WE LEAVE THE BATTLE-FIELD.
We remained camped on the battle-ground until the 7th of January, when we moved about three miles beyond Murfreesboro, on the McMinnville road, and camped in a piece of woods near the road. The same night the wagons came out from Nashville, bringing our tents and baggage. We remained here through the next day. On Friday, January 9th, we struck tents, and went one mile nearer town.
We camped about a quarter of a mile off the road, and near a house. The ground was not very well adapted for such a purpose, being quite low.
During our stay here we experienced much heavy weather; it rained or snowed a great portion of the time. But we now received a supply of new clothing, and other necessary articles.
After remaining here for ten days, on the morning of Sunday, January 18th, we once more made a move.
The morning was quite cold, and considerable snow lay on the ground—a heavy snow storm having prevailed during the night.
A march of six miles brought us to Cripple creek. We pitched our tents on a hill overlooking the surrounding country, and near the creek. The place was very rocky, and covered with young cedars. The trees, rocks and stumps, were so thick that it was almost impossible for a wagon to get through. But the men went to work, and soon had the ground sufficiently cleared to pitch the tents. This camp was on the McMinnville road, and eight miles from Murfreesboro. We had passed the place several times previously.
The day succeeding our arrival all hands went to work clearing up the ground, felling trees, and building breast-works and fortifications. This occupied several days. The weather was cold, with frequent rains, which rendered our condition rather unpleasant.
Nothing out of the usual way occurred until January 24th, when the entire brigade made a reconnoissance towards Woodbury. On reaching Readyville were joined by General Hazen’s brigade, and then proceeded as far as Woodbury, where a skirmish ensued with a small Rebel force. Our troops repulsed and drove them from the town. Our brigade returned to camp the same night.
Sunday, January 22d. This being the anniversary of Washington’s birth-day, at sun-down we fired a salute.
The next day Captain Standart started for home, having obtained a short furlough.
March 2d. A skirmish reported beyond Readyville.
March 3d. The entire division of General Reynolds passed our camp, going towards Woodbury.
March 5th. An election took place for five persons whose names should be placed on the Roll of Honor, according to published order of General Rosencrans. The following men were elected, viz: John Boon, Joseph Axford, Thomas C. Potter, John Snyder, and C. B. Valentine.
March 6th. Were paid this day for four months’ services, being up to January 1st. The first payment we had received in six months. This put the men in good spirits again; but they had one difficulty, and that was, they had no means of getting rid of their money, as the market in this vicinity was not over-well stocked with what a soldier wants.
The next day a portion of General Reynold’s force—which went towards Woodbury a few days previous—returned to Murfreesboro. Cannonading was heard this day—supposed to be in the direction of Franklin.
The morning following, the order was passed to prepare to march. But, after getting ready, we stood all day waiting for the word to proceed. Just at dark were told to unharness horses, as we were not to move for the present.
Tuesday, March 10th. All quiet on Cripple creek. Tents were again pitched. Considerable rain fell during the day.
Thursday, March 12th. Lieutenant Baldwin went to Nashville this day, to procure horses.
Saturday, March 14th. Buchanan Reed, the artist and poet, of Cincinnati, addressed our brigade this day. Lieutenant Kelley left for home, having resigned, and his resignation being accepted. Captain Standart returned to his command.
Sunday, March 15th.—Eighth week in our present camp. Brigade review to-day.
Sunday, March 22d. Ninth week in camp.—Weather delightful. Peach trees in bloom. Trees leaving out.
Wednesday, March 25th. Received news to-day that George D. Eldridge—a member of our company—was dead. He died in hospital, at Nashville.
Sunday, March 29th. Tenth week in camp. Last night, at 10 o’clock, we had an alarm. It was caused by our pickets, who fired on a small party of Rebel cavalry—the cavalrymen having made a dash on them, so the pickets reported. No one hurt.
Wednesday, April 1st. At 12 o’clock last night were routed out, with orders to prepare three days’ rations, in haversacks, for a reconnoissance. Two hours later preparations were completed, when a start was made. All of our guns were taken, with two train wagons. The forge and Battery wagons, and all camp equipage, were left in camp. The brigade divided and took different roads. The object of this movement was to surprise and capture a force of Rebel cavalry, who were camped between Woodbury and McMinnville. A part of the third brigade came out to our camp, on guard duty, during the absence of our brigade. The expedition returned at night, having dispersed the enemy, killing and wounding a number. They also captured their entire camp equipage, several wagons, a lot of horses and mules, and about twenty prisoners.
The next morning the third brigade of our division passed camp. Part of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania cavalry were with them. They had no camp equipage, and carried five days’ rations. Were on a reconnoissance, and going towards Woodbury and McMinnville.
Saturday, April 4th. Part of our brigade went to Readyville, as guard to General Hazen’s camp.
Sunday, April 5th. Eleventh week in camp.
Tuesday, April 7th, were paid to-day up to 1st of March.
Saturday, April 11th. At roll-call we had orders to draw three days’ rations, and be in readiness to move at daylight next morning.
Sunday, April 12th. All were ready to move, but no further order was given in regard to doing so. In the afternoon the First and Second Kentucky infantry were each presented with a beautiful flag. The weather continued fine. This was our twelfth week in present camp.
Monday, April 20th. General Reynold’s division passed our camp on another reconnoissance towards Woodbury and McMinnville.
Tuesday, April 21st. The men were this day—as well as several days previous—engaged in clearing up camp—hauling gravel and evergreens. The ground had been leveled off, and covered with gravel, and arbors and summer-houses built of evergreens, stables made for the horses, and our camp otherwise beautified. It now presented a cheerful appearance. From indications it appeared that we were to remain here for some time to come. We were favored with fine weather—but little rain having fallen during the last month. Everything in nature looked beautiful.
Saturday, April 25th. A teamster belonging to the brigade, while intoxicated, fell off his mule just in front of our camp. The wagon passed over him, injuring him so severely that he died the same night. Could not learn his name, nor to what regiment he belonged.
Sunday, April 26th. Fourteen weeks this day since our arrival here. Lieutenant Baldwin started for home, on a short furlough. Lieutenant Sypher was sent to Cleveland, on recruiting service, on the 22d inst. The teamster who was killed the day previous was buried this day.
Tuesday, April 28th. Had orders to hold ourselves ready to move at any moment. Considerable Rebel cavalry were daily seen hovering around our lines. Nothing very serious apprehended.
Thursday, April 30th. Regular two month’s muster for pay. Our tents were also turned over to the Quarter-Master. We were to have what are termed “shelter” tents, in place of our old ones. The men call them “dog” tents, and they are rightly named. Although this was the day set apart, by President Lincoln, as a day of fasting and prayer, everything went on as usual in camp. The men said that they had done enough fasting.
Friday, May 1st. All the sick were this day sent to the hospital.
Sunday, May 3rd. Fifteen weeks this day at Cripple Creek. We were joined by two companies of the First Tennessee Cavalry. They went into camp on the flats across the creek. Regular brigade review.
Monday, May 4th. The One Hundred and Twentieth Illinois Infantry passed our camp, going towards Murfreesboro. The regiment had been for some time in the Second brigade of General Palmer’s division, but had been reduced by sickness and desertion, so that it did not then contain over one hundred and fifty effective men. The weather continued quite warm.
Tuesday, May 5th. The Twenty-Third Kentucky Infantry passed our camp, on their way to take the place of the One Hundred and Tenth Illinois. Weather cloudy, with some rain.
Friday, May 8th. Lieutenant Baldwin returned from home, bringing numerous packages for the men, sent by their friends.
On Sunday, May 11th, J. P. Beers died, at noon. His disease was Typhoid fever. He hailed from Collamer, a few miles East of Cleveland, Ohio. At 3 o’clock a grand review of the entire brigade took place, after which the troops were formed in a hollow square, when Captain Standart was called out and presented, by General Cruft, on behalf of the officers of the brigade, with a beautiful flag for our Battery. But great was the Captain’s surprise, when the General presented him with a splendid sword, as a mark of the respect and high estimation in which the officers of the brigade held him. General Cruft then made a neat little speech, which was happily responded to by Captain Standart.
Colonel Barnett being present, also offered a few remarks, in which he alluded, in a happy manner, to the good discipline and soldierly bearing of the men, and congratulated us for the fair name and reputation which we had gained.
Colonel Enyart, of the First Kentucky Infantry, was also presented with an elegantly wrought sword, by the officers and soldiers of his command.
Immediately after the above ceremony, loud, long, and hearty cheers were given for General Cruft, Colonel Barnett, Captain Standart, Colonel Enyart, and the officers of the First Brigade. And now all quietly marched back to their respective quarters.
Sunday, May 10th, 1863, will long live in the remembrance of those who composed Standart’s Battery.
The flag which we received was made of the most costly material. On its folds, in letters of silver, was inscribed: Presented by the Officers of First Brigade, Second Division, Twenty-First Army Corps, to Standart’s Ohio Battery. Underneath this were the Words: Wild Cat, Mill Springs, Chaplin Hills, Stone River. The Captain’s sword is heavily mounted with gold, and is a beautiful piece of workmanship. It cost two hundred dollars.
From the above it will be seen that the services which our Battery has rendered in the Union cause are duly appreciated by those who know our history best.
The morning succeeding the above eventful day, the body of J. P. Beers was sent home. The detachment to which he belonged escorted his remains outside the lines.
The day following, the Third brigade of our division arrived, and camped near us.
Friday, May 15. A little excitement in camp, caused by a horse-race for one hundred dollars a side. Our whilom mule-driver says that his steed can run the “har” clean off them dandified looking “critters.” But says he don’t “keer” about betting, as cabbages ain’t very plenty just now.
Sunday, May 17th. On this morning, as General Palmer and Staff were out, with some of the First Tennessee cavalry, on a reconnoissance, when about five miles from camp they were suddenly confronted by a large body of Rebel cavalry, who at once opened fire on them. General Palmer gave the command for his cavalry to charge, and which order the brave Tennesseeans were not slow in obeying. With drawn sabres they rushed on the Rebels, which caused them to give way, when they broke and fled in confusion. The result was the capture of about twenty prisoners, the same number of horses, and a few muskets. Two captains were among the prisoners. One or two of the enemy were killed, and several wounded. Two or three slightly wounded on our side. The prisoners were soon after brought into camp. Brigade inspection in the afternoon. Seventeen weeks in camp at Cripple creek.
After the above incident nothing aside from the usual daily routine and an occasional reconnoissance, transpired until Tuesday, June 23d. On this day we received word that Andy Ives, a member of our company, was dead. He had been sick for some time, and had been taken to Nashville by his father. This made twenty-two of our members who had died or been killed since we first entered the service. This afternoon the entire army in camp at Cripple Creek was called out to witness the execution of a private, in the First Kentucky infantry, for desertion.
At half-past 2 o’clock, P. M., the division marched in regiments to the parade ground, and were drawn up in the usual manner on such occasions. At a quarter to 3 o’clock the prisoner made his appearance, following his coffin, and surrounded by a strong guard. On either side of him was a chaplain, or spiritual adviser. The drums beat a mournful march, and, after passing around the various regiments, with head uncovered, the doomed man was placed behind his coffin. He was then allowed to make a short address, but little of which could be heard. After he had concluded, a prayer, in his behalf, was offered by each of the chaplains. The prisoner then shook hands with them, and with some of the officers. His eyes were then bandaged—his bosom bared for the fatal shot. The soldiers detailed for this painful duty took their positions. With a suspense which was painful to witness, all awaited the final word for the execution.
Precisely at 3 o’clock the signal was given, and immediately the report of twelve guns echoed through the valley. * * * All was over.
On examination it was found that four balls had pierced his heart, and one had entered his temple. His death was easy and instantaneous.
Thus ended a sad and painful scene, the like of which we hope never again to behold. The man’s name was Shockman, and he hailed from Cincinnati. He was about twenty-eight years of age, and unmarried.
On returning to our quarters, an order was received to issue twelve days’ rations, and be ready to move at a moment’s notice. As we had before received such orders, and nothing came of them, the men were now inclined to believe—as we had been so long at this camp—that we would here remain until disbanded. But at dark it became quite evident that a move would be made on the following morning. Some were pleased at this, but others were loth to leave a place which had become almost like a home to them. We had now been here a little over five months—by far the greatest length of time we had remained in any one camp. But all things must have a termination, and so did our stay here.
In the different dates above, have been given the items of interest which occurred during our stay at Cripple Creek. But little else, aside from the usual routine of camp life, had taken place.