Journal History of the Twenty-Ninth Ohio Veteran Volunteers, 1861-1865 / Its Victories and its Reverses. And the campaigns and battles of Winchester, Port Republic, Cedar Mountain, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Lookout Mountain, Atlanta, the March to the Sea, and the campaign of the Carolinas, in which it bore an honorable part

by J. Hamp SeCheverell

The Carolina Campaign—Washington—Grand Review—The New Flag—Westward, and Home again.

On the 27th day of January, after the order to march was issued, the Twenty-ninth broke camp and marched at 8 A. M., in rear of the Sixty-sixth Ohio regiment; halted at 2 P. M. and encamped for the night (marched twelve miles). 28th instant, marched at 7 A. M. in rear of the Sixty-sixth Ohio regiment and brigade train; at 7 P. M. camped for the night (marched ten miles). 29th instant, marched at 6:30 A. M., Twenty-ninth in rear of Sixty-sixth Ohio, and passed through Springfield; halted at 2 P. M. and camped for the night. 30th instant, in camp; three companies of the Twenty-ninth regiment went on picket. 31st instant, in camp.

February 1st. The Twenty-ninth regiment inspected by General Ario Pardee at 9 A. M. 2d instant, the ordinary camp and picket duty was the order of the day. The 3d instant, ordered to march at 6 P. M.; the order was countermanded, and we went into camp for the night. 4th, marched at 6 A. M., the Twenty-ninth in advance of the brigade; crossed the Savannah river at Sisters’ Ferry at 10 A. M., marched five miles and camped for the night; Twenty-ninth detailed for picket. 5th, relieved at 2 P. M., marched in rear of brigade, and at 9:30 P. M., went into camp for the night (marched six miles). 6th, marched at 7 A. M., halted at 11:30 for dinner, fell in at 12 M., halted at 5 P. M. and camped for the night (marched fifteen miles). 7th, marched at 7 A. M.; at 6:30 P. M. went into camp for the night. 8th instant, marched at 6 A. M., halted at 11:30 for dinner; in seven minutes fell in and marched five miles, halted at 3:15 and camped for the night near Buford Bridge. 9th, marched at 6 A. M., Twenty-ninth in advance of brigade and with ordnance train; marched eighteen miles, and at 5 P. M. camped for the night near Blackville, South Carolina. 10th, marched at 7 A. M., halted near Blackville, and at 2 P. M. crossed the Edisto river, and at 10 P. M. camped for the night (marched eight miles). 11th instant in camp. 12th marched at 6 A. M., arrived at the North Edisto river this afternoon (a distance of ten miles), engaged in a skirmish in which the Fifth Ohio had one man killed and three wounded. Company G of the Twenty-ninth had one man killed, Jack Rape. Went into camp for the night. 13th, marched at 6 A. M., crossed the North Edisto and skirmished with the enemy. Halted and remained until 9 P. M., when the regiment fell in, marched four and one-half miles and halted for the night. The Twenty-ninth went on picket. Tuesday, 14th, marched at 8 A. M. some six miles and halted. Our regiment went on picket as usual. 15th instant, marched at 7 A. M. in rear of brigade, skirmishing; marched ten miles; went into camp at Lexington at 3 P. M.; at 5 o’clock moved to the left of the Sixty-sixth Ohio. Thursday, 16th, marched at 8 A. M. one mile to the rear and went on picket; at 9:30 fell in and marched six miles as rear guard to the Twentieth army corps; halted and went into camp at 4 P. M. 17th, marched at 9 A. M. 18th, marched at 6:30 A. M., crossed the Seluda river at 1:30 P. M., halted for dinner; at 2:15 fell in and marched four miles; halted at 5 P. M. and camped for the night. Sunday in camp until 3:30 P. M. when “fall in” was sounded by the bugler. The Twenty-ninth fell in and took the advance of brigade, marched four miles, and at 11:30 P. M. halted for the night near Bush river. The Twenty-ninth was again fortunate and went on picket. 20th, marched at 1 P. M. in rear of brigade and at 7 P. M. went into camp for the night (marched six miles, crossing Broad river near Frost’s Mill). 21st instant, marched at 6 A. M. and entered Winnsboro at 11:30 A. M. Five companies of the Twenty-ninth detailed for picket. The other companies camped for the night. 22d, left Winnsboro at 3:45 P. M., marched six miles and camped for the night. 23d, marched at 6:30 A. M., six miles, halted at 10:20 A. M. an hour for dinner; at 11:30 fell in and marched forward, crossed the Catawba river and went into camp at midnight. Friday, 24, marched at 9:30 (we were the division train guard), halted at 1 P. M. for dinner; at 2 P. M. fell in and marched five miles; at 4:30 halted and camped for the night; rainy. Saturday, 25th, rainy; remained in camp. Sunday, 26th, marched at 7 A. M., with Twenty-ninth Ohio in advance of brigade; halted at 3 P. M. and camped for the night (marched ten miles). 27th, marched one and one-half miles, crossed Hanging Rock creek and went into camp. 28th, marched at 6:30 A. M., Twenty-ninth in rear of brigade (marched eight miles), and went into camp at 1 P. M. Mustered for pay for January and February.

Wednesday, March 1st, marched at 1 P. M., and at 9 P. M. halted and went into camp for the night near Big Clinch creek (marched twelve miles). 2d, marched at 8 A. M.; at 12 M. halting for dinner. In the afternoon moved one-eighth of a mile and camped for the night. 3d, marched at 6:30 A. M.; moved with wagon train; reached Chesterfield at 11:30 P. M. and went into camp for the night (marched thirteen miles). March 4th, moved at 7 A. M., Twenty-ninth in advance of brigade; halted at 4 P. M. and camped for the night (marched nine miles). 5th, remain in camp all day; detailed Charles Galpin, company C, and J. Bennett Powers, company E, as escort at Twentieth corps headquarters. 6th, marched at 8:30 A. M.; Twenty-ninth in rear of brigade; reached Cheraw at 1:15 P. M.; halted for dinner, and at 4 fell in and crossed the river, marched four miles and camped for the night (marched sixteen miles). 7th, marched at 7 A. M.; halted at 2:30 P. M.; went into camp for the night; marched on the Fayetteville road (fourteen miles). 8th, marched at 11:30 A. M.; halted at 1:30 for dinner; at 4:30 fell in, and at 10:15 P. M. halted and camped for the night (marched eight miles). 9th, marched at 6:30 A. M., and at 2 P. M., halted for dinner; at 3 fell in, and at 6 halted and went into camp for the night (marched thirteen miles). 10th, marched at 3:30 P. M.; Twenty-ninth in advance of brigade; marched four miles and camped for the night. 11th, marched at 6:30 A. M.; Twenty-ninth in rear of brigade; halted at 7:30 P. M. for supper, and at 10:30 fell in and marched until 2:20 A. M.; went into camp for the night (marched thirteen miles). 12th, marched at 8 A. M.; reached Fayetteville at 4 P. M., and camped for the night (marched thirteen miles). 13th, marched at 2:30 P. M.; passed through Fayetteville and camped for the night. 14th, marched at 4:30 A. M.; crossed Cape Fear river; marched two miles; halted for breakfast, and remained in camp for the day. 15th, marched at 12 M., eight miles, and at 11 P. M. camped for the night. 16th, marched at 9 A. M., Twenty-ninth in advance of brigade, and at 7 P. M. halted; Twenty-ninth were fortunate enough to remain a detail for picket (marched seven miles). 17th, on picket. 18th, marched at 7 A. M., Twenty-ninth in rear of brigade; halted at 7 P. M., and went into camp for the night (marched eight miles). 19th, marched at 11 A. M., with division train (marched eleven miles); halted at 6:30, and camped at 9:30 P. M.; packed up and marched with train on Goldsboro road; joined First and Third divisions of the Twentieth army corps; marched all night, and in the morning arrived at the battlefield of Bentonville. 20th, in camp all day with constant artillery firing during the day. 21st, in camp and the artillery is steadily firing. 22d, marched at 8 A. M., Twenty-ninth Ohio in advance of brigade; halted at 12 M. for dinner; at 1 P. M. fell in and marched on the Goldsboro road; halted at 12 M. at night, and went into camp (marched fifteen miles). 23d, marched at 6 A. M., Twenty-ninth Ohio in rear of division train; halted at 11:30 for dinner; at 12:30 P. M. fell in, crossed the Neuse river (marched twelve miles), and went into camp for the night. Corporal Exceen, company A, was wounded by a rebel while on picket. 24th, marched at 7 A. M. and entered Goldsboro, North Carolina, at 12 M.; passed through town and went into camp; at 4:30 P. M. orders were received detailing the Twenty-ninth Ohio to guard a wagon train for the Second division; reached the point of destination at 7 P. M., near the Wilmington railroad, and camped for the night (marched eight miles). 25th, marched at 8 A. M., and arrived at Goldsboro at 12 M. (noon); passed through town about two miles and went into camp.

From March 25th to April 9th we were doing the usual duty in and around camp and on picket. On the 10th inst. marched at 6 A. M., moved up the river and went in camp for the night at 11 o’clock. 11th, marched at 6 A. M., reached Smithfield at 3 P. M., camped for the night. 12th, received the news of the surrender of General R. E. Lee and his army at 8 A. M. and marched at 9 A. M.; halted at 6:30 P. M. and camped for the night (marched seventeen miles). 13th, marched at 5:30 A. M., Twenty-ninth Ohio in advance; passed through Raleigh, North Carolina, and at 2:30 P. M. halted and went into camp (marched fifteen miles). Remained in camp until the 25th. On the 20th reviewed by General John W. Geary, and on the 22d the Twentieth army corps was reviewed by General W. T. Sherman. Sunday, 23d, inspection. 25th, marched at 9 A. M., Twenty-ninth Ohio in rear of brigade; halted for dinner, and at 3 P. M. fell in and marched fifteen miles; halted at 8 P. M. and camped for the night. 26th and 27th, in camp. 28th, returned to our old camp near Raleigh, North Carolina. 29th, in camp. 30th, marched at 7 A. M.; passed through Raleigh, and at 6 P. M. halted and camped for the night (marched fifteen miles).

May 1st, marched at 5 A. M.; at 12 M. halted for dinner; at 1 P. M. fell in, crossed Tar river, and at 6 P. M. camped for the night (marched twenty-three miles). 2d, marched at 5 A. M.; halted at 11:45 for dinner; at 1 P. M. fell in, marched twenty miles, and at 5 P. M. camped for the night (Twenty-ninth Ohio in advance of brigade). 3d, marched at 4:30 A. M.; marched to the State line of Virginia, a distance of eleven miles, and camped for the night. 4th, marched at 6 A. M.; crossed the Roanoke river; at 2 P. M. halted for dinner; at 5 fell in and moved forward; halted at 6:30, and camped for the night (marched twenty miles). 5th, marched at 5:30 A. M.; at 2:15 P. M. halted for dinner; marched at 4; halted at 6:30 and camped for the night (marched twenty miles). 6th, marched at 5 A. M.; halted at 10:45 for dinner; fell in at 1 P. M.; passed Black and White station on the south side railroad, and at 6:30 P. M. camped for the night (marched eleven miles). 7th, marched at 6 A. M.; at 11:45 halted for dinner; fell in at 1:30 P. M., and crossed the Appomattox river; at 6:15 camped for the night, Twenty-ninth Ohio in advance of brigade (marched twenty miles). 8th, marched at 6 A. M.; passed Clover Hill coal mines; halted at 12 M. for dinner; at 1 P. M. fell in and marched to Falling creek, and at 7 P. M. camped for the night, Twenty-ninth Ohio in rear of brigade (marched twenty miles). 9th, moved our camp two miles. 10th, in camp all day. 11th, marched at 10 A. M.; passed through Manchester and Richmond in the afternoon, and at 5:30 camped near Brook’s creek for the night (marched twelve miles). 12th, marched, at 6 A. M., on Brooks pike; halted at 10 A. M. for dinner; at 12 M. fell in and marched to Ashland, and at 6:30 camped for the night (marched 12 miles). 13th, marched at 5:30 A. M.; crossed the South Anna; halted at 11:30 for dinner; at 1 P. M. fell in, crossed the Little river, and at 3:30 went into camp (marched sixteen miles). Sunday, 14th, marched at 5 A. M., Twenty-ninth Ohio in advance of brigade; crossed the North Anna river, and at 12 M. halted for dinner; fell in at 2 P. M.; marched on the Spottsylvania Court House road; halted at 5:30 and camped (marched eighteen miles). 15th, marched at 5 A. M., Twenty-ninth Ohio in rear of brigade and division train; halted at 11:45 for dinner; fell in; passed through Chancellorsville, crossed the Rappahannock and at 10 P. M. camped for the night (marched twenty miles). 16th, marched at 4:30 A. M.; halted at 12 M. for dinner; at 1:30 P. M. fell in and marched on the road that leads to Warrenton junction via Hartwood church, and camped for the night (marched eighteen miles). 17th, marched at 5 A. M., reached Brentsville at 2 P. M., a distance of twelve miles, and camped for the night. 18th, marched at 6 A. M.; halted at 12 M. for dinner; fell in at 2:30 P. M., marched until 9 P. M., and camped for the night; William Lutz, company H, injured by the falling of a tree (marched fifteen miles). 19th, marched at 6 A. M.; halted at 12 M. for dinner; at 1:30 fell in, moved forward; at 6:30 P. M. reached Clouds Mills, Twenty-Ninth Ohio in advance of brigade (marched fifteen miles). 20th, 21st, 22d, 23d, and 24th, in camp.

25th, moved forward to Washington, District of Columbia, where it attended the grand review, the grandest spectacle the world has ever seen, and thence to Bladensburg, where it received the new colors, which the following matter, furnished by comrade G. W. Holloway, will sufficiently explain.

The new flag for the Twenty-ninth regiment, contributed by the citizens of Summit and Ashtabula counties, was accompanied by the following letter from Colonels Buckley and Fitch. The receipt of the new flag is gracefully acknowledged by the letter of Mr. G. W. Holloway, appended thereto, which letter was accompanied by the old flag, which had been borne by this gallant regiment in so many bloody battles.

Akron, May, 1865.

Col. Jonas Schoonover. Dear Sir:—We have the honor and pleasure of forwarding to the gallant old Twenty-ninth another national flag, the gift of its old friends in Ashtabula and Summit counties. This is the third national flag given the regiment from the same source. It is certainly a strong proof that its friends still believe it to be one of the bravest of the brave of the many noble regiments Ohio has given to fight this great battle. If the regiment had no other proof than its old and tattered flags, that alone would show that it had been in the thickest of the fight, ever ready to breast the fury of the battle storm; but its history tells us that it has borne an honorable part in nearly a score of the hardest fought battles of the war. Citizen soldiers, take this flag and bear it aloft wherever duty calls, and your friends will take your past record as a guarantee that it will never be dishonored by the Twenty-ninth Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry. Colonel, please remember us to the dear old Twenty-ninth, and accept for yourself our best wishes.