CHAPTER II.

CAMP LIFE AT MONROEVILLE—REMOVAL TO THE SEAT OF WAR—MARCHES AND EXPERIENCES OF THE REGIMENT UP TO JUNE 12TH, 1863.

Our life here was one continued round of excitement, and all were glad when the order came, (October 16,) for the regiment to move. A large number of friends were there to say good bye, and amid the tears and the God bless you of the multitude, we started for untried scenes in the great war of the rebellion.

Not, perhaps, in the course of the whole war, did Ohio send to the field a regiment of men whose whole souls were in the cause so firmly, and whose faith in the perpetuation of this glorious government of ours, was so pure, as the gallant One Hundred and Twenty-third. With officers, both in the field and line, who were not only brave and competent, but gentlemen on all occasions; with men whose efficiency and bravery, yet untested, but afterward so sorely tried, and never found lacking, it was no wonder that in the years that followed, the regiment was often selected to perform duties requiring both courage and discipline, secresy and dispatch.

To Zanesville by rail, and then down the Muskingum river, on transports to Parkersburg, stopping at several places on the river, some of which, and McConnelsville in particular, no doubt remembered our visit for some time.

On the 19th, we left on board of box cars, in two trains, for Clarksburg, on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. On the way a man belonging to Company H was severely injured, and just after having passed through a tunnel, the rear train ran into the one just ahead of it. Three cars were thrown from the track, and down an embankment, yet strange to say, none were very seriously injured, though all were pretty severely shook up. The engineer and conductor were strongly threatened by the boys, who believed them rebels at heart, and that the accident was a put-up affair. However, matters were at length quieted, and soon we were on our way for Clarksburg, where we arrived on the 20th, and went into camp. Here we received Sibley tents, five to a company, and two wall tents for the officers of each company. We thought them anything but extra residences, but before the war was over a new “dog tent” was counted a palace. Nothing of interest occured here, and on the 27th none were sorry when we received orders to break camp and proceed to Buckhannon, distance 27 miles. This, our first day’s march, was through the worst mud we ever saw, and over a road which only a Western Virginian can appreciate. Afterward we laughed about this march, and would have considered it a little pleasure jaunt, but at that time, to us, those eleven miles seemed a hundred. We reached Buckhannon on the morning of the 29th, and remained there in camp—resting—until November 2d, when away we went toward Beverly, thirty-one miles distant. The first night out we camped at the Middle Fork of Tygart Valley river, eleven miles from our start of the morning. On the bridge that spans the creek at this point we found cut in the wood the familiar names of friends in Company E, 8th Ohio, who had gone this way before us.

It was here the boys of Company G cared so well for the teamster of a runaway team, with the wagon of the medical purveyor, laden with wines and whisky, and at the same time captured all the bottles with corks out, or that could be pulled out. However, in the morning not a vestige of a cork or bottle could be found about Company G’s quarters.

The next day we marched eighteen miles, reaching Beverly. On the way we passed the Rich Mountain battle ground, the engagement at this place, near a year previous, having been so called up to that time, but the big events that followed soon after our visit, caused it to take rank as a skirmish only. It will be remembered that it was here that the 87th Pennsylvania attempted to force the guard, and thus roam through the village at will; but finding that two batteries were rapidly wheeled into position, and the balance of the brigade ready to fire on them, finally carried off their two comrades whom the guard had shot down for attempting to pass, and sullenly retired to their camp. We remained here “resting up” until the 7th, marching that day to Huttonville, eleven miles distant, and sure enough, it was a village of Huts, and of a very few huts at that. We had a rather cold rainy time of it here, and a good many of the boys were taken sick and sent back to Beverly.

While lying at Huttonville, Lieutenant Randolph, of Company B, was sent out forty miles to call in a command that was on the road towards Staunton. Procuring a good horse, he started alone, armed only with a sabre and revolver, and carried the order through the enemy’s country and returned safely to his command. We were all glad to see him back, for it was an undertaking fraught with dangers at every turn—besides, if taken prisoner, the chances of being treated as a spy stared him in the face.

We remained here until November 15th, when we returned to Beverly, and encamped for the night on a level plat of ground just east of the town.

Not soon will Mrs. Arnold, a Union lady, although the only sister of Stonewall Jackson, and residing at this place, be forgotten by the men of the 123d Regiment. Taking as many of our sick as she possibly could into her own house, she nursed them through their sickness as only a loving mother could—two of them she nursed through a long attack of typhoid fever, and that, too, after the surgeon in charge had pronounced them hopeless, and to her loving care and watchful tenderness do these two boys yet live, owing her their lives.

We received company wagons here, and on the 16th, started for Webster, fifty-four miles distant, arriving there on the 18th. On the route we passed over Laurel Hill, where many a root was dug for the pipe, with which to cheer our lonely hours, and passed the scene of the battle of Phillippi, one of the most considerable fights of West Virginia. The grand scenery along the route of this entire march made the trip worth the taking, for that, if nothing more, and surely none of us could see for what other purpose our journeyings of the past two weeks could possibly be, unless it was as the boys invariably would answer, “military strategy, my boy,” though the wisdom of this sort of thing we learned soon to distrust. From Webster we took the cars for New Creek, arriving there on the 19th. On the 22d we had our first grand review by General Robt. Milroy, accompanied by General Cluseret, who has since figured conspicuously in the late French war. We remained at New Creek until December 12th, and during which time, besides being vaccinated pretty thoroughly, were brigaded and re-brigaded a number of times, finally forming a part of Col. Washburn’s brigade, with which command we moved out to Burlington, thirteen miles distant, and remained there awaiting orders.

Up to this time, we had scarcely realized that we were in reality men of war—true, we had made some hard marches, and camped out in the snow and rain, after plodding along all day through slush and mud; but as yet we had not met the sterner realities belonging and incidental to a soldier’s life; it seemed more like a picnic excursion, without any definite object or end; later we gave more thought to the situation, and study to the chances of war.

On the morning of the 17th we again broke camp, and on the afternoon of the 18th arrived at Petersburg, a small hamlet forty-two miles from New Creek. We, in a general way, now understood that a force of rebels were near, and great caution was observed on the picket line, and very little wandering from camp was indulged in by the men. And to see how alert the camp was, on the afternoon of the 19th the long roll was sounded, our regiment getting into line in six minutes. That night we slept upon our arms for the first time, at a later day a very ordinary occurrence. On the 28th, the 116th O. V. I., and one section of the 1st Virginia battery left for Moorefield, about eleven miles distant, and took possession of the town. We remained here until January 3d. At nine o’clock in the morning, orders were received to break camp at once; tents were struck, wagons loaded, and started for New Creek, and by quarter past ten we were on the way to Moorefield. Soon after starting, the firing of cannon was heard, satisfying us that there was business ahead. Never did the regiment march better; those eleven miles were passed over in two hours and ten minutes. Reaching the river bank, Co. A was sent down the left bank of the river, and Cos. B and G were ordered across to feel of the enemy, who had surrounded the 116th on a hill near the town. Shots from a rebel battery on the hill beyond soon sent them back to the river bank, where they had orders to remain and await the return of scouts, who had been sent out to reach the camp of the 116th, if possible. All this time a continued firing was kept up from a section of our artillery, which must have done good execution, for the enemy did not long reply. Before night we joined the 116th, the rebels having withdrawn their forces.

The morning was very bright and pleasant, but by night the winds swept cold and bleak down the valley, and we passed about as disagreeable a night as at any time during the war, for it will be remembered that our wagon train was sent back to New Creek with all our cooking utensils, provision and much of our heavier clothing; and though the 116th Ohio did all they could for our comfort, still our condition was anything but comfortable.

On the 4th, a brigade came up under command of General Mulligan, who now assumed command of all the troops. The night again set in cold and blustering, and as none of us had blankets, a cool prospect was in view. Skirmishing began early for a bundle of hay or straw for covering, and all prepared to make the best of the situation. Two smart chaps from Co. G crawled into a wagon box, with their little bundle of hay to pass the night, and were soon in the land of dreams, but their comfort was of short duration, for a stray mule, wandering that way, proceeded to help himself from their covering, and did not desist so long as a straw remained. The increased cold soon waked the boys up, and after expressing their feelings in a very forcible manner, sought other quarters in which to pass the remainder of the night.

At half past one, on the morning of January 6th, five companies of the 123d, and five companies of the 116th, with Mulligan’s Brigade, started out to attack a camp of Rebels, distant nine miles, but after marching to near the point designated, found that they had left in a great hurry for a more southern clime; returning to camp, we arrived there at 3 o’clock A. M., having marched eighteen miles—a long walk before breakfast. It was on this march that Gen. Mulligan compelled the men to throw down captured chickens and turkeys, which otherwise would have made many a good breakfast on our arrival in camp it is needless to say, that this sort of fooling was not indulged in to any extent in later years. It was on this occasion, that the incident happened, which Col. Wilson is so fond of relating, and which always provokes a hearty laugh from listeners, especially those who remember old Capt. Newman, of Company H, who when asked how he came to set such an example before his men, as to capture a turkey, with the evident intention of taking it into camp, remarked that the “Tam durkey coom’d a runnin out of the gate mit his mouth vide open, and Colonel, you don’t tink I is goin to let a tam durkey bite me? no sir!” As a matter of course a reprimand was not administered. The next day a part of the Regiment went out foraging for grain; and in the afternoon, firing being heard in the direction taken by them, reinforcements were sent out to their assistance; but they soon met the boys coming in all right, with their wagons loaded principally with grain; but chickens, potatoes, onions, &c., entered largely into the cargo, and a pretty good supper was the result.

It will be remembered that one night while here, our regiment was quartered in the Court House, whereupon some good citizens, loyal to the Southern cause, went to Gen. Mulligan and asked that the desecration be no longer allowed; orders were immediately issued that we should vacate at once, which of course we did, but in no very amiable mood; for the ground was covered with snow, and as yet we had not received our blankets. The matting however that the aisles were carpeted with, was all cut into strips and carried with us, and used for bedding as long as we remained there.

On the 9th of January we received orders to march to Romney, but delayed starting until the next day, camping at night eighteen miles from Moorefield, passing the dwelling house of the guerilla chief, Capt. McNiel, and for the first time, at least many of us, saw regular Southern Slave quarters. The next day at 3 o’clock in the afternoon we arrived in Romney, which we found in a very dilapidated condition.

It soon became apparent that we were to remain here all winter, and all tried to fix up in as comfortable shape as possible, but a more cheerless spot to spend the winter in could hardly have been selected, as the winds had a fair sweep in three different directions, and as a general thing improved the opportunity in one direction or the other, much to our discomfort and disgust. Our life here was one continual round of picket duty or foraging. Very seldom did anything occur to break the usual monotony. However on the 16th of February five teams from our regiment and fourteen from the 116th Ohio Regiment, under escort of Company F, 116th, Capt. Brown commanding, went towards Moorefield, foraging for hay, and on their return, when within about six miles of Romney, were captured by the guerilla, Capt. McNiel, with twenty-six men, owing to the bad management of Capt. Brown, who allowed his men to straggle all over the country, so that not more than three or four of them were together at any one time, which made their capture a very easy matter.

Capt. Brown was subsequently court-martialed, and found guilty of basely deserting his command in the face of the enemy. Our men were well treated by Capt. McNiel, who gave them money to buy their dinner, and taking their parole, sent them back to camp. The next morning Col. Washburn, of 116 O. V. I., commanding Brigade, called upon the 123d for a company to go out to the scene of the capture and bring in anything they might find. Capt. Horace Kellogg’s Company was soon in readiness and on the move. They found five wagons all sound, but the others were all burned, nothing but the irons and a heap of ashes left where each wagon had stood. The company returned to camp without accident, with the exception of accidentally shooting several of the domestic feathered family, which carelessly strayed across the road. Our regiment was now encamped upon the ground occupied by the 55th O. V. I. while encamped here one year previous. The boys planted evergreens along their company streets and about company headquarters, making our camp look very pleasant and homelike. While lying here company officers were ordered before a military board of examiners to test their military tactics, drill, &c. There was considerable uneasiness manifested by some, but as it appeared afterwards, without cause, for the board, for some unknown reason never convened, and thus the troublesome ordeal never was passed, though several of our officers concluded that they had experienced about all the soldiering they cared for and tendered their resignations which were accepted, and some promotions were made as the necessary result. We had very little opportunity for drill, as it was usually very muddy, and so the winter wore monotonously away, relieved now and then by the receiving of boxes from our friends at home, and, though we did not materially need their contents, still this evidence that we were warmly remembered by the dear ones at home, gave us renewed zeal in the work we had so cheerfully volunteered to do. Some of our officers’ wives visited us while here, and though many of us did not even know them, their cheerful smiles and kind words warmed the hearts of many a homesick boy, and created within our breasts a firm determination to do all that lay in our power to preserve inviolate the homes of the noble women whom we had left behind.

Never shall be forgotten with what avidity we devoured the contents of our letters from home, and how sorrowingly we would turn away when the unwelcome intelligence was announced, “no letters to-day.” This anxiety for news from home may seem a little strange, but when it is remembered that many of the boys were away from home for the first time and with no very certain hope of ever again returning, it is not to be wondered at.

We were all ready for the order to move when it came, March 14th, 1863, for we were thoroughly tired of lying here doing nothing, and all were anxious to engage in the real business of war. On the morning of the 15th we started towards Winchester and marched twenty-one miles, encamping just east of Blue Gap. While passing through the Gap a terrific thunder storm burst upon us, the rain falling in perfect sheets, drenching us to the skin. It was certainly a wild and beautiful sight, the mountains rising on either side to a considerable heights, the lightening flashing, as it appeared, from crag to crag, the thunder reverberating down the sides of clifts, caused a feeling of awe to creep over every heart; but the sun soon burst out in all its splendor, and dispelled the gloom as with a magicians wand. It was here we received the order that only the top rail of the fences should be taken for fire wood; of course the order was construed that we shouldn’t take the bottom one, and was therefore strictly carried out. We encamped near a meadow and the stacks of hay still standing in the field were chiefly converted into fodder for the horses, and bedding for the boys. Very soon the camp-kettles were steaming and supper prepared, after which all lay down and enjoyed a refreshing sleep, such as those only can appreciate who have been similarly situated. The next day we were on the march bright and early, encamping at night at Hayfield Church, fourteen miles from the start of the morning, on the finest ground we had yet occupied as a camp, and near several springs of clear, cold water. We arrived in Winchester the next day, March 17th, and went into camp on the hill near the old fort, where we remained for several days, finally changing to a park near the Rebel burying ground, a splendid camping ground, which the boys fully appreciated.

On the 4th of April we had Division Review, our regiment being second best as to general condition and drill.

April 22d, we went on a scout up the valley as far as Strasburg, our cavalry having a little tilt with the enemy, but nothing decisive resulted. On the next day we returned to Winchester with thirty prisoners. On the 25th we again started up the valley, the next day arriving at Wardonsville, distant thirty-one miles. On the way we passed the celebrated Capon Springs, a beautiful place, reopened since the war.

On the morrow we marched to Lost River, and finding the bridge gone, we returned to our camp of the night previous. On the route we passed some of the wildest and most beautiful scenery that West Virginia can boast of. On the 27th we again started for Moorefield, with arrangements for crossing the river, but when nine miles out received orders to return, and went into camp at Wardonsville for the third time. The next day we marched to Strasburg, where the 13th Pennsylvania cavalry was led into an ambush, losing several men in killed and wounded. The Rebels, however, were driven out, though no general engagement occured. The next day we returned to Winchester, having marched ninety-four miles, and that too without having accomplished any particular end as we could see. When in camp we were drilling steadily seven hours a day, gaining in proficiency in the arts of war every day, and fitting ourselves to undergo the fatigue and hardships that we were soon to be called upon to endure.

We did a large amount of hard work while in the valley, up to June 12th; long scouts up the valley were a weekly occurrence, and heavy picket and fatigue duty was the daily order of exercise, still, thanks to the excellent water and fine weather, the health of the regiment was in the main good. On the 5th of May, we started out with a week’s rations and forty rounds, on a scout. The first day out we marched for three hours through a drenching rain-storm, such as only occurs in the valleys, we went to New Market, and returned to Winchester on the 9th, having marched one hundred and four miles. We saw a few miserable bushwhackers, but nothing that would indicate any rebel force.

It was soon after this trip that the entire regiment went out on road work, making four miles of McAdamized road in three days.

Soon after our arrival at Winchester, our Adjutant, W. V. McCracken, and 1st Lieutenant Hugh L. McKee, of company D, were detailed on Gen. Milroy’s staff, where the former served until after the battle of Winchester, and the latter was promoted to Captain and Assistant Quarter-Master, and never again returned to the regiment. On the 9th of June, Lieut. Gillam of company F died of typhoid fever. He had been sick for a long time, and had every attention and care, his wife being with him nearly all the time.

On the afternoon of June 12th the Long Roll sounded and the regiment with the 116th Ohio Infantry, 12th Virginia, and Battery D, and a regiment of cavalry started out on the valley pike. When beyond Kearnstown we met the enemy in considerable force, and drawing them into an enfilading fire, gave them so warm a reception that they started up the valley faster than they had come down. We captured a good many prisoners, and after night fall, we returned to camp—satisfied that the next day would bring, as the boys termed it, “business,” and, as events proved, their conjectures were well founded.