USA > Wisconsin > Iowa County > History of Iowa County, Wisconsin > Part 84
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The first te return to their homes were the Miners' Guards, whe appeared in the city ef Mineral Peint July 2, 1864. Only a few hours' notice of their approach had been received, yet the citizens turned eut en masse, and, headed by the Mineral Peint Brass Band, marched out a mile from tewn and accorded the war-worn veterans a hearty greeting. They were then con- dueted te the United States Hotel, where they arrived at 5 e'eleek in the afternoon. They were officially weleemed on the part of the citizens in an address by Alexander Wilson. After a general exchange ef compliments and congratulations, the Guards sat dewn to a beunteeus supper, being welcomed to the table by a choir of yenng ladies, who sang an appropriate seng. Of course the members of this pet corps were lionized, and for the heur were the reigning attrac- tion at all seeial assemblies.
THE CAMP AND FIELD.
We have seen how the first intelligence of the opening struggle was received here, and have viewed retrespectively the principal leeal events which eecurred frem the time the first volun- teer eempany was erganized until the end of the war. But these incidents cenvey scarcely an idea of what the seldiers of this eeunty, in common with all others throughout the State, were actually called upon to endure in the camp, field and prisen, in the cause ef liberty and justice. Nor, indeed, is it possible to adequately portray what then transpired, which new seems almest like the marveleus events of some fitful dream. Who can limn the picture of that past, er properly measure the grandeur and malignity of the mighty conflict which raged fer nearly five years ? Twe great and valorous ferees were arraigned against each ether; one for the vindicatien ef the might of right, and the other fer the maintenance of opinions and priviliges alien te the inter- ests ef the natien and humanity. The life of our glorious Union was at stake, and, still greater, the happiness ef feur millions of human seuls, chattels by the right of common eensent alene and the despicable and cowardly selfishness of a power delegated by ne natural right, and main- tained at the expense of the noblest sentiments that can animate a human heart, a love of liberty. The events of the preceding years had at last reached a crisis ; the time for a change had arrived, and the mighty and invincible hand of destiny was again arrayed in the cause of the dewn-trodden.
In contemplatien of the magnitude ef the strife ushered in, and the paramount interests which centered in the issue, we almest lose sight of the instruments or individuals who were involved. Our souls and hearts again respond to the call to arms, and leaping out beyond the restraints of time and place, we seem again te be preparing for the encoming fray. Impelled by
554
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
the grand impulses that animated our forefathers and made us a free people, we press forward with the mighty throng of freemen who rush from the workshop, the counting-house and the field to the preservation of their country and her laws.
Tens of thousands of loyal hearts are again marching to the front, animated by the sublime invocation of " Give me liberty or give me death." The solemn and soul-inspiring strains of " John Brown's body " are borne to our ears, swelled to inconceivable grandeur by the mingled voices of many gallant and brave men, while the endearing smiles and tears of mothers, sisters and lovers cheer and stimulate the courage of the faint-hearted, to emulate the deeds of the founders of their country in maintaining her aseendency and prestige, if need be with their hearts' best blood. By suffering the indescribable agonies of starvation and abuse in prison pens; by marches under burning Southern suns, over scorching sands by day and dreary wastes by night, or midst raging storms and through dismal swamps where death by the wayside may await the boldest; for such was the life of our soldiers. A life of adventure, perils and often death was theirs, such only as those who have participated can fully comprehend.
Onee more we hear the thrilling bugle and cheering drum, and each patriot pulse is stirred with the pæans of liberty. The wild shouts of martial throngs are singing in our ears, while the booming cannon and muskets' rattle invite us on where glory awaits-or perchance a grave. Again we hear the fearful din of battle, valiant hosts advance with frenzied enthusiasm to the uneertain contest. Foe meets foe in the awful vindictiveness of deadly strife. Shrieking mis- siles of destruction mow down hordes of brave men; with irresistible might, and terrible fierce- ness, squadron charges squadron, while riderless horses rush madly to and fro midst the smoke of the conflict. At last the strife culminates, and the glorious shout of victory is heard ; then we realize the awful sublimity of war, the glory of noble conquest or ignoble defeat, and, alas, the terrible solemnity of death in the fight and at the front. Let us now bid silence to the wild and eager longings of our hearts for the loved and lost, and think of them only as they fell, "the brave, the strong, the true," battling for the inalienable rights of humanity, for their homes and country's honor. Theirs was the glory on earth, the brightness of whose achievements is fitly commemorated in the acquisition of freedom for all who may find a refuge in our fair land-a glory which shall grow lustrous by time, and rendered forever memorable to men and blessed of heaven.
As will be seen by the appended table, the Second, Eleventh, Twelfth, Twenty-seventh, Thirtieth and Thirty-first Infantry Regiments, and the Sixth Battery received a majority of all the men who left here. Although twenty-nine different organizations received recruits from this county, some of them are credited with but one man, and but few have over twenty. In this record only synoptical or brief sketches of the regiments above mentioned will be given.
-
555
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
The following table, compiled from the State roster, exhibits the number of men enlisted in each town, the number in each regiment and the total enlistment in the county :
REGIMENTS.
Arena.
Clyde.
Dodgeville.
Ifighland.
Linden.
Mineral Point.
Mifflin.
Moscow.
Pulaski.
Ridgeway.
Waldwick.
Wyoming.
Regim'tal Total.
First Infantry
1
11
2
9
49
2
3
7
84
Third Infantry.
10
1
1
1
1
4
1
19
Fourth Infantry.
1
1
Fifth Infantry.
1
1
1
3
Seventh Infantry.
2
14
2
18
Eighth Infantry
2
2
4
Ninth Infantry.
1
Tenth Infantry
3
3
Eleventh Infantry
34
1
12
28
13
1
10
5
1
105
Twelfth Infantry ...
3
27
7
6
4
18
18
83
Fourteenth Infantry
6
3
1
10
Fifteenth Infantry ...
4
11
1
16
Seventeenth Infantry.
2
...
...
. .
....
3
3
Nineteenth Infantry.
1
1
4
6
12
Twentieth Infantry.
17
1
Twenty-fifth Infantry
3
3
Twenty-seventh Infantry.
71
4
1
2
45
29
11
12
99
3
96
1
1
16
117
Thirty-third Infantry
9
4
5
26
12
56
Thirty-seventh Infantry.
1
1
First Cavalry
2
5
1
3
2
7
1
4
2
1
1
22
Third Cavalry
1
. .
..
..
2
1
5
Sixth Battery.
4
3
3
1
11
3
25
Unknown regiment
3
11
4
4
3
1
4
1
1
32
Totals.
78
15
152
101
80
89
94
32
78
63
23
28
Grand Total.
841
...
11
1
12
Twenty-third Infantry
18
Thirtieth Infantry
......
. . .
......
...
...
. .
......
....
..
2
2
.....
.....
2
2
Sixteenth Infantry
2
Eighteenth Infantry.
.....
.....
76
Thirty-first Infantry
7
Second Cavalry
1
Miners' Guards, Company I, Second Infantry .- The old Second, in which Company I figured conspicuously, was one of the regiments enrolled under the President's call for 75,000 three-months men, at Camp Randall, Madison, in the spring of 1861, under the management of Col. Park Coon, of Milwaukee. Without having seen active service, the men were called upon to re-enlist, on the 16th of May of that year, for three years or during the war, to which call they made an enthusiastic response by re-enlisting almost to a man, with the exception of one company, which was disbanded, its place being supplied by the Wisconsin Rifles. On the 11th of June following, the regiment was mustered into service, being the first of the Wisconsin regiments so mustered.
Without entering into the details of their equipment and movements by way of Chicago and Pittsburgh to Washington, where they appeared as the first regiment of three-years men, and thence, by the Georgetown aqueduct, to camp, on the Fairfax road near Fort Corcoran, we come to the 16th of July, 1861, when with three other regiments, under the command of Col. W. T. Sherman (now Lieutenant General), as a part of Gen. Tyler's division, they moved on to Man- assas. Abont noon of the 18th inst., the regiment participated in the attack on the enemy at Blackburn's Ford, on Bull Run. Here they made a double quick of three miles, under heavy
Second Infantry
1
556
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
artillery fire, in the second line of battle. In the evening, after the engagement was over, they bivouacked near Centerville. Again, on the 21st, their division moved on the enemy, who retreated, they pursuing across Bull Run toward Manassas. Near Warrentown Pike, a very advantageous stand was made by the rebels, on a ridge, where their batteries and soldiery were protected by timber. Here the Second was ordered to assault one of the batteries, and moved forward boldly under a terrific enfilading fire of shell and canister. Forming in line at the foot of the ridge, they charged up, driving the enemy's infantry before them. Just at this critical moment, they were thrown into confusion by the absence of two field officers, and the two wings became separated. Yet, the men continued to fight in squads and companies for an hour under eross fire, until the enemy, becoming recruited by the arrival of fresh troops, attacked them on the right flank and drove them from the field, with a loss of thirty killed, one hundred and five wounded and sixty-five missing, many of whom were taken prisoners. Here the regiment won its first laurels, but not the last, for soon after it was consolidated with the Fifth and Sixth Wis- consin and Nineteenth Indiana, under Gen. Rufus King, and afterward became celebrated in the annals of the rebellion as a part of the "Iron Brigade," one of the most notable and effective military organizations ever made. In the above engagement, Company I suffered scarcely at all, and not until the battle of Gainesville, on August 28, 1862, were there any killed; then Corp. H. P. Curry and private Isaac Kay were slain.
To enter into the general details of the various engagements in which the regiment with Company I participated, would be to prepare a separate volume; suffice it to say, they were engaged in the following work and actions (particularly described in the Adjutant General's report of 1865). The erection of Fort Marcy in August and September, 1861. An attempt to eut off Gen. Jackson's retreat 2d May, 1862, making a march of 104 miles. A picket skir- mish at Chancellorsville July 26; destruction of warehouse, railroad, etc., at Frederick Hall ; and engagement with Stuart's Cavalry at Thorbury, on August 5 and 6; seventeen men of the Second taken prisoners. A skirmish at Waverly Ford, on the Rappahannock, August 19. A skirmish on the 26th, while on the road to White Sulphur Springs. The Second sustained a heavy engagement on the 28th, from Stonewall Jackson's division, for twenty minutes, while waiting for the balance of the brigade to come up; also other engagements in the vicinity, all known as the battle of Gainesville, under Gen. G. B. MeClellan. The storming of Turner's Pass at South Mountain September 14; enemy defeated and pursued on the 15th. At the bat- tle of Antietam ; two days distinguished bravery of the brigade and Second. At the battle of Fredericksburg on the 13th of December, the Second occupied a very exposed position ; the 14th and 15th they were constantly under arms. On a foraging expedition to Heathville, Va .. February 12; large confiscations made. A successful foraging expedition in Westmoreland County, Va., March 28, 1863. At Fitz Hughes' Crossing, Rappahannock, crossing on pontons under a galling fire; storming enemys pits and capturing large number of prisoners, routing them, April 28.
At Brandy Station, on the Orange & Alexander Railroad, Companies A and I of the Sec- ond participating in the cavalry battle which occurred June 7.
In the vicinity of Gettysburg on the 1st of July, a terrible engagement, the Second received the brunt of the fight and charged ; lost 30 per cent of the rank and file, the enemy completely routed. At the battle of the Wilderness on May 7, 1864. By the 11th of this month, the Second was reduced to 100 men fit for service, and, having lost their field officers, were detailed for guard duty and embarked for home. They arrived at Madison on the 18th of June, only a handful of the noble men who had gone out three years before. The last were mustered out on the 2d of July, 1864. Those who were left who chose to re-enlist were re- organized into two companies, known as the independent battalion of the Second, and afterward participated in the battles of Petersburg, Hatcher's Run and other minor engagements. The battalion subsequently became Companies G and HI of the Sixth Infantry. It is not pretended that the above is a complete record of every engagement in which the Second or Company I was engaged. It is but a synopsis of the chief events, as are all of the descriptions.
557
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
Farmers' Guards, Company E, Eleventh Infantry .- The Eleventh Regiment was assem- bled at Camp Randall in the fall of 1861, and, by the 18th of October, the men were mustered into service. Of the 105 men, representing nine towns, who went from this section, nearly three-fourths belonged to Company E, which was composed entirely of Iowa County men. The remainder of the 105 men were known as a part of the Constitutional Guards of Arena. The regiment first went to St. Louis, and into camp near Iron Mountain. There, guard duty was performed until the spring of 1862. Then, in March, the regiment was assembled, and began a southward march. Skipping the various stages of their journey, we first find them actively engaged on the 30th of June, defending a wagon train near White River, Mo. From that time until the 3d of July, they were more or less actively engaged in skirmishing while en route for Augusta, Mo. On the 7th of July, a severe engagement at the junction of Bayou Cache and Des Arc roads, where a large force of the enemy was completely routed by a comparatively small number of the Eleventh. Here they met with their first loss-4 killed and 20 wounded. At this point, their rations fell short, and they were compelled to make a march of 100 miles over burning sands and through morasses to IIelena, Ark., before they could get anything. From there they marched to Oldtown, Ark., during the last of the month, and engaged in for- aging expeditions in the vicinity, capturing large quantities of cotton, with but little loss. During the fall and winter of 1862, they were engaged principally in foraging expeditions in Missouri, and in guarding trains. In the spring of 1863, the regiment moved south, stopping at various points, until they reached Bruinsburg, Miss., on the 3d of April. From this point, they began a night march for Port Gibson. On the road, they were attacked by the rebels, and made a stand. After lying on their arms during the latter part of the night, in the morning, what is known as the battle of Anderson's Hill, was fought, the Eleventh leading. The enemy was routed. Soon after this, they were engaged at the battles of Champion Hills and Black River. At the latter place, the Eleventh storined the enemy's works, putting him to flight and capturing 1,000 men and a regimental stand of colors. On the 19th of May, they took stand at Vicksburg, and were largely serviceable in that siege, and suffered very severely. After Vicksburg surrendered, they went to Jackson, where they were actively engaged, from the 10th to the 21st of July, in fighting and tearing up railroad tracks. Eventually, they participated in a raid into the interior of Louisiana, known as the Teche campaign, and participated in the various scrimmages which occurred, and marched over two hundred miles of terrible roads dur- ing the month of October. On the 17th of November, they moved to Berwick City, and thence proceeded, via the Gulf of Mexico, for Texas. On the route, the regiment was divided, four companies, of which E was one, being left at Point Isabel. They were afterward re-united at Fort Esperanza, December 7, a portion of them having made a very fatiguing march. From this time until January of 1864, they were employed in guard and picket duty at various places. During the winter, nearly three-fourths of the regiment re-cnlisted. On the 13th of February, 1864, they were re-mustered, and, on the following day, embarked at Indianola for home on a furlough. The veteran Eleventh arrived at Madison on the 21st of the month, and were accorded a formal reception by the State authorities, and received a stand of colors. On the 23d of April following, they rendezvoused at Camp Washburn, and, on the 27th, embarked for Tennessec, and thence went to Louisiana, where they were employed in scouting, foraging, building fortifications and doing guard duty, until February of 1875. They were during that time often engaged in expeditions of great importance. From Louisiana, the regiment went to Blakely, Ala., where they were engaged from the 3d until the 9th of April, and signally dis- tinguished themselves. This was the last service performed by the regiment, where there was any fighting of consequence. On the 4th of September, 1865, the men were mustered out at Mobile, and the next day left for home, and on the 28th of September received their final dis- charge and pay at Madison, having served four years and two days.
Dodgeville Guards, Company C, Twelfth Infantry .- All but a very few men who went out in the Twelfth Regiment belonged to Company C, recruited in seven towns of the county. The companies first assembled at Camp Randall, in October, 1861, where the regiment was organized
558
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
under the supervision of Col. G. E. Bryant. There they remained drilling until the 11th of Jan- uary, 1862, when they embarked for Missouri. At Quincy, Ill., they were unable to cross the river, and in order to get over, had to march down opposite to Hannibal, Mo., a distance of twenty- two miles, which they accomplished in heavy marching order, at the rate of four miles per hour. There they remained overnight with the thermometer at 20° below zero. The next morning they crossed, and continued the journey ; but had to leave along the route over forty men who were disabled by their exposure. They were obliged to go without food during the most of the time until the 15th, thus early being initiated into the vicissitudes of a soldier's life. At the last-mentioned date, they went into eamp at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., where they remained until March ; then they went to Fort Scott, marehing 160 miles in six days. From there the regiment went to Junction City, at the Smoky Hill and Republican Forks of the Arkan- sas, to join an expedition for New Mexico. Journeying via Lawrence, Camp Halleck, St. Mary's Mission, Manhattan and Fort Riley, they arrived on the 25th of February. The expe- dition being abandoned, they were soon after called upon to retrace their steps, and went on from Leavenworth, via St. Louis, to Columbus, Ky., where they arrived June 2. They were actively engaged in repairing bridges, railroads, and making raids on guerrillas here and in the vicinity of Corinth, until the 1st of October, when they were removed to Bolivar, Tenn. From this time until the 10th of December, they were engaged in reconnoitering in the vicinity of Hatchic, Pocahontas, Bolivar, La Grange, Holly Springs, Cold Water and Lumpkins Mills, near Waterford, where they were in camp a few days. On the 12th of December, they arrived in Mississippi, where they remained but a short time, going back to Lumpkins Mills. On the 8th of June, 1863, the regiment marched via Cold Water, Moscow, La Fayette, Colliersville, to Camp Butler, going through great fatigue. There they served as guards until the 14th of March, when they moved to Memphis, Tenn. On the 18th of April, they joined an expedition for the purpose of giving battle to the rebels under Gen. Chalmers. They overtook the enemy at Hernando, and engaged in some pretty sharp skirmishing, and captured a number of prison- ers. At this point, the first man was killed in action. In this expedition, Company C figured conspicuously as one of the advance companies. On the 24th, they returned to Memphis, and, on the 11th of May, they embarked and proceeded to Louisiana, where they were employed in fatigue duty, and guarding the immense stores at Grand Gulf until the'9th of June, when they removed to Vicksburg and participated in the fight. From this point, after the surrender, they went to Jackson, and were engaged in the action of the 12th of July. The enemy abscond- ing, they were removed, via Vicksburg, to Natchez, Miss., where they went into camp on the 15th of August. They remained in camp until the 22d of November, when they were again employed at different points in the vicinity of Vicksburg and Natchez as guards, and in pursuit of guerrillas, until the 25th of July, 1864. Large numbers re-enlisted during January, as veterans, at Hebron, Tenn. On the 3d of February, they started on the celebrated Meridian expedition under Sherman, and marched 416 miles in thirty-one days, being engaged in fighting and destroying property most of the time.
The veterans left Ilebron on the 13th of March for home, and arrived at Madison on the 21st, where they received a public reception from the Legislature ; and, on the 31st, were paid off and discharged. Subsequently, the veteran Twelfth were in the battles of Kenesaw Mountain, with Sherman, from the 2d to the 15th of July, and at Atlanta with the army of the Camber- land, engagements justly celebrated as among the greatest of the war, and where the Twelfth did as gallant and constant service as any regiment engaged, having several times sustained the brunt of the heaviest fighting. During the spring of 1865, they served at different points in both North and South Carolina, being the greater part of the time in active service. On the 1st of May, the march home was commenced, where they finally arrived on the 21st of July, having been mustered out at Louisville. They were finally paid off and disbanded on the 9th of August, 1865.
While the regiment was at Ilumboldt in 1862, some of the men, being disciples of Faust, captured a printing office, and issued a few numbers of a spicy sheet known as the Soldier's
Thomas Kennedy
DODGEVILLE.
561
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
Budget. This was a part of the camp diversion, and served happily to beguile many a weary hour. ·
Highland Guards, Company G, Twenty-seventh Infantry .- The Twenty-seventh Regiment was ordered to rendezvous at Camp Sigel, Milwaukee, where the men were mustered into service on the 17th of September, 1862, under Col. Conrad Krez, Company G being made up of men from the town of Highland. The regiment left the State on the 16th of March, and proceeded to Colum- bus, Ky., from which point, in May, they moved to Snyder's Bluff, Miss., where they were during the siege of Vicksburg. From this place, they moved via Helena. Ark., and Duval's Bluff, to Little Rock, where they were stationed until the 23d of March, 1864. Then they were ordered to join the Red River expedition, under Gen. Banks. After a seven days' march, they reached Arkadelphia ; thence moved to Spoonville and Okolona, a distance of thirty-seven miles, where. on the 3d of April, they had their first engagement, sustaining the loss of a few men. Having repulsed the enemy, they marched to Elkins' Ferry, crossed the Little Missouri, and, resuming the march with the army corps, participated in the action at Prairie de Are. From this point they started for Little Rock, marching via Moscow and Camden, to Jenkins' Ferry, where they were again engaged, sustaining considerable loss. Having effected the crossing, they continued the march, reaching their destination without further interruption on the 1st of May. On the 3d of October following, they broke camp, and, embarking, left Little Rock for Pine Bluff, Ark., where they joined Clayton's command. On the 22d of the month they returned to Little Rock. having done some heavy marching, but without an engagement. Soon after, four of the compa- nies were assigned to guard duty in the vicinity. On the 7th of February, 1875, the regiment started for New Orleans, to join Canby's command, and finally, after a good deal of heavy marching, they pulled up before Spanish Fort on the 27th of March, where they were stationed during the continuance of the siege, and lost a few men. The enemy evacuated the fort on the 8th of April, and were pursued by the Twenty-seventh, which witnessed the capture of the forces by Gen. Steele.
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