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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43562 ***
+
+Note: Images of the original pages are available through
+      Internet Archive. See
+      http://archive.org/details/companygrecordof00barl
+
+
+
+
+
+COMPANY G.
+
+A Record of the Services of One Company of the 157th N. Y. Vols.
+in the War of the Rebellion.
+
+From Sept. 19, 1862, to July 10, 1865.
+
+Including the Roster of the Company.
+
+by
+
+A. R. BARLOW.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+A. W. Hall, Publisher,
+Syracuse, N.Y.
+1899.
+
+
+
+
+PREFATORY.
+
+
+The production of this little work has long been contemplated. It has
+seemed right that the records of some of the volunteer organizations
+sent from Canastota and vicinity, during the War of the Rebellion,
+should be recorded in such a form as would preserve to the families of
+those boys, their deeds in marching, in fighting, in suffering for the
+old flag. In an effort to accomplish such an undertaking as this, the
+patronage of the general public is not considered. The book, if
+requiting for the expense of publication, will be considered a success
+financially.
+
+As a literary effort, no claim is filed, unless one is admissible for
+general accuracy in the matter of events and dates. Some critics may
+take exception to the attempt herein made, to individualize a
+collective noun and yet retain plurality; and in the same measure,
+pervert mood and tense. It is admitted that the license is unique.
+Quite likely other departures from good old grammatical paths will be
+noted. Let it be remembered, however, that the experiences of Co. G
+were, as a whole, unique, and to harmonize the literal with the
+actual, the record should be drawn uniquely.
+
+No apology is offered for trivial treatment of some of the subjects;
+in truth, they are deserving of severe handling. If lack of respect
+for commanding officers is shown, the explanation given is, that they
+have been removed from the high pedestals of war-gods and are
+considered only as men.
+
+It is in no bitter sense the men who fought Co. G are termed rebels.
+They were in rebellion and were known to the boys as rebels, or johnny
+rebs. A false delicacy only would prompt the writer to deprive those
+Southern men of a title which, apparently, they bore with pride.
+
+As stated, this is not a work for the public eye. It is an offering to
+comrades, from a comrade who marched with them, and experienced with
+them the fortunes and misfortunes of war. And in performing this work,
+care has been taken to omit such occurrences as might not be
+understood by others than the actors; and while thus avoiding
+over-coloring by a faithful portraiture of events, and suppressing
+nothing worthy of record Co. G go into history.
+
+In performing this duty, individual names have been used, illustrative
+of passing events. Should any person feel aggrieved over such freedom,
+let it be known, it was, indeed, born of familiarity with the
+subjects, and is indulged in a spirit of good comradeship, without
+thought of disparagement.
+
+No man who marched with those boys can think of them unkindly. If
+there were ever differences of a serious nature, the writer is
+unmindful of them.
+
+To travel over the old roads, to hunger and to thirst again; to sleep
+where night found them; in sunshine, in storm out on the picket-line;
+to toss upon a bed of suffering and weaken, day by day, for lack of
+tender care;--in brief, to march away to the wars and enjoy the rich
+compensation of an honorable return, all this and more, has been lived
+again while preparing this record. And so with the old boys, as long
+as they live, will they by this effort be enabled to travel Virginia
+roads in all kinds of weather, without danger of sticking fast in the
+mud, or of being stifled amid clouds of gray dust.
+
+Why Co. G did not cut a broader swath along the pathway of glorious
+attainment, they cannot understand. They were a willing body of men,
+and were of a regiment of noble hearts. Misfortunes of war, simply,
+were not the only elements at work defeating their best endeavors. The
+true causes can be learned, only, in a huge compendium of tragical,
+whimsical and amusing facts, concealed within the folios of that
+unwritten or mythical history of the war, which never will be
+published, a history that would tumble war-idols to the ground, and
+elevate men who have passed into obscurity.
+
+
+But Co. G have never permitted their escutcheon to lie prone in the
+dust, that they might more readily engage in wrangling over such small
+matters as position and preference. They do not grumble, they do not
+boast. They learned, thirty-five years ago, to accept the inevitable,
+which has been awarded to them in large quantities.
+
+
+Co. G were boys of Lenox, who served in the name of Lenox. They
+belonged, then to Lenox, as her offering in the war, and their record
+is a part of the history of the town. Divested of verbiage, their
+deeds will still be found honorable and manly. For, as once said the
+lamented Capt. Frank, Co. G did "as well as any of them."
+
+A few words should be given in memory of the dead, who, in life, stood
+shoulder to shoulder with the boys of Co. G Dead?--a word applied to
+express a religious belief; but how inexpressive of a new-birth.
+
+    "Death is but another name for change.
+    The weary shuffle off their mortal coil,
+    And think to slumber in eternal night.
+    But, lo! the man, tho' dead is living still;
+    Unclothed, is clothed upon, and his Mortality
+    Is swallowed up of Life."
+
+Thus sang an inspired woman, and thus shall it be said of the boys who
+gave their lives for the flag, and for their comrades who shall follow
+them. And some day, upon the great plain of Light, the hosts will once
+more marshal for a grand review.
+
+
+
+
+ROSTER OF CO. G, 157TH N.Y. VOLS.
+
+
+CAPTAINS.
+
+    Abraham Tuttle.
+    [1]Harrison Frank.
+    [2]Lafayette McWilliams.
+
+
+LIEUTENANTS.
+
+    Maurice D. Bailey.
+    Harrison Frank.
+    Marshall Hemstreet.
+    [2]Frank E. Gates.
+    [2]Robert E. Grant.
+    [2]Jerome Forbes.
+    Clark Pierce.
+
+
+ORDERLY SERGEANTS.
+
+    Israel P. Moore.
+    Marshall Hemstreet.
+    Frank E. Gates.
+    [2]John H. Roe.
+    Jerome Forbes.
+    Hubbard Suits.
+
+
+SERGEANTS.
+
+    Marshall Hemstreet.
+    Frank E. Gates.
+    Henry C. Jarvis.
+    John H. Roe.
+    James B. Hooper.
+    [2]Nicholas Binges.
+    John H. Fancher.
+    Wm. H. Barlow.
+    [2]Harvey Lindsley.
+
+
+CORPORALS.
+
+    Jerome Forbes.
+    [2]Irwin A. Sayles.
+    [2]James B. Hooper.
+    Clarence L. Spencer.
+    [2]Asa E. New.
+    Wm. J. Peck.
+    Wm. H. Barlow.
+    Nicholas Binges.
+    Hubbard Suits.
+    [2]Charles A. Near.
+    Daniel A. Betsinger.
+    [2]Albert R. Barlow.
+    [2]Jerry Murphy.
+    [2]William Miller.
+    Wm. H. Kimball.
+
+
+MUSICIAN.
+
+    W. H. Perry.
+
+
+TEAMSTER.
+
+    Wm. G. Johnson.
+
+
+COOKS.
+
+    William Mallows.
+    Ziba Cloyes.
+    Patrick Matthews.
+
+
+PRIVATES.
+
+    [2]Amos Avery.
+    [2]Peter Agan.
+    Daniel A. Betsinger.
+    Wm. W. Baldwin.
+    [1]Albert D. Bridge.
+    Daniel Brockway.
+    Albert R. Barlow.
+    Ziba Cloyes.
+    Alfred J. Cole.
+    Peter Cummings.
+    Francis H. Carey.
+    John H. Dunham.
+    Nicholas Ecker.
+    [1]John W. Foltz.
+    Conrad Foltz.
+    [2]Robert Farrington.
+    John H. Fancher.
+    Francis M. Gault.
+    Daniel D. Grovestein.
+    Stephen D. Harrington.
+    Joseph H. Hart.
+    [1]John A. Hart.
+    Jacob Hallicus.
+    [3]James M. Hainsworth.
+    [2]James Johnson.
+    [1]Luzerne E. Johnson.
+    Henry Kellogg.
+    Harvey Lindsley.
+    [1]Asa C. Lawrence.
+    Luther Loucks.
+    Wm. Mallows.
+    Myron A. Menzie.
+    Henry Mason.
+    Patrick Matthews.
+    James Matthews.
+    Jerry Murphy.
+    [1]Durell Moore.
+    Jeremiah McLane.
+    [2]John J. McMaster.
+    [2]William Miller.
+    [2]John Miller.
+    [2]Michael Miller.
+    [2]Chas. A. Near.
+    [2]Simon Nestler.
+    [2]Hugh O'Brien.
+    [1]Francis C. Pratt.
+    [2]William Pease.
+    [2]John Pfleiger.
+    Mason Phelps.
+    Chas. O. Ricker.
+    Wm. E. Rinn.
+    [3]Henry W. Richardson.
+    Nicholas J. Snyder.
+    Eusebius Sweet.
+    Hubbard Suits.
+    [2]James L. Travis.
+    John Torrey.
+    Elmer A. Wise.
+    [1]Alfred Wilder.
+    [2]Henry Whaling.
+    Calvin White.
+
+
+DRAFTED RECRUITS.
+
+    Geo. S. Orr.
+    Scott D. Whitney.
+
+
+SUBSTITUTES FOR DRAFTED MEN.
+
+    James Leonard.
+    John Wise.
+
+
+ENLISTED AS RECRUITS.
+
+    [1]Abram Thornton.
+    Sylvanus D. Alexander.
+    Peter Delong.
+    Chas. Hoxie.
+    Nelson Kimball.
+    Henry Nobles.
+    Sylvanus S. Ostrander.
+    Samuel N. Jacquay.
+    [1]Russell Stroup.
+    Paul Stowell.
+    Wm. H. Schuyler.
+    Levi Schuyler.
+    Chas. O. Hinman.
+    [2]Wm. L. Johnson.
+    Wm. H. Kimball.
+    Patrick Kinney.
+    Alfred J. Leird.
+    William Rudd.
+    John Terry.
+    Daniel Winchell.
+    John Brown.
+    George Plank.
+    Arthur Campbell.
+    Rufus C. Baldwin.
+
+[1] Killed in Action.
+
+[2] Wounded.
+
+[3] Died by disease or accident.
+
+
+
+
+COMPANY G.
+
+
+The date of their captain's commission placed Co. G seventh in
+rank--beginning with A--and ninth company from the extreme right as the
+regiment formed on the colors. The company was enrolled and became a
+part of the 157th regiment of New York Volunteers, enlisted for three
+years unless sooner discharged--"for three years unless sooner shot,"
+according to Irwin Sayles, who left the company and the service minus a
+right arm. The regiment was raised in Cortland and Madison Counties,
+under the call of July 2d, 1862, for 300,000 three years men.
+
+
+ABRAHAM TUTTLE, the first captain of Co. G, was a farmer living near
+Clockville. He was about forty years of age, slightly gray, but strong
+and active. Capt. Tuttle was an old-time California gold-seeker, who
+took the long route via Cape Horn to the then new Eldorado. In some
+respects he was well fitted for a soldier, but he had no taste for such
+a life, as a profession, and resigned after experiencing the
+discomforts of a winter campaign in Virginia.
+
+
+MAURICE D. BAILEY, of Wampsville, was first lieutenant of Co. G. He was
+one of the handsomest men in the regiment--finely made and set-up in
+good style and in the prime and vigor of life. He was a big-hearted man
+and popular. At home he was a farmer. After serving with the company
+for a few months, he was assigned to Co. K, being promoted to a
+captaincy, and remained with the regiment until the autumn of 1863,
+when he resigned, at Folly Island, S.C.
+
+
+HARRISON FRANK, second lieutenant of Co. G, was a speculator in farm
+produce and lived at Wampsville; he was thirty-two years of age, a
+rather tall, spare-built man. He came from German stock, and his
+grandfather, Albert Frank, was a soldier of the Revolution. His
+maternal grandfather, George Siver, was a soldier of 1812. Andrew Frank
+married Nancy Siver and Harrison Frank was their son.
+
+So it appears that Harrison was born with a martial spirit in him.
+Unfortunately his physical powers were too frail for the hardships of
+camp and field. It would seem that only a strong will power supported
+the man for weeks at a time. "I will never give up until I am down,"
+was written on every line of his features, while his figure was
+unsteady and his limbs seemed unfit for carrying his body. But his eye
+was clear and his voice rang out sharp and authoritative. He possessed
+a shrill tone of voice, was rapid in speech, his perceptions were
+clear, his preferences leaning to that which was just and right; was
+methodical, correct, generous, temperate. Cared little for the glitter
+of military display and wore on parade the dress coat of a private
+adorned with shoulder straps. This was not from penuriousness. One day
+the colonel took him to task for not appearing in a uniform coat.
+
+"Colonel," he replied, "I have a mother and others at home, who need
+all I can save from my pay. In my baggage I have a new uniform coat. My
+boys know me in this uniform."
+
+He wore that plain dress coat unmolested. In fact, when he fell at
+Gettysburg he wore the ordinary blouse of a private soldier, with two
+bars attached, taken from an old shoulder strap.
+
+When Frank was made captain, the discipline of Co. G was very
+indifferent, their tactics none of the best. They needed inspiring and
+the right sort of man took hold of them, who knew there was crude
+material in his company, of such from which good soldiers were
+produced; so he applied himself and with immediate results, to make Co.
+G one of the good companies of the regiment. Frank had been left behind
+when the regiment went to the front. He was in poor health, but finally
+reached Washington and lay there in hospital, or under treatment, for
+weeks, rejoining the boys at Fairfax Court House, Va. He was still
+weak, but brimful of patriotism, was sanguine of victory for the North
+and said he expected to march into Richmond. Such sort of grit served
+him to the last. Gradually, as the winter gave place to balmy spring,
+his health seemed to improve and with that encouraging condition came
+his ability to convey to his men the ambition of the soldier; and it
+was not long before Co. G were looking up handsomely. In April, 1863,
+President Lincoln reviewed the Army of the Potomac then lying in the
+vicinity of Falmouth. Co. G were bright under the applications of
+tripoli polish, blacking and brush-brooming; new uniforms, white
+gloves, etc. Capt. Frank was proud of his men. As their esprit improved
+the men grew to liking more and more the man who sought their greatest
+good.
+
+
+In this connection it is only just to remember a patriotic act of Mrs.
+Daniel Crouse, of Canastota, who presented a regulation sword to each
+of the officers of Co. G. The ceremony occurred in the old Dutch
+Reformed Church in Canastota. Judge Barlow made the presentation
+speech, to which the then Lieutenant Frank responded in a modest, but
+manly style.
+
+
+
+
+A FEW NOTES OF GENERAL INTEREST.
+
+
+Co. G was recruited in the middle portion of the Town of Lenox, Madison
+County. It was known in the regiment as the Canastota Company. A
+patriotic region was the territory within a radius of four miles of
+that small village. Before 1856 it was counted a reliably Democratic
+locality, but the anti-slavery agitation soon found it fertile ground
+for propagating Free-Soil ideas and it rapidly changed to the
+Republican side, as soon as the issue was fairly made. So, when the war
+broke out, the missionary work of such men as Gerrit Smith, Samuel J.
+May, Beriah Green, and others, became apparent, and patriotism burned
+bright upon its rural altars. It is estimated that at least five
+hundred men were recruited within the territory already designated.
+The Town of Lenox paid $136,030 for town bounties, while Madison County
+paid a total of $1,338,320 for bounties to recruits. Lenox paid for
+support of families $3,786, distinct from Poor Fund; both for bounties
+and for relief thus raised by tax, Lenox shows double that of any other
+town in the county. And those figures do not by any means represent the
+thousands of dollars voted at the recruiting meetings and subscribed
+and donated for local bounties and for relief purposes.
+
+Very pleasant to recall are the kind words spoken and written in those
+trying times by noble-hearted men and women, as the boys went forth to
+the war.
+
+In August, 1862, a war fund was raised in Madison County. Hon. Gerrit
+Smith, with his usual generosity, promptly sent in his check for
+$5,000, and in his note which enclosed the same, he says--"I would that
+the fund should not be regarded as a mercenary appeal to our
+volunteers--but as a gift from loving neighbors toward helping them to
+arrange their affairs that they can leave their homes more freely and
+pleasantly. These volunteers and their neighbors constitute a
+partnership sacred and sublime, and never to be broken."
+
+Canastota was very active and like many other towns at the time, doing
+unceasingly for the men in the field, for local relief and in support
+of the good cause generally. It is doubtful if any locality in the
+State, with the same population and a like assessment, can show a more
+honorable record.
+
+It should be noted that at least fifty per cent. of the men enlisted in
+1862 were at the time beardless youths, the greater portion of whom
+proved enduring soldiers. Those boys did not enlist for sake of
+obtaining bounties. Enthusiasm was aroused in various ways--by speeches
+at war-meetings, by martial music and by the newspapers. Everybody
+talked war, the girls sang war songs, one boy enlisted and his chums
+followed him. Very little cared those young fellows for bounties. The
+county of Madison gave $50, and the State $50, bounties. One month's
+pay in advance $13 and $2 bonus from the general government and $100 at
+the expiration of the term of service (increased after the war to
+$200). In the fall of 1864 the town of Lenox gave for bounties to
+3-years men $1,100, the county $500 added to that, besides the State
+and national bounties, and many of those men never were in a battle.
+
+But the trials of war were not entirely with the boys at the front.
+Dependent parents, wives and children felt the denials keenly; and when
+news came that a battle had been fought and some of their boys had
+fallen, the entire community was interested at once and freely
+sympathized with sorrowing friends. And the firm belief that they were
+thus cared for strengthened the boys wonderfully.
+
+Of the eighty-seven men originally enrolled in Co. G, one-half of them
+were between the ages of eighteen and twenty-one years, and no doubt a
+number of them several years below the minimum age of eighteen, fearing
+rejectment, assumed to be older.
+
+The fatalities of war among those volunteers are difficult to estimate.
+Not a few were reported as "missing," who never returned. Many of the
+sick and wounded lived to see their homes and soon after died.
+
+During its term of service the company lost one captain and six
+enlisted men killed in action, and one man accidentally shot, while
+three died of disease. The man Asa Lawrence, missing at Chancellorsville,
+is included among the killed, and according to all that has been learned,
+he has never been heard from. One captain, three lieutenants and
+twenty-four men, were wounded. Of the original enrollment sixteen were
+discharged on account of sickness or wounds, five were discharged to
+accept commissions and five were transferred to the Invalid corps. Nine
+men deserted. Forty-two enlisted men returned with the regiment, others
+not present were still borne on the rolls.
+
+The company during its term received accessions of two substitutes, two
+drafted men and twenty-four recruits. Of those, several were slightly
+wounded and two died of disease.
+
+The casualties in Co. G were not as many as in some of the companies of
+the regiment. Co. C lost seven killed and more than forty wounded. Co.
+I lost one officer and eight men killed and their captain and
+twenty-nine men wounded.
+
+
+It was understood at the time the authorization was issued that the
+company was to be assigned to a regiment forming of Cortland and
+Madison County men, with Philip P. Brown, Jr., of Hamilton, as colonel,
+and to rendezvous at Hamilton. As rapidly as possible the enlistments
+were pushed along and about two weeks from the time recruiting began,
+the company was assured of its quota and took its name as Company G.
+
+At Hamilton, the camp was established on the fair grounds north of the
+village. For a time a large tent afforded shelter to the men, but its
+capacity being insufficient, five barrack buildings were erected on the
+west side of the enclosure, two companies in each building. Co. G
+shared in the shelter of the most northerly barrack and in the west
+section of the building, with Co. B, their neighbors, in the eastern
+portion. Two tiers of bunks ranged along each side of the structure and
+each bunk was occupied by two men; at the entrance was a room for
+commissioned officers, most of whom preferred the softer beds in the
+hotels of the village to the hard straw ticks of the camp.
+
+As the recruits arrived in town they were taken to one of the public
+halls, where surgeons Hendrick, Beebe and Crawe hammered their chests,
+listened to their heartbeats and respiration, looked into the eyes of
+the recruits, finally ordering them to jump over the floor on each leg
+consecutively. During this ordeal the boys appeared in the uniform of
+Nature only. Few failed to pass the Board, however, and the successful
+ones then appeared before the adjutant. If a minor, a written consent
+was required from the parent or guardian.
+
+Accepted recruits were given orders upon the quartermaster and were
+taken over to a warehouse near the canal and there received an outfit.
+The dress coat of dark blue, also dark blue flannel blouse and pants,
+overcoat, coarse gray shirts, canton flannel drawers, woolen socks,
+shoes and blanket, not to forget the dark blue fatigue cap so heartily
+disliked by the wearers. The civilian garb was shed at once and the
+green soldier was revealed in the cut and fit of his new clothing of
+war, while his back itched under those shirts as though numerous flies
+and ants were perambulating there, with an occasioned nipping from a
+stray spider. But how very, very verdant the boys appeared--so
+harmless-like in their uniforms, and to add to the ludicrous feature of
+the occasion very many of them hastened to a gallery to have their
+appearance preserved for all time.
+
+Knapsacks, haversacks and canteens, tin cups and plates, knives and
+spoons, came to each in time. No guns were issued in Camp Mitchell;
+guards about the camp carried guns borrowed from a local armory--no
+cartridges were issued. A high board fence presented the most
+discouraging barricade to such of the boys as desired a night outside.
+
+It was amusing to observe the schemes for gaining liberty and to see
+the boys return to duty after a day or two in the narrow quarters of
+the guard house. They were not accustomed to such discipline; but they
+were soon to learn that they had entered upon a new career.
+
+Life in barracks was not tedious. During the day there were several
+marching drills by squad, platoon and company, and in the evening dress
+parade, and perhaps, a few attempts at battalion evolutions. Officers
+in nearly every company were as green as the men. A few
+short-enlistment men who had seen service and returned, and some who
+had served in home companies, usually were the drill-masters. Col.
+Brown had been captain of the Hamilton Grays; Major Carmichael for a
+time served as captain in the 76th N.Y.; a few other officers had been
+in the service.
+
+Co. G were drilled by Sergeants Hemstreet and Gates, six months'
+recruits to the 12th N.Y.V.; also by Frank Cooper afterwards a member
+of the 78th N.Y. During drill hours "hay-foot, straw-foot!"--"heels
+together, toes on a line, body erect resting on the toes,"--"forward,
+march!" and "halt,"--the orders from drill-masters, were heard on all
+sides; and over in one corner of the pen were the ten or more fifers
+and drummers taking first lessons in martial music. The scene was
+enough to make an old soldier weep from laughter, and yet it was not an
+unusual one wherever raw troops were mustered.
+
+The eating house at Camp Mitchell (so named in honor of David J.
+Mitchell, a lawyer, at one time a resident of Hamilton) stood at the
+east end of the enclosure, into which the men were marched by their
+officers, three times daily to their meals. Good, wholesome fare was
+provided and in abundance and would have been pronounced grand one year
+later, could those boys have obtained it on Folly Island, in place of
+wormy hardtack and tough salt-horse.
+
+The sick at Hamilton were quartered in a small church near the grounds,
+but Co. G were fortunate as to health while at the rendezvous. Many of
+the boys enjoyed furloughs during those five or six weeks and their
+friends visited them and were often permitted to pass the night at the
+barracks. Amusements of various kinds broke the monotony of barrack
+life--card playing, wrestling, quoits, various games and much rough
+horse-play, continually in sight.
+
+While there was so much life astir in Camp Mitchell, it must be
+acknowledged that a few of the men were down-hearted, particularly
+those about to leave wives and children; and who could blame them?
+There were heavy hearts in the homes of those boys. One man when called
+upon to give a written consent for his sons to enlist, remarked that he
+felt as if he were signing their death-warrants. For there was a
+terrible uncertainty for soldiers in those days and the much-quoted
+silver lining of the heavy clouds overhanging our country, was yet to
+be discovered in the future efforts of her loyal sons. Cripples and
+sick men were returning from the front and occasionally somebody's
+child was brought home for burial. The failure of the Peninsula
+Campaign, followed by the disaster at Bull Run, were bad records,
+scarcely effaced by the hard-earned victory at Antietam. And yet, amid
+such desolation the American people of the North never ceased to give
+of blood and treasure and the boys kept marching on, the matrons and
+the maidens smiling and waving farewells with hearts and eyes
+overflowing, the men and boys cheering, bands playing, fifes shrieking
+and drums beating. The boys marched away, the hospitals filled, little
+mounds dotted many a Southern field, the ranks thinned and the scene
+was repeated again and again until victory came; and then it was time
+to count the cost. Those who suffered were the ones to cast the
+reckoning.
+
+
+On the 19th of September, 1862, the regiment was mustered into the
+service of the United States. The preliminary of scanning-over the men
+was performed during a dreary rain storm, by regular army surgeons, the
+men in line by company. Few were rejected and those for defects of eyes
+or teeth, or for manifest feebleness. There was Ziba Cloyes of Co. G, a
+man of sixty years, who had enlisted as being only forty-four, gray
+hair and a general suspicion of advanced years about him. The surgeon
+reached him in the line.
+
+"What is your age, sir?"
+
+"Forty-four."
+
+The surgeon smiled. "Open your mouth."
+
+Ziba obeyed, disclosing a full set of teeth such as would have
+delighted many a dude. Then he brought them together with a sharp snap.
+
+"Put your finger in there," he said, again opening his jaws to their
+widest limit.
+
+"You will do, sir," said the surgeon as he passed, with a broad grin,
+to the next man.
+
+After the examination came the formal muster-in by companies, and Co. G
+were then an arm of the government and on the direct road to active
+service. Orders thereafter emanated from officers of the general
+government and the State was duly accredited. Co. G had saved Canastota
+from a draft.
+
+
+Sept. 25th, with their new rubber-cloth knapsacks, haversacks and
+canteens, at an early hour, Co. G were mustered for the road. Teams had
+been generously offered by the people far and near, gratuitously, and
+on that morning to the number of more than one hundred blocked the
+streets of the village, long before daybreak, in waiting to carry the
+regiment to Canastota.
+
+The loading was quite slow and consumed considerable time, but the day
+was fine and the roads in excellent condition and the journey to
+Peterboro was made without further delay. In that pleasant little
+village the regiment left the wagons and marched into the park, where
+tables were spread on the green and laden with good fare. While the
+boys were eating, they were favored with a speech from Hon. Gerrit
+Smith. He was seated upon a white horse. His deep, eloquent tones were
+heard above the clatter of dishes. It was his wish that the boys be not
+withheld from eating. Above his head waved the stars and stripes at
+half-mast, in memory of Capt. Barnett, killed at Antietam--a Peterboro
+boy. All that was saddening, all that was eloquent and nobly good in
+the place, was not so appealing just then, as the feast before them;
+the boys of Co. G were hungry. After the feast and the address of
+welcome and God-speed, the wagons were again mounted.
+
+The long train reached Canastota about 5 p.m. They were unloaded south
+of the town and the men given their first experience with those
+handsome new knapsacks, as they marched (bent forward like
+pack-peddlers) through the village streets. It was their first
+experience, also, in straggling--the head of the regiment led by the
+Hamilton band, was approaching the Peterboro St. bridge as the rear of
+the column passed into Center St., strung nearly around the square.
+
+A platform had been built in a field north of the Crouse residence and
+near the railroad. Prominent citizens of Cortland and Madison were on
+the platform; Gen. Bruce was speaker. Guards were thrown around the
+enclosure to keep the crowd outside, but not to exclude the relatives
+and friends. Caresses and sobbing, tears and forced gaiety marked that
+occasion. Little ones were there and the father fed himself with one
+hand as he pressed his child to his breast with the other. Old age came
+also, and parents trembling with years, tried to be brave as their part
+in the war, if nothing more. Even the abundance of choice food supplied
+for the men was hardly relished under the strain of parting; so the
+women filled the haversacks, poured coffee into the canteens,
+completing the whole with a hearty kiss and sent the boys on their way.
+There were times, when the happiest soldier boy was he, who, when going
+to war, left none at home to weep for him.
+
+A train of emigrant cars received the regiment and at daybreak next
+morning they reached Albany. A good breakfast was served in a building
+near the depot. A portion of the regiment was taken over the ferry and
+the remainder, including Co. G, marched to the executive mansion where
+Gov. Morgan presented the stand of colors, D. J. Mitchell responding.
+
+The boys will ever remember their ride down the rail along the Hudson.
+At every station and in homes along the road, in the fields and on the
+river, wherever men, women or children were seen, their handkerchiefs
+and hats were waved to cheer the soldier boys. The boys in blue threw
+kisses to the blushing girls, or upon brown paper or pieces cut from
+lunch boxes, wrote and cast forth gentle words of appreciation. Really
+it must have grown monotonous to those people, as soldiers were passing
+nearly every day; if so, it was such a monotony as they appeared to
+enjoy immensely. With some of the men of Co. G the situation was too
+serious for trifling--they were leaving their Marias and Nancys and
+Kates.
+
+City Hall barracks, New York City--never forget them. The postoffice
+building now covers that ground. Bunks floored with slats to sleep
+upon, into which the many occupants had crawled, each time carrying in
+from the floors a fresh supply of sand to fall into the eyes of the
+fellows in the lower berths; the rooms ill-ventilated and odorous of
+many stalwart smells. The food was unattractive and few of Co. G had
+the hardihood to partake. Just one cheering feature of the situation,
+was the hope ever constant, that their stay would be brief. They
+stopped but one night and a day. As evening approached they were
+marched down to a covered dock and remained there in the dark,
+unlighted place, awaiting the arrival of a steamer to take them over to
+Jersey.
+
+Soon as darkness came on the men became very quiet as though the
+bogie-man was abroad. By and by a clicking, cracking sort of noise came
+out of the depths of darkness, soon followed by a smacking sound. Co. G
+were eating cheese--the other companies were eating cheese.
+
+"Commandants of companies will see that their men are kept together,"
+roared the colonel.
+
+The officers could not see very well in the dark. The men broke open no
+more cheese boxes. They had spied the boxes through the gathering gloom
+on their first arrival and simply waited patiently for darkness.
+
+John Schultz, a German, and member of Co. G, had sat himself down on
+the outer timber of the wharf and fell asleep. He had not removed his
+knapsack. What his canteen contained is not known. He nodded awhile,
+snored a little and suddenly disappeared. Some one raised the cry that
+a man had fallen into the slip. A police boat picked old John out and
+soon he returned, thoroughly wet and considerably sobered.
+
+Near midnight a steamer reached the wharf and took the regiments away
+to Port Monmouth, the northern terminus of the Delaware and Raritan Bay
+R. R. Once more the raiding propensities of the boys were exhibited
+upon a car-load of peaches on a siding, but they were promptly
+restrained. The men were not thieves; they had somehow reached the
+conclusion that a change in dress demanded a change in morals. They
+knew there was some sort of transformation going on within them, as
+without, and certainly they must act differently than when they were
+plain civilians. Instead of being peaceful lambs at home, they must be
+wolves and hunt in packs. But a few months of strict discipline set
+them aright.
+
+It was Sunday afternoon when the regiment reached Philadelphia, tired
+and hungry. A lunch had been served on the train early in the day, but
+that was only a "hand-out." At Philadelphia many thousands of men of
+passing regiments, were fed at the Cooper's Union refreshment rooms. So
+Co. G, though only one-tenth of a regiment, were favored with plenty of
+clean water, soap and towels and then were served with a delicious meal
+of good substantial food, served on a clean cloth, from earthen dishes,
+"just like home," said the boys.
+
+Philadelphia always treated the soldiers in the most generous style. A
+sick or wounded man felt greatly favored to be sent to a Philadelphia
+hospital.
+
+After the regiment was fed, the march was taken for the Baltimore
+depot, several miles distant. The walks were crowded with people. Such
+cheering, waving handkerchiefs, tossing of kisses, helped mightily in
+the struggle beneath those galling knapsacks. Some of the giddy girls
+rushed up to the ranks and exchanged handkerchiefs bearing their names;
+others tossed flowers among the boys, and "good-by," "God bless you,"
+was heard, from the start to the finish.
+
+The cars in waiting were ordinary cattle cars, in which rough board
+seats were built. This was the first acquaintance the men had with such
+sort of conveyance. For the officers, a coach was provided, but many of
+them remained with their men.
+
+In the recent war with Spain, coaches were provided for the men; and
+for the sick, sleeping cars and dining cars, all of which was perfectly
+right. Between Washington and any portion of the eastern and Middle
+states, no soldier, during the War of the Rebellion, should have been
+obliged to ride in a car built for cattle, particularly after the war
+had progressed for over one year.
+
+At Baltimore the namby-pamby feature of the excursion ceased, Enfield
+rifles were dealt out to the companies, together with accoutrements,
+the cartridge box, belts, etc. That seemed like war. No cartridges were
+issued; those came on Arlington Hights.
+
+The city of Baltimore had shown, to some extent, an inclination in
+favor of secession. Many of its young men had gone to the Confederate
+lines and a strong feeling against federal interference with secession
+was very noticeable among a certain class of the citizens. Troops were
+stationed there to preserve order.
+
+The regiment was marched into an open street with guards stationed to
+prevent the men from wandering about the city. Co. G remained strictly
+passive within bounds and found no opportunity for doing otherwise.
+They were exemplary fellows when under guard.
+
+An unusual place for a dining hall was that at Baltimore--on an upper
+floor near the depot. Very good food was supplied, particularly the
+coffee.
+
+Co. G were very fond of coffee; although at that early day it had not
+become so necessary to those heroes in embryo as it was a few years
+later. The experience of soldiers generally in that war, favored the
+use of coffee. It was food as well as drink. When a fellow was nearly
+fagged, on a severe march, the mention of coffee appeared to brace him,
+and a hand would slip into the haversack for a pinch, only to tide him
+along. A spoonful of coffee in a canteen of water lifted one
+comfortably over many a weary mile. To abolish the whisky ration was
+wise. To have taken away the coffee would have endangered the cause.
+
+Coffee and the letters from home were two important auxiliary supports
+of the nation. Those letters were a power. Nothing went just right when
+the mail was delayed. Anticipation is a great word and the soldiers
+worked it for all it is worth; on all the various grades of the psychic
+thermometer from zero to fever heat. Ah, when fever heat was struck,
+the indication was reliably certain that she had "gone back on" her
+soldier lad.
+
+Clean cattle cars were supplied at Philadelphia, but the sort in which
+Co. G traveled from Baltimore to Washington were fragrant of stable
+odors. The distance was little over forty miles, yet the entire night
+was consumed. That scheme of traveling nights and loafing around half
+dead during the daytime, was never explained. Some of the men had a
+suspicion that Col. Brown was fearful that he might lose some of his
+men if he changed cars in the night time, and so corralled them the
+same as other stock. However that might have been, in his regiment the
+most remarkable desertions were among the officers.
+
+Co. G did not enlist to become deserters and the few of them who did
+desert were scarcely missed; and a halo of glory which hung over the
+heroic Co. G at the close of the war obscured, if it did not eliminate,
+all weak points. Orators and newspapers accorded them glory, the
+popular cry glorified them. Why not place the laurel crown right here?
+
+
+September 30th was a beautiful day, but warm in Washington. Co. G
+jumped down from their cattle cars and were marched to cattle barracks
+near the capitol. There was plenty of space for camping, but no tents
+had been issued to them. Those barracks terraced up the hill, resembled
+barns, rough boarded and whitewashed. The lawmakers over in the huge
+marble building nearby, reclined upon soft cushions. The sons of their
+constituents, who had come down to settle a serious difference stirred
+up in that building, were marched into foul-smelling barracks because
+they were soldiers. It was too bad to treat American troops that way.
+
+At those barracks the feeding place for soldiers at that time was
+abominable in filth and mussiness. Coffee was served in what the boys
+named swill-pails, with a coating of grease outside and inside. The
+cooks and waiters bore hands and faces that lacked for soap and water.
+Many a bold soldier boy, after a peep into the feeding room, retired to
+a convenient refreshment saloon and bought his meals. As for Co. G,
+they said little but thought much, resolving that a revelation should
+appear as the years moved along, and even thus it is recorded, long
+after those slip-shod cooks have ceased to slop, and longer since the
+boys have any use for them. And now the vindictiveness of Co. G is
+spent.
+
+
+Unfortunately, before Co. G could be taken out of Washington some of
+its members had filled themselves with poor liquor. The same fellows
+had given trouble while en route from the North, and on various
+occasions suspicious looking bottles were taken from them by the
+officers and thrown from the train. More shame for Co. G, who were not
+fighting under the banner of King Alcohol.
+
+In the middle of the day column was formed and the boys marched out on
+Pennsylvania Avenue. Numbers of small boys flanked the line bargaining
+for the task of carrying knapsacks--carts were there for the same
+purpose and a brisk bargaining ensued. It was indeed a comfortable way
+to carry a knapsack--transferred to a cart or to the back of a negro
+boy. Thus disburdened, marching was easier. The air was hot, the roads
+very dusty. Across Long Bridge they went, past Forts Runion and Albany,
+to an old camp known as Camp Chase, nearly one mile in rear of the Lee
+mansion, on Arlington Hights. Old A tents were there, pitched and
+ready for occupation, true, not as clean as desirable, but a shelter
+which a little labor of dusting and arranging greatly improved.
+
+Routine is the term expressive of life in camp. The soldier of
+experience is a stranger to monotony--he is part of a machine. All the
+comforts and amusements he can get outside of the routine life, are
+luxuries to be dissipated at a word of command.
+
+Co. G dropped into the routine of camp life with good grace. They threw
+down brush upon the sacred soil of Virginia, they filled their ticks
+with dried grass, then spreading their blankets, composed themselves
+for the sleep of innocence, their knapsacks as pillows affording
+support to the shoulders galled in carrying them. Oh, those knapsacks.
+Sleep on, brave; bulge out knapsack, you are to be reconciled shortly.
+
+Suddenly their dreams were broken--the day had dawned. From near and
+far came the bugle blast and the rattle of fife and drum. Hungry mules
+took up the refrain in varying keys. The boys of G soon heard the voice
+of Orderly Moore, "Co. G, fall in for roll-call!"
+
+
+Drilling with the guns was for the first time attempted at Camp Chase
+and sergeants with tactics in hand, were drilling squads of men in all
+directions. A few lessons were given in the manual of arms by an
+officer of the regular army. As for Co. G, they forged ahead slowly,
+gradually cultivating a liking for a gun and accoutrements. They were
+drilled in squads, company and battalion evolutions, and rushed in this
+and that direction for health's sake.
+
+The innocent verdancy of the sons of Lenox was alike typical of all the
+companies. Officers made clumsy work with tactics and the colonel
+worked out his battalion evolutions quite gingerly. One day the
+regiment was marched nearly a half mile with arms at a shoulder,
+whereas they should have moved en route with arms at right
+shoulder-shift--a much more comfortable position.
+
+The captain of Co. G at this time, was an emphatic, sharp spoken man,
+and sometimes his orders came red-hot and snapping. In one of the other
+companies the captain addressed his men as gentlemen,--"Gentlemen,
+attention to roll-call!" or, "Gentlemen, right dress, if you please!"
+Captain Beck, good man, had fitted himself, originally, for hotel
+keeping. Capt. Tuttle was a farmer. Beck's ways were very pleasant, but
+Tuttle's language and style were preferable even if he did embellish
+his orders occasionally, and surely he felt often provoked. For some
+men are always lagging behind, others never learn to handle a gun
+properly, and occasionally a man is found who never keeps step.
+
+There were a few officers in the regiment who really used swear-words.
+Co. G was composed of a sterling set of mortals who knew very well that
+swearing was barred by Army Regulations, and Co. G knew better than to
+swear at an officer; yet, to swallow such bad treatment without mental
+comment, equally pungent, would have been unlike some of those sorely
+tried warriors.
+
+But all this time Co. G men were bracing themselves for all
+emergencies. Physically, they were pretty hearty. They were learning to
+wash their clothing and sew on buttons and do a little patching, but
+they, as a rule were not supplied with Scriptural reading. So it came
+to pass that Gerrit Smith sent down bushels of small testaments to be
+distributed throughout the regiment as an inducement to the men to read
+the Scriptures. Into those beautiful knapsacks went Co. G's testaments.
+Alas, and alack, they were too generally allowed to remain there. A
+number of the boys could not read if they would, and more did not read,
+as they should. No evidence is at hand to prove that a man of Co. G
+ever caught a bullet in the testament carried in his pocket; and as
+they scorned to turn their backs to an enemy those testaments escaped a
+glorious perforation.
+
+While on this subject a record should be made of the good people at
+home who were continually writing loving letters into which was
+lavishly insinuated a peculiar style of sermonizing, which though
+kindly intended and respectfully accepted, really did not accomplish
+much. They declared that the armies of the North were fighting God's
+battles; that the Lord would reward them. Over the rebel lines just
+such ideas were being instilled into the minds of Southrons. But Co. G,
+so wise were they, as not to charge the Heavenly Father of All with any
+denials that came to them. If they reasoned at all they understood,
+that, both North and South, it was the negro up the sleeve, or in the
+fence, that was causing all their misery. Indeed Co. G were more
+fighters than philosophers.
+
+The donations of Hon. Gerrit Smith did not cease after sending the
+testaments. He also gave $500 to be used for the purpose of supplying
+the men of the regiment with stationery; a very thoughtful gift.
+
+While at Camp Chase the troops were reviewed by Gen. Casey, when Co. G
+passed in review very satisfactory, to themselves; if the boys were not
+praised by others at this period in their history they could not very
+well understand the reason. They were not so green looking now, as they
+were getting sunburned and all of the same shade. The water of Virginia
+was not agreeing with all of them, but they were quite lively. Army
+rations, particularly the bean and hominy, were gradually accepted as
+the proper food for warriors, and the company had some hearty feeders.
+
+
+The locality known to Co. G as Camp Chase No. 1, was occupied about one
+week, when sanitary rules demanded a removal to fresh ground.
+Accordingly a site was selected in a field of scrub oak, which was
+cleared and the stumps grubbed from company streets. Such duty was
+called fatigue duty. Police duty, was the everyday work of policing the
+streets--cleaning up the camp. This duty was usually allotted to
+offenders, as a mild punishment, with the occasional addition of a
+chain fastened to a fellow's ankle to which was attached a small cannon
+ball. It must be recorded that Co. G had a representative in the police
+gang at Camp Chase No. 2, who was wearing the ball and chain because of
+repeated disobedience. He was the first and the last of that noble band
+to thus disgrace the company.
+
+At the new camp, excellent water was found. Fresh sweet soil made
+wholesome tent floors. As the camp was quite near the Lee mansion
+frequent strolls were enjoyed through the grounds and through the
+building. And for the first time, while encamped there, cartridges were
+issued and each man when equipped was carrying forty rounds. Soon after
+that event came a sensation that tried the mettle of Co. G.
+
+At two o'clock one dark morning the long-roll was sounded throughout
+the entire line. Starting a mile away, it came nearer and nearer, from
+camp to camp, until the band of the 157th struck up their drums.
+Buglers and drums, shouting officers and orderly sergeants startled the
+heroes into their respective company streets. Nor were the mules
+silent, mistaking the racket for an early reveille and call to feed.
+When the battalion was formed, the object of the alarm was met, and
+orders came promptly, to return the men to their quarters. That sort of
+drill occurred twice while the boys remained on Arlington Hights. The
+first time was frightful and some of the men were terribly shocked. But
+the second time they came forth promptly and becomingly. One year later
+the long-roll found them ready for anything, every pulse beating
+regularly and they were as calm as if on parade; for by that time they
+had become prime food for bullets.
+
+Finally orders arrived to prepare for a march. The quartermaster had
+received his wagons and teams and among other accessions a sutler had
+located his tent near the camp, and was working up quite a trade in
+ginger snaps and green gingerbread.
+
+Reveille sounded at 3 o'clock on the morning of October 12th. Tents
+were struck and with one day's cooked rations Co. G fell into line.
+About 7 o'clock the regiment started for Fairfax Court House, a
+distance of fifteen miles. Four hours consumed in striking tents,
+eating and getting away, was pretty easy soldiering; but they were
+learning a little all the time, those boys.
+
+
+The road from Long Bridge to Fairfax had always been a long one for new
+regiments, and to Co. G, particularly so, on this march. Fifteen miles
+is not a great march for veterans. But heavy knapsacks, cartridge-boxes,
+haversacks and canteens and the rifle and bayonet, made quite a load
+for new troops. Co. G started forth boldly in the misty rain and made
+their first acquaintance with the slippery Virginia mud. All went well
+for a few miles and then the column began to lengthen. Apparently the
+faster the colonel led the head, the slower moved the foot of the
+regiment, and when he reached Fairfax with the colors and a handful
+of men, the rear was but half way there. Brave Co. G, not to be
+out-straggled by the others, spread over as much of the country as
+possible, and when they drew near the town, Gen. Sigel was at the
+picket line to receive them. So interesting an occasion and one so
+novel was rare even in those days. The captain of Co. G, was at the
+camping place to receive them as they dragged in and reported
+themselves. And he spoke to them, cheerily, "Hurry now, and get the
+blank-blinkety-blank tents up. You have done blankety-blink well
+to-day, boys." Co. G knew all that and accepted the compliment. Stoical
+chaps, with aching shoulders.
+
+One, and perhaps the greatest impediment to rapid marching that day,
+were the heavy knapsacks, although the cartridges, rations and canteens
+of water, weighed upon the shoulders of the boys with no kind results.
+But the knapsacks, crammed with necessary clothing, books, toilet
+articles, whetstones, hatchets, and much other stuff, three-fourths of
+which was dispensable, bore heaviest of all. All new regiments were
+similarly afflicted. Experience, however, taught in the army as at
+home.
+
+Col. Brown, it is meet to record, was thoroughly disgusted with this
+first march of his men on a complete war-footing. Yet he was blameable.
+He should have known that forty pounds of regulation outfit was a full
+load, and that thirty pounds of additional weight in albums, revolvers
+and gim-cracks handicapped his heroes on the road. Even without
+sacrificing those stores of novelties, if the colonel had moved slowly,
+halting frequently and resting his men, he would have saved himself
+great humiliation. But he was getting schooled, learning something that
+he had overlooked or forgotten, at every public exhibition of his
+knowledge. He had called the men at Hamilton "my soldiers." One bright
+lad remarked "If he is our father, who in Hamilton is our mother?" He
+was indeed a fatherly sort of a man in some ways. As to their
+regimental mother, she never addressed her children, but was ever ready
+to enfold them within her bosom, and before three years had gone by,
+they became well acquainted with Mother Earth.
+
+For some reason it was always harder on the boys marching under Col.
+Brown. Quite a contrast were Lt. Col. Arrowsmith and Major Carmichael,
+who were no less prompt than Brown; but they appeared to understand the
+men better. They realized that the short legged men were on the extreme
+left of the companies. That the tall men led the companies, and
+consequently unless all took the same length of step the line soon
+began to draw out; as on the historic march just mentioned.
+
+The exercises at Fairfax resembled the ordinary routine, varied with
+exercises in firing blank cartridges. Men were here detailed for the
+first time for duty on outposts. A picket was stationed not far from
+the camp, who were given strict orders. With loaded pieces they stood
+post, rain or fair, in continual expectation of the arrival of the
+entire rebel army. No rebels appeared. Gen. Lee held no special grudge
+against Co. G.
+
+
+While no rebels attacked Co. G at Fairfax there was another sort of
+gray-back came into camp. The colder weather of autumn and the dismal
+rains came on, adding greatly to the usual discomforts of tent life.
+Men began to sicken, others were homesick and consequently careless of
+their persons. Of course Co. G boys were mortified when the first
+specimens appeared and such a boiling of underwear as followed, checked
+the increase of the pest. The pediculus is in question.
+
+Co. G were now being represented in the hospital. Sergeant Jarvis kept
+around as long as he was able, showing wonderful nerve, but finally was
+obliged to leave the company and never returned; being discharged, he
+was taken home by friends where with good nursing he recovered. In
+November, J. M. Ainsworth died in hospital at Washington, and Alfred
+Wilder died in hospital at Fairfax. Orderly Sergeant Moore was taken
+sick and left the company permanently.
+
+So much sickness in the regiment suggested the need of better quarters
+and camp was changed. The men were ordered to build fire places and
+chimneys. An old building was sacrificed to supply bricks as well as
+lumber to use for flooring.
+
+Fairfax was noted for many incidents worthy of note. Singular it was
+that so many of the boys cut their hands when procuring wood. In a few
+instances the forefinger of the right hand suffered. The surgeons
+became suspicious, after a while, for those accidents in most cases,
+appeared to be of an intentional character. The mania was not popular,
+the victims were not discharged. But ever after, such men were spoken
+of as those who were wounded at Fairfax. Co. G frowned upon such tricks
+so effectually that only one or two of its members caught the mania.
+
+While at this camp the regiment was assigned to the 11th Corps under
+Gen. Franz Sigel, in the first brigade of the third division. Gen. Carl
+Schurz commanded the division and Gen. Alex. Schimmelpfennig, the
+brigade.
+
+The 11th Corps was reviewed by Secretary Chase, at Fairfax, when Co. G
+marched proudly forth with expanded chests and flashing eyes to the
+brazen notes of "Hail to the Chief;" every one of them being a chief on
+his own mountain, he appeared to receive the music as a personal
+compliment; but after hearing it a few hundred times, later on, they
+leaned more fondly to "The Girl I Left Behind Me."
+
+The 11th Army Corps was termed a German corps while in truth at least
+three-fifths of them were born in this country, and Poles, Hungarians,
+Scandinavians and Italians were to be found in the eleven so-called
+German regiments. Sigel had been praised for his good work at the
+Second Bull Run fight, and unfortunately being a German officer
+prejudice was aroused against him, and of course the corps commanded by
+him were considered "Dutch." It was a bad day for the North when Sigel
+was removed from that corps of willing fighters.
+
+In Schimmelpfennig's brigade were the 74th Penna., 61st Ohio, 68th
+N.Y., 157th N.Y., and 82nd Ill., regiments, the last two new regiments.
+Sigel, Schurz, "Schimmel" and Col. Hecker of the 82d Ill. had all seen
+service in Germany and Hecker was one of the leading revolutionists
+there in 1848, in fact Hecker, Sigel and Schurz fled for refuge to
+America. Especially did Co. G feel honored to be placed in the division
+led by Carl Schurz, the patriot, statesman, gentleman and soldier. And
+so the brave Co. G were to go "marching on" with the "Dutch," but
+unfortunately never to fight "mit Sigel." They shared in the dangers of
+the 11th Corps. They shared in the severely unjust criticism the corps
+received.
+
+
+The absence of ready means for trading purposes was beginning to be
+felt in Co. G. Now and then a fellow could produce a little money and
+was content. As the boys saw their money disappear into the sutler's
+till, they were said to then have bought pocket-books--as their cash
+was disappearing they began to save, like true soldiers; and when the
+last dollar was gone they regretted their foolishness, like all the
+world. They were at school and in the freshman year; shortly, the
+sutlers will have a story to tell.
+
+Money of the war was greenbacks and postal currency in fractional parts
+of a dollar. As soon as the war began the speculators hoarded the
+silver and the people were soon obliged to use the bills of state
+banks, and shin-plasters issued for fifty, twenty-five and ten cents,
+by merchants and others, redeemable at their places of business.
+Ordinary postage stamps were circulating in small amounts enclosed in
+diminutive envelopes and passed around as change. So when Co. G went to
+the front such of the boys as had bills on state banks, found them
+useless. And the tormenting postage stamps were often found stuck
+together from the perspiration of one's body. Although mustered for pay
+Co. G had not yet seen a paymaster. So they drew on funds at home, if
+they had any, and in traffic received the beautiful new 50s, 25s, 10s,
+5s and 3-cent paper currency; an event worthy of remark. The greenback
+came out late in 1861, and McClellan's men and others received them who
+previously were paid in gold.
+
+A sad accident occurred while the company was at Fairfax. It was on a
+pleasant day, October 30th. The boys were at platoon drill when they
+were interrupted and returned to camp. One of their comrades had been
+shot. His name was Henry Richardson, who being detailed on fatigue duty
+was at work arranging for a hospital tent. A detail from the 26th
+Wisconsin regiment returning from picket duty, had discharged their
+guns into an embankment a half mile distant and in line with the 157th.
+A stray ball went over the bank and struck Richardson on the side of
+the head, killing him instantly. There was not a great deal of mirth in
+camp the evening following the accident. And when the bright moon came
+up, a line was quietly formed and followed the ambulance down the road
+to the picket line, the fifes and muffled drums playing the march for
+the dead. Members of the regiment had subscribed money and the body was
+taken to Washington by Sergeants Hemstreet and Gates, there embalmed
+and forwarded to Canastota. And for a long time, the deep shadows of
+the oaks, the white cover of the ambulance and slow stepping body of
+men who marched to the solemn music, was an impressive scene and one
+seldom commented upon. In the language of one of the boys, "It was bad
+enough to be shot at by rebels," without additional risks from the
+rifles of their friends.
+
+
+In the latter part of October orders came to pack up the superfluous
+clothing, which included of course albums, quarto dictionaries, library
+books of all kinds, hardware, etc., already toted so far in the
+knapsacks. The object was not so much to lighten the loads of the men
+as to increase their speed. Gen. Sigel had not forgotten that memorable
+march from Arlington in which Co. G succeeded so well in lagging
+behind. And so it happened that a cart load of boxes filled with the
+surplus wardrobes and toilet articles and bric-a-brac of Co. G, were
+stored somewhere in Fairfax and to be left there as prey for looters.
+
+The first day of November marching orders came and the boys took the
+road for Centerville. At one of the first resting places the knapsacks
+began to drop and in their place the popular blanket roll was hung over
+the right shoulder, thus supplying a nice pad for the rifle to rest
+upon while marching. The same scene of disburdening occurred at every
+halt, until the men were reduced to easy marching order, and at every
+halt the ground was littered with the goods. Germans following who were
+better fitted for the task, loaded themselves like pack horses; and
+what the Germans did not take was culled over by the teamsters. What
+cared Co. G, their shoulders were now relieved.
+
+The first day's march was through Centerville and down the hill to Bull
+Run, encamping near Stone Bridge, a locality noted for the scene of
+slaughter there but a few months previous. Coffee was boiled in turbid
+water from the stream and the boys bivouaced under the stars. The boys
+of Co. G thought hard and rapid that night as they gathered like frogs
+along the margin of the stream and bathed the pouching blisters which
+adorned their heels. No matter what they thought of other matters, the
+men of G were never known to lack in respect for one of those old army
+blisters; and the more the blisters smarted, the more they were
+respected.
+
+Co. G were tired and even the snorers of the company were quiet. There
+was Jerome Forbes a capital snorer; he was soon promoted to a
+lieutenancy and probably then gave up snoring. And Hub Suits who bunked
+with Jerome, was an excellent second. But they all slept quietly that
+night for those fields were reminders of serious conflict. Around them
+lay a good-sized army, victims of two great battles: lay as fallen
+soldiers are buried on the battlefield, in shallow trenches or above
+the ground with a thin cover of earth over them; their fleshless
+skeletons protruding to mock the so-called glory in war. And only the
+stars looked down compassionately. Those sleeping forms of the living
+also were offerings, and of the 157th, every ninth man was to be lain
+on the nation's altar before the close of the war. Still they slept on,
+perhaps dreaming of home, of mothers, wives, babes. What a miserable
+trade is war?
+
+It was on that terrible field the chaplain of the regiment received the
+acceptance of his resignation. He was a good man,--had served the
+gospel but little to the men. He declared later, that he was
+discouraged. He never did any harm, if he did no good. Co. G were very
+sorry to lose the chaplain, for they felt the dignity of the regiment
+was well guarded so long as a man of peace was with them. No, no, Co. G
+had done nothing to discourage the chaplain; possibly he was shocked by
+those long-rolls on Arlington Hights.--But the bugle sounds the
+reveille.
+
+
+"It appears to me people are in the habit of rising early in this part
+of the country," remarked Doc White, as he gazed upward into the
+constellated arch.
+
+"Yes," spoke John Miller, "and I must carry that grist to mill to-day."
+
+"You'll carry it on your back, Miller," called out another, in memory
+of a knapsack.
+
+"Co. G, fall in for roll-call!" sang out the orderly sergeant.
+
+The line of march this day lay toward Thoroughfare Gap. Not far from
+Hay Market the column halted and were drawn up in double-column on the
+center.
+
+"Attention-n-n!" yelled Col. Brown. "My men, the enemy are supposed to
+be near. They have been seen to-day. You may shortly be called into
+action and I expect every man to do his duty. Remember, the eyes of
+Cortland and Madison counties are upon you. Attention! By division,
+right wheel! For-w-a-r-d, March!"
+
+Off into a field and skirting the woods, moved Co. G. Another wheel and
+to the left, and the advance began. They moved briskly and steadily
+along, until one of those narrow wash-outs peculiar to Virginia soil,
+yawned fully four feet in width before them. Over went the divisions
+like sheep, the major in the lead, for alas, the horse ridden by the
+colonel--the old cow--refused to take the ditch. Fortunately the eyes
+of Madison county were not present at the circus which followed. Thump!
+thump! went the colonel's heels against the ribs of the cow; then he
+whirled and dashed at the obstacle again. All the time Co. G were on a
+still hunt for wandering rebels. And when the colonel, by making a wide
+detour, succeeded in overtaking his men, they were well across the
+field and had not bagged a single johnny. The company generously shared
+their disappointment with Colonel Brown, just the same as though he had
+kept his place with the column. The colonel had been foiled--and that,
+his first Virginia ditch. In fact that was not a day really rich with
+glory for Madison and Cortland counties.
+
+As the field manoeuvre was over, the column again took the road--it was
+doubtful if there was a force of rebels within twenty-five miles.
+
+Toward night Thoroughfare Gap (an opening through the Bull Run
+mountains) was reached and Co. G bivouaced in the oak woods with an
+abundance of leaves for bedding. Two nights they slept on the ground
+without tents--no great hardship in good weather; but the second day at
+the Gap the shelter or dog-tents arrived; the day following they were
+pitched, after a fashion.
+
+
+While at the Gap the entire division of Gen. Schurz appeared to have
+run wild. Every house, the fields, all property was exposed to the
+looting soldiers, who were well supplied with government rations but
+craved chickens, fresh mutton and tender beef, honey, home-made bread,
+jams, and jellies. The camp of the 157th resembled a market. Cattle and
+sheep were lowing and bleating in pens, fowls were plenty and dressed
+carcasses, hams and many other articles and things hung from the trees.
+Guns were popping and stray bullets flying, for the brave boys had
+discovered the presence of the saw-back hog, a species common in the
+South, usually running at large. They had first met him on the road
+while marching in, when the big saw-back with long snout to the ground
+claimed the middle of the road, and got it too; going down from the
+head of the regiment to the rear, the ranks opening graciously to allow
+him to pass. And he minded little the bayonet jabs pushed at him as he
+sped as only his family can run. But many a saw-back fell that day, of
+all ages, from roaster to patriarch.
+
+After some hours of such ill-becoming looting, strict orders were
+issued and guards thrown out about the camps. A few hours later the
+doctors were busy with sick men who had gorged on honey and fresh pork.
+
+Thoroughfare Gap witnessed several contests during the war and many
+times the cavalry, either of yanks or johnnies, saw each other's heels
+flying through that winding defile with warm spurs. And the place was
+remembered ever after in the annals of Co. G, as the camp where much
+property was stolen and also the locality where Dan Brockway left his
+little leather-covered trunk.
+
+
+Dan was formerly a peddler of various kinds of flavoring extracts, ink
+and bluing. For some funny reason he carried a stock of his essences
+with him into the army; a strange freak indeed. He had lugged that
+package thus far, patiently bearing the compliments of officers and men
+as they urged him to keep in place. He was one of the smallest men in
+the company, but it took one of the largest and the strongest to land
+him on his back at square-hold. Brock was always good natured and
+always busy.
+
+The day came for another moving and the captain said in a firm, but
+pleasant, way,
+
+"Brock, you must get rid of that blinkity-blim box of yours. Do you
+understand me?"
+
+Brock understood, as when the captain spoke that way he was in earnest.
+So the box of beautiful extracts, cinnamon, peppermint and the rest,
+was left at a house near the gap and is there still, perhaps, for Co. G
+never saw it again.
+
+
+The 11th Corps had been thrown forward to guard the supplies for
+McClellan's army then on the march from Harper's Ferry. Large
+quantities of stores came up and were in waiting for the advancing
+columns, and as soon as the Army of the Potomac had gone into camp near
+Warrenton the 11th Corps was moved to New Baltimore.
+
+Orders for marching came Nov. 7th, a chilly, cloudy day. Before the
+march of twelve or fourteen miles was half concluded, snow began to
+fall and Co. G pitched their tents at New Baltimore, in a brisk snow
+storm, and in a cornfield. Corn stalks were plenty and served for
+tent-flooring. It was a blundering piece of work, ordering men to camp
+in a muddy cornfield while a few rods distant was a desirable rise of
+ground, to which they were removed within a few days. The 157th had
+many experiences among corn stubble, until the boys came to counting
+upon such a bivouac as sure whenever one was found conveniently at
+hand. Blame was unjustly attached to Col. Brown for those cornfield
+camps.
+
+The continued bad weather caused much sickness among new troops, and
+consequently the army was weakened. McClellan advised going into winter
+quarters, but the Northern press howled, "On to Richmond!" and the
+administration removed McClellan and placed Burnside at the head of the
+army.
+
+The troops were drawn up to bid farewell to Little Mac. His progress
+could have been traced by the cheering of the men. McClellan was
+popular with the rank and file of the Potomac army. Had his advice been
+taken and a vigorous campaign opened in the spring, thousands of brave
+men might not have fallen in vain, with other thousands of sick
+besides, not to mention the heavy losses in stores and equipments.
+Those campaigns conducted to gratify a clamoring press were not popular
+after Gen. Grant took command of the Army of the Potomac. As soon as
+Gen. Burnside was well established in his new command he began his move
+on Fredericksburg.
+
+At New Baltimore the regiment was for the first time joined by the
+lieutenant colonel, Geo. Arrowsmith. Col. Arrowsmith had seen
+considerable service and when the regiment was organized his name was
+pressed for the colonelcy over his former tutor, Brown. The appearance
+of the lieutenant colonel was pleasing. He was a tall, strongly-built
+man, his face was pleasant and his voice was clear and strong. The men
+enjoyed being under his command, because there was an air of confidence
+about him not possessed by the inexperienced officers. There was no
+hesitation when Arrowsmith gave an order, for he gave none new to the
+men without first explaining and making it clear. At Fairfax, Brown had
+captains and even sergeants attempt to evolute the battalion, while he
+kept one hand on the machine that it might not blow up. But Arrowsmith
+had none of that nonsense, and for some reason it ceased soon after he
+came.
+
+
+November, 1862, was very trying for the people at home as well as the
+soldiers in the field. The election of Horatio Seymour as governor,
+encouraged the Peace Party. At the front was Burnside surrounded by
+officers and men antagonistic to him, who growled at his appointment
+and criticized his every move. The malcontents among the corps
+commanders favored McClellan and if not he, they wished to have some
+one beside Burnside, who was a good man, and all he lacked to make his
+plan successful, was hearty co-operation among his subordinates.
+
+As already stated the men were growing more sickly. The hospitals were
+filled and many were ailing in their tents. Co. G, amid all the misery
+and the growling and incipient disloyalty, remained steadfastly loyal.
+Its heroes marched up and took their quinine, or they marched away to
+picket-duty. But they were being thinned out and details came heavier
+and heavier upon those who remained well. The principal malady was
+dysentery, which weakened the men quickly, but being of a mild type in
+most cases, there were few fatalities.
+
+The return was begun Nov. 17th over soft roads, slippery with mud, made
+worse by the rain which began to fall about noontime. After dark the
+men bivouaced in a field of corn-stubble, rain falling and small
+rivulets running down between the rows. The boys were served with
+boiled potatoes, warm from the kettle and graced and blessed by Billy
+Mallows, the cook, who growled and snarled while he cooked, until the
+very potatoes rolled their eyes at him. Thankful was he that night that
+he was soon to leave the emblazoned service, as he soon after did to
+give place to one of the best company cooks in the regiment.
+
+At this cornfield camp near Gainesville, a whisky ration was served to
+the men. They had fixed their bayonets and driven them into the ground,
+strapping a third gun across for a ridgepole on which to lay their
+tents; then spreading a rubber blanket on the wet ground they made
+their beds for the night; a bad arrangement in case of alarm and
+against orders, but they could do no better in the dark.
+
+So the heroes turned-in, their heads on one corn row and their feet
+over another, their bodies sort of zigzagged-like, in the form of a
+letter Z. There they lay dreaming while the rills of muddy water
+coursed under them, poor Co. G, until aroused by reveille. Then they
+turned out, stiff and uncomfortable, but otherwise not in bad shape.
+Col. Brown was very temperate, and whiskey was never issued unless the
+occasion was urgent, and this was one of those occasions and the first
+one--no doubt it was timely.
+
+Marching was difficult on the route to Centerville, Nov. 18th, and led
+over another portion of the Bull Run battlefield some distance from
+Stone Bridge. For a long way the ground was littered with relics, and
+then Brock proceeded to load himself down with bullets, grape shot,
+etc., in spite of the remonstrances of the officers, carrying into camp
+twenty or thirty pounds of lead and iron. He was thinking of the money
+in such pickings. For a long time after, he amused himself whittling
+the bullets into axes, hatchets or hammers duly handled in red cedar,
+which he sold when possible as souvenirs to be sent home by mail. For
+Brock had a family and in any way he could earn a penny, was sure to
+make the most of his opportunities, sending the money home. And he was
+temperate as he was saving.
+
+Camp at Centerville was made on the bleakest part of the hill near the
+little hamlet; not far from where, the preceding winter, the enemy had
+built large-sized barracks. Those rebel huts were torn down and the
+wood used to construct shanties for the newcomers. Winter set in and
+the cold winds whistled across the bleak hill most wickedly.
+
+Reasons for army movements sometimes are based on pure assumption. And
+such reasoning may have worked out a plan by which the 11th Corps must
+remain at Centerville; but a hill should have been selected broad
+enough to receive the entire corps, headquarters and all. Such
+disposition of the troops might have been made as to place them nearer
+wood and water, and so reduce exposures and lessen such large
+attendance at surgeons' call. While commissioned officers must not find
+fault, they must obey offensive orders emanating from superiors.
+
+Occasionally there is a little discretionary power allowed an officer.
+When the vacant huts were apportioned to the men one came to the share
+of Co. G. Then it happened that the men of another regiment undertook
+to appropriate Co. G's share. Down came Capt. Tuttle loaded for large
+game, and the Captain of the strange men was there also. The interview
+between the captains was short and very emphatic, resulting in G
+securing the timber. On another similar occasion on the Gettysburg
+march, when the regiment went into bivouac they were told to
+appropriate all the rails in their immediate front. Shortly appeared a
+mob from another regiment who were bent upon carrying away those
+particular rails. The intruders were scarcely at work when Col.
+Arrowsmith rode among them revolver in hand. The 157th boys gathered
+their rails at leisure. The boys felt that it was good to have their
+officers interested in the comfort of the men.
+
+There were a few of the companies in the regiment very much neglected
+that first winter out. The men were good material and in time became as
+good soldiers as any in the command. The first lieutenant of one of
+those companies insisted that his captain was dead and should be so
+informed. But the captain did not believe it, and proved the contrary,
+when he showed enough life in him to resign and go home.
+
+Near the camp at Centerville resided a shoe-maker, Pettit, by name, and
+his wife and three grown daughters. A houseguard of one man from Co. G
+was stationed there to protect the premises from looters. The family
+treated the guard kindly and also admitted a number of sick boys who
+rapidly regained their health as soon as removed from the exposures of
+camp.
+
+There were but one or two attempts at drilling while at Centerville and
+then under advice of the doctors as for physical exercise. One day the
+troops were marched to Chantilly and exercised in a mock battle.
+
+
+Just as soon as Burnside was well set down in front of Fredericksburg
+he wanted the 11th Corps and of course, Co. G. Then came a tedious
+march.
+
+December 10th, after a tramp through snow and mud a distance of five
+miles, the troops bivouaced at Poorhouse Station. The night was cold. A
+canteen of water placed under one man's head was found frozen nearly
+solid in the morning.
+
+Next day's march was eight or ten miles across Wolf Run Shoals Co. G
+going into bivouac in a dense pine thicket on the hights beyond. No
+tents were raised, some pine boughs were thrown upon the frozen ground
+and with feet to a cozy fire the boys slept the sleep of the weary.
+
+The marching on the 12th was very bad. The weather had moderated and
+the bottom fell out of the roads. That mud of Virginia is peculiarly
+tenacious and quite frequently a fellow's shoe was pulled from his
+foot. Before Dumfries was reached misty rain was falling, which soon
+rendered the roads in some places impassable for heavy wagons or
+artillery. So it was necessary to call a halt until the wagon train was
+brought in, and men were detailed to pull with the mules whenever
+necessary.
+
+Two nights at Dumfries rested Co. G and the boys started onward to the
+aid of Burnside's men, whose cannon were distinctly heard fifteen or
+twenty miles away. The corps reached Falmouth the day following the
+departure from Dumfries, or Dec. 15th.
+
+The 11th Corps was promptly prepared to be ready for crossing the
+Rappahannock next morning. Guns were cleaned and arms and ammunition
+inspected and the loyal G expected to be ordered into action.
+Fortunately for them and for humanity generally Burnside decided that
+enough brave men had been sacrificed. There was a report that Sigel had
+passed condemnation upon the hopeless plan of that battle. Certainly
+history has done so time and again. The ifs and other remote
+contingencies did not warrant such a terrible sacrifice. The certainty
+of failure was apparent after the first day's fighting. The only hope
+was in flanking Lee, which failed.
+
+To hold their own was too easy for the rebels. An artillery sergeant
+told the writer, that the section to which he belonged bore directly
+upon the flank of the union troops, as they charged Marye's Hights,
+and he pitied the brave fellows who again and again charged forward
+only to be swept away.
+
+"Sir, I was sickened at the sight," said the rebel sergeant, "I dreaded
+to see them moving up without the slightest chance of success. The
+ground in range of our guns was covered with slaughtered men."
+
+It was just as well for Co. G that the needs of the nation did not call
+them to charge those deadly hights. They were after glory but
+preferred it not quite so hot, and even had they won a fair installment
+of glory it would have been denied them. Seldom is that battle
+mentioned now. Great stories are told of Pickett's charge at
+Gettysburg, however, almost as famous and as hopeless as that of the
+six hundred at Balaklava--all brave men but needlessly slaughtered. Why
+should not Burnside's men at Fredericksburg be remembered with equal
+pride?
+
+Men may decorate themselves with all the glitter of rank and strut with
+dignity through street and camp, and yet fail to prove themselves
+worthy of a command in time of great need. But the subordinate and the
+private soldier has but one way of showing his importance--strict
+obedience to orders from those above him, no matter whether the officer
+be a man or a manikin.
+
+Co. G enlisted to do, or to die trying. They read newspapers and knew
+that Gen. Patterson failed to support McDowell at Bull Run; and the
+sacrifice of Col. Baker at Ball's Bluff by the neglect of Gen. Stone;
+the neglect of Sumner to support Heintzelman at Williamsburg; and that
+Fitz John Porter failed to succor Pope at the second battle of Bull
+Run. Co. G understood a number of things, and they gazed upon big
+general officers with awe. They had narrowly escaped the slaughter, but
+shared in the humiliation of the hour; feeling more comfortable,
+however, than did Gen. Burnside, who knew that the blunders were not
+all his own. Co. G were ready to support Burnside, to a man.
+
+
+On the 17th of December the 11th Corps turned back from the Rappahannock
+and camped near Stafford Court House, traveling in a brisk snow storm
+over very soft roads. On the 18th they moved to a fine piece of timber
+some distance from Stafford and proceeded to build a permanent camp.
+Other troops occupied the ground before Co. G came, and had begun the
+work of laying up log huts.
+
+In a few days the camp was quite habitable--with shelter tents for
+roofs, stone for fire-places and chimneys, laid in mud, with an
+occasional topping off with barrels. Co. G terraced the sloping ground
+where they made their beds, and were careful to keep their heads level.
+They cut the boughs of red cedar and laid them deep above the damp
+earth. The fire-places smoked inside as well as out, by the use of
+green oak for fuel, and the little dwellings, in fact, were
+considerably tainted thereby with an odor akin to that of soap-boiling,
+an abiding fragrance; and the eyes of the heroes were moist with tears
+while the oak was frying. Very wrong indeed it was, to throw blank
+cartridges down a fellow's chimney; and such capers were cut up in some
+of the companies, but not in G, who were dignified. The honor of Lenox
+rested, the easterly portion upon the shoulders of Co. B, with Co. G at
+the other end, and they carried it from their homes to the depths of
+Florida, and brought it back untarnished; unless critics wish to bring
+up chickens and such--but chickens do not count in affairs of honor.
+
+For the first time since leaving Hamilton Co. G were short of rations.
+Hardtack was scarce for a while at Stafford and the thought itself is
+hungrifying. Piteous reports reached their homes and the good people
+there filled boxes with food and other comforts. And one day, soon
+after the holidays, the regimental teams brought in a car-load or two
+of boxes, long delayed on the road, and the abundance of army rations
+for a time, were neglected for better fare. To those fellows who
+received no boxes, was freely given by the more fortunate. In many
+instances the boxes were found rifled of much of the original
+contents,--a common occurrence. There were gangs of plunderers hanging
+about all army depots and landing-places, who were ever waiting for
+opportunities, and they would steal the food from the sick, rifle
+knapsacks of the living and the pockets of the dead, whenever possible.
+Many of those depraved creatures were enlisted men, and those of them
+who lived long enough, no doubt, became pensioners; consequently,
+heroic veterans. Yet Co. G were glad if the boxes only came, seeing in
+them lumber for small tables or doors.
+
+The holidays were passed in this camp, with Col. Arrowsmith in command.
+Brown had been furloughed. A few of the boys were lucky to obtain fowls
+and hoe-cake, from the residents living near. In some of the squads
+they parched corn obtained of the teamsters, or battery-men. Money was
+very scarce and there was a tobacco famine. The poker-players used
+bills of broken banks and bills advertising Morgan's rifled cannon, or
+some business college. They had been mustered, but not paid.
+
+One day a stray sutler stopped at the camp. He was a pleasant man and
+the boys patronized him freely, until the merchant discovered he was
+exchanging his goods for worthless paper. Col. Arrowsmith was appealed
+to, with no satisfaction, and the sutler moved along, sadly.
+
+After that, for a time, tobacco was plenty in the camp. Those who had
+been smoking coffee or chewing a stick, now were willing to prosecute
+the war in earnest. The ginger-bread eaters were lively as crickets,
+but the stock of bad money was low.
+
+At Stafford there were frequent desertions among the men. Several left
+the good society of Co. G. The men were discouraged like the chaplain,
+and many of them would have resigned were it not that they thus would
+desert their officers.
+
+The officers of the regiment were getting discouraged also, some of
+them because they were homesick, some because they were better off at
+home, and many because they were sickened of warfare. They had marched
+over one hundred miles, saw the smoke of a terrible battle, and their
+ardor was appeased. By the middle of January sixteen of them had
+resigned from discouragement and one from disability. Twelve left at
+one time, and later on others resigned, until Capt. Frank Place of Co.
+C, was the only one left of the original ten captains and he returned
+with the regiment as major. His first lieutenant, J. A. Coffin, after
+serving a long term in rebel prisons, returned and was mustered out as
+captain of that company. Captain Dunbar died, of disease, Capt. Adams
+of wounds, Captains Frank and Backus were killed in battle and Capt.
+Stone died in prison at Macon. Thus accounting for the original thirty
+line officers. In spite of such terrible temptation, Co. G were true.
+"Guide North!" exclaimed one of the departing captains, as he mounted a
+baggage wagon; and quite a number of his men soon followed him. Similar
+changes were going on in all of the new regiments.
+
+Sickness prevailed alarmingly at Stafford. A crowd of men attended
+surgeon's call each morning and kept three doctors busy until long into
+the night. Fortunately the serious cases were comparatively few. The
+illness resulted from exposures and the inexperience of the men, in
+most of the cases.
+
+For the information of any persons who are ignorant as to knowledge of
+the shelter-tent it may be said that this kind of a tent is used by
+troops in the field in active service. Each soldier draws one piece of
+tent,--a piece of white or unbleached twilled cotton cloth about one
+yard and a half square. In two corners of the cloth are loops of light
+rope to be used when the tent is held to the ground with stakes; around
+the margins of three sides of the cloth are button-holes set at regular
+distances, and two inches above each hole is a bone button. As they are
+exactly alike, any two soldiers may join their pieces and thus raise a
+shelter, or three or four, by uniting and pitching the tent at a right
+angle, can close the tent ends, using two of the pieces cornerwise.
+Buttoning together the pieces for roofing only, they could be extended
+to any length, and sometimes, by exercising a little ingenuity, they
+were made to cover quite a large building. Thus is space devoted to
+this subject because the shelter tent was an important article in the
+outfit of Co. G.
+
+
+What is called the Mud March began January 20th, 1863, when the Army of
+the Potomac was ordered out of their snug huts and started on a
+campaign against the enemy.
+
+Before daylight on the 20th, Co. G were routed out and ordered to
+strike tents and take the road. Old Ziba had cooked beef and pork and
+the boys carried, also, three day's rations of coffee, sugar and
+hard-tack.
+
+Lieut. Bailey had been transferred to Co. K, as captain, Lieut. Frank
+was promoted in Bailey's place and Sergeant Hemstreet was made second
+lieutenant of Co. G.
+
+That particular morning Capt. Tuttle was not in very good humor and the
+boys of Co. G were hustled around lively; and they were all ready and
+waiting in good season, for the order to move.
+
+They had quite a tramp of ten or twelve miles, halting at Hartwood
+Church, near night. Soon rain began to fall and at dark was coming down
+quite briskly.
+
+A pontoon train that was drawn up waiting for the arrival of Co. G and
+the other troops, as soon as darkness came on, started for the
+Rappahannock river a few miles distant, where engineers were to lay a
+bridge, that in the small hours of the night Co. G (with other troops)
+could be slipped over there quietly and as the daylight returned the
+astonished rebels were to find they had work cut out for them.
+Unfortunately, the rain softened the roads and the wagons bearing the
+pontoon boats stuck fast in the mud. The artillery that was to cover
+the laying of the bridge also stuck in the mud, and horses and mules
+stuck in the mud. And it became necessary to send men with ropes to
+pull the wagons, artillery, horses and mules out of the mud.
+
+When scouts of the Union army approached the river next day they saw a
+board duly lettered with these words--
+
+    "Burnside Stuck in the Mud."
+
+Co. G had been kept in suspense expecting momentarily to be ordered
+away, until word came to the boys to make themselves comfortable as
+possible. A picket was thrown out near the camp. But the failure of the
+expedition brought little comfort to those unfortunates who were
+obliged to stand out two hours in the cold rain, which poured from
+their caps down their back bones and into the shoes. Sleep to a weary
+soldier is sweeter when he knows his faithful comrades are watching
+over him, particularly on such a stormy night.
+
+Burnside had again been unfortunate, this time doing just enough to
+christen his effort with a most appropriate name, "The Mud March," and
+it appeared to the army that the elements had conspired to save them
+from another defeat. Lee was prepared for the event and his guns were
+placed to sweep the bridge if laid.
+
+Burnside pulled and lugged until he had the greater portion of his army
+back in their old quarters near Falmouth.
+
+The 11th Corps went into camp on Oakland Farms in a handsome piece of
+timber. Chestnut trees supplied material for huts and the men were soon
+busy.
+
+While in this camp snow fell to a depth of one foot. The demands for
+details for picket came often--the lines were heavy. The rebels were
+known to be near.
+
+How fiercely the wind swept the light snow in blinding eddies around a
+fellow's head those nights, compelling him to trot lively or freeze.
+Posts were relieved every hour instead of every two as was usual. At
+the grand guard below the hill, in the woods, a bright fire was kept
+burning. When relieved from his post the picket made his bed on two
+rails propped above the pools of water and melting snow. Such
+experiences were common in bad weather.
+
+The army shoes were the greatest hindrance to comfort. They were made
+of leather poorly tanned, and frequently brown paper was found laid in
+between the outer and inner soles. Such affairs soon wetted through.
+The consciences of army contractors were terribly warped during the war
+time. How very wicked it is to tempt some men with fat contracts.
+
+
+When the shanties were nearly completed, Feb. 5th, orders came to move
+nearer the base of supplies. Co. G were getting familiar with
+house-warming and moving-days. Already had they built three shanties
+and were now to pack up and journey into a new country and raise a
+fourth. Such experiences were not pleasant in the depths of a Virginia
+winter.
+
+An unpleasant march through mud and snow brought the men to Potomac
+Creek where they stopped for the night. Next day they reached Accokick
+Creek and were marched into a dense growth of pine favorably located on
+sloping ground, and about three-fourths of a mile from Brooks Station.
+
+Col. Brown ordered the men to build huts and arrange for a stay of
+months. Many of the little buildings were really comfortable. When the
+regiment moved into the wood the timber stood very dense but not large.
+A few days later not a tree was standing; all had been cut down and
+converted into building timber. Stone was scarce and many of the huts
+had fireplaces of wood well plastered with clay, the chimneys of sticks
+laid up in clay.
+
+Once more were the boys of Co. G settled in house-keeping and ready for
+company. It was a pleasant camp in many respects. The health of the men
+improved, food was abundant, good water convenient, plenty of picket
+duty, very little drilling, mail regular; a sutler was adopted by the
+regiment, and finally came a paymaster, and Co. G were happy. This was
+the first time they received pay after being in the service, nearly six
+months. The sutler gave credit, however and thus had a tobacco famine
+been averted.
+
+Paymasters are generally well received among troops. Many of the men
+had left at home dependent ones who needed relief. But in most
+instances the money was not really necessary. To be sure money was
+needed for postage but that was about all. Ginger-snaps, canned lobster
+and oysters, or jelly, and hair oil were better on the shelves of the
+sutler's tent. Sardines might also be listed, inasmuch as two of the
+boys of Co. G were punished for stealing sardines from a sutler.
+
+Co. G were not out to inculcate morality, and felt the shame of
+detection in any case in which their honesty was involved with a
+sutler. They were modest men. Hugh O'Brien was shocked when he heard
+that those boys had been betrayed by one of the company who had
+partaken of the stolen sardines; and Hugh reached forward quickly and
+struck the informer, because he had "peached" on the boys. Hugh was too
+good a soldier to be severely punished.
+
+While in this camp, Capt. Tuttle resigned and Lieut. Frank was made
+Captain. Hemstreet was promoted to first and Sergt. Gates second
+lieutenant, and John H. Roe to orderly sergeant. Co. G supplied
+officers on short notice to other companies if required and retained
+plenty of material made up and anxious.
+
+During those dreary winter days, while the fate of the nation was
+undecided and the newspapers were wiping from the face of the earth the
+last trace of rebellion, fathers and mothers grew very anxious for
+their dear boys at the front. Some of them wrote fault-finding letters,
+deploring the war. The majority, however, never for one moment doubted
+the result. And the dear girls, how loyal they were. So tender and
+true. They were worth one hundred thousand men.
+
+"Say, Mamie," wrote a comrade to his sister, "do you know that Dick
+actually kissed the last letter you sent him? I really believe he is
+licking the stamp this very minute."
+
+"Please write me no more such nonsense as that, Sammy dear," she
+replied, "as I do not believe you. If true, Dick would soon suspect me
+devoted to the filthy habit of chewing tobacco. Father affixed that
+stamp."
+
+Frequently a letter came from some fair one, a total stranger to the
+soldier; for the girls felt they were justified in waiving formalities,
+while risking censure from cynical people. Their letters were very
+acceptable. Nothing did more to hold the boys within the bounds of
+morality and decency than the kind letters from home. Many of them have
+preserved those pages, creased, crumpled and worn and to their last
+days will regard them as the choicest relics of the war-time.
+
+While at the camp among the stumps, Col. Brown inaugurated his school
+for commissioned officers. Many of them needed schooling. It was
+reported that an examining Board had been instituted at headquarters.
+
+The colonel also gave instruction to the non-commissioned officers, and
+privates who yearned for advancement.
+
+Added to his other beneficent undertakings, Col. Brown regularly
+conducted prayer-meetings at his quarters. He had been a missionary
+teacher among the Choctaw Indians and likely supposed the 157th offered
+fruitful ground. If the colonel had stopped there, he would have done
+better. Soon a chaplain appeared.
+
+United States Army Regulations provided that "the wishes and wants of
+the soldiers of the regiment shall be allowed their full and due weight
+in making the selection" of a chaplain. What use could Co. G make of a
+chaplain. They were enlisted in war. Their plowshares and their pruning
+hooks were far away in Lenox among the hop-vines, "up the creek," and
+they carried no swords.
+
+What need had the regiment or the army for a preacher? Why not have a
+regimental lawyer? Only in rare instances was a chaplain worth the salt
+he ate. In garrison a preacher may be useful as a school teacher, but
+he is not needed in active service. Co. G had believers and
+skeptics,--Protestants and Catholics--to have forced a chaplain upon
+that company would have compromised their sacred rights and liberties.
+They were "fighting God's battles," and every one had a nice little
+testament, somewhere. Co. G were not allowed their "full and due
+weight" in the matter of a chaplain. As a man there was not great fault
+found with this chaplain, and he held forth acceptably. He was only one
+of thousands of supernumeraries who could well have been dispensed
+with, in that trying war.
+
+
+In his General Order No. 1, of Jan. 27, 1863, Gen. Hooker says, "He
+enters upon the charge of the duties imposed by his trust with a just
+appreciation of their responsibility."
+
+Gen. Burnside in his final order relinquishing the command of the army
+to Hooker, says "Give to the brave and skilful general who has long
+been identified with your organization and who is now to command you,
+your full and cordial support and cooperation and you will deserve
+success."
+
+Burnside commanded the army about eleven weeks. Hooker, about five
+months.
+
+When Meade superseded him, Hooker in his farewell order says,
+"Impressed with the belief that my usefulness as the commander of the
+Army of the Potomac is impaired. I part from it, yet not without the
+deepest emotion."
+
+By comparing the sentiments expressed in those extracts one would
+imagine that Burnside had reason to feel consoled when his successor
+failed.
+
+The real, real key to all the troubles experienced by Gen. Burnside
+will be found in the letter of President Lincoln to Hooker when he
+tendered the command to him. It is a characteristic production of Mr.
+Lincoln, in which Hooker is severely rebuked. Never has the full extent
+of the criticisms against and neglects practiced upon Burnside, been
+exposed to the public. But from the tone of the President's letter one
+would infer that Gen. Hooker was not considered blameless.
+
+This much of history and comment is given because the gallant Co. G are
+soon to meet the enemy and win laurels under Joe Hooker, which are
+never accorded them.
+
+
+Early in 1863 Gen. Sigel was superseded by Gen. O. O. Howard as
+commander of the 11th Corps. The badge of the 11th Army Corps was a
+blue crescent on a white field. Funny fellows in other corps declared
+it was a "flying half-moon." Co. G cared very little for such flings.
+As for "flying," they knew the records of many other corps, and they
+also remembered Sigel had been highly praised once upon a time.
+
+With Co. G the world kept rolling on, and after the proclamation of
+emancipation it really looked as though oil had been poured in at the
+axes. The patriotic order or address issued by Gen. Schurz on
+Washington's birthday, brought up the shades of the past, and Co. G
+seemed marching on, in sunshine, escorted by the fathers of the
+revolution. The signs were declared to be favorable once more.
+
+Gen. Hooker, to cheer up the army, granted ten-day furloughs; two men
+were to go from each company, and when they returned, more were
+furloughed. The first two from Co. G came back promptly. Of the next,
+but one returned, consequently Co. G could have no more home-going. The
+scamp who deserted was always troublesome. He had been detached at
+division headquarters. How he ever was allowed to step between good,
+dutiful soldiers and the prospect of furloughs, is not known. The
+fellow was discovered as a bounty-jumper, at Elmira a few months later,
+and courtmartialed, and sent to Fort Clinch, Florida, to complete his
+term at building fortifications.
+
+As spring approached and the ground became firm, the men were drilled
+regularly. Inspections were frequent. The Sunday morning inspection
+related to cleanliness of person as well as arms, equipments and
+quarters. Every man was obliged to stand at "attention" with one foot
+bared, and occasionally the surgeons ordered prompt bathing. A very few
+of the boys were taken by a guard, to the creek and there scrubbed. Co.
+G had none of its members forcibly bathed, but a fellow occasionally
+would escape with one clean foot. By and by, whenever possible, the men
+were cleanly for sake of comfort.
+
+When Sunday inspections came the cook-houses were thoroughly looked
+after. Ziba Cloyes the cook of Co. G and Pat Matthews, his assistant,
+kept all their kettles and pans in first-class order. Nobody needed
+fear to partake of Ziba's fare. He was an old hotel keeper and
+understood culinary matters.
+
+Ziba's violin was a great exhilarator and the boys gathered around his
+tent to hear the well-known strains of good old-fashioned reels and
+hornpipes played, in style. And they straightway paired and whirled in
+stag-dances, stepping to the strains of Ziba's music.
+
+When Gen. Hooker took command of the army he reviewed the 11th Corps.
+Gen. Howard also reviewed them. And a review, to soldiers in the field,
+often forecasts a movement of the force.
+
+Gen. Schimmelpfennig had the brigade out for drill. Col. Brown
+frequently marched the regiment out for new manoeuvres, and Col.
+Arrowsmith did the same. Capt. Frank had Co. G drilling for the first
+time as skirmishers, a drill which was of little use unless accompanied
+by actual, genuine experiences.
+
+
+On the 10th day of April, 1863, the Army of the Potomac was reviewed by
+President Lincoln. Co. G came out in fine feather. New uniforms and
+blackened leathers, polished brass, clean guns, and white gloves. The
+boys were fast becoming useful soldiers. Discipline had greatly
+improved their appearance; drill made them prompt and correct.
+
+When the boys marched past the President in company front--"Eyes
+right!" came from Capt. Frank--there sat, upon his horse, a plain
+citizen, who bared his head and smiled as though he knew every one of
+Co. G and could name them all. The line was fine, their carriage good,
+and Capt. Frank was proud of his men. It was a red-letter day for the
+company.
+
+Capt. Frank seldom made speeches. That day was an exception. When the
+company returned to camp, the captain said--
+
+"Boys, you have done well--you have done nobly--as well as any of them.
+You have done bully, by ginger! Orderly, break ranks."
+
+
+During the latter part of April orders were received to pack all
+superfluous clothing and send the boxes to the river. By this time the
+supply of books, albums and the like, was exhausted. Much of more value
+to a soldier, had accumulated during the winter and Co. G made a fair
+showing of packages. Those goods were never returned to the men.
+
+Spring weather had come and the little frogs and the big frogs were
+telling the world of it. Trees were beginning to leaf out and grass was
+showing here and there. Hooker thought it time to make a move.
+
+On the morning of April 27th with eight days' rations and sixty rounds
+of cartridges the men left their huts and started for Chancellorsville--of
+course their destiny was unknown at the time, but Co. G scented the
+battle from afar. The haversacks were filled with hard bread, boiled
+beef and pork, coffee and sugar. In the new knapsacks were surplus
+rations and twenty rounds of cartridges. No trouble now with knapsacks,
+for the load was light; but the haversacks dragged upon a fellow's
+shoulder. There was this consoling in such a load, it kept growing
+lighter and lighter, each meal.
+
+The boys felt well and marched along in fine style. Co. G were becoming
+weather-beaten and seasoned.
+
+After an easy march the column halted beyond Hartford church for the
+night. Next morning was rainy. During the day the troops were moved up
+near the Rappahannock and marched into the woods and told to keep very
+quiet and wait until it was dark.
+
+Toward midnight Co. G, with the others, were moved down to Kelly's
+Ford. The pontoon bridge was covered with earth, men were forbidden to
+speak aloud; a move to flank the rebels was in progress.
+
+The 157th was the first new regiment to cross over. In the ranks of Co.
+G strict silence was enjoined. Charley Near was not permitted to
+torment Pete Cummings. A truce was established, temporarily, between
+the Johnsons, Zerne and Jim. Ir Sayles was not singing. Orderly Forbes
+marched at the front supported by John Pfleiger and Amos Avery, while
+Dan Brockway brought up the rear. Dan always led the company when they
+marched left in front. All was quiet. The boys declared the night was
+so dark they might bite it; but the report that the pioneers went ahead
+and tunneled a passage through was pure imagination.
+
+After crossing the river and ascending the slope a faint line of light
+could be traced along the horizon. The regiment was marched to its
+position in line of battle and halted, to await the arrival of other
+troops, and later were moved forward to a piece of woods and went into
+bivouac.
+
+Early the morning of the 29th, rebel cavalrymen were seen in the
+distance and a few artillery shots were thrown at them. Col. Brown rode
+forward to reconnoiter, soon returning hotly chased by the naughty
+johnnies.
+
+The route taken that day was toward the Rapidan. Late in the afternoon
+the column arrived in the vicinity of Germania and lay until after
+night, waiting for a bridge to be laid, for the enemy had destroyed the
+crossing. When all was ready, Co. G marched down to the river. A narrow
+passage had been prepared, by laying planks from one abutment to
+another, down close to the rapid flowing water. Large fires were
+burning on either bank to light the way. Co. G went over, cautiously,
+without wetting a foot. John Schultz had resigned; had he been present,
+it is likely he would have turned turtle, the same as he plumped into
+the slip at New York. But the entire corps got over safely and went
+into bivouac on the cold, wet ground. No fires were allowed until
+daylight.
+
+The halt after crossing the Rapidan is known in the annals of Co. G as
+the time and place where Brock was detailed to guard the fiddle of
+Ziba, the cook.
+
+Now the boys were to march in the enemy's country. Before crossing at
+Kelly's Ford, the regiment was drawn up and reminded that the eyes of
+Cortland and Madison counties were upon them, which was no news to the
+heroes. Col. Brown's tone on such occasions sounded very solemn as
+though the eyes of those counties were sad.
+
+The boys respected Col. Brown; they could not blame him for not showing
+a cheerfulness he did not possess. There was something about those
+speeches suggestive of a lack of confidence; it is believed the one
+delivered at Kelly's Ford was the last of the series. Col. Arrowsmith
+never commanded the boys in battle. The methods of Col. Carmichael will
+appear as the record develops.
+
+April 30th opened misty and unpleasant. The road passed into the
+celebrated Wilderness, finally striking the Fredericksburg plank road.
+In the afternoon the destination of the 11th Corps was reached, and the
+men were bivouaced nearly in position for battle.
+
+May 1st the historic order congratulating the right wing of the army
+was read to the men. "That the enemy must either ingloriously fly, or
+come out from behind his defenses and give us battle on our own
+ground." He came, he saw, and the result is history.
+
+The troops were ordered to burn all clothing and prepare for
+light-marching order. The Army of the Potomac was preparing for a
+lively race toward Richmond. Such an order proved wise and timely, and
+much was destroyed that otherwise would have fallen into the hands of
+the enemy.
+
+Towards night the 157th was moved forward nearer the plank road and
+ordered to strike arms and rest. Appearances favored a fight. Soon
+after dark a rebel battery threw some shells over the line and Co. G,
+for the first time heard the bang! pop! whi-z-z! of shelling; no one
+was struck. But few shells were thrown, when all was quiet again.
+Johnny reb. was only feeling for Co. G.
+
+Many of the boys long remembered the whip-poor-will chorus in the woods
+about them, as they lay behind their guns that night. When the rebels
+opened fire the birds ceased at once. The enemy had spoiled the
+concert.
+
+May 2d was Saturday. Fresh beef was issued to the men about noon time,
+and the company cooks proceeded to arrange their kettles for boiling
+the meat.
+
+All this time Stonewall Jackson is approaching Hooker's right flank.
+Several officers from the picket line came in and reported to
+headquarters of Howard, that the enemy were working around on the
+right. Maj. Carmichael, of the 157th, was on the line; he was one of
+the brigade officers-of-the-day. Those officers by message and in
+person informed the commander of the 11th Corps that the enemy were
+moving in force.
+
+Says Maj. Carmichael, "All these messages received the reply that we
+were green troops more scared than hurt."
+
+About the time the officers from the picket line were trying to arouse
+Gen. Howard to action, Gen. Hooker sent him these instructions:
+
+"The disposition you have made of your corps has been with a view to a
+front attack by the enemy. If he should throw himself upon your flank
+he [Hooker] wishes you to examine the ground and determine upon the
+position you will take. * * * He suggests that you have heavy reserves
+well in hand to meet this contingency. * * * We have good reason to
+suppose that the enemy is moving on our right. Please advance your
+pickets * * * in order to obtain timely information of their approach."
+
+Howard's headquarters were lethargic; his troops were enjoying
+themselves.
+
+Stonewall Jackson was a very busy man while Howard was reclining very
+comfortably at Dowdall's Tavern.
+
+While the events just related were occurring the boys of Co. G were
+writing letters which the chaplain was to carry away and mail. One of
+those letters, written on a drum-head, portrays a scene as follows:
+
+"Nearly all the privates in Co. G are on picket. It is a novel sight to
+see the men, who are in good spirits, taking their ease. Some chatting,
+some cooking, others playing cards, while many are writing: but the
+most of them are sleeping."
+
+It was about this time that Jackson was conducted to a knoll
+overlooking the position of Howard's men. He saw the whole display of
+neglect--the absence of supporting columns and all. And he started his
+men forward.
+
+Near five o'clock p.m. the storm broke. First a few shots and then a
+volley. From the extreme right came rushing a crowd of supernumeraries
+of all grades. Thirty thousand rebels had surprised the first division
+of the 11th Corps. A portion of the first and also of the third
+divisions were absent reconnoitering. Back came the first division upon
+the third, followed by the exultant enemy. The boys of the first
+division did all they could, but what could they do?
+
+Col. Brown was ordered forward and then countermarched to a position
+east of the Hawkins house and behind some shallow rifle-pits thrown up
+the night before. Gen. Schimmelpfennig says, reporting to Gen. Schurz--
+
+"The first line of our division in connection with Col. Bushbeck's
+brigade of Gen. Steinwehr's (2d) division, formed behind two of our
+regiments, the 82d Illinois and the 157th N.Y., (the first commanded
+by Col. Hecker and the second by Col. Brown) and occupied the
+rifle-pits. * * * Your two brigades and that of Col. Bushbeck, together
+comprising not quite 4,000 muskets, alone received the entire shock of
+the battle and held the enemy in check at least an hour. The three
+brigades above-named although both their flanks were turned, stood
+their ground until a sufficient time had elapsed for the other corps to
+come to their assistance and take position in their rear. * * * For the
+surprise on the flank and rear, in broad daylight, by a force
+outnumbering us four to one, the responsibility falls not on the third
+division. * * * General, I am an old soldier. Up to this time I have
+been proud of commanding the brave men of this brigade; but I am
+convinced if the infamous lies uttered about us are not retracted and
+satisfaction given, their good will and soldierly spirit will be
+broken."
+
+Good, brave "little Schimmel," their soldierly spirit was not broken,
+and they were yours to lead for many a weary mile through stifling dust
+and burning heat.
+
+The battle of Chancellorsville has gone into history and may be found
+therein by any person who wishes to follow the battle. So far as Co. G
+are responsible, little more need be said.
+
+After the terrible experience near the Hawkins house, the 157th was
+withdrawn in excellent order and retreated, after some delay, to the
+rear of the newly formed line of battle. Adjutant McWilliams was
+dispatched in the gathering gloom, to find the proper road, and went
+straight into the rebel lines, and was forwarded to Richmond.
+Fortunately, the opposite direction was taken, and Col. Brown led his
+men safely out of the woods. They lay in reserve on Sunday and Sunday
+night, when the artillery of both forces shook the ground and filled
+the air with bursting shells. Early in the morning of May 5th the Army
+of the Potomac was withdrawn and in a miserable rainstorm dragged
+themselves across the Rappahannock and paddled through the mud back to
+their old camp on Accokick Creek. When they marched away they took the
+road--on their return they came across lots and found much easier
+traveling.
+
+There was an important part played by Battery I, 1st Ohio Artillery, in
+the Chancellorsville fight that adds to the record of Schimmel's
+brigade, very much. Capt. Dilger, a Prussian officer, who commanded the
+battery faced the advancing men of Jackson until nearly cut off, losing
+one gun. He then retreated down the plank road. Sending four of his
+guns to the rear he retreated leisurely, firing as he went and clearing
+the enemy from the road.
+
+But the gallantry of the boys of the 11th Corps was overlooked in the
+general casting of results. There must of course always be a scape-goat
+for blunders in war, and it would not have done to place the blame upon
+West Point graduates.
+
+The losses of the 157th regiment in the battle of Chancellorsville
+fight, aggregated about one hundred. Co. G lost, Asa Lawrence, killed;
+John Pfleiger badly wounded and Henry Whaling slightly wounded,--the
+least number hit of any company in the regiment. Co. A lost the most
+men in that battle--one lieutenant and three men killed and sixteen men
+wounded and missing. Co. B came next, with three men killed and ten
+wounded.
+
+It was sad to think, after computing the fatalities and speculating
+upon the fate of the missing, that away up in Lenox the people were
+reading in the newspapers that Co. G were not so great a success, after
+all. That their dear boys had "marched up the hill," exchanged shots
+"and then marched down again." As communities, would Clockville,
+Hoboken, Wampsville and Canastota have preferred to see their sons
+brought home on their shields rather than had Hooker made a failure?
+Perhaps so. Very likely. But Co. G were satisfied to live just as long
+as possible.
+
+Nor did the galling tirades of War Critics cease with the passing of
+the moment. Before the War Committee of Congress, and in standard
+history, the bile of the enemies of the 11th Corps is spread the mark
+of Cain. Many of those critics are now dead, but their works do follow
+them. No Corps of the Army is so bitter in comment of this kind as the
+1st Corps, and they did not reach the field until after Jackson was
+checked. Then there was still time to win laurels, fresh and brilliant.
+Ah, the world will never know why the corps did not come up in time to
+help Co. G whip the naughty Jackson.
+
+One of the missing of Co. G was Dan Brockway, the bodyguard for Ziba's
+violin. A few days passed and the news came that Brock was a prisoner.
+But he was promptly exchanged and was soon present at roll-call.
+
+"Brock, how about the violin?" asked one.
+
+"Well it was this way, boys. I was in the tent, when the rebs came and
+told me to crawl out. They sent me to the rear."
+
+"And the fi-f-f-fiddle," asked John Miller. "T-t-tell us about
+the--here--here--f-fiddle."
+
+"Oh, I carried the fiddle with me. By and by along came a reb and
+wanted to borrow the thing. I told him it belonged to Ziba, and I
+didn't like to part with it. 'Oh,' says the johnny, 'I'll take good
+care of your fiddle; there's a right smart of we'uns can play.' So I
+let him take it and he never brought it back."
+
+"I'll tell you what, b-boys, we oughter do. Jest take the b-blamed
+little cuss over there and exchange him for the here--here--fiddle.
+What do you say, boys--hey?"
+
+
+It was a dreary reception the boys found on their return to their old
+shanties. Rain was falling and the interiors of the huts were
+thoroughly soaked. But they stretched once more their tent covering and
+moved in. Fires were started and fresh boughs laid upon the bunks, so
+it was not long before everyone was comfortable and the routine of camp
+once more established.
+
+Then came fresh soft bread again and other food, denied to a
+campaigner. The sutler returned from his retreat to safe quarters. He
+had learned the tricks of the men and they had learned something of
+him. He was not a bad man, by any means. Occasionally a hole was cut in
+his tent, and canned food and tobacco disappeared from right under his
+eyes. In such matters of course, Co. G had very little to say.
+
+There were a few boys in the company who were sharp in dealing with
+sutlers. They were pleasant comrades and did their duty, but if
+opportunity presented, they were not slow to act. One of them, usually
+was well supplied with fried pies, and pies sowed and pegged
+(suggestive of boot leather). This boy if asked how he obtained his
+truck, replied, "Oh, I coddled them." Poor boy, he fell at
+Gettysburg--a good soldier on duty, but a terror to sutlers.
+
+There was another diversion upon which the pious element of Co. G
+frowned--poker playing. Col. Brown prohibited gambling. It was a still
+night and a dark one, when there was not a game of poker going on. And
+at "taps," which brought the officer-of-the-day around to see that all
+lights were out, blanket screens were arranged so that the light did
+not show through the tent roof. The click-clank of a sword as the
+officer approached, caused the light to disappear, and sure to be
+relighted as soon as expedient. With their caps between their knees,
+the candle propped up in a bayonet, and a hard-tack box for a table,
+they whispered back and forth and shuffled and dealt until some of
+those caps were filled with postal currency. But poker was not the only
+game played in the tents--euchre was a standard game.
+
+
+Soon after the return from Chancellorsville the winter camp was
+abandoned, for sanitary reasons. Added to accumulated foulness nearer
+by, the half-buried corpses of a number of mules and horses out beyond
+the parade ground, were beginning to pollute the air.
+
+The place had been home to the boys. Its associations to many were
+pleasant, to others, saddening. One of Co. G's boys had died while
+there and was buried in the little enclosure back of the camp. His name
+was Foltz. The surgeons said he died of home-sickness. His friends soon
+after removed the body.
+
+But camp must be changed. Precisely as with some people renting houses,
+it is more convenient to move frequently, if they can thus avoid
+house-cleaning. Thus was it with the 157th, and a summer camp was
+established on Greens Farms, not far from the old one.
+
+The new camp was neatly arranged, tents raised from the ground, company
+streets turnpiked and adorned with evergreens, and at the head of each
+street was an arch bearing the company letter in cedar sprigs. Fine
+water gushed from beneath a huge gum tree below the hill, supplies of
+all kinds were abundant and the men of Co. G kept in health.
+
+The wounded from Chancellorsville were brought over and placed in tents
+not far away, conveniently near for visiting. John Pfleiger, wounded
+below the knee, suffered from a painful wound. Hank Whaling was grazed
+below the stomach with a piece of shell. He had but recently recovered
+from an attack of measles when he went into the fight, and his voice
+had left him, so that he spoke in whispers. When he was struck, the
+shock restored his voice, and he yelled, "Hub, ---- ---- I'm hit!" He
+finally recovered from the effects of the bruise, and saw more of the
+war.
+
+When money is plenty among soldiers in camp there are always traders of
+various kinds on hand. A maker of tin-types set up his shop nearby and
+drew quite a trade. Some of those old pictures are still in existence
+and they are fondly treasured. Occasionally a proud son of Lenox
+borrowed the coat of an officer to appear smart in the picture he was
+to send to his deary. By far the greater number appeared before the
+camera rough and unpolished; sometimes in blouses, with pipes in their
+mouths, and caps tilted on their heads. Not at all like the frozen
+figures of Hamilton days.
+
+
+One result of the recent battle was the depletion of the color-guard.
+While at dress-parade one evening Col. Brown delivered one of his
+measured speeches.
+
+"Men are needed to fill out the color-guard," he said. "Candidates for
+vacancies can send in their names to the adjutant. I want none but
+brave men. The post is one of great danger. The appointment means
+promotion."
+
+A subdued growl went down the line, for the speech was a commentary.
+Brave men! Just one man in Co. G sent in his name, and he did it to
+avoid guard duty. A few weeks later and a private soldier of Co. G
+carries the flag off a bloody battlefield. Where were those brave
+corporals? The sergeant was down, several of the corporals were
+wounded. The brave color corporal from Co. G was scratched and left the
+field with all its glory behind him and he never returned to the
+company.
+
+
+One beautiful day the battalion was taken out for a drill in charging.
+Col. Arrowsmith commanded half the men and Major Carmichael the others.
+The boys were moved about, here and there, until at last they started
+over a sharp knoll and the divisions met, with bayonets fixed at a
+charge and the officers and men cheering. Company A's captain and the
+lieutenant commanding B, crossed swords and the fire flew for a few
+moments. Both were quite warm over the matter. The voice of Col.
+Arrowsmith stopped the threatening storm. It is safe to say, neither of
+those swords ever again came so near drawing blood. For the officers'
+swords in the infantry, usually, were applied to switching off the tops
+of grass and daisies, or killing snakes; few of them ever tasted gore.
+
+Dress swords were issued to the orderly sergeants and to duty sergeants
+also. They were carried only for a short time. One or two campaigns and
+superfluous equipments disappear. Usually, their rifles were sufficient
+for the boys of Co. G. Those nice little swords would have answered for
+toasters when sharpened sticks were scarce.
+
+
+In the first weeks of June orders came for the men to be supplied with
+extra rations and eighty rounds of cartridges. Gen. Hooker intended the
+men should carry plenty of powder and ball.
+
+Sick and wounded were sent away, and with the sick went Lieut.
+Hemstreet, who had resigned. The sutler also struck his tent and
+followed after the man of the picture gallery, seeking a quiet, out of
+the way place.
+
+Even the men who peddled the Washington newspapers (for ten cents,
+which cost them but two and a half cents) they, too, flitted.
+
+
+The ins and outs and the ifs and wherefores of those days are
+mystifying literature. In the North the so-called Peace Party were
+seeking by every means in their power to bring the war to a close. That
+party had but recently in a convention held in New York, declared "That
+under the Constitution there is no power in the Federal Government to
+coerce the states, or any number of them by military force."
+
+Horace Greeley compared those resolutions to the fourteen reasons
+offered by an Irishman in court, as to why his father was not present.
+The judge decided on hearing the first one--that the father was dead
+and couldn't come--was conclusive, and waived the remaining thirteen.
+
+So amid the jangle of peace in the presence of war, on June 12th, the
+157th moved out and marched to Hartwood church. A short rest at Potomac
+Creek was made memorable by a generous donation of cigars by Col.
+Arrowsmith, who was temporarily in command. Col. Brown was detached for
+a day or two and led a brigade of the first division.
+
+The march, June 13th, was nineteen miles in a hot sun, over dusty
+roads. The men suffered greatly that day and were glad when Catlett
+Station was reached.
+
+Co. G pitched their shelters, dug small trenches under the drip of the
+tents and prepared for a wet night, for the sky looked very black, the
+air was hot and lightning was playing in the distance. Camp was made in
+a heavy growth of young timber where plenty of fuel was found, coffee
+was made and the weary sons of Lenox turned in, tired, tired.
+
+When the storm broke the much quoted and yet ever fearful Virginia
+lightning flashed out spitefully, thunder boomed and the rain came down
+very heavily. Amidst the racket an occasional shout was heard from some
+person who had failed to provide for bad weather--"My roof leaks!" or
+"the cellar of my house is afloat!"--ordinary occurrences.
+
+The march on the 14th was eighteen miles, across the Manassas Plains to
+Centerville and camp was made near the old camp ground of the preceding
+winter.
+
+The corps rested at Centerville two days, lying in readiness for a
+battle. And a rest was needed. Such extreme hot weather began to tell
+upon the men. Many of them were suffering from blistered feet; and a
+few men had been overcome by the heat.
+
+On the 17th of June Co. G were again on the road, at night stopping in
+a sheltered hollow by the waters of Goose Creek.
+
+This day's march of but seventeen miles, was exceedingly severe. Dust
+rolled up, filling the eyes, penetrating nostrils, and even the mouths
+of the men. They were thirsty, but the steady, close-file marching made
+it lively work for the boy who fell-out for water. The guns were loaded
+and flankers thrown out and uncertainty and discomfort appeared on
+every hand. Toward noon, a bend in the road led down between two thick
+fields of timber. The dust seemed finer and lighter than ever, and the
+rays of the sun darted down into that oven of a place, most viciously.
+Suddenly the regiment opened right and left, other regiments did the
+same, the men staggering into the fence corners, everything looking
+blue and misty before them; while a thumping noise sounded in their
+ears.
+
+Directly the boys heard the voice of "Little Schimmel," who appeared to
+have been in the rear, as officers were marching left in front. Forward
+he came, shouting--
+
+"Halt the column! Mein Gott, what for they kill all my men? Halt the
+column!"
+
+Soon the general came back, cheering up the boys with a promise of
+coffee in the shade. Co. G rallied and found, just ahead, the shady
+grove. An hour's rest, and they were again ready for the road.
+
+As they filed down into a cosy camping place by the creek that night,
+the men resembled the gray-back johnny rebs, more than they did
+boys-in-blue. They resembled men who had been rolling in the dust.
+However, it was not long before Goose Creek was thoroughly appropriated
+for bathing purposes.
+
+While the gallant G are resting at Goose Creek, in a camp located on
+elevated ground, the good people at home are worrying about them. Lee's
+advance-guard has been seen in various places across the Potomac. A
+force of rebels have pressed into Pennsylvania and the whole north is
+excited. One hundred thousand militia from Pennsylvania, Maryland, West
+Virginia and Ohio, and twenty thousand from New York have been ordered
+to Harrisburg. All the troops about Washington have been placed under
+orders. The greatest anxiety exists as to Lee's point of attack.
+
+Vallandigham has been tried for seditious utterances and is to be sent
+over the lines to his Confederate friends. The party clamoring for
+peace is unceasing in their efforts. But the great heart of the loyal
+North is true.
+
+Lee, it came about, had great hopes that this effort would be of
+practical worth to the cause of secession. The Confederate government
+hoped his success would benefit their cause abroad. And with a united
+South and a divided North, the rebels were to come out, ultimately,
+with honor. Such was the hour of preparation, of anxiety and of hope.
+
+
+On June 21st heavy cannonading was heard in the direction of Aldie, and
+Howard's corps were placed under waiting orders, but they did not move.
+
+Co. G were taking the world very comfortably, eating dew berries and
+milk and saving up strength for the next grand movement in the
+programme.
+
+June 25th quite a number of convalescent men returned to the regiment
+from the hospitals at Washington. Among them was Durell Moore, a boy of
+Co. G. All of those boys looked rather pale for vigorous campaigning.
+
+"Jerome," said Durell, as the orderly handed him a gun and
+accoutrements, "these things will be the death of me." It was a
+thoughtless remark lightly spoken but one that was noted. He was the
+first man (so said) in the company, killed at Gettysburg.
+
+The afternoon of the 25th camp was broken and the corps moved down to
+Edwards Ferry, on the Potomac, and bivouaced in a fine field of clover.
+Engineers were out on the river laying a bridge and the noise of moving
+teams and falling planks lasted long into the night. Co. G had now
+become convinced that the whole weight of the contract did not rest
+upon them, and content and sleepy, too, they lay among the clover
+blossoms on the hillside, their feet to the river and their faces
+turned toward "God's country." They gazed at the North star and talked
+of home. Then sweet sleep came.
+
+Early on the 26th the corps began crossing over the bridge of boats. A
+bridge laid under the supervision of Capt. C. B. Reese of the
+Engineers, a Canastota boy.
+
+As the head of the regiment struck Maryland soil the boys cheered. They
+sang "John Brown's Body," until the chorus rolled from the end of the
+line. Then was heard the old hymn, "We're Going Home to Die no More."
+Alas, yes--nearly one out of six of them was to be left dead at
+Gettysburg, and scores of them writhing in pain.
+
+They were in a new country. Virginia's neglected acres gave way to
+fields of corn and waving wheat yellow and nearly ready for harvest.
+
+
+Monocacy was passed and the column filed through a narrow gorge and
+took the road to Jeffersonville. The boys of G felt well and indulged
+in much nonsense, similar to this--
+
+"When are you going to cut your wheat, Steve?" inquires Doc White.
+
+"I expect to begin the first of the week," replies Harrington.
+
+"Orderly," says Zerne to Jim Johnson, "I think I see a rebel at that
+house over yonder. You will take Loucks and Wise and surround them."
+
+"---- ---- ---- ----!" from Jim.
+
+And so they moved along. Think kindly of them, reader; they are rough,
+but their hearts are right. They have followed a tedious road for many
+miles to fight for Lenox, for humanity--South and North--to save the
+Union and free the Negroes. The little part they have in the great
+drama entitles them to recognition, and to a mite of sympathy.
+
+
+Rain set in toward night making the roads slippery. Plenty of new-mown
+hay was at hand, also good, seasoned rails in abundance. Maryland
+farmers grumbled some at such wanton destruction. It was a Union
+officer who pointed to his empty sleeve and said to the complaining
+farmer--
+
+"Your crops will grow again, your woods will supply you with rails.
+This sleeve will always remain empty."
+
+
+Starting out on a cloudy morning, the 27th, the column passed through
+Jeffersonville; the brigade band stationed by the roadside treated the
+boys to a little cheering music.
+
+Reaching the streets of the small town Co. G were excited to see here
+and there a handkerchief waved to them. Out of the ranks sprang one of
+the boys.
+
+"Come back here, what are you doing?" called out several.
+
+"Nothing great--only wondering how it seems to walk on a sidewalk."
+
+Near night they reached Middletown. The band unlimbered and went into
+action, the boys straightened up and kept step. Ladies waved flags and
+little boys shouted. Quite a number of houses kept closed blinds, which
+very likely opened when the boys-in-gray marched past and then other
+blinds were closed.
+
+Beyond the town camp was made in a region ripe with dry rails and fresh
+hay. It was at this bivouac where Col. Arrowsmith interposed for his
+men as already stated.
+
+Next day, June 28th, was Sunday and the church bells rang. Co. G were
+called up and formally notified that Gen. Hooker was satisfied Gen. Lee
+and his army had crossed into Maryland.
+
+"You will reduce yourselves to light-marching order. Those who have
+blankets will tear them in two," said the captain.
+
+Light marching order! Indeed, very little remained to be sacrificed.
+Many of the boys were reduced to the last shirt. To lighten up a few
+ounces, nearly every man went to a convenient brook and a crowd of them
+were soon busy, bathing and washing that last shirt. Long before those
+garments were dry, a headquarters bugler sounded the "Assembly."
+Clutching their washing from the bushes, the boys hastened to camp and
+were soon on the road again; some of them vainly trying to dry their
+shirts by throwing them over their knapsacks and tying the sleeves
+under their chins, thus gathering more dust than before washing. And
+the shirts went into the ditch.
+
+
+It was a short march to Frederick, which was reached early. A
+delegation of small boys were out to meet Co. G, and as they marched
+around the outskirts of the town the rail fence was lined with little
+boys and girls, the boys on the top rail gazing at the free show. At
+one point where the children were collected, a tempting rail-full of
+all colors came in view.
+
+"See the little--here--here--r--rebs! Doc," exclaimed one to his
+neighbor.
+
+"Get back into the ranks, Loucks!" called out a half dozen. "You
+wouldn't hurt a child, would you?"
+
+"I believe in taking them when they are young," growled Lute Loucks,
+one of the kindest-hearted of boys.
+
+He had jumped toward the children with his rifle clubbed. Of course the
+ridiculous caper raised a laugh, in which the children joined merrily.
+Those jolly fellows were the life of the march.
+
+There was Al Bridge, his face always prepared for a smile, his ways
+were pleasant and his heart was light. Jim Travis and Dan Grovestein
+skylarking all day on the road and going into camp at night kicking up
+their heels. Charley Ricker, another young boy who appeared too frail
+for the road, yet tough as whit-leather; Hugh O'Brien, with his stories
+of the fairy order, or of his experiences along the Erie Canal; Nick
+Ecker, not much of a talker, but a loud laugher, and others who trudged
+along enjoying the fun. They were a good crowd to be with, kind to each
+other. Rarely were angry words heard among them.
+
+In fact, the entire regiment enjoyed an excellent record for good
+order. At times the camps of some of their neighbors were very noisy,
+especially when they were having a high old time; but that sort of
+thing was not permitted in the 157th and if ever it did occur, it was
+conducted in a manner worthy of the occasion.
+
+
+Gen. Hooker had asked to be relieved and Gen. Meade took command of the
+Army on June 28th, 1863, at Frederick, Maryland.
+
+When the 11th Corps filed out into the road on the morning of June
+29th, they opened ranks to let Gen. Meade and staff pass; the boys were
+braced up for loud cheering and waving of caps, but the general took a
+different route and Co. G moved along on the Taneytown road, just
+enough rain falling to keep the road "greasy," as the men said. But a
+good long march was made and Emmettsburg was reached before night, the
+troops camping near the town.
+
+The morning of the 30th, Schurz's division were moved near the town.
+The quarters of the 157th were on grounds adjacent to the Convent of
+St. Mary's. It was an unpleasant day. There were many changes being
+made by the new general.
+
+The 11th Corps was passed by the 1st Corps at Emmettsburg and went into
+camp a half mile distant. Gen. Reynolds of the 1st Corps ranked Gen.
+Howard. Had the 11th Corps been thrown forward, instead of the 1st
+Corps, perhaps they would have made as fair a showing as the 1st Corps
+on the pages of history. They certainly were as good men as there were
+in the army.
+
+Pickets were detailed from the company while lying at Emmettsburg. When
+the boys returned to camp, they were well supplied with home-made bread
+and other good things.
+
+
+Wednesday, July 1st, the 11th Corps resumed the route to Gettysburg.
+Before the column is ordered to move, a glance along the lines of the
+157th will be interesting.
+
+The regiment left Hamilton something like nine months before, with over
+eight hundred men. Now they are drawn up in line and number three
+hundred and eighty-six muskets. Reports have been given of their
+sufferings from sickness and in the Chancellorsville fight, and
+desertions, which have combined to reduce the regiment to the present
+figures.
+
+They have been pictured as cleanly, well-dressed men. Now they appear
+neglected. Their clothes show hard service, the shoes, especially
+important, are getting hard wear. Rapid marching and lightening of
+knapsacks has reduced the boys' underwear; few of them have but the one
+shirt, which is in use. That big chap in Co. C is unable to hide, with
+his blouse, the fact that he has sacrificed his last shirt for the
+cause. But they are the boys of Cortland and Madison and even though
+they are out in the rain and the mud, their pulses are regular, and
+their powder is dry.
+
+The corps moved leisurely along the Taneytown road until near noon. At
+Marsh Creek, Battery I passed the regiment, its support. Soon after,
+heavy cannonading was heard and orders came to double-quick the men.
+
+For two miles or more the fast walking and trotting was kept up until
+the boys drew near Gettysburg. They had come about twelve miles, and
+were approaching the town from the southwest.
+
+On the hills beyond and west of the village, the 1st Corps were hotly
+engaged. Citizens were met coming from their homes in the town, in some
+instances laden with light articles. They were frightened. No wonder.
+
+As the boys went through the streets men and women were gathered in
+little groups here and there, with pails of water, which the boys
+gratefully swallowed and hastened along.
+
+Outside the town and north and east of the Pennsylvania College,
+between the Carlisle and Mummasburgh roads, Battery I was already in
+position and ready for work. The 157th was stationed in rear and to the
+right of the battery, near the Carlisle road, in a small field of
+growing corn.
+
+A rebel battery took position a half mile distant and opened on Battery
+I. Shells came rapidly, pieces struck among the 157th quite freely. The
+faster came the shells the more Co. G hugged the soft earth. That sort
+of thing continued for a time, until Capt. Dilger had dismounted
+several of the rebel guns, when the others were limbered up and driven
+to a new position. In the meantime one of the corporals of the
+color-guard was killed and a lieutenant was wounded in the hand.
+
+An order came to Col. Brown to advance his men. They started forward in
+double-column on the center and--to use the colonel's expression--with
+"alacrity."
+
+"Battalion, halt!" somebody yelled.
+
+The batterymen were shouting and Co. G were wondering why they were
+being taken through a battery while it was firing.
+
+"About, face!"
+
+And they returned and moved to the left of the battery and then forward
+down the slope, the boys of Battery I firing over their heads.
+
+Proceeding forward two hundred yards, the regiment deployed in line of
+battle. A line of rebel skirmishers were coming over the rise in their
+front. The rebs to the number of fifty or so, threw down their guns and
+came forward and surrendered. Several men were detailed to take the
+prisoners to the rear.
+
+Off on the right, skirmishers were very busy. Shells were flying toward
+them from two rebel batteries.
+
+"Battalion, double-column on the center--March! Right wheel!"
+
+Then it was, under lively shelling, those much-abused fellows
+quarter-wheeled to the right, as steadily as if on their quiet parade
+ground.
+
+Again they went forward and over a rail fence, into a field of wheat
+standing ready for the reaper. Then came the order to deploy column.
+
+"Co. G, not a man of you fire until you reach the line, and then give
+them a volley!" shouted Capt. Frank.
+
+The boys had met the enemy again and some of them were falling. Peter
+Agan, the first man hit in the company, fell with a ball through his
+thigh. Another man fell forward and bellowed like a calf and as the
+company went forward he crawled to the rear and deserted--unhurt.
+
+Into line went Co. G. They formed on the colors, steadily and ready.
+
+"Co. G, give it to 'em!" called out the captain and a grand volley was
+sent toward the line of rebel heads which were bobbing up and down over
+the wheat, twenty rods distant. Then the fighting began. It was
+murderous while it lasted--only about twenty minutes.
+
+At one time Col. Brown ordered a charge and the line surged forward for
+a few rods. Again they halted and stood up for a time and took their
+medicine like men, giving back their best. Along that line the boys
+were falling in all shapes. Then some one shouted "get down into the
+wheat!" And thus was the fighting continued in Indian fashion. Zip!
+zip! came the bullets, scattering about the ripe wheat wastefully.
+
+"What did you-uns stand up like that for, and be shot down?" asked a
+reb of one of Co. G's boys, a prisoner.
+
+
+Capt. Frank, Capt. Backus, Capt. Adams and Capt. Briggs were down--the
+two former, killed. Other line officers were killed or wounded. The
+gallant Lieut.-Col. Arrowsmith was dead. It was a question of but a few
+moments when his entire regiment would be disposed of, and the colonel
+looked about wistfully for an approaching aide.
+
+A staff officer finally came riding rapidly toward the field. He
+reached the line of fire and his horse fell. It was Capt. Klincker of
+"Schimmel's" staff. Klincker dismounted, waved his hand to Col. Brown,
+then unfastened his saddle and with it started for the rear.
+
+Col. Brown ordered a retreat. The scattered remnant of his regiment,
+their organization broken, a sorry sight, left the field.
+
+Joe Hart, of Co. G, as the order came for retreat, arose from the
+wheat. Near him lay the colors. He picked them up and started for the
+rear. He succeeded in reaching the fence, when he was shot through the
+leg. Joe tossed the flag over the fence to Ir Sayles of G, who carried
+it from the field.
+
+Col. Brown rallied his men near the town, and a few shots were fired,
+and then continued their retreat.
+
+Capt. Frank was killed, Lieut. Gates badly wounded, Co. G had lost
+nearly one-half its numbers and the few still on an army footing were
+exceedingly lonesome.
+
+The streets of the town were soon blocked with ambulances, horsemen and
+men afoot. The exulting rebs were pouring into town in steady pursuit.
+Batteries from a distance were sending shells after the retreating
+Yankees. It was no time to stop and visit.
+
+"Little Schimmel" remained too long to look after his men and nearly
+was captured. As he spurred away his horse was shot. The general sprang
+into a side street, which proved to be a cul de sac. He climbed a fence
+and found himself in the garden of Henry Garlach. The rebels were
+rapidly spreading over the town, and escape by the street was
+impossible. He espied the Garlach woodshed. Near the outer door stood a
+swill-barrel, and back of that was wood, cut for the stove. "Schimmel"
+was a small man. He cleared a space behind the barrel, where he
+secreted himself by piling wood about him. There was a small peep-hole
+through the wood and when Mrs. Garlach came into the shed, the general
+whispered to her, told her he was a Union officer and begged her not to
+betray him. Rebels were going through the houses searching for Union
+soldiers. They entered the wood-shed even. Although she was terribly
+anxious lest the rebs should find a soldier secreted on the premises,
+Mrs. Garlach did not forget that the general might be hungry. Her son
+was a lad of ten or twelve years, and she whispered to him aside, then
+handing him a large pail in the bottom of which rested a cup of water
+and some bread, she said aloud for the benefit of some rebel soldiers
+in the house--
+
+"James, take this pail to the shed and get some swill for the pigs."
+
+The boy successfully passed the food to the general, which was all he
+had for sixty hours.
+
+July 4th, when the Union troops reentered the town "Schimmel" came
+forth, mighty stiff, but otherwise in fair condition. And when his old
+regiment found him they wept; they hugged and kissed the little man;
+better pleased than if he had been killed and buried ten feet deep in
+honors. They believed he had been taken prisoner.
+
+
+When Orderly Forbes gathered in all they could find of Co. G, he had
+about a dozen men. (The word "about" is used because there were a few
+detached men). The corps was once more in position on Cemetery Hill.
+The 157th remnant lay with the reserve on the site of the present
+National Cemetery. And lay they did, on July 2d, and very flat. The
+rebels had concentrated their artillery fire upon that part of the
+line.
+
+Just at dusk this reserve was ordered out on the right. The men were
+ready. The 157th followed the 61st Ohio, a veteran regiment; together
+they numbered less than one hundred men. By some mistake the 157th
+party became divided, a portion following Col. Brown and the others,
+Capt. Place. It was a night without a moon, and in the shadowing woods,
+very dark. Just as the 61st and the detachment of the 157th under Capt.
+Place, "had reached the angle of our line," writes that gentleman, "a
+volley was fired from behind a stone wall in the edge of the wood ...
+the woods beyond were all ablaze with musketry ... several of the
+detachment were killed or wounded. The officer commanding the 61st
+ordered his men to file to the right and left as fast as they could.
+Our men were ordered to follow. When out of range the boys were halted
+and it was then discovered the colors were missing." The color-bearer,
+Geo. H. Davis, of Co. A, had been wounded.
+
+Capt. Place felt, as soldiers should feel, at such a time. And the eyes
+of Cortland and Madison were upon them. Believing that they had been
+fired upon by Union troops, Captain Place, with privates Marcus
+Livingstone of Co. C, and Francis M. Gault of Co. G, went back to find
+the flag, but they found that the rebels had advanced their lines, and
+they were soon prisoners.
+
+Once more did Co. G try to score a point for the old flag. One of their
+boys had brought it from the deadly wheatfield, and was wounded.
+Another had volunteered to accompany the gallant Place, and was
+captured. Gault had a taste of rebel prisons from Richmond to
+Andersonviile, returning to the company in April, 1865.
+
+On July 3d the remnant of the 157th, then pretty well banged-up, were
+withdrawn from the front and placed on provost duty at the quarters
+occupied by Gen. Schurz.
+
+
+The first roll-call after the battle occurred the evening following.
+Thirty-nine privates, eight corporals and four sergeants answered to
+their names. The entire regiment, July 2d, consisted of Col. Brown,
+Major Carmichael, Captain Place of Co. C, Lieuts. Jenkins of Co. B and
+Tallman of K, and fifty-six men. Other officers were present at the
+time of the fight, but were not acting with the regiment.
+
+Out on the wheatfield lay Col. Arrowsmith, Captains Backus and Frank
+and Lieut. Lower, while thirty-three enlisted men, dead, marked the
+regimental alignment. Capts. Adams and Briggs, Adjutant Heenye, Lieuts.
+Smith, Waters, Gates, Atwater and Fitch, and acting lieutenants
+Harrington and Benjamin, wounded. Of enlisted men more than two hundred
+were wounded, some of them slightly, many severely. Two officers and
+twenty-one men died of wounds, making causality list foot nearly two
+hundred and sixty men, and fifteen officers.
+
+Capts. Stone, Place and Charlier were captured, also Lieuts. Coffin,
+Powers and Curtice. Capt. Stone died in prison at Macon, Ga. Capts.
+Place and Charlier were exchanged eight months later, or in March,
+1864. The three lieutenants were sent to Macon, and later to
+Charleston, S.C., where they were impounded with other officers under
+fire of the Union guns; but when six hundred rebel officers were sent
+down to Morris Island to be placed under fire, the Charleston commander
+removed the Yankee officers to a pen in rear of the city. And while Co.
+G had no representative among those officers, their hearts went out to
+them, and thus are they here remembered.
+
+Eighty-six men were prisoners. Of those, thirty-seven accepted the
+parole offered by Gen. Lee and with about seventeen hundred others,
+were escorted to Gen. Couch's lines near Carlisle; the other forty-nine
+went to Richmond. There were ten of Co. G, prisoners, six of whom took
+the parole--two went to Richmond. The paroled prisoners were sent to
+Carlisle, Pa., where they were kept for awhile in fine style, and
+ultimately were returned to their regiments without exchange. The
+company took into the fight about forty muskets.
+
+KILLED.
+
+    Capt. Harrison Frank.
+    Albert D. Bridge.
+    John A. Hart.
+    Luzerne E. Johnson.
+    Durell Moore.
+
+WOUNDED.
+
+    Lieut. Frank E. Gates, groin.
+    Corporal Jas. B. Hooper, arm.
+    Corporal Nicholas Binges, side.
+    Private Amos Avery, shoulder.
+    Private Peter Agan, leg.
+    Private Robert Farrington, arm.
+    Private Joseph Hart, leg.
+    Private Wm. Miller, hand.
+    Private Wm. Pease, leg.
+    Private James L. Travis, arm and shoulder.
+    Private John H. Roe, face.
+
+Col. Brown was very much cast down over his losses. Who to blame, will
+never be known. There was a horrible blunder and some one was blamable.
+The 157th never should have been sent out against Dole's Brigade of
+Georgians. They had fought two regiments alone and unaided. A wonder
+that any of the boys left that wheatfield unhurt.
+
+That was only one of the many little blunders of the war. The North
+kept on bleeding and her officers never lacked words for defense.
+Nothing new and withal, consistent. The soldiers were there to give
+their lives, if need be, and a good soldier will not hesitate over so
+trifling a matter. There was glory in the air, though. One could fairly
+taste it when Lee turned back for Virginia with his heart heavy. The
+cause of secession and human slavery had started down to destruction
+and the people of the North rejoiced.
+
+Yet there were many desolate homes in the North. The babes of the South
+and the babes of the North clung to their mothers' knees and asked them
+why they wept--mercifully were they denied a share in the glory of the
+hour. Aged parents sat in the corner and mourned, until they were
+reunited with their slaughtered boys. Ah, the fatalities in that war
+were not confined to the boys in blue.
+
+The wounded men of the regiment were gathered together and cared for by
+surgeons of both armies, while the battle was pending. When the Union
+army gained possession of the village, everything possible was done to
+alleviate suffering. Nurses came from all directions: many women and
+among them Sisters of Charity. Theirs was a noble work.
+
+Very feeble are words to express the tender care of the women nurses in
+the war. The youngster who pores over war history will drink in all the
+horrors of battle scenes, or feed his imagination with cannon smoke. He
+will not care to gather the groaning victims and bear them from the
+field. Then, the sickening odors of human blood which one scents
+everywhere. Yet, amid those dreadful scenes those nurses went. They
+bathed the fevered faces, they moistened the parching throats. From
+hastily appointed kitchens they supplied tempting broth, or by woman's
+magic produced cooling drinks.
+
+The women of the war. History says little of them, but the hearts of
+thousands of soldiers are theirs.
+
+
+July 5th the regiment was marched back toward Emmettsburg, eight miles.
+Next day the little band moved into that village. By calling in
+detached men and by the return of all available men, the command had
+reached the number of eighty. Col. Brown was assigned to duty
+elsewhere. Maj. Carmichael was on the staff of Gen. Schurz. The command
+of the 157th devolved upon Capt. Bailey, with two or three lieutenants.
+They made two companies of the battalion and the state colors waved
+above them.
+
+The honor of Lenox had been sorely tried at Gettysburg and the reduced
+ranks of Co.'s B and G bent now under the weight of responsibility.
+Still there was no shrinking, they were yet on a war-footing even if
+their shoes were dropping from their feet.
+
+They were not a very attractive little band of warriors as they
+shuffled and limped into Middletown about 10 p.m., July 7th. But they
+were very thankful for a rain storm which softened the roads and thus
+eased the bruised feet. It had been a rough march over the Chitocton
+Mountain, the sun pouring down hot, the pathway rough, with plenty of
+climbing. Thus they toiled over nearly twenty miles, encouraged on the
+way that shoes awaited them in Middletown; but they were disappointed.
+
+A rest was given until the 9th and as the whereabouts of Lee was then
+known, the army was set in motion. On that day Co. G were on the road,
+their shoes were worn out and their feet very nearly so, but the boys
+made the best of it and dragged along in the hot, muggy atmosphere,
+over Smith Mountain, camping near Boonsboro after a very trying march
+of six miles only.
+
+They lay at Boonsboro on the 10th, where shoes were issued. On the 11th
+the boys marched out on the Hagerstown Pike, in the advance and camped.
+Next day, July 12th, Major Carmichael assumed command. Col. Brown was
+temporarily at the head of a brigade in another division.
+
+On the 10th Gen. Howard had issued his "General Order No. 18.--The
+General again thanks his command for what has been done during the last
+month.... The Eleventh Corps, as a Corps, has done well--well in
+marching, well in fighting. The sacrifices it has made shall not be
+forgotten--in the retrospect your General feels satisfied. Now we must
+make one more effort; let there be no wavering, no doubt."
+
+That was a sickly sort of cheer to send to Co. G, the lonesome, the
+ragged and destitute. Yes, Gen. Howard, you are satisfied, but Co. G
+are not. They are forlorn. Their laurels hang over their brows, wilted
+and stale. You are not a vain man. But never forget, that a peacock may
+look "in the retrospect" and be satisfied. "Let there be no wavering,
+no doubt." Had that fine regiment but "wavered," General Howard, they
+would not now be so few.
+
+Following is taken from Gen. Lee's "General Order No. 16," dated July
+11th, 1863, to his defeated army: "Once more the eyes of your
+countrymen are turned upon you, and again do wives and sisters,
+fathers, mothers and helpless children lean for defense upon your
+strong arms and brave hearts." It was the production of an enemy, but
+just the sort of stuff to stir the blood of men. Lee knew if he showed
+lack of confidence in his men, he weakened them. But enough of this.
+The 11th Corps has fought hard and won a blackened eye on the pages of
+history. Occasionally they are "damned with faint praise," just to save
+the record of some general.
+
+
+The 157th was at this time, July 12th, annexed to the first division of
+the 11th Corps, in the brigade commanded by Gen. Adelbert Ames.
+
+On the morning of that day, with fresh accessions from hospitals and
+other sources, the 157th had increased its numbers to one hundred.
+
+As they approached Hagerstown they were deployed as skirmishers and
+advanced ahead of the cavalry. Two miles from Hagerstown the rebel
+rear-guard was encountered and a lively skirmish followed, but the
+157th got the rebs started and kept them going until they were checked
+by a battery planted on the hights beyond the town.
+
+As the battery opened the cavalry rushed forward and Co. G and their
+comrades came near losing their opportunities for distinction; soon
+however the cavalrymen came back in confusion.
+
+Maj. Carmichael had screened his men from the hot, raking fire, by
+taking advantage of a broad ditch and as the cavalry returned, the boys
+started on a keen run for the town, which they reached successfully and
+under cover of the buildings were soon in possession of the city. With
+the enemy still in sight on the hights, their names were registered at
+the Washington Hotel, directly following those of the rebel officers
+who had stopped there the night before. Fifty prisoners were captured
+in different parts of the town and among them, two wounded officers,
+from the field of Gettysburg.
+
+As a mark of distinction the 157th were distributed over the town on
+provost duty. Hagerstown had five or six thousand inhabitants. This
+duty continued for two days; meanwhile they can be credited to date.
+
+
+The 157th had turned over to the provost marshal of the Army, one
+hundred prisoners. At Gettysburg they had lost but eighty-six of their
+men prisoners, besides seven officers. As one officer ought to count
+for two men, the regiment has vindicated itself, with a heavy credit
+balance in its favor of more than two hundred and sixty casualties. As
+to prisoners, they have seldom found glory in being captured. They
+attract much sympathy, but there is usually an ugly "if" lurking in the
+background. The dead are heroes. 'Tis well.
+
+July 14th Col. Brown returned to his regiment and the major to duty as
+mustering officer on Schurz's staff.
+
+On that afternoon Co. G were marched out to within two miles of
+Williamsport, in search of Gen. Lee. The regiment camped in a pine
+wood. Next day, the 15th, they were counter-marched twenty miles to
+Middletown over the road they had come. Lee's army had escaped, and Co.
+G, like the loyal people of the North, were hunting for some secluded
+place where they could quietly kick themselves, undisturbed, and get
+cool.
+
+The 16th found them en route to Berlin, camping within two miles of
+that place, after a tramp of twelve miles. They lay there until the
+19th and then marched to the Potomac and crossed on the pontoon bridge,
+camping three miles beyond Waterford. They took an early start on the
+20th and marched to Groveton, Va. While there they were sent on a
+wild-goose chase after Moseby's cavalry, who were supposed to be in the
+vicinity of Mt. Pleasant. On the 23d of July they moved to
+Middleburg--a secesh town where all the ladies kept behind the
+blinds--camping at night at White Plains. On the 24th the boys reached
+New Baltimore. July 25th the regiment marched to Warrenton Junction
+having found at last, the close of the campaign.
+
+
+The boys were not very attractive in appearance when they left
+Gettysburg and they had not improved greatly by an additional twenty
+days' march. They were short of soap and of underwear. In many cases
+where neglect seemed inviting him, a well-known pest appeared, and
+skirmishing, "with vigor and alacrity," was not considered unbecoming
+to many a dignified officer. Truth is stranger than fiction, and here
+effect follows cause in close pursuit. At last however time was allowed
+for cleaning up, and those boys were not slow to make the most of such
+glad hours. The subject is not pleasant.
+
+As has been intimated, the troops around Warrenton were not entirely
+idle. Considerable picket-duty was required. On the 1st of August they
+moved to Greenwich, so named after one Green, who claimed British
+protection, and the flag of Britain waved above his spacious mansion.
+
+On the 3d camp was moved to near Catlett Station. At midnight of the
+6th orders came to be ready to take the cars on short notice. Next day,
+the 7th, the little squad of Co. G heard the order to go into camp.
+They had done so much tramping that a prospect of a free ride, for a
+time seemed dissipated. They grumbled not--the grumblers had been
+captured and were eating pie and pudding at Carlisle. At noon the skies
+brightened and the bold Co. G were to shake the soil of Virginia from
+their feet for all time.
+
+Gordon's division, which included Ames' brigade, moved to Warrenton
+Junction and the same night took comfortable freight cars for
+Alexandria. On the car tops were the able-bodied men and on the first
+floor were the sick and the officers, with scarcely room to stretch
+themselves. The train reached Alexandria at 5 a.m. The men alighted
+and partook of a soldier's breakfast in a field near the depot. At noon
+they were taken to a steamer and next day were at Newport News.
+
+
+Newport News had been a favored camping place, from the first of the
+war. When Co. G, with skin as tender as their hearts, stepped ashore,
+multitudes of hungry fleas, gnats and mosquitos attacked them and the
+poor boys were once more suffering for the cause of freedom.
+
+Ten days' rations were issued before leaving Catlett. The officers now
+discovered that the men were in a way to hunger before the journey was
+ended. For it is true of men everywhere--some are prodigal by nature.
+
+On the evening of the 9th of August Co. G found themselves aboard a
+steamship and bounding on the billows of the Atlantic. They sailed
+under sealed orders. In all games of chance strategy is recognized.
+Secretary Stanton was about to send a few thousands of troops to
+re-enforce Gen. Gilmore.
+
+Co. G was not entirely happy. Besides a slight sympathy with the
+rolling ocean, they were wondering just how bad they would be missed by
+their critics in the 1st Army Corps. Alas, little did they know of the
+future--how high and in what black letters would the fame of the 11th
+Corps be written by jealous pens.
+
+And thoughts, longing, sweet and bitter, burdened the hour. Finally
+they went into the scuppers, and as Cape Henry dropped into the deep,
+they washed from their noble forms the last accumulation of Virginia
+soil. The parting was not pathetic.
+
+
+Rightly named and suitable for the operations before Charleston, was
+the new camping place of Gordon's division. There was as high standard
+of tom-foolery in that department as in any, during the war. And for
+some time Folly Island served as a base.
+
+Stono Inlet was reached on the 12th of August. The trip was made
+without incident. Co. G had gathered along the rail of the John Rice
+and they bit huge chunks from the sea breeze; for it was "hotter
+than--here--Hamilton!" below decks, as John Miller would have said, had
+he been present.
+
+In the evening of the 12th Co. G stepped to the floating wharf (an old
+hulk) at Pawnee Landing and for the first time pressed the sacred soil
+of South Carolina. They had tried hard to reach the seat of rebellion
+at Richmond and failed. They had now come to the original incubator for
+another attempt. Charleston was still defiant and Co. G were on Folly
+Island.
+
+Oh, brave Co. G, you were born heroes. Why did Fate thus trifle with
+your yearnings for fame?
+
+The day following the landing, the 157th moved two miles up the island,
+or half way between Stono and Light House Inlet.
+
+On the 16th they were marched up the beach to the rope ferry and
+crossed to Morris Island, and proceeded to duty in the advance
+parallels of the approaches.
+
+Gen. Gilmore was trying to reduce Fort Wagner. One month before, a
+desperate battle was fought, with great loss to the Union forces. Then
+Gilmore began his siege. The troops worked hard and were sure of
+unearthing the enemy if the sand of Morris Island held out.
+
+Duty in the bomb-proofs was very trying. The heat was oppressive and
+fresh air very scarce. With other discomforts, sand fleas were very
+plentiful. Whenever the rebel fire slackened, the boys got out and
+exercised. Three days of such miserable experience were quite enough
+for them, but they were detailed again and again. Perhaps it was during
+that siege Co. G replenished their stock of sand, as the boys insisted
+they breathed it and ate sand with their food, and it blew into their
+mouths when they were talking, and into their eyes, and into their
+ears.
+
+On the 21st of August Gen. Terry reviewed the troops in Gordon's
+division. Those men had not been supplied with new clothing since the
+Gettysburg campaign and Terry was disposed to censure their shabby
+appearance. For his brigade, Gen. Ames made a proper explanation and
+concluded with something after this style--
+
+"But, General, if you have any fighting for us, you will see that we
+understand our duty and will obey orders."
+
+
+August 27th the division returned to Folly Island and went into camp
+four miles from Light House Inlet.
+
+Sept. 6th Ames' brigade, consisting of six regiments numbering less
+than five hundred men, were taken to the front on Morris Island as a
+portion of an assaulting column to advance next morning at 9 o'clock.
+During the night a deserter came into Gilmore's lines and reported the
+rebels evacuating the fort. Fort Wagner had at last come into Yankee
+hands, and was re-christened Fort Strong, in memory of Gen. Strong, who
+led the assault on the fort, July 11th. He was dangerously wounded, and
+died at New York, a few weeks later.
+
+Up to this period the regiment was composed of two companies. Men were
+returning from hospitals and parole camp. The ranks of Co. G were
+steadily increasing in numbers as also were the other companies. Their
+duties were not severe, but the change of water affected some of the
+boys badly.
+
+With the exception of a night alarm, when the long-roll was beaten,
+there was very little to vary the monotony of life among the sand
+hills. To be sure the regiment was camped in a grove of small
+live-oaks, but behind the camp was a sand ridge and sand, dry sand, was
+the prevailing soil.
+
+Bathing was a necessity, and at a prescribed hour the beach for miles
+was patronized by the men.
+
+Col. Brown had left the regiment at New Baltimore, Va., for recruiting
+service at Elmira, N.Y. Major Carmichael was now lieutenant colonel
+and commanded the 157th.
+
+For some weeks Col. Carmichael was confined to his tent. Then the camp
+was a dull place. Eventually the days became brighter. New clothing was
+issued, the wormy hard-bread gave way to good soft loaves, and
+soldiering was soldiering once more.
+
+
+Captain Lafayette McWilliams was not a "boy of Lenox." He enlisted in
+Co. F, at Peterboro and was made third sergeant of his company. At
+Chancellorsville he acted as adjutant of the regiment, was taken
+prisoner and was sent to Libby prison. Rejoined the regiment just
+before the Gettysburg fight and was assigned temporarily to the
+quartermaster's department. He was left in Virginia when the regiment
+went South, and returned to duty early in September, duly commissioned
+as captain of Co. G. His first essay at speech-making was in censure of
+the boys captured at Gettysburg. His remarks, for one who was not in
+the fight, were very extraordinary. Co. G, in that fight did well. One
+of the boys was captured supporting his dying captain. Two others
+assisted a badly wounded and fainting man (of another company) to the
+regimental hospital; and not knowing the proximity of the rebels, ran
+into their clutches, very much as did Adjutant McWilliams at
+Chancellorsville. Col. Brown went through the streets with one man of
+Co. G, who bore the colors. All organization was destroyed. Who was
+blamable? Was there anything praiseworthy in the acts of the men of Co.
+G on that dreadful day?
+
+Long did some of the boys hold spite against their new captain for his
+unkind words, until they understood that he had been wrongly informed.
+And when they became better known to each other, unpleasant differences
+vanished.
+
+Lafayette McWilliams was an excellent officer. He took pride in the
+good appearance of his men. Co. G, under their new captain, throve
+finely. The honor of old Lenox was again a light burden.
+
+
+Carmichael's ideal soldier was a possibility. Brown's ideal was a
+mixture of puritanic devotion and Napoleonic dash.
+
+"Keep the men clean; nourish manly pride; make them feel that they are
+men; treat them in a way to gain their confidence, and you will have
+soldiers you can depend upon. Drill him as you may, a man without pride
+is unreliable;" such was the doctrine of Col. Carmichael.
+
+Camp was moved further up the river and A tents were issued. From a
+convenient pine grove the boys cut posts and sunk them into the sand.
+Then they raised the tents upon the posts and had roomy space, with
+plenty of standing room. The bunks were built well above ground and the
+lower part around the tents enclosed with the old shelter tents.
+
+It was an attractive camp on the white sand, and the boys were in
+better health. An eating house was built of pine poles and roofed with
+palmetto leaves. Tables and seats were erected and the men were marched
+in regularly to their meals.
+
+For spiritual food the chaplain served his preparations on Sundays,
+when Gen. Ames occasionally dropped over to attend.
+
+There were regular duties on picket at the White House, with an
+occasional detail to Coles Island, or Kiawah. The details to Kiawah
+were for fatigue duty on fortifications and they were pleasant, owing
+to freedom from the strict discipline of camp. Mud clams were abundant
+in the creeks over there.
+
+Picket duty at the White House on Folly River, was attractive as the
+cold weather approached, on account of the abundance of cluster oysters
+which lined the banks. Those oysters, when taken from the shells, were
+usually very small--from the size of one's finger nail, to an inch in
+length.
+
+Dan Brockway saw his opportunity. It was a happy day for him when he
+was detailed for picket at the White House. When off post he was
+picking open the shells, and far into the night while others slept, Dan
+was still at work, until he had secured a good quart, which he sold to
+officers for about fifty cents; and well he earned his money. Often the
+orderly's voice was heard in the camp calling, "Brockway!" Brock was
+either out after oysters or with haversacks loaded with apples, was
+peddling in other camps.
+
+That sort of thing must end. The captain declared it should end. One
+day Brock was arraigned in presence of Co. G, and the punishment he
+merited seemed imminent.
+
+"Captain," says Brock, "I have only a half-barrel of apples left, and
+they will spoil if you don't let me sell them."
+
+"Very well," replied the captain. "But you must promise, hereafter to
+attend to duty."
+
+Brock promised and escaped punishment, but that half-barrel of apples
+lasted a long time. It appeared he had another supply by means of which
+he kept the first barrel from being exhausted.
+
+At Folly Island, for the first time, men were detailed in each company
+to wash the clothing of the men and all were of a uniform cleanliness,
+and the wash-squad did their work well.
+
+The regimental organization was again complete. In November a
+detachment of substitutes and drafted men reached the regiment; of
+those Co. G received five men.
+
+
+And there came also from Elmira a new adjutant for the 157th. Chas. J.
+Baldwin was an inexperienced soldier. He had been acting as Col.
+Brown's adjutant at Elmira and was promoted on personal grounds. There
+was an unconfirmed report that he was a drafted man. Had he been so, or
+had Baldwin been a veteran of many battles, Col. Brown's thus slighting
+his regiment, would have been no less unfair. Baldwin was a good man,
+made a fine adjutant. Perhaps he was innocent of an intent to
+appropriate the position which was clearly due one of those men who had
+seen so much hard service.
+
+Col. Brown detailed Joseph Heenye to be his personal waiter. Then he
+promoted him to sergeant-major of the regiment. While Joe Heenye was
+enjoying the comforts and privileges of exemption from drill, from camp
+duty and from picket, the other enlisted men were out in the sleet and
+the snow and the mud. While Joe slept in a warm bed every night, his
+comrades slept out in the dismal picket huts. No fault of Joe's. But
+when he was promoted adjutant over the heads of many worthy
+lieutenants, Col. Brown added greatly to the offense. Joe was a
+gentleman. He was killed at Gettysburg.
+
+Col. Brown from a settled policy, promoted officers and assigned them
+to other companies than those in which they had enlisted. Such a scheme
+was an exhibition of his arbitrary power and in some instances the
+effect was demoralizing. When Lieut. Gates was transferred to Co. K,
+the boys of his own company wondered and Co. K were offended. By and
+by, Lieut. Pierce was assigned from Co. K to Co. G, and the scale was
+righted. And when Bob Grant was made first lieutenant of Co. G, his own
+company, Co. I, were inconsolable and the philosophical Co. G, were
+correspondingly pleased.
+
+That system of crossing-the-breed was peculiar to Col. Brown. Had the
+good people of Madison discovered such propensity in time, undoubtedly
+they would have suggested that Prof. Brown seek a colonelcy in some
+other county. But the regiment is still on Folly Island.
+
+Such a pity so good a regiment should have seen so much trifling. And
+even yet were they to steam up rivers, to march, to camp, to wade
+swamps, to fight and hang-on, for many months to come and after it all,
+not one enterprise in which they were engaged--barring the siege of
+Charleston--in that Department, has been deemed worthy of place in
+standard history. The stubs of Gen. Grant's cigars, the white vests of
+Gen. Sherman and the peculiar cast of Gen. Butler's eye, all are
+immortal. Poor Co. G, you are making history and your valiant deeds
+shall be chronicled. And your children may know, that while brave and
+true men were required to perform these deeds, even the weakest of men
+may record them. Such is fate.
+
+
+In the latter part of December, Col. Carmichael was ordered North with
+a recruiting party; winter had reached South Carolina, and in the
+morning thin ice frequently was found upon the surface of bathing tubs.
+Not the pleasantest season to journey northward.
+
+As the weather grew colder drinking water was more agreeable. All the
+water used on the island was obtained by digging below tide-mark and
+curbing with barrels. The finest and best protected well in camp was
+made by cutting into a sand dune and making a winding passage to the
+water, thus placing the water continually in the shade and protecting
+it from dust and dirt blowing around the camp.
+
+The regiment remained on Folly Island until February 7th, 1864, when
+orders came to prepare for a march with three days' rations and forty
+rounds of ammunition. At dusk they were ferried over to Kiawah Island.
+Three brigades and two batteries formed the expedition. They marched up
+Kiawah, forded the narrow creek to Seabrook, and then over the bridge
+to John's Island, tramping until daybreak, when they found themselves
+near the center of the island. A line of skirmishers under Lieut. Gates
+was thrown forward to meet the advancing rebels, then a lively exchange
+of shots ensued, resulting in the enemy falling back. Next the brigade
+was advanced about a mile until they came up with the skirmishers. A
+large quantity of arms and accoutrements were found in some buildings
+near Edisto River and were destroyed. The rebels were found well posted
+behind a hedge. The first brigade fell back again and bivouaced. Next
+day the second brigade went to the front and stirred up the rebs a
+little. The third day the first brigade (in which was Co. G) again went
+to the front and supported a battery. At midnight the pickets were
+withdrawn and after setting fire to a mansion the expedition returned
+to Folly Island. The demonstration was to draw the enemy from the army
+opposing Gen. Seymour, who was then about to fight the disastrous
+battle of Olustee, Florida.
+
+In that trip to John's Island one man was killed and one wounded, of
+the 157th regiment, both of Co. I.
+
+On the 22nd of February Co. G, under Lieut. Grant, (Capt. McWilliams
+had gone north with Col. Carmichael) were ordered to pack up, for Gen.
+Seymour had been roughly handled and he wanted Co. G to come down to
+Jacksonville with the other boys. Gen. Seymour had exceeded his
+instructions. He deserved to have been cashiered, but Grant ordered him
+North, gave him another command, and the rebs soon after captured him.
+
+The 157th landed in Jacksonville Feb. 25th, 1864, with two hundred and
+eighty-six muskets, or one hundred less than at Gettysburg. They were
+commanded by Col. Brown.
+
+The trip down was very unpleasant for the men on the lower deck and a
+number of them were seasick. The comments of Nick Snyder and John
+Miller can be left to the imagination of readers. For they felt glad
+they were fighting for Yankee land, instead of beastly, blasted,
+blinkety-blank ships on a r-r-rolling ocean.
+
+Feb. 25th the boys landed at Jacksonville, at the time only a
+good-sized village. Gen. Ames led his men to the outskirts. Rumors came
+of a threatened attack and preparations were made accordingly. It may
+be put down here at once, that no rebel ever attacked Jacksonville
+(except by rumor) during Co. G's stay at the place, and if any other of
+the companies had been attacked, Co. G would have heard of it,
+promptly.
+
+In a day or two the regiment was busy with picks and shovels, throwing
+up breast-works and redoubts, nor did the work stop until a line was
+built nearly a mile in length. The redoubts were protected with chevre
+du frieze and trip-wires were stretched along the front of the works.
+
+The regiment had been eating hard-tack for some time because facilities
+for supplying them with fresh loaves were not perfected. Capt. Gates
+obtained leave to draw flour from the commissary and arrange a bakery
+for his company. He took possession of a bakery in town, detailed men,
+with Ike Perry of Co. H at their head, and in a short time Co. K were
+eating fresh bread. The plan succeeded so well that the bakery was
+called upon to supply the regiment.
+
+The bakery was a saving scheme, for the flour allowed by the
+government, was in excess of the amount required for an abundant supply
+of bread, and in a few weeks hundreds of dollars commutation for such
+excess was allowed the 157th.
+
+At Folly Island Col. Carmichael had organized a brass band and armed
+those men with a varied assortment of instruments. The grand revelation
+at Jacksonville in the one item of bread, opened a way to purchasing a
+set of fine German silver instruments. Strange it was that Capt. Gates
+was soon after relieved from the bread management and from that time,
+the regimental fund ceased to be a matter of history. The query often
+passed around the camp--if two hundred men can save a thousand dollars
+in a few weeks by commutation of rations, how much should a regiment or
+an army save in one year? and from one item of bread. The good people
+at home, also were being bled by army sharks.
+
+
+This little work is not designed for the purpose of paying-off old
+grudges. The above item is history. Col. Brown, let it be known, is
+believed to have been innocent of any meanness in providing for his
+men. They usually were well supplied with plenty of good food. He
+looked after their sanitary welfare, and in proof of this last
+assertion can be given the fact that during its entire service, no
+severe epidemic raged among the men. Credit is due also to the surgeons
+of the regiment, Drs. Hendrick, Crawe and Beebe, who were faithful in
+the performance of their duties.
+
+During the battle of Gettysburg Dr. Crawe remained in the town; and
+while shells were flying over and bullets pattering against the walls,
+faithfully, with other Union surgeons, continued to labor for the
+relief of the suffering wounded.
+
+While work was being done on the fortifications regular details were
+sent out for picketing. And with all preparations for a reception the
+rebels did not come.
+
+Pollard in his "Lost Cause," says, the battle of Olustee "was decisive,
+as it resulted in the expulsion of the enemy from Florida, and the
+preservation of this state to the Confederacy." Co. G did not agree
+with Mr. Pollard of Richmond, any more than they agreed with those Army
+of the Potomac critics who so strongly intimate that when Jackson drove
+back the 11th Corps at Chancellorsville the Army of the Potomac was
+defeated. The 11th Corps never assumed to be the bulwark of that army.
+Gen. Seymour was not the forlorn hope of the North. The brigade of Gen.
+Ames was soon to hold Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Fernandina. Co. G
+was not so easily expelled.
+
+On the 12th of April came the news that the brigade was to be dissolved
+and Gen. Ames was ordered north with the 10th Corps. Co G had never
+seen that army corps assembled during the six months they had been
+attached. While on the John's Island excursion they were in the largest
+assemblage of that corps with whom they ever had marched. There "Little
+Schimmel" was at their head once more, in charge of the expedition, and
+the general had not forgotten them. The boys had learned to like Gen.
+Ames, because he was a good officer, if a little rough at times. This
+new arrangement made the 144th and the 157th N.Y. regiments virtually
+the town guard at Jacksonville. The 17th Conn. was sent to St.
+Augustine and the 107th Ohio to Fernandina, while the 75th Ohio was to
+be mounted for scouting purposes. To these forces should be added the
+artillery and not least, the gunboats in the river.
+
+In the month of March one hundred recruits arrived who had been secured
+by the recruiting party under Col. Carmichael; they were soon after
+followed by that officer and his attachment. Of those recruits Co. G
+received twenty-two, increasing the company to about forty men. With
+but few exceptions those new men were excellent material.
+
+To those boys of Lenox it seemed always summer, a country where snow
+never fell; yet, they knew spring had come in Florida, when the
+magnolias spread their blossoms.
+
+The trying experiences of Jacksonville were at an end. No more digging
+by day and by night, no more sleeping in those trenches to be preyed
+upon by fleas. The regiment was to be divided.
+
+
+One hot morning, April 21st, 1864, the boys moved down to the St.
+John's river. Companies A, B, C, D, E and F under Col. Brown, embarked
+upon one boat for Fernandina, and Co. G, H, I and K under Col.
+Carmichael, on another boat, for Picolata twenty-five miles up the
+river.
+
+With Col. Brown went the state colors and the band. With the Picolata
+detachment was the beautiful flag presented the regiment by the ladies
+of Cortland.
+
+When the two boats swung out into the stream the boys cheered, and
+moisture gathered in some eyes, for it was the parting of a family.
+Then the band struck up a lively tune, and a bend in the river
+intervened, drawing the attention of Co. G to the subject of torpedoes.
+The gunboats and other boats, most of them, were provided each with a
+torpedo-rake at the bows, nevertheless there was great uncertainty in
+the air as well as in the dark colored water upon which they were
+riding. At the wide water some distance above Jacksonville, lay two
+large side-wheel steamers, sunk by torpedoes. On one of these boats a
+large number of colored troops perished. The trip was not entirely
+comfortable and Co. G was too intently listening, to note many really
+novel and entertaining features of this first excursion on the upper
+waters. There was danger, as afterwards proved, as a steamer was sunk
+near Jacksonville shortly after. So when Picolata was reached the boys
+were not sorry to step on dry land.
+
+The 157th boys relieved a detachment of colored troops, pitched their
+tents under the trees and softened their beds with gray moss.
+
+Duty at Picolata was picketing. Men were sent up the river to Orange
+Mills and to other points. At night a picket boat lay in the river
+below the post. Really, the Picolata station was an outpost of St.
+Augustine some twelve or fourteen miles distant. It was a crossing
+point on the St. John's.
+
+The river is sluggish and water coming from many swamps is not
+wholesome. For a few days the men drank river water, then barrels were
+filled and brought into camp from springs outside the lines and
+drinking from the river was prohibited. Dr. Crawe, to whom the matter
+was referred, decided the water of the St. John's was well-fitted for
+breeding alligators, but not wholesome as a beverage for men.
+
+As an additional safeguard, a small stockade was erected in the rear of
+the camp, armed with two small brass pieces which had been captured at
+Pilatka, a few months previous. To man those guns men were detailed
+from the post and drilled by an artilleryman.
+
+On the 27th of April, Gen. Birney came up the river with a colored
+regiment and two steamers. Companies G, H, and K were ordered to draw
+fourteen days' rations and to be supplied with sixty rounds of
+cartridges, all of which was promptly done and the colonel and his
+three companies embarked on the small steamer, Harriet Weed. Then,
+convoyed by the gunboat Ottawa the expedition moved up the river. The
+gunboat stopped opposite Pilatka--not an inhabitant was in sight--and
+the huge amidships gun bore threatening upon the small city. Leaving
+the Ottawa, the other steamers passed up the River to Welaka, where Co.
+G was hurried ashore and thrown out as skirmishers, while the other
+troops were rapidly landing and getting into line. With a guide, the
+157th in the advance, the column proceeded up the river. It was a dark
+night, the deep foliage along the roadside added to the gloom.
+
+Soon after dark the boys reached a house. For some reason Col.
+Carmichael suspected a rebel was hidden about the premises. A search
+was made and he was found hiding under the house. When the man was
+brought forth, his family made pitiful appeals, to which the colonel
+kindly replied, assuring them the union troops would take good care of
+Mr. Shook, who was blacksmith for the troop called Steven's cavalry.
+And so the unfortunate man was marched away from his weeping family, a
+prisoner of war.
+
+Gen. Birney halted the column near old Fort Gates (a relic of the
+Seminole war) and the boys laid down behind their stacked arms. They
+had been asleep but a little while when a gun was fired, then another,
+and more.
+
+Col. Carmichael called his men to "attention" and they stood at their
+guns, until it was learned that the colored pickets had mistaken
+shadows for men moving about. Co. G were again nicely dreaming the
+hours away, when bang! bang! went the guns.
+
+"Lie still, boys," said the colonel, "there is nothing out there but
+stumps and bushes."
+
+And the tired men snuggled down under their blankets, not very well
+pleased with the picket-line.
+
+Next day, the 28th, the column left the river and marched out into the
+country, halting at a place called Granville Priests, a small and
+varied assortment of poor houses and negro cabins. At that place the
+157th parted from Gen. Birney and the colored regiment.
+
+At Priests a fine lot of sweet potatoes were found. The cooks arranged
+their kettles and the boys held a feast.
+
+Col. Carmichael and his men were ordered to return to Picolata driving
+as many cattle as could be secured. Native herdsmen were employed and
+the colonel, with no escort, started with them, all mounted, in advance
+of his men, promising to await them at Middle Haw Creek.
+
+Capt. McWilliams was then ranking officer. He led his men to Middle Haw
+and camped. The colonel was not there and every one worried, for they
+knew he was among natives.
+
+Next day, April 30th, they were marched fourteen miles through the pine
+woods and saw no house until reaching Sander's corral. There they found
+a sort of cabin built of poles, raised two feet above the ground.
+There, also, they found Col. Carmichael, safe and sound, with several
+herdsmen and a large drove of cattle, and when night dropped over the
+scene the epicures of the detachment gathered a few of the Sanders
+chickens.
+
+The door of the cabin suddenly opened and a tall woman appeared,
+holding high a lighted candle.
+
+"Colonel," she screamed, "your men are taking my chickens. I heard them
+squawking."
+
+"Oh, no, madam, I guess they will not hurt your chickens?" was the
+reply.
+
+It was fine to have the colonel a little hard of hearing, sometimes.
+Very well he knew his boys had no hold on any chicken that "squawked."
+Some chicken roosts were too near the house, anyway.
+
+May 1st was Sunday. The route led over the usual flat country, through
+stretches of pine, across savannas, and occasionally here and there a
+basin-shaped pond or sink-hole. The column passed around the head of
+Dunn's Lake, the boys supplying themselves with sour oranges from trees
+near the landing. At night they bivouaced near a corral. They had made
+eighteen miles.
+
+The boys of Co. G long remembered the camp of that night near Dunn's
+Lake. It was decided that one of the herd should be butchered. John
+Wise of Co. G was the butcher of the detachment, but the night in
+question he politely waived his privilege and an officer was allowed to
+do the shooting. The result was amazing. The poor creature had been
+driven all day and yet was strong enough, when dressed, to have pulled
+a cart. He was a patriarch of the herd. And the boys cut him into small
+bits and toasted him on sharpened sticks; they threw the meat on the
+coals to see it curl up like bark; they nibbled at it, they tried to
+chew it, but the patriarch was to be eaten only in lumps. Many
+compliments were launched at John Wise, who came forward, explained and
+was excused. For John was a good fellow.
+
+May 2d was the anniversary of the Chancellorsville fight. After an easy
+march camp was reached about 5 p.m., at Middleton's farm. As evening
+came on the cows were driven into a yard and milked by women. No
+milking stools were necessary, as the native cow of Florida is built on
+the elevated plan. Milkers placed their heads in front of the cow's hip
+and slightly bending, drew the milk into the gourd. Each cow yielded
+nearly one quart of milk, or as one woman said, the forty cows gave, "I
+reckon, about a bushel." Co. G gathered around the corrall and when
+milking was over they held out their canteens and had them filled,
+paying for the milk in cash. When Colonel Carmichael said, "no
+foraging," he was obeyed.
+
+May 3d the boys marched to Moccasin Branch, an easy tramp of eight
+miles. There they found the most primitive methods of farm life in the
+wilderness, still in operation. The old man had his tan vat behind the
+house. A stump was scooped out to serve as a mortar for making samp or
+hominy. His apparatus for sugar-making--the rollers for crushing cane
+and the sugar out-fit generally, all were of the simplest design. But
+the sour oranges there were fully up-to-date in their intensity.
+
+May 4th, after an absence of one week, Co. G found themselves again in
+camp at Picolata. The detachment had marched one hundred miles and
+brought in fifteen hundred cattle of all sizes and ages. Co. G were
+becoming accustomed to good old Florida beef. The cattle were taken to
+Jacksonville for army and navy consumption.
+
+The jaunt was rather enjoyed by the old trampers. On the recruits,
+however, it bore heavily, that being their first march in harness; but
+they did remarkably well.
+
+
+The routine of camp life was again established, and quite easy it was.
+The heat of a far southern sun was becoming stronger and the boys felt
+languid. Moored along the river banks were dozens of dug-outs of every
+pattern, prizes taken along the shores; and these little boats afforded
+a diversion for any who could handle them. Some of the boys set
+night-lines and caught cat-fish. Others fished at night with torch and
+spear for the gar fish. Alligators were often seen floating with the
+current, or at night they were heard among the rushes bellowing like
+young bulls. Occasionally an alligator was shot.
+
+The greatest pests Co. G found in Florida were mosquitoes and gnats.
+Many a blacksnake was seen with an occasional venomous snake, and water
+snakes, but no member of the regiment was bitten although they spread
+their blankets for the night, on the ground, without thought or
+precaution. Often small scorpions were found in the tents and rarely a
+centipede. But fleas were sometimes secreted in the hanging moss.
+
+East Florida in those days, was mostly wilderness. Deer and other game
+abounded. Outside the picket line, for some time, the men on post were
+frequently annoyed by prowling wildcats, whose running about and
+snarling, broke the monotony of dark nights.
+
+The view about Picolata was very pleasant when the plains were bright
+with flowers, when the land appeared worthy of its fair name. Florida
+is much improved in population and thrift in these later days and may
+be enjoyable. But for all their sunshine and flowers, their oranges and
+"'arly sarce," Co. G would not, in 1864, have parted with a single
+square acre out of old Lenox,--not for all East Florida.
+
+
+Sunday, May 22nd, while the Picolata force were drawn up for inspection,
+two steamers arrived, together with the gunboat Ottawa.
+
+Before this time, Col. Brown had been ordered to Hilton Head as Provost
+Marshall of the Department of the South. That change made Col. Carmichael
+ranking officer and he accordingly made requisition for companies A and
+F and also for the band, all of whom were at Fernandina.
+
+Maj. Place had returned from imprisonment, and came up to Picolata in
+charge of the two companies. When the boys marched aboard the gunboat
+Ottawa the major was left in charge of the camp.
+
+This time a landing was made opposite Pilatka, the men halting for the
+night seven miles further up the river.
+
+May 23d the column marched to Middle Haw Creek, nearly twenty miles,
+reaching camp at 9 p.m. A junction was made there with troops from St.
+Augustine.
+
+May 24th was hot and sultry. One day's rations were issued and the boys
+took the back-track for Picolata.
+
+Near noon a halt was made near a large water hole and the men were told
+to fill their canteens, as no more water would be found until night. In
+the afternoon as they moved along the narrow trail they grew very
+thirsty, so that long before night many of the canteens were empty. As
+the night came on and no water was found, Col. Carmichael suspected
+some trickery from the guide, and he detailed two men with loaded
+pieces to escort the man and to shoot upon the first indication of
+treachery. And so they moved along, the poor guide insisting that he
+was right, only he had miscalculated distance. The boys of the 144th N.
+Y., were suffering from thirst and their colonel ordered his pioneers
+to dig for water. The guide called out,
+
+"You'll not get water there."
+
+"Where will we find it?" growled back a chorus of voices.
+
+"Jist about two mile from yere."
+
+"Are you sure?" asked Col. Carmichael.
+
+"Yes, cunnel, I'm dead sure."
+
+The colonel called to several mounted officers, and away they all went
+out into the darkness. Co. G sank upon the ground and waited patiently.
+After a time the colonel returned and reported water a short distance
+ahead and marching about a mile they reached Middleton's and were again
+on familiar ground. It was midnight before the boys had drank their
+coffee and were under the blankets. They were very tired, having
+marched thirty miles.
+
+March 25, an easy march was promised the men and they made eight miles
+to Moccasin Branch, where they halted for dinner. Again taking the road
+the march was increased to thirteen miles, part of the way through a
+brisk summer shower.
+
+The boys were halted that night in a lane not far from the shack where
+the colonel was quartered. Air to breathe seemed scarce and fleas
+appeared to be unusually active. At the miserable house the officers,
+lying on the floor, were much annoyed by the persistent occupation of
+hogs underneath them. Fleas gnawed the officers and they scratched and
+scolded. Fleas tortured the saw-backs and they humped themselves and
+rubbed against the floor-joists, and as they toiled they grunted. Out
+in the lane the men of Co. G were too busy to sleep. That little farm
+in the wilderness might have been the main supply station for all East
+Florida fleadom.
+
+It was an easy march May 26th of only nine miles to Picolata. When the
+boys approached the camp Maj. Place came out to meet them with the
+band. Then Co. G braced up in style and stepped off to the good old
+tune of "The Girls We Left Behind Us." Co. G remembered the girls.
+
+The object of the expedition, besides giving the boys an outing, was to
+gather up any loose rebels in the vicinity of Dunn's Lake. Probably
+there were more soldiers in that command alone, than the rebels had in
+the entire state of Florida at the time. There was no accounting for
+novelties in the department, illustrative of experimental or
+theoretical campaigning. And while Folly Island was anchored
+permanently, its suggestive and appropriate title was indelibly stamped
+upon nearly every expedition organized in the Department, from
+September, 1863, until the close of the war.
+
+It was an extensive experiment station for the engineer officers of the
+army and for the navy. There they could study the flight of missiles
+and their force; the relative difference in guns and mortars, and
+resistance of sand and iron armor. In short, it was a safe school where
+many a favorite matriculated and from which very few graduated. It was
+called warfare, because there were hospitals there and many graves.
+
+Soon after the return from the second excursion, Col. Carmichael with
+fifty picked men were taken across the river and landed near Green Cove
+Springs. They proceeded into the country, returning next day, having
+captured a rebel mail and several horses.
+
+
+On Sunday, May 29th, two regiments came over from St. Augustine and the
+157th boys were ordered to be ready to move at noon with four day's
+rations and sixty rounds of cartridges and rubber blanket or piece of
+shelter tent. The men were drawn up in line, expecting to move, and
+were finally returned to their quarters.
+
+Next day a boat came up from below and Co. G, as night fell over the
+tropical scene, stepped once again upon a steamer and near midnight
+found themselves behind the works in front of Jacksonville.
+
+The morning of the 31st the sun rose angry. Co. G still lay behind the
+works. There was mystery all around them; a sort of mystery peculiar to
+the climate--a lazy mystery. Co. G did not broach the mystery--when
+they were wanted, was time enough for them.
+
+As soon as darkness came, the boys were marched aboard of a steamer and
+were taken about eighteen miles up the river and landed at the mouth of
+a creek, on the west bank.
+
+It was long past bedtime when the boys laid themselves down to rest--3
+o'clock in the morning. They were allowed to sleep until near daybreak
+and were then aroused very quietly, lest the rebels should hear. No
+fires were allowed and any boy who lighted a pipe, did so very slyly.
+The men were told to eat something, then to fill their canteens from a
+neighboring brook, as no more water would be found before night--a
+delightful country, that land of flowers.
+
+Col. Noble of the 17th Conn., (a dignified officer whose hair was very
+gray) commanded the party. All officers were dismounted.
+
+Soon after daylight the column started. It was composed of three or
+four regiments, one of them colored.
+
+As the day lengthened, the heat grew intense. At noon time it was so
+hot the birds ceased their callings, butterflies took to cover; the
+horny leaves of the palmetto scrub curled as the corn leaves curl and
+twist under an August sun. Not the slightest breeze stirred the air;
+there was a bluish haze in the atmosphere.
+
+As often it occurs on such a march, some of the men drink all the water
+in their canteens before the day is half gone. With care three pints of
+water can be made to last a long time. And on the present occasion,
+long before night, many of the men carried empty canteens. Among the
+colored men the suffering was marked. They became desperate and
+threatened to leave the column. Col. Noble finally drew a revolver and
+ordered them into the ranks.
+
+At nightfall Camp Milton was reached, preparations were made for a
+battle. Co. G were thrown forward as skirmishers and advanced. The
+rebels had retreated.
+
+Plenty of water was found in a narrow stream and the boys enjoyed their
+first cup of coffee of that day. They had marched thirty-two miles.
+
+While they were eating their breakfast next morning, the pickets were
+driven in. As soon as possible Co. G were thrown forward. Pickets in
+front of them were firing rapidly. Co. G with arms at trail moved out
+in front a quarter of a mile, but saw nothing to shoot. The boys were
+not surprised--they had once camped on Folly Island.
+
+Near noon the expedition started for Jacksonville, the 157th as rear
+guard. All went well until Camp Finnegan, twelve or fifteen miles from
+Jacksonville was reached. (Camps Milton and Finnegan were rebel camps).
+While crossing a small creek the enemy appeared on the opposite side of
+the clearing and opened fire at long range. A colored company, thrown
+out to cover the crossing, replied to the rebels. Again was Co. G
+ordered into skirmish line and their Enfield rifles soon closed the
+battle. One or two men were slightly wounded.
+
+Many of the boys suffered on this return march, even more than on the
+preceding day. But they reached Jacksonville without further incident
+and were taken at once to the river and aboard a steamer. The events of
+the day had excited the people at headquarters and Col. Carmichael was
+ordered to again land his men and march them to the trenches for the
+night. He appealed for rations and was referred to the Sanitary
+Commission Agent, who issued to the 157th a barrel of milk crackers.
+The boys made the most of their opportunities, and soon were asleep in
+their old trenches at Jacksonville, and for the last time.
+
+Next day, June 3d, the regiment went aboard a steamer and returned to
+Picolata.
+
+
+The touring experience of Co. G in Florida was not luxurious. And when,
+after about four months stay, orders came to pack up and leave
+Picolata, not a regret was heard.
+
+June 12th they swung away from the dock and the same evening were at
+Fernandina, and where amidst a chorus of "hellos!" the regiment was
+once more united.
+
+On the 13th, the detachment in which was Co. G started for Hilton Head.
+The wind was right ahead and the vessel, a ferryboat; she pounded the
+sea like a thresher, and the captain put back to Fernandina. There they
+lay until the 16th of June, when the sea went down and the voyage was
+completed.
+
+Co. G landed at Hilton Head on Thursday and went into camp. On the
+Saturday following a deserter belonging to another regiment was shot
+and Co. G was compelled to witness the execution. Poor deserter. Alas,
+for Co. G, to be drawn up to witness the killing of a man in cold
+blood! There were some phases of military life more brutal even than
+battles. Some formalities in the infliction of penalties, more horrible
+than the crime itself. And it is doubtful if the lesson thus taught, is
+made more impressive by a display of cruel ceremony. And the cowardice
+of the custom. No good soldier need be thus reminded that desertions in
+the face of the enemy is death. Let us hope, as time goes on, the
+nation will demand that unnecessary torture be avoided in warfare--that
+in order to punish one man, it is not necessary to torture his
+comrades.
+
+
+Camp at Hilton Head was located out on the barren sand. During the day
+the tents were intolerably hot and for guards about the camp screens
+were built to shield them from the sun. At night cool breezes came in
+from the ocean and then the boys forgot the hungry fleas and slumbered.
+
+Rigid sanitary rules were enforced. Ice was obtained from the Sanitary
+Commission to cool the lips of the sick ones in the hospital tent, and
+a barrel was kept supplied with iced water for general drinking
+purposes. That barrel, the boys will remember, was for some reason
+noticeably charged with the flavor of Tommy Reagan's "nice swate
+vinegar."
+
+There was considerable sickness among the men and several deaths in the
+regiment.
+
+The discharge of the hospital steward had left a vacancy to which W. H.
+Perry of Co. G had been promoted.
+
+As for Co. G they kept as cool as possible. While those boys were not
+engaged in gathering laurels they were very watchful of those already
+gained.
+
+The brush at Finnegan's Camp had whetted the appetite of Co. G for
+gore. They had fired four or five rounds at long range and unhorsed
+several johnnies. Quite an achievement in the Department of the South.
+
+To work off their surplus ardor, or else to prevent their getting too
+fat and indolent, on the 1st of July, loaded down with cartridges and
+rations, the regiment marched aboard a steamer at dark and in the
+morning of the 2nd found themselves on the North Edisto river, and
+landed near Rockville, on John's Island. Co. G was soon on familiar
+ground. For the next few days the progress up John's Island was made
+under a scorching sun, estimated at 110 degrees in the shade (compared
+with previous observations). By July 5th the expedition was within six
+miles of Charleston. There had been but little resistance, although
+considerable powder had been burned.
+
+On a foggy morning at daybreak of the 9th the rebels advanced in force.
+Capt. McWilliams and Lieut. Forbes, with detachments from the 157th
+held the center of the picket line until nearly surrounded.
+
+Then, as customary in the Department, the forces of the expedition were
+"withdrawn in good order" and returned to their respective camps.
+
+
+Did Gilmore or Foster ever wish to capture Charleston? Did the War
+Department desire its capture? Enough men composed that expedition
+(some five or six thousand troops) to have made a telling dash and if
+properly supported by the navy, a permanent footing might have been
+established quite near the city. Such sneaking up in the night, making
+faces at the surprised rebels next morning and then withdrawing "in
+good order," was burlesque warfare.
+
+Unfortunately, now and then, a poor fellow fell under the rain of iron
+or the whistling lead, hundreds were sickening, many were dying on
+those desolate sands.
+
+And while the boys were enduring such mock warfare, the dear ones at
+home thought of them only as their soldiers. One of the war poets sang--
+
+    "We sit at home, nor feel that they
+      Who fight upon the distant plain
+    Are falling faster, day by day,
+      A harvest of the slain."
+
+Indeed, there was little poetry in life among the sand hills, no music
+in the roar of old ocean, and no comfort with the fleas. The subject
+becomes tedious; and yet the boys of Co. G must be followed until the
+close.
+
+The loss in the 157th on the second John's Island raid, was one man, a
+prisoner. A poor fellow nick-named "Lightning," who was considered
+mentally unsound. It is to be hoped the rebels did not regard that man
+as representing the regiment, whatever they might have thought of him
+as a representative of the Department in general.
+
+As to the object of the expedition, history says, Gen. Foster was
+trying to draw troops to Charleston and thus relieve Gen. Sherman, who
+was advancing on his famous Atlanta campaign. The success of the
+movement is not known, but it is supposed troops were sent from the
+rebel army. Five thousand additional enemies would have added but
+little to the force before Sherman and his determined troops.
+
+July 24th Co. G were temporarily detached to guard fifty rebel officers
+who had been sent down from the Northern prisons to be placed under
+fire on Morris Island. The brig Dragoon lay out in the stream at Hilton
+Head. It was the duty of Co. G to see that those officers did not
+escape. Among them were Gens. Gardner, the former commandant at Port
+Hudson; Ed. Johnson, a prominent officer; also Jeff Thompson. Archer
+and G. W. Stuart and a long list of colonels and subordinate officers.
+
+Co. G did their duty and remained with their charge until an exchange
+was effected, which occurred a few days later.
+
+In the first days of September six hundred officers, ranging in rank
+from colonels to lieutenants were sent down to be placed under fire
+before Charleston, in retaliation for a similar piece of shrewdness on
+the part of the rebels. As soon as Gilmore began to throw shells into
+Charleston the righteous indignation of rebels in the field and their
+sympathizers North reached the explosive point. The idea of retaliative
+measures was a product of the brain of Jeff Davis. Burning cities is
+legitimate warfare. Confining helpless prisoners under fire is
+barbarous.
+
+Those six hundred rebel officers were to be placed in a stockade on
+Morris Island, built between Fort Strong and batteries on Cummings
+Point.
+
+On the sixth of September the prisoners were landed at the island and
+were transferred to their new guard, the 54th Mass., a colored
+regiment.
+
+Sept. 5th the camp was struck at Hilton Head and by a very
+accommodating order the men were permitted to take with them to Morris
+Island such little useful articles as they desired, and so it came to
+pass that the ferryboat conveying the camp equipage was generously
+laden with bundles of boards, rude benches and tables, wash-tubs and
+the like. So that a few hours' work by experienced hands made the boys
+as comfortable as in their former camp. About all they had parted with
+were the few fleas.
+
+A few words in parting and the flea is given a rest. This sand-flea is
+a small affair,--not the sand-flea, or chigre, of science--but a
+genuine flea. Co. G became very expert catching him. When a boy was
+struck, down went his stocking, the flea slid into the coarse meshes,
+usually too late. Some of the sufferers became expert and caught the
+little raiders in the dark. One man has been known to awaken from his
+sleep with two captives, one between the thumb and fore finger of each
+hand. Reader, believe this, it is correct. If you cannot believe the
+story, forgive the man, for he was sorely tried.
+
+The flea of Sweden undoubtedly was larger and more defiant. History
+states the Queen Christina kept a little wee cannon for the purpose of
+shooting them. The cannon is to be seen at Stockholm. Co. G found no
+flea too large to handle easily and effectually.
+
+Camp on Morris Island was very clean, very hot and when the wind blew,
+quite unpleasant from the sand blowing into the eyes. Co. G, however,
+had become reconciled to all denials. They amused themselves as best
+they could. Drank plentifully of Levi Randall's dried-apple beer,
+scoured their brass jewelry and traded with the colored troops; read
+and re-read the old newspapers, wrote a little and slept, whenever
+permitted. At night large details were marched to Fort Putnam or Fort
+Chatfield, and there spent the night, if undisturbed, sleeping soundly,
+while the city gun roared three times every hour. Often a brisk firing
+between Sullivan's Island and other rebel forts, made the place
+uproarious and cartloads of iron were flying about. But they became
+accustomed to the shelling and paid it slight attention. Only one
+member of the regiment was struck by the shells and he persistently
+exposed himself.
+
+Details were sent up to the Point, three miles from camp, on fatigue
+duty working on the fortifications. One day while a party of the
+regiment were thus engaged the rebels opened spitefully. By noontime
+the boys were hungry. Punctual came Pat Matthews with a kettle of
+Ziba's best pea soup, and Co. G were happy. The boys of other companies
+waited until the firing ceased, when their food came. This is not given
+to reflect upon other cooks, but to illustrate Pat's indifference to
+danger.
+
+
+When the regiment lay in rear of the battery at Gettysburg, July 1st,
+the air was noisy with bursting shells, the pieces striking around
+viciously. And during that interesting hour the men lay very close to
+the earth.
+
+"Where's Co. G? Ah, there yez are." It was Pat, who had brought them
+his camp kettle filled with cool water.
+
+"Pat, what the divil are ye doing here? Don't ye hear them fellers?"
+Thus spoke his brother Jim.
+
+Pat cocked his ear a moment, for he was quite deaf, then turned to the
+boys.
+
+"Ah, what the divil do I care for them. Say, b'ys, don't yez want some
+water?"
+
+Never did Ziba allow his boys to be neglected if he could prevent.
+Sometimes the marching was hard for him and then the boys carried his
+kettle. But if any company was better served, it is not known.
+
+
+Much has been written of the "Swamp Angel," a gun planted away out in
+the marsh on the south side of Morris Island and a mile or more from
+Cummings Point. The battery consisted of one gun which burst after
+firing twenty or thirty shots; afterwards the place was occupied as an
+outpost. Beyond the "Angel" battery was another post called Paine's
+Dock. The dock was the historic floating battery used by the rebels in
+1861, when Sumter was first attacked. Proving a veritable slaughter-pen
+it was dismantled and abandoned and floated away with the tide and
+grounded on the southern point of Morris Island. It received a new name
+in honor of Capt. Paine, a Union officer who, while scouting, was
+captured there. The pathway which led over the soft marsh to those
+points, was for two miles covered with planking. Frequently Co. G had
+representatives sent there on picket, who sometimes were obliged to
+seek refuge under Paine's Dock to escape the shells from a James Island
+battery known as "Bull-of-the-Woods."
+
+There were times, when snugly protected from the heavy fire, the boys
+at the Point found time dragging heavily. Then the story-tellers were
+called upon. Hugh O'Brien was requested to narrate the trials and
+triumphs of the handsome cavalier and a princess, entitled "The Beauty
+of the W-o-r-rld." John Miller was easily prevailed upon to produce
+with dramatic effects, the narrow escape of a Negro from being buried
+in the hay-mow at "Old Harve's" (his father's) farm. For the boys
+needed some relaxation in the struggle for glory--slight compensation
+for duty well-done, and fun counted big, sometimes. History records
+exposures in winter's sleet, marches under a tropical sun, sleeping on
+frozen ground, as well as in a climate where the dew falls like fine
+mist--where fog rolls up dank from malarious swamps. But when the boys
+rehearse their stories of the war, they will cherish most the little
+kindnesses and words which helped to ease their burdens and drive away
+the gloom.
+
+Inspections on that barren Morris Island were very trying. A man to
+stand for an hour fully accoutered, with knapsack strapped on his back,
+the dress coat buttoned close to his chin, his straps drawing his
+clothing tight about him--to stand thus in a hot sun on a breezeless
+day, is pitiful torture. Occasionally a man fell down in the ranks. And
+when the men returned to their quarters they were as tired as though
+they had been marching. Of course it would not have been the proper
+thing to inspect the troops in the cool of the day--that would not have
+been consistent with Folly Island tactics.
+
+And so went along the duty on Morris Island. At night when at the Point
+on picket, the comrades remaining in camp saw the flying bombs from
+Sullivan's Island, like meteors, rise from the mortars and following a
+regulated arc, drop apparently where their comrades were stationed. At
+times the display was fearfully grand and then a monitor or two would
+steam up toward Fort Moultrie and take a hand in the excitement.
+Suddenly, the rebel fire ceased, the monitors and Cummings Point
+ceased; and all was quiet for the night, save the regular booming of
+the city gun.
+
+An interesting event occurred while the 157th lay on Morris Island. It
+was casting the soldiers' vote. Gov. Seymour vetoed the bill allowing
+the soldiers to vote and it was carried to the people in the spring
+elections of 1864, and thus was legalized. In the district of Canastota
+but two votes were cast against the privilege, thus placing the western
+portion of Lenox on record as not only loyal, but true to their boys in
+the field. The vote in the regiment was three hundred and nine. Of
+these, Lincoln received two hundred and sixty-eight. McClellan received
+forty-one.
+
+In Co. G the vote stood, thirty for Lincoln and prosecution of the war,
+and seven for McClellan and a patched-up peace. Co. G was willing to
+fight for peace, but not to vote for peace.
+
+The ballots were supplied by the State and each one of them was
+enclosed by the voter, in a special envelope marked "Soldier's Vote,"
+upon which the soldier wrote his name. That envelope was sealed and
+inclosed in another envelope and directed to the person who was to cast
+the vote.
+
+Credit is due Col. Brown, who sent to Hilton Head and at his own
+expense provided ballots for the democrats of his regiment, their
+ballots not having arrived at the time. Whether those provided by Col.
+Brown were used, is not known. This statement is recorded, because
+there were unpleasant reflections cast upon the colonel, who was a
+strong republican but was nevertheless, honorable in this instance.
+
+Those first fifty officers confined in Charleston jail and under fire
+of Gilmore's guns as already intimated, were replaced by six hundred
+Union officers. Among this last detail from the rebel prisons were
+Lieuts. Coffin, Powers and Curtice of the 157th. Fortunately the Union
+shells usually went beyond the prison and there were no casualties from
+that source. The placing of six hundred rebel officers under fire in a
+pen guarded by a colored regiment was retaliation with insult added,
+according to Southern sentiment. But the 54th Mass. were Northern men
+and were inferior, as soldiers, to none in the army. It was humiliating
+to men of spirit,--to Southern men taught from childhood to consider a
+negro little better than a brute--when they were ordered into line by
+colored sergeants and compelled to obey the rules. Verily, Jeff Davis
+was subjecting his brave supporters to hard usage.
+
+The pen was in sight from the rebel shore, and it was rare a shell
+exploded near there; no prisoner was injured by shells. In one or two
+instances the guards fired upon some man and unoffending ones were
+slightly wounded. They had nearly the same rations as were given the
+Union officers in Charleston. Had they been guarded by white soldiers
+they would have been contented. At night the calcium lamp on Fort
+Strong lighted the Point and enabled the guards to keep the prisoners
+constantly in view.
+
+Late in October the union officers having been removed to the rear of
+Charleston, orders came to send the rebel officers to Fort Pulaski, Ga.
+
+The six hundred confederates had dwindled to five hundred and
+forty-nine within fifty days after leaving Fort Delaware. They had been
+under fire forty-five days.
+
+Oct. 21st, 1864, the 157th were marched out on the beach and opened
+ranks. The 54th Mass. came down the beach with their prisoners, who
+moved in between the lines of their new guard. Two dismasted schooners
+were lying at the wharf at Lighthouse Inlet, into which were marched
+those rebel officers. The hulks, towed by steamers and convoyed by a
+large war vessel, proceeded to Fort Pulaski, near the mouth of Savannah
+River.
+
+It was late when the boats reached the fort dock and the hulks were
+anchored in mid-stream for the night.
+
+During the night, on board the hulk where Co. G were stationed, there
+was quite a sensation created by the prisoners attempting to escape.
+They sawed a hole through the counter, or stern of the vessel, and
+several of them dropped through into the water. Not far distant was the
+salt marsh and Tybee Island; if they could have reached land they might
+have gotten away, some of them, certainly. But their calculations were
+wrong--the strong tide was running out and they were carried rapidly
+toward the sea.
+
+"Halt! Halt!!" sang out Hugh O'Brien.
+
+"Don't shoot, Captain. For God's sake don't fire!" came out of the
+water.
+
+"Keep cool, gentlemen!" called out Capt. McWilliams.
+
+Not much likelihood of sweating in the river. When the patrol boat
+brought them on board, their teeth rattled like castanets. The dripping
+fellows asked for something warm, as they went down again into the
+hold.
+
+In the morning they were landed at the fort and placed in the
+casemates. Gratings were placed in the embrasures and at the ends of
+the prison; heavy guards were on duty outside and inside. They were fed
+on clean food, had abundance of pure drinking water, received medical
+attendance when sick and in all respects fared very decently. And when
+a number of them were exchanged they sent an appreciative note to Col.
+Brown, speaking of him as "a gallant officer and a Christian
+gentleman." They included the names of Col. Carmichael and Maj. Place
+"and in fact, the conduct of all your officers and men has been such as
+to make the name of the 157th N.Y., a pleasant reminiscence to all
+Confederate prisoners from Fort Pulaski."
+
+Those prisoners had complained bitterly of the treatment given them by
+men who had guarded them in the North. And while they were secure in
+all the privileges allowed them at Fort Pulaski, they understood their
+limits and thus avoided unpleasant results. Not one escaped while under
+the care of the regiment.
+
+Duty at the fort was not severe, but vigilance was exacted of all
+sentries, who walked with weapons loaded. Fatigue parties brought wood
+from Tybee Island, a condensing engine supplied the post with water,
+the sutler was at hand with his varied assortment of pins, needles,
+combs and brushes, navy plug, gingersnaps, canned goods, etc.
+
+Thanksgiving day came November 24th. The boys off-duty were drawn up in
+bright array. The proclamation of President Lincoln was read by the
+Chaplain, who added a prayer. A brief battalion drill followed and then
+dinner.
+
+Turkeys and other fowls were scarce at the fort. For dinner, Ziba
+prepared such as he had in his best style. Capt. McWilliams added
+small, but palatable pies to the list, with a few other luxuries. Eaten
+as it was, from tin plates upon a rough but clean table, that was a
+memorable dinner. Away up in the North-country--yet, never mind. Co. G
+sent out over the intervening sea and land their warm greetings, for
+they knew there were places vacant for them, that no others could fill.
+Such thoughts made Co. G brace-up and take a new hold. It is a very dry
+occupation, soldiering for the fun of the thing. It is now known Co. G
+saw both soldiering and some fun, but without the eyes of Lenox--and
+such eyes--upon them their service would have paled.
+
+Monday, Nov. 28th, loaded down with five days' rations and sixty rounds
+of cartridges, Companies A, B, C, G and H, under Col. Carmichael, were
+ordered away from Fort Pulaski. Soon after sundown the little steamer
+left the wharf for Hilton Head, by the way of Skull Creek.
+
+After waiting awhile, the expedition numbering about four thousand men,
+a battery of artillery and a squadron of cavalry, moved up Broad River.
+
+The movement was conducted after the usual and
+well-established methods popular in the Department. It was the
+"wait-'till-'tis-dark-and-don't-say-a-word-about-it" plan. All night
+long the little fleet was endeavoring to feel its way through the fog
+to Boyd's Point, forty miles above Hilton Head. The steamers appeared
+to get lost. They ran awhile, then stopped. By and by whistles were
+heard. The spell was broken, for rebel rockets were seen rising from
+their outposts.
+
+Near noon a landing was effected and the weary men told to get a little
+rest.
+
+After dark, with the 157th in the lead, and a few cavalrymen as advance
+guard, the monkey-work began. First the column moved a mile or two in
+one direction, about-faced and returned over the same road. Then did
+the same caper again until, near morning, the worn-out troops were
+halted at the junction of the Cambahee and Grahamville roads, and were
+told to lie down in the oak leaves and get some rest. Meanwhile, the
+johnnies, who had ample warning, were preparing for a reception and to
+serve every thing warm, next day. Their trains were heard distinctly
+near Grahamville and the boys of Co. G understood there was to be an
+entertainment in the morning.
+
+Soon after daybreak picket-firing began. Co. G had barely time to make
+coffee when they were ordered to fall-in.
+
+Col. Carmichael threw his entire detachment of one hundred and
+forty-two men, on the right of the road. The boys moved leisurely along
+in skirmish order for nearly a mile.
+
+Meanwhile a few pieces of artillery were firing from both parties. Near
+noon Honey Hill was reached. The rebel redoubt there was pierced for
+several guns with ample breastworks for a strong force. A rebel account
+which gives the Union force at five thousand infantry and fifteen
+hundred artillery, states the forces of Gen. Hatch advanced on Honey
+Hill with sixteen pieces of artillery.
+
+If Hatch had possessed much artillery he could not have used it at
+Honey Hill.
+
+The road to the foot of the bluff thus sweetly named, led through
+swampy ground and deep ditches were on either side. On the left of the
+road and extending to the foot of the bluff was a dense wood, tangled
+with trailing briars. On the right of the road was a thick growth of
+scrub timber.
+
+The main column advanced and struck the rebels. The forces of Hatch
+moved off to the right and ascended the rise of ground, where they
+formed and charged the work.
+
+When Col. Carmichael heard the firing on his left he halted his men and
+sent for instructions, with the result that the Colonel was to cross
+over to the south side of the road, and form on the left of the line of
+battle.
+
+When Co. G crossed the Grahamville road, close at hand was a brass gun
+in the ditch, where it lodged from a recoil in the narrow road. One
+piece of artillery, only, remained to assist the infantry and that was
+unable to accomplish great results, although it was served gallantly.
+
+As soon as possible the 157th boys gained their position. Off to their
+right and evidently awaiting, was formed a full battalion of rebels.
+The johnnies disappeared, fell back into the woods and both parties
+were soon at work.
+
+The lines on the left were not more than eighty yards apart. The men on
+both sides covered themselves behind trees and bushes and fought thus,
+with but one intermission, until sunset; that interval occurred when
+the 157th fell back for ammunition.
+
+The volleys on the right and the steady firing on the left, maintained
+a continuous roar, for hours; and above the musketry was heard the
+sharp cracking reports of the brass piece in the road and the spiteful
+replies of the rebel pieces.
+
+So near the redoubt were the 157th that grape and canister flew far
+above their heads, cutting away branches and bark which fell harmlessly
+to the ground. It was the rifle balls that were doing damage.
+
+Capt. McWilliams was standing in an open space in rear of Co. G, when a
+ball went through his thigh. He turned very pale.
+
+"Bully boys," said he, "give it to them."
+
+The captain was assisted to the road and left with the surgeons.
+
+Lieut. Forbes took command of the company. He stationed himself on the
+same attractive bit of grassy ground just vacated by the captain. Lead
+was passing through the air very plentifully.
+
+"Give 'em hell, boys," roared Jerome, "they've shot the captain!"
+
+The boys were deliberately at work behind their various shields. They
+watched for a puff of smoke and fired. Rarely was an enemy seen, but
+they knew they were there. The young recruits on the left of the
+company were just as firm as the old chaps, only a little more noisy.
+
+"What's the matter Amos, are you hit?" asked Lieut. Forbes of Amos
+Avery.
+
+"The blinkity-blam johnnies have hit my thumb," he replied, shaking his
+hand rapidly.
+
+"Then go to the rear."
+
+"Not by a mill-site!" yelled Amos, still trying to comfort his thumb.
+And he remained and soon was at work again. That was Amos.
+
+About the time Amos had resumed firing, the air about the little
+grass-plot was fairly blue, with very positive cursing of rebels in the
+woods, or on the plain, high or low. Lieut. Forbes was seen spinning
+around on one foot ready to whip the entire Confederacy. A rebel had
+drawn bead on Jerome's leg and grazed his shin, giving him a painful
+contusion.
+
+Then Co. G was without an officer. Lieut. Grant had been transferred to
+another company. In the midst of the fight he was returned to Co. G.
+
+The boys were ordered to fall back for cartridges. The 56th N.Y. took
+their places. Johnny reb discovered a change in the line and drove the
+56th. Col. Carmichael took his boys in on a charge and drove the rebels
+back farther than before. But the charge cost Co. G their last officer.
+Lieut. Grant fell, shot through the body.
+
+Once more the little band settled down to their work. The same noise of
+battle still roared on the right. Not a foot of ground was gained, not
+an inch lost. Those eyes of old Lenox should have peeped into that
+tangled wood. They could have seen their boys as cool as if by the
+firesides, but with a dreadfully earnest look about them.
+
+As darkness came on the firing ceased. A detachment of the regiment was
+left in skirmish line, among them Co. G. The forces were being
+withdrawn. Those woods, so lately echoing with strife, were now
+perfectly quiet. And when the main column had passed, a sergeant went
+from one to another of the thin line out there in the darkness, and
+whispered orders to quietly fall back to the road. The 157th detachment
+was rear guard. The johnnies did not follow. Both sides were fully
+surfeited with fighting for one day.
+
+As stated, the five companies of the 157th one hundred and forty-two
+men, lost in that hot little fight of Honey Hill, S.C., Nov. 30th,
+1864, twenty-seven men and three officers. Two of the enlisted men were
+fatally hurt and Lieut. Grant seriously.
+
+The rebels claimed a glorious victory. They acknowledged they had
+fourteen hundred muskets and seven pieces of artillery to begin with;
+and later in the day, another regiment, a battery and a company of
+cavalry arrived. And their main force were behind works.
+
+Hatch's men did not exceed three thousand, who with the exception of
+the small force on the left, fought without cover. Hatch lost in killed
+and wounded that day fully eight hundred officers and men and gained
+nothing. No comment is necessary.
+
+The forces fell back, carrying their wounded and bivouaced at Boyds
+Point under the protection of gunboats.
+
+Co. G could now figure up the cost of the brisk little brush fight.
+
+    Capt. McWilliams, wounded in thigh.
+    Lieut. Grant, shot through side.
+    Lieut. Forbes, contusion.
+    Corporal C. A. Near, head.
+    Amos Avery, left hand.
+    John Miller, left hand.
+    J. McMaster, head.
+    Michael Miller, left hand.
+    Nelson Kimball, groin.
+    Simon Nestler, head.
+    James Johnson, right thigh.
+
+With exceptions of Capt. McWilliams and Lieut. Grant, the wounds were
+slight. Those officers eventually recovered although Grant was
+partially disabled for life. Neither returned to the regiment and thus
+Co. G lost two excellent officers.
+
+Corporal Near was knocked over by a ball passing over the top of his
+head, shaving the hair close to the scalp in its course. Jim McMaster
+caught a buckshot against his forehead, he picked out the shot and went
+to the rear--it gave him a headache. Many of the boys had narrow
+escapes from bullets which struck the trees very close to them.
+
+Charleston papers admitted the rebel loss to have been eighteen killed
+and eighty wounded.
+
+The johnnies believed they had done great execution. One reb officer
+reported he had counted two hundred dead and eleven or twelve hundred
+wounded yankees left on the field. There was no use trying to tell the
+story, then, unless he told a big one. They must have been scared.
+
+On the third of December a reconnoissance was made toward Partridge
+Hill and the force ran into a strong force of the enemy. After burning
+one cotton-gin the boys returned, having lost one man, badly
+wounded--Irwin Sayles of Co. G, whose right arm was amputated near the
+shoulder later in the day.
+
+Dec. 5th a reconnoissance in force was ordered north, on the
+Coosawhatchie road. Three or four miles out, the enemy were seen. Col.
+Carmichael was ordered to throw out his men as skirmishers, extending
+into the woods on both sides of the road. Passing through the tangled
+forest one mile, the boys came to an open field covered by the Bee
+Creek battery, a redoubt on a rise of ground three hundred yards
+distant, which appeared just then abandoned.
+
+Gen. Potter ordered the colonel to move his line toward the redoubt.
+Capt. Van Hoesen was ranking officer next to the colonel.
+
+The boys moved forward in skirmish order, until within a hundred yards
+of the work. Something about the appearance of the place excited the
+colonel's suspicion. Leading up to the redoubt the ground was bare; the
+rebels had burned the grass. The line was halted and the colonel rode
+to the rear. Two or three mounted rebels, who passed around the hill,
+were gone and no other enemy appeared.
+
+Col. Carmichael returned with three cavalrymen and started along the
+front of his line to inspect the rear of the redoubt. He had gone
+one-third of the distance, when the redoubt suddenly was alive with
+johnnies, who poured a heavy volley into the colonel and his escort.
+The cavalrymen very naturally turned and spurred to the rear. One of
+them was fatally wounded. A ball struck the flank of the colonel's
+horse, which reared and threw him over its head into the high weeds.
+Then the skirmishers opened fire.
+
+Col. Carmichael arose from the ground and the johnnies gave him another
+volley and the colonel fell back into the weeds. When they saw the
+colonel fall the entire left of the line started to rescue him. Capt.
+Van Housen halted them and detailed two men, who went forward, assisted
+the colonel to his feet and they left the field supporting the brave,
+unselfish man who had risked his life for them.
+
+So ended the Bee Creek incident so far as general interest may extend,
+but not so with the faithful Carmichael. Not a shot had injured him. In
+falling from his horse his sabre swung around under him and he was thus
+injured about the spine, and never fully recovered.
+
+The same night after returning to the Point, orders came to be ready to
+move at midnight. Fires were lighted, by the light of which they read
+their newly-arrived letters, and they smoked and chatted while waiting
+for the order to move.
+
+At one o'clock, Dec. 6th, the boys embarked for another river trip.
+Their knapsacks had been stacked and left--an army way of announcing
+that lively work was anticipated. At daybreak the boat moved up Broad
+River to Tillifinny Creek, where the men were landed in boats on
+Deveaux Neck. A rebel picket made a feeble demonstration, causing the
+boys to duck some, but they pulled steadily to the landing. Capt. Van
+Hoesen threw out his men and the advance began. For three miles the
+skirmishing continued, the rebels displaying considerable force and
+disputed the progress from behind every belt of timber.
+
+When the road leading to the railroad was reached, the line halted and
+formed along the edge of some heavy timber. A regiment of johnnies came
+yelling up the road and filing off to their right advanced through the
+woods. Very soon firing began at close range.
+
+Supports were hurried up from the landing and formed in rear of the
+157th. As the rebels pressed forward the 157th boys were ordered to
+fall back and lie on the ground, and as the rebs came out of the woods
+the main body of yankees gave them a few rounds, which drove them back
+in confusion and ended the fighting for that day.
+
+Gen. Hatch at once began to entrench and get into position for a stay
+of several weeks.
+
+In that brush the regimental casualties were eleven wounded, some of
+them badly. In Co. G the losses were four.
+
+    Sergt. Harvey Lindsley, left hip (contusion.)
+    Corpl. A. R. Barlow, left elbow.
+    Hugh O'Brien, right arm, slight.
+    Simon Nestler, left forefinger.
+
+Dec. 9th, Capt. Van Slyke, who was sent up from Fort Pulaski, moved the
+157th boys out to support a party engaged in felling trees in order to
+clear the range for artillery bearing upon the railroad. Supported by
+other regiments the 157th moved forward, drove in the rebel pickets and
+advanced until they were met by a severe fire of grape and canister
+shot. For some time they lay behind a low knoll; to raise a head was
+extremely dangerous.
+
+While in that position word was sent to Lieut. Pierce (then assigned to
+Co. G) to advance his line. He sent back a message characteristic of
+the plucky boy.
+
+"If there is any doubt as to my own personal solicitude in the matter,
+I will go alone. But as to ordering these boys up there to be
+slaughtered, I never will do so."
+
+There they lay, a handful of men in front of a battery screened by
+earthworks, the lead and iron plowing the ground around them and an
+officer somewhere in the rear ordering an advance. But Co. G had been
+on Folly Island and the boys were not surprised. If an order had come
+for them to crawl nearer and make grimaces at the mad rebels, the
+Department would have been credited for smartness.
+
+When night came on the boys crawled back out of range, having lost
+fifteen wounded, one of them mortally. Poor Frank Pratt of Co. G, he
+raised his shoulder a little too high and a cannon shot tore it away.
+Wm. L. Johnson of Co. G also, was slightly wounded in the side.
+
+So ended the fighting for Co. G, in the Broad River expedition which
+was designed to cut railroad communication between Charleston and
+Savannah and thus assist Gen. Sherman. The move was a partial success
+for the batteries of Hatch annoyed the rebels and somewhat interfered
+with railway traffic.
+
+The detachment from Fort Pulaski had lost in injured, Col. Carmichael,
+Capt. McWilliams and Lieuts. Grant and Forbes; and fifty-four men
+wounded--five mortally--and one missing, out of the one hundred and
+forty-two muskets, or more than one-third of their number.
+
+Dec. 10th the detachment was ordered to provost duty at Deveaux Neck,
+and remained there until February, 1865. In the meantime their
+knapsacks were returned to them from Boyds Point, and were found to
+have been plundered of nearly everything valuable. The guards left to
+protect the property had been selected for their general uselessness,
+hence the result.
+
+February 19th Co. G were roused up at day-break and ordered to get
+ready to move. The 157th squad moved toward Ashepo Ferry, and there
+were joined by the other companies from the fort. The men had become
+acquainted with each other and the regiment appeared to them as one
+good big family. And when they met after so long separation, the larger
+half so clean and bright, and the smaller half so battered and
+rough-looking, appearances did not count in the hellos! and
+how-are-yous! of the hour. It was first, cheering, then a good
+all-round shake, and the band struck up "Hail Columbia!"
+
+At night, after a pretty hard march they bivouaced, after dark, in a
+cottonfield at Edisto Ferry. The morning of the 20th, Col. Brown drew
+up his men and announced the occupation of Charleston by their old
+general, "Little Schimmel."
+
+During the day a foraging party was sent out, returning with a cart
+laden with sweet potatoes, corn, poultry, hams and bacon, and a
+threatened famine was averted. Toward night, however, their wagons came
+up and with them some supplies, but not such as are most relished in a
+country running wild with fatness, sweetness and flavor.
+
+The men crossed the Edisto on the railroad bridge and camped at
+Elliott's plantation. Before leaving on the 21st, for some reason,
+orders were given to fire the buildings and the column of Gen. Hatch
+moved out a short distance, and rested in a grove of pines. They were
+awaiting the arrival of the wagon train and moved on to Martin's Farm
+and camped. The boys were obliged to go nearly a mile to obtain water
+for their coffee.
+
+On the 22d Ten Mile Station on the railroad was reached, the troops
+burning a rice mill and several other buildings on the way. The depot
+buildings were burned and considerable track destroyed.
+
+After dinner the regimental band, led by John Davis and Delos Wheeler,
+treated the boys to several well-rendered tunes. And the crowd of
+darkies who were following the troops, men and women, old and young,
+dressed in their plantation garb, gathered around the band, and some of
+them danced a "break-down." At night the column halted at Lownde's
+Plantation, where the boys feasted on fresh poultry and sweet potatoes.
+
+Next day, the 23d, foraging parties were sent out, with varying
+success. One under Col. Carmichael, did not return until the 24th,
+having had a long tramp and found little. The men were getting short of
+rations.
+
+On the 25th wagons reached them from Charleston and all was well.
+Chickens and high living did not wear as well as army rations.
+
+February 26th, 1865, Co. G crossed Ashley River and entered Charleston.
+The boys expected to parade through the town, but were disappointed.
+They were moved over to Cooper River and quartered in vacant stores for
+the night.
+
+Co. G had seen a great deal of the country and some warfare. The
+regiment has begun its war-like career on Bull Run where they had lost
+a chaplain (by retirement), they had now followed the secession hydra
+to its source.
+
+On the morning of the 27th after inspection by Gen. Williams of Gen.
+Grant's staff, companies D, E, G, H and K took passage on a small
+steamer for Georgetown, S.C. A rough sea compelled the steamer to put
+back inside the bar. The 28th they started and reached Bull's Bay,
+where a head-sea compelled them to anchor. Water became scarce and
+boats were sent ashore to fill canteens for the men. Next day, the
+first of March, they reached Georgetown, an old, old town, on Winyaw
+Bay.
+
+
+Duty at this post was outpost and town-guard duty. It was a picnic for
+the boys of Co. G. They cleaned-up, shone, worked very little and grew
+in fatness. With the easy soldiering a plentiful spicing of fun was
+always on foot.
+
+When off duty considerable liberty was given the men. Occasionally some
+contraband who had offended in a slight degree was mercilessly seized
+and tossed on a blanket. At night the strains of Ziba's violin were
+heard, and when balls were given the colored people gathered at a
+vacant warehouse and hoed-it-down finely, their bare feet slapping the
+boards like shutters loose in the wind. And occasionally one of the
+soldiers was seen stepping out with a colored lass and dancing the
+hours away. Those balls were very high-toned.
+
+And so the time passed until April 5th, when another move was to be
+made. Troops came up from Charleston and on the morning of April 5th
+the column formed and moved something like nineteen miles, to Potato
+Ferry, on Black River.
+
+This expedition numbered 3,000 infantry, 80 cavalrymen and two pieces
+of artillery, under command of Brig. Gen. E. E. Potter. The object of
+the trip to the interior was destruction of property. Nothing had been
+heard up North, from the Department, since the fall of Charleston and
+there must be some excuse for keeping soldiers down there, and so, the
+boys were marching-on again.
+
+Two companies of the 157th had been left at Georgetown with Major
+Place. In their stead two companies of the 56th N.Y., were sent to the
+157th. Co. G were out with the expedition.
+
+The night at Potato Ferry the rebs fired upon the picket of the 157th
+and Lieut. Miner captured two of the johnnies. The next night found the
+boys near Kingstree, after nineteen miles of marching over rough,
+swampy roads. The feet of the men were wet nearly all day, and wet feet
+meant blisters. The colored troops felt the severity of the
+marching--Co. G kept their place in column. The colored troops foraged
+nobly--Co. G were not allowed to forage. Consequently, the colored
+troops fed on poultry that night--Co. G fed on bacon.
+
+The 7th of April two companies of the 157th led the advance, scouting
+and foraging, and at the night's camp on Montgomery's Plantation three
+days' rations were served to the men. The day's march was a busy one,
+of eighteen miles. Horses and mules were confiscated and many
+cotton-gins and presses were burned. The boys reached their camp in a
+smart rain storm.
+
+April 8th the route which had thus far led in a westerly direction now
+deviated southerly. The rain had laid the dust and marching was more
+comfortable. At night they halted at Brewerton, having taken that road
+on account of the destruction of the bridge over Mill Creek. A
+detachment of the 157th supplied a provost guard for Brewerton and thus
+prevented looting. A heavy detail from the regiment was sent out on
+picket duty. The tired boys had marched eighteen miles.
+
+On the morning of the 9th tobacco was issued to such of the men as used
+it, in the form of plug, which had been confiscated. Four miles out on
+the road they found the bridge destroyed over Pocotaligo river and a
+halt was ordered until a bridge of rails was laid. Soon after noon the
+column approached Dingles Mills, and it became known that three guns
+were posted near Sumterville to oppose their advance. Those guns were
+on the opposite side of a broad swamp, completely covering the approach
+by the road.
+
+Two regiments were drawn up on the edge of the swamp and the union
+artillery was ordered up and opened on the rebels, at long range.
+
+The 157th was then ordered to dislodge the enemy. Col. Carmichael threw
+forward Co. I as skirmishers and advanced into the swamp. The distance
+the boys traveled in that swamp was fully three-fourths of a mile. In
+places the water was nearly waist-deep, and logs, bogs and broken
+timber, tangled vines and drooping limbs, made order impossible.
+
+When two-thirds through the swamp the rebels opened fire, to which Co.
+I replied with vigor. When the johnnies fired Col. Carmichael
+discovered that his guide had suddenly left him and to proceed further
+through the dark swamp without a guide was hazardous. The colonel
+ordered the firing to cease and halted his men. Directly the guide
+appeared (a Negro) stimulated no doubt by the sight of a revolver, but
+he resumed his place and the regiment proceeded.
+
+Soon after, Col. Carmichael called to his men to cease firing, the
+rebels also ceased and a voice called, "What regiment is that?"
+
+"The 157th New York Volunteers!" replied the colonel, his voice echoing
+in the dismal tangle.
+
+The rebels re-opened and began to fall back. Co. I pressed forward and
+gained open ground. The colonel with the head of his battalion was
+close behind and he halted the skirmishers behind a rail fence to await
+the arrival of the others. It was a hard place to stop in for a great
+while, as the guns in the shallow work in the hill just beyond them
+were passing grape and canister lively, and it made the air whistle.
+
+While forming his men an aide on the staff of Gen. Potter came
+floundering out of the swamp to learn how the advance was progressing.
+
+"Wait ten minutes, captain," replied Col. Carmichael, "and you can
+return by the road."
+
+As the fire of the enemy was very annoying, the colonel waited only
+long enough to collect one-half his regiment and then ordered a charge
+on the battery. With a yell the boys sprang over the fence and in a few
+minutes the place was won. The rebels fled, leaving two pieces of
+artillery and their dead and wounded.
+
+The honor of hardest fighting and greatest loss was with Co. I. But Co.
+G claimed the honor of being first inside the battery, more on account
+of their location in the line and not because of superiority over the
+other companies as fighters. Co. G claims honors and only such as are
+due them.
+
+The aide returned by the road and reported to Gen. Potter, who soon
+appeared and warmly complimented Col. Carmichael and his men for their
+gallantry. Then the colonel handed over to Gen. Potter the captured
+rebel guns and colors. At a later day the 56th N.Y., by reason of
+having two companies in the assaulting regiment, claimed the flag and
+all the honors, which was altogether cheeky, although the 56th boys
+were good soldiers.
+
+The losses in the 157th, in what is known as the Dingles Mill fight,
+were five killed and seven wounded. With the exceptions of two of the
+wounded, one from Co. A, and the other from Co. B, the loss in the
+157th fell on Co. I. The two companies of the 56th lost ten; how many
+were killed or wounded cannot be given.
+
+That night Co. G camped in Sumterville. The wounded were brought in and
+placed in a church. Charley Gray, of Co. I, 157th, and a man of the
+56th, died there.
+
+
+After the fight was over Col. Carmichael observed a man trying to
+screen himself behind a fence and one of the boys was stirring the
+fellow with the butt of his rifle. The colonel tapped the johnny on the
+head and asked him what he was doing there.
+
+"I am only a poor preacher," he replied.
+
+The colonel left him, saying to the boys the fellow was not worth
+taking.
+
+As it happened, the wife of a clergyman invited Col. Carmichael to make
+her house his headquarters. She stated that her husband was not at home
+and feared he had been taken prisoner.
+
+"I would rather he be killed than be a prisoner in your hands," she
+said.
+
+The Colonel went to Gen. Potter's headquarters and returned without
+finding the missing husband. But while eating supper the subject was
+renewed and then the incident which discovered the preacher behind the
+fence, occurred to the colonel.
+
+"Oh, yes, madam," said he, "I know him. I found him down by the woods.
+I didn't consider him worth taking."
+
+Then the fire flew from the eyes of the offended woman. The more she
+scolded, the more the colonel was amused. He learned later (the fight
+occurring on Sunday) that when the alarm was given the people were at
+church. And this preacher, after invoking assistance from the God of
+battles, went forth with other home-guards to meet the bad yankees. The
+idea was not a bad one if he felt that way, but what could he have
+found interesting behind the fence? Perhaps he had dropped the thread
+of his discourse and was searching for his "fifteenthly, my brethren."
+An entertaining sight it must have been when the godly man reached his
+home and learned that his valor had preceded him.
+
+Co. G did not believe in killing parsons especially if they were armed
+with Samson's favorite weapon. And while the subject is still warm, it
+will be well to speak of prayer as a military arm.
+
+
+All through the North the good people were praying--Lord, Thou knowest?
+All over the South equally as good people prayed--Thou knowest, oh
+Lord? At the front Gen. Howard prayed--Send us victory, oh Lord? On the
+other side of the line, "Stonewall" Jackson prayed--Strengthen our arms
+with Thy might and bless our cause, oh Lord. And all of the invocations
+closed, usually, adding parenthetically--(If it be consistent with Thy
+Holy Will.)
+
+Both Generals, Howard and Jackson, were exemplary Christian gentlemen.
+Both prayed with equal fervor, to the same God. But the Lord seemed to
+be on the rebel side at Chancellorsville and Howard escaped, with
+barely his reputation as a Christian, untarnished. Jackson was killed
+and the South mourned for him and their pastors proclaimed him a
+martyr.
+
+Up in the North, down in the South, heart-broken mothers and widowed
+wives raised their tear-swept eyes in supplication for mercy. And the
+clock in the corner, alone replied--time! time!--so the sorrows were
+left to the healer, Time. And angels looked in and pitied them all. But
+the war went on--for it was a holy war?
+
+The cause of the South rested on human slavery. The cause of the North
+was for freedom. When the war was ended it was seen that to free every
+eighth slave, one white man had given his life, and the lives of
+thousands of broken-hearted parents, wives and neglected children were
+not counted--there was little glory in it for them. But Charon's boat
+was floated on the depths of briny tears.
+
+
+Co. G have been resting at Sumterville. They have enjoyed for the first
+time an issue of confiscated cigars, as an army ration, also raw
+peanuts. When the troops entered the town they found news of their
+approach already in type at the village newspaper office, and the
+yankee printers unlocked the forms and completed the report to date,
+issuing a number of the sheets as souvenirs.
+
+While at Sumterville news came of the fall of Richmond and a salute of
+fifteen guns was fired from the captured pieces.
+
+During the night of April 10th the enemy attacked the picket-line
+vigorously, but were repulsed.
+
+On the 11th, after firing the jail and other public buildings the
+troops took the road. It was a terribly hot day and dust rolled up in
+clouds. They reached Manchester Depot early in the afternoon, the
+cavalry had burned the buildings there and had torn up the rails.
+Orders were given to camp; as no water was found they moved on a little
+further and pitched their shelters. Hardly had the boys settled
+themselves, when orders came to move three miles further, to
+Singletons. Co. G were patient. Had they not been on Folly Island?
+
+Col. Carmichael was ordered out on the 12th, to advance to Statesburg
+and thence to Claremont. Three miles out they found the enemy and a
+skirmish ensued. Capt. Gates was ordered to deploy his company as
+skirmishers. The rebels were stubborn and the colonel sent for cavalry.
+Two hours went by before supports arrived, and then with the cavalry
+and one piece of artillery, the advance began, the boys skirmishing all
+the way to Statesburg. The colonel halted his men for dinner near the
+residence of the father of Gen. Anderson, of Fort Sumter fame. In the
+afternoon the force moved to Claremont and burned the railroad depot, a
+passenger coach and several bridges. Returning through Statesburg a
+quantity of cotton was set on fire. The boys returned to Singletons
+reaching camp at 9 p.m., thoroughly tired, having marched over twenty
+miles. One man in Co. K was killed.
+
+Gen. Potter made us move on the 13th and 14th as the men were out of
+rations. A force was sent to Wrights Bluff on the Santee and obtained
+supplies.
+
+April 15th they were again on the road. As they approached the ground
+where Col. Carmichael had met the johnnies a few days previous, the
+25th Ohio were found hotly engaged. The 157th were thrown out on one
+flank and another regiment on the other flank. The rebels soon gave
+way, falling back firing, for two or three miles. Gen. Potter took
+another road and marched toward Sumterville. Rain commenced falling and
+came down heavily and the men, in spite of rubber blankets were soon
+thoroughly soaked, but they kept along, splashing through mud and water
+holes until camp was reached in a nice, soft cornfield. They had
+marched eighteen miles.
+
+The 16th they moved again and met no opposition until afternoon when
+they were again opposed. The force of rebels before them were inferior
+in numbers, but decidedly pepperish over the destruction of their
+property, and they made a stubborn resistance, and finally succeeded in
+checking the colored brigade. Then the troops halted in the woods for
+the night.
+
+Next day, the 17th, they started for Camden. At Rafting Creek the
+advance found the enemy posted behind rude works. The 25th Ohio passed
+round to the left and waded the swamp and compelled the johnnies to
+retire with some loss. Camden was reached in the evening and there a
+flag of truce was met, the authorities formally surrendering the town.
+Gen. Potter marched his men through the streets with colors flying and
+the 157th band playing "John Brown's Body."
+
+Next morning, the 18th, the 157th was rear-guard. It was another hot
+and dusty march. At eleven o'clock the johnnies were found strongly
+posted in a swamp near Boykins Mill. The troops were drawn upon the
+left of the road in order of battle. Just as soon as the boys were
+ready to eat, the rebels came up in the rear and opened fire, the
+bullets pattering against the rail fence. They were searching for Co.
+G, of course. Col. Carmichael soon had his men thrown out, but the rebs
+had left and the boys returned to finish their meal.
+
+After dinner the colored brigade attacked the rebels, but failed to
+dislodge them until the colored boys managed to cross over the creek
+and dislodged them by flanking. The colored troops lost a lieutenant
+and several men there.
+
+It was dark before the main body got over the creek, and then Col.
+Carmichael was ordered out to meet the 32d colored regiment advancing
+by another road and came up with them about three miles out. The night
+was dark and rain began to pour and after going a few miles the
+regiment camped in a half-flooded cornfield. Co. G had then become
+reconciled to cornfields.
+
+The 157th led the advance on the 19th. Soon after leaving camp the
+enemy was found but the 25th Ohio on one flank and the 157th on the
+other pressed them back. Reaching a large plantation a section of rebel
+artillery was met. The union guns were brought up but did little
+execution. The line was again advanced, the enemy continuing their fire
+as they steadily retreated for about a mile where they again posted
+themselves in a swamp which bordered a stream called Big Rafting Creek.
+The stream was too deep for fording. The 157th fell back for
+ammunition. Meanwhile the 102d colored regiment were sent to flank the
+johnnies, and succeeded in crossing. Artillery was brought to bear also
+and the enemy fell back upon their artillery posted nearby, and as the
+skirmishers appeared, opened fiercely, but they were pushed steadily
+for a while and then hastily retreated toward Statesburg. Col.
+Carmichael halted his men beyond Statesburg and with the cavalry
+charged the retreating rebels and captured twenty-five of them. At
+night the tired men camped at Singletons, the 157th having had an extra
+tramp by mistaking the road in the darkness and went to Middleton, only
+to return. They reached camp at midnight having marched twenty miles.
+
+April 20th the 25th Ohio and the 157th went to Middleton, where they
+found the object of all the marching and counter-marching. Seventeen
+locomotives and one hundred cars were discovered, including passenger
+coaches and freight cars, many of them loaded with quarter-master's and
+ordnance stores. The guards, engineers and all hands, had abandoned the
+trains. Shoes were taken for such of the men as were in need, and then
+the cars and locomotives were set on fire. There was a lively popping
+when the shells began to explode.
+
+That night Co. G slept at Medways Plantation in rear of Singletons.
+
+At noon the column had reached Fulton Post-office without serious
+trouble from the rebels. But now they were to hear good news. A flag of
+truce came from the rebels stating that a truce of forty-eight hours
+had been entered into between Gen. Sherman and Gen. Johnston and Gen.
+Beauregard had transmitted the same to his department.
+
+Cheer on cheer went up from the troops. The news seemed too good to be
+true. All foraging was prohibited; the guns were discharged and with a
+white flag at the head of the column the return march was begun, and at
+night the men halted near a large mill, having made eighteen miles. Co.
+G was through fighting and the dark cloud of war was rolling away.
+
+Gen. Potter started at once for the Santee where steamers with supplies
+were in waiting. Col. Brown, who thus far had led the colored brigade,
+was placed in command of the entire force and Col. Carmichael led the
+first brigade, Capt. Van Slyke the regiment.
+
+On the 22d the home march continued. No public or private property was
+molested and the men were forbidden to fire unless attacked. As they
+approached Wrights Bluff, twenty-one sick and partially disabled men
+were left to make their way to the steamers, as easily they might.
+
+At night the boys camped in the woods having made eighteen miles,--it
+might have been that distance was an average day's walk in Carolina. An
+order was issued that night to turn over the surplus horses and mules
+to the quartermaster. Some thirty sore-footed and bare-footed men who
+had been mounted, were by that order again to limp along for liberty's
+sake and the honor of two counties. But Co. G could well afford to do a
+little of the grinning-and-bearing of it, under the circumstances. Old
+Lenox was very near to them, and the road seemed shorter and the stars
+brighter than ever. And they slept sounder.
+
+Col. Brown led his men forward with alacrity on the 23rd toward Murrays
+Ferry. The fore-noon's marching was over a swampy region. Rations were
+nearly exhausted, foraging was prohibited and the route was continued
+to Leunds Ferry on the Santee, where boats with rations were supposed
+to be lying. During the day the men heard through rebel sources that
+President Lincoln was dead. After a rapid march of twenty-five miles
+they went into camp in thick woods.
+
+April 24th the boys reached Leunds Ferry to find the boats had returned
+to Charleston, taking the rations with them. There they were, in a
+country abounding in food and a military order prevented them from
+foraging during the truce. Col. Brown must issue such supplies as were
+in his possession, so the men were marched up to a heap of corn in the
+ear and each man helped himself to two ears. The record does not state
+whether Col. Brown took two ears, perhaps he did. Certainly almost any
+other man in the colonel's position would have found means and fed his
+faithful soldiers on other than horse feed, in such a land of plenty.
+Col. Brown was an excellent man, only, he failed in acute discernment,
+sometimes.
+
+The two ears of corn were to serve for supper and breakfast next
+morning. So when they started out on the 25th for Georgetown,
+twenty-three miles distant, the boys had swallowed their handful of
+corn and drew up their belts a notch or two, called it a square meal
+and trotted along. At one stage of the journey they marched a mile in
+fourteen minutes, and if they had drawn one, instead of two ears of
+corn, they might have done better. The real spring in their heels was
+the prospect of the home-march.
+
+At noon wagons from Georgetown met them and the straps were loosened
+again. They were all glad to hear of the safety of the place,
+particularly those who, like Col. Carmichael, had left a wife there,
+twenty days before. Toward night, as the column drew near the town Mrs.
+Carmichael, escorted by Major Place and others, rode out on horseback
+to meet them. At 6 p.m., the boys were back in their old quarters. No
+more hard marching for Co. G.
+
+Enough comment has been made upon the merits of raids, burnings and
+destruction generally. But this raid in particular was practically
+uncalled for. On the very day the locomotives and cars were destroyed,
+Beauregard issued his order announcing the truce. The surrender of
+Johnston practically ended the war. And thus thousands and tens of
+thousands worth of property were destroyed needlessly. But it was war,
+and so far justifiable. The estimate placed on property destroyed by
+that raid, including cotton, cotton-gins, presses and buildings, was at
+least one million dollars.
+
+They brought back nearly one hundred prisoners, three field pieces and
+a quantity of arms and accoutrements. Also many horses and cattle. Near
+three thousand colored people of all ages followed the little army to
+Georgetown. They were poor people who had been slaves and all their
+worldly goods were few. Some carried everything they owned balanced in
+bundles on their heads. Others had horses or mules laden, and some had
+carts in which the chickens and the little freedmen shared the
+privilege of transportation. At Georgetown the crowd were served with
+rations for a few days and then were advised to return to the interior,
+as the war was over and they would thereafter be paid for their labor.
+
+Co. G returned to duty, as of old and the time passed pleasantly. Hard
+marching made them feel a bit old and some of them believed that an
+inch or two was taken from the stature of each man, but the suspicion
+was not confirmed. A few had lost flesh and the tobacco chewers, who
+had reveled in the weed, might have gained a few pounds. Some had grown
+handsomer from roasting in the sun; certainly none had grown homelier.
+Co. G had no homely men. The only man who could have been called really
+homely, had deserted. Probably he was lonely.
+
+In June Capt. Gates was sent to Florence, and Capt. Van Hoesen to
+Kingstree with their companies to assist in the early reconstruction
+plans and preserve order between the whites and the freedmen. This is
+noted because Capt. Gates is a Co. G boy. He is not to be forgotten for
+his good work in supplying the regiment with an excellent set of band
+instruments. It would have been a long time before those horns would
+have been bought, by the same, or by any other means. Let Capt. Gates
+have full credit for all he did as he has passed away. He was a
+faithful soldier, a genial friend.
+
+Col. Brown went North on leave, in June, and Col. Carmichael was left
+in charge.
+
+June 19th Major Place was sent to Mount Pleasant near Charleston with
+five companies of the regiment. And on the 24th the remainder of the
+regiment joined the others at that camp.
+
+Those men whose terms of service did not expire prior to Oct. 1st,
+1865, were by general order transferred to the 54th N.Y. Veteran
+Volunteers.
+
+Mt. Pleasant was, before the war, a resort for Charleston people and
+was then finely kept. When Co. G arrived there the place had a terribly
+neglected appearance. There were many pests to annoy the boys, of the
+day and of the night variety, so there was little comfort anywhere.
+There were drunken negroes strolling about and drunken whites likewise,
+and quarreling and fighting. It was a bad place for Co. G and the boys
+longed to get away from the stenches and the fleas and bad society
+generally, of the degenerated spot.
+
+The muster-out rolls were completed and on the 10th of July the 157th
+N.Y. Vols. were mustered out of the United States service. On the same
+day they sailed for Hilton Head.
+
+Co. G left Hilton Head, soldiers; they returned civilians. The freedom
+of the town was offered the boys while waiting for transportation. Some
+one in the regiment got into trouble, for which the whole of them were
+to do penance. They were marched aboard a steamer and a schooner and
+anchored two miles out in the harbor. They lay there four days rocked
+on the bosom of the waters.
+
+On the 15th of July the regiment were transferred to the steamers Gen.
+Custer and Clyde and steamed for the North.
+
+Co. G were with the party on the Gen. Custer, an old, worn-out hulk
+with new paint and a newer name. Off Cape Hatteras the old trap
+threatened to go down. Her crew were afraid she would go to the bottom.
+The crew worked the pumps and the soldiers worked the pumps to keep
+afloat. The winds raved and the boys kept on pumping until they
+weathered the stormy cape. Who shall be so bold as to deny that the
+buoyant hopes of Co. G did not lighten the vessel considerably?
+
+On the 19th the boys landed at a North River dock in New York, and
+marched to the Soldier's Rest on Howard St., and were fed.
+
+July 20th, headed by their own band and escorted by policemen and small
+boys, the regiment moved through Broadway. The men made a nice
+appearance in clean uniforms, brasses and guns and the ladies smiled
+upon them, and the men waved their hats to them, and their uncles,
+Aaron, Levi and others who sold clothing cheap, sadly turned away, for
+the boys were leaving the city.
+
+A steamboat was waiting at the dock to carry the boys to Albany, where
+they arrived safely early on the morning of July 21st.
+
+It was then fix-up and prim-up, as the good people of Canastota had
+obtained permission for the train carrying the boys, to stop at their
+place.
+
+Mike Miller once more drew out the well-thumbed picture of his
+better-half, as was his usual custom mornings, kissed it and said,
+"Goodt morning, oldt lady!" Then he proceeded to darken his mustache
+with shoe-blacking.
+
+Pete Cummings assumed a fresh paper collar, which he wore peacefully,
+after Near had taken a commission with a colored regiment.
+
+Jim Johnson carefully twisted the corners of his newly-born mustache.
+
+Charley Ricker stretched himself, wondering if it would be necessary to
+acclimate his sprouting beard and the six or eight inches of growth in
+stature.
+
+Steve Harrington had changed but little, unless to grow handsomer.
+
+Doc White had lost much sleep worrying over John Miller, while Miller
+sat quietly, but anxious, for he thought the slow-moving wheels of the
+cars were geared wrong and they were running backward.
+
+Amos Avery, Dan Betsinger and Nick Ecker, jolly as ever, enjoyed the
+situation.
+
+Jim McMaster "disremembered" seeing all the houses on the way down, as
+he now, on his return, saw them from the other side.
+
+
+Canastota people had but three hours in which to prepare the feast, but
+the time was sufficient to collect a large supply of good things. The
+chickens soon understood there were unusual doings in town; stores of
+pies, cakes and doughnuts and boilers filled with hot coffee, were in
+waiting.
+
+At 2 p.m., the boys arrived. The men cheered, the women who wept when
+they went away, wept at their return. The welcome is beyond the power
+of a descriptive pen. So many hearts were glad, and, alas, many were
+sad. All united in the grand reception.
+
+The feast was on. Judge Barlow briefly addressed the regiment. Col.
+Carmichael replied in a few well-chosen words. The colonel was proud of
+his men.
+
+How the good things disappeared. Two or three ladies were busy
+attending Brock, who, with a half chicken in one hand, a piece of pie
+in the other and a friedcake in his mouth, was trying to make a deaf
+man understand just how it happened that enough rebels were left to
+make a decent surrender.
+
+Two hours were passed in Canastota. The band played and the boys
+cheered their appreciation for the greetings. Then they boarded the
+train and were taken to Syracuse and quartered at the fair grounds.
+
+Food at Syracuse was supplied returning regiments, on the contract
+plan, very much as at the City Hall barracks in New York--mussy, greasy
+and repulsive, even to soldiers. Somebody had a fat contract.
+
+On the 31st of July the Madison county boys were paid off and left for
+their homes. The Cortland boys were paid next day. Thus the colonel, a
+Cortland man, had given precedence to Madison.
+
+And so Co. G returned from the war. The recruits left in South Carolina
+felt it hard to be held for further service. Col. Carmichael endeavored
+to bring them with him, but the order retaining them was inflexible.
+But they fared very well, having light guard duty under the Freedmen's
+Bureau, and finally were discharged in April, 1866.
+
+
+Soon after disbanding at Syracuse a regimental association was formed
+which meets each year on the 19th of September, in commemoration of the
+date of muster into the service of the general government. The place of
+meeting is selected yearly with a design to favor both Cortland and
+Madison counties, alternately.
+
+The most active in organizing this Association was Col. Carmichael, who
+made it a duty to be present, himself, at the reunions as a comrade
+among comrades. And so deeply was his interest that he attended the
+reunion at Canastota in 1889, while suffering from a fatal illness, and
+against the advice of his physician, his death occurring a few weeks
+later.
+
+To Col. Carmichael is due the credit for suggesting and carrying to
+completion the idea of a monument at Gettysburg erected by the
+survivors. Although the stone is not pretentious it bears upon its
+granite sides a record that does honor to the Empire State. In
+September 1886 the regimental reunion was held at Gettysburg and the
+monument unveiled. The stone is of gray granite and stands on Howard
+Avenue, near the Mummasburgh road. A year or two later by general act
+of the state legislature all organizations representing the State of
+New York at the Gettysburg battle, were entitled to a monument at the
+expense of the state. The 157th regiment thus has two monuments there,
+neither of which marks the position of the battalion in the fatal
+wheatfield. And although several attempts have been made to secure
+permission of the Gettysburg Battlefield Association to change the
+position of one of the monuments to the proper site, thus far such
+efforts have failed. The reasons given for the refusal are several, but
+the one most potent appears to be, that "the regiment had no business
+out there." But it is hoped that the time will surely come when a more
+gratifying reply will be given to this request appreciative of that
+promptness and obedience to orders which brought so great disaster with
+so little commendation.
+
+In 1893 the State of New York erected a noble shaft in the National
+Cemetery at Gettysburg. To facilitate attendance at the unveiling the
+State supplied transportation to all survivors who wished to attend. To
+each participant was voted a bronze medal commemorative of the event.
+Co. G was represented by a number of the boys. On this occasion the
+graves of Capts. Backus and Frank were found located in Evergreen
+Cemetery, adjoining the National Cemetery, and duly marked with
+head-stones. Their burial there was caused by Free Masons of Gettysburg
+before the National Cemetery was established. At a meeting of the
+regimental organization measures were taken to secure the removal of
+the remains of those officers to the National Cemetery. Daniel Lamont,
+then Secretary of War, very considerately ordered the transfer to be
+made and the two worthy captains can now be located as resting among
+the men whose fate was identical with their own. And then in that
+beautiful ground which is kept and guarded by the entire nation, the
+frightful cost of the weight which turned the scales in favor of an
+undivided people can be cast. It is a sacred spot kept in perfect order
+and made attractive by the highest art. But amidst the thousands buried
+there but one stone marks the grave of a man of Co. G and he, the
+captain. But we know the boys are not forgotten although resting among
+the "Unknown," for far above from the high shaft on which she stands,
+is the Goddess of Liberty holding over those unknown forms an immortal
+wreath.
+
+
+
+
+      *      *      *      *      *      *
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's note:
+
+Minor typographical errors have been corrected without note.
+
+Irregularities and inconsistencies in the text have been retained as
+printed.
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43562 ***