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 41
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 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75
The Eighth Regiment joined the pursuit of the enemy after the battle of Nashville, marched one hundred and fifty miles, and encamped at Clifton, Tenn. On the 2d of January, 1865, they moved to Eastport. Embarking on the 6th of February, they proceeded, with the Sixteenth Corps, down the
-
579
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
Tennessee, to Cairo, and thence to New Orleans, and went into camp five miles below that city. On the 5th of March they moved in transports to take part in the investment of the defences of Mobile, landing at Dauphin Island, and from thence proceeded up Fish River, ten miles, and went into camp. On the 25th they moved, and took position in lines before the Spanish Fort. Here they were engaged in fortifying, and the performance of picket-duty, until the evacuation of the fort, on the 9th of April, when they moved to a position before Fort Blakely, and took part in the charge on that place with a small loss. After the surrender, the regiment marched one hundred and eighty miles to Montgomery, Ala., where they remained until the 10th of May, when they marched by way of Selma, and took cars for Uniontown, on the Alabama and Mississippi Railroad. Here they went into camp, and remained until orders were received for their muster-out. This was done at Demopolis, Ala., on the 5th of September; and the regi- ment reached Madison on the 13th, where they received their pay, and were formally disbanded.
The Eighth was known as the " Eagle Regiment," from the fact that a live eagle was carried through all its campaigns, up to the return of the non-veterans in 1864. This noble bird was taken from the parent nest in Chippewa County, Wisconsin, by an Indian, who disposed of it to a gentle- man in Eau Claire County, from whom it was purchased by members of Capt. Perkin's company, Eau Claire Eagles, by whom it was presented to the regi- ment while organizing in 1861. It is needless to say that it was instantly adopted as the regimental pet, and was christened " Old Abe." A perch was prepared and the royal bird was borne with the regiment on all its marches, and into every battle in which the gallant Eighth was engaged, up to the muster-out of the non-veterans. Perched on his standard, above the heads of the men, the bird was more than once the mark for rebel bullets, but, luckily, escaped unharmed, with the exception of the loss of a few feathers shot away. He returned with the non-veterans in 1864, and was presented to the State, and placed in charge of the quartermaster's depart- ment, and every care necessary bestowed on him. At the great Chicago Fair in 1863, " Old Abe" was exhibited, and his photograph disposed off, realizing the amount of about sixteen thousand dollars. He was also exhibited at the Milwaukee fair with profitable results. We are told that the sum netted to these charitable objects was about twenty thousand dol- lars. He occasionally breaks from his fetters, and soars into his native element; but he has become so far domesticated, that he is easily recovered. Occasionally the music of a band, or the noise of a drum, will reach his ear, when he will instantly listen, and will respond with his characteristic scream, probably recognizing the strain as one with which the battle-field has made his ear familiar. "Old Abe " has become celebrated in our mili- tary annals; and his history is inextricably interwoven with that of the brave and gallant regiment who bore him triumphantly through the field of strife.
The Ninth Regiment was located at Little Rock, in December, 1864. A
580
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
portion of the regiment had been mustered out; and the remainder were consolidated as an independent battalion, under the command of Lieut .- Col. Jacobi. They remained at Little Rock until the close of the war; the only operation being an expedition to the Saline River in January, 1865. In June the command proceeded to Camden, one hundred miles south of Little Rock, where they remained until August, when they returned overland, occupying their old quarters at Little Rock. The Independent Battalion remained on duty until February, 1866, when they returned to Wisconsin, and were mustered out. The Tenth Regiment, in October, 1865, were in part transferred to the Twenty-first Regiment; and the remainder returned home to Wisconsin, and were mustered out. Those who were taken pris- oners at Chickamauga remained in rebel prisons thirteen months; and some were not exchanged till March, 1865.
The Eleventh Regiment, in January and February, 1865, were engaged in building fortifications at Brashear City, one hundred men being detailed daily for that purpose. On the 26th of February, they left for New Orleans, were assigned to the third brigade, and designed to operate against the city of Mobile. On the 9th of March the Sixteenth Corps embarked for Mobile, and reached Dauphin's Island on the 11th. Proceeding up Fish River, and thence to Blakely, the regiment acted as guard to the train, while the main column of the Sixteenth Army Corps joined in the investment of Spanish Fort. On the 3d of April marched to the support of Gen. Steele at Blake- ly, and took position in the investment of the place. In the battle that took place at Blakely, the Eleventh took an active part, succeeded in break- ing the rebel lines, and were the first to plant their flag upon the works. In this engagement, Lieut. A. R. McDonald was highly commended for his gallantry in a hand-to-hand fight before the enemy's works. He had notlı- ing but his sword, and succeeded in felling several of his foes, when he was shot in the thigh, and wounded in the shoulder. In this engagement the regiment lost twenty-one killed, and forty wounded. After the capture of Blakely, the regiment marched to Montgomery, Ala., where it remained, doing garrison-duty, until July 23, when it returned to Mobile, and was assigned to provost-guard-duty, till mustered out on the 5th of September, when the regiment embarked for home, reaching Madison on the 18th of Sep- tember, were welcomed at the depot by Gov. Lewis, but declined a public reception as they were much fatigued, and desired to reach home.
The Twelfth Regiment left Savannah, Ga., on the 4th of January, 1865, and proceeded with the Seventeenth Corps to Beaufort, S.C., on the 13th. The next day they marched six or seven miles, and engaged the enemy, driving them back to their works. On the 20th, the regiment moved to Salkehatchie, where they had a heavy skirmish with the enemy, and pro- ceeded on till the 11th of February, when the enemy made a stand at Orangeburg, and engaged our troops. They marched in line of battle, and, charging upon the rebels, drove them out of the town. Proceeding on their way, they passed Cheraw and Fayetteville, and arrived at Goldsborough on the 24th of March. They remained in camp till the 10th of April, when they
581
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
joined in the advance towards Raleigh in pursuit of Gen. Johnston's army. It is not necessary to reiterate the particulars of the surrender of the rebel general, or the subsequent action of the heroes of the " grand march," fur- ther than to say, that, after the surrender, the Seventeenth Corps proceeded to Washington by way of Richmond, and was present at the grand review at the national capital, soon after which the regiment was ordered, with other Western organizations, to Louisville, where it was mustered out, and came home about the 20th of July, 1865, when it was disbanded and paid off.
The Thirteenth Regiment, on the 20th of March, were assigned to the second brigade; and Col. Lyon resumed the command. They proceeded by rail to Knoxville, in East Tennessee, on their way to Virginia ; thence they marched, by way of Newmarket and Bull's Gap, to Jonesborough. On the 20th of April they received news of Lee's surrender, and President Lin- coln's assassination. The corps were ordered back to Nashville; and on · the 20th the regiment left Jonesborough, and proceeded to that city by way of Chattanooga, arriving on the 22d.
Here those men whose terms expired on the 5th of October were dis- charged ; and a part of the Twenty-fourth Wisconsin was assigned to the Thirteenth, to complete their term of service. On the 16th of June the Thirteenth proceeded, by way of the Tennessee, Ohio, and Mississippi Rivers, to New Orleans and to Chalmette. In July the regiment embarked for Texas, and arrived at Indianola on the 14th, from which place they went to Green Lake. They remained in this camp until Sept. 11, having suffered much from sickness produced by the heat of the climate and the lack of a vegetable diet. Many died here who had gone through the whole war without being sick. On the 11th the brigade started on a march of a hundred and forty-five miles, to San Antonio, arriving on the 24th of Septem- ber, and went into camp, where they remained until orders came, in Novem- ber, to muster out the regiment, to proceed to Madison to be discharged from service. Col. Lyon's term of service having expired, he left for Wisconsin on the 10th of September; and the command devolved on Major Noyes. On the 27th of November the regiment began its march to Indi- anola, a hundred and sixty miles, and from there embarked for New Orleans, which place they reached on the 13th of December, steamed up the Mississippi, reached Madison on the 23d, and were discharged from service on the 26th of December, 1865.
The Fourteenth Regiment left Eastport, Miss., on the 3d of January, 1865, and arrived on the 11th. On the 18th an expedition to Corinth routed out the rebel Gen. Ross's brigade from that place, and returned to Eastport on the 22d. On the 8th of February the division left that place on transports, disembarked at Vicksburg, and proceeded to New Orleans, where they arrived on the 22d of February. Taking part in the operations against Mobile, they left New Orleans on the 12th of March, proceeded to Dauphin Island in Mobile Bay, debarked eight miles up Fish River, and, on the 27th, invested Spanish Fort. From this time the Fourteenth was
582
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
constantly engaged as skirmishers and sharpshooters until the surrender of Spanish Fort, and the evacuation of Mobile, sustaining considerable loss. On the 9th of April they marched to Blakely, and thence to Montgomery, Ala., where they arrived, and went into camp on the 23d. On the 27th of August they moved to Mobile; and, on the 9th of October, they were mustered out by reason of their services being no longer required. They returned to Wisconsin, and were disbanded.
The Fifteenth Regiment was mustered out by companies in 1864 and 1865, the last company on the 13th of February, 1865.
The Sixteenth Regiment returned home on the expiration of their term of service, on the 19th of August, 1865. They were paid, and the regiment disbanded.
The Seventeenth Regiment left Savannah in January, 1865, and were ordered to rendezvous at Stevenson, Ala., on the 13th. Thence they moved to Nashville; and the various commands were organized in three brigades, all of which embarked on steamers en route to join their commands in Sher- man's army by way of the Cumberland and Ohio Rivers, and proceeded, by way of Pittsburg and the Pennsylvania Central Railroad, to Annapolis, where they took steamers, and proceeded to Beaufort, N.C., arriving there on the 8th of February, 1865, whence they moved by rail to Newbern on the 12th.
On their arrival, Gen. Meagher assumed command of the provisional divis- ion. He was relieved from duty on the 2d of March. Reaching Goldsborough on the 21st of March, the forces of Gen Sherman made their appearance, when the provisional division was broken up by that general's order, and the members sent to their respective regiments. In this provisional division, about a thousand Wisconsin men were incorporated, including the veterans of the Eighteenth Regiment, and accompanied it on the march to Raleigh. After the surrender of Johnston, they proceeded to Richmond and Wash- ington, where they took part in the grand review of the troops of Gen. Sherman in May, and thence proceeded to Louisville for muster-out. They left that city on the 14th of July, and reached Madison on the 17th, where they were publicly received and paid off, and the regiment disbanded. The veterans of the Eighteenth Regiment moved from Milwaukee, and reached Nashville on the 11th of January, 1865. They proceeded to Cincinnati, and by rail to Pittsburg and Baltimore, where they embarked on steamers on the 2d of February, and arrived at Beaufort. On the 8th they took cars to Newbern, where they encamped till the last of March, when they joined the forces of Gen. Sherman at Goldsborough, and rejoined their comrades of the first brigade of third division, Fifteenth Army Corps. They accompanied the subsequent movements of Gen. Sherman to Raleigh, whence, after the surrender of Johnston, they moved with the corps, by way of Richmond, to Washington, taking part in the grand review. They then proceeded to Louisville, and were mustered out on the 18th of July, and reached Madison on the 29th, where they were publicly received, and disbanded.
The Nineteenth Regiment, on the 2d of April, 1865, were engaged in picket-duty on the lines in front of Richmond. The regiment was connected
CROSSCUP & VEST-SALEHILA.
ROBERT C. SPENCER.
584
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
with the third division of the Twenty-fourth Army Corps. On the 3d of April the division was ordered to assault the enemy's works in front of Richmond. The advance commenced at daylight, the Nineteenth being the third regiment in column, and entered the city about eight o'clock, A.M. Lieut .- Col. Vaughn planted the colors of the regiment upon the City Hall, being the first regimental colors raised in the city by the conquering forces of the Union. The regiment was placed on provost-duty in the city, and continued until the 28th of April, when it moved to Fredericksburg, Va., and ordered on duty until the 24th of July, when it proceeded to War- renton, and engaged in provost-duty, and remained until the 4th of August. The regiment was then sent to Richmond, where it was mustered out of service on the 9th, and on the same day ordered to report at Madison, Wis. It arrived at that place on the 15th, and was paid, and received final dis- charge on the 27th of August, 1865.
The Twentieth Regiment moved from their camp at Navy Cove, on Mobile Point, on the 8th of March, 1865, and took part in the movements of Gen. Canby. On the 26th, they marched out six miles, near the Spanish Fort, and in a skirmish had seven men wounded. They remained in the lines before this place until April 9, when, the enemy having abandoned the fort, the regiment entered. Here they were stationed until the 21st of April, when they marched to Blakely, and, moving down the river, camped near Mobile. That city surrendered on the 12th of April, thus closing the Rebellion in the Valley of the Mississippi. The regiment re- mained near Mobile until the 22d of June, when five companies embarked at Mobile, and proceeded to Galveston, Tex., arriving on the 25th. They were joined by the other wing on the 28th. Here they were employed in garrison and guard duty until July 14, when they were mustered out. On the 17th the regiment embarked for home. Arrived at Madison on the 30th of July, and were paid off and disbanded on the 9th of August.
The Twenty-first Regiment, on the 11th of March, 1865, encamped at Fayetteville, on Cape Fear River. Leaving that place, they were in the advance brigade, which encountered the enemy in force on the 19th of March, near Bentonville. In this sharp engagement, which was the last of Sher- man's battles, the Twenty-first took an active part. They lost five killed, and twenty-five wounded. The enemy having retired, the regiment moved to Goldsborough, which place they entered on the 23d of March, thus closing the memorable campaign in the Carolinas.
On the 10th of April the regiment joined in the campaign to Raleigh, and on the 13th was the first brigade of infantry which entered the city. The flag of the Twenty-first was placed upon the Capitol, where it floated until the first brigade left the city. During the negotiations between Sherman and Johnston, the Twenty-first formed the extreme left of Sher- man's army. On the 28th of April, the war being announced as closed, the Twenty-first, with its corps, commenced its march home, and proceeded to Richmond and Washington, and went into camp on the Potomac. In the grand review of the armies at Washington, the Twenty-first participated :
Diotzele
585
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
no regiment in the Fourteenth Corps commanded more attention for its soldierly bearing and fine appearance. On the 10th of June they left for Milwaukee, passing through Pittsburg, Cleveland, and Grand Haven. On the 17th of June, at Milwaukee, two years, nine months, and twelve days after being mustered into the service of the United States, the officers and men were honorably discharged. Of nine hundred and sixty men who left the State in the regiment, only two hundred and sixty returned with it.
The history of the Twenty-second Regiment was closed up in account of operations of 1864. The regiment was mustered out in June, 1865, and, returning to Wisconsin, was paid and disbanded.
The Twenty-third Regiment remained at Helena, Ark., until the 23d of February, 1865, at which date they were placed on transports, and proceeded south, reaching New Orleans on the 27th, and encamped at Algiers. On the 1st of March they moved to Hickox's Landing, on Lake Pontchartrain, to unite with the forces designed for the reduction of Mobile. They reached Spanish Fort on the 27th of March, and took position with the brigade, and on the 30th were ordered on an expedition toward Blakely. In the final assault, they acted as support to the attacking column. After the cap- ture of that place, they crossed the bay, and encamped five miles below Mobile. On the 4th of July the Twenty-third was mustered out of service, and the next day set out for Wisconsin, arriving at Madison on the 16th. On the 24th they were paid, and formally disbanded.
The Twenty-fourth Regiment left Huntsville, Ala., on the 28th of March, and proceeded to Bull's Gap, East Tenn., on the 31st, and from thence to Blue Springs, where they were employed in repairing the railroad. There the news of Lee's surrender and Lincoln's assassination was received, when orders were given to return. On the 19th of April they returned to Bull's Gap, and from thence proceeded to Nashville, and went into camp four miles north of that city, where they remained until mustered out of service, on the 10th of June. On the 15th they reached Milwaukee, Wis., where they were shortly afterwards paid, and formally discharged.
1
CHAPTER LV.
WISCONSIN'S WAR RECORD.
Events of 1865, continued - Conclusion of War History - Battle-Field Echoes - Wisconsin's Name and Fame.
THE Twenty-fifth Regiment moved on the 3d of January, 1865, through Savannah, and embarked for Beaufort, S.C., where they encamped. On the 13th commenced the march through the Carolinas. This march has been given in the history of other regiments; and the experience of the Twenty- fifth differed only in a few particulars from others. On the 23d of February, they crossed Neuse River, and entered Goldsborough. On the route they had a number of skirmishes, and lost a few men. On the 10th of April they joined in the advance of the army towards Raleigh, where they arrived on the 14th. On the surrender of Johnston's army, joining in the homeward march, they reached Richmond on the 13th of May : continuing their march, they crossed the Potomac, at Washington, on the 24th of May, and took part in the grand review of Sherman's army; after which they encamped at Crystal Springs, where the regiment was mustered out of service on the 7th of June, and set out for home, arriving at Madison on the 11th, where they were shortly afterwards paid off, and the regiment disbanded.
The Twenty-sixth Regiment, in January, 1865, marched with the third division to the assistance of Kilpatrick's cavalry, and at the engagement at Averysborough, on the 16th of March, lost eleven killed, and twelve wounded. With the rest of the army, the regiment reached Goldsborough on the 24th, and went into camp. Taking part in the subsequent movements of Gen. Sherman, they proceeded to Raleigh, and on the surrender of Gen. John- ston, with the Twentieth Corps, moved to Richmond, thence to Washington, where they took part in the grand review, in May. Leaving Washington on the 13th of June, they arrived at Milwaukee on the 17th, and were enthusi- astically received by the citizens of that place. After passing through the principal streets, they proceeded to Turners' Hall, where a splendid banquet was prepared for them by the German citizens. They were welcomed by Gov. Salomon, and. after marching to Camp Washburn, were paid off, and discharged on the 29th of June, 1865.
The Twenty-seventh Regiment, on the 7th of February, 1865, left Little
586
587
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
Rock, Ark., on transports, and, passing down the Arkansas and Mississippi Rivers, reached Algiers, opposite New Orleans, on the 12th, from whence they re-embarked on the 20th, and arrived at Navy Cove, on Mobile Bay. Accompanying the forces of Gen. Canby, they left on the 17th of March, and on the 27th took position in the trenches before Spanish Fort. Here they were occupied in the usual duties until the termination of the siege. The enemy evacuated the Fort on the night of the 8th of April; and the next morning the regiment proceeded to Fort Blakely, before which they arrived in time to witness its capture by the forces under Gen. Steele. The regiment subsequently moved to Whistler's Station, where they rejoined the brigade, and encamped. Remaining till the 19th, they marched sixty miles up the Tombigbee River, to McIntosh's Bluff, where they were engaged in building fortifications. The surrender of Dick Taylor's army rendered further occupation of the post unnecessary; and the regiment, on the 9th of May, proceeded by transports to Mobile, at which place they remained until the 1st of June, when they again embarked, and proceeded through the Gulf to Brazos Santiago, Tex., where they arrived on the 6th of June. They marched subsequently to Clarksville and to Brownsville, where they were mustered out of service, and set out on their return home on the 29th. Reaching New Orleans on the 5th of September, and ascending to Cairo, they took the cars, and arrived at Madison on the 17th of September, where the regiment were shortly after paid off and disbanded.
The Twenty-eighth Regiment left Pine Bluff on the 22d of January, 1865, accompanied Gen. Carr to Mount Elba, on the Saline River, marching seven- ty-five miles, and started on their return to Little Rock on the 30th, reaching camp on the 4th of February. On the 11th they embarked on transports, reaching Algiers on the 16th, and, re-embarking, landed on · Mobile Point, where the regiment was assigned to the third brigade, third division, Thirteenth Army Corps. Taking part in the movement against Mobile, on the 17th of March, the Twenty-eighth marched to Fish River, and on the 27th took position before Spanish Fort, where they re- mained, engaged in siege and picket duty, until the evacuation on April 8. The next day they proceeded to Blakely, reaching there too late to take a part in its capture. The movements of the regiment after the capture con- sisted in the occupation of McIntosh's Bluff. They left on the 9th of May, and proceeded to Mobile, where they embarked, and arrived at Brazos San- tiago June 6. On the 16th, they marched to Clarksville, and, on the 3d of August, to Brownsville, where they were mustered out of service. Embark- ing on transports on the 23d of August, they reached Madison on the 15th of September, where, on the 23d, they were paid off, and disbanded.
The Twenty-ninth Regiment left Port Hudson July 29, 1864, and moved on transports to Morganzia. On the 3d of September they proceeded to St. Charles, where they remained until Oct. 23. From this time till Nov. 12, they were on an expedition to Duvall's Bluff; returning from which, they moved to White River on an expedition for the capture of mules for the quartermaster's department, and they were engaged in sundry
588
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
expeditions, until the 20th of December, when they removed to Memphis. The regiment was connected with Gen. Canby's forces, and, with the force, proceeded to Dauphin Island, near Mobile, where they participated in the general movement, and advanced to Spanish Fort. Here they remained until April 3, when they took position with the forces besieging Blakely. In this engagement at Blakely, the Twenty-ninth did not participate, as they were on the return from the Spanish Fort at the time. On the 12th of April the regiment was the second to enter the long-beleagured city. Pursuant to orders, the Twenty-ninth embarked at Mobile, and arrived at New Orleans on the 30th, and thence to Shreveport, La., arriving there June 8. On the 22d they were mustered out of service, and embarked on transports, homeward bound. On the 13th of July they reached Madi- son, where the regiment was paid off, and formally disbanded.
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.