Four Years With the Iron Brigade

by Lance Herdegen

  We are ordered to go out of the town to our own hospital in the country, back in the Rear. So all that were able started with a glad heart. Those that couldnt walk, ambulances took. I soon started & as I came along the streets soon teemed with wounded that could walk. Many of them badly wounded but they scratch & hobbled along. After going about 1 ½ miles I come to the Regt & Co. Found only 19 men left with Cap as a commander still. The rebs didnt hit him. They all seemed as glad to see me as if I were their Brother and I assure you I was just as glad to see them.

  Cor Alexander [Corporal George Alexander] went over to the right wing of the Battlefield with me. There were quite a number still on the top of the ground & some had been Buried. All the wounded had been taken care of. They killed verry few of our men for they didnt fire much. But charged up the hill to try to break our lines. That why I suppose they are short of ammunition for there were verry few Ball in the lower side of the trees. But quite different on the upper side for there they were literally skinned and the more smaller ones just cuts off with the Balls. Some trees 3 inches diameter had so many musket balls in them that they fell to the ground all a mass of splinters. I was about a mile along the lines but being fatigued I couldnt go farther so we turned back without seeing the worst place right in front of our division. They didnt attempt to come up as it was verry steep there and I guess that is the reason it was given to it. They thought the rebs wouldnt attack, thereby give our division & the corps as much rest as possible. I believe our corps was not engaged at all, none of it.

  Well when I returned I had a few parting words with the Boys and their good wishes & went to our Brigade Hospital where I found a good place for a field Hospital. It being about 200 yards in rear of the Brigade and large rocks on each side. A natural protection from the enemies Balls. Quite a secure place. I found Dr. Spaulding [Ebenezer F. Spaulding of Janesville] of our Regt, he being the only doctor in the Brigade since the Retreat. He dressed my wound with his usual carefulness & feeling; he is a verry feeling man. When that done, got a cup of coffee, small piece of Bread, they having not drawn any rations since I left them.

  I started for the Hospital, they said 1 ½ miles but I traveled on near 3 miles fore getting to our Division Hospital, passing a great many on the Road. Found a good many of our Boys at the different ones and a good many going the same as myself. I found Tommy, my tentmate. He was hit in the first of the engagement. Went on to what was called our Division Hospital. But found that as all the others to contain troops from the army just as it happened. But there being a scarcity of food and no shelter, the barn & house being full and after getting wet to the skin I concluded to go on towards the town where the cars come to and stop the first place I got a chance. It being 7 miles to the town I thought I would go there tonight rather than stop outdoor. But after going 4 miles and inquiring at many houses along the Road, we found a wealthy farmer. He gave us privilege to stay in the Barn and we coaxed a loaf of Bread off him for which paid 30 cts. There was 9 or 10 Wisconsin Boys stayed in the Barn. We messed togather. It is now just dark.

  We met many stragglers going up to the front, also the teams to the different commands going up with rations which the Boys need. All the teams have been parked at Westminster some 18 miles from the front till morning when they come up with the necessaries for the army. At evry house we stopped at, they were eat out and most evry house there was officers of the lesser grade too. I saw no Generals at private houses. But it was many of the Lieuts who think they are a little god. But you can find fools in the army as well as elsewhere. This has been rather a dull fourth to me as well as a hard one.

  July 5, 1863

  And we get Breakfast and start to town which is three miles. It rained nearly all night and if I hadnt started off I would [have had a] hard night. But as it was I done first rate. This morning I got my Breakfast at a private house. Also a loaf of Bread for the other Boys. We soon reached the town. There the citizens had a place to receive the wounded & keep them till the cars took them off. They took us in and give us some niceties in the way of Bread & Butter & apple Butter & other choice things. Then the cars were going out in half an hour so we got on. They were now pretty well loaded. We start, come to Baltimore which we reached at just night. All along the road at evry station, we were treated to something good with the People crowding around us & praising & pitying the soldier. But when we got to suburbs of Baltimore there was People by the thousands to look & talk to us. We were Besieged all the time by them. When the engine left us and the horses were hitched on, the crowds followed along and the streets in evry place was wedged full of People with one [thing or] another to give to the poor wounded soldiers who had been fighting for them &c. When we got in the city however & stoped, the Union Leagues guarded us to keep the pressing crowd back. The greatest enthusiasm prevails. We were given supper in the cars & evrything that the city could get up was poked at us. At first it was welcome. But they kept pressing us to take till we were tired. They, not content with our eating & drinking, they filled our haversacks & jackets. Some of the Boys got wine, but I was not so lucky. Just as well of as if I had got it. After we would take no more they lets us get out of the cars. The guard now had to Point the Bayonet at crowd before we could get through. But we soon got out by being loaded down with things. Cigars & tobacco were freely given away to chewers & smokers, in fact anything could be got by a soldier. Well we were marched to the Wests buildings Hospital where we got our wounds dressed and went to bed with the order to be ready to go off on the cars at 5 in the morning. I thought I might get to Chester Hospital again as we most assuredly would go that way.

  July 6, 1863

  And rainy this morning. We got to the cars after getting Breakfast but it was eight oclock fore we started. We come to Philadelphia stopping at evry station except Chester & there we made no halt whatever. We reached Philadelphia 2 P.M. and there we were besieged by an immense crowd again for two hours when we got into ambulance, went to the cars, come up to Germantown Hospital 8 miles from Philadelphia. Here we were ushered into the hospital, our names registered and sent into the different wards. I was put in ward E, have the first bed in the ward. We soon had supper after which we, our wounds were dressed and we retired. I felt right at home here. Things are similar to Chester Hospital. I like the looks full as well. And think I shall like it in time to come.

  July 7, 1863

  And rainy like. I awoke at the Beat of the Drum feeling verry much refreshed. Had a good nights rest, got a good Breakfast, got wound dressed, Poultice on it, sit down and write a letter to Mother. There is only one nurse to this ward as yet. But as soon as some of the Boys get able, they will be detailed as nurses. The Hospital was empty when we come. The nurses and all that was able to when the Govenor called on the Militia of the state went. The hospital guard was sent away and cripples put on guard. We ate and slept today, being somewhat fatigued by our long ride.

  July 8, 1863

  And rainy today. We have our wounds well taken care of. The Doctors being verry attentive & kind. We have good food, plenty of it. When there is not enough for you on the Plate, you call for more and it comes right off. The cooking is done excellent. Being done by females instead of males as at Chester. The coffee & tea is splendid, just as I used to get it at home. Females are employed at this Hospital for most work or all that comes in that a woman can do. Today passes quietly as it could. No other nurse. There is two Doctors for three wards and each one has half our ward. I wrote a letter to Captain today so as to let him know where I was so that if he chose, he might send my Discriptive list right along and through him, hear about the Regt & how many the Company will muster now. I am anxious to know.

  July 9, 1863

  And cloudy like till evening when we had a hard shower. I wrote a letter to Mary Jane today. The mail goes out twice a day. We draw paper evry day, 1 sheet, 1 envelope to a man from the contribution drawer which the chaplain has charge of. We have to go to his office for it. The envelopes are franked by him
so it costs us nothing to write home. We get some niceties evry day so far, they being contributed. We have a good kind wardmaster. He attends well to his duties.

  July 10, 1863

  And fine day till 6 P.M. when we had a hard shower. I wrote a letter to Richard Landar today in answer to one I received some 2 weeks since. My head is doing well. Has turned out to be a worse wound than was at first supposed. I washed my pants today preparatory to going out on a pass, there being a few issued today to those having pretty good clothing as we can get no new ones. I shall fix up my old ones. They are badly worn.

  Nothing worthy of note transpired today. We have cheering news in the paper from the different armies in the field. The Army of Potomac is pressing Lee, & Rosencranz [Union General William Rosecrans] whipped [Confederate General Braxton] Bragg before Chattanooga, Tennessee & Vicsburg [Vicksburg, Mississippi] was surrendered to [Union General Ulysses S.] Grant on the 4th of July unconditionally with all things there with consisting of many guns & 21,000 Prisinors. History will chronicle it as the greatest event of the war. May success attend our Arms till we have none to oppose.106

  July 11, 1863

  And fine day, nothing transpired of note. I worked some today. Helped the nurses scrub the floor for exercise as I can get none otherwise. There is from 4 to 8 passes given each day but I concluded to wait a while before I applied [so] as to be sure to get one. My wound is doing well, it is properly dressed twice a day. Things goes on well. I was to church last night. The minister is Episcopalion, read his sermon which made it rather dull for me at least. It was a good discourse, well put togather but it doesnt sound right. He might Preach an age and it would have no other effect that to weary the audiance. We can get Paper evry day except Sunday. From 3 to 4 P.M. I wrote a letter to Sister Thurza-Ann today.

  July 12, 1863

  And fine day, this being the sabbath & the church bells are ringing in evry direction showing that the sabbath is much respected in this place. Many of the Boys that got passes come drunk & disorderly and I think I may say with truth that evry man in the ward got a drink or more by those that went out bringing it in, although it is strictly prohibited. There is some quite drunk. There is 2 Wis Boys in the Guardhouse now.

  My God, when will sin cease. As long as our army is so wicked, we will never whip the rebs. God will not take the yoke from our necks although they be chafed. Me thinks sometimes that this war may last 10 years. Some say if we capture Lees army that will settle it. But I think not for the almighty is not Respected enough. Why, I have seen some as wicked acts as ever the Roman were guilty. Me thinks I can see the Downfall of the great Republic. Excuse for expressing such sentiments for I don’t mean disloyalty but refer you to ancient History. For instance, Rome had just such insurrections as this we are engaged in and you there see things that has transpired similar to those transpiring in this Rebellion. & on account of their wickedness they were swept from the earth. And the wickedness I must confess is verry much the same. This is rather bold assertions while under Martial law but they are not made by a secessionist by any means. This war may end and we have peace, say 20 or even 40 years and then have another insurrection and completely overthrow the Republic. God forbid such to be the case. But me think it will happen on account of our arrogance & Pride. As a nation I mean & not individually. There has many of our Brave but wicked Boys fell in the last Battle and the almighty saw fit to Direct one of the Bullets so as to hit me again. By the way for a warning. The wise may talk & fools may laugh. But as for me, I Believe it has been sent on me as a punishment and shall continue to think so until convinced otherwise. But still I Remain in sin. It may cost me my life yet.

  July 13, 1863

  And fine day, rained a little last night. This is Sunday and we had inspection this morning. Our ward was pronounced in good condition. Our wardmaster don’t understand evrything about the buisness. But he is a good kind nurse and all he wants is practice to become a good wardmaster. Evrything goes on as usual except we have one man in the Guardhouse. He has, with several others, has been drunk most ever since they come and if it is not stoped there will be some more of them in it.

  July 14, 1863

  And sprinkled a little early in the morning. But the rest of the day was cloudy only. After have my wounds dressed & getting my pass I, with an acquaintance which has been made since I was wounded, went out, it being nearly noon. We traveled around a while & got down to the Mclellen Hospital about 1 ½ miles from here towards Philadelphia. There we waited till the Horsecars come along when we got on. Paid 5 cents to ride to the city, about 5 miles. Cheap riding as well as verry nice. I prefer it to the steam cars. After strolling around till tired, went into a resterant and got a dish of oysters, my comrad taking clam soup. I being tired and head pained me so I concluded to rest. And comrad wanting to go down the street, so we agreed to meet at the depot at 4 P.M. which we done just in time to take the cars. We get to Germantown. Conrads finger pains him so, he go into the hospital and I start to do my Buisness. Got portfolio & some paper & envelopes & bottle of ink & shoe brush & blacking, all of which I was in need of. Then I come in, getting into the ward just in time to turn round, to go the table. I like this place full as well at Chester Hospital. I meeting with so many Boys from the Brigade & they must all treat & as I wouldnt drink strong drink, I request lemonade or beer &c. Such as is harmless or smoke with them. So through the day I got so much as to not want much supper. I shall I think, go alone the next time. Which will probably be a week as there is about 60 of us & only 10 a day can get passes. It is verry nice. All you have to do is get outside the yard and you can ride on the horse cars anyplace, most for about 1 cent per mile.

  July 15, 1863

  And fine day but rained most of last night. I wrote a letter to Henry today. All goes on right. I happened to be out at the gate today and a fellow come along, sell Blackberries. I bought 2 qts for 20 cents, come into ward & treated the Boys as long as they lasted which wasnt long I assure you. I have commenced today to study grammar. I bought one yesterday, give 37 cents for. I have got the first page by heart for to commence. But it remains to be seen what I can do without a teacher.

  My comrade had his finger amputated this evening. He was under the influence of chloraform about 2 hours, time enough to take off all four of his limbs. At Gettysburg I seen a surgeon take off a number of limbs and about 10 minutes was all he wanted to take of a leg. Last evening they took one of the Boys fingers entirely out & the nurses say he didnt wake up till this morning, being under the Influence some 7 or 8 hours. The Doctors want to practice, I guess.

  July 16, 1863

  And fine day. We had church this evening. The sermon was delivered by an old man of that town. I don’t know his name. The Doctors took off another finger this evening for a fellow.107

  July 17, 1863

  Fine day with nothing to report but the rumored fall of Charleston SC. But our forces are at work at it undoubtedly.108

  July 18, 1863

  And fine day. Nothing new today. 10 of the Boys a day get Passes. There is some Boys in the guardhouse from our ward. The guardhouse is full most of the time, generally for drunkeness.

  July 19, 1863

  And fine day. This being Sunday, we had Inspection. Evrything was in good order. After Inspection, the Boys get their passes. We had church at 1 P.M., By the Chaplain Smith of the Hospital.

  July 20, 1863

  And fine day. I got a Pass today and 2 more Boys that are verry friendly. But I know or at least can imagine what makes them such warm friends. I have money and they have none and I could’nt get rid of them. They hung to me like a leach and would suck just as hard. The next time I go, I shall try to go alone. I wanted to go to the State ageants. But they wanted to go someplace else and so it kept going all day. I wanted go visit the Mint and Independence Hall and various places of Interest, all of which I might of done if it were not for the leaches I had with me. We stayed in the city till about 4 PM when we come back, got in the Ho
spital just time for supper. And after supper went out again. Stayed till near 8 oclock then came in that being the time my Pass run out. Not verry well satisfied with the days travel. But I got a good lesson which I shall try and use.

  July 21, 1863

  And fine day but little cloudy. Nothing occurred worthy of note. One of the Boys of this ward came in drunk, got in the guardhouse. The wounds as a general thing are doing well. Mine’s getting along exceeding well. It will be healed up in 10 days or so. There is quite a number of the Boys detailed out of this ward for guard & Police. The Police are go clean up the yards & all grounds about the Hospital, scrub the entrance halls &c.

  July 22, 1863

  And fine day. Nothing occurring. Our wounds dressed twice a day. Good care.

  July 23, 1863

  And I had a Pass today. Run round through the town some & got a dish of clam soup which is a rich dish. And some fruit &c of which the markets is pretty well stocked. I was up on corner Clinta street to a Bayonet factory. There saw the rough iron taken and put through the different processes going through probably 15 hands. Comes out bright as any silver dollar and smooth as glass. I was around to the german town waterworks, saw the large pumps at work forcing the water 230 feet up from whence it run away 2 miles & half to the Reservoir.