The following incident caused a rupture of friendship between Lieutenant
Evan P. Howell and myself, which made military service unnecessarily
harder on me, owing to our respective ranks. One night, it was on a
Saturday, I had occasion to get up, it was late. I passed the sentinel
on post number one, and recognized William Tolson on duty. I passed the
usual greeting of "Hello! Bill, how do you do," "O, Ike, I'm so sick.
I've one of the hardest chills on me I ever had." "Why don't you call
the Corporal of the Guard, and get relief?" He replied, he wished I
would call him, so I called "Corporal of the Guard, post number one."
Corporal William O'Quinn came up to see what's up. I said, "Corporal,
Tolson is sick and ought to be relieved." Presently the Corporal
returned from headquarters, saying the officers are all gone over to
Patterson, they were having a dance at the Quartermaster's, Major
Cranston, and there is no one at headquarters but Dr. Stevenson who is
drunk, and I can't get any sense out of him. When I told him that one
of the men were sick, he said "You see that puppy, is he not the finest
you have ever seen?" having reference to a small dog he fondled.
Finding out that I can't get any relief, I came back, so I told Tolson
to go in and I would stand guard in his place. Tolson was a good
soldier, he was a native Englishman, and when he got over his chill he
was loud in his denunciation as to his treatment, so he was punished for
having spoken derogatory about the officers and condemned to wear ball
and chain for twenty-four hours. This was the first time that I knew
there was such a thing as a ball and chain in camp for the punishment of
man. The following Monday night, the writer having found out all about
the particulars and the doings at the Quartermaster's, wrote up a
program of intoxication at Granston Hall, Saturday night, March 1863. I
treated the matter more of a burlesque than otherwise, and wound up in
these words: "That's the way Confederate whiskey goes, pop goes the
Government." Captain Martin was off and Lieutenant Howell was in
command. Lieutenants Bland and Roberson laughed over the matter and took
it good naturedly. W. N. Harmon was the only man in the Company who saw
me write the article, and when finished I read it to him. He pronounced
it a good joke and asked me what I was going to do with it. I said, "I
am going to stick it up on the big pine where general orders are posted,
so that the men can read it after reveille call," so he made some
lightwood pegs, and we went together and posted it. The article was not
signed, and was written in a round handwriting. The men enjoyed it and
laughed a great deal over it, when Sergeant Fulford came up and tore
down the paper, and carried it to the officer's tent. They inquired,
what is the matter, what are the men laughing about. He presented the
paper. Lieutenant Howell, after reading it, got raving mad, while
Lieutenants Roberson and Bland took it good naturedly. Lieutenant Howell
was determined to find out the author, so during the day he took up the
men by fours and swore them on the Bible, if they knew who wrote the
paper. I was at the station on that day and was absent. When I returned
to my mess, they told me what was going on, and that Lieutenant Howell
was trying to find out who wrote that article, so I said, "Bill,"
meaning William Harmon, "He took up the wrong men; if he had called on
me I would have saved him that trouble". He answered, "Well, what will
you do?" "Well, you don't believe that I would swear to a lie?" I got up
saying, "I will satisfy his curiosity," and up to his tent I went. He
was sitting in a chair smoking. "Good evening Lieutenant," says I. "I
understand that you are very anxious to know who wrote that paper
Sergeant Fulford submitted for your inspection. I can give you all the
information you require." Lieutenant Howell at once brightened up and
became all smiles. "You know--who did it?" "Your humble servant." In a
twinkling his countenance changed. He became pale with rage, working
himself into a passion, and very peremptorily ordered me to stand at
attention. I at once planted my heels together to form a perfect angle,
placed my little fingers along the seams of my pantaloons, my arms
extending at full length, my body erect, facing my superior officer. I
humbly remarked, "Will that do?"--"What did you do it for?"--"You had
your fun, am I not entitled to have some?"--"You made false charges; you
said we drank Government whiskey. I want you to understand what liquor
we drank we bought and paid for it." "Well, Lieutenant, I have not
accused anybody; not even mentioned a single name, but if the cap fits
you, you can wear it. I have nothing to retract." By that time, Howell
was surely mad. "I-I-I reduce you to ranks! I put you on double duty for
thirty days and to wear ball and chain." "Is that all?" "Lieutenant, I
volunteered in the Confederate army to do my full duty, as I always have
done, in regard to duty; you only can put me on every other day, but
when it comes to degrading me by making me wear ball and chain, I give
you fair notice that I will kill any man who attempts to place the same
on my limbs," and I made my exit, going to my mess-mates. "Well, how did
you come out?" the boys asked me. I related what had passed between
Lieutenant and I. William Harmon, then said, "Did you tell him that I
helped you stick it up?" I said, "No, I shouldered the whole
responsibility. What good would it do to implicate you?" "Well you shall
not be the only one to do double duty," and off he went to tell
Lieutenant Howell that he also had a hand in it, and consequently he was
also condemned to double duty for thirty days. "Did he also tell you to
wear ball and chain?" Harmon said "No."
That night, I slept, as the saying is, with one eye open. I had my
pistol within easy reach, and my sabre by my side. No attempt however,
was made to chain me. The following morning I was called for guard duty.
I took my post, carrying my sabre across my neck, bear fashion. My post
was in full view of the officers' headquarters. When Lieutenant Howell
sent Sergeant Hines to me to tell me if I didn't carry my sabre at
"Carry Sabre," he would keep me on four hours instead of two. Having
been the bugler of the Company I was never instructed how to carry
sabre. "Sergeant, can't you teach me how?" Hines remarked, "I know you
know better how to handle a sabre than anyone in camp. I have seen you
and Hoffman fight at Laurel Hill. I tell you, I have been on duty all
night and I would like to go to sleep. This may be fun to you, but not
to me, just now." I said, "Well Bill, go ahead," so I carried my sword
to suit his Excellency, the commanding officer.
Later in the day J. J. Sheppard came to me saying, "Ike, Lieutenant
Howell told me that I was appointed bugler in your place." "Well, sir, I
congratulate you on your promotion." "He said for me to ask you for the
bugle." I said, "All right Sheppard," I took the bugle and broke it in
halves and handed it to Sheppard. He looked astonished--I remarked,
"That instrument is private property and belongs to me, my money paid
for it, and I have a right to handle it as I please, not meaning any
disrespect to you, Sheppard." The following day, word came in camp for
volunteers to handle siege pieces in Charleston, S. C. The enemy making
heavy demonstration against that City. The Company sent men they could
spare, among whom I formed a contingent part. My detachment was placed
in the battery in charge of a heavy siege gun. The people of that City
treated us royally and brought us plenty of provisions besides what we
got from the commissary. We remained there a couple of weeks. The whole
business turned out to be a fiasco, and we returned back to our camps.
It was one of the most pleasant periods I have enjoyed during the whole
war. I was again called on duty when I remarked, "This comes around
pretty often." The Sergeant remarked, "You have to finish your
sentence." I at once went to headquarters and met Lieutenant Howell and
said, "Do you intend to make me finish the penalty you imposed on me?"
"To be sure, I do," was his reply. "Well, you can't do it after you
accepted my services for Charleston," and I demanded a court-martial
before I would finish it. Afterwards Sergeant Hines came from
headquarters, saying, "Howell said, Ike got me," "I have no right to
inflict a continuance of punishment after accepting his services in some
other direction, but confound him, I'll get even with him." Thus matters
stood, when some fine day the ball and chain was missing, no one knew
what became of it, but somewhere in the middle of the Ogeechee River
some two hundred yards below Camp Arnold, it may be found now, having
rested there these forty six years.
On the eighth of May we were ordered to Mississippi. We went by the way
of Columbus, Ga., arriving there about three o'clock P. M. The ladies
had prepared a fine spread for us at the depot. The men were hungry.
Capt. F. G. Wilkins being mayor of the City, Mayor Wilkins was Captain
of the Columbus Guards, Company B, First Regiment, Georgia Volunteers,
and on his return home, after his severe experience of one year's
military service, he preferred civil service as more congenial to his
feelings. He was a brave and fearless soldier. At Carricks Ford, he and
twelve of his men got mixed in with the Yankees, who at that time wore
also grey uniforms. They were Ohio troops. Captain Wilkins on seeing
his dilemma, formed his men into line, then into column making them go
through evolutions, and manual of arms, and marched them to the rear,
and out of the Yankee columns without being suspicioned or receiving a
scratch. Such coolness is not often exhibited on a danger line, and
Captain Wilkins reached Monterey long before any of the Regiment did,
and saved himself and his men a great deal of hardship.
When alighting from the train and seeing all those good things prepared
for us, I at once took my position. A lady remarked, "Help yourself." I
took hold of a piece of fowl, and as I was about to take a bite, someone
struck me on the arm with such force that the piece of fowl dropped out
of my hand, and someone said, "Those things are not for you." It was
Mayor Wilkins. He was glad to see me, and said, "I have something better
for you, boys. How many of the First Georgia are here? Get them all
together and follow me." We were about a dozen of the old Washington
Rifles. He conducted us to a room where we met a committee of gentlemen.
After the usual shaking hands and introductions, we passed into another
chamber. I never beheld a more bountiful and artistically prepared
spread. Provisions arranged on a revolving table, shelved to a pyramid,
and loaded with delicious wines. In a corner of the room was a table
covered with case liquors of every description, and some fine cigars. I
was astonished, I had no idea such delicacies could have been gotten in
the whole Confederacy. We surely did enjoy the hospitality of that
Committee. Mayor Wilkins introduced me to a Mr. Rothschild, saying, "I
want you to take good care of him, he is a splendid fellow." Turning to
me he said, "Hermann, I want you to stay all night with this gentleman,
he will treat you all right." I said, "Captain Wilkins, I can't leave
camps without a permit, and myself and Captain Howell are not on such
terms as for me to ask him for any favors." "Well, I'll arrange that,
you come along." Captain Wilkins said to Howell, "I want Ike to go home
with my friend here," designating Mr. Rothschild. Captain Howell said,
"You'll have to be here by seven o'clock, A. M. The train will leave at
that time." Mr. Rothschild spoke up, saying, "I'll have him here on
time." I was royally treated; the lady of the house and daughter played
on the piano and sang. I joined in the chorus 'till late in the night,
when I was shown to my room, nicely furnished, a nice clean feather bed
and all the requisites for comfort, but I could not sleep, I did not lay
comfortable. The two years service I had seen, made a feather bed rather
an impediment to my repose, having become accustomed to sleep out doors
on the hard ground, with my knapsack as a pillow, so I got up, put my
knapsack under my head and lay by the side of the bed on the carpet, and
slept like a log the balance of the night; so soundly, that I did not
hear the negro boy who was sent to my room to blacken my boots, open the
door, but I heard a noise like someone slamming the door and I heard
someone running down stairs. I heard many voices talking, and someone
coming up stairs, opening the door very unceremoniously, I looked--there
was Mr. Rothschild,--greatly astonished and laughing, he could hardly
talk. Finally he said, "What in the world made you lay on the floor." I
explained to him that being no longer used to sleeping on a bed, I could
not rest until I got on the hard floor. Then he told me he had sent up a
boy to blacken my boots, who had scared them all by telling them that
the man up stairs had fallen off of the bed and lay dead on the floor. I
took my ablution, and went down to breakfast, all enjoying that I was
still able to do justice to the meal that my kind host and hostess set
before me. After many thanks and good byes to Mr. and Mrs. Rothschild
and the family, Mr. Rothschild and myself went down to the train, which
was in waiting. Everything was soon ready and we departed for Mobile,
Ala. At Greenville, Ala., I met General W. H. T. Walker for the first
time. Martin's battery was assigned to his brigade. Captain Martin was
promoted to Major, and Chief of Staff of General Walker's brigade, and
Lieutenant Evan P. Howell, by right of seniority, took his place as
Captain. From Mobile, we went to Jackson, Miss., one section of two
cannons were left behind under charge of Lieutenant Robson. The balance
arrived at destination at about three o'clock P. M., May 12th, 1863. We
unloaded the pieces at once, and all the accoutrements, all the horses
and harnessed them up without the loss of any time, took up the line of
march towards Raymond Springs. The weather was very warm and the road of
red clay was very dusty for men marching in columns. The dust would rise
like clouds of ashes at every step. It must be remembered that it was
ration day, but we had no time to draw any. As we advanced, we met
General Gists' Brigade just out of a fight with General Grant's forces,
who landed at Port Gibson, on his forward move to Vicksburg. General
Gist had several prisoners. Among them was a Captain. I spoke to him and
asked him about the strength of Grant's army. Of course, I did not
expect a truthful answer. He replied, "If you'll keep on in the
direction you are going, you will meet him. He is not so very far, ahead
of you, and when you do meet him, you will think he has more than enough
to eat you all up." Well, he did tell the truth, and it has been our
misfortune all through the war to fight against many odds. We kept
advancing, when of a sudden the command was ordered to halt. We formed
ourselves into battery, and I was placed in charge of a detachment.
General Walker ordered me to follow him. About two hundred yards ahead
the road took a sudden turn around the bluff, which commanded a straight
stretch of about a mile. General Walker ordered me to unlimber my gun
and place it in position, so as to command that road, and ordered me to
fire into any cavalry that might appear. At the further end of my view
was a water mill. I remarked, "General, had I not better let them
advance somewhat, so as not to waste too much ammunition?" "You must use
your own judgment," said he. Looking about me, I saw no infantry in
close proximity, so I ventured to ask him where my support was. He
answered, "Support Hell!--If they charge you, fight them with the hand
spikes, don't you never leave this post," and left.
Mr. James F. Brooks acted as my No. 1. I asked him if he had made his
will, if not, he had better, as we were there to stay. We watched with
all our eyes, we saw no enemies. Just about dark, we were ordered to
limber up, and double quick to the rear, for about a mile, the enemy
having taken another route and we were in danger of being cut off. Weary
and footsore, having marched about ten miles that afternoon, we retraced
our steps within about three miles of Jackson, hungry and thirsty, we
marched on, large oaks bordered the road at places and the roots
protruded above the surface of the ground; having on a pair of shoes,
left foot number six for a number 8 foot, while my right shoe was a
number 10 brogan, I crammed cotton in shoe number 10 to prevent too much
friction and cut off the end of number 6 to avoid the painful sensation
of being cramped, but misfortunes never come single--the night became
dark and it threatened to rain. I stumbled over one of those protruding
roots and tore off half of my unprotected toe nail on my left foot, a
most excruciating and painful sensation. I did not swear, because I was
speechless. I mounted the caisson, our horses were jaded, had had no
food nor water that day, but managed to get into camp. Dr. Stewart, our
surgeon was left at Jackson, with a few of our command who were sick. W.
J. Bell was our ambulance driver. He drove me to Dr. Stewart's camp to
dress my wound that night. I was all O. K. next morning, when the ball
opened after day break. Our pickets announced the enemy's advance. The
skirmishes then came into play and kept the advance at some bay for some
time, our forces placing themselves in position to receive them in due
form. We were five thousand strong, while the enemy numbered twenty-five
thousand. At about eleven A. M. orders came from our right to left to
fall back, and we gradually withdrew, putting on our prolongs, and
firing occasionally as we retraced our steps. When the fight first
opened I was in the rear, as stated, on account of my foot, but after
being dressed and hearing the firing, I made for the front, and reported
to Captain Howell for duty, while he was in line of battle on the
extreme left. He said his detachment was complete, to report to the
next. Having only four pieces of artillery in action, two under charge
of Lieutenant Robson not having yet arrived, they were placed along the
front about two hundred yards apart, all had full working force. I
retraced my steps and so reported to the Captain, saying, "Well,
Captain, there being no use for me here, I shall go to the rear to
protect myself and watch the progress of the fight, should there be any
casualties in the Company I'll take their place--no use for me to be
here unless I can be of some service." Up to that time the skirmish line
was still contending for every inch of the ground. Captain Howell says
to me, "You stay here, and act as my orderly. I'm hoarse anyhow, and you
have a good voice and can repeat my orders and commands," so I was
installed by the side of the Captain. The ground on which we stood was a
gradual incline, while that of the enemy was about on a level with us,
leaving a sort of a basin or valley between both lines. It was a novel
sight to see our skirmishers contending every inch of the ground before
an overwhelming force, to see them load and fire, and gradually falling
back, facing the advancing foe. When suddenly they emerged from the
woods, where they were concealed, and advanced in platoon form, sending
their deadly missiles into our thin skirmishers ranks. I said, "This is
more than our men can stand, let me throw a shell over their heads,
into their ranks." He answered, "Do so, but don't shoot our men." "No
danger," said I. I depressed the bridge of my piece, raising the muzzle
about four fingers. No. four pulled the laniard. It had a good effect,
and resulted in stopping their advance, and thus enabled our skirmishers
to come in. My fire also gave them our position and distance. They at
once formed a battery in front of us. I aimed a second shot at a white
horse. Captain Howell watching its effect. I being behind the gun, the
smoke prevented me from so doing, when he said, "You got him." I soon
found out that I had done some damage and that my range was accurate,
for they centered their fire of several pieces against my own. One of
their shots passed over my gun and knocked off its sight, passed between
the detachment, striking the caisson lid in the rear and staving it in,
and thus preventing us for a few minutes in replying. We had to break it
open with the hand spikes to get ammunition. They undoubtedly thought
that we were irreparably silenced, and paid their respects to some other
part of our line, but we resumed business again, and they came back at
us. I saw a ball rolling on the ground, about six feet to my right. It
seemed to be about the same caliber as ours. It rolled up a stump,
bouncing about fifteen feet in the air. I thought it was a solid shot
and wanting to send it back to them through the muzzle of our gun, I ran
after it. It proved to be a shell, as it exploded, and a piece of it
struck my arm. It was a painful wound, but not serious. Another ball
struck a tree about eight inches in diameter, knocked out a chip, which
struck my face and caused me to see the seven stars in plain day light
and very near got a scalp of Captain Howell, who stood behind that tree.
Orders came for Captain Howell to fall back. He asked me to inform Major
Martin, who was in command of the piece at the extreme right, that he
was falling back. I had to traverse the whole front of our line. I took
the color bearers' horse, a fine animal. We named him Stonewall. The
enemy's fire was rather high, as they came up the incline and the balls
rattled through the tree tops like hail. It commenced raining very hard.
I dismounted and took it afoot. On my way passing the third section, Sim
Bland, who acted as number 6, and whose duty it was to carry the
ammunition from the caisson and to hand it to No. 2 who inserts it in
the muzzle of the gun, while No. 1 rammed it home. As I crossed him at a
trot, I remarked, "Sim, this is hot time." Before he could reply, a
solid cannon ball had struck him. Poor fellow, he did not know what hit
him, for he was dead. His whole left side entirely torn to pieces.
The enemy was now advancing more rapidly, as our whole line had given
away. On my return I found my horse also shot down. I was trying to save
the body of Bland, but couldn't get the assistance needed. I went
through his pockets and took what he had therein and gave it to his
brother, Lieutenant Bland. The enemy pushed me so close I had to take to
the woods in my immediate rear, the trees of which somewhat protected me
from the enemy's fire. About a hundred yards further I found Sergeant
Newsome with his gun and a detachment, trying to make for the public
road leading to Jackson. He had managed so far to drive his command
evading the trees of the forest, when suddenly he was confronted by a
plank fence which stood perfectly erect, not a plank missing and about
five feet high. He ordered the horses cut out of the harness, and was
about to abandon his guns, when I hollered, "No Sergeant, don't do it!
Ride through between the posts, they are wide enough apart, knock down
the planks." I put myself in action and kicked against the planks, when
the whole panel fell over, carrying several others with it, for all the
posts were completely rotten at the ground, and thus I saved this piece
of artillery and probably the men. We reached the road and marched in
column. It was raining hard and every man was soaked to the skin. The
column halted, having fallen back about a half a mile, firing as they
went, when again we formed in line of battle. I was very tired, and sat
down by the road side. When called again into action, I found that I
could not use my arm, and that the leaders of my leg had contracted at
my groins. The enemy had again outflanked us, and the men lifted me on a
caisson.
The horses stalled. The road being very muddy, the men had to assist at
the wheel to pull the carriages out of the mud, by using all their
efforts, so I had to get down, for I felt that after all the gun would
have to be abandoned, and I did not care to be taken prisoner, but
General Joseph E. Johnston made a stand a little further on, until the
Yankees outflanked him again. Major Martin happened to be just passing
me on his horse. I begged him to take me behind him, as I could not
walk. He answered, "It is impossible, we are going to make another
stand. Get in the ambulance." When the ambulance came in sight, it was
full to overflow with wounded and dying. The Major again rode up. I said
"Major Martin, can't you get me out of my difficulty," he replied,
"Hermann, do the best you can to take care of yourself. If they capture
you, I will have you exchanged as soon as possible." Poor consolation, I
thought, but I was determined not to be taken if I possibly could help
it, so I started towards Jackson, taking the edge of the woods, first on
account of the mud, then as somewhat of a protection from the bullets.
My locomotion was slow, from eight to ten inches was the longest strides
I was able to make, and this with excruciating pains. Presently our
forces rushed past me and formed again into line of battle, thus leaving
me between both lines, the bullets coming from either direction, when
again I entered our line. This maneuvre happened three times before I
reached Jackson, in a stretch of three miles. It was then four o'clock
p. m.