Memories of Our Service
By Major Rozell
By Major Rozell
By Major Rozell
Maitland, Mo., 2–23–’11.
Maitland, Mo., 2–23–’11.
Maitland, Mo., 2–23–’11.
Maitland, Mo., 2–23–’11.
Dear Comrade:
Dear Comrade:
Dear Comrade:
Dear Comrade:
As promised will write a few thoughts for your book, but as I will have to depend entirely upon memory, it may be imperfect.
As a regiment, we have reason to be proud of our record, for there were regiments of one, two and even three years that did less real service than did the 149th O. V. I. one hundred day men. Our day’s work on right of Wallace’s little army on the 9th of July, ’64, at Monocacy, guarding the right flank of the army at Stone Bridge on Baltimore pike, resulted in more good than many other victories, as we helped to hold Early’s thirty thousand men one day, and this enabled Wright and Emery to reach Washington and save the city.
The regiment on that May morning in 1864 left their business and farms at great sacrifices financially and otherwise, and went at call of Governor to Camp Dennison as O. N. G’s. and there volunteered for one hundred days as O. V. I. How proud I was of those noble boys, as we marched out that sunny May morning in front of Governor Brough in our blue uniforms, and arms glistening in the sun, keeping step to the music—listened to a short speech from the Governor—then heard the words “All who will volunteer in U. S. service for one hundred daysstep four paces to the front;” every man in the regiment stepped proudly to the front and was mustered in as 149th O. V. I. Grant in his history gives the author of “Ben Hur” great credit for his work at Monocacy, and Wallace complimented Col. Brown for work of his regiment. Well we had a weary tramp back to Baltimore—those of us who got back. From there we immediately took the train for Washington, and then it was tramp, tramp, tramp, up and down, back and forth, until “Little Phil,” (as he was affectionately called) came up and things began to move.
Those were trying times and many a brave and patriotic boy became discouraged—but Gen. Sheridan soon cleaned up things in the “Valley,” although in doing so many brave boys lost their lives, and among the number were quite a good many of the 149th.
Some of us remember a little “scrap” with Mosby at Berryville on an early morning (the 13th of Aug., ’64); I have only to look at my left arm to remind me that a rebel bullet went crashing through that arm and paralyzed it for the time, and had to grab rein of bridle with sword hand, but was soon surrounded by “Johnnies” and started for the “sunny” south. I might mention many incidents that would interest some of the boys, had I time and space, but as comrade McCommon is giving a paper on prison life, and was along, will leave that to him, but will add only that I was separated from the “boys” at Lynchburg, and never saw them more, except as they passed “Libby” a few days later.
I was in luck to get out about a month later and home about a month after the regiment got back. I had, while in three year service, been shot through left lung, in right shoulder andface, and was discharged in the summer of 1863. The wound received at Berryville was enough to place me in what was called the hospital in Libby, and an order was made to examine inmates of hospital, and all who were considered permanently disabled were ordered paroled; I “fell back” on old wounds, and got out on that order; a very happy man I was, when at Aiken’s landing, I passed from under the rebel flag into our lines and under the “stars and stripes.”
Long years have passed since those trying times—many of the dear boys never lived to get back—some sleep on field of battle at Monocacy—some at Berryville, and some at southern prisons; many have answered the last “Roll Call” since their return home; but a few weeks since I witnessed the burial of a member of Co. F, a dear and only brother; soon all of us will have to answer the final call. I am, with one exception, Lt. Col. West, the only Regimental officer left and almost all of the Company officers are gone, and a large per cent of the boys in the ranks are gone; Taps to all will come soon, and Lights out forever. Let us be ready, boys, for the “Grand Review” on the other shore.
Eb. Rozell,Major 149th O. V. I.
Eb. Rozell,Major 149th O. V. I.
Eb. Rozell,Major 149th O. V. I.
Eb. Rozell,
Major 149th O. V. I.