The National tribune., 1890-09-04
FIGHTING THEM OVER
What0ur Veterans Have to Say About
Their Old Campaigns
BOARD OF TRADE BATTERY.
An Outline Of What They Performed During the
War,

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: The battery
organization was one of those spontaneous,
quick movements so peculiar TO the American
people, and. we may add, 10 Chicago. The
movement had its origin in the Chamber of
Commerce then located at the corner of Wells
street and the Bridge.
The call of President Lincoln for 600, 900
troops :" for three years unless sooner dis
charged from the service Of the United States"
found Chicago aud its surrounding country
fully awake 10 the requirements of the hour.
The Board OF Trade started the movement, and
in - hours after the rolls were opened they con-
tanned the names of 1S3 men. I55 of whom, TO
make the complement allowed battery Of light
artillery, were sworn in at the old City Armory,
on Adams street. July %, 1862, and marched TO
camp in the grove which now Is the corner Of
Thirty-seyenth street and Stanton avenue. The
trees under whose branches we pitched our
tents remaining until recently, when c. w.
Partridge cut them down TO make way for his
buildings
The selection of commander fell on James
II. Stokes, West Point graduate, who had
seen years Of service in cavalry and artillery
during the war in Florida. Under his efficient
care the men quickly and thoroughly learned
camp duty, drill, and true military discipline.
The other officers were George l. Robinson,
Senior First Lieutenant; Albert f. Baxter,
Junior First Lieutenant; T. d. Griffin, Senior
Second Lieutenant; Henry Bennett Junior
Second Lieutenant
From the original battery we know OF So
living to-day, 46 gone from US, while the rest
are among the unknown, and B received COM
missions, and many others could have been
commissioned, but preferred 10 remain with
the command 10 the end. We received from
time 10 time many recruits Being selected
men they easily fell in with the morale of
the command, and il retained its high tone
and select character to the end.
Before taking up the course of our service
it may be interesting 10 some to refresh their
memories with few details We were en-
gagged in IL Of the heavy battles of the West,
Fl warm engagements and ~ times were I'M
der fire. although not always using our guns
or If so, firing but shell or two. Eighty
times were we on picket or raids or in posi-
lions that were often terribly CALLING, having
90 stand or lie on the ground and be deliber-
Eteiy shot at. We travelled during the three
years by rail 1921 miles, marching by road
6,26S; total 6,499. This does not include
many scouts and raids made by detailed gun
or section
At the battle Of Stone River, Dec. 81, 1862, we
Tecaptured q feldpiece, which we retained,
Rnd were seven-gun battery until Nov. IL,
1853. At the battle OF Lovejoy Station, Ca,
Aug. q, 1864, we captured a feldpiece which
we drew 70 kining Station and turned over
20 the Ordnance Department. These two guns
were both taken by our men without the aid
OF infantry or cavalry. At the battle of Love
Joy Station we had the misfortune 10 burst q
gun, but fortunately none were hurt. We also
broke the carriage Of a gun, but brought the
gun Oh IN wagon. The longest quick march
we made was April IL and is, 1865, while in
Georgia, on Sherman's right flank tas he
marched 70 the sea-, l53 miles in these two
days.
The hardest work and march we accom-
plishcd was going around Atlanta on a raid with
kilpatrick-lOur days and nights in the sad
ole with but three hours rest during the time,
marching l34 miles, being in almost continued
action, and in the heavy fights Of Jonesboro
and Lovejoy Station, losing eight men in one
action Of about half hours time.
The hardest time We saw was after the battle
Of Chickamauga, and while doing picket duty
On the upper Tennessee River from Oct II TO
Nov. II, when We were often hungry having
no TatlOns part Of the time, and worst OF al,
VIC missed our coffee. We had 20 rub an ear
Of corn on piece OF tin having holes punched
therein thus making c0rnmeal, which was
mixed with water and baked on hot stone or
81 frying pan. Had not chestButs been ripe
and plenty We should have gone hungry many
times during those days. The weather being
rough, rainy OF frosty, we suffered much not
having drawn clothing for more than five
months. Yet the writer does not remember
any grumbiiDg through those days spent in the
mountains. BY happy faculty men reinem-
Der best the good times they have or pass
through.
After leaving our Chicago camp. Sept. 9. 1852
we went directly % Louisville XIV. We're ia
place in the earthworks thrown up there on the
advance Of Bragg. From Louisville we marched
via Grab Orchard and Bowling Green Ia Nash
vile. arriving there Dec 2. 1862. Moving with
the army south, we were IN the battle Of Stone
River. Afterwards IN camp at MurfreesbOro
until June q, 1853, having been assigned
70 the cavalry division Of Gen. Stanley Nav
II. We had our command increased 10 200
men by recruiting and by detailed men. We
were furnished horses for all the men. and
eight horses for both gun and caisson, having
seven guns in our battery. We were the only
battery Of flying artillery IN the West, as we
were also the only company Of men TO be
found handling guns who wore reyolyerg and
azberE.
From Murfreesboro south we were in the
advance or on the tanks often dividing the
battery. and sections going of with their
respective brigades OF on a scout, not coming
together ioT week At time-eyery day or
two ~ some kind u an engagement
Going over the Cumberland Mountains AZ q
gap where never before a wheeled vehicle
Climbed. we arrived a. Stevenson, Ala, Aug. q.
After crossing the Tennessee River at Bridge.
port, Ala we struck south going I'D Racc0on
ksHge. Sept II, 1863, We went down into
Lookout Valley, sending seven guns with Gen.
George Crook On q scout toward Rome. Ga.
AfteFTaFdr climbing again the mountain, we
went north, going down a. EteVcng'g Gan
Sunday, Sept. 70. We started at 5o'clock from
camp, and On the dOublcqBick made 20 miles.
and went into the fight ~ Chickamauga. Our
record there b. known all. Sept. = we held the
bridge over Chattanooga Creek On the 25tb
VIC were relieved by the ID III. battery. and
next day were ordered up the Tennessee River
toward Knoxville iOr picket duty al the foTdg.
Monday Sept. =, I5G3. nay diary says: "Hil-
nd w. fF fF9 80
rods from shore"
Oct. 7 We left the upper Tennessee and moved
back - Bridgeport, hla.; thence 10 Huntsville
Ala, Nov. -. Dee. = We broke catnu. goiu5
VIA Athens 10 Pulaski. Tenn. Jan. IA lsgI
VIC returned 70 Huntsville. Gen. CTogl1s5s
farewell order was read 70 the command Ian ~
FEB JIG the command turned over AS con
oemned their old guns. aud started for Nagb
vile FEB. - we drew ue9 PARROT gUps
March 10 We left Nashville aud the 18th flupd
u back ln Huntsville, Ala ABril 4 broke
camp, going 10 Columbia Tenn On the 2Gtb
we LETT there, equipped with new horses. aud
Tie clFision with horses aud Spencer carbines
gong south. We we're on both tanks Of The
army, as well as ~ the advance being in am
TIC battles aud many minor engagements uptii
the siege Of Atlanta, aud only those who went 7
over TIC route can have any idea how hard was
The campaign.
Before the fall Of Atlanta Gen. Yilnatrick
was ordered TO make raid around the citv
cuIilhg aud burning the railroad in the rear Of
TIE city. Aug. l6 he secured q detail Of four
guhs IRON our battery aud the First and