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 36
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THE following is an historical record of the marches, skirm- ishes, battles, and various actions of the regiments during the year 1864. The record is, in many, instances based upon infor- mation compiled from the reports of the adjutant-general and the military histories of the State.
The First Regiment. On the 13th of January, 1864, Gen. Starkweather was ordered to Washington on court-martial duty ; and all his connection with the First Wisconsin ceased. The regiment accompanied the Fourteenth Corps, in February 1864, in the feint on Dalton, to favor Gen. Sherman's Meridian expedition, and subsequently encamped at Graysville, Ga., until the 2d of May.
In the re-organization of the army in 1864, the First Regi- ment, under the command of Lieut .- Col. Bingham, retained its position in the third brigade, first division, Brig .- Gen. R. W. Johnson, Fourteenth Army Corps, and moved to Ringgold, Ga., where the Fourteenth Corps was concentrating preparatory to the commencement of the celebrated Atlanta campaign.
On the 7th of May, the march commenced; and the division occupied a position in the vicinity of Dalton, exposed to the occasional fire of the enemy, until the 12th, when the Four- teenth Corps marched to Resaca by Snake Creek Gap, and took position in the intrenchments before that place. On the 14th, the brigade advanced to charge the enemy's works in two lines, but, being unsupported, were unable to carry the position.
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The First, being in the second line, suffered a loss only of five wounded. The enemy evacuated Resaca on the night of the 15th, and were soon followed by the Union forces. The First, with the brigade, followed in the pursuit, and confronted the enemy at Pumpkin-vine Creek, near Dallas, on the 27th, and on the next day advanced, driving in the rebel skirmishers. On the 30th, an attack was made by a part of Hood's corps on their position, which was repulsed after a severe engagement ; the First losing four killed, and twenty-eight wounded.
From the 1st of June till the 17th, the regiment with the brigade occupied several positions near Ackworth, for the most of the time in line of battle. On the 17th, they took part in a severe skirmish of the picket-lines near Big Shanty ; and next day drove the enemy's skirmishers to the main line, taking many prisoners. The enemy retreated ; and the army moved forward in front of their new position, near Kenesaw Moun- tain. Here they remained until the 3d of July, under the most terrific fire of artillery and sharpshooters, changing posi- tions frequently, but were not engaged in any of the charging columns which have rendered this position famous for bloody warfare.
The Fourteenth Corps (including the First Regiment) moved in pursuit of the enemy towards the Chattahoochee on the 5th of July, and was ordered to push the enemy across the river, which was accomplished without loss ; and advancing, drove the enemy to Peach-tree Creek, at which place an attack occurred on our lines on the 20th. In the investment of Atlanta, the regiment was employed in fatigue and skirmish duty until Aug. 28, when they left their trenches, and took part in the movement to the west and south of Atlanta. In this grand movement, the First Wisconsin took part in the destruc- tion of the railroad, and, on the 30th of August, moved on towards Jonesborough, which place they reached on the 1st of September. Here a battle was fought by the First Regiment, led by Major Green. They went rapidly forward under a severe fire, and drove the enemy from the front, and held the position until dark ; the enemy retiring to Lovejoy's Station. This regi- ment remained in line of battle until the 6th, and returned to Atlanta on the 8th of September. The casualties of the regi-
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ment in the month of August were two killed and twenty-eight wounded. On the 1st of September, 1864, the regiment was assigned to the fourth division ; and on the 21st it left Atlanta, moved to Bridgeport, and thence to Nashville, where it went into camp. The term of service of the regiment having ex- pired, they left Nashville on the 6th of October, and arrived on the 8th at Milwaukee, where they met with an enthusiastic reception on the part of the citizens. .
The Second Regiment, including the Sixth and Seventh Regi- ments, known as the " Iron Brigade," were all returned from furlough on the 1st of March, 1864, and, in the re-organization, were asssigned as the first brigade of the Fifth Army Corps. Col. L. Fairchild suffered the amputation of his left arm; and he therefore resigned on the 20th of October, 1863. There not being a sufficient number of men in the Second Regiment, Lieut .- Col. Mansfield was not mustered as colonel, although appointed. The brigade broke camp at Culpeper Court House, on the 3d of May, 1864, and commenced the Wilderness cam- paign. On the 5th, the division moved forward in front of the old Wilderness Tavern, and soon encountered the enemy in position. In this battle, the Second took an active part ; and all the Wisconsin regiments suffered severely in this day's fight. The battle was resumed on the 6th in which the division parti- cipated in the grand charge, forcing the enemy back until he was re-enforced with artillery, which compelled the attacking force to fall back in turn. In the last assault, Gen. Wads- worth, the division commander, was killed; and Gen. Cutler took command. On the 7th, a change of position was effected in the direction of Spottsylvania Court House; the brigade reaching Laurel Hill about eight o'clock on the morning of the 8th, having marched fifteen miles. In the engagements that took place between the 8th and 11th, the brigade took an active part, and lost many of their number. On the 11th, the Second Regiment had become reduced below the number of a hundred men present for duty ; and, its field-officers being in the hands of the enemy, it was detached from the brigade, and detailed as provost-guard of the fourth division Fifth Army Corps, in consequence of which its connection with the " Iron Brigade " was thereby severed. The remainder of the brigade
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was engaged in the subsequent action, when the whole corps joined in the movement to the left, crossed the River Po twice on the march; and on the 14th they went into position behind works, a mile and a half from Spottsylvania Court House. Subsequently, they marched south-easterly, and followed the retreating enemy as far as Wolf's Church; crossed the North Anna River, at Jericho Ford, where another action was had ; and the brigade succeeded in driving the enemy back half a mile. After some skirmishing, they marched to Magnolia Church. On the 28th they crossed Pamunkey River, near Newcastle, and on the 1st of June took position near Bethesda Church. Here the division remained, when it moved to Cold Harbor and to Chickahominy. The casualties from May 5 to June 10 are reported : Second Regiment, killed, ten ; wounded, seventy-three ; Sixth Regiment, killed, forty-four ; wounded, one hundred and ten; Seventh Regiment, killed, ninety-two ; wounded, one hundred and eighty-four.
On the 10th of June, the Second Regiment, having served the time of their enlistment, embarked for Washington, D.C., and thence to Madison, where they arrived June 18, and the last company was mustered out July 2. Thus this pioneer three- years' regiment closed its honorable and brilliant service, and, with the gallant Sixth and Seventh veteran Regiments, estab- lished a reputation equal to the best troops in the world.
Continuing our narrative of the Iron Brigade, we find, that, on the 12th of June, they crossed the Chickahominy, and marched to James River, and proceeded to Petersburg, where they erected breastworks on the 17th of June. In the engage- ments at this place, the Sixth and Seventh suffered terribly. The Seventh lost twenty-one killed and thirty-seven wounded. The Sixth lost seventeen killed and thirty-one wounded. From this time to July 30, the division and brigade were constantly engaged in the duties of the siege, and took part in the operations connected with the explosion of the mine. On the 18th of August, they left Petersburg, and marched to Yellow House, near Reams Station, on the Weldon Railroad ; and, at the action at the last-named place, the Seventh captured twenty-seven prisoners without sustaining any loss. Until Oct. 27, the brigade was engaged in siege-duties, when they
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were transferred to Crawford's third division, and took a part in the engagement at Hatcher's Run. Subsequently they returned to their position in the trenches at Petersburg, where they remained until Feb. 6, 1865.
The Third Regiment was encamped at Fayetteville on the 13th of February, 1864. During the winter, they were joined by recruits, increasing their number to five hundred and seventy-five. On the re-organization of the Army of the Cum- berland, in April, the Third was placed in the second bri- gade of the first division. The regiment joined its brigade in Georgia, May 12, and, on the 13th, took position in front of the enemy at Resaca. On the 15th, they took part in the battle, and took forty prisoners. The casual- ties were ten killed and nineteen wounded. After a long march, on the 25th, the brigade formed in a line of battle at the crossing of the Marietta, Dallas, and Acworth Roads. Here a severe struggle ensued; and the Third fought nobly, though half the regiment were new recruits. At this battle, the casualties were, eighteen killed and ninety-two wound- ed : among the latter was Col. William Hawley. The Third remained in position near the battle-field until June 3, when they moved forward, and on the 11th were at Pine Knob, where the enemy was strongly intrenched. But they left during the night, and abandoned Kenesaw Mountain; and the division followed his retreat to the Chattahoochee River. Advancing, the regiment, on the 22d, took position opposite Atlanta, where they remained until Aug. 25. That city was evacuated on the 1st of September; and our forces marched through the city, and encamped near the Augusta Railroad on the 2d. Here the regiment remained until Nov. 15, when it accompanied the Twentieth Corps on the march, under Gen. Sherman, towards Savannah. Arriving at Milledgeville, Col. Hawley was ordered to occupy it with his regiment and the One hundred and Seventh New York, which he did until the 30th. On the 12th of December, the regiment succeeded in capturing the rebel-armed tender "Resolute," with its entire crew. At Argyle Island in the Savannah River, a large quantity of stores were captured. Subsequently five companies crossed to the South Carolina shore, driving the enemy before them,
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penetrating inland two miles, where the enemy were met in strong force, and the companies returned to the island, and thence to the Georgia shore, where they went into camp.
The Fourth Regiment, by special order of the war depart- ment, was, on the 1st of September, 1863, changed to a cavalry regiment. The balance of the history of the Fourth will be completed under the head of cavalry organizations.
The Fifth Regiment, during the winter of 1863-64, were at Brandy Stations ; and some two hundred and four veterans re-enlisted. After a visit to Wisconsin, they returned in time for the spring campaign. The regiment left camp May 4, 1864, and took part in the Wilderness campaign. They crossed the Rapidan at Germania Ford, marched eighteen miles, and biv- ouacked. They followed the movements of the Sixth Corps, and were engaged in the various actions from the 7th to the 11th of May. After leaving Spottsylvania, they engaged in destroying the Virginia Central Railroad, and advanced to Cold Harbor, arriving June 1. They took part in the charge on the enemy's works at Cold Harbor, capturing the intrench- ments with a number of prisoners. They remained here until the 12th, constantly exposed to the enemy's fire, when they marched to and crossed James River, and took their position in the trenches before Petersburg. In the charge of the 22d, they participated, proceeding on the 29th to Reams Station, where they engaged in fatigue and picket duty until July 11.
The casualties for May and June were, forty-eight killed or died of wounds, and one hundred and forty-four wounded. The Fifth accompanied the movement of the Sixth Corps to Washington to assist in the defence of that city, arriving on the 12th; on which day, the three-years term of non-veterans having expired, they volunteered for the defence of the capital. The danger having passed, they left, on the 16th, for Wash- ington, and arrived at Madison on the 22d, where they received a hearty welcome from the State authorities, and were finally mustered out on the 3d of August. Thus ended the service of the original Fifth Regiment.
The re-enlisted veterans and recruits were organized into an independent battalion of three companies, under the com- mand of C. W. Kempf of Company A, Capt. J. H. Cook,
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Company B, and Capt. M. L. Butterfield, Company C. On the 13th of July, they moved, with the Sixth Corps, to the Shenandoah Valley, in pursuit of the enemy, participating in the engagement at Snickers Gap. On the 18th, they returned to Washington ; and, on the 26th, they proceeded to Harper's Ferry, and united with the movements of the Sixth Corps, participating in the action at Charleston, having one man wounded. They remained at Charleston, performing picket and guard duty, until the 18th of September, when they moved forward, and took part in the battle of Cedar Creek, losing four killed, and eleven wounded ; and afterwards, with the brigade, they went to Winchester in the performance of gar- rison-duty.
On the muster-out of service of the "Old Fifth," Gov. Lewis authorized its re-organization, and recommissioned Thomas S. Allen as colonel. Under his supervision, seven companies were rapidly recruited, organized, and mustered into the United States service, and left the State on the 2d of October, 1864. They arrived at Washington, received arms, and were sent to Alexandria, where they remained, doing provost-duty, until Oct. 20, when they proceeded, by way of Martinsburg and Winchester, to Cedar Creek, where they joined the battalion and the forces under Gen. Sheridan, and remained at that place until Dec. 2. They rejoined the forces under Gen. Grant, in the trenches before Petersburg, on the 4th of December, where they remained until the 5th of February, 1865, when they took part in the extension of the lines at Dabney's Mills on Hatcher's Run, suffering little loss, being held in the reserve.
The Eighth Regiment, on the 27thi of January, 1864, proceeded to Vicksburg, by way of Memphis, and encamped near Black-river Bridge on the 3d of February. They took part in Sherman's famous Meridian expedition, marching as far as Canton, Miss., and returning to Black-river Bridge, thence to Vicksburg, on the 5th of March. Here the regiment consented to remain, and take part in Gen. Smith's projected expedition up the river to co-operate with Gen. Banks. The regiment expected to be sent home on veteran furlough, but remained at the especial request of Gen. Sherman. Leaving
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Vicksburg March 10, they passed down the Mississippi, and up the Red River, to Simmsport, and landed. The brigade advanced, and charged upon the rebels at Fort Scurvy, captur- ing several prisoners, and some military stores. Continuing up the river, they attacked and captured Fort de Russy, after a short resistance. Here they were joined by the fleet, when they proceeded to Alexandria, and thence to Henderson Hill, where they found the rebels posted with artillery. A detour of fifteen miles was made in order to attack the enemy on the rear. About midnight, Gen. Mower succeeded in capturing the whole rebel force (three hundred and fifty strong), with four guns and four hundred horses, and other munitions of war. After a number of marches with Gen. Smith's army and a part of Gen. Banks's force, they received the attack of the enemy, and, after four hours' hard fighting, drove him from the field. Our forces subsequently retreated to Grand Encore, and thence to Alexandria. The Eighth participated in an action at Natchitoches, and also at Cloutierville, where the rebels were driven back in confusion. On the 4th of May, the Eighth were deployed as skirmishers, and drove the enemy ten miles. At Bayou La Moore, the enemy annoyed them by continuous artillery and musketry fire. They also took part in an action at Mansura, and also Calhan's Plantation, and Bayou De Glaize; after which Gen. Smith's army returned to the mouth of Red River, and, embarking, reached Vicksburg on the 24th, and went into camp. The rebels having attempted to blockade the Mississippi at Columbia, Ark., on the 6th of June, Gen. Smith sent forward a division of fifteen hundred infantry, and a battery in charge of Gen. Mower. The enemy were found, and an engagement ensued. The enemy were driven from their position, and pursued several miles. In this action, known as the "Battle of Chicot," the regiment had three killed, and sixteen wounded. The command proceeded up the river to Memphis, and went into camp. Here the veterans were allowed to proceed to Wisconsin on thirty days' furlough. The remainder of the regiment moved to La Grange, and in July took part in the expedition into Missis- sippi, and participated in the engagements near Tupelo. They returned to Memphis after a march of two hundred and sixty
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miles. Here they were rejoined by the regiment from veteran furlough. Subsequently the Eighth marched from Memphis to Mississippi with the forces of Gen. A. J. Smith. On the 2d of September, they proceeded to White River and to Duvall's Bluff, thence to Brownsville, in pursuit of Gen. Price, and reached Cape Girardeau Oct. 1. On the 5th, they left for St. Louis, where the regiment was newly clothed and equipped. Re-embarking on transports, they reached Jefferson City, and thence to Lamoine Bridge. From this place, they were assigned on the expeditionary army against Gen. Price through Kansas. Learning of the defeat and dispersion of Price's forces, they returned, reaching Benton Barracks Nov. 15. On the 23d of November, they proceeded to Nashville to re-enforce Gen. Thomas, and took part in the battle on the 15th and 16th of December. In this action, the regiment captured a six-gun battery, about four hundred prisoners, and two stands of colors. Their losses were, killed, ten; wounded, fifty-two. The regiment joined in the pursuit, marching one hundred and fifty miles, and finally encamped at Clifton, Tenn., on the 22d of January, 1865.
The Ninth Regiment was at Little Rock, Jan. 1, 1864 ; and two hundred and thirty re-enlisted men returned to Wisconsin on furlough early in February.
The regiment participated in the Red-river Expedition, and was assigned to the first brigade. They left Little Rock March 23 ; and nothing occurred of note until the 1st of April. A number of engagements took place until the 24th, when they camped at White Oak Creek. On the 15th, another engagement took place ; and the enemy were driven back, when the brigade entered Camden. Up to the 23d, the Ninth was detailed to guard the bridge across the Washita River. At Jen- kins's Ferry the brigade was re-enforced, as Gen. Kirby Smith of the rebel army was near with an army of twenty thousand. Here a battle was fought, and the regiment fought bravely. The casualties were, killed, forty-seven; wounded, fifty-two. After the battle, the regiment returned to Little Rock. Two companies were absent on furlough during the Camden cam- paign. On their return, two other companies were sent home on veteran furlough ; and on Nov. 17, the non-veterans whose
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terms of office had expired were mustered out, together with a portion of the commissioned officers; and the veterans and recruits were consolidated into an independent battalion of four companies as veterans, under the command of Lieut .- Col. Jacobi. The non-veterans returned to Milwaukee, where they were cordially received, paid off, and disbanded.
The Tenth Regiment was at Chattanooga in the winter of 1863-64. In February, they took part in the feint on Dalton, Ga. Thenee they removed to Tynor Station, on the East Tennessee and Georgia Railroad, and were employed in railroad guard-duty until May 24. In the re-organization of the army in 1864, the Tenth was in the first brigade, Gen. Carlin, of the first division. Eighty-five recruits joined in the spring, which, with the remnant of the regiment left after the battle of Chickamauga, left but a small command. They rejoined the brigade near Dallas, and took part in the battles of Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, and Peach-tree Creek. After the battle at the last-named place, the Tenth was sent forward toward Chattahoochee. Shortly after the arrival of the enemy before Atlanta, the regiment was detached from the brigade, and stationed at Marietta, Ga., where they remained until Oct. 3, when they were ordered to occupy the old rifle-pits near Kenesaw Mountain, and guard the road at that point from the depredations of Gen. Hood, who was then marching north. Here they remained until Oct. 16, when the recruits and re-enlisted men were transferred by the war department to the Twenty-first Regiment ; and the remainder of the Tenth started northward, passed through Nashville, and reached Milwaukee on the 25th, where they were subsequently mus- tered out of service. Those who were taken prisoners at Chickamauga remained in rebel prisons for thirteen months, and many of them were not exchanged until March, 1865; while not a few were destined to become martyrs in the rebel prison- pens at Salisbury, Millen, and Andersonville.
The Eleventh Regiment remained on duty in the vicinity of Matagorda Bay and Indianola until the 11th of February, 1864, when upwards of three-fourths of their number having re-en- listed, the regiment was mustered as a veteran organization. The non-veterans were temporarily transferred to the Twenty-
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third Regiment ; and the remainder embarked for New Orleans, on their way on veteran furlough. They reached Madison on the 21st of March, where they were welcomed by the State authorities, and received a new set of colors. On the 23d of . April, the men re-assembled at Camp Washburn, Milwaukee, and again left the State, reaching Memphis on the 29th. Here they took part in Gen. Sturgis's expedition into Western Tennessee and Northern Mississippi, also participated in that general's skirmish with Forrest's cavalry, and returned to Memphis on the abandonment of the expedition. From Memphis, they moved down the river to Carrollton, whence they proceeded to Brashear City, where they arrived May 19. The regiment remained here until Feb. 26, 1865. During its occupation here, for nine months, the Eleventh Regiment was employed in the usual guard and outpost duty, and in making reconnoissances in the surrounding country. The non-veterans of the Eleventh arrived at Madison on the 25th of October, 1864, and were mustered out of service.
CHAPTER L.
WISCONSIN'S WAR RECORD.
Events of 1864, continued - Regimental History - Army Movements - Battle- Field Incidents.
THE Twelfth Regiment in January, 1864, was at Hebron, near Natchez. In February, it took part in Sherman's Meridian Expedition. At Baker's Creek, the Twelfth fought nobly, and were highly complimented by the division com- mander. They assisted in the taking of Jackson, destroyed the dépôts and bridges at Brandon, and had a skirmish at Decatur, and from thence proceeded to Meridian, and captured the town of Enterprise, twenty miles south, on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, destroying it with its depots, machine-shops, &c. On the 17th of February, they destroyed a long bridge at Quitman, returning to Meridian, tearing up the railroad-track as they returned. The expedition returned to Vicksburg. While near Canton, the regiment had a skirmish with the rebels, driving them three miles without loss. On the 4th of March they re-entered their camp. On this trip they marched four hundred and sixteen miles in thirty-one days.
The veterans of the regiment on the 13th of March left for Wisconsin on veteran furlough, and arrived at Madison March 21, where they were publicly received by the State authori- ties and the members of the legislature; and on the 31st dispersed to their several homes on furlough. In the month of April, Gen. Sherman ordered all soldiers on furlough, veter- ans and non-veterans, to join him in Tennessee. Accordingly, on the 30th of that month, the Twelfth proceeded to Cairo, where they were joined by the non-veterans from camp near Vicksburg. Accompanying the forces of Gen. Gresham, the 525
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