My First Campaign Part 5

"Well," says the "old colonel," "I guess you had better; we are all going home pretty soon."

The fellow retired, much chop-fallen at the result of his interview.

May 20, at dress parade, was read to us the farewell address of General Naglee, who had resigned his command and was about to return home. He was suffering from an affection of the heart, and found himself unable to continue longer in the field. He was to leave us the 21st, and extended an invitation to all of us to call on him. The evening of the 20th, at sunset, the band formed in front of his quarters, commenced playing, and in a short time a good portion of the brigade a.s.sembled, to hear the parting words of the general. We found him sitting in front of his tent, rising occasionally to salute the officers as they came in groups from the different regiments.

The band played a few pieces, when the general, stepping in front, addressed them a few parting words, then, taking them each by the hand, he bade them adieu. Then turning to the soldiers, he made them a short speech, bidding them farewell, saying he would be glad to shake hands with all who chose to come forward. The band played "Home, Sweet Home,"

at the conclusion of which we all retired to our quarters.

Colonel Griffin, of the Sixth New Hamps.h.i.+re, succeeded General Naglee in the command of the brigade at this time.

May 21st, the enemy were acc.u.mulating on the c.u.mberland, and occupied the south bank of the river, where their movements were closely watched by our forces. Some few days before, they had contrived to throw a force across. This brought on a fight, in which they were repulsed and driven back. We were under marching orders at the time, and held ourselves in readiness to march at short notice in the event it should have been found necessary to have sent reinforcements.

May 22d, at nine in the evening, we received orders to march. At seven the next morning, the first brigade were on the march, accompanied by the second, who followed close in the rear. Taking the Somerset road, we were soon fairly established in all the privileges and comforts of a march on a hot, dry, dusty day. At eleven, A.M., we stopped for dinner, having marched nine miles. We started again at half-past two, P.M., and at four, P.M., encamped near Crab Orchard, twelve miles from our late camp, near Lancaster.

CHAPTER XI.

Upon our marching from Lancaster, one of my acquaintances, whom I thought from his intercourse with the officers might know our destination, informed me that we were to march but three or four miles, and were to encamp in an oak grove. The spot had been selected the day before by our general, and was indeed a beautiful place, abounding in excellent springs of water, and in the immediate vicinity of a river, an admirable place for bathing, &c. It was a very warm day, and as the roads were dry and dusty it made our march unusually severe, and instead of the oak grove, but four miles distant, with all its beautiful surroundings, we made a march of twelve miles, and found ourselves at last located in a thicket of briers, one and a half miles north of the village of Crab Orchard, a spot devoid of every thing green, if we except blackberry bushes and pennyroyal, and abounding in all manner of creeping things. The evening of the 25th, information having been received that the enemy were in the neighborhood of Somerset, and might make a raid in our direction, we were ordered to be on the alert.

Company I was detailed for extra picket duty, and all precaution taken against an attack. The afternoon of the 26th, at six o'clock, the Twelfth struck tents, and moved forward one-half mile beyond the village of Crab Orchard, to the support of the Second New York Battery, which had taken position the night before in a field commanding the Mount Vernon and Somerset roads, which meet at this place. Here we encamped again for a short period.

June the 1st we received orders to put ourselves in light marching condition, and hold ourselves in readiness to march at short notice.

Accordingly, the morning of June 2d, all boxes and barrels available were sc.r.a.ped up, and overcoats, and all other superfluous luggage, was packed and sent to the rear. Many of the boys had flattered themselves that our fighting days were over, but since this last order, begin to think that the "end is not yet."

The evening of June the 3d, at "dress parade," our colonel made a speech, wherein he congratulated the Twelfth, telling them that in all probability they would again soon have a chance to meet the enemy on a fair field. He hoped to have the privilege of leading them again, and had no doubt they would acquit themselves with credit, and return home an honor to the State they represent. In a short speech of ten minutes we were all impressed with the certainty of a conflict near, and in our imagination could almost hear the din of battle and see the "b.l.o.o.d.y 12th," eager for the fray, rush into the thickest of the fight, driving all before them. Soon victory crowns our efforts, and descending from the heavens, the eagle, the emblem of our nationality, perches upon our banner! Our history is to become immortal! Laurel wreaths encircle our brows! Roses shower down upon us, and in the whirling mists, an everlasting halo of glory encompa.s.seth us. Rumor said that our colonel was about to issue to every man in his regiment a tunic, something after the manner of a butcher's frock, and throwing aside every other article of clothing, we were to start at once, and annihilate the enemy in his strongholds. The evening of June 4th we received orders to be in readiness to march the following morning, at half-past four, each man to be provided with sixty rounds of ammunition, and eight days' rations.

At five o'clock the next morning the regiment were in line, and in fifteen minutes we were pa.s.sing through the village of Crab Orchard, taking the Lancaster road, accompanied by the rest of the brigade. At ten, A.M., when within one mile of Lancaster, we turned aside, and halted until half-past two, P.M. Here it became generally known that we were to march to Nicholasville, as soon as possible, there to find transportation to some place as yet unknown to us. Various were the surmises as to where we were to go. We soon became convinced that the first brigade were to report at Vicksburg. Then the question arose, would the Twelfth accompany them, or be detached and dropped on the way.

At half-past two, P.M., we were ordered into line again; at three pa.s.sed through Lancaster, and at seven arrived at "Camp d.i.c.k Robinson,"

having marched twenty-one miles. Here we encamped for the night. The appearance of the sky betokened rain, consequently many of us took pains to pitch our tents. This, together with making coffee and eating supper, occupied our time until ten o'clock. About this time we turned in, to gain what little rest we could before "reveille," which was ordered to be beaten at four o'clock in the morning. At the appointed time, the roll of the drums announced to us that our sleeping hours were up. We turned out in haste, having barely time to eat breakfast and pack up before we were called into line.

At half-past four we were on our way again. At seven, A.M., entered Pleasant Valley. Here the scenery became most wild and picturesque, and as we crossed Hickman's Bridge the grandeur of the scenery impressed me beyond any thing I have ever witnessed. Mountains, hundreds of feet in height, towered above our heads, in all directions. The bridge is a fine structure; it was built in 1836, is perhaps two hundred feet in length, and spans the Kentucky River, some sixty feet above its waters. After emerging from this defile, and when within one mile of Nicholasville, Colonel Griffin received a dispatch detaching us from the brigade, with orders for Colonel Browne to report in another direction. At this time we were in advance of the brigade. We immediately came to a halt, and as the brigade pa.s.sed by, we gave each regiment three parting cheers, and commenced to retrace our steps. After going half a mile we filed to the right, into a grove, where we pa.s.sed the night. At five o'clock in the morning we were drummed into line, and on the tenth day of June encamped in Somerset, having marched, in six consecutive days, over one hundred miles, under a broiling sun, with knapsacks heavily laden with rations and ammunition, finding ourselves at last twenty-eight miles from Crab Orchard, the place from whence we started June the 4th. Our encampment was in a grove, quarter of a mile west of the village, on ground occupied by Zollicoffer in 1861; here he prepared to make a stand against the forces sent to repel him; trenches were dug, and large, n.o.ble trees, cut at the time, lay thick upon the ground. His fate was decided at Mill Springs, January 20th, 1862.

Nothing of note occurred during our stay here, most of our time being taken up in fighting flies, which swarmed about our camp, and in trying to make ourselves as comfortable as we could under the circ.u.mstances. It was extremely warm during our sojourn here, and the flies seemed determined to annihilate us.

June the 20th, at noon, received marching orders again, and at four, P.M., encamped on the heights which form the banks of the c.u.mberland River, in the immediate vicinity of Stigall's Ferry, seven miles from Somerset. Having a desire to bathe in the waters of this celebrated stream, I visited it for that purpose early the next morning, and returned to camp just in time to take my place in line on our return march. We reached Somerset at one, P.M., rested until three, when we took up our line of march for Jamestown, whither we had been ordered. We encamped for the night on "Logan's Old Fields," where the battle of Mill Springs was fought, January, 1862. This place is distant from Somerset nine miles, which made our day's march sixteen miles. Here we found the 32d Kentucky, Lieutenant-Colonel Morrow, who had started from Somerset in advance of us, and who were to be our companions to Jamestown, the two regiments to be under the command of Colonel G. H. Browne, the senior officer.

At five, A.M., the following morning, the 32d took the lead, followed immediately by the 12th. This day we reached Shady Creek, at eight, P.M., where we encamped, having made a march of sixteen miles over the roughest roads imaginable. At twelve, M., the next day, we pa.s.sed through Jamestown, and encamped in the immediate vicinity, having marched ten miles over a road where it required the activity and ingenuity of a red ferret to keep us on our feet. June the 24th our teams started for Lebanon, sixty miles distant, to procure rations, and it soon became evident we were not to remain idle here. Our scouts reported the enemy as attempting to cross the c.u.mberland, and our whole force was employed to hold them in check. Our brave colonel went to the village and ground up his sabre, preparatory to cutting and slas.h.i.+ng. A large force was sent out three miles on the road towards Columbia, where a rude fort was constructed and garrisoned, under the supervision of our colonel. Bodies of men were sent in other directions to fell trees, and otherwise obstruct the roads; and all things were made ready to give the enemy a warm reception.

June the 28th, Colonel Woolford's Cavalry and Colonel Kautz's Brigade joined us, since which time there has been constant skirmis.h.i.+ng with Morgan's advance. Our regiment at this time saw hard service. Heavy pickets were kept out all the time; our rations were giving out, and, to make it more disagreeable, it rained continually every day, some of the time pouring in torrents. Our teams, that were expected the 28th, were unfortunately delayed on their return by the presence of the enemy in Columbia.

They had pa.s.sed Green River Bridge, and were hurrying along, and had nearly reached Columbia, before they were aware of the danger; upon learning which, they immediately hurried back across Green River, when meeting a force of thirty men, sent from Lebanon to protect them, they concluded to make a stand here until morning. In the course of the night, the bridge was carried away by the freshet, caused by the heavy rains. There was no other alternative left them, but to reach camp by a circuitous route, crossing the river at a ford some twenty miles to the north. July 3d, when within ten miles of camp, they were attacked by sixty or seventy of Morgan's Cavalry. The guard showing themselves equal to the emergency, dashed among them with great fury, repulsing them, killing one, and taking seven of them prisoners; the rest made good their escape. Shortly after, the teams reached Jamestown, much excited by their adventurous trip. Meanwhile we were expecting to be attacked, and were twice called into line. The morning of July 4th quite a force of the enemy came close upon us; the signal howitzers were fired, and the long roll was beaten. The regiment turned out, took position, and awaited their approach; but the enemy avoided us. Sunday, the 5th, it becoming known that Morgan with his whole force had crossed the river, and slipped past us, we were ordered back to Somerset. At nine, A.M., the stores were put aboard the teams, and we took up our line of march.

It was a very warm, sultry day, and the roads were in bad condition, owing to the late rains, making our march extremely difficult. The poor boys were sore pressed, and tents and blankets flew in all directions.

We reached Russell's Spring and made a halt there until four, P.M. We had twenty-five prisoners with us, the fruit of our excursion to Jamestown. At four, we started, when it commenced to rain and kept it up till dark; much of the time it poured in torrents, and we made a march of eight miles, with only two halts, of five minutes' each, and at dark encamped one mile from Shady Creek, soaked to the skin.

The next morning, July 6th, we waited until nine, A.M., for the team to come up with us, when we started again, marched eleven miles, and again halted for the night. July 7th, reached Somerset at seven, P.M.

The next day, at five, P.M., marched again, _en route_ for Hickman's Bridge, by way of Crab Orchard and Stanford. Marched six miles, and halted for the night. July 9th, marched twenty-two miles, reaching Crab Orchard at eight, P.M.

The next day pa.s.sed through Stanford at ten, and halted for dinner one mile from the village at eleven, A.M. Here our colonel was told he could give his regiment a ride on the supply train, which was all ready to go to Hickman's Bridge. Our colonel accepted the offer, and in one-half hour we were aboard and on our way, much to the relief of the suffering, sore-footed members of the Rhode Island "Itinerant" Regiment. The train made a halt at d.i.c.k River, and we dismounted and encamped. The next day, July the 11th, at one, P.M., we dismounted at Hickman's Bridge, marched up the hill, and at two, P.M., halted at General Burnside's head-quarters, for orders. Here we remained until nine, A.M., July the 12th, when we got orders to report in Cincinnati. We then marched to Nicholasville, went aboard the train at two, P.M., and at eleven at night arrived in Covington.

On the 13th, at seven, A.M., we crossed the Ohio, and stacking arms in front of the Fifth Street Market House, waited there for breakfast. Here we learned that the omnipresent Morgan was within a few miles of the city, and advancing. Martial law was to take effect in the city at ten, A.M. Companies were arming and organizing, and we were soon informed that nothing but the presence of the Twelfth Rhode Island Volunteers would save the city from utter destruction. This pleasing bit of information was imparted to us after dinner, while laboring to get up Vine Street Hill, to a new camp where we were destined to remain for a few days longer. This was sorry news, and some of the boys were rather riotous over it, the thought naturally suggesting itself to them, whether the same necessity might not exist in Bungtown or in any other place. By the way, the term of service for which our regiment was mustered in, had already expired; and the Twelfth Rhode Island Volunteers, weary and worn out, had hoped that we were finally on our way home.

It was indeed disheartening to many of us, who had expected that upon our arrival here nothing would occur to interrupt our journey. Little did we think that even here in Ohio the presence of John Morgan would render it necessary for us to rally again. About this time, also, the New York riot was raging, and some apprehension was felt by the authorities of a similar demonstration in Cincinnati. This was enough to detain us, and at the junction of the two roads on Mount Auburn, on the afternoon of the 13th day of July, the Twelfth Rhode Island Volunteers established their camp, and on the same evening the "redoubtable John"

illuminated it by burning a bridge within three miles of us.

Sunday, the 19th, reinforcements having arrived, we were relieved, and at seven o'clock, A.M., of that day we left Cincinnati for Rhode Island; where, on the 29th day of July, 1863, we were mustered from the service of the United States. The particulars of our journey, together with our reception in Providence, I copy from the "Providence Evening Press" of July 22d, at the conclusion of which is appended the Order which General Burnside, in appreciation of our services, upon our leaving his Department, issued to the regiment.

RETURN OF THE TWELFTH REGIMENT.

This n.o.ble regiment returned home to-day from its arduous and protracted services at the seat of war. The unusual amount of hards.h.i.+p and exposure to which it has been subjected, the important duties it has performed, and the heavy losses it has sustained in the defence of the country, made it highly appropriate that it should be received with demonstrations expressive of the popular interest in all that concerns our brave soldiers.

The record of this regiment will compare favorably with that of any nine months regiment which has been in the service during the war. In addition to long and frequent marches, they have spent seven months of their time at the front, in the face of danger, and where the duties imposed upon them have taxed their every energy to the utmost.

The regiment left Cincinnati on Sunday morning, and proceeded by rail to Dunkirk on the Erie Railroad, and thence to New York, where they arrived at eleven o'clock yesterday morning. They started about one o'clock for Providence on the steamer Commodore, arriving about four o'clock a short distance below Nayatt, where they anch.o.r.ed.

They came up to the city shortly afterward, and landed about seven o'clock. A salute was fired by the Marine Artillery.

The Fourth and Sixth Regiments Rhode Island Militia were drawn up on Benefit Street to receive the returning veterans, and loudly cheered them as they pa.s.sed through the opened lines. A crowd of expectant friends, who had a.s.sembled at the Point, immediately gathered around the gallant boys, and the short halt was improved in the interchange of the heartiest greetings.

About eight o'clock the line of march was formed in the following order:--

American Bra.s.s Band.

Drum Corps.

Section of Marine Artillery.

Sixth Regiment, R. I. M., Col. James H. Armington.

Drum Corps.

Fourth Regiment, R. I. M., Col. Nelson Viall.

Drum Corps.

Twelfth Regiment, R. I. V., Col. George H. Browne, Lieut. Col. James Shaw, Jr., Major Cyrus G. Dyer, Adjutant Matthew N. Chappell.

Co. B, Capt. James M. Longstreet, Lieuts. Albert W.

Delanah and Charles A. Winchester.

Co. I, Capt. George A. Spink, Lieuts. Munson H. Najac and John H. Weaver.

Co. F, Capt. William E. Hubbard, Lieuts. William H.

King and Francis...o...b..llou.

Co. K, Capt. Oscar Lapham, Lieuts. Edmund W. Fales and Charles H. Potter.

Co. E, (color company,) Capt. John J. Phillips, Lieuts.

Luther Cole, Jr., and Edward V. Wescott.

Co. D, Capt. John P. Abbott, Lieuts. George H. Tabor and Henry M. Tillinghast.

Co. H, Capt. Oliver H. Perry, Lieuts. Arnold F. Salisbury and J. N. Williams.

Co. A, Capt. Christopher H. Alexander, Lieuts. Edward F. Bacon and Joseph C. Whiting, Jr.

Co. G, Capt. William C. Rogers, Lieuts. James A. Bowen and Fenner H. Peckham, Jr.

Co. C, Capt. James H. Allen, Lieuts. George Bucklin and Beriah G. Browning.

Quartermaster, John L. Clarke; Surgeon, Benoni Carpenter; a.s.sist. Surgeon, Samuel M. Fletcher; Chaplain, S. W. Field.

Rear guard of twenty men detailed from all the companies.