Color Bearer.—Bennett Russell color bearer of the regiment, who carried the colors in many hard fought battles, though not a commissioned officer deserves honorable mention. Although illiterate, unassuming in manners, plain and not preposessing in appearance.
He was noble, generous and brave,
And imperiled his life his country to save.
Amusing Scenes.—The wit or humorist was there to contribute his enlivening influence to vary the sometimes sombre or gloomy conditions existing in the camp. Sometimes ludicrous incidents would occur to excite laughter and amusement even when danger was threateningly near. Imagine soldiers running for life to keep from being captured and thinking themselves out of danger, swearing that they would not move another inch if the entire Yankee army pounced down upon them, and a few shells burst throwing dirt upon them and hissing singing minnie balls like swarms of bees humming uncomfortably near them, then think how soon they forget their decided resolution to discontinue running, start again and fairly burn the wind until again out of harms way. To one looking on, it is amusing to see the movements and afterwards to hear their quaint sayings. To the participants it is anything else but funny, but after it is all over they laugh about it and joke and jeer each other unmercifully.
In the campaign in the valley the Rebels ran the Yankees many a time, and occasionally their speed was very much accelerated by their being in front and the Yankees keeping up close in the rear, and treating them to volleys of shot and shell.
On the Campaign.—The regiment was conspicuous in the battles of Williamsburg, Seven Pines, through the battles below Richmond to Malvern Hill. After coming out of this strenuous campaign the regiment very much worsted by exposure, disease and loss of killed, wounded and missing in battle went into camp near Richmond and rested awhile. Many of its gallant officers and men had fallen to rise no more, and others were sick or wounded in the hospitals or at home on furlough. Recruits came to take the places of the absent ones, and very soon the regiment with the command started on the famous march to Maryland. The regiment passed through the battlefield of the second Manassas fight and a gruesome, sickening sight presented itself.
Distressing Scenes.—Dead bodies of Yankee soldiers were strewn thickly over the field, that in the hasty retreat of the Yankee army and pursuit of the Southern forces, were left unburied on the field. The boys endured exposures and hardships galore and many of them had to succumb. It was necessary to enforce rigid discipline which under the circumstances was a difficult matter. Many hardships had to be endured that were apparently unfair and uncalled for but the demands of war are imperative and must be submitted to. Soldiers in the ranks and officers in command were compelled to witness distressing scenes, and were powerless to render assistance to the suffering and dying. On the march soldiers exhausted fell out of ranks sometimes when there were no facilities to provide for them, were obliged to take their chances and often lost their lives for want of attention. On the battlefield the surging masses intent on the destruction of each other had no time to give to personal friends however near and dear they might be. Distressing scenes were witnessed and assistance given when possible to do so. Sometimes near friends or even brothers were shot down in battle and the demands so urgent to move forward that the poor dying comrade had to die without being permitted to listen to the voice of a friend to comfort him while passing to the unknown land. On two occasions the Fourteenth was called out to witness the execution of some poor soldiers belonging to the army pay the penalty of desertion. It is heartrending to see a comrade shot down in the heat of battle, but it is a more distressing scene to see a soldier shot at the stake.
Battles Engaged In.—At Sharpsburg the regiment was aligned in an old road near the village and fought the Yankees advancing in three lines of battle. The regiment was cut to pieces and many were killed, wounded or missing. The regiment also figured conspicuously in the battles of Gettysburg, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Wilderness, Hatchers Run, Winchester, Mine Run, Cedar Creek and many other battles and skirmishes down to the surrender at Apomattox.
Victory and Defeat.—At Cedar Creek the Fourteenth in one day experienced the exultation of victory and the humiliation of defeat. The following lines give a partial description of the exciting transactions of the day:
Just after dark an order came