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REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION

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Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012

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History of

The First . Wisg£DSJn Battery

IJffht Artillery

By Dan Webster and Don C. Cameron

,1907

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F WEBSTER, DAN.

8349 History of the first Wisconsin battery, light .972 artillery, by Dan Webster and Don C. Cameron, n. p., 1907. 263, vip.

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PREFACE.

To all comrades who, prompted by patriotism, donned the blue and went to the front in defense of oxir flag when assailed by treason in the days of 1861 to 1SG5, this book is dedicated.

To them in the closing days of the battle of life may its pages be a reminder of the cheerful spirit with which they endured dust, sweat, mud, heat, rain, cold and mishaps; recalling the bravery with which they faced danger and death from disease, exposure and the enemy's fire while they were making history.

To the sons and daughters of our comrades may it be an incen- tive to patriotism, making them emulous of lofty deeds and true Americanism. May their bosoms swell with pride when they open the volume and recall that their fathers were of these.

Many comrades have written sketches of incidents, and Comrades Tom Bones, Charlie Leith and Wm. J. Martin have largely helped in the final work.

Story of the First Wisconsin Battery, Light Artillery.

CHAPTER I.

"Hark! I hear the tramp of thousands,

And of armed men the hum; Lo; a Nation's hosts have gathered

Round the quick alarming- drum; — Saying-, 'Come, Freemen, come! Ere your heritage be -wasted/

Said the quick alarming drum."

LE. "Webb, a brother of "Walter W. Webb, who was cash- ier of the La Crosse County Bank, and a few others had •obtained a promise from the Governor of the State, A, W. Randall, that if we would form a military company he would send a cannon. So Jacob T. Foster took hold of the matter and organized the La Crosse Artillery, and it was com- posed of such men as the Hon. Angus Cameron, Mons Ander- son, Hugh Cameron, Alex. Cameron, who was elected a Lieu- tenant, A. W. Bishop, W. W. Webb, Isaac Usher, and many other prominent men, who never drilled but helped to pay for the fun we had, and during the Fall of 1860 we let the "can- non boom'' much of the time previous to the "Fall election, some of the time for Republicans and perhaps twice for the Democrats. In the Winter of 'GO-'Ol we recruited in numbers until there were about 80 members on the rolls.

During the Winter we became quite popular and had mili- tary parties and dances, much increasing our popularity and honorary membership. About this time Dan Webster joined us and drilled regularly, and while he was not enrolled he was as much considered a member as any one whose name did appear on the rolls. The situation of the country became interesting, and the question was mooted if a war was to come who would and who would not go. All but a few had too numerous ex- cuses to think of their going, and at a meeting of the company when volunteers were called for only 10 of the original 80 came forward, but all present who could not go agreed to fur- nish two members in their place. Ere long they had their chance, for when the first gun was fired we had a meeting of the Battery and unanimously tendered our services to the country.

Old General Scott (known otherwise as Fuss and Feathers) said he wanted no volunteer artillery, as it took too long to be- come artillerists: but the Governor kept our tender of service in mind, and when Bull Run battle was fought we were ac-

6 Story of the First Wisconsin Battery.

cepted, and a telegram was received by Captain Foster and read as follows: "Your Battery is accepted; recruit to 150 men; take old artillerists as far as possible."'

A telegraph operator came to Captain Foster with the dis-

Eatch and said, "Here is something that will knock the banking usiness out of you," and it did.

On the night of the 21st of August a meeting was held at the Armory on Front street to decide what the company should do. There was quite a full attendance, but not much of a rush for the table where the enlistment roll, with pen and ink by its side, was outspread awaiting signatures. The appearance of the assemblage was much like that of a flock of domestic chick- ens when some object has been suddenly thrown in their midst. All are shy at first; finally one more bold than the rest will approach graduall}T nearer, until assured that there is no dan- ger, when all will crowd around to investigate. So it was with the artillery company this night. Captain Foster was the only one of the officers that felt sure of his position. The Lieutenants hesitated about enlisting unless assured of their commissions, and held back, while the privates waited for the lead of their officers.

After waiting until it looked as if the matter of organizing for the war would go by default. Dan Webster remarked: "I've enlisted to go to the war in this company, and am going if I go at the tail end of it ; if I cannot go in the cabin I will go on deck, but go I will if the company goes." Others followed until considerable enthusiasm was aroused. It was decided to open a recruiting station at the Armory, which was done on the following morning. Dan Webster was appointed by Cap- tain Foster as the First Sergeant, to take charge of the same.

On the 27th of August there were 57 names enrolled; on the 30th, 81 ; and on September 10th, 1,64. This number was sub- sequently increased to 173, but as only 150 men could be mus- tered no more would be enrolled. Some of these were rejected at muster and a few ubacked out," but as a rule all were "good stayers."

Most of the recruits were, or had some time been, lumbermen and worked in the pine woods, and had been raftsmen on the Mississippi and its tributaries, consequently took more readily to camp life and could adapt themselves to camp fare more easily than many other companies. As a result the La Crosse Artillery had less sickness than usual among new recruits in camp.

While the Battery was recruiting a Lieutenant Oates from St. Louis and a Captain Baker were in La Crosse recruiting for the sharpshooting service, but met with ill success until the full quota of the Battery was secured.

Story of the First Wisconsin Battery. 7

Men came from La Crosse, Vernon, Monroe, Jackson and Trempealeau Counties, Wisconsin, and from Minnesota, and would not be refused. In fact, the percentage of Minnesota men was so large that the Battery might have been called a Minnesota Battery had it been recruited on the opposite side of the river.

One man from Vernon County was accompanied by his wife, who said she came to see him sign his name to the enlistment roll, as he was determined to go. As he laid down the pen she took it up and wrote uGod bless and protect you, my husband."

While recruiting was going on daily drills were had on the square, or Peter Cameron park, near the Congregational Church, where much was learned in the matter of keeping step to the music of the Union. Officers and men alike were ^ ig- norant of tactics, and all studied with the same zealous determi- nation to master the art of war. The park became quite an attractive place — attractive alike to the young ladies and the recruits : to the former, for they could see the soldier boys, and to the latter, for there "the girl" he was to "leave behind'' him was sure to be. The military spirit pervaded all, and there were many civilians, and even some ladies, always ready with their criticism.

One day while Lieutenant Cameron was drilling a squad he gave the command "Eyes right/' A country school ma'am who was present said to a friend : "What awful grammar that offi- cer used. Did you hear him say Fs right, instead of I am right?"

One day a secession sympathizer by name of Eidgley came to town and hurrahed for secession and Jeff Davis. The Battery boys, hearing of this, promptly arrested him. obliged him to subscribe to the oath of allegiance, to hurrah for the IJiiion and carry the Stars and Stripes through the principal business streets of La Crosse to the tune of Hail Columbia. There was no more talking treason while the Battery remained in the city.

One of the recruits named O'Neill was stabbed in a saloon near the Armory, and one Sunday morning a squad of the boys who had been calling upon their wounded comrade marched into the open saloon. (All saloons were open on Sunday in those days.) A moment thereafter a beer keg came crashing through the largo front window, followed by another and another. Fer- guson and Carl Cameron went over and stepping in found Rath- bun tearing loose the counter, bottles, glasses, etc.. flying with every wrench. He finally landed it down the back stairs. An- other was investigating the "inwards" of a large clock with his boot heel, while Nodley was reaching out with his left duke for the three denizens of the saloon. Every time he reached a fel- low went down. Officers Foster, Cameron and Anderson arriv-

8 Sto?y of the First Wisconsin Battery.

ing on the scene saved the shelving, wainscoting and the paper on the wall.

Fifty white blankets were issued at La Crosse, and we be- lieve 50 gray woolen shirts, the first of the kind many of us ever donned. One night soon after we got these blankets, just as we were rolling into them on the soft pine floor of the Armory, music up near the La Crosse River bridge attracted our attention. Out we turned to listen, draped in our blankets — and shirts — a la Winnebago, and Bradfield, Burke, Green, Cameron, if not others, stalked up toward the bridge and afterwards strolled around a few blocks. Scarcely would a like squad, thus clad, be allowed to now stroll around La Crosse at 8 :30 of an August evening.

After the Battery was recruited to its maximum Captain Foster announced that the company would hold an election for the selection of its officers. Accordingly a meeting was held in Barron's Hall one evening when the Captain announced that the commissions would be issued by the Governor named by him, Foster, in his letter asking permission to recruit a six gun battery, but he preferred to have the company sanction the selection, therefore he would let them make the selection for themselves.

J. T. Foster was elected Captain, Alexander Cameron Senior First Lieutenant, A. W. Bishop Junior First Lieutenant, and J. D. Anderson Senior Second Lieutenant. The first struggle came with the election of Junior Second Lieutenant. The name of Isaac L. Usher had been sent to the Governor for that position, but for some reason he refused to go with the battery.

The officers so far elected were the ones that had been recom- mended by Captain Foster, and he now nominated Charles B. Kimball for the office, but the boys had gotten the idea into their heads that Acting Orderly Sergeant Dan Webster was entitled to the commission and he was accordingly elected and passed through the successive grades, being mustered out as Captain of the Battery in July, 1805. in Milwaukee, Wis. C. B. Kimball was elected First or Orderly Sergeant and L. A. Pad- dock Quartermaster-Sergeant, defeating Winfield Scott, who had been nominated by Captain Foster. Scott had displayed some very arbitrary methods in dealing out supplies while acting in that capacity.

Scott was the only man in the battery that had ever had any experience as a soldier, having accompanied General A. Sidney Johnston in the expedition to Utah but a short time before the breaking out of the rebellion, lie served faithfully in the ranks for three years, while Paddock deserted on the retreat from Cumberland Gap in 18G*2.

Captain Foster now suggested that as it would take nearly all night to elect the six Dutv Sergeants and the 12 Cor-

Don C. Caiiero.v.

Story of the First Wisconsin Battery. 9

porals that he name eighteen good men for those positions and thus simplify matters; but the boys insisted upon going through the bill in detail, which was accordingly done. The Sergeants selected were Myron D. Hill, Oscar F. Nutting, E. E. Stewart, W. J. Summerlield and Samuel Hoyt. Myron Hill's name was the first on the original battery roll, now in the Adjutant-Gen- eral's Office in Madison.

The ladies of La Crosse, under the direction of Mrs. X. R. Smith and Mrs. A. T. Clinton, procured and presented to the Battery a beautiful silk flag, bearing the following inscription:

Presented to Captain Foster's Battery Bv the Ladies of La Crosse, * September 19th, 1861.

The presentation speech wTas made by Dr. D. D. Cameron, and was as follows:

"Officers and Soldiers of the La Crosse Battery: In behalf of the ladies of the city of La Crosse I appear here today for the purpose of presenting you this flag. The flag is not given by those who have prepared it by reason of its intrinsic value, but it is given because it is the flag of the Revolution ; it is the flag around which cluster the holy memories of the time 'that tried men's souls:' it is the flag of Washington, and Adams, and Jefferson: the flag of Union, the flag of Freedom. This em- blem, gentlemen, has carried joy and comfort to the wandering American in all foreign climes, in the silence of all the seas. Nearly one hundred years ago the Angel of Freedom, after searching in vain for a resting place in the old world, beyond the great waters, winged her flight- toward the setting sun. planted the Stars and Stripes upon this, the Western Conti- nent, and the Republic of the United States of America was one of the Nations of the earth. This old flag has recently been insulted, torn down and trampled under foot : the Government has been defied; its property has been stolen; men and women have been mobbed and murdered, not by the hired minions of foreign despots, but by citizens of our own country who. like the rebel angels, would rather rule in hell than serve in heaven. For the purpose of putting down this unrighteous rebellion you, gentlemen, have girded on your armor; you have forsaken father, mother, sister, children and friends; you sacrifice all other feelings to the one feeling of love of country. You say by your act here today T will bid good-by to all these, and if need be I will do more. I will offer up the last drop of my blood .a willing libation upon the altar of my country's freedom:* you say by your act here today that you are resolved to do all that true men can do in order that

10 Story of the First Wisconsin Battery.

" 'The Star Spangled Banner forever shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.'

"These things being so, it is no matter of wonderment to me that the ladies of La Crosse should prepare and present you this splendid banner.

"Should the women of the land, in this hour of our country's peril, stand calmly by, gazing upon the battle with cold indif- ference, then might we despair of the Republic- But, no, gen- tlemen, the ladies not only of this city, but of the entire country accord to you, and such as you. all honor and glory and perpetual memory for going forth to battle, that the glo- rious old flag of the Stars and Stripes may again wave in tri- umph from the frozen north to the sunny south, and from the rocky east to the golden west. The gallant La Crosse Light Guard and their brave commander. Captain Colwell, have already been on the blood-stainedjield. You follow quickly.

"If you perish in the strife, be assured the ladies of the land will not permit your honored names to be forgotten, and in the future days of triumph and of rest, when the sword and the trumpet shall hang in the hall, and there shall be no more for soldiers to do in the field, those of you who return may expect the rewards a ransomed and grateful people will be eager to bestow. Captain Foster, again I say in behalf of the ladies of the city of La Crosse, I present you, your officers and soldiers this flag. Accept it in their name, accept it as an unostenta- tious token of the respect they entertain for your characters, and as an expression on their part of an earnest wish that the cause in which you have embarked may speedily be trium- phant. I need not entreat you. Captain, officers and soldiers, in the name and for the sake of the ladies who present it, see to it that the fair face of that bright banner may never be tar- nished. I need not ask you by the holy memories of the women of the Revolution to see to it that the honor of that flag may never be compromised. May those of you who return be enabled to point to it with proud triumph:

" 'Flag of the free heart's hope and home.

By angel hands to valor given; Thy stars have lit the welkin dome

And all thy hues were born in heaven. Forever float that standard sheet,

Where breathes the foe. but falls before us. With Freedom's soil beneath our feet

And Freedom's banner streaming o'er us.' '

To which Captain Foster replied as he received the flag from the hands of Dr. Cameron:

"Ladies of La Citosse: In the reception of this banner allow me as the representative of this Battery to tender our sincere

Story of the First Wisconsin Battery. 11

thanks and heartfelt gratitude. We receive it with the most tender emotions, with fear, yet firmness; taking in our hands that which to obtain our forefathers fought, bled and perished, yet while we press it to our bosoms and look to Almighty God for its protection in our hands, we ask of you. ladies of La Crosse, to invoke the blessings of Him who rules the arms of war and destinies of nations. One year since all was peace in our land, our country the favored of the world, the home of the homeless, the promised land. But, oh, how altered ! How sadly changed ! The pure folds of our flag have been trampled in the dust by those who ought in suppliance to have bowed beneath it, and torn in shreds by those who should in ecstacy have folded it around their hearts. We now go forth to its protection, leaving all that is dear to us on earth; firmly re- solving that this banner shall come back to you unsullied, though it take the last drop of blood of the La Crosse Battery. Guidon, receive it. Remember your blood, mine, and the blood of us all must bathe it 'ere it falls into the hands of our rebel- lious foe."

The presentation exercises were held in what is now known as the Fourth Ward Park of the city, and speeches were made by Hon. George Gale, then judge of that circuit; B. F. Mont- gomery, a prominent attorney ; Charles Seymour, the editor of the Republican, and others, among whom was Private Winfield Scott, who was ready to wrap its folds about him and die for his country. Lieutenant AVebster being called upon simply said: "Some thirty years ago a man by the name of Webster talked at the birth of secession. The time for talk has passed and the time for action has come, and I propose to follow this flag as it leads to the death and funeral of disunion."

In the month of June. 1888. 27 years after the above event, at a reunion of the survivors of the Battery held at La Crosse, the old flag was again placed in the hands of the ladies who had been instrumental in procuring it for the company.

Upon this occasion Thomas A. Bones of the Battery thus addressed the ladies:

"Ladies of La Crosse: On the 19th day of September, 1861, you presented this flag to the La Crosse Battery and through your representative charged us to guard and protect it with the ardor of patriots and soldiers, not with the words but with the sentiment of the charge of the Spartan mother to her son, 'Return with your shield or on your shield.' The pariotism of the boys of the 1st Wis. Battery was grand; the presentation of this flag made it sublime. We went forth with a full reali- zation that we might meet death, sickness, disaster and hard- ship, but disgrace never. After 27 years we return, not all of us, — many who stood in the ranks on that occasion sleep the

12 Story of the First Wisconsin Battery.

sleep of the brave, many are scattered through the land, and we who appear before you are old men worn and scarred, but loyal and true as on the da}' we received this flag at your hands, and with the will if not the physical ability to defend it as well as when we received it. We trust that you are satisfied with the manner in which we have redeemed our pledge. The old flag is not so handsome as when we received it, but it is just as precious. We are not so handsome, but we know more, and as for yourselves, like our mothers, you are always handsome. We return the flag with mingled emotions of pleasure and pain, with cheers for the living and tears for the dead — both men and women — for the brave did not all fall in battle, nor did all the victims wear the uniform, but a broken heart caused the death of many just as loyal as ever died that the Nation

As the flag was placed in the hands of those patriotic ladies who had 27 years before presented it to the Battery, one could but notice how lovingly they touched its sacred folds, particu- larly Miss Nannie Colwell, whose father went to the front as Captain of the La Crosse Light Guards and was killed at the battle of South Mountain, who caressed its tattered and worn body with loving hands, drawing its faded stripes so tenderly about her while her thoughts were on the blood-stained field on which her father had offered up his life in defense of his country and flag. Was it the "mist of time" that was around those veterans there assembled that dimmed their eyes as they watched this voung girl fondling their old battle flag so ten- derly 1

In the latter part of September the Battery was ordered to Artillery Camp of Instruction at Racine. Upon the even- ing of departure wives, sisters, sweethearts and friends, from Wisconsin and Minnesota, gathered in Barron's Hall with the Battery and the fires of patriotism were lighted by short speeches and farewell good wishes spoken, after which we were accompanied to the depot by a large delegation of citizens. Our one gun was placed upon a flat car. and secured so it could be used in firing salutes, which was done at all the principal towns through which we passed en route to said camp. At Milwaukee we found no civic or military organiza- tion or no representatives of the municipality to welcome us or tender to us the freedom of the city. This neglect we were told was owing to the fact that a telegram had been received at Mil- waukee saying that the Battery had. at the last moment, re- belled and would not leave La Crosse. However, we soon formed in column of platoons and took up our line of march from the La Crosse to tin:- Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul depot, a distance of about one and a halt miles, independently

Story of the First Wisconsin Battery. 13

and alone, in the doing of which it was, at that time, said the Battery made the best appearance, did better marching and gave evidence of better discipline than any organization which had appeared on the streets of the city. Xo halt was made in Milwaukee, only to change cars, when we were off for Racine, arriving there in the evening, in a rain storm. At first we were quartered in a hall on the second floor, but within a day or two were sent to Camp Utley to begin camp life in earnest. In the company were a number of men over six feet in height, and the tall men were all grouped together and given the right of the company. As we entered the gates of the fair grounds, where the camp was established, a bystander said: "A lot of picked men. Lieutenant?7' "Yes," replied Lieutenant Webster; "picked 'em up in 13 days."

We found six batteries in Camp Utley, viz: the 2d, Captain Herzberg; 3d, Captain L. H. Drury; 4th, Captain Vallee;*r>th, Captain Pinney; 6th, Capt. Dillon; 7th, Captain Griffith. Camp Utley wras located on a level plateau of ground some 40 rods from the lake shore, and about a mile south from the busi- ness center of Racine. It was a splendid location for a camp of instruction, affording capital drill and company parade grounds.

The State furnished tents for our shelter, and a large mess house where the soldiers were fed at the expense of the State. The mess house, or dining hall, was a temporary structure, built of rough lumber, and served as a shelter from the sun, rain and wind, when the first was not too hot, the second too copious or the last too furious. It beat eating in the open air, in November, however. The furniture was of the rudest kind; the long tables being made of rough boards flanked on either side with long benches. The table ware was in accord with the building and table; plates, cups and spoons of tin, with knives and forks of the cheapest variety. They answered our purpose splendidly, and wre doubt if a man of the whole lot who ate with them did not see the time before he received his discharge that he would have considered himself fortunate to have pos- sessed as good. The fare was plain, plentiful and palatable, ami was satisfactory as an}T could have been. There were those, however, who complained of the quantity, quality and style in which it was served. The 1st Battery being composed largely of men who had spent much time in the logging camps of the Wisconsin and Minnesota pineries, took to" camp life readily, and adapted themselves to their surroundings and the condi- tions existing 'm camp. There were no murmurings or com- plaints, but they at once proceeded to make themselves as com- fortable as possible. While many of the other companies would • indulge in boisterous conduct E»t table, such as loud iuul rough talking, throwing potatoes, meat and bread from tabic to table,

14 Story of the First Wisconsin Battery.

the La Crosse Artillery Company, as it was then called, uni- formly behaved itself and brought approbation upon its officers and members. This conduct gave the company a good standing with the Commissary, Captain Clough, who superintended the feeding of the troops in camp. It was also known to and ap- preciated by the citizens of Racine.

Captain Foster was a born drillmaster and never let us rest. There never was such a Fall for camp life and drill. Having once resided in Racine, and being a favorite, and having an extensive acquaintance, he would return to camp on sunny afternoons, call out the boys and in that winning way of his, when he chose to be winning, ask us to give the people an exhibition of proficiency in maneuvering. Of course we did our prettiest and one such exercise was worth a round dozen ordinary drills. Result. We never met a battery, volunteer or regular, that could drill with us, and if any were more efficient, we, nor our immediate Commanding Generals, never found it out. A very large share of credit for our superb efficiency is due to Captain Foster. But how we did grumble at the con- tinuous drill, drill from La Crosse to the Gulf.

As soon as we were settled in our quarters drilling began in earnest. The one piece of ordnance taken by us from La Crosse was constantly in use by gun squad after squad for instruction in the manual of the piece. At the same time others were learn- ing battery foot drill. To aid in learning and demonstrating the battery maneuver as it is done with the caisson and horses, Captatin Foster, at his own expense, hired a carpenter to make several sets of small, rude carts, which were used by the men who "played horse" and drew them about in the evolu- tions. These were ridiculed by officers and men of the other batteries, but Captain Foster and his men kept at work, not only "playing horse/' but in the language of a later phrase, "sawing wood," until a knowledge of battery evolution was gained therefrom that was of great benefit when the company was afterward fully equipped.

Col. Fritz Aneke, an ex-Prussian army officer, was placed in command of Camp L^tley, and a guard line was established about the camp, and guard house, that necessary adjunct to all well regulated camps, established just to the left and inside the entrance gate.

The guard was made up from details from the several bat- teries and was regularly "mounted" as the regulations required. This guard was put around the camp for the purpose of keep- ing out intruders and to keep the soldiers in. Flowever prac- - ' tical and successful it proved for the former purpose, it was a simple theory as applied to the restraint of the liberty of the individual soldier. There were men in the 1st Battery who would absolutely refuse to go out of camp through the gate

Story of the First Wisconsin Battery. 15

when the guard at that post was instructed to pass everybody, but would wait until strict orders were given to pass no one, out or in, without the countersign, and then run the guard. I be- lieve that Phil Welch would remain outside of camp until he was nearly starved and frozen, if necessary, to wait that longed-for order to be given to admit no one, that he might slip by the sentinel.

While 'Tunning the guard'' is a violation of orders and sub- jects the violator to punishment when caught, it has its merits. There has undoubtedly many a man been fitted by this practice for running by and evading the enemy's pickets and camp guards.

There were, of course, many amusing incidents occurring in camp ; some through ignorance, some through a superabundance of zeal for the cause of the Union, and others through vanity. An instance of the first was that of a German belonging to Herzberg's Battery, who for some breach of discipline was put upon extra police duty, which he refused to perform. As a result he was put in the guard house, loudly protesting that he would resign and go home and take care of his family. It took some time to convince him that he was "in it" for three years, and that the only resigning he could do was to be resigned to his fate, obey orders and ask no questions.

Of the second class the following will serve as a good illus- tration. One Sunday a minister from the city held service in camp, and in conclusion he was advising the soldiers to waste no powder upon the rebels, but to make every cartridge tell upon their ranks, and appealing to them to never let the flag of our country be trailed in the dust, when the patriotism of one man in the congregation became so aroused that he jumped to his feet, pulled off his hat, and proposed: "Three cheers for the Union, by g — d!" The effect was indescribable. Another instance was wherein our own Billy McKeith was a prominent actor. Although Camp Utley was an artillery camp we had brought with lis from La Crosse short "musketoons" terminat- ing in an unusually lengthy bayonet, and these were used in the performance of guard duty. One cold, stormy night Billy was on duty on the back or rear guard line, running parallel to and along a fence. Col. Aneka had been out to spend an even- ing, and thought to take a short cut to camp, and was in the act of climbing the fence on Billy's beat. He had no sooner mounted said fence than Billy came to a charge and com- manded "Halt : who comes there?" "The Colonel commanding this post," replied the Colonel. "I command this post," said Billy. "Advance and give the countersign." Now it happened that the Colonel had left camp before that cabalistic key to the camp was issued, and consequently was not in possession of the same. When the Colonel found he could not £et in he com-

16 Story of the First Wisconsin Battery.

menced climbing down off the fence on the "off side" to go around, when Billy brought his gun to a "drop" on him, and made him stay on that roost until the Corporal of the Guard, who happened to be Sam McPhail, came and took him in. The Colonel was "hot" if it was a cold night, while Billy chuckled until he was fat over it.

Camp Utley was a resort on pleasant days for the people of Racine, who came there to see the soldiers drill and lend them the aid of their countenance. The 1st Battery attracted its full share of attention whether on drill, in camp or on parade on the streets of the city. Upon one occasion — it was the first parade given on the streets after officers had received their new uni- forms, sashes, swords and shoulder straps. The writer himself well remembers the pride he felt when he donned his "new harness." Of course the occasion called for a march through town, for Captain Foster was not averse to "showing off" whenever an impression could be made. We were marching along one of Racine's most, aristocratic streets and every man doing his best, for the walks were filled with the belles of that fair city. The uniform fitted nicely and although there was no bar on Lieutenant Webster's shoulder he was as proud of the open field of scarlet that nestled there as though it had been filled with bars. As we neared the walk in some of our maneu- vers and were close to a large crowd of very attractive ladies a simple-minded fellow who had followed the Battery from La Crosse, whose name is forgotten, pushed his way through the crowd and coming up to the Lieutenant, seized his coat skirt and said in tones that could be heard two blocks away: "Lieutenant, you look like h — 1 in those clothes." What a fall was there, my countrymen ! But the Lieutenant tumbled to it, for it is said "children and fools tell the truth." When the nights became frosty, small, round, upright sheetiron stoves were put in our tents, and by reasonable enterprise, after the honest granger had retired to his couch, the boys could supple- ment the regular fare by poultry stews, apples and other farm products. Twelve miles up the Lake, at Kenosha, was camped a cavalry regiment, and soon came a protest from the boys who wore the yellow trimmings that we came more than half way in our search for supplies. Dick Richards, the Armstrongs, Freeman, Ed. Hewitt and Carl Cameron were number one, all round foragers. But their embryotic endeavors were as a marker only, to the later systematic enterprise of Frank Downs and his school. A second or third visit to a barn or roost near Utley found a padlock on the door and a dog inside that barked and growled loudly. To prevent friction we generally went farther.

Our experience was similar to that of other commands spend- ing months in camp of instruction. Practical jokes and idioms

1 v	V
(Jko.	W. Scott.

Story of the First Wisconsin Battery. 17

differed with the several States from which the men were drawn, for we had men born in nearly every State north of the Ohio and one from Virginia, and the practical accomplish- ments were as varied, ranging from civil and practical engineer to the sailor; from the preacher of the Gospel to the farm boy, and ere the struggle was done each found a field for the demon- stration of his skill. Characteristics were developed, and of two a comrade writes :

"Obe could get fuller, walk straighter, and look wiser than any man. under similar circumstances. He, upon occasions, would get into the guard house for trying to dignifiedly walk through the gate without the countersign instead of getting through the guard line in the rear in legitimate way, at that time of night. In that haven of rest he organized a company the designation of which I forget, but the chief quali- fication of a recruit was his ability to 'eat straw.' One even- ing just before taps a Lieutenant of the 2d Battery, Officer of the Guard, called at Cameron's tent and told him a man in the guard house wished to see him. Accompanying him there he ordered Cameron's ingress and egress. Divining wTho it was and what he wanted, and having a canteen half full of 'com- missary,' Cameron slung it under his overcoat. It was Obe, and he began in a business way to ask about some hypothetical commission to a gentleman, and wTrote a note — or pretended to write — while Carl slipped off the canteen, took the hiero- glyphics and left. The mystery next morning was how Obe could be fuller than when arrested and searched.

"One time on provost guard, Lieutenant Anderson command- ing, we 'pulled' Obe and a little German and marched 'em to the jail for keeping over night. While the jailor was being roused and unlocking the ponderous door the little German, who was quite chipper — as Eph would say — kept up a fire of witticisms until, just as the door was to be swung open, Obe, dignifiedly remonstrated, closing with 'Don't. This is one of the most solemn moments of my life.'

"The first afternoon of our arrival in Racine we located grapes, the vine of which overran an arbor reaching from near the front door towards the gate of a certain house. At even- tide Summy patrolled as guard while Cameron played the Ca- leb and Joshua act in the Promised Land. (Boys, read up the Book of Exodus and see if we've got the fellers right.) While trying to get the bunches between him and the sky, the door opened and a young couple appeared. Dropping under the arbor beneb he was an unwilling listener to a lengthy au revoir unusually lingering and affectionate, extending from the door to the gate. Cameron realized that in case of discovery 'Char- lie' would wish to distinguish himself in the eyes of 'Lizzie' by giving him an exceeding lively five minutes, and Carl

18 Story of the First Wisconsin Battery.

doubted not Summy would confine his interference in the fray to holding the girl while Charlie and he fought it out. The scene closed, Lizzie and Charlie parted, and we got the grapes. But Summy grumblingly remarked that he preferred Charlie's part in the evening program/'

Thirty-two years after Camp Utley, Jabez Spaulding writes: "December, 1SG1, at Racine, I was placed on guard at the back of the camp. The next post was occupied by Powell, I think. About 10 o'clock the Sergeant of the Guard and two others came from the country with a load of chickens, and were without the countersign, so I turned and walked the other way. When I faced about they were in camp. In the meantime Lieutenant Webster, Officer of the Day, saw the whole maneuver and came to me and asked me why I let those men in camp. I told him I had a right to, for he was the Sergeant of the Guard. He said he would teach us our duty, and went away. Then came the Ser- geant. I told him to get the countersign from Powell, and he did. He stepped out, came back and gave it to me, then went to camp. Pretty soon came the guards and took us prisoners of war, and marched us to the guard house. The Lieutenant said to me: 'Spaulding, I did not think that of you.' I said I had orders to let anyone in that gave the countersign. Just then the Sergeant came in and I proved by him that we were innocent. We were then discharged and sent to camp. God bless our dear old Lieutenant.*1

We were clothed in the regulation artillery uniform, save for the Wisconsin State buttons on the jackets, and a few grum- bled at those. And who of us can forget the comical appear- ance of rotund Thrall and tall McPhail when they emerged from Captain Foster's tent dressed as we were to appear for the coming three years. The first intimation the rank and file had that uniforms were in camp.' When we were paid some grumbled at the legal tender and wished for gold, but most of us admired the new, crisp bills, little thinking that in the near future our $13 a month would represent less than $6 in cash, and most of us can't see why the Government should not, even at this late day, make up the difference to us now. Well, we weren't out for cash, nor bounty, nor pensions. Many of the boys were impatient at the delay of the forward move- ment which should bring us face to face with the enemy. Some of them feared the war would be over before they should be permitted the privilege of seeing, to say nothing of killing, a rebel. In the light of after experiences, how very simple and unsophisticated a remembrance of those fears make us appear to have been. Adjutant-General W. L. Luley, on being told of the anxiety of the men to go to the front, said: "I cannot un- derstand why men should be so anxious to rush into such dan-

Story of the First Wisconsin Battery. 19

gers ; it is past my comprehension." lie seems to have come to a full comprehension of the matter afterward, for he did val- iant service at the head of one of Wisconsin's many fighting regiments. But it is a racial fact that no Anglo-Saxon, no de- scendant of his in America, ever went contented to his grave unless he had had a fight. And deep down in every woman's heart is something that backs him up in it. Perhaps it is that old Viking spirit which sleeps, like some ferocious animal, somewhere in every American breast, which in the old Norwe- gian day pulled an oar all the long way to Paris for the mere pleasure of a fight.

On October 9 we were marched to a hall in the city and were medically examined by a Surgeon and all but one or two were passed. One or two did not attend, knowing they lacked the physical stamina for a soldier's life after their short expe- rience in camp of instruction.

In a former chapter we noted a remark about our "'picked men." Two days before muster-in we were measured and weighed and the result was an average of 169 and a fraction pounds. Vaughan was the tallest, six feet four and a half inches; Charlie Harrington the lightest, 126 pounds. The tall ones on the right and graded to "ponies" on the left.

On the 11th day of October, 1861, Captain Trowbridge ap- peared at Camp Utley and mustered the Battery into the ser- vice of the United States. Heretofore we had been subject only to the orders of our State officials; thereafter, for the terra of our service, we were soldiers of the Xation.

The company being formed the following persons answered to their names and took the oath of allegiance, which oath, with but two exceptions, was religiously observed unto the end. It will be observed that Lieutenant Bishop did not appear for muster, the reason for which will be the subject of another chapter.

CHAPTER III.

"We have come from the valleys of the young- Badger State,

Where the prairies are so grand, magnificent and great, To perfect ourselves in drill, for awhile we may be seen In our daily rounds of duty in Camp Utley at Racine."

"\ TO command ever presented a finer appearing set of offi- 1^ cers than those of the old Battery; this being a frequent remark from boys of the batteries associated with us at Camp Utley. Bishop especially loomed up martial and grand. All had voices fit to command and no one ever heard a more sonorous voice than Captain Foster's. Our first break came with the arrival of the commissions. Bishop had been elected Junior First Lieutenant, and his commission coining as Senior Second Lieutenant he resigned, and was commissioned Captain in the *2d Wisconsin Cavalry. Before the heated argu- ment with our contumacious brothers in the Southland was finished he exchanged the knightly bars for the lordly leaves, and those for the royal eagles. Many tears were shed at this first parting, for he was greatly beloved by the rank and file and the injustice done him nearly created a mutiny. Our re- gret and indignation were expressed at his being overslaughed. No one seemed to know how the mistake was made, but as Captain Foster was at the State Capitol when the commissions were issued it was then supposed he was the cause of it.

Captain Foster may have had his faults — and who is free from them — but he was ever loyal to his country and the Bat- tery. There was nothing he could procure too good to share with it. He was ever watchful of its interests and that of its members, individually and collectively. It was the "apple of his eye," the pride of his heart. To him belongs the credit of its early efficiency and popularity with brigade, division and corps commanders. So evidently was this the case that the feelings engendered by the Bishop episode were soon forgotten or overlooked, and every man of the Battery felt, and rightly too, that he had a true friend in Captain Jacob T. Foster.

The resignation of Bishop promoted Charlie Kimball, who was First, or Orderly, Sergeant, to the Junior Lieutenantcy, and O. F. Nutting became Orderly Sergeant. Kimball afterwards married the daughter of our Commissary, Colonel Clough. Others of the boys, during the war, slipped home, and finding men in great demand amongst the preponderance of women, and, mayhap, the blue coat at a premium, made assurance sure and enhanced the joys of furlough by recruiting "Rachel" then and there. A majority of the boys had sweethearts back in "God's country,"' between whom frequent and lengthy letters

Story of the First Wisconsin Battery. 21

passed; some secured sweethearts en route, but a forlorn mi- nority were perforce content to correspond with mother or sis- ter in lieu ot some other fellow's sister. Some never returned to marry their sweethearts, their bones now lying in the land they redeemed. Some returned to marry the girl they left behind them, and in one case at least returned to marry the other fellow's girl. Carl Cameron surrendered to Mrs. Foster's sister.

About the 23d of October it was rumored that we were soon to leave for the South via Louisville. As that was before the "grapevine telegraph'' was brought into use, we never learned where the rumor came from, but it was believed with more or less of mental reservations. Drilling, however, like Tenny- son's "Brook," went "on forever." The "little wagons" were kept busy until, one Sunday, while the officers were out of camp, the boys improvised a drill of their own, under command of the most efficient privates. After executing all the evolutions laid down in the tactics, and others that were never "photo- graphed," or witnessed before nor since, and feeling that they knew all of the drill there was to learn, and that the wagons had outlived their usefulness, they were taken in front of the Captain's tent and there stacked never to be again used in bat- tery maneuvers. However true it was that their usefulness as aids to drill had passed, they were found very useful as kind- ling for camp fires.

While that Sunday drill extinguished the "little wagons" it discovered some of the material out of which some of the most efficient non-commissioned officers were afterwards made. Notably was this the case with Billy McKeith. But speaking of him reminds us of an incident that occurred when recruit- ing. The writer of this had his eye on Billy from the first, and while looking for recruits visited the McKeith homestead. Billy came to the gate as we drove up and greeted us in his cordial, cheery manner. When told that he was wanted for the Battery and that Eph. Hackett had enlisted in it he said he'd g<>. His father, who was then nearing his three-score years and ten.and who had followed him to the gate, said: "No, you don't want to go." Billy turned to him and replied: "Now, don't you say one word; for if you were young as I am you'd go too,, and I know it." "I guess you are right," said the old man. and retraced his steps to the house.

'I here were to be made some appointments of Corporals to complete the quota, and Captain Foster had selected all but one. Lieutenant Webster's advice was asked, and as he had observed Billy bossing a squad with the aforesaid wheels, and saw that he had the requisite snap, he suggested his name. "The very man; I don't see why I had not thought of him be- fore," said the Captain. Billy was called into the Captain's

22 Story of the First Wisconsin Battery.

tent. "When inside the Captain addressed him as if he had been guilty of some offense, and told him his conduct had been such that he could not allow it to pass unnoticed; that it might be unpleasant, but the good of the service and the discipline of the Battery required him to act and at once, and then asked Billy what he had to say. Billy didn't know what he had done, but supposed he'd have to stand it. Then the Captain said, "In consideration of the enormity of the offense I sentence you to act as a Corporal until you shall be promoted.*'

"Well, Cap," said Billy, scratching his head, "I don't want the posish, but if you want me to have it I will take it and do the best I can with it."

Comrades, we all know what he did, and we all know that no man of the Battery was held in higher esteem than he.

About the 25th of October Captain Foster returned from a trip to Madison and brought the intelligence that the Gov- ernment had decided not to let the artillery leave the State until it was fully prepared and equipped. This meant that we should receive our guns, horses, etc., and have an opportunity to increase our efficiency in battery maneuvers before we were put into actual service at the front. Of course it was good news to us, particularly as it was understood that the said equipments were to be promptly furnished.

Captain Foster was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel of the regiment of artillery, while the selection of Majors was held in abeyance. Meantime rumors of movements affecting the Battery were frequent and conflicting. One day we were to be sent forward at once to man some fortifications, while those then serving therein were to be put in the field; the next day we were to be changed to cavalry", infantry or heavy artillery. There was never any reliable source from which these rumors emanated, but they served to relieve the monotony of camp life, and to prepare us for any order that might affect us.

On the 13th of November 12 pieces of ordnance — cannon — were received, but no horses or harness and but a small amount of ammunition. Said guns served a good purpose, however, as they afforded opportunity for drill in the manual of the piece to the other batteries, which they had not heretofore enjoyed, as the only piece in cam]) was the brass six-pounder which the 1st Battery had brought from La Crosse.

Captain Foster, ever alert in the interest of his company, de- termined to let no opportunity escape whereby he could im- prove them in any matter pertaining to the art of war. Here were the guns, but no horses and but little fixed ammunition. Yet he was bound to make the most of the situation.

The Battery must have some target practice. But where, in that thickly settled country, could a sufficient space be found to fire such long range guns? But with true military spirit he

Story of the First Wisconsin Battery. 23

did not let any obstacle prevent the accomplishment of his purposes when the good of the Battery was concerned. He found a place, a few miles from town, where by throwing up a slight embankment a sufficient range could be secured for the practice. There at his own expense teams were hired to haul the guns out and back for the said practice. We did not go out many times, but the lessons learned there were of incalcu- lable l>enefit when the actual experiences of ugrim-visaged war' came upon us. y

On the 28th of November we were notified there would be no regimental organization of artillery, but that each battery would be independent: also that two batteries were soon to leave for the front without arms. All was again confusion and surmises, and the "grape vine" was worked for all it was worth. What batteries were to go, and where to? Was it to the Army of the Potomac or to the Army of the Cumberland, or yet into Missouri I While some were indif- ferent as to the destination, all were satisfied so we went some- where before the war should end. Most, however, seemed to favor the idea of going to the Potomac and having an oppor- tunity of distinguishing ourselves under the command of the then rising genius of that ''Young Napoleon," George B. Me- Clellan. Still, days and weeks passed and no orders came to break camp, with or without equipments. Winter was upon us and little could be done in the matter of outdoor drill, but a non-commis<ioned officer school was organized for the bene- fit of those officers. It was in those schools that the founda- tion was laid for that efficiency which afterward Avon for the Battery the distinction of being the most self-reliant body of men in the corps to which it was attached.

However justly that reputation may have been won, it was an undeniable fact that there never was a time, from the day the Battery first crossed the Ohio "River until it was finally mustered out, but there were men in the ranks or serving as non-commissioned officers who could have maneuvered, fought and managed the Battery in a creditable manner if every com- missionod officer had been at once disabled or removed. Aside from the mere matter of perfecting themselves in tactics, these schools had a direct effect in showing them the necessity for strict discipline in military organization, a fact they never afterwards forgot or questioned.

Alwuit the 1st of December, owimr to the extreme cold weather, the camp guards were taken off, but the men left camp in such numbers and were spending so much of their time in town that it was decided to put the guard on again. At this many num from the other companies objected and assembled at guard mounting in larire force, protesting that they would not permit a guard to be put on. Captain Foster, the ranking

24 Story of the First Wisconsin Battery.

officer in camp, ordered the men to disperse, which they at first refused to do, whereupon he ordered Lieutenant Webster of the 1st Wisconsin Battery to man a gun and stand ready to enforce obedience at the cannon's mouth, if necessary. The men soon dispersed and the guard was maintained. The following day the 1st Wisconsin Battery furnished the guard, which went on duty without a murmur. The next day the 3d Battery showed symptoms of not responding to the call, but the assembling of four companies on a double quick had such a mollifying effect upon them that they readily consented. After that there was no further trouble in camp. If the 1st Battery, or any consid- erable portion of them, had joined the others in their obstruc- tive methods serious complications might have arisen.

In the meantime rumors concerning the artillery companies were plentiful. Marching orders were fluctuating. One day we were going into Winter quarters at Camp Utley; the next we were to be sent to Prairie du Chien, where barracks were to be provided for us until Spring. Then some fertile brain, who knew less about military movements than he did a few years later, was going to send us to our homes on half pay until the Winter should pass away. It was also rumored that we were to be sent to Indianapolis for the Winter.

About the last of November Adjutant -General Utley visited the camp and brought the information that the 1st and 2d Batteries would be paid off the next week and sent immediately to Baltimore. It did not please Lee Drury, Captain of the 3d Battery, to be left behind, and through the advice of Sam McPhail the order was finally changed to embrace the 1st and 3d Batteries. It being settled that we were to move to the front the absorbing question then was: What would they do with us? We had attained a considerable degree of efficiency in foot drill and the manual of the piece, but none at all in bat- tery maneuver with horses. Were we to be put into active ser- vice in the field, or were we to be put to doing garrison duty, while those we should relieve and whom were supposed to be well-drilled should go to the front to cover themselves with glory while we were perfecting ourselves for the slaughter. The weather had become decidedly winterish and no drilling could be performed with any degree of regularity.

Amidst all this excitement, speculation and expectation Thanksgiving Day was observed in the camp, and a turkey din- ner was given to the soldiers in Camp [Jtley. By referring to a letter written by Lieutenant Webster to the Galesville Tran- script we find the following mention of said dinner:

"Thanksgiving was celebrated in camp as nearly in the good old New England style a- circumstances would permit. The Commissary furnished twelve hundred pounds of turkey, which the ladies of Racine cooked and brought in to us, accompanied

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J. F. Veits.

Story of the First Wisconsin Battery. 25

with somewhere near three hundred and fifty pies, six barrels of doughnuts, six barrels of apples and various other things too numerous to mention. The turkey was necessarily cold, but I've no doubt that many a manly man's heart warmed, beneath a rough exterior, at this remembrance of Thanksgivings past and gone where were gathered around the family board those who were near and dear and whom they might never meet again this side of eternity."

The "next week" came, but with it no Paymaster or marching orders. It was now rumored that it was doubtful if we were ever required to leave the State, as there was already more troops in the field than had been called for by the Government. The situation had become irksome. There was a general opin- ion to the elFect that it was our mission to serve as "home guards" to protect Lake Michigan from the west wind.

It was about this time that Colonel Anneka resigned, and an effort was made to have Captain Foster, who had received the nominal appointment of Lieutenant-Colonel, promoted to Colonel, but Adjutant-General Utley replied that the regimen- tal organization would not be maintained after the batteries left the State.

About the 20th of December it was finally determined by the military authorities that the 1st and 2d Batteries should go to Louisville, Ky., as soon as the funds should arrive for paying them off, and furloughs were issued, extending through the holidays, to all who wished to visit home and friends. The opportunity was pretty generally embraced by the members of the two companies.

Lieutenant Webster visited his parents in northern Ohio for the first time after leaving the paternal roof some seven years before, and while there was called upon by the aged par- ents of Phil "Welch, who was a member of the 1st Battery, and whom they had not seen for several years, to learn what they could concerning him and how he came to enlist. The old peo- ple were Irish, and could not understand why Phil should want to go to the war. and his mother seemed to grieve sorely over the matter. This being just at the time when the country was excited over the international dispute with England over the Mason and Slidell affair, it was feared that war with that power might result therefrom. Of course everybody was talk- ing about it. and the matter was mentioned to them. I asked what they would think if war with England should occur? Phil's mother spoke up promptly and energetically, saying that in that event "all of her boys and the old man should go, and if that was not enough she and the girls would go too." Happily that contingency was evaded, and neither the old lady, her husband or girls had to go to the war. At that visit she spoke of another son who was absent somewhere, she did

26 Story of the First Wisconsin Battery.

not know, in fact, if he was alive or dead, but who, in fact, was alive and in the Confederate army, and who deserted at the siege of Vicksburg and came to the Union lines and was sent home. If we remember rightly, he found and met Phil in front of Vicksburg.

About the middle of January, 1SG2. the long looked and anxiously-hoped-for Paymaster arrived, and we were paid up to the 1st of January. Those who had been away on furlough had been furnished transportation, which was charged to them and deducted from their pay.

It required a little over $1,800 to settle this bill, while the sutler pocketed about $500. The Winter was then cold and sleighing good. All that could be done in camp was to per- form guard duty and keep warm. __

At last, on the 23d of January, we broke camp and marched through snow knee deep to the depot, where, at 2 p. m., we started for "Dixie,'' which country we were to enter at Louis- ville, Ky. We were accompanied by Lee Drury and his 3d Battery, while the 2d and 4th Batteries were booked for Balti- more. We arrived in Chicago in the evening, where a good lunch was furnished the men in the Michigan Central Railroad depot, while the officers were taken to the Briggs House and furnished with anything mentioned on the bill of fare. While all this was furnished by the Railway Company it was done by contract and paid for by the State of Wisconsin.

Joe Millegan furnished a team, sleigh and driver, and Dick Richards and Carl Cameron levied on the surrounding roosts one night before leaving the State for poultry enough to sup- ply the command to Louisville.

From the time the Battery arrived in Racine until it struck the sacred soil of Kentucky there was one person connected with it in an anomalous condition, who, next to Captain Fos- ter, was responsible for its good discipline and eii'ectiveness, and that was Sam McPhail.

It will be noticed that his name does not appear upon the muster roll of the Battery, and yet, up to the date of muster into the U. S. service, we all supposed he was "one of us.''

He wore the private uniform, did private duty, messed with the men in camp. He had seen service in the Mexican War and knew what military service meant. He was also a lawyer and could also advise as to the legal aspect of matters in general. It is safe to say that no man was more popular with the men than he. In all their sport he took an interest, and when it came to story-telling and singing "The Rat Catcher's Daugh- ter" he was accorded the "whole bakery."

Now, it is safe to say that there were men in the 1st Wiscon- sin Battery that sympathized with the malcontents on the guard question, but McPhail, in a few words, would convince

Story of the First Wisconsin Battery. 27

them that the best thing they could do would be to obey orders and ask no questions. In this matter, as in the Bishop episode, he exerted a good influence. But what was he there for? It was known to some of us that he received a Govern- ment draft as pay for services, while the members of the Bat- tery, as yet, received no pay at all, but no one thought of ques- tioning him about it. But we will let Sam tell his story as he has recently furnished it for these pages.

"How I came to be with the Battery is this : I was mustered into the United States service on May 12, 1861, at St. Louis, Mo., and took charge of Totteirs Battery, but in five days was transferred to Cairo, Ills., and set to drilling the 18th Infantry, and in June, 1861, was commissioned Major and assigned to the staff of General McClernand and stationed at Fort Holt, opposite Cairo, on the Kentucky side. In July, 1861, I was ordered north to attend the rendezvous of the different States, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and IoAva, to report privately to the Adjutant-General at Washington what troops I considered fit to send to the front. Of course the Governor and Adjutant- General of each State were apprised of my order and kept in- formed of my doings and of my recommendations in regard to what troops were sufficiently drilled to enter the service. When I went to Racine I chose the 1st Battery, as I had many friends and acquaintances there, and although I drilled and stood guard with the boys none knew what I was or what I was doing. In December, 1861, I reported four Batteries ready for duty, and I recommended that they have ten days' furlough before they were sent to the front, which I think was granted. When the order came to march General Utley came to the camp at Racine and inquired for Major McPhail. He was told by the Captain that there was no such person in camp, but being told at what tent or camp to find one Sam McPhail he came to the tent of Cameron, Davidson and Ward, the Caledonia boys, and simply said to me, 'Take your place at the head- quarters.' I did so, and was aware of all the orders concern- ing the forward movements and made special request that Cap- tain Lee Drury, with the 3d Battery, be sent to Louisville in place of Captain Herzberg, with the 2d. as was first contem- plated."

For nil that it was known that McPhail held some sort of portion above the rank and file of the Battery, it is doubtful if any realized his true rank to be so high as it was. Even Captain Foster was not fully aware of the fact until ufter we arrived in Louisville and had been assigned to Camp Irvine, some four miles from the central part of the city, when, desir- ing to report in person to General Buell, he rode into the city for that purpose, accompanied by McPhail as an orderly, and

28 Story of the First Wisconsin Battery.

on arriving at headquarters had requested an orderly to state to the General that he wished to report the arrival of his Bat- tery, and was referred to the Assistant Adjutant-General, while McPhail, who had sent his name into General Bueil, was promptly admitted to a conference with him. The next day Major McPhail left the Battery forever, and was present at the battles of Henry and Fort Donelson, as well as many other important battles of the war. There was ever, and yet is, a warm place in the heart of every man of the first installment of the 1st Wisconsin Battery membership for the genial, gen- erous, jovial, patriotic Sam McPhail, with or without the rank of Major.

CHAPTER IV.

"You are going: far away,

Far away from poor Jeannette; And the vows that you have spoken I know you will forget." .

WE left Chicago via the Louisville, New Albany & Chi- cago Railway at 11 p. m. Nothing of interest occurred during the night, but at Michigan City our cars went on a Y to reverse the train. Cameron was on guard at the door of his' car, and as he formerly had lived in that country was on the lookout for acquaintances.

Much to his delight he discovered on the platform one to whom from boyhood he had "owed one," and as he was going to war and as there was a possibility that if the debt was not then cancelled it would appear against him on the other side of the "divide" he decided to correct that part of the record without further delay. So while the train was backing and filling Carl stacked his musketoon, jumped off the car and onto his "credi- tor" and polished him in fine style. But before he had com- pleted his job the train was out of sight. He managed to get on an engine and get to the next station, from which place he took the next train for Evansville, which he left at La Fayette, where he remained until the next day, when he came on and joined the Battery at Louisville.

In the meantime there was consternation "in camp," it being reported that one of the 1st Wisconsin Battery boys had de- serted. Captain Foster was, of course, justly indignant to think that one of his men should prove so recreant to his duty and so disloyal to his country as to not only leave his post with- out leave, as paradoxical as it may seem, but to desert his com- mand and comrades just when there was a prospect of his ser- vice being of some benefit to the Union cause. He telegraphed to Michigan City to have Cameron arrested and sent forward, but no person answering his name or description could be found at the latter place.

At La Fayette, Ind., we were furnished with coffee and re- freshments and greeted with cheers upon cheers by the pa- triotic Iioosiers. The ladies were first and foremost in all demonstration. At every window, door, and gateway were seea waving handkerchiefs, and at every station and stopping place tney were to be found with cheering words and smiling countenances to bid us God-speed upon our mission. No man could then travel two hours in Indiana and have any doubts as^ to her loyalty.

At Bloomington, where we arrived about 9:30 p. m., we were

30 Story of the First Wisconsin Battery.

met by a delegation of ladies with loaded baskets of bread and cakes, turkey and chicken, attended by boys carrying cans of hot coffee, and we were soon besieged, captivated and con- quered. We remained over an hour at this place, and long will it be before the hospitality and kindly greeting of those bloom- ing ladies of Bloomington will be forgotten.

The whole route through Indiana was one continual wave of handkerchiefs, tablecloths, hats, caps, aprons, shawls and night caps, or anything else wavable. Even the clothes drying on the lines waved us a welcome as we passed. Little children too small to sit up would lie on their backs and wave their feet and hands while they ''hurrahed for the Union/'

Saturday morning, January 25th, wre arrived at New Albany, Ind., about four miles below Louisville, where we remained until 4 p. m., when we crossed to Louisville and were quar- tered for the night in a large tobacco warehouse. In the mean- time Cameron had followed on, arriving in Louisville, and joined the Battery soon after its arrival at the said warehouse. He, too, had been fed and banqueted all through Indiana and had his canteen filled with ;ired licker." It was a chilly night and Dick Kimball, who was Corporal of the Guard, questioned him with uGot anything in that canteen?'' "You bet," replied Carl. Whereupon Dick seized it as contraband of war and "hit it hard." as did a group in the corner playing "loo." Obe Lindsey — did Obe have an enemy in the Battery? or was there a man in it who did not have a friendly feeling for the good natured, happy, genial blacksmith, who was his own worst and only enemy? — who had been indulging in the cup that both cheers and inebriates, appeared in a shivering condi- tion and asked Dick where he could get warm? Dick pointed to an immense castiron pillar which supported the upper floor and told Obe that he had seen some of the boys warming by that smokestack. Obe approached it holding out his hands and drowsily proceeded to warm, occasionally swaying toward it until his hands would touch the cold iron, when he would quickly withdraw and inspect them for burns. After getting thoroughly warm he rolled into his blanket for a little more sleep. Cameron thought that was good enough to deserve a drink, so he crossed over and tendered the canteen to Obe, who took on fuel enough therefrom to warm him for sure. It at least rendered him impervious to the cold.

The next morning was Sunday and bright and clear. The Battery was formed to march to the fair grounds, some four miles from the business center of the city. Cameron, who had not yet been reported to the officers, fell into his place on the left flank of the right platoon and trudged along as if he had never made a business of deserting. Lieutenant Anderson was commanding:, and durinir the course of the march he turned in

Story of the First Wisconsin Batter?/. 31

his saddle and with stentorian voice commanded: "Close up!" "Guide ri— Where-in-h— 1-did-you-come-from ?" he demanded when his eye fell upon Cameron.

As we marched through the city we could but note the con- trast in weather between Wisconsin and Kentucky. We left Racine on Thursday, leaving one foot of snow on the ground and good sleighing. Arriving in Louisville two days later we found children going barefooted and the ground bare and free from frost. We were very cordially received, but with nothing like the enthusiasm we had witnessed on our way through the Hoosier State. Many of the children and a few grown people would hurrah for the Union, but the total of patriotic impulse was lacking as compared with that we had left behind.

From Louisville to the fair grounds, it being toward evening, we passed by a wooded tract of land the tree tops of which were thickly dotted with mistletoe. As that was something unknown to men so recently from the "frozen north," there was much speculation as to what rara avis should so plentifully abound so near a large city. It^was finally decided that they were turkeys; also that a foraging raid should be made on them at the earliest opportunity. With the 1st Wisconsin Battery to determine was to execute, so that night several parties made their way out of camp, fully bent upon a turkey dinner for the morrow. It is needless to say that they came into camp if not "sadder" yet "wiser men." Plain army rations were good enough provisions for that day. It was not long, however, be- fore poultry of various kinds began to follow the boys home from the country — in some instances it was said geese had chased them two or three miles.

We had left the comfortable wall tents which had accommo- dated six men each in Eacine and were here supplied with Sib- ley tents — one to seventeen men. - This was a new revelation in Army life. Where all the occupants of a tent were lying down at once, they had to lie "spoon fashion" and all turn over at once. It was a happy day when those tents were finally cut into ribbons and left at Cumberland Gap, a few months later.

Bringing with us the musketoons from La Crosse, and which had been used at Racine for guard duty, we now for the first time mounted guard with loaded guns. The relief guard would discharge guns each morning preparatory to cleaning the same, and Obe Lindsay declared that his gun kicked him over and then kicked at him twice after he was down.

We had scarcely reached camp before it commenced raining — and such rains/ In 28 days it rained 2S times and 28 hours each time. The rain that raised the river and let Xoah's flat- boat off the sand bar and saddlebacked it on Mount Arrarat was "some rain." but it is small potatoes to one of those Ken-

32 Story of the First Wisconsin Battery.

tucky rains which sets macadamized roads afloat and raises the whole country.

It should be remembered that Lee Drury's 3d Battery accom- panied us all the way and were sharers and partakers of all the good cheer and good victuals en route to this place, and were now camped alongside. It was too wet and muddy to drill by battery or even by squad, so a non-commission school was or- ganized in the Captain's tent for the benefit of those subordi- nates, where they studied and recited their lessons in tactics. "Bean holes'' were dug and the uninitiated were inducted into the mystery of cooking beans as the Almighty intended them to be cooked, and as no Boston caterer can equal.

As many who read this may not understand the modus oper- andi of cooking beans in a hole it may be as well to explain the matter here and now.

A bean hole is a hole dug in the ground about sixteen or eighteen inches deep and about fourteen inches in diameter. In this hole a fire is built and kept burning. The beans are put over this fire in a mess kettle and parboiled until ready for baking. TThen boiled enough a piece of pork and a little sugar or molasses are put in and a mess pan turned over the top of the kettle. The fire and ashes are then taken out of the hole, the kettle of beans set therein and covered up and over with the hot coals and ashes, and topped off with a little dirt, where they are left to bake all night. When opened they are a dish fit for the most fastidious epicure living. It was from this method of cooking beans that the Batterv became known after- ward as "The Bean Hole Battery."

The foraging tactics inaugurated at Racine were here con- tinued, and after mules were drawn parties reached out even to surrounding villages. Some incidents were:

One man who had lost a good part of his flock of geese, came to camp and. laying the matter before Captain Foster, asked permission to search the quarters for signs of his missing prop- erty. The Captain, of course, knowing his men were innocent of even leaving camp at night, to say nothing of appropriating to their use that which did not belong to them, granted said request. The search resulted only in finding some feathers at the rear of the Captain's tent, and they came out of a pillow that had been destroyed because that was easier than cleaning it (?). The man was convinced that no geese were in camp, but was not so sure there had not been.

One morning there was a lanre Newfoundland dog in camp, he having followed a party of the. boys home from a raid on his master's chickens. It was thought that the dog was convinced that he would get nothing to eat at home while the soldiers staid in that vicinity, so he followed them to camp. Be that as it may, he remained with the Batterv until on the retreat from

IIH 111 'I ■■ i' T-

Frank L. Ghf.knk

Story of the First Wisconsin Battery. 33

Cumberland Gap he was either killed, lost, stolen or sold by some one. His owner came for him, but he would not leave camp. Finally the owner said he would give the dog to the Battery if the boys would tell how they got the chickens out of the brick hen house, which was securely fastened and locked. That was explained by Rifenberg as a very easy thing. There was a small opening in one end of the house for the chickens to enter. This hole was on a level with the roost. The boys would run a pole through this aperture alongside the roost, then with another stick cautiously work the chickens off the roost on to the pole and then draw them out within reach. That was a Yankee trick the Kentuckian had not heard of.

Another tells the dog episode thus: One night Freeman and Hitchcock took seventeen geese from under a house in which a family was sleeping, and carried off the big dog that was sup- posed to defend the feathered treasures. Jack! Who can forget his pleasant, intelligent face and handsome coat and form? He ran a hog through the first rebel battle line we ever saw, and rejoined the center section on the fly. And Heenan, the bow- legged fice? At Oak Hill, Ohio, the bojrs, not having been paid in months, sold Jack several times to visiting farmers, but he returned, until one time he was sold once too often, and we all mourned. One night at Louisville Jack came into a tent just at taps, covered with mud, and lay down on Billy Adams's blankets. The boys left him there and put out lights, chuck- ling over the scene to ensue upon Billy's advent. Billy stum- bled in from guard at 11 o'clock and groped his way to his blankets, when the boys heard : "Why, here is old Jack. Yes, he was going to sleep with Billy, wasn't he? Fine old fellow." And the pair of muddy comrades slept until the next relief.

One day soon after we had become settled in camp some men called for the purpose of reclaiming some runaway slaves which they thought might be hidiirg about some of the men's quarters. It was before the Government had settled its policy concerning the capture and return of human chatties, and the men did not know what to do in the matter, but concluded to let the men look. The fact is. one or two of the negroes were either in camp or in the cornfield adjoining it. As the master was about to enter a tent in which was one of the slaves, the latter was hurried out the back side and into a tent which had already been examined. None were found in camp. One of the oilicers of the 3d Battery and some of their men were very indignant and threatened to use force if the slave-hunters did not at once leave camp. They soon left for the city, saying they would return with authority to make a thorough and sat- isfactory search. But we never heard anything further from them.

We shortlv drew six wagons with six mules to each, which

34 Story of the Fir at Wisconsin Battery.

furnished employment for a few of the men and amusement to the balance, fur the performances consequent upon the attempt of green and awkward men to handle and work awkward and headstrong mules was the next thing to a three-ring circus. However, the men shortly came oil' victors and were soon effi- cient muleteers — in both word and deed. The greatest diffi- culty experienced was in finding drivers willing to serve as such, the boys failing to see the affinity between a mule driver and a soldier. A comrade writes:

Captain Foster called for ten drivers, volunteer or detail I remember not ; anyway ten of us fell in. Walker. Scott, Green and myself were from the right of right. The Captain marched us to the Government corral and then we knew that we were after five six-mule teams, wagons and harness, complete. A helper said "Eight this way," and Walker and Green disap- peared within. In a moment a gray mule with Green astride came tearing out of the door, through the gate into the main corral, braced to a quick halt, threw his heels straight at the 2-o'clock sun, gathered them under him and hopped four feet five inches into the air, coming down like a saw horse; up six feet seven inches into the circumambient and came down on the pavement like a wooden Christmas model horse ; up into space nine feet three inches and when he lit still' legged tore across the corral, en route jumping onto a young "man and brother" with three feet, crushing him into the mud, and kicking him with the other, missed just one stride and tore up against the fence. Scott turned to me with a faraway sorry-I-enlisted look in his wide open brown eyes and whispered, uDo they all act like that?" I encouragingly replied that I thought they did, and looked for a back gate, a board oil' the fence, or a conven- ient cramp. The gray mule was still near the fence between Green's legs. When it came to a question of stick-to-it I'd back Frank L. against any of Uncle Sam's livestock. Walker came out astride a slapping great mule that needed the prod of an army spur to wake him up. This encouraged us, and with the assistance of the helpers we soon harnessed, hitched and off. I rode Walker's lead and ;;she was a darling." His near swing settled back and never walked a step from corral to camp — slid, braced back, over the macadam. In response to queries and greetings Walker answered that he had gotten him in wrong end to.

A full battery of six pieces, to wit, two twelve-pound Napo- leons, two six-pound smoothbores and two twelve-pounder howitzers, were issued to us, together with horses for one sec- tion of two pieces (the section now, under the revised tac- tics, consists of one piece), but drilling was instituted and maintained whenever the weather would permit, but only one section at a time. Finally the full complement of horses was

1763018

Story of the First Wiscorisin Battery. 35

procured, when drilling began in earnest. Captain Foster, in his anxiety to have his Battery excel, was wont to drill his men "on the jump," which was a mistake then. Later it was emi- nently proper. One day while testing the rapidity with which we could load and fire Billy Morrison, No. 1 of the right of the right section, failing, in his haste, to clear the muzzle of the gun with the head of the rammer, lost his grip, and reach- ing back to regain it just as Ed. Hewitt pulled the lanyard, was sent whirling to the front with lacerated hands. He was discharged, but afterward came up with us at Vicksburg carry- ing a gun and knapsack in the 23d Wisconsin Infantry. More caution was now observed by both officers and men and our progress in efficiency was in every way satisfactory. We still think that the above composition of a field battery, for close work and infighting, to be the best yet devised, the only ob- jection being the non-conformity of ammunition.

White we were striving our best to master the intricacy of battery maneuver a Regular battery camped for a few days near us, and Lieutenant Webster thought it would be a splen- did opportunity to get some valuable pointers by both observa- tion and inquiry, for which purpose he one afternoon visited said camp in full dress. For some time he stood and watched the drill, the Regulars being utterly oblivious to his presence. As the men were dismissed he approached an officer of his own rank and sought to engage him in conversation, but he merely cast a contemptuous look in Webster's direction and left with- out a word. From that time to this he avoided Regular Army officers below the rank of Brigadier-General, for he never met one of that or higher rank wTho was not at least gentlemanly in his intercourse with his fellowmen. But he had the satisfac- tion some years later, while temporarily in command of the Battery, of entering into a competitive drill with two Regular batteries and one volunteer battery from Massachusetts, and of currying off the honors, too; the judge upon that occasion being Brigadier-General Arnold, an artillery officer of the Regular Army.

The teamsters were armed with French revolvers which would send a ball clear through a tent — if you stood close enough for the powder to burn a way for it. For the purpose of offense, defense or suicide they were nowhere as compared with the "unloaded gun."

The non-commissioned officers were given .44 Colts and the drivers were hung to cavalry sabers. Except the Corporals and Sergeants, for close work, the connoneers were the better a rnied, for they could gather dornicks or clubs, with both of which they were more familiar than they were with firearms.

Here, too, we met the camp fakir in all his glory. The most persistent of the class was the man with the bullet-proof vest.

36 Story of the First Wisconsin Battery.

It was warranted to protect against rifle, musket or pistol balls. If he sold any in the Battery no one else ever found it out. Eph. Ilaekett finally told him he would purchase if the vendor would put one on and let him, Eph.. take a pop at him with his .44. That was the last of the steel armor vendor in the camp of the 1st Wisconsin Battery.

About this time occurred the capture of Fort Henry, the Federal victory at Roanoke Island, and the defeat and death of General Zollieoifer, all of which encouraged us to think that the beginning of the end of the rebellion had come. Some were sanguine that when we again broke camp it would be to retrace our steps for Wisconsin. How little did we then know or realize all that was before us, or the magnitude of the conflict upon which we were about to enter. The experiences of the next three years taught us much that we had never dreamed of.

Although the camp was four miles from the city the attrac- tions for that place were so great that many of the boys would "run the guards'' and make frequent visits thereto.

Details were made and sent into town to gather up the "ab- sent-without-leave," but they more frequently brought in some one who was permitted to wander at will, or was on some proper and legitimate business, while the professional absentees were seldom found. The provost guard of the city would occa- sionally pick up some of the boys and keep them in the provost guard house for the night. One night Frank Downes, than whom there was never a more conscientious, exemplary soldier, either oif or on duty, had gone to the city to attend church and was picked up by the provost and spent the night in the guard house, while a dozen or more of the harrum-scarrums were having a good time "doing the town." The fact was that the latter were posted and knew how and when to evade the guards, while the former, being conscious of his freedom of wrong intent and of his innocence of the violation of camp dis- cipline, was easily captured.

On the 1st of March we were notified that there was a steam- boat at the levee ready to receive the Battery. But as we had not yet received all our horses we could not move. Meantime every available moment was utilized in drilling. By some means Captain Foster learned of a plantation several miles away which was large enough to permit firing a six-pounder without danger of infringing upon other property, and had received an invitation from its owner, a Mr. Dorsey, who was a strong Union man, to visit the plantation and shoot to our heart's content. The invitation also included Drury's Battery.

Bright and early one morning the two batteries took the road lor Dorsey V The latter gentleman had invited a number of friends, including several ladies, to be present and help en- tertain the Yankee volunteers, and had prepared a sumptuous

Story of the First Wisconsin Battery. 37

repast for the inner man. He owned a large number of slaves, all of whom were yet with him, and who suspended work to witness the drill and to assist in looking after the interest of the distinguished visitors. Mr. Dorsey stood by the door as we entered his large and hospitable mansion and said to the officers: "Walk in, gentlemen, help yourselves to something to drink, and pass into the diningroom; if you are not worth feeding you're a d — d poor lot of men, so pitch in and help yourselves."

After target practice, and the two batteries had given an exhibition drill, Mr. Dorsey exhibited some of his fine stock — the famous Gold Dust horses — of which he then owned up- wards of 50 valued at $1,000 each.

There were present that day a daughter and her husband who made no secret of their strong secession sympathies, but Mr. Dorsey told them right out that the North was right and would succeed. We afterward learned that the son-in-law aforesaid was at that time an officer in the Confederate army.

On the 8th of March Lee Drury's Battery, equipped with siege guns, left for Xashville, after which we never met them again.

March 28th we were notified that the Battery had been as- signed to the Seventh Division of the Department of the Ohio, Brigadier-General George W. Morgan commanding, and on the following flay received marching orders for April 1st.

The authentic news that we were soon to make a forward movement — that, in fact, we were, on the 1st of April to take cars for Lexington, Ky., from whence we were to march across the country to Cumberland Gap — was hailed with pleasure, and as we had a complete outfit for traveling we were anxious to get on the road.

On the morning of April 3, 1861, we broke camp and wended our way to the station in Louisville, where the horses, mules, wagons, artillery, camp and garrison equipage and personal effects of the members of the Battery were loaded on the cars. There were 11*2 horses, 36 mules, six army wagons, an ambu- lance, six guns and carriages with their complement of cais- sons, battery wagon and forge.

It was a novel experience to us, it being the first time we had "moved*' since receiving our equipments. The six wagons, which were supposed to carry commissary stores and feed for the animals, as well as camp and garrison equipage, were loaded to "the guards" with the latter and the personal effects of the men. Every man had his knapsack full and then had some- thing stored in the limber chests of the guns and caissons or the wagons. The commissioned officers each had a trunk and a valise or carpetbag. There were extra suits of clothes, boots, books, cooking utensils, and various articles of bric-a-brac

38 Story of the First Wisconsin Battery.

too numerous to mention. There was a sheet-iron stove for each tent, besides heavy iron pots and skillets for each mess. The writer of this, among other things, had a copy of Webster's Unabridged Dictionary. It is but stating a fact, however, to say that the 1st Wisconsin Battery moved more truck on that occasion than they did upon any other, for from the time it "struck the road" until it came "marching home" every7 time it changed its position some article was abandoned as superfluous which had previously been thought to be indispensable. Dur- ing the last year of its service instead of six wagons to carry camp and garrison equipage it required but one, and that car- ried, in addition, commissary stores and grain for horses. The men carried their effects on their horses and the latter were not overloaded.

CHAPTER V.

"We'll chase old Zollicoffer over the mountains And I think he'll come no more."

SO sang the blind boy at Lexington, and as the Battery marched away a girl standing at the junction of streets turned away, clapped her apron to her eyes and wailed out:. uOh, my An-to-n-e-e!"

We left Louisville about 1 p. m. and arrived in Lexington at 9 p. m., and remained in the railway depot the balance of the night.

The next morning we were marched to the fair grounds, about one mile from the business part of the city, where we went into camp, and where we remained one week. The sun shone out occasionally and we learned, beyond question, that the whole of the United States were not for the Union nor for the "old flag."

The Union people, of whom there were a goodly number, were overjoyed to see us, for since the Federal troops that had previously been there had left that vicinity the "Secesh" had become very impudent. Infantry and cavalry had been through there repeatedly, but ours was the first battery of artil- lery to pass through that country, and most of the people hav- ing never before seen a company of artillery, we were the cen- ter of attraction and our drills were always attended and wit- nessed by hundreds of the citizens of Lexington. The last drill was given in presence of several military officers who had then seen service at the front, and we were strongly commended for our efficiency.

Here we found the 22d Kentucky and 33d Indiana regiments, with whom we were to march across the country. The 22d was recruited in eastern Kentucky and were well acquainted through that region. It was commanded by Colonel D. W. Lindsay, a gentlemanly, scholarly officer, and one who com- manded the confidence and respect of all. This regiment had been in service over much of the ground which we were to pass.

The 33d Indiana was commanded by Colonel John Coburn, who was afterwards promoted to Brigadier-General. This was one of the largest regiments ever in the field. It was said that every company not only had its full quota of men, but a few extra to take the places of those who might die, be killed or discharged. Be that as it may, go where you would, day or night, early or late, to church or theater, you would find men with 33 on their hats. It is not impossible that there, may be some of those men now roaming through that country sport-

40 Story of the First Wisconsin Battery.

ing that cabalistic 33 on coat collar or hat band. It was not only a largo regiment, but its members were great foragers and stragglers. It was no unusual tiling to see them come into camp or bivouac with at least every third or fourth man car- rying a fowl, a pig, ham, piece of side meat, sack of potatoes, dish of honey, preserves, or something else to eat. While they were hard to beat at straggling and foraging, there was one other thing in which they had no superiors, if equals, in the whole volunteer army, and that was in rallying to their colors when there was prospect of a fight.

Let them be ever so widely scattered, and let a picket shot be fired, or any alarm given or the long roll sounded, and every man would be in his place with bayonet fixed, cartridge box full and in place in less time than most regiments would get there from their own company quarters. This regiment had also seen service and was, we believe, in the expedition that resulted in the death of General Zollicoffer, and participated in the battle of Wild Cat.

Just here Captain Foster came his nearest to the Plutotorian shore. The guards were posted with loaded muske toons, and a horse had died in agony that day. Cameron was posted over the stock tied along the high board fence from 5 to 7 p. m. Foster exhorted him to vigilance, saying the town was a secession iu.st and the hor^e was undoubtedly poisoned. As it was getting fairly dark Carl came to an about-face at the end of the line of horses. While making the turn he caught sight of a man ten yards away, seemingly dropping to a squatting posi- tion. He came clear about, cocking the piece, clapping it to his shoulder, in one motion, and had the trigger half pulled when Foster's voice came through the gloom. "It's all right. Tt's I." The fraction of a second and an ounce ball would have crashed through him. plumb center. Cameron did not get over the hor- ror of it for many a da v. and Foster won't know until he reads this of facing the muzzle of a loaded gun with the trigger half pulled.

On the 20th of March we had been assigned to the 18th Bri- gade. Armv of the Ohio. Department of the Cumberland. The brigade was composed of the 33d Indiana. 10th Kentucky and 42d Ohio and 1st Wisconsin Battery, Brigadier-General James A. Garfield commanding.

Two days thereafter General Garfield was ordered to report in person to Gen. Buell, at Bowling Green, and consequently we never saw him.

While in camp at Louisville we had first exchanged the brass six-pounders and the Impounder howitzers for six 20- poundor Parrotts, and then those for four three-inch "Rodman and two 10-pounder Parrotts, the Parrotts going to the center

James Burke.

Story of the First Wisconsin Battery. 41

section. This was an ideal field battery, light to handle, easy on stock and precise and effective.

On the 10th day of April we filed out of Lexington for our first day's march, supported by the 33d Indiana, and wended our way down the smooth macadamized pike to Nicholasville, a distance of eight or ten miles, where we went into camp about 4 p. m. in a pasture lot near the town, which was our first camp in the field. This was the only march of our army experience wherein an official went ahead and selected camping places, provided fuel for cooking and feed for horses, paying for them by vouchers. Xo man's premises were occupied as a camping ground without a settlement being made therefor and a voucher given for all damage done or supplies furnished.

That is the way we began putting down the rebellion. It is needless to say that another plan was adopted before the "war was over."

When we left Lexington one of the men, Charley Wells, was under arrest for some breach of military discipline. He asked permission for leave to visit a house in town, as he said, to get a watch and some money belonging to him, but was refused permission to go. It was also charged that he had made threats against the life of Captain Foster. As soon as it was dark he slipped out of cam}) at Nicholasville with the intention of re- turning to Lexington to get his property. This is as Wells stated the case to his comrades. Captain Foster and Lieutenant Kimball, who had been out of camp and were returning, dis- covered Wells, who was trying to hide away from them, ar- rested him and placed him under stronger guard. The Captain believed that it was the purpose and intention of Wells to assassinate him. In the morning Wells was fitted with iron fetters and placed in a wagon, and thus was transported to the Cumberland River, where a court-martial was organized and Wells was tried, condemned, and dishonorably discharged and drummed out of camp. Some years after the war, however, Wells, through some informality in the court-martial proceed- ings, was restored to the rolls and recovered some two or three years' back pay.

At Nicholasville lived a Union man by the name of Brown, and he invited the officers of the Battery to his house, where they were entertained in a very hospitable manner.

The next morning we took the road, or, as it was termed, "the pike," leading toward Crab Orchard. The road was hard and smooth, greatly in contrast to those we were to wade through a fewT days later. The 33d Indiana had been through one hard campaign in that country, and they were able and willing to teach us souk* excellent campaign lessons, one important item of which was that it paid to tramp a mile, if necessary, to get a back load of hemlock boughs for a comfortable bed. No regi-

42 Story of the First Wisconsin Battery.

ment, new or old, could give us pointers on catering for the inner soldier. We could "catch the hare" and cook it, too; while our bean holes were the admiration of the 33d.

After the first day's march from Xicholasville the pike grew rough and muddy, but the toll gates were maintained with the accustomed regularity of price and distance.

At one place we found a farmer engaged in "threshing" out wheat which he had hauled out to the "pike," which was used as a threshing floor. He used long sticks shaved thin near the middle for beating out the grain. The advance of our column told him he had better <*et it out of the road, but he "allowed" it would thresh it out nicely for him, so he let it remain. He was right, for by the time that little army with its three regi- ments of infantry and all of the army wagons and the Battery had passed over his threshing floor his wheat was not only threshed, but it was ground, straw and all, and so thoroughly mixed with the dirt from the pike that he was saved all fur- ther trouble in caring for it.

The people along the route would gather in squads to watch us go by and to learn where we were going. We were aston- ished at the ignorance of the white people we found in that country. There were young men who were wearing beards that could not tell the name of the county in which they lived, and one of them, upon being told where the Battery was from, asked if Wisconsin was not a little town up in Indiana. Others wanted to know if "Wisconsin was a free State.

One evening it was necessary, for some reason, to let a regi- ment pass the Battery, and Lieutenant Anderson, in order to move it out of the road in the least possible distance, gave the order right oblique, giving the "i" the long sound, this pro- nunciation, which is permissible, having been adopted because it could thus be pronounced in a tone that could be heard far- ther and understood better than the other. There were, as usual, several natives standing by, when one of them, a young man about twenty years of age, turned to his eompansion and said: "Hear that d d fool call obleek obiike?" As Ander- son was a fine scholar and prided himself upon the proper use as well as pronunciation of words, this criticism was too much for his gravity.

While on the "pike," and just before coming to one of the series of toll gates, one of the wagons, the one carrying head- quarters equipage and officers' baggage, was overturned, owing to the roughness of the road caused by "gully washing" show- ers which were then prevalent.

As previously stated we were not permitted to molest or dis- turb any property belonging to the people along the route, and all men who were guilty of ^ueh conduct were punished — if detected in the act. One dav Lieutenant Webster was in-

Story of the First Wisconsin Battery. 43

structed to arrest N. D. Ledyard for wantonly killing a goose. The order was obeyed and he reported to the commanding officer, which report was read for the information and warning of the rest of the company that N. D. Ledyard had been ar- rested and punished for "shooting a goose." This raised a laugh in the ranks, which was excusable when it was learned that Ledyard had killed the goose with his saber. For a long time "Webster's shooting geese with a saber" was a standing joke in the Battery.

For three or four days' march from Lexington the country was the most beautiful to behold, the farms being well culti- vated. At nearly every house were to be seen from three to ten negroes who were yet held as slaves. They were all strong, fat and healthy looking and seemingly contented. Occasion- ally we would pass a small house, or cabin, in which lived a poor white family, and more destitution was to be found among this latter class than among the negroes. A person must have been blind who could not have readily seen that the tendency of slavery was to degrade the poor white man, and it was com- mon to hear men say: "I'd rather be a nigger in Kentucky than to be a poor white man."

As we moved south the Union sentiment was more prevalent, and many houses displayed the Union flag, while we were greeted by the waving of handkerchiefs and cheers for the Union. At Lancaster one young lady, however, showed her contempt for the Stars and Stripes by putting her thumb to her nose and executing various gyrations with the fingers.

At Crab Orchard we came to the end of the "pike," and plunged among the rocks and mud. Still, on this trail, the old Wilderness Road, the toll gates appeared at regular intervals. The roads were to be much heavier from thence to our destina- tion. Our wagons were overhauled and everything that was not considered absolutely necessary taken out and stored until they should be called for. Here our stoves, skillets, dutch, ovens and lots of other surplusage for an army were left, and for all we know, or ever heard, they are there yet. But when the Battery was mustered out in 1SG5 they had the finest invoice of culinary utensils to be found in any country. The country was mountainous, roads primitive and badly out of repair. After crossing the Laurel River Captain Foster, to lighten the cais- sons and the wagons, ordered the cannoneers to carry their knapsacks. This was no light task, as the roads were muddy and knapsacks at that time were big and fat. The boys had not then learned the.secret of condensing both size and weight. But Gunner Riffenberg — Duffie — solved the avoirdupois question without in the least affecting the dimensions of his load. By virtue of his office he was captain of the limber chest, of which fact he took advantage by emptying his knapsack and storing

44 Story of the First Wisconsin Battery.

its contents in said chest. He then inflated the knapsack with cotton, slung it on his shoulders and marched determinedly forward. During a short halt of the column Duffie worked his way to the front where rode Captain Foster, Lieutenant Ander- son, Sergeant Hill and Guidon Middaugh, and backing up against the fence rested his knapsack on the top rail, wiped the perspiration from his brow and said determinedly: "I will carry this knapsack if it kills me!" At which Captain Foster highly commended him and pointed him out as a model sol- dier whose actions and efforts should be imitated by every man in the service. In this case they were, for the men were not slow in "catching on," and if there was but little cotton carried after that, it was because the cotton could not be found.

When we came to Laurel River we found it out of its banks and the bridge crossing the stream still standing, but the road across the bottom was corduroy and under water for half a mile; but we must cross, so in we plunged. Many of the larger logs had washed out of the track, and as the horses could not see where they were walking they would frequently fall in the water, endangering their own limbs as well as the lives of the drivers. It was a rough experience, but was accomplished without delay. At another time, after plowing through the mud under a pelting rain, all worn, wet. weary and discour- aged, we came to a battered and weatherworn finger board pointing "To Sublimity." Verily, 'twas but a step from the sublime to the ridiculously bad roads.

At the Kentucky River we found the 14th Kentucky Infan- try guarding the bridge and learned that General Carter was in command of all troops operating ngainst the Gap, which was at that time held by about -2.r>00 rebels under General Stev- enson. Carter's command was camped from the Kentucky River to Cumberland Ford, where now stands the flourishing town of Pineville.

The people of this broken country were for the Union, and within a radius of fifteen miles from the Gap there were but four families in Tennessee and but two in Kentucky that were known rebel sympathizers. The farms were small, most of the houses were built of logs, and pigs and poultry were scarce.

The farmer himself was a tall, gothic, rawboned-looking proposition with the utmost confidence in himself, inherited from his father or grandfather, who came through the moun- tains in Daniel Boone's time.

One morning Captain Foster informed us that a short dis- tance down the road was a case of smallpox, and that we must hurry by, with no straggling. When the place was reached Dick Kimball cast an eye on the red flag waving at the peak and at two or three men lounging near the door, and unslinging his canteen, advanced on the premises, saying that he wanted

Story of the First Wisconsin Battery. 45

some of that "smallpox." A few minutes later he joined us with a canteen full of excellent Bourbon. It was at one of these houses where whiskey was sold that Sergeant Myron D. Hill, as good and true a soldier as wore the blue, in a sudden pas- sion cursed and abused in threatening language Lieutenant Webster because the latter had, just before Hill arrived, forbid- den the man from selling any liquor to the soldiers. This being reported to Captain Foster, he at once reduced Hill to the ranks, where he remained during the balance of his service, hut he never forgave Webster, or if he did he never gave any indication of it.

Along here, somewhere, at tattoo roll call, Captain Foster announced that this foraging must stop; that we were in a country of Union sentiment, etc., etc. Just as he had fin- ished his exordium from a far distant roost came pealing through the night air the most vociferous squalls that ever issued from a pullet?s throat. Immediately, Foster, in stento- rian tones, commanded, "Front face! Orderly, call the roll!" muttering through his beard condign punishment to the ab- sentees. Lieutenant Anderson growled: uDo you suppose a member of your battery would ever let a fowl squall like that?" Foster saw the point and dismissed us.

On the 25th of April we arrived at Flat Lick, where we re- mained a day or two in the mud, when we proceeded to Cum- berland Ford and crossing the river camped in an open field that night, it being the first night we had really bivouacked during our military experience.

While at the Lick Sam Pound was sick. Lieutenant Web- ster called to see and cheer him up. Upon leaving his tent Web- ster asked, "Is there anything you want?" To which Sam re- sponded, 'T wish I had a goose."

It was near sundown when we got to the river. Our instruc- tions were to cross that night. The river was too deep and rocky to ford, so the only alternative was to cross on a small scow ferryboat, which would carry but one wagon and team or one gun at a load. We found the boat in charge of a squad of Tennessee soldiers commanded by a Sergeant. They had been at work all day. had had no dinner, and were tired and hungry, and said they must have something to eat and a little rest be- fore they could ferry us over. As Lieutenant Anderson, who was the officer in command of the Battery, was unacquainted with the boating business and knowing that Lieutenant Web- ster had had experience in river navigation, he placed the mat- ter of crossing the ferry in charge of the latter. Webster prof- fered his services with an ''awkward squad" to help manage the boat. But Tennessee thought awkward men worse than noth- ing. It was finally arranged that the Sergeant should com- mand and direct while we did the work. The first load was

46 Story of the First Wisconsin Battery.

run across in true Tennessee style, which was, as soon as the load was on the boat, to let the stern drop down the stream while the bow was brought up to and parallel with the rope stretched from bank to bank. The boat was then pulled slowly and carefully across the stream sidewise until it reached the opposite shore, when, by the aid of setting poles and the rope, the stern was brought so the bow of the boat was parallel with the landing. It was then fastened to a stake until the team was driven oil. Webster suggested that we run the boat straight across, bow foremost, but Tennessee said it would not do; that we would sink the boat, etc. But the Lieutenant went quietly to his own men, among whom were many river men and loggers, and told them that when he gave the word, to "shoot her across." When the second load was ready to start and while the Sergeant was still on shore, and before he had time to ob- serve what was going on, the word was given, and away the boat sped for the other shore as straight as an arrow flies, and as soon as it struck the bank several men were ashore with a line to hold it while the team was driven off. As we started Tennessee danced around and shouted, "Let the end swing down; you will sink the boat!'' But the boat did not sink nor did the end drop down, but we were back and loaded again in less than one-third the time it had taken him to make one trip. We were all safely across by 10 o'clock, but the Termesseean's astonishment at the way "them Yanks" handled that boat lasts until the present. But one accident occurred, and that did not delay operations to amount to anything. One of the wheel horses in getting on to the boat ran his hind foot between and under the end of the boat and the bank, and when the lead horses straightened their traces for a pull broke the leg square off just below the gambril joint. lie was at once killed and his body thrown into the river to feed the "trout."

In the morning the Battery was moved a short distance from the river and camped in the edge of an orchard near a large two-story brick residence, the owner of which had gone South for his health, but the wife held the fort, was a secesh sympa- thizer, an admirer of John H. Morgan, and was agitating the scheme of a flag to be made and presented by the ladies of Ken- tucky. We afterwards met her at Perkins Plantation. Foster took posses-ion of a ground floor room as headquarters and Lieutenant Cameron and Carl Cameron, with the first case of diphtheria, were allowed sleeping space therein. The orchard was partially of mulberry trees, red and black, something most of us had never before seen. When the berries ripened we climbed the trees and partook of the fruit. Oh ! didn't some of us have the colic. For an hour we feared we'd die, and then feared we wouldn't.

The Oth Ohio, a four-irun battery, commanded by Captain

Stary of the First Wisconsin Battery. 47

Wetmore, and which had been through the campaigns of the previous season, and had wintered in the mountains, was camp- ed at the ;*Ford." Captain Wetmore was a young man of con- siderable energy in a certain direction — but it was not toward good discipline or providing for his men or horses. His Bat- tery was in a sorry condition, horses poor in flesh and men poorly clothed and equipped. The Captain had been a cadet at West Point, but for some sufficient cause had been expelled, suspended or permitted to resign, and as a little military knowledge went a long way at that time found no trouble in getting a commission from the Governor of Ohio to recruit a battery of light artillery. There were, also, several regi- ments of loyal East Tennesseeans, one of which was com- manded by Bob Johnson, son of Andy Johnson, and in which regiment Jim Brownlow, son of Parson Brownlow, was a Cap- tain.

We were now in front of the enemy and constantly looking for a skirmish with him. Battery drill was resumed and prose- cuted with vigor. Captain Foster, though Chief of Artillery, and the Battery nominally in command of Lieutenant Ander- son, gave personal attention to the same. In the maneuver of the Battery it was not strange that an occasional accident would result in the dismounting of a driver, but to have a com- missioned officer placed hors de combat was a rarity. One morning Lieutenant Webster had forgotten his spurs and, com- ing to a shallow ditch with mud and water in it, thinking to make his horse jump it, as he had done the day before, rode for it on the gallop, and as he neared the bank prepared himself for the leap and pressed his heels to the horse's flank to en- courage him in the effort. But just when Old Fox, the horse, should have raised and gone over the ditch, feeling the heels and no spurs, he stopped dead still, while the Lieutenant wrent over his head and landed in the ditch. Fox stood his ground and fairly laughed at the spectacle. The Lieutenant returned to his quarters, scraped off the thickest of the mud and put on his spurs, after which Fox was the surest horse on the ground and would rather jump the aforesaid ditch than not. The horse was rightly named, for he was cunning to a degree seldom found in that animal. He at one time got Jerry, the colored servant, in his manger and would not let him get out. If Jerry attempted it Fox would go for him with ears back and mouth wide open, or turn his heels and kick at him. So long as Jerry would remain quiet Fox would eat as good natur- edly and socially as if all were on the best of terms.

We had been camped in the orchard but a few days, when, one night, after all was dark and quiet in camp, a horseman was heard approaching at a rapid pace. There had been rain the day before and the road was quite sloppy, and by the time the

48 Story of the Flint Wisconsin Battery.

horse and rider had reached headquarters he was covered with mud. Presently the long roll was beaten by the drummers and boots and saddles blown by the buglers. There was then "hur- rying in hot haste." It was our "first scare,*' and there is no doubt that we did the occasion full justice.

It will always remain a mystery, however, how inanimate objects could so change their location as to be out of reach when wanted. Articles of clothing were wild and frisky and had to be chased all around the quarters before they could be captured. The harness was badly mixed and side arms had "gone off" — nobody knew wdiere.

Winfield Scott, who drove a six-mule team, had five of the animals harnessed and was charging through camp on the sixth yelling, "Where in h — 1 is my other mule?" Mike T rafts is said to have pulled a camp-kettle on for a boot, and never found his mistake until he tried to put his foot in the stirrup to mount his wheel mule. It was not long, however, before the battery was out and in position commanding the road along the left bank of the Cumberland Hirer, over which the enemy was expected. The night wore away and no enemy came. The alarm resulted in the withdrawal of the Battery to the opposite side of the river, where a new camp was established, and tem- porary fortifications erected. The new camp was at the foot of a high hill, and to determine by a practical demonstration if a gun would shoot farther from an elevation than from the level one of the guns was run up the hill by hand. It was a task to get it there, too: but when did Captain Foster ever abandon an undertaking or a movement of the Battery because of any dif- ficulty attending the same? And when did the Battery ever fail to accomplish whatever he ordered? The gun was to remain there some time, and of course must have a guard over it at night as well as during the day. One night John Heck- man and Edson J. Harris were stationed as guards over said gun. Becoming satisfied that the matter of range had been fully demonstrated, they, by the aid of the prolonge and lock chain, ran the gun down the hill and returned it to its proper place in the park before morning. The men now began to real- ize something what military discipline was. One man, I now forget his name, for using threatening language toward one of the commissioned officers was court-martialed and sentenced to six days' solitary confinement on bread and water and 20 days extra duty. Another for refusing to obey the orders of his Sergeant and "talking back*' was given 40 days* continuous guard duty and forfeited one month's pay.

A favorite punishment for breach of discipline at this time was assigning the culprit to extra guard duty. Gillet was gone all night. This in the face of the enemy was an enormity. The next niHit at roll call six reliefs, to stand one hour each.

Wai. J. Davidson.

*

Story of the First Wisconsin Battery. 49

were detailed. The Orderly read the detail about thus: First relief, Gillet, Bunn, Bradfield; second relief, Gillet, Boyce, Brown; third relief, Gillet, Clark, Calkins, etc. At the call of the second relief Gillet cocked up his ear. At the third he stepped forward to see where all these Gillets answered from. At the fifth he realized that he was on for an all-night's trip.

One day the Battery was ordered out for foot drill. Many of the men were sick, but the autonomy of the sections, pla- toons, etc., was maintained as nearly as possible. Sergeant Blake being on the sick list, the command of his platoon de- volved upon Corporal McKeith. When the company assem- bled Billy found but one man of his command present for duty, but Billy had him fall in while he maneuvered him as if the whole sixteen men had been present. He marched him by platoon, by twos, by right flank and left flank, and wheeled him into line as occasion called for. It is not known what Billy would have done if it had been necessary to march in open order or to form a hollow square. It is safe to presume, how- ever, that he would have complied with the order in a satisfac- tory manner.

The telegraph was completed to the Ford soon after the army arrived there, so we were kept posted as to the general move- ments of our armies in the field. It was a novelty to the na- tives. They could not understand how "them wires" could carry letters. One old lady told Billy McKeith that "Lots of news went over the wires last night ; I heered it."

Properly supported by infantry, the Battery went on a three days' expedition up Clear Creek. Cralls was a prisoner. Rath- bun was a guard at the time the Battery left camp. After standing three or four hours, and not being relieved, and learn- ing the Battery had gone, he took charge of the camp, made the prisoner officer of the day, and had things their own way until Captain Foster returned, who sent for Rathbun and wanted to know why the prisoner was at liberty ? Cap. stood with one eye shut and Rathbun explained the matter, the impossibility of remaining at his post so long. Cap. said he would excuse him this time, but he must not let it occur again, as when on guard he must remain at his post until relieved — or during the war.

General Morgan, who had arrived at the Ford, April 11, 1SG2, and who had taken command of the forces. Seventh Di- vision. Army ot the Ohio, already there and to arrive, set himself earnestly at work to organize his force for the purpose of taking Cumberland Gap from the enemy, thereby open- ing up communication with Knoxville and East Tennessee. The 42d Ohio Regiment and the 7th Michigan Battery of Light Artillery, composed of six guns, arriving, the army was organized in brigades, etc., for more effective discipline. As

50 Story of the First Wisconsin Battery.

the three batteries then in his command were armed with light guns he organized a provisional battery consisting of two 20-pounder and two 30-pounder Parrott rifles and SO men. This was manned by men detailed from the several infantry regiments, and officered by men taken from the 1st Wisconsin Battery. Lieutenant Dan Webster was given the command and L. A. Paddock and C. E. Middaugh Acting Lieutenants, with K. Richards and E. N. Trowbridge as Sergeants and B. E. Hall Quartermaster Sergeant. Captain Foster was ap- pointed Chief of Artillery. Of this officer General Morgan afterwards wrote: 4iToo much praise cannot be awarded Captain Foster, Chief of Artillery. As an artillerist of energy and skill he will not compare unfavorably with any in the ser- vice. The corps under his command is also deserving of the highest commendation."

Upon the first appearance of the siege battery, commanded by Lieutenant Webster, owing to its composition being largely of men only drilled in the infantry tactics, it appeared some- what awkward in its movements. Captain Wetmore, of the 9th Ohio Battery, thinking to raise a laugh at the expense of the new company, called it the "Hog-Eye Battery." Which name not only "stuck to it," but was made respectable by the effi- ciency of its members and by the work accomplished by them. As Captain Foster was Chief of Artillery. Lieutenant Cam- eron absent, sick, and Lieutenant Webster on detached service in an independent command, it left the Battery in command of Lieutenant Anderson, assisted by Lieutenant Kimball. In many respects it was unfortunate that those two officers should not have agreed better as to the respective duties of each. At one time Anderson had Kimball under arrest for refusing to act as officer of the day, and the latter threatened to prefer charges against the former. It is to the credit of the members of the Battery, however, to record the fact that those things never demoralized them, affected their discipline or efficiency. They could always be relied upon to perform their duty in an acceptable manner, however remiss the commissioned officers may have been in their conduct or behavior. Upon the death of Lieutenant Cameron, First Sergeant O. F. Nutting was com- missioned a Lieutenant, which promotion was eminently pop- ular with the members of the Battery.

While the drilling of the artillery was under the direct com- mand of each company commander. Captain Foster gave it a close supervision. Captain Wetmore was detailed to give in- structions in the saber exercise.

The siege battery, owing to the weight of lis guns, did but little drilling in battery maneuver with horses, but confined itself to the manual of the piece, foot drill, etc.

About the 20th of May a movement was made for an attack

Story of the First Wisconsin Battery. 51

on the Gap. For this purpose there was a general reorganiza- tion of the artillery force. Wetmore's Battery was in poor con- dition so far as concerned horses and equipments, but the men had seen considerable service and were considered "veterans." Lamphere's Michigan Battery was splendidly equipped with guns and horses, but it was a new organization; its men had never seen service in the field. The siege battery had good horses and equipments, but its 30-pounder Farrott guns were too heavy for the expedition. It was, therefore, ordered that Cap- tain Lamphere turn his battery, horses and guns complete over to Captain Wetmore and his men, and that Captain Wetmore transfer his worn-out horses, guns and equipments to Captain Lamphere; also that Lieutenant Webster transfer his two 30- pounder Parrotts, etc., to Lamphere, while himself and the two 20-pounder Parrotts were attached to the 1st Wisconsin Bat- tery. Lamphere and his men were to remain at the Ford while the other batteries were to join the expedition. On the 21st of May the little army crossed the river for an advance on the Gap, and marched some seven or eight miles, when, learning something concerning the movement or position of the enemy, we were halted for the balance of the day and remained there until the 24th, when we retraced our steps to the Moss House, about four miles from the Ford. Here we gave a general over- hauling to arms and harness preparatory to another forward movement. Horses were shod, harness mended and oiled, gun carirages and implements put in good condition, and batteries transferred to their original organizations. It had been de- termined that the garrison at the Gap was too strong to be taken by assault, and that it must be turned.

On the 29th it was reported that the rebels were coming in force to give us battle, and we remained up all night to receive them, but they did not materialize. It turned out afterward that they were in their camp that night watching for and ex- pecting us.

On the 5th of June orders were issued for a forward move- ment once more, to be made on the following day. The road from the Ford nearly to the Gap was blocked with fallen trees and rocks and a feint made to plant a battery near the rebels, while we were to take another direction toward Big Creek Gap, some 25 or 30 miles east from Cumberland Gap. The rebels had a small force at Big Creek Gap, and we also a similar force near them. The road to the latter place was but little used, and that not for heavy loads, and the rebels did not think we would attempt to haul artillery over it.

The order of march was: Mundy's Cavalry, Garrard's 3d Kentucky Infantry and the "IIog-Eye Battery" under Lieu- tenant Webster. Next came the 20th Brigade, composed of

52 Story of the First 'Wisconsin Battery.

the 16th and 42d Ohio, 22d Kentucky and 1st Wisconsin Bat- tery, under De Coursey.

On the 6th, as the division was ready to move, news was re- ceived of the rapture of arms and prisoners by General Pope. A copy of the order conveying the news was sent to each com- mand to be read to the troops. The men of the siege battery were called to the front to hear the order read, leaving some of the teams alone. As the reading was finished the men cheered lustily. This frightened the horses and some of them started on the run. Lieutenant Webster saw the first movement of tite teams and attempted by voice and jesture to call the attention of the men to the horses, but they mistook his efforts to mean a continuation of the cheering. As a result one team and car- riage was mired in a swampy place and a tongue broken out of another carriage.

The damage was repaired, so we made about two miles that evening and bivouacked for the night.

The next morning began one of the hardest and most difficult marches of the war for the distance. After following the Big Creek Gap road for a few miles it was abandoned for a rocky trail over the mountain to Kodger's Gap. supposed to be acces- sible only to pedestrians, cattle and horses. The siege (alias "Hog-Eye") battery, with its train of 10 wagons loaded with ammunition, was the first to cross the mountain. There were 12 horses to each of the 30-pounder and eight to each of the 20-pounder guns and the two caissons belonging to the latter, while each wagon was drawn by the regulation six mules. The heavier guns weighed about ^,r>00 pounds and the lighter ones about 1,500. As difficult roads were anticipated Lieutenant Webster had secured and provided ropes and tackle for use in emergencies. It was fortunate that he had done so, for those heavy guns would not have been gotten over that pa>s without them. The road was difficult enough before the "pass" was reached, but nothing to what that last live miles developed, two miles of which was comparatively level.

So utterly improbable did it appear to the rebels that the Yankees would try to cross the mountain at this point that they did not deem it necessary to picket it. Some of the descents were made with both wheels locked and a cable to the axle with a turn around a tree, and they would then go down too rapidly for assured safety. At other places the ascent would be so steep and tortuous that but one or at most two spans of horses could get foothold to pull at once. At such times blocks and tackle were used with horses hitched to the "fall*' of the same. The smaller guns of the batteries were assisted by the infantry and cannoneers.

The people living along the route we had come since leaving the Ford were Union people and they were overjoyed at seeing

Story of the First Wisconsin Battery. 53

us. One old man who had come four miles to see the cannon remarked alter inspecting the heavy guns:

4*[ will now go home feeling quite independent." It was the first cannon he had ever seen. The siege train descended the mountain on the southern side on the afternoon of June 10th and camped near a large spring which came out of the side of the mountain.

The 1st Wisconsin Battery began the ascent at sundown on the 11th. The lead and swing teams from the left half bat- tery were transferred to the right half — 10 horses to a gun, with a dozen cannoneers, more or less, at the wheels of a gun or caisson. Upon reaching the summit all the teams except the wheel horses were taken back to help the left half battery.

By this time the stock had become so exhausted that 14 horses had to be put before each carriage and the infantry were required to assist. No one who worked that night will ever forget it, nor the full eclipse of the moon. Locking both hind wheels by running a handspike through the wheels across the breech of the gun, we went sliding and bumping down the mountain to a magnificent spring at the head of a canyon de- bouching into Powell's Valley.

Some rebel scouts were watching us from the south side of the valley, but as the road down the mountain was wholly hid- den from view by a dense growth of timber they could not ascertain or judge as to the size or composition of our force. The rebel General Stevenson occupied Cumberland Gap, 18 miles east, with a force of 6,000. Barton was in Big Valley with 4,000 and 8,000 more were encamped at Clinton, about 35 miles away. General Morgan had expected General Mitchell or General Nagley, or both, to cooperate with him, but now re- ceived a dispatch from the latter, dated June 9th. saying that no assistance could be sent from that quarter. Morgan's in- structions did not allow of his proceeding farther with his unaided column of less than 10.000 men.

In the meantime a Lieutenant and the Veterinary Surgeon of the Dth Ohio Battery who'd ventured in the edge of the val- ley had been surprised by a squad of rebel cavalry and the Sur- g«'«m taken prisoner, the Lieutenant escaping by flight tnrough a shower of bullets. A squadron of rebel cavalry had also been nrccl into by our pickets. The army was at once put in a posi- tion for defense. The siege guns were given a commanding IKi.Mtiun. and a proper distribution made of the light guns, but no «'!!.a:i\ came.

As there was to be no cooperation and General Morgan had gone as far as his instructions would permit, he decided upon a retrograde movement. Therefore, the next noon, after arriv- ing in Powell's Valley, the sieire battery and train was started back over the mountain. The. commissary train had not

54 Story of the First Wisconsin Battery.

arrived and a messenger was dispatched turning that back toward Williamsburg. Ky. The army, therefore, started on the retreat with less than one day's rations in a country pro- ducing nothing for man or beast, the commissary train miles in the advance making better time than the army itself. It took until 10 p. in. to get the siege battery up the mountain, when it rested for the night. At sunrise the following morn- ing it was on the road and had marched some seven or eight miles when it was ordered to bivouac and wait further orders. In the meantime the 1st Wisconsin Battery proceeded to climb the mountain and reached the summit exhausted, hungry and thirsty. A mimic spring was discovered which relieved our thirst and a wagon loaded with flour came up from the Ken- tucky side, which furnished material for the unsalted dough we were soon baking on hot stones. While halting here on the summit General Morgan received a dispatch from Gen. Buell, dated June 11th, saying that he could not reinforce him and that "he would have to depend upon his own ability to beat the force opposed." Construing this as a permission to act on his own discretion, while it was probably meant he must extricate himself as best he could from his perilous position, Morgan called a council composed of Carter, Carr and DeCoursey, who disapproved of his plan to assume the defensive instead of re- treating on the Ford. But Morgan persisted, dispatched a courier to Spears, who crossed at Big Creek Gap with his Ten- nessee brigade, to close up, and slid down the mountain again. We had been constantly descending or ascending the mountain on the Tennessee side for two or three days, and as the timber was so dense nothing could be seen of our movements, while the wagons and artillery bumping over the stones could be plainly heard, they concluded we must have a tremendous army and that we must be 30,000 strong.

The siege battery was the only train that had marched down the mountain in retreat. There was not a pound of meat or a bit of bread in the command. We had a few beans and a little coffee. A foraging party found a little corn. Lieutenant Web- ster went out some eight miles and procured two days' rations of hard bread and bacon. Men and teams were nearly worn out. In the evening we received orders to recross the moun- tain again, and notwithstanding the men knew that it would require the hardest kind of work they cheered until they were hoarse at the news. The siege battery started early the next morning and marched to the foot of the mountain, where it halted to shoe horses and repair harness, etc. That evening General Absalom Baird, who was in command of a brigade which had come up and camped near, asked for right of way in the morning for his brigade, as he feared the heavy guns would delay the column if they were in advance. Lieutenant Web-

Story of the First Wisconsin Battery. 55

ster told him that the road was open to him if he chose to be in time to take it before the Battery was ready to march. But the "Hog-Eyes" were up and on the road before daylight in the morning and kept out of General Baird's way all day. Lieutenant Webster reported to Captain Foster at 9 a. m. When the Captain saw him he exclaimed, ''Great God; what brought you here V ;;My horse," replied the Lieutenant. *;But what is the matter? You are the last man I had expected to see at this time of day. I supposed you were on the mountain or the other side climbing the hill," said the Captain. But when Webster told him that the whole train was all down the mountain and that he was awaiting further orders the Captain was the most surprised man in that army. A tireder, more worn out and thoroughly "fagged" lot of men, horses and mules than were found in that siege train on that bright Sun- day morning are seldom, if ever, seen. Men would lie on the ground and fall to sleep at once. Horses would lie down before the harness could be taken off. We had been 10 days an less than six days* rations and all the time at the hardest and most tiresome labor. Of the 75 large, splendid horses that left the Ford 10 days before not a dozen were ever of any use afterward, not a man but had worn or worked off from five to 10 pounds of his own weight in the time. It was a surprise to all, and particularly to old campaigners, that we should have succeeded in crossing the mountain at that place with those heavy guns once, to say nothing of doing it three times within as many days.

Mention is thus made of the siege battery, as it was a sort of an annex to the 1st Wisconsin Battery, and was so closely allied to it that the history of one must necessarily be the his- tory of both.

Soon after leaving the Ford the" siege battery camped on the premises of a Union man. Every precaution possible was taken to protect property, particularly growing crops. As the Bat- tery was about to move the said Union man came hurriedly to Lieutenant Webster and said that his horses had broken into his corn and completely ruined the crop, and demanded a voucher therefor so he could collect damages from the Gov- ernment. Investigation showed that one horse had reached over the fence and destroyed three hills of corn — no more. That man did not get a voucher. It is quite probable, however, that lie or his heirs have a large claim against the Government for supplies and damages.

The 10th and 4*2d Ohio Regiments, followed by the 1st \\ isconsin and the siege batteries, led the column on the morn- ing of the 18th. It was expected we would meet the enemy about eight miles from Rogers Gap. where they had planted a battery of four guns with a view of impeding our progress

56 Story of the First Wisconsin Battery.

toward Cumberland Gap. But as we approached the enemy vanished, leaving their camp fires still burning and part of their tents standing. At every crossroad and lane, and at every farm house people were gathered to see the Union Army. Just before we reached the rebel camp referred to above we passed an aged couple standing by the roadside gazing at us with open-eyed wonder and surprise.

One of the boys asked the old gentleman where the rebels were. "Jest ahead,*' was the answer. "Yes," said the old lady, "and they will keep ahead, too."

At the junction of the Tazewell road, on a large, flat stone, was the legend: "Follow light artillery. Follow Fourth Ala- bama. " We did follow and met them more than once, and in a month less than a year got their last gun.

As we neared the Gap we could see the enemy's tents still standing, but there were no men to be seen by the aid of powerful glasses. But we steadily and cautiously advanced and entered the Gap about 4 p. m. and took peaceable posses- sion, having captured that stronghold without the loss of a man or the firing of a gun.

The 1st Vrisconsin Battery climbed to the crest of the Gap and fired a salute of blank cartridges, and camped in a natural amphitheater on the Kentucky side, which was our headquar- ters for three months.

They had left their tents standing and nearly all their cook- ing utensils, commissary stores, extra clothing, bedding, etc., and five pieces of heavy ordnance, but the tents were cut in shreds so that they were entirely useless: the utensils were broken in pieces and the bedding torn and strewn around.

Their commissary building, containing large quantities of stores, was still burning, flour was scattered over the ground and lard poured in the dirt. Officers had. in some instances, left their mess chests and in others their private baggage. A cistern 10 feet in diameter and 15 feet deep was found full of flour, bacon and lard. The barrels containing flour and lard were broken before they were thrown in. By leav- ing other soldiers to look after the big knives and other souvenirs, the Battery succeeded in finding a barrel or two of flour and several side- of bacon which were in good condition, and the men were soon engaged in cooking cakes mixed with cold water and fried in irrease. They wen* not what would be considered strictly digestible, or "angel food," although it may to the present generation be a wonder tiiat we did not die just then and be transferred into angels from the eating of tin* same

but they seemed to "Ii!l a long felt want,** and to close an

"aching void."

Cumberland Gap was a strongly fortified place, and if the rebels had remained therein we could not have dislodged them

fffi ^:--~
ft, :^	7 I

Jas. B. Davidson'.

Story of the First Wisconsin Battery. 57

by assault without a very much larger force than we had, and then ouly at an immense sacrifice of life. But they evidently feared a siege and starvation, so the post was abandoned.

From unfinished letters found in the abandoned quarters we learned that the idea of an easy victory for the South was not universal with its soldiers, for some of them expressed but small hopes of whipping us in open fight, but thought they might worry us down and bankrupt our Government by main- taining a large army to chase them over the country. They learned, however, that the Yankees could stand tramping as well as they could.

On the north side of the gap was a high and somewhat abrupt point, rising some 1,300 feet above the road at its highest elevation. On this mountain point the rebels had mounted, in a small bastion, one 24 and one 32-pounder gun. Previous to their evacuation, however, they had de- stroyed the wheels to their carriages and then threw the guns down the face of the mountain, where they lay among the brush, timber and rocks, some 500 feet from the embrasures which they had formerly occupied. The hill was steep, so much so that a man could not make its ascent without clinging to the brush which grew there. Aside from this, the surface was thickly strewn with stone of all sizes, both "fast" and "rolling." It was the desire of General Morgan that those guns be put back in the fort, and that they might be used in firing a salute upon the approaching Fourth of July. With this end in view he conferred with Captain Foster, his Chief of Artillery, the Captain telling him that if anyone could get them back Lieu- tenant Webster could do it. The latter was sent for and directed by General Morgan to examine the guns and grounds and to report upon the matter. The examination was made and the Lieutenant reported that he thought he could pull them back in the fort in about two days to each gun. The General issued an order directing the Lieutenant to call for a detail of as many men as miirht be needed and to proceed with the work at once. Tie was also given an order on the Quartermaster for all tooK lines, etc., that should be needed.

The Lieutenant declined calling for the proffered detail of men, preferring to take volunteers from the 1st Wisconsin Bat- tery. On the next morning early the Lieutenant, with 30 men from the Battery, loaded with the necessary equipments, started for the mountain to begin the work.

At 8 p. m. the same day the Lieutenant reported to General Morgan the largest gun, weighing over 3.000 pounds, in its place in the fort. The General was surprised and said there certainly must bo some mistake, as it was utterly impossible to have accomplished the work in so short a time. lie said we must have gone to the wrong place: but when the Lieutenant

58 Story of the First Wisconsin Battery.

stepped to the door and pointed to the fort, in which the gun could be seen with a glass, the General was profuse in his praises of the efficiency of the men who had accomplished so much. The Lieutenant now called for a detachment of 50 men to put the other gun in place. lie was furnished with a detail from one of the Tennessee regiments in charge of a commissioned officer.

It took one and one-half days to put the lighter gun back over smoother and less precipitous ground.

The difference was in the tact and qualification of the men. The Tennesseeans were willing and strong, but they did not know so well how to take hold. The work was accomplished, however, to the satisfaction of the General and the National celebration was not postponed because of the failure to get those guns in position for firing.

CHAPTER VI.

"He clasps the crag- with hooked hands; Close to the sun in lonely lands. He watches from hi-s mountain walls, And like a thunderbolt he falls."

HEADQUARTERS were established at the old tavern, the Staff was scattered in tents, the Quartermaster took pos- session of the store and our blacksmith, Hi Carter, with an assistant, seized upon the blacksmith shop and tools, and re- shod the stock. Obe Lindsay afterward relieved Carter. Lieu- tenant Webster was sent high up on the Virginia side with his heavy guns and fortified at the base of the Pinnacle, while our guns were mounted in the Gap, facing southward, or distrib- uted where they would do the most good. The caissons were parked in the amphitheater and a company of infantry, sut- lers, photographers and camp followers camped near them. Springs spouted, gurgled or flowed in every direction. One spring on the Virginia side turned the wheel of a grist mill a hundred feet from its issuance. Picket posts were established far out on all roads and on the summit of the mountain at either side. The stock was taken down to the meadows daily to graze and the drivers returned at night with blackberries, peaches and apples. Quartermaster Sergeant Crocker, in charge of our five mule wagons, made trips to Stanford, Nich- olasville, Danville and Richmond for corn and forage, while Joe Millegan, ably assisted by Lindsay, scoured the vicinity for any subsistence that the inhabitants could spare, they being the judges. Expeditions were sent out in all directions to the south and eastward. In the amphitheater stood the large, square witness stone marking the junction of the three States, and a champion of Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky would sit in each State and play a game of cards on the flat top for State supremacy. The bills of the old State banks of wild cat times, long defunct, and the lithographed advertisements from around the bottles of Mexican mustang and pain killer linament passed current with the unlettered mountaineers in exchange for milk, biscuits and berries. A cup of browned coffee or salt was pref- erable to cash. As the silver disappeared bills were cut in two or f<»ur pieces and passed, pioneer of the later fractional cur- rency.

The telegraph wire was brought over and General Morgan calling upon the War Department for the most competent engi- neer obtainable. Lieutenant Craighill was sent, and he imme- diately laid out elaborate fortifications which were necessarily extensive. The then Lieutenant is now General Craighill, and

60 Story of the First Wisconsin Battery.

at the head of the Engineer Corps of the Army. The brave, simple mountaineers of that region have been sketched a hun- dred times in a hundred places. The women much admired our ruddy, husky cannoneers and suggested a return to settle in that region after the heated argument with our rebellious brethren was a closed incident, and for aught we know the stock of the old Battery leavens that segment of humanity today. As illustrative of the simplicity of the people, McElroy. editor of The National Tribune, who served down in East Tennessee, tells of a woman coming into camp one day with her daughter looking for the daughter's husband. Being conducted to Stark- weather's tent and stating her errand, said they lived about seven miles up in the mountains and that her daughter married one of his soldiers about a fortnight previous. "Who married them,'' asked the General. "Why, one of your Chaplains." "Where?" "At our house." ''Why, no Chaplain would be up there." "Yes he "was. I know he was a Chaplain, because he had two stripes on his arm." The General ordered a parade, took mother and daughter along the line, and if the brevet husband could have been identified there would have been a sure enough wedding, if not a shooting.

Upon one occasion as an officer and men approaching a large farm house to ascertain if the place afforded any forage, they were met at the door by an elderly woman whose cheeks were blanched with fear and whose voice was tremulous from emo- tion, while she implored them to spare her daughters. "Do what you please with me," she said, wringing her hands and dropping on her knees, "but spare, oh, spare my daughters." It was an appeal that would have touched the stoniest heart, and yet, to us, seemed so unnecessary and so uncalled for that it approachd the ridiculous, and was made to appear quite so, when one of the Battery boys replied: "To h — 11 with your daughters; got any buttermilk?" Upon being assured that she and her household, including her daughters, were as safe in person and personal effects as if they were surrounded by an army of personal friends and relative--. she irlad'v produced what the house afforded in the line of food and "buttermilk," for which she was paid in good and lawful money of the United States of America.

One or more of our guns accompanied the reeonnoissances into Virginia and Tennessee, where we drove hack the ad- vanced forces of Sam Jones and Humphrey Mar>hall in the one, and Colonel Ivains the advance of Kirhy Smith in the other State.

Early in July Captain Foster, who had been too ill for duty for some days, went to Lexington. Ky., for rest, recuperation and treatment, where lie remained for several weeks, leaving Lieutenant Anderson in command of the Battery.

Story of the First Wisconsin Battery. 61

About the 20th of July Lieutenant Nutting, who had recently received his commission as Second Lieutenant, vice Cameron, resigned, started for La Crosse to recruit for the Battery.

Four wagons and teams from the Battery were sent out at one time after forage and were not heard from for fourteen days. It was, of course, thought they had been captured by the enemy, but such was not the case. They never saw a rebel in arms while they were gone. Joseph, "the old soldier,'' alias Millegan, was in command of the expedition, and he always said he could see just as well when he stood off a little ways from danger. But the adventures he had to relate of their "going up Goose and coming down Stinking Creeks" would rival the stories of Marco Polo or Munchausen.

Comrade Houser writes: "Your sketches of our life at the Gap brings back vivid recollections of our stay, and getting out, and other incidents, such as the boys prefixing the M. D. to their names, and buying commissary, when brought before Gen. eral Morgan, who explained, or tried to, what the M. D. stood for; but the boys would not accept it that way, and convinced the old General it stood for mule driver, and right they were, for they had been driving mules for many days. Another time old Dr. Hobbins sent me with an order for some beef to make beef tea for the sick. The butcher refused to kill a beef unless ordered from headquarters, which he soon received, remarking he would have to charge it to the Battery. I informed the gen- tleman it made no difference about the charges, so we got the meat, for the boys never went back on the rations. The old Doctor left us ignobly when he found the rebel lines closing around us. and subsequently demanded of Captain Foster some $80 for the few old duds he left, and threatened to report it to headquarters if the shekels were not forthcoming."

The next Surgeon to be detailed to the Battery -was slight and thin. He seemed to believe the medical stores his own pri- vate property and doled them out grudgingly. Him we dubbed "Peknuckle Jack." He was lost in the shuffle at Milliken's Bend.

The next was his antithesis. Bluff, stout, liberal, heart v. Him we called "Old Bi-God," or "Mild Cathartic," from his formula while handing over powders to a patient: "Here's something that's good. I know it's good, for I've tried it myself. It'll purify your blood, open your bowels and act as a mild cathartic, bi-god."

Like the wine at the feast of Cana, the best came last, Dr. Dinwiddio. He was comrade, healer, friend, and deserves a chapter all to himself.

Heard about the mule that strayed from that Tennessee Granger and got to the Battery? So to protect him from the cold blasts that were wont to play through the Gap, the boys found

62 Story of the First Wisconsin Battery.

him a cozy place in a nice ravine and fed him well, making sun- dry changes in his appearance, such as trimming his mane, mak- ing a paint brush tail, and some spots on different parts of his body. In due course of time the boys found out that Mr. Gran- ger was in need of a mule and it was not long before the mule was in the Granger's possession, who turned him loose in the barn yard to become familiar with the surroundings, but he preferred to go to the stable and his stall as of old, and the Granger 'lowed it looked like the mule had been there before, and the boys had no reason to dispute his word.

CHAPTER VII.

"The rattling' roll of the musketeers, The ruffled drums and the rallying- cheers."

WE now come to our first fight, and the statements of the affair are so conflicting we must e'en let the boys utell us just how it was." In the original as published in the Hokah Sun appears excellent articles telling just how they saw it, from Johnnie Davidson, Dan Webster, Jabez Spaulding, Joe Bowker, Sam Blake, Jim Davidson, Billv McKeith, Carl Cameron, and Enos Pierson of the 16th Ohio. Amid all this wealth a selection must be made, a mosaic formed from bits here and there. All is good and every line interesting, but there is not room for all. If any fellow thinks he is playing a minor part, let him look pleasant and "act like Martin."

On the morning of August 3, 1862, De Courcey's brigade, 16th and 42d Ohio, 19th and 22d Kentucky, and the 1st Wis- consin Battery, convoying about two hundred wagons, left the Gap and marched to Tazewell, Tenn., where wTe camped that night just north of the town. The next morning, Sunday, we marched through the village and formed line of battle in the fields. It was a fine brigade drill, with, at present, no enemy in sight. Soon a regiment and. two pieces were sent on a recon- noissance and wagons loaded with forage. This work was con- tinued until the 6th, the loaded wagons being daily returned to the Gap. The enemy soon began to come into collision with our dilierent parties, pressing us closer until we of the four guns, on the ridge to the north of the town, saw a line of battle coming over the ridge south of the town, about a mile away. It was the advance of Kirby Smith, who eventually penetrated as far as Frankfort, Ky. We broke this line and scattered it in fragments. They then ran a couple of guns over the ridge and opened upon us, but, like the Indian's venison, they lasted mighty quick under our killing fire. They troubled us no more, and in the darkness we fell back to the shelter of the Gap.

To go back and pick up the tale, quoting from some of the boys:

*\\ few citizens were also seized as prisoners, one of whom was detected in signaling the enemy. At Big Springs, or Syca- more P. ()., some two miles south from Tazewell, our troops drove the enemy .back and captured some cattle, sheep and horses. They also found a country store from which most of the goods had been removed. Those that were left were seized and hurriedly distributed by our soldiers. When the soldiers returned to ramp that night it was a novel sight to see how

64 Story of the First Wisconsin Battery.

they were equipped. One man would have a violin, one a cof- fee mill, while others would have Looking glasses, books, paper, canes, pillows, bed quilts, blankets, poultry, etc.; some of them wTere wearing ladies* hats trimmed with gay colored ribbons and others were wearing peacock feathers a yard or more in length in their hats. On Monday another party went out via Big Springs and had a bit of a skirmish with the. enemy, but succeeded in Loaning the wagons. One piece of the Battery, under charge of Sergeant Sawyer, came very near running into a rebel ambush, but they discovered their danger just in time to retire and shell the enemy out of that 'timber."

"On Tuesday the rebel cavalry made a dash upon our right flank, expecting to find it open, but ran into our pickets and kicked up a fuss in which one of the IDth Kentucky men was wounded and three of the rebels killed. On Wednesday morn- ing the 16th Ohio regiment and two pieces of artillery, the lat- ter under command of Lieutenant Anderson, who was really in command of the Battery, remained just back or north of Taze- well on a ridge with the 22d Kentucky "Regiment on its right and the 42d Ohio upon its left. The 14th Kentucky, which, with the 4:>d Ohio, had come up the day before, were in the advance on the right. The enemy were known to have re- ceived reinforcements of both infantry and artillery and were also known to be stronger than our forces.

"This was really the first fight the Battery had ever partici- pated in, and the first time any of them had ever seen a dead rebel. We doubt if Carl Cameron was ever more horrified or disgusted than when he stood gazing at a cadaver that had been killed by a wound in the abdomen, through which the vis- cera protruded, and a lank infantryman deliberately detached a piece of the adhering fat and quietly proceeded to grease his shoes. That was more than war.- It was rank barbarism. But the aftermath of the battle is the worst of all. While the fight is on no sentiment prevails. The sense of personal danger is completely lost in the desire to whip the other fellow.

"While'the Battery was shelling that charging rebel line two terrified ladies leading a child came running from town toward the Battery, when Jim McConnell gallantly stepped forward and cried, kRun right to us, ladies: run right to us,' which they did, and were passed to the rear. I low many, if any, in the Battery would then have liked to have exchanged places with those ladies at that time will, perliaps, never be known.

"On Wednesday morning, while the probability of a fight was being discussed in the Battery, Jerry, Lieutenant Webster's patent leather servant, became very brave and patriotic. He hoped there would be a fight, and wanted to take the place of the first man that fell in battle. When the fight came the Lieutenant wishing to assist in the managing of a gun, handed

Geo. W. Akmstkoxc.

Story of the First Wisconsin Battciy. 65

his horse to Jerry to hold until called for. Not long thereafter the Lieutenant found his horse running loose and Jerry among the missing. He had taken an extra horse and departed for the Gap when the first shell from the rebel gun exploded near us, and he reported that the whole army was cut in pieces and cap- tured. Jerry had seen enough of war, and struck out for Lex- ington, where he had left a wife and slavery to 'jine' the army."

Frank Downs writes : "In writing up the history of the 1st Wisconsin Battery, Light Artillery, there are certain incidents that happened only to a portion of the Battery, which have not found their way into the general history; and thus it happens that an event most momentous to those engaged in it has, so far, passed unnoticed, and that is the part taken by the 'right of center' the day preceding the episode at Tazewell, as well as the part taken on the day of the Tazewell fight.

"The events of the march on the 2d of August, from Cum- berland Gap to Tazewell, with Be Courcey's brigade, is known to us all, but some of the events of August 5th were only known to the center section. On that day it was stationed on the top of the mountain, or ridge, which separates Tazewell Valley from Clinch River. The rest of the Battery passed on with the brigade down into the valley of the Clinch. They had been gone some hours when an order came for one of our guns to go down and take position where the other four guns had been, near the river ford, and the 'right of center,' of which the writer of this was gunner, was ordered down. We went leis- urely along the road, and knowing that our forces had preceded vis but a few hours, we kept no special lookout. As we neared the river we were at a loss to know where to take position, as there was not a soul to be seen who could tell us where the other four guns had been placed, and as our gun squad strag- gled along all at once we were surprised to see a body of horse- men right on our flank, who appeared somewhat surprised, while we were equally astonished. As we knew there was no cavalry in our command it flashed upon us that they were Con- federates, and in a moment we came into battery and gave them a round of canister, and, like two colts that had kicked their heels together, both were startled, the Confederates wheeling and going one way, while we limbered up and went in the op- posite direction. Our boys claimed that they saw a number of Confederates fall and some horses running off with empty sad- dles. The firing brought to us a company of our own men, who had been left to watch the road to the ford of the Clinch River, Having now an infantry support we felt more secure, but to prevent a surprise by a sudden dash from the brush or woods we fell bark into an open field, as our orders were to remain

66 Start/ of th, First \\'isc#n*itt Battery*

near the ford until sundown. Tht dftV was warm and we placed our guns ready for actum v\hd<- t\v U>ys gathered under the grateful shade at a t*rjr« tree standing nearby. Some went to sleep, others were amusing thvju-^hgn in different ways, when, like a thunderbolt from a clear sky, a 12-pound how- itzer shell passed through the top of tho tree under which we were resting; it brought us to our Ceet with a jump; we had had some little running skirmishes prior to that time and had heard the ping of the rifle bullet-, but thi> na^ the first time that a shell had passed squarely over us. We replied with a 10- pound Parrott shell, and then the light commenced m earnest. Soon they opened on us with two PJ- pound howitzers, when we sent back for the 'left of center,' which came down the mountain with a rush, and thus reinforced we soon made the enemy withdraw their howitzers after which they opened on us with two pieces commonly known as 'six-pound James rifle.' The enemy's battery was placed on a little rise of ground between us and the river; the woods and bushes con- cealed from us the troops that were Mipporting it, and left us but little opportunity to see the elleet of our shells, but we warmed it to them, so that in a short tine- they were silenced. We obeyed orders and remained there unit] sundown. None of our boys were injured; what Loss, if any, the enemy sus- tained we never knew.

"This was the first artillery dttel our >eetion, or at least our platoon, had been engaged in. The Vi-nter' fell back that night and stood picket on the top of Waldroifs Kidge, between the Clinch and the Tazewell: our gun, 'right of center,' was placed on the point of the ridge, where the road turned down into the valley of the Clinch, the other gun. 'left of center,' was placed on the top of a little spur of the mountain that put out towards the Clinch, and oil' from the main road leading down the mountain; the other four guns, together with the brigade, had made a circuit, and by another road had returned to the west of Tazewell.

"A portion (I think) of the 33d Indiana was on picket that night, and in the morning had been relieved by two companies of the lGth Ohio. Suddenly we heard infantry firing all around us. The Confederates during the night had spread out like a letter V, and had passed beyond us, on each tlank. We heard 'left of center1 fire a shot of canister, but from where we were not a soul was to be seen, and in a moment it dawned upon tis that we were surrounded. We limbered up, and then commenced one of the most exciting races that I was ever in or saw. Down the mountain we went, on a full gallop, not a wheel locked, and every cannoneer doing the finest sprint- ing that he ever did in his life. As we reached the foot of the mountain we looked back, and saw the Confederate lines

Stoiy of the First Wisconsin Battery. 67

drawing together like the lower point of a V. The 'left of center' was still behind us, and as we crossed the bridge over the Tazewell we could see our four other guns in battery on the ridge above town, with the balance of the brigade support- ing them. We looked back, and the two lines of the Confed- erates were just closing together, when, like a shot from a cannon, the 'left of center burst through the closing ranks, while rifles rang and bullets whizzed on every side; but on sped hor^e and rider, cannon and cannoneers, through, as it were, the very jaws of hell; bullets were bedded in blankets and knapsacks, harness was cut with flying missiles, but neither horse, rider, or cannoneer fell, and like the cannon's bolt the 'left of center' crossed the bridge and was safe. As we reached the position where the other guns were, their can- noneers had to place our guns in position for us, as we had no breath or strength left to do so.

"What happened after that we all saw. The Confederates closed together, formed lines of battle, and began to sweep across the little valley of the Tazewell; there stood our bat- tery, every gun loaded and ready; nearer and nearer drew the hostile line, when out rang the order, 'Iteady! — Fire!' and six 10-pound shells went plunging plumb square into the moving human mass; the line quivered; again out roared the six cannon; the line again quivered and staggered; the third time the six pieces roared in unison; the line staggered, fell, broke to pieces, and did not form again that day, except in isolated groups.

"The two companies of the 16th Ohio on picket fared badly that morning, being nearly all captured. Two of the Ohio sol- diers distinguished themselves that day when, finding that the Confederates had swept by them, they started to the enemy's rear and captured Lieut.-Col. Gordon, of the 11th Tenn. (Con- federate), within sight and hearing, almost, of his own regi- ment. What the Confederate loss was that day we do not know, but it appears from the ' War Records ' that the Knox- ville Register admitted that 'Vaughn's Regiments alone lost 10(,» men in the fight.'

"One of the stories told of that famous race is that Billy MeKeith, gunner, after firing a load of canister, had ordered a shell with a short fuse, but seeing that to run was the better part of valor, limbered his gun and made the rush down the mountain. Nick Hitchcock, who was Xo. 5, had the shell and cartridge in his hands as the gun was limbered, and did not drop either of them, but with the 10-pound shell in one hand and the cartridge in the other he started in the race; part way down the mountain his suspenders gave way; there was no time to make repairs, so he freed one hand by throwing away the' cartridge, and grasping his slipping

68 Story of the First Wisconsin Battery.

breeches, he kept in the race, and brought the 10-pound shell safely through.

"The memory of that beautiful August day will never be forgotten by any one witnessing its stirring scenes. That lonely little valley of the Tazewell, and the town that lay so snugly at the foot of the hill, the terror of its people, when they suddenly found themselves between the hostile forces, the hurrying to and fro. and the pale faces of fleeing women and children seeking safety, will haunt mv memorv while life lasts."

Sam Blake, chief of piece, left of center, writes:

"Presently we could hear the rebels in our front coming toward us through the timber, and could distinguish their orders to 'close up,' 'guide on center.' etc. We knew by their manner of giving orders they were rebels, although they were dressed in blue uniforms, like our own men. We had a shell in the gun, which we turned out and replaced with a charge of canister, on top of which another bag of canister shot, remnants of some broken cartridges, was put, making a double charge. The gun was depressed so the line of sight would strike the ground about two-thirds of the distance to the tim- ber. As they came out of the timber in our front they halted to dress their line, when Billy McKeith. who was my gun- ner, fired, then loaded again and fired to the right. About this time they opened upon us. I told Billy to 'git,' and they 'got.1 Part of the cannoneers mounted the off horses and others the limber chests, but Charles Withee. Mike Trafts and Nick Hitchcock tried to outrun the horses. They left me be- hind, as my horse refused to move until lie was unhitched from the tree to which he was tethered by a strong halter."

"There were some amusing incidents happened. Jim Crocker was ordered to go and tell Sergeant -Nm-m. Webster to retreat, and Sergeant Aylmer was sent to call my gun in. Webster's gun was having some fun with a rebel howitzer, and horses unharnessed and men taking it easy, when they heard our two shots to their right. They hitched up double quick, just as Jim came in sight, swinging his hat and shouting 'Get out of

here quick, as you are surrounded," and they did get, but

not a moment too soon, for 47 of the 10th boys were captured. A Corporal of that regiment, however, captured the rebel Lietuenant Colonel Gordon, of the famous Gaines regiment of Georgia, and conducted him into the Federal lines. We met Aylmer in a hollow waiting for us. He said he thought, under the circumstances (the bullets were flying as thick as hail), we would know enough to get out of there without being told ; and we did."

Johnnie Davidson says: "The afternoon before the fight (I forget the date) the center section was ordered over the

Story of the First Wisconsin Battery. 69

hill. Since reading some of the correspondence in the paper I believe there was one left section gun with us. We went out on a reconnoissance, also to do a little foraging on the side; there was not much foraging done, however, because we had run against Gen. Bragg's advance. At the foot of the hill we went into position, but not seeing any rebs we went into battery under shelter of a large tree. While watching a group on picket in a field to our left we saw the dirt fly about their feet and heard a noise like a good-sized musket, and came to the conclusion that it was a cannon, but not being used to rebel shell could not tell for sure. In a few minutes a shell came through the tree top; then Ave got to work, center sec- tion only being there. After firing several shots we were ordered up the hill again. When the right of the center got on top of the hill, just where the road turned to our right, and facing town, we were ordered to go into position, not to unhitch the teams, nor men to undress. Being an outpost or picket with artillery, we did unhitch and partly undress, but we did not know what danger we were in. We Avere routed out early next morning, when Billy McKeith let them haA^e a dose of canister. We were not long getting limbered up and into the road. I want to say right here, if you ewer saAV any one go down a hill Avithout lock or brake, it Avas a part of the 1st Wisconsin Battery. The rebs were so close to us it is a wonder they did not mow us all down. I guess the only reason they did not hit any one Avas, we were going too fast.

"Some people reading this might think Ave Avere scared. We were not ; Ave only wanted to get back to TazeAvell/''

Enos Pierson, of the lGth Ohio, sums up with: "Having participated in the Tazewell races Avhich came off on the 6th of August, 18G2, just reading an article from Davison reminds me of the eA*ents of that memorable morning. Our regiment (the 16th Ohio) Avent on picket that morning, Companies B and E going on the extreme outpost with one of your guns. Companies C and G were left at the forks of the road on the top of the hill, while Companies F and D were to our right in the blackberry patch watching the woods in their front. I think Sergeant Sam Blake had charge of the piece that was stationed at that point. The reserve had stacked arms and piled up their knapsacks nearby and were enjoying themselves, when the Sergeant Major came running down the road telling as to full in, as the outpost Avas getting in close quarters. We farmed and started on double quick and had only got fairly started when Ave heard and saw the rebs swarming through the woods on our right. Lieut. Col. Kershner. who was in com- mand, about faced us and came back, filed into the Held and rushed to the support of Blake's gun. Just as Ave got to the brow of the hill the rebel brigade was coming over the fence.

70 Story of the First Wisconsin Battery.

Blake gave them a double charge of canister, and C and G a volley from our French rifles, which laid a good many of them out. We fell hack down the hill, loading as we went; then about faced and went up and gave them another volley. The gunner had limbered up, and the way they went down that hill to the orchard w^as a caution. We fell back across the road into the timber, loading and firing as we went until we reached the top of the opposite hill, where we deployed along a cornfield fence. We stayed there until our ammunition was all gone and we were nearly surrounded, when we struck out for Tazewell, or rather, where the rest of the brigade was. We had to leave our knapsacks in the hands of the enemy. The 16th had only two killed — Captain Edgar, of Co. B, on the outpost, and Private Hoke, of Co. I, near the orchard at the foot or the hill. The 14th Kentucky was in the orchard. I think they had some men wounded.

"Corporal Paul Wilder, of Company B, 16th, in making his escape from the outpost, where they had been surrounded, took the rebel Col. J. B. Gordon prisoner and brought him to camp. He was promoted to Sergeant, and was killed at Chick- asaw. Gordon was exchanged for the -47 that were captured on the outpost.

"During our game of ball that day Col. De Courcey resorted to a little strategy. By marching the 22d Kentucky and 42d Ohio around a knoll, part of the troops were in sight of the rebels all the time, but on the march, thereby conveying the idea that the whole of Morgan's Division was on hand ready for them if they made any farther advance. I was in a posi- tion to witness the effective work done by the battery, after we all got back together again.

"The rebel artillery soon went out of business when the 1st Wisconsin got down to work. The 16th boys have always thought and still think that there was no better battery in the field than Foster's 1st Wisconsin.

"The ridge spoken of, the same w here the rebels tried to plant a battery in the face of our fire, is called Waldron's Ridge. Now Tazewell is of about 800 or 1,000 inhabitants. About a mile south is Xew Tazewell, upon the railroad. Land is worth from $10 to $00 an acre, and the country prosperous. The ridge is now a burying ground for colored people and the trees back of it cut away. The town was alternately held by Federal and rebel until '64, and relics are yet plowed up. A 'man and brother' secured one of our Rodman shells, the fuse of which had failed to ignite. One day, to get the lead, he put it in the oven of his cook stove, after getting up a good heat, and soon after he peered in to see if the lead was yet melted. The agitation of the caloric, or being at the opportune moment, set the fuse spitting. Divin-

Story of the First Wisconsin Battery. 71

ing results, he seized Dinah and waltzed out, quick time. I think we were cutting our fuse at three and a half seconds then — how was it, Gabe, RitTenberg, Downs? — and he and Dinah spent the fourth second dodging stove covers, roof boards and rafters, Who fired that shell? Come to the front, you gun- ners, and let the guilty man send a written apology to Dinah. Or was it a Xo. 6 in fault?''

CHAPTER VIII.

"For those that fly may fig-ht ag-ain, Which he can never do that's slain."

AFTER this Tazewell expedition we were completely hemmed in and besieged. Kirby Smith was in our rear and Stevenson in our front. Our supply of rations and forage was limited, and we were put upon three-fourths ra- tions.

Just south of the little valley in which was located division headquarters was a high ridge of land, known as uPoor Valjey Ridge," beyond which was the valley from which it received its name.

This valley was something like, or more than, a mile in width, and beyond which the enemy was encamped. In order to enter this valley from the Gap it was necessary to go to the eastward and around the edge of said ridge.

There was yet some corn standing in Poor Valley, and Gen- eral Morgan determined to head a foraging expedition for the purpose of getting it. That he might have a battery ready to assist in the defense of his foragers, if they should be attacked, he decided to mask a section of the 1st Wisconsin Battery in a commanding position near the east end of the aforesaid ridge, with which end in view he gave instructions to the military engineers, West Pointers, to prepare a road up and alongside of the ridge so the artillery could be gotten into position with- out being discovered by the enemy. The expedition was to start at 4 a. m. Lieutenant Webster was ordered to go with the section, and his orders were to proceed to a certain point where he would find a newly-prepared road which he was to follow until he reached a certain other point, designated by certain well-known landmarks, where he was to go into battery and watch the movements of the enemy closely; and. above all, he was especially enjoined not to show himself or his guns. lie followed the foraging train until said new road was reached, when he turned into and followed it. The grades were nice and the angles gracefully turned, but the road led to the top of the ridge and in full view of the enemy, some 250 yards from the point designated for the guns to be stationed, to reach which point it was necessary to tmvel on the crest of said ridge in plain view of the rebels. Webster halted his section as soon as he discovered this condition and hastened as fast as his horse would carry him to report to General Mor- gan. Tie found General Morgan just as the column was enter- ing the lower end of the valley, and told him it was now impos-

II. A. RlFTEXBERG.

Story of the First Wisconsin Battery. 73

sible to get to the designated point without being seen. The General indulged in some misapplied scriptural language, but said there was no other way now than to go ahead.

When the first gun appeared on the ridge there was seen to be a commotion in the enemy's camp. They at once turned out to oppose our foraging party, and sent a few shell to drive our guns away: but we, at least, held our own. As a result of our early exposure on the "scientific" road plan but little forage was secured.

A few days afterward General Morgan sent for Lieutenant Webster and asked him if he could get his guns up on that ridge and get them in position without being seen by the enemy? Webster told him he certainly could, if he was permitted to try it. The General told him to call for a detail of as many men as he wanted and to report to him when the road was ready.

The Lieutenant told him that there were a few "swampers" in the. 1st Wisconsin Battery that he would take to do the work. The word "swampers" seemed to confuse the General some- what, but when he was informed that it was a name applied to those men who cut roads in the pine woods, that the heavy logs might be hauled to the streams and the mills, he saw the point. The Lieutenant took with him. as nearly as can be recalled, Eph llaekett, Dick Kimball, Billy McKeith, Myron Hill, John Heekman and a dozen or more others, and soon prepared a way by which the desired end could be accomplished, and so re- ported. The next day a successful raid was made on the corn patch, and the 1st Wisconsin Battery, or a portion of it, was placed where it could do the most good in defending the same, and without being seen by the enemy. This put the Battery another notch ahead in the estimation of the General, who on the latter occasion took a position near our guns from which he could watch the foraging column with a glass.

After this there was no further attempt to go foraging, or expectation of receiving supplies until the siege should be raided.

From the mountain top, where the 30-pounder guns were stationed, we could see the rebel camps some three or four miles away, and we used to amuse ourselves by throwing shells into said camps. They had no guns that could reach us, so it was not as interesting as might otherwise have been.

A comrade thus describes an incident of our isolation from the outside world: "While at the East Spring one day, just after dinner, hearing the assembly sounded, T hurried down the rocky roadside to camp and found the boys in line answering to what I thought was a roll call, but was amazed to hear the Orderly call 'Mary E. French.' and a bronzed soldier answered 'here,' stepped to the front and got a letter. 'Susan Brown,' and another strapping cannoneer answer 'here,' and got a letter.

74 Story of the First Wisconsin Battery.

Other feminine names were called and responded to by persons of decidedly masculine form and feature. Finally, to one of the most feminine names there were two answers and two sol- diers stepped forward to get the letter. The tall cannoneer looking: down on the shorter like a Shanghai rooster peeking into a jug. They had both been corresponding with the same girl, and this was a blockaded mail, being 'returned to the writer.' "

On the 30th of August, 18G2. in General Orders, No. 81, issued to the soldiers of his command, General Morgan said :

Comrades! General Halleck, Commander-in-Chief, thus addresses you: "Hold on firmly. You will very soon be reinforced. Don't yield an inch. Fight the enemy whenever he appears."

I know right well, soldiers, how your brave hearts will respond to this appeal from our General-in-Chief. Already our brothers of the 3d Tennessee and 3d Kentucky have grappled with the foe. At Big Hill Lieutenant-Colonel Childs repulsed, with great loss to the enemy, a force five times greater than his own, and when surrounded cut his way through with a loss of only 80 in killed, wounded and missing.

In Jackson County, Colonel Garrard was attacked by the enemy's cavalry, but he scattered them to the wind.

From Lexington comes the most glorious tidings. Four regiments are daily arriving, and they are impatient to be led against the enemy. Let every man determine to conquer and victory is already ours.

By command of General Morgan.

CHARLES O. JOLINE, A. D. C.

But the relief did not come as was promised. It would seem that the rebels, with their characteristic disregard of our plans and purposes, had interposed an objection in the shape of a superior force. But. perhaps, the following General Order, issued September 5, 1SG2, will explain more fully :

General Order No. 85.

Cumberland Gap. September 5, 1862.

Soldiers: Unlike the rebel commanders, I have the fullest confi- dence in the intelligence, as in the devoted courage of the brave men who compose the rank and file, and, as to brothers and friends, 1 communicate to you all the important movements of the opposing armies. As you are aware, soldiers, General Smith lately crossed into Kentucky with 25,000 men, who were met at Big Hill by a little army composed of 10,000 Kentuckians, Indianians and Ohioans, and after a gallant struggle, which lasted for three days, our forces fell back to the Kentucky River, met a large reinforcement under General Nelson, and. on Wednesday, were again gallantly fighting.

You will all be glad to know that our brave comrades of the 3d Kentucky and Mundy's Cavalry participated in the fight and covered themselves with glory.

Now, soldiers, you are about to be called upon to prove that you po<-s «s the highest attributes of courage, endurance and fortitude. If you are true to yourselves and our cause you will receive the thanks and admiration of the Nation.

The first thing to be done is to learn economy. Do not waste a grain of bread or an ounce of meat, and give up the pernicious habit of eating green corn. Let the corn get ripe, for we will need every ear

Story of the First Wisconsin Battery. 75

of it to make bread. Let it be your pride, soldiers, to preserve this mountain stronghold to the Union, and though Tennessee, Kentucky and Virginia should be overcome for a time by the foe, let us guard one sacred spot on the soil of each of these States over which the Stars and Stripes shall defiantly wave. By command of General Morgan.

CHARLES O. JOLINE, A. D. C. Headquarters United States Forces,

Manchester, Sept. 20, 1862.

General Halleck censured Morgan for presuming to uhold on," in pursuance of his own orders, when he was short of pro- visions, but General Wright defended Morgan, and Halleck afterwards ungraciously "crawfished."

Our army was now destitute of supplies; not a Union soldier within 200 miles and engirdled by the armies of Stevenson, Smith, Bragg and Humphrey Marshall, with John Morgan and his "fearless riders'' ready to pounce on rear or front. The enemy would not attack, for, as Colonel Forsyth, then on the staff of General Bragg, says in his ''Memoranda of Facts," uThe stronghold of Cumberland Gap would have defied our combined armies in a direct assault." Colonel Capron, one of Kirby Smith's staff, said they looked upon us as prisoners, but thought possibly we might try to get out of the trap by going into Virginia, in which case we would be surely captured by a portion of their army. They never dreamed it possible for us to get away from them. Kirby Smith, when at Cumberland Ford, sent a demand to General Morgan for a surrender, to which General Morgan replied: "If you want this fortress, come and take it." He did not want it — at least he did not comply with the terms contingent upon its surrender.

Perhaps the best idea of our situation and condition may be gained from the following extract from the account of said siege furnished by General Morgan to the Century War Book. He says:

"Our situation was now critical. We had been three months in this isolated position. Our only reasonable hope of succor had been destroyed by the defeat of Nelson's force at Richmond on the 30th of August. We w^ere destitute of forage. The horses of the 9th Ohio Battery literally starved to death, and their skeletons were dragged outside the lines. Our supplies of food were rapidly becoming exhausted. DeCourcey had been sent to Manchester, GO miles distant, in hope of obtaining sup- plies, but there was scarcely enough for his own brigade. En- veloped on every side by the enemy, absolutely cut off from my base of supplies, and with starvation staring us in the face, I assembled a council of war, and stating the situation in a few words, asked for the opinion of the members. Spears, Car- ter and Baird (DeCourcey being absent) gave it as then* opin- ion, in which I concurred, that retreat was inevitable. In fact, I

76 Story of the First Wisconsin Battery.

had already marked out in red chalk on the map of Kentucky my line of retreat, just as it was afterwards carried out. Hold- ing out the idea that we were seeking to obtain supplies by the way of the barren wilderness through which I proposed to reach the Ohio, I had previously caused Lieutenant-Colonel George W. Gallup, of the 14th Kentucky, a soldier of rare merit, to send me at intervals men of his command familiar with the country through which each day's march would have to be made. The information given me by these brave mountaineers was discouraging. The want of water, the rugged character of the defiles, the almost absolute want of supplies, were stated by everyone, but the opinion was expressed that a few wagons, laden with half a ton each, might get through. My topograph- ical engineer. Captain Sidney S. Lyon, a man of fine intelli- gence and skill, had been the geologist of Kentucky, and was familiar with every foot of the State. Pointing out to him the line I had marked across the map I said : 'Can I take my divi- sion by that route to the Ohio River?' 'Yes, possibly by abandoning the artillery and wagons.' However, there was no practical choice. To retreat on Lexington would have placed my division, with its reduced numbers, between Stevenson in our immediate rear, and Smith in our front, Bragg on our left and Humphrey Marshall on our right, with the passes of the Wild Cat or the Big Hill to overcome. I therefore determined to retreat by the red chalk line, and at all hazards to take my artillery and wagons with me.

"Stevenson, who knew as well as I did that I must attempt a retreat, was vigilant and energetic. From a knob on the east flank of Baptist Gap. with the aid of a good telescope, he could see all that was going on in Cumberland Gap. His line was nearly a semi-circle, the opposite points of the diameter rest- ing on the mountain's base to the right and left of the Gap. His policy was to starve us out."

During our occupancy of the Gap a large magazine had been built and stored with a good supply of ammunition, and an arsenal provided in which there had been placed 4.000 stands of small arms. A vast storehouse capable of holding supplies for 20.000 men for six months was built, and until our com- munications were cut off there were numerous wagon trains transporting rations and other supplies from Lexington. Not so much had been received, however, but what Ave found our- selves besieged and short of provisions, particularly bread and meat. There was. however, a considerable supply of cotfee, sugar and beans on hand. As soon as it was fully decided to retreat by the "chalk Fine*' preparations were promptly made for the "excursion. " Strict orders limiting the amount of bag- gage of officers and men were issued. The former were

Story of the First Wisconsin Battery. 77

limited to a valise while the latter were restricted to as little as could possibly be required. All surplus clothing was to be destroyed. In short, we were to take only that which would be absolutely necessary for the trip. All tents were to be destroyed and all wagons and harness that could not be taken for want of horses or mules were to be cut up or burned. The Battery was furnished with mules in place of its horses, which had been given to the cavalry soon after we were surrounded by the enemy, as were all other ser- viceable horses in the command. The six 20-pounder Parrotts were put in charge of Lieutenant Webster and a detail of a company of the 5th Tennessee Regiment, commanded by Cap- tain Young. As it was thought quite probable that these guns might have to be abandoned, and as there were no serviceable horses or mules, not otherwise "appropriated," the condemned horses, of which there was a goodly number, were turned over to Webster to haul his guns with. These horses were not only poor in flesh but were worn down and afflicted with numerous and expansive collar and saddle galls. They were, in fact, a sorry lot, the only redeeming feature of the case being that there were plenty of them, there being enough to furnish eight horses to each gun and caisson, with 12 or 15 extra. Lieutenant Webster applied for a team to carry sup- plies and camp equipage, but it was refused, as no camp equip- age was to be taken. As he had the horses he thought they might as well haul something along as far as they went, so took a squad of men and six of the best horses from the "extras" and went first to the pile of harness that had been "marked for destructionv and selected harness for them, then to the place where the wagons were being gathered for the burning that awaited them, and selected and hitched on to a good one that was well fitted with sheets and bows. He then drove to the commissary building where the extra stores were being destroyed and loaded into his wagon a barrel of beans, a sack of cofiee. and a barrel of sugar, and from there to his headquarters and put in his trunk (which he has at this writ- ing) and then ordered the driver to take his place in the Quar- termaster's train when it should start. The "deception" was never detected by the higher authorities, and as a consequence the siege battery had colfee in plenty for use and to trade with the few natives that had anything to trade for it, as well as to share with their less fortunate comrades. Captain Foster also "smuggled" an ambulance, in which he carried his trunk, a tent and sundry other plunder.

The army tents were cut and torn in such a manner as to render them unserviceable for shelter or seclusion, and were left standing. All other property that could not be taken was destroyed. The 30-pounder Parrotts were dismounted, spiked.

78 Story of the First Wisconsin Battery.

solid shot rammed down them and the trunnions knocked off or so weakened as to render them unserviceable, as was thought. They were all placed upon blocks under either end and then subjected to constant hammering with ponderous sledges mid- way between the said blocks, with a view to springing or bend- ing the said guns. The writer hereof witnessed the spiking, the ramming of the shot home, the commencement of the ham- mering and the drilling and the wedging of the trunnions and was led to believe that the work had been well and thoroughly done, but he has since learned that two of said guns were not injured and that the rebels had gotten them up and put them in use. General Morgan further says in the Century War Book:

"'During the night of the 16th of September a long train of wTagons was sent toward Manchester under the convoy of Colo- nel Coburn's 33d Indiana, two companies of Garrard's 3d Kentucky Kegimeiit, and the 9th Ohio Battery. This entire night and the following day, every preparation was made for the retreat. Mines had been constructed to blow up the maga- zines and the arsenal and fire the vast storehouses constructed and under construction. Everything moved with the precision of a well-constructed and well-oiled piece of machinery, until late in the afternoon of the 17th, when a report came from our signal station on the crest of the mountain that a flag of truce was approaching from the enemy. This was in reality a party of observation. I therefore sent Lieutenant-Colonel Gallup, with a small escort and a few shrewd officers, to meet the enemy's flag outside our picket lines. The officers on either side were laughing and joking together, when suddenly a glare of fire shone from the valley at the foot of the Gap and a volume of smoke curled over Poor Valley .Ridge. One of the Confed- erates exclaimed, *Why, Colonel, what does that mean? It looks like an evacuation.' With admirable coolness and ad- dress Gallup replied, 'Not much; Morgan has cut away the timber obstructing the range of his guns and they are" now burning the brush on the mountain side.' This off-hand ex- planation was apparently satisfactory, but the fact was that some reckless person had fired a Quartermaster's building, — a criminal blunder that might have cost us dear.

'*On the night of the 17th Gallup, with a body of picked men, was left to guard the three roads leading from the camps of Stevenson, and to fire the vast Quartermaster buildings, as well as the enormous storehouse, nearly completed, on the crest of the mountain, and near the Gap. The arsenal, containing four thousand stands of small arms, and a large amount of shells and grenades, had been mined and trains had been laid to the

Story of the First Wisconsin Battery. 79

"At S o'clock that night my command wheeled into column with the coolness and precision of troops on review; and with- out hurry, without confusion, with no loud commands, but with resolute confidence, the little army, surrounded by peril on every side, set out on its march of over 200 miles through the wilderness. Toward morning Gallup fired the vast buildings and trains leading to the mines. The shock of the explosion was felt fourteen miles away; the flaming buildings lighted up the sky as though the Gap and mountain crests were a volcano on tire, and from time to time till after dawn we heard the ex- plosion of mines, shells or grenades. At Manchester we halted for a day and a half to concentrate the command, and to or- ganize for the march before us. A day or two before a soldier had murdered a comrade in cold blood, under circumstances of great aggravation. I had ordered a court to try him. The sen- tence, of course, was death, and at the very moment of the exe- cution the firing of our troops could be heard repelling the dash of Stevenson's cavalry on the wagon train."

The "chalk line" that we were to follow in our search for "the happy land of Canaan" led through the counties of Bell, Knox, Clay, Owsley, AVolf, Elliott, Carter, Morgan and Greenup. The principal towns through which we passed were Flat Lick, Manchester, Proctor, Hazel Green, West Liberty and Grayson.

General Spear's Tennessee Brigade, with a section of the 1st Wisconsin Battery between the different regiments, led the column and made Flat Lick, 20 miles distant, before halting. It was of General Spear that General Morgan wrote to General Wright, "He is energetic and able, but don't comprehend that war is not extermination." The last of the army had scarcely left the camps before the work of destruction began, resulting in as grand a display of fireworks as one could reasonably expect to see in a lifetime. The grass was not allowed to grow under our feet until we reached Manchester, where the column was halted for rest and concentration. As soon as General Morgan arrived he issued the following order:

General Order No. 98.

Soldiers: Instead of a stronghold you left Cumberland Gap a mass of smouldering ruins, and marched away like conquerors from the field of their triumph.

Without the loss of a man you held it for three months and in- creased its strength a hundredfold. During the one month you were besieged you sent out five expeditions, four times attacked the enemy. captured five hundred prisoners and killed and wounded about 117 more, and when your services were demanded elsewhere you brought with you all your field and nearly all the siege pieces, and the stores and the magazines were blown into the air in the very teeth of the foe.

But now, comrades, new and greater difficulties are to be met and conquered. A long march is before you through a region regarded as

80 Story of the First Wisconsin Battery.

impracticable for an army. It is for you to prove that nothing is impossible to brave men when fighting for their country.

You must economize your rations and make one canteen of water serve for two days' march. When you drink swallow but a mouthful and your thirst will be assuaged. Those who disregard this advice will suffer for their carelessness, and risk being left upon the roadside to the tender mercies of the enemy's cavalry. But I am sure, com- rades, that your judgment and endurance will prove equal to your courage, and that you will secure for yourselves, by your bearing, the confidence and admiration of your country.

GEORGE W. MORGAN, Brigadier-General Commanding. E. D. Saunders, A. D. C. Acting A. A. G.

Notwithstanding the hurry and anxiety incident upon a re- treat with a vastly superior army following close in our rear, time was taken to empanel a court-martial and try a soldier for the crime of murder, condemn, sentence and execute him in the presence of the whole army, before leaving Manchester.

On the 21st of September Patterson's and Tidd's Corps of Engineers, under direction of Lieutenant Craighill, Chief of Engineers, started about 10 a. m. in advance, for the purpose of repairing the roads, escorted by the commands of Colonels Ray and Edwards.

On the 22d the army moved as follows:

Baird's Brigade, with "Webster's siege train, started at 3 p. m. and marched to Island Creek, 10 miles.

Spear's Brigade, with Foster's and Clingman's Batteries, started at 6 a. m. and marched to Island Creek.

Carter's Brigade, with the 9th Ohio Battery, marched at 9 a m. and bivouacked at Island Creek.

DeCourcey's Brigade, with Lamphere's Battery, started at 2 p. m. and bivouacked at Clark's, 10 miles from Manchester.

Thus began one of the mostdiflicult and arduous marches of modern warfare. A small army with a large train of wagons and upwards of 30 pieces of artillery, six of which pieces were heavy guns, surrounded b}* an army of much superior force, with little else than a veritable "chalk mark" for a road to travel upon, and that through a mountainous country which was thought to be impassable for an army. In some instances our route was over roads which were so badly washed that they had not been traveled for years only as bridle paths.

At Proctor, on the Kentucky River, where there was a large grist mill, we had expected to meet the enemy in considerable force, and were prepared for a fight, but when we arrived we found that John Morgan had been there and burned the mill and contents and had withdrawn to attack us at some other point. Here the column halted half a day