Carroll County, Indiana - Chapter 9: The Seventy-Second at Murfreesboro, 1882

Reminiscences of Company A - Tiikir Experiences in the Field AND IN Camp Life - Cooking as a Duty - The " Bucking and Gagging " Process as a Militaky Punishment - Discipline -Incident.?, Etc.

^T^HE experiences of Company A at Murfreesboro, Tenn., diir- -'- ing the winter of 1803, were the most trying and precarious of any it had to contend with during the whole term of its enlistment. On the 8th day of January, 1863, we arrived at that point and went i nto camp about one mile from the city, in a low, basin-like piece of woodland, where the water woidd stand sometimes in great pools, to which we were exposed during an exceedingly wet and otherwise disagreeable winter succeeding that date.

Our quarters were laid out systematically, and the duties of camp life were entered upon at once. At first, we were provided with the Sibley tent, a large, cone-shaped institution, capable of accommodating fifteen or eighteen men. It was soon discovered, however, to be illy adapted to the wants of the army while in active service on the field, on account of its bulky proportions and inconveniences, requiring so many men to be huddled together that sickness was frequently induced thereby - discord and unpleasantness oftentimes the result As a consequence, it was soon laid aside and a more convenient one substituted, called the " Day tent" It was small, easy to handle, and capable of accommodating from two to four persons, and it proved of great utility diu-ing the war. The ground upon which our tents were pitched was so low and flat that, when it rained in any considerable quantity, the water stood in great puddles all around us, and compelled us to throw levees and dig ditches to carry the water oflf. Many times we were obliged to scoop the mud and water from within our tents to make a suitable place to put down our bunks. At such times, it was necessary first to lay down a rubber poucher, or blanket, upon which was placed a woolen blanket or two, and upon these, in a circle around the tent, our bodies would repose for the night. In the center of the tent stood a cone-shaped sheet iron stove, to afford enough heat to keep us warm in the winter. Many of our men contracted diseases from this kind of treatment that clung to them through that eventful three years of service, while others will carry with them to their graves the ill effects of this kind of camp life.

The duties of our position were necessarily monotonous and irksome to an extent thai; would have tried, sometimes, the patience of a better man than Job, who was noted for his equanim ity. At 6 o'clock in the morning, roll-call was in order. How many men of Company A can to-day hear Sergt Richard Pilling call out: "Company A, fall out for roll-call!" How well he did his work, and how patiently he bore the irregularities of camp life! With all Dick's faults, he was one among a thousand. Then came "sick-call;" the details made from each company for camp, patrol and picket duties; company and regimental drill; drawing rations, distributing rations, cooking rations, and so on throughout the day, and this repeated day after day for months. It was trying to our patience and worrying to the nei-vous sj"stem, causing us often to bemoan i>m' situation and to lament that we had volunteered in the service of our country. All this, however, was only introductory to our subsequent eventful, active and efficient term of soldiering - necessary for oiu- discipline, and for sifting out the bad material and sui-plus trash which would have been burdensome to eai-ry and an expense to the Government We are prone, often, to groan and complain when our best interests are being subserved; when the task is but a necessai-y means of developing our efficiency and usefulness, which proved to be the case in this instance, as our subsequent experience demonstrated.

Perhaps the task of cooking rations was more trying and required more persistent effort to become inured or accustomed to than any other one duty, and it was often amusing to witness the performances. Man, as a general rule, is not in his element, or, rather, is not adapted to the performance of active duty in the culinary department, and, on his first introduction, makes some

There was another duty of camp life that was very irksome and unpleasant. This was police duty - cleaning and righting up camp and company quarters. Perhaps the dislike grew out of the fact that our li fe as soldiers was of such a nature that it rendered us dilatory and inactive, the natiu-al tendency of which was to let matters drift along listlessly and in disorder. Whatever may have tended to this result, the duties enjoined upon the soldier in this line were repulsive, and shunned whenever an opiiortunity offered. One thing that was calculated to make it unpleasant was the kind of tools provided to do it with. Our broom consisted of a large brush, or a number of small brushes bound together in a bundle. This was dragged through the quarters a number of times, or used on the same principle as a broom, until the rubbish was either pressed into the ground or carried to one side or the other, just as the case might be. It answered the purpose, however, in the absence of anything better. Discipline was the objec t which our commanding oiScer would attain to at this particular time, and any duty that could be enjoined that would render the soldier efScient and enduring was not withheld nor overlooked.

Here were many thousand soldiers in camp, with nothing, or little more than nothing, to do, except what was imposed by the officers. Idleness was the rule, and not the exception, and idleness always breeds contempt for law and order and willful disobedience of them, the consequence of which was indolence and insubordination to the constituted authorities, followed by mutiny and riots. This would very soon disorganize any command. If no other employment could be furnished, we were set to work at a pile of stones, with orders to remove them one day to a given point, and the next to cany them back again - a very good exercise, you would say, for such it was, and an excellent means of keeping the mind employed in a healthy, active condition. As a means of enforcing discipline resorted to at the time - though it was abandoned almost entirely, or, rather, had become unnecessary in the latter part of the war - was the horrible and barbarous practice of "' bucking and gagging," and lashing to trees. The guard-house was humane in comparison with this mode of punishment, and we do not doubt but it was the most efficient method of enforcing obedience to orders and securing discipline, since the former method nlways tended to store up in the victim's bosom the worst possible spirit - that of revenge - which often was carried to the battle-tield and there wreaked against some in nocent and unsuspecting officer. Hence, instead of overcoming the evil of insubordination, a shirking, disobedient and unreliable soldier was the result - one always ready to strike you when yomback was turned. Treat a man as a hiunan being, and whether you will invariably reach the object that would be attained to, and have a response in harmnoy with the treatment Coiu-tesy and kindness in all things, in our daily walk as citizens as well as in the army, are always more powerful than the lash. Perhaps there are exceptions to this rule, but they are exceptions only, and not the rule. Our bravest and most siiccessfnl officei-s were those who adhered most closely to this hvunane principle, or golden rule, of doing unto others as they would that others should do unto them - Cols. A. P. Miller and C. G. Thompson. Company A would join in one voice in the approval of the conduct of these model officers, in this matter as well as all others pertaining to the army. They were always kind and respectful, and very considerate in their demands upon their men, ready to share with them the adverse as well as the good.

One little incident that occurred while the Seventy-second Regiment was in camp at Bardstown, Ky., is worthy of mention here. After having had a run in pursuit of Morgan, it was strictly forbidden to forage, or take anything whatever from either friend or foe (that was when we were playing war to the knife with the rebels). One day, a nice fat pig came grunting into Company A"s quarters, when three or foiu' of us concluded that he had no rights there that we were bound to respect, and pursued his pigship, captured him, and dragged his carcass some distance away from the camp to prepare him for immediate use. We were but a short distance from the road, and had got things under good headway when Col. Miller came riding in sight. Our first impulse was to drop everything, pig and all, and run; but, on second thought, concluded that would not do, so we stood our gi-ound, awaiting the result, knowing that if we were caught and reported to headquarters our punishment would be severe. While revolving these thoughts in our minds, and contemplating our unfortunate situation, the Colonel passed by and did not take any notice of what we were doing, his attention seeming to be very much attracted in the opposite direction. On all occasions, Col. Miller proved himself to be a true, honest and faithful friend to the Seventy-second Regiment, and, by his kind and moderate, yet positive and unwavering in his dealings with his men, he became a great favorite - was beloved by all, and could have had almost any favor he might ask that was in the power of the regiment to grant. And we would accord the same testimony to Col. Thompson, for he was a brave, fearless soldier, a kind and considerate officer, and withal, a Christian gentleman. We take jileasure in beai-ing our testimony in behalf of these gentlemen for their unwavering fidelity to the principles of right, and their faithful adherence to the common interest of Company A and the Seventysecond Regiment, and most gladly do we extend to them oiu- heartfelt thanks and best wishes for their welfare and prosperity.

On the opening of spring, our drooping spirits began to revive; the balmy air and warm, genial sunshine had a wtmderful effect to stir up the latent energies and good intentions that had been pent up for a season, and by May we were considered in good condition tor more active duty. On the 23d day of June, 1863, our command was headed for Hoover's Gap, a stronghold in the mountains occupied by the enemy, where we expected to meet with a strong resistance. In the morning, however, there was a little strategy introduced to deceive, or put the enemy off his guard. Instead of pulling out in the direction of the rebel j army, we were headed in the opposite direction, and moved out two or thi-ee miles, where we went into camp and remained there until next day, when we took up the line of march over Hoover's Gap pike, advancing cautiously but steadily, Company A being in the extreme advance, occupying a position where it was compelled

] "WTien we came upon the enemy's picket-post amid the hills and rocks, we advanced upon them so suddenly and determinedly that they had no time to form or prepare to meet the onset, and, when the reserve post was reached, we did not halt, but pushed ahead on the full i-un and got possession of a point in the gap where the enemy had intended to confront us with his army.

lodged them if they had had a little more time to prepare to meet us, or to have brought up and placed in position their forces. No doubt Company A executed a grand figure here, and great credit is due to the oiBcers and men for having acted vpith such promptness and decision at the opiJortune moment, which was no doubt the means of saving thousands of lives. A little incident occurred here, with the writer, that might not be out of place to mention. He, with one of the scouts, had been taking an active part in driving the pickets, and had become somewhat excited and eager in the pursuit of the enemy, and, instead of holding up or halting with Company A, we pursued them to within a few hundred yards of their camp, and within hearing of the di-ums beating the men to arms. They bad formed in line of battle, and were advancing rapidly to the front, where our command was in battle array at the gap. We discovered oiu- precarious situation just in time to wheel about and make our escape, and we admit our much greater eagerness to fly from them than we had previously been to pursue. We were closely followed, the skirmish line being in gunshot of us, and giving us the best they had until we put the Seventy-second Regiment in our rear and a bristling line of bayonets in their front. On our retreat, we captiir^sd a Lieutenant and one wagon, well loaded with commissary stores. The Lieutenant came riding down into the road in front of us. and seemed to be nonplused to know his situation, but before he had time to escape, we were upon him, and demanded his immediate smTender. He gave up his arms and accouterments, and submitted without an effort to resent or escape, but was incredulous still as to his situation. He could not believe it was possible that the Yanks were in possession of the stronghold and the ground they had so recently occupied. But, to convince him of the facts in the case, I reported him to headquarters and introduced him to Gen. Wilder. He bore his discomfiture with resignation and a good degi-ee of fortitude. I bade him good-by, when he presented me with his spurs, as a token of good will, I suppose. My sympathies were somewhat enlisted in the fellow's behalf, as he had just been on the hill close by at a shoe-shop, having his boots repaired, no doubt preparing himself to have a good time killing Yankees, instead of taking a more becoming and useful position - a prison-life.