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JOURNAL HISTORY OF THE TWENTY-NINTH OHIO Veteran Volunteers, 1861–1865.
JOURNAL HISTORY OF THE TWENTY-NINTH OHIO Veteran Volunteers, 1861–1865.
ITS VICTORIES AND ITS REVERSES. And the campaigns and battles of Winchester, Port Republic, Cedar Mountain, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Lookout Mountain, Atlanta, The March to the Sea, and the campaign of the Carolinas, in which it bore an honorable part. BY J. HAMP SeCHEVERELL , (LATE COMPANY B.) CLEVELAND: 1883....
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Comrades and Friends:
Comrades and Friends:
On the twentieth anniversary of the organization of the Twenty-ninth regiment Ohio Veteran volunteer infantry, Comrade J. H. SeCheverell was instructed to prepare a history of the same, and the undersigned were appointed a committee to supervise its publication. Comrade SeCheverell, after months of perplexing labor, completed the manuscript which was examined by us in Cleveland, July 19, 1882. It was then decided to issue fifty proof copies of the work to be put into the hands of members of the
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AUTHOR’S PREFACE.
AUTHOR’S PREFACE.
In the following pages no attempt at literary gush is made, the design being simply to preserve from oblivion the record of the valiant deeds of this, the bravest of the brave regiments from the Buckeye State, that in the dim, distant future, when each comrade shall have answered to his last earthly roll-call and gone to the “grand review” with the many whose bones now repose in that far away country of the orange and the magnolia, those left behind may not forget the sacrifices made, and the un
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INTRODUCTION.
INTRODUCTION.
The author of this volume has honored me with an invitation to write an “Introduction.” A book without a preface would be an anomaly: in other words, out of harmony with established usage; not strictly important, but answering much the same purpose as the “whereas” preceding the resolutions of the convention. I have not been permitted to read the author’s manuscript, yet I do not hesitate to assure the reader that as he peruses the pages of the book he will find much to entertain and profit. To
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CHAPTER I.
CHAPTER I.
The South Preparing for War—The Fall of Sumter—The Grand Rally to the Support of the Flag—Formation of the Regiment. President Lincoln, in his inaugural address of March 4, 1861, said: “I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists. I believe that I have no lawful right, and I have no inclination to do so.” The South had apparently decided otherwise, and continued the preparations for secession, begun under the administratio
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CHAPTER II.
CHAPTER II.
The Departure from Camp Giddings—At the Front—Death of Lander—Advance up the Valley—Winchester. Christmas morning, 1861, dawned clear, with the earth bountifully covered with snow, and soon the busy preparations for this the first march were apparent everywhere. Knapsacks were packed, tents were struck, and the camp equipage snugly put into shape for transportation to Ashtabula, and at 10 o’clock the drums beat off. Then the regiment filed out of the enclosure, bidding a fond good-bye, many for
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CHAPTER III.
CHAPTER III.
The Battle of Winchester or Kernstown—Stonewall Jackson Whipped. At Kernstown, some four miles south of Winchester, Jackson’s command, numbering fully fifteen thousand men, was massed, and on March 22d attacked the Union outposts. The citizens of Winchester, who, by the way, were about as thoroughly imbued with treason as at any point within the writer’s knowledge in the whole of the chivalrous (?) South, were in high glee at the prospect of being rid of those odious Lincoln hirelings, and some
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CHAPTER IV.
CHAPTER IV.
Pursuit of Jackson—The “Long” March—Fredericksburg to Front Royal—March to Waynesboro. At early dawn on the morning of March 24th the Union army pushed forward in pursuit of the retreating rebels. The Twenty-ninth deployed as skirmishes in the advance. Many wounded Confederates were found in private houses along the line of march. About noon the dashing rebel cavalry officer Ashby came from cover and suddenly swooped down upon the regiment with a heavy cavalry force. Rallying by companies and fo
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CHAPTER V.
CHAPTER V.
Battle of Port Republic—The Twenty-ninth Suffer Great Loss. On June 9th, in the dim light of early morning the enemy began to move, and soon our artillery opened a brisk fire on them. The Twenty-ninth regiment, under command of Colonel Buckley, was ordered to fall in, and at 6:45 o’clock marched out of the timber into the open field, and moved forward a short distance, when the men unslung knapsacks and other equipage and, reduced to light marching order, advanced by the right flank, and when ne
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CHAPTER VI.
CHAPTER VI.
1862. Cedar Mountain—Battle—Severe Loss of Life—Forward to Alexandria. August 8th, the regiment moved at 2 o’clock, advanced to Culpeper Court House, and went into camp; and at 10:40, on the morning of August 9th, moved forward in the direction of Cedar mountain. Halted a short time, and the Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania regiment was sent to the right on an eminence as signal guard. The remainder of the brigade soon advanced, halting at intervals, as the day was insufferably hot (several men died t
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CHAPTER VII.
CHAPTER VII.
Frederick City—Recruits—Dumfries. The regiment remained at Monocacy junction, guarding the immense supply trains which had accumulated here by reason of the burned bridge. Sergeant Baldwin relates that a lot of rebel prisoners passed Monocacy bridge, one of whom claimed to have fired seven shots at Colonel Buckley at the battle of Port Republic, but without effect. About September 13th, the bridge having been replaced, we moved on to Frederick city, Maryland. Here we engaged in camp, picket, and
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CHAPTER VIII.
CHAPTER VIII.
1863. Battle of Chancellorsville—March to Leesburg, Littletown, and Gettysburg. The morning of May 1st dawned upon a scene of bustle and active preparation for the bloody work which was to follow. Troops had been arriving during the entire night from the direction of the United States ford, and the light of early morning revealed an almost solid mass of blue-coated soldiers filling the open fields and woods in the vicinity of the Chancellor house. They were mainly from the Fifth, Eleventh, and T
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CHAPTER IX.
CHAPTER IX.
Gettysburg. 1863. July 1, 1863, the Twenty-ninth regiment, under command of Captain Edward Hayes, marched at 6:30 A. M. , passed through Littletown and on towards Gettysburg. After moving some five miles, we halted, and while preparing for dinner, first heard the distant artillery firing which seemed to be many miles away. While resting, troops were passing to the front. Meanwhile some of Company H had advanced to an eminence, from which they soon returned, reporting that the cannonading was not
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CHAPTER X.
CHAPTER X.
Return to Washington—Embark for New York—Return—Transferred to the Western Army. The pursuit of the retreating enemy was commenced by the Twelfth army corps at 1 o’clock P. M. , on July 5th. At night we encamped at Littletown, Pennsylvania, and on the following morning moved by the way of Frederick to Antietam creek. On the 7th instant we marched through Frederick, filed to the right, and passed by a rebel spy that was hanging to a limb of a tree. We moved a short distance, and halted, where we
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CHAPTER XI.
CHAPTER XI.
Murfreesboro—General Greene—The Mule Brigade—Congratulatory. While at Murfreesboro scouts reported that Wheeler’s cavalry was in the vicinity, and the Second division (Geary’s) was pushed forward to meet it, the First division remaining to guard the post and railway communication. Geary moved forward in the direction of Bridgeport, encountering Wheeler’s force near the line of the railway. A brief but sharp skirmish ensued, which resulted in the repulse and hasty retreat of the rebels. We then a
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CHAPTER XII.
CHAPTER XII.
Lookout Mountain—The Battle—The Regiment Re-enlist. The line of General Geary’s division now extends along the foot of Lookout mountain, parallel with the rebel line, and only separated from it by the creek along its base. For nearly ten days the commissary stores intended for us have been largely forwarded to Chattanooga, leaving us with scarcely anything to eat. When on the skirmish line we often sent our reserves around to the right of the mountain to secure corn from a field in that location
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CHAPTER XIII.
CHAPTER XIII.
Shelmound—Wauhatchie Valley—Ringgold—Battle of Dug or Mill Creek Gap or Buzzard’s Roost—On the Move. On the morning of May 3, 1864, at 10 o’clock, we broke camp, crossed the Tennessee river, and moved eastward along its south bank to Shelmound, where we encamped for the night. On the following day the march was resumed, the column halting for dinner in Wauhatchie valley. Crossing Lookout Creek and mountain, we encamped for the night on its east side and two miles distant from Chattanooga. The co
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CHAPTER XIV.
CHAPTER XIV.
Battle of Resaca, Georgia—In Pursuit of the Fleeing Chivalry (?) At an early hour on the morning of May 15th sharp skirmishing opened along our entire front. General Geary’s Second division moved a short distance to the left and halted for orders. About 11 o’clock Generals Sherman, Hooker, and Thomas, with their respective staffs, reached the battlefield and immediately held a council of war. General Hooker is requested to assume command of selected troops to take the offensive, and is asked how
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CHAPTER XV.
CHAPTER XV.
Pumpkin Vine Creek—Dallas, or New Hope Church—Slight Unpleasantness—Personal. At Pumpkin Vine creek we discover the enemy and drive back his skirmishers, who are stationed on its opposite bank, recovering the bridge, which we cross and throw out skirmishers on the opposite side. While this was being accomplished, General Hooker and Staff, with a small body guard, pushed ahead to reconnoiter. He had not advanced far, however, when he was attacked by a force of rebel sharp shooters. He now came te
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CHAPTER XVI.
CHAPTER XVI.
Advance to Pine Knob—Battle at that Place—A Forward Movement. At 5 o’clock on the morning of June 6th, the army pushed forward after the retreating enemy. When about two miles from Ackworth Station he makes a stand, and we wheel into line, the Twenty-ninth acting as skirmishers while the other troops were engaged in preparing rifle-pits. The Fourteenth corps now came up, forming on our left, and General Howard’s Fourth corps on our right. The position remained the same until June 10th, when the
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CHAPTER XVII.
CHAPTER XVII.
Battle of Culp’s Farm or Kenesaw Mountain—The Glorious Fourth—Advance to the Chattahoochie. June 22d we move to the front, and occupy a ridge on Culp’s farm, which covers the level on our front. We had been but a short time in this position when the rebel General Hood’s corps was moved directly on our front, and immediately advanced in furious attack upon the divisions of Generals Geary and Williams. Our artillery was at once turned upon the advancing rebel columns, which, with the terrific voll
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CHAPTER XVIII.
CHAPTER XVIII.
Battle of Peach Tree Creek—Some of the “boys” go to Andersonville. On the morning of July 20th, just as old Sol was tinting the east with his rosy hue, our army began a general forward movement, the Twentieth corps in this advance being on the right centre, the Fourth corps left, resting on our right, and Newton’s division (Fourth corps) connecting with our left. Slight skirmishing ensued early in the morning, but towards noon the enemy retired. The unbroken stillness which followed caused us to
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CHAPTER XIX.
CHAPTER XIX.
Siege of Atlanta—The Capitulation—General Sherman’s Report. July 21st, heavy skirmishing on our right. 22d, we moved forward in pursuit of the retreating rebels. 23d, we are now strongly intrenched, within two miles of Atlanta, Georgia; lively skirmishing much of the time. 24th, shelling and picket firing to-day; rebels charged our line but were repulsed. 25th, brisk firing all day. 26th, advanced our line forty rods. 27th, quiet along the lines. 28th, heavy firing on our right; the rebels are r
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CHAPTER XX.
CHAPTER XX.
With Sherman to the Sea—Colonel Schoonover’s Journal—Siege of Savannah. Tuesday, the 8th instant, the Twenty-ninth was very busy holding election. Detachments from other organizations were permitted to vote at the Twenty-ninth headquarters. The Twenty-ninth regiment cast three hundred and eighty-four votes. Of these Lincoln received three hundred and fifty and McClellan thirty-four. During the day the regiment was wide awake and enthusiastic, and gave every soldier a chance to vote. At 6:30 A. M
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CHAPTER XXI.
CHAPTER XXI.
The Carolina Campaign—Washington—Grand Review—The New Flag—Westward, and Home again. On the 27th day of January, after the order to march was issued, the Twenty-ninth broke camp and marched at 8 A. M. , in rear of the Sixty-sixth Ohio regiment; halted at 2 P. M. and encamped for the night (marched twelve miles). 28th instant, marched at 7 A. M. in rear of the Sixty-sixth Ohio regiment and brigade train; at 7 P. M. camped for the night (marched ten miles). 29th instant, marched at 6:30 A. M. , Tw
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GENERAL REVIEW.
GENERAL REVIEW.
The following review of the battles, sieges, marches, and campaigns in which the Twenty-ninth regiment was engaged, is from the pen of Colonel Jonas Schoonover. It gives in brief the important work of the regiment during its nearly four years’ service, and should the “gentle reader” find the descriptive portion of the history too voluminous, she has but to turn to this review to find consolation. Beginning with the service in the winter of 1861–2, along the waters of the Potomac and its tributar
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OFFICIAL ROSTER.
OFFICIAL ROSTER.
The writer of the volume visited the office of the adjutant-general at Columbus, Ohio, and prepared a verbatim copy of the rolls of the Twenty-ninth regiment as transcribed in that office, which was published and issued with the proof copies. The following roster is largely from the pen of Colonel Jonas Schoonover, who is responsible for its correctness. FIELD AND STAFF. Colonel Lewis P. Buckley, mustered into service December 28, 1861; honorably discharged, for disability, January 26, 1863. Col
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CASUALTIES.
CASUALTIES.
The following list of casualties is prepared from the records in the War Department, and contains the name of every member of the regiment, whose disability was reported to the department. It is believed to be perfect. RECORD OF DEATHS IN TWENTY-NINTH REGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTEERS, EXCEPT KILLED IN ACTION. 1861. Private Charles A. Clapp, company D, December 5, 1861. 1862. Private John A. Austin, company F, April 2, 1862. Corporal Augustus Belden, company G, May 1, 1862. Private Albert H. Beardsley, c
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ERRATA.
ERRATA.
Page 192 —eighth line, “Steur” should be “Steen.” Page 193 —Captain Luce was killed June 9, 1862. Page 194 —ninth line, for “October 17” read “October 27,”; twenty-fourth line, for “Francis” read “Frances.” Page 196 —twelfth line, “Haddock” should be “Hadlock.” Page 197 —seventeenth line, “Bivius” should be “Bivins.” Page 198 —twenty-first line, “Vanskoyt” should be “Vanskoik.” Page 203 —fourth and fifth lines, instead of “Buele” read “Beede”; eleventh line from bottom, “Outis” should be “Ontis.
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