On the morning of the 16th of April, the regiment broke camp on Bear
River, re-crossed it, and filed off up its western bank, until it came
to Bull Run, then up Bull Run fifteen miles, to Bull's Mills, when it
again went into camp. In coming up the run, it was necessary for the
boys to wade it nineteen times. One man in particular, was compelled to
take it, deep or shallow, because of some previous misconduct. He was
tied to the tail-gate of a wagon, and thus trudged all day "_nolens
volens_." Tying men behind wagons, on the march, is a favorite way
of punishing the soldier for trivial offenses.
The encampment is now in a small valley, entirely shut in by mountains,
excepting the narrow gorge through which Bull Run finds its way to Bear
River. From where the writer sits, the view is beautiful. Many of the
trees on the opposite mountain side, are clothed in their summer garb,
and many are only putting on their vestments of green, with sear and
yellow leaves exposed beneath. Here is one green as can be, just
beyond, is another red with flowers of the red bud, and then another,
as white as the driven snow, with dogwood blossoms. Now is a spot of
green earth, and just above it hangs a heavy mass of moss-grown rock,
threatening the destruction of this magnificent scenery, by its speedy
fall. Flowers of many kinds, are blooming everywhere around. Sweet
Williams, Johny-jump-up's and blue bells are abundant, and lend
enchantment to the view.
At the foot of this mountain slope, are the white tents of the
regiments. The blue smoke of their camp fires, is apparently climbing
the mountain, giving a peculiar shade to the picture. Soldiers are
everywhere mingled in the scene, some are busy cooking, some sitting or
lying down, some walking, and _there_ is an officer on horseback. To
the right is the mill and the dwelling house of the miller. Close by
the mill, are some soldiers, fishing, and they complete the scene, as
presented on the 18th day of April, 1862.
Some excitement was created in camp, on the morning of the 19th, by the
appearance of three very indignant ladies from the country, seeking
Colonel Frederick's head-quarters, for the purpose of entering
complaint against two boys of the Fifty-Ninth, for creating a
disturbance at their house the night before, and sleeping with two of
these ladies "_nolens volens_." The other, the mother of the two
younger ladies, was on the hunt of a cavalry man, who was guilty of
some offense against her. These boys were arrested and court-martialed.
Two were convicted and one acquitted. The two convicted ones, were
summarily drummed out of service with shaved heads.
The Division broke up camp again on the 20th, and moved out in the rain
and over the muddiest roads imaginable. They marched this day twenty
miles, without anything to eat from the time of starting, until going
into camp, and many of the boys had no supper the night before.
At West Plains, some fifty of the Fifty-Ninth, were detached to report
under Captain Elliott, to the gun-boat fleet, then laying at Cairo, for
duty. They left the regiment about, the 25th of April, from which time,
they spent the remainder of their term of service on the water. From
West Plains, the regiment proceeded to Sulphur Rock, arriving there on
the 8th of May.
On the 10th of May, the Fifty-Ninth Illinois, Twenty-Second Indiana,
and the Twenty-Fifth and Thirty-Fifth Illinois regiments, being
detached from General Curtis's command, started "en route" for Cape
Girardeau, Missouri. After marching nine days out of ten, these
regiments arrived at the Cape on the evening of the 20th of May; having
marched two hundred and fifty miles in ten days, resting one. On the
morning of the 20th, the Fifty-Ninth started in the rear of the column.
They were some thirty-five miles from the Cape, and all very anxious to
arrive at their destination. The Twenty-Second Indiana was next ahead
of the Fifty-Ninth, and equally as eager to make the Cape that day. It
was a hard march, and about sundown all the regiments had bivouacked,
except the Twenty-Second and Fifty-Ninth. These pulled ahead and passed
the others some mile or two, when the Twenty-Second caved in. The
Fifty-Ninth pushed on and came out nearest the Cape, and went into
camp, exultant over their grey-hound perseverance.
These regiments, on their arrival at Cape Girardeau, presented a "war
worn" and rugged appearance. Some were entirely destitute of shoes,
some had no coats, some were without hats, and many possessed only the
remnants of pantaloons. Teams were immediately sent off to town for
clothing and rations, and by the next evening, the men scarcely knew
themselves in their new uniform.
The 23d was a bright fair day, and Colonel Frederick priding himself
exceedingly on the fine appearance of his regiment, determined to
exhibit them to the admiring gaze of the citizens of the Cape. At nine
o'clock, they left camp and marched to town, arriving in town the band
struck up a lively march, and the steady tramp of the boys, to the time
of the music, attracted the attention of the multitude. After marching
through several streets, the regiment stacked arms and proceeded by
companies, to the Paymaster's office, to receive their pay. After
getting paid, the regiment fell into line and marched to the landing,
where a steamboat was in waiting, to take them on board. This was the
first indications of a ride, since leaving the old War Eagle, at
Boonville. Since then, the regiment had marched twelve hundred miles,
and now to be transported was quite a treat.
At five o'clock, on the 23d, the boat left the camp for Hamburg
landing. When opposite Paducah, Governor Yates, of Illinois, from the
guards of another boat, addressed a few congratulatory and cheering
remarks to the Fifty-Ninth, "upon what had transpired while they were
out in the wilderness." Arriving at Hamburg landing on the 25th, the
regiment went into camp some two miles from the river, out towards
Corinth.
Hamburg is the landing for all of General Halleck's army supplies, at
this time, and the scene about the landing, is a lively one. Boats are
coming up and unloading their cargoes daily. Mules, horses, wagons,
rations, &c., are everywhere lumbering up the bluffs. From the boats
the supplies are loaded into wagons, and forwarded to the army now
before Corinth. Here are still seen many of the effects of the late
battle. Here are the bluffs from which it is said many of our brave
boys threw themselves into the river, to escape from the pursuing
enemy." "Brave boys were they." Here the regiment was furnished with a
new outfit of camp equipage, wagons and horses.
Corinth was now supposed to be their destination, and in confirmation,
the march towards that place was commenced on the morning of the 27th.
The country from Hamburg landing to Corinth, is an unbroken wild, level
and swampy. After a march of sixteen miles, over a recently constructed
military road, the regiment went into camp about three miles to the
north of Corinth.
After the battle of Pea Ridge, P. Sidney Post obtained leave of
absence, until his wound should so far heal, as to permit of active
service. _Here_ he rejoined the regiment as Colonel of the same,
having received a commission during his absence. Lieut. Colonel C. H.
Frederick, after having commanded the regiment for nine months, with
honor to himself and credit to the regiment, now resigned his command
to Colonel Post, and very soon, thereafter, received and accepted an
appointment on General Jeff. C. Davis' staff.
On the morning of the 28th, the regiment moved into position before the
works of the enemy, leaving the tents standing, and the camp equipage
all in camp. Some skirmishing was occurring occasionally, between our
pickets and those of the enemy, but no fighting of any consequence.
The evacuation of Corinth, by the rebels, commenced on the 28th, so at
least it was reported around camp, and so it was believed by several of
the Division commanders; but General Halleck either discredited it or
did not wish to encourage such an idea. General Pope was satisfied of
the fact, and solicited the privilege of moving his command into a
position that would prevent their escape; but was refused the request,
with the reply that they could not escape. Large trees in elevated
positions, had been selected and trimmed, and "look outs" stationed on
the tops of these, so that the movements of the rebels could be seen in
Corinth. These "look outs" confirmed the reports of the evacuation. No
efforts were, however, made to prevent it. General Halleck's army all
lay quietly behind their breastworks, to the north of town, leaving the
way for the enemy to escape, entirely open; whereas, a small force
could have been sent to prevent it and with General Halleck's army, the
whole rebel army could have been captured. This was seen and believed
by nearly all the privates in the army; yet on the morning of the 30th,
Corinth was in our possession without a fight, _and nothing else_.
The vast army, that General Halleck had been for months collecting,
from all parts of the country at an enormous expense, and the great
amount of labor and suffering of this vast army had all been in
vain--entirely useless. Corinth and the whole territory left in our
possession, was entirely worthless. And all this because Beauregard
would not remain in Corinth until Halleck could dig his way under his
fortifications and blow him up.
As soon as the rebels, with all their material, were out of danger from
our troops, a forward movement was ordered. Great and universal
disappointment was manifested by the whole army when the fact was known
that the rebels were all gone. Many and bitter were the curses against
General Halleck. Every man felt that it was by his incapacity, want of
energy, or a good feeling towards the rebel army, that they escaped so
easily. All confidence was lost in the capacity of General Halleck as a
commander, and it has never been restored by any of his subsequent
official acts. There has been two great errors committed by some body
during this war. The one was the removal of Fremont from the command at
Springfield, Mo., and the other is the placing Halleck in command of
the army before Corinth.
The fortifications about Corinth were found to be trivial, in
comparison to what was expected. One line of breast works of weak
construction, and nothing but a few slight embrasures comprised the
whole thing. Such fortifications one year afterwards, would have been
looked upon as no impediment to the advance of our army.
On the 30th, the Fifty-Ninth Illinois again broke camp, and moved out
ten miles below Corinth, where they awaited the reconstruction of a
bridge, which the rebels had burned. Cannonading is occasionally heard
in the distance, which indicates that our advance is skirmishing with
the rear of the flying enemy. Camp is pitched near Boonville, Miss.,
and on the morning of the 2d of June, the regiment moves out on a
scout, leaving every thing but their blankets and haversacks in camp.
Those unable to march are left in charge of an officer, to guard the
camp, and the sick are left in the care of the Hospital Steward. The
regiment pursued the enemy about twenty miles without overtaking them,
and then returned to camp. It now lay in camp ten days without
molestation. The enemy had fled beyond pursuit for the time being, but
was still in hearing distance of our scouts, and the anticipation of
another move was daily increasing. Instead of pursuing the enemy, the
regiment returned to within two miles of Corinth, on the 12th, and went
into regular camp on Clear Creek. There having been no rain for two
weeks, the roads were now very dusty, and the marching very
disagreeable; consequently it was a pleasant thing to go into camp on
the shady banks of a clear stream of running water.
This weather is delightful; only when the sun is at the meridian, then
it is a little too hot for comfort. The early morning in camp is
delightful, especially. The sun is just peeping up through the
tree-tops. The birds are singing their early matins, before the smoke
of camp becomes too thick for their vocal organs. The mules are adding
their musical braying for their feed of dry oats, and the drivers are
aiding the mules with their morning notes of universal cursing. To
arise these mornings and witness all this, is charming.
The boys are now having easy, good times. They have plenty of leisure
to lay in the shade, and write letters to their friends at home.
Policing of camp grounds in the morning, is all that is required of
them, and this is usually done by extra-duty men. These are lazy
fellows who will not get up in the morning in time to answer to their
names at roll call. As a punishment, they are used as scavengers for
the benefit of the industrious ones.
There is considerable sickness amongst the men at this time, owing,
perhaps, to the hot, dry weather, and bad water of this region. There
are some nice springs along Clear Creek, but as a general thing, the
only drinking water the men have had since leaving the Tennessee River,
has been obtained from the marshes which here abound. All this region
of country around Corinth, is a low, swampy, worthless marsh. Why, in
the name of common sense, the rebel army was ever molested in the
peaceable possession of Corinth is more than can now be comprehended.
Why not have left them here; that they might starve, or sicken and die
after their own liking.
There are some very noisy fellows in camp, and it seems as though they
are always making the most noise when respect for others should keep
them most quiet. There are two good brass bands in the immediate
neighborhood of our regiment, which frequently dispense most delightful
music--but many times these rude fellows are like the dog in the
manger, they will neither listen themselves, or let any one else enjoy
the music. They are just the kind of men for an army, though--for a
"man who has no music in his soul, is fit for treasons, stratagems and
spoils."
The boys have many ways of amusing themselves while laying in camp, and
some of these they put into practice here. The most profitable and
interesting of all others, is the attendance on the prayer meetings,
the Chaplain is now conducting in the regiment. The Rev. Shoemate has
been with the regiment since its organization, and has preached some
three times since leaving Boonville, and is now having the first prayer
meetings. These sermons and meetings have only cost the government the
moderate sum of two hundred and fifty dollars each. An active,
energetic and christian Chaplain is of invaluable service to the army,
but an unconverted Chaplain is a nuisance. If there is any place on
God's fair earth, where wickedness "stalketh abroad in daylight," it is
in the army. It is lamentable to hear and see the profanity and
wickedness which every where and all the time meets the ear and eye.
Ninety-nine men out of every hundred are profane swearers. Gambling is
not quite so universal, yet there are hundreds of young men who devote
all their leisure time to this nefarious practice. Walk through camp at
almost any hour, and you will see squads of young men engaged in
risking their money and their souls on the chance throw of the die.
This game is called "chuck-a-luck." A faithful, working christian
Chaplain, would, in a great measure, control these practices among the
young men of the army.
While at Cross Timbers, in Arkansas, Captain Kelly, of Company F,
resigned his commission, on account of ill health, and returned to his
home in Illinois. Captain Kelly was invariably inclined to be kind and
generous towards his men, even to the sacrifice of his own comfort, and
his departure was regretted by all. As a testimony of the regard and
esteem which the officers of the regiment had for Captain Kelly, the
following "expression" was handed to him by the Major, whose name heads
the list of signers:
"We, the officers of the Fifty-Ninth Illinois Volunteer Regiment, take
this method of expressing our esteem of Captain S. W. Kelly, as an
officer and as a gentleman. In camps and on the march, as his health
and strength permitted, his duties were always promptly and faithfully
attended to. On the battle field he was firm and unflinching. In
retiring to private life, he bears with him our best wishes." Signed J.
C. Winters, and by twenty other officers of the regiment.
On the resignation of Captain Kelly, the command of Company F devolved
on Lieutenant John Kelly. The Lieutenant had faithfully filled the
position from that time until now, and was justly entitled to a
commission as Captain of the company. This, however, he failed to
receive. Lieutenant Curry, of Company C, of the same regiment, obtained
the commission, and took command of the company after its arrival at
Jacinto, Miss. By the resignation of Captain Taylor, of Company H,
Lieutenant A. Anthony, was left in command of _that_ company. More
fortunate than Lieutenant Kelly, he subsequently obtained a Captain's
commission and commanded the company as such, until ill health
compelled him also to resign.
On the 20th of June, the regiment received orders to move out towards
Jacinto, Miss., without tents or baggage, and to leave the sick,
cripples and convalescents behind. It marched some twenty miles and
bivouacked within two or three miles of Jacinto. Here they remained
until the 28th. On the 26th, orders were received at camp to remove the
sick to General Field hospital at Corinth, and bring forward the tents
and other camp equipage to the regiment. This was accomplished in good
order; the trains reporting to the regiment about eleven o'clock, on
the 28th. While laying in camp, sickness had increased considerably,
and now there was quite a number to be left at hospital. When the train
arrived at the regiment, it was under marching orders and making
preparations to move. Rations were being distributed to the men, and
the Surgeons were drawing a supply of medicines and other hospital
stores for their respective regiments. All the indications were that a
long and rapid march was in contemplation, or else an engagement with
the enemy. Old soldiers are not often deceived in their prognosis.