Services of the Ninety-sixth Ohio volunteers

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Chapter I

Scenes of 1862 — Rendezvous of 96th Ohio Volunteers at Camp Delaware — Mustered into Service — Visitors in Camp — Move to the Front at Covington, Ky— Earby Smith's Eadd ojb CJincJUmati— Squirrel Hunters, ..... "9

CHAPTER XL

March to Falmouth, Kentucky — An approach to R«fl Sbldieiing — Meeting Troops Retreating from Battle of Richmond, Kentucky— ^ Halt at Cynthiana — Stringent Orders — Tiict of Disobedience «nd Arrest of Officers— Gen. A. J. Smith's Reprimand— Camp at Paris and a Snow Storm—** School o(f the Soldier" — Stone Pence and *^Qrdetfi ''— '* March ;at Daylight with Three Days' Ration^,". , JA

CHAPTER m.

Camp at Memphis — Review — The Hiawatha and Trip to Young's Point —Facilities for Cooking— Privations and Sickness — March to Dallte - und Return — Yazoo River and an Important Fact Learned— Chick- •asirw Bayou on -the 'Line North of Vicksburg — ^First Experience >with Solid Shot and Shell — Cypress Swamps — Unsuccessful Fed-

- €ral Charge — ^Hasty Retreat— Lucky Escape — Up White IRivep— Through cut-off to Arkansas River — ^BAttle of Arkansas Post — General Orders, ........ 18

CHAPTER IV. ■

Camp at Young's Point— Terrible Suffering— Camp at Milliken'sBend — rBoating '* Overland" — Situation and importance of Vicksburg — Cut-off — Assault on the Enemies* Works— Siege — Protection £$ Providence— 'Generals Grant and Smith have **bad" Habit?— IBlo wing-Up of Fort Hill— Astonished Darkey— Surriender and

- ' Victory— March to Jackson and Return to Vicksburg-rExplosion of the Steamer City of Madison — Order of Gen. Burbridge, . 26

CHAPTER V.

•Landing atCarroUton — Review of the Corps by JQenertAB Grant .-and Banks— Hunting Guerillas Through Cane ferakes — A Modest Old Thief — Lost — Camp of Burbridge's Brigade — Terribly Exposed Position— Advance of the Enemy on jaurbridge— Battle ;of Qmud j

X.

CHAPTER VI.

Matagorda Peninsula— Light Diet— Col. Deerow— Fort Vance— Em* barkation— Death of George Case, Co. Gl— Landing at Algiers,

CHAPTER VIL

Teche Country — Cavalry Fight — Carroirs Mills — Advance of Brigade under Col. Landrum— Advance of Emerson^s Brigade, accompanied bv Gen. Ransom — Disposition of Troops on the Field — Battles ol Sabine Cross-Roads, Peach-Orchard Grove, and Pleasant Hill— Scenes on a Battle-field — Pontoon Boats And Bridges — Monett's Bluffs— A Valuable Contraband — Gen. A. J. Smith — Lieut.-Col. Baily and his Steamboat Pontoons — Morganza, . 58

CHAPTER Vin.

Embarkation — Mobile Bay — Military Geography of the Situation — Landing on Great Dauphine Island — The Fleet of Farragut Run Past Fort Morgan — Demolish the Rebel Fleet and their Ram Tennessee — Surrender of Fort Gaines— Capture of Fort Morgan — Cedar or Musquito Point — Across the Gulf on the N. W. 'Diomas— An *' Enterprising " Engineer — The Atchafalaya — An Literesting Duel— A Shaky Boat— Election— Camp at White River, . . 82

CHAPTER IX.

Rain-Storm in Camp — Consolidations — The Battalion — A Scare — Stu« dying Navigation in Camp — Small-Pox, .... 10ft

CHAPTER X.

Landing on Mobile Point — Inspection — Complimentary Order— March in the Sand— An Army ** Stuck in the Mud "—March through ** Illuminated " turpentine Groves — Dan McClairy — Capture of Spanish Fort — Torpedoes — Capture of Fort Blakely— Torpedoes and the Offtcer who Planted Them — A Reason for Repentance, . 112

CHAPTER XI.

Stark's Landing — Surrender of the City of Mobile — Excellent Fortifications — Fight at Whistler — Bridging Spanish Creek — Nannahubbah Bluff s^News of President Lincoln's Assassination — Mcintosh Bluffs — News of Johnson's Surrender — Meeting of disarmed Rebels on the Transports — Terror of Mrs. Gen. Cheatham — Federal and Rebels on Same Boat to Mobile — Mrs. Gen. Cheatham Pacified — Camp Near Mobile — Texas Fire Eaters — Destruction of Stores and Terrible Conflagration — Mustered out — Trip Home — Disbanded— Farewell. ...... 125

CHAPTER XII.

In Memoriam — Letter of Lieut. -Col. Brown — Color Bearers — Commissary — ^Chaplains— Kightlingers— Dick, .... 137

CHAPTER XIII.

Complete Roster and Short Sketch of Each Member of the 96th Ohio volunteers — ^Distances Traveled by the 96th, . . 157 k

EXPLANATORY.

" Issue three days rations " was an order so familiar to me during my service as Commissary Sergeant of the gallant o6th, that I involuntarily called for a Consolidated Morning Report and with " Requisition " was off to obey.

When at Camp Chase, on the 28th of July, 1865, the day previous to our discharge from service, I issued " Hard Tack and Coffee " for the last time to the command, I thought my duties ended. At the Ninth Annual Reunion, held at Cardington, Ohio, January 13th, 1874, a resolution was passed requesting me to complete what I had partially undertaken, viz : The publication of a History of the 96th O. V. I.

This was a call for supplies not mentioned in "Army Regulations," and yet something that the events of 1862 to 1865 seemed to demand. I had ifeen out foraging and obtained of Sergt. I. B. Arnold notes and Company Records collected during service, and had secured the assistance of one whose experience in the army was large and varied, and whose keen appreciation of, and happy tact in writing up military incidents, rendered success certain in this, my last effort to " obey orders. " Out of friendship to myself, and hoping only to receive a " soldier's thank you" and kindly recollection of his efforts, he has labored for weeks, both day and night, to prepare for publication such facts and general history of the Regiment as I might furnish, and I take pleasure in introducing as the writer of this work my friend. Surgeon J. T. Woods.

Except in few instances, special mention of officers or privates for gallant conduct has been omitted, because of all who partici-

VI.

pated in the bloody scenes of Arkansas Post, Vicksburg, Grand Coteau, Sabine Cross Roads and other hard-fought battles, there were few whose conduct was not heroic. The name of each officer and private, with brief mention of service, is given in regular order.

Few regiments suffered as ours from exposure arid disease, while our losses incident to battle were large. We may point with pride to the services of our Regiment and the high estimation in which it was held by Brigade and Division Commanders, as indicated by complimentary orders, some of which are published in this work.

To those who mourn the loss of husbands, fathers or brothers, this record of the events in which they participated, it is hoped, will be a source of gratification, while to the gallant war-worn little band, whose services, by reason of the surrender of rebel forces in the Department of the Gulf and elsewhere, were no longer required, and who were discharged July 29th, 1865, this work presents a record of which each may justly be proud.

. Trusting that our three years* service, to more fully establish Free Government, may not have been in vain, let us meet together from time to time and bring to our midst the old tattered flag — our flag — around which cluster memories of the " dark days ** which tried men's souls, and at the last " roll call over the river,"

may all happily answer — here.

Respectfully^ &*c.y

H. S, BUNKER,

Preface

The object in preparing this unpretentious volume is to place a sketch of the History of the 96th Ohio Volunteers in permanent form, chiefly for the benefit of the survivors of that command and the friends of those who gave their lives to their country while serving under its banner.

As the events of the great War of the Rebellion become dimmed in the shadows of receding years, increased interest will attach to them and the pages in which they are recorded become valuable, with all their omissions and imperfections; for our posterity cannot fail to refer with just pride to those who offered their lives for the preservation of Republican Liberty, as we do to those who, in the dark days of Seventy-Six, won its blessings for the world, bequeathing all to our care and keeping.

The task of preparation was, on my part, reluctantly undertaken at the urgent solicitation of my friend, Mr. H. S. Bunker, who, as Commissary Sergeant, served in this command, and to whose zeal and energy his comrades are indebted for whatever they may find either pleasing, interesting or valuable in its pages, as he has not only spent much time and labor, in various ways, in relation to it, but assumed the responsibilities attendant upon its publication.

The basis on which this history is written is a series of notes of events kept by Sergeant I. B. Arnold, of Co. G. Being a record made day by day of incidents as they transpired, they not only afford data that is accurate and reliable, but the view taken of occurrences by an observing private in the ranks. Many valuable details have been added from the notes and recollections

VIII.

of Mr. Bunker and Lieut.-Col. A. H. Brown, both of whom served with the Regiment from the beginning to the close of its career. The sources of his information are such that the writer feels warranted in affirming his belief, that in all particulars that which is presented is fact deserving in justice to find a place in History.

The diary, notes and recollections referred to would, almost of necessity, give this sketch the narrative form, and suggest, as its plan, an effort to present in the order of their occurrence, such an account of their pleasures, privations and perils, that, as a whole, would make it a fair picture of their actual duties in the field, from the first bugle call to " fall in," to the last " taps " before returning home.

Its incompleteness is both acknowledged and regretted, and results entirely from the fact that it has not been possible to obtain accurate knowledge of a multitude of important events and incidents — but an earnest effort has been made to avoid, so far as possible, errors of omission as well as " sins of commission."

Following these data, it will be found, that in some particulars, the account herein given varies from that by others, and that certain descriptions and details of incidents have been entered into that have not heretofore been furnished to the public.

As to the manner of the recital, the writer has only to observe, that he has suffered not a little trepidation, being conscious that there must be in it a multiplicity of imperfections. He has, however, endeavored to be as painstaking as was the California parson, who observed solemnly that, "whether ht prayed ox played^ he tried to do his level best,''

J. T. W.

FIRST YEAR.

CHAPTER I.

I

FROM CAMP DELAWARE TO LEAVING COVINGTON, KY.

Eighteen hundred and sixty- two ! How many yet live who remember well its thrilling incidents and scenes. The North as a people had just come to feel that all they held dear was endangered by the persistent wickedness of their " misguided Sputhern brethren," and to comprehend the duty devolving upon them. All along the lines from the Atlantic to the " far West," the few soldiers in the field sent up the cry for help — overpowered we perish — and grandly was the response made by prompt enlistment, and hurried movement to the front. News of disasters only hastened the work. Thrilled with the accounts of unexpected perils, it only required, at most, a recital of the startling facts and men vied with each other in their haste to be enrolled. There was quick sundering of other ties, and cleaving to the one great impulse of patriotism.

Those were times that equally tried the souls of those who went and those left behind. Hearts beat high with hope, inspired by duty and the pomp of war. The cheeks of others were flushed with just pride of their fathers, sons and brothers ; but their hearts beat sadly, as through tears they saw them go — alas ! to many never to return. All the wide country was dotted with camps of rendezvou, and everywhere the sublime, sad drama was the same. It is gratifying to call to mind how large was found to be the proportion of those who instantly sunk all political differences out of sight, and in common pledged for their country's safety, their honor, their strength and their lives, and of those who did not go how few there were who sought at home to aid the cause of treason, that their friends and neighbors were periling their all to crush. 2

10 SERVICES OF THE KlNETY-SIXTH O. V. I.

Camp Delaware was located near the City of Delaware, Ohio, and there, on August 19th, 1862, was mustered, into the service of the United States,

THE 96TII OHIO VOLUNTEERS.

The men comprising this regiment were hastily gathered from the counties of Delaware, Knox, Logan, Union, Marion and Morrow, every branch of the industries of this cultivated region being represented on its rolls.

There was nothing in the gathering together of this command that was not common to it with others. Its career was such as war with a foe both powerful and desperate created for an army of a million men, and in which all shared in privation and peril, victory and defeat, as well as in the glory of ultimate success over the enemies of their common country. Its history cm only be a plain statement of events in which their comrades shared, and from whose brow or tomb no garland leaf shall be taken away.

Gathered from the study, the counter, the workshop and. the field, transplanted from homes filled with comforts and many luxuries, into a camp that afforded only the earth beneath and sky overhead, these practical men lost no time in building barracks, at which they worked with right good will, meanwhile, with as much cheeriness as possible, cultivating an acquaintance with hard tack and bacon, and the severe restraints and restrictions that are indispensable to the duties of the soldier.

Nor were they forgotten by their friends in the country about them. Troops of visitors, from tottering men to prattling babes, enlivened the camp during the day. To the greetings of loved ones was added the cheerfulness of general society, and an evidence of the deep interest attaching to them and the cause for which they forsook home for the camp and field. The distastefulness of the rations was modified by dainties contributed by ladies, who often lingered until after dress parade. During the brief stay of the regiment, they were complimented by a visit from Governor Todd and several other officers of State, the Governor delivering to the command an eloquent and stirring address, filled with the patriotic ardor that actuated him throughout the war.

Sunday, the 31st, was particularly bright and cheerful. A man that has a soul within him will instinctively feel proud when decked in the martial dress of his country. Our uniforms were bright and new, our arms burnished to glittering perfection, which enabled us, on dress parade, to vie with the dress and beauty of our numerous and both interesting and interested visitors. This glimpse of military romance and vanity was suddenly dissipated by the reading of orders to be ready to move for the front on the following morning by railroad train, at exactly six o'clock.

Then came the tearful, swift good-byes, the tender blessings that linger still in many a memory and garland many^ grave. It had been but twelve days since we were mustered into the service, and our duties as soldiers were necessarily almost a mystery, as it requires many months to discipline and drill raw recruits. The regiment was fortunately composed of not only cultivated but earnest men, and responding to the orders of Lieutenant-Colonel Erown in command, astonished all concerned in their transportation, by being, on their first movement from camp, ready at exactly the appointed time. The few moments we waited there were strangely thrilling. Our transition from peaceful scenes to those of war and strife, had actually begun. We were now leaving the tenderest of friends to face murderous enemies, leaving homes that some of us should never see again. The locomotive's whistle in very kindness broke the thread of painful revery, and we were whirling on our way.

The rebel general, Kirby Smith, was hovering around Cincinnati, through which we passed in the evening to Covington, which was then the front. We were south of Mason and Dixon's line, in the land of slavery, in the State of haughty, defiant, neutral Kentucky, but were courteously received by the loyal citizens, who treated us to a splendid and welcome supper at the armory. The forces at this point were commanded by Gen. A. J. Smith, U. S. A., and Col. Vance, 96th Ohio, although inexperiencd, was out of necessity placed in command of a brigade, the command of the regiment devolving on Lieut.-Col. Brown. The various companies were posted at different points in and about the city, each charged with important duties, the bustle and deep concern grating harshly on the nerves of the clerk and plowboy soldiers. This concern was not only deep but earnest. The country was aroused and Ohio not only sent her volunteers, but poured out a vast horde of " Squirrel Hunters," for the protection of her city and her honor as a State.

Kirby Smith, with a vast army of rebel veterans, was swooping down upon them, cool, wary and self-possessed, his men all transformed into that strange being, the disciplined soldier, while to oppose him came raw regiments that knew nothing of discipline, drill or maneuver, and who, sustained by pride only, would stand up and fight, and if need be, die, but could not be moved in action, as in so doing they would inevitably go to pieces. The coolness with which they faced the impending peril was something remarkable.

The war cloud to the South was little less disquieting than the absolute terror among the citizens, who saw in fancy their loved homes riddled with shot, contending armies sweeping the streets and they fleeing with their families for shelter. Nothing that apparently could add to the excitement was absent. Rebels conveyed information through the lines and came back to spread the most appalling news. Not without the best of reasons, the most watchful care was exercised to avoid surprise. Nervous anxiety, and entire want of familiarity with the duty, led to frequent alarms. Troops turned out to the thrilling long-roll, marched quickly to the supposed point of danger amid the ringing of alarms on the city bells, expecting to take a hand in the clash of arms and to witness actual bloodshed. All the regiments present had about the same experience, and few escaped some incident such as befell companies C and B. The former had been sent out to Fort Mitchell, for the double purpose of serving as an out-post and to aid in mounting some heavy guns in the Fort. About noon one day they noticed down the road in the direction of danger, an ominous cloud of dust, rising continually, and coming nearer and nearer. Such a cloud could only be made by a moving cavalry command, and such it must be. Company C quickly formed, for the first time to meet the foe, and for the first time accept challenge to battle. But no one faltered, and

SERVICES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH 0. V. I, 13

Corporal Scott, afterward Chaplain, expressed his feelings on the subject in hand, by observing, " Boys, trust in the Lord, keep your powder dry, and shoot straight when they come." Company B had been sent for, and by a forced march, in the hot sun, their knapsacks heavily loaded with all sorts of wares brought from home, arrived in a breathless condition, and formed in line with their comrades, just in time to join in the discovery that the enemy was an approaching drove of mules !

We look back now, with a smile, on what were then most serious matters, and wonder that Kirby Smith did not carry out his plans, by descending on our undisciplined masses, running over our trifling rifle-pits and earthworks, constructed with toil, in rair > mud and often with the ditch on the wrong side. But perhaps he was deterred by the horde of " Squirrel Hunters," who, each filled to the brim with patriotism, made this invasion a personal matter, to be settled by the unerring squirrel rifle. He certainly would have been filled with fear, had he appreciated the nonchalance with which they made their camps " lively" with song and story, while they shot at mark, just to keep their hands in, until the invaders should become targets ? All joined in genuine exultation, when it was known that Kirby had retired, especially our " Squirrel Hunters," who glided quietly home, while we prepared at once to look elsewhere for laurels.

Chapter II. Arrival At Memphis

Breaking camp on the 8th of October, we took our line of march for Falmouth, Kentucky. The exciting scenes and exacting toils through which we had passed, seemed to us, to be about all we could endure and live. Our course now lay through a very rough and broken country, it being often necessary to aid the teams in moving the wagon trains up the hills, "Water being very scarce, the sun pouring down upon us with scorching heat, our heavily-laden knapsacks and accoutrements adding their weight to our weariness, we toiled through our first rehearsal of real soldiering. Among the incidents of the march, all will remember, how amid, what then seemed terrible pains and privations, we met the remnants of the 95 th Ohio, that had been scattered into fragments at Richmond, Ky. Their doleful looks and sad condition; their account of battle, defeat and disorganized retreat, would have shocked any men on earth. We are proud that it only shocked, without wilting us, or deterring our movement to the front, while they with all haste sought the rear.

Halting at Falmouth nine days, we arrived at Cynthiana on the 20th, without further incident worthy of remark, save the continual impression on the minds of both officers and soldiers, that the war was being conducted on peace principles, at least, so far as Kentucky was concerned. No possible precaution to save our bitterest enemies from molestation, either in property or person, was omitted. This volunteer command was in earnest, and desired to begin to do some hurt to traitors, and failed to see merit in the orders that forbade the least foraging, or even the use of rails or any other convenient means of securing comfort to the famished, starved, weary, footsore soldiers, who followed, for pure purposes, the country's flag. Of these restrictions, the climax was reached at Cynthiana, where an order was published, prohibiting any one, officer or private, from leaving his

SERVICES OF THE NINRTY-SIXTH O V. I. 15

command without going with a squad, in charge of a non-commissioned officer, and then for the sole purpose of bringing in wood and water.

This order seemed immensely rigid. It not only prevented foraging from the rebels, to supply pressing need in the Union camps, but to their minds, it restricted the rights and privileges of loyal citizen soldiers, well earned, in the *' frightful " march and privations just undergone! It was just a little too much ; and led to a practical protest, on the part of about a dozen of the officers of the 96th. Forming of themselves a squad, they easily obtained a corporal to conduct them out of the4ines, when after loitering about a while, and what was much more to their purpose, shown their appreciation of the order, they picked up a few sticks, in mockery, and returned within the lines, well pleased with the trick they had played and protest made. But it did not so well please Lieut.-Col. Brown, who with commendable promptness placed them in arrest. This was an unexpected turn to their nice little joke, and rendered all the more painful, when they found they were to be sent to the quarters of Gen. A. J. Smith, commanding the division. From a regular officer, they knew they had no reason to expect mercy. Besides, the order trifled with, was issued by him. If they did not, they should have blushed from shame. The General, however, received them with unexpected soldierly urbanity, gave them fatherly advice and a laconic reprimand. He rehearsed the crime of which they were guilty. He stated the reasons for the order. It was in accordance with the instructions he had received from his superiors, and not an act of his arbitrary will. To him, and through him to them, it was a necessity which they had ignored. They had not only trifled with him, but with his superiors and the country. He bade them notice the example, they, as officers in command, had set to the men they commanded, an example of disobedience! He concluded by a personal allusion : ** Gentlemen," said he, ** I have been a long time in the regular service of my country. I have never been in arrest, and have never been reprimanded. The reason is that I started out with the fixed purpose of obeying orders, given me by any one entitled to do so. It is not for me, or any officer, to question why the order is given, or what its object may be. It is enough for me to know that I have a command from my superiors. If orders were thus given to me, to go to hell, I should at once ask for transportation, and be off! Gentlemen, good-day ! "

On the 23d, we marched to Paris, receiving further in3tructions in the " school of the soldier." It had grown cool and damp, and on the night of the 24th, a snow storm was added to our cup of bitterness. O for the parlors and bed-rooms, even the kitchens, of our far-away homes ! Maledictions on rebels, inhospitable Kentucky tnd rigorous soldiering. Morning came, and unwelcome reveille summoned us out into the snow, for roll-call, and to shiver until breakfast. But who could get breakfast ? Any wood we dare burn was wet and covered with snow. The trees drooped like mourning willows over us, as if we were doomed. Tents are cheerless in such a time, without fire, but we had no stoves, and were forbidden to touch anything. In this extremity, we tried again the exercise of rights supposed to attach to an American citizen soldier. From an adjacent stone fence, the material was obtained, with which furnaces and the necessary chimneys, were with all speed, constructed in each tent. We had just got this done, when down come upon us the inexorable reference to orders. We had no right to touch the stones : they must be at once returned. We conceded that we had contracted to be shot, but not to freeze. The officers of companies directed to see that each company returned the stones taken by it, refused, and in arrest delivered their swords. This was mutiny, both in spirit and fact ! Report of the matter was made to General Smith, who generously delayed action until the 28th, when orders came to march, and the officers were relieved from arrest ; we, in the meantime, having reveled in hot passion and warm tents.

Halting a few days at Sutton's Pond, men, mules, geese, etc., were compelled to drink water from the same stagnant and filthy pool. On November 2d we arrived near Nicholasville, here, all felt, that we had found a place of rest. It was bleak, cold winter, and who ever heard of a winter campaign, save that of Valley Forge and Moscow ? We constructed quarters, bought

Stoves and settled down to comfort, some of the officers sending for their wives; those that had none indulging in sighs. "On what a slender thread hangs " all a soldier's hopes. It was late at night, and silence reigned among the happy sleepers, when, arousing the men from their dreams, a stern voice passed from tent to tent. It was the Adjutant, rehearsing the hated orders, " march at daylight, with three days rations." Responses to this were prompt and universal, all having a perceptible odor of sulphur. Proceeding to Louisville by way of Frankfort, we saw at the latter place the grave and monument of the celebrated pioneer, Daniel Boone, and gathered there a little consolation, as he had seen as much grief as we were experiencing. Arriving at our destination on the 15 th, we exchanged our Austrian muskets, purchased by Fremont, for the Belgian rifle, an incident of much moment, as thus far our guns would, in action, have been practically valueless. Rain and snow made our stay of five days so uncomfortable, that, fancying no change could be for the worse, we were really delighted when ordered on board the steamers Lady Franklin and Ida May. Steaming down the river, all parties enjoyed the listless leisure. We queried but little as to where we were going, or what awaited our arrival, as to us, it was becoming apparent, that the first great duty of a soldier was to be content, do what he is bid, and await the next command. Six days of this dreamy luxury brought us to Memphis.