USA > Wisconsin > An illustrated history of the state of Wisconsin : being a complete civil, political, and military history of the state, from its first exploration down to 1875 > Part 34
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More than two-thirds of the regiment re-enlisted on the 11th of December, constituting it a veteran regiment, being the first regiment to re-enlist in the Army of the Tennessee. The regiment embarked for Wisconsin Jan. 3, 1864, on furlough ; arrived at Madison on the 20th ; on the 26th were paid, and received furlough for thirty days.
The Fifteenth Regiment, after the battle of Stone River, in
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which they did noble service, went into camp near Murfrees- borough early in January, 1863. While here, they suffered much for want of comfortable clothing, provisions, and tents. The enemy had obstructed the railroads, and supplies were with great difficulty moved forward. They remained in camp until June 23. On the 1st of May, the regiment was transferred to the third brigade, of which Col. Heg had been placed in permanent command. In consequence of this appointment, a number of changes were made among the commissioned officers. On the 24th, the brigade (including the Fifteenth) accompanied the movement against Gen. Bragg at Tullahoma. As this expedition has before been referred to, it is only necessary to say, that, after driving Bragg out of Tennessee, the onward march was commeneed to Stevenson, Ala., crossing the Cumber- land mountains, at which place they remained until the 28th, when they led the advance of Roseerans' army against the enemy in the Chickamauga campaign. In this engagement, owing to want of proper re-enforcements, the regiment was compelled to break with considerable loss. Col. Heg died the day following of wounds ; and a number of officers were killed. The official report says eleven killed, thirty-seven wounded, and forty- eight missing, mostly taken prisoners. On the 21st, two com- panies of the regiment which had been stationed at Island No. 10 joined the regiment; and the brigade proceeded to Chat- tanooga, and, on their arrival, commeneed throwing up breast- works. Here they suffered for want of provisions and clothing, as the line of communication was continually interrupted by the rebel cavalry. On the 11th of October, the Fifteenth was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, and, on the 23d of November, moved out of their works to attack the rebels on Mission Ridge, in which they were successful. On the 28th, they marched to Knoxville in East Tennessee, which place they reached Dec. 7, after a march of one hundred and ten miles. The service of this regiment in this campaign was one of great hardship. It was marching and counter-marching over intolerable roads, from place to place, remaining only long enough for the men to indulge in the hope that they would be allowed once more to pitch their tents, and enjoy a little rest, when the same seene would be re-enacted. So disgusted and
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disheartened did the men become, that only seven of the whole regiment finally re-enlisted as veterans. No engagement of importance took place in East Tennessee, except one, in which a detachment of the Fifteenth took part.
The Sixteenth Regiment left Moscow, Tenn., on the 10th of January, 1863, and engaged on duty on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad; was subsequently transferred to Lake Providence, and took part in cutting a canal to the lake, where they remained until about Aug. 1, at which time they moved down the river to Vicksburg, and, on the 28th of September, marched to Redbone Church, twelve miles from Vicksburg. Here Lieut .- Col. Fairchild was placed in command. They remained until February, 1864, when they moved into the fortifications at Vicksburg, and acted as part of the garrison. On the 4th of March, they were joined by three companies which had been recruited in Wisconsin.
The old companies re-enlisted, and on the 6th left Vicksburg for Wisconsin, on veteran furlough, arriving at Madison on the 16th, where they were publicly welcomed by the State officers, and members of the legislature. After their thirty days' respite from military matters, they rendezvoused at Camp Randall, on April 18, and reached Cairo on the 22d.
The Seventeenth Regiment, in December, 1862, was at Grand Junction. Here it remained until Jan. 3, 1863, when it rejoined the division at Moscow, Tenn. On the 10th, the whole command proceeded to Memphis, arriving on the 13th, and on the 18th embarked on transports, and moved down the Mississippi, landing at Young's Point, near Vicksburg, on the 25th, where they were employed on the canal, by which Gen. Grant proposed to run the rebel batteries. On the 8th of Feb- ruary, they moved up the river to Lake Providence, engaged in cutting a canal from the river to the lake. Here they remained until the 20th of April, when they moved down the river to Milliken's Bend.
In company with other forces, they crossed the peninsula to Carthage, near which they encamped until 10th of May, when they crossed the river at Grand Gulf, and on the 16th reached Raymond, while the battle of Champion Hills was in progress, and hurried forward, but did not arrive until the battle was over.
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Here the Seventeenth was ordered to the support of a battery. The enemy retiring, they were ordered forward in pursuit, and marched till midnight. In the morning the pursuit was con- tinued, and the regiment reached Black River Bridge soon after the capture of the enemy's position. Here they were engaged in the construction of military bridges, over which they crossed on the 18th, and marched to within half a mile of the enemy's position, in the rear of Vicksburg. On the 19th of May, the Seventeenth took part in the assault on the enemy's works. In this engagement, the Seventeenth had fourteen killed, and fifty wounded. After the taking of Vicksburg, the brigade went into camp within the old line of works, where they remained until the 12th, when they embarked, and proceeded to Natchez. Here the regiment was employed in picket and guard duty, and, on the 24th of August, was furnished with horses, and employed as mounted infantry-men. On the 1st of September, a part of the regiment moved to Trinity in the State of Louisi- ana. Here the rebels gave them a warm reception ; but they were soon routed. A rebel steamer, with commissary and quartermaster's stores, was taken possession off, and destroyed. On the 4th, they arrived at Fort Beauregard, and took posses- sion of the same, capturing three brass six-pounders, two thirty-two-pound siege-guns, and twenty four-pount howit- zers, besides caissons and ammunition. They subsequently destroyed a grist-mill in the vicinity, and a lot of Confederate cotton and commissary stores, after which they rejoined the brigade, and returned to Natchez, where they remained until the last of October, when they moved with the brigade to Vicksburg, where they were occupied during the winter in camp and guard duty.
The Board of Honor established by the Seventeenth Corps presented four silver medals to non-commissioned officers of the regiment for distinguished gallantry and services.
The Eighteenth Regiment left Moscow on the 10th of Jan- uary, 1863 ; marched to Memphis, where they embarked for, and proceeded to, Young's Point, near Vicksburg, subsequent- ly to Lake Providence, to Milliken's Bend, to Raymond, and joined in the attack on Jackson, Miss. They took part in the assault; gallantly charged upon the enemy, and, after a severe
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post and picket duty in companies, -one party, two miles from ยท Newbern, with two pieces of artillery ; and others twenty miles distant, and on the south side of Trent River. The regiment was thus employed until Feb. 1, 1864.
The Twentieth Regiment fought nobly at Prairie Grove Dec. 6, 1862, and lost heavily, and remained in camp at that place until Dec. 27, when they were ordered to make a reconnoissance in force to Van Buren, on the Arkansas River. They returned to camp on the 31st, having marched one hun- dred and twenty miles in five days. Shortly after, they marched into Missouri, where the balance of the winter was spent, the regiment moving from place to place in the south- western part of the State, and on the 31st of March, 1863, going into camp at Lake Springs, near Rolla, where they remained until June 3, when they marched to Rolla, and, tak- ing cars, proceeded to St. Louis, where they embarked for Young's Point, crossed the peninsula to Warrenton, and took position in the line of investment in the front of Vicksburg, on the extreme left of the investing forces. Here they remained until the capitulation of the city, engaged in picket- duty, and labor on intrenchments.
On the 12th of July they embarked, under orders to re- enforce Gen. Banks at Port Hudson. Before leaving, they heard of the surrender of that place, and were sent to accom- pany an expedition up the Yazoo River. Arriving within three miles of Yazoo City on the 13th, skirmishers were dis- embarked, and sent forward. After the exchange of a few shots, our troops took possession of the place; and, while there, the regiment acted as provost-guard.
The whole expedition returned to Vicksburg on the 21st, and, after a delay of two days, proceeded down the river to Port Hudson, where they went into camp on the 25th. About the middle of August, they left Port Hudson, and proceeded down the river, and went into camp at Carrollton, La., near New Orleans. On the 5th of September, accompanying an expedition up the Mississippi, they proceeded up the river to Morganzia, La., and moved forward on the Simmsport Road as far as the Atchafalaya River, where the enemy was found strongly intrenched, and then returned to Carrollton. Embark-
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ing on the steamer, they left Carrollton, and proceeded to the head of the passes, and waited for the rest of the fleet, which, to the number of twenty-seven, stood out to sea on the 27th of October. Encountered a severe storm on the 29th, and arrived at Brazos Santiago on the 1st of November, and pro- ceeded to the mouth of the Rio Grande. Not being able to land, they returned to the former place, and went into camp at Brownsville. Here they were employed in garrison, picket, and fatigue duty at Fort Brown. Here the regiment remained until it was evacuated by the Union forces, July 28, 1864.
The Twenty-first Regiment on the 5th of January, 1863, went into camp near Murfreesborough, foraging, drilling, fortifying, and skirmishing with the enemy. The regiment then moved with the army upon the enemy, who were encamped near Tulla- homa; and, on the 26th of June, the regiment was engaged in driving the rebels from a strong position at Hoover's Gap, and afterwards followed the retreating enemy to the Tennessee River. On the 1st of September they crossed the river, and joined in the march to Dug Gap, where the enemy were found in great force. On the 19th, the third brigade with the Twenty- first Regiment was moved to a position near one of the gaps at Mission Ridge, and near the fords of the Chickamauga. The day following, the terrible battle at Chickamauga took place, in which Lieut .- Col. Hobart of this regiment, and about seventy officers and men, were captured. At this battle, the regiment lost, killed or died of wounds, nine ; wounded, thirty-four. After the battle, the regiment, with what remained of the brigade, retired to a line of defence near Mission Ridge, and Sept. 22, it fell back to Chattanooga, where it remained in the defence of that place. During the winter of 1863-64, it held the outpost upon Lookout Mountain, and remained in this position until May 2, 1864. Col. Hobart, having escaped from Libby Prison, after four months' close confinement, re- turned to the regiment at this place.
The Twenty-second Regiment, on the 12th of December, 1862, were at Danville, Ky., from which place they proceeded in vari- ous directions, through the surrounding country, to meet and foil the movements of the enemy. The order for the return of such fugitives from labor as came into the camp was repugnant
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to the feelings and principles of Col. Utley and his men. In response to such an order, he utterly refused to be instrumen- tal in returning a colored man to the man claiming to be his master. At one time, the colonel was indicted by a Kentucky court, and the sheriff was ordered to arrest him. The attempt was not made, however ; and the regiment was allowed to depart from Kentucky without any disturbance.
They left Danville on the 26th of January, 1863; arrived at Louisville on the 30th ; and reached Nashville Feb. 7; from thence to Franklin ; and on the 3d of March were ordered to make a reconnoissance toward Spring Hill, where an engage- ment took place at a place known as Thompson's Station, in which the regiment was badly defeated. Three hundred and sixty-three men went out with this expedition, of which about one hundred and fifty escaped, and the rest were killed, wounded, or taken prisoners ; Col. Utley and eleven commis- sioned officers among them.
On the 8th of March, the remainder of the regiment (about five hundred men), under Lieut .- Col. Bloodgood, was ordered to Brentwood Station. On the 25th, while on the way to assist a Union force two miles south, they were attacked by over- powering numbers, and completely surrounded by the enemy, under Gen. Forrest. Finding that resistance was useless, Lieut .- Col. Bloodgood surrendered his whole command.
The officers and men captured in these two engagements were sent to Southern prisons. The enlisted men were soon exchanged ; and the officers who had been sent to Libby Prison were exchanged on the 5th of May. It has since been ascer- tained that the rebels had a force of over twelve thousand at Thompson's Station, who surrounded and captured Coburn's forces.
After the release of the 22d, a rendezvous was established at St. Louis, where the regiment was re-organized, and newly equipped, and on the 12th of June returned to the field. Pro- ceeding to Nashville, arriving there on the 15th, they were sent to Franklin, from whence, on the 3d of July, they pro- ceeded to Murfreesborough, and went into camp within the fortifications. A detachment was sent in December to near Tullahoma. Here they remained in the performance of pro- vost and guard duty until February, 1864.
CHAPTER XLVII.
WISCONSIN'S WAR RECORD.
Events of 1863, continued - Military History of Wisconsin during the Year 1863 - Regimental Records - The Cavalry.
THE Twenty-third Regiment was at Milliken's Bend, Jan. 1, 1863. On the 10th of the month, they disembarked within three miles of Arkansas Post, on the Arkansas River. While moving forward to obtain position, they were assailed by a destructive enfilading fire from the enemy's rifle-pits and artillery, rendering necessary a change of front. This having been effected, three companies were employed as skirmishers, and captured several block-houses ; while the balance of the regiment attacked and carried the rifle-pits. After an engage- ment of about three hours, the post, with its garrison, uncondi- tionally surrendered. In this engagement, the Twenty-third sustained a loss of six killed, and thirty-one wounded. Jan. 15, the regiment again embarked, and arrived at Young's Point, La., where they encamped. In this unhealthy location, the regiments suffered severely from the effects of malaria and exposure, and it was until the middle of February before the regiment could muster two hundred and fifty men fit for duty. From the middle of February to the 8th of March, they were engaged in several minor excursions against the enemy at Greenville, Miss., and at Cypress Bend, Ark., where they had a severe fight, in which the Twenty-third succeeded in captur- ing several prisoners and pieces of artillery. After a foraging expedition to Princeton, Miss., they ascended the river to Milliken's Bend, where the health of the regiment greatly improved. Following the Thirteenth Army Corps in its march to the rear of Vicksburg, they proceeded to Hard Times
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Landing, below Grand Gulf. Crossing the river to Bruinsburg, the division commenced the march towards Vicksburg, reaching the battle-ground of Port Gibson May 1. In the action at this place, the regiment, with the brigade, captured twenty prisoners, and on the day following took the advance, and, pushing forward, was the first of our army to enter the village of Port Gibson. After several days' skirmishing, the regiment joined the movement on Raymond, and on the 16th took part in the battle of Champion Hills. It took the advance, and forced back the enemy's skirmish-line to the main body, a distance of two miles; and, in the battles of the 20th and 22d, the regiment and brigade did excellent service. The Twenty-second lost, in these engagements, seventeen killed, and thirty-six wounded.
The regiment was subsequently occupied in siege-duty until the final surrender of Vicksburg, July 4. Up to the 5th of June, the regiment had been commanded by Col. Guppy, when continued ill health compelled him to turn over his command to Lieut .- Col. Vilas, who had the charge of the regiment during the subsequent progress of the siege of Vicksburg, and for nearly two months after the surrender. On the 10th of July, the regiment took position before Jackson, Miss., and were there until after the capture of that place. They returned to Vicksburg July 21, and encamped until Aug. 24, when the regiment proceeded down the river to New Orleans, and from thence to Berwick City. On the 25th of August, Col. Vilas resigned, and Major Hill was appointed lieutenant- colonel. On the 7th of October, the regiment took part in the expedition to South-western Louisiana, passing through Centreville, New Iberia, and Vermilion, at which place they remained until the 21st. Passing through Opelousas to Barr's Landing, they moved, Nov. 1, to Bayou Bordeaux, where, on the 3d, the enemy made a fierce assault. In this engagement, they lost seven killed, and thirty-eight wounded, and eighty- six taken prisoners. After the battle, the regiment, on the 3d of November, retired to Carrion Crow Bayou, and thence proceeded to New Iberia, which it reached on the 8th, and the regiment was assigned provost-duty; Col. Hill being placed in command of the post of New Iberia. The regiment subse-
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quently went to Texas, and embarked at Algiers for Matagorda, arriving on the 29th off De Crow's Point, where they landed, and went into camp Jan. 1, 1864.
The Twenty-fourth Regiment was at Murfreesborough on the 30th of December, 1862; and on the 31st took part in the battle of Stone River, and fought bravely. The casualties of the regiment, as reported, were thirty-one killed, and forty-six wounded. Lieut .- Col. Buttrick having resigned, Major Hib- bard was commissioned lieutenant-colonel. Several changes took place at the re-organization of the army for the summer campaign. On the 24th of June, the regiment removed from Murfreesborough, reaching Tullahoma on July 1, and encamped at Cowan, Tenn., on the 3d, where they remained until the forward movement began against the enemy at Chattanooga, on Sept. 2, when they crossed the Tennessee River at Bridge- port, marched across the mountains to Trenton, thence to Will's Valley to Alpine. Learning that Gen. Bragg was at Lafayette, Gen. Rosecrans ordered the concentration of all the forces near Gordon's Mills, and along Chickamauga Creek. On the morning of Sept. 19, the Twenty-fourth marched under the command of Lieut .- Col. West. On the 20th, the brigade fought the enemy for nearly half an hour ; and Lieut .- Col. West was taken prisoner, and carried to Libby Prison, whence he made his escape in company with Col. Hobart. The list of those killed and wounded is taken from the records; viz., killed, or died from wounds, eighteen; wounded, sixty-one; and thirty-six missing, mostly taken prisoners. After the battle, they removed to Rossville, and subsequently returned to Chattanooga, remaining in camp, and employed in guard and fatigue duty, until the campaign of Gen. Grant against Mission Ridge. The Twenty-fourth left camp at Chattanooga Nov. 23, and took position in line of battle, and on the 25th were advanced to the assault. They carried the rifle-pits, resuming the ascent of the hill; and, after a severe engagement, the rebel position was captured. In this engagement, the regiment lost, in killed five, and wounded thirty.
After the battle, the army was re-organized by Gen. Grant; and the Twenty-fourth was attached to Gen. Sheridan's division, and was ordered to take part in the expedition of
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Gen. Sherman for the relief of Gen. Burnside at Knoxville. Starting on Nov. 28, the army arrived near Knoxville on the 7th of December, after a march of one hundred and thirty miles, raising the siege of that place, which had been closely invested by Longstreet. During the winter, they were stationed at points in proximity to Knoxville, and subsequently at Loudon, where they were engaged in provost-guard-duty until the spring campaign, under Gen. Sherman.
The Twenty-fifth Regiment left Camp Randall Feb. 17, 1863, under orders to report at Cairo, Ill. They arrived on the 19th, and next day proceeded to Columbus, Ky. Here they were attached to the Sixteenth Army Corps; and the regiment proceeded to Cape Girardeau. Returning to Colum- bus on the 25th, they resumed their former post and picket duty, until the 31st of May, when they left on transports down the river to Memphis, from whence they were ordered to Young's Point, where they arrived June 4. From thence they proceeded up the Yazoo River, to Satartia, where they landed and encamped. Leaving this last place June 16, the brigade marched down the Yazoo Valley to Haine's Bluff, and from thence four miles to Snyder's Bluff, where they arrived on the 11th. This position formed the extreme right of the line of investment around Vicksburg. Here they remained engaged in picket-duty, when the regiment, under Lieut .- Col. Nasmith, took part in an expedition up the Mississippi for the purpose of driving off guerillas who were stationed at several points, and firing into the passing boats. They returned unsuccessful, as the rebels fled on their approach. They remained on the Yazoo River until July 25. They were placed in a sickly lo- cality ; and the regiment suffered severely ; over five hundred men being sick, and very few fit for duty. From thence they moved up the river to Helena, and the regiment was placed on duty as provost-guard. Owing to the hardships of the rapid march from Satatia to Snyder's Bluff, the excessive heat, and the unhealthy position they were placed in, the regiment suffered to a frightful extent. On the 16th of August, only ninety men were reported fit for duty.
The regiment remained at Helena, engaged in provost-guard- duty, until February, 1864.
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The Twenty-sixth Regiment spent December, 1862, at Staf- ford Court House. In January, 1863, they joined the expedi- tion known as the "Mud Campaign," but soon returned to Stafford. On the 27th of April, the regiment and the rest of the Eleventh Corps broke camp, crossed the Rappahannock at Kelley's Ford, and on the 29th crossed the Rapidan at Ger- mania Ford, and by hard marching reached Locust Grove, near Chancellorsville, April 30. In the battle that took place, the Twenty-sixth participated, but were obliged to retreat. The loss by killed and wounded was large. Fifty-three were reported killed, and ninety-six wounded. After the battle, the Eleventh Corps returned to Stafford Court House, where they remained until the 12th of June, when they received orders to march, as information was received that the enemy was marching into the loyal States. The regiment proceeded to Centreville, thence to Edward's Ferry, and reached Emmettsburg, Md., June 29, where the Eleventh Corps encamped. On the 1st of July, they marched towards Gettysburg, in which battle the Twenty-sixth took an active part. At this battle, the Twenty- sixth had fifty-three killed, and a hundred and fifteen wounded. Afterwards set out on its return to Virginia, and marched to Boonsborough, to Funkstown, to Williamsport, thence to Berlin, crossing the Potomac, on the 19th took the line of march to Warrenton Junction, where they arrived July 25. The regi- ment was much reduced by the casualties of battle and the hardships of the campaign, and was temporarily organized into five companies. They remained here until Sept. 17, engaged in picket and patrol duty, when they removed to Rappahannock Station, where the regiment assumed its rightful organization, and remained until the 24th, when the Eleventh Corps marched to Manassas Junction. Having been transferred to the Army of the Tennessee, they proceeded to Columbus, and thence to Bridgeport, Ala., arriving Oct. 2. On the 23d, 24th, and 25th, the regiment was engaged in the brilliant action at Mission Ridge, and on the 26th joined in the pursuit of the enemy until the 28th, returning to Parker's Gap. After a number of marches and countermarches, the regiment marched back again to its old camp in Lookout Valley, where it re- mained until Jan. 25, 1864.
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