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to the Brigade
by blowing on the bugle the "Jack-Ass-call;" a favorite
piece of original music by him.
James Ballinger was appointed Fife-Major. Albert J. Farnum, Drum-Major. Eli J. Coulson, Hospital Steward. He was a physician of Pennsville, Morgan County, and a man of successful and extensive practice. Believing it his duty to give his service to his country, and that this could best be done by taking the field, he therefore enlisted as a private in Company "E." His health yielded to the hardships incident to army life, and the debilitating influence of a malarious climate, which caused him to be mustered out of the service in a few months after the regiment left the State. He afterwards regained his health, and raised a company for the "hundred days service," and went out as its Captain. Justice here demands that we should state that in consequence of General Leggett's absence, Brigadier-General Dennis, formerly Colonel of the Thirtieth Illinois Infantry, commanded the brigade from Milliken's Bend, Louisiana, until after the battle of Jackson, Mississippi. During this time the brigade took an important part in three battles: Port Gibson, Raymond, and Jackson, Mississippi. The battle of Raymond, Miss., was almost exclusively fought by the Second Brigade, composed at that time of the Twentieth, Sixty-Eighth, and Seventy-Eighth Ohio, and Thirtieth Illinois regiments, commanded by General Dennis, and whipped all of General Claiborne's (rebel) division. At this time General Leggett returned, and resumed command of the Second Brigade, and General Dennis was ordered by General McPherson to take command of the Sixth Division, Seventeenth Army Corps. |
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