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 38
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constantly engaged in various engagements connected with the siege of Atlanta. After the battle of Jonesborough, the enemy having evacuated Atlanta, the Twenty-first went into camp at the latter place on the 8th of September, just four months from the opening of the campaign, having fought their way for a distance of a hundred and thirty miles. The loss of the regiment was one hundred and twelve killed and wounded, and one hundred and ten disabled by disease and fatigue, leaving only about one-third of the arms-bearing men to enter Atlanta. The regiment took part in the pursuit of Gen. Hood, and, after an unsuccessful chase, went into camp at Kings- ton, Ga.
On the 12th of November, the Fourteenth Corps, in charge of Gen. Jefferson C. Davis, commenced the "march to the sea," to which it is not necessary to refer particularly. The Twenty- first marched with the columns, and participated in all the movements of the army. On the 4th of March, 1865, the regiment entered North Carolina.
CHAPTER LI.
WISCONSIN'S WAR RECORD.
Events of 1864, continued - Regimental History - Accidents and Incidents of War - Movements of Wisconsin Troops.
THE Twenty-second Regiment moved from Nashville in April, 1864, camping for a time in Lookout Valley, and proceeded to Dalton, through Snake-creek Gap, and arrived in front of Resaca on the 13th, forming in line of battle; in which battle the Third, Twenty-sixth, and Twenty-second Wisconsin Regi- ments took an active and conspicuous part. The Twenty- second lost heavily, many of the men being killed in the enemy's works. This was their first battle, and they covered themselves with honor. The casualties were, twenty-four killed, and forty-nine wounded. Following up the enemy, on the 25th of May he was found near Dallas, where an engagement took place ; the regiment losing six killed, and thirteen wounded. The position was fortified, and held until June 1, when the brigade accompanied the movement of the Twentieth Corps to the left, and took position in front of the enemy's lines, at Pine Knob and Lost Mountain. Here they took part in the operations of the corps, and had ten killed, and twenty-three wounded. On the 2d of July, the enemy left their works. Col. Utley resigned, and was succeeded by Lieut .- Col. Blood- good. The regiment also took part in the battle of Peach- tree Creek, and had eleven killed, and thirty-three wounded. They then took position before Atlanta; and the movements of Gen. Sherman caused Gen. Hood to abandon that city, destroying property to the value of two millions of dollars. The Twenty-second and Twenty-sixth Wisconsin were among the first to enter the city, and take possession.
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The regiment encamped near Atlanta, and were employed as train-guard most of the way to Savannah. They entered that city with the rest of the army, and continued their march to Bentonville, where the enemy was driven before them. They were also at Averysborough on the 19th, and assisted in driving the enemy from that point, and proceeded on their way to Raleigh. The subsequent history of the closing services of Sherman's grand army has been given in the narratives of other regiments. After the surrender of Gen. Johnston, the corps proceeded to Richmond, thence to Washington, until June 12, when they were mustered out, and left for home, arriving at Milwaukee, where they were paid off and disbanded.
The Twenty-third Regiment were at Matagorda in January, 1864, from which place they returned to Louisiana, and to Berwick City. They took a part in Banks's Red-river Expe- dition, of which we have given an account in our record of other regiments. The Twenty-third participated in all the movements and engagements of the expedition. Making long marches, and descending the Mississippi, they landed, on the 24th of April, at Baton Rouge, where they encamped. From the 8th to the 26th of July, the regiment was encamped at Algiers, opposite New Orleans. Here they engaged in skirmish- work, making reconnoissances of the surrounding country, also making an expedition, on the 3d of October, to Bayou Sara, and marching sixteen miles, to Jackson, La., and returning the next day in transports. On the 5th of October, they entered camp at Morganzia, and reached Helena Nov. 3, and went into camp there.
The Twenty-fourth regiment, on the 3d of May, 1864, took part in the attack on Rocky Face Ridge, opposite Dalton, Ga., and succeeded in carrying a portion of the crest of a hill, and remained until the morning of the 13th, when it was found that the enemy had abandoned his fortified position. They took part in the battle at Resaca, having seven men killed, and thirteen wounded. They also had an action at Adairsville, or Pleasant Hill ; and at Dallas were eleven days exposed to the rebel' fire. At Dallas they had seventeen wounded. They subsequently took part in the operations at Acworth, and, on the 20th of June, at Kenesaw Mountain, where ten were
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killed, and twelve wounded. On the 2d of July, they passed through Marietta, took position in front of Atlanta on the 22d, and participated in the movements at that place. In Sep- tember, they were ordered to Chattanooga, where they were employed in garrison-duty ; after which they were called to take part in the movements of Gen. Thomas against Hood, of which we have already given an account in our records of other regiments. The Twenty-fourth participated in the decisive battles of the 15th and 16th of December, before Nashville, and in the pursuit of the rebel army, arriving at Lexington, Ala., near Florence, from which place they set out to return on the 31st, and crossing Elk River on the 3d of Jan- uary, 1865, reached Huntsville, Ala., on the 5th, and went into winter-quarters.
The Twenty-fifth Regiment were at Helena on the 1st of January, 1864, when they moved down the river to Vicksburg, rejoined the Sixteenth Army Corps, and accompanied it on the celebrated expedition to Meridian, under the command of Gen. Sherman. They proceeded to Meridian, and assisted in the destruction of the railroads and other rebel property, and returned to Vicksburg on the 4th of March. On the 13th of March, the fourth division, including the Twenty-fifth, proceeded up the river, arriving at Cairo on the 20th. From thence they proceeded to Clump's Landing, Ala., and to Waterloo, Ala., where they disembarked on the 2d of April, and marched by way of Florence, Athens, and Mooresville, to Decatur, Ala. Here they remained, engaged in guard-duty, until May 1, when they marched to Huntsville, and thence to Chattanooga, and joined the forces of Gen. Sherman. They marched to Resaca, and on the 9th of May made a demonstration on the enemy's works, and took part in the engagement at that place. The regiment pursued the enemy, arriving at Dallas on the 26th of May.
In the battle at that place, the Twenty-fifth took part, and also at the skirmish at Peach Orchard, and the movements immediately following. On the 9th of July, the Sixteenth Corps marched to the rear, passing through Marietta, and along the banks of the Chattanooga, and onward to Decatur, which place they reached on the 19th; and an engagement ensued, in
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which the Twenty-fifth lost twenty killed, forty-four wounded, and twenty-five missing. On the 25th, the brigade marched from Decatur, and took position before Atlanta, and in the attack on the enemy on the right of the Fifteenth Corps.
The casualties from July 22 to Sept. 16 were three killed, and twenty-two wounded.
The regiment remained in camp at East Point, Ga., until Oct. 4, when they marched north with the Seventeenth Corps in pursuit of Gen. Hood. The pursuit was abandoned, and the corps turned toward Atlanta, which was to be the point of departure of another great expedition. They reached Atlanta on the 10th of November. On the 15th of that month, they left Atlanta, and proceeded to Monticello, and were engaged in destroying railroads. On the 26th, they arrived at Tooms- borough. On the 9th of December, they met a few of the enemy, who retired without battle. On the 12th, they took position at Dillon's Bridge, which they held until the 3d of January, 1865, when they marched through Savannah, and embarked for Beaufort, S.C., and encamped.
The Twenty-sixth Regiment left Lookout Valley on the 25th of January, when they moved to Whitesides, a few miles from Chattanooga, and remained until April 23. In the organ- ization for the Atlanta campaign, the regiment was transferred to the third brigade, third division of Twentieth Army Corps. They joined the brigade with a force of four hundred and seven- teen muskets. With the division, on the 7th of May, they ad- vanced towards Dalton, and took part in the reconnoissance the next day, and subsequent skirmish, and thence proceeded to Resaca, and formed in line of battle on the 13th. The next day, in a skirmish, one man was killed, and three wounded ; and on the 15th took part in the battle which then occurred, in which they lost three killed, and thirty-six wounded ; and were engaged in the actions immediately following, near Dallas, losing seventeen killed, and twenty-three wounded. Subsequently they assisted in the taking of Alatoona, Pilot Knob, and Lost Mountain, and took part in the battles at Kenesaw Moun- tain, in which they had eleven killed, and thirty-six wounded. On the 20th of July, they moved toward Atlanta, and at the battle of Peach-tree Creek took an active part, in which they
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had six killed, and thirty-nine wounded. In these engagements, the regiment fought bravely, and received high praise from their commanding officer. On the 22d, the corps advanced, and took position in the investment of Atlanta, and, on the 2d of Sep- tember, entered that city with the brigade. On the 15th of November, the Twenty-sixth moved forward with Gen. Sher- man's forces in his march to the seacoast. The labors and services performed during this movement did not differ from those of other regiments; and, the description of the march having been given, it is unnecessary to repeat it. They reached Savannah on the 21st of December, and in January, 1865, started towards Goldsborough.
The Twenty-seventh Regiment was in the march of Gen. Steele to co-operate with Gen. Banks in the Red-river Expedi- tion, and attached to the third brigade, third division, Seventh Army Corps. Leaving Little Rock on the 23d of March, noth- ing of importance occurred until April 1, when the division was attacked by the enemy, near the Washington and Camden Roads. In this attack, the Twenty-seventh were detached to aid in protecting the train. The division was engaged in skirmishing without important results. On the 12th of April, advanced to Camden, through Moscow, and entered the former place on the 16th. Hearing of the disastrous termination of Gen. Banks's Red-river Expedition, Gen. Steele and his army set about returning to Little Rock. Leaving Camden on the 26th, they proceeded to Saline Bottom ; and an engagement took place at Jenkins's Ferry, against the force of Kirby Smith, of some twenty thousand men, in which the enemy was punished severely, and several of his guns, and three battle-flags, were captured. From Saline River, they marched to Little Rock, at which place they arrived on the 3d of May. On the 3d of October, they descended the Arkansas to Pine Bluff to re- enforce Gen. Magruder, who was threatened with an attack; and returned to Little Rock on the 22d. The regiment was stationed at various points, detailed to guard-duty on the Little Rock and Memphis Railroad, and was thus engaged until Feb. 7, 1865.
The Twenty-eighth Regiment remained at Little Rock, Ark., until the 26th of October, 1863, when they accompanied the
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march of the brigade in pursuit of Marmaduke's forces, which had been defeated by our troops at Pine Bluff. On the fol- lowing day, they arrived at Benton, on the Saline River, reliev- ing, at that place, a force of cavalry which was sent in pursuit of the enemy. On the 29th they advanced to Rockport, on the Washita, where further pursuit was abandoned ; and, re- turning by way of Benton, they re-entered camp at Little Rock, on the 1st of November, having marched about one hun- dred miles.
The regiment were detached from the second brigade on the 7th of November, and ordered to join Col. Clayton's command at Pine Bluff, sixty miles distant on the Arkansas River, where they arrived on the 10th. At this place, comfortable winter- quarters were erected ; and the regiment were occupied in post and garrison duty until the 27th of March, 1864. Lieut .- Col. Gray was placed in command of this post; and companies A, D, F, G, H, and I, under command of Capt. L. J. Smith, with an additional force of infantry and cavalry, left Pine Bluff on an expedition intended to destroy the pontoon-bridge at Long- view, on the Saline River. On the following day, the expedi- tion arrived at Mount Elba, at which place the infantry was left to guard the bridge laid at that point, while cavalry pushed forward to Longview. The infantry, less than five hundred in number, were attacked on the 30th, at Mount Elba, by a force of the enemy fifteen hundred strong.
The six companies of the Twenty-eighth, deployed as skirm- ishers, held the enemy in check until recalled to the main body. Shortly afterward the rebel charge was gallantly repulsed; the enemy leaving one hundred killed and wounded on the field. At this juncture, the cavalry which had been sent to Longview came up ; and the enemy was closely pursued, a distance of ten miles, to Centreville. Next day the expedition returned to Pine Bluff, bringing in three hundred and twenty prisoners; the infantry having marched eighty-two miles.
A detachment of three hundred and fifty men of the regi- ment, under Lieut .- Col. Gray, left Pine Bluff on the 28th of April, under orders to proceed to Mount Elba, lay a pontoon- bridge across the Saline River, and guard the pass until the arrival of the expedition intended to convey supplies to our
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forces at Camden. Information having been received that Gen. Steele's forces were retreating in the direction of Little Rock, the regiment returned to Pine Bluff on the 30th. Since the re-establishment of the army on the line of the Arkansas, the regiment had furnished heavy details for outpost and guard duty ; ai 1, during the months of June and July, they were occupied day and night, in labor on the defences of the post.
The Twenty-ninth Regiment, which had been stationed some days on the shore of Berwick Bay, opposite Brashear City, broke camp on the 2d of October, 1863, and commenced thic movement to Opelousas. They arrived on the 6th at New Iberia, sixty miles from Berwick, and, on the 10th, marched twenty-four miles, to Vermilion Bayou, and thence, on the 15th, eighteen miles, to Grand Château Bayou. The march was resumed on the 21st, when they met the enemy at Opelousas,' and after a skirmish, in which they sustained no loss, pressed forward to Barre's Landing, eight miles beyond Opelousas, where they went into camp, and were employed in picket and guard duty until the 29th, at which date they returned to Opelousas. On the 1st of November, they marched ten miles, to Carrion Crow Bayou; and on the 3d were ordered up to re-enforce Gen. Burbridge's command, four miles distant, which had been attacked by the enemy. During the battle they acted as support to a Missouri battery, but were not actively engaged, and returned on the same evening to camp on Carrion Crow Bayou. They moved on the 5th to Vermilion Bayou, from which place they marched on the 10th, and, proceeding by way of Spanish Lake, arrived on the following day at New Iberia. On the 20th they accompanied the brigade, with a small additional force of cavalry and artillery, on a secret expedition, which resulted in the capture of a hundred and fourteen prisoners at Spanish Lake. They returned on the same day to New Iberia, where they were employed in pieket- duty, and guarding forage-trains, until the 19th of December, when they were again put in motion, and, passing through Franklin and Centreville, arrived on the 21st at Berwick, having marched, during the whole expedition, about two hundred and sixteen miles. They crossed Berwick Bay on the following day, and, moving by rail from Brashear City, went
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into camp on the 25th at Algiers. Participating in the cele- brated Texas Expedition, they embarked at Algiers on the 5th of January, 1864, and arrived on the 11th off Pass Cavallo, Tex., where they disembarked on the following day, and encamped on De Crow's Point, near the mouth of the Rio Grande. At this place, they were employed in guard-duty until the 20th of February, when they re-embarked, on their return to Louisiana. They arrived at New Orleans on the 23d, and next day went into camp at Algiers, where they were stationed until the 5th of March, at which date they proceeded by rail to Brashear, and, crossing Berwick Bay, encamped on the following day at Berwick.
The spring campaign commenced on the 13th, at which date they left Berwick, forming part of the celebrated Red-river Expedition. Inasmuch as this expedition has frequently been referred to in the movements of the other regiments, it is not necessary to describe it. The Twenty-ninth Regiment took an active and decisive part in all the movements. and engage- ments of that expedition. On the 22d of May the regiment went into camp at Morganzia. At this point they were em- ployed in guard and picket duty, with frequent expeditions against guerillas, until the 13th of June, when they embarked, and, proceeding down the Mississippi, landed next day at Carrollton, where they went into camp. On the 21st, they moved sixteen miles to Connersville, and thence, on the 26th, to Thibodeaux, where they were stationed for the performance of outpost and guard duty. On the 8th of July, Col. Greene was appointed post-commandant, and Company K of the regi- ment detailed as provost-guard. The same evening, orders were received to move immediately to Algiers, where they arrived on the following day. Here all transportation was turned over, and every preparation made for transfer to the Army of the Potomac. The regiment was assigned to the first brigade, pro- visional division ; and, while awaiting the final order to move, the brigade was ordered to Morganzia, and, embarking on the morning of the 26th, reached that place on the following day. On the 28th the regiment took part in a reconnoissance to the Atchafalaya River ; and after a severe skirmish with the enemy, who was advantageously posted on the opposite bank, they
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returned to camp, having sustained a loss of one killed, and one wounded. While stationed at this place, the regiment was assigned to the second brigade, second division, Nineteenth Army Corps. After sundry movements they returned to Port Hudson on the 29th of July.
The Thirtieth Regiment, in the month of March, 1864, was employed in Dacotah Territory and North-western Minnesota, and took part in the campaign against the Indians under Gen. Sully. Four companies proceeded to St. Louis, and embarked on the 25th of April, 1864, on three steamers, and moved up the Missouri River, and reached Fort Rice on the 15th of July, having encountered vexatious detentions by snags, sand-bars, &c. This fort was located four hundred miles west of St. Paul, and about eight hundred miles above Sioux City. The detachment, under Col. Dill, left Fort Rice on the 12th of Octo- ber, 1864, and descended the Missouri River to Sioux City, and were joined by Company D, and proceeded down the river to St. Josephs, Mo .; and, leaving on the 24th, they came by way of Quincy and Indianapolis to Louisville, Ky., and went into camp. The remaining companies of the regiment moved from Fort Wadsworth, Dacotah, Sept. 29, and marched across the country to Fort Snelling, Minn., and arrived on the 12th of October, having marched over three hundred miles. Embark- ing, they left Fort Snelling on the 20th ; and reached St. Louis on the 26th. They re-embarked, and proceeded down the river to Paducah, where they remained on guard-duty until Dec. 6 when they proceeded up the Ohio River, to Louisville, where they rejoined the balance of the regiment. On the 12th, the regiment moved by rail to Bowling Green, Ky., and on the 10th of January, 1865, returned to Louisville, where they were assigned to guard-duty at the military prison. Three com- panies of the Thirty-first Regiment were engaged in the winter of 1863-64 guarding the bridge at Stone River. On the 2d of April, they rejoined the regiment at Murfreesborough, and were engaged during the month along the road between that place and Normandy, Tenn., doing outpost-duty. On the 6th of July, they were ordered to Nashville, and on their arrival had quarters assigned them west of the Nashville and Chattanooga .. Railroad. From Nashville, they proceeded by rail for Marietta,
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Ga., which they reached on the 19th. While on the road, near Kingston, one of the trains ran off the track, wounding two officers, killing one man, and severely wounding ten others. On the 22d of July, the regiment moved with the army upon Atlanta, and were placed in the front line ; and here they lay under fire until Aug. 25, when they took part in the movement of the corps. They then returned to the railroad- bridge across the Chattahoochee, while the rest of the army swung around to Jonesborough.
On the 4th of September, the skirmishers of the Thirty-first were among the first to enter the city. The next day, the regi- ment moved within the fortifications, and was assigned quarters in the city. In addition to other duties devolving upon troops in an enemy's country, the regiment were engaged in protecting forage-trains, and were very successful furnishing grain for the famishing horses and mules of the army. The Twentieth Army Corps broke camp on the 15th of November, and filed out of the burning city, which proved to be the march to the sea. The fatigues and dangers to which all were exposed were endured by the Thirty-first during the march through Georgia. They took part in an engagement ten miles from Savannah, capturing the works and the camp of the enemy ; having one man killed, and three wounded. The regiment took part in the siege of Savannah, and after its capture was assigned quarters within the fortifications. Here they remained until the 18th of January, 1865.
CHAPTER LII.
WISCONSIN'S WAR RECORD.
Events of 1864, concluded - Military Matters - Regimental History - Battle- Field Pictures - Home Politics - Election.
THE Thirty-second Regiment remained at Moscow until Jan. 27, 1864, when they returned to Memphis, and on the 31st moved down the river, landing at Vicksburg on the 2d of February. On the 3d, they commenced the march to Meridian, passing through Jackson, from which place the rebels were driven, to Morton and to Lockport. Having satisfactorily accomplished the object of their mission, they returned to Vicksburg, arriving on the 4th of March. On the 17th, the regiment moved to join the forces of Gen. Grant, and proceeded by the river to Cairo, thence to Columbus, and returned to Cairo. From here they moved to Paducah, and, re-embarking, proceeded up the Ten- nessee River on the 27th, and landed near Waterloo, Ala., from thence to Florence, Prospect, and Athens, reaching Deca- tur, Ala., on the 10th of April. On the 28th of June, the brigade marched to Courtland, and surrounded a body of four hundred rebels, of which they killed and wounded seventeen, and took forty-nine prisoners, with a number of wagons, horses, and camp-equipage. They returned to Decatur on the 29th, and resumed picket-duty, and labor on the fortifications. Subse- quently they took part in a skirmish near Courtland, in which twenty-five prisoners were taken. On the 4th of August, they proceeded to Atlanta, where they remained during the two days of the battle, losing seven killed, and fifteen wounded. The regiment, on the 2d of September, returned to Atlanta, and went into camp until early in October. They took part in the grand march to Savannah, to which movement we have
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frequently referred, and camped near that city Jan. 5, 1865, when they embarked for Beaufort, S.C.
The Thirty-third Regiment, on the 31st of January, 1864, moved to Hebron, with the Meridian Expedition of Gen. Sher- man. Their experiences and labors were similar to those of other regiments attached to the expedition. They returned to Hebron March 4, after an absence of twenty-nine days, having marched three hundred and seventy miles. On the 9th of March, they joined the Red-river Expedition, and participated in a number of skirmishes with some losses. They returned to Vicksburg, and thence to Memphis, remaining in camp until June 22; thence to the interior of Mississippi. At Camargo Cross Road, near Tupelo, the enemy attacked a train, and were routed. Thence they went to Harrisonburg, and drew up in line of battle before Tupelo. The enemy was driven from the field. Another engagement took place at Oldtown Creek, from which the enemy was driven with great loss. The march was resumed, and La Grange reached on the 21st. On the 22d, the regiment went into camp at Memphis. In this expedition, the casualties were, killed eight, wounded thirty-four. On the 3d of August, the Thirty-third proceeded to St. Charles, Ark., remaining until the 1st of September; thence to Duvall's Bluff and to Brownsville, where they remained until the 17th, when they were attached to Gen. Mower's command, in pursuit of Gen. Price. They arrived at Cape Girardeau on the 5th of October, and ascended the Mississippi to St. Louis, and thence to Jefferson City. On the 17th, they proceeded by rail to Lamoine Bridge. Leaving this place on the 22d of October, they marched to Warrensburg, fifty miles, where the regiment was employed in garrison and provost duty. Gen. Price having been driven into Arkansas, the regiment returned to St. Louis, having in charge a body of rebel prisoners. After being re- equipped, they left with forces of Gen. A. J. Smith to re-enforce Gen. Thomas. Arriving on the 30th at Nashville, they took position three miles south of the city. Here they were engaged in strengthening the defences until Dec. 15, and finally took a part in the battle at that place, when the enemy were driven across the Tennessee River.
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