Civil War: January 1863, a Stones’ throw from death
By Sandy Vasko
Today, we continue our look at the Civil War. We are with the 100th at the Battle of Stone’s River. George Woodruff describes it in his book, “Fifteen Years Ago”:
“January 1st, 1863, dawned upon the field of Stones River, as well as upon the rest of the world. But what a strange New Year to the men of the 100th regiment! To those who had survived the carnage of yesterday, how different from any other New Year, whose light they had ever hailed!
“At 3 o’clock in the morning, the regiment was relieved by another, and moved back a little. It had held an advanced and exposed position all night, without fire or blankets, and the relief was welcome. The men anticipated a breakfast, but no rations were issued. Here they lay in the mud all day, but were permitted to build fires.
“There was no fighting of any amount done, both sides seemed willing to rest. At night the regiment was ordered into a beautiful cedar grove, and anticipated a good night’s rest; but the men had scarcely got into a doze, when the order came to ‘fall in,’ and although so tired and sleepy that they could hardly keep their eyes open, or move, yet the boys obeyed the unwelcome order, and relieved another regiment, on the other side of the railroad, and were once more drawn up in line of battle. “They could see the rebel picket fires burning brightly, but were allowed none themselves. They were in a cornfield where the mud was so deep that they could not lie down, and they could only rest by leaning upon their muskets. Some, however, became so fatigued, that towards morning, they lay down in the mud, and the weather growing colder, they could hardly tear their blankets from the frozen mud in the morning.
“But the enemy got the range of the 100th, and solid shot came ricocheting past them. Geo. H. Atkins, of Co. K is killed, his right arm being torn from his body. The battle seems to be renewed.
“From the woods on the right, and in the rear, cheering is now heard, and soon a magnificent spectacle is seen. A division bursts from the timber, and sweeps into the open space behind the 100th; with colors flying, horses proudly prancing, the lines move steadily and firmly forward. A battery comes dashing along with them.
“An officer with hat off urges on his men. This is Rosseau, ‘The game cock of Kentucky,’ as Prentiss calls him. But it is not long before the enemy is silenced. But here in the mud, for by this time the ground has thawed, the 100th regiment is obliged to remain, while the forenoon passes away, and part of the afternoon, with little fighting except by the sharpshooters on either side.
“From the point occupied by the 100th, every movement could be seen, both of our troops and of the enemy, and alternating feelings of joy and fear filled their minds, as the one side or the other, seemed to be getting the advantage. But soon a man comes riding furiously along the ranks in the rear, hat off, and coat tails flying behind him. He shouts a few words which the 100th cannot hear, but they know that it is good news, for the boys throw up their caps, and give volley on volley of cheers.
“Soon the word reaches our boys, ‘The enemy is being driven,’ and they are to follow them. Up they jump to their feet, and are moved over to the left. But the fighting has ceased; and they pass on crossing the ford, which they were guarding the other day, and here they stumble upon the dead, and hear the groans of the wounded and dying, but they are mostly rebels.
“After various maneuvers they are anchored at last in a hollow, and allowed to rest, and build fires for the night. And, despite the groans of the suffering, despite the rain now pouring down, the tired men sank down to a sound sleep, until the next morning, when they awoke to find themselves in a grave yard, the corpses still unburied. The slaughter here must have been terrible. The wounded have been removed during the night. How ghastly the dead men look, their faces washed by the rain!
For the most part, the battle of Stones’ River was over for the 100th. The losses were: from Joliet 2 killed, 6 wounded; from Wilmington 2 killed, 5 wounded; from Jackson 1 killed, 2 wounded; from Homer 1 killed, 2 wounded; from Mokena 1 killed, 1 wounded; from Plainfield 1 killed, 4 wounded; from Manhattan 1 killed; from Lockport 1 killed, 2 wounded, from Channahon 1 killed; from Wesley 1 killed, 3 wounded; from Florence 1 wounded; from Reed 2 wounded; from Du Page 1 wounded; from New Lenox 1 wounded; from Peotone 1 wounded; from Green Garden 3 wounded; from Wilton 1 wounded.”
By February of 1863, one thing was clear, the war was not going to end any time soon. Folks at home kept wondering why Union forces didn’t just go out there and fight. Weren’t there enough men, or guns, or what? There was no answer forth coming from those in charge.
On February 3, the nation of France made an offer to mediate the differences between North and South to hopefully end the war. Their interest lay in the fact that trade with the U. S. had been brought to an abrupt end, and they missed their cotton and tobacco. On February 5th, William Seward informed the French ambassador that the Union was not interested in their offer.
Most of the Will County regiments were in camp, resting and recuperating in February, a much-needed respite from battle.
At home, spirits were low. News of the death of more Will County men in a skirmish near Collierville, Tennessee, arrived, all from Co. C of the Fourth Cavalry. Sergeant John Avery and Corp. Geo. N. Smith from Wilton, H. E. Benner from Joliet and Marion Cooper from Florence were taken prisoner at the same time.
Three young men from Joliet decided it was about time that someone took over who knew what they were about. Their names were Webb, Camp and Walker, and their ages were 12, 15 and 15, respectively.
They boarded the train for Cairo where they hoped to enlist. A higher authority, their parents, interceded, and they were brought back home for further training.