USA > Wisconsin > An illustrated history of Wisconsin from prehistoric to present periods : the story of the state interspersed with realistic and romantic events > Part 38
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60
THE FIFTH WISCONSIN BATTERY.
Mustered in, October 1, 1861. Mustered out, June 14, 1865. Campaigned in Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina.
Engagements: New Madrid, Corinth, Chaplin Hills, Nashville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Moun- tain, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Bentonville. Original strength, 155. Total strength, 304. Death loss, 24. Killed and wounded in battle, 13.
After its organization, this battery reported at St. Louis on the 16th of March, 1862, and proceeding to New Madrid was employed in building and guarding forts until the surrender of Island No. 10, and then moved to Pitts- burg Landing, remaining there until the evacuation of Corinth. It moved on the 23d of June to Ripley, Mississippi, and then August 14th to Iuka, where
394
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
the battery was transferred to the Army of the Tennessee, participating in the various conflicts, and at the battle of Chaplin Hills displayed such gallantry as to be highly complimented by the commanding general. In pursuit of the enemy, it reached Crab Orchard, and then countermarched to Nashville, ar- riving December 7th, after an absence of nearly two months, during which it traversed five hundred miles of roadways. After taking part in the battle of Stone River, the battery went into camp at Murfreesboro, and afterwards at Manchester, leaving that place for Chattanooga.
Having re-enlisted, the men left the camp for Madison on their thirty days' furlough, returning on the 23d of February.
At the battle of Resaca the battery was actively engaged, resuming their advance May 16th. During the campaign following, this battery took part in the battles at Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro and a few minor engagements, returning in the early part of October to its old camp near Rome, Georgia, and refitted preparatory to Sherman's northward march through the Carolinas. Its record in this never-to-be-forgotten march is not unlike that of the others, and it is sufficient to say that it was always on hand when there was work to do or battles to be won.
Arriving at Washington, it took part in the Grand Review on the 24th of May, and remained in camp near the city until orders were received to pro- ceed home for discharge. It was mustered out at Madison.
SIXTH WISCONSIN BATTERY.
Mustered in, October 2. 1861. Mustered out, July 3d, 1865. Cam- paigned in Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee.
This battery, known as the Buena Vista artillery, left the state on the 15th day of March, 1862, proceeding to New Madrid, where it was first placed in charge of its guns. After the surrender of Island No. 10, and about the mid- dle of May, the command took position before Corinth. During this battle, the loss was twenty-five in killed and wounded. Participating in the general southward movement of our forces, it moved to the Yacona river, returning to Lumpkin Mills, whence the battery was sent by way of Holly Springs to Buntyn Station. March 3d it proceeded to Helena, and took part in the Yazoo Pass expedition. Early in April the battery marched as a part of the forces for the reduction of Vicksburg. On the way, and while at Cross Roads it engaged and drove the enemy. It participated in the battle at Jackson, and later at Champion Hills and Mission Ridge.
Owing to the lack of horses it turned its guns over to the ordinance de- partment at Chattanooga, and on the 2d day of December, 1863, went into camp at Larkinsville, Alabama, and there remained until January, 1864, when, at Huntsville, it was equipped with horses and new twelve pounder
395
WISCONSIN IN THE CIVIL WAR.
guns. During the spring of 1864 the battery was often engaged with the enemy, campaigning at Kingston, Cartersville and Fort Etowah, Georgia, and was assigned to the reserve corps early in December, 1864, at Fort Gillian.
On the 12th of January the horses were again turned over to the quarter- master's department and the men with muskets detailed on provost duty in Nashville. The battery left the city on the 17th of February, arriving at Chat- tanooga where it was placed in permanent camp. It remained here until ordered to Wisconsin to be discharged from the service, arriving at Madison on the 3d of July, 1865.
THE SEVENTH WISCONSIN BATTERY.
Mustered in, October 4, 1861. Mustered out, July, 1865. Campaigned in Tennessee, Mississippi, Missouri.
Engagements : New Madrid, Island No. 10, Parker's Cross Roads, Gun Town. Original strength, 158. Total strength, 314. Death loss, 30. Killed and wounded in battle, 32.
This battery, known as the Badger State Flying artillery, left the camp at Racine on the 15th of March, 1862, and by way of St. Louis, where it received its orders, and proceeded to Madrid to take part in the siege of Island No. 10 and was constantly employed until the surrender on the 8th of April, when fully equipped, it engaged in garrison duty until the 11th of June, and then moved to Union City, Tennessee, thence marching to Humbolt and was en- gaged in guarding an important point at the junction of the Mobile and Ohio railroads. The confederates having made a feint of attacking Jackson, the greater part of the garrison hurried to its defense. Two days later, the enemy having accomplished its object, by drawing the troops away, entered Humbolt and captured thirty-nine men and all the garrison and camp equipage, the company books and records. They also entered Trenton, capturing and de- stroying garrison equipage. On the 24th of December the battery moved to Trenton, whence the pursuit of Forest was commenced, coming up with the enemy at Parker's Cross Roads, and during the affair there one-half of the bat- tery lost thirty-one men in killed, wounded and prisoners and all but one horse. Pursuit was kept up until the foe crossed the Tennessee, the battery returning to Jackson. June 1, 1863, it was assigned to garrison duty at Corinth, moving thence on the 31st to Memphis, where it was placed on permanent gar- rison duty. February 25th, 1864, the re-enlisted men of the Badger State battery proceeded to Wisconsin to enjoy their brief thirty days' furlough, reporting for duty at Memphis on the 9th of April. They remained here until their term of ser- vice ended, with the exception of a few expeditions against the enemy. On the 21st of August, 1864, the battery lost fifteen men in the rebel raid on Memphis. In July the command was ordered to Wisconsin to be discharged.
COL. C.K. PIER. 38 Wis. Vol. Inf't'y.
CAPT. A.G. BECHAUD,
COL. FRANK A. HASKELL.
A. A. SHEPHERD,
LOUIS MANDERSCHEID. Co. G. 36 Wis . Vol. Inf't'y.
BINNER ENG. CO. MIL. CHI.
SOME WISCONSIN BOYS.
CHAPTER LII.
Startling Historical Exploits of the Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, Twelfth and Thirteenth Wisconsin Batteries.
THE EIGHTH WISCONSIN BATTERY.
Mustered in, January 8, 1862. Mustered out, August 10th, 1865. Cam- paigned in Kansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi.
Engagements : Chaplin Hills, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Mission Ridge, Lookout Mountain. Original strength, 161. Total strength, 329. Death loss, 25.
Lyon's Pinery battery left the state on the 18th of March, 1862, and pro- ceeded by way of St. Louis to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, with orders to take part in the great Southwestern expedition. This having been abandoned, they left for Columbus, Kentucky, marching thence to Humbolt, and there remained doing guard duty until the first of July, moving again southward, arriving on the 9th at Corinth, Mississippi. In the beginning of August, they took part in the movement on Bay Springs, taking part in the skirmish there on the 12th. Reporting at Nashville, Tennessee, they participated in the battle of Chaplin Hills on the 8th of October, and, going in pursuit, engaging the enemy at Lancaster, when they returned to Nashville. Leaving this place on the 26th of Decem- ber, the battery was engaged in the battle of Stone River, going into camp early in January, 1863, at Murfreesboro. They also took part in the battle of Chickamauga on the 19th of September, and at Mission Ridge and Lookout Mountain on the 24th and 25th, reaching Nashville on their return on the 8th of December.
The battery was here supplied with new guns and equipments and on the 26th of January eighty-two members re-enlisted. Returning from their brief thirty days' furlough the men arrived at Murfreesboro on the 25th, where they remained as permanent garrison until the close of the war, and were mustered out at Milwaukee on the 10th of August, 1865.
THE NINTH WISCONSIN BATTERY.
The Randall battery was organized in Racine county, and pursuant to orders reached St. Louis, January 20, 1862.
Captured guns from Fort Donelson constituted its equipment, with three full sections. At Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, it was furnished with horses and otherwise equipped for its long journey to Fort Kearney, and thence to Den-
397
398
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
ver, a march of over five hundred miles, which was accomplished in thirty- eight days. Early in June, the right section left for Fort Union, New Mexico, a distance of over two hundred and ninety miles, arriving on the 24th of that month, from which place, a few days later, it marched two hundred and sixty miles to Fort Lyon, Colorado.
The left section had almost a similar experience, leaving Denver on the 14th of June, and after a short stop at Fort Lyon, reached Fort Larned, nearly five hundred miles from its starting point.
The center section of the battery, after a midsummer march to Fort Lyon was ordered back to Denver, leaving there on the 11th, but later on in the season, in December, again marched to Fort Lyon, joining the right section.
This battery was engaged in various expeditions, particularly against the Indians, during the long marches and great exposure, repeatedly testing the endurance and discipline of the men.
For a time the right section served with General Curtis in his well-known expedition. While the right section went into camp at Council Grove, the center section, after dispersing a body of Indians, rested at Fort Riley, Kansas.
In October, 1864, all divisions of this battery proceeded on a forced march to Shawneetown, in pursuit of General Price's retreating army.
Various engagements occurred, but no rest was allowed to the fatigued men until over one hundred and fifty miles had been consumed in stern chase and the enemy been driven across the Arkansas river. In January, 1865, two sections, whose terms of enlistment had expired, were mustered out, and the battery made headquarters at Fort Riley.
On the last day of September following, the balance of the battery was mustered out, and proceeded to Madison, Wisconsin, arriving there four days later, and there received its discharge.
The total loss of this battery was six men, of whom five died of disease and the other by drowning.
THE TENTH WISCONSIN BATTERY.
Mustered in, February 10, 1862. Mustered out, April 26, 1865. Cam- paigned in Missouri, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina.
Engagements : Corinthi, Resaca, Calhoun Ferry, Red Oak, Lovejoy Station, Jonesboro, Burnt Bridge, Moses Creek, Waynesboro, Buckhead Church, Jones Plantation, Salkahatchie, Gunter's Bridge, Hornsboro, Monroe Cross Roads, Averysboro. Original strength, 47. Total strength, 179. Death loss, 27. Killed and wounded in battle, 10.
399
WISCONSIN IN THE CIVIL WAR.
The Tenth battery left the state on the 18th of March, going into camp at Benton Barracks. Here sixty-five men were transferred to other batteries, leaving but forty-seven men in the Tenth. They were joined on the 18th and 24th of April with recruits, and on the 30th proceeded by the Tennessee river to Pittsburg Landing, and in the action before Corinth lost two men. After the evacuation they marched in pursuit of the enemy as far as Boonsville. July roth they were assigned to the First brigade, Army of the Mississippi, and on the 2 Ist marched to Iuka, remaining there until the 12th of August, when they joined the Army of the Tennessee. Proceeding northward, by forced marches, they met and routed a body of Van Dorn's cavalry, reaching Nashville Sep- tember 14th. During the fall the battery was almost entirely engaged by sec- tions in guard duty. Early in January, 1863, they were ordered to escort a train to Murfreesboro, participating on the way in the battle of Stone River. The battery remained at Nashville and in the vicinity employed in garrison duty until the 16th of July, when it moved to Murfreesboro, remaining there until the 19th of August, and then proceeded by way of Columbia, Athens, Huntsville, Stevenson to Bridgeport, where it engaged in guarding bridges until the 10th of October, at which date they were sent to Anderson's Cross Roads, and on the 18th to Dallas Landing, remaining guarding the river until the Ist of January, .1864, when one section crossed the river and marched to Calhoun, where it was joined by the remainder on the beginning of February, and the entire Tenth battery was engaged in guard duty until the 27th of April.
Having been assigned to the Third cavalry corps of the Army of the Cumberland, the battery with our forces engaged the enemy at Resaca and Calhoun's Ferry, and was highly praised by the division commander. On the 22d, the Tenth posted at Adairsville, remaining in the vicinity engaged in guard (luty until the 3d of August, 1864, when it marched to Sandstown, setting out from here on the 14th, as a part of the raid on Atlanta. It participated in the actions of our army at Red Oak, Jonesboro, Lovejoy Station, returning to Sandstown on the 23d. On the Ist of October, 1864, the command broke camp at Sandstown and marched with Sherman's army, taking part in the battles during that general's celebrated campaign, earning their full share of the glory that surrounds all who marched with Sherman through the Carolinas. On its arrival at Goldsboro, North Carolina, the non- veterans of the battery were sent to Wisconsin for muster out, arriving there on the 20th of April. The remainder of the Tenth joined the Twelfth battery and continued the march, taking part in the Grand Review at Washington, and was sent home on the 7th of June, 1865.
THE ELEVENTH WISCONSIN BATTERY.
Mustered in, June, 1862. Mustered out, July 10, 1865. Campaigned in Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia.
400
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
Engagements : Greenland Gap, Mossfield, Fairmount, Bloomington, Flock's Mills, New Creek. Original strength, 87. Total strength, 134. Death loss, 3. Killed and wounded in action, 12.
The Oconto Irish guards was originally intended to serve.as a company of the Seventeenth infantry regiment, but on arriving at Camp Randall that organization was complete and permission was secured to organize as an artillery company.
On the 6th of April the battery was sent to Camp Douglas. It remained there until the 14th of June, when it moved to New Creek, West Virginia. During the summer, fall and winter the battery made its headquarters at this place, going out on a few expeditions to capture a few thousand pounds of tobacco. The forces stationed in this part of Virginia being ordered to co-op- erate with the Army of the Potomac, the battery left New Creek July 6, 1863, and proceeded to Hodgeville, remaining until the first of August, going into camp at Burlington. The battery was employed during the months of Sep- tember and October in scouting, being mounted as cavalry for that purpose. During November and December the different sections were sent on expedi- tions against the enemy. The 30th of January, 1864, at the advance of the rebels under Early, our troops retreated to New Creek, their old camping place. April 3d, a section was ordered to Greenland Gap, and on the 30th of May marched to intercept a rebel force who were engaged on a raid on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, overtaking and routing them at Burlington.
One section of the battery attacked the enemy at Flock's Mills on the 31st of July, driving them off with severe loss ; another section being attacked by the same rebel force at New Creek and again defeated him. October Ist, the Eleventh battery was stationed as follows: One section at Grafton, another at Clarksburg and the left at New Creek.
November 26th, one section, in connection with the Sixth West Virginia cavalry, encountered a superior force of the confederates and lost six men, eleven horses and one gun. On the 28th the enemy attacked New Creek and captured forty-nine men and sixty-eight horses. January 21st, 1865, the bat- tery was ordered to Harper's Ferry, remaining there until discharged from service.
THE TWELFTH WISCONSIN BATTERY.
Mustered in, March, 1862. Mustered out, June 7th, 1865. Campaigned in Missouri, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, South Caro- lina and North Carolina.
Engagements : Corinth, Iuka, Jackson, Champion Hills, Vicksburg, Altoona, Savannah. Original strength, 99. Total strength, 342. Death loss, 30. Killed and wounded in battle, 22.
40 1
WISCONSIN IN THE CIVIL WAR.
This battery was recruited during the early spring of 1862, and mustered into service in squads, being hurried forward to Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, with the understanding that they were to become a part of the First Missouri artillery. This led to a misunderstanding between Captain Pile, of Missouri, who refused to follow certain instructions given by the governor of Wisconsin, resulting in a joint order made by the state and general government relieving him from duty. Early in May two sections of the battery proceeded by steamer up the Tennessee river, joining General Pope's command in the siege of Corinth. During the siege the other section of the command arrived and entered the hot engagement, driving the foe and destroying the fort built to command the Memphis and Charleston railroad. With such determination did the young officer in command (who was a theological student of the Ger- man Methodist church) advance his battery from position to position during the engagement and subsequently following the retreating enemy with speed of cavalry movement, that he was promoted to be captain and his command sup- plied with a full set of Parrott guns, which they first took into action at Iuka, and again following the enemy on its retreat from that place, halting in camp near Corinth. Thereafter the battery was almost continually in movement from point to point in Missouri and Tennessee until the 14th of January, 1863, when, after a short rest, they proceeded to Memphis, Yazoo Pass, Miliken's Bend, Grand Gulf and Big Black River, but were brought to a halt near Ray- mond, where an engagement ensued, the enemy retreating towards Jackson, followed, of course, by the enthusiastic battery boys. Then commenced the well-known advance towards Vicksburg, resulting in the severe contest of Champion Hills, where the enemy was again driven, and the road to Vicksburg closed forever against them. After the siege of that place, the command was sent to Helena, Arkansas, advancing by boat to Memphis and later by rail to Corinth and then by marching to Glendale, Missouri, guarding the railroad, so important for the supplies of our army. After a few weeks of such duty this Wisconsin battery moved by a circuitous route to Chattanooga, taking a posi- tion to cover the passage of our troops in a movement for the capture of Mis- sion Ridge and Lookout Mountain. With a view to the health of the men, various camps were established, doing usual duty at Bridgeport, Larkinsville and Huntsville ; winter quarters were established at the latter place. Here, by reason of their efficiency and merit, they were furnished with a complete set of Rodman guns, and early in the summer proceeded to Bellefonte and from that place by way of Chattanooga and Kingston to Altoona, where, October 5th, 1864, the battery won great honors in the celebrated defense of the place against the attack of the confederate forces. Taking his battery outside of the fortifications, the intrepid Captain Zickerick boldly and successfully assailed an equal number of guns which had been established under cover of darkness
402
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
in a manner calculated to rake the lines of the federal fortification. In less than seventy minutes the enemy sent up its flag of truce, the com- manding general, in special orders commending the service of the Wiscon- sin battery as unsurpassed in any modern warfare in Europe or else- where. This disaster only redoubled the efforts of the increasing foe, and to save his men and guns the gallant captain unlimbered and withdrew, pouring heavy volleys on the enemy as they steadily advanced until within the earthworks, outside of which they had been fighting. Having placed his men in advantageous positions, he waited until the assailing column "could almost touch the men through the embrasures" when terrible volleys of grape and cannister at short range drove back the confederates, leaving many dead and wounded to attest the heroism of both the assault and defense. Said General Corse, in reporting this battle : "No one is entitled to more credit for the salva- tion of this post than the Twelfth Wisconsin battery, commanded by Captain Zickerick, whose name is recommended for any promotion that the govern- ment feels at liberty to grant." From Altoona they took up the March to Savannah, accompanying Sherman's army in that historic march. Having reached the sea-coast the battery advanced under the heavy fire from the con- federate works and established themselves within easy range of the opposing fortifications, on the 21st of December, 1864. About the middle of January the battery was embarked and arrived at Beaufort, South Carolina, three days later, marching thence and by rail to McPhersonville. After a brief rest they arrived near Columbia and the next day occupied that city. Crossing the Wateree river, they passed through Success and reached Goldsborough, North Carolina, on the 24th of March. Two weeks after, having met with some op. position, the battery entered Raleigh and went into camp at Beaver Dam Creek, where the news of Lee's surrender was received and the march for Washington commenced. Participating in the Grand Review, this famous battery left for home, and upon arriving at Madison were mustered out on the 26th.
THE THIRTEENTH WISCONSIN BATTERY.
Mustered in, December 24th, 1863. Mustered out, July 20th, 1865. Cam- paigned in Louisiana. Original strength, 156. Total strength, 188. Death loss, 14.
On the 28th of January. 1864, this battery left the state under orders to proceed to New Orleans, and thence to Baton Rouge. Here it was assigned to duty at Fort Williams, and on March 20th, fully equipped as light artillery, and soon after placed in charge of some ten guns. On the 17th it was ordered to provost duty at Baton Rouge, returning on the 8th of July, when they took charge of the guns of the Third Vermont battery, remaining here until the 4th of August, moving thence to Highland Stockade and then back to Baton Rouge, remaining until discharged from service on the 20th of July, 1865.
CHAPTER LIII. WISCONSIN'S STATE GOVERNORS.
ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR LOUIS POWELL HARVEV.
January 6, 1862-April 19, 1862.
Early History of Louis Powell Harvey .- The Drowning of Governor Harvey in the Tennessee .- His Wife Enters the Army as a Nurse.
LOUIS POWELL HARVEY, our seventh governor, was born July 22, 1820, at East Haddon, Connecticut. His family being poor, they moved, mn Louis' eighth year, to Strongsville, Ohio. Here he did rude work. His ambition, however, being to gain a good education, he studied while he worked, and, at the age of nineteen, was prepared to enter the Western Reserve college, at Hudson, Ohio, where his board was paid by do- ing odd jobs. For a while he worked in a book bindery, and so worked and studied until his failing health compelled him to leave college before he was grad- uated.
After he had recovered sufficiently, he taught school at Nicholsonville, Ken- tucky, which position he filled until the better one of tutor in the Woodward col- lege was offered and accepted. In 1841, Mr. Harvey came still farther west, and settled at Kenosha, Wisconsin, where he established an academy. He also be- came editor of a Whig newspaper called the "American." This paper was well written, and the courteous, but spirited political items wielded much influence. President Tyler appointed him post- master of Kenosha, which capacity he filled in a very creditable manner.
In 1847, Mr. Harvey again gave up his home and went to Clinton, where he started a general store. In the same year, 1847, he was elected to the second constitutional convention, and helped to frame the organic law of the new state.
403
404
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
He then bought the water-power at Shopiere, in Rock county, built a large flouring-mill, opened a retail store, and to him in a great measure belongs the praise of building up this place. The Congregational church edifice was built mainly by him, and the public schools always received much of his attention.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.