAvay at the depot.
General Rosecrans will move to AVinchester, two
miles from us, to-morroAV.
No one ever more desired to look again on his wife
and babies than I; but, alack and alas! I am bound
Avith a chain Avhich seems to tighten more and more
each day, and draAV me further and further from Avhere
I desire to be. But I trust the time will .soon come
Avhen I shall be free again.
Morgan's command has come to grief in Ohio. I
trust he may be captured himself. The papers say
Basil Duke Is a prisoner. If so, the spirit of the

302 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [July,
great raider is in our hands, and it matters but little,
perhaps, AA'hat becomes of the carcass.
A soldier of the Forty-second Indiana, who ran
away from the battle of Stone river, had his head
shaved and was drummed out of camp to-day. David
Walker, Paul Long, and Charley Hiskett, of the
Third Ohio, go with him to Nashville, where he is to
be confined in military prison until the end of
the Avar.
Shaving the head and drumming out of camp is a
fearful punishment. I <;ould not help pitying the
poor fellow, as with carpet-sack in one hand and hat
In the other he marched crest-fallen through the
camps, to the music of the " Rogue's March." Death
and oblivion would have been less severe and in
finitely more desirable.
25. General Rosecrans, although generally sup
posed to be here, has been, it is said, absent for some
days. It is Intimated that he has gone to Washing
ton. If it be true, he has flanked the newspaper men
by a Avonderful burst of strategy. He must have
gone through disguised as an old woman — a very ugly
old woman with a tremendous nose — otherwise these
newspaper pickets Avould have arrested and put him
in the papers forthAvith. They are more vigilant than
the rebels, and terribly intent upon finding somebody
to talk about, to laud to the skies, or abuse in the
most fearful manner, for they seldom do things by
halves, unless it be telling the truth. They have a
marvelous distaste for facts, and use no more of them

1863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 303
than are absolutely necessaiy to string their guesses
and Imaginings upon.
My colt has just Avhinnied. He is gay as a lark,
and puts Davy, the hostler, through many evolutions
unknown to the cavalry service. The other day
Davy had him out for exercise, and when he came
rearing and charging back, I said : " How does he be
have to-day, Davy?" "Mighty rambunctious, sah;
he's gettin' bad, sah."
Major James Connelly, One Hundred and Twenty-
third Illinois, called. His regiment is mounted and
in Wilder's brigade. It participated in the engage
ment at Hoover's Gap. When my brigade Avas at
Hillsboro, Connelly's regiment accompanied Wilder to
to this place (Decherd). The veracious correspond
ent reported that Wilder, on that expedition, had de
stroyed the bridge here and done great injury to the
railroad, permanently interrupting communication be
tween Bridgeport and Tullahoma; but, In fact, the
bridge was not destroyed, and trains on the railroad
were only delayed two hours. The expedition suc
ceeded, however. In picking up a few stragglers and
horses. 26. General Stanley has returned from Huntsville,
bringing with him about one thousand North Ala
bama negroes. This is a blow at the enemy In the
right place. Deprived of slave labor, the whites will
be compelled to send home, or leave at home, white
men enough to cultivate the land and keep their fam
ilies from starving.
27. Adjutant Wilson visitod Rousseau's division

304 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [July,
at Cowan, and reports the return of StarkAveather
from AVisconsin, Avith the stars. This gentleman has
been mourning over the ingratitude of Republics ever
since the battle of PerryA'ille; but henceforth he Avill,
doubtless, feel better.
A court-martial has been called for the trial of
Colonel A. B. Aloore, One Hundred and Fourth Illi
nois. Some Ill-feeling in his regiment has led one of
his officers to prefer charges against him.
28. General Thomas is an officer of the regular
army; the field Is his home; the tent his house, and
Avar his business. He regards rather coolly, there
fore, the applications of volunteer officers for leaves
of absence. AVhy should they not be as contented as
himself? He does not seem to consider that they sud
denly dropped business, every thing, in fact, to ha,sten
to the field. But, then, on second thought, I incline to
the opinion that the old man is right. Half the army
Avould be at home if leaves and furloughs could be
had for the asking.
29. Lieutenant Orr received notice yesterday of
his appointment as captain in the subsistence depart
ment, and last night opened a barrel of beer and stood
treat. I did not join the party until about ten
o'clock, and then Captain HcAvitt, of the battery, the
story-teller of the brigade, Avas in full blast, and the
applause Avas uproarious. He Avas telling of a militia
captain of Fentress county, Tennessee, Avho called out
his company upon the supposition that Ave Avere again
at war Avith Great Britain ; that AA^ashington had been
captured by the invader.s, and the arch-iv-es destroyed.

1S63.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 305
A bystander questioned the correctness of the Cap
tain's information, Avhen he became very angry, and,
producing a noAvspaper, said: "D — n you, sir, do you
think Jean't read, sir?" The man thus interrogated
looked over the paper, saAV that it announced the oc
cupation of AVashington by the British, but called the
attention of the excited militiaman to the fact that
the date AA'as 1812. "So It is," said the old captain ;
" I did not notice the date. But, d — n me, sir, the
paper just come. Go on Avith the drill, boys." This
story AA'as told to illu.strate the fact that the people of
many counties in Tennessee Avere behind the times.
It AA'ould take too much time to refer, even briefly,
to all the stories related, and I will allude simply to
a London Ghost Story, which Captain Halpin, an
Irishman, of the Fifteenth Kentucky, undertook to
tell. The gallant Captain was in the last stages of
Inebriety, and laid the scene of his London ghost
story In Ireland. Steadying himself in his seat
Avith both hand.?, and Avith a tongue rather too
thick to articulate clearly, he introduced us to
his ancestors for tAventy generations back. It
was a famous old Irish family, and among the col
lateral branches Avere the O'Tooles, O'Rourkes, and
O'Flahertys. They had in them the blood of the
Irish kings, and accomplished marvelous feats in the
wars of tho.se times. And so we staggered with the
Captain from Dublin to Belfast, and thence made
sorties into all the provinces on chase of the London
ghost, until finally our leader AVOund up Avith a yaAvn
26

306 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [July,
and Avent to sleep. The party, disappointed at this
sudden and unsatisfactory termination of the London
ghost story, took a mug of beer all around, and then
one gentleman, drunker probably than the others, or
possibly unwilling, after all the time spent, to allow
the ghost to escape, punched the Captain in the ribs
and shouted : " Captain — Captain Halpin, you said it
was a London ghost story; maybe you'll find the
ghost In London, for I'll be d — d if it's in Ireland!"
The Captain was too far gone to profit by the sug
gestion. 30. This evening General Rosecrans, on his way
to Winchester, stopped for a fcAV minutes at the sta
tion. He shook hands with me, and asked how I
liked the water at the foot of the mountains, and
about the health of my troops. I told him the water
was good, and that the boys were encamped on high
ground and healthy. "Yes," he replied, "and we'll
take higher ground in a feAv days."
On the march to Tullahoma I had my brigade
stretched along a ridge to guard against an attack
from the direction of Wartrace. General Rosecrans
passed through my lines, and was making some in
quiries, when I stepped out : " Hello," said he, " here
is the young General himself. You've got a good
ridge. Who lives in that house? Find a place for
Negley on your right or left. Send me a map of this
ridge. How do ye do ?"
31. Met General Turchin for the first time since
he was before our court-martial at Huntsville. He
appeared to be considerably cast down in spirit. He

1863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 307
had just been relieved from his cavalry command,
and Avas on his Avay to General Reynolds to take com
mand of a brigade of infantry. General Crook,
hitherto In command of a brigade, succeeds Turchin
as commander of a division. In short. Crook and
Turchin just exchange places. The former is a grad
uate of the West Point Military Academy, and is an
Ohio man, who has not, I think, greatly distinguished
himself thus far. He has been in Western Virginia
most of the time, and came to Murfreesboro after the
battle of Stone river.
General R. B. Mitchell is, with his command. In
camp a little over a mile from us. He is in good
spirits, and dwells with emphasis on the length and
arduousness of the marches made by his troops since
he left Murfreesboro. The labor devolving upon him
as the commander of a division of cavalry Is tre
mendous ; and yet I was rejoiced to find his physical
system had stood the strain well. The wear and tear
upon his intellect, however, must have been very
great.

308 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [August,

AUGUST, 1863.

2. Rode with Colonel Taylor to Cowan; dined
with Colonel Hobart, and spent the day very agreea
bly. Returning Ave called on Colonel Scribner, re
mained an hour, and reached Decherd after nightfall.
My request for leave of absence Avas lying on the
table approved and recommended by Negley and
Thomas, but indorsed not granted by Rosecrans.
General Rousseau has left, and probably Avill not
return. The best of feeling has not existed be
tween him and the commanding general for some
time past. Rousseau has had a good division, but
probably thought he should have a corps. This,
howCA'cr, is not the cause of the breach. It has
grown out of small matters — things too trifling to
talk over, think of, or explain, and yet important
enough to create a coldness, if not an open rupture.
Rosecrans is marvelously popular Avith the men.
3. The papers state that General R. B. Mitchell
has gone home on sick leave. Poor fellow ! he must
haA'C been taken suddenly, for Avhen I saAV him, a day
or tAVO ago, he AA'as the picture of health. It is Avon
derful to me hoAV a felloAv as fat as Bob can come the

1863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 309
sick dodge so successfully. He can get sick at a
moment's notice.
4. Called on General Thomas ; then rode over to
AVinchester. SaAV Garfield at department head-quar
ters. He said he regretted very much being com
pelled to refuse my application for a leave. Told
him I expected to command this department soon,
and Avhen I got him and a few others, including
Rosecrans aud Thomas, under my thumb, they would
obtain no faA'ors. I should insist not only upon
their remaining in camp, but upon their wives re
maining out.
In company Avith Colonel Alihalotzy I called on
Colonel Burke, Tenth Ohio, and drank a coujjle of
bottles of Avine Avith him and his spiritual adviser.
Father O'Higgin. Had a very agreeable time. The
Colonel pressed us to remain for dinner; but we
pleaded an engagement, aud afterAvard obtained a A'ery
poor meal at the hotel for one dollar each.
The Board for the examination of applicants for
commissions in colored regiments, of Avhich I have
the honor to be Chairman, met, organized, and ad
journed to couA'ene at nine o'clock to-morroAV. Col
onel Parkhur.st, Ninth Alichigan, and Colonel Stanley,
Eighteenth Ohio, are members.
I am anxious to go home ; but it is not possible for
me to get away. Almost every officer in the army
desires to go, and every conceivable excuse and argu
ment are urged. This man is sick ; another's house
has burned, and he desires to provide for his family;
another has lawsuits coming off luA'olving large

310 THE CITIZEN VOLUNTEER; [August,
sums, and his presence during the trial is necessary to
save him from great loss; still another has deeds to
make out, and an immense property Interest to look
after. 6. This is the day appointed by the President for
thanksgiving and prayer. The shops in Winchester
are closed.
Colonel Parkhurst has obtained a leave, and will
go home on Alonday.
7. Captain Wilson and Lieutenant Ellsworth arose
rather late this morning, and found a beer barrel pro
truding from the door of their tent, properly set up on
benches, with a flaming placard over it:
" New Grocery ! !
Wilson & Ellsworth.
Fresh Beer, 3c. a Glass.
Give us a call."
Later in the day a grand presentation ceremony
took place. All the members of the staff aud hang
ers-on about head-quarters Avere gathered under the
oaks ; Lieutenant Calkins, One Hundred and Fourth
Illinois, was sent for, and, when he ajjpeared. Lieu
tenant Ellsworth proceeded to read to him the follow
ing letter: " Ottowa, Illinois, July 20, 1 863.
" Lieutenant W. W. Calkins — Sir : Your old
friends of Ottowa, as a slight testimonial of their re
spect for you, and admiration for those chivalrous in
stincts which, when the banner of beauty and glory
was assailed by traitorous legions, induced you to

»863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 311
spring unhesitatingly to Its defense, have the honor to
present you a beautiful field-glass. Trusting that, by
its assistance, you will be able to see through your
enemies, and ultimately find your way to the arms of
your admiring felfow-citizens, we have the honor to
subscribe ourselves,
"Your most obedient servants,
" Peter Broavn,
"John Smith,
" Thomas Jones, and others."
The box containing the gift AA'as carefully opened,
and the necks and upper parts of two whisky bot
tles, fastened together by a piece of wood, taken out
and delivered in due form to the Lieutenant. He
seemed greatly surprised, and for a few minutes ad
dressed the donors in a very emphatic and uncom
plimentary way; but finding this only added to the
merriment of the party, he finally cooled down, and,
lifting the field-glass to his eyes, leveled it upon the
staff, and remarked that they appeared to be thirsty.
This, of course, was hailed as undeniable evidence
that the glass was perfect, and Lieutenant Calkins
was heartily congratulated on his good luck, and on
the proof which the testimonial afforded of the high
estimation in which he was held by the people of his
native town. Many of his brother officers, in their
friendly ardor, shook him warmly by the hand.
8. Hewitt's battery has been transferred to the
Corps of Engineers and Mechanics, and Bridges'
battery, six guns, assigned to me. I gain two guns
and many men by the exchange.

312 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [August,
Our Board grinds away eight or nine hours a
day, and turns out about the usual proportion of
Avlieat and chaff. The time Avas Avhen Ave thought it
Avould be impossible to obtain good officers for col
ored regiments. Noav Ave feel a.ssured that they Avill
have as good, if not better, officers than the AA'hite
regiments. From sergeants applying for comnii.ssions
Ave are able to select splendid men ; strong, healthy,
Avell informed, and of considerable military expe
rience. In fact, we occasionally find a non-commis
sioned officer who is better qualified to command a
regiment than nine-tenths of the colonels. I certainly
knoAV colonels Avho could not obtain a recommenda
tion from this Board for a second lieutenancy.
SaAV General Garfield yesterday ; he Avas in bed
sick. I have no fears of his immediate dissolution ;
in fact, I think he could avail himself of a tAventy-
day leave. I knoAV if I Avere no worse than he ap
pears to be, I Avould, Avith the permission of the gen
eral commanding, undertake to ride the whole distance
home on horseback, and .SAvim the rivers. In a little
over a Aveek I think my Avife Avould see me, and the
black horse, folloAved by the pepper-and-salt colt,
charging up to the front door in such style as Avould
remind her of the days of chivalry and the knights
of the olden time. I .should cry out in thunder tones,
"Ho! within! Unbar the door!" The colt Avould
kick up his heels Avith joy at sight of the grass in the
yard, Avhile the black would champ his bit Avith im
patience to get Into a comfortable stall once more.

1863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 313
Altogether the sight Avould be worth seeing; but it
will not be seen.
The Board holds its sessions in the office of an hon
orable Air. Turney, who left on our approach for a
more congenial clime, and left suddenly. His letters
and papers are lying around us In great confusion and
profusion. Among these we have discovered a docu
ment bearing the signatures of Jeff. Davis, John
Mason, Pierre Soule, and others, pledging themselves
to resist, by any and CA'ery means, the admission of
California, unless It came in Avith certain boundaries
AA'hich they prescribed. The document was gotten up
in AA^ashington, and Colonel Parkhurst says It is the
original contract.
Dined with Colonel D. H. Gilmer, Thirty-eighth
Illinois. Dinner .splendid ; corn, cabbage, beans ;
peach, apple, and blackberry pie ; Avith buttermilk and
sweetmilk. It was a grand dinner, served on a snoAv-
AA'hlte table-cloth. Where the Colonel obtained all
these delicacies I can not imagine. He is an out-and-
out Abolitionist, and possibly the negroes had favored
him .somewhat.
Colonel Gilmer is delighted to find the country
coming around to his ideas. He believes the Lord,
Avho superintends the affairs of nations, Avill give us
peace in good time, and that time will be when the
Institution of .slavery has been rooted up and de
stroyed. He is a Kentuckian by birth, and says he
has kinfolks every-where. He is the only man he
knoAVS of Avho can find a cousin In every town he goes to.
27

314 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [August,
9. Dined Avith Colonel Taylor. Colonels Hobart,
Nicholas, and Major Craddock AA'ere present. After
dinner we adjourned to my quarters, where Ave spent
the afternoon. Hobart dilated upon his adventures at
Ncav Orleans and elscAvhere, under Abou Ben Butler.
He says Butler is a great man, but a d — d scoundrel.
I have heard Hobart say something like this at least
a thousand times, and am pleased to know that his
testimony on this point is ahvays clear, decisive, and
uncontradictory. My visitors are gone. The cars are bunting against
each other at the depot. The katydids are piping
away on the old, old story. The trees look like great
shadoAVS, and unlike the sub.stantial oaks they really
are. The camps are dark and quiet. This is all I can
say of the night without.
In a little booth made of cedar boughs is a table,
on Avhich sputters a solitary tallow candle, in a stick
not remarkable for polish. This light illuminates the
booth, and reveals to the observer — if there be one,
which is very unlikely, for those Avho usually observe
have in all jjrobability retired — a wash basin, a news
paper, a penknife, Avhich originally had two blades,
but at present has but one, and that one A'ery dull, a
gentleman of say thirty, possibly thirty-five, two
steel pens, rusty with age, an inkstand, and one
miller, which miller has repeatedly dashed his head
against the wick of the candle and discovered that
the operation led to unsatisfactory results. Wearied,
disappointed, and disheartened, the miller now sits
quietly on the table, mourning, doubtless, over the

J863.] or, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 315
unpleasant lesson AA'hich experience has taught him.
His head is noAV wiser; but, alas! his Avings are
shorter than they were, and of what use is his head
without Avings ? He feels very like the man who made
a dash for fame, and fell Avounded and bleeding on
the field, or the child who, for the first time, discov
ers that all is not gold that glitters. The gentleman
referred to — and I trust it may be no stretch of the
verities to call him a gentleman — leans over the table
writing. He has an abundant crop of dark hair on
his head, under his chin, and on his upper lip. He
is not just now troubled with a superabundance of
flesh, or, in other words, no one would suspect him of
being fat. On the contrary, he might remind one
of the lean kine, or the prodigal son who had been
feeding on husks. He is wide aAvake at this late hour
of the night, from which I conclude he has slept more
or less during the day. No one, to look at this gen
tleman, would take him to be a remarkable man; in
fact, his most Intimate friends could not find it in
their hearts to bring such an accusation against him.
His face is browned by exposure, and his blue eyes
look quite dark, or would do so if there were suffi
cient light to see them. When he straightens up —
and he generally straightens when up at all — he is
five feet eleven, or thereabouts. His appetite is good,
and his education is of that superior kind which ena
bles him, without apparent effort, to misspell three-
fourths of the Avords in the English language; In
fact, at this present moment he is holding an imag
inary discussion with his wife, who has written him

316 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [August,
that the underclothing for gentlemen's feet should be
spelled s-o-c-h-s, and not "s-o-x." He begs leaA'e to
differ Avith her, whith he would probably not dare to do
were she not hundreds of miles away; and he argues
the matter in this way : S-O-x, o-x, f-o-x — the termina
tion sounds alike in all. Now how absurd it would be
to insist that ox should be spelled o-c-k-s, or fox
f-o-c-k-s. The commonest kind of sense teaches one
that the old lady Is in error, and "sox " clearly correct.
Much learning hath evidently made her mad. Having
satisfied himself about this matter, he takes a photo
graph from an inside pocket; it is that of his wife.
He makes another dive, and brings out one of his
children ; then he lights a laurel-Avood pipe, and, as
the white smoke curls about his head and vanishes,
his thoughts skip off five hundred miles or less, to a
community of sensible, industrious, quiet folks, and
when he finally awakes from the reverie and looks
about him upon the beggarly surroundings — he
does not swear, for he bethinks him In time that
swearing would do no good.
10. Colonel Hobart, Twenty-first Wisconsin, and
Colonel Hays, Tenth Kentucky, have been added to
the Board — the former at my request.
11. To-day I dined with a Wisconsin friend of
Colonel Hobart's ; had a good dinner, Scotch ale and
champagne, and a very agreeable time. Colonel Hegg,
the dispenser of hospitalities, is a Norwegian by birth,
a Republican, a gentleman who has held important
public positions in Wisconsin, and who stands well
with the people. In the course of the table talk I

1863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 317
learned something of the history of my friend Ho
bart. He is an old Avheel-horse of the Democratic
party of his State; Avas a candidate for governor a
fcAV years ago, and held joint debates with Randall
and Carl Schurz. He is the father of the Homestead
LaAV, Avhich has been adopted by so many States, and
was for many years the leader of the House of Rep
resentatives of Wisconsin. All this I gathered from
Colonel Hegg, for Hobart seldom. If ever, talks about
himself. I imagine that even the most polished
orator AA'Ould obtain but little, if any, advantage over
Hobart in a discussion before the people. He has the
imagination, the information, and the oratorical fury
In discussion AA'hich are likely to captivate the masses.
He Avas at one time opposed to arming the negroes;
but nOAV that he is satisfied they will fight, he Is in
favor of using them.
To-night Colonels Hays and Hobart held quite an
interesting debate on the policy of arming colored
men, and emancipating those belonging to rebels.
Hays, who, by the Avay, is an honest man and a gal
lant soldier, presented the Kentucky view of the mat
ter, and his arguments, evidently very weak, were
thoroughly demolished by Hobart. I think Colonel
Hays felt, as the controversy progressed, that his
position was untenable, and that his hostility to the
President's proclamation sprang from the prejudice in
which he had been educated, rather than from reason
and justice.
12. Old Tom, known in camp as the veracious
nigger, because of a " turkle " story which he tells, is

318 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [August,
just coming along as I wait a moment for the break
fast bell. The " turkle," Avhich Tom caught in some
creek in Alabama, had two hundred and fifty eggs in
" him." " Yas, sah, two hunder an' fifty."
Tom has peculiar notions about certain matters, and
they are not, by any means, complimentary to the
white man. He says: " It jus' 'pears to me dat Adam
Avas a black man, sah, an' de Lord he scar him till he
got Avhite, cos he was a sinner, sah."
"Tom, you scoundrel, how dare you slander the
white man in that way?"
"'Pears to me dat way; hab to tell de truf, sah;
dat's my min'. Men was 'riginally black; but de
Lord he scare Adam till he got white ; dat 's de rea
sonable supposition, sah. Do a man's har git black
Avhen he scared, sah ? No, sah, it gits AA'hite. Did
you ebber know a man ter get black when he's scard,
sah ? No, sah, he gits white."
" That does seem to be a knock-down argument,
Tom." " Yas, sah, I've argied with mor'n a hunder white
men, sah, an' they can't never git aroun dat pint.
When yer strip dis subjec ob prejdice, an' fetch to bar
on it de light o' reason, sah, yer can 'rive at but one 'elu
sion, sah. De Lord he rode into de garden in chariot
of fire, sah, robed AA'id de lightnin', sah, thunder bolt
in his han', an' he cried Adam, In de voice of a airth-
quake, sah, an' de 'fee on Adam was powerful, sah.
Dat's my min', sah." And so Tom goes on his way,
confident that the first man Avas black, and that an
other white man has been vanquished in argument.

1863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 319
13. The weather continues oppressively hot. The
names of candidates for admission to the corps
d'Afrique continue to pour in. The number has
swelled to eight hundred. We begin our labors at
nine, adjourn a few minutes for lunch, and then con
tinue bur work until nearly six.
16. We move at ten o'clock A. M. Had a heavy
rain yesterday and a fearful wind. The morning,
hoAvever, is clear, and atmosphere delightful.
Our Board has examined one hundred and twenty
men. Perhaps forty have been recommended for_
commissions. The present movement will, doubtless, be a very
Interesting one. A few days will take us to the Ten-
nes.see, and thereafter Ave shall operate on neAV ground.
Georgia will be within a feAV miles of us, the long-
suffering and long-coA'eted East Tennessee on our left,
Central Alabama to our front and right. A great
struggle will undoubtedly soon take place, for it is
not possible that the rebels will give us a foothold .
south of the Tennessee until compelled to do it.
21. AVe are encamped on the banks of Crow creek,
three miles northerly from Stevenson. The table on
which I write Is under the great beech trees. Col
onel Hobart is sitting near studying Casey. The
light of the new moon is entirely excluded by foliage.
On the right and left the valley is bounded by ranges
of mountains eight hundred or a thousand feet high.
Crow creek is within a few feet of me; In fact, the
sand under my feet was deposited by its waters. The
army extends along, the Tennessee, from opposite

320 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [August,
Chattanooga to Bellefonte. Before us, and just be
yond the river, rises a green-mountain wall, Avhose
summit, apparently as uniform as a garden hedge,
seems to mingle with the clouds. Beyond this are
the legions of the enemy, AA'hose signal lights Ave see
nightly. 22. Our Board has resumed its sessions at the
Alabama House, Stevenson. The Aveather is intensely
hot. Father Stanley stripped off his coat and
groaned. Hobart's face Avas red as the rising sun,
and the anxious candidates for commissions did not
certainly resemble cucumbers for coolness.
Hobart rides a A'ery poor horse — poor in flesh, I
mean ; but he entertains the most exalted opinion of
the beast. This morning, as Ave rode from camp, I
thought I Avould please him by referring to his horse
in a complimentary Avay. Said I: "Colonel, your
horse holds his oavu mighty Avell." His face bright
ened, and I continued : " Ho hasn't lost a bone .since
I have known him." This nettled him, and he began
to badger me about an unsuccessful attempt which I
made some time ago to get him to taste a green per
simmon. Hobart has a good education, is fluent in
-conversation, and in discussion gets the better of me
without difficulty. All I can do, therefore, is to
watch my opportunity to giA'e him an occasional
'thrust as best I can. Father Stanley is sIoav, desti-
¦tute of either education or Avit, and examines appli
cants like a demagogue fishes for A'otes.
Brigadier-General Jeff. C. Davis and Colonel Hegg
called to-day. Davis is, I thinly not quite so tall as I

1863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 321
am, but a shade heavier. Met Captain Gaunther.
He has been relicA'cd from duty here, and ordered to
AVa,shington. He is an excellent officer, and deserves
a higher position than he holds at present. I thought,
from the very affectionate manner with which he
clung to my hand and squeezed It, that possibly, in
taking leave of his friends, he had burdened himself
with that " oat " which is said to be one too many.
Hobart says that Scribner calls him Hobart up to
two glasses, and further on In his cups ycleps him
Hogan .
Wood had a bout with the enemy at Chattanooga
yesterday ; he on the north side and they on the
south side of the river. Johnson is said to have rein
forced Bragg, and the enemy is supposed to be strong
in our front. Rosecrans was at Bridgeport yesterday
looking over the ground, when a sharpshooter blazed
aAvay at him, and put a bullet in a tree near which
the General and his son Avere standing.
24. Deserters are coming in almost CA'ery day.
They report that secret societies exist in the rebel
army whose object Is the promotion of desertion.
Eleven men from one company arrived yesterday.
Not many days ago a Confederate officer swam the
river and gave himself up. For some time past the
pickets of the two armies have not been firing at each
other; but yesterday the rebels gave notice that they
should commence again, as the "Yanks were becom
ing too d — n thick." ---
26. To-day we were examining a German Avho de
sired to be recommended for a field officer. " How

322 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [August,
do you form an oblique square, sir?" "Black square?
Black square?" exclaimed the Dutchman; "I dush
not knoAV vot you means by de black square."
As I write the moon shines down upon me through
an opening in the branches of the beech forest in
Avhich we are encamped, and the objects about me,
half seen and half hidden, in some way suggest the
half-remembered and half-forgotten incidents of
childhood. How often, AA'hen a boy, have I dreamed of scenes
similar to those through Avhich I have passed in the
last tAVO years ! Knightly warriors, great armies on
the march and in camp, the skirmish, the tumult and
thunder of battle, were then things of the imagina
tion; but now they have become familiar items of
daily life. Then a single tap of the di-um or note of
the bugle awakened thoughts of the old times of chiv
alry, and regrets that the days of glory had passed
aAA'ay. Now we have martial strains almost every
hour, and are reminded only of the various duties of
our every-day life.
As we went to Stevenson this morning, Hobart
caught a glimpse of a colored man coming toAvard us.
It suggested to him a hobby which he rides noAV
every day, and he commenced his oration by saying,
in his declamatory way : " The negro is the coming
man." "Yes," I interrupted, "so I .see, and he ap
pears to haA'e his hat full of peaches ;" and so the
coming man had.
28. Rode to the river with Hobart and Stanley.
The rebel pickets were lying about in plain view on

1863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 323
the other side Just before our arrival quite a num
ber of them had been bathing. The outposts of the
two armies appear still to be on friendly terms.
" Yesterday," a soldier said to me, " one of our boys
crossed the rh'er, talked with the rebs for some time,
and returned."
29. The band is playing " Yankee Doodle," and
the boys break into an occasional cheer by way of
indorsement. There is something defiant in the air
of "Doodle" as he blows aAvay on the soil of the cav-
liers, Avhich strikes a noisy chord in the breast of
Uucle Sam's nephcAvs, and the demonstrations Avhich
follow are equivalent to "Let'er rip," "Go in old
boy." Colonel Hobart's emphatic expression is "egad."
He told me to-day of a favorite horse at home, which
would follow him from, place to place as he worked
in the garden, keeping his nose as near to him as pos
sible. His wife remarked to him one day: "Egad,
husband. If you loved me as well as you do that
horse, I should be perfectly happy."
" Are you quite sure sure Mrs. Hobart said ' egad,'
Colonel ?"
"AVell, no, I Avould n't like to swear to that."
This afternoon Colonels Stanley, Hobart, and I
rode down to the Tennessee to look at the pontoon
bridge AvhIch has been thrown acro.ss the river. On
the way we met Generals Rosecrans, McCook, Negley,
and Garfield. The former checked up, shook hands,
and said : " How d' ye do ?" Garfield gave us a grip

324 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER;, [August,
which suggested "vote right, vote early." Negley
smiled affiibly, and the cavalcade moved on. AVe
crossed the. Tennessee on the bridge of boats, and
rode a fcAV miles into the country beyond. Not a gun
Avas fired as the bridge Avas being laid. Davis'
division is on the south side of the river.
The Tennessee at this place is beautiful. The
bridge looks like a ribbon stretched across it. The
island beloAv, the heavily-wooded banks, the bluffs
and mountain, present a scene which would delight
the soul of the arti,st. A hundred boys Avere frol-
licking in the Avater near the pontoons, tumbling
into the stream in all sorts of ways, kicking up their
heels, ducking and splashing each other, and having
a glorious time generally.
30. (Sunday.) The brigade moved into Stevenson.
31. It crossed the Tennessee.
In one of the classes for examination to-day was a
sergeant, fifty years old at least, but still sprightly
and active ; not A'ery Avell posted In the infantry
tactics noAv in use, but of more than ordinary intelli
gence. The class had not impressed the Board favor
ably. This Sergeant Ave thought rather too old, and
the others entirely too ignorant. J When the class was
told to retire, this old SergeSit, Avho, by the Avay,
belongs to a Michigan regiment, came up to me and
asked : " Was John Beatty, of Sandusky, a relative
of yours?" "He was my grandfather." "Yes,
you resemble your mother. You are the son of
James Beatty. I have carried you in my arms

t8630 OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 325
many a time. AIy mother saved your life more than
once. Thirty years ago your father and mine Avere
neighbors. I recollect the cabin Avhere you were
born as Avell as if I had seen it but yesterday." " I
am heartily glad to see you, my old friend,"
said I, taking his hand. " You must stay with
me to-night, and avc Avill talk over the old times
together." When the Sergeant retired, Hobart, with a twinkle
in his eye, said he did not think much of that fellow ;
his early associations had evidently been bad; he Avas
entirely too old, anyAvay. AA^hat the army needed^
aboA'e all things, were young, vigorous, dashing
officers ; but he supposed, notwith.standing all this,
that we should have to do something for the Ser
geant. He had rendered important service to the
country by carrying the honored President of our
Board In his arms, and but for the timely doses of
catnip tea, administered by the Sergeant's mother,
the gallant knight of the black horse and pepper-
and-salt colt would have been unknown. "What do
you say, gentlemen, to a second lieutenantcy for Gen
eral Beatty's friend ?"
" I shall vote for it," replied Stanley.
" Recommend him for a first lieutenancy," I sug
gested; and they did.
In the evening I had a long and very pleasant
conversation with the Sergeant. He had fought un
der Bradley in the Patriot war at Point au Pelee;
served five years in the regular army during the

326 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [August,
Florida war, and two years In the Mexican war.
His name is Daniel Rodabaugh. He has been in
the United States service as a soldier for nine
years, and richly deserves the position for which we
recommended him. \

1863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 327

SEPTEMBER, 1863.

1. Closed up the business of the Board, and at
seven o'clock in the evening (Tuesday) left Stevenson
to rejoin the brigade. On the Avay to the river I
passed Colonel Stanley's brigade of our division. The
air was thick with dust. It was quite dark when I
crossed the bridge. The brigade had started on the
march hours before, but I thought best to push on
and overtake it. After getting on the wrong road
and riding considerably out of my Avay, I finally
fo'dnd the right one, and about ten o'clock OA'crtook
the rear of the column. The tAvo armies will face
each other before the end of the week. General
Lytle's brigade is bivouacking near me. I have a
bad cold, but otherAvise am in good health.
3. We moved from Moore's Spring, on the Ten
nessee, in the morning, and after laboring all day
advanced less than one mile and a quarter. We were
ascending Sand mountain ; many of our wagons did
not reach the summit.
4. With tAVO regiments I descended into Lookout
valley and bivouacked at Brown's Springs about
dark. Our transportation, owing to the darkness and
extreme badness of the roads, remained on the top of

328 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [September,
the mountain. I have no blankets, and nothing to
eat except one ear of corn Avhich one of the colored
boys roasted for me. Wrapped in my overcoat, about
nine o'clock, I lay doAvn on the ground to sleep; but
a terrible toothache took hold of me, and I was com
pelled to get up and find such relief as I could in
Avalking up and down the road. The moon shone
brightly, and many camp-fires glimmered in the valley
and along the side of the mountain. It was three
o'clock In the morning before gentle sleep made me
oblivious to aching teeth and head, and all the other
aches which had possession of me.
5. A fcAV deserters come in to us, but they bring
little information of the enemy. AVe are now in
Georgia, twenty miles from Chattanooga by the direct
road, Avhich, like all roads here, is very crooked, and
difficult to travel. The enemy is, doubtless. In force
very near, but he makes no demonstrations and retires
his pickets Avithout firing a gun. The developments
of the next week or tAvo will be matters for the
historian. Sheridan's division is just coming Into the valley;
what other troops .are to cross the mountain by this
road I do not knovv. As I write, heavy guns are
heard off in the direction of Chattanooga. The roads
are extremely dusty. This morning I consigned to
the flames all letters which have come to me during
the last two months.
I haA'e just returned from a ride up the A'alley to
the site of the proposed iron Avorks of Georgia.
AVork on the railroad, on the mountain roads, and on

1863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 329
the furnaces, Avas su.spended on our approach. The
negroes and Avhite laborers Avere run off to get them
beyond our reach. The hills in the vicinity of the
proposed Avorks are undoubtedly full of iron; the ort,
crops out so plainly that it is visible to all passers.
Here the Confederacy proposed to supply its railroads
with iron rail, an article at present very nearly ex
hausted in the South. Had the Georgians possessed
common business sense and common energy, extensive
furnaces would haA'e been In operation in this valley
years ago; and uoav, Instead of a few poorly culti
vated corn-fields, with here and there a cabin, the
A'alley and hillsides AA'ould be overflowing AvIth popu-
ulation and wealth.
AVe returned from the site of the iron works by
way of Trenton, the seat of justice of Dade county.
Reynolds and Sheridan are encamped near Trenton.
I feel better since my ride.
6. (Sunday.) Marched to Johnson's Crook, and
bivouacked, at nightfall, at McKay's Spring, on the
north side of Lookout mountain ; here my advance
regiment, the Forty-second Indiana, had a slight
skirmish AvIth the enemy, in which one man was
Avounded. 7. We gained the summit of Lookout mountain,
and the enemy retired to the gaps on the south side.
8. Started at four o'clock in the morning and
pushed for Cooper's Gap. Surprised a cavalry picket
at the foot of the mountain, in McLemore's Cove,
Chattanooga valley. In this little affair we captured
28

330 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [Septemder,
five sabers, one revolver, one carbine, one prisoner,
and seriously wounded one man.
While standing on a peak of Lookout, we saw far
off to the east long lines of dust trending sIoAvly to
the south, and inferred from this that Bragg had
abandoned Chattanooga, and was either retiring before
us or making preparations to check the center and
right of our line.
9. Marched up the valley to Stephen's Gap and
rejoined the division.
10. Our division marched across AIcLemore's Cove
to Pigeon mountain, found Dug Gap obstructed, and
the enemy in force on the right, left, and front. The
skirmishers of the advance brigade. Colonel Surwell's,
were engaged somewhat, and during the night in
formation poured in upon us, from all quarters, that the
enemy, in strength, Avas making dispositions to sur
round and cut us off before reinforcements could arrive.
11. Two brigades of Baird's division joined us
about 10 A. M. Five thousand of the enemy's cavalry
were reported to be moving to our left and rear; soon
after, his infantry appeared on our right and left, and,
a little later, in our front. From the summit of
Pigeon mountain, the rebels could observe all our
movements, and form a good estimate of our entire
force. Our immense train, SAvelled noAV by the tran-s-
portatlon of Baird's division to near four hundred
wagons, compelled us to select such positions as would
enable us to protect the train, and not such as were
most favorable for making an offensive or defensive
fight.

1863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 331
It Avas now impossible for Brannan and Reynolds
to reach us in time to render assistance. General
Negley concluded, therefore, to fall back, and ordered
me to move to Bailey's Cross-roads, and await the
passage of the wagon train to the rear. The enemj'
attacked soon after, but were held in check until the
transportation had time to return to Stephens' Gap.
12. We expected an attack this morning, but,
reinforcements arriving, the enemy retired. This
afternoon Brannan made a reconnoissance, but the
result I haA'e not ascertained; there Avas, however, no
fighting. I am Avriting this in the woods, Avhere we are
biA'ouacking for the night. For nearly two weeks,
noAV, I have not had my clothes off; and for perhaps
not more than tAvo nights of the time have I had
my boots and spurs off. I have arisen at three
o'clock in the morning and not Iain down until ten
or eleven at night. My appetite Is good and health
excellent. Last night my horse fell doAvn with me,.
and on me, but strange to say only injured himself.
AVe find great numbers of men in these mountains
who profess to be loyal. Our army is divided — Crit
tenden on the left, our corps (Thomas) in the center,
and McCook far to the right. The greatest danger
we need apprehend is that the enemy may concentrate
rapidly and fight our widely separated corps In detail.
Our transportation, necessarily large in any case, but
unnecessarily large in this, impedes us very much.
The roads up and doAvn the mountains are extremely
bad; our progress has therefore been slow, and the

332 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [September,
march hither a tedious one. The brigade lies in the
open field before me in battle line. The boys have
had no time to rest during the day, and have done
much night Avork, but they hold up Avell. A katydid
has been very friendly Avith me to-night, and is noAV
sitting on the paper as if to read Avhat I have Avritten.
17. Marched from Bailey's Cross-roads to Owens-
ford on the Chickamauga.
18. Ordered to relieve General Hazen, Avho held
pcsition on the road to CraAvfish Springs; but as he
had received no orders, and as mine Avere but verbal,
he declined to move, and I therefore continued my
march and bivouacked at the springs.
About midnight I was ordered to proceed to a ford
of the Chickamauga and relieve a brigade of Palmer's
division, commanded by Colonel Grose. The night
was dark and the road crooked. About two in the
morning I reached the place; and as Colonel Grose's
pickets were being relieved and mine substituted,
occasional shots along the line Indicated that the
enemy was in our immediate front.
CHICKAMAUGA.
19. At an early hour in the morning the enemy's
pickets made their appearance on the ea.st side of the
Chickamauga and engaged my skirmishers. Some
hours later he opened on us with two batteries, and
a sharp artillery fight ensued. During this engage
ment, the Fifteenth Kentucky, Colonel Taylor, occu
pied an advanced position in the Avoods on the Ioav
ground, and the shots of the artillery passed immedi-

i853 ] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 333
ately over it. I rode down to this regiment to see that
the men AA'ere not disturbed by the furious cannonad
ing, and to obtain at the same time a better view of the
enemy. AVhilethus absent. Captain Bridges, concluding
that the Confederate guns Avere too heavy for him, lim
bered up and fell back. Hastening to the hill, I sent
Captain AVilson Avith an order to Bridges to return ;
and, being reinforced soon after by three pieces of
Shultz's First Ohio Battery, aa'c opened again on the
adA'ancing columns of the enemy, when they fell back
precipitately, evidently concluding that the lull In
our firing and Avithdrawal of our artillery Avere simply
devices to draw them on.
In this affair eight men of the infantry were
wounded; and Captain Bridges had two men killed,
nine wounded, and lo.st twelve horses.
About five o'clock in the afternoon I was directed
to withdraw my picket line — Avhich had been greatly
extended in order to connect with troops on the left —
as silently and carefully as possible, and return to
Crawfish Springs. Arriving at the springs, the boys
were allowed time to fill their canteens with water,
when we pushed forward on the Chattanooga road to
a ridge near Osbern's, where we bivouacked for the
night. There had been heavy fighting on our left during
the whole afternoon; and while the boys were prepar
ing supper, a very considerable engagement was oc
curring not far distant to the east and south of us.
Elsewhere an occasional volley of musketry, and
boom of artillery, with scattered firing along an

334 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [Septe.muer,
extended line indicated that the tAVO grand armies
were concentrating for battle, and that the morrow
Avould giA'e us hot and dangerous work.
20. (Sunday.) At an early hour In the morning I
was directed to move nortliAvard on the Chattanooga
road and report to General Thomas. He ordered me
to go to the extreme left of our line*, form perpeii-
dicularly to the rear of Baird's division, connecting
with his left. I disposed of my brigade as directed.
Baird's line appeared to run parallel with the road,
and mine running to the rear crossed the road. On
this road and near it I posted my artillery, and' ad
vanced my skirmishers to the edge of the open field
in front of the left and center of my line. The posi
tion Avas a good one, and my brigade and the one on
Baird's left could have co-operated and assisted each
other In maintaining it. Fifteen minutes after this
line was formed, Captain Gaw, of General Thomas'
staff, brought me a verbal order to advance my line
to a ridge or low hill (McDaniel's house), fully one-
fourth of a mile distant. I represented to him that
In advancing I Avould necessarily leave a long inter
val between my right and Baird's left, and also that I
Avas already in the position which General Thomas
himself told me to occupy. He replied that the order
to move forward Avas imperative, and that I was to be
supported by Negley with the other two brigades of
his division. I could object no further, although the
movement seemed exceedingly unwise, and, therefore,
pushed foi'Avard my men as rapidly as possible to the
point indicated. The Eighty-eighth Indiana (Colonel

«863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. C35
Humphreys), on the left, moved into position Avithout
difficulty. The Forty-second Indiana (Lieutenant-
Colonel Mclntyre), on its right, met with considera
ble opposition In advancing through the Avoods, but
finally reached the ridge. The One Hundred and
Fourth Illinois (Lieutenant-Colonel Hapeman), and
Fifteenth Kentucky (Colonel Taylor), on the right,
became engaged almost immediately and advanced
slowly. The enemy in strong force pressed them
heaA'ily in front and on the right flank.
At this time I sent an aid to request General Baird
or General King to throw a force in the interval be
tween my right and their left, and dispatched Captain
Wilson to the rear to hasten forward General Negley
to my support. My regiment on the right was con
fronted by so large a force that it was compelled to
fall back, which it did in good order, contesting the
ground .stoutly. About this time a column of the
enemy, en masse, on the double quick, pressed into
the inter\'al betAveen the One Hundred and Fourth
Illinois and Forty-second Indiana, and turned with
the evident intention of capturing the latter, which
was then busily engaged with the rebels in its front ;
but Captain Bridges opened on it with grape and
canister, when it broke and fell back in disorder to
the shelter of the woods. The Forty-second Indiana,
but a moment before almost surrounded, was thus en
abled to fight its way to the left and unite with the
Eighty-eighth. Soon after this the enemy made an
other and more furious assault upon the One Hun
dred and Fourth Illinois and Fifteenth Kentucky,

336 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; (September,
and, driving them back, advanced to within fifty
yards of my batter^', and poured into It a heavy fire,
killing Lieutenant Bishop, and killing or wounding
all the men and horses belonging to his section, AA'hich
consequently fell into rebel hands. Captain Bridges
and his officers, by the exercise of great courage and
coolness, succeeded in saving the remainder of the
battery. It was In this encounter that Captain
LeFcA're, of my staff, was killed, and Lieutenant
Calkins, also of the staff, Avas wounded.
The enemy having noAV gained the AVOods .south of
the open field and Avest of the road, I opposed his
further progress as well as I could with the Fifteenth
Kentucky and One Hundred and Fourth Illinois;
but as he had two full brigades, the struggle on our
part seemed a hopeless one. Fortunately, at this
juncture, I discovered a battery on the road in our
rear (I think it was Captain Goodspeed's), and at my
request the Captain ordered it to change front and
open fire. This additional opposition served for a
time to entirely check the enemy.
The Eighty-eighth and Forty-second Indiana, com
pelled, as their officers claim, to make a detour to the
left and rear, in order to escape capture or utter anni
hilation, found General Negley, and were ordered to
remain with him, and finally to retire Avith him in the
direction of Rossville. This, hoAvever, I did not as
certain until ten hours later in the day.
Firing having uoav ceased in my front, -and being
the only mounted officer or mounted man present, I

I863-] OR, MEMOIRS OT A VOLUNTEER. 337
left the Fifteenth Kentucky and One Hundred and
Fourth Illinois temporarily in charge of Colonel
Taylor, and hurried back to see General Thomas or
Negley, and urge the necessity for more troops to ena
ble me to re-establish the line. On the way, and be
fore proceeding far, I met the Second Brigade of our
division. Colonel Stanley, advancing to my support.
Had It reached me an hour earlier, I feel assured that
I would have been able to maintain the position
Avhich I had just been compelled to abandon. I
directed Colonel Stanley to form line of battle at
once, at right angles with the road and on its left,
facing north. Returning to Colonel Taylor, I or
dered him to fall back with the Fifteenth Kentucky
and One Hundred and Fourth Illinois, and form in
rear of the left of Stanley's line, as a support to it.
Soon after Ave had got our lines adjusted, the enemv
pressed back the skirmishers of the Fifteenth Ken
tucky and One Hundred and Fourth Illinois, who
had not been retired with the regiments, and, follow
ing them up, drove in also the skirmish line of
Stanley's brigade, whereupon the Eleventh Michigan
(Colonel Stoughton), and the Eighteenth Ohio (Lieu
tenant-Colonel Grosvenor), gaA'e him a Avell-directed
volley, which brought him to a halt. Our Avhole line
then opened at short range, and he wavered. I gave
the order to adA'ance, then to charge, and the brigade
rushed foi'Avard with a yell, drove the enemy fully
one-fourth of a mile, strcAving the ground Avith his
dead and AVOunded, and capturing many prisoners.
29

338 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [September,
Among the latter Avas General Adams, the commander
of a Louisiana brigade.
Finding now that Colonel Taylor had not followed
the naovement with his regiment and the One Hun
dred and Fourth Illinois, and seeing the necessity for
some support for a single line so extended, I hastened
to the rear, and, being unable to find Taylor Avhere I
had left him, I Induced four regiments, of I know not
what command, which I found idle in the Avoods, to
moA'e forAA'ard and form a second line.
At this time Captain Wilson, whom I had sent to
General Negley some time before the Second Brigade
reached me, to inform him of my position and need
of assistance, returned, and brought from him a A'cr-
bal order to retire to the hill In the rear and join him.
Convinced that the withdrawal of the troops at this
time from the position occupied might endanger the
whole left Aving of the army, I thought best to defer
the execution of this order until I could see General
Negley and explain to him the necessity of maintain
ing and reinforcing it with the other brigade of our
division. But before Captain AVilson could find either
Colonel Taylor, who had In charge the Fifteenth
Kentucky and One Hundred and Fourth Illinois, or
General Negley, the enemy made a fierce attack on
Stanley's brigade and forced it back. The unknown
brigade which I had posted in the rear to support it
retired with unseemly haste, and without firing a
shot. At this juncture frightened soldiers and occasional
shots were coming from the right and rear of our line,

t863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 339
indicating that the right Aving of the army had either
been throAvn back or changed position. Stanley's bri
gade, considerably scattered and shattered by the last
furious assault of the enemy, was gathered up
by its officers and retired to the ridge on the
right and to the rear of the original line of battle.
Wilson and I made diligent efforts to find Taylor,
but were unable to do so. I was greatly provoked at
his retirement without consulting me, and at a time,
too, Avhen his presence Avas so greatly needed to sup
port Stanley. But later in the day I ascertained from
him that he had been ordered by Major Lowrie, Gen
eral Negley's chief of staff, to join Negley and retire
with him to Rossville. He also had much to say
about saving many pieces of artillery; but it oc
curred to me that his presence on the field was of
much more importance than a few pieces of trumpery
artillery off the field. Why, at any rate, did he not
notify me of the order which he had received from
the division commander? The charge of Stanley's
brigade had not occupied to exceed thirty minutes,
and as soon as it was ended I had returned to find
him gone. The Colonel, hoAvever, did, doubtless,
Avhat he conceived to be his duty, and for the best.
His courage had been tested on too many occa.sions to
allow me to think that anything but an error of judg
ment, or po,ssibly the belief that under any circum
stances he was bound to obey the order of the
major-general commanding the division, could have
induced him to abandon me.
Supposing my regiments and General Negley to be

340 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [September,
still on the field, I again dispatched Captain AA''Ilson
in search of them, and in the meantime stationed my
self near a fragment of the Second Brigade of our
division, and gave such general directions to the
troops about me as under the circumstances I felt
Avarranted in doing. I found abundant opportunity
to make myself useful. Gathering up scattered de
tachments of a dozen different commands, I filled up
an unoccupied space on the ridge between Harker, of
AVood's division, on the left, and Brannan, on the
right, and this point we held obstinately until sunset.
Colonel Stoughton, Eleventh Michigan ; Lieutenant-
Colonel Rappin, Nineteenth Illinois; Lieutenant-
Colonel Grosvenor, Eighteenth Ohio ; Colonel Hunter,
Eighty-second Indiana; Colonel Hays and Lieuten
ant-Colonel AVharton, Tenth Kentucky ; Captain
Stinchcomb, Seventeenth Ohio, and Captain Ken-
drick. Seventy-ninth Pennsylvania, were there, each
having a few men of their respective commands; and
they and their men fought and struggled and clung
to that ridge with an obstinate, persistent, desperate
courage, unsurpa.ssed, I believe, on any field. I
robbed the dead of cartridges and distributed them
to the men ; and once when, after a desperate strug
gle, our troops were driA'en from the crest, and the
enemy's flag waved above it, the men were rallied,
and I rode up the hill with them, Avaving my hat,
and shouting like a madman. Thus aa'c charged, and
the enemy only saved his colors by throAving them
doAvn the hill. However much Ave may say of those
Avho held command, justice compels the acknowl-

i863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 341
edgment that no officer exhibited more courage
on that occasion than the humblest priA'ate in the
ranks. About four o'clock Ave saAV aAvay off' to our rear the
banners and glittering guns of a division coming to
Avard us, and avc became agitated by doubt and hope.
Are they friends or foes ? The thunder, as of a thou
sand anvils, still goes on In our front. Men fall
around us like leaves In autumn. Thomas, Garfield,
AVood, and others are In consultation beloAV the hill
just In rear of Harker. The approaching troops are
said to be ours, and we feel a throb of exultation.
Before they arrive we ascertain that the division is
Steedman's ; and finally, as they come up, I recognize
my old friend. Colonel Alitchell, of the One Hundred
and Thirteenth. They go into action on our right,
and as they press forAvard the roar of the musketry
redoubles; the battle seems to be working off In that
direction. There is now a comparative lull in our
front, and I ride over to the right, and become
Invoh-ed in a regiment which has been thrown
out of line and into confu.sion by another reg
iment that retreated through it in disorder. I assist
Colonel Mitchell in rallying it, and It goes into the
fight again. Returning to my old place, I find that
disorganized bodies of men are coming rapidly from
the left. In regiments, companies, squads, and singly.
I meet General Wood, and ask if I shall not
halt and reorganize them. He tells me to do so; but
I find the task impossible. They do not recognize
me as their commander, and most of them will not

342 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [September,
obey my orders. Some fcAv, indeed, I manage to hold
together; but the great mass drift by me to the woods
In the rear. The dead are lying every-where; the
wounded are continually passing to the rear; the
thunder of the guns and roll of musketry are unceas
ing and unabated until night-fall. Then the fury of
the battle gradually dies away, and finally Ave haA'e a
silence, broken only by a cheer here and there along
the enemy's line.
Wilson and I are together near the ridge, Avhere we
have been all the afternoon. We have heard nothing
of Negley nor of my regiments. We take it
for granted, however, that they are somewhere
on the field. As the night darkens we discover a line
of fires off to our left and rear, toward McDaniels'
house. That is the place where Negley should have
been In the morning, and we conclude he must be
there now.
We haA'e been badly used during the day; but it
does not occur to us that our army has been whipped.
We start together to find Negley. We have had
nothing to eat since early morning, and so, passing
a corn-field, we stop for a moment to fill our pockets
with corn; then, proceeding on our Avay, Ave pass
through an unused field, grown up with brush, and
here meet a man coming toAvard us on horseback. I
said to him, " Are those our troops ? " pointing in the
direction of the line of fires. He answered, " Yes ;
our troops are on the road and just beyond it."
Pretty soon Ave emerged from the brushy woods and
entered an open field ; just before us was a long line

1863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 343
of fires, and soldiers busily engaged preparing supper.
AVe had approached to within two hundred feet of them,
and could hear the soldiers talk and laugh, as soldiers
will, over the incidents of the day, Avhen we discerned
that we Avere riding straight Into the enemy's line.
Instantly Avheeling our horses, we drove the spurs
into them and lay down on their backs. We had
been discovered, and a dozen or more shots were sent
after us ; but we escaped unharmed. The man Ave met
in the unused field had mistaken us for Confederate
officers. Two or three shots were fired at us as we
approached our own line, but the darkness saA'ed us.
Near eight o'clock in the evening I ascertained,
from General AVood, that the army had been ordered
to fall back to Rossville, and I started at once to in
form Colonel Stoughton and others on the ridge; but
I found that they had been apprised of the movement,
and were then on the road to the rear.
The march to Rossville Avas a melancholy one. AU
along the road, for miles, wounded men were lying.
They had crawled or hobbled slowly away from the
fury of the battle, become exhausted, and lay down
by the roadside to die. Some were calling the names
and numbers of their regiments, but many had be
come too weak to do this; by midnight the column
had passed by. AVhat must have been their agony,
mental and physical, as they lay in the dreary woods,
sensible that there was no one to comfort or to care
for them, and that in a fcAV hours more their career
on earth Avould be ended.
At a little brook, which crossed the road, Wilson

344 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [September,
and I .stopped to water our horses. The remains of a
fire, Avhich some soldiers had kindled, Avere raked to
gether; and laying a couple of ears of corn on the
coals for our OAvn use, Ave gave the remainder of Avhat
Ave had in our pockets to the poor beasts; they, also,
had fasted since early morning.
PIoAV many terrible scenes of the day's battle recur
to us as Ave ride on in the darkne.ss. We see again
the soldier Avhose bowels were protruding, and hear
him cry, "Jesus, have mercy on my soul!" Wha*
multitudes of thought were then croAvding into the
narrow half hour Avhich he had yet to live — what
regrets, what hopes, what fears ! The sky was dark
ening, earth fading; wealth, poAver, fame, the prizes
most esteemed of men, Avere as nothing. His only
hope lay in the Saviour of whom his mother had
taught him. I doubt not hi§ earnest, agonizing prayer
was heard. Nay, to doubt Avould be to question the
mercy of God !
A Confederate boy, Avho should have been at home
with his mother, and whose leg had been fearfully
torn by a minnie ball, hailed me as I Avas galloping
by early in the day. He Avas bleeding to death, and
crying bitterly. I gave him my handkerchief, and
shouted back to him, as I hurried on, " Bind up the
leg tight ! "
The adjutant of the rebel General Adams called to
me as I passed him. He Avanted help, but I could
not help him — ^could not even help our oavu poor boys
who lay bleeding near him.
Sammy Snyder lay on the field Avounded ; as I

1863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 345
handed him my canteen he said, " General, I did my
duty." " I know that, Sammy; I never doubted that
you would do your duty." The most painful recollec
tion to one who has gone through a battle, is that cf
the friends lying wounded and dying and who needed
help so much when you were utterly powerless to aid
them. Between ten and eleven o'clock, at night, I reached
Rossville, and found one of my regiments, the Forty-
second Indiana, on picket one mile south of that
place, and the other regiments encamped near the
town. My men were surprised and rejoiced to see
me. It had been currently reported that I was killed.
One fellow claimed to know the exact spot on my
body where the ball hit me ; while another, not
willing to be outdone, had given a minute description
of the locality where I fell. General Negley rendered
me good service by giving me something to eat and
drink, for I was hungry as a wolf.
At this hour of the night (eleven to twelve o'clock)
the army Is simply a mob. There appears to be
neither organization nor discipline. The various
commands are mixed up in what seems to be inex
tricable cogfusion. Were a division of the enemy to
pounce down upon us betAveen this and morning, I
fear the Army of the Cumberland would be blotted
out. 21. Early this morning the army was again got
Into order. Officers and soldiers found their regi
ments, regiments their brigades, and brigades their
divisions. My brigade was posted on a high ridee.

346 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [September,
east of Rossville and near it. About ten o'clock A. m
it was attacked by a brigade of mounted infantry, a
part of Forrest's command, under Colonel Dibble.
After a sharp fight of half an hour, in which
the Fifteenth Kentuckj', Colonel Taylor, and the
Forty-second Indiana, Lieutenant-Colonel Mclntyre
were principally engaged, the enemy was repulsed
and retired leaving his dead and a portion of his
wounded on the field. Of his dead, one officer and
eight men were left within a few rods of our line.
One little boy, so badly wounded they could not
carry him off, said, with tears and sobs, " They have
run off and left me in the woods to die." I directed
the boys to carry him into our lines and care for him.
At midnight, the Fifteenth Kentucky was deployed
on the skirmish line; the other regiments of the
brigade withdrawn, and started on the way to Chat
tanooga. A little later the Fifteenth Kentucky
quietly retired and proceeded to the same place.
22. We are at Chattanooga.
With the exception of a cold, great exhau.stion, and
extreme hoarseness, occasioned by much hallooing, I
am In good condition. The rebels have followed us
and are taking position in our front.
24. At midnight the enemy attempted to drive
in our pickets, and an engagement ensued, which
lasted an hour or more, and was quite brisk.
26. This morning another furious assault was
made on our picket line; but, after a short time,
the rebels retired and permitted us to remain quiet
for the remainder of the day.

1S63.} OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 347
Their pickets are plainly seen from our lines, and
their signal flags are discernable on Mission ridge.
Occasionally Ave see their columns moving. Our
army is busily engaged fortifying.
27. (Sunday.) Had a good night's rest, and am
feeling very well. The day is a quiet one.

348 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [October,

OCTOBER, 1863.

1. Have been trying to persuade my.self that I
am iiuAvell enough to ask for a leave, but it Avill not
work. The moment after I come to the conclusion
that I am really sick, and can not stand it longer,
I begin to feel better. The very thought of getting
home, and seeing wife and children, cures me at once.
3. The two armies are lying face to face. The
Federal and Confederate sentinels Avalk their beats in
sight of each other. The quarter.s of the rebel gen
erals may be seen from our camps Avith the naked eye.
The tents of their troops dot the hillsides. To-night
Ave see their signal lights off to the right on the summit
of Lookout mountain, and off to the left on the knobs
of Mission ridge. Their long lines of camp fires al
most encompass us. But the camp fires of the Army
of the Cumberland are burning also. Bruised and torn
by a tAVO days' unequal contest, its flags are .still up,
and its men still unwhipped. It has taken its position
here, and here, by God's help, it Avill remain.
Colonel Hobart Avas captured at Chickamauga, and
a fear is entertained that he may have been wounded.
4. This is a pleasant October morning, rather
windy and cool, but not at all uncomfortable. The

1863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 349
bands are mingling with the autumn breezes such
martial airs as are common In camps, with now and
then a sentimental strain, which awakens recollections
of other days, Avhen we Avere younger — thought
more of sweethearts than of war, when. In fact, we
did not think of war at all except as something
of the past.
Sitting at my tent door, with a field glass, I can
see away off to the right, on the highest peak of
Lookout mountain, a man Avaving a red flag to and
fro. He Is a rebel officer, signaling to the Con
federate generals what he observes of importance
in the A'alley. From his position he can look down
Into our camp, see every rifle pit, and almost count
the pieces of artillery in our fortifications.
Captain Johnson, of General Negley's staff, has
just been in, and tells me the pickets of the two
armies are groAving quite intimate, sitting about on
logs together, talking over the great battle, and
exchanging views as to the results of a future
engagement. General Negley called a few minutes ago and in
vited me to dine with him at five o'clock. The Gen
eral looks demoralized, and, I think, regrets some
what the part he took, or rather the part he failed to
take, in the battle of Chickamauga. Remarks are
made In reference to his conduct on that occasion
which are other than complimentary. The General
doubtl&ss did Avhat he thought was best, and probably
had orders which will justify his action. After a
battle there Is always more or less bad feeling, regi-

350 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [October,
ments, brigades, and corps claiming that other regi
ments, brigades, and corps failed to do their whole
duty, and should therefore be held responsible for
this or that misfortune.
There Avas a rumor, for some days before the battle
of Chickamauga, that Burnside was on the way to
join us, and we shouted Burnside to the boys, on the
day of the battle, until Ave became hoarse. Did the
line stagger and show a disposition to retire : " Stand
up, boys, reinforcements are coming; Burnside is
near." Once, when Palmer's division was fallinor
back through a corn-field, our line Avas hotly pressed.
Pointing to Palmer's columns, Avhich Avere coming
from the left toward the right, the officers shouted,
" Give it to 'em, boys, Burnside is here," and the boys
went in with renewed confidence. But, alas, at night
fall Burnside had played out, and the hearts of our
brave felloAvs Avent down with the sun. Burnside is
now regarded as a myth, a fictitious warrior, who is
said to be coming to the rescue of men sorely pressed,
but AA'ho never comes. When an improbable story is
told to the boys, noAV, they express their unbelief by
the simple word " Burnside," sometimes adding, " 0
yes, Ave knoAV him."
5. The enemy opened on us, at 11 A. M., from
batteries located on the point of Lookout mountain,
and continued to favor us with cast-iron in the shape
of shell and solid shot until sunset. He did little
damage, however, three men only were wounded, and
these but slightly. A shell entered the door of a dog
tent, near which two soldiers of the Eighteenth Ohio

1863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 351
were standing, and buried Itself In the ground, when
one of the soldiers turned very coolly to the other and
said, " There, you d — d fool, you see Avhat you get by
leaving your door open."
6. The enemy unusually silent.
7. Visited the picket line this afternoon. A rebel
line officer came to within a few rods of our picket
station, to exchange papers, and stood and chatted for
some time with the Federal officer. There appears to
be a perfect understanding that neither party shall
fire unless an advance Is made in force.

352 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [November,

NOVEMBER, 1863.

11. AIy new brigade consists of the folloAving
regiments :
One Hundred and Thirteenth Ohio Infantry, Col
onel John G. Mitchell.
One Hundred and TAventy-first Ohio Infantry, Col
onel H. B. Banning.
One Hundred and Eighth Ohio Infantry, Lieuten
ant-Colonel Piepho.
Ninety-eighth Ohio Infantry, Major Shane.
Third Ohio Infantry, Cajitain Leroy S. Bell.
SeA'enty-eighth Illinois Infantry, Colonel Van
Vleck. Thirty-fourth Illinois Infantry, Colonel Van Tas-
sell. There has been much suffering among the men.
They have for Aveeks been reduced to quarter rations,
and at times so eager for food that the commissary
store-rooms would be thronged, and the few crumbs
AA'hich fell from broken boxes of hard-bread carefully
gathered up and eaten. Alen haA'e folloAA'ed the
forage Avagons and picked up the grains of corn Avhich
fell from them, and in some instances they have
picked up the grains of corn from the mud Avhere

1863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 358
mules have been fed. The suffering among the ani
mals has been Intense. Hundreds of mules and
horses have died of starvation. Now, hoAvever, that
we have possession of the river, the men are fully
supplied, but the poor horses and mules are still suf
fering. A day or two more Avill, I trust, enable us to
provide well for them also. Tavo steamboats are ply
ing between this and Chattanooga, and one immense
wagon train Is also bu.sy. Supplies are coming for
ward Avith a reasonable degree of rapidity. The men
appear to be in good health and excellent spirits.
12. We are encamped on Stringer's ridge, on the
north side of the Tennessee, immediately opposite Chat
tanooga. This morning Colonel Mitchell and I rode to
the picket line of the brigade. The line runs along the
river, opposite and to the north of the point of Look
out mountain. At the time, a heavy fog rising from
the water veiled somcAvhat the gigantic proportions of
Lookout point, or the nose of Lookout, as it is some
times designated. While standing on the bank, at the
water's edge, peering through the mist, to get a bet
ter A'lew of two Confederate soldiers, on the opposite
shore, a heaA'y sound broke from the summit of Look
out mountain, and a shell went whizzing over into
Hooker's camps. Pretty soon a battery opened on what
is called Moccasin point, on the north side of the
river, and replied to Lookout. Later In the day
Moccasin and Lookout got into an angry discu.ssion
which lasted two hours. These two batteries have a
special spite at each other, and almost every day
30

354 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [November,
thunder aAvay in the most terrible manner. Lookout
throws his missiles too high and Aloccasin too low, so
that usually the only loss sustained by either is in
ammunition. Moccasin, however, makes the biggest
noise. The sound of his guns goes crashing and echo
ing along the sides of Lookout in a way that must be
particularly gratifying to Aloccasin's soul. I fear,
hoAvever, that both these gigantic gentlemen are deaf
as adders, or they would not so delight In kicking up
such a hellebaloo.
This afternoon I rode over to Chattanooga. Called
at the quarters of my division commander, General
Jeff. C. Davis, but found him absent; stopped at De
partment Head-quarters and saw General Reynolds,
chief of staff; caught sight of Generals Hooker,
HoAvard, and Gordon Granger. Soon General
Thomas entered the room and shook hands with me.
On my Avay back to camp I called on General Rous
seau ; had a long and pleasant conversation with him.
He goes to NashA'ille to-morroAV to assume command
of the District of Tennessee. He does not like the
AA'ay in Avhich he has been treated; thinks there is a
disposition on the part of those in authority to shelve
him, and that his assignment to NashA'ille Is for the
purpose of letting him doAvn easily. Palmer, Avho
has been assigned to the command of the Fourteenth
Corps, is Rousseau's junior in rank, and this grinds
him. He referred A'cry kindly to the old Third Di
vision, and said it won him his stars. I told him I
Avas exceedingly anxious to get home ; that it seemed
almost impossible for me to remain longer. He said

1CC3.] OK, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 355
that I must continue until they made me a major-gen
eral. I replied that I neither expected nor desired
promotion. At the river I met Father Stanley, of the Eighteenth
Ohio. He presides over the swing ferry, in which he
takes especial delight. A long rope, fastened to a
stake in the middle of the river, is attached to the
boat, and the current is made to swing it from one
shore to the other.
14. My fleet-footed black horse Is dead. Did the
new moon, which I saAV so squarely OA'cr my left
shoulder when riding him over Waldron's ridge,
augur this?
The rebel journals are expressing great dissatisfac
tion at Bragg's failure to take Chattanooga, and insist
upon his doing so without further delay. On the
other hand, the authorities at Washington are prob
ably urging Grant to moAC, fearing If he does not
that Burnside will be overAvhelmed. Thus both gen
erals must do something soon in order to satisfy their
respective masters. There will be a battle or a foot
race Avithin a AA'eek or tAvo.
15. Have read AVhitelaw Reid's statement of the
causes of Rosecrans' removal. He is, I presume, in
the main correct. Investigation will show that the
army could haA'e gotten into Chattanooga without a
battle on the Chickamauga. There would have been
a battle here, doubtless, and defeat would have re
sulted probably in our destruction ; yet it seems rea
sonable to suppose that, If able to hold Chattanooga
after defeat, we Avould have been able to do so before.

356 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [November,
MISSION RIDGE.
20. Orders have been issued, and to morroAV a
great battle will be fought. May God be with our
army and favor us Avith a substantial victory ! My
brigade will move at daylight. It is now getting
ready. Order to move countermanded at midnight.
22. The day is delightful. Lookout and Mocca
sin are furious. The Eleventh Corps (HoAvard's) is
now crossing the pontoon bridge, just below and be
fore us, to take position for to-morroAv's engagement.
Sherman is also moving up the river on the north
side, with a view to getting at the enemy's right
flank. My brigade will be under arms at daylight,
and ready to move. Our division will operate with
Sherman on the left. Hitherto I have gone into
battle almost Avithout knoAving it; now Ave are about
to bring on a terrible conflict, and have abundant
time for reflection. I can not affirm that the pros
pect has a tendency to elevate one's spirits. There
are men, doubtless, Avho enjoy having their legs saAved
off, their heads trepanned, and their ribs reset, but
I am not one of them. I am disposed to think
of home and family — of the great suffering which
results from engagements between Immense ar
mies. Somebody — Wellington, I guess — said there
was nothing worse than a great victory except a
great defeat.
Rode Avith Colonel Mitchell four miles up the river
to General Davis' quarters ; met there General Mor-

1863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 357
gan, commanding First Brigade of our division ;
Colonel Dan AlcCook, commanding Third Brigade,
and Air. Dana, Assistant Secretary of AVar.
23. It is noAv half-past five o'clock in the morn
ing. The moon has gone doAvn, and it Is that dark
est hour which is said to precede the daAvn. AIy
troops have been up since three o'clock busily en
gaged making preparation for the day's Avork. Judg
ing from the almost continuous Avhistling of the cars
off beyond Mission Ridge, the rebels have an intima
tion of the attack to be made, and are busy either
bringing reinforcements or preparing to evacuate.
Noon. There has been a hitch in affairs, and I am
still in my tent at the old place.
About 2 p. M. a division or more was sent out to
reconnoiter the enemy's front. The movement re
sulted in a sharp fight, which lasted until after sun
set. Both artillery and infantry Avere engaged. As
night grew on we could see the flash of the enemy's
guns all along the crest of Alission Ridge, and then
hear the report, and the prolonged rcA'erberations as
the sound Avent crashing among ridges, hills, and
mountains. Rumor .says that our troops captured
five hundred prisoners.
24. Moved to Caldwell's, four miles up the river.
A pontoon bridge was thrown across the stream ; but
there were many troops in advance of us, and my
brigade did not reach the south side until after one
o'clock. Our division was held in reserve; so we
stacked arms and lay upon the grass midAvay between
the river and the foot of Mission Ridge, and listened

358 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [November,
to the preliminary music of the guns as the National
line Avas being adjusted for to-morrow's battle.
25. During the day, as we listened to the roar of
the conflict, I thought I detected in the management
Avhat I had never discovered before on the battle-field,
a little common sense. Dash is handsome, genius
glorious; but modest, old-fashioned, practical, every
day sense is the trump, after all, and the only thing
one can securely rely upon for permanent success in
any line, either civil or military. This element evi
dently dominated in this battle. The struggle along
Mission Ridge seemed more like a series of inde
pendent battles than one grand conflict. There Avere
fcAV times during the day when the engagement ap
peared to be heavy and continuous along the whole
line. There certainly was not an extended and un
ceasing roll, as at ChickAmauga and Stone river, but
rather a succession of heavy blows. Now it Avould
thunder furiously on the extreme right ; then the left
Avould take up the sledge, and finally the center would
begin to pound ; and so the National giant appeared
to skip from point to point along the ridge, striking
rapid and thundering bloAvs here and there, as if seek
ing the Aveak place in his antagonist's armor. The
enemy, thoroughly bewildered, finally became most
fearful of Sherman, who was raising a perfect pande
monium on his flank, and so strengthened his right at
the expense of other portions of his line, when
Thomas struck him in the center, and he abandoned
the field. The loss must be comparatively small, but

1863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 359
the victory is all the more glorious for this very
reason. 26. At one o'clock in the morning Ave crossed the
Chickamauga in pursuit of the retreating enemy.
The First Brigade of our diA'ision having the lead, I
had nothing to do but folloAV It. At Chickamauga
depot we came in sight of the rebels, and formed line
of battle to attack; but they retired, leaving the
AA'arehouses containing their supplies In flames. At 3
p. M. my brigade Avas ordered to head the column, and
Ave drove the enemy's rear guard before us without
meeting with any serious opposition until night-fall,
when, on arriving at Airs. Sheppard's sjiring branch,
near Graysville, a brigade of Confederate troops, with
a battery, under command of Brigadier-General
Manny, opened on us with considerable violence.
A sharp encounter ensued of about an hour's dura
tion, resulting in the defeat of the enemy and the
wounding of the rebel general. My brigade behaved
well, did most of the fighting, and, OAving to the
darkness, probably, sustained but little loss. When
General Davis came up I asked permission to make
a detour through the woods to the right, for the
purpose of overtaking and cutting off the enemy's
train ; but he thought it not advisable to attempt It.

360 THE CITIZEN VOLUNTEER; [December,

DECEMBER, 1863.

I will not undertake to give a detailed account of
our march to Knoxville, for the relief of Burnside,
and the return to Chattanooga. AVe Avere gone three
weeks, and during that time had no change of clothing,
and Avere compelled to obtain our food from the corn-
cribs, hen-roosts, sheep-pens, and smoke-houses on
the Avay. The incidents of this trip, through the
valleys of East Tennessee, Avhere the waters of the
HiaAA'asse, and the ChetoAva, and the Ocoee, and the
Estonola ripple through corn-fields and meadows, and
beneath shadoAvs of evergreen ridges, will be laid
aside for a more convenient season. I append simply
a letter of General Sherman :
"Head-quarters Department op the Tennessee, 1
" Chattanooga, December 18, 1863. )
" General Jeff. C. Davis, Chattanooga.
"Dear General — In our recent short but most
useful campaign it was my good fortune to have
attached to me the corps of General Howard, and the
division commanded by yourself. I noAV desire to
thank you personally and officially for the handsome
manner in which you and your command have borne

1863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTE 361
themselves throughout. You led in the pursuit of
Bragg's army on the route designated for my com
mand, and I admired the skill Avith Avhich you handled
the division at Chickamauga, and more especially in
the short and sharp encounter, at night-fall, near
GraysA'ille. " AVhen General Grant called on us, unexpectedly
aud without due preparation, to march to Knoxville
for the relief of General Burnside, you and your offi
cers deA'oted yourselves to the work like soldiers and
patriots, marching through cold and mud without a
murmur, trusting to accidents for shelter and sub
sistence. " During the whole march, whenever I encountered
your command, I found all the officers at their proper
places and the men in admirable order. This is the
true test, and I pronounce your division one of the
best ordered in the service. I Avish you all honor and
success In your career, and shall deem myself most
fortunate if the Incidents of war bring us together
again. " Be kind enough to say to General Morgan, Gen
eral Beatty, and Colonel McCook, your brigade com
manders, that I have publicly and privately com
mended their brigades, and that I stand prepared, at
all times, to assist them In whatever way lies in my
power. " I again thank you personally, and beg to sub
scribe myself, Your sincere friend,
" W. T. Sherman, Major-General."
31

362 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; (December,
Colonel Van Vleck, Seventy-eight Illinois, was
kind enough In his report to say :
" In behalf of the entire regiment I tender to the
general commanding the brigade, my sincere thanks
for his uniform kindness, and for his solicitude for the
men during all their hardships and suffering, as well
as for his undaunted courage, self-possession, and
military skill in time of danger."
26. Moved to AIcAffee's Springs, six miles from
Chattanooga, and tAvo miles from the battle-field of
Chickamauga. My quarters are in the State of Ten
nessee, those of my troops In Georgia. The line
between the states is about forty yards from where I
sit. On our way hither, we saw many things to re
mind us of the Confederate army — villages of log
huts, chimneys, old clothing, and miles of rifle pits.
27. Just a moment ago I asked Wilson the day of
the week, and he astonished me by saying It was Sun
day. It is the first time I ever passed a Sabbath,
from daylight to dark, Avithout knoAving it.
Wilson lies on his cot to-night a disappointed man.
His application for a leave was disapproved.
I am quartered In a log hut; a blanket over the
doorway excludes the damp air and the cold blasts.
The Immense chinks, or rather lack of Immense chinks,
in various parts of the edifice, leave abundance of
room for the admission of light. There are no win-
doAvs, but this is fortunate, for If there were, they, like
the door, would need covering, and blankets are
scarce. The fire-place, however. Is grand, and would
be creditable to a ca,stle.

1863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 363
The forest In which we are encamped, was, in former
times, a rendezvous for the blacklegs, thieves, mur
derers, and outlaws, generally of two States, Tennes
see and Georgia. An old inhabitant informs me he
has seen hundreds of these persecuted and proscribed
gentry encamped about this spring. When an officer
of Tennessee came AvIth a writ to arrest them, they
would step a few yards Into the State of Georgia and
laugh at him. So, Avhen Georgia sought to lay Its
official clutches ^on an offending Georgian, the latter
would Avalk over into Tennessee and argue the case
across the line. It was a very convenient spot for
law-breakers. To reach across this imaginary line,
and draw a man from Tennessee, would be kidnap
ping, an insult to a sovereign State, and In a States'-
rights country such a procedure could not be toler
ated. Requisitions from the governors of Tennessee
and Georgia might, of course, be procured, but this
would take time, and in this time the offender could
walk leisurely into Alabama or North Carolina,
neither of which States is very far away. In fact,
the presence of large numbers of these desperados, in
this locality, at all seasons of the year, has prevented
its settlement by good men, and, in consequence, there
are thousands of acres on which there has scarcely
been a field cleared, or even a tree cut.
The somber forest, with its peculiar history, sug
gests to our minds the green woods of old England,
where Robin Hood and his merry men were wont to
pass their idle time ; or the Black Forest of Germany,

364 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [December,
where thieves and highAvaymen found concealment in
days of old.
What a country for the romancer I Here Is the
dense wilderness, the Tennessee and Chickamauga, the
precipitous Lookout with his foot-hills, spurs, coves,
and water-falls. Here are cosy little valleys from
which the world, AvIth its noise, bustle, confusion.s, and
cares. Is excluded. Here have congregated the bloody
villains and sneaking thieves; the plumed knights,
dashing horsemen, and stubborn infantry. Here are
the two great battle-fields of Chickamauga and Mission
Ridge. Here neighbors have divided, and families
separated to fight on questions of National policy.
Here, In .short, every thing is supplied to the poet but
the invention to construct the plot of his tale, and the
genius to breathe life into the characters.
It may be possible, however, that the country is yet
too young, and its Incidents too new, to make it a
fertile field for the novelist. The Imagination works
best amid scenes half known and half forgotten.
When time shall have throAvn Its shadows over the
events of the last century, and the real and unreal
become so Intermingled in the minds of men as to
become indistinguishable. Imaginary Robin Hoods
will find hiding places In the caves; innocent men, in
deadly peril, will seek safety in the mountain fast
nesses until the danger be past; conspirators will
meet in the shadoAvy recesses to concoct their hellish
plots, over which truth, courage, and honesty will
finally triumph. Here the blue and the gray will
meet to fight, and to be reconciled ; and there will

1863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 365
not be wanting the Helen McGregors and Die Ver-
nons to give color and interest to the scene.
27. Our horses are on quarter feed.
Some benevolent gentleman should suggest a .sani
tary fair for the benefit of the disabled horses and
mules of the Federal army. There is no suffering so
intense as theirs. They are driven, with Avhip and
spur, on half and quarter food, until they drop from
exhaustion, and then abandoned to die In the mud-
hole Avhere they fall. At Parker's Gap, on our return
fi-om Tennessee, I saw a poor Avhite horse that had
been rolled down the hill to get It out of the road.
It had lodged against a fallen tree, feet uppermost; to
get up the hill was impossible, and to roll down cer
tain destruction. So the poor brute lay there, looking
pitiful enough, his big frame trembling with fright,
his great eyes looking anxiously, imploringly for help.
A man can give vent to his sufferings, he can ask for
assistance, he can find some relief either In crying,
praying, or cursing; but for the poor exhausted and
abandoned beast there is no help, no relief, no hope.
To day we picked up, on the battle-field of Chicka
mauga, the skull of a man AA'ho had been shot in the
head. It was smooth, white, and glossy. A little over
three months ago this skull Avas full of life, hope, and
ambition. He who carried it into battle had, doubt
less, mother, sisters, friends, whose happiness was, to
some extent, dependent upon him. They mourn for
him noAV, unless, possibly, they hope still to hear that
he is safe and Avell. Vain hope. Sun, rain, and crows
have united in the work of stripping the flesh from

366 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [December,
his bones, and while the greater part of these lay
whitening where they fell, the skull has been rolling
about the field the .sport and plaything of the Avinds.
This is Avar, and amid such scenes we are supposed to
think of the amount of our salary, and of what the
ncAvspapers may say of us.
28. One of my orderlies approached me on my
weak side to-day, by presenting me four cigars.
Cigars are noAV rarely seen in camp. Sutlers have
not been permitted to come further south than Bridge
port; and had It not been for the trip into East Ten
nessee the brigade would have been utterly destitute
of tobacco.
While bivouacking on the Hiawasse, a citizen
named Trotter, came Into camp. He was an old,
man, and professed to be loyal. I interrogated him
on the tobacco question. He replied, " The crap has
been mitey poor fur a year or two. I don't use ter
backer myself, but my wife used to chaw it ; but the
frost has been a nippen of It fur a year or two, and
It is so poor she has quit chawen entirely ."
When returning from Knoxville, we passed a farm
house which stood near the roadside. Three young
women were standing at the gate, and appeared to be
in excellent spirits. Captain Wager inquired if they
had heard from Knoxville. " O yes," they answered,
" General Longstreet has captured Knoxville and all
of General Burnside's men." " Indeed," said the
Captain; "what about Chattanooga?" "Well, we
heard that Bragg had moved back to Dalton." "You
have not heard, then, that Bragg was whipped; lost

1863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 367
sixty pieces of artillery and many thousand men?"
" O no ! " " You have not heard that Longstreet Avas
defeated at Knoxville, and compelled to fall back with
heavy loss?" "No, no; we don't believe a word of it.
A man, Avho came from Knoxville and knoAvs all about
it, says that you uns are retreating now as fast as you
can. You can't whip our fellers." "Well, ladies,"
said the Captain, " I am glad to see you feeling so
well under adverse circumstances. Good-by."
The girls were evidently determined that the Yank
should not deceive them.
At another place quite a number of AVomen and
children were standing by the roadside. As the col
umn approached, said one of the women to a soldier :
"Is these uns Yankees?" "Yes, madam," replied
the boy, " regular blue-bellied Yankees." " We never
seed any you uns before." "Well, keep a sharp
lookout and you'll see they all have horns on."
One day, while I was at Davis' quarters, near
Columbus, a preacher came in and said he wanted to
sell all the property he could to the army and get
greenbacks, as he desired to move to Illinois, where
his brother-in-law resided, and his Confederate notes
would not be worth a dime there. " How is that,
Parson," said Davis, affecting to misunderstand him ;
" not worth a damn there ?" " No, sir, no, sir ; not
worth a dime, sir. You misunderstood me, sir. I
said not worth a dime there." " I beg your pardon.
Parson," responded Davis ; " I thought you said not
worth a damn there, and was surprised to hear you
say so."

368 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [December,
AVhile Ave Avere encamped on the banks of the Hia
wasse, a Union man, near seventy years old, was mur
dered by guerrillas. Not long before, a young lady,
the daughter of a Methodist minister, was robbed and
murdered near the same place. Murders and rob
beries are as common occurrences in that portion of
Tennessee as marriages in Ohio, and excite about as
little attention. Horse stealing is not considered an
offense. 29. Nothing of interest has transpired to-day.
Bugles, drums, drills, parades — the old story over
and over again ; the usual number of corn-cakes eaten,
of pipes smoked, of papers respectfully forAvarded, of
hoAV-do-ye-do's to colonels, captains, lieutenants, and
soldiers. You put on your hat and take a short walk.
It does you no good. Returning you lie doAvn on
the cot, and undertake to sleep ; but you have already
slept too much, and you get up and smoke again,
look over an old paper, yaAvn, throAV the paper doAvn,
and conclude it is confoundedly dull. Jack brings
In dinner. You see somebody pas.sing; it is Captain
Clayson, the Judge- Advocate, and you cry out : " Hold
on. Captain ; come in and have a bite of dinner."
He concludes to do so. Being a judge-ad A'ocate he
talks law, and impresses you with the idea that every
other judge-advocate has in some respects been faulty ;
but he has taken pains to master hi^ duties per
fectly, and makes no mistakes. Pretty soon Major
Shane drops in, and you ask him to dine ; but he has
just been to dinner, and thanks you. Observing Cap
tain Clayson, he asks hoAV the business of the court-

1863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 369
martial progresses, and says: "By the way. Captain,
the sentence In that quarter-master's case was disap
proved because the record was defective." The Cap
tain blushes. He made up the record, and it strikes
him the Major's remark is very untimely.
It is dull!
30. Took a ten-mile ride this afternoon. Tavo
miles from camp I met Lieutenant Piatt, one of my
aids. He had asked permission in the morning to go
into the country to secure a lady for a dance, which
is to take place a night or two hence. I asked :
"Where have you been, Lieutenant?" "At Mrs.
Calisspe's, the house on the left, yonder." I did not,
of cour.se, ask if he had been successful In his mis
sion ; but as I approached the little frame in which
Mrs. Calisspe resided, I thought I would drop in and
see what sort of a woman had draAvn the Lieutenant
so far from camp. Knocking at the door, a feminine
voice said " Come In," and I entered. There were
three females. The elder I took to be Mrs. Calisspe.
A handsome, neatly-dressed young lady I concluded
was the one the Lieutenant sought. A heavy and
rather dull woman, who stood leaning against the
wall, I set down as a dependent or servant In the
family. "Beg pardon, madam, is this the direct road
to Shallow Ford?" "Yes, sir, the straight road.
Won't you take a seat ?" " Thank you, no. Good
evening." Trotting along over the road which Mrs.
Calisspe said was straight, but which, In fact, was
exceedingly crooked, we came finally to the camp of

370 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; [December,
the Thirteenth Michigan, a regiment which General
Thomas supposes to be engaged in cutting saAA'^logs,
vvhen, in truth, its principal business is strolling about
the country stealing chickens. It is, however, known
as the saw-log regiment.
On our return from Shallow Ford, as we ap
proached Mrs. Calisspe's, we saw her handsome
daughter on the porch inspecting a side-saddle, and
concluded from this that the gallant Lieutenant's
application had been succes.sful, and that she pro
posed to accompany him to the ball on hor-seback.
As we galloped by the house, a little flaxen-haired,
chubby boy, who had climbed the fence, extended
his head over the top rail and jabbered at us at the
top of Ills voice ; but the handsome young lady did
not favor us with even a glance.
31. It is late. Hours ago the bugles notified the
boys that It was time to retire to their dens. I have
been reading Thackeray's "Lovell, the Widower,"
and as I sat alone in the silence of the middle
night, the scenes depicted grew distinct and life
like ; the characters encompassed me about real
living men and women ; the drawing-rooms, dining-
halls, parlors, opened out before me ; the streets,
walks, drives, were all visible, and I became a spec
tator instead of a reader. Suddenly a Ioav, unearthly
wail broke the stillnes,s, and my hair stiffened some
what at the roots, as the fancy struck me that I
heard the voice of the defunct Mrs. Lovell. A mo
ment's reflection, however, dispelled this disagreeable

1863.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEEB. 371
thought. Looking toward the corner of the cabin
whence the ghostly sound emanated, I discovered a
strange cat. AIy long-legged boots followed each
other In quick succession toward the unhappy kitten,
and I yelled " scat " In a very A'Indictlve way.

372 THE CITIZEN SOLDIER; QANUARy,

JANUARY 1, 1864.

Standing on a peak of Alission Ridge to-day, aa'C
had spread out before us one of the grandest pros
pects which ever delighted the eye of man. North
ward AValdron's Ridge and Lookout mountain rose
massive and precipitous, and seemed the boundary
Avail of the Avorld. Below them Avas the Tennessee,
like a ribbon of silver ; Chattanooga, with its thou
sands of Avhite tents and miles of fortifications.
Southward was the Chickamauga, and beyond a suc
cession of ridges, rising higher aud higher, until the
eye rested upon the blue tops of the great mountains
of North Carolina. The fact that a hundred and fifty
thousand men, Avith all the appliances of war, have
struggled for the possession of these mountains, riv
ers, and ridges, giA'CS a solemn Interest to the scene,
and renders it one of the most interesting, as it is
one of the grandest, in the world.
When history shall have recorded the thrilling
tragedies enacted here; Avhen poets shall have illu
minated every hill-top and mountain peak with the
glow of their Imagination ; when the novelist shall
have given it a population from his fertile brain,
Avhat place can be more attractive to the traveler?

1864.] OR, MEMOIRS OF A VOLUNTEER. 373
Looking on this panorama of mountains, ridges,
rivers, and A-alleys, one has a juster conception of the
pOAA'cr of God. Reflecting upon the deeds that have
been done here, he obtains a truer knowledge of the
character of man, and the Incontestable evidences of
his nobility.
Standing here to-day, I take off my hat to the
reader, if by possibility there be one who has had
the patience to follow me thus far, and as I bid him
good-by, wish him " A Happy New Year."

CAPTURE. IMPRISONMENT,

AND

ESCAPE,

BY

GENERAL HARRISON C. HOBART,

OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

EXPLANATORY.

Among the Union officers who escaped from Libby
Prison at Richmond, on the night of the 9th of Febru
ary, 1864, was my esteemed friend, General Harrison
C. Hobart, then Colonel of the Twenty-first AVisconsin
Volunteer Infantry. His name is mentioned quite
frequently In the preceding pages. Ten years after
the Avar closed, he spent a few days at my house, and
while there Avas requested to tell the story of his cap
ture, imprisonment, and escape. My children gath
ered about him, and listened to his narrative with an
intensity of interest which I am very sure they never
exhibited when receiving words of admonition and
advice from their father.
While my manuscript was in the hands of the pub
lishers. It occurred to me that General Hobart's story
would be as interesting to others as it had been to my
OAvn family, and so I Avrote, urging him to furnish It
to me for publication. He finally consented to do so,
and I have the pleasure now of presenting it to the
reader. It bears upon its face the evidence of its
entire truthfulness, and yet is as Interesting as a
romance.
32 JOHN BEATTY.

GENERAL HOBART'S NARRATIVE.

The battles of Chickamauga were fought on the
19th and 20th of September, 1863. The Twenty-first
AVisconsin, which I then commanded, formed a part
of Thomas' memorable line, and fought through the
battles of Saturday and Sunday. At the close of the
second day, Thomas' Corps still maintained its posi
tion, and presented an unbroken front to the enemy,
but the right of our army haA'ing fallen back, the tide
of battle was turning against us.
To avoid a flank movement, our brigade was ordered
to leave the breastworks, which they had held against
the severest fire of the enemy during the day, and fall
back to a second position. Here only a portion of
the men, with three regimental standards, were ral
lied. A rebel battery was instantly placed in position
on our right, and rebel cavalry swept between us and
the retreating army.
Being the ranking officer among those who rallied,
I directed the men to cut their way through to our
retreating line. I was on the left of this movement
to the rear, and, to avoid the approach of horsemen,
rapidly passed to the left through a dense cluster of
^ (379)

380 GENERAL HOBART'S NARRATIVE.
small pines, and instantly found myself in the imme
diate front of a rebel line of infantry. I halted,
being dismounted, and an officer advanced and offered.
his hand, saying that he AVas glad to see me, and pro
posed to Introduce me to his commander. General
Cleburne. I replied, that I was not particularly
pleased to see him, but, under the circumstances,
•should not decline his iuA'Itation.
I met the General, Avho Avas mounted and being
cheered by his men, and surrendered to him my
SAVord. He inquired where I had been fighting. I
said, "Right there," pointing to the line of Thomas'
Corps. He replied, " This line has given us our chief
trouble, sir ; your soldiers have fought like brave
men ; come with me and I will see that no one insults
o*. interferes with you."
It Avas now after sun-doAvn, and the last guns of the
terrible battle of Chicamauga were dying aAvay along
the hillsides of Mls.slon Ridge. A large number of
prisoners of war Avere soon gathered, and marched to
the enemy's rear across the Chickamauga. Here we
witnessed the fearful results of the battle. The ground
strewed Avith the dead and wounded, the shattered frag
ments of transportation, and a general demoralization
among the forces, told the fearful price which the
enemy had paid for their victory. More than fifteen
hundred soldiers, prisoners of war, camped by a large
spring to pass the remainder of a cold night ; some
without blankets or OA'ercoats, and all without pro
visions. The next day we were marched about t'.iirty miles

GENERAL HOBART'S NARRATIVE. 381
to Tunnel Hill, Avhere Ave received our first rations
from the enemy. On this march, the only food we
obtained Avas from a field of green sorghum. Here
we were placed in box cars and taken to .Atlanta.
On arriving at this place, we were first marched to an
open field outside of the city, near a fountain of water,
and surrounded by a guard. Kind-hearted people
came out of the city, bringing bread with them, which
they thrcAV to us across the guard line. Immediately
a second line was established, distant several rods
outside of the first, to prevent them from giving us
food. From this place we were marched to the old .slave-
pen, and every man, as he entered the narrow gate,
was compelled to give up his OA'ercoat and blanket.
I remonstrated with the officers for stripping the sol
diers of their necessary clothing, as an act In violation
of civilized warfare and Inhuman. The men Avho
were executing this infamous duty, did not deny these
charges, but excused themselves on the ground that
they were simply obeying an order of General Bragg
from the front. That night I saAv seventeen hundred
Union soldiers lie down upon the ground, without an
OA'ercoat or blanket to protect them from the cold
earth, or shield them from the heavy Southern dew.
The next morning we were ordered to take the cars,
and proceed on our way to Richmond. These men
arose from the ground, cold and wet with dew, and
under my command organized and formed in column
by companies, and marched to the depot through one
of the main streets of Atlanta, singing in full chorus

382 GENERAL HOBART'S NARRATIVE.
the Star Spangled Banner. Crowds gathered around
us as we entered the cars. A guard with muskets
accompanied the train.
I will here relate an incident which occurred on our
way. We overtook a train of open cars, filled with
Confederate wounded from the battle-field. The two
trains stopped for some time alongside and in close
proximity. It was a spectacle to see the men of the
two armies Intently observe each other. On the one
side was the calm, pale face of the wounded ; on the
other, the earnest, deep .sympathy of the captive. No
unkind look or word passed between them. Of the
seventeen hundred prisoners, there was not one who
would not have given his coat, or reached for his last
cent, to help his wounded brother.
On the last day of September, after traveling more
than eight hundred miles from the battle-field of
Chickamauga, we arrived at Richmond, and the of
ficers of the Cumberland Army, to the number of
about two hundred and fifty, were marched to Libby
Prison. This building has a front of about one hundred and
forty feet, Avith a depth of about one hundred and five.
There are nine rooms, each one hundred and two feet
long, by forty-five wide. The height of ceilings from
the floor is about seven feet. The building is also
divided into three apartments by brick walls, and
there is a basement below.
On entering the prison, we were severally searched,
and every thing of value taken from us. Some of us
saved our money by putting it into the seams of our

GENERAL HOBART'S NARRATIVE. 383
garments before we arrived at Richmond. The ofiicers
of the Army of the Cumberland were assigned to the
middle rooms of the second and third stories. The
lower middle room was used as a general kitchen,
and the basement immediately beloAV was fitted up
with cells for the confinement and punishment of
offenders. These rooms received the sobriquet of
Chickamauga. The whole number of officers of the army and navy
in prison at this time was about eleven hundred — all
having access to each other, except those in the hos
pital. There were no beds or chairs, and all slept on
the floor. I shared a horse blanket AvIth Surgeon
Dixon, of Wisconsin, which was the only bedding we
had for some time. Our bread was made of unbolted
corn, and was cold and clammy. We were sometimes
furnished with fresh beef, corn beef, and sometimes
with rice and vegetable soup. The men formed them
selves Into messes, and each took his turn in prepar
ing such food as we could get.
At one time, no meat was furnished for about nine
days, and the reason given was, that their soldiers at
the front required all they could obtain. During this
period, we received nothing but corn bread. Kind
friends sent us boxes of provisions from the North,
which were opened and examined by the Confeder
ates, and if nothing objectionable was found, and it
pleased them, the party to whom a box was sent was
directed to come down and get it. Many of these
were never delivered. Every generous soul shared
the contents of his box with his more unfortunate

384 GENERAL HOBART'S NARRATIVE.
companions. Had it not been for this provision, our
life in Libby Avould have been intolerable.
There Avas no glass In the windows, and for some
time no fire in the rooms. An application for window
glass, made during the severest cold weather, was
answered by the assurance that the Confederates had
none to furnish. The worst affliction, however, was
the A'ermin, which invaded every department.
Each officer was permitted to write home the
amount of three lines per week; but even these
brief messages wgre not always allowed to leave
Richmond. A variety of schemes were adopted to improve or
kill time. We played chess, cards, opened a theater,
organized a band of minstrels, delivered lectures,
established schools for teaching dancing, singing, the
French language, and military tactics, read books,
published a manuscript newspaper, held debates, and
by these means rendered life tolerable, though by no
means agreeable.
An incident occurred, after we had been in prison
some time, which made a deep impression upon every
one. Some of our men had been confined in a block
not far from Libby, called the Pemberton Building.
An order had been issued to remove them to North
Carolina. When they left, their line of march was
along the street in our front, and Avhen they passed
under our windows, we threw out drawers, shirts,
stockings, etc., which they gathered up; and Avhen
they raised their pale and emaciated faces to greet
their old commanders, there were but few dry eyes

GENERAL HOBART'S NARRATIVE. 385
in Libby. Many of them were making their last
march. Our sick were removed to the room set apart, on
the ground floor, for a hospital ; and, when one died,
he Avas put in a box of rough boards, placed in an
open wagon, and rapidly driven away over the .stony
streets. There were no flowers from loving hands,
and no mourning pageant, but a thousand hearts in
Libby folloAved the gallant dead to his place of rest.
We were seldom A'isited by any person. The only
call I received Avas from General Breckenridge, of
Kentucky ; I had knoAvn him before the war. Dur
ing our IntervIeAV, I referred to the resources of the
North and South, and asked him upon what ground
he hoped the Confederacy could .succeed. His only
reply was, that, " five millions of people, determined
to be free, could not be conquered."
There being no exchange of prisoners at this time,
projects of escape were discussed from the beginning.
One scheme wa.s, for a few persons at a time to put on
the dress of a citizen, and attempt to pass the guard
as visitors. A fcAV actually recovered their liberty in
this manner. Another plan was, to dig a tunnel to
the city sewer, which was understood to pass under
the street in front of the prison, and escape through
that to the river. This project might have succeeded
had not the water interfered. The final and successful
plan was as follows:
On the ground floor of the building, on a level with
the street, was a kitchen containing a fire-place, at a

386 GENERAL HOBART'S NARRATIVE.
stove connected Avith which the prisoners inhabiting
the rooms above did their cooking. Beneath this
floor was a basement, one of the rooms in which was
used as a store-room. This store-room was under the
hospital and next to the street, and though not
directly under the kitchen, Avas so located that It was
possible to reach it by digging dowiiAvard and rear-
Avard through the masonry AVork of the chimney. From
this basement room It was proposed to construct a
tunnel under the street to a point beneath a shed,
connected Avith a brick block upon the opposite side,
and from this place to. pass into the street in the guise
of citizens. A knoAvledge of this plan was con
fided to about tAventy-five, and nothing Avas knoAvn of
the proceedings by the others until two or three days
before the escape. A table knife, chisel, and spittoon
Avere secured for Avorking tools, Avhen operations com
menced. Sufficient of the masonry was removed
from the fire-place to admit the passage of a man
through a diagonal cut to the store-room beloAV ; and
an excavation was then made through the foundation
wall toAvard the street, and the construction of the
tunnel proceeded night by night. But tAVO persons
could Avork at the same time. One would enter the
hole Avith his tools and a Small tallow candle, dragging
the spittoon after him attached to a string. The
other Avould fan air Into the passage with his hat, and
with another string would draAV out the noA'el dirt car
Avhen loaded, concealing its contents beneath the
straAV and rubbish of the cellar. Each morning be
fore daylight the working party returned to their

GENERAL HOBART'S NARRATIVE. 387
rooms, after carefully closing the mouth of the tunnel,
and skillfully replacing the bricks in the chimney.
An error occurred during the prosecution of this
work that nearly proved fatal to the enterprise.
After a sufficient distance Avas supposed to have been
made, an excaA'atlon was commenced to reach the top
of the ground. The person working, carefully felt his
way upward, when suddenly a small amount of the
top earth fell in, and through this he could plainly see
two sentinels apparently looking at him. One said to
the other, " I have been hearing a strange noise in the
ground there !'' After listening a short time, the other
replied that it was " nothing but rats." The working
party had not been seen. After consultation, this
opening Avas carefully filled with dirt and shored up.
The Avork was then recommenced, and after digging
about fifteen feet further the objective point under
the shed was successfully reached.
This tunnel required about thirty days of patient,
tedious and dangerous labor. It was eight feet below
the street, betAveen sixty and scA'enty feet in length,
and barely large enough for a full-groAvn person to
crawl through, by pulling and pushing himself along
with his hands and feet. Among the officers entitled
to merit in the execution of this work. Col. T. E.
Rose, of Pennsylvania, deserves particular mention.
AVhen all Avas complete, the company was organized
Into tAVO parties ; the first under the charge of Major
McDonald, of Ohio, and the second was placed under
my direction. The parties having provided them
selves with citizens' clothing, which had at different

388 GENERAL HOBART'S NARRATIVE,
times been .sent to the prison by friends in the North,
and having filled their pockets with bread and
dried meat from their boxes, commenced to escape
about seven p. m., on the 9th of February, 1864;
Major McDonald's party leaving first. In order to
distract the attention of the guard, a dancing party
Avith music was extemporized in the same room. As
each one had to pass out in the immediate presence of
these Confederate soldiers, when he stepped into the
street from the outside of the line, and as the guard
were under orders to fire upon a prisoner escaping,
without even calling upon him to halt, the first men
who descended to the tunnel wore that quiet gloom
so often seen in the army before going into battle. It
was a living drama ; dancing in one part of the room,
dark shadoAvs disappearing through the chimney in
another part, and the same shadows re-appearing
upon the opposite walk, and the sentinel at his post,
with a voice that rang out upon the evening air,
announcing : " Eight o'clock. Post No. One," and
" All is well !" and at the same time a Yankee soldier
was passing in his front, and a line of Yankee soldiers
were crawling under his feet. The passage was so
small that the process of departure was necessarily
slow ; a few inches of progress only being made at
each effort, and to facilitate locomotion outside gar
ments were taken off and pushed forAvard.
By this. time the proceedings had become known to
the whole prison, and as the first men emerged upon
the street, and quietly walked aAvay, seen by
hundreds of their felloAvs, who crowded the win-

GENERAL HOBART'S NARRATIVE. 389
dows, a wild excitement and enthusiasm were created,
and they rushed doAvn to the chimney, clamoring for
the privilege of going out. It was the intention of
the parties, organized by those who constructed the
tunnel, that no others should leave until the next night,
as it might materially diminish their own chances of
escape. But the thought of liberty and pure air, and
the death damp of the dark loathsome prison Avould
not allow them to listen to any denial. Alajor
McDonald and myself then held a parley, and it was
arranged that the rope upon which we descended into
the basement, after the last of the two parties had
passed out, should be pulled up for the space of one
hour; then it .should be free to all In prison.*
Having joined my fortunes with Col. T. S. West, of
AVisconsin, we Avere among the last of the second
party who craAvled through. About nine o'clock In
the evening we emerged from the tunnel, and cau
tiously crossing an open yard to an arched driveway,
we stepped out upon the street and slowly walked
away, apparently engaged In an earnest conversation.
As soon as Ave Avere out of range of the sentinels'
guns, we concluded it would be the safest course to
turn and pass up through one of the main streets of
Richmond, as they would not suspect that prisoners
escaping Avould take that direction. My face being
very pale, and my beard long, clinging to the arm of
Colonel W., I assumed the part of a decrepit old

* Note. — One hundred and nine prisoners escaped through this
tunnel that night, of whom fifty-seven reached our lines.

390 GENERAL HOBART'S NARRATIVE.
man, who seemed to be in exceeding ill health, and
badly affected Avith a consumptive cough.
In this manner we passed beneath the glaring gas
lights, and through the crowded street, without creat
ing a suspicion as to our real character. AVe met the
police, squads of soldiers, and many others, who gave
me a sympathizing look, and stepped aside on account
of my apparent infirmities. Approaching the suburbs
of the toAvn, Ave retreated into a ravine, which enabled
us to leave the city without passing out upon one of
the streets. While in prison I copied McClellan's
war map of Virginia, which aided us materially In
this escape. Our objective points were to cross the .
Chickahominy above New Bridge, then cross the
Yorkville Railroad, then strike and follow down the
Miamisburg pike.
After resting and breathing pure air, the first time
for more than four months, we resumed^ our journey,
agreeing not to speak above a whisper, avoiding all
houses and roads, and determining our course by the
North Star. In crossing roads, we traveled back
wards, that the footsteps might mislead our pursuers.
We soon came in sight of the main fortifications
around Richmond, and instantly dropping upon the
ground we lay for a long time, listening and watching
for the presence of sentinels upon that part of the
line. Being satisfied that there were none in our
immediate front, in the most silent and cautious man
ner, Ave crossed over the fortification and pursued our
Avay through a tangled forest. Coming to a piece of
low ground, tired and exhausted, we lay down to

GENERAL HOBART'S NARRATIVE. 391
rest. Our attention was soon attracted by the pres
ence of a series of excavations ; and on a close exam
ination Ave found we Avere resting upon the battle
field of Fair Oaks, and among the trenches In Avhich
the Confederates had buried our dead ; and, although
it Avas the midnight hour, a strange feeling of safety
stole OA'er me, and I felt as if avc Avere among our
friends. It was the step and voice of the living that
Ave dreaded.
At early daAvn (Wednesday) Ave crossed a brook,
and went upon a hillside of Ioav, thick pines to con
ceal ourselves, and rest during the day. The Valley
of the Chickahominy lay before us. While in this
concealment, Ave saAV a blood-hound scenting our steps
down to the place where Ave jumped over the brook;
It then went back and returned tAVO or three times,
but finally left Avithout attempting to cross the little
stream. Late in the evening, we went to the river and
worked till after midnight to make or find a crossing.
The water was deep and cold, and, failing to accom
plish our purpose, Ave turned back to a haystack,
and, coA'ering ourselves Avith hay, rested until the first
light of morning (Thursday).
Goina: back to the river, we folloAved down its
course until we found a tree which had fallen nearly
across the stream. Discovering a long pole, we found
that it would just touch the opposite shore from the
limbs of this tree. Hitching ourselves carefully along
this pole, we reached the left bank of the Chicka
hominy River.
We now felt as if escape was possible ; but, hearing

392 GENERAL HOBART'S NARRATIVE.
a noise like the approach of troops, for we were satis
fied that the enemy's cavalry must be in full pursuit,
Ave fled into a neighboring forest. As we approached
the center of a thicket, my eye suddenly caught the
glimpse of a man watching us from behind the root
of a fallen tree. I concluded that we had fallen Into
an ambush; but our momentary apprehension was
joyfully relieved by the discovery that this new-made
acquaintance Avas Colonel W. B. McCreary, of Michi
gan, and with him Major Terrence Clark, of Illinois,
who had gone through the tunnel with the first party
that went out, and were now passing the day in this
secluded place. The Colonel was one of my Intimate
friends, and when he recognized me he jumped to
his feet and threw his arms around me in an ecsta.sy
of delight. ,
By this time the -whole population had been in
formed of the escape, and the country was alive with
pursuers. We eould distinctly hear the reveille of
the rebel troops, and the hum of their camps. Thus
reinforced, we agreed to travel in company. It was
arranged that one of the four should precede, search
ing out the Avay in the darkness, and giving due
notice of danger.
At dark we left our hiding place, and cautiously
proceeded on our way. Late at night we crossed the
railroad running from Richmond to White House,
our second objective point. Here Colonel West saw
a sentinel sitting close by the railroad, asleep, Avith
his gun resting against his shoulder. Just before
daybreak we Avent Into a pine woods, after traveling

GENERAL HOBART'S NARRATIVE. 393
a distance of more than tAventy miles, and, weary and
tired, we lay down to rest.
The morning (Friday) broke clear and beautiful,
but with its bright light came the bugle notes of the
enemy's caA'alry, Avho were in the pines close by us.
We instantly arose and fled aAvay at the top of our
speed, expecting every moment to hear the crack of
the rifle, or the sharp command to halt. We struck a
road and about faced to cross It, the only time that Ave
looked back. AVe pursued our rapid step until we
came to a dense chaparral, and Into this we threaded
our way until we reached an almost impenetrable jun
gle. CraAvling into the center, we threw ourselves
upon the ground completely exhausted. A bird flcAV
into the branches above us as we lay upon our backs,
and the words burst from my lips : " Dear little bird !
Oh, that I had your wings ! "
As soon as friendly darkness again returned, we
moved forward, weary, hungry, and footsore, still
governed in our course by the North Star. During
all this toilsome way, but few words passed between
us, and these generally in Ioav whispers. So untiring
was the search, and so thoroughly alarmed and Avatch-
ful were the population, that Ave felt that our safety
depended upon a bare chance. Again making our
way from AVOod to wood, and avoiding farm houses as
best we might, till the light of another morning (Sat
urday), we retired to cover in the shade of a thick
forest. Saturday night the journey Avas resumed as usual.
It was my turn to act the part of picket and pilot.

394 GENERAL HOBART'S NARRATIVE.
AVhile rapidly leading the way through a forest of
Ioav pines, I suddenly found myself in the presence of
a cavalry reserve. The men were warming them
selves by a blazing fire, and their hor.ses were tied to
trees around them. I was surprised and alarmed ;
but recovering my self-possession, I remained mo
tionless, and soon perceived that my presence was un
observed. Carefully putting one foot behind the other
I retreated out of sight, and rapidly returned to my
party. KnoAving that there \vere videttes sitting
somcAvhere at the front in the dark, we concluded to
go back about tAVo miles to a plantation, and call at
one of the outermost negro houses for Information.
We returned, and I A'olunteered to make the call
while the others remained concealed at a distance.
I approached the door and rapped, and a woman's
voice from Avithin asked, " who was there ?" I replied,
that "I was a traveler and had lost my way, and
wished to obtain some information about the road."
She directed me to go to another house, but I declined
to do so, and after some further conversation the door
Avas opened, and I was surprised to find a large, good-
looking negro standing by her side, who had been
listening to the interview. He invited me to come in,
and as soon as the door was closed, he said : " I know
Avho you are ; you're one of dem 'scaped officers from
Richmond." Looking him full in the face, I placed
my hand firmly upon his shoulder, and said : " I am,
and I knoAV you are my friend." His eyes sparkled as
he repeated : " Yes, sir ; yes, sir ; but you musn't stay
here ; a reg'ment of cavalry is right thar'," pointing to

GENERAL HOBART'S NARRATIVE. 393
a place near by, " and they pass this road all times of
the night," The Avoman gave me a piece of corn-
bread aud a cup of milk, and the man accom
panying me, I left the house, and soon finding my
companions, our guide took us to a secluded spot In
a canebrake, and there explained the situation of
the picket in front. It was posted on a narrow neck
of land between two impassable swamps, and over
this neck ran the main road to Williamsburg. The
negro proved to be a sharp, shrcAvd felloAV, and Ave
engaged him to pilot us round this picket. After
impressing us In his strongest language with the
danger both to him and to us of making the least
noise, he conducted us through a long canebrake jiath,
then through several fields, then directly over the
road, crossing between the cavalry reserve and their vi
dettes, who were sitting upon their horses but a fcAV rods
in front, and then took us around to the pike about
a mile beyond this last post of the rebels. After
obtaining important information from him concerning
the Avay to the front, and giving him a substantial re-
Avard, we cordially took his hand in parting. If good
deeds are recorded in Heaven, this slave appeared in
the record that night.
The line of the pike was then rapidly followed as
far as Diascum river, which was reached just at light
Sunday morning. To cross this river without assist
ance from some quarter Avas found impossible. We
tried to Avade through it, but failed In this attempt.
We were seen by some of the neighboring population,
which largely incrtiised our danger and trepidation ;

396 GENERAL HOBART'S NARRATIVE,
for we had been informed by our guide that the
enemy's scouts came to this point every morning.
After awhile we succeeded In reaching an island
in the river, but could get no farther, finding deep
Avater beyond. We endeavored to construct a raft
but failed. The water being extremely cold, and we
being very wet and Aveary, we did not dare attempt to
swim the stream ; and expecting every moment to see
the enemy's cavalry, our hearts sank within us.
At this juncture a rebel soldier Avas seen coming up
the river in a row-boat Avith a gun. Requesting my
companions to lie down in the grass, I concealed my
self in the bushes close to the water to get a good view
of the man. Finding his countenance to indicate youth
and benevolence, I accosted him as he approached.
" Good morning ; I have been Avaiting for you; they
told me up at those houses that I could get across the
stream, but I find the bridge is gone, and I am very
wet and cold; if you will take me over, I will pay you
for your trouble."
The boat Avas turned into the shore, and as I
stepped into it I knew that boat was mine. Keeping
my eye upon his gun, I said to him, " there are three
more of us," and they immediately stepped Into the
boat. " Where do you all come from ?" said the boat
man, seeming to hesitate and consider. We repre
sented ourselves as farmers from different localities
on the Chickahominy. " The officers don't like to
haA'e me carry men OA'er this river," he said, evidently
suspecting who Ave were. I replied, " that is right; you
should not carry soldiers or suspected characters."

GENERAL HOBART'S NARRATIVE. 397
Then placing my eyes upon him, I said, " pass your boat
over!" It sped to the other shore. AVe gave him one or
tAVO greenbacks, and he rapidly returned. AVe knew
Ave were discovered, and that the enemy's cavalry
Avould A'ery soon be In hot pursuit, therefore we deter
mined, after consultation, to go into the first hiding
place, and as near as possible to the river. The
wisdom of this course Avas soon demonstrated. The
cavalry crossed the stream, dashed by us, and
thoroughly searched the country to the front, not
dreaming but aa'B had gone forAvard. We did not
leave our seclusion until about midnight, and then
felt our way with extreme care. The proximity to
AVilliamsburg was evident from the destruction every
where apparent in our path. There were no buildings,
no inhabitants, and no sound save our OAvn weary
footsteps ; desolation reigned supreme. Stacks of
chimnevs stood along our way like sentinels over the
dead land.
For five days and six nights, hunted and almost ex
hausted, Avith the stars for our guide, we had picked our
way through surrounding perils toward the camp-fires
of our friends. We knew we were near the outposts
of the Union troops, and began to feel as if our trials
were nearly over. But Ave were now in danger of
being shot as rebels by scouting parties of our own
army. To avoid the appearance of being spies, we
took the open road, alternately traveling and conceal
ing ourselves, that we might reconnoiter the way.
About tAVO o'clock in the morning, coming near
the shade of a dark forest that overhung the road, we

398 GENERAL HOBART'S NARRATIVE.
were startled, and brought to a stand, by the sharp and
sudden command, " Halt !" Looking in the direction
whence it proceeded, we discovered the dark forms of
a dozen cavalrymen draAvn up in line across the road,
A voice came out of the darkness, asking, " Avho are
you?" We replied, " we are four travelers!" The same
voice said, " if you are travelers, come ujj here !"
Moving forward the cavalry surrounded us, and care
fully looking at their coats, I concluded they were
gray, and was nerving myself for a recapture. It Avas
a supreme moment to the soul. One of my compan
ions asked, " are you Union soldiers?" In broad
Pennsylvania language the answer came, " well Ave
are !" In a moment their uniforms changed to
glorious blue, and taking of our hats avc gave one
long exultant shout. It was like passing from death
unto life. Our hearts filled with gratitude to Him
Avhose sheltering arm had protected us in all that danger
ous Avay. Turning toAvard Richmond, I prayed in
my heart that I might have strength to return to my
command. I was afterAvard.s in Sherman's advance to Atlanta;
the March to the Sea and through the Carolinas;
entered Richmond with the Western army; and had
the supreme satisfaction of marching my brigade
by Libby Prison.

INDEX.

PAGE.
March from Buckhannon, West Virginia, to Rich Mountain.... 18
Battle of Eioh Mountain  24
Beverly and Huttonville  26
Incidents at Cheat Mountain Pass  28
Camp at Elk Water  43
The flag of truce  46
Capture of De Lagniel  52
The flood  61
The advance and retreat of Lee  67
Ride to a log cabin in the mountains  68
Moonlight and music  69
The Hoo.siera .stir up the enemy  72
The expedition to Big Springs  75
The accomplished colored gentleman  78
At Louisville. Kentucky  84
March to Bacon Creek  86
Incidents of the camp  87
Trouble in the regiment  91
A little unpleasantness with the Colonel  97
A case of disappointed love  99
The advance to Green River  103
The march to Nashville  109
A Southern lady wants protection  112
John Morgan on the rampage  114
Incidents at Nashville  116
March to Murfreesboro  118
(399)

400 INDEX. PAGE.
The dash Into North Alaabma  124
General O. M. Mitchell  127
Rumors of the battle at Shiloh  131
Affiur at Bridgeport  135
The rendezvous of the Bushwackers  138
The negro preacher  141
Provost Marshal of Huntsville  142
Pudin' an' Tame  146
Grape-vines from Richmond  151
Garfield and Ammen  156
Two Pious men meet at Pittsburgh Landing  162
Uncle Jacob tells a few stories  163
De coon am a great fiter  167
General Ammen as a teacher  168
The murder of General Robert McCook  169
Tlie race for the Ohio River  175
The battle of Perryville, Kentucky  176
Pur.suit of Bragg  182
The Army of the Cumberland  185
Incidents on the way to Nashville  186
Colonel H. C. Hobart  192
The advance on Murfreesboro  198
The battle of Stone River  201
A ride over the battle-field  210
The absentees  ,  217
T. Buchanan Reid, the poet  225
The Chiefs  235
An interesting letter  244
The Third starts on the Streight raid  246
A good fighter  252
Genernl Rosecrans angry  255
The Confederate account of Streight's surrender  267

INDEX. 401
PAGE.
The lame horse  268
Negley's party  277
Go out to dinner  2?3
Simon Bolivar Buckner (colored)  284
Advance on Tullahoma  285
The retreat of the enemy  290
The Peace party  297
Fact vs. Fiction  299
Board for the examination of applicants, for commissions in
colored regiments  312
The advance to the Tennessee  319
Cross the Tennessee  327
Battle of Chickamauga  332
Fight at Rossville  346
Incidents at Chattanooga  348
Battle of Mission Ridgp  .....356
March to Knoxville  359
General Sherman's letter  360
Camp at McAffee's Spring  ;  362
Good-bye  .-372
General H. C. Hobart's Narrative  .........379
34

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