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HISTORY
OF THE
EIGHTY-SIXTH REGIMENT
ILLINOIS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY,
DURING ITS TERM OF SERVICE.
By J. R. KINNEAR,
Cruger, Woodford County, Illinois.
CHICAGO:
TRIBUNE COMPANY'S BOOK AND JOB PRINTING OFFICE.
1866.
TO THE
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND ENLISTED MEN
OF THE
EIGHTY-SIXTH REGIMENT
ILLINOIS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY,
_This volume is respectfully dedicated, by_
THE AUTHOR.
PREFACE.
The history of the Eighty-sixth Illinois was written in part while the
regiment was yet in the service, merely for the gratification of a
personal desire; but since its muster out, the author has been
frequently urged by many of his friends to have it published, that they
might share what he alone enjoyed. He complied with an earnest request
from Colonel Fahnestock to meet himself, General Magee, Major Thomas,
Dr. Guth, Captain Zinser and others at Peoria, to have the manuscript
examined before publication. It was met by their hearty approval, and
an eager desire on their part to have it published; at the same time
giving the assurance that they would lend their whole influence in
getting it before the public. For these reasons the author has been
induced to present this little volume to his comrades and friends, in
the hope that it will receive their hearty welcome.
The history of the Eighty-sixth is also the history of the 85th, 125th
and 110th Illinois, together with the 52nd Ohio and 22nd Indiana, all
of the same brigade. Particular mention has been made of these
regiments, for they were to the Eighty-sixth a band of faithful
brothers.
The author acknowledges himself indebted to Colonel Fahnestock, Major
Thomas, Captain Major, and Acting Adjutant Loveland, for the kind
assistance and encouragement they have given him in preparing this
history for publication, and to them he attributes the merit of this
work, if it possesses merit.
THE AUTHOR.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
ORGANIZATION AND MARCH TO NASHVILLE--ABOUT NASHVILLE 9-18
CHAPTER II.
MARCH TO CHATTANOOGA--THE BATTLE OF CHICKAMAUGA 19-28
CHAPTER III.
MISSION RIDGE AND KNOXVILLE 29-36
CHAPTER IV.
ABOUT CHATTANOOGA 37-46
CHAPTER V.
CAMPAIGN AGAINST ATLANTA 47-71
CHAPTER VI.
TO THE REAR 72-78
CHAPTER VII.
RAID TO THE SEA 79-91
CHAPTER VIII.
RAID THROUGH SOUTH CAROLINA--BATTLES OF AVERYSBORO
AND BENTONVILLE 92-108
CHAPTER IX.
CAPTURE OF JOHNSTON'S ARMY 109-114
CHAPTER X.
HOMEWARD BOUND 115-125
REGIMENTAL ROSTER 126-128
CAPTAIN BURKHALTER'S ADVENTURE 129-130
SOLDIERS' LETTERS 131-132
BATTLE 133-134
FARMING IN THE SOUTH 135-137
REBEL LETTER 138-139
HISTORY.
CHAPTER I.
ORGANIZATION, AND MARCH TO NASHVILLE--ABOUT NASHVILLE.
The Eighty-sixth Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry was organized
at Peoria in the latter part of August, 1862. David D. Irons was made
Colonel; David W. Magee, Lieutenant-Colonel; J. S. Bean, Major, and J.
E. Prescott, Adjutant.
On the 26th of August the captains of the several companies drew lots
for the letters of their companies, and on the next day the regiment
was mustered into the United States service for the period of three
years or during the war. On the 29th of the same month it received one
month's pay, amounting to thirteen dollars. Nothing more of importance
occurred until the 6th of September, when the regiment drew its guns
and its first suit of army blue. While at Peoria the Eighty-sixth was
rendezvoused at Camp Lyon, a name given it by Colonel Irons. Time
passed slowly, for all were anxious to move to the seat of war, and
were not at rest till they did. Finally, orders came, and on the 7th of
September the regiment boarded the cars for Louisville.
Every member of the Eighty-sixth left Peoria with mingled feelings of
pleasure and pain--pleasure, that they were about to participate in the
great struggle for Union and Liberty--pain, that they were called upon
to part with their nearest and dearest friends. It was on Sunday
morning; beautiful and bright the sun shone upon its bristling armor as
the regiment marched through the city with measured tread, bound for
the "land of Dixie." The streets and balconies were filled with anxious
friends, and fair hands waved us an affectionate adieu--hands which
were not only true to us in our pride and strength, but also in the
darkest hour of our trials and suffering. In long days after this, when
men turned copperheads by scores, these same _fair ones_ proved true.
"God bless the _fair_!" The regiment arrived in Jeffersonville,
opposite Louisville, on the morning of the 9th, going into camp at Jo.
Holt, on the Ohio river, across from the city of Louisville. At this
camp the regiment first began to soldier, taking its first lessons in
lying out in the open air. While at Jo. Holt it was drill, drill,
almost constantly--the boys were not able to do enough drilling; but
for all that, this camp became dear to us; especially in after times
when water was scarce, memory would revert to the cool crystal waters
of Jo. Holt.
After getting a partial outfit for campaigning, the regiment quit the
Indiana side of the river, and crossed over to Louisville on the 14th.
It again took up camp two miles south of the city in a very unpleasant
situation, now remaining about Louisville until the 1st of October.
At one time, our brigade, which was formed on the 15th of September,
and afterwards known as the 36th brigade of General Sheridan's division
of Gilbert's corps, was marched through Louisville on grand review.
This march was a severe one. The day was intensely hot and the roads
dusty; then, the narrow streets made it doubly suffocating. Many fell
powerless and died, and others received injuries for life. That day
will long be remembered by those who were participators in its toils.
The 85th and 125th Illinois, together with the 52nd Ohio regiment, were
in the same brigade with the Eighty-sixth, and remained with it until
all were discharged from the service at Washington City. The history of
the Eighty-sixth Illinois is their history, and they were to each other
as a band of brothers. Colonel Dan. McCook, of the 52nd Ohio, was
placed in command of this newly formed brigade.
Soon after the formation of our brigade it made two other marches over
the dusty roads in the direction of Bardstown, nearly as severe as the
first one. They were doubtless unnecessary, and for that reason harder
to perform, amounting to nothing, only out in the country ten or twelve
miles and back again--training, no doubt. After these marches, the
command was put in the rifle-pits that encircled the city of
Louisville, for the Confederate army under General Bragg was near at
hand menacing it. There was great excitement about this time, as we
were unaccustomed to the work, and it went odd. While remaining at
Louisville, the Eighty-sixth went on picket for the first time. Its
acts and thoughts on this occasion were certainly novel, and furnished
a fund of great amusement in its after career. The regiment was just
beginning to experience many of the roughs and cuffs incidental to the
opening scenes of soldier life. Diarrhea became a plague to many, and a
change of diet a source of discomfort to others, which, upon the whole,
caused us to lead a rather gloomy life at first; then we were ignorant
of the many advantages an old soldier has acquired by long experience,
which advantages greatly modify the hardships and discomforts of
out-door life.
While the regiment lay at Louisville, a large army was being brought
together in order to oppose the encroachments of the enemy under Bragg,
which had advanced as far as Bardstown. The forces on our part were
commanded by Major General Buell, a man of questionable loyalty, as
future events determined.
Finding that the enemy were not going to attack him, Gen. Buell issued
orders for the advance of his whole command on the 1st day of October.
Accordingly, the line of march was taken up at the time specified in
the order, the 36th brigade being among the troops that went. As
Buell's army advanced, the enemy retreated, taking with him large
supplies from the country. Our forces followed rapidly for seven days,
when Gen. McCook's command overtook a portion of Bragg's army at
Chaplin Hills or Perryville. Here, on the next day, the 8th of October,
was fought the desperate battle of Perryville.
The 36th brigade was on the left of the division and had moved forward
early in the morning, accompanied by Barnett's 2nd Illinois battery,
and occupied its position. The 85th Illinois, Colonel Moore, was
deployed upon the right, and the 52nd Ohio on the left. The 125th
Illinois, Colonel Harmon, was held as a reserve, and the 86th Illinois
was on the picket line. At an early hour the rebel skirmishers opened a
sharp fire on the 86th, and although this was the first fight in which,
it was ever engaged, it advanced steadily upon them and drove them back
in confusion with severe loss. Irritated at the loss of their position,
the rebels massed upon the right and left, and commenced a furious fire
from their batteries upon the brigade.
The firing continued for an hour, but the brigade resolutely held its
ground. About this time Barnett's battery took position and silenced
their guns. In the meantime, the 125th Illinois came to the support of
the battery, and did its work splendidly, and the rebels retired,
leaving the brigade in possession of the ground it had won.
A cavalry force now advanced in the direction the rebels were
retreating, and were soon furiously attacked. The situation became
critical. The cavalry was hard pressed, but with the assistance of the
2nd Missouri regiment, together with the 2nd Michigan and 15th
Missouri, the enemy was completely routed at this point, making no
other effort until 3 o'clock P.M., when General Bragg, in person, led
his host against this position. After the most desperate fighting this
last effort proved abortive.
From the commencement of this battle it grew fiercer and fiercer as the
day advanced, and the sun of that day went down in blood. This was the
first contest in which the 36th brigade was called upon to take a part,
and though it was not as active as many others, it did promptly all
that was required. Colonel McCook paid it high compliment for the
soldierly manner in which it did its duty. The loss of the Eighty-sixth
in this engagement was one killed and thirteen wounded. The battle of
Perryville was evenly contested by the opposing forces, neither side
having gained material advantage, though if there was a balance due
either party, it was in favor of the Federals.
On the morning after the battle our brigade moved forward to the main
portion of the battle-field, the enemy having retreated under cover of
night, leaving his dead and wounded on the field. The brigade remained
in its last position three days, when on the morning of the 12th the
army took up the line of pursuit, passing through Danville and
Lancaster, and arriving at Crab Orchard on the 16th. The pursuit was
now no longer continued, the enemy being allowed to make good his
escape with all his forage and plunder.
Nashville now became Gen. Bragg's objective point, making it a race to
see which army could reach it first. Accordingly, on the 20th of
October the line of march was taken up for Nashville, the 36th brigade
passing back through Lancaster and Danville, thence following the main
road leading to Bowling Green. It remained a few days near Mammoth
Cave, in order to recruit its strength, being sorely fatigued. Many of
the Eighty-sixth took this opportunity to see that great natural
wonder. On the 31st of the month we arrived in Bowling Green, where the
brigade remained a few days to recruit and draw clothing, preparatory
to its further march. Leaving this place, it followed the main road to
Nashville, where it arrived on the 7th of November.
The timely arrival of our army in Nashville relieved the anxious little
garrison from further apprehensions of danger, and after so long a time
the city was once more opened to communication. Here ended the arduous
campaign against the forces of Gen. Bragg, the army being permitted to
go into winter-quarters in and about Nashville.
The campaign just ended was one that tried the bone and muscle of the
new levy of troops that had just entered the field. Water was very
scarce, it being impossible to procure a sufficient quantity for our
real good, and even that was of the most inferior kind; it was, in
fact, unfit for a beast, and enough to sicken and kill a human. Our
mode of cooking and eating then seems now to be ridiculous indeed; it
was every man for himself, boiling his coffee in a pint tin and
roasting his meat on a stick. Being barbarously ignorant of the
profession of a soldier, we would carry unnecessary loads which we were
afterwards taught to discard; and undergoing toilsome marches over a
rough and desolate country, under the scorching rays of a Southern sun,
with not enough water to wash down the dust we were compelled to
breathe. The men would readily push away the thick green scum from
every stagnant pool and drink with a relish. Lazy swine were forced to
leave their muddy beds to give place to the cup of the thirsty soldier.
The Eighty-sixth Regiment in after times was wont to look back on this
campaign--its first lesson in soldiering--with more commiseration and
regret than any period of its subsequent career. It consumed
thirty-eight days of the severest toils and privations, than which no
other has surpassed, making a distance of over three hundred miles in
pursuit of an exultant and defiant enemy.
The regiment now remained in Edgefield from the 7th of November until
the 23rd, when it was marched to Mill Creek and took up encampment at a
place known as Camp Sheridan. At this camp, on the 4th of December, at
12 o'clock M., the regiment having just returned from drill, was
ordered to fall in and advance upon a force of the enemy's cavalry
which was maneuvering in the vicinity of the camp.
Company A and B were immediately thrown out as skirmishers; the
remainder of the regiment kept back in reserve. The rebels were soon
dispersed, and the regiment returned at night on the double-quick. On
the 9th of December the command was marched to Nashville, taking up
camp there, and put on duty about the city. About this time was led a
sad and disagreeable life, even more so than at any other time. The
boys were new in their profession and entirely ignorant as to what
conveniences a soldier might have even under circumstances so trying,
and in consequence, were compelled to render themselves most unhappy.
Some twenty odd men would live in the same tent, cook from a camp
kettle swung in the middle of it, make their beds on the damp ground,
frequently without even straw or boards under them. Snow fell, and the
cold, keen winds of winter whistled without, while the poor soldiers
lay cold and damp within.
Many were taken ill and died from this exposure; more died and were
discharged during this winter than in all our previous and after term
of service. The hospitals were yet without proper organization, the
sick in them improperly cared for, for war was as yet a new thing,
poorly understood and carried on. The Icelander, in his frigid and icy
home of the far north, in his primeval ignorance, could not have lived
in greater exposure than did the soldiers at this time. The regiment
was called upon to do a great deal of duty, such as picketing about the
city--a business that is anything but pleasant where there are a number
of generals and other fancy officers to be looked after. While on duty
at this place the battles of Stone River were fought. There was an
exciting time in Nashville during this eventful period; everything was
hurry and bustle. The wounded and skulkers came back in great numbers,
each bearing his own report.
During these battles the troops in and about the city had to be in line
of battle at 3 o'clock in the morning; it mattered not what was the
condition of the elements, it was all the same thing; and certainly, if
anything would provoke a soldier to feelings of wrath, this kind of
business would. The first one is to be heard from who ever got used to
it.
On the 25th of March, 1863, the Eighty-sixth was marched to Brentwood,
where only a few hours before the garrison there was surprised and
captured. On the first alarm the regiment was sent to its assistance,
but it reached the fatal spot too late, the rebels having succeeded in
their enterprise and made good their escape. After this reconnoissance
to Brentwood, the regiment returned to Nashville, settling down again
to its old business of picketing and guarding. Nearly two weeks after
this, on the 8th of April, the brigade was sent to Brentwood, in
supporting distance of Franklin. Brentwood was a fine situation for a
camp, and as spring was at hand it was rendered more pleasant still.
Comfortable quarters were readily made, and for the first time we began
to live like men. It was here the boys began a happy reform in that
respect; for instead of lying on the bare ground in the dirt and grass,
they put up bunks, thus leading to their comfort. At this place the
brigade built a fort called Fort Brentwood. It was triangular in form,
having embrazures in the corners of the triangle for guns. Much time
and labor was expended on this work, only to be completed that it might
be demolished--a change in the situation of our army affairs compelling
the evacuation of the fort. Details were made, and on the 3rd of June
the work of demolition was consummated, and on the evening of the same
day the brigade returned to Nashville.
The Eighty-sixth Regiment now remained in Nashville until the first of
July, when it, with the rest of the brigade, was marched to
Murfreesboro. At this encampment the command spent much time and labor
on its camp grounds, but did not remain to reap the fruits thereof, for
in a few days it returned to Nashville, where it remained until the
20th of August, 1863.
About this time occurred a sad epoch in the history of the Eighty-sixth
Regiment--the death of Colonel Irons. After a severe illness he
departed this life on the 11th day of August, leaving behind him a band
of faithful friends to mourn his loss. Colonel Irons had the
qualifications of a good man--a brave and faithful heart. On the day
after his death the brigade escorted his last remains to the depot,
where they were put on the cars and taken to Peoria for burial.
Soon after the death of Colonel Irons, Chaplain G. W. Brown offered his
resignation, which was accepted on the 13th of October succeeding.
Chaplain Brown gave his whole heart to the fulfillment of the duties
incumbent on his office, by attending the sick and suffering of his
regiment with a spirit and energy scarcely ever surpassed. He was
indefatigable in his efforts to promote the happiness and welfare of
his boys, and could always give inquiring friends from abroad the exact
place and condition of the sick and suffering of the regiment.