The Fifty-Ninth pitched tents to the right of the pike leading from
Murfreesboro' to Shelbyville, three miles south of town. Stone River
ran a short distance from camp on the right, and in front lay the large
plantation of ex-senator Bell, recent candidate for Vice President of
the United States, but now a traitor.
The splendid mansion of this arch traitor is now occupied by General
Johnson, of the Union Army. The owner of this plantation fled with the
rebel army on its retreat from the battle of Stone River, and General
Johnson took possession and encamped his division on the premises the
day following. The house is most delightfully situated on an elevated
spot overlooking the whole plantation, and near the banks of Stone
River. From the portico in front of the mansion, may be seen the pure,
blue waters of the river, as it winds its tortuous course along its
rock-bound channel, for two miles above and below. The negro cabins,
and the slaves at work any where on the plantation, can be seen from
the piazza, or could have been a few days ago; but now the white tents
of the soldier has taken the place of the slave at his work.
The Fifty-Ninth was not allowed to enjoy a lengthy repose in camp, but
was soon sent with a part of the division to reinforce the command at
Franklin, Tenn., thirty miles west of Murfreesboro'. Leaving all but
such things as they could carry in their knapsacks, they reached
Franklin the second day after leaving camp. Here they lay in bivouac
about ten days. They then returned to camp, bringing with them three or
four prisoners and a few extra horses. The three prisoners and three
horses were captured by two of our boys. Wm. Ebling and Samuel
Wambroth; the one the hospital nurse, and the other a cook; being both
mounted on extra horses, were a short distance from the road, when they
saw three rebel horsemen riding across an open field towards a house in
the distance. These two boys put spurs to their horses and made
pursuit. On coming within hailing distance they shouted to the rebs to
halt, which they did, surrendering themselves prisoners of war. The
boys, proud of their capture, marched them off to General Davis, and
they were handed over to the provost guard.
This same William Ebling, while scouting over the battle ground of
Stone River the day after the battle terminated, came across a citizen
dressed in butternut clothing, and supposing him to be a rebel,
arrested him. Ebling had just before passed a sutler establishment and
bought a bottle of whisky. Although he was death on rebels, he freely
shared his whisky with his prisoner, and when he presented his captive
to General Davis, they were both pretty tight. The man was a good Union
man, and was hunting over the field for a missing relative. General
Davis amused himself at their expense a short time, and sent them, the
one to his quarters and the other to his home.
A few days after going into camp here, Lieut. Colonel C. H. Frederick
returned to the regiment for the purpose of settling up his affairs and
to bid the command "good bye." While at Nashville, he resigned his
commission and was now a private citizen. His departure was witnessed
with regret by the whole command. He had ever been a good, faithful
officer, and a kind, good friend to the men of the regiment.
Major J. C. Winters, having returned from his leave of absence, now
assumed command of the regiment, and Captain Paine, that of Major.
Captain Stookey again taking command of his company. After the capture
of Adjutant Phillips, Lieutenant Minnett, of Company D, was appointed
Adjutant.
While the regiment lay at Murfreesboro', the following young men were
deservedly promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant: Reuben Maddox,
Company F, I. M. Vanosdel, Company K, Charles Doolittle, Company I, A.
Sanderson, Company B, S. Eleric, Company A, and Hiram Wendt, Company G.
To that of Second Lieutenant: ---- Curtis, Company C, H. C. Baughman,
Company F, D. L. Korhammer, Company I, Fred. N. Boyer, Company H, ----
Irwin, Company D, and ---- Anderson, Company B.
To that of Captain: Hamilton W. Hall, Company F, Adjutant Minnett,
Company D, Henry Wiley, Company H, S. L. Burris, Company G, I.
Henderson, Company C, D. Bagley, Company A, Samuel West, Company I.
These young men, with one or two exceptions, were enlisted as privates
in the ranks. They have all been faithful soldiers, doing their duty
manfully, both in time of battle and in camp. At Pea Ridge, at
Perryville and Stone River they were among the bravest of the brave.
After laying in camp a few days, the regiment again moved out towards
Franklin, but not so far as before. The enemy was now threatening
another point in our lines, between Murfreesboro' and Franklin, and to
strengthen this point General Davis moved out with his Division. No
serious attack was made, and the regiment returned to camp. The lines
were now shortened, and the camp all moved up nearer town. As soon as
the camps were arranged, the regiments were set to work building
fortifications. Until the 24th of June, work at the fortifications and
picket duty was all that was required of the Fifty-Ninth. In building
forts, and digging entrenchments, one-third or one-half the regiment
was employed at a time. In doing picket duty, the whole regiment moved
out to the lines, and remained there from five to ten days at a time.
One day, while on picket, Walter C. Wyker, of Company K, was standing
guard at his post, near the pike bridge across Stone River, some rebel
cavalry came in sight, a mile or two down the pike, and, to get a
better view of them, Wyker stepped upon a large rock near by, and, in
bringing his gun up after him, struck the lock against the rock, and
fired it off, the load lodging in his bowels, killing him in a few
seconds. He was brought to camp, and buried with the honors of war. He
was a faithful soldier, and an agreeable mess-mate, and was universally
respected by the members of his company.
Here, for the first time since leaving Boonville, Missouri, the
regiment had the privilege of attending church regularly every Sabbath,
and frequently during the week.
The writer's diary of the 17th of May, has the following:
"I have just returned from hearing an excellent sermon, spoken by the
Reverend Colonel Granville Moody. Colonel Moody was my favorite
preacher, of the Methodist Church in Oxford, Ohio, more than
twenty-five years ago. I have never seen him, from that day till this.
It may well be believed that his appearance brought to mind many
pleasant thoughts of old times. I was again sitting in the old familiar
seat, in the old brick church, of my boyhood days. Although the
preacher's head has now become silvered o'er with age, his voice and
looks are but little changed. His sermon was to me a 'feast of reason
and a flow of soul.' His text was: 'Choose ye this day whom ye will
serve. If the Lord is God, serve him.' His remarks were listened to
with the most wrapped attention, and, I think, made quite an impression
on the soldiers. I would that there were more such preachers in the
army. Colonel Moody commands an Ohio regiment, and is a fighting
Colonel. His regiment was in the thickest of the fight at Stone River,
and did good execution. While he was speaking, I could not help but
think of the vast amount of good he has been the instrument, in the
hands of God, in doing in the world. For thirty years his words of
entreaty have been spoken to thousands of anxious hearers, every
Sabbath, to turn from the evil of their ways, and seek the paths of
righteousness and peace. Can he be otherwise than happy?--happy in the
consciousness of having done his duty towards God and man. His sermon
was preached in one of the block houses inside a fort. It was a novel
sight to see the preparations for dealing death and destruction to our
fellow beings, surrounding the minister of peace on earth and good will
to men.
"When I came back to camp I found that an order had been issued to turn
over to the Quartermaster all extra baggage belonging to the men--such
as blankets, clothing, etc.,--leaving them only one blanket each, one
suit of clothes, an extra pair of drawers, an extra pair of socks, and
an extra shirt. This looks towards an early move of some kind--an
advance, perhaps, towards the enemy."
Lieutenant J. H. Knight is now Acting Quartermaster of the regiment,
Lieutenant Brasher not having, as yet, returned from his parole.
David Thompson, of Company K, returned to the regiment, from Nashville,
on the 16th of April. He was reported to the Surgeon the next morning
at sick call. On the following day he was sent to the general field
hospital, with well-developed symptoms of smallpox, and on the 21st he
expired.
James Slusser, of Company F, was brought to the hospital, with
dysentery, about the middle of June. He soon became convalescent, with
a very good prospect of soon returning to his company in good health;
but, when the regiment marched, on the 24th, he was yet unfit for duty,
and was, consequently, left at the general field hospital. A relapse
soon followed, and he, also, died.
In the latter part of April, one Doctor Kelly reported himself to Major
Winters, with a commission as First Surgeon of the Fifty-Ninth Illinois
Regiment. He was an entire stranger to all concerned, but his
commission gave him authority to remain and take charge of the sick men
of the regiment. He soon proved himself qualified for the position, and
the boys were well pleased with the imposition.