FROM HATCHER’S RUN TO THE MUSTER-OUT.
On the 12th of April the regiment left Appomattox for Burkesville
Junction, the road was filled with “Johnnies” on their way home, and the
greater portion of them were heartily glad that the war was over, even
though they had to see the flag of the lost cause folded forever.
The next morning we left the Junction on board a train of freight cars
for City Point, fifty-two miles distant. At that place we first learned
of the assassination of President Lincoln. It excited the most profound
grief among all to hear of his death, and in such a manner, just at the
close, as it were, of the Great Rebellion. At first it seemed as though
it was impossible for us to realize the truth of the report; but it
being confirmed by the War Department, we were reluctantly compelled to
believe it.
Our men were all greatly elated over the surrender of Lee and the
probable termination of the war; which fact only seemed to cause a
greater revulsion of feeling at the news of the death of our now
lamented President. If he could have been permitted to witness the final
end of the great struggle through which we were passing, in which we
were endeavoring to sustain the power of our Republican form of
Government, and preserve our free institutions; how gratifying it would
have been to all concerned. But this was not to be. Nevertheless he
passed away, “With malice toward none, but charity toward all.”
Just after leaving Burkesville we met Capt. Chamberlin returning to the
regiment from leave of absence, and Maj. Walker, Paymaster, who was on
his way to the front to pay the troops in our division.
At City Point the regiment embarked on a steamer for Annapolis, arriving
there during the forenoon of the 17th, going into quarters at College
Green Barracks, where clothing was issued to the men, and they got
cleaned up and rested; and on the 21st, in pursuance of orders received
to report at Camp Chase, we were loaded on a train of box cars, and
started for Ohio by the way of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. We moved
very slowly, not exceeding eight miles an hour, passing Martinsburg on
the 22d, Grafton on the 23d, Bellaire and Zanesville on the 24th,
reaching Columbus at 9 o’clock P. M. that night. We went into quarters
at Tod Barracks, and the next day we marched to Camp Chase, where we
remained some time, awaiting the order for “muster out.”
On the 29th President Lincoln’s funeral cortege reached Columbus, on its
way to Springfield, Illinois. One hundred and fifty men of our regiment
were detailed as guard at the State House, while his remains were lying
there in state. All day long a constant procession was filing through
the State House, to take a last view of our “departed Lincoln.”
The officers were now busy preparing Muster-Rolls, and on the 30th the
regiment was mustered.
While in camp here, many of the officers and men visited their homes,
all very anxious for the day of our Muster-out to arrive.
On the 31st of May, it having been decided that we could no longer be
considered paroled prisoners, arms were again issued to the men. This
they objected to strongly, fearing that it was only a prelude to an
order for duty at some other point; and now, that the war was over, the
regiment preferred going home to playing soldier at some post.
Finally, on the 2d of June, a telegram was received from the War
Department, ordering the 123d to be Mustered-out as soon as the
necessary Rolls could be prepared.
Oh the 12th, the rolls having been completed and examined by the
mustering officer, discharges filled out and signed, Company’s A, B, C,
E, and G were mustered out and paid, and before night nearly all of them
were on their way home. The remainder of the regiment was mustered out
on the following day, and left for home; Lieutenant H. Latimer Beck,
13th U. S. Infantry was the mustering officer. Thus, in a few moments,
as it were, the ties that for three years had bound us together, were
sundered. And while in each breast the heart throbs were beating to the
music of “Home, Sweet Home;” thronging memories came trooping up from
the past, of the manly forms who went with us to the field and fell by
the wayside, of those who wasted in hospitals, or in Rebel Prison Pens.
Alas! for them, the home circle must continue to mourn. And as gathered
in groups about the camp to say the last good-bye; manly tears would
come for those who were of our number once, but were now borne on the
grand “muster-roll” in that other camping-ground.
During our three years of service, the regiment had marched two-thousand
one hundred and eighty-four miles, had traveled by rail one thousand
five hundred and thirty-one miles, and by boat one thousand and
seventeen miles. Making a grand total of five thousand seven hundred and
thirty-two miles.
The regiment, besides participating in many skirmishes in the valley of
minor importance, were in the following general engagements:
Winchester, June 13th, 14th and 15th, ’63; New Market, May 15th, ’64;
Piedmont, June 5th, ’64; Lynchburg, June 17th and 18th, ’64; Snicker’s
Ford, July 19th, ’64; Winchester, July 24th, ’64; Berryville, September
3d, ’64; Opequan, September 19th, ’64; Fisher’s Hill, September 22d,
’64; Cedar Creek, October 19th, ’64; Petersburg and Hatcher’s Run, from
March 30th to April 2d, ’65, and High Bride or Farmville, April 6th,
’65, a record of which any regiment may well be proud.