xt7nvx05xp29 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7nvx05xp29/data/mets.xml Thatcher, Marshall P. 1884 books b929737474t3292009 English Thatcher, Marshall P. : Detroit, Mich. Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. United States. Army. Michigan Cavalry Regiment, 2nd (1861-1864) --History. United States --History --Civil War, 1861-1865 --Regimental histories --Michigan Cavalry --2d. A hundred battles in the West, St. Louis to Atlanta, 1861-65. The Second Michigan cavalry, with the armies of the Mississippi, Ohio, Kentucky and Cumberland ... with mention of a few of the famous regiments and brigades of the West. text A hundred battles in the West, St. Louis to Atlanta, 1861-65. The Second Michigan cavalry, with the armies of the Mississippi, Ohio, Kentucky and Cumberland ... with mention of a few of the famous regiments and brigades of the West. 1884 2009 true xt7nvx05xp29 section xt7nvx05xp29

Hundred Battles

IN THE WEST.,

ST. LOUIS TO ATLANTA, 1861-65.

The Second Michigan Cavalry

with the armies of the mississippi, ohio, kentucky and cumberland, under generals halleck, sherman, pope, rosecrans, thomas and others ; with mention of a few of the famous regiments and brigades of the west.

CAPTAIN MARSHALL P. THATCHER,

CO. "b," SECOND MICHIGAN CAVALRY: AID TO GEN. P. H. SHERIDAN.

ILLUSTRATED.

DETROIT, MICH.: PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR. 1884.

PREFACE.

"All are but parts of one stupendous whole," and it is with the hope that this very small part of the history of our beloved country will find a place in the hearts of not a few, that it is sent out into the world, craving indulgence for imperfections, and justice if merit is discovered.

This work was begun as a history of the Second Regiment of Michigan Cavalry, a regiment that started from an obscure position in the regular army Gordon Granger toward a major-generalship and Philip Henry Sheridan to the proud position of the brightest military genius of the age in which he won his stars.

As the work of searching the records begun, it was found impossible to limit the writings to the doings of one regiment, and so you have here a partial history (written impartially) of the war of 1861-5. General Logan truthfully said "the full history of the Great Rebellion will never be known until every regiment and every company has been heard from."

Official and private records have yielded up their treasures freely, and have been carefully compared and revised with the writer's own journal as the groundwork. There was no need of fiction, for truth was stranger far, in every instance worth recording.

Nor has this been written to glorify anyone; and it can be read in the knowledge of one fact the writer was practically an outside witness, serving most of the time as a staff officer, near
Vlll PREFACE.

his regiment, and usually in the same brigade or division; and therefore while he writes principally of what passed before his eyes, he was not always among the most active partakers in the incidents here narrated, and is not, therefore, in any sense writing of himself.

Lieutenant Edwin Hoyt, Jr., who served first as sergeant-major and later as adjutant, and still later as assistant adjutant-gen-eral to the brigade commander, has kindly furnished many facts, and his judgment as a clear-headed chronicler, unprejudiced by regimental pride, is recognized, and appreciated.

It has been found simply impossible to separate the record of this regiment from that of others, since it has been shown that by the character of their arms they were constantly brought into contact with every branch of the service, and their history is blended with each and all of them.

It may appear to the most active participants in this regiment's history, that this record is too moderate. Adjutant-General Robertson says "that was always a fault,of your historian, when an occasional war correspondent; he did not 'blow' as others would have done." Let others judge.

To the nervous reader, a word. The horrors of the battlefield have been touched upon as lightly as possible. The same temper of mind which unconsciously puts aside tales of horror in the daily papers, murders, disasters, etc., would not delight in perpetuating such disagreeable subjects.

General Sherman said truly when he said, "War is hell." We certainly want as little of it as possible; but aside from that picture of it there are many valuable lessons to be learned, as well as interesting incidents that are worth reading and preserving, and
PREFACE. IX

you have this picture from one who has tears to shed for every wound, and whose hand was never lifted against individuals, but against a common enemy.

No doubt many pen sketches herein given to the public for the first time will be criticised by those who witnessed other parts of the field as "not according to my remembrance;" but we all know how individuals differ upon the same subject, viewed from different standpoints, and I have in many instances given way to the weight of evidence as gathered from others whose positions were such as to warrant the probability of their correctness.

There is one point upon which this volume can be referred to with pride it contains very little that can be called "old." A special effort has been made to print only "unpublished records," and with only two unimportant exceptions that idea has been followed.

THE AUTHOR.
CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

page-

The organization of a company. Leaf from a diary. Off for

Grand Rapids. ........ 17

CHAPTER II.

Details of Organization. Sketch of the Captains and Companies.

The Field and Staff........ 20

CHAPTER III.

Off for St. Louis. An ovation all along the line. Horses follow

in sections of trains. Incidents by the way. Camp Benton. 27

CHAPTER IV.

The finishing touches. Farewell to Benton Barracks. Lambs to the slaughter.- Commerce, Mo. Jeff. Thompson's light artil-

lery. A night in the mud. New Madrid. The baptism of

fire............ 32

CHAPTER V.

Afloat on the Mississippi. Off for Memphis. Counter march to Pittsburg' Landing. A muddy business. Monterey. Farming-ton. In front of Corinth General Pope. ... 39

CHAPTEP VI.

The Mississippi campaign. The raid on Booneville. Philip H.

Sheridan. Blackiand. Baldwin...... 46

CHAPTER VII.

The North Mississippi campaign. "Pine Hills. " Back to Booneville. The second Booneville. Kienzi. A flag of truce.

58:
contents.

CHAPTER VIII.

page.

From Corinth to Perryville. Col. Phil gets a star. Colonel Archie Campbell. Cincinnati. Louisville. General Buell. Rous-,seau and Sheridan. Loomis. Perryville. ... 70

CHAPTER IX.

After the battle. Confederate retreat. A flag of truce. "Wc

will bury your dead, move on." Sweeping the state. . , 88

CHAPTER X.

Carter's raid. 750 miles in twenty days. Mountain paths. Among the lcouds. Bushwhacked. Capturing forts. Humphrey Marshall. Cutting communications. Burning bridges. 94

CHAPTER XI.

Recuperating. Pleasant hours short lived. Farewell to Kentucky. General Green Clay Smith. Brentwood. Thompson's Station. ...... 112

CHAPTER XII.

Middle Tennessee. Three months of post duty with the variations. Colonel Watkinsand Colonel Campbell. McGarrick's Ford. Numerous small fights. .... 122

CHAPTER XIII.

Tiie Tennessee campaign. Franklin to Triune. Triune to Franklin. Stirring up General Armstrong. -Return to Triune. The grand forward move. Rain and mud. Guy's gap. A grand cavalry charge. Shelby ville. .... 128

CHAPTER XIV.

Stevenson, Alabama. The army concentrating. Immense depot of supplies. Sickness. Over mountain and moor. Scouting through Georgia. Lafa3Tette. Crawfish Springs and Chica-mauga. Chattanooga ours.

CHAPTER XV.

137

Victory out of defeat. Reflections not designed as critical. Great soldiers. Wheeler's Raid. Destroys a 1,000 wagon train. A wild chase. Camp life. A ferry disaster. . . . 151,
xii

contents.

CHAPTER XVI.

page

East Tenhessee. Climbing mountains Bushwhacked Dandridge

"Races." A lively campaign and many hardships. . ' . 159

CHAPTER XVII.

.Mossy Creek. A trick which did not work. A fight, sharp, short,

decisive. An artillery duel. . . . . . . 167

CHAPTER XVIII.

Severeville or Fair Garden. A midnight retreat. A morning'sad-

vance. A dead line. Storming bridge and barricade. . 174

CHAPTER XIX.

Veterans. Severeville to Cleveland. Florence. Shoal Creek. Forrest and Roddy. The non-veterans and the Atlanta campaign. Lieutenant Darrow. Captain Fargo's flag of truce. Pulaski. Franklin. Cypress Creek. .... 179

CHAPTER XX.

The Hood campaign. Florence. Shoal Creek. Pontoons.

A faithful negro. Beginning of Hood's advance. . . 191

CHAPTER XXI.

Hood's Race with Schofield. Columbia. Spring Hill. The Harpeth. "Haiti" The.butchery at Franklin. Stanley.-Wilson. Cox.. Hatch. Croxton. Schofield's report..... 19?

CHAPTER XXII.

Battle of Nashville. Hood's army demoralized. Cavalry capturing earthworks. Capturing prisoners. What Hood said. "The retreat." Thomas's report........S19

CHAPTER XXIII.

Hood "loses his grip" and resigns. Forrest's narrow escape. A

battalion charges a division. Closing scenes. . . . 235
i

CONTENTS. Xiii

page.

General Pope....... . . . . . 247

General Elliott.......... 248

^ General Stanley........... 249

General Edward Hatch......... 250

Army op the Cumberland......... 253

Commanders............ 254

Stone River General Rosecrans. ...... 256

Gordon Granger...... . . . . . 270

Philip H. Sheridan.......... 277

Sheridan's Horse. ........ . . . 291

General Stanley........... 292

General Wilson. . . . . . . . . . . 294

R. H. G. Minty. . . ... 80*

Croxton's Brigade........... 304

Incidents at Franklin Mrs. Snyder...... 307

W. D. Moody. . ... . . . 818"

A Dying Confederate........ 315

A Horrld Scene......... . 316

The Second Battery at Shiloh....... 317

The Glasgow Collision.......... 818

Left on the Field. ........ 320

A Daring Scout.......... . 324

The Romance of War......... 327

Surgeon Charles L. Henderson. . . . . . . 330

Surgeon William Brownell........ 330

Surgeon W. F. Green.......... 331

Notes by W. F. Green. . . . . . . . . 382

Surgeon George E. Ranney. . . . , . . . 333

Notes by George E. Ranney........ 335

Commissary Lawbence........" . . 338

In the Hospital........... 839

Lieutenant R. T. Darrow......... 341

Turning the Tide.......... 343

Jim Brownlow Captured......... 343

"Five Dollars for that Reb."...... . 344

"Walk around.".......... 845

Burnt his fingers..........346

Here's your mule...........348

Destroying Pontoons.......... 350 1

Compliments to Wirt Adams...... . . . 357
X 1 V

contents.

page.

Leaves prom a Diart. . .- - -....... 359

A Scout on foot........... 364

"Dm they Sting?"......... 366

An Interrupted Wedding...... . . . 367

Horse Sense......... . . 368

Lucky Escapes............ 870

Weaeb'sOove. .......... 878

A Bull Run Hero.......... 378

A Lively Prisoner. ,......... 379

A Flag of Truce.......... . 380

Scouting in North Carolina........ 382

Dodging Shells........... 384

TJnexploded Shells. ......... 386

Who hit Chalmers at Boonevili.e ?...... 386

Running the Gauntlet.......... 387

A Corporal's guard makes a reconnaissance .... 388

Under Arrest....... . . . . 389

One Day Nearer Atlanta......... 391

Why Cheatham did not get there....... 392

General Cheatham's Story........ . 393

Cavalry and Gunboats...... ... 400

Capturing outposts.......... 401

Straining a point to save a Life....... 403

An Omen. . _"'. ' 406

Alleged Outrages.......... 407

Captain Avery........... 408

Loomis's Battery. ......... 410

A Lonely Grave............ 411

Died Game. A Youthful Soldier....... 413

Courting Death........... 414

Too Much Gold. Discipline....... 415

The Last Battle....... ... 416
ILLUSTRATIONS.

page.

The Authoh..........feontibpiece.

Arms and Accoutrements. ......... 26

Mounted Dragoon........... 31

Benton Barracks.......... 33

Map of New Madrid.......... 34

Foragers. . ......., . . . 36

Gordon Granger........... 48

Booneville, Miss............ 64

Map of Booneville........... 65

Philip H. Sheridan.......... 80

Map of Perryvtlle........... 76

Night Scene at Perrytille........ 83

Major L. S. Scranton.......... 117

Shells............ . 121

Col. A. P. Campbell.......... . 125

Chicamauga............ 144

Point Lookout............ 148

Map of Chicamauga.......... 152

Map of Dandridge........... 162

Captain Jas. H. Smith. . ..... 165

Captain J. M. Weatherwax......... 171

Captain Dak T. Fargo......... 186

Lieutenant Russell T. Darrow........ 190

Map of Franklin.......... 206

Map of Nashville........... 219

Field and Staff.......... 244

Sheridan's Horse........... 291

LrEUT.-CoL. Ben. Smith......... 305

Major W. H. Whittemore........ . 358

Col. Thomas. W. Johnston........ 859

SECOND MICHIGAN CAVALRY.

CHAPTER I.

the organization of a company--leaf from a diary-off

for grand rapids.

During the war it was common to hear soldiers talking about how they came to enlist. Some stoutly insisted that patriotism was the first grand incentive to the personal sacrifice; others with a show of modesty "went for the fun of it" "excitement" "a chance to see something of the world" "ambition" -"position" "distinction" and now and again we just heard of some one who went to find solace for a "bruised heart." Perhaps a few leaves from an old diary may show the average soldier's reasons, the why and the how, and all about it.

August 25. * * * I see in every newspaper reports of the grand success in recruiting volunteers for the war just fairly begun in the Southern States. * * *
18

hundred battles

The old Flag is in danger; already the bones of many of my countrymen are bleaching in the Southern sun. * * * We do not fully realize our country's situation. We hear of battles but they sound like tales of other days. We do not see the smoke of battles nor hear the roar of artillery, the rattle of musketry nor the bugle's call. The drum goes rattling through the street, keeping time with the shrill piping of the life and the tramp of armed, undisciplined troops. This is all we see or know. But here is something we can all understand. Its every word is an electric shock that tingles the blood and sends it rushing through the veins. A proclamation by Jefferson Davis, styling himself "President of the Confederate States of America." Here it is: "All Northern men will leave the Southern States within thirty days," etc., etc. It is signed August 15, 1861. * * *

The news of the battle of Wilson's Creek comes to us, pictured with all the horrors of civil war. Convalescent, sick and wounded from the battle of Bull Run are straggling home. This is no boys' play. I must enlist. Young and unmarried why not? * * *

The nearest recruiting office is gathering men for the cavalry. I enter, a stranger to everyone. The man recognized as captain is large, of fine physique; his bearing indicates the leader, "Born to command." The company appear anxious to join the first regiment, nearly full at Detroit. If they fail to enter there, perhaps they will take them in the second, just begun at Grand Rapids. The material of this company thus far is good, judging from one standpoint they are always ready for a fight. * * * * * * *

We have received word from Colonel Brodhead of the First Cavalry that his regiment is full, therefore we must go into the second, and we are very anxious to get to Grand Rapids before that regiment is also full. * * * * *

Sept. 9. On our way to Grand Rapids, transportation failing to meet us in time we stay at the Grand Trunk and Milwaukee Junction, sleeping on straw in a little old freight house.
IN the west. 19

This is our first bivouac without tents, blankets or supper. In the absence of arms a corporal'* guard would have no trouble in "surrounding us."

Sept. 10. The arrangements for transportation are so exasperating that we make our own contracts for a car and fill it. "Some days must be dark and dreary," but this dark, rainy day did not in the least dampen our ardor, for the racket is much like an excursion to a prize fight or a picnic.

We will leave our friend's diary for the present, believing that the foregoing will serve to show the true spirit that actuated the great mass of those who took their lives in their hands and went out to fight perchance to die, for the Union.

And this was but one of twelve companies, each of which could doubtless tell a similar story; showing how from a heterogeneous mass the very beginning of the organization of the regiment was made.
CHAPTER II.

retails of organization sketch of the captains and companies-the field and staff.

The second regiment of Michigan cavalry was organized by the Hon. F. W. Kellogg, under authority of the Secretary of War, upon a commission as colonel from Governor Austin Blair. About the middle of July, 1861, preparations were made at Grand Rapids for quartering the cavalry troops, but at first these arrangements were very imperfect; a company being placed here and there in vacant buildings some upon the west side of the river near Pearl street bridge, but more in a row of wooden buildings opposite the gas works on Ottawa street.

One of the first acts of importance to the regiment was the appointment of William C. Davies, of Detroit, as Lieutenant-Colonel, and with him a full complement of field and staff officers Majors, Adjutants, Surgeons and Quartermasters with their non-commissioned staff sergeants.

As fast as each company received their minimum number, the captains' and lieutenants' names were reported to the governor for commissions.

During this recruiting period the regiment had been gathering together upon the fairgrounds where additional barracks had
in the west. 21

been erected and the preliminary steps toward becoming a soldier had been taken. The first of these was the medical examination; stripped before a board of surgeons, assisted by the surgeons of the regiment. The name, age, bight, complexion, color of the hair and eyes were all duly entered on the rolls.

Straw and army blankets were issued and we laid down side by side, on the floor and in bunks, perhaps to think of pleasant homes, the girl we left behind, or float away to dream-land and scenes of carnage. Our breakfast, dinner and supper consisted of bread, potatoes and meat, tea or coffee, and our meals were at stated hours. We marched into the dining sheds under orders and opposite our respective tin cups and plates, where we halted and sat down at a rough board table. As we look back upon that scene over an interval filled with incidents more stirring, we wonder at the fastidiousness of volunteers, when some officer flushed with the victories of camp life a winner in the race for shoulder strajjs in loud tones proclaims that his "men shall not eat with rusty forte?) and boldly flings the disgraced weapon into outer darkness.

Occasionally some patty would fancy themselves wronged by the provisions contractor; for it will be remembered we did not cook our own rations at this camp "Anderson" as it was called, but they were furnished by contract, and so it often fell out that the soup would be a trifle burned the coffee just a trifle "off" or the beef a year or two older than necessary the butter might not have been exactly bad, nor yet very good; still we were all agreed afterwards that "Camp Anderson butter was not the worst we ever saw." <

Military discipline was immediately commenced, and the
22 hundred battles

bugle sounded reveille, roll call, guard mounting and drilling by tacties, Hardie'stactics "Right face! left face! about face! front face! eyes right! eyes left! head and shoulders up! forward march! backward march! parade rest!" Day after day, until the shuffling gait changed for the upright, prompt, sharp steps of a soldier.

The officers had their duties making out muster rolls, drawing clothing and supplies from the quartermasters, etc.

Soon we had sufficient numbers to form platoons and drill by companies; then battalion drill, and afterwards the full regiment assembled for dress parade; and I think we shall never forget that first parade under command of our little lieutenant colonel, whose short thick stature, fierce black mustache, dangling sword and rattling spurs made him a conspicuous figure; nor how, after listening to a few not very intelligible orders we soon executed a flank movement on our quarters.

The officers visited the city and purchased shoulder straps, feathers, plumes, gold lace and high top boots, and one by one the companies were completed in numbers and outfit except

horses and arms.

Company"A," Captain Godley, was the first to march the streets of Grand Rapids in full uniform, under command of Lieutenant Carter. They were a body of large men, mostly from the lumber camps and mills of the Saginaw valley, and made a fine appearance.

Company "G," Captain Fred Fowler, with his farmer boys from Hillsdale in full uniform white gloves, large plume in the captain's hat, marched in full ranks to the Congregational church and took front seats in the gallery.
in the west. 23

Captain Ben. Whitman's Company "E," from Muskegon, was another body of stalwart lumbermen who looked as if they would be equally at home with rifle, pistol, saber or ax.

Captain Ben Smith; of Company "D," would sit up later and work harder for a joke than any man in the regiment, and his company of Hollanders gave a good account of themselves, whether the captain or his wife was in command.

Captain Goodale, Company "I," was a good natured, jolly old boy from Kalamazoo. His men had their own way mostly in company affairs and seemed to enjoy themselves as they went along, yet they were on hand in every fight.

Captain Peck, of Company "F," was from Lowell with lieutenants from Grand Rapids. His company enjoyed the reputation of being a well behaved, soldierly lot of men, always ready for duty of any kind.

Captain Archie P. Campbell, of Company "K," was from Port Huron and his company had the name of doing more fighting in camp and out than any other company in the regiment. They were mostly rough lumbermen and log runners from the Black River, St. Clair county, and would stick by their leader in war or peace.

Captain IT. A. Shaw Company "B," was from Eaton Rapids. He was once Speaker of the House at Lansing and was ever ready to speak when occasion required, and his boys would do anything they were told to. They occupied the second post of honor the left of the regiment.

Captain B. P. Wells, of Niles, commanded Company "L." He was one of the few who were apparently satisfied with their positions and looked for no higher honor than to command Company L, who were always ready to obey quietly.
24 i1unpeei) kattles

Company "H" was commanded by Captain C. E. Newman, who wore a stunning hat and feather,;but-had a good company of men from Utica, Macomb county.

Captain R. A. Alger, of Company "C," took commendable pride in his own personal appearance and that of his men. They were mostly from Grand Rapids and the ladies could all point out Captain Alger's company.

Captain F. W. Dickey, of Company "M," was from Marshall; His men were wrell up in size, personal appearance and drill. If the captain had a weakness it was his love for a good horse.

The field and staff were made up of men from various walks in life and from different parts of the State.

Lieutenant-Colonel W. C. Davies was the real organizer and commander of the regiment. He came from the employ of the Great Western Railroad. His appearance was decidedly "Frenchy" but he claimed to be an Englishman and wore medals of honor upon his breast which had been given him for distinguished services in the Crimea. But he lost his influence to an extent-with the regiment by "airing" himself went to church in full uniform, saber, spurs and all and never had the opportunity of commanding the regiment in a fight, though we all believed he would have made a good officer.

On the 2d of October, 1861, when Captain Henry R. Mizner, TJ. S. A., mustered the regiment into the service we had as senior Major, Robert II. G. Minty, a very genial gentleman who endeared himself to the men by his unassuming yet soldierly manners. He lived in his tent in camp and could call his men by name, and was ever ready to impart any instructions or listen to any communications they might make. He was from Detroit and was, like the Lieutenant-Colonel, a railroad man.
in the west. 25

Major Selclen H. Gorhani, of the second battalion, was from Marshall, and came to us with a good record from service as a lieutenant with the three months men at Bull Run. He was a stylish young officer, but a little too much reserved in manners ever to become popiilar among volunteers.

Major Chas. P. Babcock, of the third battalion, was a very stylish old officer. His slick iron gray chin whiskers and his prancing iron gray stallion were in exact harmony. His men would do anything for the kind hearted old major, but the war hajjpened about twenty-five years too late for him.

Surgeon Chas. S. Henderson was from Grand Rapids and gave his entire time and acknowledged skill to the faithful discharge of his duty and in this he was ably assisted by assistant Surgeon Wm. Brownell, of Utica.

Peter S. Schuyler, Adjutant, possessed natural qualifications for the arduous duties which devolved upon his position while the troops were being organized, and afterwards Alphonso E. Gordon, Peter A.Weber and George Lee were the battalion adjutants. Gordon was an editor, Weber a popular young business man of bright promise and Lee was a bank book-keeper. They were all from Grand Rapids.

Frank E. Walbridge, of Kalamazoo, was regimental quartermaster. His battalion quartermasters were James P. Scott, of Grand Haven, Seymour Brownell, of Utica, and John A. Brooks, of Newaygo. The four positions were soon consolidated at Corinth in one, when James P. Scott alone remained. Walbridge having been promoted, and Brownell transferred to the Potomac and promoted.

Chaplain Francis Drew, of the M. E. church of Grand
i:

26 hundred battles

Rapids, held divine service on Sundays, and visited the sick in hospitals. Sylvester's regimental band gave us selections at regimental parade or an occasional evening serenade. Prompt responses were made to bugle calls and the discipline of camp life was accepted with becoming grace and an evidence of determination to equal if possible the best drilled and disciplined troops.

CHAPTER III.

off foe st. louis-an ovation all along the line-horses-

follow in sections of trains-incidents by the wat

camp benton.

It seemed a long time to wait those days and weeks when we were drilling, receiving clothing and horses horses that we could not ride, for as yet we had no saddles nor arms; and every morning as we arose to a bath at the trough in the open air, with a sharp frost nipping our fingers and no fires in all the camp to warm by, we longed for a more sunny clime, with a chance to show the country that Michigan took some interest in the war.

The order came, and on the 14th of November, 1861, we marched to the depot of the Detroit & Milwaukee road, and bidding adieu to friends gathered there, we left for Detroit. At all stations along the road there was a general uproar of cheers, greetings and farewells.

Arriving at Detroit in the evening, we marched in good order to a sumptuous feast spread by the ladies of that city in the freight depot of the Detroit & Milwaukee Railroad, and it was twelve o'clock at night before we were again under way over the Michigan Central, filling the air with cheers as we left, for the good ladies of Detroit, who had feasted us so well.
28 hundred rattles

A train of soldiers was no uncommon sight in those days, yet the enthusiasm was unabated, and throngs of people gathered at the stations, night or day, to give us God speed.

Arriving at Decatur, Michigan, in the morning, we were ordered from the cars for a rest and inspection. The Decatur cannon was ordered out and we were welcomed by a salute, in which a squad of young ladies joined, and their fusilade of kisses went square to the target and never missed a man.

At Niles we took breakfast, which had been prepared by the ladies, who exerted themselves successfully in making our short stay very pleasant. At Michigan City we were well received by the Hoosiers and their ladies, and again at Joliet, and then we plunged out upon the broad moon-lit prairie^ whose swelling bosom seemed so like the rolling sea, as we rushed down one grade and up the next, speeding on with never a halt, passing station, town or burning grass, and on into the rock-bound city of Alton on the Mississippi, where we embarked upon those floating palaces, "Meteor" and "Daniel Tatrim," for St. Louis, where after a short, pleasant ride, we arrived in due time, and forming into line marched four miles to "Benton Barracks," the work of General Fremont at the fair grounds.

We numbered 1,240 in officers and men at that time, and the task of transporting that number was no difficult one, yet much less so than the moving of the same number of horses. These were divided into three sections of trains, each train having thirty-five to forty cars.

To load and unload these horses, feed and water them at least once every twenty-four hours on all that long trip from Grand Rapids to Detroit, thence to Michigan City, Joliet, Alton
in the west. 2y

and St. Louis was no small task, as the writer can testify from personal experience. Occasionally a horse would get down and the kicking, squealing and tramping could be heard above the roar of the heavy train. Only one horse was killed of all the number, and stopping the train in the middle of a broad prairie, he was hauled out. After three days from Grand Rapids the battalion of horses was led into camp at St. Louis in good condition. It may not be out of place to remark here that many expressed a wonder that saddles were not furnished at Grand Rapids and the command be permitted to march to St. Louis. For the discipline of that march, if properly conducted, would have been worth quite as much as the benefit received in camp at Benton Barracks (the fair grounds) during the same period. But our camp was laid out on a large open field, level and thoroughly drained, though soft in wet weather, and we were soon in active training for the field. The grounds were one mile long by a quarter wide, surrounded on three sides by wooden barracks, with cooking and dining sheds in the rear and stables farther back.

In the center of the grounds near one end were General Sherman's headquarters, and none will ever forget the long-haired, strong-lunged Indian, who woke us to an early reveille with his bugle that gave forth a blast like a steam fog-horn, and kept it up throughout the day roll-call, stable call, hospital call, drill, fatigue, sun-set ("Retreat"), and taps, when the last light was supposed to be out, and silence reigned supreme.

Who will forget the refrain from all the company bugles and drums as they took up the calls and rattled and blowed to-the last long drawn note?
30 hundred battles

Then the busy scene upon that level plain as company after company and regiment after regiment marched and rode out to drill. Helter-skelter, hither and yon, -like a hundred sham battles, deploying, rallying, charging, flanking, wheeling and skirmishing a gr