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THE JAMES VERNER SCAIFE
COLLECTION
CIVIL WAR LITERATURE
THE GIFT OF
JAMES VERNER SCAIFE
CLASS OF 1889
1919
_ Cornell University Library
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Service with the Sixth Wisconsin volunte
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http://www.archive.org/cletails/cu31924030918944
BRI& GEF JAMES a%ADSWORTH.
SERVICE WITH
THE SIXTH WISCONSIN VOLUNTEERS.
By Rufus R. Dawes,
Brevet BsiaADiEK General U. S. Volunteers.
"It can no longer be unfurled, and five bullets have pierced the
staff. Its tattered folds and splintered staff bear witness more
eloquently than words to the conduct of the men who have rallied
around it from Gainesville to Gettysburg."
[Letter of E. £. Dawes, Lieutenant Colonel Commanding Sixth Wiseomin Volunteers, return-
ing this old color to the State of Wisconun, August Uh, 1863 ] ■
1890.
E. a. ALDEEMAN & SONS,
MAKIETTA, O.
O^
COPYEIGHT, 1890.
E. R. DAWES.
PREFACB.
With the hope that I may contribute something of value for
the history of one of the most faithful and gallant regiments in
the army of the Union, the Sixth Wisconsin Volunteers, and
with the especial object of preserving lor our children a record
of personal experiences in the war, this book has been published.
A box of old letters and papers, collected during the war and
/;arefully arranged and preserved by my wife, has been a chief
source from which I have drawn the subject matter.
Contemporary statements and opinions have not been changed.
In cases where subsequent knowledge disclosed an error, the
fact is noted.
Ruifus R. DawBS.
Marietta, Ohio, November loth, 1890.
To my wife "wito joiried. iier destiny ■\^tlx my ow^n
-wJien I Tvas a soldier and tJius became, together ^vitli
myself, sxibjedt to the extreme perfJs of ^pva^, tliis boolc
is affectionately dedicated.
RUPUS R. DJL-WBS.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I. PAGES 5-21.
The Call for Volunteers — The Lemonweir Minute Men — Anxious Haste to
"Crush the Rebellion" — Prpvoking Delays — Captain Bsilfour's Opinion
— Assigned to the Seventh Wisconsin — A Poster — Ordered Into Quar-
ters — Called to the Sixth Regiment — Reception at Camp Randall —
Company "K," Better Known as "Q" — Officers of the Sixth — I Dis-
cover That I Have a Servant — We are Uniformed in Gray — Mustered
Into U. S. Service — Bull Run — To the Front — The Glorious Passage
East — Miss Anderson — The March Through Baltimore —Attacked by
"Plug Uglies" — Lieutenant Kellogg in the Battle of Patterson Park —
On to Washington — Kalorama Heights — Our Brass Band — First Sight
of General McClellan.
CHAPTER II. PAGES 22-41.
Picket Duty on the Potomac — Camp at Chain Bridge — We Hear General
Hancock Whisper to his Brigade — To Arlington Heights — The "Iron
Brigade" in Embryo — Officers Weeded out^Reviews and Reviews —
The Battle Hymn of the Republic — The Grand Review — Our Drum
Major — Thanksgiving and Mince Pies-A Visit to Ohio — Amusements
in the Winter Camp — The Arlington House — I Reconnoitre a Seminary
for Young Ladies — Tossed in a Blanket— Gambling and Vice — On
Picket in the mud — Interviewed by a Congressional Committee —
Washington's Birthday Celebrated — A March to the Front — The
Enemy Gone — Hard Campaigning — Reviews — More Hard Campaigning
' — The Brigade Stampeded by a Bull — Camp Life in Stormy Weather —
Bull Frog Concerts — My Brother in Battle at Shiloh — Picnic at St.
Stephen's Chapel — On to Fredericksburgh — A Whisky Ration — News
From Shiloh — Camp Opposite Fredericksburgh — Practical Eman-
cipation.
CHAPTER III. PAGES 42-77.
Fac-Simile Confederate Currency — A Remarkable Bridge — Advent of Gen.
John Gibbon — Extra Clothing— Still "Spoiling for a Fight" — Feathers,
Leggings and White Gloves— President Lincoln Visits us — "On to
Richmond" — Stonewall Jackson in the Valley — We Pursue Jackson —
His men Carry "A Hundred Rounds and a gum Blanket," Ours Carry
"Saratoga Trunks"— "You uns is Pack Mules, we uns is Race Horses"
II
—Overcoats and Knapsacks Flung Away— Celerity of Jackson vs.
Ponderosity of McDowell— Up the Hill and Down Again— We Attend
Church in Frederioksburgh— Mink Teaches School— A Very Pretty
Fight of my own— Win by a Scratch and am Appointed Major— Frank
A. Haskell— Advent of General Pope— Prejudice Against McDowell —
A Mule Eace— Pope's Proclamation not Well Eeceived— A Raid
Toward Orange C. H.— By Help of a Slave, I Capture a Confederate
Officer— "Its the Lord's Will That the Colored People Help you uns"
—Impending Battles— The Fredericks Hall Raid- To Cedar Mountain
—He "Done got out" — William Jackson — Retreat Before General Lee —
First Experiences Under Fire— To Warren ton— To Warrenton Sulphur
Springs — Again Under Fire — Stonewall Jackson in our Rear — Back
Toward Centreville— Can't Stop to eat — Battle of Gainesville— Corps
Commander "Lost in the Woods" — A Midnight Retreat— Some Com-
ments on Gainesville — ^^Sound of Battle on the Bull Run Field — Fitz
John Porter's Corps Marches by — We March to the Field of Battle —
Clouds of Dust Interpreted as a Retreat of the Enemy — Battle of Bull
Run Second — Midnight Visit From General Kearney and Retreat —
Death on Picket Duty — Chantilly — To Upton's Hill — Joy at the An-
nouncement That McCIellan is in Command — Colonel Bragg's Manly
and Patriotic Political Stand — Colonel Cutler Pays his Respects to Mr.
Stanton.
CHAPTER IV. PAGES 78-97.
Army Re-organized— General Joseph Hooker our Corps Commander —
Advance to Maryland — At Frederick City — Enthusiasm for "Little
Mac"— On to South Mountain— The Battle— Volleys by Wing— All
Night on the Field — Complimented by General McCIellan — On to An-
tietam — The Battle— Captains Brown and Bachelle Killed — Colonel
Bragg Wounded — Terrible Slaughter of our Regiment at Antietam —
Incidents.
CHAPTER V. PAGES 9S-123.
Exhaustion After Antietam— A sad Blunder— Colonel Bragg Nominated
for Congress— President Lincoln Visits the Army— Twenty-Fourth
Michigan Joins the Brigade— Appointed to Inspect Troops— Forward
to Virginia— Dr. John C. Hall— Colonel Cutler Takes Command of the
Brigade — General McCIellan Removed from Command of the Army
Colonel Cutler Takes a Stand— The Burnside Regime— On to Fred-
ericksburgh— General Solomon Meredith— Distrust of Burnside—
Battle of Fredericksburgh- The Retreat— Clayton Rogers Saves the
Pickets— "Clayt" and "Bony"— Whitworth Shell for Breakfast— The
Defeat as Viewed by a Member of Congress— Camp Near Belle Plaine
General James S. Wadsworth— The Mud Campaign— The Fifty-fifth
Ohio in our Houses— Darkness Upon us as a Nation— Exit Burnside—
General Joseph Hooker in Command of the Army— The Northumber-
land Raid— Correspondence with Mr. Cutler— Political Conditions.
Ill
CHAPTER VI. PAGES 124^141.
A Visit to Ohio—A Public Address— Promoted— General James S. Wads-
worth — Preparations for the Campaign— General Lysander Cutler-^
Colonel Bragg's Letter with our old Flag— Reviewed by the President
— General Joseph Hooker — How to get Ready for a Battle Campaign^
Twenty-fourth Michigan Makes a Raid— Campaign Opens— I Entrust
Dr. A. W. Preston with Letters to be Mailed only if I am Killed— Fitz
Hugh's Crossing— Experiences at Chancellorsville— Dismal Retreat—
Dr. Preston Mails my Letters — Resulting Troubles and Excitements —
My Mother Refuses to Take my own Word that I am Killed.
CHAPTER VII. PAGES 142-163.
Camp Near White Oak Church— Regimental Court— Expedition Down the
Northern Neck— Captain Charley Ford— A War-Horse Prefers Death,
to Duty as a Pack Mule— In Command of a Post— "The Patrol has
Caught the Colonel" — General Lee Assumes an Offensive Attitude —
Major Hauser — Picket Duty on the Rappahannock — Colonel Bragg
Sick^Fooled by the Balloon — Lying in Wait — Ed Brooks Pours Water
in Sam's ear — How to Execute a Deserter — Camp Routine — We March
Northward — "Under a Scorching Sun, and Through Suffocating Clouds
of Dust" — At Centreville — Bivouac on Broad Run— At South Moun-
tain — General Meade's Appointment a Surprise— On to Gettysburg —
An Unfinished Letter— The Battle as Reported to M. B. G.— How the
new Recruit Stands Fire.
CHAPTER VIII. PAGES 164-184.
The Sixth Wisconsin at Gettysburg.
CHAPTER IX. PAGES 185-210.
Pursuit of the Enemy — The Pride of Victory — Williamsport — A Little
Rest — On to Virginia — Provost Duty at Middleburg — Too Much
Whisky — To Warrenton Junction — Echoes of the Morgan Raid — To
Beverly Ford — The One Hundred and Sixty-Seventh Pennsylvania
Refuses to March — The old and new Colors — 'Letter From one of Sher-
man's men — South of the Rappahannock — I Command an Outpost —
Mink Argues the Case — Refused a Leave of Absence — Conscripts and
Bounty Jumpers — "Iron Brigade" Flag — At Culpepper — I Make a
Friendly Call on the Enemy — Ordnance Returns — To the Rapidan —
Picket Duty.
CHAPTER X. PAGES 211-228.
At Morton's Ford — The Retreat to Centreville— A Skirmish at Haymarket
— Bob Tomlinson — To Thoroughfare Gap — Roast Turkey — Judge Ad-
vocate of a Court Martial — General Fairchild — Colonel Edward Pye —
To Oatlett's Station — Adjutant Brooks Captured— General Cutler Re-
sorts to Vigorous Measures — A Gentleman of the Old School — To
IV
Rappahannock— A Visit to M. B. G. in Ohio— The Mine Run
Campaign.
CHAPTER XT. PAGES 229-249.
At Kelly's Ford— "All Hail to Old Abe ! "—Question of Veteran Re-enlist-
ment— My Brother Reports From Sherman's Corps— To Culpepper—
Kindness From a Rebel— Living in Houses— Veteran Excitement-
Regiment Re-enlists and Goes to Wisconsin— I go to Marietta— A
Grand Reception at Milwaukee— A Quiet Wedding at Marietta— A
Wedding Trip— A Happy Accident— In Ohio— In Camp Again at Cul-
pepper— General U. S. Grant— Obliteration of the old First Army
Corps— The Fifth Corps- General G. K. Warren— A New England
Clergyman— Colonel Bragg's "Religious Affiliations"— General Grant
on Review— Major Philip W. Plummer— Preparations— Minor Faults
in the Management of Military Affairs— A new Chaplain— We win
First Honors on Inspection— Adjutant Brooks Returns— Chess — Court
Martial — Crime— Indians — "We move at Midnight."
CHAPTER XII. PAGES 250-273.
The Wilderness — Laurel Hill — The Bloody Angle and Spottsylvania.
CHAPTER XIII. PAGES 274-289.
Forward to the North Anna — Battle of Jericho Ford — Battle of the North
Anna — Forward Toward Richmond— Battle of Bethesda Church — The
Pennsylvania Reserves — "Pediculus Vestimenti" — Battle of Cold Har-
bor — Report From my Brother With Sherman — In the Trenches — A
Bullet-Proof Chaplain — Lawson Fenton — Death of Charles B. Gates —
A Little Rest — My Brother Shot at Dallas — His Journey Home.
CHAPTER XIV. PAGES 290-304.
A Change of Base — To the James River — Petersburg— Repulsed — Worn,
Weary and Discouraged — The Trenches — Disorganization from Losses
—Colonel Bragg Promoted— Out of the Trenches— Rising Spirits— Ad-
jutant Brooks' Expedition and its Fate— Captain Kellogg in Rebel
Prison— His Escape— Captain Lewis A. Kent— Lieutenant Earl M.
Rogers Wounded— Mortar Shell— Ice— Our Chaplain Finds a Cow-
Appointed to a Responsible Duty— Cowards and IneiRcients— Cuyler
Babcock— Commissioned Colonel— The Muster Out— Questions as to
Term of Service— Dr. Hall Promoted— Mine Explosion— In Camp —
Mustered Out and Honorably Discharged— The Ordnance Sergeant.
CHAPTER XV. PAGES 305-319.
From the Stand-point of a Civilian— The Battle on the Weldon Road—
"Poor Murdered Timmons!"— Letter From Captain Remington— Cap-
tain Chas. P. Hyatt Killed— Dr. Hall Writes Fully from the Sixth-
General Bragg Writes of our Comrades Fallen— My Brother Under the
Surgeon's Knife— The Sixth Re-organized— Colonel John A. Kellogg—
Individual Records — The Cheering in the Wilderness Explained by a
"Johnny"— The Story of William Jackson— Captain Marston Shot at
Gettysburg — Seventeen Years Later — To my Living Comrades — Statis-
tics From Colonel Fox and the Official Records.
PORTRAITS.
o
General James S. Wadsworth Frontispiece
General Irvin McDosvell Page 36
General "Stonewall" Jackson " 66
General E. S. Bragg, (as Lieut. Colonel 6th Wis.) " 72
General John B. Callis " 82
General Joseph Hooker, " 132
General Solomon Meredith, " 156
General Abner Doubleday, " 180
General George G.Meade, " 192
General Robert E Lee, " 214
General John Newton, " 224
General Lucius Fairchild, (As Commander of Grand Army)........ " 2.38
General Lysander Cutler " 274
General Rufus R Dawes, " 276
General John A. Kellogg " 310
Colonel E. C. Dawes, " 286
Captain Rollin P. Converse, " 260
Lieutenant Charles B. Gates • " 284
Surgeon John C. Hall, " 302
ILLUSTRATIONS.
o
Battle-flag of Second Mississippi, Page 172
Advance on the railroad cut, " 173
Flag of the Sixth Wisconsin, " 177
An end game at chess, " 248
COIVIPANY K.
"Tiiere's a cap in t2ie clos&t
Old, fa.d.ed and blue.
Of verjr sligO!it value.
It may be, to you ;
But a oro^wn, jewel studded..
Could not t)uy it to-day
Vi^ith. its letters of Ixonor,
'Brave Comjpaiiy H/ "
CH AFTER I.
Xlie Call for Volunteers — The Lemonv^eir Minute Men — Anxious
-FZaste to "Crush the Rebellion" — F'rovoUin^ Delays — Ca-ptain
Balfour's (ypinion — J^ssi^necl to the Seventh XVisconsin — A.
JPoster— Ordered Into Quarters— Called to the Sixth Regiment
— Recei>tion at Camp Randall — Company K. Better X£nown
as Q — Officers of the Sixth — I ^Discover That I Maye -a Servant
— "We are Uniformed in Gray — Mustered Into ZJ. S. Service — Bull
Run. — To the Front — The Glorious I^as^a^e Bast — M'iss Jlnder-
son — The March Through Baltimore— jH^ttacl^ed by Rlu^ U^lies
—Lieutenant Kellog-g- In the Battle of Patterson Park— On to
'W'ashin^ton — Ka^orama Heights—Our Brass Band — JPirst Si^ht
'of General MoClellan.
Fort Sumpter was fired upon, and recognizing the full import
of that event, on the fifteenth day of April 1861, President Abra-
ham Lincoln issued his proclamation calling for seventy-five
thousand volunteers to suppress the rebellion by force of arms.
This first bugle call of war found the author of this book in the
sparsely settled County of Juneau in the State of Wisconsin.
I was then twenty-two years of age, and had come out of college
with the class of i860. With the proclamation of the President
came the announcement that the quota ot the State of Wiscon-
sin would be only one small infantry regiment of seven hundred
and eighty men. It seemed quite evident that only by
prompt action I might secure what was then termed the "glorious
privilege" of aiding in crushing the Rebellion, which undertaking
It had been estimated by * one in higli authority, could be
accomplished in sixty days. It is pleasant to remember that at
that day few questions were raised as to the rates of compensa-
tion for service, and so remote a contingency as realizing upon
the promise of a pension was not considered. Nothing beyond
the opportunity to go was asked. What seemed to most concern
our patriotic and ambitious young men was the fear that some
one else would get ahead and crush the Rebellion before they
got there. Drawing up the following pledge and signing it, I
b^an the work of gathering Volunteers on the twenty-fifth day
of April 1861.
"We, the undersigned, agree to organize an independent
military company, and to hold ourselves in readiness to respond
to any call to defend our country and sustain our government."
It will be noted that the service ofiered was not l i m ited to three
months but was for "any call."
Forty-eight signers were secured as the result of my first day's
work. Then John A. Kellogg, the Prosecuting Attorney of the
county, would not be denied the privilege of signing my paper
and joining with me in the work of raising a company of
Volunteers. I argued with Kellogg, who was ten years my
senior and a married man, that young men, without families,
could crush the Rebellion, but he could not brook the thought of
being deprived of sharing in the satisfection and glory of that
service, and feeling that this would be his only chance, he
joined in the work of making up the company with the utmost
zeal. *
On the thirtieth day of April one hundred men, who had
agreed to volunteer, met in Langworthy's Hall, in the village of
Mauston, the county seat, to organize the company. There was
no contest for the positions of Captain and First I,ieutenant.
But for the other offices there was active competition, and the
meeting assumed something of the aspect of a political
convention. After a discussion in which Badgers and other
typical beasts and birds were considered for an appropriate name,
we adopted the mellifluous title of "The Lemonweir Minute
Men" from the peaceful and gently flowing river, in the beautiful
* Win. H. Seward, Secretary of State, in President Lincoln's Cabinet.
valley of which most of our men resided. It would "remind us
of home" said one, and this argument carried the day.
Extracts from a letter written to my sister in Ohio will serve
to illustrate the spirit of these times and of this occasion. Their
zeal might have been tempered had they known more of war,
but a purer impulse of patriotism never burned in the souls of
men, than that which inspired the unmercenary Volunteers of
1861.
Mauston, Juneau Co., Wis. May 4th, 1861.
I have been so wholly engrossed with my work for the last
week or I should have responded sooner to your question : "Are
you going ?" If a kind Providence and President I^incoln will
permit, I am. I am Captain of as good, and true a band of
patriots as ever rallied under the star spangled banner. We hope
to get into the third or fourth regiment, and if old Abe will but
give a fair and merited share in the struggle to Wisconsin, we
will see active service. The men expect and earnestly desire to
go, and wait impatiently their turn. I shall esteem it an honor,
worth a better life than mine, to be permitted to lead them in
this glorious struggle. I am in hourly dread of hearing of some
violence offered you on the border, and wish I might be permitted
to bring to you, in your peril, some as strong hands and as true
hearts as the Badger State can *boast.
State of Wisconsin, Adjutant Generai,'s Office.
Madison, May 2nd, 1861.
Captain Rufus R. Dawes,
Mauston, Juneau County,
Dear Sir : Enclosed please find commissions for your
*This is what I had heard from home. Letter from mv mother dated
Marietta, Ohio, April 28, 1861 :
"Governor Dennison has sent six cannon and two companies of the
regular army to Marietta. Your Uncle (William P. Cutler) has not joined
the Silver Greys for he will have to go to Congress in two months. He is
one of the Committee of Safety. Business is prostrated, yet the people are
hopeful and seem determined at all hazards to sustain the Government.
Provisions here are abundant and cheap. The excitement is so great and
so entirely engrossing that all other subjects are dismissed. People
recognize the hand of God in these things and feel thankful that the North
is right. To-day at church the soldiers marched in and took the front
seats. What a sight for Marietta ! The Ohio river perhaps will be the
border. Before the end of the week there will be thousands of troops
quartered in Marietta. I despair of giving you any idea of the excited state
of things here."
8
company. You will be registered in your regular order, and
called on when reached. Until further orders you will make no
expenses on account of the State.
Very Respectfully Yours,
Wm. 1,. Utley, Adjutant General.
Commissions enclosed :
Rufus R. Dawes, . . . Captain.
John A. Kellogg, .... First lyieutenant.
John Crane, . . . Second Lieutenant.
The question of getting into active service now absorbed
the minds of all, and great anxiety and impatience was displayed
lest we should not be called, or other companies, later organized,
should be preferred. On May i6th, I wrote to my brother, E. C.
Dawes, then a student in college in Ohio, "I am working like a
beaver to get my company into active service. We sent John
Turner, (an influential citizen,) to Madison to see the Governor.
I have a hundred men upon the muster roll. I have quite a
number of raftsmen from the pineries. To endure the hardships
of actual service none could be better fitted. Campaigning in
the field would be a luxury in comparison to logging in the
winter in the pineries. I don't believe there can be better
soldiers."
During this period of doubt and anxiety, I found comfort in
the judgment of one Captain Balfour, of Mauston. He differed
from the general opinion as to the serious magnitude of the
coming war. He was an old gentleman who had served as a
Captain in the British army. He had been through campaigns
in Spain and was present at the burial of Sir John Moore. He,
and other young officers, he informed me, had taken turns in
sitting on the throne 6f Spain which had been abandoned by
Joseph Bonaparte, when Wellington's army had entered Madrid.
His wife, a hale and bright old lady, had been with him in
these campaigns, serving as vivandiere of his regiment. Captain
Balfour, then over eighty years of age, said "Don't fret, young
man, your company will be needed. Those Southern people are
determined upon war. It will take years to put them down.
You'll see, you'll see! You have no Wellingtons or Napoleons
in this country, and next to no experience in war. This is no
job of sixty days." I constantly advised with this venerable
soldier who gave me excellent counsel and suggestions of
practical value, drawn from a long experience in field service.
Two weeks more passed away, much exciting news coming
from Ohio,* and on the second of June, I find the following
report of the condition of our affairs in a letter to my sister.
"At present the prospect seems very good for our company
remaining at home a month or two yet. We have been assigned
to the seventh regiment. Six regiments are now under pay and
the seventh will be called into camp when the fifth is mustered
into the United States service. The first four regiments have
already been mustered in. It is perhaps better to be so, though
a severe trial to our patience. I went to Madison to see Governor
Randall and the Adjutant General, but could get no higher on
the list. Wisconsin has twelve regiments already, and we are
well up to be in the seventh." On the loth of June I write: "The
first six regiments are now accepted by the General Government,
and I expect to be ordered into quarters. I think we will be in
ample time to go with the grand expedition down the Mississippi
and hold a merry Christmas in New Orleans. This delay will
make some hard work, recruiting to fill vacancies, but I can have
a full company. George W. Bird and William F. Vilas are
looking after my interests at Madison." These gentlemen had
been old friends and college associates at the Wisconsin State
University.
*Marietta had now become a Camp for the troops that made up the army
for the campaign in West Virginia. From my mother:
Marietta, Ohio, May 27th, 1861.
"All of the first ladies in the city have given their names to nurse or
furnish supplies for the sick. As yet we have no system, but hope to get
organized in a day or two. ' The hospital is an old brick building near the
Fair ground. There are thirty-nine sick men there to-day, and they are
far from comfortable. But the Citizens are sending in things every day and
we shall soon get iixed. Most of the men are sick with the measles. There
is one case of typhoid fever. Another regiment (18th Ohio) came in to-day.
Everybody is making bandages, lint, and Havelock caps. L^ has
made five and a half dozens of plasters of mutton tallow, spread on linen
rags, four inches square and done up neatly in oiled silk, very acceptable,
the surgeons say." Such were the preparations for war in 1861.
10
Executive Office, Madison, June 14th, 1861.
Captain R. R. Dawes, IvEmonweir Minute Men,
Mauston, Juneau County.
Sir: The Governor desires to know whether your company
is now full to at least eighty-three men for three years or the
war. Quite a number of the companies on our Register fail to
muster full at the appointed day. You will oblige by replying to
this letter at the earliest day possible, and stating a day on or
after which you can stand ready to meet a mustering officer with
a full company. We expect to send off the first six regiments
within four weeks, and two more will then be called into camp
and equipped.
Yours Respectfully,
W. H. Watson, Mil. Sec'y.
A Poster:
Rally !
Boys, Rally ! ! Rally ! ! !
Enlistments wanted for the Lemonweir Minute Men !
Headquarters L. M. M., Mauston, June 17th, 1861.
This company is ordered by the Commander in chief to hold
itself in readiness to be mustered into the service on Monday,
June 24th. Men are wanted to complete the full complement of
one hundred and one. Come forward, boys, and place your names
on the roll. R. R. Dawes, Captain.
To. my sister on the 20th of June, I write: "I am at present
tormented beyond measure by the delay in calling my company
together. The men are scattered over nearly a whole Congres-
sional district. Many influences operate now to deter and
discourage the men, and I fear they will order us into camp
without giving me time to collect my men or recruit for vacancies.
But I have one glorious satisfaction. We have a place certain
and nothing but the lack of a full company can stop us. I ride
and travel night and day. It will take a load off my shoulders
to have my men brought together." "Your excellent advice and
the pin cushions will be very serviceable, and on behalf of the
company I return their thanks. Please say to Mrs. E. B.
Andrews that I appreciate highly my pin cushion made from
Kossuth's vest." Some ladies of Marietta, Ohio, had sent to me,
through my sister, one hundred pin cushions for my company.
n
On tile agtli of June came the welcome telegram, which was
received with the greatest enthusiasm, ordering us into quarters.
Captain R. R. Dawbs : You can board your company at
expense of the State at not more than two dollars and a half a
week, until further orders. It is possible that you may be
wanted for the sixth regiment.
W. H. Watson, Military Secretary.
On the 6th day of July, in compliance with orders, the
company, ninety-four men in all, took the cars for Madison to
join the sixth regiment. We had been assigned to that regiment
because of the failure of several other companies 'registered
higher on the list in the Adjutant General's office. Our arrival,
therefore, as it completed the organization of the regiment, was
an event, increased in its interest and importance by the several
previous disappointments. I received a telegram from the
Colonel of the sixth regiment, while en route, asking the hour of
our arrival. Had I suspected the reception that was being
prepared for us, I think I should have entered protest. As we
approached Camp Randall that afternoon, the fifth and sixth
regiments, nearly two thousand men, were in line of battle to
receive us with becoming state and ceremony. My company
had had practically no drill. "By the right flank, right face"
according to the Scott tactics, and "Forward march" was almost
the sum total of my own knowledge of military movements.
The men stumbled along in two ranks, kicking each other's heels
as they gazed at the novel and imposing spectacle before them.
A few wore broadcloth and silk hats, more the red shirts of
raftsmen, several were in country homespun, one had on a
calico coat, and another was looking through a hole in the
drooping brim of a straw hat. I remember, also, that there were
Several of those ugly white caps with long capes, called
"Havelocks." The men carried every variety of valise, and
every species of bundle, down to one shirt tied up in a red
handkerchief. My confusion may be imagined when I was met
at the gate way of Camp Randall by Frank A. Haskell, the
Adjutant of the sixth regiment, who was mounted on a spirited
charger, and quite stunning in his bright uniform and soldierly
bearing. With a military salute he transmitted an order from
12
the Colonel "to form my company in column by platoon," and to
march to Headquarters under escort of the Milwaukee Zouaves.
Hibbard's Zouaves, (Co. B, 5th Wisconsin,) was then considered the
best drilled company in the state. « Their appearance in bright
Zouave uniform was fine. I answered Adjutant Haskell, "Good
afternoon. Sir. I should be glad to comply with the wishes of
the Colonel, but it is simply impossible." So we took our own
gait in the direction of Headquarters. The maneuvres and the
yelUng of the Zouaves, who engaged in one of their peculiar
drills, increased the distraction of my men, and they marched worse
than before. However, we got into line in front of Headquarters
and were briefly congratulated upon our arrival, in a few pertinent
remarks by Colonel I,ysander Cutler. The Colonel informed us
in his speech that we would be designated as Company "K."
But in recognition of our grand entree, the camp had already
christened us Company "Q."
Fortunately, our first essay in military evolution at the evening
dress parade, took place behind the backs of the regiment.
Adjutant Frank A. Haskell came to my relief, and of his
kindness on that occasion I have an appreciative memory. The
fun he enjoyed in watching us, amply repaid his service. By our
designation as Company "K" we were brought in camp, and in
line, into close connection with Company "E," an alliance which
proved congenial. The Captain of that Company appeared to be
much gratified that a Captain had come in, who knew less than
he did about military matters. Thus began an intimate
association, which lasted through three hard years of trial, in
which we were together. At this beginning of our acquaintance,
I think a fellow feeling made us wondrous kind. In politics and
law, Kdward S. Bragg stood among the first men in his state, but
in military matters he had yet, as the Indians would say, "a heap
to know." The sixth regiment was an exceptionally fine body
of ofEcers and men, as their history may abundantly attest-
There were many of the officers of the line, already well qualified
by education and experience, for their duties. Company "A"
was commanded by Captain Adam G. Malloy, who had been a
soldier in the war with Mexico. His Company was being well
instructed, and he was ambitious that they should justify their
13
selection as first upon the list. Company "C," whicti had been
made the color company, was commanded by Captain A. S. Hooe,
whose father was a Major in the regular army. In that
association he had grown to thorough knowledge of the drill.
Company "F," of Germans from Milwaukee, had two of the
most highly qualified officers with whom I met in all my service,
Lieutenant Schumacher and lyieutenant Werner von Bachelle.
Both had served in the armies of Europe, and as competent,
exacjt and thorough drill masters, they were no where to be
surpassed. It was to me an instructive pleasure to watch them
drill their companies. The influence of this splendid company,
and its I^ieutenants, was marked in stimulating others to equal
their performance. Both of th^ese gallant men and model soldiers
were killed in battle for their adopted country. The Captain of
Company "H," which was also composed principally of Germans,
was a character. He could, at that time, express himself only
with much difficulty in English, He was a tall and stalwart
soldier, rigid as a disciplinarian and exact as an instructor, as he
had been educated in the military school at Thun, Switzerland.
He had also served in European wars, and acted on the Staff of
General Garibaldi. One saying of Captain Hauser in Camp
Randall is memorable. Exasperated at his men who got into a
huddle, he shouted, "Veil, now you looks shust like one dam
herd of goose." lyieutenant John F. Marsh of Company "B,"
had served in the war with Mexico, and there were other officers
of excellent qualification, among those upon the roster.*
*Oolonel Lyeander Cutler.
Lieutenant Colonel J. P. Atwood.
Major B. J. Sweet.
9&rgeon, C. B. Chapman. Adjutant, Frank A. Haskell.
First Aes't., A. W. Preston. Quartermaster, Isaac N. Mason.
Second Ass't., O. F. Bartlett. Chaplain, N. A. Staples.
Captains. Fihst Lieutenants. Second Lieutenants.
Co. A, A. G. Mallov. D. K. Noyes. F. 0. Thomas.
Co. B, D. J. Dill. ■ J. F. Marsh. H. Serrill.
Co. C, A. S. Hooe. P. W. Plummer. T. W. Plummer.
Co. D, John O'Eourke. John Nichol. P. H. McOauley.
Co. E, E. S. Bragg. E. A. Brown. . J. H. Marston.
Co. F, W. H. Lindwurm. F. Schumacher. "W. Von Bachelle.
Co. G, M. A. Northrup. G. L. Montague. W. W. Allen.
Co. H, J. F. Hauser. J. D. Lewis. J. T. Tester.
Co. I, Leonard Johnson. F. A. Haskell. A. J. Johnson.
Co. K, K. R. Dawes. J. A. Kellogg. Jno. Crane.
14
On July gth, I reported progress in a letter to my sister as
follows:
"After two months of incessant, aggravating and provoking
labor, my company is in the sixth regiment. We came into
camp on Saturday evening last and we are now under the severest
kind of drill. We were at first quartered in barracks, and given
old straw in which there was no scarcity of fleas, but last night
we moved into our tents. My men are not more than half
supplied with blankets, and, as we have cold drizzling weather,
they have suffered. It is a new life to us all, but I hope we can get
broken in without much sickness. I am studying up on tactics,
drilling and attending to the business of the company, so that I
have very little time to see my old friends in Madison."
About this time we received from the State of Wisconsin
payment for our services. To our surprise and gratification
we were instructed to make up our pay roll from May
3rd., the date of our commissions. I remember that when I
took my pay roll to that excellent gentleman, Simeon Mills, the
Paymaster, he said, "I see. Captain, that you have omitted to put
in your servant." I said, "I have no servant." Mr. Mills said, "I
think you certainly have, as the Regulations require it." Seeing
that he knew more about the subject than I did, I made no
further objection to a servant's going on the pay roll. This was
one of the farces of our military system. My treacherous
memory forbids my recording here, whether my servant was
described as having green eyes and red hair or red eyes and green
hair ; but I think the old pay roll will disclose a very remarkable
descriptive list of this imaginary person. A Captain of infantry
had sixty dollars per month as pay and sixty-eight dollars per
month as "allowances." Thirteen dollars per month and thirty
cents per day (one ration) was allowed for a servant, and one
dollar and twenty cents (four rations) was allowed for
subsistence. But the Captaiu was obliged to certify that he had
a servant, and to describe him. Few Captains had servants, but
all had one hundred and twenty-eight dollars per month.
Our regiment, strange to say, was uniformed by the State of
Wisconsin in the color of the Confederacy, gray. These gray
uniforms were of honest and excellent material, and we
15
exchanged them with regret a few months later for the sleazy,
shoddy blue, we received from the general government, at that
early period in the war.
The question which absorbed the most attention next in Camp
Randall, was the impending muster into the United States service.
As the day approached, I found it was inevitable that I should
lose four men, who could not or who would not be mustered in.
One was too old, one was too young, one showed that he had
no idea of going with us, and the last one had a presentiment
that he would be killed. I labored with this last man,. for he
was a strong, hearty, good fellow, but he said that in a dream he
had seen himself killed. This seemed absurd, but I had to let
him go. Later in the war this man enlisted in a Wisconsin
Cavalry regiment, and served his term without a scratch. Captain
Bragg asked me if _ I did not want two of his men. I was
anxious to muster in as many as possible, and did want badly two
men. He said that one of his men wanted to serve his country
as a iifer and the other as a drummer. The fifer could not fife,
neither could the drummer drum. But none of my men in
Company "K" could perform such service, and they were all
desirous to serve as soldiers in the line. There seemed nothing
in the way of this arrangement to swell my ranks by two, and so
I took them in. Captain Bragg got nothing lor his men, but he
settled perplexing que.stions- about the music in Company "E."
We were mustered into the service of the United States for
the term of three years, unless sooner discharged, on the i6th
day of July, 1861. The regiment mustered in ten hundred and
forty-five men. In mj' company ninety-two men were mustered.
In giving these figures, I follow the authority of my own
contemporary letter.
Referring again to the old bundle of letters, carefully preserved
by my sister, who herself, long years ago, passed away from us, I
find that the movement of our army towards Bull Run, in
Virginia,' which was then in progress, aroused our expectation of
moving Eastward. I find, also, that upon the occasion of the
presentation by the State, of colors to the fifth and sixth
regiments, there was a grand celebration and jollification at
Camp Randall. There were about six thousand visitors present.
16
A fine supper, the gift of the ladies of Dane County, was served
to both regiments in the dining hall. The camp was beautifully
decorated, and no grounds were neater or more tastefully
adorned than those of Company "K." To our First Sergeant,
David 1,. Quaw, is chiefly due the credit.
My next letter is dated at Camp Cutler near Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania, August ist. "The disastrous affair at Bull Run
caused us to be ordered this way. Our journey through from
Madison to Harrisburg was like a triumphal march. Men,
women and children, crowded in hundreds and thousands at
every town and city, to hail us and to cheer us on our way to
help rescue the down trodden flag. This shows how the people
are aroused. At Milwaukee an abundant table was spread for us.
At Racine, Kenoshaj and Chicago the haversacks of our men
were crammed with every delicacy. We came through by the
way of the Pittsburg, Ft- Wayne and Chicago, and Pennsylvania
Central Rail Roads. The trip was full of exciting and pleasing
incidents. At Cresson, on the Allegheny Mountains, we met
the family of Major .Robert Anderson. You may be sure the
Badger boys made the mountains ring with cheers for the
daughters of the hero of Fort Sumpter. His oldest daughter is
a very handsome young lady. The enclosed sprig please keep
lor me till the wars are over, as it was presented to me by Miss
Anderson in acknowledgement of our compliment to her father.
We expect to go from here to Harper's Ferry and will probably
be attached to Gen. Banks' Division. The rebels are said to be
advancing on Harj^er's Ferry. We therefore expect a fight in a
few days. I wish my men were better drilled."
The question was raised, why Miss Anderson passed our old
Colonel by and presented this little token to the youngest
Captain in the line. It was wholly due to the superior lung
power of Company "K."
We did move from Harrisburg, but it was not to Harper's
Ferry nor to fight the enemy, for the next letter is from
Baltimore. "We are encamped in Patterson Park, a beautiful
grove overlooking the city, the bay. Fort McHenry and a broad
extent of finely cultivated farms. We marched several miles
through the streets of Baltimore last night, without arms. We
17
were escorted by two hundred armed police. Our boys were well
supplied with brick bats. The rebel -Plug Uglies commenced an
attack on Bragg's Company, "E," which marched just in front of
my company, but it was promptly suppressed by the police.
The streets were jammed with people, as we marched, and the
excitement was very great. The sentiments expressed were
spitefully hostile. There is a slumbering Volcano in Baltimore
ready to break out at any success of the Rebellion. Your
imagination cannot picture with what unction they would roll
under their tongues such morsels as, "Bull Run yoU blue
bellies!" "How do you like Bull Run ?" "It was Yankees Run."
We have come into a different atmosphere. I hope we may
remain here awhile. "We need drill badly* and our present
*MuBter Roll of Company "K," 6th Wisconsin Volunteers, in August,
1861. *
Captain, .... Rufus R. Dawes.
First Lieutenant . . . John A. Kellogg.
Second Lieutenant, . . John Crane.
Seegsants.
First Serg't, David L. Quaw. Second Serg't, Linnaeus Westcott.
Third Serg't, Eugene P. Rose. Fourth Serg't, H. H. Edwards.
Fifth Serg't, John Ticknor.
COKPOKALS.
W. N. Remington,
Franklin Wilcox,
Oliver Fletcher,!
A. J. Atwell,
Charles A. Abbott,
Charles A. Alton,
Daniel D. Alton,
Eugene Anderson,
William Anderson,
Alonzo Andress.
James L. Barney,
Ira Butterfield,
Frederick Boynton,
Ralph Brown,
John Carsley,
Geo. Chamberlain,
Joseph A. Chase,
Thomas Cleveland,
Ephraim Cornish,
George W. Covey,
Chas. A. Crawford,
John A. Crawford,
W. S. Campbell,
Wm. H. Van Wie,
MnsiciANS.
Pbivate Soldiers.
Wm. Garland,
Jacob Garthwait,
S. Frank Gordon,
Cassius Griggs,
Henry Gallup,
William Hancock,
William Harrison,
PeterHelmer,
Cyrus Hendrick,
Edward Hendrick,
Israel Hendrick,
Thomas S. Hills,
Llewellyn Hills,
VolneyHolmes,
James W. Knapp,
Bernard McEwen,
Daniel J. Miller,
E. Mitchell,
Reuben Huntley,
John Holden,
Thomas Flynn.
E. G. Jackson.
Jamea W. Scoville,
Edward Simons,
Erastus Smith,
Cyrus Spooner,
William Stevens,
John St. Clair,
James P. Sullivan,
Hugh Talty,
Albert Tarbox,
Silas Temple,
Charles M. Taj'lor,
A. R. Thompson,
John R. Towle,
Hoel Trumble,
Lyman B. ITpham,
Richard Upham,
William Valleau,
Stephen Whicher,
18
situation is all that could be desired. We are very closely
confined in camp. No commissioned officer can leave witliout a
pass from the Colonel. There is plenty of money in the
regiment now, gold and silver. Our old Colonel Cutler is a
very strict disciplinarian, and will tolerate no nonsense. He was
Colonel of a regiment in Maine in the Aroostook war. Queer
as it now sounds, the boast of our Colonel's military record was
in serious earnest.
Camp Atwood, Pattbrson Park, August, 5th 1861.
"Our camp was attacked about midnight by the Plug Uglies of
Baltimore. A fire was opened on our Guards, who promptly
replied, and the bullets whistled occasionally through the camp.
Several companies were turned out and quiet soon restored.
Fortunately none of our men were struck." This little aflair
was our first contact with rebels who would shoot. In some
respects it was a very laughable experience. When the firing
began, which was after midnight, I formed my men in the
company street and loaded up with brick bats. We had no guns.
Companies "A" and "B" only had been armed as yet, and they
were on guard duty contending with the foe. I sent I^ieutenant
Kellogg to the Colonel for instructions. This was super
serviceable as the Colonel would have sent for us if he had needed
our brick bats. lyieutenant Kellogg wandered around in the dark
night and found the Colonel in the back part of the camp where
the firing was the hottest. What instructions he received we
never learned, as he fell into a dreadful hole in his reckless rush
to bring them to us, and his condition of body and mind was
such that , he did nothing but swear a blue streak about his own
mishap. With us the tragedy ended with a roaring farce. Lieut.
Kellogg was of quick blood and it was not always safe to
congratulate him as the only man wounded in the Battle of
Patterson Park.
W. K. Davis, Alex. Noble, Charles West,
Willard Dutton, Andrew J. Nott, Chauncey Wilcox,
Thomas Ellsworth, William Patterson, Arlon F. Winsor,
A. G. Emmons, Lorenzo Pratt, Samuel O. Woods,
E. W. Emmons, Waitstell Eanney, Aaron Yates,
Abram Fletcher, James Rodgers, VolneyDeJean, Wagoner.
Dennis Fuller, Charles Eeynolds,
19
While we were at Patterson Park we were under the Command
of General John A. Dix.
On the seventh day of August we moved on to Washington.
The order came while the regiment was engaged in the evening
Dress Parade, and it was received with enthusiasm. *Our orders
were to move at once, and there was hurrying in hot haste.
The regiment had been armed, while at Patterson Park, with
Belgian muskets, a heavy, clumsy gun, of large caliber, and not
to be compared with the Springfield rifled musket. We again
marched through the streets of Baltimore at night. Our muskets
were loaded and my letter says, "at half cock," and we received
from all citizens the compliment of respectful silence. We
started about midnight, in filthy cattle cars, and reached
Washington City at daylight. We marched to the City Hall
Park, and, late in the day to Meridian Hill, where we established
our camp, a few rods from Columbia College, then being used as
a hospital for the wounded from the Bull Run battle. This camp,
called Kalorama, was, as indicated by its classic name, indeed
beautiful for situation and for its magnificent view of the Capitol
and the city. But the three weeks spent there were a great
trial. There were in my company, twenty-five men sick with the
measles, . and the other companies were in like manner severely
scourged. The weather was intensely hot and the water was
not good. Melons were freely sold in camp, and a general run of
sickness was the result beyond our measles. On August fifteenth,
we had in Company "K" thirty-five reported sick and unfit for
duty. On August twenty-third, a more cheerful condition
prevailed, as I write as follows to my sister :
"My men are getting through with their measles, and I hope
to soon have out full ranks. We are drilling every day and
improving rapidly. It is announced that we are soon to be
reviewed by President I/incoln and Gen. George B. McClellan,"
To my brother on August twenty-fourth, I wrote from Camp
Kalorama :
"We are here at Washington yet, and I think likely to stay a
'General Dix says he had "telegraphic orders" to send General Eufus
King and the two Wisconsin regiments (5th and 6th,) to "Washington.
20
week or so. We were reviewed yesterday by the Brigadier,
(Rufus King,) and our regiment never before appeared so meanly.
It was enough to try the patience of a martyr, the performance
of that contemptible brass band of ours. They played such alow
time music that we passed the reviewing officer at about
forty-seven paces a minute. We had to hold one leg in the air
and balance on the other while we waited for the music. By the
way, old Kanouse belongs to this band. He is sick, and I do not
wonder at it. He goes along, pumping up and down on a big
toot horn. He wants to get out of the band. I should think he
would, for if a man in the regiment is caught in a rascally trick,
the whole regiment yells, 'Put him in the brass band.' " Theodore
D. Kanouse, who was an old college friend at the Wisconsin
State University, often came to my quarters, and his witty
comments upon the infelicity of his service in the band, were a
source of amusement. He said he had undertaken to crush the
Rebellion with a trombone and, willing to admit his own failure,
he hoped the Government would not rely wholly upon its brass
bands to accomplish that result. "As the regiment is at present
organized, I am junior Captain in the fourth division, (Companies
'E' and 'K')- Captain Edward S. Bragg, of Company' E,' is
rated as my senior. I really rank him though, by the date of
my commission, aryi I propose to have this thing corrected.*
Twice yesterday, on that ridiculous review, I gave orders when
Bragg was at fault. Captain Bragg, though, is the brightest man
in the regiment. He was a delegate to the Democratic National
Conventions at Charleston and Baltimore. It is highly
entertaining to hear him relate his experiences. Our Colonel
(I<ysander Cutler) is rigid in his discipline, and stern and
unflinching in exacting the performance of all duties, and I
believe will prove of determined courage. Frank A. Haskell is
one of the best Adjutants in the army." Frank A. Haskell
exercised at that time a marked influence upon the
progress of the regiment in soldierly knowledge and quality.
He was an educated gentleman, a graduate of Dartmouth College.
He had belonged to the Governor's Guard, a military company at
the Capitol of Wisconsin, and had been drawn by natural tastes
•Youthful vapor. »
21
to some study of military tactics. Haskell had been born with
every quality that goes to make a model soldier. He took great
interest and pride in the instruction of the regiment, and lo
elevated his office, that some men then thought the Adjutant
must at least be next to the Colonel in authority and rank. It
was a good instruction in the school of a soldier to serve a tour
of duty in the regimental guard. One especial and untiring eflfort
of Adjutant Haskell was to exact cleanliness and neatness of
personal appearance, an essential condition of true soldierly
bearing. The cotton gloves, which he required the men to wear,
were kept snow .white, nor did he allow them to cover dirty
hands. It was a dread ordeal for a man to step four paces in
front and face the Adjutant before the assembled guard and in
fear of this he went there clean at however great and unusual a
sacrifice of customary habit. To see Haskell, "About face" and
salute the Colonel before the regiment when we were on dress
parade was an object lesson in military bearing.
On the twenty-sixth of August there was a general review of
all the troops encamped on Meridian Hill. General George B.
McClellan was the reviewing officer, and this was our first
introduction. On that day I wrote to my sister:
"The General is a splendid looking man, just in the prime of
life. The boys are all carried away with ^thusiasm for him.
Our Brigade is as well drilled as any I have seen, and is made up
as follows: 2nd Wisconsin, 5th Wisconsin, 79th New York
(Highlanders, uniformed in kilts), 32nd Pennsylvania, 2nd New
York, (Fire Zouaves) and the 6th Wisconsin. General McClellan
pronounced our regiment one of the best in material, appearance
and bearing. We expect and hope to be in the first advance and
this opinion expressed by the commander of the army is, I think,
an earnest of things hoped for. The 5th Wisconsin — Colonel
Amasa Cobb — is a fine regiment. The New York Fire Zouaves,
the 79th Highlanders, and the 69th New York seem to be
drunken rowdies. The 14th and 15th Massachusetts are the
most neatly uniformed, the best equipped, the best provided for,
and the best drilled regiments I have seen. I^ast night we had
considerable excitement on account of an order to be ready to
march at a moment's notice."
Chapter II.
F*ioli0t Duty on the Potomeic — Camp at Chain Bridge— "We Hear
Qen. SancocU: 'Whisper to hla Brigade— To JLrliiigton Heights
— IThe Iron Brigade in Embryo — Officers 'Weeded out—jR.evie'Virs
and KeWews— The Battle Hymn of the Republic— The Grand
JCevietv — Our Drum Major — Thanksgiving and Mince P*ies— -A
Visit to Ohio — Amusements in the 'Winter X^amp — The Arlington
JJouae — J Heconnoitre a Seminary for 'Young Ladies — Tossed
in a Blanl^et— Gambling and 'Vice— On F'iclaet in the xnud —
JnterWetved by a Congressional Committee— Wasliing-ton's
Birtiiday Ceiebrated— A March to the Front— The Bnexny Gone
Hard Campaigning-Revi&v^s — More Hard Campaigning — Tiie
Srig-ade Stampeded by a Bull — Camp Life in Stormy 'Weather
— Bull Frog Concerts — My Brother in Battle at Shiloh — Ficnic at
St. Stephen's Chapel— On to Fredericksburgh-A 'Whiskey
Ration— News From Shiloh — Camp Opposite Fredericksburgh
—JPractical Bmancipation.
Bivouac near Chain Bridge, on Potomac,
Six Miles above Washington,.
September 8th, 1861 ^
"It is very difficult now for me to write at all, so do not be
alarmed at a little irregularity in my correspondence. We left
the old camp on Kalorama Heights, a week ago to-morrow night
(Sept. 2nd.) Since then we have been moving around from one
place to another, wherever our presence has been deemed
necessary. We left our tents, extra clothing, cooking utensils,
everything but one woolen blanket and one oil cloth. We sleep
on the ground with nothing aboye us but the canopy of heaven.
To intensify our discomfort, the weather has been cold and
rainy. This is rather a hard road to travel, but I keep healthy,
hearty and happy, and feel better than when I first began to
sleep in a tent. Our regiment has been doing picket duty along
the Potomac river on the Maryland side from Chain Bridge to
FalUng Waters. My company has been deployed along about
four miles. The rebel pickets and cavalry could be occasionally
seen along the other side of the river. I have really enjoyed
this week's work. The scenery on the Potomac here, is very
romantic. The people generally sympathize with the rebels.
Our boys have fared sumptuously every day. They declared
that even the pigs were secessionists and they burned them at
the steak for their treason. Turkeys and chickens shared the
same fate. It was impossible for me to restrain men who had
been starved on salt-beef and hard tack, when they were
scattered over four miles of territory and sneered at as Yankees
by the people. The fact is I ate some pig myself The present
bivouac of the regiment is within a few rods of the ruins of
Montgomery Hall, once, you know. General Washington's
Headquarters. Across the river, opposite on a high hill, now the
site of a powerful battery, is the spot where Clay and Randolph
fought their duel."
Camp near Chain Bridge, Ssptember 20th, 1861.
To my brother : "You are anxious to know whether we have
any skirmishing. No. Our men are all at work constructing
forts and digging trenches. You want to know what it has cost
me to uniform. My sword, sash, and sword knot cost $35. My
blue dress uniform, thirty-three dollars, undress uniform,
seventeen dollars, and overcoat twenty-two dollars. Then I was
fool enough to spend thirty dollars on gray, which is now of no
use. Buff vest cost four dollars, army shoes, six dollars, and cap
two dollars. My blue dress uniform turns red and is a
confounded cheat. My sash is at least half cotton, and it is
rapidly fading. My scabbard is metal that tarnishes in half an
hour. The army is being terribly fleeced by the Washington
sharps. Fancy uniforms are useless sleeping in the mud. Frank
Haskell, our Adjutant, has been assigned to command of
Company 'I' and P. W. Plummer of Company 'C is acting as
Adjutant. If you are going to be an Adjutant, set to work at
once, learning how to 'About face' gracefully."
Camp near Chain Bridge, September 23rd, 1861.
"The same 'masterly inactivity' is still the order of the day.
Beauregard is strenuously preparing himself for an attack by
McClellan. McClellan keeps thousands of men building
fortifications to resist an attack by Beauregard. Yesterday from
the dome of the Capitol of the United States, with the aid of a
telescope, I distinctly saw the rebel flag waving on Munson's
24
Hill, six miles away. I could see a company of rebel soldiers
also. This is a sorry spectacle."
The 5th Wisconsin regiment had been separated from us, and
attached to a brigade, which was commanded by a young
Brigadier who was yet unknown to fame. Gen. W. S. Hancock.
Hancock's brigade was encamped at the opposite end of the
Chain Bridge in Virginia. The General had a voice like a
trumpet and we could hear him drilling his brigade. He would
give some such order as, "On first division, third battalion, deploy
column, quick, march !" and the regiments would proceed.
Colonel Cobb of the 5th Wisconsin, a civilian appointee, would
sometimes blunder, and we would hear in the same ringing, bell
like tones, "Colonel Cobb, where the nation are you going
with that battalion?" Amasa Cobb was a distinguished citizen
at home and this was a source of extreme amusement to our
men, some of whom would go down among the willows under
the bank of the river, and shout across in fine imitation of
General Hancock, "Colonel Cobb, where the nation are
you going with that battalion?" The men called this
performance, "Hancock whispering to his brigade."
Camp Lyon, near Chain Bridge, September 29th, 1861.
To my brother : "The army of the Potomac is in high spirits
this morning. The Grand Army has' moved forward and taken
possession of Munson Hill and the whole line of rebel outposts
without firing a gun. Our troops at the Chain Bridge did not
move forward, but we were up nearly all night, to be ready to
march at a moment's notice. But as General McClellan will not
fight on Sunday, we do not now expect to move until to-morrow.
(Reference is here made to a general order issued by McClellan
in regard to inaugurating movements on Sunday. As he did not
inaugurate them on any other day, it was not of much
importance.) It is said that our brigade will go to the Arlington
House, and probably pitch tents there, and perhaps advance in
light marching order towards Fairfax Court House. It is said
that some of our regiments in the movements last night, fired on
each other, and that others, who were out of range but scaled by
the noise, threw away their guns and ran. Colonel Atwood has
resigned, and Major B. J. Sweet has been promoted to lyieut.
25
Colonel and' our little Captain Bragg of Co. 'E' has been
promoted to Major. Companies 'E' and 'K' rejoice and are
exceeding glad, but one or two of our Captains are mad at
Bragg's promotion. He is the best man and I am glad of his
advancement. They say the Colonel would have preferred to
have Frank Haskell appointed Major, but Bragg captured
the Governor.* Our old Colonel is as rugged as a wolf, and the
regiment has great confidence in him, both as a man and an
officer. We have not been roughing it lately, but have been
living high. My Second Lieutenant has even struck up a
flirtation with a young lady in Georgetown. Crane is making a
fine young officer. He is one of the best in.structors in the
manual of arms in the regiment."
Camp near Fort Cass, Arlington Heights, Va.,
October 6th, 1861.
"We crossed the Potomac yesterday by the Aqueduct Bridge at
Georgetown. We have joined the division commanded by Gen.
Irvin McDowell. The 7th Wisconsin has been substituted for
the 5th Wisconsin in our brigade. They have an old Dutch
Colonel named. Van Dor. The 19th Indiana regiment,
commanded by Colonel Solomon Meredith, is now in our
brigade.f We are encamped in the woods on the line of
fortifications which extends from Chain Bridge to Alexandria in
front of Washington, and near the Arlington House."
Camp Arlington, Va., October 28th, 1861.
To my sister : "Ten officers! have left or been removed from
*This is camp chaff. Governor Alexander W. Randall, about that time,
visited our camp at Arlington and this circumstance probably gave rise to
such talk.
tThus was originally made up the Iron Brigade of the Army of the
Potomac. The camp at Chain Bridge may be. considered as the beginning
of the history of that body of troops, and this movement to Arlington
its first march. The regiments comprising the brigade were now, 2nd
Wisconsin, 6th "Wisconsin, 7th Wisconsin and 19fh Indiana, and these
regiments remained brigaded together till the close of the war. It was
fully a year from this time, however, before the brigade became known by
its now historic title. '
tOfficers who left the regiment about this time :
Capt. M. A. Northrup, Co. "G." First Lieut. G. L. Montague, Co."G."
'Capt. John O'Eourke, Co. "D." First Lieut. J. D. Lewis, Co. "H."
Capt. Wm. H. Lindwurm, Co. "F." 2nd Lieut. P. H.'McCauley, Co. "D."
Capt. Leonard Johnson, Co. "I." 2nd Lieut. John Crane, Co. "K."
First Lieut. John Nichol, Co. "D." 2nd Lieut. A. J. Johnson, Co. "I."
our regiment for various reasons. My Second Lieutenant has
resigned upon invitation of the Colonel. I feel indignant about
it but am unable to prevent it. He was certainly a very
promising young oificer. First Sergeant, David L. Quaw, -will
be Second Lieutenant of my company in place of Crane. He will
be a genial, companionable tent mate, but I doubt if he
develops the fine soldierly qualities possessed by Crane."
Colonel Cutler applied a rigorous policy of weeding out
line officers, who, for various reasons were not acceptable to
him. Under the thin disguise of failure to pass examination
before a certain commission of ofiScers, of whom I believe.
General James S. Wadsworth was President, several very
promising of&cers were arbitrarily driven out of the regiment.
The Irish Company "D" was entirely stripped of its officers, and
too close a sympathy with them, by our young Irish Lieutenant,
Crane, probably brought this attack upon him. Company "G"
was also stripped of its officers. There was much bitter feeling in
the regiment over these matters. Some, however, of the displaced
officers had proved incompetent, and others might be termed
incorrigible, so far as the discipline of th^ regiment was
concerned. First Lieutenant, Philip W. Plummer, of Company
"C," was appointed Captain of Company "G." He proved one of
the most successful of our company commanders. Of patient
temper and considerate judgment, he was yet a strict and
exacting officer. The trim and soldierly First Sergeant of
Company "E," William A. Reader, was made First Lieutenant of
Company "G," and James L. Converse, the First Sergeant of
Company "G," was promoted to Second Lieutenant. No more
deserving officer was upon our rolls than James L. Converse, and
he was faithful to the end, for he was killed in battle. Loyd G.
Harris was advanced from First Sergeant to be Second
Lieutenant of Company '■C." Lieutenant John A. Kellogg was
promoted to be Captain of Company "I" and Clayton E. Rogers^
of Company "I," was promoted from the ranks to be Second
Lieutenant. This brought upon the list an officer of great
usefulness and remarkable courage and energy. David J^. Quaw
was made First Lieutenant and Sergeant John Ticknor, Second
Lieutenant of my company, "K." The Irish Company, "D,"
27
■which had been stripped of its Irish ofi&cers, was officered by the
appointment of Lieutenant John F. Marsh of Company "B" as»
Captain, and Michael H. Fitch, the Sergeant Major, was
appointed First Lieutenant, and Samuel Birdsall, Second
Lieutenant. Thomas Kerr, who afterward reached the rank of
Lieutenant Colonel, was with all others in the ranks of Company
"D," overlooked. This appointment of strangers to command of
the comps!,ny, and disregard of their natural and reasonable
preference as to nationality, made bad feeling among the men of
that company. Marsh and Fitch were excellent officers and
discreet men, and less diffiiculty resulted than was anticipated.
This changing around of officers, indiscriminately from
company to company, was a new departure, and it gave to our
regiment a violent wrench. Colonel Cutler had in all matters of
command and discipline, the courage of his convictions, and his
justification must be found in the fact that good results
ultimately followed. Among the best results was bringing. up
from the rajjks, a number of excellent young officers.
To my sister : (no date.) "A military life in camp is the most
monotonous in the world. It is the- same routine over and over
every day. Occasionally we have a small excitement when
on review. The other day an aristocratic old gentleman
rode up in a splendid carriage, driven by a superb darkey in
livery. It was William H. Seward. He is a particular friend of
our Brigadier General, Rufus King. Caleb B. Smith, the
Secretary of the Interior, has been in our camp several times.
He visits Colonel Solomon Meredith. There was an inferior
looking Frenchman at our review the other day, highly adorned
with decorations, and gold lace, who is a mystery as yet. He is
some sort of a foreign Prince. Our boys call him 'Slam Slam."
The finest looking military officer, McClellan not excepted, is
our division commander. General Irvin McDowell. General
King is a homely looking man, but he is a cultivated gentleman.
General Blenker, who commands the division encamped upon
our left, looks to me like a very common Dutchman.
If you have stockings and blankets for the soldiers, send them
where they are needed, not here. If you could, hear our men
complain about being pack horses to carry the clothing forced
upon them, you would not think they were suffering. Every
man in my company has one cloth uniform coat, one overcoat,
some men two,* three pairs of pants, three to five pairs of
stockings, two woolen shirts, one undershirt, and most of them
two pairs of shoes, and the regiment has been forced to send to
Washington a large amount of good state clothing, (gray). Take
the above mentioned articles in connection with two or three
blankets, and pile them on to a man, in addition to his Belgian
musket, cartridge box, and accoutrements, and you can appreciate
the just cause for complaint of our knapsack drills. The plea
is, that these drills make the men tough. Knapsack drills,
reviews and inspections are the order of the day. General
McDowell reviews us, then General McClellan, then General
McClellan, and then McDowell. Every member of the Cabinet
ha^ been present on some of these occasions, but we have not
yet had the President. How soon we will move, or what the
plan of campaign will be, are subjects I have long ceased to
bother my head about. We feel very sad over the battle of
Balls Bluff. You may remember that the 15th Massachusetts
was formerly brigaded with us. The officers were a fine set of
men, and General Baker's brigade was for a long time encamped
next to us at Chain Bridge. The most intelligent, best looking
men I have seen in the service, belonged to the 15th
Massachusetts."
The super abundant supply of clothing may be taken as a
sample of the magnificent manner in which the grand army was
being equipped. The resources of the government were freelj'
lavished upon it. But "rooted inaction," as Horace Greely puts
it, was upon us, in the hero of the hour, the commander of the
army, whom in our imaginations we enthusiastically exalted to
the skies as a great organizer, and a "Young Napoleon."
One of the reviews referred to in the foregoing letters was held
at Bailey's Cross Roads. The troops were dismissed in the midst
of the review, owing to some reported movement of the enemy,
and McDowell's division marched back, taking the road toward
*One blue and one gray. When the men gave up the gray clothing
they were disposed to keep the overcoats, because of their superior
quality%
29
Washington, to our camp on Arlington Heights. With our
column rode a lady visitor ; my authority . is her own account.
Our regiment marched at the head of the column, because we
stood on the extreme right of the line. As we marched, the
"evening dews and damps" gathered, and our leading singer,
Sergeant John Ticknor, as he was wont to do on such occasions, led
out with his strong, clear and beautiful tenor voice, "Hang Jeff.
Davis on a sour apple tree." The whole regiment joined the
grand chorus, "Glory, glory hallelujah, as we go marching on."
We often sang this, the John Brown song. To our visitor
appeared the "Glory of the coming of the I/ord," in our
"burnished rows of steel" and in the "hundred circling camps"
on Arlington, which were before her.
Julia Ward Howe, our visitor, has said that the singing of the
John Brown song by the soldiers on that march, and the scenes
of that day and evening inspired her to the composition of the
Battle Hymn of the Republic* We at least helped to swell the
chorus.
»BATTLE-HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC.
JULIA WARD HOWB.
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord :
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored.
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible swift sword :
His truth is marching on.
I have seen him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps ;
They have builded him an altar in the evening dews and damps ;
I can read his righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps,
His day is marching on.
I have read a fiery gospel, writ in burnished rows of steel:
"As ye deal with my contemners, so with you my grace shall deal ,"
Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with his heel.
Since God is marching on."
He hath sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat ;
He is sifting out the hearts of men before his judgment seat.
Oh ! be swift my soul, to answer him ! Be jubilant, my feet !
Our God is marching on.
In the beauty of the lillies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in his bosom that transfigures you and me :
As he died to make men holy, let us die to make men free, .
While God is marching on.
80
Camp on Arlington Heights, November 21st, 1861.
"I,ast Sunday I attended Dr. Gurley's church in Washington
City. I went there to see President I<incoln. I think many
others of the worshipers went there for the same purpose. Mr.
I^incoln is very tall and very homely, but no one can look at him
without being impressed with the serious earnestness of his face.
On Tuesday we marched out to Bailey's Cross Roads to take part
in the grand review. I must not write about what the papers
are so full of. You know that it was the largest review of troops
ever had in America, that sixty thousand infantry, nine thousand
cavalry and one hundred and thirty pieces of artillery passed in
review before McClellan, that the regiments marched by
'battalions en masse,' and that it took from 11 o'clock A. M.
until 4 P. M. to pass the reviewing officer, and that the President,
the members of the Cabinet, and all the celebrities, foreign and
domestic, were present. But perhaps you have not seen that
General McClellan was so overcome by the lofty pomposity of
drum major William Whaley of this regiment, that he took off
his hat when Whaley passed. But, sad to relate, Whaley was so
overcome by this recognition, which took place while he was
indulging in a top loftical gyration of his baton, that he dropped
the baton. From the topmost height of glory he was plunged
into the deepest gulf of despair. This drum major of ours we
regard with pride and affection as the finest adornment of the
regiment. He can hold his head higher, a'nd whirl his baton
faster than any other drum major in the Army of the Potomac.
It is enough to make one sad, to see the stately Whaley leading
that execrable brass band on dress parade, eternally playing the
Village Quickstep, but when his own drum corps is behind him,
'Richard is himself again,' and he snuffs the air and spurns the
ground like a war horse."
The marching of the regiment, which led the brigade and
division at the grand review, had now become almost faultless.
As the solid block of eight hundred stalwart western men,
approached the Commanding General, marching in perfect time
and with free and easy stride, led by this truly splendid druni
major, the great crowd at the reviewing stand continued cheering
and clapping hands.
31
On the twenty-eighth of November, the regimental mess,
composed of the field, staff and line officers, had a Thanksgiving
dinner. "We had built a large log dining hall, which was very
comfortable, although home made. Our dinner was no small
affair. Colonel Cutler also made each company in the regiment,
the happy recipient of twenty mince pies, about a quarter of a
pie to each man.
I here obtained a leave of absence for ten days, for a visit to
Ohio.*
Letter received at Marietta, from Sergeant Upham :
Headquarters Sixth Regiment, Wis. Vols.
Arlington Heights, Va., Dec. 31st, 1861.
"Captain Dawes, — Dear Sir : — I take this earFy opportunity
of writing to you, knowing that you will be glad to hear from your
company. I will tell you how we got along since you left. You
remember that Lieutenant Quaw was on court martial, and that
Lieutenant Reader was to take the company out on battalion
. drill, the afternoon you left. Well, Reader was unable to go.
So this deponent formed the company, and when drill time came,
there was no one to take it out. At the drum call I marched the
company out and formed them in battalion, anxiously hoping
that some commissioned officer would come to my relief, and
wishing that Marietta were in a hot place so that you could have
remained with us. Well, Captain Brown took charge of 'K,' and
I felt as though a mountain had been lifted from my shoulders.
We had a good drill. 'K' never did better. 'K' came into camp
in good season and fell in immediately for dress parade, Lieut.
Serrill taking command. Thus ended our first day without our
Captain. Two men remained in off dress parade, Simons and
'Dick.'t They said you had excused them before you left, — a?
in my mind. This morning all was bustle, preparing for monthly
inspection. I made out the roll of the company, took the muster
roll to the Adjutant, prepared my own accoutrements, and was
*The few days vouchsafed me sped swiftly. My brother had graduated
from college, and he was now Adjutant of the 53rd Ohio Volunteers. His
service was destined to be with the armies in the West, and lie was soon to
go to the front in the division commanded by General William T. Sherman.
On the sixth day of January, 1862, 1 started to rejoin the regiment.
tEichard Upham, an Indian.
S2
getting barbered when the drum beat. I left with my hair half
combed and fell the company in. We were inspected by Captain
Chandler. All the sons answered to their names, except Ralph
Brown and A. G. Emmons. Even Hancock came up to be
mustered. I am cross and ugly. I took two men to the officer
of the guard to-day, for coming back to the company quarters
when on guard duty. An imperative order to that effect was
issued, by the Colonel. Captain Brown says he wishes he had
Company 'K.' They move so easily. Bully for Company 'K.'
I will write again shortly, so as to keep you posted. I remain
Yours truly, Lyman B. Upham."
I arrived in camp on the gth day of January, 1862, the trip
from Ohio to Washington consuming three days time.
We had many amusements in our winter camp on Arlington
Heights. We played whist, chess, and other games on wintry
days, and, despite restrictions on political discussion, in the
articles of war, we discussed all questions of politics or religion,
with the utmost freedom. Bragg was a Douglass or war
Democrat, Brown and Kellogg, Republicans, and I was called an
Abolitionist. But the baleful shadow cast by slavery over the
border, and the fierce and brutal insolence of the slave catcher
who was often seen on our free soil of Ohio, tended to make
Abolitionists. Captain Edwin A. Brown was a singer. We
were unconscious then, that his melodious voice predicted his own
sad late when he sang his favorite "Benny Havens, O." "In
the land of sun and flowers, his head lies pillowed low."
The officers of the whole brigade would gather in our log
dining hall and jokes would be ventilated, speeches made, and
hilarious songs sung. The "Chinese song" as performed by
Captain Hooe on those occasions, was so amusing that this
reminder will recall it to all of our living comrades who heard it.
The men had one sport in this camp which was quite exciting.
It was tossing men in a blanket. They became expert and
would throw a man to an astonishing height and catch him in the
blanket as he fell. I once took this whirling aerial flight, but
only once, having no desire to repeat the experience. There
was gambling in camp, that ever-present curse of camp life ;
but the strict orders of Colonel Cutler against this vice, and his
33
vigorous discipline greatly restricted the evil in Camp Arlington.
It was well that the regiment had so resolute a commander. He
gave almost no passes to the city. Thieves, speculators,
gamblers and vile characters of all kind had flocked to
Washington to prey upon the army. This enemy in the rear
was now more dangerous than the enemy in front. The great
thoroughfare, Pennsylvania avenue, was constantly thronged
with a surging crowd. The street was so muddy that it could
not be crossed, and the western side only was used. In spite of
the constant marching of the armed patrols, our soldiers were
constantly made victims by the Harpies. Washington was a
very sink hole of iniquity in other ways of evil. The unfinished
dome of the United States Capitol, and the half built Washington
Monument well typified the uncertainty of a continued national
existence.
The grand old southern homestead of Arlington, with its
quaint and curious pictures on the wall, its spacious apartments,
broad halls and stately pillars in front, was an object of especial
interest; but, abandoned by its owner. General Robert E. Lee,
who was using his great power as a military leader, to destroy
the Government he had sworn to defend, it was now a desolation.
The military headquarters of McDowell's division was in the
Arlington House, which was open to the public and hundreds
tramped at will through its apartments.
Having ample time to plan campaigns, that indeed being the
chief business of our lives at Arlington, and pursued by an
increasing curiosity regarding a young lady then attending the
seminary at Ipswich, Massachusetts, I threw out skirmishers in
that direction. I sent sundry illustrated papers with pictures of
our camps, and received from the enemy a return fire of
catalogues and other Massachusetts publications. I was then a
devout admirer of General McClellan and I received with disgust
one of these missives directed to the "Army of the Potty Mac."
But the seminary girls breathed the air of independent opinion
in New England, and they were beyond the circle of McClellanism.
This trifling skirmish resulted in no engagement.
Arlington Heights, January 25th, 1862.
To my sister : "We are now having terribly muddy weather.
34
All drills are omitted. Unfortunately our turn for picket duty
on the outposts came in tlie midst of this spell of bad weather.
Your anxiety about 'the approaching battle' had better be
postponed. Any movement of the army is impossible. As we
marched up Munson's Hill, on our way to the outposts, the mud
rolled down upon the men in a kind of avalanche. They waded
up the hill through a moving stream of red clay mortar. lyuckily
I was ordered to act as Major, and had a horse to ride."
Six days from my Journal :
Saturday, February ist, 1862.
"Went to the city (Washington) to-day. Had a pleasant visit
with uncle William. (W. P. Cutler, member Congress.) In the
evening we went to his rooms to call on Hon. Henry I,. Dawes,
of Massachusetts. Mr. Dawes treated me very politely. The
Congressional Investigating Committee of which Mr. Van Wyck,
of New York, is Chairman, was holding a session at his rooms.
Mr. Holman* of Indiana, overhearing that I was an officer in the
6th Wisconsin, undertook to pump me on some charges somebody
has been making against Colonel Cutler. It was all new to me,
and I knew nothing at all about the matter. Mr. Dawes was
evidently annoyed at this breach of his hospitality and Mr. R. C.
Fenton called Mr. Holman sharply to order, and to a proper
sense of the rudeness of his conduct. It was quite disagreeable.
Sunday, February 2nd, 1862.
Returned to camp in the morning. I found one of my men,
private Ed. Hendrick, sick with the small pox. I had him
removed to Washington. It is varioloid, and I hope may stop with
this case.
Monday, February 3rd, 1862.
Was officer of the day. Rode over to Balls' Cross Roads to
inspeict guards. I never saw mud before, equal to that I
encountered.
Tuesday, February 4th, 1862.
Mud, — mud, — mud precludes drill, everything, to say nothing
*This does Mr. Holman an injustice. He fairly inferred that I was there
to be examined as others had been. An evidence of the wonderful
memory of details possessed by Mr. HoJman is the fact that in 1882 he was
able to recall this circumstance,
35
of an advance on Manassas. Was detailed to-day as a member
of a General Court Martial.
Wednesday, February sth, 1862.
General Court Martial convened at headquarters McDowell's
division, (Arlington House.) We tried one case and adjourned
over until Friday. Colonel Cutler is President, and Capt. Hooe
of our regiment, Judge Advocate.
Thursday, February 6th, 1862.*
A dull day in camp. Captain Brown and Captain Kellogg are
jolly fellows to make time pass lightly. Kellogg sprained
Brown's neck by an awkward blow with the boxing gloves."
During the continuance of bad weather, target shooting was
about the only exercise required, and Colonel Cutler ofifered
small prizes for excellence. Our Belgian muskets had been
exchanged for Springfield rifles, a much lighter and better gun,
and this gave great satisfaction. Washington's birthday was
celebrated by Congress with appropriate ceremonies. Our
brigade formed in a semi-circle in close column before the broad
*Page 718, Vol. 5, War Eecords, February 6th, 1862. McDowell's
division was made up as follows :
King's Brigade.
6th Wisconsin 960 men.
7th Wisconsin, 996 men.
2nd Wisconsin, 821 men.
19th Indiana 892 men.
3,669 men.
Wadsworth's Brigade.
21st New York, 735 men.
23rd New York, 878 men.
35th New York 976 men.
20th New York 915 men.
3,504 men.
Auqub's Brigade.
30th New York 800 men.
22nd New York 837 men.
24th New York, 825 men.
14th N.Y. S. M., (Brooklyn,) 659 men.
3,121 men.
2nd N.Y. Cavalry, (Ira Harris,) 982 men.
Batteries of artillery, 663 men.
Total division strength, 11,939 men.
portico of the Arlington House, and listened to the reading of
Washington's farewell address, and to an excellent oration from
our Brigadier General, Rufus King. The columns were then
deployed and battalion volleys of blank cartridges were fired in
honor of the day. The inspiration of the occasion was felt more
deeply because we stood upon ground once owned by
Washington.
On Sunday, the 9th day of March, my uncle, Mr. [Cutler,
accompanied by Edward Ball, Sergeant at Arms of the House
of Representatives, came over to Arlington to visit me in
camp. I turned out my company "K" for their inspection.
They addressed the men briefly, and assured them that they
would soon be called to more active duties, and on that evening
we received our inarching orders. At 4 o'clock on Monday
morning, March loth, 1862, the old camp on Arlington Heights
was broken up. The whole army of the Potomac advanced
in full marching order in the direction of Centreville. We
expected battle, and our men were in that verdant and idiotic
frame of mind, which was then termed "spoiling for a fight."
After a hard day's march we encamped two miles west of Fairfax
Court House, and on Tuesday morning, March nth, we were
informed that the rebels had evacuated Centreville and Manassas.
I quote the comments of my journal, as to the manner in which the
announcement of this fact was received. "The men were greatly
disappointed. They had made their wills, and written their
farewell letters, and wanted to fight a battle. The fortifications
at Centreville are by no means so formidable as they have been
represented. I saw two saw-logs in the embrasures representing
cannons. So much for wooden guns." We remained in camp
near Centreville until Saturday, March 15th. At noon on this
day the brigade marched back toward Alexandria, and the rain
poured down in dismal torrents all the afternoon. We passed an
exceedingly disagreeable night in bivouac near Alexandria, and
on Sunday morning returned to the old camp on Arlington
Heights. General Irvin McDowell had been assigned to the
command of an army corps, composed of three divisions.
(*Franklin, McCall, King.) General Rufus King succeeded to the
*Page 755, "Volume 5, Ofi&cial War Records.
c^
37
command of McDowell's division, which was now designated as
"King's division," Colonel Cutler succeeded General King in
command of the brigade, and I,ieutenant Colonel Sweet,
succeeded to command of the regiment.
We now understood that we were to accompany the Army of
the Potomac, under General McClellan, which was then
embarking at Alexandria, for Portress Monroe. We received
orders on March i8th, to go to Alexandria, and we fully
expected to embark. We were instead ordered into camp near
Alexandria and while our tents were being pitched, we were
directed to march back again to Fairfax Seminary. The order
was obeyed with much grumbling and scolding, and without our
supper. The rainy, cold, dismal weather, together with the
pungent and blinding smoke of the camp fires of green woo d,
rendered camp life at Fairfax Seminary, extremely unpleasant.
The little shelter tents, usually called "dog tents," occupied by
the men, proved like most army material at that period of the
war, to be of the poorest quality, and leaked badly. On March
25th, the sun had broken through the clouds, and there was, as
might be expected, a grand review conducted by General Irvin
McDowell. The divisions of Generals Franklin, King, and
McCall were out in full force, perhaps 25,000 men. Two days
later there was another review, upon which occasion I^ord I/yons,
the English Minister, was present with General McClellan.
One white day from my journal.
Saturday, March 29th, 1862.
The regiment was paid this morning. I got a pass to
Washington. The men of my company sent by me $610 to be
remitted in drafts to their friends. Got drafts of Rittenhouse
& Company.
Tiresome and monotonous camp life ensued until April 4th,*
when the regiment marched — not to embark at Alexandria, but
towards Fairfax Court House. We pushed on until April 6th,
when we encamped near Bristoe Station. During this march an
*Adjutant-Genekal's Office, Apkil 4th, 1862.
General McClellan : By direction of the President, Gen. McDowell's
army corps has been detached from the force, under your immediate
command, and the General is ordered to report to the Secretary of War.
Letter by mail. L. Thomas, Adjutant-General.
38
amusing excitement was created by the 14th Brooklyn regiment.
The men of that regiment were from the city, clerks, book-keepers
and business men. They were full of shrewd devices to avoid
unnecessary hardships. They were then uniformed in short
Zouave jackets, made in the cutaway style, often seen on
youngsters of about six years of age, and profusely adorned with
buttons. Their pantaloons were red. When we were somewhere
near Centreville, they captured in a field, a quiet and peaceable
looking young bull. After much ingenious labor, they succeeded
in harnessing him to a cart, using an old horse harness for this
purpose. Then, loading up the cart with a pyramid of their
heavy knapsacks, they endeavored to persuade the bull with their
bayonets to march along with the troops. The terrified animal
would at first only go backwards, but finally goaded beyond
endurance by the bayonets, he made a sudden bolt. Our troops,
all unconscious of impending danger, were marching quietly
along the turnpike, when there arose a shout, "Clear the track !
Clear the track ! " Men on foot, .and mounted ofi&cers needed no
second warning, but crowded against the fences to give the bull
the road. Down the turnpike came the rushing bull, the air
about him filled with flying knapsacks. He completely routed
our brigade. He soon upset the cart and kicked himself
loose. When we saw him last he was still at full speed., and the
"Red lyegs" were hunting knapsacks.
The following from my Journal :
Tuesday, April 8th, 1862.
"There is rain and snow to-day. Company officers are supplied
only with shelter tents. Our camp is very muddy. It is difficult
for officers to get anything to eat, as our wagon is loaded with
hard tack, and very poor ham only. I paid Jake* ten dollars
to-day."
Wednesday, Aprii, 9th, 1862.
"Rain and snow to-day. I was not able to get my wet boots
on, this morning, and was obliged to lie in my 'dog tent' until
afternoon. As I could not stay in the tent without continually
lying on the bunk, it was tedious. The rain and snow storm has
*Jake was my colored servant, and while in a comfortable camp, he was
a very good one.
39
continued all day, confining all the men to their shelter tents.
We have no mail, no papers, no literature of any kind. The men
beguiled the weary hours, by croaking like frogs, quacking like
ducks, and barking like dogs. I gave Jake a gold 'dollar and
sent him in quest of something to eat. The base wretch has
deserted me, and 'done gone' to Baltimore. That is what he
wanted his $io for. I got supper at a house at Bristoe Station.
Breakfast and dinner I had none."
One performance of our men in these dismal rain storms, was
quite comical. It was called, "The bull frog of Bull Run." A
leader would shout: "When our army marched down to Bull
Run, what did the big bull frog say?" Hundreds of men would
respond in deep bass, bull frog croaks: "Big thing! Big thing! !"
Then the leader would ask, "When our army came back
from Bull Run, what did the little frogs say?" "Run Yank!
Run Yank!!" would be screeched in response, in excellent
imitation of a swamp full of frogs. "What does the bully Sixth
say? " Again the bull frog bass would respond, "Hit 'em again !
Hit 'em again ! !" Brave boys ! how they contended against
adverse circumstances, with their cheerful and courageous spirit.
While near Bristoe, we received news of the great battle of
Pittsburgh I,anding. Our army was said to have gained a
victory, after suffering a terrible loss. General King kindly gave
me the use of the Government telegraph, but I was unable to
learn anything of my brother, who, I knew, must have been in
the engagement. On Sunday, the 13th, we marched from camp
near Bristoe to Catletts Station. Here we enjoyed the good
fortune of a "high, dry, and excellent camp ground."
(L,etter.) St. Stephen's Chapel, Va.,
April 14th, 1862.
"Our troops are engaged in repairing railroads, and building
bridges. We are advancing through a beautiful country, but,
deserted by its people, and desolated by the armies, it seems
likely to become a wilderness. At present, my company, and
company 'E,' are doing outpost duty under command of Major
Bragg. My own headquarters are at St. Stephen's Chapel, a
handsome littl^ Episcopal church, with pulpit and pews
40
uninjured. It is the most comfortable quarters I have had for a
long time."
(Journal.) Tuesday, April 17th, 1862.
"We were relieved from picket duty by the 21st New York.
We were sorry to go back to camp. Our tour of duty at St.
Stephen's Chapel was a picnic."
General Augur's brigade, of King's division, marched forward
to opposite Fredericksburgh, after some skirmishing near
Falmouth, and on Monday, the 21st of April, our brigade
marched from Catletts Station towards Fredericksburgh. In
accordance with our customary fate, a severe rain storm prevailed
all day. The creeks were overflowing, and we were so delayed
at the crossings, that we made only six miles. The brigade
bivouacked for the night in a muddy field. . The men were wet^
wood scarce and wet, mud deep, air chilly, and everything in a
forlorn condition. As a remedy, a heavy whiskey ration was
issued. It was the first experiment of the kind in the history of
our regiment, and it proved a miserable failure. There were
many who would not drink their liquor at all, and others, as a
result, obtained a double or triple portion. My journal says:
"A thousand drunken men in the brigade, made a pandemonium
of the camp all night."
We reached Falmouth opposite Fredericksburgh at four o'clock
on Wednesday, April 23rd. Our hearts were made glad by
finding our mail waiting for us. I heard fully from my brother
that he was engaged in the bloody battles of April 6th and 7th,
at Shiloh, and in the skirmish of the morning of the 8th, at
Fallen Timber. He had escaped without injury, though fighting
with a courage and valor honorable to himself, and gratifying to
his friends, as he was placed under very trying circumstances.
(I^etter.) Camp opposite Fredericksburgh,
April 26th, 1862.
"We are now encamped on the heights north of the
Rappahannock river, opposite Fredericksburgh, which is an old
fashioned, compactly built, little city, situated in a beautiful
valley. Our troops do not occupy the town, but, as the hills
north of the river are high, our batteries command it. Above
the town, the river is full of rapids, but vessels come up to the
41
town, and a U. S. gun boat was here yesterday. We hope to
push on toward Richmond and join McClellan's army. Our
cainps are now flooded with negroes, with packs on their backs,
and bound lor freedom. No system of abolition could have
swept the system away more effectually than does the advance of
our army. Behind us the slaves, if they choose, are free. All
civil authority is gone." Our military authorities refused to have
anything to do with the negroes. But with the sympathy and
active assistance of the soldiers, the poor slaves were breaking
their fetters in spite of their masters. Some men in one of our
New York regiments, so roughly handled a slave owner, who was
trying to recapture his slave in camp, that the provost guard
interfered to protect him, but not to catch the slave. Meanwhile
the slave made good his title to liberty, by taking refuge with
the soldiers. I wrote from this camp : "So far the slave holders
have vainly called upon our military authorities, for assistance in
returning fugitives. Thus the great question of liberty is
working its own solution. The right must, and surely will,
triumph in the end. I^et us thank God, and take courage."
Chapter ill.
Pac-Slmlle Confederate Currenoy—A RemetrUable Bridge—
Advent of Gen. Joiin Gibbon— Bxtra CJothlng—StlU " SpoU-
in^ Tor a Figlit" — featliers. Leggings and 'Wliite Gloves-
President Lincoln Visits us— "On to KicJimond"— Stoneivall
^Jackson in tlie Valley— We Pursue Jackson— ffis men Carry
"a Hundred Rounds and a gum BlanUet," Ours Carry
"Saratoga Trunks"— "You una is Pack Mules, we uns is Race
Horses" — Overcoats and H^napsacks Plung A^;^7ay — Celerity of
Jackson vs. Ponderosity of AfcDoiveJI— Up the Hill and Down
Again— 'We Attend Cburch in Predericksburgli—Mlnk Teaches
School— A Very Pretty Pight of my ovdi— Win by a Scratch and
am Appointed Major— Prank A. Haskell— Advent of General
Pope — Prejudice Against McDowell— A Mule Race — Pope's
Proclamation not 'Well Received— A Raid ToTvard Orange O. H.
—By Help of a Slave, I Capture a Confederate Officer— "Its
the Lord's Will That the Colored People Help you uns" —
Impending Battles— The Fredericks Hall Raid — To Cedar
Mountain— He "Done got out" — William Jackson — Retreat
Before General Lee — First B-xperiences under Pire — To
W^arrenton — To 'Warrenton Sulphur Springs — Again Under
Pire — Stonewa7i Jackson in our Rear— Back Toward Centre-
vllle— Can't Stop to eat— Battle of Gainesville— Corps Com-
mander "Lost in the "Woods" — A Midnight Retreat — Some
Comments on Gainesville— Sound of Battle on tlie Bull Run
Pield — Pitz John Porter's Corps Marches by — 'We March to the
Pield of Battle — Clouds of Dust Interpreted as a Retreat of
the Enemy— Battle of Bull Run Second— Midnight Visit Prom
General Hearney and Retreat— Death on Picket Duty —
Chantilly — To Upton's Hill— Joy at the Announcement That
McClellan is in Command — Colonel Bragg's Manly and
Patriotic Political Stand— Colonel Cutler Pays his Respects to
Mr. Stanton.
Saturday, April 26th, 1862.
"Some men in our brigade bought to-day of citizens, large
amounts of tobacco and other goods, with fac-simile confederate
currency. The people refused United States treasury notes
when offered, but sought this bogus confederate money with
avidity. Indeed, I think myself, it looks a little better than the
original rebel money. An order was issued to-day, forbidding
this kind of swindling."
On Sunday, we marched out four miles, on the line of
the Acquia Creek Railroad. Here we were engaged in
building a great pole trestle bridge over Potomac creek.
43
The work was under direction of Herman Haupt, a vol-
unteer engineer officer on the staff of General McDowell, and
the bridge was considered a triumph of military engineering. I
quote from General Andrew Hickenlooper, a description of this
bridge. He says: "It was five hundred feet in length, and
eighty feet in height, composed of unhewn trees and saplings,
cut in the adjoining woods and placed in position by the troops
of General McDowell's command. So rapidly was the work
executed that the whole was completed within a period of nine
days, which, allowing twelve working hours a day, required the
placing in position of five hundred pieces of timber every hour.
And so well was. the work done that for several years it carried
in safety from ten to fifteen heavy Irains per day and resisted the
destructive influence of several devastating floods." lyieutenant
D. 1,. Quaw was in command of a large force getting out this
bridge timber. lyieutenant Clayton E. Rogers was also doing
work with his accustomed vim, having a large band of choppers.
After this service, we again encamped opposite Fredericksburgh.
No event worthy of mention transpired until Thursday, May 8th,
when Brigadier General John Gibbon took command of our
brigade and Colonel Cutler returned to the command of the
regiment. General Gibbon graduated from West Point in 1847.
In 1854 he was at West Point as Assistant Instructor of Artillery,
whigh shows that he was considered, even then, master of his
profession. The "Artillerists Manual," published in New York
in 1859, was from his pen and was considered an extremely useful
work. He was Captain of Battery "B" 4th U. S, Artillery in the
regular service. He soon manifested superior qualities as a
brigade commander. Thoroughly educated in the military profes-
sion, he had also high personal qualifications to exercise com-
mand. He was anxious that his brigade should excel in every
way, and while he was an exacting disciplinarian he had the good
sense to recognize merit where it existed. His administration of
the command left a lasting impression for good upon the character
and military tone of the brigade, and his splendid personal
bravery upon the field of battle was an inspiration. The brigade
was now known as "Gibbon's brigade."
We were ordered to procure an ientire outfit of new hats and a
44
supply of clothing. There was complaint on the part of the
men at being obliged to draw overcoats at the beginning of sum-
mer in a hot climate.
On the evening of the loth of May, there was an alarm over
the river beyond Fredericksburgh. The men received the
announcement that they would probably be needed for a fight
with a tremendous shout. They said "a year's fight was bottled
up in them and it was spoiling to come out." It transpired,
however, that there were not enough rebels in the vicinity to
accommodate our men with the desired fight.
We now had a large force of men engaged upon the timber
work of the railroad bridge across the Rappahannock river. This
bridge was of the same character as that of the Potomac Creek,
and it was. six hundred feet in length by sixty-five in, height.
Meanwhile General McClellan's army was pressing on toward
Richmond. A strong feeling possessed us that we were to be a
mere side show while others performed the real acts of war. We
had now been nearly a year in active service and could boast only
of the inglorious battle at Patterson Park. This circumstance is
the more notable, since statistics show that, when the war was
ended, our brigade had lost more men killed in battle than any
other brigade in the whole army of the Union.
About this time I visited in the cemetery at Fredericksburgh,
the tomb of Mary, the mother of Washington. The rebel
soldiers, who had been encamped in this vicinity, had set targets
against this sacred monument and it was shamefully defaced by
bullets fired against it.
On Saturday, May 17th, the regiment was fully supplied with
white leggings, black felt hats adorned with feathers, and white
cotton gloves. These decorations were received with the
greatest merriment, but we all felt proud of the fine appearance
of the battalion. My journal says : "General Gibbon attended
our dress parade to-day, and the regiment was in 'fine feather;' "
The next day, a gay looking young rebel Captain came in with
a flag of truce. The men, delighted to see a live rebel, flocked
around him by hundreds. On the 19th of May, the great
railroad bridge across the Rappahannock was completed, and a
locomotive passed over into Fredericksburgh.
45
It is worthy of record, that on our pay-day, the men of my
company, "K," sent home in various small sums to their families
and friends, over $800, nearly one half of the entire pay
received. General Shield's division joined us on the 23rd of
May, and on this day President Abraham Lincoln and the
Secretary of War, Edwin M. Stanton, were present at a review
of our brigade. On Saturday, May 24th, the journal says : "The
soldiers of Shield's division have christened us the 'bandbox
brigade.' Our boys retort that they would rather wear leggings
than be lousy. Shield's division are the dirtiest ragamuffins we
have yet seen in the service." At this time General McDowell,
himself a precise and exacting soldier, said of our brigade:
"Many times I have shown them to foreign officers of distinction,
as specimens of American Volunteer soldiers, and asked them
if they had ever anywhere seen even among the picked soldiers
of royal and imperial guards, a more splendid body of men, and
I have never had an affirmative answer." The brigade was not
excelled in the precision and accuracy of their movement by any
other body of troops I have ever seen, not excepting the cadets
at West Point. Beyond a doubt, it was this year of preparation
that brought the "Iron Brigade" to its high standard of efficiency
for battle service.
The next day we had marching orders, and to the great joy of
the men, we moved toward Richmond. The men said: "As
soon as old Abe saw our brigade, he knew it could take
Richmond, and he has sent us to do it." But we marched only
eight miles south of Fredericksburgh, and encamped for several
days in the woods. We here received news of the disastrous
retreat of General Banks in the Shenandoah valley, before the
swift advance of Stonewall Jackson.
The next two weeks journal, is the record of experiences on a
wild goose chase by McDowell's corps, after Stonewall Jackson,
who was in the Shenandoah valley.
Thursday, May 29th, 1862.
"We marched at ten A. M., northward, and camped for the
night, six miles north of Fredericksburgh, on the road to Catletts
Station. It was a hard tramp. Sixty pounds is an awful load
for a man to carry on a hot summer day."
46
Friday, May 30th, 1862*
"We marched at 8:30 A. M. The weather was hot and sultry.
One hundred and fifty men fell out of the ranks exhausted, on
the march to-day. It rained in the afternoon. "We camped six
miles from Catletts Station. It was one of the hardest marches
the regiment ever had. Twenty miles was the distance marched."
A few weeks later (Fredericks Hall raid) upon an equally
sultry day, our regiment marched thirty-five miles without
knapsacks. The men were here absurdly over burdened. They
had been required to carry each an overcoat, an extra pair of
shoes, and an extra pair of pants. These superfluous articles,
added to the necessary hundred rounds of ball cartridges, shelter
tent, gum and woolen blankets, haversack full of rations,
canteen full of water, musket and accoutrements, were a load
beyond the strength of ordinary men. Our young boys were
broken down by the needless overtaxing of their strength. I
can not say who was responsible for such management. I know,
however, that General McDowell, whether justly or unjustly,
was thoroughly cursed for it. Vast numbers of new overcoats,
and many knapsacks were flung away by the exhausted men on
this march. The men said they were "issuing overcoats to the
rebel cavalry," and it is very likely that they were. I know
well the weight of those monstrous knapsacks from personal
experience. Many a mile I carried a knapsack on my shoulders
to aid the tired and weak of my company. I well remember
seeing strong men carrying two knapsacks, and sometimes stout
Abe Fletcher loaded up with three, to help the "little fellows"t
along. At Gettysburg, this kind hearted man fell dead at the
front of battle. But the smallest man in the company wag a
*See pages 309—310, Volume 12, Part III, War Records, for strength
and composition of McDowell's corps on May 31st. 1862. Present for duty
in the corps, officers, 2,023, men, 42,422. In King's division, officers, 466,
men, 8,560.
tThe "little fellows" of Company "K" were Silas W. Temple, John R.
Towle, Charles M. Taylor, George E. Chamberlain, Oassius Griggs and
Aaron Yates. They were young, slight, round cheeked boys, who endured
their hardships with ^a cheerful patience that won us all. The leather
straps cut their shoulders, and the weight was too heavy under the hot
sun, and pressed upon their lungg. They were not fitted to become beasts
of burden, nor were they thus rendering the cause a useful service.
47
marvel. He was a diminutive Irishman, named Hugh Tally.
In recognition of his shortness he was called "Tall T." He
would often carry an extra knapsack for the "little fellows." In
the distribution of new clothing, there was a difficulty in properly
"sizing up" the company. "Tall T" was under the smallest
size contemplated in the Regulations, and he could never be
fitted. Poor "Tall T" sometimes had pantaloons that would
almost button around his neck. I gave this matter particular
attention. "Who's your tailor, 'Tall T ?' " once shouted a man
as we marched. "The captain, be gob," came back like a flash
from "Tall T."
There was another little Irishman in the company whom we
called "Mickey," (James P. Sullivan.) For genuine sallies of
humor at unexpected times, I have never seen his equal. He
was a heroic soldier, and he was shot and severely wounded,
three different times in battle. "Micky" and "Tall T" were both
shot, and laid in the same hospital together at Gettysburg.
They softened the sufferings of many by their unconquerable good
humor and genuine wit. Such men are of priceless value in
an army.
The most caustic comment I can make on this campaign, is to
quote the remarks of a deserter from Stonewall Jackson's army,
who came to us at some time during the marching. He said,
"You uns is pack mules, we uns is race horses." "All old
Jackson gave us, was a musket, a hundred rounds and a gum
blanket, and he 'druv us so like hell,' that I could not stand it on
parched corn." Another saying of Some Johnny from Jackson's
corps was quoted then. He said: "We uns durst leave our
mammy. You uns is tied to granny I^incoln's apron string."
Our men called their knapsacks, "Saratoga trunks." The
weary details of the hot and dusty tramp need not be repeated.
We marched from Fredericksburgh to Warrenton, and then from
Warrenton to Fredericksburgh, opposite which city we were
again encamped on June loth, 1862. With Jackson, celerity
was success. With us, ponderosity was military science.
The most pleasant incident of the expedition, was our camp,
in a beautiful grove near the village of Warrenton, which is
delightfully situated, overlooking an extensive mountain
48
landscape. Here we enjoyed a luxury, not common in that
region, good, jftire water. Some of the first families of Virginia,
made their homes here, but we found the first people particularly
bitter in their hostility.
It was my custom to attend church with my company, while
we were in camp near Fredericksburgh. On Sunday, June 15th,
I attended the Episcopal church with fifty men. The men
enjoyed attending church, as it seemed homelike. We were
kindly received, and made welcome by the minister, but so much
can not be said for the people.
In the camp near Fredericksburgh, our enlisted men had their
brasses scoured, guns wiped, white gloves washed, and shoes
blacked by the contrabands who swarmed about them. How
these people lived being a mystery to me, I one day cornered a
very black, but quick witted little imp, called "Mink." "Mink,"
said I, "where did 5'ou come from ?" "Bides hole, sah!" (Boyd's
Hole, below Fredericksburgh.) "What do you eat?" "I picks
up a bone, sah!" "Where do you sleep?" "I sleeps under a
leaf, sah!" "What do you do?" "I teaches school, sah!" Sure
enough, investigation proved that this little black "Mink" was
teaching a class of other contrabands their letters, which he had
already quickly learned himself. As "Mink" explained matters
to me, our colored barber, who came with us from Wisconsin,
"done bossed the school," but the colored barber himself could
not read. He was only useful in keeping order.
Qournal.) Saturday, June 14th, 1862.
"Served to-day on a board of survey with Lieutenant
Colonel Lucius Fairchild, 2nd Wisconsin, and Captain Linsley,
19th Indiana. We condemned a large amount of wormy
hard-tack. There seems to be some chance oi our going to
Richmond yet."
Sunday, June 15th, 1862.
"I marched eighty men of my company to church in
Fredericksburgh. We went to the Episcopal church. We were
made to feel at home. Requested Colonel Cutler to settle
definitely the question of seniority among captains."
There were four of the original captains remaining on the
rolls who had been mustered into the United States service on the
49
same day, July i6tli, 1861. There still remained an unsettled
question as to their relative rank.
(Journal.) Monday, June i6th, 1862.
"Colonel Cutler ordered the seniority question settled by lot.
Captains Dill, Hooe, Hauser and I repaired to the Colonel's
headquarters. The Colonel put four scraps of paper into his
hat, marked severally i, 2, 3, and 4. The drawing resulted:
Dawes, i; Hooe, 2; Hauser, 3; Dill, 4. Much favored by fortune.
Lieutenant Colonel Sweet sent in his resignation to-day. Now
comes a tug of war. Colonel Cutler wants Haskell appointed
Major."
Tuesday, June 17th, 1862.
"Colonel Cutler has asked an expression of the officers for
Major. A caucus called for to-night. deserts me and
works for Haskell. O, treachery ! Was appointed officer of the
brigade guard, and did not attend the caucus. ^ Final vote :
Haskell, thirteen, Dawes, fourteen."
Wednesday, June i8th, 1862.
"A very exciting day in the regiment. No report made of the
caucus. It did not come out right. Captain Brown battles for
me like a hero. Haskell told me he should get the appointment
if he could. I told him, I should do the same, as it was my
right in order of rank, and we shook hands over it. Sent my
papers to Bill Vilas. He will give them a hustle if he gets the
papers in time. Major Bragg works hard for me. He says,
'this attempt to dragoon the officers into over-riding the rights of
captains, will not win.' "
Friday, June 20th, 1862.
"Colonel Cutler, General Gibbon, General King, and, I suppose,
all Madison, Wisconsin, recommend Haskell. lyieutenant
Colonel Sweet, Major Bragg, seven Captains, fourteen
Lieutenants, and three regimental staff officers recommend my
appointment. signed a private recommendation for me.*
■vras trying to carry water on both shoulders, and as usual in
such cases, it tipped over and spilled upon him. Colonel Cutler was
an able commander, but not a good politician. It was a blunder to ask for
an expression of preference by the officers, especially when he was already
supported by the solid line of Brigadier Generals.
50
Sunday, June 22nd, 1862.
"I fittended the Episcopal church with my company. Private
Hoel Trumbull ran away from us, but was caught and locked up
in the guard house. He spent a season in meditation. He
thinks, on the whole, the church would have been the lesser evil.
Colonel Sweet has received notice of the acceptance of his
resignation."
(I^etter.) Camp Opposite Fredericksburgh,
Jui<Y ist, 1862.
"For a week I have been fighting a bilious fever, but now have
the mastery and am rapidly recovering. I have also won another
victory which will please you. I have received a commission as
major and am no more a captain. I sent my papers for presenta-
tion to the Governor of Wisconsin (Edward Salomon) to my
friend, William F. Vilas, at Madison. Vilas writes that he called
at the Governor's office and sent in word that he wished to see
him in conne'ction with the majorship of- the Sixth regiment."
"The Governor came to the door and said : 'Mr. Vilas, I do not
wish to hear anything more upon that subject. The friends of
Mr. Haskell have, already harassed me beyond my patience. I
shall make no appointment until I hear more fully from the
regiment.'
'Oh ! but,' says I, 'I happen to be on the other side of that
question.' 'Walk right in Mr. Vilas,' says he, 'I am glad' to see
you'. I went in and presented your case the best I could, and
have since learned with great pleasure that your commission has
been issued. Accept of my dexter in token of heartiest congrat-
ulation."
"This promotion comes very fortunately just before active
operations against the enemy, which I doubt not will soon take
place, since Gen. Pope has been sent to command our army."
When Colonel Cutler assumed command of the brigade,
Haskell went upon his staff It was an unfortunate step, as it
put entirely out of the line of promotion one of the finest officers
Wisconsin sent to the war. General Gibbon, who was intimately
associated with him, has said that Haskell "was better qualified
to command an army corps than many who enjoyed that honor."
Jle continued to serve on staff duty until 1864 when he was
51
appointed Colonel of the 36th Wisconsin. He was killed at the
battle of Cold Harbor, while exposing his own life to encourage
his regiment to attack the enemy's works.
'^We hail the coming of General Pope with much satisfaction.
There is a strong feeling among the soldiers against McDowdl.
He is considered incompetent, if not disloyal." This harsh
opinion of General McDowell is only suffered to appear as a
moderate expression of the prejudice existing at that time among
our officers and men against him. This whole question was
considered in the McDowell Court of inquiry, and I make no
effort to explain the cause.
July 4th was celebrated with festivities and merry-making.
Gibbon's brigade gathered upon a large plain, where there was
horse racing, foot racing, and other amusements and athletic ex-
ercises. There was a great mule race, a sack race, and a greased
pig. Wagon master, William Sears, of our regiment, won the
mule race. The prize in this case was for the mule that got
through last. Each rider accordingly whipped another's mule,
holding back his own. Sears rode a balky mule which would
go backward whenever whipped. Captain HoUon Richardson, of
the seventh Wisconsin, won the foot race.
Near Fredericksburgh, Jui.y loth, 1862.
"I am not near Richmond, nor likely to be. General Pope
is charged with the same old duty of guarding Washington. So
unless the rebels move on Washington, our future presents a
peaceful aspect."
Camp Opposite Fredericksburgh, Jui^y i8th, 1862.
"General Pope's bombastic proclamation has not tended to
increase confidence, indeed the effect is exactly the contrary.
(Pope's celebrated order, concerning I,ines of Retreat, and Bases
of Supply, is here referred to.) For the present, I do not
anticipate that we will move from Fredericksburgh. Should
Stonewall Jackson make another raid, we will likely take the
same tramp in pursuit of him. King's division with some
detachments under General Doubleday, are now the only troops
here. I think General Pope does not reinforce us here, for fear
of General Jackson in the valley. Of course we feel eager to be
something more than ornamental file-closers. Our regiment has
been more than a year in the service; and in soldierly bearing,
perfection in drill, and discipline, we do not yield the palm to the
regulars in any service."
Camp Opposite Fredericksburgh, Jui.y 28th, 1862. ,
"We have just got back after a dash- toward Orange Court
House. This is one of the fruits of the policy of our new
commander, General Pope. Our boys are growing enthusiastic
in the prospect of a general who has a little life. We left camp
by order of General Pope, on July 25th, and marched fifteen
miles on the Gordonsville plank road, to a point where the road
forks. We remained in this position, while other troops made a
raid within five miles of Gordonsville. The rebels are
concentrating in some force at that point, and I think General
Pope will offer battle. If the forces are. nearly matched, we will
defeat them. I judge of the Southern army by the character of
the prisoners we have taken, and our division is superior to such
troops. When we were at the front, an old negro slave came in
the middle of the night to our picket line. He said that "Massa
Bullock," a lyieutenant in the rebel army, was in a house, a mile
away. I took forty men, surrounded the house, and captured
him. He was a fine young scion of a first family of Virginia.
He was not in uniform, and he denied my right to take him as a
soldier. When the darky identified him, he asked me if I would
'take the word of a nigger.' ? But when I proposed that he take
the oath of allegiance,* he said that I might take a horse to water,
but I could not make him drink. So I brought the gentleman in
as a prisoner of war. General Pope's orders are carried out in
good faith, and, so far as I know, no abuse has been perpetrated."t
The colored man who came to our picket line was very old.
I felt suspicious of a trap, and questioned him closely as to his
motives in making such disclosures. He said "Fore God, Massa,
we knows you uns is our friends. Its the I^ord's will, that the
colored folks help you uns." I told him that if he led us into
an ambush, he would certainly be the first one killed; but
he led the way, audibly praying God to sustain him.
*See Volume XII, Part 1, Page 271, War Records, as to oaths of
allegiance.
tKeference to orders concerning foraging.
53
!Prom the consolidated morning report of Major General Pope,
July 31st, 1862, the number of men present for duty, in the
ranks of Gibbon's brigade was 40 companies, 2,664 ^^t^- To
this must be added at least 150 for commissioned officers, making
a total of about 2,800 for duty in the brigade. This was just
before engaging in the hard and bloody campaign of forty-five
days, covering the battles of Gainesville and Bull Run Second,
under General Pope, and the battles of South Mountain and
Antietam, in the Maryland campaign. In these operations,
Gibbon's brigade suffered a loss of 1,592 men killed or wounded,
and by its heroic conduct, acquired the historic title of the "Iron
Brigade;" by whom first applied, I do not know.
The Fredericks HaIvL Raid.
The regiment left camp opposite Fredericksburgh, at 2 o'clock,
on the morning of August 5th, 1862, as a part of an expedition
intended to cut the Virginia Central Railroad. General Gibbon
was in command of the force sent forward for this purpose. He
divided his force, placing Colonel Cutler in command of about
one thousand men.* The troops were without knapsacks, and
stripped for a race. Colonel Cutler marched by the Orange plank
road for several miles, and then turned south, passing by a
narrow road through Spbttsylvania Court House. Cutler's flying
column marched thirty-five miles on this day, one of the very
hottest of the summer. General Gibbon's force (about 3,000
men) marched on the Telegraph road, running south from
Fredericksburgh. They accomplished fifteen miles. He
discovered that the rebel General, J. F- B. Stuart, was advancing
by the Bowling Green road on his left, with a strong force. All
possibility of General Gibbon's force surprising the enemy was
gone, and he moved his troops over to the Spottsylvania road, to
cover the retreat of Colonel Cutler's detachment. Unconscious
of the happenings narrated, our column had reached a place
called Mount Pleasant, fifteen or twenty miles from the
railroad. Here, at eleven o'clock at night, a courier from
General Gibbon, caught us sound asleep in bivouac, except the
*Six companies of the Ira Harris cavalry, two guns of Gerrish's (N. H.)
battery, under Lieutenant Edgell, and 650 of our best men of the Sixth
were present in the ranks.
64
proper guards. General Gibbon sent by his courier to Colonel
Cutler, the facts of the situation, and directed him to act
according to his judgment. Colonel Cutler called a midnight
council of the field officers. Besides the Commander, there were
present, Colonel J. Mansfield Davies, Lieutenant Colonel Judson
Kilpatrick, Major H. W. Davies of the cavalry, Lieutenant
Edgell of the artillery, and Lieutenant Colonel E. S. Bragg and
Major R. R. Dawes of the infantry. Colonel Cutler explained
that we were many miles in advance of our supporting column,
and that General Stuart, with a force estimated at five thousand
men, was behind us. Before us was the North Anna river, an
unfordable stream, with wooden bridges that could be easily
burned. Seven miles beyond the river was the railroad. The
main force under General Gibbon had abandoned the effort to
reach the railroad. The question was, should we go on and
attempt to destroy the railroad as originally proposed, taking our
chances of peril in front and rear, or should we fall back upon
Gibbon's force which was waiting for us. Lieutenant Colonels
Kilpatrick and Bragg, argued strongly in favor of going on.*
They urged that this was the safest, as well as the most honorable
course and such was the decision of the council. At the earliest
dawn, the column started for the railroad. The men were given
an intimation of the situation, and told that everything depended
upon their speed. About one hundred and fifty of the foot-sore
and weary men were left at Carl's bridge, over the North Anna,
under Captain P.W. Plummer, to hold it for our retreat. When we
approached Fredericks Hall station, Kilpatrick charged in with
the cavalry, and cut the telegraph wires, and picketed the roads.
Lieutenant Edgell put his guns in position to cover the retreat,
and our men were kept hard at work for some time, destroying
the railroad track, and the torch was applied to all Confederate
Government and railroad property .f We then hurried back to
^Lieutenant Edward P. Brooks, Acting Adjutant, was present at this
council, and he has written of it, "Bragg, Dawes, and Kilpatrick insisted
on going on."
tBrooks says: "Burned Government warehouse, several thousand
bushels of corn, fifty hogsheads of tobacco. Found ten barrels of peach
bra,ndy, and the men took a supply in their canteens, which refreshed
them."
55
get across our wooden bridge. We made a great march upon
that day. Private William 1,. Riley, of Company "I," made the
following note in his journal : "Part of the regiment left at a
bridge. The rest goes on to Fredericks Hall station, and returns
to Waller's tavern; about forty miles accomplished in one day.
Big marching for infantry" We tore up about two miles of
railroad track, so says Colonel Cutler.*
On the afternoon of August 9th, 1862, an order was received
by telegraph directing that King's division should join General
Pope at Cedar Mountain which was forty-five miles distant.
On this day was fought the bloody battle of Cedar Mountain
between Stonewall Jackson's corps and our troops under command
of General N. P. Banks. On the early morning of August loth
we left the olQ camp opposite Fredericksburgh, never to return.
The regiment marched twenty-one miles that day and on the
evening of the nth arrived near the scene of Cedar Mountain
battle. General Jackson's army had retreated beyond the Rapidan.
On this evening my contraband, whom I had employed in place
of Jake, also deserted me. He smelled the battle from
afar and "done got out." Sergeant Howard F.Pruyn of company
"A" had in his employ a bright little yellow boy who had
attracted my notice. The Sergeant could not keep a servant
while on the march. I asked him if he thought this boy could
do my work. He said he was a good and willing boy, but that
he did not know anything and could not do my work. I was
not in a position to be exacting, so I took him on trial. His
name, William Jackson, will appear often in the after pages. A
more excellent servant or a more faithful friend than he proved
throughout the remainder of my service in the war could scarcely
have been found.
*General Gibbon says in his ofiBcial report of this affair : "I can not refer
in too high terms, to the conduct of Colonel Cutler. To his energy and
good judgment, seconded as he was by his fine regiment, the success of
the expedition is entirely due." In Colonel Cutler's oflScial report, occur
these words : "I wish especially to notice Lieutenant Colonel Kilpatrick,
and Major Davies of the cavalry, and Major Dawes of the infantry, for the
prompt and efficient manner, in which they caused all my orders to be
executed, also for the very valuable suggestions I received from them."
See report Brigadier General Eufus King, Page 121, Volume XII,. Series 1,
Official Records of the War. Brigadier General John Gibbon, Page 122,
Volume XII, Series 1, Official Becords of the War. Colonel Lysander
Cutler, Page 123, Volume XII, Series 1, Official Records of the War.
56
We were now encamped directly upon the battle ground of
Cedar Mountain, where we remained for a week. We were
obliged to bury many of the rebel dead whose corpses, left half
buried upon the field, were intolerable. This was our first contact
with one of the real horrors of war. Private Riley's journal
mentions the fact that while we were in this camp, there was a
roll-call every two hours, which, he says was a "new wrinkle."
The object was of course to keep the men at hand for action, as
we were in the presence of a largely superior force of the enemy.
On the 19th day of August, we began our. retreat before the
advancing army of General Lee. We marched back fifteen
miles toward the Rappahannock and camped that night five miles
from the river. On the early morning of August 20th, we
resumed our northward march. Riley says that hi^company "I,"
under Captain Kellogg, was sent to build a bridge across the river
above the railroad station and that they worked all night, com-
pleting their bridge at daylight.
On the 20th day of August, our regiment crossed the
Rappahannock, at the crossing of the Orange and Alexandria
Railroad. We encamped a mile from the bridge. On the
afternoon of that day, cavalry of the enemy appeared on the
opposite bank of the river. By the clouds of dust rising on all
the roads, we could trace the advance of the rebel army. On the
morning of the 21st of August, the enemy opened fire on our
troops from a battery of artillery, about a mile above the bridge,
the first artillery we had ever heard in actual battle. One of our
batteries wheeled into position on a gallop, cheered by the
excited shouts of our men, and was admirably served in reply.
Private William Riley says of this artillery duel, which was
witnessed with great interest by our novices : '-Our battery got
the better of them in a few shots, showing a better practice, and
more accurate shooting. Our shells burst close to their guns,
while the enemy fired wide of their mark." Gibbon's brigade
was ordered to the right of King's division, and we marched
along in the rear of the batteries, now all placed in order of
battle to fire upon the enemy. As we came into range of the
enemy's battery, they turned their fire full upon the sixth
Wisconsin. This was our initiation. The shell whizzed and
57
burst over us and around us. The men marched steadily, keeping
their places, and holding their heads high. They soon
learned that a discreet and respectful obeisance to a cannon ball
is no indication of cowardice.
When our brigade had taken position, six companies of our
regiment were ordered forward to cover the brigade front, and to
advance as skirmishers to the river. I^ieutenant Colonel Bragg
was in command of these companies, I was second. General
Patrick's brigade skirmish line, next on our left, was ordered to
join us, and be governed by our movement. But Patrick's line
did not wait, and Colonel Bragg, seeing Patrick's skirmishers
advancing, ordered the right of his own line forward, before our
deployment on the left was completed. By this accident, company
"E," under Captain- Edwin A. Brown, was switched off, and lost
from the line, and no connection was made with General Patrick's
skirmishers. Our line also swung away from the proper front,
and in place of advancing toward the river, we gradually changed
to moving up parallel with the river, opening at every step, the
gap between us and General Patrick's skirmishers. The thick
woods concealed all from our view. After passing through the
woods, we came upon a body of cavalry with blue overcoats. I
galloped up to the officer in command and asked him if he had
seen any rebels. He said, "Yes, Sir, plenty of them, — just in
that point of woods, not five minutes ago." So we pushed on pell
mell across an open field toward "that point of woods." Sharp
musketry skirmishing broke out directly behind us. It was
Captain Brown with our lost company "E," and I^ieutenant
Charles P. Hyatt, with a platoon of company "B," gallantly
driving this rebel cavalry, for such it was, across the river. But
we had been sent on a fool's errand by a rebel company, who
were dressed in Union blue overcoats. Brown's and Hyatt's
men killed and wounded several of the enemy, and captured a
Lieutenant and two private soldiers. These officers and their
men won the first glory for the sixth Wisconsin on the field
of actual battle. The interpretation of our movements by
Private William L. Riley is amusing. He says, "Went up the
river to reconnoitre fords."
Toward , night our regiment was ordered to advance nearer the
58
river. The rebels saw the movement, and opened fire upon us
with a battery of artillery. Colonel Cutler halted, established
guides, and aligned forward into the position assigned before he
would allow the men to lie down. He said "you must get used
to it." Fortunately the rebels were poor artillerists and did not
hit us, so nobody was hurt. We learned to "lie down" in battle,
later in our experience, without waiting to establish guides. In
this new position, we were under a heavy artillery fire. During
an interval. Colonel Cutler brought up his colored servant, an
excellent cook, to make a pot of hot coffee, which he invited me
to share with him, but, just as we sat down to enjoy our feast,
the coffee-pot was knocked from the fire at least twenty feet in
the air by a rebel shell. The darky, not stopping for his coffee-pot,
left the field at the speed of a race horse. Our experiences the
first day under fire, as we lost no men, were really valuable in
showing the men, that artillery fire was not so dangerous as they
had anticipated. During the next two days we were subjected
by the rebels to, what I call in my jou'rnal, "several good
shellings."
On August 23rd, we marched to the village of Warrenton.
The rebel troops, judging from the clouds of dust which we
could see beyond the river, were moving also. We marched to
the Rappahannock at Warrenton Sulphur Springs, where we
supported a battery, and were under fire of artillery nearly all
day of August 26th.* At the Sulphur Springs, on August 27th,
we were ordered to march with the utmost haste back to
Centreville. The enemy was in great force between us and
Washington, (Stonewall Jackson's corps. f) As we marched
*0n this day. Lieutenant Edward P. Brooks, our Acting Adjutant, was
ordered to report to General Pope, to act as guide to the columns of troops
from the Army of the Potomac. He guided General Philip Kearney's
division, and rendered other service so excellent in character, that General
Pope gave him letters of the highest commendation.
tLieutenant Arthur C. Ellis, of Company "B," himself disabled from
marching, was with the wagon train of our brigade at Manassas Junction,
when the cavalry of General J. E. B. Stuart reached there. Our
brigade park of twenty-one wagons, was a short distance from the
headquarters wagon train of General Pope. General Pope's wagons, and
all others in the vicinity, excepting those of our brigade, were captured
and destroyed by Stuart's cavalry. But Lieutenant Ellis rallied the
crippled and sick men from our brigade, and directing them to lie on the
59
through Warrenton, wagon-loads of hard tack and pork were
being destroyed, but the emergency seemed to be considered so
great that the troops were not allowed to halt and fill their
nearly empty haversacks, and some of our men were marching
hungry. Time would have been gained by stopping a few
moments to eat. We passed through New Baltimore and
camped for the night near Buckland's Mills. Before daylight on
August 28th, we were again on the march. About the middle of
the forenoon, we halted for some time in the road near Gainesville.
Quite a large body of rebel prisoners passed us here. Artillery
fire was heard toward the Bull Run battle field. We pushed on
for two miles, when we turned off from the turnpike into a piece
of timber on the right hand side of the road. Here we remained
until four o'clock in the afternoon. Beef was killed,, and a ration
issued. About this hour, General McDowell, according to his
own testimony, became convinced that the troops who had been
firing on our men, "were a small reconnoitering party, not
worthy of mention to the Commanding General," and he ordered
King's division to march on the turnpike to Centreville. General
McDowell himself then left his corps, and having, he says,
"important business with General Pope," he went to find that
General and in the search became "lost in the woods." He
remained lost in the woods during the entire night.
General Stonewall Jackson, at that very hour, was forming
a column of eighteen thousand men along the Warrenton
turnpike to attack .General McDowell, and this force was scarcely
two miles away. After watching our extraordinary movements
for a season, Jackson says: "By this time it was sunset. * * * I
determined to attack at once, which was vigorously done by the
divisions of Taliaferro and Kwell" (six brigades). This attack,
it will be seen, struck the second Wisconsin and nineteenth
Indiana regiments.
Our division moved, as ordered, back to the turnpike and then
along the turnpike toward Centreville, first. Hatch's brigade:
second. Gibbon's; third, Doubleday's; fourth, Patrick's.
ground under the wagons, successfully defended, and saved from capture
our train. The attack upon them was made at midnight. It was a very
gallant deed, and of especial value to us, as all of our papers and much
property were with the wagons.
60
The Battle of Gainesville.
General Hatch, in advance, sent the 14th Brooklyn regiment
as advance guard and flankers. I remember seeing the line of
their red legs on the green slope of the same hill from which the
enemy fired upon us, but they discovered no enemy. Our
brigade moved along the turnpike on that quiet summer evening
as unsuspectingly as if changing camp. Suddenly the stillness
was broken by six cannon shots fired in rapid succession by a
rebel battery, point blank at our regiment. The shell passed
over the heads of our men, and burst in the woods beyond.
Surprise is no sufficient word for our astonishment, but the
reverberation had not died away when gallant old Colonel
Cutler's familiar voice rang out sharp and loud, "Battalion, halt]!
Front! Load at will! Load!" The men fairly jumped in their
eagerness, and the iron ramrods were jingling, when — "Bang !
Bang ! " went the rebel cannon again. Again they overshot our
men, but a poor horse was knocked over and over against the
turnpike fence. "Lie down !" shouted Colonel Cutler.
Fortunately a little bank along the roadside gave us good cover.
Battery "B," 4th U. S. artillery, now came down the turnpike
on a gallop. Quickly tearing away the fence, they wheeled
into position in the open field, and the loud crack of their brass
twelve pounders .echoed the rebel cannon. Thus opened our
first real battle. General Gibbon ordered the 2nd Wisconsin and
19th Indiana regiments to move forward upon the enemy. This
attack of General Gibbon was made upon the theory that a
comparatively small force of the enemy was present. (See
reports of Gibbon and Doubleday.) No sooner had the 2nd
Wisconsin shown its line in the open field, than there burst
upon them a flame of musketry, while Confederate batteries
distributed along about a mile of front opened with shell and
and round shot. Under this terrible fire the second was obliged
to change front before they could return a shot. We could not
see them nor the 19th Indiana, owing to the intervening woods,
but we heard the awful crash of musketry, and we knew there
was serious work ahead. Captain J. D. Wood, of Gibbon's stafi",
came galloping down the turnpike with an order for the sixth to
move forward into action. "Forward, guide centre," ordered the
6i
Colonel. The word liere ran down the line from a remark
of Captain Wood's, that the second was being slaughtered, and
when Colonel Cutler shouted "March," every man scrambled up
the bank and over the fence, in the face of shot and shell, with
something the feeling that one would hurry to save a friend
from peril. My horse partook of the fierce excitement, and ran
up the bank and leaped a fence like a squirrel. I could now see
the men of the second Wisconsin. They were under the
concentrated fire of at least six times their own number of the
enemy. Our regiment, five hundred and four men in ranks,
pushed forward rapidly in perfect line of battle, field officers and
Adjutant E. P. Brooks mounted and in their places, and colors
advanced and flying in the breeze. Colonel Cutler was on a
large dark bay, well known to all the men as "Old Prince."
Colonel Bragg rode a pure white horse ofhigh mettle, which was
skittish and unmanageable. My own sturdy old mare was
always steady under fire.
The regiment advanced without firing a shot, making a
half wheel to the left in line of battle as accurately as if on the
drill ground. Through the battle smoke into which we were
advancing, I could see a blood red sun, sinking behind the hills.
I can not account for our immunity from the fire of the enemy
while on this advance. When at a short range, Colonel Cutler
ordered the regiment to halt and fire. The seventh Wisconsin
now came forward and passed into the ranks of the second
Wisconsin. Our united fire did great execution. It seemed to
throw the rebels into complete confusion, and they fell back into
the woods behind them. We now gave a loud and jubilant cheer
throughout the whole line of our brigade. Our regiment was on
low ground which, in the gathering darkness, gave us great
advantage over the enemy, as- they overshot our line. The other
three regiments of the brigade were on higher ground than the
enemy. There was space enough vacant between our regiment
and the others for a thousand men. Colonel Cutler sat upon his
horse near the colors at the center of the regiment. I^ieut. Colonel
Bragg was on the right and, being myself upon the left, I was in
good position to observe the progress of the battle. It was quite
dark when the enemy's yelling columns again came forward, and
6^
they came with a rush. Our men on the left loaded and
fired with the energy of madmen, and the sixtli worked with an
equal desperation, This stopped the rush of the enemy, and
they halted and fired upon us their deadly musketry. During a
few awful moments, I could see by the lurid light of the powder
flashes, the whole of both lines. I saw a rebel mounted officer
shot from his horse at the very front of their battle line. It was
evident that we were being overpowered and that our men were
giving ground. The two crowds, they could hardly be called
lines, were within, it seemed to me, fifty yards of each other,
and they were pouring musketry into each other as rapidly as
men could load and shoot. Two of General Doubleday's
regiments (56th Pennsylvania and 76th New York,) now came
suddenly into the gap on the left of our regiment, and they fired
a crashing volley. Hurrah ! They have come at the very nick
of time. The low ground saved our regiment, as the enemy
overshot us in the darkness. Men were falling in the sixth, but
our loss was small compared to that suffered by the regiments on
the left. I rode along our line and when near Colonel Cutler, he
said, "Our men are giving ground on the left, Major." "Yes,
Sir," said I. I heard a distinct sound of the blow that struck
him. He gave a convulsive start and clapped his hand on his
leg, but he controlled his voice. He said, "Tell Colonel Bragg
to take command, I am shot." Almost at the same time "Old
Prince" was shot ; but he carried his master safely from the
field. I rode quickly to Lieut. Colonel Bragg and he at once took
command of the regiment. There was cheering along our
line and it was again standing firmly. General Doubleday's two
regiments by their opportune arrival and gallant work, aided
much in turning the battle in our favor. The "Little Colonel"
(Bragg,) always eager to push forward in a fight, advanced the
regiment several rods. But soon the enemy came on again just
as before, and our men on the left could be seen on the hill, in
the infernal light of the powder flashes, struggling as furiously as
ever. I could distinctly see Lieut. Colonel Fairchild, of the second
Wisconsin and Lieut. Colonel Hamilton of the seventh Wisconsin,
and other officers whom I recognized, working among and cheering
up their men. Men who had been shot were streaming back
63
from along the whole line. Our regiment was suffering more
severely than it had been ; but, favored by the low ground,
we kept up a steady, rapid, and well aimed fire. As I galloped
backward and forward along the line, my horse encountered
ditches. Excited by the firing, cheering, and whizzing of the
rebel shells, she would squat and jump a long distance in crossing
them. How long our men withstood this last attack, I can not
estimate, but, in the history of war, it is doubtful whether there
was ever more stubborn courage than was displayed by the
second and seventh Wisconsin and nineteenth Indiana regiments,
on this field of battle. The only reason why I speak less of the
19th Indiana regiment is because I could not see them so
distinctly. Our line on the left gradually fell back. It did not
break but slowly gave ground, firing as savagely as ever. The
rebels did not advance. Colonel Bragg directed our regiment to
move by a backward step, keeping up our fire and keeping on a
line with our brigade. But one of the companies of the right
wing ("C") became broken by the men marching backward into
a ditch. Colonel Bragg halted the regiment to enable them to
reform their line, and upon this ground we stood until the enemy
ceased firing. The other regiments of the brigade fell back to
the turnpike. After an interval of quiet. Colonel Bragg called
upon the regiment to give three cheers. No response of any
kind was given by the enemy. It was now about nine o'clock,
and the night was very dark. Feeling assured the battle was
over, measures then were taken to secure the burial of our
eight dead men, and to hunt up our sixty-one wounded. Three
men were missing.* The regiment moved back by the left of
companies and formed in the edge of the piece of woods. By
direction of the Colonel, I rode toward the left to ascertain the
location of our other troops. I came suddenly in the darkness
upon a marching column. Fortunately, I kept still and soon
discovered myself to be by the side of a rebel regiment. I rode
quietly along for a short distance with them and turned off into
the darkness unheeded. General Gibbon directed us to remain
*One of our best oflacers. Lieutenant Jerome B. Johnson, of Company
"E," was found severely wounded. Surgeon A. J. Ward, of the second
Wisconsin, remained with our wounded men.
64
where we were. The enemy, a short distance away, was caring
for their wounded and burying their dead. We could hear their
conversation, but ordered our picket line not to fire or in any
way to disclose our proximity.
About half past twelve o'clock at night we marched back
through the woods to the turnpike. Painful to relate, to this
woods many of our wounded had gone when shot in the battle.
They were now scattered about under its dark shadows, suffering
and groaning and some were dying. In the pitchy darkness we
stumbled upon them. This was the battle for which we had so
long been yearning. On the turnpike we found hasty preparations
for retreat and at about one o'clock A. M. we silently filed away
in the darkness, mufiiing the rattling tin cups, and turning our
course toward Manassas Junction. As major I rode at the rear
of our regiment. Presently there sifted out from the marching
column numbers of wounded men, who were struggling to keep
with their comrades and to avoid falling into the hands of the
enemy.* I saw Captain John F. Marsh, who had been shot in
the knee, drop to the rear, and dismounting from my horse, I
lifted him to the saddle, marching through on foot myself. My
steady old mare did the service of a good Samaritan. Each
stirrup strap and even her tail were an aid to help along the weak
and weary. The cry at such times is for water, water. There
was none left in the canteens. But we deemed ourselves very
fortunate. We had lost 72 from our 504 men in battle. But the
second Wisconsin ! 298 men of [the splendid second Wisconsin
had been killed or wounded in the fight and they had taken not
more than 500 men into action. The 7th Wisconsin and the 19th
Indiana had suffered in almost the same terrible proportion. Of
twelve field of&cers in the brigade, but four remained for duty,
and two of them were of our regiment. The second Wisconsin
regiment had been almost mortally wounded. Never afterward
could be filled the places of such soldiers as went down at Gaines-
ville. For free and easy movement, combined with exact
*A second Wisconsin man, E. S. Williams, whose leg was later amputated,
in some manner crawled over that nine miles, and another man of that
regiment, Hugh Lewis, went over the road on that fearful night, to have
his arm amputated in the morning.
65
ftrecision and petfect time, that battalion had a little sutpassed us
all on the brigade drill ground. The elan of the old second
Wisconsin could not be excelled. It has passed into the history
of our country, as the regiment which had the largest number of
men killed in battle, in proportion to its numbers, of any regiment
engaged in the war for the Union. Gainesville contributed much
to this unequalled list of dead upon the field of glory. But the
weary and dreadful lists of battle casualties can not be repeated
here, they must be looked for upon the official records of the war.
About daylight we reached our bivouac near Manassas and flung
ourselves exhausted upon the ground for rest.
I^eaving the tired brigade in its heavy slumber, we may con-
sider briefly the Battle of Gainesville.
The cold figures speak for the battle power shown by our
glorious brigade, more eloquently than language can express.
Stonewall Jackson sent into action six brigades of infantry and
three batteries of artillery. The brigades were: Trimble's,
Lawton's and Early's of Swell's division, and Starke's, Baylor's,
and Taliaferro's, of the Stonewall division, thirty regiments of
infantry, at least eight thousand men. The batteries in action
were, Wooding's, Pogue's, and Carpenter's. Our force engaged
could not have exceeded three thousand ■ men. The officially
reported loss of Kwell's division was seven hundred and fifty-
nine.* The loss of the Stonewall division was not less.
Gibbon's brigade lost seven hundred and fifty-four and
General Rufus King has testified that the entire loss of our six
regiments and one batteryf engaged, was one thousand men. It
is now made quite certain by the Confederate Official Records
that our troops inflicted upon them a loss of fifteen hundred men.
This is reasonably explained by the fact that the Confederate
force twice advanced in columns of attack. Our men stuck
desperately and persistently to one deployed line, from which
they delivered a steady and well aimed fire. At the time of the
hottest firing, the troops were stationed approximately as shown
in the diagram given. The Confederate brigades are arranged
*See Page 813, Volume 12, Part II, War Records.
t"B," 4th U. S. artillery.
in the order that seems to be indicated by their own official
reports. I have not attempted to locate their artillery.
•Si^^*'
^eNifa'
Xi Division.
■Qs.y'^or. Starke.
WOODS.
» » * * *^
* « * « *
« * » » « •^
******
*******
*******
Ewell's Division
Early.
Trimble. t
in^t.
°4.
19th
Ind.
2d & 7th.
WiB.
56th Pa. 6th Wis.
76th N. Y.
*****
******
Woods.
tttttt
Battery B.
Patrick's Brigade,
on turnpike.
Doubleday,
95th N. Y.
ethWis.t
Warrenton Turnpike
tPoint where fired on.
I do not feel that our army commander, General Pope, has in
his official statements of this battle, done justice to our troops
engaged. I much prefer the more worthy tributes from the
Generals who were opposed to us upon that bloody field. The
Confederate General, T. J. Jackson, says in his official report in
regard to this battle : "The conflict was fierce and sanguinary.
The federals did not attempt to advance, but maintained their
ground with obstinate determination. Both lines stood exposed
to the discharge of musketry and artillery until about nine
o'clock, when the enemy slowly retired, yielding the field to our
troops. The loss on both sides was heavy and among our
wounded were Major General Ewell and Brigadier General
Taliaferro."
The Confederate General, William B. Taliaferro, who com-
manded Jackson's old division, three brigades in the battle, says
in his official report: "Here one of the most terrific contests that
can be conceived occurred. The enemy never once attempted to
advance upon our position, but withstood with great
determination the terrible fire which our lines poured upon them.
For two hours and a half, without an instant's cessation of the
i
P|
1
i
sL.
%s'.
"STONEWALL" JACKSON,
61
most deadly discharges of musketry, round shot and shell, both
lines stood unmoved, neither advancing and neither broken nor
yielding, until at last, about nine o'clock at night, the enemy
slowly and sullenly fell back and yielded to our victorious
troops."*
General John F. Reynolds says, "After the firing ceased I saw
General King, who determined to maintain his position.^ I left
about 9 o'clock P. M., to return to my division, promising to
bring it up early in the morning to his support."| General
Reynolds commanded the Pennsylvania Reserve division, twenty-
five hundred of the best possible quality of veteran soldiers.
But a Council of War» was afterward held by the Generals of
King's division. The old adage was again verified that "A
Council of War never fights." General King has written as
follows : "Then came the question, what next to be done. The
enemy in greatly superior force barred the way in which the
division was marching. The only alternative was to deflect to
the right to join the bulk of Pope's army in the vicinity of
Manassas." It seems however that the bulk of Pope's army
was not then at Manassas. This movement was an abandonment
of- the ground we held between I^ee's army and Jackson's isolated
corps. Brigadier General Gibbon, who so gallantly (attacked the
enemy with his single brigade, says in his own official report:
"I sent repeated and earnest requests to Division headquarters
(General King) for assistance." "I sent repeatedly and urgently
to Generals King, Doubleday and Patrick for assistance, but the
two regiments of Doubleday's brigade was the only assistance
furnished me.'' General Doubleday sent his two regiments
however, to assist Gibbon, without orders to do so from General
King. He says in his report: "Receiving no orders, and unable
*In Volume XII, Series 1, Part II, War Kecords, may be found official
reports of the battle of Gainesville.
Brigadier General John Gibbon, Pages 377 and 379.
Letter of General Gibbon Page 380.
Report Lieutenant Colonel E.S.Bragg, " 382.
" General A. Doubleday, " 369.
" J. P. Hatch, " 367.
" Casualities, " 380.
tGolden words for General King.
tPage 393, Volume XJI, Series I, Part II, War Records.
68
to obtain them, I almost immediately sent two regiments of my
brigade, the 56th Pennsylvania, under Cplonel S. A. Meredith,
and the 76th New York under Colonel W. P. Wainwright, to aid
Gibbon. Knowing he would be overpowered if not succored, I
immediately complied with his earnest request and sent him the
two regiments referred to, leaving myself but one regiment (95th
New York) in reserve." General Gibbon says: "Patrick's
brigade remained immovable and did not fire a shot," and he
says also, "No superior general officer was in the vicinity with
the requisite knowledge and authority, to order up troops to our
support."
I have searched the official record^ in vain for further
explanation of the management of this battle. Our Corps
Commander, General McDowell, had no part in the affair, for he
was "lost in the woods."
What a painful contrast is presented in the records of the
Generals of the enemy. The rebel Corps Commander, Stonewall
' Jackson, conducted the battle in person. Two rebel Generals of
Division were shot in the fight, (Ewell and Taliaferro). Jackson
had exact knowledge of the field, a clear purpose, concentrated
action by his troops, and his Generals led their men to battle.
On the afternoon of this day, August 28th, 1862, was lost the
only opportunity that occurred in that campaign to attack
Jackson with superior forces while separated from I^ee. The
verdict of history is likely to be, that the opportunity was "lost
in the woods."*
The best blood of Wisconsin and Indiana was poured out
like ■ water, and it was spilled for naught. Against a dark
background of blunders, imbecilities, jealousies and disasters in
the Pope campaign, stands in bright relief the gallant conduct of
our heroic leader, John Gibbon. Whatever history may do for
others, his fame is as safe as that of the faithful and gallant heroes
of the brigade he commanded.
But let us now return to our sleeping brigade at Manassas. A
*See Pages 328 to 331, Volume XII, Part 1, War Eecords. The McDowell
Court of Inquiry. "The court finds that he, (McDowell) separated himself
from his command at a critical time, without any orders from hia superior
officer and without any imperative necessity."
69
fresh beef ration has been issued and hot coffee has been made,
and at nine o'clock all are listening to the sounds of battle that
come from the old Bull Run field. There is a heavy sound of
cannon and an occasional ripple of musketry. We were near the
railroad track, which branches off at Manassas Junction. I was
myself aroused from a sleep by the heavy tramp of hurrying feet.
I arose to see the corps of General Fitz John Porter passing by
us toward the battle field. At the time they were passing, the
cannon were roaring so loudly that the men fully believed they
were marching directly to battle. They appeared fresh and in
good spirits and the corps was a remarkably fine body of troops.
The men marched rapidly, appeared to be well fed, and there was
a great contrast between them and our own exhausted troops.
As things are in a battle campaign they were in excellent con-
dition. They showed quite a contempt for us as of "Pope's army."
They said : "We are going up to show you 'straw feet' how to
fight." The lesson did not prove to be impressive. All through
the ranks of Porter's Corps was a running fire of disparagement
of us as "Pope's " soldiers, something quite inferior to the Army
of the Potomac. Of course our men retorted. There was one
regiment of Zouaves with baggy trousers (Duryea's I think). I
remember one of our men said : "Wait till you get where we
have been. You'll get the slack taken out of your pantaloons
and the swell out of your heads."
We remained until some time in the afternoon when we marched
back toward the field of battle where a heavy engagement
seemed to be in progress. We moved along the Manassas Gap
Railroad and turned on to the road to Sudley Springs. As we
marched up to the battle field that afternoon, we could see heavy
clouds of dust stretching away toward Thoroughfare Gap. This
of course was caused by the advancing army of General I^ee, but
it was interpreted to us at the time as indicating that Jackson
was retreating to join I<ee. Private Riley states in his journal :
"Upon our arrival at the Warrenton turnpike, General McDowell,
who sat upon his horse by the road side, said, 'We have been
driving the enemy all day.' " Riley also says in his journal that
General McDowell used this language : "Give him a good poke,
boys. He is getting sick," meaning the enemy. General
70
McDowell wore a peculiarly shaped cap at this time which was
commented upon by the men.
King's division was formed in two lines of battle in a large
open field, but Gibbon's brigade was detached and ordered away,
and we marched toward the right, nearly a mile and a half. We
went into position in support of batteries of artillery, relieving
troops who marched toward the front. It was about sunset.
King's division, excepting ourselves, had become involved in a
very sharp battle with the enemy. Listening to this musketry,
we deemed ourselves exceedingly fortunate to have escaped a
fight. Our one night's experience at Gainesville had eradicated
our yearning for a fight. In our future history we will always
be found ready but'never again anxious.
■A few artillery shots from the enemy whistled over us, but we
soon fell into a profound and much needed slumber.
Batti<e of Bui.1, Run Second.
The sun rose clear on the morning of August 30th, 1862, and
during the forenoon the troops of our army were moving quietly
into position. From our hill we had an excellent view of the
field. The whole of our army was spread before us, but inter-
vening timber hid the enemy from our sight. The drift of talk
was that the rebels were falling back. About three o'clock in
the afternoon, we were ordered forward to "pursue the enemy."
We marched on the Warrenton turnj)ike, perhaps half a mile,
when our brigade was formed into two lines of battle in an open
field on the right hand side. General Patrick's brigade was in
front of us, formed also in two lines of battle. We had thus at
our point of attack four lines of battle. Before us was woods,
beyond which a railroad embankment. Behind this embankment
quietly awaiting the attack were our antagonists at Gainesville,
the veteran army corps of Stonewall Jackson. Just before we
entered the edge of the woods, our brigade was changed to one
line of battle with the sixth Wisconsin on the right. As the
troops entered the woods a very heavy artillery fire broke out
upon our left, (Longstreet's). Musketry opened in our front.
Bullets, canister, shell, and the men said, " scraps of railroad
iron," tore through the limbs and trush over us and around us.
We pushed on, advancing as the lines in front of us advanced
71
and lying down on the ground when they stopped. There was
no order to charge upon the enemy, and we wondered why
such orders were not given. Thus we slowly advanced.
Suddenly, the lines in our front broke and the men ran back in
great disorder. -The rebels raised a tremendous shout, and
poured in a heavy fire of musketry. The sharp artillery fire of
the enemy which enfiladed our line, added to the panic and
confusion. Colonel Bragg shouted, "Sixth Wisconsin, kneel
down ! Captains, keep your men down ! lyct nobody tramp on
them!" General Gibbon himself came running up on foot with
his revolver drawn, shouting, -'Stop those stragglers! — Make
them fall in! — Shoot them if they don't!" It was a new
experience, but we were not swept away. OUr men were down
with bayonets set, when the fugitives began to swarm upon them.
All the ofi&cers were struggling to stop stragglers and force them
to join our ranks. Many were held with us, but no Union troops
were left in front of us. General Gibbon directed Colonel Bragg
to throw forward a company as skirmishers. This was a fearful
duty. Colonel Bragg called for my old company "K."
"Who faltered or shivered ?
Who shunned battle stroke ?
Whose fire was uncertain?
Whose battle line broke ?
Go ask it of history,
Years from to-day,
And the record shall tell you.
Not 'company K.' "
The boys immediately sprang up under command of Captain
David ly. Quaw, and deployed forward upon a run. We could
see them firing and dodging from tree to tree. They met a rebel
skirmish line coming forward throiigh the woods, and they drpye
it back upon the rebel line of battle. The spirit and conduct of
company "K" was beyond praise. The panic and retreat of our
own troops and the exultant shouts of thousands of rebel soldiers
did not daunt these men. Captain Quaw says that "after the
rebel skirmishers retreated, there arose up from behind a
railroad bank, a mass of rebel soldiers several ranks deep. I
shouted to my men to 'tree.' I jumped behind a small tree
myself, where I must have shrunk to the dimensions of a wafer.
72
A dozen bullets hit that tree. I did not wait for the rebels to
fire again, but ordered the men back to the regiment."
All the troops that had been in the woods, except the sixth
Wisconsin, had now retreated and gone to the rear. Brigadier
General John Gibbon, be it ever remembered to his honor, re-
mained with our regiment. He said he had received no orders to
retreat and he should stay until h« got them. The regiment was
now lying on the ground, subjected to a fire from rebel sharp-shoot-
ers and quite a number of our men were killed or wounded by them.
A bullet would strike a man who would writhe, groan and die or
spring up, throw away his impediments and start for the rear.
Our men peered through the leaves, shooting at the pufiFs of
powder smoke from the muskets of the rebels. As I walked
along the line, some men of company "I" said : "Major, don't go
near that tree." I was not aware what tree, but had wit enough
to jump away. Spat, went a bullet against a tree, cutting a
corner from my haversack. They had noticed that the tree had
been several times struck by the bullets of a sharp shooter. A
soldier of a New York regiment lay wounded in front of our
line. He begged piteously for water and for help. First
Sergeant, Charles Lampe, of company "F" went to give him a
swallow from his canteen and was himself shot dead by the
merciless bullet of the sharp-shooter. Private William Bickel-
haupt, of company "F," had been shot through the body, and I
heard the poor little boy, for such he was, in plaintive broken
English telling his comrades what to write to his "Mutter."
It now being evident that no staff oSicer could bring us orders
of any kind. General Gibbon directed Colonel Bragg to form a
line of skirmishers to cover the retreat of the regiment, and to
move to the rear. The skirmishers were quickly deployed and
Colonel Bragg ordered the regiment to face about and march
back. But the rebels redoubled their fire, killing and wounding
quite a number of our men. Bragg immediately ordered the
regiment to face to the front. Our skirmishers were hotly
engaged with the enemy. By a slow backward step, we moved
out of the woods. Upon reaching the open ground. Colonel
Bragg faced the regiment by the rear rank and took a steady
double quick. It was full three quarters of a mile over the open
73
fields to the place where our new lines were forming. The sixth
Wisconsin regiment alone upon the plain, in full sight of both
armies, marched this distance. General Rufus King in describing
this scene Says : "The sixth Wisconsin, the very last to retire,
marched slowly and steadily to the rear, with column formed and
colors . flying, faced the froiit as they reached their new position,
and saluted the approaching enemy with thVee cheers and a
rattling volley." General King is in error as to the volley. We
should have killed our following skirmish line by such firing.
The regiment was ordered into position in support of battery
"B," 4th U. S. artillery. We were on a high point, commanding
the Warrenton turnpike and the open fields over which we
had retreated. Just as the line was being formed, a solid shot
cut ofiF the tail of a fine bay horse ridden by lyieutenant James
Stewart, of battery "B." *The shot gave the horse a deep cut
across the rump, the scar of which lasted his life-time. The
horse's tail flew into the faces of men of our regiment, switching
them severely.
It was now late in the afternoon. The rebels (lyongstreet's
corps) directed a heavy fire of artillery on us, and began a
general advance of their infantry toward our left. We could see
regiment after regiment of the enemy moving in column by
division, and forming into line of battle as they advanced upon
our men. From the point where we lay upon the ground, the
view of the battle was extensive. Our batteries were all actively
firing upon the advancing columns of the enemy. Their artillery
was also in action. The solid shot and shell struck around us
and whizzed over lis. Occasionally a horse would be killed
by them, and one man's head was carried away entirely. Such
sights very severely test one's nerves. A solid shot will plow
into the ground, spitefully scattering the dirt, and bound a
hundred feet into the air, looking as it flies swiftly away like an
India rubber playing ball. We could see every movement of the
left wing of our own army, and of the right wing of the rebel
army. Our lines were in open fields in front of a strip of woods.
The rebel musketry fire was pouring from the woods upon our
men who were closing together and rallying under the attack.
*ThiB horse was called "Tartar."
74
Regiments would sweep splendidly forward into the front line,
fire a crashing volley into the woods and then work with great
energy. But they quickly withered away until there would
appear to be a mere company crowding around the colors. The
open fields were covered with wounded and stragglers, going to
the rear. The rebels charged up a ravine endeavoring to
capture an Ohio battery upon our immediate left. The second
and seventh "Wisconsin had been consolidated and were under
command of I^ieutenant Colonel Lucius Fairchild. Colonel
Fairchild had his men change front and attack the enemy, who
were quickly driven back and the battery saved. We could now
see that our troops ]ipon the left were being driven back in
confusion over the open fields. This outflanked our position,
and it was evident that we must soon draw back our line.
General Joseph Hooker, who was mounted on a white horse,
rode up among the guns of our artillery and carefully noted the
situation of affairs. He ordered batteries and infantry to retire.
Regiments moved steadily by the right of companies to the rear,
the batteries moved also in retreat. A rebel line in our front
rose up from the ground and advanced slowly after us. It was a
strange sight, our blue line slowly retreating, and the long gray
line slowly and quietly following. When we halted and formed
again, the rebels halted and lay down on the ground. It was
growing dark. There was still a heavy roll of musketry to
our left and some sharp firing on our right. By nine o'clock, all had
died away.* About ten o'clock. General Philip Kearny came up
*Casualtie8 in the Battles op Gainesville and Bull Kun.
Woun
MlSB-
Killed
ded.
ing.
cc
cc
0)
<v
O
n
o
ri
^
CD
fl
a)
fH
a>
o
s
O
S
o
^
Sixth Wisconsin Volunteers
2
1
1
4
17
51
30
46
144
4
8
8
7
27
87
20.5
145
161
598
1
1
11
31
33
44
119
111
Second Wisconsin Volunteers
''qs
Seventh Wisconsin Volunteers
217
Nineteenth Indiana Volunteers
259
Total
893
75
in rear of our regiment, which now lay across the Warrenton
turnpike near the stone bridge over Bull Run. He informed us
that our brigade was to be the. rear guard of the army which was
in full retreat. We had not before suspected the real extent of
the disaster. General Kearny remained witTi us anxiously
watching the front, and Colonel Bragg and I had much conversa-
tion with him. It was after midnight when we started for the rear.
Mock camp fires had been built to deceive the enemy. We lay
down to rest at a point three miles from the battle field and on
the early morning of August 31st, we drew back across Cub
Run, forming a line of battle on the eastern bank. About noon
of that day we marched from Cub Run to Centreville. We
bivouacked near Centreville. Late at night, I was sent out
to establish a line of pickets. Our men, after the privations,
labor, and intense excitement of three successive days in
battle, were unfitted for such duty. One man placed on picket
post in the woods, in the bewilderment of his senses, got him-
self faced toward our camp instead of toward the enemy. When
he was approached by his comrades to relieve him, he mis-
. took them for the enemy and fired upon them and killed Rudolph
Fine of Company "I."
On September ist, 1862, we marched six miles toward Fairfax
Court House. On the afternoon of this day occurred the battle
of Chantilly, in which fell General Philip Kearny. We were in
line of battle, but at some distance to the right of the troops
engaged. A heavy storm was prevailing during this battle. The
noise of the artillery and musketry intermingling with the roll
of very sharp thunder produced a striking effect. The darkness
incident to a sky overcast with heavy, rolling clouds, lighted up
alternately by flashes of lightning and the flames of artillery,
made a scene long to be remembered. Several wagon trains
became jammed together on the turnpike and a great panic
ensued. Wagons were two or three abreast, and the mules going
at a full gallop. There came a sudden crash and a jam, and
wild cursing and shouting by the drivers.
September 2nd, we marched twelve miles to Upton's Hill,
within six miles of Washington and' went into position.
As the column approached Upton's Hill, the announcement
76
was made that General George B. McClellan had been placed in
command of all the troops. There was genuine enthusiasm at
this news. General John P. Hatch who was commanding
our division, swung his sword and called for cheers," which were
given with an uproarious good will and repeated. Open sneering
at General Pope was heard upon all sides. It began with the
advent of the troops from the Army of the Potomac, and it
spread through our whole body. General Pope made a grave
blunder when he assailed the ingrained hero worship ot General
McClellan, which possessed our troops. The force of this feeling
can be little understood now, because conditions akin to those
which affected us have passed away. Such a feeling, as that for
General McClellan, was never aroused for another leader in the
war. An intense party spirit attended these conditions. The
Army of the Potomac was smarting under criticism, and was
disappointed at its own failure to meet the unduly elevated hopes
and expectations of the peoplt. Richmond had not been taken.
Pope was now defeated, and there were those even in high
position, who seemed to glory in the fact. Those were dark days
for the administration of President I,incoln. He pursued the
only course left to him, and he acted ' wisely in placing General
McClellan again in command. The animadversions against the
President himselt, for what was called "interference" with the
plans of his Generals, were common and severe throughout the
army.
(Letter.) Upton's Hii.l, September 5th, 1862.
My dear mother : — "I have tried in several ways to send you
word of my safety. We have had a terrible ordeal. We were in
battle or skirmish almost every day from August 21st to 31st.
Our brigade has lost eight hundred men; our regiment, one
hundred and twenty-five. The country knows how nobly our
men have , borne themselves. I have been at my post in every
battle."
On Upton's Hill, we received our delayed mail. Colonel Bragg
found several letters urging him to stand as a War candidate for
congress. From Bragg's reply to such solicitation, I give an
extract: "Say to Judge Flint that I shall not decline a
nomination on tbe platform, the Government must be sustained,
but my services can not be taken from the field. I command the
■regiment, and can not leave in times like these." Brave words
from our gallant "little Colonel."
Colonel Cutler had a curious experience in Washington, which
well illustrates conditions in that city after the Pope campaign,
and how they affected the temper of the great War Minister,
Edwin M. Stanton. Colonel Cutler had bought a new uniform,
and as soon as he could walk, he went with great difiiculty, leaning
on two canes, to pay his respects to the Honorable Secretary of
War. The ofiice of the Secretary was, as usual, crowded, and the
Colonel patiently waited for his turn to be received. As the
Colonel approached, the Secretary, with a glance at the new coat
and bright brass buttons, blustered out as only Mr. Stanton
could, "What in h — 1 and • — — nation are you doing in
Washington ? Why don't you go to your regiment, where you
are needed?" Colonel Cutler answered: "If I had not been shot
and a fool, I would never have come here. Good day, Mr.
Secretary."
Chapter IV.
-Army Re-organized— General Joseph MooUer, our Corps Com-
mander— Advance to Maryland— A.t Frederloli Clty—Bnthuaiasm
for "Little Mac"— On to South Mountain— The Battle -Volleys by
MVing—AU Night on the Pield— Complimented by General Ma-
Clellan—On to Antletam— The Battle— Captains Brovi/n and
Bachelle ICllled— Colonel Bragg Wounded— Terrible Slaughter
of our Regiment at Antietam —Incidents.
. In the reorganization of the army which took place at Upton's
Hill, our brigade was designated as *4th brigade, ist division, ist
army corps. Army of the Potomac. The Army of Virginia,
which was the title of General Pope's command, was now
obliterated. General John P. Hatch was in command of our
division, and that magnificent soldier. General Joseph Hooker,
commanded our first army corps. Army corps from this time
were known rather by their numbers, than by the names of their
commanders. McDowell's 3rd corps was changed to be the ist
corps. We marched from Upton's Hill via Washington City, and
Rockville, Maryland; and on September 12th, 1862, I wrote to
my mother from I^isbon, Maryland :
"Our army is moving up again to the battle field. Probably
before this reaches you the conflict will be over. If so, you will
know that I was there. My health is good and I am ready to
take my chances. Do not feel that our task is easy or sure of
successful accomplishment. The battle will be desperate and
bloody, and upon very equal terms. Give my love to all."
Our camp on the quiet Sabbath morning of September 14th,
1862, was' in the valley of the Monocacy, near Frederick,
Maryland. There are few fairer landscapes in our country
than this valley affords from its eastern range of hills. The
*Page 170, Volume 19, Part I, War Records, Organization of the
Army of the Potomac. In our brigade, Lieutenant Colonel Bragg com-
manded the sixth Wisconsin, Lieutenant Colonel Lucius Fairchild, the
second Wisconsin, Captain John B. Callis, the seventh Wisconsin, and
Colonel Solomon Meredith the nineteenth Indiana.
morning was bright, warm, and clear. The bells of the city
of Frederick were all ringing. It was a rejoicing at the
advent of the host for her deliverance, the Army of the
Potomac. The spires of the city were glistening in the
morning sunlight. To the south-west could be distinctly heard
the muttering of cannon. This was General Stonewall Jackson
attacking the garrison at Harper's Ferry. From right to left
along the valley below us, were stretched the swarming camps of
the blue coats, and every soldier felt his courage rise at the sight.
Through a wooded and uneven country, by different and devious
routes, the columns of the grand army had marched forward.
"We had known something of their progress, but had not so felt
their power as we did now when they were concentrating before
us. The deep feeling of almost affectionate admiration among
the soldiers for the commander of our army. General McClellan,
was often thus expressed: "We have got a General now, and we
will show the country \^hat we can do."
At eight o'clock A. M., our brigade marched forward on the
National turnpike, the sixth Wisconsin in advance. Our entry
into the city was triumphal. The stars, and stripes floated from
every building and hung from every window. The joyful people
thronged the streets to greet and cheer the veterans of the Army
of the Potomac. I/ittle children stood at nearly every door,
freely offering cool . water, cakes, pies and dainties. The jibes
and insults of the women of Virginia, to which our men had
become accustomed, had here a striking contrast in a generous
and enthusiastic welcome by the l.adies of Frederick City. At
eleven A. M. we reached the summit of the Katoctin mountain.
Fences and trees showed marks of a skirmish of the evening
before. From the summit of this mountain a splendid view was
spread before us, in the valley of Middleton. Over .beyond the
valley, eight miles away, from along the slopes of the South
Mountain, we could see arising the smoke of battle. We hurried
along down the road toward the scene of action, every gun of
which we could see and hear. Our march through the little
village of Middleton was almost a counterpart of our reception
at Frederick City. The people were more excited as the cannon
boomed loud and near, and bloodstained soldiers were coming in
from the field of battle. Hearing that a colonel ■ of an Ohio
regiment had been brought in to Middleton, wounded, I made a
special inquiry and found that it was I^ieutenant Colonel Hayes
of the 23rd Ohio. (Rutherford B. Hayes.) We marched on
beyond Middleton about a mile and a half and then turned into
a field to make our cofiee. The fires were not kindled, when an
order came to fall in and move forward. It was announced that
General Hooker had said "that the crest of that mountain must be
carried , to-night." General Hatch's division turned from the
National road toward the right, but an order was received
assigning Gibbon's brigade to a special duty. The brigade
countermarched and advanced again on the National road for
half a mile. We then turned to the left into a field and formed
in two lines of battle. The seventh Wisconsin and nineteenth
Indiana were in the front line; the second and sixth Wisconsin
in the second line; We had in the ranks of our regiment four
hundred men. Simmon's Ohio battery, planted in this field, was
firing shell at the rebels on the summit of South .Mountain.
Before us was a valley, beyond which by a steep and stony slope,
rose the South Mountain range. From our position to the
summit of South Mountain was perhaps two miles. Two miles
away on our right, long lines and heavy columns of dark blue
infantry could be seen pressing up the green slopes of the
mountain, their bayonets flashing like silver in the rays of the
setting sun, and their banners waving in beautiful relief against
the background of green.
BattivE of South Mountain.
Turner's gap through which the National turnpike passes over
the mountain, was directly in our front. To attack this pass was
the special duty for which we had been selected. To our left
along the wooded slopes, there was a crash of musketry, and the
roll of cannon, and a white cloud of battle smoke rose above the
trees. Prom Turner's gap in our front, and along the right on
the summit of the mountain, the artillery of the enemy was
firing, and we could see the shells bursting over and among our
advancing troops. For nearly an hour we laid upon the grassy
knoll, passive spectators of the scene. The sun was sinking
behind the mountain, when our order came to move forward.
81
The two regiments in front (7th Wisconsin and 19th Indiana)
moved in line of battle. Our regiment and the 2nd Wisconsin
followed at supporting distance, formed in double columns.
Thus we went down into the valley and began to climb the slope
of the mountain, which was smooth' at first and covered with
orchards and cornfields. The regiment was halted in an orchard
and two companies ("B," Captain Rollin P. Converse and "K,"
I<ieutenant John Ticknor) were sent forward as skirmishers.
Our skirmishers immediately encountered skirmishers of the
enemy and drove them slowly up the mountain, fighting for
every inch of the ground. Nothing could be finer than the
conduct of these two companies, or more gallant than the
bearing of their young leaders. The officer commanding the
skirmishers of the second Wisconsin, Captain Wilson Colwell,
was killed.
For half a mile of advance, our skirmishers played a deadly
game of "Bo-peep," hiding behind logs, fences, rocks and bushes.
Two pieces of artillery of battery "B" moved up on the turnpike
under I^ieutenant James Stewart, and when the skirmishers were
checked,, they would wheel into action and fire shell at the
houses, barns or thickets, where the rebels found a cover. The
enemy now turned upon us the fire of their batteries, planted in
the pass near the mountain top, but their shot flew over.
General Gibbon mounted upon his horse and riding upon high
ground where he could see his whole line, shouted orders in a
voice loud and clear as a bell and distinctly heard throughout the
brigade. It was always " Forward ! Forward ! " Just at
dusk we came to a rough, stony field, skirted on its upper edge
by timber. Our skirmishers had encountered the enemy in force
and were behind a fence. The seventh Wisconsin in front of us,
climbed the fence and moved steadily forward across the field and
we followed them, our regiment being formed in double column.
Suddenly the seventh Wisconsin halted and opened fire, and we
could see a rapid spitting of musketry flashes from the woods
above and in front of us, and wounded men from the seventh
began to hobble by us. The sharpest fire came from a stone
wall, running along in a ravine toward the left of the seventh.
Captain John B., Callis was in command of that regiment. He
8^
ordered a change of front, throwing his right forward to face the
wall; but there burst from the woods, skirting the right of the
field, a flame of musketry which sent a shower of bullets into
the backs of the men of the right wing of the seventh Wisconsin.
Many men were shot by the enfilading fire to which they could
make no reply. Captain HoUon Richardson came running
toward us shouting: "Come forward, sixth!" Sharp and clear
rang out on the night, the voice of Bragg: "Deploy column!
By the right and left flanks, double quick, march !" The living
machine responded to this impulsive force with instant action,
and the column was deployed into line of battle. The right
wing of our regiment came into open field, but the left wing was
behind the seventh. "Major!" ordered Bragg, "take command
of the right wing and fire on the woods!" I instantly ordered:
"Attention, right wing, ready, right oblique, aim, fire, load at
will, load!" The roll of this wing volley had hardly ceased to
reverberate, when Bragg said : "Have your men lie down on the
ground, lam going over you." "Right wing, lie down! Look out,
the left wing is going over you !" was the command. Bragg had
brought the left wing behind the right wing and he ordered them
forward over the men of the right wing as they laid upon the
ground. The left wing fired a volley into the woods, and the
right wing advanced in the same manner over them and fired a
volley into the woods. Once more Bragg gave a volley by the
left wing. There were four volleys by wing given, at the word
of command. In a long experience in musketry fighting, this
was the single instance I saw of other than a fire by file in battle.
The characteristic of Colonel Bragg in battle, was a remarkably
quick conception and instant action. The conduct of the men
was worthy of their commander. In the deployment of the
column under fire, they hurried over the rough and stony field
with the utmost zeal, and while many men were struck by the
bullets of the enemy, there was neither hesitation nor confusion.
After the four volleys by wing and a welcome cheer by the
seventh Wisconsin, there was positive enthusiasm. Our whole
line was slowly advanced up the mountain, the men shouting and
firing. The rebels behind the stone wall and in the timber
would shout : "O, you d d Yanks, we gave you h — 11 again
Eji,fh-GBoXP=ri»e'
HON. JOHN B . CALLIS ,
83
at Bull Run!" Our men would shout back: "Never mind
Johnny, its no McDowell after you now. 'I^ittle Mac' and
'Johnny Gibbon' are after you now." The rebels fell back from
the woods, but stuck to the stone wall. The hostile lines had
approached each other closely and the fire was deadly. It was
dark and our only aim was by the flashes of the enemy's guns.
Many of our men were falling, and we could not long endure it.
Colonel Bragg took the left wing, directing me to keep up the
fire with the right wing, and crept up into the woods on our
right, advancing a considerable distance up the mountain. He
gained higher ground than that of the enemy in our front, and
from this position opened fire.
Colonel Bragg directed me to join him with the right wing.
Owing to the thick brush and the darkness of the night, it was a
difficult matter to scramble up the stony side of the mountain.
To add to our difficulties, the rebels opened fire upon us; but
our gallant left wing fired hotly in return and the junction was
completed. Our cartridges were getting short and our guns
were dirty with bad powder. Gradually by direction of Colonel
Bragg we ceased firing and lay still on the ground. A man in
company "A" exclaimed: "Captain Noyes, I am out of cart-
ridges!" It is likely that the enemy in the woods above us
heard him, for they immediately opened upon us a heavy fire.
We returned the fire, and for a short time the contest was very
sharp. This was the last of the battle. When all was again
still, Colonel Bragg felt sure that he could hear the enemy with-
drawing. He ordered, "Three cheers for the Badger State."
They were given and brought no reply. A few volunteer
skirmishers crept forward into the woods in front of us. Further
pursuit was impossible. We were nearly out of ammunition and
our guns so dirty that we could hardly use them. We lay
among thick bushes on the steep rough slope of a mountain in
almost total darkness.
We did not dare to let the men sleep. Colonel Bragg sent to
General Gibbon for ammunition. General Gibbon replied that
it was impossible for him to furnish it, but that he hoped that we
would soon be relieved by other troops. He said that we must
hold the position we had gained so long as there was "an inch of
84
our bayonets left." The night was chilly, and in the wOods
intensely dark. Our wounded were scattered over a great
distance up and down the mountain, and were suffering untold
agonies. Owing to the difficulties of the ground and the night,
no stretcher bearers had come upon the field. Several dying
men were pleading piteously for water, of which there was not a
drop in the regiment, nor was there any liquor. Captain
Kellogg and I searched in vain for a swallow for one noble
fellow* who was dying in great agony from a wound in his
bowels. He recognized us and appreciated our efforts, but was
unable to speak. The dread reality of war was before us in this
frightful death, upon the cold, hard stones. The mortal suffering,
the fruitless struggle to send a parting message to the far-off
home, and the final release by death, all enacted in the darkness,
were felt even more deeply than if the scene had been relieved
by the light of day. After a long interval of this horror, our
stretcher bearers came, and the poor suffering heroes were carried
back to houses and barns. At last word came that General
Sumner's troops were marching up the mountain to relieve us.
How glad we were to hear it, they only can know who have
experienced the feeling of prostration produced by such scenes
and surroundings, after the excitement of a bloody battle. It
was after midnight, and it seemed to us bitterly cold. The other
regiments of our brigade had marched down the mountain, but
our relief — where was it? We sent Adjutant Brooks to General
Gibbon, who said that our relief had been ordered, and would
certainly come. But it did not come. Colonel Bragg finally sent
Adjutant Brooks to Brigadier General Willis A. Gorman, the
brigade commander, who had orders to relieve us. The Adjutant
reported that he offered to lead the way to prevent the possibility
of confusion or mistake, but that General Gorman's reply was :
"I can't send men into that woods to-night. All men are cowards
in the dark." He forgot that the men whom he condemned to
shivering and misery for the rest of the night had fought and
won a bloody battle in "the dark. We were not" relieved until
eight o'clock in the morning of September 15th, when the 2nd
*William Lawrence of company "I."
85
New York regiment o"f Gorman's brigade came up. As soon as
it became daylight, we examined the field of battle, and found
many dead and wounded rebels. The troops opposed to us were
five regiments of a brigade commanded by Colonel A. H.
Colquitt, the 6th, 23rd, 26th and 28th Georgia, and 13th Alabama
regiments. One rebel soldier from Georgia, wounded in the
head, his face a gore of blood, fled from us as we approached.
We could hardly persuade him that it was not our purpose to kill
him.*
General George B. McClellan was stationed in the same field
where Simmon's Ohio battery was planted and he had watched our
brigade in the engagement. He wrote the following to the
Governor of Wisconsin : "I beg to add my great admiration of
the conduct of the three Wisconsin regiments in General Gibbon's
brigade. I have seen them under fire acting in a manner that
reflects the greatest possible credit and honor upon themselves and
their state. They are equal to the best troops in any army in the
world."
After being relieved by the second New York we marched
down the mountain to the National turnpike and the men began
to build fires to make cofiee and cook their breakfast, but we
were ordered to march immediately to the Mountain House on
the top of South Mountain. It was hard, but the men fell in
promptly and marched along munching dry hard tack. It was
now 24 hours since they had had their coffee. Our brigade was
put by General Hooker in the advance in the pursuit of the
enemy and our regiment marched at the head of the column.
We pushed along the turnpike down the western slope of the
mountain. Presently old gray haired men, citizens of Maryland,
came rushing up to meet us. They seemed almost frantic with
joy. They swung their hats and laughed and cried without re-
gard for appearances. One respectable old gentleman who trot-
*Oflacial reports of action at South Mountain, may be found in Volume
19, Part I, War Records.
GeneralJohn Gibbon, '.....:.:. '. Page 247.
Lieutenant Colonel E. S. Bragg - '^ 253.
Captain Johp B.' Gallia, " 257.
Lieutenant Colonel Luraus Fairchild, " 252.
Colonel Solomon Meredith, " 266.
Colonel A. H. Colquitt, confederate, ; .< " 1052.
86
ted along beside my horse said ; "We have" watched for you, Sir,
and we have prayed for you and now thank God you have come."
Here his feelings got the better of him and he mounted a bank
and began to shout. The last I saw of him, he was shouting and
thanking God and the 19th Indiana was responding with lusty
cheers. As we approached the village of Boonesboro, it seemed
deserted, but when our column entered the streets, doors and
windows flew open and the people thronged out to greet us.
Flags that had been hidden in the darkest corner were now un-
furled. These people informed us that the rebel infantry had
passed through the town in haste and in much disorder. Colonels
were in some cases, they said, carrying regimental banners. They
said that General I,ee was present when the retreat commenced.
We turned to the left in Boonesboro toward Antietam creek.
Our cavalry in front were picking up hundreds of prisoners,
stragglers and wounded men from the retreating army. We
pushed on five or six miles, passing through the village of
Keedysville. When we were on the hill west of that place, the
rebels opened fire on us from batteries planted in front of the
village of Sharpsburg. We turned off the turnpike into a field
and marched into a ravine, where we had protection. Still frag-
ments of bursting shell fell thick in the fields around us. Our
batteries came galloping along the turnpike and wheeling rapidly
into position along a ridge they returned the fire of the rebel
artillery. Unmindful of this clatter, our men rallied for the
fences and building fires made their much needed cofiee with
little regard for the fragments of shell flying around.
After drinking coffee I went up to the ridge where our
batteries were firing upon the enemy. I could see on the hills
beyond the creek (Antietam) a rebel line of battle stretching
over the fields. General Joseph Hooker was there at this time
with his field-glass and I heard him say that from appearances the
force of the enemy was at least forty thousand. It was now
three o'clock in the afternoon. We marched up the Antietam
more out of range of the rebel batteries and bivouacked for the
night. Our greatly exhausted men were soon sound asleep. At
several times during the i6th of September the cannonading was
heavy and from our position, we had a good view of the combat.
87
About four o'clock in the afternoon, General Hooker's army
corps began to cross Antietam Creek. The division of Pennsyl-
vania Reserves crossed on the bridge above Keedysville, while
General Doubleday's* division, to which we belonged, forded the
creek at a shallow place below. The troops advanced slowly
toward the Sharpsburg and Hagerstown Turnpike. We passed
over open fields and through orchards and gardens, and the men
filled their pockets and empty haversacks with apples. About
dusk, sharp musketry and cannonading began in our front. It
was nine o'clock at night when our brigade reached the position
assigned it. The men laid down upon the ground, formed in
close column, muskets loaded and lines parallel with the turnpike.
Once or twice during the night, heavy volleys of musketry
crashed in the dark woods on our left. There was a drizzling
rain, and with the certain prospect of deadly conflict on the
morrow, the night was dismal. Nothing can be more solemn
than a period of silent waiting for the summons to battle, known
to be impending.
About daylight, General Doubleday came galloping along the
line, and he ordered that our brigade be moved at once out of its
position. He said we were in open range of the rebel batteries.
The men were in a heavy slumber. After much shaking and
kicking and hurrying, they were aroused, and stood up in their
places in the lines. Too much noise was probably made, which
appears to have aroused the enemy. The column hurriedly
changed direction, according to orders, and commenced moving
away from the perilous slope which faced the hostile batteries.
We had marched ten rods, when whiz-z-z ! bang ! burst a shell
over our heads'; then another; then a percussion shell struck
and exploded in the very center of the moving mass of men. It
killed two men and wounded eleven. It tore off Captain David
K. Noyes's foot, and cut off both arms of a man in his company.
This dreadful scene occurred within a few feet of where I was
riding, and before my eyes. The column pushed on without a
halt, and in another moment had the shelter of a barn.f Thus
*General Doubleday succeeded General J. P. Hatch, wounded at South
Mountain.
tPoflfenberger's barn.
opened the first firing of the great battle of Antietam, in the
early morning of September 17th, 1862. The regiment continued
moving forward into a strip of woods, where the column was
deployed into line of battle. The artillery fire had now increased
to the roar of an hundred cannon. Solid shot and shell whistled
through the trees above us, cutting off limbs which fell about us.
In front of the woods was an open field; beyond this was a
house, surrounded by peach and apple trees, a garden, and out-
houses.f The rebel skirmishers were in this cover, and they
directed upon us a vigorous fire. But company "I" deployed as
skirmishers, under command of Captain John A. Kellogg, dashed
across the field at a full run and drove them out, and the line of
the regiment pushed on over the green open field, the air above
our heads filled with the screaming missiles of the contending
batteries. The right of the regime*nt was now on the Sharps-
burg and Hagerstown Turnpike. The left wing was obstructed
in its advance by the picket fence around the garden before
mentioned. As the right wing passed on, I ordered the men of
the left wing to take hold all together and pull down the fence.
They were unable to do so. I had, therefore, to pass the left
wing by the flank through a gate with the utmost haste, and
form again in the garden. Here Captain Edwin A. Brown, of
company "E," was instantly killed. There is in my mind as I
write, the spectacle of a young ofiicer, with uplifted sword,
shouting in a loud imperative voice the order I had given him,
"Company 'E,' on the right by file into line !" A bullet passes
into his open mouth, and the voice is forever silent. I urged the
left wing forward with all possible speed. The men scrambled
over briars and flower-beds in the garden. Beyond the garden,
we entered a peach orchard. I hurried forward to a rail fence
skirting the front edge of the orchard, where we overtook the
right wing. Before us was a strip of open-field, beyond which
on the left-hand side of the turnpike, was rising ground, covered
by a large cornfield, the stalks standing thick and high. The
rebel skirmishers ran into the corn as we appeared at the fence.
Owing to our headlong advance, we were far ahead of the
tDavid R. Miller's house.
89
general lines of battle. They were in open fields, and we had
the cover of the houses and orchard. Colonel Bragg, however,
with his usual battle ardor, ordered the regiment forward. We
climbed the fence, moved across the open space, and pushed on
into the corn-field. The three right companies of the regiment
were crowded into an open field on the right-hand side of- the
turnpike. Thus we pushed up the hill to the middle of the
corn-field.
At this juncture, the companies of the right wing received a
deadly fire from the woods on their right. To save them. Colonel
Bragg, with a quickness and coolness equal to the emergency,
caused them to change front and form behind the turnpike fence,
from whence they returned the fire of the enemy. Meanwhile, I
halted the left wing, and ordered them to lie dov/n on the ground.
The bullets began to clip through the corn, and spin through the
soft furrows — thick, almost, as hail. Shells burst around us, the
fragments tearing up the ground, and canister whistled through
the corn above us. Lieutenant Bode of company "F," was
instantly killed, and Lieutenant John Ticknor was badly
wounded. Sergeant Major Howard J. Huntington now came
running to me through the corn. He said : "Major, Colonel
Bragg wants to see you, quick, at the turnpike." I ran to the
fence in time to hear Bragg say: "Major, I am shot," before he
fell upon the ground. I saw a tear in the side of his overcoat
which he had on. I feared that he was shot through the body.
I called two men from the ranks, who bundled him quickly into
a shelter tent, and hurried away with him. Colonel Bragg was
shot in the first fire from the woods and his nerve, in standing up
under the shock until he had effected the maneuver so necessary
for the safety of his men, was wonderful. I felt a great sense of
responsibility, when thrown thus suddenly in command of the
regiment in the face of a terrible battle. I stood near the fence
in the corn-field, overlooking the companies on the turnpike
which were firing on the enemy in the woods, and where I could
see the left wing also. I noticed a group of mounted rebel
ofiScers, whom I took to be a general and staff. I took a rest
over the turnpike fence, and fired six shots at the group, the men
handing me loaded muskets. They suddenly scattered.
90
Our lines on the left now came sweeping forward through the
corn and the open fields beyond. I ordered my men up to join
in the advance, and commanded: "Forward — guide left — march!"
We swung away from the turnpike, and I sent the sergeant-
major (Howard J. Huntington) to Captain Kellogg, commanding
the companies on the turnpike, with this order: "If it is prac-
ticable, move forward the- right companies, aligning with the
left wing." Captain Kellogg said: "Please give Major Dawes
my compliments, and say it is impracticable; the fire is
murderous."
As we were getting separated, I directed Sergeant Huntington
to tell Captain Kellogg that he could get cover in the corn, and
to join us, if possible. Huntington was struck by a bullet, but
delivered the order. Kellogg ordered his men up, but so many
were shot that he ordered them down again at once. While this
took place on the turnpike, our companies were marching
forward through the thick corn, on the right of a long line of
battle. Closely following was a second line. At the front edge
of the corn-field was a low Virginia rail fence. Before the corn
were open fields, beyond which was a strip of woods surrounding
a little church, the Dunkard church. As we appeared at the
edge of the corn, a long line of men in butternut and gray rose
up from the ground. Simultaneously, the hostile battle lines
opened a tremendous fire upon each other. Men, I can. not say
fell; they were knocked out of the ranks by dozens. But we
jumped over the fence, and pushed on, loading, firing, and
shouting as we advanced. There was, on the part of the men,
great hysterical excitement, eagerness to go forward, and a reck-
less disregard of life, of every thing but victory. Captain
Kellogg brought his companies up abreast of us on the turnpike.
The Fourteenth Brooklyn Regiment, red legged Zouaves, came
into our line, closing the awful gaps. Now is the pinch. Men
and oflacers of New York and Wisconsin are fused into a common
mass, in the frantic struggle to shoot fast. Every body tears
cartridges, loads, passes guns, or shoots. Men are falling in their
places or running back into the corn. The soldier who is shoot-
ing is furious in his energy. The soldier who is shot looks
around for help with an imploring agony of death on his face.
91
After a few rods of advance, the line stopped and, by common
impulse, fell back to the edge of the corn and lay down on the
ground behind the low rail fence. Another line of our men
came up through the corn. We all joined together, jumped over
the fence, and again pushed out into the open field. There is a
rattling fusilade and loud cheers. "Forward" is the word. The
men are loading and firing with demoniacal fury and shouting
and laughing hysterically, and the whole field before us is covered
with rebels fleeing for life, into the woods. Great numbers of
them are shot while climbing over the high post and rail fences
along the turnpike. We push on over the open fields tialf way
to the little church. The powder is bad, and the guns have
become very dirty. It takes hard pounding to get the bullets
down, and our firing is becoming slow. A long and steady line
of rebel gray, unbroken by the fugitives who fly before us,
comes sweeping down through the woods around the church.
*They raise the yeH. and fire. It is like a scythe running through
our line. "Now, save, who can." It is a race for life that each
man runs for the cornfield. A sharp cut, as of a switch, stings
the calf of my leg as I run. Back to the corn, and back through
the corn, the headlong flight continues. At the bottom of the
hill, I took the blue color of the state of Wisconsin, and waving
it, called a rally of Wisconsin men. Two hundred men gathered
around the flag of the Badger state. Across the turnpike just in
front of the haystacks, two guns of Battery "B," 4th U. S.
artillery were in action. The pursuing rebels were upon them.
General John Gibbon, our brigade commander, who in regular
. service was captain of this battery, grimed and black with
powder smoke in himself sighting these guns of his old battery,
comes running to me, "Here, major, move your men over, we
must save these guns." I commanded "Right face, forward
march," and started ahead • with the colors in my hand into
the open field, the men following. As I entered the field, a
report as of a thunderclap in my ear fairly stunned me. This
was Gibbon's last shot at the advancing rebels. The cannon was
double charged with canister. The rails of the fence flew high
in the air. A line of union blue charged swiftly forward from
*Hood's old Texas brigade, and Law's brigade.
92
our right across the field in front of the battery, and into the
corn-field. They drove back the rebels Jvho were firing upon us.
It was our own gallant 19th Indiana, and here fell dead their
leader, I^ieutenant Colonel A. F. Bachman; but the youngest
captain in their line, William W. Dudley, stepped forward and
led on the charge. I gathered my men on the turnpike, reor-
ganized them, and reported to General Doubleday, who was
himself there. He ordered me to move back to the next woods
in the rear, to remain and await instruction. Bullets, shot,
and shell, fired by the enemy in the corn-field, were still flying
thickly around us, striking the trees in this woods, and cutting
off the limbs. I placed my men under the best shelter I could
find, and here we figured up, as nearly as we could, our dreadful
losses in the battle. Three hundred and fourteen officers and
men had marched with us into battle. There had been killed
and wounded, one hundred and fifty-two. Company "C"
under Captain Hooe, thirty-five men, was not in the fight in
front of the corn-field. That company was on skirmish duty
farther to our right. In this service they lost two men. Of two
hundred and eighty men who were at the corn-field and turnpike,
one hundred and fifty were killed or wounded.^ This was the
most dreadful slaughter to which our regiment was subjected in
the war. We were joined in the woods by Captain Ely, who
reported to me, as the senior officer present, with the colors and
eighteen men of the second Wisconsin. They represented what
remained for duty of that gallant regiment.
The roar of musketry to the front about the corn-field and the
Dunkard church had again become heavy. Stragglers and
wounded streamed in troops toward the rear. This tide growing
momentarily stronger, General Gibbon directed me to form a
line of the whole brigade, perhaps five hundred men present, to
drive back, at the point of the bayonet, all men who were fit for
duty at the front. But, soon, the troops engaged about the
Dunkard church fell back, and the whole Uuq was formed in rear
of batteries, planted on the ridge near Poffenberger's house. We
were on the ground from which, at the early dawn, our regiment
had moved forward to begin the battle.
At the very farthest point of advance on the turnpike, Captain
d3
Werner Von Baclielle, commanding Company F, was shot dead.
Captain Bachelle was an ex-officer of the French army. Brought
up as a soldier in the Napoleonic school, he was imbued with the
doctrine of fatalism. His soldierly qualities commanded the
respect of all, and his loss was deeply felt in the regiment.
Bachelle had a fine Newfoundland dog, which had been trained
to perform military salutes and many other remarkable things.
In camp, on the march, and in the line of battle, this dog was
his constant companion. The dog was by his side when he fell.
Our line of men left the body when they retreated, but the dog
stayed with his dead master, and was found on the morning of
the 19th of September lying dead upon his body.' We buried
him with his master. So far as we knew, no family or friends
mourned for poor Bachelle, and it is probable that he was joined in
death by his most devoted friend on earth.
, It was about noon when we got to our position in rear of the
batteries, and we were greatly astonished and rejoiced to meet
here our gallant I/ieut. Colonel, Edward S. Bragg, who had come
back to join us on the field of battle. He was severely wounded and
unfit for duty, but he was there, and we had believed him to be dead.
Captain John A. Kellogg showed great ability as a commander
of men in battle. He rallied several hundred stragglers of every
regiment engaged and organized them as a regiment ; posting his
line behind a stone wall on the right hand side of the turnpike
near the Poifenberger house. He did this while I was deploying
, the brigade to stop stragglers, as ordered by General Gibbon.
General Doubleday, our division commander, seeing his line and
not knowing how to account for it, galloped up shouting, "What
regiment is this ?" "A regiment of stragglers. Sir," said Kellogg.
"Have you any orders?" "Stick to the stone wall." Captains
P. W. Plummer and RoUin P. Converse, I^ieutenants Charles P.
Hyatt, layman B. Upham and Howard V. Pruyn were always in
the lead. But the same is true of all of our line officers
who were there. Whoever stood in front of the corn field at
Antietam needs no praise. Captain Converse was shot
through both thighs, as we were about to advance in pursuit of
the running rebels. He convulsively threw his sword into the
soft ground and said, "Hyatt, I can't run after them, I am shot.
94
take command," and he hobbled off, refusing help.
The excitement of the men at the point of the battle when
the rebels began to run before us, is illustrated by curious inci-
dents. Private Thomas Barcus of company "I," like Captain
Converse, was shot in such a manner as to disable the flexor
tendons of his legs. Finding he could not run, he shouted,
"Here is where you get your stiff legs !" Corporal Sherman of
company "D," after shooting several times at a rebel color, saw
it fall. At that moment a bullet went through his arm. He was
boasting in a loud voice that he had "fetched it," and seemed
greatly surprised to find his own arm paralyzed.
During the remainder of the day we were in position in support
of the heavy line of batteries. About 4 P. M., while the musketry
of General Burnside's battle upon the left was crashing, the
enemy suddenly opened upon us a heavy fire ol artillery. Our
cannon, I believe about forty in number, replied with great vigor,
and for half an hour a Titanic combat raged. We lay as closely
as possible to the ground. I was upon the same oil-cloth with
Captain John A. Kellogg, when a large fragment of shell passed
into the ground between us, cutting a great hole in the oil-cloth,
and covering us with dirt. It was a mystery how this could be
and neither of us be struck.
Right here on the front line two enterprising reporters were
gathering lists of killed and wounded and items of the battle,
when this cannonading suddenly opened. One, whose name I
have forgotten, reporting for the "New York Herald," got down
and hugged the ground like an old soldier. As he lay near me,
he was showered with dirt plowed up by the fragment of shell,
but he "stood fire." The other, Mr. I,. I,. Crounse, of the "New
York Times," frantically straddled his horse, and buried his spurs
in the animal's flanks. Bowed flat, his hat gone, and in headlong
flight over the fields toward the rear, he presented a spectacle
amusing to the soldiers. Amid the thunder of cannon and
screaming of shell, a great shout was set up to cheer Crounse
upon his ride. But Crounse doubtless got his report in first.
The piles of dead on the Sharpsburg and Hagerstown Turnpike
were frightful. The "angle of death" at Spottsylvania, and the
Cold Harbor "slaughter pen," and the Fredericksburgh Stone
95
Wall, where Sumner charged, were all mentally compared by me,
when I saw them, with this turnpike at Antietam. My feeling
was that the Antietam Turnpike surpassed all in manifest evidence
of slaughter. When we marched along the turnpike on the
morning of September 19th the scene was indescribably horrible.
Great numbers of dead, swollen and black under the hot sun, lay
upon the field. My horse, as I rode through the narrow lane
made by piling the bodies along beside the turnpike fences,
trembled in every limb with fright and was wet with perspiration.
"Friend and foe were indiscriminately mingled.
In climbing the two post and rail fences that lined the turnpike,
great numbers of men were killed. They climbed these fences
as the shortest cut to the woods, through fear of retreating before
the fire over the open fields. In climbing, they made themselves
an easy mark. Our own troops climbed these fences under the
same circumstances on their several retreats from the woods
around the Dunkard Church.
In front of the haystacks where Battery B, 4th U. S. Artillery,
had been'planted was seen a horse, apparently in the act of rising
from the ground. Its head was held proudly aloft, and its fore
legs set firmly forward. Nothing could be more vigorous or life-
like than the pose of this animal. But like all surrounding it on
that horrid aceldama, the horse was dead.
The student of this battle will be well repaid by a careful study
of the Confederate reports. The troops we first encountered in
the early morning and drove into the woods around the Dunkard
Church were the same we iriet at Gainesville, the Stonewall
division of Jackson's Corps. The troops who in turn drove us
back were Hood's Texas brigade, who originated the rebel yell,
and from them we heard it on this occasion in all its terror.
Colonel W. T. Wofiard commanded the Texas brigade. In l^aw's
brigade in line with the Texans was the second Mississippi
regiment afterward encountered by us at Gettysburg. It will be
seen that we get even with this regiment in that battle. It will
be of interest to observe how closely my own account of our
movements given above, which was written for my mother while I
was in winter quarters at Belle Plaine, Virginia, in January, 1863,
accords with the ofiicial reports of the enemy.
96
In Line of BattivE, near Sharpsburg, Maryland, "I
(I,etter.) September i8, 1862. J
"My Dear Mother : — I have come safely through two more
terrible engagements with the enemy, that at South Mountain
and the great battle of yesterday. Our splendid regiment is
almost destroyed. We have had nearly four hundred men killed
and wounded in the battles. Seven of our officers were shot and
three killed in yesterday's battle and nearly one hundred and
fifty men killed and wounded. All from less than three hundred
engaged. The men have stood like iron. We are now under*
General Joseph Hooker. Lieut. Colonel Bragg was wounded
yesterday and I commanded the regiment during most of the
battle. The battle may be renewed at any time."
It will be noticed in this letter that for the first time in my
contemporary writing, I speak of the men as having stood "like
iron." It is probable that the title of "Iron Brigade", was applied
before the date of this letter.
It is evident that I was not aware when this letter was written
that General Joseph Hooker, our corps commander, had been
shot in the battle of the day before.
*This battle closed the campaign of forty-five days, which may
properly be called the first battle epoch in the history of the
brigade. During this time, the brigade was on eleven difierent
days subjected to the battle fire of the enemy.
*See Official Records of the War, Volume 19, Part 1.
Report Lieutenant Colonel E. S. Bragg, Page 254.
Report Captain John B. Callis, " 257.
Report General A. Doubleday, " 223.
Report GeneralJohn Gibbon " 248.
Report General Joseph Hooker, " 236.
Report Captain W. W.Dudley, " 257.
Confederate Reports.
Colonel W. T. Woffard, Texas brigade, Page 927, Vol. 19, War Records.
General J. B. Hood, Page 922, Vol. 19, War Records.
Lieut. Col. M. W. Gary, Page 930, Vol. 19, War Records.
Lieut. Col. P. A. Work Page 931, Vol. 19, War Records.
Colonel E. M. Law, Page 934, Vol. 19, War Records.
Lieut. Col. B. F. Carter, Page 934, Vol. 19, War Records.
Captain Ike N.M.Turner, Page 937, Vol. 19, War Records.
General J. R. Jones Page 1006, Vol, 19, War Records.
Major H. J. Williams, Pages 1010—1012, Vol. 19, War Records.
Colonel Edmund Pendleton, Page 1015, Vol. 19, War Records.
97
Oasualtibs in the Battle op South Mountain.
Woun
Miss-
Killed
ded.
ing.
OJ
aj
CJ
ri
o
n
o
ri
ffl
£
^
CU
£
a
o
S
O
S
O
S
an
Sixth Wisconsin Volunteers .-
Second Wisconsin Volunteers
1
1
11
5
11
9
36
1
1
2
4
78
20
115
35
248
—
2
21
7
30
Seventli Wisconsin Volunteers
Nineteenth Indiana Volunteers ,
Total
Casualties in the Battlj: of Antietam.
Sixth Wisconsin Volunteers
Second Wisconsin Volunteers
Seventh Wisconsin Volunteers.
Nineteenth Indiana Volunteers.
Total.,
3
20
5
110
9
18
6
57
9
9
26
5
1
5
1
71
25
4
52
12
264
48
380
In Vol. 19, Part I, Page 189, War Records, will be found a corrected
statement of casualties of 6th Wisconsin at Antietam, aggregating 152.
Chapter V.
ISxliaustion A.fter JlntletsTn — A sad Blunder— ColOTiel 'Brei.^^ Nomi-
nated for Congress— F^resident Lincoln Visits the Army — ITwen-
ty-Fourtli IMiolii^an yjToins the Brigade — A.j>point&d to InsjDect
ITroojps — forward to Virginia — Dr. ^John C Uall— Colonel Cutler
Taices Command of the Brigade— General McClellan removed
From Command of the A.rmy- — Colonel Cutler Tal^es a Stand—
The Burnside Hegime — On to P'redericJfrsburg- — General Solo-
mon Meredith — Distrust of Burnside — Battle of JPredericksbure;
— The Retreat — Clayton Rogers Sax^es the F*iclcets~"Clayt"
and "Bony"—Whit-a^orth Shell for Breakfast— The Defeat as
Viewed tty a Af ember of Con^ress-Cam-p near Belle F'laine —
Greneral J"ames S, 'Wadsworth — The Mud Campaign — The Fifty-
fifth Ohio in our H:ouse9—Darlcnes3 Upon us as a Nation— Bjcit
Burnside — General ^Joseph Moolier in Command of the Army—
The Northumberland Raid — Correspondence with Mr. Cutler-'
Political Conditions.
The regiment was now in a condition of exhaustion from the
severity of its service and from its losses in battle. Colonel
Cutler and Lieutenant Colonel Bragg were wounded, disabled,
and absent, and I remained for some time in command. Captains
Brown and Bachelle were dead. Captains Noyes, Marsh and
Converse were wounded and disabled. Lieutenant Bode had
been killed and Lieutenants Jerome B. Johnson and John Tick-
nor had been wounded, and two hundred and sixty enlisted men
had been killed or wounded in the campaign. I have included
the men reported "missing" as among the killed or wounded.
Such was almost invariably the fact. The wounded man, when
shot, went to the rear and availed him.self of the first assistance
found. Often he fell into the hands of stretcher bearers or
ambulance drivers of another corps. He would be taken first to
their field hospital' and finally to Washington, or perhaps, to
Baltimore to the general hospital. We would hear from him in
an urgent appeal for his "descriptive list" to be sent "at once" to
the hospital where he was located. This important paper he
needed to draw his pay. Meanwhile our return of killed,
wounded and missing had been made, and it remains upon the
Official Records of tlie War. The companies were disorganized
by the loss of officers, and a period for rest and reorganization
was a necessity.
(I/ctter.) Camp near Sharpsburg, September 23rd.
"I have for a day or two been suffering from a severe attack of
bilious sick-headache, a result of the late terrible excitement and
trying times. We are encamped amid a dreadful stench of the
half-buried thousands of men and horses on the battle field.
Captain Edwin A. Brown, of company "E)," my best friend in
the regiment, was shot dead at Sharpsburg. That gallant soldier,
Captain Von Bachelle, was shot dead and his Newfoundland dog
lay dead upon his body."
One of our sergeants made the blunder of sending to Mrs.
Bragg a message that her husband had been killed, instead of
sending it to Mrs. Brown. The results were sensational and
very sad.*
The Republican Union Congressional convention for the
fourth district of Wisconsin, which met at Fond du lyac, Septem-
ber, 24th, 1862, adopted resolutions seconding the nomination of
Colonel Bragg, as an independent War candidate for congress, on
his own platform. The following is one of the resolutions
adopted: "Resolved, that we recognize in Edward S. Bragg, a
Extracts from a newspaper published at Fond du Lac, Wisconsin :
"The entire people of Fond du Lac have been, during the last few days
the subjects of the most painful emotions, and two families and their con-
nections prostrated with grief, when but one was really afflicted. Last
Friday morning, a pang of intensest pain ran from heart to heart, on
reception of a telegram that Lieutenant Colonel E. S. Bragg was killed in
the battle of the 17th inst. The dispatch was sent from Hagerstown, Md.,
by a sergeant of company "I," directed to Mrs. Bragg, stating that her
husband was killed, and that his body would be forwarded by express to
this city. The news was considered reliable almost beyond a doubt. The
city council convened, made arrangements to take charge of the funeral in
a city capacity, and appointed a committee to proceed to Chicago to escort
the body home. His family, plunged in grief, had made every arrange-
ment for the funeral and burial, when, lo ! light came back to that home,
and a dark cloud threw its shadow across another threshold. The commit-
tee sent after Colonel Bragg'sbody, found when they reached Chicago, that
it was Captain Edwin A. Brown, instead of Colonel Bragg, who was killed,
and telegraphed to that effect, Sunday last. The news created a new and
painful excitement. What was gained in one direction, was lost in another.
The city council determined they would take the same course in regard to
conducting the funeral, that had been marked out when it was supposed
that Colonel Bragg had fallen."
100
true patriot, pledged to the support of the government and in
every way qualified to represent the people of this district in the
next congress of the United States, and we cheerfully recommend
him to the people for their suffrages, notwithstanding upon
questions of civil administration, he sustains a creed different
from ours. He is true to the country, and in this trying hour we
will know no subdivision of the National friends."
Camp near .Shaepsbueg, Maryi,and, ]
(I^etter.) October 2nd, 1862. J
"We are now encamped at a beautiful spot on the banks of the
Potomac river, enjoying the rest that we so greatly needed. All
has been quiet since the battle until yesterday, when there was
cannonading at a distance, all day. Our camp is about one mile
from the village of Sharpsburg."
On the third day of October, the Army of the Potomac was
reviewed by President Abraham Lincoln. The line was formed
in almost the position occupied by the army of General Lee at •
the opening of the battle. We had about two hundred and fifty
men in our ranks at this review. Our battle flags were tattered,
our clothing worn, and our appearance that of men who had been
through the most trying service. Mr. Lincoln has said
that he staked the question of publishing his Proclamation of
Emancipation upon the result of this battle. Recognizing An-
tietam as a victory, he had issued his .preliminary paper of
September 22nd, 1862, and he now visited the bloody field, where
under the gracious tavor of God, to whom he had appealed, we
had defeated the invasion of the North, and made it possible for
him to proclaim the purpose of our government to emancipate
all slaves in the territory that was in rebellion. Mr. Lincoln was
manifestly touched at the worn appearance of our men, and he,
himself, looked serious and careworn. He bowed low in reponse
to the salute of our tattered flags. As I sat upon my horse in
front of the regiment, I caught a glimpse of Mr. Lincoln's face,
which has remained photographed upon my memory. Compared
with the small figure of General McClellan, who, with jaunty air
and somewhat gaudy appearance, cantered along beside him, Mr.
Lincoln seemed to tower as a giant.
101
Camp near Sharpsburg, Maryland, )
(Letter.) October 5th, 1862. j
"General Abner Doubleday now commands our division, and
General John F. Reynolds commands our corps."
Major General John P. Reynolds continued to command the
first army corps until July ist, 1863, when he was killed in front
of the attacking column of our brigade, in the battle of
Gettysburg.
(lyctter.) Camp near Sharpsburg, October 9th, 1862.
"A fine new regiment has been added to our brigade. They
are a splendid looking body of men, entirely new to the service.
It is the twenty-fourth Michigan, commanded by Colonel Henry
A. Morrow. Their ranks are full now, and they are, as we were,
crazy to fight."
Camp near Bakersville, Maryland, )
(Letter.) October 21st, 1862. j
"We have changed our camp and are not so pleasantly situated
as when on the bank of the Potomac river. There, we had a
fine view of the river which sweeps around in a beautiful bend,
and of a broad extent of pleasant iarming land, and romantic
mountain scenery in Virginia. The regiment is gaining strength
by men returning every day. Colonel Cutler is still feeble from
the effect of his wound at Gainesville. The box of fruit you
sent me is still missing. I have great hopes of getting it to-
night. As I sent a man to Washington on some business, he
will bring it with him. if it is there. You ask me how I live —
Dr. O. P. Bartlett and I mess together, and we have a good wall
tent with a fly as a siinshade. We have a portable stove which
keeps us comfortable. While in camp, our table is well supplied
and our servants are good cooks. We have good bread, butter,
and potatoes. Our mess chest is filled at the beginning of a
march and put in the regimental headquarters wagon. When
separated from our wagon train, we have hard times. I have
often been glad to share the rations of the men, who will not let
me suffer so long as they have a hard tack."
Later in the war, the admirable pack mule system of transpor-
tation of officers' provisions relieved them of the difficulty
here complained of, and added greatly to their comfort when in
< 102
the field. Before the introduction of pack mules, it was quite
common for the officers' supplies to become exhausted by
separation from the wagon trains.
Dr. O. F. Bartlett had already been promoted to be Surgeon of
the third Wisconsin regiment. He was a gentleman of dignity
of manner, and a surgeon of great skill. It will be observed
that in my mess arrangements I was partial to the doctors.
(I,etter.) Camp near Bakersvili-E, October 26th, 1862.
Since assuming command of the regiment, I have been kept
busy. There is a great deal of work with the regiment, and a
good deal of outside labor has been imposed upon me. Sending
descriptive lists to our wounded men in the hospitals is no small
job. I was ordered to assist Captain McClellan of the staff of
General George B. McClellan, in the inspection of the regiments
of Doubleday's division. Two regiments were assigned to me
j'esterday, the 14th Brooklyn and the 24th New York. It was a
wearisome task to inspect them, and disagreeable, as all deficien-
cies and faults must be reported directly to headquarters of the
army."
In a memorandum book of 1862, I find notes in pencil of the
inspection of three regiments. I regret that the notes of the
other regiments- inspected by myself were not preserved.
These notes give some insight into the condition of the troops
after the battle of Antietam, a subject upon which there was a
controversy.* It can safely be said that two at least of the
regiments here noted, were in very bad condition for active
service. I give notes of inspection of the 24th New York.
"Regiment consolidated into a battalion of four companies.
Field officers present, none. Captain Miller, commanding.
Actual muster, 120 enlisted men for duty. Total enlisted men
present in camp, 153, absence of 16 men from muster not
satisfactorily accounted for. Condition of arms, ordinary.
Cartridge boxes minus tin magazines, 12. Clothing and shoes,
bad."
In the 14th Brooklyn regiment there were no field officers
present and the regiment had been consolidated into a battalion
*Volume 19, Part I, Pages 10 to 75, War Records.
103
of four companies. In one company there were 74 men present,
of whom for various reasons, 43 were non-effective. The principal
reason was that they were without arms. The men of this regi-
ment were all satisfactorily accounted for and the arms inspected
were in good condition.
The result of Captain McClellan's inspection of the sixth
regiment of Wisconsin volunteers was noted as follows :
"Field officers present, one.
I<ine officers present, ten.
Company "A," present effectives, 46; non-effectives, 5; total, 51
"B,"
"C,"
"D,"
"E,"
"F,"
"G,"
"H,"
"I,"
"K,"
32;
i;
44;
3;
33;
3;
26;
0;
21;
' i;
22;
' 0;
14;
i;
40;
5;
35;
4;
33
47
36
26
22
22
15
45
39
Effectives, 313; non-effectives, 23; .total, 336
There were 8 1 defective cartridge boxes in the regiment. There
were no men without arms. The condition of arms was "very
good." The absent were all accounted for. The condition of
clothing was generally *bad, and shoes very bad." The tin maga-
zines in the cartridge boxes were to keep the powder dry. In
battle the men would often throw them away in order to more
quickly and easily get at their cartridges ; but the cartridge box
was thus ruined for further service. It would no longer keep the
cartridges dry. Instruction had been given to particularly ex-
amine all cartridge boxes. The inspection was very thorough
and rigid, and it disclosed that the army was in a destitute and
almost disorganized condition.
(Letter.) Camp near Bakeesville, Maryland, \
October 27th, 1862. J
"Colonel Bragg writes that he regards his election to Congress
*See Vol. 19, Part I, Pages 10 to 75, War Records.
104
as probable, but since the Ohio election, I have little faith. Colonel
Cutler writes that he hopes to be back soon. He has become
subject to sciatica and his painful wound is not half healed.
It is true that the army is in a suffering condition for clothing
and shoes. Our regiment was never before nearly so destitute.
I have used every exertion to obtain a supply of clothing, and
only this morning succeeded in getting some underclothing for
the men. Pants or coats I cannot get."
To these contemporary statements of the condition of the
troops should be added the explanation, that we had passed
through the battles and labors of the Pope campaign as well as
those of the Maryland campaign, since we had received supplies
of clothing and shoes. Our brigade had entered the Pope cam-
paign overloaded with clothing and abundantly supplied with
everything needed, but the feathers in our hats were drooping
and the white leggings, which, as a protection to the feet and
ankles, were now more useful than ornamental, had become
badly soiled.
(Letter.) Camp in Virginia, October 31st, 1862.
"At last the Army of the Potomac is moving and we are once
more upon the sacred soil. A. big fight or a foot race will come
oflF shortly. I mustered the regiment for pay to-day. I hope the
money will come when we can do something with it. The con-
tinued absence of the Paymaster is becoming a serious annoyance.''
Before Snicker's Gap, Virginia, )
(*Letter.) November 2nd, 1862. J
"The campaign has opened again and we are pushing after the
enemy once more. They threw a few shells from Snicker's Gap
yesterday, indicating their presence there. If we encounter
them, I shall have the honor of leading the regiment."
At this time, our newly appointed Assistant Surgeon, Dr. John
C. Hall, reported to the regiment for duty. He proved to be a
gentleman of great intelligence and fine literary taste. We
became congenial friends and were intimately associated in the
most pleasant and friendly relations for all of the remaining
time of my service.
*Volume 19, Part I, Page 990, "War Records.
105
Camp near Warrbnton, Virginia, ) •
(I/Ctter.) November 7th, 1862. j
"After hard marching, we are stopped by a snow storm. This
is to us a familiar spot. It is cold, and exceedingly disagreeable
campaigning now. Colonel Cutler has returned and he is in
command of the brigade. He is really unfit for duty. I still
command the regiment. General Gibbon has been promoted to
command Rickett's division. We are sorry to lose him, for a
brave and true man, tested as he has been, is a jewel here."
On November ist, 1862, my brother, with the army in the west,
was promoted to be major of his regiment. He was an adjutant.
He had been jumped over all the captains in the line. The
principle I so firmly stood for in our regiment, was trampled
under foot in his regiment, and — I was glad of it.
(I^etter.) Warrbnton, Virginia, November gth, 1862.
"We are still here waiting for provisions. To-day the regiment
is without a cracker to eat, but our men bear it without a
murmur. No regiment in the army endures privations more
patiently. The new regiment, (24th Michigan) do not take it so
easily. They have been shouting: 'Bread! Bread !'. at the top
of their voices all day."
While we were in this camp, on November 7th, 1862, General
George B. McClellan was relieved from the command of the
Army of the Potomac, by President Lincoln, and General
Ambrose E. Burnside appointed to that ill-starred responsibility.
There was considerable expression of feeling. No acts of
insubordination occurred. There was talk of resignations by
officers, but in our brigade, the sturdy faithfulness of Colonel
Ivysander Cutler, then commanding, and his known determination
of character, had an excellent restraining influence. He declared
that he would recommend for dismissal, for tendering a resigna-
tion while in the presence of the enemy, any officer who ofiered
to resign for such a reason. There were no resignations sent to
his headquarters.
Camp near Warrenton, Virginia, \
(lyetter.) November loth, 1862. J
"I am afraid that Colonel Bragg was defeated for congress.
It is manifest that the cowardly sneaks who stay at home intend
106
to sell out the country. Think of Horatio Seymour, an infamous
peace Democrat, carrying the state of New York over General
James S. Wadsworth.
We have just learned that General Gibbon has been promoted
to Major General. His honors were fairly won. He is one of
the bravest of men. He was with us on every battle field."
Bivouac in the Brush ten Miles from Anywhere, in \
(lyetter.) Stafford Co., Va., November 20th, 1862. J
"After a weary march of a week, we are encamped at the head
waters of Acquia creek. We have been marching through a
cold and driving rain storm, and to-day we are drying off. We
are in the grand division commanded by ^General William B.
Franklin, and, the orders say, 'on the left of the army'. The
men say they are willing to be left when more bloody fighting is
to be done. The roads are in a desperately muddy condition,
and we were all day yesterday moving the division two rniles.
Ivieutenant Colonel Bragg has returned to the regiment. He
was badly defeated in his race for congress, and all because he is
a war man. They are for peace at any price, in his district."
The oflBcers were desperately straitened for provisions on
this march. Our headquarters wagon with oflScers' rations, was
stuck in the mud miles away. Colonel Bragg detailed Private
Adams, of company "C," who was a genius in that line, to forage
for us. He gave him money to buy provisions. Adams could
buy nothing of the spiteful rebel women, and he could find but
little in that barren. At last he found a pig, killed and dressed,
and hanging to the limb of a tree by a kitchen window, but there
was a "safe guard" from corps headquarters, standing with loaded
musket over that pig. Adams went into ambush until after dark,
when he came safely into camp with a leg of fine young pork.
I am safe in saying it was the sweetest and best I ever ate.
(Ivctter.) Camp Opposite Fredericksburgh, Virginia,
November 25th, 1862.
"I do not expect to be able to visit home this winter. The
authorities are excessively strict and it would be scarcely possible
for me, although I have not slept in a house for eight months, to
*Volume XXI, Page 48, War Becords.
'■}
107
get permission to go even to Washington. Colonel Solomon
Meredith is now a Brigadier General and he is to take command
of our brigade."
(Letter.) Camp near Brooks Station, Nov. 30th, 1862.
"Hon. W. p. Cutler : — If possible, I will procure a pass and
come up to the city, but it is doubtful whether I can. I have not
been off duty nor slept out of camp for eight months and have
been in every skirmish and battle ; but owing to the practices of that
worse than contemptible class of officers who shirk duty and hang
around Washington, we who do our duty can get no privileges."
(I^etter.) Camp at Brooks Station, Dec. ist, 1862. .
"Our great army has once more come to a halt. There is an
aspect of winter quarters for the army, but no one expects that
our Commanding General will publish orders to that effect. O,
no, 'Richmond must fall,' 'Lee's army must be bagged.' There
must be another bloody battle. Nothing less will appease our
valiant 'stay-at-home rangers.' You are not prepared to believe
that our army at Antietam was checked at every point. You
think McClellan a traitor. I did not make a fool of myself at.
the time of McClellan's removal as some officers did. I do not
yet know whether the army has suffered from the change Wait
and see how much better Burnside does, before 'rejoicing' over
the removal of McClellan.
We have fixed up very comfortably in this camp. I am now
tenting with Dr. A. D. Andrews, who is a pattern of neatness.
A law of congress invests a field officer in each regiment with
the powers and functions of a regimental court martial. I am
the court in this regiment. A full record of proceedings and
evidence in each case tried has to be made pro forma, which
involves much labor. My standard of fines for misdemeanors
ranges from three dollars to thirteen dollars, the maximum
allowed by law. As for example, "for killing a rabbit," ("rabbits"
are covered with wool in this country) — about four dollars ; "for
a knock down," eight dollars, and for getting drunk and kicking
up a row generally, thirteen dollars.
(Letter.) Camp at Brooks Station, Virginia, \
December 5th, 1862. j
"General Wm. B. Franklin's grand division is on'the move.
108
We had ourselves comfortably fixed for the winter. General
Solomon Meredith is in command of the brigade."
The next letter shows the temper prevailing in the army in
regard to an attack upon the entrenched position of the enemy
at Fredericksburgh. It was vwritten to my sister, December loth,
1862: "The country is clamoring for General Burnside to drive
his army to butchery at Fredericksburgh. What we think of the
probability of Burnside's attacking Fredericksburgh is best
shown in the fact that we are building winter quarters. Not by
order, oh, no ! No general would dare give such an order, as the
•country would demand his head immediately. But if General
Burnside allows himself to be pushed into a battle here, against
the enemy's works, the country will mourn thousands slain, and
the Rappahannock will run red with blood expended in fruitless
slaughter."
Doctor John C. Hall approached Colonel Bragg the night
'before Fredericksburgh with the inquiry: "Going to have a
battle, Colonel?" "Yes." "We can whip them, can't we?"
"Not by a d — d sight over there. After they have killed a few
thousand, and ruined as many more, we'll come creeping back,
and be lucky if we get back at all." The sequel is this, says
Bragg : "When we crept back three days afterward. Dr. Hall
said: 'Colonel, I owe you an apology.' For what? said I. 'Well,
I must confess I thought from your talk before the battle, that
one of our best regiments had got into the hands of a man,
whose heart was not in the war. That's what I want to apolo-
gize for. I find you knew more about this matter than I did. I
watched you when the shells flew. I saw you under fire at your
post, and then I went over the bank myself, fully satisfied to
leave the cause in your keeping.' "
(Letter.) Opposite Fredericksburgh, Dec. 17th, 1862.
"Another great battle has been fought. Terrible as it was to
some, to us it was really almost nothing compared with Antietam.
We feel very grateful to have escaped our perils with so wonder-
fully small a loss. No man in the regiment was killed, and only
four were wounded, all of whom we believe will live."
i09
*Thb Battle op Fredbricksburgh.
"On the early morning of December 12th, 1862, in the midst
of a dense fog, a heavy bombardment of artillery was opened on
the town of Fredericksburgh. A crossing of the Rappahannock
in pontoon boats was forced later in the day. Our brigade lay
quietly on the heights opposite Fredericksburgh until about four
o'clock in the afternoon of this day, when we moved toward a
pontoon bridge about a mile below the town. From the Stafford
Heights we had a fine view of the broad open plain on the south
side of the river, upon which long lines of battle were being
formed by our troops. General Franklin's grand division was
assigned to duty on the left flank of the army. After crossing
the bridge, our march was directed down the south bank of the
river for nearly two miles. Our column was in plain view of the
rebel artillerists, posted on the hills at about the distance of one
mile. Battery after battery opened fire upon us, as we moved
along. Owing to the distance and their bad practice, no damage
was inflicted. The shell whistled over us, and a panic took place
among our colored servants,, who were following the regiment.
They were loaded down with coffee pots, frying pans and officers'
rations, and they fled hastily over the river bank, tumbling from
top to bottom, and scattering our officers' prpvisions. The
brigade reached a stone house, known as Bernard's, at dark. We
bivouacked that night in a fine grove of trees around the house.
The night was very cold. I worked industriously with my darky
boy, William, who had returned from under the Isank, scraping
together a great heap of leaves under a large tree for a bed.
Colonel I,ysander Cutler came limping along on his wounded
leg, and looking wistfully at my comfortable arrangement for
the night, requested the favor of sleeping with me. He said
I was young and would keep him warm. The privilege was
gladly granted. Colonel Cutler was a heroic man to be there at
*Report General A. Doubleday, Page 465, Volume 21, War Eecords.
" " Solomon Meredith,.
" Colonel L. Cutler,
" Colonel L. Fairchild
Organization Burnside's Army,
" Lee's Army,
Casualties "Iron Brigade,"
" 475,
I 11 11
" 479,
I tt if
" 478,
i 11 li
" 148,
I tt It
" 1070,
t tl it
" 139,
t (( it
iio
all, as he was fifty-five years old, a great sufferer from the
effects of his wound, and much subject to sciatic rheumatism.
On this night a private soldier whom I will call only by his
his nick-name, "Banta," let an old sow out of her pen at
the Bernard house, and the animal ran with a "wush" over a
young doctor on General Wm. B. Franklin's staff, who was sleep-
ing on the ground near by. "Banta" was seized and tied to a tree,
and released only upon the urgent intercession of Colonel Bragg.
"Old Mat," a colored servant to the of&cers of company "C,"
had been bred a slave on the Bernard plantation, and when
two of our stalwart axe-men commenced cutting down some of
the fine old trees in front, striking alternate blows from opposite
sides, the darky could not contain himself, — his old love for his
home and its surroundings was evidenced in this way : "Boys,
what you doin' dar ! You brake dat old man's heart if you cut
down dat tree! His grandfather planted dat tree!"
About daylight of the 13th, the troops were formed for the
advance upon the enemy. The battle field was covered by an
exceedingly dense fog and nothing could be seen. The brigade
was formed in grand column by regiments, our regiment being
second line from the front. Thus we moved through the
fog in four lines of battle. The artillery of the enemy was firing
vigorously at us and the shot and shell whistled and shrieked
around us, but, owing to the fog, none struck in our columns.
The division^ of Generals Meade and Gibbon, belonging to
Franklin's grand division, soon became heavily engaged. We
heard the crash of their musketry, and braced ourselves for the
conflict, we believed to be before us. But, after moving a
considerable distance and no enemy having been encountered,
the fog cleared away and we found ourselves on a great open
plain, facing toward the Massaponax river on the extreme left
flank of the army. We were without shelter of any kind and
during the entire day were exposed to a fire of the rebel artillery,
posted on a hill near Hamilton's crossing. The rebel cavalry
under General J. E. B. Stuart, formed to charge the left flank
of our army. Diagonal squares were formed by the regiments
of our brigade to receive a charge of cavalry, while a heavy
fire of artillery was directed upon us. Our squares were as
Ill
formidable as those of Napoleon at the Pyramids. The rebel
cavalry wisely refrained from charging tipon these squares, and I
have always felt that the "Iron Brigade" was in the right place
at Fredericksburgh. It was the manifest purpose of General
Lee to attack the left flank of our army with this heavy column
of cavalry. Late in the afternoon, the enemy opened upon us
the concentrated fire of all his artillery on Hamilton's Heights,
forty or fifty guns. Our men lay flat upon the ground and took
it with wonderful courage and patience. I have never known a
more severe trial of nerve upon the battle field, than this hour
under that infernal fire. With nothing to do but crouch close to
the ground, our eyes were riveted upon the cannon on the hill
firing point blank at us. They seemed endowed with life in their
tremendous and spiteful energy. There would be a swift out-
burst of snow white smoke, out of which flashed a tongue of fire,
and the cannon would leap backward in its recoil; then
followed the thundering report, in the midst of which the
missile fired at us would plow deep into the ground, scattering
a spray of dirt and bound high over us or burst in the air,
sending fragments with a heavy thud into the ground around us.
Like fiends who stirred infernal fires, the rebel artillerymen
could be seen working around their guns. Several times I saw
the awful plowing of the earth in the very midst of our battle
lines of men lying upon the ground. There was instant death
in the track of it. We were relieved from this fire only by the
darkness of the night, and our regiment was moved forward to
the Bowling Green road. Hearing this movement, the enemy
began firing upon us with canister. We could hear the sharp
rattle of shot upon the ground. As the night was very dark, the
firing was necessarily at random, and the danger not great, but
the sound of the shot striking the ground was frightful.
This night was intensely cold. We formed long lines of
of&cers and men together, who would lie down on their oil cloths,
spoon fashion to keep each other warm. We would soon get so
cold on the side next to the ground, that we would have to turn
over. The command, "About face," would be given, and the
whole line of men would roll over, together to lie a few moments
on the' other side. At short intervals the rebel battery would
lid.
blaze away with its horrible shot rattling on the frozen ground.
The shot seemed to fly about one foot above us, so that, while
one was freezing as he lay down, he was tortured with the fear of
being torn to pieces if he ventured to stand up or walk around.
While the regiment was lying here on the Bowling Green road,
General Meredith was relieved from the command of the brigade
and Colonel Cutler again assigned to that duty.*
Colonel Cutler moved the regiment back to its old position on
the left, which we occupied without change until the general
retreat of the army. The line of the brigade extended diago-
nally from the Bowling Green road to the RappahannocTc and it
constituted the extreme left flank of the army. During both day
and night, December 14th and 15th, a sharp fire was kept up
between our skirmishers and those of the enemy, and at intervals
a brisk cannonade took place. At one time the enemy planted a
Whitworth rifled cannon beyond the Massaponax in position to
enfilade our lines of battle lying on the plain. They fired solid
bolts down about two miles of our line. The whistle of this
shot was shrill and peculiar. When it bounded into the air after
striking the ground, it looked like a corn cob whirling over and
over. One shot struck a knapsack and flung a pack of playing
cards many feet into the air, scattering them in all directions.
fCapt. R. A. Hardaway of the Confederate army, had charge of
.this gun.
The twenty-fourth Michigan made a good appearance in this
their first engagement. They were exceedingly anxious to go
always to the front, and, resting upon our hard earned laurels,
we were generously willing that they should do so. But there
was little choice of place on that open plain. No soldiers ever
faced fire more bravely, and they showed themselves of a fibre
worthy to be woven into the woof of the "Iron Brigade." Col.
Morrow was equal to all requirements, enterprising, brave, and
ambitious, he stepped at once into a circle of the best and most
experienced regimental commanders in the Army of the Potomac.
lyieutenant Ckyton E. Rogers, of company "I," was serving
on the stafi of General Doubleday, who commanded our division.
*See report of General Abner Doubleday, Page 465, Vol. 21, War Records.
tVol. XXI. Pages 642 to 644, War Records.
113
i give from another writer an account of I^ieutenant Rogers'
ride to save the pickets on the stormy night of our retreat :
"Splendidly mounted, lyieutenant Rogers rushed down to the
extreme left with no regard to roads but straight as a bee flies.
The left once gained, he moderates his pace and whispers into
the ear of each astonished officer, 'Order every man in your
command to fall back steadily and silently, gradually close ^up
your ranks and move swiftly to the bridges. Whisper these
orders into their ears man by man.' So, quietly but rapidly he
speeds down the picket line while the propitious storm howls
with unabated fury. One by one our drenched boys are falling
back and drawing in together. Silently as shadows the whole
picket line steals across the plain. And now as the ranks closed
up for rapid marching, 'double double quick' is about the pace.
The wild sweep of the storm sounds ever and anon terribly
like the murmur of excited pursuit but no rebel thunder bolt
comes darting out of the darkness. No rebel bullet strikes
down a single man. Half an hour after the order was whispered
into the ear of the soldiers the whole picket line is moving
swiftly down the bank and reaches the bridge; only one bridge
remains, for the other had been already removed, and at it's
head stand the engineers all ready to cast off the pontoons and
float them across the river. Another moment and the floating
causeway trembles beneath the quiet tread of the rejoicing column
and Ivieutenant Rogers, grimly smiling, as the last files reach th*e
bridge, moves over also."
General Doubleday says in his official report : "Before daylight
Lieutenant Rogers of the sixth Wisconsin Volunteers, acting
aide-de-camp, drew them (the pickets) all in successfully to the
last man. They owe their safety, in my opinion, to the judgment
and coolness of this young officer." Lieut. Colonel Williams of
the 19th Indiana is, also, highly commended in the official reports.
(See Reports of Doubleday and Cutler.)
The brothers, Clayton E. and Earl M. Rogers were at this time
Lieutenants in company "I," under Captain John A. Kellogg.
These were three strong men, and their company had become an
exceedingly fine body of soldiers. Many of the men of this
company were pioneers who had gone west to subdue the wilder-
114
ness known in the early history of Wisconsin as "Bad Ax"
county. Clayton Rogers was squarely built and of a powerful
frame. He possessed great energy and he was an indefatigable
worker. He seemed to be absolutely fearless in battle. Earl
Rogers was tall and slight but firmly knit. He was an especial
favorite in the regiment, being familiarly called "Bony" from a
fancied resemblance to Napolean Bonaparte. He had an epi-
grammatic manner of expression that gave his sayings pertinence
and force. "Bony" Rogers was of the finest type of a gallant
and dashing soldier, and he was a remarkably keen and quick
witted man.
Atter crossing the pontoon on the night of the 15th, our brigade
bivouacked in the woods about two miles from the river. While
we were here, the enemy fired upon us with their Whitworth
rifled cannon which must have been planted three miles away.
Colonel Bragg, Dr. John C. Hall and I were sitting at breakfast
in a wall tent, when crash went one of these Whitworth bolts
through the limbs of a tree directly over us. This startled us
somewhat but we put on the appearance of paying no regard to
it. Oh, no, we did not mind it. Another bolt came with its
unearthly scream on the line, barely missing the ridge pole of the
tent. We had no further appetite for breakfast in that locality,
and we scattered without delay.
On December i6th, 1862, Mr. Cutler in Congress at Washing-
ton noted in his memorandum book some of the results of the
defeat: "This is a day of darkness and peril to the country. — The
great trouble is the loss of confidence in the management of the
army. Under McClellan nothing was accomplished. Now
Burnside fails on the first trial. McClellan's friends chuckle and
secretly rejoice over the result. — The Democrats cry peace and
compromise, clamor for McClellan, denounce the radicals, do
everything to embarrass the government. Judge (W. D.) Kelly
of Pennsylvania, made a capital speech in the House to-day, in
favor of the Proclamation, which is now being attacked by the
Democrats, in hopes the President will not enforce it."
The proclamation was to be in force from and after January
ist, 1863.
115
(Letter.) Camp near Belle Plaine, ViRGiNiA, )
December 25th, 1862. j
"We are now in camp near the Potomac river, at a place called
Belle Plaine. We have a fine view of the broad river and are
pleasantly located. We are building substantial winter quarters,
and hope to be permitted to remain here all winter. I have just
returned from Washington city where I enjoyed a pleasant visit
with Uncle William (Wm. P. Cutler) and other friends there. I
brought out to-day the canned peaches you sent me. They were
pronounced magnificent by all of our mess at our Christmas
dinner. (The mess referred to consisted of Dr. A. W. Preston,
Dr. John C. Hall, Dr. A. D. Andrews, and Major R. R. Dawes.
Upon this occasion I^ieutenant Colonel E. S. Bragg was an
honored guest.)
This army seems to be overburdened with second rate men in
high positions, from General Burnside down. Common place
and whisky are too much in power for the most hopeful future.
This winter is, indeed, the Valley Forge of the war. The Doctors
and I have built a very substantial log-house with two rooms and
a good floor. Dr. Andrews is ingenious in fixing up little con-
veniences and Dr. Preston likes to have things nice. Dr. Hall
and I get the benefit of their skill. All is quiet on the Rappa-
hannock since the battle.
General James S. Wadsworth isnow in command of our division,
in place of Gen. Doubleday who is a gallant officer. I saw him at
Antietam, where he commanded our division. He was remarka-
bly cool and at the very front of battle, near battery B — at the
haystacks. He was with Major Anderson at Fort Sumter. He
urged Anderson to open fire upon the rebels to prevent their
constructing works. But Anderson was reluctant to open fire at
all. Doubleday sighted and fired the first gun of the war at Fort
S.umpter."
(I/Ctter.) Camp near Belle Plaine, January loth, 1863.
"I was agreeably astonished by an arrival. An orderly came
to my quarters yesterday and said, 'Major, there is a box for you
at brigade headquarters.' I found nobody at headquarters who
knew whence or how if came and of course nobody had any
charges to prefer. There was a mixture of jelly and dried apples
116
but I managed to save everything but a little jelly and a glass
bottle of catsup that had been broken. The labels were smeared
with a peculiar plaster of jelly and catsup, so that it was impossible
for me to make out to whom I am indebted for all of the luxuries.
I deciphered enough to learn that several of my friends con-
tributed. If they could know how good such things taste after
a dreary routine of hard tack and ham they might appreciate the
depth of my gratitude. We had another high old dinner at the
Doctors quarters, as our cabin is called."
The regiment was very comfortably quartered in this camp at
Belle Plaine. The men had all built substantial log houses and
provided themselves with rude but comfortable beds. By long
association officers and men of the First Army Corps had become
familiarly acquainted with each other. This greatly enlarged our
social circle. A large room was constructed, the walls being of
logs, near the camp of our regiment for public gatherings and
merry making. Here the young ofBcers had periodical meetings,
and there were hilarious«songs, speeches and other amusing pub-
lic performances.
*"BuRNSiDE's Stick in the Mud."
Tuesday forenoon, January 20th, 1863, the regiment left its
comfortable quarters near Belle Plaine and marched toward the
Rappahannock river. Nothing worthy of note occurred until
about tour o'clock in the afternoon, when it began to rain. It
was a cold and driving storm which aided by the gale penetrated
the clothing and cut the faces of the men as they staggered
along. It was with the greatest difficulty that the artillery and
wagon trains were dragged through the deep mud. As General
Burnside floundered through the mire, a teamster whose mules
were hopelessly stuck in the mud, respectfully raising his cap
said: "General, the auspicious moment has arrived." (He quoted
the expression from the General's well-known order of march.)
We bivouacked for that night near Stoneman's switch on the
Acquia Creek R. R. The storm raged and howled, and the rain
poured in torrents during the night. "Early in the morning," to
quote another, "the troops began to wade on to glory." The
*Volume XXI, Page 752, War Records.
117
rain still poured down upon us. The column floundered on until
about three o'clock in the afternoon, advancing at the rate of one
mile an hour. We bivouacked in lines of battle facing the
Rappahannock, having made about five miles during the day.
We were in the woods and not far from the river. We remained
here during the night and all of Thursday, January, 22nd.
Friday morning, the effort to cross the river having been aban-
doned, we started back for our old camp near Belle Plaine. The
mud, the cold winter rain, the wild wind and smoke of camp
fires of wet wood, had inflicted discomforts, even miseries, upon
our men not easily described, and the ignoble "mud campaign"
will ever hold its place in the memories of all the soldiers of the
Army of the Potomac as firmly as the hardest fought battles.
When we started to return, numbers of the men reported
themselves to the Surgeons as sick and unfit to march. There
was but a single ambulance at command, which was soon over-
loaded. It was a hard decision for our surgeons as to who should
ride and who march. As the column was about to move, a man
came out of the ranks with his knapsack and accoutrements on
and declared himself too sick to march. The Surgeon put his
knapsack, gun, and all his load into the ambulance, but could not
displace sick men who were already in the overloaded Vehicle.
The poor fellow succeeded in marching about half the distance
to our camp, when he laid down in the mud in a fence corner and
died. He had not before been even reported on the sick-list. It
was only another form of the casualties which in a thousand
ways destroyed human life in the war.
When in the evening we reached our old camp at Belle Plaine,
we found our comfortable and elaborately constructed log-
houses occupied by the fifty-fifth Ohio regiment. Our men were
angry and high words were likely to culminate in a row, when
the matter was happily adjusted by an invitation from Colonel
John C. Lee, commanding the Ohio regiment, to come in and
share the quarters with them. He said the fault was not with
them, but with the General who had ordered them to go into our
quarters. The greatest hilarity and good feeling prevailed
between the two regiments after this and the men of the fifty-
fifth, pitying our forlorn condition, gavq up the best they had for
U8
supper. The next day the fifty-fifth was ordered away. We now
remained settled in our winter camp at Belle Plaine. The Sur-
geons and myself resumed possession of our house. We spent
many cheerful hours during the long winter evenings in social
chat or deep discussion, and the days were passed in the
monotonous routine of camp duty.
On January 26th, W. P. Cutler noted as follows in his journal :
"To-day it is said that Burnside has been relieved at his own
request, and Hooker put in his place. Our Potomuc army is so
far a failure, and seems to be demoralized by the political
influences that have been brought to bear upon it. All is confu-
sion and doubt. The President is tripped up by his generals,
who seem to have no heart in their work. God alone can guide
us through this terrible time of doubt, uncertainty, treachery,
imbeciHty and infidelity. Thaddeus Stevens jokingly remarked
that he thought there was a God when he was as young as Kel-
logg of Michigan, (who said we must remember him) but he had
given it up lately." *
The complete failure of General Burnside, in the mud cam-
paign, added to his disaster at Fredericksburgh, ended his career
as commander of our army and *General Joseph Hooker
now succeeded him. General Hooker was much admired in the
army. He was grand in his personal appearance and military
bearing but his assignment to the command did not restore con-
fidence to the country. At this dark period of the war, grave
apprehension existed among members of congress as to the con-
dition for service of the Army of the Potomac. It was alleged
that it was demoralized, defective in it's discipline, and that the
body of the soldiers was particularly hostile to the policy of
Emancipation. It was said that the army was incensed at the
Administration because of the removal of General McClellan, and
that this feeling was intensified by the flat and dismal failure of
Burnside, the weakest army leader the war had yet developed.
The papers of the Hon. Wm. P. Cutler, now deceased, show
that in secret caucus of members of the 37th Congress this
supposed condition of affairs was anxiously discussed by the
*Pages 3 to 5, Vol. xxy. Part II, Wgjr Records.
119
members of the Republican, or war party. With a view of get-
ting my unbiased testimony, Mr. Cutler wrote me several letters,
now lost, in which he made • inquiry concerning these matters.
Ete concealed appearance of concern on his own part.
(lyCtter) Camp Near Belle Plaine, )
February 15th, 1863. j
To Hon. Wm. P. Cutler: — "I can speak certainly only of
the old brigade. You can depend upon it that it is not demoral-
ized. I am now and have been nearly all winter serving as a
member of a general court martial. I see no difference between
this winter and last winter in the character or number of offenders
brought to trial. There is as high a tone of discipline through-
out the army as there ever was when it was under command of
General McClellan.
I would get a leave of absence for a few days and go home,
but under General Hoolser's orders, so long as either of the other
field officers are away, I cannot get one. Since Col. Cutler has
been wounded, there is little likelihood of our having three offi-
cers here or of my getting away."
(lyctter) Camp Near Belle Plaine, )
Feb:^uary loth, 1863. j
"It is easier for you to say 'get a furlough' than it is for me
to get 'a leave of absence.' I think however, as you say, that I
have earned that privilege, if any one has. I spent nine months
of last year without a single night out of camp. I am not yet a
Weutenant Colonel. The Senate has not confirmed the nomina-
tion of Colonel Cutler, which is necessary to make him a Briga-
dier General. From all I can learn they will do so and I expect
soon to be promoted.
There is talk of organizing the old regiments into battalions
of tour hundred men each. In that event, I would have com-
mand of one. I enclose to you to keep carefully a fragment of
our Wisconsin State color. This flag has become much tattered
and some of the old rags that w^ere trimmed off I have saved. It
was this flag that I carried to the battery at the battle of
Antietam."
120
The NorthumberIvAnd County Raid.*
An expedition under command of Col. Lucius Fairchild and
consisting of 236 men of the 2nd and 250 men of the 6th Wis-
consin regiments left Belle Plaine, February 12th, 1863, and
embarked upon the steamer Alice Price. The steamer proceeded
down the Potomac river. The day was fine and a sail upon the
broad and beautiful river was much enjoyed by our men, to whom
it was a novelty. The troops were in light marching order and
carried six days rations. Howard J. Huntington, in a letter
published in the Baraboo, Wisconsin, Republic says: "Just at
dusk, we were halted by a U. S. gunboat, guarding the Potomac,
from whom friend or foe must obtain permission ere they can
pass." On Friday morning we turned into Cone river, a small
inlet in Northumberland county, Virginia. Here the officers of
the steamer caused the lead to be cast for sounding. It was
evidently the first time many of our men had ever witnessed
this performance and they appear to have been much impressed
by it. When the steamer landed. Colonel Fairchild marched to
Heathville, several miles in the interior, collecting mules, horses,
bacon and forage of all descriptions.
He left me with about two hundred men in command at the
steamboat. A foraging party under command of Major John
Mansfield of the second Wisconsin, discovered a large amount of
bacon stored upon the premises of one Dr. Smith. I rode to the
plantation and found a fine establishment, and convincing evi-
dence from the extraordinary amount of stores accumulated that
there was smuggling from Maryland. Major Mansfield had very
properly seized Dr. Smithf as a prisoner of war. He was dili-
gently transferring the bacon to the steamer. As I rode by a
row of negro quarters, an old negro slave with his hat under his
arm, his voice tremulous with fear and excitement, said: "Massa,
is you the big ossifer?" I asked him what he wanted. He said :
"We heard you'uns would make us colored people free. The
people want to go with you. Some says we can go and some
*Report Ool. L. FaircWld, Vol. xxv, Part I, Page 16, War Records.
Letter Gen. Joseph Hooker " " " II, " 88, "
tMy notes say Jacob Smith. Colonel Fairchild's report has it James
Smith.
121
says we can't go." I told him tliat they could go if they chose,
and rode off, while the old man profoundly blessed the "good
God" who had sent us there. When I got back to the steamer,
I found the prisoner, Dr. Smith, an intelligent and gentlemanly
man and I had a pleasant conversation with him. Hearing a
commotion we went to the outer guard of the boat where a strange
scene met our eyes. There were men, women and children,
about seventy slaves, gathered upon the beach. They were of
every age and size from the old patriarch who had interviewed
the "big ossifer," to babes at the breast. They had their worldly all
with them. I gave Dr. Smith to understand that his slaves were
free under our flag, and could go on the boat if they chose, and
that he should not interfere with their decision.
In the evening the troops returned from Heathville and, Colonel
Fairchild out-ranking me, all questions were taken out of my
hands. Forty-three horses and mules had been captured by
Colonel Fairchild. A part of the horses and mules (28) were
mounted by men and sent over-land under command of I^ieutenant
D. B. Daily of the second Wisconsin. In regard to the seventy
slaves, I quote from Howard J. Huntington's contemporary ac-
'count of what took place on Saturday morning : "At this stage of
the proceedings, something unusually interesting took place.
Dr. Smith had been allowed to go to his house for some purpose,
previous to his departure for Washington, and we were a little
surprised to see the guard returning with him accompanied by a
young lady." This lady* was a remarkably handsome and mani-
festly superior woman. Her husband was said to be a colonel in
the army of General Lee. Huntington continues : "It was the
Doctor's sister. She had come to make a plea for her own and
her brother's property. They made straightway for the cabin
where they found Colonel Fairchild, and immediately the court
opened. The appeal was strong and skillful, but the Colonel was
equal to the emergency and kept in view the fact that he was
acting for the government that sent him. She seemed to under-
stand that we were going to take her slaves, whether they wished
to go or not, but the Colonel assured her that he did not ask
*I made no contemporary record of this lady's name. In 1870, my
recollection was "Mrs. Brockenbrough."
122
them to leave and that if she could induce them to remain, she
might do so." The lady went among the slaves with tears in her
eyes and imflored them by every recollection and attachment of
a life-time, and by the sacred memories of their dead, not to go
away, and she painted in high colors the miseries that would be
inflicted upon them when they became "free niggers" up north.
The slaves regarded her with affection and the highest respect
and they were deeply moved. But there were friends of freedom
and fair play among the men who carried muskets. They warned
the negroes that before our steamer was out of sight the chains
would be on them, and they would be driven south. They told
them that their liberty was here, to take it. I remember the
squeaking tenor voice of private Edwin C. Jones, of company
"E," asking, "Shall these babes be slaves ? Almighty God forbid
it!"" The negroes all went on the boat. The lady's maid hung
weeping upon her, but she went with her people to be free. To
quote Huntington again : "The young lady was escorted home
safely by the guard, and after burning some boats which had
been used for smuggling, we started for home, where we arrived
Sunday evening." As the steamer passed up the Potomac, the.
officers gathered in the cabin and there was a sharp discussion of
the policy of emancipation. Some officers expressed themselves
opposed to it, while Dr. John C. Hall, in his strong and eloquent
support of the proclamation, was quite able to cope with them in
the discussion. An interested listener to this debate was our
prisoner. Dr. Smith. The impression it made upon him was
surprising to Dr. Hall and myself. A few books had been taken
from his premises which were gathered up and returned to him.
Calling Dr. Hall and myself to the outer guard of the steamer,
he presented each of us with a book. My own present was a
small copy of Shakespeare. He said it was a token of respect
for the, "manly position" we had taken in the argument. He
condemned in strong terms the views of the officers opposed to
us in the discussion and said if they really believed what they
argued, he looked upon them as "murderers without cause of his
people, and robbers of his property."
Sunday night, in a pouring rain, the regiment disembarked and
marched back to our camp. The mud was very deep, and in the
123
pitchy darkness, the men plunged and staggered through it with
great difficulty and serious loss of temper. Suddenly some wag
sung out with the peculiar intonation of the lead heaver: ^'Four
fathom." Instantly from some other part of the column came
out in drawling intonation, "Four and a half." Then another
shouted: "Quarter less twain," but when the squeaking voice of
orator Jones sang out "No bottom," the regiment raised a univer-
sal shout, and waded into camp without further complaint.
(I^etter.) Camp near Belize Plains, Feb'y 24th, 1863.
To W. P. Cutler: — "The conscription law passed by the Senate
gives great satisfaction to all patriots in the army. It is a move
in the right direction to fill up the old regiments. The prime
fault of our military system has been to continue to send new
organizations into the field, raw and green, while the old regi-
ments, trained and tried, and their officers made fit by experience
to lead, are allowed to dwindle down to nothing. I think the
country has no cause to distrust the Army of the Potomac. I
have conversed with many officers, and all express themselves
hopefully and respectfully of our Commander. For myself, I
see much that is encouraging in tl;e long continuance of the
war. The more I come in contact with Southern ideas and
institutions, the more firmly I become convinced that there can
be no understanding betwee'n us so long as a vestige of their
accursed institution of slavery remains. I expect no peace until
its destruction is accomplished. Two years of bloody and
unsuccessful war have brought our people to a point that they
could have reached in no other way. They are willing to give
us the men and the money, the power, and I say, do not let us
stop short of our destiny, the entire destruction ot slavery."
Chapter VI.
A Visit to Ohio— A Public Address— Promoted— General J^ames S.
Wadsv^orth— Preparations for the Campaign- General Lysan-
der Catler—Col. Brass's Letter vtrlth our old Plag— Reviewed
by the President— General CToseph Hooker— How to g-et Keady
for a Battle Campaign-Twenty-fourth Michigan Makes a Raid
—Campaign Opens— I Entrust Dr. A. 'W. Preston -with Letters to
be Mailed Only if I am Hilled— Fitz Hugh's Crossing— Experien-
ces at ChancellorsvlIIe-Dismal Retreat— Dr. Preston Mails my
Letters— Resulting Troubles and Excitements— My Mother Re-
fuses to Take my o^vn Word that J am Killed.
On March loth, 1863, I started for a visit to Ohio. I had a
leave of absence for fifteeti days. It was a needed and delight-
ful relaxation from the exacting duties of the militarj' service,
and it was my fate to transact business of great importance, as
will soon appear. While at Marietta, I received an invitation
from prominent citizens to deliver a public address.*
I quote from the published report of this address, such extracts as
give the contemporary opinions and observations of a soldier in the
Army of the Potomac, upon subjects of importance in its history.
Marietta, Ohio, March .16th, 1863.
Majoh Rufus R. Dawes. Dear Sir: — "The undersigned, believing it would
be gratifying to many of our citizens to hear from you in regard to the war,
and the state of the country, would respectfully invite you to address the
public of Marietta, at the Court House at such time as you may designate.
R. E. Harte,
Thos. W. Ewart,
E. W. Evans,
F. A. Wheeler,
Chas. R. Rhodes,
Wm. S. Ward,
Thos. Wickes,
S. P. Hildreth and others."
Editorial from the Marietta, Ohio, Register.
"Lieutenant Colonel Dawes was on a visit to his home in this city. He
accepted an invitation by many citizens, and addressed the people on the
evening of March 19th, at the Court House, which was crowded with an
audience of ladies and gentlemen The address gave the highest satisfac-
tion and was listened to with almost breathless interest. It was delivered
in a forcible and eloquent manner. At the close, the audience voted hear-
tily to request a copy for publication."
" 'Is the Army of the Potomac demoralized? '
I have belonged to the Army of the Potomac during almost
the whole of its existence, and I have no hesitation in saying,
that in point of discipline and general efficiency, the standard is
higher this winter than ever before. I think the men are in
better spirits. There are several reasons for this opinion. They
are now old soldiers, inured to the toils, hardships and dangers
of the service, and skillful in making the best and most of the
comforts with which they are provided. The paymasters have
been around this winter and arrearages have been paid up.
Nothing is -more disheartening and demoralizing to the soldier
than to feel that his family is suffering at home for want of his
small and richly earned wages. The men are better provided
this winter with good and healthful rations, than at any time
before in the history of our army. Fresh bread, onions, potatoes,
and fresh beef are regularly furnished in addition to the old
Stipend of hard tack and side meat. An encouraging system of
furloughs, as a reward of soldierly conduct, has been instituted.
You can hardly realize with what satisfaction the soldiers hailed
general order number three,* on the subject of furloughs. In
short, the soldiers feel that their personal comfort and happiness,
so far as attainable in the army, is being looked after and they
feel encouraged. Breaches of discipline and soldierly conduct
have been more surely punished this winter than usual. Orders
have been enforced against political discussions, and disrespect-
ful and treasonable language towards the government or superior
officers. Copperhead newspapers no longer monopolize the
circulation among the soldiers, and, by the prompt dismissal of
disaffected and disloyal officers, the army is being purged of the
damnable heresy, that a man can be a friend to the government,
and yet throw every clog in the way of the administration and
the prosecution of the war. No, the Army of the Potomac is
not demoralized nor has it ever been.
'How does the army like General Hooker?'
The army likes General Hooker. They like him because he
is 'fighting Joe Hooker.' They like him because of the onions
*Page 11, Volume XXV, Part II, War Records.
I2d
and potatoes he has furnished them, and they like him because he is
the commander of the Army of the Potomac, and they expect
him to lead them to victory. Victory is what we want no
matter whether Hooker, Burnside or McClellan leads us. The
bones of our comrades and dear friends are bleaching all over
the battle grounds of the east. We have marched and we have
countermarched, toiled and suffered, without realizing the hopes
and expectations of the country. Now we want, and we expect,
under 'fighting Joe,' such a triumph as will place us right upon
the records of history, and the glory and blessings of which will
repay us for the disasters and sufferings of the past. The fight-
ing of an army depends more upon the courage and good faith
of subordinate commanders than seems to be understood through-
out the country. From such, or many other causes. General
Hooker may fail, but, we feel that his heart is in the work, that
he is a fighting man and we have great hope.
'How does the army like the Emancipation Proclamation?*
If there remains any one in the army, who does not like the
Proclamation, he is careful to keep quiet about it. We "are
hailed everywhere by the negroes as their deliverers. They all
know that 'Massa I^inkum' has set them free, and I never saw
one not disposed to take advantage of the fact. The negroes
will run away if they get a chance, whenever they are assured of
their freedom, and that the Proclamation places it beyond the
power of any military commander, however disposed, to prevent.
Slavery is the chief source of wealth in the South, and the basis
of their aristocracy, and my observation is that a blow at slavery
hurts more than battalion volleys. It strikes at the vitals. It is
foolish to talk about embittering the rebels any more than they
are already embittered. We like the Proclamation because it
hurts the rebels. We like the Proclamation because it lets the
world know what the real issue is. We like the Proclamation
because it gives a test of loyalty. As Governor Andrew Johnson,
of Tennessee, says : 'If you want to find a traitor North, shake
the Emancipation Proclamation or the writ of habeas corpus at
him and he will dodge.' We like the Emancipation Proclamation
because it is right, and because it is the edict of our Commander
in Chief, the President of the United States.
12?
'How does the army like the conscription law?'
They like the conscription law or any other law that promises
to fill the shattered ranks of their battalions. As soldiers
anxious for military glory, we want our army strengthened, so
that we may achieve military success. As patriots, we desire
such a force put in the field this summer as may conquer a peace.
The old regiments, reduced by battle and disease to mere
skeletons, are looking anxiously for recruits. Each has its own
record, its own battles inscribed upon its banners, and each
wishes to retain its own identity, which it can only do by being
filled up. .
We hail the act with joy, because it indicates a determination
on the part of the Government to meet the crisis. We feel
encouraged and feel hopeful. Our soldiers need encouragement
as well as reinforcement. They want to feel that they are
sustained and sympathized with by their friends at home.
Nothing, in my opinion, has been more demoralizing to the Army
of the Potomac, than letters from home to soldiers, advising them
'to get out of it, if they can, — that they have done their share, —
and that the war is to be hopelessly protracted.' If you wish
success, write encouraging letters to your soldiers. Tell them
that they are engaged in a good and glorious cause, cheer them
on as enthusiastically as you did when they entered the service
as volunteers. Tell them that victory will be sure to crown their
faithful efibrts. Do not fill the ears of your soldiers with tales of
troubles and privations at home, caused by their absence. Worse
troubles would come to you should rebel arms prevail. Many a
poor fellow is brought before the severe tribunal of a court
martial, whose greatest crime is listening to and obeying the
suggestions of father or mother at home. We like the conscrip-
tion law because it brings matters to a focus. If it can. be
enforced, we shall bring an army into the field that must sweep
all before it. If it can not be enforced, the future is very
hopeless.
'What does the army think of the Copperheads?'
They think that any citizen of the North, who by word, deed,
or influence, throws a clog in the way of an earnest and vigorous
prosecution of the war, so long as there is a rebel in arms, gives
12§
aid and comfort to the enemies of his country and deserves their
fate. The army is unanimous in this opinion. The chief hope
of traitors South, now is in the co-operation of traitors, North.
The war is now being prosecuted on correct principles, and for a
great purpose, the re-establishment of republican government
throughout the land on the basis of free institutions, and the
eternal overthrow of a monied aristocracy based on slavery. The
consummation of so grand an enterprise will be a step forward in
the history of the world. The world is moving forward, and
carrying us with it. We can not resist the progress of events.
However prejudices of Copperheads may be galled at the policy
of the government or the conduct of the war, all of them of
sound judgment are realizing that they have but one salvation,
to stand by the government in its peril. Our enemy is too strong,
too earnest, too much determined to rule or ruin, to admit of any
compromise or half way ground.
The traitors at home who clog the government in its righteous
struggle, will go down to history with infamy. If the voice from
the army helps to open their eyes to this fact, I beg to add my
voice again. We want to fight this war until we conquer a peace
on terms that will be honorable, and a peace that can be lasting.
The traitor who aids and comforts the enemy by standing in the
way of this, has our heartiest contempt as a coward, who dares
not maintain his true principles by an honorable appeal to arms.
Do not expect overwhelming victories of us. The rebel army
in our front is too skillful in maneuvering, too expert in retiring,
too strong in bayonets, to be 'gobbled up or bagged.'
Your Army of the Potomac will go out this spring, purged of
disloyalty, the men stronger in health, and better in spirits than
ever before. Remember that the same men are there who
charged again and again the deadly rifle pits at Fredericksburgh,
who swept over the crest at South Mountain, and who struggled
on the bloody fields of Antietam. The army is more anxious for
victory than you can be, and rest assured that when it is again
called to battle it will do its duty."
(I/Ctter.) Washington, D. C, March 21st, 1863.
"I got through safely to this point in twenty-four hours. I
have just met Frank Haskell who comes directly from Madison,
129
Wisconsin. He says my commission as I^ieutenant Colonel had
been issued."
(Letter.) Camp near BklIvB Plaine, March 25th, 1863.
"I am safe and sound in camp. There are great preparations
everywhere in the army for hard campaigning, and doubtless it
will be attended by hard fighting. We are to use twa pack
mules to a regiment, and we are to carry ten days rations. Field
officers are required to furnish their own transportation. General
Hooker is putting his army in a thorough state of preparation.
General I,ysander Cutler has been assigned to the command of
the second brigade, first division, first army corps. He will be a
near neighbor. Captain John A. Kellogg will act as Adjutant
General on his staff. The Governor has commissioned Bragg,
Colonel; myself, lyieutenant Colonel, and Captain John F.
Hauser, Major. The regiment is in fine trim this spring. Indeed,
all I said in my speech about the army is strictly true. My visit
home was pleasant indeed and I shall go into the new campaign
with courage and hope, renewed by the sympathy and encouragfe-
ment I received at Marietta. I am glad to be on record in that
speech. I don't want stock in anything better than that kind of
doctrine just now. I have just got back from a visit of compli-
ment to General James S. Wadsworth, our division commander,
by the officers of our regiment. Our officers went in a body
with the brigade brass band."
General Wadsworth was a strong character, and his command
of our division left a deep impression upon its history. The
amount of army supplies handled at the Belle Plaine L,anding
was enormous, and the roads to that point became terrible. In
vain were they corduroyed with pine logs, the sharp-hoofed
mules would go down in the mud and mire. General Wadsworth
got oxen and he kept them "stall fed" near his own headquarters.
It was a rare treat to our men to see the old General take a gad
and "whisper to the calves." He took great interest in the oxen
and was often seen at the landing giving instructions in driving
them. He was an intensely practical commander, indefatigable
as a worker, and looking closely after details. No commander
could do more for the personal comfort of his men.
"All leaves of absence are now cut off. Dr. Andrews is in
130
great trouble. He was too late to get his leave of absence and
has to go into the campaign without the privilege of the long-
hoped for visit to his little family. He feels it very deeply.
War is in many respects brutalizing, but the fortitude and moral
courage to bear up cheerfully and manfully under its discipline
is ennobling. Some men, it makes, and more, it ruins.
There is some prospect that I may command the regiment in
the coming battles. General Wadsworth talks of calling on
Colonel Bragg to assist him on his staff. He has great confidence
in Bragg's coolness, courage, and experienQe in battle."
(I<etter.) Camp near.Bei/LE Plains, April 4th, 1863.
"The indications here of immediate movement are not so
strong as they were a few days ago. "We can only tell by the
straws which way the wind is blowing. I,eaves of absence and
furloughs are again being granted to a limited extent, and ofi&cers'
wives are again permitted in camp, from which they had been
banished.
• General Cutler is doing finely with his new command. Our
regiment turns out four hundred men in ranks for duty, and they
look fat, healthy, and contented. Everything with us is
amicable and friendly. No back-biting nor underplotting. Our
two-year old regiment has never yet had an officer court
martialed."
A correspondent in the army at this time wrote the following
pleasant and very correct description of General lyysander Cutler :
"Commanding the second brigade of this division is General
lyysander Cutler, a native of Massachusetts, formerly Colonel of
the sixth Wisconsin volunteers, since promoted for skill and
bravery in the field. I,ast evening, in company with my friend.
Colonel Ivivingston, I rode over to take tea with the General. He
is an elderly gentleman, spare of frame, with silvery hair, a beard
nearly white, and beneath heavy eyebrows of an iron-gray color,
are keen, penetrating dark eyes. His step is somewhat uneven,
owing to a severe wound received at Gainesville. From behind a
somewhat grave and severe aspect, shines out a kindly, even
genial manner that wins you at once."
The old blue color of the State of Wisconsin was now re-
turned to the Governor to be exchanged for a new flag which had
131
been provided. That Colonel Bragg was as skillful with the pen
as with the sword, may be evidenced by his beautiful and appro-
priate letter which accompanied our old flag :
Hbadquarters Sixth Re;giment Wisconsin Voi,unte!ers, )
Nbar BeivLE Plains, Virginia, April 4th, 1863. J
His Excellency the Governor of Wisconsin :
Sir — On behalf of the regiment I have the honor to command,
I return to the State of Wisconsin the regimental color presented
this regiment in the summer of 1861.
We part with it reluctantly, but its condition renders it un-
serviceable for field service. When, we received it, its folds, like
our ranks, were ample and full ; still emblematical of our condi-
tion, we return it, tattered and torn in the shock of battle. Many
who have defended it, "sleep the sleep that knows no waking ;"
they have met a soldier's death ; may they live in their country's
memory.
The regiment, boasting not of deeds done, or to be done, sends
this voiceless witness to be deposited in the archives of our State.
History will tell how Wisconsin honor has been vindicated by
her soldiery, and what lessons in Northern courage they have
given Southern chivalry.
If the past gives any earnest of the future, the "Iron Brigade"
will not be forgotten when Wisconsin makes up her jewels.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Edward S. Bragg,
Colonel commanding sixth regiment Wisconsin Volunteers,
(lyctter.) Camp near Belle Plaine, April 8th, 1863.
*"Our corps is to be reviewed to-morrow by the President and
his wife. I was invited by General Meredith on the day of the
cavalry review to go with him to call on the President and Mrs.
*Present at this review, by President Lincoln, was a correspondent of the
Cincinnati Gazette, who wrote to his paper as follows :
"When the fourth brigade of the first division of the corps, the 'Iron
Brigade' as it is sometimes called, marched up, there was a universal mani-
festation of admiration and applause.
The proud, elastic, but firm military tread, the exact and uniform move-
ment, as if every company and every regiment were moved by one
impulse and inspirited by one soul, demonstrated that these men had the
spirit of the true soldier. 'This,' remarked General Hooker to the Presi-
dent, 'is the famous fourth brigade.' 'Yes,' rejoined the President, 'it is
132
Xincoln, but I did not go. Colonel Bragg and Dr. Hall went,
and their caustic comments are highly amusing. General Joseph
Hooker is actually the finest looking man in the Army of the
Potomac.
In our Spring election, the regiment gave one hundred and
eighty-four Republican majority and the three Wisconsin regi-
ments something over six hundred."
The Apollo like presence of General Hooker, his self-confident,
even vain glorious manner, his haughty criticism of others and
his sublime courage at the battle front ha-«e combined to make
impressions upon the public judgment that obscure his most valu-
able traits of character and his best qualities as a commander.
Poetry has placed his glory above the clouds of I^ookout Moun-
tain. But history is more likely to dwell upon the fact that he
received the Army of the Potomac, rent by internal jealousies,
discontented, discouraged and humiliated under the stigma of
defeat. With indefatigable zeal he addressed himself to the task
of its re-organization and, if I may so expresss it, re-inspiration.
It was for Hooker to arouse the drooping spirits of the grand
army and he accomplished the task. He had the true Napoleonic
idea of the power of an "Esprit de Corps." It was he who first
devised the beautiful, and to the soldiers inspiring system of
corps badges. Forever the trefoil of the second corps, the
crosses of the fifth and sixth corps, the arrow, the cartridge box
with forty rounds, and the other corps badges of the war, will be
the almost worshipped symbols of a glorious service.
(I^etter — To a new correspondent.) Camp near Bei.i<e Plains, \
April 13th, 1863. j
"We are busy getting ready for the grand movement, which
must begin soon. We may start to-morrow or next day. L,et
commanded by the only Quaker General I have in the army.' (General
Meredith being by birth and early education, a Quaker.")
Captain James atewartof battery "B," has written of this review:
"After I had passed in review, riding 'Tartar,' I was sent for, to allow the
President to look at the horse's wound. As soon as Mr. Lincoln saw it, he
said to the general officers about him: "i'his reminds me of a tale !' which
he proceeded to relate to their great amusement. But his little son, 'Tad,'
mounted on a pony, followed me and Insisted on trading horses. I told
him I could not do that, but he persisted in telling me that bis papa was
the President, and would give me any horse I wanted in trade for 'Tartar.'
I had a hard time in getting away from the little fellow."
133
me tell you how we get ready for a campaign. First ten days
rations must be provided for our regimental headquarters mess.
So the darkies are posted off to the commissary's to buy two
hams, twenty-five pounds of hard tack, one dollar's worth of
coffee, and fifty cents' worth of tea; to the sutlers for a can of
prepared milk and five pounds of soda crackers, and rations are
provided, except, that we load down the darkies when we start, with
soft bread. This truck is loaded upon our 'transportation,' which
is a mule with an irresistible tendency to lie down when he gets
tired of marching. Next we procure a wedge tent and four or
five blankets, then an oil cloth and an extra pair of boots for
each, then two skillfully packed bundles of woolen shirts, and
finally a bag of corn. All of this, when we march, adorns the
back of our transportation mule. The valises are neatly packed
up to be left in the wagon. Papers are arranged, wills made,
pistols cleaned, tourniquets* carefully stored away in a safe
pocket, debts paid up, and the mess is ready to march. If in
addition to this, you have to get the regiment ready, your work
is not done. First your ten days rations for the men must be
looked after. (General Hooker's marching orders required ten
days rations to be carried on the persons of the men.) Next,
your supply of ammunition, and the condition of the arms, next is
your supply of food and clothing, and finally, your weak squad
must be weeded out and sent off. Your officers must be remind-
ed of their duties, and the existing orders regulating a march
refreshed in their minds. Your knapsacks must be thoroughly
inspected and all superfluous articles, such as bibles and playing
cards, must be thrown away.
Our regiment goes out in fine condition this spring, as does
the 'whole army. We are not so strong in bayonets, but our four
hundred men know how to fight. Orders have been issued from
the War Department for the consolidation of regiments. We are
yet too large to come within the order. But, by its terms, the
Colonel would be mustered out and I would be left in command.
To command the old sixth with her glorious record, would fully
satisfy the full measure of my own military ambition.
*An instrument to stop the flow of blood.
134
Those 'great triumphs' to which you refer, were too closely
contested to be inspiring, considering the infamous doctrines of
the opposition. God grant that our army may strike a great
blow for the cause, for this is the darkest hour of our struggle."
*On April 20th to 23rd, the twenty-fourth Michigan under
Colonel Henry A. Morrow, made a raid upon the right flank of
General Lee's army at Port Royal. They crossed the Rappahan-
nock river in boats. This affair won for Colonel Morrow much
commendation, and established his reputation as an efl&cient and
enterprising commander.
On the evening of April 28th, the day we marched, believing
myself on the eve of personal risk in battle, I placed some letters
I had received, in an envelope which I carefully sealed and
addressed to the lady who sent them. I then entrusted the
package to Dr. A. W. Preston, charging him to return it to me
unless I was killed in the impending battle, in which event he
must put it in the mail. He faithfully promised to do this.
(Journal.) Tuesday, April 28th, 1863.
Ordered to march at twelve o'clock, noon. Rumor says the
eleventh and twelfth corps moved yesterday, and the booming
*Volume XXV, Part I, Page 1113, War Records.
" II, " 507, "
tt u it (( a C1-1 <c ((
A rebel will was found by a soldier of the twenty-fourth Michigan
infantry, in the little village of Port Royal.
"In the'name of God, Amen, I, John Cooper, of the County of Carolina,
and State of Virginia, being of sound mind and health, and of disposing
memory, do make this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all
others heretofore made. Imprimis : It is my will that after my funeral ex-
penses and just debts have been paid, all my estate, both real and personal,
be vested forever in my beloved daughter, Nancy, begotten of my beloved
wife, Charlotte, and such other children as may be born during our cover-
ture, to be equally divided between my said daughter Nancy and my other
children as aforesaid, reserving, however, a support to my wife Charlotte,
out of my estate during her widowhood.
Secondly, I do hereby emancipate and set free my beloved wife Charlotte
and my daughter Nancy, and such other children as may be begotten on
the body of my wife Charlotte.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and aflBxed my seal,
this 26th day of March, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hun-
dred and flfty-four.
John Coopbb.
Signed, gealed, acknowledged, published and delivered in our joint
presence, Stafford H. Paekbr.
William Catlut."
135
of cannon proclaims that somebody is stirring. I finish my
journal to-night, uncomfortably located in the oak brush, some-
where near the Rappahannock river. About noon to-day, I^ieut.
Clayton Rogers, who is acting on General Wadsworth's staff,
came galloping down with an order for the sixth and seventh
Wisconsin to move out to quell a mutiny. The mutiny was a
small affair of a few two years men of the 24th New York, who
claimed that their time had expired. A few pointed remarks by
General Wadsworth, rendered pungent by the presence of our
regiment with loaded muskets, brought them to their senses and
they quietly fell in.
It is said that our regiment' and the twenty-fourth Michigan
have been selected by General Wadsworth to cross the river in
pontoon boats to protect the laying of the pontoons."
(Ivctter.) In I^ine; op Battle below Fredericksburgh, |
May ist, 1863.^ J
"We left our old camp near Belle Plaine at noon of the 28th
and bivouacked that night near the river four miles below Fred-
ericksburgh. About midnight we marched again, hoping to
surprise the enemy by rushing two regiments over in pontoon
boats, capturing the rifle pits along the opposite bank and thus
clearing the way for a pontoon bridge. For this perilous duty,
our reginient and the twenty-fourth Michigan were selected.
The troops moved slowly in the fog, rain and darkness, and so
much noise was made by the mules in the pontoon train, that
little hope remained of surprising the enemy. About daylight
when the engineer corps had launched only half of their boats
into the river, they were opened upon by the musketry of the
enemy po.'ited in rifle pits beyond the river. A panic ensued in
the pontoon train. There was a grand skedaddle of mules with
lumbering pontoon boats, negroes and extra-duty men. We
cleared the track and let them go by us in their frantic and
ludicrous flight. We had completely failed to surprise the enemy.
A fog hung over the river and as soon as it cleared away, an order
came from General Wadsworth to Colonel Bragg to move the
regiment to the bank of the river and fire across at the enemy.
We double quicked forward in line, threw ourselves flat, upon the
ground and commenced firing but we could gain nothing. The
136
rebels were on higher ground and in rifle pits and their fire was
more destructive to us than ours could be to them. The twenty-
fourth Michigan and fourteenth Brooklyn were also sent to the
river bank. But the three regiments were soon moved back into
a ravine. It now seemed that the Rappahannock must be red-
dened with our blood if the crossing was to be forced. The river
was about two hundred yards wide and very deep and the banks
were high and steep. Pontoon boats enough to carry about four
hundred men were lying in the water at a landing place called
Fitz Hugh's crossing or Pollock's Mill, with one end caught upon
the shore and oars to row the boats were lying in the bottom of
them. Of course, they were directly under the enemy's fire.
About nine o'clock, the sixth Wisconsin and twenty-fourth
Michigan regiments were ordered to cross the river in these boats
and . attack the rifle pits. I confess that a shrinking from the
proffered glory came over us. To be shot like sheep in a huddle
and drowned in the Rappahannock appeared to be the certain
fate of all if we failed and of some if we succeeded. The
regiment was ordered into line at once to prepare for the rush.
Knapsacks were unslung and piled upon the ground. We se-
lected men from each company who were to row the boats and
instructed them in their duty. Colonel Bragg briefly and plainly
stated to the regiment what was expected of them and the plan
for the execution of the movement. The plan was simple and
fully comprehended by the men. A line of troops was to be
moved forward to the edge of the river bank who would fire over
our heads at the enemy while we crossed the river in the boats.
Batteries of artillery were planted on the hills back of the plain,
which would also fire upon the enemy.* These dispositions were
soon made and we moved out upon the plain. We had to pass
over an open field and down a sloping bank to reach the boats,
*Offidal Eeports of Fitz Hugh's Crossing may be found in Vol. XXV,
Part I, War Records :
Major General John F. Eeynolds, Pages 253 and 256.
Brigadier General J. S. Wadsworth, Page 262.
Colonel E. S. Bragg, Page 271.
Colonel W. W. Robinson, Page 273.
Brigadier General Solomon Meredith : 267.
Losses in the sixth Wisconsin regiment at Fitz Hugh's Crossing were 3
killed, 13 wounded ; 90 prisoners were captured.
137
and during this time, we received the fire of the enemy. When
our battle line appeared, the rebels turned their fire upon us.
'Now for it, boys. By the right of companies to the front. Run,
march,' came in sharp, jerky emphasis from Colonel Bragg. The
evolution was performed like clock-work, and the companies
moved for the boats at the top of their speed.
The men plunged into the boats and threw themselves upon
the bottom of them as they had been instructed. Here was our
only mistake ; the men were on the oars. "Whiz" came the
bullets. To halt or flinch in the deadly storm was disgrace if not
death. Nervous and quick orders were given something like
this : "Heave off your boats! Up with the oars!" Here fifteen
of our men were shot. Once clear of the shore, the oars-men
worked like heroes and our regiments along the river bank and
the batteries opened fire upon the rebels. When we got across
the river, we jumped into the mud and water, waist deep, waded
ashore, crawled and scrambled up the bank, laying hold of the
bushes. Very few shots were fired before the rebels were throw-
ing down their arms or running over the plain. . Our men were
greatly excited, but we gathered them together and moved in
line of battle to a brick house."
(Journal.) Saturday, May 2nd, 1863.
"The enemy shelled us for two hours this morning. Nobody
hurt in our regiment. The division was safely withdrawn from
the south side of the river. The rebels did not interfere with
the movement. We marched rapidly up the river. The sun
was intensely hot. We camped in the woods at ten P. M."
About five P. M. of this memorable day, General Stonewall
Jackson swept down upon and stampeded the eleventh corps of
our army. Dr. A. W. Preston of our regiment was on hospital
duty in that part of the field. At some time during the panic,
he says, he gave the letter I had entrusted to him to a mail
carrier. Two days afterward, he discovered his mistake, and
greatly chagrined, having forgotten if he ever knew, to whom the
letter was addressed, he wrote to my sister. Miss Lucy Dawes,
assuring her that I was alive and well.
(Journal.) Sunday, May 3rd, 1863.
"Marched to the battle field of Chancellorsville at two o'clock in
138
the morning. Crossed the river at Banks Ford and took position
on the battle field in the second line. The musketry fire in the
woods near our left, was for an hour to-day, as heavy and inces-
sant as I ever heard. Impossible to know how things are going.
It seems certain that the battle is indecisive. Many rumors are
flying around, the gravest one that Hooker is wounded and
Couch in command of the army. Our corps is in the second
line, supporting the fifth corps, which is in rifle pits. Not a sin-
gle shot or shell has come dangerously near us to-day."
(Journal.) Monday, May 4th, 1863.
"Hot firing on the picket line in the night. An attack by the
enemy expected, and men forbidden to take off their blankets."
This seems to have been a cruel and unnecessary order. The
blankets were in a roll over the shoulder and it is difficult to
imagine what harm could come from the use of them. Colonel
Bragg and I did not use our own blankets because of this order,
feeling that we ought to share the hardships with the men. No
fires were allowed. Colonel Bragg and I lay down together on
the same oil cloth.^ I remember distinctly that Bragg wore his
spurs, and that he kicked in his sleep.
(Journal.) "Ordered under arms at ten o'clock this forenoon.
Twenty-fourth Michigan has just moved to the right, and our
regiment is to support them in case of a fight. At halt past eleven
nothing has come of it. Just got permission to get dinner.
Boys are all cooking cofiee. Drizzling rain at intervals this
afternoon. At five P. M. there was a very sharp fight at the
same place on our left. At this writing, six P. M., there is a
heavy cannonading in the direction of Fredericksburgh. (Gener-
al Sedgwick's battle at Salem Church.) Ten P. M., heavy volleys
of musketry on our left and quite a sharp fusilade on our right.
Constant alarms until midnight. The last report is that the
rebels were the -attacking party last evening at five o'clock and
that they were driven back with a loss of six hundred men.
Slept a troubled, dreamy sleep."
(Journal.) Tuesday, May 5th, 1863.
"Foggy this morning. At this writing, eight A. M., scattering
musketry fire, a mile away to our left. This developed into a
heavy fight of about twenty minutes duration. The sun will be
139
very hot to-day. Heavy whisky rations being dealt out to the
men. Reports say, the rebels charging our works come out to a
certain point unmolested, and then set up a fiendish yell and rush
forward upon our rifle pits, as yet, only to be driven back by the
musketry of our men, and the canister of the batteries. The
slaughter must be terrible. Rumor says this morning, that
General Sedgwick has been driven from the heights of Freder-
icksburgh. There was heavy figTiting somewhere down there all
night. Whisky enough was sent here to make the whole
regiment dead drunk.
Eleven o'clock A. M.— Orders are: 'Be ready to move at once
to the right.' It is said that we are to lead in an attack. It is
always so. Guess our time has come. False alarm. Some mis-
take by one of the nine-months Colonels on the right. L,ie down
again and try to kill time. Very hot. Orders to be under arms
at sunset. Very heavy thundeir storm at five P. M. Miserable
situation, — Colonel Bragg and I and ^Huntington, all crouched
under one oil cloth in the driving rain. At dark, rumor has
come of a general retreat. Mules are packed and sent to the
rear. The rain continues pouring down, and our condition that
of unmitigated discomfort. Picket firing the entire night."
(Journal.) Wednesday, May 6th, 1863.
"About three o'clock this morning the infantry began to move
for the rear. Our brigadef moved the last of our corps at 3:30
A. M. Mud very deep and a drizzling rain. At five A. M., we
reached the pontoon bridge at United States Ford. Forty
thousand men are not yet over. Our division formed in line of
battle to protect the passage of the troops. Crossed at eight A.
M., unmolested. Soaking rain and chilly. One hundred thou-
sand miserable and discouraged men are wading through this
terrible mud and rain. We cannot understand it in any other
way than as a great disaster. Feel sick and dispirited myself.
We trudged along slowly through mud and rain until two P. M.
Camped in a pine jungle. Pitched wedge tent. Found our
blankets wet and I am sick."
*Lieutenant Howard J. Huntington was Acting Adjutant.
tThe "Iron Brigade" was often selected as the rear guard, upon the re-
treats of our army.
140 •
(Journal.) Thursday, May 7th, 1863.
"Marched to-day. Camped near White Oak Church. Sick all
day. Threatened with fever."
(Journal.) Friday, May 8th, 1863.
"In camp to-day. Too sick to write a journal."
Here it will be necessary, for a proper appreciation of our real
experience in the war, to follow the letters mailed by Dr. Preston.
They went directly to their destination.
Miss Mary B. Gates, Marietta, Ohio, was the address upon
them. This lady had completed her education at Ipswich Semi-
nary, in Massachusetts, and I had met her at her home in
Marietta. Differences of opinion upon the merits of General
McClellan and indeed upon all other subjects had been happily
reconciled. She was twenty years of age, and of her charming
qualities of mind and person it is not for my partial pen to write.
She had received two letters from myself since the campaign had
opened and she was anxious for further information from the
front. On the early morning of May sixth, she hastened to the
Post Office. She found a letter. No suspicion of harm to me
was aroused, however, as the letter was plainly directed in my
own hand. The first sentences she read can be given here :
"We are advancing upon the enemy. I doubt not that we
must have a bloody battle. I leave this package where I have
perfect confidence it will be sent to you in case I am killed, and
only in that event."
The scenes that ensued are not the business of the public, and
will not be described. My mother, who with her two sons had
been much under fire, said she would "take Rufus' word for any-
thing but the fact that he was killed." This was consoling, but
still not until four days afterward was there a relief from painful
apprehension, when my sister received the following epistle from
the army:
Headquarters Fourth Brigade,
First Division, First Army Corps,
May 4th, 1863.
Miss Lucy Dawes, Marietta, Ohio.
My dear Madam: — Your brother, Lieutenant Colonel Dawes
of the sixth Wisconsin Volunteers, is alive and well.
Why I send you this letter is, the Colonel left with me a letter
141
addressed to you, to be sent you in case he should fall in the then
coming engagement, — and although he came out safe, and is now
in good health, yet I have either lost the letter with some other
papers or sent it to you by accident when mailing other letters
for the North. In great haste. I am very respectfully your
obedient servant,
A. W. Preston, Surgeon-in-Chief, Fourth Brigade.
Chapter VII.
Oamp Near "Wtiite Oalc Church— Reg-imental Court— Expedition
Down the Northern Neck -Captain Charley Ford— A War-Horse
i^refez-8 Death,,to Duty as a Pack Mule— In Command of a JPost
—"The Patrol has Caught the ColoneV'-General Lee Assumes
an Offensive Attitude— M aj or Hauser— Picket Duty on the Rap-
pahannock— Colonel Bragg Sick— Pooled by the Balloon— Lying
in 'Wait—Bd Brooks Pours 'Water in Sam's ear— Now to Execute
a Deserter — Camp Routine — We March North^\^ard — "Under a
Scorching Sun, and Through Suffocating- Clouds of Dust"— At
Cent revlUe— Bivouac, on Broad Run— At South Mountain— Gen-
eral JW^eade's Appointment a Surprise— On to Gettysburg— An
Unfinished Letter— The Battle as Reported to M. B. G.—Now the
nevv Recruit Stands Eire.
(I^etter to M. B. G.) Camp near White Oak Church, )
May 1 8th, 1863. j
"The two years and nine months troops are by reason of the
expiration of their enlistment, leaving us every day. Our army
is being materially weakened, and so far as I know, is getting
small reinforcement. We have had several alarms of an advance
by the enemy, but I apprehend nothing of the kind. He is too
discreet. I shall not be surprised if matters on the Rappahan-
nock remain for a time 'in statu quo.'
The reason General Hooker recrpssed the river was because
he was outgeneraled and defeated, — a humiliating confession, I
own, but I believe true.
I have taken up my work again. I have tried twenty-three
cases and made a finding and record in each this forenoon. Is
not that summary justice? This is business which accumulated
while I was sick. I fined one incorrigible little scamp for
paddling across the Rappahannock on a slab and trading cofiee
to the rebel pickets for whisky, with which he made half of our
men on picket drunk.
The weather is fine and we are beautifully located in a .grove
near the White Oak Church. The church is mythical, but it is a
pleasant name to mark a pleasant locality. Drilling, parading,
reviewing and court martialing go on again as usual before the
battle."
143
(I/Ctter to M. B. G.) Camp near White Oak Church, )
May 2ist, 1863. j
"We are under orders to march at daylight with three days'
rations and without knapsacks. It is now three o'clock A. M.
*Colonel Henry A. Morrow, of the twenty-fourth Michigan, com-
mands the expedition. The equipment of the troops indicates a
reconnoitering affair of some kind."
This expedition was composed of one thousand two hundred
men, (19th Indiana, 2nd and 6th Wisconsin) and it was ordered
to march down the Northern Neck to the relief of our cavalry,
and for a general reconnoisance. The weather was hot, and as I
had not fully recovered from my sickness, I was scarcely able to
endure the march. Colonel Morrow stationed me in command of one
hundred and sixty men at a cross roads near King George Court
HouSe, while the main body marched on down the Neck. The
object in stationing this force was to guard the line of retreat.
I constructed an earth work at the cross roads and remained in
position until the return of the troops, five daj'S afterward.
My situation in the enemy's country made it necessary to keep
my small force constantly in hand. The chicken-hungry boys
were in a land replete with pigs and poultry. I established a
guard around my post, and still the men slipped out. Captain
Hart, of the nineteenth Indiana, had borrowed my horse and
ridden off, probably to buy a chicken. Finally, exasperated at
the depletion of my force, I sent out a patrol with strict orders
to arrest every man or officer found. Soon I heard a shout : "The
patrol has caught the Colonel!" And, there was my well known
old mare coming in, with Captain Hart mounted on her, under
the bayonets of the patrol-guard. Of coiirse, the Captain had a
pass, but my brash order to the patrol was considered to have
countermanded it.
Captain Charles H. Ford, recently promoted to the command
of company "H," is highly commended by Colonel Morrow, for
quickly putting up a bridge on this expedition. Charley Ford
was over six feet tall, and his soldierly bearing was very fine. He
was acting aide on the staff of General Wadsworth. General
*See Volume XXV, Part I, Page 1112, War Records, for complete and
interesting report of Colonel Henry A. Morrow.
144
Wadsworth would have none but efficient men around him. It
is patent that he considered the sixth Wisconsin a good place to
find such men. Two of our officers (Captain Ford and Lieu-
tenant C. E. Rogers) were on his staff.
A serious loss befell our regimental headquarters mess on this
expedition. Colonel Bragg's fiery and untamed white war-horse
which he rode at Gainesville, had become afflicted with a hoof
disease which was prevalent in the army. The horse had been
reduced to the menial service of a pack mule. On his back was
our complete and elaborate equipment of cooking utensils, table-
ware and provisions. When crossing a bridge, whether from
fright, or a desire to commit suicide by drowning, or to get rid of
the degrading burdens on his back, the horse deliberately jumped
into the deep water beneath and sank at once below the surface.
After an astonishingly long interval he reappeared, blowing water
like a whale, but every vestige of our property was at the bottom
of the stream.
(Letter to M. B. G.) Camp near White Oak Church, )
May 27th, 1863. j
"Our corps received marching orders to-day, but we are not off
yet, and as it is evening, I presume we shall not go. It is prob-
able that the occasion of these orders was apprehension of an
attack by the enemy. Our army is being daily weakened by
troops going home.
Under such circumstances, I do not look for offensive opera-
tions by this army unless the enemy withdraws heavily to the
assistance of Vicksburg. Indeed, an attack by the enemy upon
this army is not wholly improbable. Ouf news from Vicksburg
is cheering to-night, but our people are so sanguine and the
habit of counting chickens before they are hatched is so firmly
established, that we can not tell how much of it to believe. The
paymaster has come to-day, making our boys happy. If we are
going to march under our orders, I do not want my pay. Last
December, during the battle of Fredericksburgh, I had to leave
a large sum of money with one of our surgeons.
Our Major, John F. Hauser, is a character. He is a German,
a soldier by profession, forty-five years of age and with a com-
manding figure. He has a voice like a trumpet. Over twenty
146
years ago he was at Thun, in Switzerland, at a military school.
Louis Napoleon was there, and the Major says he knew him well.
To use the Major's own language : 'I spree mit him many time.'
He says he served as Ueutenant on the staff of General Garibaldi.
. He seems to have entertained a high respect, almost reverence
for Garibaldi."
(I/Ctter to M. B. G.) Camp near White Oak Church, ]
May 30th, 1863. J
"I am going this faorning for two days duty as field officer of
the day, in command of our division picket. All here now think
that General I^ee is going to attack this army. If the rebels are
to lose Vicksburg, I do not see why it is not possible that he
should make a desperate push here to neutralize the great disaster
west. Well, this most unfortunate Army of the Potomac is yet a
power,. and when thrown upon its defense can not be defeated by
the whole force of the rebellion. I am not sure that an offensive
campaign by the enemy, is not to be hoped for by the country.
Perhaps the 'Johnnies' will come to my picket line. I have eight
hundred men, and can begin a pretty good battle. I will try to
bother them some before they get their pontoons down.
We had a review of the first army corps yesterday. It is
running down in numbers. We have great rumors about our
destiny this summer. Some say we are going to Baltimore to
relieve the eighth army corps, so long on duty in that vicinity.
That would be grand. But my opinion is, that the veterans of
the old first army corps, renowned on so many bloody fields for
unflinching valor, like the old guard of Napoleon, will be con-
sidered as 'too good lookers on' to be spared from the battle front."
(Letter to M. B. G.) May 31st, 1863.
"I have been on picket for two days and for a wonder had good
weather throughout my tour. This is a laborious duty. An
officer is held oppressively responsible for the vigilance and good
conduct of his pickets. He is required to visit his line four
times a day and once at night to inspect it. This involves thirty-
two miles ride. I found one poor fellow asleep on duty. What
do you think his punishment would be if brought to trial by his
Colonel? — 'Shot to death with musketry.' I voted that sentence
four times last winter when serving on general court martial, but
146
thanks to our kind-hearted 'Father Abraham,' none were executed,
for which I feel very thankful.
Our picket line runs along the edge of the bank of the Rappa-
hannock river. The rebels on the opposite bank are about two
hundred yards away. There is no hostility and the men sit
dozing and staring at each other, and when there are no oflScers
about, they exchange papers and communicate with each other in
as friendly a manner as if there was no cause for enmity. Riding
along this bank with the red sash over my shoulder, the insignia
of the ofEcer of the day, the rebel pickets would sometimes aim
their guns at me just to see how nicely they could pop me over.
Not enjoying this harmless sport, it generally occurred to me,
when I saw a fellow aiming at me, that I had urgent business some-
where else, and I would immediately gallop away to attend to it.
Colonel Bragg is very sick. The Major's ugly little horse
kicked him a few days ago on the foot, which is also now a
serious affair. He is trying to stay here in his tent, but he will
probably be obliged to go to the hospital.
Our brigade is now designated as the first brigade, first
division, first army corps ; and the sixth Wisconsin is the first
battalion. This makes us by designation, the first regiment in
the volunteer army of the United States. As a brigade, we are
one of the oldest in the army, and deserve the title. There is
great dearth of news. All is very quiet on the Rappahannock.
I shall be in command of the regiment until the Colonel gets
well, which may not be very soon."
(lyctter to M. B. G.) Camp near White Oak Church, )
June 4th, 1863. j
"The whole corps has orders to march at daylight. This is
something unexpected. The only guess I can give is that the
enemy is trying to cross the river to move on our right flank.
I have plenty of work to get my family ready to move. Reveille
is sounding all through the corps.
The artillery bugles sound beautifully in the morning air.
May be in a day or two we will hear the familiar roar of the big
guns. Of course I will write again upon the very first opportu-
nity. But remember I am a poor soldier campaigning, and make
due allowance for short and unsatisfactory letters."
14?
(tetter to M. B. G.) June 5th, 1863.
"We were sold again. After turning out at midnight and
packing our traps, and preparing, for a battle which somebody
seemed to think impending, our orders were countermanded. So
we have rebuilt our canvas cities and settled down again. The
fact is, somebody is very much exercised lest the terrible Lee
may do something dangerous. Three times now of late this
army has been turned out of house and home to lie sweltering in
the sun, only to have its marching orders countermanded. The
boys have long ago learned to take such things philosophically.
They tear down and build up cheerfully with the shrewd obser-
vation, that 'it is only Johnny Reb fooling the balloon again.'.
If we are to be all summer at the mercy of the balloon, I fear
you will get no other letters than those written on the eve of an
active campaign. Colonel Bragg is still quite ill. The command
of the regiment devolves upon me. He cannot participate in
Dur next campaign. He is wholly unfit for duty in the field.
Later — Our army is most of it on the march. The rebel army
moved last night which explains it."
The whole of the rebel army had not moved. The corps com-
manded by General A. P. Hill still remained at Fredericksburgh.
(Letter.) Friday Evening, 10 P. M.
"We march at daylight and it is the general belief that we will
cross the Rappahannock and attack the enemy here. I shall
command the regiment."
(Letter to M. B. G.) June 6th, 1863.
"Both armies are moving. Something important is impending.
The Sixth corps has crossed the river and occupied the plain
below Fredericksburgh, and every few moments comes the boom
of their cannon. This, however, may be a feint to hold the enemy
here. All of the enemy's tents over the river have disappeared.
We are now lying in line of battle supporting the sixth corps
which is on the other side of the river. I think it likely, how-
ever, that we may yet take the double quick in the direction of
Bull Run. There is considerable cannonading over the river but
no serious engagement."
This excessive readiness inflicted great discomfort upon the
troops. The men would lie hour after hour on the ground in the
148
hot sun with everything packed for marching. As we lay thus,
Sam, an extraordinarily homely looking darky of broad African
type, who worked for Colonel Bragg, fell sound asleep in the
dust of the road under the hot sun. Ed. Brooks, our Adjutant,
who loved practical jokes, took his canteen and poured water
into the large cavity of Sam's ear. Sam was aroused indeed.
He rose up, shook his head like an angry lion, and seized a
soldier's musket from the gun stacks. Only Brooks' agility saved
him from being thrust through by a bayonet. It was with diflS-
culty and a dollar that Sam was appeased. No water was after-
ward poured in his ear.
Extracts from a daily journal kept by Dr. John C. Hall :
Thursday, June 4th, 1863, 8 A. M.
"We are sitting like Marius among the ruins, not of a splendid
city but of our encampments, and we have been since daylight.
Our tents are taken down and packed, our blankets are rolled,
our valises filled, breakfast eaten, mules and darkies loaded, and
we are 'ready to march.' But we lack orders to 'fall in' and
march. The, sun looks red and hot. * * * 12 M., were
ordered to 're-pitch our tents' "
Friday, June 5TH, 1863.
"* * * -\^Q were ordered to be packed up ready to march
at 5^ in the morning."
Saturday, June 6th, 1863, 10)^ A. M.
"Played the same game we did two days ago. Nearly all night
spent in getting ready to march at daylight, but here we still re-
main in that disagreeable state of uncertainty that a soldier so
often experiences. Orders have just come to pitch tents 'if desir-
able' but we may expect to move at any time. * * In the army
,we don't know anything but what we see. We rely on guessing.
I will make a guess : Johnny Reb has fooled 'fighting Joe.' Has
Johnny hid ? Has he evacuated ? Where is he ? Joe can't say
and the balloon is nonplused and in disgrace."
General Hooker's reconnoitering balloon could be constantly
seen in the air, and it was a subject of much humorous speculaT
tion.
149
(Letter to M. B. G.) Camp near White Oak Church, \
Sunday Evening, June 7th, 1863. j
"We are again in camp to-night after roasting in line of battle
for two days in the hot sun. Our movements are mysterious.
There are three brigades of the sixth corps on the plateau below
Fredericksburgh and they have been there for two days skirmish-
ing with the enemy. But they do not advance an inch beyond
the old line of demarkation, the Bowling Green Road. The rebel
army is manifestly preparing for some movement. General
Hooker, not feeling strong enough to attack them seems to be
trying to keep them here by shaking his fist at them. If he be-
comes satisfied that they have withdrawn heavily to reinforce
their armies elsewhere, he may attack them, but the inevitable
apron string will draw us back to old Bull Run if the enemy ap-
pears on our right flank. I^et them go to Maryland. A small force
can hold the entrenchments in front of Washington while the
Army of the Potomac, threatening their communications, would
bring them to battle or cause them to retreat with the same
certainty that gravitation brings down a building with the under-
pinning knocked out. I,et the rebel army go into Maryland, the
farther the better, and if we can not defeat them with that ad-
vantage, we can never crush the rebellion. They cannot in my
judgment go too far into Pennsylvania with the army of the Po-
tomac between them and their base. The rich Pennsylvania
Dutchmen can well be allowed to suffer for one year a loss of
their cattle, hogs and crops to get the rebel army of Virginia,
the right arm of the rebellion, in such a trap. When I had
finished that sentence, my candle fell down and rolled over this
sheet of paper which accounts for its wretchedly bad appearance
and for my failure to complete the crushing of the rebellion.
Colonel Bragg has gone to Washington. His foot is very sore
and bad. He may go to Wisconsin before returning, and I am
likely to be in command of the regiment for some time."
(Letter to M. B. G.) Camp near White Oak Church, \
June loth, 1863. j
"It is a continued series of alarms, orders and counter-orders
here. Both armies are maneuvering and threatening. Our troops
on the south side of the river are securely entrenched and can
150
not be driven back without a bloody struggle. The rebels, how-
ever, show no serious 'disposition to attack them. Meanwhile we
are in camp, parading and drilling again as usual. I think we
have the cleanest and healthiest regiment in the first army corps.
There are only two men sick, and they are marked for light duty.
I have just had to leave my writing to attend to an unpleasant
duty. This was the order I received: 'You will detail from your
regiment two lieutenants and twenty wholly reliable men, to
report at once to the Provost Marshal of the first division, to
execute the sentence of death, etc' The victim's name is John
P. Woods of the nineteenth Indiana regiment. His crime was,
'desertion and misbehavior in presence of the enemy.' He will
be shot next Friday. The men, I assure you, dislike to be
called upon for such duty. The miserable man is seated upon
his coflSn a few rods in front of a platoon of men. All fire at
the dropping of a white handkerchief, each, in mercy, aiming at
a vital part and each hoping that his is the blank cartridge with
which one musket is charged. lyieutenant Clayton E. Rogers,
who is the Provost Marshal of General Wadsworth's division,
feels very badly that he is obliged to perform this duty.
I must brag a little about our regiment. We have the
healthiest regiment in the corps. We have a harmonious, quiet
and satisfied set of officers. There is no intriguing, courtmar-
tialing or backbiting, which is common in the army. The arms,
accoutrements and clothing are kept in excellent condition. I^et
me tell you the routine of camp-life. Reveille is the first thing
in the morning for the soldier. When it is sounded, the compa-
nies are formed in their streets and the roll is called, one
commissioned of&cer to be in attendance. In one hour, comes
the breakfast call. Next, the police call, when it is required that
the whole camp shall be swept as clean as a floor. Next comes
guard mounting at 8:30 A. M. A critical inspection is made by
the adjutant of the men of the guard details, and slovenliness
and carelessness is punished. Then comes a company inspection
by the captains, and especial attention is paid to the personal
cleanliness of the men, which accounts for the exceptional good
health of our regiment. Next, I conduct a battalion drill which
is Qver at ten A. M. I enjoy this drill, as gur regiment is not to
151
be surpassed, and I feel very proud of their splendid movements.
We rest then during the heat of the day until four P. M., when
Major Hauser conducts a theoretical drill of the officers of the
line. At half-past five, I hold dress parade, and at half-past six,
the captains conduct a company drill. At seven o'clock, the
Retreat is sounded and guard dismissed. At nine P. M., Tattoo
is sounded and the evening roll-call is made, and at ten P. M.,
Taps are beaten, all lights are put out and the day is done. The
most orderly, quiet, systematic community in the world is a well
ordered regiment in camp. The rebels fired briskly quite a
while last night on our troops who are over the river, but shot
very wild. One or two of their shells exploded in our camp."
The next letter, written at one o'clock on the morning of June
1 2th, 1863, inaugurates our march which culminated in the battle
of Gettysburg.
(Letter to M. B. G.) "We are to march this morning positively.
I think the whole army is going, for the order is from General
Hooker. If so, it will be your second time 'under fire, searching
those dreadful lists.' You are mustered into the service now and
must endure your trials and hardships as a soldier, and I doubt
not they will be harder to bear than mine, for you see, you are a
raw recruit. Whether we march in advance or retreat, against
the rifle pits beyond the river or toward the plains of Manassas,
I will write at every opportunity. The regiment will go out
strong in health and cheerful in spirit, and determined always to
sustain its glorious history. It has been my ardent ambition to
lead it through one campaign, and now the indications are that
my opportunity has come. If I do anything glorious I shall
expect you to be proud of me."
(Letter to M. B. G.) Bivouac near Centreville, Va., \
June 15th, 1863. j
"Here we are again on our annual visit to Bull Run. I think,
however, we shall miss our annual drubbing. We broke camp
at daylight Friday morning, (the twelfth.) We marched that
day about twenty miles under a scorching sun and through
suffocating clouds of dust. You can hardly imagine what our
poor loaded soldiers suffer on such marches. We camped Friday
night at Deep Run. We marched at daylight Saturday and
■ 152
camped for the night near Bealton station. We marched Sunday
morning and all day Sunday and all night, and until the middle
of the afternoon to-day, when we reached this point, tired, sore,
sleepy, hungry, dusty and dirty as pigs. I have had no wink of
sleep for two nights. Our army is in a great hurry for something.
I hope we can be allowed to stay here to-morrow, to recruit our
energies. The indications now are that we will. Indeed our
poor worn out fellows must have some rest. We have had no
mail and no papers since leaving camp. I must go to sleep.
My darky boy, William, has got my oil cloth fixed for a shade,
and I am going to wrap up in my blanket and lie down on the
ground with my haversack for a pillow, and I will have a sounder,
sweeter, more refreshing sleep, than if I was in the softest bed.
When you pity my deplorable condition, remember my noble
boys who have had ten times the toil and have come through
without a murmur."
On this hot march our pack mule laid himself down, in spite of
William's efforts to the contrary, in the water of Deep Run,
seriously damaging the rations of our regimental headquarters
mess.*
(Letter to M. B. G.) Bivouac near L,eesburg, Va., )
June i8th, 1863. j
"fWe are still toiling along on our weary way with only such
*This Btory, from the humorous pen of Loyd G. Harris, evidently refers
to the circumstance. The mess, however, consisted of Major Hauser, Ad-
jutant Brooks, Lieutenant Colonel Dawes, and the three surgeons.
" 'Willyam' was a quiet colored boy who waited on our Colonel and Lieu-
tenant Colonel.
Once on a long march we had halted for the night. The camp fires were
blazing in full glory, and the air was thick with appetizing smells from the
cofiee-pots and frying-pans. 'Willyum' and the pack mule that carried the
baggage and mess utensils for the field officers were both missing. Our
gallant Colonel and the quiet Lieutenant Colonel, were getting decidedly
hungry, when 'Willyum' carae in.
'Where is the pack mule?' the Colonel asked.
'Why, sah, just as we war coming by de big pond, 'bout a half a mile
back, I thought I'd gib him a drink, an' de ole fool just laid down wid de
whole pack in de water, an' I reckon I will want 'bout ten men to git him
out.'
The mule and pack were rescued in a damaged condition, but the field
officers had a late meal that night."
Lieutenant Harris commanded company "C" during the Gettysburg
campaign. Captain Thomas W. Plummer having been wounded at Fitz
Hugh's Crossing.
tVolume XXVII, Part I, Page 140, War Records.
153
halts or rests as are absolutely essential to renew the strength of
man and beast. We are hurrying to the rescue of Pennsylvania
and Maryland as I never knew the Army of the Potomac to
hurry before. And yet I suspect that we are anathematized for
our slow motions. 'Where is the Army of the Potomac?' is, I
presume, the indignant exclamation of many good people in the
land to-day. Our march yesterday was terribly severe. The sun
was like a furnace, and the dust thick and suffocating. Many a
poor fellow marched his last day yesterday. Several men fell
dead on the road. Our boys have all come through so far,
accepting the hardships as a matter of course, and remaining
cheerful and obedient. I assure you I feel proud of them"
Upon this march General James S. Wadsworth showed great
solicitude for the suffering men. There was an ambulance loaded
with the valises of the officers serving on his staff. These
valises the old General ordered thrown out, and the ambulance
filled with the knapsacks and muskets of the exhausted soldiers.
But the papers of the division headquarters were in these valises
and all were diligently Sought and gathered up during the night.
It was said that the General threw out his own valise.
"One of my greatest hardships is to get no mail. Sometimes
a little package of headquarters letters are brought through.
Suppose you put First Brigade, First Division, First Army Corps
on your letters. I got a letter from my sister which was directed
in that way. We got the newspapers to-day. Our brigade
newsboy got them through in some way. The head-lines say:
'Rebels ir^ Pennsylvania' — 'Another battle at Antietam on the tapis.'
I hope not. I never want to fight there again. The flower of
our regiment were slaughtered in that terrible corn-field. I
dread the thought of the place. If there is a battle, watch the
papers to see if General John F. Reynolds and General James S.
Wadsworth figure in it. By them you can trace me. (As it
proved, the first flash of the telegraph from Gettysburg was, that
General John F. Reynolds had been killed while leading a charge
of the "Iron Brigade," and that Wadsworth's division had opened
the great battle, suffering severely in the fight.) Colonel Wm.
W. Robinson of the seventh Wisconsin, has temporary command
of the brigade. It is said that General Meredith will be Military
154
Governor of Indiana. I write under continual marching orders,
and a perpetual pressure of business. An ordnance report,
clothing report, picket detail and other duties, stop my writing."
(Letter to M. B. G.) Bivoitac on Broad Run, Ten Miles )
FROM Leesbtjrg, Va., Jttne 19th, 1863. j
"I have pitched my tent to-night in a splendid grove of grand
old oaks on the banks of Broad Run. Nothing could be more
pleasant or romantic than our situation to-night, but the boom of
hostile cannon toward *Aldie Gap takes away something from
the romance. Our march to-day was short and well conducted,
and our men are washing themselves in the pure waters of Broad
Run and so are feeling fresh and more cheerful. It is eight days
to-night since we have had a regular mail, and we do not expect
any soon. It rains through my tent on the paper which causes
the spots. It is very dark, too, to-night, and we came near
having to march, as orders came to that eflFect, and ambulances
were sent for the sick. The impression was, when we camped
this evening, that we would remain here a day or two and I had
my camp systematically arranged with reference to regularity
and cleanliness."
(Letter to M. B. G.) BrvotJAc near Broad Run, \
Loudon Co.. Va., June 21st, 1863. )
"Our long watched for mail, caught us last night. The cannon
are sounding in the direction of Leesburg and there is quite a
battlef being fought there this Sabbath morning. Our men
seem to have driven the rebels, and the firing seems to have
receded. Have had a very busy forenoon. Ordnance to
inspect, eamp to be put in condition, candidates for the invalid
corps to be examined, and I got twelve letters in the mail. You
see that we are in camp again. I suppose we are waiting for the
'favorable opportunity to fall upon Lee and destroy him.' Lee,
meanwhile, ravages Pennsylvania at his leisure, but there is one
thing, — 'Washington is safe.' "
I have a letter from Eph, (my brother). He says : 'Of course
I have heard all about your troubles, or rather the tribulation of
*Volume XXVn, Part I, Page 53, War Eecords.
tVolume XXYn, Part I, Page 53, War Records.
155
the folks at home through Doctor What's-his-name's mistake.
Being relieved by a telegraphic dispatch from any apprehension
for your safety, I could not help looking at the ludicrous side of
the question and it was decidedly funny. To tell you the truth, I
had an idea that you had something of a liking for the young
lady, and thought the matter would some day come to a crisis.
Our regiment numbers in the aggregate 595, of whom 535 are
' present for duty.' The absentees are mostly detached. We
have no sick men and have had but one man die of disease with
the regiment in six months, though we have marched several
hundred miles.' The week's marching in the dust and heat has
been hard on the men. One of our men in company 'I' has become
a lunatic from the effect of the heat. The newspapers say there
were a thousand cases of sunstroke in our army. I stand the sun
very well, but it has made me brown as sole leather. We are no
holiday soldiers. I sent my boy, Billy, all over the country to-day
to find something to eat. Nothing was forthcoming but a little
wet flour and our biscuits were very soggy, but it was a relief from
hard tack. Did you ever eat a hard tack? Get one and eat it if
you can for my sake. There are reports of a chicken of rebel pro-
clivities, and Billy has laid a campaign to capture it. So I hope
for better things to-morrow. My boy, Billy, is a good provider,
but this desert is too much for him. Hard tack, ham, fresh beef
and coffee without milk is the ceaseless round of our bill of fare."
(I/Ctter to M. B. G.) Camp ok Broad Run, |
June 24th, 1863. |
" General Hooker shows no disposition to press the enemy so
long as he confines his attention to the Pennsylvania Dutchmen
and leaves Washington alone. The prospect is very dark with
us just now. But if we open the Mississippi, and I think we
will, and can thwart General Lee in this effort to carry the war,
as the rebels say, 'into Africa,' we will have accomplished for
this summer, perhaps, all we have any right to expect. Our
cause is just and we will get success as soon as we deserve it.
As an Ohio man, I shall feel deeply humiliated if Vallandigham
is elected the next Governor.
I had a chance to do a good thing this morning and it gave me
pleasure. One of our men of company 'C,' a fat cheeked, sleepy
156
boy, was sent to me under guard by the field ofl&cer of the day of
Wadsworth's division, to be dealt with for sleeping on his picket
post, for which the penalty is death when in the presence of the
enemy. The poor fellow, who, like Joe in Pickwick, slept
because of a big supper on rebel chicken, was sadly frightened.
That demon, of&cial duty, required that I should prefer charges
and send him to a general court martial for trial. But with a
sharp lecture and warning, I released him from arrest and sent
him to his company. His demonstration of gratitude was quite
affecting. He will remember the lyieutenant Colonel command-
ing the Sixth, as long as he lives. ( His life, poor fellow, was
short. He fell dead eight days afterward in the charge on the
railroad cutting at Gettysburg.)
Our living has improved much within a day or two. We now
get butter, eggs, milk, mutton, and indeed almost everything but
fruit. I do not expect to taste a strawberry this year. When in
camp we generally live comfortably enough. It is on the march
that we have to suffer. Our provisions and a wedge-tent, we
carry on a pack mule. Everything else I carry on my horse. I
have a good horse. She knows the orders on battalion drill
almost as well as the men do. She will follow the column on a
night march no matter how dark. This is important, as to lose
the road in the night is fatal to a Colonel. He leads astray all
troops behind him."
(lyctter to M. B. G.) Bivouac near Middleton, Md., )
June 27th, 1863. j
"We are once more at the old South Mountain battle ground.
We left our camp near Guilford station on Broad Run, early on
the morning of the twenty-fifth. We marched all night and
crossed the Potomac at Edwards Ferry. We proceeded via
Poolsville and encamped for the night near Barnesville. We
marched next morning at daylight, and through deep mud and a
drizzling rain all day, and encamped near Jefferson, in the valley
of Middleton. This morning we started early and reached this
point at two o'clock P. M. Our marches, except to-day, have
been long and toilsome. What do you think of trudging along
all day in a soaking rain; getting as wet as a drowned rat, taking
supper on hard tack and sah pork, and then wrapping up in a
jt/r-yC/x^T^C^C^^^^
BRFJVE T MAJ; GEN. S . MEREDITH
15?
wet woolen blanket and lying down for a sleep, but waked up
during the night three or four times to receive and attend to
orders and finally turning out at three o'clock in the morning to
get the rergiment ready to march ? Well— that is soldiering, and
it is a great deal more comfortable soldiering, than to march
through suffocating clouds of dust under a hot sun. In the dust,
men are dogged and silent. In the rain they are often even
hilarious and jolly.
The campaign has now been fairly inaugurated on. Northern
soil. General Meredith and I rode together this evening over
our battle ground on South Mountain. The grass has grown
green over the graves of our brave boys, who lie buried there.
The inscriptions on the head boards are already scarcely legible
and with their destruction seems to go the last poor chance that
the sacrifice these men have made for their country shall be
recognized and commemorated." ,
We did not then suspect that all would be gathered up by our
Government and buried in beautiful National cemeteries, to be
forever cared for, and their memories held in perpetual honor.
"General Meredith pointed out to me the grave of a private
soldier of the nineteenth Indiana regiment, who had been a pro-
fessor in a western college, and a man of marked scholarship and
refinement. What could be more unselfish and noble than the
sacrifice this man has made for his country."
(I/Ctter to M. B. G.) Bivouac in Pe^nnsylvania )
ON Marsh Creek, near Gettysburg, June 30th, 1863. j
"We left South Mountain in great haste on the 28th, and
marched to Frederick city through a drizzling rain as usual.
Next day we moved from Frederick to Emmitsburg, Md., and
to-day we came here, where we are having a muster for pay. I
don't think I ever before saw at this time of the year such a long
continued, misty, drizzling storm as we have been marching
through since we crossed the Potomac. *General Meade as
commander of the army was a surprise."
Meade lacked the martial bearing and presence of Hooker.
Few of our men knew him by sight. He was sometimes seen
riding by the marching columns of troops at a fast trot, his hat
»Volume XXVII, Part I, Page 61, War Records.
158
brim turned down and a poncho over his shoulders. The only
sign of rank was a gold cord on his hat. At the muster for pay,
I read to the regiment, General Meade's address to the troops.
"We have marched through some beautiful country. It is
refreshing to get out of the barren desert of Virginia into this
land of thrift and plenty. Our reception in Maryland was hardly
so enthusiastic as last summer, but in Pennsylvania, everybody,
great and small, is overjoyed at the coming of our banners."
Our regiment had the advance and first crossed the Pennsyl-
vania line.
"The rebel stealing parties are running away ahead of us and
I presume the whole rebel army is concentrating to give us battle."
As we marched through Emmitsburg, the advance of the army,
some students in the Catholic college welcomed us with great
enthusiasm and several of them marched along with us beyond
the town, giving the above information. They were much in-
terested in watching the movements of our advance guard and
flankers, the feelers of the army. They wanted to see us "flush
the enemy."
"I am kept full of business on such hurried marches, scarcely
from morning to night getting a moment I can call my own."
The unfinished letter was here placed in my pocket to await
a convenient opportunity to complete it, and the next entry upon
the sheet is as follows : "July ist A. M. Orders have just come,
■pack up, be ready to march immediately.' I will finish this
letter the first chance I get."
I put the unfinished letter again in my pocket and rode on at
the head of my regiment to Gettysburg. The letter is finished
in a nervous scrawl written with a pencil.
"Line of Battle on a Hill near Gettysburg, )
July 2nd, 1863, 8 A. M. |
God has preserved me unharmed through another desperate
bloody battle. Regiment lost *one hundred and sixty men
killed atid wounded. I ordered a charge and we captured a
regiment. fMajor Stone, commanding the second Mississippi,
*Actual loss one hundred and sixty eight.
tThis, as will be seen was an error. It was Major John A. Blair. J. M.
Stone was the Colonel, but he had been shot and disabled.
l69
surrendered his sword and regiment to me. There are no com-
munications now with the North, but sometime I hope you will
get this."
(I,etter.) In I^ine of Battle Beeore Gettysburg, |
July 4th, 1863, 12 M. j
"I am entirely safe through the first three of these terrible
days of this bloody struggle. The fighting has been the most
desperate I ever saw. On July ist, our corps was thrown in
front, unsupported and almost annihilated. My regiment was
detached from the brigade and we charged upon and captured
the second Mississippi rebel regiment. Their battle flag is now
at General Meade's headquarters, inscribed as follows : 'Captured
by the sixth Wisconsin, together with the entire regiment, kept
by Sergeant Evans for two days, while a prisoner in the hands of
the enemy.' "
This battle flag with its inscription is in the Ordnance Museum
of the War Department at Washington, D. C. Its official num-
ber is forty-eight.
"The Sixth has lost so far one hundred and sixty men. Since
the first day we have lost only six. O, Mary, it is sad to look
now at our shattered band of devoted men. Only four field
officers* in the brigade have escaped and I am one of them. I
have no opportunity to say more now or to write to any one else.
Tell mother I am safe. There is no chance to telegraph. God
has been kind to me and I think he will yet spare me."
In IvIne of Battle before Gettysburg, )
July 4th, 6 P. M. j
f'What a solemn birthday. My little band, now only two hun-
dred men, have all been out burying the bloody corpses of friend
and foe. No fighting to-day. Both armies need rest from the ex-
*Tlie field ofiicers of the brigade fared thus in the battle: Second Wis-
consin, Colonel L. Fairchild, lost an arm ; Lieutenant Colonel G. H. Ste-
vens, killed ; Major John Mansfield, severely wounded. Seventh Wiscon-
sin, Lieutenant Colonel John B. Callls, shot through the body ; Major
Mark Finnicum, wounded. Nineteenth Indiana, Lieutenant Colonel W. W.
Dudley, lost a leg while acting as color bearer ; Major Llndley wounded.
Twenty-fourth Michigan, Colonel H. A. Morrow, wounded; Lieutenant
Colonel Flannagin, lost a leg; Major Wright, wounded. The four who
escaped injury were Colonel W. W. Eobinson, seventh Wisconsin Col..
S. Williatns, Nineteenth Indiana, and Major Hauser and myself.
tl was twenty-five years old on this day.
led
haustion of the desperate struggle. My boys until just now have
had nothing to eat since yesterday morning. No regiment in this
army or in any other army in the world ever did better service than
ours. We were detached from the brigade early on the first day
and we operated as an independent command. I saved my men
all I could and we suffered terribly to be sure, but less than any
other regiment in the brigade. We captured a regiment. I
don't know as we will get our just credit before the country, but
we have it with our Generals."
I went in person taking the captured battle flag to General
Meade, at headquarters of the Army of the Potomac. The
object of this visit was to obtain, if possible, permission to send
the battle flag to the Governor of Wisconsin to be retained at
the capitol of Wisconsin as a trophy. In this effort I was un-
successful, and I brought the flag back. As I passed along from
General Meade's headquarters to Gulps' Hill, carrying the rebel
battle flag loosely folded over my arm, I took my course over the
ground where General Pickett made his charge. Many wounded
Confederate soldiers were still lying on this ground. A badly
wounded Confederate sergeant who had lain upon the ground
during the night, called to me in a faint voice: "You have got
our flag! " It was a sergeant of the second Mississippi regiment.
The men of this regiment who had escaped from the railroad
cut and other casualties on July first, had taken part in this
attack. This man informed me that the commander of his
regiment at the time of its surrender was Major John A. Blair,
and he gave me many particulars in regard to the history of the
regiment. No introductions took place at the railroad cut. I
do not know whether this sergeant survived his wound. I did
all in my power to secure for him aid and attention.
Headquarters Sixth Wisconsin Volunteers,
IviNE OF Battle before Gettysburg,
July 4th, 1863.
"Sir: — I have the honor to report that the accompanying battle
flag of the second regiment of Mississippi Confederate Volun-
teers was captured by the regiment under my command under
the following circumstances: Shortly after the opening of the
action on the morning of July first, my regiment was by com-
161
mand of General DouMeday, detached from the brigade and
ordered to the support of the right of the division (WadsWorth's)
which was being forced back and outflanked by the enemy. I
moved as rapidly as possible upon the advancing line of the
enemy, joining with the fourteenth Brooklyn and ninety-fifth
New York on my left. A brisk fire was opened throughout our
line which soon checked the enemy, and forced him to take
refuge in a railroad cut. I ordered a charge upon the cut. The
men moved forward, well closed and on a run. When our line
reached the edge of the cut, the rebels ceased firing and threw
down their arms. Major Blair commanding the regiment in my
front, the second Mississippi, surrendered his sword and regiment.
The battle flag was taken before the surrender by Corporal F.
Asbury Waller of company 'I' and sent to the rear in charge of
Sergeant Wm. Evans of company 'H' who was badly wounded.
The Sergeant was taken prisoner by the enemy and held for two
days in Gettysbiirg. With the assistance of some ladies, whose
names I have not learned, he successfully concealed the color and
finally when the enemy retired, brought it safely to the regiment.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully,
R. R. Dawbs,
I/ieutenant Colonel commanding sixth Wisconsin Volunteers."
This report was directed to General Wadsworth's adjutant
general.
(Letter to M. B. G.) On the march, July 6th, 2 P. M.
"We have stopped for a few moments near Emmitsburg. I am
entirely well. I telegraphed to mother day before yesterday.
This has been a terrible ordeal. Our loss is 30 killed outright,
116 wounded, several of whom have died since, and 25 missing,
all from 340 men taken into battle. My horse was shot under
me early in the fight, which perhaps saved my life. The experi-
ence of the past few days seem more like a horrible dream than
the reality. May God save me and my men from any more such
trials. Our bravest and best are cold in the ground or suffering
on beds of anguish. I could tell a thousand stories of their
heroism : One young man, Corporal James Kelly of company
"B," shot through the breast, came staggering up to me before he
fell and opening his shirt to show the wound, said 'Colonel, won't
162
you write to my folks that I died a soldier.' Every man of our
color guard was shot and several volunteer color bearers. There
was not a man of them but would die before the honor of the
old Sixth should be tarnished. I do not know what is in store
for us but you know that with my earliest chance, I will write
you fully of what has happened."
This history would be incomplete with no glimpse of how the
new recruit stood fire at home. As the thunders of Gettysburg
rolled over the land, there was intense excitement on the part of
all the people. Telegraphic bulletins were posted every few
hours. This is from M. B. G. to R. R. Dawes :
Home, July 4th, 1863.
"Your birthday, and I have been all the time anticipating so
much pleasure in writing to you to-day but it is only to-night
that I have felt that I could write at all. It has seemed utterly
impossible for me to write to you, not knowing you were
where my letters could ever reach you or my prayers ever avail
you. I feel that I can now— not that I think you are out of
danger by any means — but I believe you will be spared. I shall
not undertake to tell you how slowly and sorrowfully the last
three days have dragged along. The first news we heard of the
battle was that the first army corps was engaged and General
Reynolds killed. About noon to-day I began to feel more hopeful
that you had got through safely, but this afternoon we hear that
the first corps is engaged again. When will they ever let you
rest? From the papers, to-night, I conclude you came safely
through Wednesday (July ist) but your corps commander killed
and your brigade commander wounded. I shall watch, oh, so
anxiously, for tidings this week, praying that God in His mercy
may spare you."
Marietta, Ohio, July 7th, 1863.
"I am beginning to feel as if I could write to you again, not
quite sure you are safe yet but taking heart from the fact that we
have had no bad news and we have the list of killed and wounded
in the sixth Wisconsin up to Thursday evening. We hope you
were not in that division of the first corps which was engaged
Friday (July 3rd). If you are only safe how we shall rejoice !
Of all times to think that you should have commanded the regi-
163
ment in this great victory ! Don't you suppose I was proud of
you and the sixth Wisconsin, last night, when I read of your
regiment, the fourteenth Brooklyn and the ninety-fifth New York
capturing a whole brigade? There has been greater rejoicing
over your victory in Pennsylvania than I have ever known, and
within the last half hour dispatches have come saying that Vicks-
burg is ours. 'Great Babylon is fallen, is fallen.' I do not know
how as a Nation we are going to bear our success, but I know as
an individual I can't bear much more of any thing."
Chapter VI 1 1.
THE SIXTH WISCONSIN AT GETTYSBURG.
*When General James S. Wadsworth's division of the first
army corps marched toward Gettysburg on the morning of July
first, 1863, the sixth Wisconsin was the last regiment in the order
of march for the day. The brigade guard, two officers and one
hundred men, marched immediately behind us, which accounts
for their assignment to the regiment for duty when we became
involved in battle. The column moved on the Emmitsburg
Road. Three hundred and forty officers and eniisted men
marched in the ranks of the regiment. All were in the highest
spirits. To make a show in the streets of Gettysburg, I brought
our drum corps to the front and had the colors unfurled. The
drum major, R. N. Smith, had begun to play "The Campbells are
Coming," and the regiment had closed its ranks and swung into
the step, when we first heard the cannon of the enemy, firing on
the cavalry of General Buford. The troops ahead turned across
the fields to the left of Gettysburg, toward the Seminary Ridge.
We stopped our music, which had at least done something to
arouse the martial spirit of old John Burns, and turned to engage
in the sterner duties involved in war. When the head of the
regimental column reached the crest of Seminary Ridge, an aide
of General Meredith, Lieutenant Gilbert M. Woodward, came on
a gallop with the order, "Colonel, form your line, and prepare for
action." I turned my horse and gave the necessary orders. The
evolution of the line was performed on the double quick, the
men loading their muskets as they ran. Hastening forward on a
run to get to our position on the left flank of the "Iron Brigade,"
which, regiment after regiment, en echelon, was dashing into the
McPherson woods, another aide, Lieutenant Marten, came gal-
*For organization Army of the Potomac, see Page 155, Volume XXVII,
Part I, War Records.
3.65
loping up and said, "Colonel, *General Doubleday is now in com-
mand of the first corps, and he directs that you halt your
regiment." General John F. Reynolds had been killed, but the
fact was not disclosed to us by I^ieutenant Marten. I halted the
men and directed them to lie down on the ground. The brigade
guard now reported to me for' duty in the impending battle, and I
^divided them into two companies of fifty men each, and placed
them upon the right and left flanks of the regiment.
The brigade guard comprised twenty men from each of the
five regiments of the "Iron Brigade." The two officers, Lieu-
tenant Ivloyd G. Harris, sixth Wisconsin, and I,ieutenant Levi
Showalter, second Wisconsin, were capable men and excellent
leaders. Eighty-one men of the other regiments of the brigade
were thus, by the emergency of sudden and unexpected battle,
brought into the ranks of our regiment.
The situation on the field of battle of all the troops now en-
gaged, will be made clear by a diagram. Two brigades of each
army confronted each other. Archer's brigade opposed the
"Iron Brigade," and Joseph R. Davis's brigade opposed Cutler's
brigade of Wadsworth's division. Hall's battery was with Cut-
ler's brigade.
BRI GADE
MC.EHERSOr^l
WOODS
2.riD. WIS.
7.TH. WIS. kO^
19. IND. ^<;i'^
a^ a«. MICH. ^^o^ I
I.TH. WIS. HAITED ■ ^
I
03
SEMINARY
JOS. R. DA VIS BR I G APE
4 jj (^ ^ L
1.47. N.Y. 60. PA. 76. N.y„
i
CUTLER'S BRIGADE.
*I deemed the extremity of the woods, which extended to the summit of
the ridge, to be the key of the position, and urged that portion of Mere-
dith's brigade, the Western men assigned to its defense, to hold it to the
last extremity. Full of the memory of their past achievements, they
replied cheerfully and proudly, "If we can't hold it, where will you find
men who can ? " — Doubleday's Eeport.
166
Excepting the sixth Wisconsin, the whole of Wadsworth's
division was hotly engaged in battle with the enemy. Lieutenant
Meredith Jones came with orders from General Doubleday. He
said, "^General Doubleday directs that you move your regiment
at once to the right." I immediately gave the order to move in
that direction at a double quick. Captain J. D. Wood came and
rode beside me, repeating the order from General Meredith and
saying the rebels were "driving Cutler's men." The guns of
Hall's battery could be seen driving to the rear, and Cutler's men
were manifestly in full retreat.
The following diagram illustrates the change of front made to
throw the regiment on the flank of the victoriously advancing
enemy. Across our track as we hurried on, passed some officers
BTH. WIS. REG'.
DOUBLE QUICK
* HORSE SHOT
2 GUN ABANDONED BY HALL.
_1 >lc
CONFEDERATES
TV* 5 T-g-TBT
FOLOER CIN.
carrying in a blanket the body of our corps commander, General
John F. Reynolds. We did not then know that he had been shot.
Suddenly my horse reared and plunged. It did not occur to
me that she had been shot. I drew a tight rein and spurred her
when she fell heavily on her haunches. I scrambled from the
"*The sixth Wisconsm,together with ttie brigade guard, under Lieutenants
Harris, of the sixth Wisconsin, and Showalter, of the second Wisconsin,
had been detached by my order, to remain with me as a reserve. There
was no time to be lost, as the enemy was already in the woods, and ad-
vancing at double quick to seize this important central position and hold
the ridge. The "Iron Brigade," led by the second Wisconsin in line, and
followed by the other regiments, deployed en echelon without a moment's
hesitation, charged with the utmost steadiness and fury, hurled the enemy
back into the run, and reformed their lines on the high ground beyond the
ravine.
The second Wisconsin, in this contest, under the gallant Colonel Fair-
child, was particularly distinguished. It accomplished the difficult task of
driving superior numbers of rebel infantry from the shelter of the woods,
and to it also belongs the honor of capturing General Archer himself. He
was brought in by Private Patrick Maloney, of company "G." It is to he
Jarnented that this brave Irishman was subsequently killed in the action."
167
ground, where I had been thrown sprawling, in front of the
regiment, and the men gave a hearty cheer. The gallant old
mare also struggled to her feet and hobbled toward the rear on
three legs. She had been struck in the breast by a minnie ball,
which penetrated seventeen inches. For years she carried the
bullet, which could be felt under the skin behind the left shoul-
der blade— but woe to the man who felt it, as her temper had
been spoiled. For the rest of the battle I was on foot. The
regiment halted at the fence along the Cashtown Turnpike, and I
gave the order to fire. In the field, beyond the turnpike,, a long
line of yelling Confederates could be seen running forward and
firing, and our troops ot Cutler's brigade were running back in
disorder. The fire of our carefully aimed muskets, resting on
•the fence rails, striking their flank, soon checked the rebels in
their headlong pursuit. The rebel line swayed and bent, and
suddenly stopped firing and the menjan into the railroad cut,
■ parallel to the Cashtown Turnpike-JIordered my men to climb
over the turnpike fences and advance. I was not aware of the
existence of the railroad cut, and at first mistook the manuever
of the enemy for retreat, but was undeceived by the heavy fire
which they began at once to pour upon us from their cover in the
cut. Captain John Ticknor, always a dashing leader, fell dead
while climbing the second fence, and many were struck on the
fences, but the line pushed on. When over the fences and in the
field, and subjected to an infernal fire, I first saw the ninety-fifth
New York regiment coming gallantly into line upon our left. I
did not then know or care where they came from, but was re-
joiced to see them. Farther to the left was the ^fourteenth
Brooklyn regiment, but I was then ignorant of the fact. Major
Edward Pye appeared to be in command of the ninety-fifth New
York. Running to the major, I said, "We must charge." The
_ *Colonel E. B. Fowler fourteenth Brooklyn, in his oflBicial report, has
given the impression that he ordered the sixth Wisconsin regiment to make
this charge. He gave us no orders whatever. I did not know he was on
the field until the charge was over. I called Colonel Fowler's attention to
the matter and he stated as an explanation that he sent an officer to give
me such an order. Colonel Fowler was retreating his regiment when we
arrived at the turnpike fence. He then changed front and joined our ad-
vance. The fourteenth Brooklyn and ninety-fifth New York jointly had
not more men m action than the sixth Wisconsin.
168
gallant major replied, "Charge it is." "Forward, charge !" was
the order I gave, and Major Pye gave the same command. We
were receiving a fearfully destructive fire from the hidden enemy.
Men who had been shot were leaving the ranks in crowds. With the
colors at the advance point, the regiment firmly and hurriedly
moved forward, while the whole field behind streamed with men
who had been shot, and who were struggling to the rear or
sinking in death upon the ground. The only commands I gave,
as we advanced, were, "Align on the colors ! Close up on the
colors ! Close up on the colors ! " The regiment was being so
broken up that this order alone could hold the body together.
Meanwhile the colors fell upon the ground several times but were
raised again by the heroes of the color guard. Four hundred
and twenty men started in the regiment from the turnpike fence,
of whom about two hundred and forty reached the railroad cut.
Years afterward I found the distance passed over to be one
hundred and seventy-five paces. Every officer proved brave, true,
and heroic in encouraging the men to breast the deadly storm,
but the real impetus was the eager and determined valor of our
men who carried muskets in the ranks. I noticed the motions of
our "Tall Sycamore," Captain J. H. Marston, who commanded
company "E." His long arms were stretched out as if to gather
his men together and push them forward. At a crisis he rose to
his full height, and he was the tallest man in the regiment, ex-
cepting I,evi Steadman of company "I," who was killed on this
charge. How the rebels happened to miss Captain Marston I
cannot comprehend. Second I,ieutenant O. B. Chapman, com-
manding company "C," fell dead while on the charge. The
commission of Lieutenant Thomas Kerr as captain of company
"D," bears the proud date' of July first, 1863 — in recognition ot
his conduct. The rebel color was seen waving defiantly above
the edge of the railroad cut. A heroic ambition to capture it
took possession of several of our men. Corporal Eggleston, of
company "H," sprang forward to seize it, and was shot and mor-
tally wounded. Private Anderson, of his company, furious at
the killing of his brave young comrade, recked little for the rebel
color, but he swung aloft his musket and with a terrific blow
split the skull of the rebel who lia<i shpt young Eggleston. This
169
soldier was well known in the regiment as "Rocky Mountain
Anderson." I^ieutenant William N. Remington was shot and
severely wounded in the shoulder, while rushing for the color.
Into this deadly melee came Corporal Francis A. Waller, who
seized and held the rebel battle flag. His name will forever
remain upon the historic record, as he received from Congress a
*medal for this deed.
My notice that we were upon the enemy, was a general cry
from our men of: "Throw down your muskets! Down with
your muskets!" Running forward through our line of men, I
found myself face to face with hundreds of rebels, whom I looked
down upon in the railroad cut, which was, where I stood, four feet
deep. Adjutant Brooks, equal to the emergency, quickly placed
about twenty men across the cut in position to fire through it.
I have always congratulated myself upon getting the first word.
I shouted : "Where is the colonel of this regiment ? " An officer
in gray, with stars on his collar, who stood among the men in
the cut, said : "Who are you ?" I said : "I command this regi-
ment. Surrender, or I will fire." The officer replied not a word,
but promptly handed me his sword, and his men, who still held
them, threw down their muskets. The coolness, self-possession,
and discipline which held back our men from pouring in a general
volley saved a hundred lives of the enemy, and as my mind goes
back to the fearful excitement of the moment, I marvel at it.
The fighting around the rebel colors had not ceased when this
surrender took place. I took the sword. It would have been
the handsome thing to say, "Keep your sword, sir," but I was
new to such occasions, and when six other officers came up and
handed me their swords, I took them also. I held this awkward
bundle in my arms until relieved by Adjutant Brooks. I directed
the officer in command, fMajor John A. Blair, of the second
Mississippi regiment, to have his raen fall in without arms. He
gave the command, and his men, (seven officers and two hundred
and twenty-five enlisted men) obeyed. To Major John F. Hauser
I assigned the duty of marching this body to the provost-guard.
*See Page 282, Volume XXVII, Part II, War Records.
tColonel J. M. Stone, since Governor of Mississippi, was in command at
the opening of the battley but he had been wounded and disabled.
170
Lieutenant William Goltermann of Company "F," volunteered to
command a line of volunteer skirmishers, which I called for as
soon as Major Hauser moved his prisoners away. This line of
men took possession of the ridge toward the enemy and guarded
against a surprise by a return of the enemy to attack. One gun
of Hall's second Maine battery stood upon the field before the
railroad cut and between the hostile lines. After the surrender,
Captain Rollin P. Converse took men enough for the purpose
and pulled this gun to the turnpike, where Captain Hall took it
again in charge.
Corporal Frank Asbury Waller brought me the captured battle
flag. It was the flag of the second Mississippi Volunteers, one
of the oldest and most distinguished regiments in the Confed-
erate army. It belonged to the brigade commanded by Joseph
R. Davis, the nephew of Jefferson Davis. It is a rule in battle
not to allow sound men to leave the ranks. Sergeant William
Evans of company "H," a brave and true man, had been severely
wounded in the thighs. He was obliged to use two muskets as
crutches. To him I intrusted the battle-flag, and I took it from
the stafi' and wrapped it around his body.
Adjutant F. P. Brooks buckled on one of the captured swords,
and he still retains it, but the other six were given to a wounded
man and delivered to our chief surgeon, A. W. Preston. The
enemy, when they took the town, captured the hospital and the
swords. No discredit to the doctor is implied, as his hands were
full of work with wounded men.
*After this capture of prisoners in the railroad cut there was a
*The line officers present at the battle of Gettysburg -were as follows ;
the first named is the company commander when the fight opened : Lieu-
tenant Howard F. Pruyn, company "A," wounded; Lieut. H. J. Huntington,
company "A ;" Captain E. P. Converse, company "B;" Lieutenant Charles
P. Hyatt, company "B ;" Lieutenant Loyd G. Harris, company "C,"
wounded ; Lieutenant O. D. Chapman, company "C," killed ; Lieutenant
Thomas Kerr, company "D ;" Captain J. H. Marston, company "E;"
Lieutenant Michael Mangan, company "E," wounded; Lieutenant Oscar
Graetz, company' "F ;" Lieutenant William Goltermann, company "F ;"
Lieutenant James L. Converse, company "G ;" Lieutenant John Timmons,
company "G ;" Lieutenant ;John Beeley, company "H," wounded ; Lieu-
tenant is. B. Merchant, company "H," wounded ; Lieutenant Earl M.
Rogers, company "I ;" Captain John Ticknor, company "K," killed ; Lieu-
tenant William N. Eemington, comfjany "K," wounded; Lieutenant Wm.
S. Campbell, company "K." Captain Charles H. Ford and Lieutenant C.
171
lull in the battle. Our comrades of the "Iron Brigade," who had
charged so brilliantly into the McPherson woods, had been com-
pletely victorious. They had routed Archer's brigade, capturing
its commander and many of its men, and then they had changed
front to move to the relief of Cutler's brigade, but our charge
upon the railroad cut, and its success, obviated that necessity.
By this charge Joseph R. Davis' brigade was scattered or
captured.* We had fairly defeated, upon an open field, a supe-
rior force of the veterans of the army of General I^ee. It was a
short, sharp, and desperate fight, but the honors were easily with
the boys in blue.
While the regiment is being reorganized, let us follow Sergeant
William Evans. Weak and faint from loss of blood, he painfully
-hobbled to Gettysburg, and became exhausted in the street.
Brave and faithful friends came to his relief. Two young women
assisted this wounded soldier into their home, and placed him
upon a bed. The Union troops soon began to retreat in confu-
sion through the town, and the cheers of the victorious enemy
could be plainly heard. Evans begged of his friends to hide the
rebel flag. They cut a hole in the bed-tick beneath him, thrust
in the flag, and sewed up the rent. The flag was thus safely
concealed until the enemj' retreated from Gettysburg, and on the
morning of July 4th Evans brought his precious trophy to Gulp's
Hill and gave it to me there.f
E. Rogers were acting on the staff of General Wadsworth. Captain .Tohn
A. Kellogg was the very efficient Chief of the StafT of General Lysander
Cutler. His service was distinguished by his accustomed activity and
bravery in battle. Lieutenant Levi Showalter, the second Wisconsin officer
commanding the improvised company of the brigade guard on the right of
the regiment, was shot and severely wounded. He was a gallant officer
and led his men with a spirit equal to any commander in the line.
*Volume XXVII, Part II, Page 638, War Records. General Henry Heth
says in his report: "Davis' brigade was kept on the left of the road that it
might collect its stragglers, and from its shattered condition it was not
deemed advisable to bring it again into action on that day."
The strength of General J. E. Davis' brigade May 31st, 1863, for duty,
officers and men, was 2,577 in its four regiments There were three regi-
ments in this battle, or approximately 1,933 men, three fourths of 2,577.
War Records, Volume XVIII, Page 1086.
tA letter just recieved from Captain Loyd G. Harris makes the following
important statement regarding the rebel battle flag, and gives the name of
the brave women who saved it for us : "After I was wounded, Lieut. W. N.
Remington, Lieutenant John Beely and myself, were in a temporary hos-
172
Battle Flag of the Second Mississippi Regiment, Captured at
Gettysbubg.
In his official report General Doubleday says that when Cut-
ler's regiments were overpowered and driven back, "the moment
was a critical one, involving the defeat, perhaps the utter rout of
pital in Gettysburg. Actingon the advice of the surgeon, we found pleasant
quarters with the family of Mr. Hollenger, and while there were joined by
one of our sergeants (William Evans I think) who had the rebel flag. This
was about noon. Just after our dinner, firing began in the front. I went
up stairs and from an upper porch could plainly see the movement of the
eleventh corps but not the first corps. They (the eleventh corps) were
over-lapped by the enemy and soon in full retreat. I went below and told
Remington and Beely to hurry out and get to the rear as fast as they could.
Mrs. Hollenger partly fainted, and assisted by her husband I helped to carry
her to the cellar. There were two young lady daughters, (Miss Julia was
the name of one of these young ladies). I bade them all good bye, and
when I went out, had a narrow escape from being shot down or captured, but
by going through houses, after I passed two cross streets, found my com-
panions in an ambulance. Once with them we lead the retreat."
There was brought to me on Gulp's Hill, July 4th, when our wounded
men returned, a bouquet of flowers with the compliments of Miss Sallie
Paxton. This lady had seen our charge upon the railroad cut.
1?3
our forces."* Later in the day we marched through the railroad
cut, and about one thousand muskets lay in the bottom of it.
Only one regiment surrendered as an organization, and that was
the second Mississippi Volunteers. The ninety-fifth New York
took prisoners, as did also the fourteenth Brooklyn. All the
troops in the railroad cut threw down their muskets, and the men
either surrendered themselyes, or ran away out of the other end
of the cut.
The Advance on the Railroad Cut.
. Seminary Eidge is in the foreground. Later in the battle, battery "B"
was, planted here and in the timber showing on the right. The regiment
when supporting this battery was in the timber, and it was there that we
reorganized after our charge upon the railroad cut.
We next advanced, by order of General Wadsworth, to. the
ridgef west of the Seminary Ridge. Here we encountered a
*The moment was a critical one, involving the defeat, perhaps the utter
rout of our forces. I immediately sent tor one of Meredith's regiments,
the Sixth Wisconsin, a gallant body of men, who I knew could be re-
lied upon. Forming them rapidly perpendicular to the line of battle on
the enemy's flank, I directed them to attack immediately. Lieutenant-
Colonel Dawes, their commander, ordered a charge, which was gallantly
executed. The enemy made a hurried attempt to change front to meet the
attack, and flung his troops into the railroad cut for safety. The Ninety-
fifth New York volunteers, Colonel Biddle, and the Fourteenth Brooklyn,
under Colonel Fowler, joined in the charge ; the cut was carried at the
point of the bayonet. » » * » »
tOccupied by the enemy in the picture.
m
heavy line of rebel skirmishers, upon whom we opened fire, and
drove them into Willoughby Run. But the enemy turned upon
us the fire of six pieces of artillery in position just south of the
Cashtown Turnpike beyond Willoughby Run, and beyond the
houses in the picture. The shell flew over us and burst around us
so thickly that I was obliged to order the men to lie upon the
ground under the brow of the ridge. The "Iron Brigade" was
in the McPherson Woods, half a mile to our left. The space between
us and that brigade was occupied by Colonel Roy Stone's Penn-
sylvania Bucktails. General Lysander Cutler's brigade was now
upon our right. This was our position when the general attack
was made by the rebel army corps of Hill and Ewell combined,
at half past one o'clock in the afternoon. The first brunt of it
struck the gallant brigade of Bucktails. They were fighting on
Pennsylvania soil. Their conduct was more than heroic, it was
glorious. I can not describe the charges and counter-charges
which took place, but we all saw the banner of the one hundred
and forty-ninth Pennsylvania planted in the ground and waving
between the hostile lines of battle, while the desperate fight went
on. This color was taken by the enemy.
Under pressure of the battle, the whole line of Union troops
fell back to the Seminary Ridge. I could plainly see the
entire movement. I saw Captain HoUon Richardson who acted
as an aide to Colonel W. W. Robinson, now in command of the
"Iron Brigade," carrying on his horse and waving aloft, the
colors of the seventh Wisconsin, as the proud brigade slowly
drew back from the McPherson Woods to the Seminary Ridge.
We received no orders. Being a detached regiment it is likely
that we were overlooked. The enemy (Ewell's corps) advanced
so that the low ground between us and the Seminary Ridge
in our rear was swept by their fire. It would cost many lives to
rnarch in line of battle through this fire. I adopted the tactics
of the rebels earlier in the day, and ordered my men to run into
the railroad cut. Then instructing the men to follow in single
file, I led the way, as fast as I could run, from this cut to the cut
in the Seminary Ridge. About a cart load of dirt was ploughed
over us by the rebel shell, but otherwise not a man was struck.
The ranks were promptly reformed, and we marched into the
1?5
woods on the Seminary Ridge to tlie same position from whicli
we had advanced. . The whole first army corps was now in line
of battle on the Seminary Ridge, and here that grand body of
veteran soldiers made a heroic effort to stay the overwhelming
tide that sWept against them.*
Battery "B," fourth U. S. artillery, under command of lyieu-
tenant James Stewart, came up, and General Wadsworth directed
me to support it with my regiment. James Stewart was as brave
and efficient a man as ever fought upon a battle field. His bat-
tery was manned by men detailed from the volunteers, many of
them from our brigade. And now came the grand advance of
the enemy. During this time the attack was progressing, I stood
among the guns of battery "B." Along the Seminary Ridge,
flat upon their bellies, lay mixed up together in one line of battle,
the "Iron Brigade" and Roy Stone's "Bucktails." For a mile up
■and down the open fields in front, the splendid lines of the
veterans of the army of Northern Virginia swept down upon us.
Their bearing was magnificent. They maintained Hheir align-
ments with great precision. In many cases the colors ot
regiments were advanced several paces in front of the line.
fStewart fired shell until they appeared on the ridge east of
Willoughby Run ; when on this ridge they came forward with a
rush. The musketry burst from the Seminary Ridge, every
shot fired with care, and Stewart's men, with the regularity
of a machine, worked their guns upon the enemy. The rebels
came half way down the opposite slope, wavered, began to fire, then
to scatter and then to run, and how our men did yell, "Come on,
Johnny! come on!" Falling back over the ridge they came on
again more cautiously, and pouring upon us from the start a
steady fire of deadly musketry. This killed Stewart's men and
horses in great numbers, but did not seem to check his fire.
*The first corps Only consisted of about 8,200 men when it entered the
battle. It was reduced at the close of the engagement to about 2,450.—
Doubleday's Eeport.
tSee Eeport of confederate Colonel Abner Perrin, Volume XXVII,
Page 661, Part II, War Eecords, and General A. M. Scales, Page
670, and Colonel W. J. Lowrance, Page 671. These reports show the
terrible effect of Stewart's fire upon the enemy. In 1882 I visited the
ground with General A. M. Scales and he stated that the fire of battery "B"
was the most destructive he had known in the war.
It6
RETREAT.
I/ieutenant Clayton E. Rogers, aide on General Wadsworth's
staflF, came riding rapidly to me. Leaning over from his
horse, he said very quietly: "The orders, colonel, are to
retreat beyond the town. Hold your men together." I was
astonished. The cheers of defiance along the line of the first
corps, on Seminary Ridge, had scarcely died away. But a glance
over the field to our right and rear was sufficient. There the
troops of the *eleventh corps appeared in full retreat, and long
lines of Confederates, with fluttering banners and shining steel,
were sweeping forward in pursuit of them without let or
hindrance. It was a close race which could reach Gettysburg
first, ourselves, or the rebel troops of Ewell's corps, who pursued
our eleventh corps. Facing the regiment to the rear, I marched
in line of battle over the open fields toward the town. "We were
north of the railroad, and our direction separated us from other
regiments of our corps. If we had desired to attack Ewell's
twenty thoifsand men with our two hundred, we could not have
moved more directly toward them. We knew nothing about a
Cemetery Hill. We could see only that the on-coming lines of
the enemj' were encircling us in a horseshoe. But with the flag
of the Union and of Wisconsin held aloft, the little regiment
marched firmly and steadily. As we approached the town, the
buildings of the Pennsylvania College screened us from the view
of the enemy. We could now see that our troops were retreating
in a direction at right angles to our line of march. We reached
a street extending through Gettysburg from the college to Ceme-
tery Hill, and crossed it. We were now faced by the enemy, and
I turned the course toward the Cemetery Hill, although then
unconscious of the fact. The first cross street was swept by the
musketry fire of the enemy. There was a close board fence,
*Doctor John 0. Hall was on duty in a building used for a hospital near
the railroad station in Gettysburg. From the north window he' had, he
says, a "perfect view" of the retreat of the eleventh corps. In his journal of
July second, 1863, he wrote of it : "Away went guns and knapsacks, and
they fled for dear life, forming a funnel shaped tail, extending to the town.
The rebels coolly and deliberately shot them down like sheep. I did not
see an oflicer attempt to rally or check them in their headlong retreat. On
came the rebs and occupied the town, winning at that point a cheap
victory."
17?
Fl4g of Sixth Wisconsin as Caebied at Gettysbukg, the Last
Battle op this old Color.
inclosing a barn-yard, on the opposite side of the street. A board
or two off from the fence made what the men called a "hog-hole."
' Instructing the regiment to follow in single file on the run, I
took a color, ran across the street, and jumped through this
opening in the fence. Officers and men followed rapidly. Taking
position at the fence, when any man obstructed the passage-way
through it, I jerked him away without ceremony or apology, the
object being to keep the track clear for those yet to come. Two
men were shot in this street crossing. The regiment was re-
formed in the barn-yard, and I marched back again to the street
leading from the Pennsylvania College to the Cemetery Hill. To
understand why the street was crossed in the manner described,
it should be remembered that men running at full speed, scattered
in single file, were safer from the fire of the enemy than if
marching in a compact body. By going into the inclosure, the
regiment came together, to be at once formed into compact order.
178
It was in compliance with the order, to keep my men together.
The weather was sultry. The sweat streamed from the faces of
the men. There was not a drop of water in the canteens, and
there had been none for hours. The streets were jammed with
crowds of retreating soldiers, and with ambulances, artillery, and
wagons. The cellars were crowded with men, sound in body, but
craven in spirit, who had gone there to surrender. I saw no men
wearing badges of the first army corps in this disgraceful com-
pany. In one case, these miscreants, mistaking us for the
rebels, cried out from the cellar, "Don't fire, Johnny, we'll sur-
render." These surroundings were depressing to my hot and
thirsty men. Finding the street blocked, I formed my men in
two lines across it. The rebels began to fire on us from houses
and cross-lots. Here came to us a friend in need. It was an old
citizen with two buckets of fresh water. The inestimable value
of this cup of cold water to those true, unyielding soldiers, I
would that our old friend could know.
After this drink, in response to my call, the men gave* three
cheers for the good and glorious cause for which we stood in
battle. The enemy fired on us sharply, and the men returned their
fire, shooting wherever the enemy appeared. This firing had a
good efiect. It cleared the street of stragglers in short order.
The way being open I marched again toward the Cemetery Hill.
The enemy did not pursue ; they had found it dangerous business.
"We hurried along, not knowing certainly that we might not be
marching into the clutches of the enemy. But the colors of the
Union, floating over a well ordered line of men in blue, who
were arrayed along the slope of Cemetery Hill, became visible.
This was the seventy-third Ohio, of Steinwehr's division of the
*The whole retreat from the commencement was most creditable to the
troops engaged. There was no hurry and no confusion, but the regiments
fell back calmly, turning from time to time to check the enemy's advance
by volleys of musketry, and again retreating. From the admixture of so
many different regiments at the seminary, it became impossible to reorgan-
nize them in good order without a delay which would have exposed the
men to certain destruction. I saw, however, no running or undue haste.
All the troops passed tranquilly on, although the enemy was firing into
them from the side streets, and all reformed promptly on their arrival at
Cemetery Hill, and in a very short time were again ready for service. The
sixth Wisconsin marched through the streets in a body, stopping from time
to timelto return the fire of the enemy, and giving hearty cheers for the good
old cause and the sixth "Wisconsin "Volunteers. — Doubleday's Report.
179
eleventh army corps. With swifter steps we now pressed on up
the hill, and, passing in through the ranks open to receive us,
officers and men threw themselves in a state of almost perfect
exhaustion on the green grass and the graves of the cemetery.
The condition of affairs on Cemetery Hill at this time has been a
subject of. discussion. If fresh troops had attacked us then, we
unquestionably would have fared badly. The troops were scat-
tered over the hill in much disorder, while a stream of stragglers
and wounded men pushed along the Baltimore Turnpike toward
the rear. But this perilous condition of aflFairs was of short
duration. There was no appearance of panic on the Cemetery
Hill. After a short breathing spell my men again promptly
responded to the order to "fall in." I^ieutenant Rogers brought
us orders from General Wadsworth, to join our own brigade,
which had been sent to occupy Culp's Hill.* As we marched
toward the hill our regimental wagon joined us. In the wagon
were a dozen spades and shovels. Taking our place on the
right of the line of the brigade, I ordered the regiment to in-
trench. The men worked with great energy. A man would dig
with all his strength till out of breath, when another would seize
the spade and push on the work. There were no orders to
construct these breastworks, but the situation plainly dictated
their necessity. The men now lay down to rest after the arduous
labors of this great and terrible day. Sad and solemn reflections
possessed, at least, the writer of these papers. Our dead lay
unburied and beyond our sight or reach. Our wounded were in
the hands of the enemy. Our bravest and best were numbered
with them. Of eighteen hundred men who marched with the
splendid brigade in the morning, but seven hundred were here.
More than one thousand men had been shot. There was to us a
terrible reality in the figures which represent our loss. We had
been driven, also, by the enemy, and the shadow of defeat seemed
to be hanging over us. But that afternoon, under the burning
sun and through the stifling clouds of dust, the Army of the
Potomac had marched to the sound of our cannon. We had lost
*Oolonel W. W, Eobinson, of the seventh Wisconsin regiment, was in
command of the brigade, having succeeded General Meredith, who had
been wounded.
180
the ground on whicli we had fought, we had lost our commander
and our comrades, but our fight had held the Cemetery Hill and
forced the 'decision for history that the crowning battle of the
war should be at Gettysburg.*
It is a troubled and dreamy sleep at best that comes to the
soldier on a battle field. About one o'clock at night we had a
great alarm. A man in the seventh Indiana regiment, next on
right, cried so loudly in his sleep that he aroused all the troops in
the vicinity. Springing up, half bewildered, I ordered my
regiment to "fall in," and a heavy fire of musketry broke out
from along the whole line of men. At three o'clock in the
morning, according to orders, the men were aroused. The
morning of the second day found us lying quietly in our breast-
works near the summit of Gulp's Hill. We were in the shade
of some fine oak trees, and enjoyed an excellent view of nearly
the whole battle field. Our situation would have been
delightful, and our rest in the cool shade would have been
refreshing, if it had not been for the crack, crack, of the deadly
sharpshooters on the rebel skirmish line. Owing, probably, to
the crooked line of our army, the shots came from all directions,
and the peculiarly mournful wail of the spent bullet was con-
stantly heard.
LONGSTREJET'S ATTACK ON SICKLES.
Our line faced toward the town of Gettysburg. For hours I
watched the rebel troops with a field-glass, as their heavy columns
of infantry marched toward our right. We could see them form-
ing in the fields beyond Rock Creek, and knew that they were
preparing to attack Gulp's Hill. Until four o'clock P. M., but little
sound was heard except the monotonous noise of the sharpshooter.
.*Inthe sixth Wisconsin, Adjutant Edward P. Brooks is mentioned for
greatly aiding the successful capture of the two regiments in the railroad
cut, by throwing a body of men into the cut so as to enfilade the rebel line.
Corporal F. Asbury Waller, of company I, captured the colors of the sec-
ond Mississippi previous to the surrender of that regiment. Major Hauser
was particularly brave and efHcient. Captain John Ticknorand Lieutenant
Orrin D. Chapman, who were killed in the charge, were a great loss to the
service. Captain Rollin P. Converse and Lieutenant Charles P. Hyatt, of
company B, and Lieutenant Goltermann, of company F, were also among
the highly distinguished. The commander of the regiment, Lieutenant-
Colonel E. E. Dawes, proved himself to be one of the ablest officers on the
field.— Doubleday's Eeport.
,/
^,-n4
MA J-: GEN - ABN F:B. IXJTl BLED/Vl'
181
At this hour, from the Cemetery Hill and from a long distance in
that direction, the storm of battle suddenly broke out. Artillery
and musketry thundered and crashed together. Amid the tumult
we could plainly hear the rebel charging yell. We momentarily
expected that the rebels in the valley of Rock Creek would
advance upon us. But they did not come, and gradually our
attention became absorbed by the awful combat on our left. We
could plainly see that our troops were giving ground. Thou-
sands were streaming to the rear. Our suspense and anxiety
were intense. We gathered in knots all over the hill,
watching the battle. It seemed to us a long time that this
savage, but to all appearances unfavorable, struggle went
on. The rebel line certainly was advancing. The rebel
yell certainly was predominant. Brigade after brigade moved in,
but the tide was against us. As the sun was low down a fine
sight was seen. It was two long blue lines of battle, with twenty
or thirty regimental banners, charging forward into the smoke
and din of battle. To all appearances they saved the field.
But a sound came now from the woods to our right, that made us
jump for our breastworks. It was the rebel yell, sounded by
thousands of voices. It was almost dusk, and beginning to be
quite dark in the woods. I ran to my post, and ordered: "Down,
men, watch sharp, keep your eyes peeled! Shoot low, shoot
low, the hill is steep; quiet, now; steady!" After these orders
and cautions, the men peered sharply into the woods to "let them
have it" as they came up the hill against us. But there is no
attack upon us. The crash of Union muskets breaks out on our
right, and we know that the attack is on the twelfth corps. Soon
a staff officer came along, calling: "Where is Colonel Dawes?"
I answered: "Here." He said: "Take your regiment, sir, and
report to General Greene." I said: "Where is he?" "He is
over in the woods where they are attacking." I commanded;
"Attention, battalion, right face, forward by file right — march!"
and we started for General Greene. Who he was I did not know,
but the musketry showed where to go. The first mounted officer
I saw proved to be General G. S. Greene, of the twelfth army
corps. Taking from his pocket a card, he wrote in the darkness
his nam,e and command, which he handed to me. He then directed
182
me to form my regiment, and go into the breastworks ; to go
as quickly as possible, and to hold the works after I got there.
I did not then understand, nor did he, that the rebels already had
possession of these works. Facing the regiment to the front, I
ordered: "Forward— run; march!" We received no fire until
we neared the breastworks, when the enemy who had possession
of them, lying on the lower side, and who were completely sur-
prised at our sudden arrival, rose up and fired a volley at us, and
immediately retreated down the hill. This remarkable encounter
did not last a minute. We lost two men, killed— both burned
with the powder of the gun's fired at them. The darkness and
the suddenness of our arrival caused the enemy to fire wildly.
We recaptured the breastworks on our front, and the fourteenth
Brooklyn, which came in on our right, also got possession of the
works. We remained here until midnight, when we were relieved
by troops of the twelfth corps, who had left these works to sup-
port General Sickles' corps against l,ongstreet's attack and now
returned. We then marched back to our own breastworks on
Gulp's Hill.
' During the whole day of July 3rd, we occupied our intrench-
ments on Gulp's Hill. They seemed a coign of vantage. We
had the zip of the sharpshooter's bullet, the "where is you" of
cannon shot, the ringing whistle of the ragged fragments of
bursting shell, all around us. At some hours of the day,
especially during the great cannonade preceding Pickett's charge,
the air seemed full of missiles fired by the enemy. But no man
was touched, and we were devoutly thankful that such immunity
was granted us.*
This letter from Golonel J. M. Stone, then, and at the present
time. Governor of the State of Mississippi, was in reply to my
letter asking for some recollections of our meeting at Gettysburg.
State of Mississippi, Executive Department, )
Jackson, June 4th, 1876. j
Golonel R. R. Dawes, Marietta, Ohio.
"My Dear Sir: — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt
of your esteemed letter of the ist inst. and I thank you for the
*For casualties Army of Potomac see Page 112, Volume XXVII, Part I,
Wsr Records.
/
183
complimentary mention of the officers and men composing the
second regiment of Mississippi Vohmteers, which regiment I had
the honor to command during the late war. I have a distinct,
but sad recollection of the events of July ist, 1863, in the
vicinity of Gettysburg. In consequence of a wound received a
few minutes prior to the. final issue, I did not have the pleasure of
meeting you and your gallant men in the railroad cut. The loss
of my regiment in that terrible conflict (if my memory serves
me correctly) was one hundred and eighty-two killed and
wounded. I have frequently heard Major Blair (afterward Lieu-
tenant Colonel) and other officers and soldiers of my regiment,
speak in the highest terms of yourself and the officers and men
of the sixth Wisconsin. I remember well the fight in the corn-
field in front of the church at Antietam, (Sharpsburg.) I
was in command, was twice wounded, but not disabled, and
remained and commanded until the battle ended.
YoTu can communicate with Colonel John A. Blair, at Tupelo,
Lee County, Mississippi. He will doubtless be much pleased to
hear from you. With assurances of my highest regard, and sin-
cere desire for mutual and perpetual good feeling and friendly
relations, I am very respectfully yours, J. M. Stone.
Official reports describing the action of the sixth Wisconsin in the battle
of Gettysburg may be found as follows, in. Volume XXVIT, Part I, War
Records :
General Abner Doubleday, Pages 243 to 257
General James S. Wadsworth, Page 266
Lieutenant Colonel Rufus R. Dawes, Pages 275 to 278
References to the sixth Wisconsin will be found in Reports of
General Lysander Cutler, Page 283
Colonel Edward B. Fowler, Page 286
Major Edward Pye, Page 287
GeneralJohn W. Geary, Page 827
General George S. Greene, Page 856
Captain Lewis R. Stegraan, Page 865
Confederate Reports, Volume XXVII, Part II, War Records :
General Joseph R. Davis, Page 648
Major General Henry Heth, page 637
Lieutenant General A. P. Hill, Page 606
Reports of the commanders of the other regiments of the "Iron Brigade"
may be found in same volume :
Colonel Henry A. Morrow, Page 267
Major John Mansfield, Page 273
Colonel W. W. Robinson, Page 278
184
Casualties in the Battle of Gettysburg.
Woun
Miss-
Killed
ded.
ing.
<v
ri
o
ri
o
ri
fH
i"^
fl
£
H=!
£
lo
^
O
S
o
S
CIO
tB
Brig. Com. StaflF.
Sixth Wisconsin Volunteers
Second Wisconsin Volunteers
Seventh Wisconsin Volunteers
Nineteenth Indiana Volunteers
Twenty-fourth Michigan Volunteers
Total ;
109
144
98
111
206
13 151 67 668 13 253 1165
2
169
233
179
221
361
Chapter IX.
Parsalt of th.& Enemy— The Pride ot Victory— "Williamsport— A
Little Rest— On to Virginia -JProvost Duty at Middlebxxrg-Too
Af ucli "Wliislcy — To Warrenton ^JunctlOJi — Echoes of tiie Morgan
Raid— To Beverly Ford— The One Hundred and Sixty-Seventh
Pennsylvania Refuses to March — The old and rtetv Colors —
Letter Erom one of Sherman's men — South of the Ra%>%>ahannocX^
— I Command an Outpost — Minic Arguea the Case — Refused a
Leave of Jlbsence — Conscripts and Bounty xJumpera — "Iron
Brigade" Flag — At Culpepper— I Malie a Friendly Call on the
Enemy — Ordnance Returns — To the Rapidan — JPiclcet Duty,
(Letter to M. B. G.) Bivouac nbar Boonesboro, Md., ]
Jui^Y 9th, 1863. J
"Until we get our wagon train I am reduced to the extremity of
writing with a pencil. Our pursuit of the retreating enemy has
been rapid. We have marched night and day .and we have
beaten the rebel army. At last the Army of the Potomac has
done what, well-handled, it might have done long ago, out-
marched, out-maneuvered and defeated the great rebel army of
General I,ee. Our men have toiled and suffered as never before.
Almost half of our men have marched barefooted for a week.
Such energy as is now exhibited would have crushed the rebel-
lipn long ago. Colonel Bragg came back to us last night. I do
not think he can endure the hot sun, as he is still sick. This
battle service has always made me sick, but I think I will get
through this time. You can hardly know the strain of such
days as those three at Gettysburg. We have had severe rains
since the battle. I have not slept in a dry blanket or had on dry
clothing since crossing the Potomac before the battle. If we can
end this war right here, I will cheerfully abide the terrible risk
of another battle, and certainly personal discomforts are small
comparatively. I feel very hopeful now, and prouder than I can
tell you that the old army has vindicated itself. I hope the
Quartermaster will be up to-night with my valise, so I will not be
obliged to write with a pencil."
Owing to the great necessity for medical attendance upon the
186
wounded at Gettysburg, our three surgeons, who were all expe-
rienced and skillful operators, were kept at Gettysburg. A young
civilian doctor, whose name I have lost, was sent to attend our
regiment upon this march. He was provided with no horse or
equipment, and I was obliged to share mine with him.
(I^etter to M. B. G.) Near South Mountain, 1
July 9th, 1863. j
"I wrote you an illegible letter this morning with a pencil, and
sent it in a rebel envelope. We are again near the rebel army,
and unless they 'escape' over the river, we may expect a battle.
Last night a shell burst within half a mile of us. Our army is
worn out with toil and suffering, and looks hopefully for a season
of rest after the enemy is driven from our soil. General Meade
has shown himself equal to the emergency. We have had as yet
no opportunity to make reports of the battle, or to do anything •
but march, and I presume we will not until I^ee's army is de-
stroyed or beyond the Potomac. The only paper I have seen
since the battle is a Baltimore Clipper. The second Wisconsin
regiment can not muster fifty muskets. Still this little represen-
tative remnant has been with the advance since the battle, and
will probably open the next fight as it did the last. One thing
will appear, that the Army of the Potomac saved Pennsylvania
and the North. Not one shot was fired at Gettysburg by the
Pennsylvania militia."
WILI.IAMSPORT.
(Letter to M. B. G.) Line of Battle near Funkstown, Md., 1
July nth, 1863. J
"To-day we have expected a battle, but the sun is now twenty
degrees above the highest summit of South Mountain, and not so
much as a musket shot has broken the stillness. Perhaps the
rebels have crossed over the river but that is not likely."
(Letter to M. B. G.) Line of Battle near Hagerstown, )
July 12th, 1863. j
"We are again confronting the rebel army which is strongly
entrenched in position near the Potomac river and another deadly
struggle seems certain. I can not write more than that. I am
to-night, alive and well, and have received all of your letters up
187
to July fourth. This battle must end our campaign for the
present."
(Letter to M. B. G.) Near Hagerstown, July 14th, 1863.
"*I wrote the last note in full expectation of having soon to
charge on the enemy's entrenchments. No pleasant prospect to
one who saw the awfully murderous repulse of the rebel
charging columns at Gettysburg. All day yesterday, we lay
quietly roasting in the hot sun and this morning the rebel army
has retreated across the river. We may now reasonably hope
for rest. The incessant and toilsome marching from Fredericks-
burgh to Gettysburg, the terrible battle, and the hurried pursuit
of the enemy to this point has been the most trying campaign of
this army. Our men have become ragged and shoeless, thousands
have marched for days barefooted over the flinty turnpikes.
"The army has shown a willingness and alacrity under its toils,
sufferings and privations, that entitle it to the gratitude of the
Nation and I think for once it will receive it."
There has been discussion upon the question whether General
Meade should have attacked the rebel army in its position near
Williamsport, Maryland, on the thirteenth of July. It is my
belief that our army would have been repulsed if they had at-
tacked the enemy in this entrenched position. Our later expe-
riences at Spottsylvania and at].Cold Harbor, and in many other
unsuccessful assaults is a sufficient indication of the fact. •
(IvCtter to M. B. G.) Camp near Knoxville, Maryland, 1
July i6th, 1863. j
"We have one day of rest. I have had to use all kinds of
schemes to get my letters to the mail, sometimes leaving them
with citizens or dropping them in village post offices or sending
them by newspaper boys. The State of Wisconsin has at last
furnished us with a beautiful stand of colors upon which our
battles are inscribed : 'Rappahannock, Gainesville, Bull Run, South
Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburgh, Fitz Hugh' s Crossing, Chan-
cellor sville, Gettysburg,' and who can tell what more is in store
for this shattered little fragment of veteran heroes before next
*July 13th to 15th 1863, occurred the terrible draft riots in New York
City.
188
July, when our term of service will expire. Five hundred and
seventy-five men have been killed or wounded in these battles and
I have been through them all with scarcely a scratch. We are
stopping here a few days to get new clothing and shoes and to
refit the troops for another campaign in Virginia. The pros-
pects are brightening. The opening of the Mississippi river
is the grand success of the war.
We have never been so pressed for time. Aceounts, returns,
muster-rolls, correspondence, everything was given up to driving
the enemy from Pennsylvania. I have just signed our muster-
rolls for the muster of July ist. (This refers to the muster for
pay made on June 30th at Marsh Creek just before engaging in
the battle of Gettysburg). By our losses at Gettysburg and in
other battles, our regiment is reduced below the minimum re-
quired by law. Under the present policy of the War Depart-
ment, this regiment is not entitled to a Colonel. Encouraging, is
it not? The more desperate the risks of the lyieutenant Colonel
who commands in battle, and the greater the loss of his
regiment, the less his chance for promotion. The Governor
would commission a Colonel in case of a vacancy, but the United
States mustering officer can not now muster in a Colonel for our
regiment."
This cutting off of the lyieutenant Colonels and Majors of the
old battle regiments from promotion, was a gross blunder in our
war policy. It was done on the theory of economy.
Colonels came too high. It would have been better to
cut off the appointment of a Major, leaving always before the
field officer, the avenue to promotion. An honorable promotion
as a reward and recognition of perilous service, is an inestimable
prize to a true soldier. The right policy was pursued with line
officers in the companies. When a company became reduced
below the minimum, the second lieutenant was cut off and not
the captain. This "blunder" was far-reaching in its damaging
effect upon the spirits and efficiency of our volunteer army.
(Letter to M. B. G.) Bivouac near Waterfoed, )
IvOUDON County, Va., July i8th, 1863. )
"We crossed the Potomac river at Berlm this morning and
came here. We may have some hard marching to end up with
189
another battle, but let us hope that the glorious result to which
events are now pointing so plainly, may be attained without the
battle. Colonel Bragg has gone home sick. It looks as though
the subscriber would command the Sixth regiment for some time.
I fear we shall suffer again from heat and dust, but we are
moving leisurely now."
MiDDLEBURG, Virginia, July 21st, 1863.
"Almost for the first time since coming into the army, I have
my headquarters in a house. I am King of this pretty little
village while we stay. My regiment is doing provost duty.
Are not you glad I have the boys living on the aristocratic rebels
of Middleburg ? The people board the men wherever they are
sent to guard their property. The boys are living high and they
are kindly treated. I had a talk with a lady this morning, and
she was a refined and gentle woman. She had lost a son, and
her nephew had been killed in the war. She had lost 'all she
had to live for.' You can not imagine how bitterly she expressed
herself against the North and our army. She made no com-
plaint of our men who, she said, did their duty faithfully and
kindly. 'I believe,' she said, 'God's blessing will rest upon our
soldiers if they take ruin and desolation to every hearthstone of
the North, for their wickedness has merited such punishment.'
She confessed freely their own waning fortunes,' but had 'faith
that a just and terrible vengeance would yet come on the North.'
Poor old Virginia, she is bitterly reaping her reward. Nothing
more plainly foreshadows the bursting of the rebel bubble, than
this despair of the first families of Virginia."
I regret that the name of this lady is not preserved. I had
received a communication from corps headquarters that Mosby's
men had been in Middleburg, and I was directed to put a stop
to their being harbored and concealed by the people. There
were none but women in the town. I was told to see this lady,
as she was the most influential person in the town, and to notify her
that if there were further causes for complaint, the guards would
be removed from their property. She promised me she would
try to control the young women in the matter, and put a stop to it.
"General Cutler now commands our division and General John
Newton commands our first corps.
190
I have been sitting this morning as a member of a special
court martial, and all the forenoon we wise doctors have been
wrangling over the law and the testimony. I have to go back in
a few minutes. We are selected for a dignified and able court.
We have one Brigadier General, four Colonels, and two I,ieu-
tenant Colonels. We are trying Colonel .
Later — I will try to finish my letter though it is quite late and
we are to march at daylight. My head is full of hearsay evi-
dence, competency, relevancy and so forth, for we have a fear-
fully technical court. General H. S. Briggs of Massachusetts, is
our President. Colonel Bates of the twelfth Massachusetts is
the brightest man on the court. He occasionally makes sad
work with technical points. The prosecution of is a silly
farce."
The Colonel, who was on trial, was a gallant, faithful, and
capable officer. His regiment was first in the order of march
one morning, but the Colonel overslept, and his regiment was not
ready to move at the designated hour. In consequence of this
the troops were delayed for a short time. For this somewhat
trivial offense, charges were preferred against him. He was
punished by a nominal censure.
At this time, whisky was too freely issued to the troops under
the term "rations." The effect was very bad, and I published an
order forbidding the issue of liquor to the regiment, except with
quinine. Hence arose a song composed in imitation of the Sur-
geon's sick call on the drum, the burden of which was : "Come,
Come, Come, Come and get your quinine ! " When some of our
"soakers" were seen going to sick call, this chorus would break
out. General John Newton, our corps commander, said, as I was
alone of regimental commanders in making such an order, I
could not sustain it. He was mistaken. It enforced itself.
's trial grew out of an excessive ration of whisky. The
Colonel was drunk on Government whisky, as were most of his
men and of&cers. Whisky as a stimulant to wet, weary and tired
soldiers did not compare with hot coffee. After whisky, the men
being overstimulated, were wakeful and noisy, and lost their
rest. After coffee they went at once to sleep. Sleep, tired na-
ture's sweet restorer, was the thing needful.
191
(Letter tQ M. B. G.) Warrknton, Va., Jui,y 23rd, 1863.
"We marched yesterday from Middleburg to White Plains,
and to-day we came here, where I think we will remain a day or
two for supplies."
(Letter.) Warrenton Junction, July 25th, 1863.
"Yesterday I was ordered down the Culpepper turnpike to
support a battery, and to construct defenses with abattis, and
to-day was spent marching to this point. We are in a terrible
place here. The water is undrinkable, and wood is very scarce.
I hope our sojourn will be short. What a calamity to a country
to even have an army camp in it ! The beautiful country about
the village of Warrenton, without fences, without crops, without
even garden enclosures, is little better than a desert. There are
few more pleasantly situated villages in the land. It is the home
of Virginia aristocracy, but you see literally nothing but black
veils and mourning dresses. We heard last night the familiar
boom of cannon, the first since crossing the river. I do not
know what it was.
We have just got to-day's newspaper, which is the first one we
have had for a week. So you have had John Morgan near you,
if not in Marietta. (Morgan's raid in Ohio.) I shall feel anxious
for particulars. Did you run? Did you see any of the rebels?
It is coming home to have rebels all around Marietta. But if
they were, as reported, at Chester, they must have gone very
near Marietta. How did your brave men bear themselves?
Better, I hope, than the Pennsylvania militia. I would like the
'Iron Brigade,' for a short time in front of Morgan's ragamufiins."
Of the Morgan Raid in Ohio, my correspondent, M. B. G.,
wrote me that ten thousand of the Ohio emergency Militia were
encamped at a ford on the Ohio river, eight miles below Marietta.
They were on the great farm of William P. Cutler. This force
was mainly without guns. She named two very prominent
citizens who had patriotically joined the militia to repel Morgan.
These gentlemen had guns, and they marched arm in arm under
the same umbrella, paying a darky to carry their muskets. After
accomplishing the eight miles, they were so hot and tired that
they declared they would not run if the whole Southern Con-
federacy came against them. They would contract with the
192
darky to save their muskets, and themselves surrender. She
described how Mr. Cutler found sleeping in his hay mow, the
man who had beaten him for Congress.
(I<etter to M. B. G.) Warrenton Junction, July 27th, 1863.
"The army is now lying in this vicinity getting supplies and
clothing, and recruiting its energies, preparatory for future cam-
paigning. We are in a bad place for water and wood. I do not
want to fight, but I hope to get out of this desolate land.
General Meade did wisely in not attacking General Lee in his
entrenched position at Williamsport, and I am impudent enough
to say my opinion is worth more on this point than any man's
who is as far away as Marietta.* I examined the rebel fortifica-
tions at Williamsport, which were strong and well-constructed,
and I think General Meade would have certainly failed to carry
them by direct assault. Both flanks of the works were on the
Potomac river. We had no other alternative than direct assault.
I take no stock in the stufi" printed in the newspapers about the
demoralization of the rebel army after Gettysburg. They were
worn out and tired as we were, but their cartridge boxes had
plenty of ammunition, and they would have quietly lain in their
rifle pits and shot us down with the same coolness and despera-
tion they showed at Gettysburg.
So you have really had a speck of war at Marietta. I hope
Charley t will not bivouac many nights, and that he will keep out
of the skirmishing with the rebels.
I think the New York riot is in some respects a fortunate
thing. It settles Vallandigham in Ohio, and teaches more
clearly than words the propriety of muzzling the Woods and
Seymours. The suspension of the draft, though a cowardly
policy, was consistent as a military necessity. The country
would have been in a fix if General I,ee had defeated our army
at Gettysburg. That is clear now is it not? "
(Letter to M. B. G.) Warrenton Junction, July 29th, 1863.
"Morgan came nearer than you expected. I am glad he is
*0n Page 935, Volume XXVII, Part II, War Eecords, may be found
some of this talk by a smart aleck, who writes to Wm. H. Seward.
tOharles B. Gates, her brother, then a young student in Marietta College.
He went out to resist Morgan.
CLc^^ .y^ /^^«u,^ui/^_
. MAX GE¥. &E0. G-_ MEADE .
19S
captured. OJiio is not a shell, as General Grierson found Missis-
sippi, and 'carrying desolation to northern hearthstones,' is serious
business.
We are now clothing our men and recruiting generally, from
the effects of our hard campaign. What absurd talk there is in
the papers about General Lee's 'escape' from Williamsport."
(Letter to M. B. G.) Warrenton Junction, Jui^y 30th, 1863.
"I do not believe there is in Virginia, any such place as
'Endorville.' If there is, General Lee has certainly 'escaped'
from it. General H. S. Briggs, of Massachusetts, is to command
our division. He was President of our court martial at Middle-
burg, and I feel well acquainted with him.
I am President of the General Court Martial, which holds its
sessions at division headquarters. Colonel Bragg is at home
sick. He could not endure the hot sun. No leaves of absence are
now granted, except for sickness. made a piteous
appeal. His hard earned property was going to ruin. His
wife was sick. His children had the measles, and the dog was
not well, but notwithstanding all these troubles, his application
was 'unfavorably considered' at army headquarters.
Our division is now doing the picket duty for the corps. The
two other divisions are guarding the Orange and Alexandria R. R.
There is no appearance of any purpose on the part of Meade
to attack the enemy. Four old regiments just passed here on
their way to New York to enforce the draft. Many officers and
men are being sent from the army to take charge of conscripts.
So far as I know, no considerable re-inforcements have been sent
to this army since crossing into Virginia, and we are still losing
nine-months volunteers by reason ot expiration of their service."
One day about this time, I was away attending court martial
when our division marched, and, as I galloped after them, I was
doubtful whether I was on the right road. I asked a woman if
any troops had passed. Raising both hands she replied: "Yes
sir, millions and millions of them !"
Beverly Ford, Rappahannock River, )
August ist, 1863. j
"We are near the railroad crossing. We marched to-day from
Warrenton Junction, twelve miles. It was very hot and men
194
were sun-struck in the column. *There is artillery firing and
musketry this evening near Brandy Station, I think. The one
hundred and sixty-seventh Pennsylvania, a regiment of men who
were drafted for nine months service, and who claimed their time
had expired, refused to march this morning. They are attached
to our brigade and there are about eight hundred men in their
ranks. The second, sixth, and seventh Wisconsin were drawn
up in front of them with loaded muskets and the commands
"Ready ! aim ! " were given by General Cutler before they would
'fall in.' Upon that incentive however, they fell in with great
alacrity. General Cutler himself gave these commands, and I
should have felt badly all my life to have had him order 'Fire.'
But by showing the men he would order it, the necessity was
obviated. I was directed to march my regiment behind the one
hundred and sixty-seventh Pennsylvania, and had orders to shoot
any man who fell out of the ranks, which I did not do, but I
kept a company deployed behind them, who drove them up when
they lagged."t
"The State of Wisconsin has sent us a fine stand of colors
which will, I understand, be here to-morrow. I wish I could
keep our old color lance, which has three bullet holes through it,
and two other marks. Think of that slender stick struck five
times. It is dark, but still the sullen boom of rebel cannon goes
on beyond the river."
This color stafi" is preserved in the flag room at the Capitol of
Wisconsin. Five distinct bullet marks can be seen. There is
probably not another color lance in the United States that equals
it in the number of its battle scars. It is a National color.
*0n August first, Brigadier General John Buford, with a division of cav-
alry, advanced from Rappahannock Station, and drove the enemy's cavalry
to the vicinity of Culpepper C. H., where he encountered Infantry and
was obliged to retire. This was the cause of the firing we heard.
tThe question with the men of this regiment was whether they were
legally held for nine months from the time that each individual was taken
into the service or nine months from the date on which the regiment was
mustered into the service as an organization. It made a difference of
about two weeks time, upon the average. It was said that the officers of
the regiment were themselves conscripts, who had been elected to their
positions by the men of the regiment, and it was suspected that they en-
couraged the men in refusing to marth.
195
Bivouac south ok the Rappahannock, \
August 3rd, 1863. |
"Yesterday morning we moved in great haste from Beverly
Ford, and crossed the river on pontoons at the railroad station.
We went into line of battle stretching along in front of the rail-
road crossing. I do not know but that yesterday was the hottest
day I ever experienced. The troops suffered very much, although
the march was not long. Thinking that we would remain at
Beverly Ford, I took great pains in arranging the regimental
camp, and the men were nicely fixed. Dr. Hall is still at Gettys-
burg attending the wounded of the battle."
I/INE OF BATTIvE south OF THE RAPPAHANNOCK, |
August 5th, 1863. |
"*We got ready for battle yesterday. Pack mules were hustled
back over the river to the rear, stretchers were brought up, and
field hospitals established. The enemy attacked our cavalry in
front, but were driven back. It was only a reconnoissance in
force. Meanwhile a heavy rain came on, drenching us suffering
heroes to the skin. I got my wedge tent up to the front befoie
night, and, appropriating a stretcher for a bed, I made myself
quite comfortable. We sent away our old flag yesterday, and
were sorry to see it go. The new one is a very handsome silk
color, (National color) and it has all of our engagements in-
scribed upon it, except Fitz Hugh's Crossing. I enclose a copy
of my letter which accompanied the flag."
Headquarters Sixth Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers, )
August 4TH, 1863. J
IV. Y. Selleck, Military Agent for the State of Wisconsin :
Sir — I have the honor to acknowledge at the hands of Mr.
Taylor, the receipt of the National color, with the names of our
battles inscribed upon it, provided by the State of Wisconsin for
this regiment. I send to you herewith for transmission to the
Governor our old color. It can no longer be unfurled and five
bullets have pierced the staff. Its tattered folds and splintered
staff bear witness more eloquently than words to the conduct of
the men who have rallied around it from Gainesville to Gettys-
*See Page 22, "Volume XXIX, Part II, War Records, for reports of this
affair.
btirg. We send it to the people of Wisconsin, knowing what
they expect of us, and we promise that the past shall be an earnest
of the future, under the beautiful standard they have sent us.
Very respectfully, . R. R. Dawes,
I/ieutenant Colonel commanding sixth Wisconsin volunteers.
(I^etter to M. B. G.) August 5th, 1863.
"We are still south of the river. Our cavalry pickets in front
were attacked by the enemy yesterday. There was not much of
a skirmish and the rebels soon retired. We (the infantry) were
not engaged but I formed my command for action.
Dr. Hall came back yesterday. He has been at Gettysburg
ever since the battle attending the wounded, of whom there were
thousands. Dr. Preston still remains at Gettysburg in this employ-
ment. General Meade is not worshiped but he is highly respected.
His judicious and vigorous handling of the troops at Gettysburg
and his pursuit after the battle have inspired confidence, which is
not lessened by his proper caution at Williamsport. The army
is not so fierce to attack the enemy in entrenchments as news-
papers represent it to be.
I am glad Dr. Hall is back, as it has been dull with so many
of our officers away and he is excellent company."
In this camp I received a letter from my brother, who was in
General William T. Sherman's corps during the Vicksburg cam-
paign. He was now in pursuit of General Joseph E. Johnston.
It will be seen that we did not have an entire monopoly of hard
campaigning :
Messenger's Ford (Bi,ack River) Miss., )
July 27th, 1863. I
"A little more than a month since we marched from Snyder's
Bluff, with three days' rations. We staid at Oak Ridge a week.
On the afternoon of the fourth of July (the day Vicksburg sur-
rendered) we started after Johnston's army. My baggage
for the campaign was one shirt and two pocket handker-
chiefs carried in the valise on my saddle. * * * * fj^g only
rations is.sued were crackers, coffee and salt. Our mess for three
weeks have lived on green corn, chickens and sweet potatoes. •
To-day, for the first time since leaving Snyder's Bluff, I have a
tent over my head."
197
South of the Rappahannock, August 6th, 1863.
"We are disagreeably situated on this (south) side of the river.
They will not allow our wagon to come within five miles of us.
I was obliged to ride ten miles last night to change my clothing.
Whenever the rebel cavalry comes in sight, our pack mules are
ordered back over the bridge and we are left destitute. A small
portion of our corps is now the only body of troops south of the river.
This army is not 'anxious to get at I^ee' until it feels victory
reasonably certain, and such a victory as may close the war and
crush the rebellion. Then, as always before, we will go in not
eagerly, as ferocious stayers-at-home say, but willingly and to .
win. The 'Iron Brigade' has a record beyond reproach, and a
record it will always maintain, but the 'Iron Brigade' does not
crave a battle. A battle to veterans is an awful experience.
There is not with our men the headlong recklessness of new men,
who start in, acting as though they would rather be shot than
not, and then lose their organization and scatter like sheep, but
there is a conviction from much experience in fighting, that
safety is best had by steadiness, persistence in firing, and most of
all by holding together. So, with the, inducement of pride, duty,
patriotism and personal preservation, they will stand together till
the last."
South of the Rappahannock, August 8th, 1863.
"Most of the troops of our division have gone back into camp
north of the river, but I was placed in command of three regi-
ments, (second Wisconsin, twenty-fourth Michigan and sixth
Wisconsin) and Huntington's battery, ('H' — first Ohio) and sent
forward to hold a position covering the approaches to the rail-
road bridge. I hope we will soon be relieved from duty on this
side of the river, so that I can get the regiment into camp and
have the men clean up. It is hardly fair to require us to do all
the outpost duty."
August loth, 1863.
"There does not seem to be any prospect of getting relieved
from duty on the south side of the river. I am detailed to com-
mand this outpost. I have three regiments, twenty-fourth
Michigan, sixt];i Wisconsin, *fifty-sixth Pennsylvania, and Hunt-
*This regiment had relieved the second Wisconsin.
198
ington's battery. I report to General Cutler. The principal
hardship is having our wagon two miles away at the brigade
camp over the river. We have good water and a good shade, and
that is more than can be found north of the river. The situation
is assuming the same phase as last spring, — that of chronic ap-
prehension of an advance by the enemy. Their cavalry videttes
are in .sight. Since the body of our troops have crossed back
north of the river, a dash upon us by the enemy has been feared.
I have dug riflepits and selected a good position, and I think we
can hold out until reinforced from the other side of the river. I
believe I will bring my headquarters wagon up in the night
and hide it in the bushes."
On August twelfth, the regiment was relieved and sent back
into camp.
My service in command of the important outpost, south of the
Rappahannock seems to have commended itself to General
Briggs, our division commander, for on August fifteenth, he sent
me back again.* The regiment however, remained in camp
under command of Major Hauser. An advance by the army of
General I,ee seems to have been feared, and my instructions were
to exercise the greatest care and vigilance, and to stubbornly
resist an attack until supported from the north side of the river.
(Ivctter M. B. G.) Headquarters Defenses South of River, )
August i6th. j
"I have settled upon my dispositions in case of an attack and
feel easy. I have six hundred infantry in the entrenchments and
a battery of artillery. The troops are now all under marching
orders and something is in the wind. I shall not be surprised if
General I^ee assumes the offensive. I hardly dare write here
why I think so, our communications are so much interfered
with. I have my headquarters in a house. There are three
*Hbadquaetbes First Brigade, Fibst Division, First Army Corps, \
Special Order No. 126. August 15th, 1863. J
"In compliance with instructions from headquarters first division, just
received, Lieutenant Colonel R. R. Dawes, sixth Wisconsin Volunteers, is
hereby detailed to take charge of the troops on the south side of the Rap-
pahannock and he will report at these headquarters withoat delay.
Py command, W.W. Robinson, Col. seventh Wis. Vols. Com'd'g Brigade.
J. D. Wood, Captaiij and A. A. G."
199
little astonished looking girls with their fingers in their mouths,
hanging around the table watching me as I write."
(I^etter to M. B. G.) August i8th, 1863.
"Just now I am living in a house and have good water to drink.
My tent back at the regimental camp is in the 'broiling sun,' but
I am too old a soldier not to have put up a shade long ago. 1
have had the men dig a well at the camp, about twenty feet deep,
and they now get good water. This army will not 'advance soon.'
Our Generals expect to be attacked. There now — that is more
than I have any business to write, to trust the mail which Mosby
may capture.
There was an exodus from this neighborhood of children of
Ham (and they took all the hams with them) last night, to the
number of about forty. 'Dey's g'wine ter git out dis yer place,
. 'fore de southern gemman come.' This morning, for the first
time in her life, I presume, the old rebel lady of this house
cooked a very poor breakfast for herself and the Yankee Colonel,
who boards with her. I have quite an independent command
over the river here. There is one Maryland regiment who spend
most of their time singing hymns. I found yesterday that some
of these men had not a single cartridge in their boxes. The
negligence and carelessness of some officers is marvelous.
Did you get the 'Iron Brigade Quickstep' which I sent you?"
The "Iron Brigade Quickstep" was a sheet of music. It was
not worthy of its name as it has long since been forgotten.
(Letter to M. B. G.) August 22nd, 1863.
"I am still in command south of the river. We had a false
alarm night before last. Since then my garrison has been reinforced
by three hundred men. I want to get back to the regiment, but
I cannot get relieved. I command the only force of the army
south of the river. I cannot appreciate the policy of holding
the Rappahannock line, if our army does not assume the ofiFensive.
The country between us and Washington is barren, desolate, and
worthless. The communications are constantly exposed, and the
line of defense imperfect and easily flanked. We should hardly
lose prestige by contracting our lines to Centreville, as no at-
tempt is made in our present position to occupy the attention of
the enemy. But I suppose — 'nuUii vestigia retrdrium' is the
200
motto of our commander. General Briggs left us yesterday. I
think likely that General Cutler will have command of the
division. I hope so.
I^ater — I finished my letter at home in camp, having been
relieved from duty over the river. The old lady and little girls
cried when I came away. They said they knew 'they would lose
their chickens, and the soldiers would milk their cow, too.' The
poor people were grateful for the protection I afforded them.
They have been plundered and robbed by both armies, until
starvation stares them in the face. The weather continues very
hot, and, with the bad water in this neighborhood, it is beginning
to cause much sickness among the troops. The old lady over
the river fed me on bread and milk."
(I/Ctter to M. B. G.) Near Rappahannock Station, )
August 23rd, 1863. J
"Every idea is roasted out of my head by the heat. The Doctor
Q. C. Hall) and I had a discussion to-night on the question, —
whether the negro has any love of liberty ; whether he desires
freedom, or merely imagines more personal comfort in being free.
We submitted the following test question to William, to Moses,
to Reuben, to Mink, to Mat, and to Sam, all the Africans acces-
sible : 'Which would you prefer — to be a slave with a good
master, not much to do, plenty of hog and hominy, and a coon
dog, or be a free man and have to scratch for your living?'
William, of course, took my side of the question, and preferred
freedom, but Mink, a child of influence among, our contrabands,
followed the coon dog, and the rest of them followed Mink."
Mink argued that if he could pick his master, he had rather
be a slave than a Brigadier General. There was no better posi-
tion. It involved "no 'sponsibility." It was almost the same as
to "jine the family." But said I, "Mink, what if your. master
died?" That would be bad he said, because he might set his
slaves free in the will. He had heard of them made "miserable"
that way. "They'd rather died themselves." He said a free
nigger was " 'spized" everywhere he had ever been. But said I,
Mink suppose you got a bad master? "Dat's next to bein' a free
nigger, sah," was his quick response.
General J. C. Rice of Massachusetts has been assigned to the
201
command of our divisi&n in place of General Briggs, who has
gone to Alexandria."
(Ivetter to M. B. G.) August 24th, 1863.
"William says 'he done never seed it hotter afore.' ' We have
just had a thunder gust. It swept away my letter and came near
taking our tent along also. Our only course in such an emer-
gency is to go to bed until the wind will let the candle burn."
Rappahannock Station, August 27th, 1863.
"I expect Colonel Bragg back to-night. If he comes, I shall
honor the day to-morrow, by an application for a leave of absence
to come home. Colonel Bragg will likely get his star as "a
Brigadier General. Colonel I,ucius Pairchild was nominated by
the Republicans for Secretary of State of Wisconsin. This is
accepted as a special compliment to the 'Iron Brigade.'
I am having a busy day, shifting my whole camp, shading it
with evergreen bowers, and having the men raise their tents and
bunks. I am having a thorough, general police. I propose to
have the best camp in this division, and therefore supervise the
work myself, not trusting wholly to the officer of the day.
Our new division commander. General J. C. Rice, is especially
anxious to have a neat camp. Our men can make a nice enough
camp to suit him. We once had from the medical inspector of
the army credit for having the best arranged and best policed
regimental camp in the Army of the Potomac.''
(L,etter to M. B. G.) Near RappahanJiock Station, )
August 29th, 1863. j
"Colonel Bragg arrived in camp yesterday. I made application
for ten days leave of absence. It will be pretty mean if they do
not give it to me. There is no field officer in the Army of the
Potomac who has kept more closely at his post, or participated in
more battles."
(I/etter to M. B. G.) September 3rd, 1863.
"My application for leave of absence was disapproved by our
brand-new Brigadier General Rice, at division headquarters, which
made me pretty mad, and I went up to see him. The result of
our interview was, that he said if I would make another applica-
tion, he would approve it, and so I started another paper grind-
ing through the mill."
September 6th, 1863.
"This time General Rice 'earnestly recommended that the
application be granted' — a change over the spirit of his dream.
General Rice was anxious that I should know his action, and he
called me in to see him endorse my application. You had better
keep on writing letters just the same. Great preparations are
being made for an appropriate celebration upon the reception of
the new colors of the 'Iron Brigade.' Ex-Governor Alexander
W. Randall will probably make the presentation address.
Conscripts are beginning to come to this army, and a sorry look-
ing set they are. Many are substitutes, who have received large
sums of money, and who are old soldiers discharged or deserted,
who have come with the deliberate intention of deserting, and
again speculating in the substitute money. They are closely
guarded. What a contrast between such hounds and the enthu-
siastic and eager volunteers of 1861. Our men thoroughly
despise these cattle and certainly the honor of the old army will
not be safe in such hands. I took dinner with Captain Hunting-
ton, (commander of the Ohio battery.) He lives well, and so do
we now."
September 8th, 1863.
"I have been for three days on picket. They have just brought
in one of our I,ieutenants badly hurt by the fall of a horse.'' (I
do not remember who it was.)
September 12th, 1863.
"General Meade refused to grant my leave of absence. Colonel.
Bragg endorsed it : 'Lieutenant Colonel Dawes has neither
asked nor received indulgences to relieve him from duty. I
earnestly recommend the granting of the application,' General
Rice, the division commander, endorsed : 'This appears to be
such a case, that if the exigencies of the service will permit, I
earnestly recommend that the application be granted.' The corps
commander. General John Newton, approved the application, but
General Meade refused to grant the leave of absence, and
returned the paper endorsed: 'The Commanding General de-
clines to grant leaves of absence at the present time, for private
considerations.'
I received notice, yesterday, that Colonel Cutler's ordnance
203
returns for 1861 had not been accepted, and I am obliged to go
to making up returns for my old company "K," which is a hard
job. Is not this system delightful as applied to officers in the
field ? Here is Colonel Cutler's account of fifty thousand dollars
worth of property, once settled with the Government, but it is
later discovered that it is not precisely in accord with some
technical rule of the Ordnance Office, and now while we are in
the field, without our books or papers, we must make up again
two-year old accounts, and have them inspected and accepted,
before we can receive any more pay, if they choose to enforce the
order to stop it.
The paymaster is here now and we will get our pay this time
anyhow. I was just now hailed by the Adjutant General of the
second army corps,* who is an acquaintance. He said: 'We
are going over the river.' I asked him, 'where?' He said: 'To
Culpepper, I think.' "
Near Rappahannock, September i;5th, 1863.
"The sound of cannon comes to us, this morning, from the
front. The cavalry corps and the second (infantry) corps are
over the river on a reconnoissance. We have orders to support
the second corps if they are pushed. Dr. Pre.ston (who had now
returned from Gettysburg) says three army corps moved forward
this morning. It is surprising that we should be left behind.
This looks like a general advance of our lines, and may possibly
account for the disapproval of my application for a leave of
absence.
Drinking, gambling, and horse racing, are the principal
pursuits of many officers of the army, during such lulls in the
active service as we are having now.
Next Thursday, General Meade and the 'Johnnies' permitting,
we shall celebrate, in an appropriate manner, the presentation of
the 'Iron Brigade' flag. There is considerable fighting over the
river as I write. Judging from the sound, our men are
advancing, and the enemy retiring. A beautifully decorated
bower is being constructed, and preparations are being made for
a grand affair when the brigade flag comes."
*Francis A. Walker.
204
(Letter to M. B. G.) SeptembSR i5tli,
"I have lazy times since Colonel Bragg has returned. There
is nothing to read in the army but trash and newspapers. The
worst thing of the service is the coarse, boorish manners, which
grow upon one, and against which there is little restraint. It is
easy not to drink whisky, and not to gamble, and not to swear, but
it is hard not to become rough, coarse and uncouth. It is easier
to be a gentleman here in moral conduct than it is in personal
manners."
Bivouac near Culpepper Court House, )
(Letter to M. B. G.) September i6th, 1863. j
"We broke camp at daylight this morning and marched ten
miles toward the enemy, and are perhaps on the eve of more of
the bloody fighting that usually falls to our lot. We are now in
bivouac awaiting orders. The sun is very hot and the dust in-
tolerable. We are in a beautiful rolling country, covered with
rich farms and fine houses, but no crops are cultivated. As far
as I can see to the east and west stretches a broad line of glisten-
ing white tents, the line of the army of the Potomac. To the
east, we trace it for six miles, and to the west, for four miles.
This great white belt is the strength of the North in the cause of
justice, freedom and humanity. It does seem that, with the
prestige and glory of our victory at Gettysburg, and with the
unity and determination this army has shown, its onward sweep
should be irresistible.
The sound of cannon has come to our ears all day from the
front, and it comes as I write from the direction of the old Cedar
Mountain battle field. To us who have so often felt the terrible
meaning of this sound, it is not pleasant. The wail of a musket
ball that has spent its flight is mournful; the hiss of one at full
speed is spiteful. I lay on my back looking into the sky hour
after hour on Culp's Hill at Gettysburg, listening to the varied
sounds of battle firing. Some of our men imitate the whistle of a
shell to perfection.
Our brigade band is now playing 'When this cruel war is
over.' Dr. Hall, carried away by the music and by the senti
ment, is bothering me with conundrums, 'When will it be over?
What will be the result ? Will the end of this cruel war establish
205
National Supremacy or destroy it ?' If you think of any good
answers you might put them in your next."
Bivouac near Culpepper, September 17th, 1863.
"I lay last night on gravel stones about as big as a walnut.
To-day I sent Billy out to provide for the case. He got a bushy
cedar tree, from which we made a splendid bed. All the roads in
this country are lined with cedar, and frequently with osage
orange hedges. They are very pretty and pleasant, but we
'heathenish vandals' must have something upon which to rest
our weary limbs, and so we appropriate the trees and hedges.
There is much grief among the old families here at seeing the
landmarks of their childhood and days of their prosperity
swept away, and their manifestation of sorrow is sometimes quite
affecting. But sorry as it makes us feel, we have to stand it, and
take the trees. At Culpepper live the families of Slaughter and
Bradford. At Madison University, Wisconsin, I met Clayton and
Johnny Slaughter and Hill Bradford. They were young South-
ern gentlemen. They say Clayton served as an aid-de-camp to
General Roger A. Pryor, and Bradford went with the rebel
artillery (Kemper's.)
Nothing daunted by our unfortunate march, which prevented
our celebration, the "Iron brigade" proposes this afternoon to re-
ceive its new flag with appropriate honors. This is the
anniversary of our battle at Antietam. The victuals are here and
the liquors, but no splendid bower nor distinguished guests."
(I^etterto M. B. G.) September i8th.
"What a time we had this morning. There came a pouring
rain storm in the night, and in the midst ot it a gust of wind
swept away our tents and left Dr. Hall and me in a sorry plight.
In pouring rain and sloppy mud, with no superfluous clothing
to speak of to protect us from the elements, we recaptured and
raised our fallen domicile and waited in a state of perfect satura-
tion and misery for daylight. This kind of soldiering presents
few attractions.
The brigade flag celebration came off according to program,
but it was an affair that conferred little honor on the brigade as
gentlemen. I feel glad to say there were a few exceptions, but the
tact is, the officers of this brigade and the Generals and staff
m
officers within any convenient distance of us were almost unani-
mously drunk last night. You will see an account of the
presentation in the New York Times, as I saw the 'graphic and
reliable' correspondent of that paper guzzling champagne and
wine with the rest of them*
(Letter to M. B. G.)
Near Culpepper, Sunday, September 20th, 1863.
"I rode over to Culpepper Court House this morning. While
in the village the house of Dr. Slaughter was pointed out to me.
The house in its surroundings and appearance is very respectable
and substantial, and I called to inquire after my old college
friends. I was gracefully received by a young lady, who to my
inquiry touching the health and location of John and
Clayton Slaughter, in whom I felt the 'interest of an old college
associate,' replied that her brothers were at present absent in the
army, but if I would come in she would be glad to tell me of them.
Her mother, a very pleasant and intelligent lady, came in to
see me and my visit seemed quite acceptable and pleasant.
Why not? I was from Wisconsin, and there, Mrs. Slaughter told
me, many of her relatives lived, and with Madison, Wisconsin,
were connected many of the most pleasant associations of the
family. 'Can you tell me, Colonel Dawes, where Lawson Merrill
is? He is my nephew.' He was my classmate in the University
and he is now in the United States Navy. 'Can you tell me
where fEmory, his brother, is ?' I knew that he was an officer in
*Flag fok the Iron Brigade. — There is on exhibition at the store of
Messrs. Tiffany & Co., a beautiful flag, which has been procured for the
celebrated "Iron Brigade," of the First army corps, Army of the Potomac.
The flag is of regulation size, and made of heavy dark blue silk. It is
embellished by a handsome vignette of an eagle, shield and scroll motto,
"E Fluribus Tjnum" — the Same as on the ten dollar Treasury note. The
names of the principal battles in which the brigade has been engaged are
handsome'}' worked, each on a separate scroll. The vignette, the scroll
work, and the name of each regiment composing the brigade — the Second,
Sixth and Seventh Wisconsin, Nineteenth Indiana and Twenty-fourth
Michigan — are all worked in the flag with silk chenille, and the shading is
most exquisitely done. A rich and heavy border adds to and completes
the efifect. The staff is mounted with a massive silver spear head. 'The
flag is the gift of a number of gentlemen from the States of Wisconsin,
Indiana and Michigan. It is a fit and elegant tribute to the heroism of one
of the most glorious organizations in the entire army. — New York Times.
tOol. Wm. E. Merrill, U. S. Engineers.
20?
our army, but I did not tell her lie had been on General Pope's staff.
'Where is "William Vilas? John thought everything of him.'
My answ,er was 'He is I^ieutenant Colonel of the twenty-third
Wisconsin.' Dick Hubbell, another classmate of John's, is a
lyieutenant in our army. Her nephew, Burgess Slaughter, is a
Captain, and William Slaughter, her husband's brother, is an
officer in the Union army. On their mantel was a photograph of
Chancellor I^athrop and Clayt's class at the University, all of
whom, except Clayt and Bradford, are officers in the Union
army.
General Roger A. Pryor has resigned on account of some
difficulty with Jeff. Davis, and now Pryor and his aid-de-camp.
Slaughter, are privates in the third Virginia cavalry."
This statement is from information received in Culpepper
village, and it may be erroneous.
"The war has carried the northern soldiers of the family up,
and the southern, down.
I enclose a graphic, though unpretending story, of our drum
major's escape from the rebels, (R. N. Smith.) The boy had
little idea he was writing for the eyes of the world. Ed Brooks
happening to see his letter, secured its publication in a Wiscon-
sin newspaper. It is such spirit as this boy shows, that has made
the glory of the old Sixth regiment."
Smith was captured at Gettysburg, and escaping from the rebel
guard, he floated down the Shenandoah river on a saw-log,
hiding in the daytime and floating only at night.
(I^etter to M. B. G.) Camp near Culpepper, )
September 21st. J
"I have been all day at work making up ordnance returns,
some of them for two years ago. All this work must be done
over, or we poor ex-captains lose more than we are worth. I do
not believe there ' are any errors in , my original returns, but
Colonel Cutler's return for the regiment has been rejected. Red
tape is well enough for a peace establishment, but, as applied to
the extraordinary exigencies, of service in the field, it is severe.
Officers in the field, who are suffering and risking everything,
and scarcely allowed transportation for enough to eat, are
required to make returns for the critical scrutiny of officials at
Washington, who seem to reject them on the flimsiest informahty.
This subjects an officer to stoppage of his pay and allowances,
no matter how impossible a loss of papers even in battle, or want
of vouchers pro forma makes it to correct returns. The clerks
at Washington exact the same technical accuracy of the officer
in the field, required of the officer in the garrison."
(I<etter to M. B. G.) Near Culpepper, September, 22nd, 1863.
"I have at last got that ordnance return made up and sent off.
It has taken three days hard work, and it is all correct. General
Cutler has come back and is in command now of the division.
We are all stirred up by the terrible battle at Chattanooga."
(Chickamauga.)
(I^etter to M. B. G.) September 23rd.
"We are greatly concerned about General Rosecrans' army.
As usual, our active and desperate foe has concentrated his
strength on a weaker army. Chattanooga is one of the
strategic points of the war. Its simple possession by us forces,
ultimately, offensive operations by the enemy, and that is a great
point gained if we only avail ourselves of the advantage. But
to have the golden opportunity turned into a defeat of our army,
and a loss of the point, would be a great calamity."
Headquarters Picket, First Division, First Army Corps, )
(I/Ctter to M. B. G.) September 26th, 1863. j
"Day before yesterday, very unexpectedly and very suddenly,
we left our old camp and marched here to the fords of the Rapi-
dan, to relieve the twelfth army corps, on general outpost duty
for the army. I was placed in command of the first division
picket, and night and day since, have been very busy on that
hardest duty of the service. My line is four miles long, running
most of the way along the bank of the Rapidan river. The
rebel pickets are very amicably disposed. There has been no
firing on this line. The smoke of the encampments of the rebel
army rises from every piece of timber, and their earthworks
appear on every hill beyond the river. My headquarters are at
Morton's Ford. This is a rich country. The houses are fine,
and there is evidence of wealth and refinement. The house (Mr.
209
Robinson's*) where I write has been abandoned on account of
its proximity to the. lines, but it is now filled with elegant furni-
ture and paintings. The weather is cold for the season. I can
see a rebel general and escort riding along on the other side of
the river as I look out of my window from my writing. My
letter was interfered with. One of the captains on the picket
line came to me with the word that a rebel was trying to get
into our line. I went out to the point at once and saw several
bayonets glistening in the sun in a cornfield on this side of the
river. (At this point the rebel line was on the river, and our
hue was back from the river.) I immediately turned out the
grand guard, but discovered that one man only was really
advancing, swinging something white over his head. When he
saw the grand guard falling into line, he turned to run, but I
ordered him to halt on penalty of being shot, and, supposing him
a deserter, assured him of safety in coming into our lines. So
he came in'. His only object was to exchange newspapers, and
one of our men had swung a paper as a signal to come over.
He had really been enticed into our lines. But having arrested
him thus publicly, I could not release him without instructions,
so I sent a note to General Newton, and explained the case to
him, and asked for instructions. He ordered me to hold the
man, which seemed a mean advantage to take, but he was right.
I now must go with the general officer to yisit the line."
(I,etter to M. B. G.)
Bivouac near Morton's Ford, September 27th, 1863.
"I was relieved from picket duty last night. The regiment
now lies one mile from Morton's Ford, but our wagons are all
six miles back, and nothing but headquarters' mail comes up.
It is getting cold these nights to sleep on the ground. We
build up a fire of logs and spreading our blankets on the ground,
lie with our feet to it. My health is better when on this kind of
campaigning than when in camp. On that severest of all our
marches, from F'redericksburgh to Gettysburg, I gained several
pounds in weight. You may hear of me on our way to Chatta-
nooga. The first corps used to serve under General Hooker, and
he is to command a western expedition."
*War Record has it Robertson.
210
(letter to M. B. G.) Bivouac in the Field, )
September 29th, 1863. J
"This morning we moved camp a mile or two, to get out of
range of the enemy's batteries south of the river, and avoid
danger of surprise. There was quite an alarm yesterday morn-
ing. What seemed to be a brisk musketry skirmish was heard
along the pickets. Drums were rolling, bands playing, artillery
rumbling on the roads on the other side of the narrow river. All
was under the mantle of a heavy morning fog. lyine of battle
was formed, and every preparation made to repel any attempt at
crossing by the enemy. When the fog raised, not a battalion or
battery of the enemy was in sight and not a shot had come near
our pickets. What do you suppose the rebels were up to,
making all this fuss? *The eleventh and twelfth corps have left
this army and are now in Washington. While they are gone,
the probabilities of an advance by lis are small. Nor do I think
while lyongstreet is west, the rebels will attack us. We are
feeling easier about Rosecrans, but fear he is not master of the
situation, and that he has been entrapped Dy Bragg. Hooker is
to command the expedition, eleventh and twelfth corps, if it is
not recalled, which some look for now. They say this army was
to have fallen back to Centreville, and the strongest corps sent
west if the reports had continued unfavorable."
(Letter to M. B. G.) . September 30th, 1863.
"It ds dull here now. I take a ride on my horse occasionally
to look at the rebel pickets and speculate on the signal flags, and
to enjoy the beautiful weather we are now having. I play chess
some and am, champion of this division."
*See pages 146 to 200, Vol. XXIX, Part 1, War Records for account of
movements of 11th and 12th corps by rail to Chattanooga.
Chapter X.
At Morton's Ford—Tbe Retreat to CentreviUe — A SJrfrmish at
SaymaTUet — Bob Tomlixisoii — To Ttiorougttfare Gap— Roast
Turfeey— v^udg-e Advocate of a Court Afartial— General Fairctiild
—Col. Edward Fye — To Catlett's Station— Adjutant Brooks
Captured — General CutJer JResorts to Vigorous Measures — A
Gentleznan of the Old School — To RappaliannocJc— A Visit to M.
B. G. in Oblo — Ttie Mine Run Campaign.
(Letter to M. B. G.) Near Morton's Ford, Oct. 4th, 1863.
"About two hours ago there broke out a roar of cannon. The
rebels fired six times into our lines at Raccoon Ford, and for
what purpose I do not know. The impression here is that the
war has for the present been carried to the west. Here the
prestige of victory rests with us and the advantage to be gained
by moderate success in Virginia is small."
Morton's Ford, October gth, 1863.
"This morning I took a long ride to enjoy the bright, beautiful
day, and I reconnoitered the enemy's position from Clark's
Mountain to Stringfellow's Ford, the extreme left of our army.
They are entrenched on a range of hills, completely commanding
otu: approaches throughout the line, and their forts are arranged
so as to pour a converging fire upon the principal fords.
The Retreat of the Army to Centreville.
(I^etter to M. B. G.) Kelly's Ford, October 12th, 1863.
"I know you will excuse my pencil. I forgot to put ink in my
haversack in our hurry when we started. At daylight, Saturday,
our first corps was massea in front of Morton's Ford on the
Rapidan. Orders were given to cross the river and attack the
enemy in his entrenchments and our regiment was placed
upon the skirmish Hne to lead the attack as at Fitz Hugh's cross-
ing. The day was consumed in making showy demonstrations
in sight of the enemy. *No advance at all was intended, (I was
mistaken,) but at night we made a hurried retreat toward Culpep-
. *See Pages 272—279, and 291—293, Volume XXIX, Part H, War
Becoids.
212
per Court House. We waited until yesterday at Culpepper for
the wagon train of the army to clear the way, and then continued
our retreat toward the Rappahannock. Our column was scarcely
in motion when the enemy with cavalry, infantry and artillery
attacked General Buford, (cavalry,) our rear guard. Our regi-
ment was rear guard for the infantry, so we had a good view of
the cavalry fight at a distance of not over a mile. We continued
our retreat jn plain sight of fighting all the way, until last night
we reached Kelly's Ford. So for thirty-six hours we have been
on duty. The reason we escaped fighting yesterday was that
the enemy did not pursue our column toward Kelly's Ford, but went
in the direction of Brandy Station, where the fighting was severe.
We fear that Buford's cavalry was badly used. From the high
ground near Stevensburgh, we had a fine view of the cavalry
resisting the advance of the enemy on the plains toward the
Rapidan. The cavalry would form their lines and receive the
attack with hot firing, and then wheel by sections and gallop to
the rear, reform their lines again, and await another advance of
the enemy. The cavalry was finely handled, and behaved
admirably."
(I^ettertoM. B. G.) Kei,i<y's Ford, October 12th, Evening.
"I wrote this morning, and in default of a better opportunity,
sent the letter by a teamster. All is quiet to-day, although a
battle may be impending. I do not think General Meade will
force the fighting, but he may not be able to avoid battle. I
never saw a cavalry fight upon an open plain before yesterday.
General Buford handled his division with great skill and courage,
and he performed excellent service in holding back the enemy.
He resisted their infantry for twelve miles."
(I^etter to M. B. G.) Heights of Centreville, Va., Oct. 14th.
"After continuous marching night and day, we have outrun
the enemy and this afternoon our army is going into position
along these heights. We have escaped fighting ourselves, but
every day we have heard the thunder of the enemy's guns, pur-
suing the rear. As I write this letter, the air is full of the noise
of battle. We think it is the second corps, and that the battle is
near Manassas Junction." '
213
Battle near Bristoe Station, — between second corps, commanded
by General G. K. Warren; and the corps of General Ewell of the
Confederate army.
"The rebels are after our wagon train, and we are in fear for
it. We hope our first corps train is safe. Will we have a battle
here to-morrow ? That is the question we are all discussing. The
battle roars and lulls as I write. From the sound I do not think
our men are losing ground. God help them ! You .should see
our wagon train rushing along the turnpike to the rear. A panic
among the thousand or two wagons of this army is a scene."
Six P. M. — "The fight is over down at Manassas, (Bristoe.)
Our wagon train appears to be safe."
(Letter to M. B. G.) Centrevii.i,e,Va., Oct. 15th, 1863, 8 P. M.
"My candle flickers in the wind so that I can hardly write.
Think of me rejoicing to-night, in the possession of an ancient
pig-pen, as a protection from the drizzling storm. We are in line
of battle in rifle pits at Centreville, awaiting the enemy. They
have been cannonading our left two miles from here all the after-
noon."
(Letter to M. B. G.) Centrevili.e,Va., Oct. i6th, 1863, 8 P. M.
"Not much firing to-day and no battle. I have emerged from
my pig-pen to-night, and availed myself of the hospitality of a
poor white for shelter to write this letter. His unpretending
domicile has its history in being the birth place of the rebel
General Benjamin S. Ewell, who is in our front in command of
some twenty thousand men. I do not think the -enemy will
pursue his aggressive movement. It is too late in the season for
a campaign north of the Potomac, and I do not think General
Lee is strong enough to venture it. General Lee by his forward,
and our retrograde movement, has placed our capital before the
world as menaced, in'stead of his own. General Meade, sufiiciently
strengthened, as I think he has been, should turn upon Lee, and
if possible, defeat him on the old battle field of Bull Run. There
would be poetic justice in such a history. We have not seen our
wagons or valises since we left the Rapidan."
(Letter to M. B. G.)
Centrevili^e, Va., (October 17th or i8th.)
"This morning we 'fell in' double quick at daylight to march
214
to the assistance of 'General Sedgwick at Chantilly,' but the
rebels did not attack General Sedgwick. Every day we hear
distant cannonading. The weather is delightful and from these
heights we have an extended and varied landscape. You can, on
clear days, trace the blue summits of the mountains from Harper's
Ferry to Culpepper county, and to the south and east you over-
look the fighting ground from Bull Run to Fredericksburgh."
*'%iNE OF Battle, near Haymarket, Va., )
(Letter to M. B. G.) October 26th, 1863. j
We left Centreville yesterday morning in a cold, beating rain
storm. We marched toward Warrenton by way of the Bull Run
and Gainesville battle-fields. The cavalry in our front skir-
mished with the enemy all day. Toward evening we bivouacked
near Haymarket. Cannonading was still going on in front. We
had just begun to cook supper when an ofiicer came rushing
in with word that our cavalry were attacked at Broad Run by
overwhelming numbers. General Newton ordered the brigade
out at once to their relief. We double quicked a mile when sharp
firing and cheering broke out near the camp we had left. There
was firing in front of us and to our left. The enemy's cavalry
seemed to be all around us. We formed a line of battle, skirting
an edge of timber. The rebel cavalry in our front advanced, but
when they saw our line they immediately retreated. We re-
mained until late in the night and then marched back about a
mile where we found the whole first corps in line of battle. The
seventh Wisconsin lost about forty men who were on picket. We
lost one man taken prisoner." <•
A recent letter from General Bragg gives the history of the
'one man' lost :
"Do you remember Tomlinson of company B? I think they
called him 'Bob.' In the early camp-life days, he used to swell
and boast of his prowess until he was marked down as a sort of
' Bombasies furioso;' but he proved as good as he talked.
At Antietam, (you told me this) when you fell back from
beyond the corn field the first time. Bob cried out, 'not yet, I
have a few more cartridges left,' and he was firing away with his
*For reports of action at Buckland Mills, October I9tlj, 1863, see Volume
XXIX, Parts I and II, War Records.
CEN_ R.E. LEE.
215
musket in the open field, a target for hundreds to turn their guns
on. Bob got a terrible wound in the shoulder at Gettysburg and
was sent to hospital, but he ran away and joined us, with his
wound all open and unhealed, when we were marching under Gen-
eral Newton as corps commander, toward Thoroughfare. You
remember when Fitz Hugh I^ee surprised Kilpatrick, near Buck-
land's, and in hot pursuit, his men came clear on to our camp
line, where we were killing beef, and the Sixth was ordered out at
double quick in light marching order to repel cavalry, which by
that time was more scared than we were, and was getting back
on the gallop ! Now to come to Bob again, he was.left at the
commissary, to guard our meat; he had no gun, and being wounded
could carry none, but the devil was waked up in him, he got a
pistol and took a short cut across a neck of woods to join us, and
he was picked up by straggling rebel cavalry. He gave his life to
his country in a rebel prison !"
"We have two pack mules for regimental field' and staff
transportation, upon which we carry plenty of blankets, but no
shelter. Our provisions we carry in panniers on the mules. It
is two weeks since we have seen our regimental headqxiarters
wagon, and as no sutlers are allowed with the army, we are
becoming quite poverty-stricken."
(Letter to M. B. G.) Thoroughfare Gap, Virginia, \
October 31st, 1863. j
"You can hardly know how comfortable and homelike it seems
to-night to get up my wall tent. Since the eighth of this month,
I have had nothing over me except the slab cover of the pig-pen at
Centreville. To-night the regiment is in camp. It is said that a
council of war was held at Gainesville yesterday, and as a result
we came here. Just at supper time last night we got our march-
ing orders, and it was midnight before we had accomplished our
journey of five miles. It was a night of Egyptian darkness-
The column of troops would hitch up two rods and stop fifteen
minutes, and then hitch up a rod and a half and stop half an
hour. It is always so, marching after artillery over a stony road
and rough hills. I often fall asleep on my horse, but whenever
the troops ahead start, she starts, and she is in no more danger of
losing our regiment than a hound is of losing a fox.
216
We have a magnificent place here. We are encamped among
the Bull Run Mountains, west of Thoroughfare Gap. I climbed
this morning to the top of the highest peak and enjoyed the
scenery. You will be astonished at our dinner to-day. Roast
turkey! Honey! Graham biscuit! It is an epoch, such a
dinner in this day ot hard tack plain, hard tack fried, hard tack
soaked, hard tack crumbled and stewed, or hard tack otherwise
compounded with salt pork as the sole staff of life. Colonel
Bragg devoted his entire attention to an oven of flat stones and
a turnspit for the turkey. This turkey, by the way, paid to us
good and true Union soldiers, the penalty of his life for gobbling
at one of our men with all the venom and derision of the
miserable rebel that he was. Colonel Bragg, to his infinite satis-
faction and pride, in two hours and a half, brought on a roast
turkey that would have done honor to the table of a lord. He
gave me lessons in the art of carving. The Doctor, (J. C. Hall,)
who had conscientious scruples that the honey was realized in an
improper manner by the man who presented it to the Colonel,
visited the premises to investigate, and, being furiously attacked
by the bees on account of his Union sentiments, he concluded
that the confiscation was just and proper. We do not steal
turkeys and honey as a rule, but when a wealthy rebel runs away,
leaving everything because our army is coming, we sometimes con-
fiscate rebellious turkey gobblers, and the honey of traitorous bees.
Ohio has done a grand thing in the sweeping defeat of Vallan-
digham, and I feel proud of my native state."
"Near Thoroughfare Gap, October 23d, 1863.
I have a disagreeable task. lyieutenant Colonel Robert B.
Jordon, of the fourteenth Brooklyn, was in command of the
picket of our division last Monday at Haymarket when the
skirmish took place. Charges have been preferred against him
-for misconduct in the presence of the enemy. A special court
martial has been called by General Newton, commanding the first
army corps, witn General J. C. Rice as President and your unfor-
tunate correspondent as Judge Advocate. I tried my best to get
excused from this duty, but 'Old Prince,' as the boys irreverently
call General Cutler,* would not allow me to be excused at all.
^General Cutler commanded the division.
217
Colonel Jordon has employed the best legal advisers he could find
to defend him. I spent yesterday and until late at night looking up
the case. Never a student of law, I feel not a little nervous in
going before so intelligent and dignified a court on behalf of the
prosecution in one of the most important cases ever tried in our
division."
Near Bristoe Station, Va., Orange & Alexandria R. R. ")
(I^etter to M. G. B.) Octqber 25th, 1863,-8. a. m. j
"We left Thoroughfare Gap yesterday in a cold rain storm.
We marched all day, the men wading three creeks waist deep.
We went to Brentsville and then after night, countermarched to
this point, fording another deep creek by the way. Yesterday
was one of the hardest days of all our service, and its effect upon
the question of veteran enlistment was decidedly unhealthy."
(I^etter to M. B. G.)
Camp near Bristoe, October 27th, 1863.
"I have been as busy as a man could be for two days with
the Colonel Jordon case. To-night my work was closed, the
final defense of the accused and the finding and sentence of the
Court only to be had. Things are unsettled here. It is impos-
sible to tell whether we will remain in peace this fall or go into
battle to-morrow. We hear cannonading every day but never
know where it is or what is the cause of it. We are under
orders to be ready to move at a moment's notice. Still we
always regard the chances as about even of going or staying
under such orders.
Since our brilliant retrograde movement to Centreville every-
thing seems in the fog. I think the enemy intend to check and
embarrass General Meade on every foot of his advance, to
consume his time until General Mud puts an embargo upon
army movements. My head is full of my court record, which
I have to overlook as my clerk makes it out. Sixty pages of
foolscap in testimony ought to cashier a man. Another case is
coming before our court. It is of an officer charged with shoot-
ing his toes off" to keep out of the battle of Gettysburg. What
do you think of that kind of a hero ? I think him a notorious
coward.
Brigadier General I^ucius Fairchild was here with his empty
218
coat sleeve. He is pale and thin. He will be elected. He is to
be married soon. The first words he said to me were ' When are
you going to be shot ? You are the luckiest man in the army.' "
(lyetter to M. B. G.) Near Bristoe Station, )
October 29th, 1863. j
"The trial of Colonel Jordon is over. I feel as though I had
succeeded as well as I had a right to expect. Major Pye, the
counsel for Colonel Jordon, issued this little ration of soft soap
in his closing address : 'To the Judge Advocate, whose qualities
as a gentleman and an officer aire apparent upon all occasions,
and who has conducted this case with a fairness and ability alike
commendable to his head and heart, I return my thanks.' "
Major Edward Pye had been a Judge of the Courts in New
York, and it would be quite ungracious to say less than that he
was an able lawyer. But to the memory of my esteemed and
congenial friend, and my heroic comrade at Gettysburg, who
charged with us upon the railroad cut, and who was later killed
in battle while leading the ninety-fifth New York in the same
gallant manner, I here offer the sincere tribute of respect and
admiration. He was a pure, high minded gentleman, a patriot
who cordially sustained all the measures of his government to
crush the enemy, and a hero who gave his life freely for his
country.
Colonel Jordon was convicted by the Court on a part of the
charges and sentenced to be dismissed from the service. He was
afterwards re-instated to his rank by the President of the United
States. The Judge Advocate and all members of the Court
Martial joined in recommending this action in consideration of
his good character and gallant service before this time.*
(IvCtter to M. B. G.) Near Catlett's Station, )
November ist, 1863. j
This is a beautiful Sabbath day. I have been riding on my
horse. Twenty months ago we came here, the advance of the
*lVrember8 of the Court: Brigadier General J C. Rice, second brigade,
first division ; Colonel J. W. Hoffman, fifty-sixth Pennsylvania ; Colonel
S. H. Leonard, thirteenth Massachusetts ; Colonel P. S Davis, thirty-ninth
Massachusetts ; Colonel L. Wister, one hundred and fiftieth Pennsylvania;
Lieutenant Colonel Walton Dwight, one hundred and forty-ninth Pennsyl-
vania ; Lieutenant Colonel E. R. Dawes, sixth Wisconsin, Judge Advocate.
219
army, and more pleasant homes are seldom found, than we care-
fully guarded and protected then, under General McDowell.
Now nothing but charred ruins and ghostly looking chimneys
mark the places of those pretty cottages. Not a fence, barn, nor
scarce a vestige of timber remains to identify the spot. In place,
the country is covered with the bones of dead horses and mules,
and the debris of abandoned camps. Unsightly stumps mark the
places of the pleasant groves. It is hard for one who has not
seen, to imagine the horrid desolation wrought by war.
The rebel army made a complete destruction of our railroad,
(Orange & Alexandria.) In the cuts they put first a layer of
pine brush, and then a layer of dirt and stone and brush again.
You can imagine the bother and trouble of picking out such a
tangle. The cross ties and railroad iron, they built up in kind of
cob houses and then set the ties on fire. When the iron was
sufficiently heated they bent it around logs in fantastic knots. I
saw one or two logs standing up, adorned with neckties of rail-
road iron, upon which the knots were quite au fait.
I saw a pontoon^ train, those dismal prophets of fighting on
the Rappahannock, moving down toward the river this morning.
The men say we are soon to be on the march when the boats
come. The second and third corps are in front of us. Since
General Reynolds was killed, our corps does not seem to be
selected for work in the advance. The second corps now does
most of the heavy work of making the reconnoissances and
covering the retreats. General G. K. Warren of the second
corps is the rising young general of this army. I think General
Meade intends to push I^ee back to the Rapidan again if possible,
and Lee, I think, will go, hoping to draw Meade into a general
attack upon his works. We are now a kind of side play. The
great and decisive campaign will be in the west. There, opera-
tions can be carried on through the winter. I enclose a little
bit of Virginia cotton that I picked just as it grew."*
*This letter from General Outler deals as gently as possible with the sad
truth it discloses :
"Hbadquaktbrs First Division, First Army Corps, \
Bribtoe, Va., November 1st, 1863. /
Editor State Journal: Eumors have reached me, from time to time, that
the remains of those men of the 'Iron Brigade,' and of the fifty-sixth Penn-
(I^etter to M. B. G.) Near Catlett's, November 2nd, 1863.
"The court martial, of which I am Judge Advocate, has been
re-convened and I have been relieved from the one of which I
was President. Day after to-morrow we are to try the officer
who had charge of our corps ambulance train, for leaving
wounded rebels on the battle field at Gettysburg over night in a
rain storm.
The cavalry went to the. front to-day. Rumor says they are
going to Hartwood Church, near Fredericksburgh. General
Kilpatrick rode by to-day with his usual swagger. I hope he
will handle his cavalry better than he did at Hay market on the
nineteenth of last month. He was awfully thrashed there. The
sick were all ordered away from the army to-day, which looks
like a general advance. Our corps is now quite in the rear of the
army, guarding the line of the railroad from raids."
(IvCtter to M. B. G.) November 5th, 1863.
"Our Adjutant (E. P. Brooks,) was captured by the rebels
to-day. A few days ago, a rather handsom^ young lady came to
our camp and politely solicited a guard for her home, two miles
away. The Adjutant was quite attentive, and the lady seemed
v-ery gracious. Brooks took out a guard, for the premises. To-
day she came over to the regiment with some butter to repay the
kindness, and Brooks was happy to see her safely home. They
were both on horse back. Not more than a mile from camp,
Mosby with a few other particular friends of the lady, stepped
out of the bushes and captured our badly sold companion in
arms. He is to-night walking along obscure bridle paths on a
circuitous route to Libby Prison, while a rebel cavalryman has
sylvania and seventy-sixth New York volunteers, who fell at Gainesville in
the bloody fight of August 28th, 1862, were carelessly buried. Upon
examination, a few days since, while passing the battle field on our way to
Thoroughfare Gap, it was found to be true. I have to-day had details from
all the regiments who fought there sent to the ground, under the charge of
Captain Richardson, of the seventh Wisconsin. They have carefully
interred the remains. Many of them could be recognized by the positions
whore they lay, or by articles found about them. As the friends of those
who fell will doubtless hear of the loose manner of the first burial, I write
to assure them that all has been done that could be to give them decent
burial. Very Respectfully,
L. Cutler, Brig. Gen/'
221
his horse. "William gave me the news thus : 'The Adjutant dun
got captivated.'*
The regiment is just now under a cloud. That rainy night at
Brentsville, some men of our brigade were guilty of robbing and
marauding. General Cutler thinks he has traced some of the
property to the Sixth regiment. He has sent a:n order requiring
this regiment to pay one hundred and fifty dollars at his head-
quarters within twelve hours. Colonel Bragg has replied to this
strange demand that he will cheerfully use every exertion to bring
the guilty to punishment. General Cutler seems to think
Colonel Bragg is conniving to conceal the men from punishment,
and says if such and such things are not done, he will apply to
the Secretary of War to have all pay stopped from the regiment.
Colonel Bragg says he will do anything to punish the guilty, if
there are such in our regiment, but no such absurd order or wild
threat shall intimidate him."t
(I^etter to M. B. G.) Near Catlett's Station, \
November 6th, 1863. j
"We had an interesting visitor in camp to-day. He was an old
school Virginia gentleman, of one of their patrician families.
The old gentleman was a pattern of method and precision in his
manners, and there was the urbanity and consideration for others
of the true gentlemen of the real old stock. He said that he had
been an officer in the 'War of 1 8 1 2' — that he had General Washing-
ton's own pistols. He was well acquainted with President
Madison and President Monroe, and edified us with anecdotes
and illustrations of the men of his day and generation. His
visit was much enjoyed by us all. The old gentleman was
carried away by talking, and he said : 'I am eighty years of age.
My grandfather was a Virginia gentleman ; my great grandfather
was a Frenchman, and, begging your indulgence to an old man,
I thank God that to-day I stand as they would in this struggle.'
Said I : 'My dear Sir, your enthusiasm is worthy of imitation by
*It will be seen by this letter that we suspected treachery. The guard
was withdrawn by Colonel Bragg. Brooks is not to be blamed for going
out, as he had been there to place the guard. He did not himself believe
it was treachery, which would have been base to the last degree.
tTo be taken "cum grano salis.' It is evident I was a little out of humor
at the writing.
us who are younger, but your cause is no older in your family
than ours is in mine. My ancestors came to New England when
yours came to Virginia, and they flohrished in Massachusetts,
and I thank God I live in the day to fight for their principles,'
Said the old gentleman: 'I always did admire a full blown
Yankee.' "
(I^etter to M. B. G.) Near Brandy Station, )
November gth, 1863. j
*" Saturday morning we marched from Catletts to Morrison-
ville, and Sunday found us in line of battle with the • rest of the
army at Brandy Station. Our corps has this time brought up
the rear. We have heard continually the cannon of the sixth
and the third corps about four or five miles in front. This
morning the whole army seems to be at a stand still. We, as
usual, do not know what is the reason.
I just heard that General Kilpatrick is at Stevensburgh. If'
that is so, the enemy have retreated beyond the Rapidan. They
would not give us possession of the Stevensburgh heights, which
command the ground to the river, without a contest. The day is
lowering and the smoke of the camp fires fills our eyes. Sitting
on the ground, with my eyes full of smoke, letter writing is hard
work."
Camp near Beverly Ford, Rappahannock River, \
(I^etter to M. B. G.) November nth, 1863. j
"Night before last we came back from Brandy Station to the
north side of the Rappahannock and encamped. Our first corps
is now stretched from Manassas Junction to this point, along
the line of the Orange & Alexandria railroad. We sent men out
this morning with six days' rations to work on the railroad,
which is still uncompleted from Warrenton Junction to the
river. We are busily engaged in clearing out the woods and
making a good camp, as we think it likely that we shall remain
here for a while. I told you about a difificulty between General
Cutler and Colonel Bragg. It has all blown over. Not a man
was punished, and not a cent was paid."
Not able to call to memory the facts in this affair, I asked
General Bragg for his recollections, and he has written me as
*Page 614, Volume 29, War Records.
22S
follows : "General Cutler sent his little Orderly, from the third
Indiana cavalry up to me with an order, fining the regiment two
hundred and fifty dollars * and ordering it to be paid in twelve hours
or our pay would be suspended. The upshot of the whole thing
was, — that I laughed him out of it with virtuous indignation,
that the Sixth should be charged with the thefts of the fourteenth
Brooklyn, and advised him to find out the true culprit, before he
took such action. It occurred to the General that he could find
out himself, and he summoned Edwin C. Jones of company 'E.'
Jones confessed to some knowledge of the aflFair, and upon being
re-assured as to secresy and condign punishment, if he didn't tell
what become of the meat, Jones with many protestations that
he didn't want to, and it wouldn't be right, yielded and told him
'he saw it going to his own headquarters.' This was the last
that I heard of the attempt to prove that the Sixth ate it."
(I<etter to M. B. G.) Camp near Beverly Ford, Va., )
November 12th, 1863. j
"Our camp is pleasantly located in a fine g^ove of timber.
The nights are frosty, but when we are in camp we can provide
against that. The Doctor (Hall) and I have built a log crib,
eight feet long, four feet wide, and two feet deep, and packed it
full of dry leaves, which makes us a warm and comfortaole bed."
(Letter to M. B. G.) Beverly Ford, November 15th, 1863.
"There is as I write, heavy firing in front, and we are under
orders to be ready to move. The enemy seems to be reconnoiter-
ing or advancing, for the firing is nearer than Cedar Mountain.
We have not marched to-day, and I think now that we will
not, but I am obliged to go on picket duty to-night, ' miser aMle
dictu.' Captain Philip W. Plummer and two enlisted men from
each company, are starting home on recruiting service and to take
charge of conscripts for this regiment, as there is a draft going
on. You may be sure these men are highly delighted."
(Letter to M. B. G.) November i6th, on Picket.
"I have had a grand gallop over the country this beautiful
morning, reorganizing and re-adjusting the picket line of the first
army corps. The first night we came here some one established
*My contempoiarv statement, one hundred and fifty dollare, is probably
correct.
224
the line only a few rods from the camps, and it became my duty to
correct it. Our first corps' camps are now safely guarded. Every-
thing looks as if our army was soon to make another campaign."
I here received a leave of absence for ten days and hastened to
Marietta, Ohio. In making a third effort to secure a leave of
absence, I went in person to corps headquarters. My application
had the usual "urgent" endorsements which plaintively appealed
that I should be granted the favor. General John Newton, now
best known as the man who blew up Hell Gate, looked my" paper
over and I saw no hope in his eye. "Colonel," said he, "you
give no reason for this application !" "What's the use of giving
a reason !" said I, "sickness or death in' the family, or business
complications are rejected as reasons in the orders." "Yes," said
the General. "Have you any other reason?" "I have," said I,
"I want very much to see my girl." "All right. Colonel, you
have stated a reason not forbidden in the orders, and I will
endorse that you have 'a good and sufficient reason.' " I got all
I asked, ten days leave of absence to visit Ohio. General New-
ton made two friends by this level-headed, official action.
This short visit is remembered as an oasis in the desert of my
military life. The weather was delightful, and that dreamy haze,
called Indian summer, was upon the hills and valleys of Southern
Ohio. For four days, a young couple, oblivious to all others,
wandered over the hills or drove on the beautiful roads. Owing
to the exigencies of the military service, this four days was all
the opportunity we had for meeting until our wedding.
During my absence, the army marched from its camps to
engage in the Mine Run campaign.
Mine Run.
(IvCtter to M. B. G.) I,ine of Battle before the Enemy, "I
South of the Rapidan, November 28th, 1863. J
"We are lying in mud and water in hourly expectation of
moving forward to attack the rebel army in front, in plain view.
I caught the regiment yesterday after a hard chase and in a half
an hour we were in a skirmish with *Rosser's rebel cavalry. I
*Volume XXIX, Page 689, War Kecords, Report of General L. Cutler.
" " " 687, " " Eeport of General John Newton.
" " " 904, " " Confederate Colonel T. L. Eosser.
IvtAi GEtr. JOHN NEWTON.
226
got to the Rappahannock Thursday evening and traveled- all
night in an ambulance. I am just in time to be in the great battle.
I am sitting on a knapsack in the pine woods, my eyes filled with
smoke and the clouds full of rain. *We had one man shot yester-
day in the skirmish with Rosser's cavalry, lost an arm. The
rebels are digging entrenchments as fast as they can and the
skirmishers keep up a continual and murderous duel."
(Letter to M. B. G.) Sunday Evening, November 29th.
"We are still lying in smoke and chilly air waiting our sum-
mons for battle and catching with eagerness every rumor. Once
to-day we formed a column of assault to charge upon the enemy's
entrenchments; but the fearful task was not attempted. The
enemy are here in great force and they have worked like beavers
at their fortifications. Day before yesterday a bullet cut a hole in
my hat and fairly brushed my face and I was covered with dirt by
a shell yesterday. I wished myself again on the hill tops of
Ohio. It is now so near night that I look for no battle to-day."
(I^etter to M. B. G.) Mitchell's Ford, Rapidan River, )
December and, 1863. j
"The battle did not occur, but great suffering and toil was un-
dergone by our army. We marched -all night last night on our
retreat and suffered intensely from cold. To-night we are north
of the Rapidan. Every preparation was made by General
Meade to charge upon the rebel entrenchments. The slaughter
would have been great and we feel thankful to have been spared.
I can hardly tell you how tired, sleepy and worn out we all are
to-night. Our brigade is alone here at Mitchell's Ford. Our
corps is at Stevensburgh."
(I^etter to M. B. G.) Camp near Kelly's Ford, \
December 4th, 1863. )
"To-night, for the first time since leaving Marietta, I have an
evening that I can feel is my own. Our communications have
been interfered with or suspended, so that I fear you have not
received my letters. I got safely to Washington Wednesday
*lBaiah F. Kelly, company "B."
night and secured my pass* to the front. I left for the army on
the last train that went down Thursday morning and that train
they had once decided not to send, as the whole army was mov-
ing to parts unknown. We reached Rappahannock station at
four o'clock P. M., and the army was gone, nobody could tell
certainly where. By hard work and good luck I found a mail
ambulance belonging to the fifth army corps headquarters, and by
dint of persuasion and a can of preserved peaches, I prevailed
upon the men in charge to let me ride with them in their pursuit
of the army. We had a freezing night's ride. While we were
blundering along in the dark, asking every straggler we could
find which road the troops had taken, we were at one time com-
pletely at a loss when a drunken straggler was overtaken who
swore in round oaths that the fifth corps had gone to 'Jemima
Ford's.' He could not be shaken in this statement. After puz-
zling over it, I suggested that we try the road to Germania Ford.
At midnight we found our own wagon train at Germania Ford.
Here I donned my fighting armor, borrowed a horse, and at day-
light started in pursuit of the army. About ten o'clock A. M., I
overtook the column of the first corps near Chaneellorsville and
resumed my post, my leave of absence not having expired by six
hours when I reached the regiment. In a very few moments,
musketry was heard in front and our regiment was ordered for-
ward double quick. We deployed the men as skirmishers in the
woods. We had been marching on a narrow road through thick
woods, our regiment the advance of the first corps. Ahead of us
was .a wagon train of the fifth corps. Most of the wagons were
loaded with ammunition. The rebel cavalry under Colonel
Rosser came in by a cross road through the woods and attacked
this wagon train, driving away the guards. It was a bold dash
to come in between two army corps. We hurried forward through
*No, 294, Headquarters Military District of Washington, 1
Washington, D. C, November 25th, 1863. j
Pass Lieutenant Colonel Eufus Dawes to Army Potomac, for the purpose
of Joining command, via government boat and rail.
This Pass will expire November 26th, 1863.
By order John H. Mabtindale,
Brig. Gen. and Military Governor.
Issued by E. Bbntly, H. C. Lockwood,
Captain and A. A. A. Q. Captain and Aide-de-Camp.
the thick woods and opened fire on the rebels as they were trying
to hurry oflF the wagons. They promptly returned our fire and,
for a few moments, the shots cracked and whizzed around our
heads. We quickly drove them away, killing and wounding
several of their men. Before they retreated they set fire to a
number of ammunition wagons which blew up with loud and
continued explosions, scattering shot, shell and wagon wheels all
over the country. One of our men was shot. A rebel cavalry
man took fair aim' at me and his bullet cut a hole in my hat. He
had on a blue United States overcoat and so our men had not
fired at him. But when he shot at me, John Kilmartin of com-
pany 'G' drew a bead on him and shot him dead. Under his
blue overcoat we found the rebel gray. Friday night we reached
I^ocust Grove in our advance against the enemy. Saturday
morning, together with the second corps, we moved in line of
battle driving the enemy before us through the woods for three
miles when we met General Ewell's corps in line of battle at
Mine Run. The skirmishing was very hot,, but we (ourselves)
were subjected mainly to artillery fire. On Saturday, Sunday,
Monday and Tuesday, we grimly faced the enemy, hourly ex-
pecting to be ordered to attack his works. During all this time,
there was a soaking rain until the weather turned so bitterly ccdd
that several men on the skirmish line are said to have frozen to
death. As we were without shelter, we suffered much. Tuesday
night we retreated back across . the Rapidan river. Wednesday
morning our brigade marched to Mitchell's ford to meet and re-
sist any attempt at Crossing by the enemy. Thursday we marched
to Mountain Run and to-day we came here (Kelly's Ford) and
went into camp."
I give extracts from General Bragg's letter, written in response
to my request for some incidents or personal recollections of
Mine Run.
"Do you remember a Council of War, to determine whether
we could carry the line in front of us, that cold December day at
Mine Run? *Your commanding officer voted No ! I had Major
Haiiser, who was something of an engineer, make a-reconnois-
*Colonel Bragg.
sance and report. He said the run was breast deep with water,
covered with a thin ice, and the opposite bank was protected by a
heavy abattis, made by trees with tops felled from the opposite
bank into the stream, and also that beyond the abattis covering
the slope were batteries in position. All this I explained to the
doughty warriors who voted that the position could be carried,
but it was no good ! They voted the way they thought would
please the powers that were. The order in the morning was to
charge down the slope, cross the stream, — and carry the line
beyond, — the movement to commence at a signal gun on the
right, at or about eight o'clock A. M. Our line was formed and
arms stacked, with big fires on the front to keep from freezing,
while we waited for the order to move on to almost certain death.
On looking along the line, I saw some yellow-headed ganders,
in Hauser's 'herd of goose,' (company 'H,') playing poker, for
postal currency as stakes. I said : 'Can't you find anything to
do but that?' They looked up and said in pigeon English:
'Dis will be no good to us, after de charge, we want all the fun
we can get.'
You remember 'Big' Harry Dunn, of company 'E,' Scotch-
Irish. His father was a man of position in Edinburgh. Harry,
you know, deserted at Belle Plaine, because, being so large, he
could not get any clothes that he could get into, but he was brought
back, sentenced to some dire punishment, and pardoned for being
so good a soldier. He had committed a crime in a foolish pet.
Harry that morning, when we were waiting orders to charge,
called me to one side and said: 'Write a good report to the old
Governor about me, and tell him I was a brave soldier, and
please don't say anything about that Belle Plaine afiair.' Said I:
'Why, what's the matter Harry? I am as likely to be killed as
you, — why give me the message?' 'Oh no,' said he, 'you ain't
half as big as I am. My chances are two to one against yours,'
and, — the orders were countermanded and no charge was made
at all."
Chapter XI.
At Kelly's Pordl—"A.ll MsU to Old Abe .'"—Question tf Veteran JRe-
enlistment—My Brother Reports From Sherman's Corps^To
Culpepper — Kindness From a JRebel — Living in Mouses— Vet-
eran Bxcitement— Regiment Re-enllsts, and Goes to Wisconsin
— I g'O to Marietta— A Grand Reoeptlon at MUvraukee—A Quiet
Wedding at M arietta— A Wedding Trip- A Nappy Accident— In
Ohio— la Camp Again at Culpepper— General U. S. Grant— Oblit-
eration of the old First Army Corps— The Fifth Corps-General
G. H, "Warren — A Nev^ England Clergyman — OoJonei JBragg'a
"Religious Affiliations" -General Grant on Review— Major
Philip W. Plummer— Preparations— Minor Faxxlts in the Manage-
ment of Military Affairs— A new Chaplain— "We Tvin jPirst
Honors on Inspection— Adjutant Brooks Returns— Chess— Court
Martial— Crime— Indians— "We move at Midnight."
(I^etter to M. B. G.) . Camp near Kelly's Ford, \
December 7th, 1863. j
"Doctor Hall and I are fixing up our quarters for cold weather.
We do not feel sure that we will stay here for the winter, but we
hope to. Our men have built fine log cabins and the encampment of
the brigade is very respectable. It is curious to see the inge-
nuity displayed by the men in making themselves comfortable in
their log houses. With no tool but the little hatchet, they house
themselves snugly and comfortably, and provide all the necessary
furniture. To-morrow we will be fixed up in our cabin."
(I/Ctter to M. B. G.) Kelly's Ford, December loth, 1863.
"To-night we are in our cabin, and our quarters are cheerful
and bright, and for the first time since I left home I can sit down
comfortably to write a letter. Our fireplace is a complete success
and our chimney is all of brick. Look at the plan of our winter
house : W. B. is wood box. F, P., fire place.
230
y^
^
Bed.
Door
10x10
1
:)
>
10x10
Desk
1 Desk
1
^ 1
We have a tight board floor and are very comfortably estab-
lished for a soldier's winter. We are tormented bj- rumors of a
move to a different location.
I have no doubt that our army would have been slaughtered
and defeated in any assault upon the enemy's entrenched line,
(at Mine Run) after Sunday evening. The morning our corps
and the second corps pursued the enemy from Robertson's
Tavern, we found them in line of battle beyond Mine Run, with-
out entrenchments. Upon that day and the next, the enemy
might have been attacked, perhaps, with advantage. All honor
to General Meade, who at risk of personal discomfiture, and at
sacrifice of personal pride, had the moral courage to order a
retreat without a day of blood and National humiliation to
demonstrate its necessity to every dissatisfied carper among the
people."
(Ivetter to M. B. G.) Kei<ly's Ford, December 12th, 1863.
"What a noble message from President Lincoln. I do not
hesitate to say that I think him a great statesman, and what is
better, an unselfish patriot. The high tone of this message, and
the unflinching adherence to his great measure of Emancipation,
must command the respect of the world and inspire confidence
in the ultimate success of a cause so firmly planted on the right.
If the full success we hope shaU crown our struggle, and slavery
231
with rebellion be swept from the land, the name of I^incoln will'
mark on history a grand epoch in the progress of civilization.
The author of the Proclamation that gave freedom to four
millions of people, and brought the true object and end of our
battling before the world, that placed us upon ground consistent
with the fearful sacrifices we have- made, will have a high place in
the respect of this age and the veneration of all succeeding ages.
All hail to old Abe ! for in the sure omens of final triumph all
around, is the dawning glory of his name, as the world's greatest
champion of freedom, and Republican institutions. This is not
extravagant, for we are in the midst of grand events, and the
men who carve their names as representatives of the triumph of
right in a struggle of such magnitude, will have a proud distinc-
tion in history.
We are watching anxiously the action of Congress on the
'Conscript I,aw.' The three hundred dollars exemption clause
will probably be repealed: The Government should rely entirely
upon filling up its old organizations in the recruitment of its
army. This regiment, as at present affected, will not re-enlist.
The men want to go in cavalry, in artillery, in the navy, or in
anything but the business of transporting Government supplies
in a knapsack on their shoulders. We have heard from our re-
cruiting party. They are getting no recruits, and the draft in
Wisconsin brings money, as I supposed, but very few soldiers, so
we are not likely to be filled up with conscripts."
Baraboo, Wisconsin, December 8th, 1863.
Colonel R. R. Dawes,
Dear Sir: — "Our elections all went off right this fall. *Bully
for the boys in blue. They did their duty, excepting the
I suppose that regiment would vote for Jeff. Davis, if they were
told that he was a Democrat. Every Badger feels proud of our
own 'Iron Brigade,' and well they may, for no other has such a
reputation or such a record.
My wounded limb is getting quite comfortable. I am however,
badly crippled. I get around with two canes pretty well. I can
never march on foot again. The draft is over here, and about
*The vote of the soldiers is here referred to.
232
one in twenty of those drafted, will go to the war. They nearly
all pay their regular three hundred dollars, (exemption fee.) I
have recruited seventeen men recently, and all but one go in
cavalry. They are bound to ride. I have tried them all for the
Sixth, but it is no use, they must ride. If the Sixth was
mounted, it could be filled up. / could go then^ Sergeants
Klein and Fletcher are here. I shall do all I can to assist them,
but it is an up-hill business to recruit for infantry.
The merchants are all getting rich. Remember me to Colonel
Bragg and Major Hauser.
I shall be happy to hear from you. Please accept my best
wishes for your future success, prosperity and happiness. A glo-
rious past is sure. Very truly your friend,
D. K. Novels."
(Letter to M. B. G.) Near Kelly's Ford, \
December 14th, 1863. j
"The rain is pouring down in floods, and mud unfathomable is
the order of things. Colonel Bragg is now in Washington on a
seven days leave of absence, fl think his star will soon rise
above the horizon. I am fixing up tue camp for winter quarters,
corduroying the streets, building stables and mess houses."
(Letter to M. B. G.) Kelly's Ford, December i6th, 1863.
"These are rumors of our going back to Centreville. The
depletion of the army by sending home veterans, and from
various other causes, may cause such a movement. We are
getting settled down into camp life with the usual routine of
court martial, inspections, picket, and fatigue duty."
(Letter to M. B. G.) Kelly's Ford, December 20th, 1863.
"General Meade has sent orders to this brigade to report at
once how many men will re-enlist as veterans. If three fourths
of the members of a regiment who are within his department,
agree to re-enlist, the regiment, he says, will be ordered home for
furlough and to recruit. Commanding officers were directed to
submit the question to their regiments. I called the regiment
together, and spoke to them for half an hour, explaining fully
*Captain Noyes' foot was torn off by the shell at Antietam.
THis promotion as a Brigadier General, which had long been promised.
233
and as fairly as I could, the inducements oflfered by tlie Govern-
ment to re-enlist as veterans, the prospect of the continuation of
war, and the especial advantages of re-organizing as the Sixth
regiment. I submitted an agreement for as many as chose to
sign, pledging themselves to re-enlist in the sixth Wisconsin, as
a veteran volunteer organization, under the various orders on the
subject, provided the regiment should immediately upon the
re-enlistment of three fourths of its members now within the
department, be sent to "Wisconsin for a furlough of at least thirty
days. Something over eighty men have signed the agreement, but
my impression is, that the requisite three -fourths will not sign.'
In this camp I received a letter from my brother. Major E_
C. Dawes, in General Sherman's corps :
Bridgeport, Alabama, December 19th, 1863.
"Safe home at last; home to tents, blankets, teams, clothes,
hard tack, coffee and pork. It was a hard campaign, that in ,East
Tennessee, but I would not have missed it for anything. * * *
I cannot now give details of our march. We drew no rations
from November twenty-ninth, until to-day, (December nineteenth.)
Every night we slept in the open air. Every day we marched
from seventeen to twenty-five miles.- All supplies were foraged
from the country or brought to us by the Union people, some of
whom walked miles to carry food to the Union soldiers. We
cooked our meat on sticks before the fire and made corn cakes on
flat boards. We did not have a single thing on wheels with our
regiment, except one old ambulance that had no top. Many of
our men were without shoes, and often marched over frozen
ground with bleeding feet. Very few made any complaint, and
none straggled. We have marched continuously since leaving
Memphis, October eleventh, without halting at any one place
over two days."
(IvCtter to M. B. G.) Camp near KeIvLy's Ford, |
December 22nd, 1863. J
"Is the regiment going to re-enlist? Very doubtful. One
hundred and forty-eight men have signed, up to to-night. I go
on picket for two days in the morning."
234
(Letter to M. B. G.) Near Culpepper Court House, >
December 27th, 1863. j
"Excuse mj' pencil. Our wagons are loaded. We have had a
hard time the past two days. I went on picket on Wednesday
morning. Thursday at daylight, the coldest day this winter, our
corps left its winter quarters. I had a very severe time gathering
up the picket line about four miles long. About the middle of
the afternoon we reached Culpepper, and I had to work hard
until night to establish a new picket line. I remained on the
line all night. This morning our regiment was ordered tempo-
rarily into empty houses in the village of Culpepper, until the
severe storm now raging is over."
I received an especial kindness on the cold afternoon of our
arrival at Culpepper from a rebel citizen. There were about
twelve hundred men in the picket details, and I had to establish
them on a line of four or five miles according to points designa-
ted and given me. But pitying the cold and forlorn condition of
the men, this gentleman helped me by his familiar knowledge
of localities and roads. His only concern was lest his rebel
neighbors might know of his kindness and misinterpret it. His
name was Jack Pendleton, and he had served as a member of the
Congress of the United States before the war. This assistance
enabled my picket reserves to make their tin cups full of
hot and refreshing coffee, before the darkness ot a cold and
stormy night prevented them from gathering fuel for their fires.
(Letter to M. B. G.) Culpepper Court House, )
December 28th, 1863. J
"We are still in the houses in the village, but are expecting an
order that will send us out into the winter storm and mud
General Cutler has just called in. He says he thinks it is all
right, and that we can stay in the houses. We have a pleasant
room, with a fire place, on the second floor of a respectable house.
The ofiicers of the corps and division staff are scattered around
in comfortable houses in the village. Such quarters for the
winter would be grand. Three fourths of the men of our regi-
ment are disposed to re-enlist, but objections are raised to sending
them home as a regiment. The men will not go in any other
235
way and if this point is insisted upon, the chance of their
re-enlistment is gone."
(lyetter to M. B. G.) Culpepper Court House^ }
December 30th, 1863. )
'^We are still in Culpepper, and our men are very comfortable
in houses. As I write now, the room is full of officers, talking
and brawling over the veteran question, and I cannot think of
anything else in this awful clatter. We have fine quarters, a
large house, one 1-oom for an office, one for reception room and
one for a kitchen."
(Letter to M. B. G.) December 31st, 1863.
"The veteran excitement is unabated. We have present in this
army two hundred and ninety enlisted men, who can re-enlist as
veterans. Of this number, three fourths must re-enlist to have
the regiment ordered to Wisconsin. To-night, one hundred and
ninety-five men have been sworn in. It needs twenty-three more
men. Our detached men who have been cooks for officers,
hostlers, clerks, and teamsters, of whom there are sixty-eight,
nearly all decline to re-enlist, but the men who have stood by the*
old flag through fair and foul weather, and through many bloody
battles, almost to a man dedicate their lives and service anew to
their country. These men who have stood day after day in the
presence of death, who have endured every sort of privation and
and sufiering, present an example that should bring a blush of
shame to the brows of the young men who have failed their
country at this crisis."
(I/etter to M. B. G.) CuIvPEpper Court House, \
January 2nd, 1864. j
"To-night the quota, two hundred and seventeen men and five
recruits, have been sworn in. We are busily engaged in muster-
ing the regiment as veterans. If no unforseen accident inter-
venes, the regiment will be on its way west next Thursday or
Friday."
Headquarters Sixth Wisconsin Veteran VoIvUNTEers, \
(Letter to M. B G.) CulpEppEr Court House, Y
January 4th, 1864. )
"Yesterday we unfurled our flag from the windows of head-
quarters, in token of success. 'We have hung our banner on the
236
outer wall, and the cry is still they come.' There are two
hundred and thirty-three men sworn in, and five companies
mustered."
(L,etter to M. B. G.) Culpepper Court House, )
January 6th, 1864. j
"The regiment is paid in full, and camp and garrison equipage
, has been turned over to the Quartermaster's department, and
everything is in readiness. I rode yesterday through snow and
mud to army headquarters, fifteen miles there and back, to get
the order to go to Wisconsin. General Williams (Seth Williams,
A. A. G. Army of the Potomac,) said the order would be made,
but he would not give it to me, and he has since telegraphed
that six hundred men only can be sent away from the first army
corps. This may cut us out altogether. I represented the
interest of the regiment at army headquarters the best I was able,
and felt troubled not to have succeeded in getting the order, for
the men are impatient and suspicious, after being trifled with so
much. The seventh Wisconsin has gone, and is now far on its
'"way to Wisconsin."
The order came on a bitterly cold afternoon. The re-enlisted
regiment took freight cars for Alexandria, on their way to Wis-
consin. ■ The men who did not re-enlist and the recruits,
remained in the camp of the second Wisconsin, which did not
re-enlist as an organization. We were all night on the Orange
and Alexandria railroad without fires, and there was great
suffering. One man was so severely frozen that he was left in
the hospital at Alexandria. We proceeded west via Baltimore,
Harrisburgh, and Pittsburg. At Pittsburg I left the regiment
and went to Marietta, Ohio, where I arrived January 14th, 1864.
The regiment met with a splendid reception upon its arrival at
Milwaukee. The Board of Trade of the city provided a dinner
at the Newhall House, and public exercises . were conducted, in
the hall of the Chamber of Commerce. In an account of the
affair, the Milwaukee Sentinel says : "The Sixth regiment pro-
ceeded from their quarters at Broadhead's Block, to the Chamber
of Commerce, escorted by six companies of the thirtieth Wiscon-
sin under Colonel Daniel J. Dill, — formerly a Captain in the
Sixth, — and the Milwaukee I/ight Infantry under Captain Nazro.
At. a few minutes past one o'clock the cortege made its appear-
ance, headed by Christian Bach's excellent band, playing : 'The
Year of Jubilee.' The veterans marched into the hall and the
escort was dismissed. As the regiment entered, they were
greeted with salvos of cheers. They formed in the center of the
room in close column by company, and at the command of
Colonel Bragg, brought their pieces to an order with a thug that
elicited rounds of applause."
The address of welcome was made by Ex-Governor Salomon.
General Fairchild, Secretary of State of Wisconsin, and Mayor
O'Neill of Milwaukee, made speeches of welcome, and other
prominent citizens of Milwaukee took part in the speech making.
My purpose in leaving the regiment at Pittsburg was to fulfill
my engagement of marriage with my correspondent, M. B. G.
The wedding took place Monday morning, January i8th, 1864,
at half past five o'clock, at the residence of Beman Gates, in
Marietta, Ohio. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Thomas
Wickes, D. D. There were few guests present beside the family
connections residing in Marietta. My wife and I immediately
took the train for the west to join the regiment at Milwaukee.
A heavy snow storm set in which delayed our progress. We
were all day getting from Cincinnati to Hamilton, Ohio, twenty-
four miles. A day was consumed going from Hamilton to
Valparaiso, Indiana. At this point we found a strike of locomo-
tive engineers on the Pittsburg, Ft. Wayne & Chicago R. R., and
we took a sleigh and drove across the country twelve miles, to
the Michigan Central Railroad, where we boarded a freight train
and arrived in Chicago on Thursday evening, in triumph in the
caboose. Of course under such circumstances, the trip was in
every respect delightful. We reached Milwaukee Friday evening,
where the headquarters of the regiment during the veteran
furlough was established. During our stay of about four weeks,
we were at the Newhall House a part of the time, and a part of
the time with the family of a Mr. Roddis. Here we met conge-
nial and sympathizing fellow boarders, in Mr. J. Middleton
Arnold and wife, who, like ourselves were an extremely newly
married couple. Mr. Arnold was a soldien in the twenty fourth
Wisconsin, and his wife was from Ipswich, Massachusetts.
My wife, who had followed every movement of our regiment
through my correspondence, saw in a hall in Broadhead's Block^
the stacks of muskets with belts and cartridge boxes hanging
upon them, as left by the column when broken for the men to
visit their homes. She never saw more than this of the sixth
Wisconsin regiment. As I was riding on the icy streets in the
city of Milwaukee on my crippled horse, which had been shot at
Gettysburg, the animal fell in turning a corner. My left ankle
was dislocated and badly sprained. I was unable to walk without
crutches for several weeks, and obtained a leave of absence upon
a surgeon's certificate of disability, and I accompanied my wife
to Marietta, Ohio. This accident was regarded as a great piece
of good fortune. Upon the expiration of the veteran furlough,
the regiment returned to its camp near Culpepper, Virginia. I
was unable to return to the field until the twenty-first of March,
1864.
Headquartbrs Sixth Wisconsin Veteran Volunteers, )
(To my wife.) Near Culpepper, March, 22nd, 1864. |
"I arrived safely last night. I came down with General Cutler,
who provided me with a good dinner and gave me an ambulance
in which to ride over to camp. (I was still lame from the effects
of my sprain.) I found the regiment encamped two miles from
Culpepper and quite comfortably quartered. There are one
hundred and eleven recruits, and more are coming. William
Jackson was delighted with the pipe you sent him. He is now
chief steward of our mess.
Major Hauser's resignation has been accepted, and he .has
gone. General Grant is fixing up headquarters in Culpepper
village. He will be a near neighbor to us. He shows good
judgment in establishing himself with the first- army corps. The
■impression here is that our army, properly re-inforced and
strengthened, will make a vigorous advance on Richmond."
(To my wife.) Headquarters Sixth Wisconsin Vols., )
March 22nd, 1864. J
"I am on my old duty again. I received yesterday a detail as
President of the general court martial of our division. Our court
will sit near General.Grant's headquarters and I shall see the hero
of the day often. He is to arrive in Culpepper to-morrow. My
Q^^^<^^6.^
ankle gets stronger every day but I am still quite lame. General
James S. Wadsworth is to command our division."
(To my wife.) March 24th, 1864.
I was greatly surprised yesterday to see Captain William J.
Dawes (eighth Wisconsin) come riding into camp. On account
of a very severe wound in his foot, received at Corinth, he is
going into the veteran reserve corps. This morning we are to
ride over to Pony mountain to see the rebels beyond the Rapidan.
The weather has been very cold and there is not less than six
inches of snow on the ground, but it is a fine morning and a
pleasant day to ride.
Seven o'clock. P. M. — We have returned from our ride to the
signal station on Pony mountain. We came through Culpepper
just in time to see General Grant. He looks like a plain common
sense man, one not to be puffed up by position nor abashed by
obstacles."
Headquarters Sixth Wisconsin Veteran Volunteers, )
First Division, First Army Corps, March 26th, 1864. I
(To my wife.)
"The room in which our court martial sits is opposite General
Grant's headquarters. We see him every day. He looks differ-
ently from what I had expected and my impressions are favorable.
He holds the life of the Nation almost in his own hands. God
help him and our country ! There is a desperate struggle before
us. Both sections seem to have chosen this as the ground for the
last grand conflict. If we gain it, in my opinion, the rebellion
will be crushed. General Wadsworth will command our new
division which will be in the fifth army corps, and General G. K.
Warren will command that Corps. Direct your letters as usual
until I advise you what the arrangement is. It will be a swallow-
ing up of the old first army corps with the fifth corps, which
hurts our feelings very much. We think the first army corps
has deserved something better than obliteration."
Headquarters Sixth Wisconsin Veteran Volunteers, \
Fourth Division, Fifth Army Corps, March 27th, 1864. j
"Bear Father: — The army receives with great satisfaction
the compliment of the personal leadership of the lyieutenant
General, but the army can fight no more heroically under General
(jrant than it did under General McClellan at Antietam, or Gen-
eral Meade at Gettysburg. There is a measure to human achieve-
ment. Give General Grant men enough of the tried valor and
experience of this fighting army of the Nation and I think he can
go to Richmond and, with the occupation and isolation of Vir-
ginia, crush the rebellion. We believe he will not undertake
the great work in the light of such abundant experience without
strength adequate to the enterprise, and we feel confident that, as
you say, 'Grant will take Richmond this campaign.' "
Near Culpepper Court House, March 27th, 1864.
"My dear nife: — We have had a complete re-organization of our
army. Our old first corps is merged into the fifth corps under
the command of General G. K. Warren. I like General Warren
for a corps commander. We are, in the re-organization, the first
brigade, fourth division, fifth army corps. General Cutler com-
mands our brigade and General Wadsworth our division.
We have had a pleasant Sabbath. A gentleman from Massa-
chusetts, the Rev. I,ewis F. Clark, pastor of the Congregational
church at Whittiersville, Massachusetts, (born in Southhampton,
Massachusetts,) who is connected with the Christian Commission,
came to our camp and desired to hold religious service. It was a
beautiful morning, and after inspection, the regiment was turned
out to attend divine service. Mr. Clark preached a short and ex-
cellent sermon to the regiment, which was formed in a hollow
square. The service was impressive, and it is an honor to our
regiment that every man behaved with a reverence becoming the
occasion. We all took dinner with Mr. Clark at Colonel Bragg's
tent. He corresponds with Dr. Justin Perkins, of the Nestorian
mission in Persia. He knows all about Mr. Shedd (my brother-
in-law, a missionary in Persia) and has read his published letters
with much interest, and he quoted from them. He knew more
about the mission than I did. He regards Dr. Perkins as one of
the benefactors of the age. He told several anecdotes of his life.
He- knew of my great grandfather, Rev. Dr. Manasseh Cutler,
and about my great grandfather, Colonel William Dawes, .who
rode from Boston with Paul Revere to arouse the people the night
before I^exington. He was quite witty over my Yankee pedigree.
He made me feel quite blue. You will perceive that we had a
m
pleasant visitor. He is a graduate of Andover and an exceed-
ingly bright and intelligent gentleman. He left his church for six
weeks to come to the army in the service of the Christian Com-
mission."
Dr. Clark was pleased with the decorous behaviour of our men,
and he was inclined to attribute it to the moral influence of our
"Christian commandant," as he styled Colonel Bragg, to the great
delight of Dr. Hall and myself. Dr.- Clark privately asked Dr.
Hall to what denomination Colonel Bragg belonged. Dr. Hall
replied that the Colonel was "so modest and reticent about his
religious afiSliations" that he had never told us.
"Our'recruits are a fine set of fellows and they take up their
new business readily. I do not fear that the honor of the regi-
ment will ever suffer in their keeping. I inspected the regiment
this morning and looked them all over carefully."
(To my wife.) Near Culpepper, March 29th, 1864,
"I am going over some day soon to Culpepper to play chess
with a rebel gentleman, named Mr. Mosee, who says 'he has
beaten the Confederate army and is anxious to beat the Union
army.' This morning we stood shivering two hours in line of
battle to be reviewed by General Grant. An incident occurred
uponthisreview, which was characteristic of General Grant. The
troops were drawn up in line of battalions en masse doubled on
the centre. There was a cold drizzle of rain, and as General
Grant, at the head of his staff and escort, rode slowly along in
front of the line, regiment after regiment gave loud cheers in
his honor as he approached. This had become customary in our
army when the troops were reviewed by the commaiiding General.
General Grant made no recognition of the intended compliment.
I was in command of the regiment and observing this felt pro-
• voked. I turned to the regiment and said : 'As General Grant
does not seem to think our cheering worth notice, I will not call
for cheers. Maintain your position as soldiers.' When General
Grant came to the sixth Wisconsin, the military salutes required
were performed with exact precision and the men stood motion-
less as statues. He evidently expected us to cheer him as the
others had; but when he saw us performing only our exact and
formal duties as soldiers, he took off his hat and made a low bow
242
to us, and to our colors dipped in salute to him as commander of
the army. It was to say, 'I did not come here for a personal
ovation.' It was a genuine Grantism and our men were highly
pleased at it. They said, 'Grant wants soldiers, not yaupers.' "
(To my wife.) Near Cui^pepper, March 31st, 1864.
"Major Hauser has been appointed a Consul to Switzerland
and he will soon start with his wife for Europe. Captain Philip
W. Plummerwill be Major 'in place of Hauser. He is a pleasant
gentleman and will be an agreeable member of our mess. Adju-
tant Brooks is out ot I,ibby Prison at last and will soon return to
to the regiment."
(To my wife.) Camp near Culpepper, Aprii, 4th, 1864.
"General James S. Wadsworth, is now in command of
our division, and we begin at once to feel the old fellow
trying in his own level headed way to ferret out abuses. For in-
stance : 'AH officers applying for leave of absence must state the
date and length of their last leave.' He is a thorough and able
commander.
The men are drawing commutation money for the rations to
which they were entitled while on the veteran furlough and I
have to sign all these papers in duplicate. About all the time
that I am not on court martial, I am writing my name. William
Jackson, now our chief steward, provides well and serves up
dinners that are the envy of all around us. It is impossible to
get good cooks and competent servants now, and we should be
badly off if it were not for William. He is anxious that
General Grant shall succeed this spring, for an advance of our
lines of twenty miles would enable him to find his mother, which
he can never hope to do if the rebellion prevails."
(To my wife.) Near Culpepper, April 8th, 1864.
"This morning the regiment is to be inspected by Colonol
Osborne, Inspector, at General Wadsworth's headquarters, and
every man is busy polishing his gun and brasses and blacking his
shoes. Our men will not allow themselves to be surpassed in
neatness of appearance.
There was a great horse race yesterday near Stevensburgh.
Our horse lost more than $1000 for our friends who bet their
243
money on horse races. I am glad the horse got beaten. They
have been gambling on it for a year and this I hope will put a
Stop to it. This dose was badly needed."
(To my wife.) Near Culpepper, April, 9th, 1864.
"There are increasing indications of active work. Sutlers are
being sent to the rear, baggage reduced, and leaves of absence for-
bidden. General Warren says in his order, that sickness or death
of near relatives will not be considered as a reason for granting
leaves of absence. His idea of an extreme case is likely
the same as General Newton's. We expected the ninth corps.
General Burnside's here, but I do not know that it has come. I
have not been very well for the last two days."
(To my wife.) Near Culpepper, April 12th, 1864.
"There is a lively hum of preparation throughout the army for
active operations. On the 15th of April, all sutlers or camp fol.
lowers of every description must be out of the army under se-
vere penalty, and all available men are being gathered up,
armed and equipped for service in the ranks. Soon the dreaded
rattle of musketry will be around us. The incessant rain storms
have so raised the streams as to carry away nearly every railroad
bridge between here and Washington.
Our camp was enlivened last night by a decided genius. He
spoke and sang patriotic songs to our boys for two hours. He
kept his audience in an uproar. He was amusing, pathetic, patri-
otic, almost thrilling in his climaxes after the most approved style
of oratory. He is doing a good work in his way. His utter-
ances were encouraging to the soldiers and his entertainment
highly acceptable to them, wearied by the monotony of camp life.
A report was called for from army headquarters of how many
ofl&cers of veteran regiments had 'signified their intention to
serve a new term of three years.' Colonel Bragg reported 'none
in this regiment.' The course of our State Governors is not cal-
culated to encourage the army. The most severe criticism is
made of Governor Brough of Ohio. He has inaugurated a sys-
tem of throwing obstacles in the way of the promotion of veteran
officers and soldiers. The Governor of a State, free from danger
and with little knowledge of the military service of the general
Government, in point of propriety and good sense ought not to
244
have control of the appointment or promotion of officers who are
in the field, in the Army of the United States. One of our
companies is now without officers and we are nOt able to get the
Governor of Wisconsin to appoint them, and this while we are
preparing' for an active campaign against the enemy. Week
after week he has delayed sending the commissions asked for by
Colonel Bragg, making frivolous, and to us, contemptible objec-
tions. For example, 'you have not stated whether this man is
first sergeant,' when there is no first sergeant in the company.
Again : 'This officer cannot be promoted until the Governor is
notified by the War Department of the resigned officer's discharge,'
when the officer was not discharged by order of the War
Department. The War Department can not know of his dis-
charge for a month to come, and then would not notify the
Governor of Wisconsin, because that is not required. Besides,
the Governor has been notified long before by our Col-
onel, who is the proper authority. Or : 'The Governor has
determined not to appoint out of the line of promotion in the
individual's own regiment.' The important places in the new
regiments, where the experience and example of the veterans are
of vital importance, are given too often to politically influential
civilians, who hang around and tease for them. Shame on such a
policy. No such folly is practiced by the rebels. Instead of
rushing in new and green organizations, they are constantly fill-
ing up, by conscription or otherwise, their old regiments. That
is one reason why we can't whip l,ee's army."
The following extracts from an article by Colonel E. C. Dawes, in
the National Tribune of August 14th, 1890, state succinctly these
radical differences in the military policy of the contending powers :
"In the Confederacy after 1861, all soldiers were enlisted 'for
the war.' There was scarcely a new regiment organized after
1862. Recruits and conscripts were assigned to old regiments,
whose ranks were thus kept full. Promotions were promptly
made to fill all vacancies. Each infantry and cavalry company
had three lyieutenants. Brigades, divisions, and army corps,
were commanded by officers of appropriate rank. Brigades as a
rule retained the same organization from the beginning of the
war to the end.
245
In the Union army there was perpetual change. Men were
enlisted, for all periods, from three months to three years. Under
each call for troops, new regiments were organized. Each infan-
try and cavalrjc company had two lyieutenants. Promotions
were not permitted in old regiments if the number of officers on
the rolls was proportionately greater than the number of enlisted
men. The chances for promotion were therefore in inverse ratio
to the service performed. Brigades and divisions were changed
with each campaign, and were seldom commanded by officers of
proper rank.
Some examples from the records will illustrate these differences :
General Joseph E. Johnston's army by its return of June loth,
1864, numbered for duty, 6,538 officers and 64,340 enlisted men.
General Sherman's army by. its return June 30th, 1864, with
100,851 enlisted men for duty, had but 5,219 officers."
(To my wife.) Near Cui^pepper, April 15th, 1864.
"I had the honor of an introduction to General G. K. Warren
yesterday. He is a keen-looking fellow ol small stature, about
my own complexion, black eyes and hair, and quite young
looking. His address is gentlemanly and pleasing."
(To my wife.) Near Culpepper, April 17th,, 1864.
"The enemy are evidently preparing themselves to meet the
advance of this army, and if possible, repel it. Our army is
being considerably augmented, not so much however, I think, as
the 'country generally supposes.
The Rev. Warren Cochran has been appointed chaplain of our
regiment. He is a Congregationalist and said to be an able man.
He has a son, who is a recruit to the regiment, and he wishes to be
with him in the service. Our regiment has been announced in
general orders as first in excellence in the division in cleanliness
of clothing and persons of the men, and in good condition of
arms and accoutrements."
General Wadsworth had announced that he would publish in
general orders, the regiment in his division that stood first in
soldierly qualities, discipline, cleanliness, and condition of arms,
but the time for the inspection was not given. The order for
inspection came to brigade headquarters and was there discovered
246
by Colonel Bragg at midnight, and the inspection was to be at
eight o'clock A. M. Bragg has written of this circumstance:
"It was a stunner, and I thought aimed to bring down our high
pretensions." The Colonel called out all the Captains after
midnight, and we had a preliminary inspection at daylight in the
morning, after which the men went to bed and apparently fell
fast asleep. At eight o'clock Colonel Osborne, the inspector,
came. Colonel Bragg writes: "He stopped at my tent and
waked me up, and I pretended that it was the first I had heard
of an inspection, and grumbled about their playing such tricks
on us. As I ranked Osborne, you turned the regiment out, and
such a regiment those fellows never saw, as Osborne himself told
me in 1865 at a Camp-fire one night. He admitted that he
expected to take us unawares, and wanted to know how we got
ready. I told him they always kept themselves that way in
camp, to which he answered 'Bosh.' "
"The manner in which the whole opposition party in Congress
has shown sympathy for the traitorous sentiments of Representa-
tive I/Ong, of Ohio, has created a profound impression in the
army. It is asked how many reverses to our plans and pur arms
will bring the great political party these people represent to Mr.
I/Ong's conviction of the necessity of recognition. They have
shown favor to Mr. Long's avowal upon the floor of Congress of
his conviction of our defeat, and of the triumph of our enemy.
I attend court martial every day. We have an important case
pending. Judge McCunn of New York City, under provisions of
a law of New York, enacted in pursuance of a provision of the
Constitution of the United States, that the militia cannot be
called into the service of the United States for a longer period
than two years, discharged from the service, by the decree of a
municipal court of New York city, a member of the fourteenth
Brooklyn, which was a regiment of New York state militia,
mustered into the United States service for three years unless
sooner discharged. The Provost Marshal arrested the man as
a deserter, disregarding the decree of the court, and our court is
trying him on a charge of desertion. Important questions are
involved in this case."
The provision in the Constitution is that "No appropriation 0/
247
money," to raise and support armies, "shall be for,a longer term
than for two years."
(To my wife.) Near Culpepper, April 22nd, 1864.
"Captain Philip W. Plummer has been appointed Major, vice
Hauser. Adjutant Brooks came unexpectedly into camp last
night. I must say he never looked better in his life, and
imprisonment in I<ibby seems to have agreed with the young
man. He tells amusing stories of life in I^ibby. General Neal
Dow, who was a prisoner, had coffee sent to him by his friends.
Brooks says he wanted some of that coffee, and he sent a young
lyieutenant, who did not know Dow, to commiserate with him
upon the burning of his fine distillery. The ludicrous explosion
that followed, enabled Brooks to steal a tin cup of coffee from
the hot coals. Brooks says he got ninety dollars in rebel money,
for three dollars in gold, and that Mosby sold his (Brooks') horse
for two thousand dollars in rebel currency. We had a fine
little brigade review in honor of the Governor of Wisconsin, who
is here, (Governor I^ewis.)
(To my wife.) Near Culpepper, April 26th, 1864.
"I occupied the time yesterday playing chess with old Mr.
Mossee, the rebel gentleman in Culpepper, of whom I have
written you. We played ten games and won five each. The old
fellow is a strong player. He spends his time studying calculus
and chess for want of something else to do. He has a daughter
living with him, whom he calls 'Puss,' which rather disturbs my
equanimity, as I dislike silly nicknames. But the daughter's
tenderness for her father is beautiful. I am afraid I shall be
short of socks before the campaign is over. The sutlers have all
left the army and nothing of the kind can be procured here.
Our people are building forts around Culpepper, either as a
blind or to fortify this point as a base of supplies." ,
(To my wife.) Near Culpepper, April 27th, 1864.
"Burnside's corps are arriving at Alexandria, which of course,
is a prelimmary to an immediate movement by this army."
(To my wife.) Near Culpepper, April 28th, 1864.
"The seventh Indiana regiment, under Colonel Ira B. Grover,
has been added to our brigade. This is a large and remarkably
248
fortunate regiment. They claim to have been in seventeen
battles with less loss than we sustained at Gettysburg. General
Wadsworth's division must be seven thousand strong. The
seventh Wisconsin received fourteen Indians, apparently wild
from the woods, as recruits yesterday. Some of them cannot
speak our language. I have Reuben greatly exercised, for I tell
him that no delicacy is so choice to an Indian as roast nigger, unless
it be a coon. As Reuben considers himself both he sees no
chance to escape. Mr. Mossee and I, yesterday, played seven
games. I won four ; he won two and one was drawn. It was
hard work to beat the old man, but I did it this time, and the
Union army is ahead. The drawn game was a joke. This is the
position :
BlODlC
White.
I have the white men and the move and draw the game. To
be caught thus asleep annoyed the old gentleman greatly. He
}iad a sure thing."
249
(To my wife.) Near Culpepper, April 29th, 1864.
"We are to try a Major to-morrow on the charge of
drunkenness, and other charges too disgraceful to write on paper.
It is discouraging to find such men in respectable and responsible
positions in the army. I saw a regular war dance in the camp of
the seventh Wisconsin last night. The Indians are Chippewas.
General Rice saw our returned enlisted men who had been
prisoners at Belle Isle, in Richmond. 'No one,' he says, 'who has
not seen them, can imagine the dreadful condition of these men."
(To my wife.) Camp near Culpepper, May ist, 1864.
"Our new Major, Philip W. Plummer, came into camp yester-
day . from Wisconsin, where he has been on recruiting service.
He has enjoyed his stay in Wisconsin and is in high spirits at his
promotion. He looks finely. May 2nd. — You must tell me
where Charley's regiment is to be stationed. He will not have
an unpleasant duty in his one hundred days of soldiering."
Charles Beman Gates, only brother of my wife, was a member
of the Junior class in Marietta College. He was nineteen years
of age. He had joined the one hundred and forty-eighth Ohio
regiment under the call for men to serve one hundred days, and
he was First I^ieutenant in company "A."
(To my wife.) Camp near Culpepper, May 3rd, 1864.
"'We move at midnight.'"
When the orders to march to the Wilderness came, two culprits
who belonged to our regiment were in confinement at Gen. Wads-
worth's headquarters to be taken to the penitentiary at Sing Sing,
New York. One had been sentenced to a term of five
years and the other to a term of three years. They begged
piteously to be allowed to join the regiment and fight in the
coming battles. They said they had rather be killed than go to
the penitentiary. Upon Colonel Bragg's voucher that they would
fight if released General Wadsworth granted their request. They
never left the skirmish line until both were shot and severely
wounded. At Petersburg, after the campaign, I applied to the
President of the United States for their pardon, pleading their
bravery and their suffering in battle. Under the rule in such
cases, all the evidence before the court was submitted together
with the application. The pardon was granted by ^President
Abraham lyincoln.
Chapter XII.
The 'WUderaess—Lsurel Hill— The Bloody A.ngle and Spottsyl-
vania.
On tne early morning of May 4th, 1864, the grand column of
the Army of the Potomac was on the march to cross the Rapidan,
the fifth army corps in advance. At the head of our division
rode Generarjames S. Wadsworth, gray-haired and noble in his
appearance and bearing, and grand in every element of character
and manhood. We crossed on the pontoon at Germania Ford,
and marched into the Wilderness. Word passed over the land
that General Grant was moving, and with almost breathless
anxiety our people awaited the result. For days no word came
from beneath the dark shadow, to relieve the almost agonized
anxiety of my young wife. It was known that there was
desperate and incessant fighting, but it was wholly impossible to
get particulars from the front. Her kind father, (Beman Gates)
left his business, and putting aside all else came to Washington
to get the first word possible from me, and to be at hand to aid
me in case of need. My uncle, Wm. P. Cutler, almost equally
concerned, sent the first word of encouragement that reached my
wife. The battles in the Wilderness and near Spottsylvania, will
first be given in the correspondence whieh is arranged in the
same order that it came to my wife, as the most graphic as well as
the most accurate manner of restoring the experiences of that
time.
(Telegram.) Chillicothe, Ohio, May loth, 1864.
"Morning papers contain lists of casualties among ofiicers.
Rufus' name not among them. General Wadsworth killed.
I^ee retreating. W. P. CuTLBR."
This was the first list published. The telegram gained six
hours time before delivery of the morning papers at Marietta.
251.
lyctter from Beman Gates to my wife, — his daughter:
Washington City, D. C, May 13th, 1864. .
"My dear Mary : — "I am convinced that during the first six
days of battle, Rufus escaped injury. I have sought information
from every possible source, and have obtained as full lists as
practicable of all casualties. There are several wounded men
from the sixth Wisconsin who came up on the boat last night,
and whom I will see before closing this letter. This morning I
went to the Georgetown hospital where the ofiBcers are mostly
sent, to see Dr. Preston, reported as Surgeon of the sixth Wis-
consin. He could give me no information, having started here
before the army moved. Over seven thousand men have already
reached here, but a majority of them are slightly wounded. The
more severely wounded are kept at Fredericksburgh. I get
more information through the Sanitary Commission than from all
other sources, but in the present hurry and confusion, it is very
difficult to get any information that is reliable. The loss of men
has been terrible, and I fear the slaughter will continue for some
days yet. Everything is being done by the Government and by
the Sanitary Commission to relieve the wounded, but great suffer-
ing must result from the inability to give prompt aid. I am now
waiting to see the Wisconsin State Agent, (W. Y. Selleck) and if
I can get any information, I will add it to this letter. If I get
any reliable information from Rufus I will telegraph at once."
"2^ o'clock P. M. — I have just come from one of the hospitals
where I found three- men wounded from the sixth Wisconsin.
They all belong to company 'C* One of them was wounded in
the first day's battle, and two in the second. They say that
Bragg is in command of a Pennsylvania brigade, and Dawes, of
the regiment. They speak in the very highest terms of him and
say that in the second day's fight, when the division was driven,t
the colors fell back, when Colonel Dawes seized them in person,
marched forward and planted them under a heavy fire, and
brought the men up to line. Major Plummer was killed in the
first day's fight, and Captain Converse, company 'B,' was killed.
»Norman 8. Bull, Albert P. Sprague, 0. H. Clary.
tLongstreet's attack when General Wadsworth was killed and our lines
broken.
252
These were all the officers killed or wounded badly up to Sunday
night.* The Wisconsin State Agent says that officers from the
seventh Wisconsin, who came up last night, report that when
they left Sunday night, Rufus was all right. The Agent expects
later news to-night, and if I hear anything unfavorable I will
telegraph you, and go down to the front on the first boat. I have
a pass and shall take charge of the sanitary and medical stores
for the Ohio Relief Association. I do not know how to leave
my business, but if I can be of service, I feel that I ought to go.
Your husband is proving himself a brave and true man and an
excellent officer ; indeed, he has done this long ago. But he is
now winning fresh laurels, which for your sake, for his mother's
and sister's sake, and for the country's good, I pray that he may
live to wear for many years.
Your affectionate father,
Beman Gates."
Washington, May 13th, 1864.
Extracts from a letter to Mrs. Gates. — "I expect to start to
Fredericksburgh in the morning. I shall get to Belle Plaine, eighty
miles down the Potomac, before night, and shall then have to
walk or ride ten miles or so to Fredericksburgh. Whether I go
farther or not will depend upon circumstances when I get there.
My pass will allow me to go to the front if I can get there, and I
cannot tell now where that will be. At latest dates, Rufus was
safe, but there has been severe and almost constant fighting and
very heavy losses. The reports this evening continue encourag-
ing as to our general success, but the thousands of wounded who
are arriving here from the last week's battle make a man weep,
and their sufferings prompt me to do what I can for their relief.
If I only had good health, I could do much, and when I am not
sick I can do a little and can not hesitate to offer my service.
I wrote Mary this afternoon and have not heard anything
since. Her anxiety is of course painful, and I trust the dreadful
suspense may soon be happily relieved. Whatever may be the
result, she may well be thankful that she has had a husband who
was willing to put his life at hazard in the defense of his country.
JAn error on the part of his informants.
263
Nobly Tias he.sustained the service, and long may he live to en-
joy the blessings of the government he has served so well. I feel
anxious about Charley (his son), but I cannot say he ought not to
go. I do not know but I ought to go too."
Saturday A. M., 14th.— "I am ofif for the army. I leave my
valise here, taking nothing but a shirt and my shawl. Rufus'
name does not appear in any list ; the latest I could get he was
well. Captain W. N. Remington, of his regiment, was admitted
to a hospital last night, wounded. When he left, Rufus was all
right. The fighting is not over yet."
P. S.~ "I have seen the Wisconsin State Agent. He has re-
ports from the sixth regiment as late as Wednesday, at which
time Dawes was well. He has the report that Colonel Bragg,
commanding a Pennsylvania brigade, was killed on Tuesday or
Wednesday, but does not credit it." B. G.
lyiNE OF Batti<e, May nth, 1864.*
(To my wife.)
"Through God's blessing I am yet alive, and beside the
fearful tax upon my energies, mental and physical, have
nothing to complain of and everything to be thankful for.
For six long days we have been under the deadly musketry.
On the morning of May 5th our brigade lost near eight hundred
men; the same night a hundred more; the next morning two
hundred more. We marched all night to come here (7th), and
next day (8th), we charged the enemy and were repulsed, and the
fnext daj"^ (loth), we twice attacked and were driven back, and
every moment the balls, shot and shell have whistled around us.
Major Plummer, Captain Kellogg, Captain Converse, Lieutenant
Pruyn and Lieutenant Graetz are in their graves. Captain Rem-
ington, Lieut. Timmons and Lieut. J. L- Converse are wounded.
The perils of the last week have been fearful. I cannot hope to
pass thus safely through another such. Colonel Bragg commands
a brigade of Pennsylvania troops and I have commanded the
regiment since the second day. Our loss in killed and wounded
is about one hundred and forty men. The battle must soon be
*We were confronting the enemy in a log breast work at Laurel Hill,
near Spotfsylvania Court House.
tError, 10th is the day of the attacks referred to.
264
renewed. I cannot write now. The frightful scenes of the last
week make my heart almost like a stone."
Ohio State Military Agency, Washington, D. C.
(To Mrs. Beman Gates.) May 14th, P. M., 1864.
}
"I have been hard at work for eight hours, buying stores
and gathering sanitary supplies, and expect to leave at
five o'clock. We hope to reach Belle Plaine (six miles
below Acquia Creek), about midnight, and to get to Fredericks-
burgh early in the morning. If I can get to the front, I shall,
and I hope that will be Richmond.
The losses have been immense, but not so heavy as reported.
The highest authorities here say that twenty thousand will cover
all up to Thursday's battle. We are taking medicines, vegetables,
lemons, tobacco, lint, bandages, &c., and hope to do many a poor
fellow some service.
The city is literally full of people seeking out their wounded
friends, in the hospitals, and as they arrive. The hospitals are
in nice order, and amply provided. Twenty thousand beds have
been provided for the wounded. Beman Gates."
(To Mrs. Beman Gates.) BELLE Plaine, Sunday, A. M., )
May 15th, 1864. I
"We were delayed in getting off last night, and did not
get here until near morning. There will be great difficulty
in getting forward, — except by walking. I shall try to get to
Fredericksburgh to-day, though I have a bad headache.
The roads, since the last rain, are horrible. There are eight
thousand rebel prisoners here. No more wounded will be brought
here at present, as it would kill the poor fellows to ride here.
They will be kept at Fredericksburgh. I send this to Washington
by a mail messenger from the front, who left Grant's head-
quarters yesterday morning. There was no fighting on Friday,
but heavy firing was heard yesterday P. M., from which it is
inferred that the contest was renewed. There is great want of
nurses at Fredericksburgh. Beman Gates."
I^iNE OP Battle near Spottsylvania Court House, )
(To my wife.) May 14th, 1864, 11 A. M. |
"By the blessing of God I am still alive. We have had con-
tinued fighting and hardship since I wrote two days ago, beyond
what I can now describe. We charged upon the enemy's rifle
pits again on Thursday, and were as usual driven back. ^Thurs-
day night. May 12th, we stood in mud over my boot tops, firing
all night. Yesterday,— 13th,— we were under fire all day, and
last night we marched all night. I am troubled very much lest
I have been reported killed in the New York papers. The report
was extensively circulated by one of my men. I can never tell,
if I live through it, the sufferings of this campaign. The army
has earned the lasting gratitude of the people. Do not give me
up if you see me reported killed. Such things are often mistakes.
The end is not yet, though, and I cannot avoid, my dear wife,
saying that the probabilities of coming out safely are strongly
against me. If we may only finish this horrible business here,
our lives are of poor moment in comparison. The loss of my
regiment now amounts to over one hundred and fifty men killed
and wounded, many of our best and truest."
Line op Battle near Spottsylvania, May 15th, 9 A. M.
(To my wife.) "I find this morning that I am reported killed
in the New York papers.f The report may be verified before
this awful struggle is over, but I may still escape, and to have
this unnecessary burden oi trouble thrown upon you, is very
trying. I am almost prostrated with over exertion and with
fighting, but alive and well, and feeling more hopeful. Colonel
Bragg is alive and well. He has been published as killed, and is
troubled lest the same shock has come to his wife. I received
your letter of the second, (May) last night. I have had two
letters since the first day of the battles. Our army is fearfully
exhausted and worn out."
Feedeeicksburgh, Va., Monday A. M., "I
(To Mrs. Beman Gates.) May i 6th, 1864. J
"I walked from the Potomac here yesterday, the last four miles
*Thur8day night, May 12th, we were at the point now famed in history
as the "Bloody Angle" or "Angle of Death," where General Hancock
had captured General Edward Johnson's division.
tThe New York Tribune reported me in a list of killed, which the paper
said had been carefully verified, and paragraphed the item thus: "Colonel
Dana of the sixth Wisconsin was killed yesterday, while gallantly leading
his men to a charge. This regiment has suffered terribly." It eecaped the
notice of my wife, because it was not published in the Cincinnati papers.
in a very severe rain and hail storm. I am sick but hard at
work. * * * The latest news from the front is that Rufus
was well and safe Saturday P. M. There was a report two days
ago, that he was killed on Wednesday, but I have talked with
M. Dempsey, First lyieutenant of company 'A,' twenty-fourth
Michigan, who left the front yesterday, and he says that on
Saturday afternoon between two and three o'clock he saw
Colonel Dawes and talked with him. The Chaplain of the
Twenty-fourth says that Dempsey is a reliable man.
You cannot conceive of the suffering here. Every house, barn,
and shed is a hospital, and although everything possible is done, the
accommodations are imperfect. The roads by the late rains are so
cut up, that the transportation of the wounded men to the river is
in many cases fatal. The delay in receiving sanitary and hospital
stores is very great. It is impossible to get reliable information
from the front. Last night it was currently reported that
Grant was falling back, and that General Warren's corps would
be in Fredericksburgh. This morning men from the front report,
that our general hospital was yesterday advanced to Spottsyl-
vania, and that General Grant had issued a congratulatory order.
One hour we hear that Butler is in Richmond, and the next that
he has been whipped.' We know almost nothing, except that on
every hand are thousands of brave men suffering and dying.
The Sanitary and Christian commissions are doing a great deal,
but their supplies cannot be got forward. The stores that I
started with are yet at Belle Plaine, but I hope will be got
through to-day. I send this to Washingtori by an Ohio man,
who is going there with a wounded son, and he will mail it from
there upon his arrival. Beman Gates."
Line op Battle near Spottsylvania, May i6th, 9 A. M.
(To my wife.) — "Last night we were ordered to charge the
enemy's entrenchments, provided he attacked Burnside's corps on
our right, but no attack was made and for the time being we
were spared another scene of horrid butchery. We know abso-
lutely nothing of what is going on outside of our army or even
within it. We have had no newspapers since May 3rd, and get
only a pitiful handful of mail for cooks, orderlies and lieutenants
of staff at the various headquarters. Put 'Headquarters FiJrst
257
Brigade, l^ourth Division, Fifth Corps,' on your letters and perhaps
some may get through."
Line of Battle, May 17th, 1864, 6 A. M.
(To my wife.) — "I have to be thankful for another day of life
and safety. There was no considerable fighting anywhere along
the .line yesterday. There was an order this morning that the
artillery throughout the whole line should open on the enemy
and I heard the bugles sounding at daybreak, but the fog is so
thick now they can not do anything. The loss of the regiment
as near as I can now arrive at it is, • sixteen killed, one hundred
and nineteen wounded, and fourteen missing. Most of our miss-
ing men are now known to be wounded and some are killed. I
have commanded the regiment since leaving the Wilderness on
the seventh of May. The enemy in our front are in plain view.
Spottsylvania Court House is directly in our front. Day after
day we stupidly and drearily wait the order that summons us to
the fearful work."
IyIne of Battle near Spottsylvania Court House, )
May 1 8th, 8 A. M. 1864. J
(To my wife.) — "Alive and well this morning. There has
been sharp fighting to our right, indeed there is heavy skirmish-
ing along the whole line as I write. I have heard that your
father is at Fredericksburg. It is impossible to communicate
with him."
Line of Battle near Spottsylvania Court House, |
May 19th, 7 A. M., 1864. j
(To my wife.) — "We are occupying the extreme right of our
army and we are strongly entrenched. (This seems to be an
error ; there were other troops on our right.) The battle will be
to our left unless the enemy attack us. (They did so the same
evening). It is impossible to. conjecture when this campaign will
end or what will be the result. The country, as usual, has been
unduly exultant. This campaign has been by far the most trying
I have known. We have had eight days and nights of constant
toil and battle. Colonel Bragg does well with his Pennsylvania
Brigade. General Cutler commands our division since General
Wadsworth was killed. (Fourth division, fifth corps). We hope
to get our first regular mail to-day since May 2nd. I look for it
268
very anxiously. One man says I have been reported killed in all
the papers and another man says I have not been, and that he has
seen all the lists."
Line of Battle near Spottsylvania, May 20th, 1864.
(To my wife.) — "Who should come riding to the battle front
but your good father. I saw him for only a few moments, but
I was greatly rejoiced and encouraged. His visit did me more
good than I can tell you, and for him to come to the front was an
undertaking of no little peril, as it proved. He barely escaped
getting into a battle, but he is all right at Fredericksburgh. I
sent Philip Gaubatz with him and he is back.
Our hearts were rejoiced also this morning at receiving our
mail. I got five letters from you. I will not try to write how
burdens are lightened and how life comes back. I find (by the
mail,) that the Wisconsin State Agent telegraphed to Wisconsin
that I was killed and my body burned. I saw many bodies burn-
ing (at Laurel Hill,) in the brush between the lines, set on fire by
burning wads from the muskets.
I was very much alarmed about your father. The battle was
on the road to Fredericksburgh, directly in our rear. The rebels
attacked us. This does not look like Lee was entirely defeated,
does it?* (General B. S. Ewell commanded the troops of the
enemy in this action and portions of the second and fifth corps
and General Tyler's foot artillerists were engaged on our side).
The|enemy are probably re-inforced, and I do not believe General
Grant will again attack them in their entrenched position. Your
letters came to me truly when I was 'sick with the horrors of wai.' "
*Mr. Gates had ridden out from Fredericksburgh to Spottsylvania Court
House on a very poor animal, and upon his return I gave him my own horse,
and put our little drummer boy, Philip Gaubatz, of company "F," on his'
horse to bring back my own horse. Mr. Gates first saw the rebel line of battle
approaching and he asked Philip what troops those were. He ejaculated
"The Shonnies !" and burying his spurs in the flanks of the old plug, started
for Fredericksburgh on a gallop. My horse caught the spirit of the occasion
and they barely passed the flank of the rebel army corps before the firing
began.
Mr. Gates was much indebted to the fact that he was an old newspaper
man, as he fraternized with the correspondents. What thait body of men
did not know about getting around in the army was past finding out. He
was provided with a horse by a correspondent who promptly stole another
for his own use, and he came to the front on the pass of O. C. Coffin,
(Carleton.)
The Battle op the Wilderness.
No official report of the action of the regiment in this battle
has been made. In 1874 I wrote some personal recollections of
our experiences in that strange and terrible struggle called the
Wilderness.
On the night of May 4th, 1864, the regiment was in bivouac
near the "Old Wilderness Tavern." On the morning of May 5th,
when Wadsworth's division of the fifth army corps was ordered
to advance upon the enemy, our brigade was formed in two
lines of battle, the sixth Wisconsin on the left of the second
line.
Seventh Indiana.
Sixth Wisconsin.
After the troops had been formed, we all lay down in the
woods to await the order to advance. There were in the ranks
of the regiment three hundred and forty-seven men who carried
muskets, and twenty-three commissioned officers — a total of
three hundred and seventy combatants. It was a bright and
pleasant morning, and the woods were filled with the twitter of
birds. Colonel Bragg and all of our officers gathered under a
great oak tree, and were chattering and chaffering in the highest
spirits. The first call to advance was an order for a company to
go forward as skirmishers. Colonel Bragg designated Captain
John A. Kellogg with his company "I," for this duty. We were
told that our movement was to be a reconnoissance. As Kellogg
got up to go. Major Philip Plummer said: "What word shall I
send to your wife?" "Never mind my wife," replied Kellogg
"I^ook after Converse' girl ! " Captain Converse said: "Plummer
will be shot before either of us, leave your messages with Dawes,
he is the only man they can't kill!"
Colonel Ira B. Grover's seventh Indiana regiment was directly
in front of us, in the first line of battle, and it was our duty to
follow them at a distance of one hundred paces. It was with.
the greatest difiSculty that we could keep in sight of them in the
brush. We soon lost connection on our right, but we followed
the colors of the seventh Indiana. When tangled in a thicket
we heard Colonel Grover order his regiment to advance at a
double quick. Colonel Bragg directed me to hasten forward with
our regiment as fast as practicable through the brush, while he
ran ahead to keep in sight of the colors of the seventh Indiana.
It is now known that Wadsworth's division had partially lost its
direction in this march which may explain the trouble we fell into.
Instead of facing the enemy as we should have been, we were
more in this position :
Rebel line advancing.
As we hurried along there was a great outburst of musketry.
Major Plummer shouted to me : "Look to the right ! " Probably
his last words. There casae the enemy stretching as far as I
could see through the woods, and rapidly advancing and firing
upon us. I ordered a change of front on the color company, to
bring the regiment to face them. Directing Major Plummer to
attend to the left wing, I gave orders to the right wing, but the
Major was shot and killed, and the regiment stood with reference
to the enemy, something like this :
Rebel line.
eth Wis.
Both wings opened fire.
We here lost forty or fifty men in a very few moments, inclu-
ding Major Philip W. Plummer, Captain RoUin P. Converse, and
ROLLIN IP. CONVERSE,
CAPTAIN CO B. SIXTH WIS. VOLS.
261
I^ieutenant James 1,. Converse ot company "G.'' The brush now
served us well. Our smaller body of men could' move faster
than the heavy lines of the enemy could follow. The rebels
came on yelling and firing. The little band, as always under
fire, clung around its colors. We rallied and formed twice or
three times and gave the enemy a hot reception as they came on.
When the rebels ceased pursuing us, we found ourselves alone
as a regiment and lost in the woods, and we lay flat on the
ground, not knowing certainly which way to go to join our
troops. Colonel Bragg did not find the seventh Indiana, but he
almost ran into the midst of the rebel army. He joined us as we
fell back. Here came to us a man who had been on the line of
skirmishers with company "I," and he said : "Captain Kellogg is
killed, I am certain of it." We were in the woods between the
hostile lines and we telt our way cautiously back to the open
ground around the Lacy House, where our corps was being
formed after this repulse. We here constructed a log breast-
work and remained in it until near evening of May fifth. At
this time. General Wadsworth's division was detached from the
fifth corps and ordered to the support of General Hancock's
second corps on our left. Our brigade had hot musketry fighting
from the start, but the enemy was driven back a long distance
through the woods. We were fighting troops of the corps of
General A. P. Hill. At dark the firing died down to the skir-
mish line. We lay upon the ground surrounded by dead and
dying rebel soldiers. The sufferings of these poor men, and
their moans and cries were harrowing. We gave them water
from our canteens and all aid that was within our power. One
dying confederate soldier cried out again and again : "My God,
why hast thou forsaken me!" On this night Colonel Bragg
sent out Sergeant Lewis A. Kent, who crept around the skirmish
line along the whole front of Wadsworth's division and located the
enemy. For the important information thus obtained. Colonel
Bragg says he received no thanks from his superior officers.
On the early morning of the sixth of May, the fighting was
renewed. Again we drove the enemy through the woods. The
four lines of battle of Wadsworth's division were formed thus,
with reference to the second corps, which was also advancing in
several lines.
Wadsworth'a lines.
t
When the two came together, the men became jammed and
crowded,, and there was much confusion. *When Longstreet's
attack upon us began, it first struck the right flank of General
Wadsworth's division. General Wadsworth seeing his lines
broken and scattered by the rebel onset on his flank, rode at once
forwaid through his lines and I saw him pass through the ranks
of the one hundred and forty-ninth Pennsylvania . in the front
line on our left, and ride in front of that regiment. He was
instantly killed. lyater on that day, I asked Lieutenant Earl M.
Rogers who was serving on his staff, why he did so, as he rode
to certain death. I remember the reply that "Bony" made:
"My God, Colonel, nobody could stop him! " Our regiment fell
back in good order in the same direction we had advanced, and
we were not pursued by the enemy, who moved on against the
lines of the second corps.
In the Wilderness our loss was three officers and five men
killed, — one officer and thirty-nine men wounded, — one officer
and fourteen men missing, a total of sixty-three.
*"At 4:30 A. M. on the 6th, we moved forward, attacked the enemy and
drove him across the Plank Road, where a junction was made with the
second corps. The division was then formed in four lines, the left resting
on the Plank Road. These lines were by order of General Wadsworth
closed in mass to avoid the artillery fire of the enemy. Wnle in this posi-
tion it (the division) was furiously attacked by infantry and artillery, driven
back and badly scattered." Report Brigadier General L. Cutler, command-
ing Wadsworth's division.
On the morning of May yth ^Colonel Bragg was placed in com-
mand of the third brigade, fourth division, fifth corps, the brigade
referred to in my account of the battle of Gettysburg as Roy
Stone's Pennsylvania Bucktails. The men of this brigade had squir-
rels' tails in their caps. The original regiment of Pennsylvania
Bucktails had deers' tails to adorn their caps, but the demand for
soldiers was beyond the supply of deers' tails in Pennsylvania.
The Junior Bucktails, as they were called, had all of the soldierly
qualities ever possessed by their predecessors in the title.
Colonel Bragg was selected for this command of Pennsylvania
troops because he was a brave, efficient and experienced com-
mander of men in actual battle. Brigadier Generals were plenty,
but not of this quality. His pending appointment as a Brigadier
General still hung fire. That was more under the control of the
menibers of Congress from Wisconsin than of his superior
officers. I quote from Colonel E- C. Dawes :
'The Army of the Potomac, including the ninth corps at the
opening of the Wilderness campaign, contained forty-one infantry
brigades, twenty-six of which were commanded by Colonels.
The Army of Northern Virginia, including Longstreet's corps,
contained thirty-five infantry brigades, thirty-one of which were
commanded' by Brigadier Generals. Of the brigades in the Army
of the Potomac which took part in the battle of Gettysburg but
six in May, 1864, were composed of the same regiments as in
July, 1863. All of the advantages of organization were clearly
with the Comfederate Army.' "
On the seventh of May while in the presence of the enemy in the
Wilderness I succeded to command of the regiment, in which
duty I continued until the expiration of my term of service in
the army. On the afternoon of May 7th, the soldiers in the
lines of the rebel army in our front began a loud cheering, which
continued to run along their lines lor nearly half an hour. Its
significance I have never learned. At 8 P. M., of this day the
movement of the fifth army corps toward Spottsylvania Court
House commenced by the Brock road. We were on the march
"*I placed it (Stone's brigade) under command of Colonel E. S. Bragg,
6th Wisconsin Volunteers, who retained command until the brigade was
detached from the division, June 5th, ' doing good service." Report
General L. Cutler.
264
during the entire night, and on the eighth of May we were in
line of battle in the vicinity of Todd's Tavern, where the cavalry
were engaged with the enemy. We continued our march toward
Spottsylvania and before our arrival the second division of our
corps under General John C. Robinson had attacked and been
repulsed. About lo A. M. our brigade was formed to assault the
enemy at a point called I^aurel Hill, near Spottsylvania Court
House. *"This was perhaps the most formidable point along the
enemy's whole front. It's densely wooded crest was crowned by
earthworks, while the approach, which was swept by artillery and
musketry fire, was rendered more difficult and hazardous by a
heavy growth of low cedars, the long, bayonet-like branches of
which interlaced."
In the formation for attack. Colonel W. W. Robinson, com-
manding the brigade, placed my regiment upon the right of the
front line. I at once threw forward sl^irmishers and discovered
that the enemy were themselves advancing upon us. I ordered
the men to kneel upon the ground and fire upon them as soon as
they appeared through the brush. There were no troops upon our
right and our skirmishers came running in from that direction
and reported the enemy moving forward without opposition.
We had here a sharp musketry engagement, but our brigade was
outflanked in both directions and we were obliged to retreat as
best we could through the woods and undergrowth.f We crossed
an open field and on the opposite side we reformed our line and
repulsed several attempts of the enemy to advance over the field.
Upon this retreat Lieutenant Howard F. Pruyn, commanding
company "A" was killed. He disdained to run, and while striv-
ing to rally his men he fell. He had been promoted from
the ranks for bravery, and he had taken part in everj' battle and
had uniformly distinguished himself for efficiency and courage.
Captain William N. Remington, of company "K," won especial
and honorable mention for his conduct upon this occasion, as did
also Corporal John E). Hart, of company "E," who was killed.
*Swinton's History of the Army of the Potomac.
t"My right being uncovered and unsupported, was attacked in flank
from the woods and we were obliged to retire a short distance." Report
General L. Cutler.
266
Along the edge of timber skirting the open field we constructed
a strong log breastwork, which may be called our base of opera-
tions during the five days of fighting at Laurel Hill. This
breastwork was in the valley. The rebel line of entrench-
ments was upon the hill-top. The skirmishers of each army
occupied the tangled brush and woods between the lines, and
they kept up, day and night, a ceaseless and deadly fire. Our
men in the entrenchments were constantly harassed by the fire
of the enemy's sharpshooters, who were posted in trees or upon
higher ground. On the morning of May ninth a determined
efibrt was made to drive back the enemy's skirmishers, and thirty
men were ordered from the Sixth for this service. I called for
volunteers, and that nervy little German, lyieutenant "William
Golterman, immediately ' stepped forward. Sergeant George
Fairfield, of company "C," was his gallant and efi&cient assistant
in command. The conduct of our skirmishers, who throughout
the fighting at Spottsylvania were volunteers in every effort made
to drive back the enemy, is worthy of the highest praise. The
Indians of the seventh Wisconsin regiment took an active part in
this skirmishing. They covered their bodies very ingeniously with
pine boughs to conceal themselves in the woods. When skir-
mishers advanced from our lines, they woula run across the open
field at the top of their speed, and , numbers of them were shot
while doing so. Upon this run the Indians would give a shout or
war whoop.
At 12.30 P. M., on the tenth of May we advanced to an assault
upon the enemy in their entrenched position at I^aurel Hill. We
came suddenly upon their works without being aware of their
proximity, on account of the thick brush, and we received a very
destructive enfilading fire. Lieutenant Oscar Graetz, commanding
company "F," was killed, and Captain William N. Remington
and Lieutenant John Timmous were severely wounded and the
loss of the regiment was severe. The conduct of officers and men
under these trying circumstances was excellent. I moved by the
right flank to get under the brow of a hill. We were not two
hundred feet from the enemy. Here we were mixed together
with the twelfth Massachusetts regiment, (Colonel James L-
Bates). The enemy poured over us a continual storm of bullets.
We now saw the bodies of our soldiers burning in grass and
leaves which had been ignited by the musketry. Major General
Warren soon came running up the hill to have a look at the rebel
works, when I seized his yellow sash and pulled him violently
back. Colonel S. S. Carroll was with him. To have exposed
himself above the hill was certain death. I accompanied General
Warren to another point where we secured a good view of the
rebel works. As I passed along with the General I noticed
Private Aaron Yates, of company "K," creeping up the hill to get
a shot at the enemy, and I sharply ordered him back to his
company. When I returned he lay on the ground dead. Captain
Robert Hughes, of the second Wisconsin, lay dead above the
brow of the hill, and the flames in the burning grass were coming
toward the body. L,ieutenant William H. ETarvies made a line of
suspenders taken from his men, and crawling flat upon the
ground, he endeavored to cast a lasso over the upturned foot, but
failed in the attempt. After remaining for a time which I cannot
estimate under the brow of this hill, clinging to the ground to
escape the bullets, we again retreated to our breastworks. Dn
the evening of this day (tenth), a grand column of assault
was formed, but no attack was made. Until the morning of the
twelfth of May we remained in our breastworks, subjected to the
ceaseless fire of the enemy's sharpshooters. There was a space
of perhaps ten feet in our works which it was almost certain
death to go upon. Men were sent to me from Berdan's Sharp-
shooters, who had globe sights on their rifles, to dislodge the
rebel marksman who had the range on this spot, but two of them
were here severely wounded.
The morning of the twelfth of May, the' most terrible twenty-
four hours of our service in the war, dawned upon us worn and
exhausted by five days and nights of continuous service under
fire of the enemy. In the early morning we again charged upon
the enemy at I,aurel Hill. Our brigade was in the front line and
Colonel Bragg's brigade was in the second line. We came upon one
of General Crawford's brigades (Pennsylvania Reserves),who lay in
a breastwork near the rebel line. Here a halt was made. Colonel
Bragg, for some reason, now assumed command of our two
.brigades and ordered me to lead my regiment forward to encour-
267
age the rest to follow. I quote from my own oflScial report :
"Lieutenant Chas. P. Hyatt, Acting Aide on the staff of Colonel
W. W. Robinson, communicated the following order : 'Colonel
Bragg directs that the sixth Wisconsin move forward.' I im-
mediately ordered the regiment forward. The men sprang
over the breastwork with great alacrity, closely followed by
Colonel Bragg's brigade (the Junior Bucktails), and a few of
General Crawford's men, and they (our regiment), continued
advancing under a heavy and destructive fire for several rods,
whea, fending no line on my right or left, so far as I could see
through the tiraiber, such men as were in front of the breastwork
having thrown themselves upon the ground and commenced
firing, I ordered my line to halt and fire until the troops on the
right and left should move to out support. After a few minutes
of rapid firing, suffering meanwhile severe loss, convinced of the
futility of striving without support to advance through the abattis
in our front, while to remain longer was wanton sacrifice of life,
I ordered my men back behind the Jjreastwork. * * * The fire
of the enemy at such short range was unusually fatal, a large
proportion of the wounds proving mortal. I can not speak too
highly of officers and men. They advanced to this desperate
assault readily and earnestly and stood up (upright) with heroic
tenacity when it became evident that their effort could not
achieve success."
There was no disorganization or demoralization in falling back
under fire to the breastwork. Several of my best and truest men
were killed. This assault was manifestly hopeless at the outset.
Company "H" suffered terribly, owing to the fact that they stood
where a road passed through the woods. Their First Sergeant,
a fine soldier, Nicholas Snyder, was killed and half of the men
present were killed or wounded.
On the afternoon of May twelfth the brigade marched four
miles to the left,* with orders to assist the sixth army corps, who
were fighting over the breastworks at the "Bloody Angle." As
we lay in reserve several of our men were wounded by scattering
"*0n the 12th we were under arms at daylight and again assaulted the
enemy's works without success * * * I was ordered to report with my
command to Majo' General Wright. "(sixth corps.) Report General L.
Cutler.
268
shots from the enemy. We were in plain view of this dreadful
struggle, one of the fiercest and most deadly of the war. The
lines of colors of both armies stood waving within twenty feet of
each other and there was a continual roar and crash of musketry.
About dusk, in the' midst of a driring rain storm, we marched,
two miles perhaps, to our right, and began in the night the con-
struction of a breastwork ; then my regiment was selected for
picket duty. Another order came, and it required that we
should march back at once to the "Bloody Angle." The unbroken
roar of musketry continued in the darkness of the night. We
formed our line in rear of the troops engaged and our orders were
to move forward to their relief. The mud was half boot top
deep and filled with the dead of the battle, over whom we stumbled
in the darkness. Upon reaching my position I ordered the
regiment to open fire.
We stood perhaps one hundred feet from the enemy's line, and
so long as we maintained a continual fire they remained hidden
in their entrenchments. But if an attempt to advance was made,
an order would be given and they would all rise up together and
fire a volley upon us. They had constructed their works by
digging an entrenchment about four feet deep, in which at intervals
there were traverses to protect the flanks. This had the efiect of
making a row of cellars without drainage, and in them was
several inches of mud and water. To protect their heads, they
had placed in front logs which were laid upon blocks, and it was
intended to put their muskets through the chinks under the ,
head logs, but in the darkness this became impracticable and the
head log proved a serious obstruction to their firing. For
eighteen hours without cessation our troops aimed their muskets
at these head logs, some of which were destroyed, and the bullets
passing beyond in this plane cut off the tree, the stump of which
may now be seen in the Ordnance Museum of the War Depart-
ment at Washington. This tree stood behind the enemy's
works. This is the true explanation of that phenomenon.
But to return to our own experience. I soon found that the
supply of cartridges in the boxes of the men would not hold out.
I systematized the firing from right to left of companies and sent
half a dozen men after cartridges. One man only returned and
lie brought a wooden^box of packed cartridges weighing, I believe,
eighty pounds. To wade through the mud on that awful night,
stumbling over the dead, and carrying that heavy box, was a
labor of heroic faithfulness which merits the highest praise.
During the early hours of the night the rain poured down in
torrents. Sometime in the night I suspected that the enemy
were retreating, and I crawled up with one man and satisfied
myself that they had gone. I then ceased firing and my
exhausted men lay down as best they could and some laid their
heads upon the dead and fell asleep. In the morning the rebel
works presented an awful spectacle. The cellars were crowded
with dead and wounded, lying in sorae cases upon each other and
in several inches of mud and water. I saw the body of a rebel
soldier sitting in the corner of one of these cellars in a position of
apparent ease, with the head entirely gone, and the flesh burned
from the bones of the neck and shoulders. This was doubtless
caused by the explosion of a shell from some small Cohorn
mortars within our lines. The mortar shell is thrown high in
the air, and comes down directly from above.
On the morning of May 13th, the men were in a deplorable
condition of exhaustion, and I marched the regiment away from
the horrible scenes at the "Bloody Angle," and allowed the men
to lie down and rest in the woods near at hand. The other regi-
ments of the brigade had marched back to their old position at
lyaurel' Hill. During the afternoon we marched to that point and
rejoined the brigade. All night of May 13th, we were on the
march. For an account of this night's march I will quote from
Swinton's History of the Army of the Potomac : "The fifth corps,
during the night of May 13th, marched from its position on the
extreme right, to take position on the extreme left. * * The
march began at 10 P. M. The wet weather, however, had badly
broken up the roads, and the night being one of Egyptian dark-
ness, the move was made with immense difficulty. The route of
march was past the I^andrum House to the Ny river, which had
to be waded. Across the Ny the route followed no road, but
traversed the fields and a piece of woods, where a track had been
cut. Here, midway of the journey, a dense fog arose and covered
the ground so that not even the numerous fires that had been
^0
built to guide the column could be seen. The men, exhausted
with wading through mud knee deep, and in the darkness, fell
asleep all along the way."
On May 14th we constructed an entrenchment directly in front
of Spottsylvania Court House, where we remained until the
movement of the army in the direction of the North Anna river.
The casualties in the regiment from May 8th to 21st, near Spott-
sylvania numbered eighty-three. Two officers were killed and
three wounded. Eight men were killed, sixty-five wounded, and
five missing.
Echoes of Spottsylvania.
The following is a letter from my father to the Honorable Sal-
mon P. Chase. At the top of the sheet is a slip cut from a daily
newspaper.
"Colonel Dawes of the sixth Wisconsin was killed yesterday
while gallantly leading his men to a charge. This regiment has
suffered terribly."
Mauston, Juneau County, Wisconsin, May i8th, 1864.
Hon. S. p. Chase,
"My dear Sir: — The Colonel Dawes referred to, I greatly fear,
is my son, I^ieutenant Colonel Rufus R. Dawes, who was in com-
mand of the sixth Wisconsin Veteran Volunteers, fourth division,
fifth army corps. He was in command on Tuesday, the loth
inst., when he is reported as having been killed. He commanded
the regiment also at Antietam and Gettysburg. He had escaped
unharmed through fifteen hard fought battles. He was shot
down, as I am informed, while waving his battle flag and exerting
himself to the uttermost to steady his ranks when wavering. I
write to ask whether the Government cannot rescue his remains
from the rebel woods near Spottsylvania. My esteemed friend,
is it too much for me to ask of you, to place this letter in the
hands of the proper authorities, coupled with such an endorse-
ment as will secure a compliance with my request? * * * *
Very truly yours,
Henry DaweS.
P. S. There is a bare possibility that my son is living either
as a prisoner or in hospital. Any definite and reliable. information
will be most gratefully received."
2?1 .
The letter is endorsed as follows : "D 205 — S. A. O. 64. H.
Dawes, Mauston, Wisconsin, wants information of Colonel
Dawes of the sixth Wisconsin regiment, killed at Spottsylvania.
C 1 103, May 30th, 1864. Surg. General Report."
This next is in the handwriting of Salmon P. Chase: "Respect-
fully commended to the Secretary of War. If it be at all possi-
ble, I earnestly desire that Judge Dawes' wishes concerning his
brave son may be gratified. S. P. Chase.
May 28th, 1864."
"Respectfully referred to the Surgeon General, for any infor-
mation he has or can obtain, relating to Colonel Dawes. By order
of the Secretary of War. I^ouis H. Pblouz, Ass't Adj't Gen'l.
W. D. May 30th, 1864."
"Respectfully referred to Medical Director McParlin, Army of
the Potomac, for report. These papers to be returned with
report. By order of the Acting Surgeon General.
C. H. Crane, Surgeon U. S. A.
S. G. Office, May 31st, 1864."
"Headquarters Army of Potomac, M. D. O., )
Near Cold Harbor, June 5th, 1864. J
Respectfully referred to the Medical Director fifth corps for
report. These papers to be returned.
Thomas A. McParlin,
Surgeon U. S. A., Medical Director."
"Headquarters Fifth Army Corps, M. D. O., )
June 6th, 1864. j
Respectfully referred to Surgeon Chamberlain, Surgeon in
Chief fourth division, for report. These papers to be returned
promptly. John J. Milhau, Surgeon U. S. A.,
Medical Director Fifth A. C."
"Headquarters Fourth Division, Fifth Army Corps, )
June 7th, 1864. J
Respectfully referred to Surgeon J. H. Beech, twenty-fourth
Michigan. Surgeon in charge of first brigade.
C. N. Chamberlain,
U. S.V. Surgeon in Chief, fourth division, fifth army corps."
Respectfully referred to L,ieutenant Colonel R. R. Dawes
Please to return report through Medical Department.
J. H. Beech, Surgeon 24th Michigan,
Surgeon in Chief ist brigade, 4th division, 5th corps A of P.
The following is from the Mauston Star, of Juneau County,
Wisconsin :
"I/ieutenant Colonel Dawes probably killed. — The Chicago
Tribune has a dispatch from its correspondent in the Army of
the Potomac, in which we find this sentence : 'Colonel Dana of
the sixth Wisconsin was killed yesterday, (Tuesday loth inst.)
while gallantly leading a charge of his regiment. This regiment
has suffered terribly." We think the name given is a misprint,
and that the name meant is that of our neighbor I,ieutenant
Colonel Dawes of that regiment. Fearing this, we have no heart
for comment.
It may be a glorious fact that the old Sixth has again well
sustained its fame as one of the best regiments in the gallant and
ever true 'Iron Brigade.' Yet, for all that, who can read the last
sentence of the dispatch 'this regiment has suffered terribly,'
without a shudder. All here, wives, children, parents and friends,
dread yet long for the receipt of the ofiBcial returns of the killed
and wounded, and waiting, suffer agonies unspeakable.
I/ater from the sixth regiment. — Just as our paper is ready for
the press we have letters from Washington informing us that
Colonel Bragg, I,ieutenant Colonel Dawes, and Captain Kellogg
of the sixth regiment are killed, and that Captain Remington is
wounded. No other names are given, but we are told that the
regiment is nearly destroyed, having been, as usual, in the hottest
part of the fight. This sad news with the almost certainty that
others of our neighbors have fallen, casts a gloom over our village.
Colonel Dawes left here as Captain of the company raised in
this county, company 'K,' sixth regiment. Captain Kellogg was
his First Dieutenant. Both have written for themselves a
glorious history, as brave, patriotic and good soldiers. A bright
future was before them. Their memory will yet live. They
sealed their devotion to the cause of freedom and good govern-
ment with their lives, and their mourners are our whole com-
munity."
2?3
I^rom the Mauston Star of May 25th, 1864.
"I^ieutenant Colonel Dawes died as he had lived, doing his
duty. He was gallantly leading his regiment, charging the rebel
line, when, the fire being very severe, his men began to waver.
To encourage and stimulate them he seized the colors and called
them forward. This rendered him a cdnspicuous mark and a
bullet from a rebel sharpshooter pierced his brain. He died
covered with glory. His last word was a cheer for victory. "
In my youth I was inclined to be angry at these publications ;
but in my age I am growing quite proud of them.
Chapter XIII.
JPonvsird to tlx0 North Anna— Battle of JTericho Ford— Battle of the
North Anna-For-ivard Toward Richmond— Battle of Bethesda
Church— The Pennsylvania Reserves— "JPediculiis Vestimenti"
—Battle of Oold Harbor-Report From my Brother With Sher-
man—In the Trenohes—A Bullet-proof Chaplain— La-ivson Fen-
ton— Death of Charles B. Gates -A Little Rest— My Brother Shot
at Dallas — I^is Journey Home.
General Cutler was now in permanent command of our divi-
sion. In this great and trying campaign he proved himself to be
one of the bravest and most faithful commanders in the Army of
the Potomac. I quote from his official report, an account of our
movement from Spottsylvania toward the North Anna river :
"At 10:50 A. M., on the twenty-first of May, I was ordered to
retire my line and move to the left. I withdrew successfully, and
moved off toward Guinea's Station. My pickets, however, were
attacked while retiring, and about forty men were captured. I
marched to Guinea's Station and from there crossed the Matapony
and encamped, sending the first brigade forward about three
miles on the road toward the North Anna." My own report says
that our brigade (first brigade,) entrenched a line in front of the
Po river near Thornburg. We were in plain view of the Tele-
graph road, and along that road passed the rebel army corps of
General lyongstreet. I had a line of skirmishers out and I lay on
the ground a long time on the skirmish line and watched this
moving column of the enemy. We marched on after the enemy
had passed and followed them on the Telegraph road. They fired
upon us with artillery, which retreated as we advapced. That
night we camped near Harris' store, and at five o'clock, A. M.
on May twenty-third, we marched again toward the South. At
5 P. M. we crossed the North Anna river at Jericho Ford, and
the division was massed on the southern bank. We were now
directed to cook our supper, and the worn, tired, hungry soldiers
LYSANDBR CUTLBFl,
BREVET MAJOR GENERAL U. S. VOLS.
2?5
obeyed the order with alacrity. As was my custom at every halt,
I took out my pencil and paper and began a letter to my wife.
(To my wife.) May 23rd, 1864, 6 P. M.
"Alive, well, south of the North Anna river in the advance of
the fifth corps. Battle to-morrow — ."
Here the crack of the rifles of the inevitable rebel skirmishers
put an end to writing letters and making cofiee. We were
attacked in great force by the enemy.
Battle of Jericho Ford.
(To my wife.) Battle Field, May 24th, 8 A. M.
"I had barely scratched ofi" a word to you when General A. P.
Hill's corps of the rebel army attacked the portion of our corps
south of the North Anna river, hoping to make a Ball's Bluff
rout of our troops. For an hour the fight raged with great fury.
My regiment stood and fought like men, and by God's blessing
our loss was small, only one man killed, twelve wounded. (Two
killed and eleven wounded). We are now in line of battle await-
ing the enemy. God only knows what the day may bring forth.
We came near being driven into the river, but the enemy has lost
vigor in attack. Their men are getting so they will not fight
except in rifle pits. My conclusion is that General Hill's corps
could be defeated on an open field by half their number of
resolute men. The very positive evidence of progress has greatly
encouraged this army. I wonder if a man can go forever without
being hurt in battle. It does seem as though your prayers were
shielding me."
I quote from my own official report the account of the com-
mencement of the action of the sixth Wisconsin in the battle of
Jericho Ford : "About six in the evening the enemy's skirmish-
ers appeared on our right, when the brigade moved rapidly
forward (my regiment on the left), to form on the right of the
first division of this corps, already in position in the woods in our
front. In compliance with directions of Colonel Robinson com-
manding the brigade, I placed my regiment in position on the
right of a breastwork occupied by troops of the first division
(Griffin's), and on a prolongation of their line. I experienced
much difficulty, owing to the thick and tangled brush. I im-
mediately threw forward skirmishers to cover my front."
2?6
On came the enemy and back came my skirmishers. 1 could
hear heavy musketry and the charging yell of the rebels, but in
the thick pine brush I could see nothing. The troops of the first
division in the rifle pits on my left opened a fire of musketry. I
ordered my men to kneel and fire toward the enemy on our right
who were attacking our own brigade. I sent Adjutant Brooks
to look out of the edge of the woods and report to me the progress
of the battle. He came running back and reported the enemy
driving our brigade in confusion over the open field. This out-
flanked us on the right. I had the regiment change front to
throw my line facing the enemy on our flank, and while doing so
a regiment of the first division broke and ran. They ran through
our ranks and broke the regiment. I called a rally on the colors
just outside the woods, and every man of our regiment fell into,
his proper place. Here in the open field was Captain Mink's
battery firing away, and no infantry supporting it. Captain Orr
with a portion of the nineteenth Indiana, and Captain Shippen
with the battalion of Berdan's Sharpshooters, reported to me as
the senior oflicer on the field. I put them in line on my right
and moved my force in line of battle to the relief of that glo-
rious soldier, Captain Mink, and it was not a moment too soon.
We met the enemy at the battery, and here came gallantly to our
support, the eighty-third Pennsylvania of the first division. We
drove the enemy back. Colonel Robinson had fallen back to
the North Anna river and General Cutler ordered me to join the
second brigade of the division with my command, which I did.
We now advanced in a new line of battle and we swept the
enemy before us from the field. I quote from my own official
report : "Being separated from the brigade I was directed by
General Cutler to report to Colonel J. W. Hoffman, commanding
the second brigade, with my command. After dark the line was
advanced several hundred yards and entrenched. My men were
working during almost the entire night upon the breastworks.
Through this affair the conduct of ofiicers and men, with small
exceptions, was admirable. lyieutenant John Beely was twice
wounded. The gallantry of lyieutenant Beely throughout the
campaign was conspicuous, but upon this occasion I esteem his
conduct in remaining upon the field after being seriously wounded
■=5>*
*«
f'"
RUPUS R. DAWBS,
BEEVET BEIGADIEE GENERAL U. S. YOI.S.
277
until struck down by a second bullet, which penetrated his lungs,
worthy of special commendation, Ccjrporal William Hickok, of
company 'C,' was killed. No braver soldier, or more worthy
young man has. give'n life in this struggle."
Excepting the sixth Wisconsin and nineteenth Indiana, the
regiments of our brigade were moved at dark across the North
Anna, and bivouacked in the woods. Our colored servants asked
at brigade headquarters where our regiment could be found, and
they were told that it was with the others. But they searched in
vain and late at night they held a council. Young William Jack-
son alone ,said : "Youse can say what youse a mind to, I'se done
gwine over the river!" He waded the stream waist deep and
some hours later, one of our men heard in the darkness, the
words: "Whar's the sixth Wisconsin?" The poor boy was
almost exhausted, but he found us. For miles in that dark night
he had stumbled along the lines, carrying a heavy coffee pot and
a full supper for our mess. To him the ofBcers of the sixth
Wisconsin owed this comforting relief from hunger and
exhaustion, for I shared it with them all.
Battle of the North AiJna.
(To my wife.) I^ine of Battle, May 25th, 1864.
"We are again closing our lines for a desperate battle. The
bullets clip through the green leaves over my head as I lie
behind the breastwork writing. I have had no full night's sleep
since May 7th, when I took command of the regiment. Day
after day, and night after night we have marched, fought and
dug entrenchments ; I have not changed my clothing since May
third. We have not seen, and seldom communicated with our
wagon train. I have not composure to write, as the bullets are
coming so thickly through the limbs, and some poor wounded
soldiers are near me."
(To my wife.) Line of Battle, May 26th, 7 A. M.
"The hot firing of yesterday has died down this morning to
only about ten or twelve shots a minute. We are confronting
the en'emy precisely as at Spottsylvania, when your father visited
me, except that our lines of battle approach each other more
nearly. It is raining steadily. I have a little shelter tent with
logs piled up at the end toward the enemy to stop bullets, and I
278
lie on the ground as I write. I presume General Grant will not
make an assault upon the ^nemy in their entrenchments. They
get stronger in men as we get nearer Richmond, and their works
are probably as elaborately prepared as those ajt Spottsylvania.
Our battle on Monday evening, (Jericho Ford) is probably as
severe and general as any that will be fought on this line. The
repulse of Butler has a material bearing upon the situation here.
The rain storm became violent. A little run near my tent
assumed the proportions of a torrent, and drove me out into the
storm. I hope you will get the poor pencil scrawls I have sent
you during the campaign. For the first four days I had abso-
lutely no opportunity to write, and not until after our occupa-
tion of Fredericksburgh was there any mail sent away from the
army. You are mistaken about that first week, being the most
encouraging in my war experience. We were* repulsed and
slaughtered in every attack we made. By continued, persistent,
and generally unsuccessful assaults and charges, and by skillful
maneuvering. General Grant worried out the enemy and forced
him to fall back by flanking him, when too much exhausted and
demoralized to fight us in the open field. He has forced him
back of the North Anna. Now I conjecture the next eftort will
be to form a junction with Butler in the direction of West Point,
by again moving around the enemy's right; flank, constantly as
before threatening him with battle, should he leave his entrench-
ments."
It will be seen by this letter that the general plan for the move-
ment of the Army of the Potomac was quite well understood in
the army.
"You have me too badly wounded in your picture. I should
Stand a poor chance of getting alive to Fredericksburgh and
Washington. But the picture is very attractive, and I shall
endeavor to get the wound in the next battle."
(To my wife.) Sunday Morning, May 29th, 1864. )
Near Hanover Town, j
'Two days and nights of incessant marching has placed us
within seventeen miles of Richmond, the heart of the rebellion.
A glorious achievement ! The thousands of this army are full of
*This refers to our own corps.
279
adiniration and gratitude for the man who has pushed back the
rebel army thirty miles without a general battle. (North Anna
to Cold Harbor.) The nearer we get to an investment of Rich-
mond, the less we regard our danger of bloody fighting, and our
men are intensely anxious to get forward as far as their legs
without help of their muskets will carry them. Our advance is
now within fourteen miles of Richmond. We are now waiting
in line to move forward."
This letter breathes of the inspiration of victory, and shows
what a tonic there is to a weary soldier in success. We crossed
the Pamunky at 11:30 A. M., on the 28th, and on the 29th moved
forward to Hawes' store. On the 30th, we again moved forward
and became engaged in battle.
Battle of Bethesda Church.
Line of Battle Twelve Miles from Richmond, )
(To my wife.) May 31st, 1864. j
"We were again in battle yesterday, but nobody was hurt.
There was a great deal of double quicking in the dust and
building breastworks. My force was a reserve. I am now in
command of three regiments, the sixth Wisconsin, seventh Wis-
consin, and nineteenth Indiana. I commanded this force in the
battle. I report to Colonel Bragg. I am feeling in much better
spirits. We cannot help hoping the worst is Over, now that our
great leader has pushed the enemy almost to the wall, without a
general battle since Spottsylvania. The enemy was repulsed last
night with great loss, in their attack upon us. If we can force
the enemy to attack us in entrenchments, we shall feel quite
happy over the prospect.
We have reason to hope Major Plummer may be alive, badly
wounded, in the hands of the enemy. Captain Thomas W.
Plummer, his brother, commands the regiment, while I command
the three regiments."
Captain Thomas W. Plummer Vi^as a quiet and faithful officer.
- He was one of those men of whom little is said but much
expected, and in his case there was never any disappointment.
I was ordered to move my command in the battle of Bethesda
Church, with the utmost haste in the direction of the Pennsylva-
nia Reserves, who were being attacked by the enemy, and whose
280
term of service had expired. It was a supreme test of the fidelity
of these men to theJr country, but the old Reserve never in its
long and arduous service in the war, fought a better battle than
they did upon this day. I ran the men through the dust and
heat and formed them on the right of the Reserves in line of
battle. In this movement I came upon a brass band belonging
to one of our *Pennsylvania regiments. They were playing the
air to which these words were sung during the war :
"McClellan is our leader, he is gallant and strong,
For God and for freedom, we are marching along."
Before we had reached them, the Pennsylvania Reserves had
repulsed the enemy. I formed my line in the woods on the right
of the Reserves and was ordered to construct a breastwork. The
men had been for days in the sun and dust, and they now came
into a shady woods. I established the regiment upon the left
and rode toward the right, completing the establishment of the
line. I then rode back to the left to see how the men were pro-
gressing in the constriiction of their breastwork. I found them
stripped of coats and shirts, and engaged in killing "gray backs,"
pediculus vestimenti. They said it was the first shade they had
been in for a week, and they must improve their opportunity.
This pest was a grievous trial, and it was assuming serious pro-
portions in the army. The only effective remedy was to boil the
shirts. These garments being wooleb shrunk under this process,
so that the men could with difficulty get into them.
There was a law authorizing a field ofiicer to frank letters for
enlisted men thus: "Soldier's letter. — R. R. Dawes, I^ieutenant
Colonel sixth Wisconsin Veteran Volunteers." Once a man
brought to me one of his shrunk up shirts in a package, to be
franked by mail. He said he thought it would about fit the baby.
CoivD Harbor Campaign.
(To my wife.) I,ine of Battle, May 31st, '6 P. M.
"Alive and well. There has been heavy fighting along most
of the line. Of the results we know nothing. There is a hot
fire going on on our left as I write."
I J*It was the band of the eighth Pennsylvania Reserves and I suppose
they played to encourage the men who were fighting.
281
(To my wife.) Line of Battle, June ist, 6 P. M.
"I am alive, well, and just as dirty as I can be. Can not get
time even to get into a creek, and there is no creek to get into.
No fighting for us since I last wrote, of any serious account, but
constant marching, countermarching and building breastworks."
Extracts from letters from my brother with Sherman's army,
received in the works at Cold Harbor :
Resaca, Ga., May i6th, 1864.
"On May 12th, our regiment was transferred from the fourth
division, fifteenth corps, to Morgan L. Smith's second division,
fifteenth corps and we were assigned to Xightburn's second brigade.
We were in, the battles of the 13th and 14th, and were cloae to
the rebel works all day of the 15th. We lost fifty men killed and
wounded. The charge of our division on the 14th, capturing
the rebel rifle pits east of Camp creek, was the prettiest thing I
ever saw. We uniformly whipped the rebels in our front. Our
men were absolutely wild with enthusiasm. The regiment was
highly complimented by Generals Logan, Smith, and Lightburn,
and Colonel Jones has been especially recommended for promo-
tion by them."
Kingston, Georgia, May 21st, 1864.
"On this campaign we have no tents. Field officers are per-
mitted to take only what they can carry on their horses. Our
marching order has just come in. We start Monday, the 23rd.
The order says, 'take twenty days' rations of hard bread, coffee,
and salt, and expect to be independent of the railroad' for that
time. We will meet and defeat the rebel army somewhere be-
tween here and Atlanta.
We have a large and well appointed army, well officered and in
better spirits than I ever saw an army in my life. The railroad
trains from Chattanooga, ran to Kingston as soon as the army
reached there. Next Friday is mj^ twenty-fourth birthday; per-
haps we will have another fight by that time.* Colonel Jones
has just sent up the official report of the regiment at Resaca. In
it he was kind enough to say : 'Major Dawes, whose coolness and
*As will he later seen Major Dawes came witbin one day of it in his
guess. Friday was the 27th ; Saturday, May 28th, was fought the battle of
Dallas.
282
courage did much to inspire the men, is worthy of particular
mention.'"
(To my wife.) Line of Battle, June 3rd, 1864, 6 P. M.
"Yesterday afternoon and all day to-day, battle has been rSging
around us, but by a kind Providence our part has been light. One
man killed and seven wounded are our total casualties for the two
days. We are strongly entrenched and only artillery can harm
us. We can not show our heads above the works without being
immediately shot at. The men try putting hats on ramrods and
sticking them up and sometimes get a bullet through the hat.
Thirty-one days to-day this terrible campaign has dragged
along. God grant it soon over. We know absolutely nothing of
how the battle is going. We can only do our duty and hope all
is well."
To protect my own headquarters I piled up logs in an angle
and threw a pile of earth in front of them.
lyiNE OF Battle, June 4th, 3 P. M.
"We are still hiding away from bullets of rebel sharpshooters.
The line of works where we are is very crooked and we get
bullets and artillery shots from nearly all points of the compass.
But so long as our orders only require us 'to hold our line at all
hazards,' we are well satisfied with our part in the battle. I can
not tell you how tedious and trying this campaign has become.
Thirty days of toil, danger and bloodshed, and we can see yet
small prospect of an end to it. We are nine miles from Rich-"
mond, and our left, by desperate fighting, is said to have been
pushed nearer. Our casualties in the regiment now amount to
one hundred and seventy men killed and wounded. By general
orders we make a daily report of killed and wounded, and we
always have some. How long will it take to whittle us away ?
Our new chaplain reported for duty to-day. He came directly
to the front where the bullets were whistling. I like his looks.
He is a graduate of Oberlin College. He brings us little news.
If we could know something it would be a little easier to be all
day in our holes, waiting and dreading the future. It seems as
though my sensibilities were deadened by this constant, wearing
pressure. I do think this army has shown itself the longest
suffering and hardest fighting army of the war. A shell exploded
283
to-day in the log breastwork I had put up for my headquarters,
and it showered us with dirt, and one fragment came through but
did no injury."
The arrival of our Chaplain, as it was attended with no casualty,
was rather an amusing affair. Ignorant of the danger attending
such an exposure of himself, he came directly to the front. In
approaching our line from the rear, it looked like a bee hive, but
nothing could be seen of the enemy, except the puffs of powder
smoke of the sharpshooters. In daylight it was almost certain
death to come under their aim. We saw a lone man walking
deliberately toward our headquarters. In vain the soldiers
shouted "Lie down!" "Tree!" "Gopher!" "Grab a root, you old
fool !" Blissfully unconscious that he was a target and a walking
miracle to have escaped injury from the enemy's fire, Mr. Cochran
had no thought that these remarks were addressed to himself.
By some foolish order, the drummer boys of the regiment
had been sent out to the breastworks that day, and I took
them in my fort. They were young and full of life, and I,arry
O'Neal, of eompany "D," while dancing, at which he was an
expert, got outside the works and received a bullet in his knee.
He never danced again. The Chaplain was indeed a God-send to
this poor suffering boy. He dressed his wound with almost the
skill of an experienced surgeon.
I^awson Fenton, of company "A," incautiously laised his head
above the breastwork. A bullet passed through his brain, a great
portion of which protruded from the wound. He was a brave
soldier and a favorite with his comrades and with his officers.
I/ieutenant Howard J. Huntington prepared with great care a
head board for his grave, which was dug in the darkness of the
night succeeding and the head board was inscribed; but on the
next morning Fenton was still alive, and it was three days before
life became extinct. Poor fellow ! he was wounded severely at
Antietam ; and when I visited our boys in Smoketown hospital,
near that field, I found him bravely enduring his suffering and
cheering all by his hopeful spirit.
. On the evening of June fifth we moved to near Cold Harbor.
Colonel E. S. Bragg was assigned to command of our brigade,
relieving Colonel Robinson.
284
(To my wife.) Gaines' Farm, June 6th, 1864.
"I have received your father's note announcing Charley's
death. How strange that so suddenly, while you have suffered
so long in dread of harm to me, I am safe, and Charley is called to
his grave. Truly, we can not tell what is in store for us. I am
well. We marched all night. We had a sharp skirmish yesterday."
Charles Beman Gates had been tenderly cherished by a devoted
father and loving mother, and as he was only two years younger
than my wife, they had been in life inseparable companions.
He was not prepared for the stern hardships of war, but when
I was at Marietta I saw that he was full of zealous ardor to act a
part in the great historic drama. He said to me, "You belong to
the 'Iron Brigade'; how do you think I will feel to take no part
in the war, and be in the same family?" Of tall and manly
figure, he was a splendid youth, and he was of warm and noble
impulses, and of pure and lofty character. As I lay in the
works at Cold Harbor, I saw William Jackson come running
toward us. He dodged, from tree to tree, and crawled upon the
ground to escape the fire of the rebel sharpshooters. A letter
had come from Washington directed to be delivered "quickly."
It said : "Charley died at Harper's Ferry on Tuesday."
(To my wife.) Banks of the Chickahominy, )
June 8th, 1864, 4 P. M. J
"We came down here to-day, and are located on the left flank
of our army, and we are at last out from under the fire of the
enemy. I have enjoyed the luxury of a good wash, a change of
clothing, and a mess of wild strawberries. It does seem pleasant
to get even for a few hours out of the presence of death, suffer-
ing and danger. Our spirits rise wonderfully. It is impossible
for one who has not undergone it, to fullj' understand the depres-
sion of spirits caused by such long, continued, and bloody fight-
ing and work. Colonel Bragg said yesterday : 'Of all I have
gone through, I can not now write an intelligent account. I can
only tell my wife I am alive and well. I am too stupid for any
use.' We are having the first quiet day for more than a inonth.
General Cutler said that this is the first day, for that length of
time, that no man in the division has been reported killed or
CNARLBS B. GJkTBS,
FIRST LIEUT. CO. A. 148TH OHIO.
NATIONAL GUARD.
285
wounded. The weather is bright and sunny, and our location is
delightful."
Bivouac near Railroad Crossing of Chickahominy, )
(To my wife.) June 9th, 1864. J
"All is quiet here with us. We can plainly see the enemy
south of the Chickahominy. Our pickets are friendly, and we
get the morning papers from Richmond by 10 o'clock in the
forenoon. We have heard from Captain Kellogg as alive and a
prisoner. I at once wrote to his wife informing her of the fact.
He has come back to her out of the grave, for we all believed
him dead. Colonel Bragg has been assigned to command of our
brigade. I have great trouble in getting the company business
attended to, so many of our oflScers are gone."
In this bivouac the new chaplain addressed the men in strong,
earnest, and well adapted sermons. His talk was patriotic as
well as religious, and highly acceptable to our men. Mr. Cochran
was too old a man for the hard service he had undertaken, and
, he soon became very sick.
Bivouac on Chickahominy, June nth, 1864.
"My dear sister: — From what Mary says, I have great hope
that my poor brother is not so desperately hurt as your note
would indicate. But, at best, I fear he is terribly wounded. I
have strong faith that he will not die, but I know he must suffer
long and acutely, and perhaps be sadly disfigured. The surgeons
tell me that bullet wounds in the jaw seldom prove fatal, though
always intensely painful and distressing, on account of neuralgia,
and are liable to interfere with the voice. His sufferings he will
bear patiently, like a true man, as he has always proved him-
self. To be severely wounded is something he has prepared
himself to meet, and he will accept his fate, I know, bravely and
cheerfully. It will be gratifying to hear that he is at home,
where he will get every care and comfort, and where his chances
for recovery are many times increased. It he gets safely home,
I shall feel very sure he will get well. Poor Charley! How
strange, all should be struck down and I safe through days and
weeks of this perilous storm of battle. We have to add to the
list on our flag. Wilderness, lyaurel Hill, Spottsylvania, Jericho
Ford, Shady Grove Church, and Cold Harbor, where fifty thou-
sand men have fallen, and no harm has come to me. Surely a
kind Providence has watched over and preserved me through the
'Valley of the Shadow of Death.' "
Extract from a letter from Major E. C. Dawes of June i ith,
1864, received in this camp.
"I was shot at Dallas, Georgia, two weeks ago to-day. We
were in rifle pits. The rebels charged us. We gave them an
awful licking. The bullet struck the left side of my lower jaw
and, the surgeons say, 'carried away the body of the inferior
maxilla to near the angle." It took off my lower lip, tore the
chin so that it hangs down, took out all the lower teeth but two,
and cut my tongue. It is a horrible looking wound and will
disfigure me, but the doctors say they can fix up a face for
me. It will be slow healing. A few minutes before I received
this wound I was hit in the back of the head. It did not hurt
much and is not at all serious, although it is not yet healed.
Our regiment has done splendid fighting this campaign, and
has made a reputation second to no regiment in the 15th army
corps."
A wounded soldier's journej' home. Written by my brother
in 1864.
"I was shot late in the afternoon of May twenty-eighth, and
remained in the field hospitals, at and near Dallas, Georgia, until
the night of May thirtieth.* About ten o'clock at night of the
thirtieth a wagon train was sent under strong escort to the rail-
road at Kingston, about thirty miles distant. All of the wounded
who were able to travel in the wagons were permitted to go.
The surgeons advised me to go in this train. They said that if
I remained around the hospital the chances were that I would
contract gangrene or erysipelas and die, and that I should get
home as quickly as possible. My old friend Haydn K. Smith,
correspondent of the Chicago Journal, volunteered to go to Nash-
ville with me. I could hardly have got along without him. He
■ *Every attention possible was paid me by the surgeons, Dr. H. W.
Nichols, who had especial charge of me, and Dr. 0. P. Brent, Surgeon in
Chief of the division, as well as our own surgeons. Dr. W. M. Cake (then
medical director of the fourth division), and Dr. John A. Lair (who had
charge of the regiment), who came to see me whenever they could. Colo-
nel Jones sent me twice each day a bulletin from the regiment, which was
still in the trenches from which we had repulsed the assault on the 28th,
BPNRAIM O. DA'WBS,
MAJOE 53ED OHIO VOLS.
BREVET LIEDT. COLONEL U. S. VOLS.
28?
had been with the army enough to know what to do and to
whom to apply in an emergency. My colored servant, Wesley
Benson, accompanied me. He was a faithful and competent
young man but he could not read writing and I could not talk.*
The wagon train unwound itself at midnight. I got into one
of the wagons and sat on a bag of corn. The different surgeons
bid me good bye. I sat on that bag of corn all night. The road was
very rough, much of the way through dark woods. My wound was
much inflamed and my tongue so swollen that it was almost im-
possible to swallow. The misery of that night's ride was inde-
scribable. Early next morning Major Patrick Flynn, of the
ninetieth Illinois, who was commanding the train guard, saw me
and brought up the only ambulance in the train. It was loaded
with mail bags, but Major Flynn threw some of them in the
wagon and put me in the ambulance and helped fix the mail bags
so that I could rest on them. Mr. Smith got a canteen of cold
water. I managed to swallow a little of it, but the effort wa« so
painful that I almost concluded not to try again. The day was
very hot and the road was very dusty. About noon we crossed
the Etowah river on a bridge. Near the end of the bridge was a
house where there were some Union soldiers and some women.
One of the women brought out a great yellow bowl filled with
buttermilk and handed it to me. I was weak with hunger, faint
from loss of blood and burning with thirst. I crammed the bowl
into my mouth with both hands, despite the awful pain, and
drank nearly the whole of the buttermilk. It revived me at once.
It satisfied both hunger and thirst, and settled the question of
supplies. I could walk and I could eat, and felt that my worst
troubles were over.
The train reached Kingston between five and six o'clock in the
evening. There seemed to be no adequate preparation for the
wounded. But the agents of the Sanitary Commission were
there. They took possession of a large house with a shaded
yard and went to work to prepare food. Mrs. Bickerdyke and
Mrs. Johnson were in charge. I camped in a corner of the porch,
•For a long tim^ Major Dawes could not speak a word. His full powers
of speech were ultimately restored by one of the most extensive and skill-
ful surgical operations of this Idiid performed during the war.
288
surrounding the house, where there was a projecting room. 1
could not lie down, for breathing was then impossible. I could
not rest the back of my head against anything, for the wound
there was very painful, and I was obliged to sit up in some place
where I could rest the side of my head. This corner filled every
requirement. One of the women brought me a bowl of soup.
I took off my bandage to drink it. She looked at me, burst into
tears, and ran away. An old gray haired surgeon came in to
dress the wound. At sight of it he turned very white and went
away. Mr. Smith had gone to ascertain about the railroad trains,
and Wesley was hunting a newspaper, so I went out myself to
find a surgeon. Fortunately my good Iriend, Dr. Edwards of
the fortieth Illinois, who had been attached to our regiment in
the East Tennessee campaign and messed with me, met me in the
yard. He spent an hour dressing my wound and gave Wesley
full and careful instruction how to care for it; that night I
slept well. Next day, June ist, about noon, a train' of empty
freight cars backed down in front of the house. Mr. Smith came
in with the news, that all the wounded who were able to walk,
were to go to Chattanooga on that train. I got into a car with
a large number of others ; so many that all had to sit up. Many
of them were badly wounded, but all were in high spirits. At
Resaca, as the train stopped, I was startled at the sight of Wm.
D. Gaby, a soldier of company "K," of our regiment. At the
battle, on May 13th, he was shot dead as we all supposed. The ball
struck him in the forehead, but glanced and came out the top of
his head. The train reached Dalton at dusk. I was very tired,
and getting out of the car walked along the platform to a car
where there was more room. It was occupied by a dying ofBcer,
with a surgeon and a detail of men sent to care for him, and
endeavor to get him far enough North to meet his father and
mother who were hurrying down in answer to a telegraphic
summons. The officer was I^ieutenant George B. Covington,
Adjutant of the seventeenth Indiana regiment. He died before
the train left Dalton. The surgeon seeing that I was badly
wounded and very weak, gave me some stimulant and put me on
Covington's cot, raising the head so I could rest. I went to sleep,
but at Ringgold, woke with a start to find my bandages drenched
with blood from some small arteries under the tongue, which had
sloughed away. I stopped it by cramming a towel under my
tongue. This weakened me very much and made me afraid to
sleep again. About midnight the train reached Chattanooga.
There was no one at the depot to tell us where to go. I saw the
row of hospitals on the hill near by and started toward them.
A guard cried: "Halt!" "Halt!" but I did not care whether he
shot me or not, and pushing past him, opened the door of the
nearest building, which was the officers' ward. The nurse on
duty was a wounded soldier. He knew exactly what to do,^
dressed my wound carefully, fixed a cot so that I could rest com-
fortably, and I slept until the surgeon came around in the morning.
Mr. Smith after some trouble, secured a pass for me to Nashville.
The nurse fixed up a large roll of bandages and a bottle of beef
tea and gave them to Wesley for me. The train left at three P.
M., June 2nd. It consisted of a number of empty freight cars
with, a single second class passenger car attached. The car was
pretty well filled. I sat on the rear seat, (the seats were plain
boards) with my back to the other passengers, as I was obliged
to change my bandages frequently. The train went via Steven-
son, Huntsville and Decatur, and did not reach Nashville until
late in the afternoon of June 3rd. This railroad ride was the
most trying experience of all. My wound was sloughing freely,
my tongue was very much swollen and it was almost black. I
sufiered a great deal of pain, and to swallow was exquisite torture.
At Nashville I was taken to the ofiBcers' hospital. Under the
efficient care of Dr. J. H. Green,* the surgeon in charge, I im-
proved rapidly, and having obtaiped a leave of absence, was able
to leave for home June 6th."
■*"Officers' Hospital, Nashville, Tennessee, June 6th, 1864.
Major Dawes, fifty-third regiment, 0. V. I., was admitted to this hospital
June 3rd, on account of gunshot wound received at Dallas, Georgia, May
.28th. The body of inferior maxilla is entirely carried away to near the
angle. He informs me that some loose fragments of bone were taken away
since he received the wound, and that he has had secondary hemorrhages
several times since sloughing commenced.
The wound was sloughing freely when admitted and very offensive, but
by the use of solution of chloriated soda two days, the slough has all disap-
peared, and the wound is now granulating. Have dressed it four times a
day, syringing it out freely with cold water. Swelling and discoloration of
tongue is abating slowly. Have not attempted to remove any of the
epicula, on account of tendency to hemorrhages while sloughing,
J. H. Gbbbn."
Chapter XIV.
A CJiBxige of Base— To the .Jaznes River— Petersburg— Repulsed—
Worn, Weary and JDlscouretged — Tiie Trendies — IDisorg-ani^a-
tlon from Losses — Colonel Brsg;^ Promoted— Out of ttie
Trendies — Rising- Spirits — A.djutant Broolcs' Expedition and
its Pate— Captain Helloes in Kebei F'rison— Kis Bscape—Cap-
tain Lewis -A. Jfent — Lieutenant JSarl M. Rogers 'Wounded —
Afortar Sliell — Ice—Our Chaplain Pinds a Cow — Ji.ppointed to
a Responsible Duty — Co-wards and Inefficients — Cuyler JBab-
oocic — Commissioned Colonel — The A/uster Out — (Questions as
to Term of Service — L>r. Mall Promoted — ^ine Explosion —
In Camp— Mustered Out and Honorably Discharged— The Ord-
nance Sergeant, *
(To my wife.) Wucox's IvAnding, James River, )
June 15th, 1864. J
"Another change of base to the James river. It is very refresh-
ing to get to the beautiful slopes on this broad river. We left
our camp on the Chickahominy Sunday evening. We were in
line of battle all day. Monday night we marched to St. Mary's
church, and yesterday we came here. Our army is crossing the
river on steamers and on a pontoon at Fort Powhatan. General
Grant does not hesitate to uncover Washington.^ We hear dis-
tant cannonading in the direction of Richmond. I think it
probable the enemy are pushing down this way to see what we
are doing."
(To my wife.) South Bank, James River, I
JuivY 1 6th, 12 M. j
"We have a rumor that General Hancock has taken Peters-
burg. If he has not it will cost us a bloody battle. Dust, dust,
dust is our special inconvenience just now. Here comes our
corps general and stafiF, and we must 'fall in' to march."
Petersburg.
(To my wife.) I,ine of Batti<e before Petersburg, )
June 19th, 1864, 7 A. M. , )
"Yesterday afternoon in another hopeless assault there was
enacted a horrid massacre of our corps. Our brigade charged
291
half a mile over an open field, under the musketry fire of the
enemy. We had five men killed and thirty-five wounded. (The
actual loss was greater than here reported.) We are now lying
in rifle pits from which it is almost certain death to raise our
heads. Our corps must have lost very heavily yesterday. It is
awfully disheartening to be ordered upon such hopeless assaults.
My regiment was selected with others to make a night attack on
the enemy's entrenchments, and we formed in line to do so, but
the order was countermanded.'"
General Cutler says in his official report : "In this affair I lost in
killed and wounded about one third of the men I had with me,
and among them many valuable officers." He says also that
none of his troops got nearer than "seventy-five yards of the
enemy's Works."
(To my wife.) IyIne of BattivE before Petersburg, 1
June 21st, 1864. J
"I am sitting in a hole four feet deep, eight feet long and three
feet wide, shaded by green boughs and quite cool and pleasant
for a hot day. This is my regimental headquarters. Sergeant
Major Cuyler Babcock, who is Acting Adjutant, sits at the other
end of the hole, and we are company for each other. To raise a
head in daylight above the surface of the ground is almost certain
death, for it will draw the fire of a dozen sharpshooters. Bab-
cock knows nothing about lyatin, but I taught him to-day about .
twenty lines ot Cicero's first oration against Catiline, and so we
pass our time. Few of our men are hurt and none need be.
Sometimes a foolish fellow will imagine he wants a drink of
water badly enough to risk his life to get it, and he generally
loses his life trying to run for it. We have lost forty-five men
before Petersburg, six killed. The suicidal manner in which we
are sent against the enemy's entrenchments is discouraging. Our
brigade was simply food for powder in the assault day before
yesterday."
(To my wife.) I^ine op Battle before Petersburg. )
June 2ist, 1864. j
"We are completely holed, and ground-hogging for a steady
living becomes very tedious. Colonel Bragg has notice of his
nomination as a Brigadier General."
292
On this day Qune twenty-first), was shot and mortally wounded
lyevi Pearson, of Company "A." He was the last one of three
■ brothers who had served in that company. William Pearson was
killed in the charge upon the railroad cut at Gettysburg and
Jesse Pearson lost his. life in the bloody and fruitless charge upon
the entrenchments of the enemy at Petersburg on June i8th,
three days before his brother lyevi fell.
(To my wife.) Line of Battlk before Petersburg, \
June 22nd, 8 A. M. J
"Still skulking in our holes, and dirty, dusty places they are,
but the Johnnies leave us no alternative. William brings my
breakfast and enough for a cold dinner up to the works before
daylight, and supper after dark. We can see the spires of Peters-
burg about two miles away to the northwest. There seems to be
a severe musketry fight going on this evening to our left and
trpops have been moving that way all day and yesterday."
(To my wife,) Before Petersburg, June 23rd, 7 P. M.
'"I have lain all day in this dirty hole and am too stupid for
any use. The Calcutta black hole was not more disagreeable and
the constant shower of rebel bullets are the chains that keep us
imprisoned. Things look rather blue, I must confess, about
Petersburg."
(To my wife.) Line of Battle before Petersburg, ]
June 25th, 1864. j
"Imagine a hole three feet wide and four feet deep in the
middle of the street, and a sun perfectly sweltering -in its rays
and you have our quarters, from which we can not raise 'Our
heads."
The seven days in the Petersburg hole closed on this evening.
We had a passage way out to the line of the regiment. Cuyler
Babcock, my companion, was a most worthy young man. He
had performed the duties of Adjutant since the battles on the
North Anna and he continued to do so until killed in the battle
ot the Weldon Road, August i8th, 1864. The work of preparing
descriptive lists for our great number of wounded men in hospitals
and of getting straightened out in our various returns and
accounts was very diflScult. The loss of company ofiicers and of
papers added to the general confusion. Babcock was an expert
293
and he helped everybody with an impartial generosity and with
untiring industry.
(To my wife.) • Befork PeITERSburg, June 26th, 1864. -
"We have been drawn back from the rifle-pits, comparatively
out of range of the enemy's bullets, and we are in the woods.
The weather is intensely hot, and very trying upon our poor
men in tne entrenchments. It is now Brigadier General Bragg.
The long continued fighting has put us very much behind in
our business. Many of our poor wounded men are waiting and
This poetical and striking description of the works at Peters-
burg was published August 14th, 1864, by a member of the i88th
Pennsylvania regiment, then in the trenches :
"OuK House in the Front."
Yon have never seen our house in the "front,"
Our house that i^ built for the battle's brunt ;
I tell you, then, 'tis a wonderful home,
With its earthen floor and its starry dome.
No mortal structure can reach so high,
For the dome itself is the vaulted sk}^
The walls of the loamy earth are made,
With trunks of the forest oaks inlaid.
It boasts of a narrow and lengthy hall,
Where our belted knights are seated all,
Keeping their vigils by night and day,
Ready to join in the deadly fray.
Our carpet and couch are the earthy ground,
Our chairs are woodblocks scat'ered around.
"Hard tack" boxes our tables make.
Where daily our scanty meals we take.
Our pantry is carried slung over the back —
A medley of coffee, pork, and "tack,"
All jumbled up in a haversack.
We ask no fire or lamp-light here
Whilst the moon and stars in the heavens appear.
No urchin's prattle or infant's squall
Is ever heard in our martial hall ;
But morning, noon, and night as well
Resounds the scream of the villainous shell,
And the fatal "zip" of the minie ball.
Death in the trenches, Death in the air.
And grim Death rioting everywhere ;
Thus we hear the battle's brunt
In this, the hall of "Our House in the Front! "
watching in hospitals for their descriptive lists, so that they can
draw their pay. I am doing all in my power to get them made
.and sent off. Our wagon is kept miles away from us." (Our
papers were in this wagon.)
General Cutler says in his official report: "The changes in the
command have been so frequent and the losing of nearly every
original brigade, regimental, and company commander renders it
impossible to make anything like an accurate account as to
details. * * * i can not close this report without saying how
deeply I felt the loss of the many brave ofi&cers and men who
have fallen in this campaign."
(To my wife.) June 26, 1864.
"I have been washed, shaved and shampooed, and feel wonder-
fully revived. I have got some hams, soft bread, flour and bis-
cuit; the latter luxury comes from the Christian Commission.
You may be sure I am feeling much better and more cheerful.
Brooks (Adjutant E. P. Brooks,) has been sent out by General
Grant on an expedition to cut rebel railroads. He has thirty
picked men of his own selection from our brigade, and they are
armed with Spencer rifles and mounted. (There were seven men
from the sixth Wisconsin.) He aims to cut the Danville road at
Losses in the Sixth Wisconsin.
Killed
Woun
Miss-
ded
ing
m
CI)
J)
a)
ri
n
n
^
OJ
fl
<u
fl
<s>
g
g
s
Wilderness, May 5th— 7th,
Spottsylvania, May 8th— 2l8t
North Anna, ^
Tolopotomy, [-May 22nd — June 1st,,
Bethesda Church, J
Cold Harbor, June 2nd — 15th,
Petersburg, June 16th — 30th,
Petersburg, July Ist — 31st
Total
3
2
5
8
1
3
39
65
1
14
5
2
1
9
1
7
1
2
6
38
3
1
10
5
24
7
160
1
30
63
83
12
8
57
4
227
Killed, 29 ; Wounded, 167 ; Missing, 31 ; Total : 227. The regiment en-
tered the campaign with an aggregate of 370 men and received in recruits
and returned men, 10. The loss of 227 yfag, frqia an aggregate of 380.
Roanoke station * I have received through Mrs. Kellogg a letter
which she received from her husband, Captain Kellogg, who is in
the confederate prison at Macon, Georgia. Major Plummer is
dead and I shall. recommend Captain Kellogg for appointment as
Major."
CONFEDKRATE MILITARY PRISON, MaCON Ga., )
June 6th, 1864. J
"My dear wife : - I have again an opportunity of writing, which
I gladly improve. My health is as good as it ever was, the cli-
mate seems to agree with me. My treatment is, and has been,
probably as good as the Confederate Government can afford.
The rations are corn meal, bacon, beans and rice, just the same
as they issue to their own troops. The weather is delightful, not
too hot in the day time, while the nights are cool. The circum-
stances of my capture are as follows : Ou the morning of the
fifth (May,) I was ordered to take my company and support a
line of skirmishers who were ordered to advance and attack the
enemy. Soorf after the line was engaged it became necessary to
bring up the reserve, which I did and deployed them as skir-
mishers and was hotly engaged. My loss was severe, how many
I can not tell. Soon after the brigade charged the enemy. I .
ordered my [line to advance as they were deployed with the
brigade, which they did. We drove the enemy's line of battle
and were driven in turn. I was captured in the endeavor to rally
our troops. Am very anxious to hear from the regiment. Please
write to Dawes and enclose this. Love to all friends, and I
remain, dear wife, J. A. Kellogg."
This is a shrewd and remarkable letter. Captain Kellogg in-
tentionally mis-states the real condition of things in that horrible
pest hole, Macon Military Prison. His object was to make sure
that his letter, which was to be read by the officers of the prison,
would be sent to his wife. As a matter of fact, his published
story of his prison experience narrates that he ate a rat while in
*Lieutenant Brooks had carefully prepared a plan for this undertaking,
which met the approval of General Grant, to whom he was commended by
the letters he had received from General Pope for his especially efficient
service for that General in his campaign. This entire party was captured
by the enemy. If we may credit the Confederate reports they were, owing
to the negligence of their commander to put out the proper guards,' sur-
prised and captured by a much smaller force.
296
this horrible place. He shows the solicitude of the brave soldier
for his own military honor, and fully explains the circumstan-
ces of his capture and says : "Please send this letter to Dawes,"
his nearest friend in the regiment. This brave man and heroic
leader needed no vindication with any of his comrades or his
commanders. Captain Kellogg was afterward sent to Charleston,
S. C, and placed with other officers, under the fire of our own
batteries, which bombarded that city. When on the way back
from Charleston to that delightful summer resort, the Macon
prison, he jumped at midnight from a rapidly running train of
cars. He was chased by blood hounds, and stood for hours chin
deep in the water to avoid them. In South Carolina, while gaunt
with hunger and reduced almost to despair, he appealed to an
aged negro. The old man had never before seen a Yankee
soldier, and stood appalled at the apparition. "Will you betray
us?" said Kellogg. "No sah," said the old man, "There's not a
slave in South Carolina would betray you." The negroes fed Kel-
logg's party, ferried them across rivers, and aided and piloted
them on their way to the best of their ability. After enduring
incredible privations, he safely passed through all perils and came
into the Unfon lines in Tennessee.
(To my wife.) Before Petersburg, June 28th, 1864.
"We are to go out to the entrenchments to-night to relieve the
second brigade, but as there is no firing on the line in our front,
the service is not hard. I am trying to get my company business
straightened out, but the loss of so many officers, and the confu-
sion resulting from so long an inattention to returns, makes a
great deal of trouble. I fear our pay rolls will be defective."
Headquarters Sixth Wisconsin Veteran Volunteers, \
(To my wife.) June 30th, 1864. j
"We are getting fixed up for a muster for pay, and are pretty
well straightened out, but accounts and returns have become
inextricably confused in this campaign."
The constant repetition of this complaint indicates how serious
the disorganization had become, through the grievous losses in
the campaign. The case of Captain I^ewis A. Kent, serves well
to illustrate these conditions. When I^ieutenant James L,. Con-
verse of company "G," was killed in the battle of the Wilderness,
297
that company was left under command of Second I^ieutenant
John Timmons, who was also wounded and disabled in the battle
of Spottsylvania. Lieutenant Timmons had notified me that he
would not 'accept promotion because it involved a re-muster for
three more years of service, and he wished to hold his legal claim
to a discharge on July 15th, the expiration of the term of service
of the regiment. I accordingly assigned Sergeant Kent to duty
as Captain of company "G," on the loth of May, 1864. I have
made an error in earlier statements of this case, in fixing the
date of this order as May 7th, which is not material. No braver,
more efficient or more dashing company commander fought in
our line. He carried a musket and the flash of his bayonet was
always seen leading the line in desperate places. On the i8th of
June at Petersburg a minie ball passed through his left shoulder,
shattering the arm, piercing the body, breaking two of his ribs,
lacerating the left lung, and lodging next to the spine.
Until we settled down at Petersburg, there was hterally no
opportunity to apply to the Governor of Wisconsin for a Cap-
tain's commission for Kent. When the commission came it was
dated subsequent to June rSth, the day he received his wound.
Although he received this terrible wound while performing most
gallant service* as a Captain, for fourteen years he received only
the pension of a Sergeant. In 1878 his old commander.
General Bragg, was in Congress and through his efforts a law
was enacted, granting Captain Kent the pension due his rank and
service. There is a tinge of romance about the service of this
young officer. When the war broke out he was a student in
Beloit College, but his home was at Blacksburg, Virginia, and
most of the male members of his family were in the service of
the Confederacy.
_*The 18tli of June was indeed a dark day for the faithful little regiment.
Lieutenant Earl M. Eogers, in command of company "I," was shot through
the body and wounded almost in the same terrible manner as Acting Cap-
tain Kent Lieutenant Eogers was again on duty the next October, and be
was in the battles of Hatcher's Bun. He was brevetted as a Major. His
wound did not close however, until 1866. He served afterward as a Lieu-
tenant in the Regular Army, and was engaged in an Indian campaign.
Lieutenant Howard J. Huntington was also badly wounded here.
298
(To my wife.) Before Petersburg, Va., \
July 2nd, 1864. j
"We are again out of those hot trenches and back in the
woods. If the army remains here, in six days we .will go out
again for a tour of duty in the trenches. There is not so much
shooting now, although every few moments a huge mortar shell
fired by the rebels, comes straight down from the clouds and
bursts with a terrific explosion in our lines. The weather is very
hot, but I get ice every day and plenty of it. There is an ice
house on our skirmish line. I have some boys who have the
nerve to go out and get the ice at night, in spite of the fact that
rebel sharpshooters keep a constant fire on the ice house. There
is one good thing, corps headquarters can't put a guard over it,
and gobble it away from us, and appropriate it to their own use.
William wants very much to come home with me."
(To my wife.) Before Petersburg, July 4th, 1864.
"General Cutler is anxious to make up a Colonel's command of
eight hundred and forty men for me, and have me muster in for
three years, on my commission as Colonel, which will be issued
by the Governor.
Our chaplain was sick, and some where in the rear of the army
he found a cow. Now that he has gone to the general hospital,
the cow has reverted to me. I draw rations for the -cow as a mule.
Dr. Hall and I have plenty of fresh milk and we unite in grati-
tude to the Chaplain.
We are to go up to-night for two days' duty in the trenches.
The boys who go out of the service on the fifteenth of this
month are becoming anxious. The Pennsylvania Reserves were
in battle the day after their time had expired. Twelve days is a
short time, but much history can be made here within that
period."
(To my wife.) In the Trenches before Petersburg, )
July 5th, 1864. J
"We have entered into a treaty of peace with the 'Johnnies' and
men on both sides stand up in fearless confidence in each other's
good faith. To the right of us Burnside's negroes occupy the
trenches. Master and slave meet on equal terms and the hostility.
is implacable. They fire night and day on both sides. A lady
came up to our front line this morning. About a thousand
rebels got up on their works to stare at her, and at least two
thousand of our men. The quiet is very pleasant, and I hope
that the continual whizzing of bullets will not again be heard."
(To my wife.) Beforb Petersburg, July 7th, 1864, 8 P. M.
"We are back again in the woods, where we are exposed only
to rebel shell, which occasionally come howling over. There is
a battery of thirty-two pounders, which fires directly over us, and
that draws the enemy's fire. I was detailed to-day by order of
General Meade as President of the commission to investigate the
'capacity, qualification, propriety of conduct and efficiency of
such officers of the fifth army corps as may be brought before it.'
This is the highest honor of my military service."
Headquarters, Army of the Potomac, )
July 6th, 1864. J
Special Order, No. 179, Exit act.
Under the authority of the loth Section of the Act of July
22nd, 1 86 1, a Board to consist of
I^ieut. Col. R. R. Dawes, 6th Wisconsin Vols.
Major M. C. Welsh, 7th Indiana
Captain A. B. Pattison, "
will meet at such time and place as the Com'dg General, fifth
corps may designate, to examine into the capacity, qualifications,
propriety of conduct and efficiency of such officers of Volunteers,
serving in the fifth army corps, as may be ordered before it.
By command of Major General Meade.
(Signed) S. Williams, Ass't Adj't General.
To have been appointed by General Meade as President of the
Examining Board of the fifth army corps was indeed an especial
"honor of my military service." This was a position of the
highest trust and responsibility. The object of the commission
was to summarily weed out incompetent and cowardly officers.
If the commission so recommended, an officer would be promptly
dismissed from the service by order of the Secretary of War.
Curious cases were brought before the Board. I remem-
ber a case of a Captain who had drank a decoction of powdered
slate pencils in vinegar to render himself unfit for service. Dur-
300
ing this unexampled campaign of sixty continuous days, the
excitement, exhaustion, hard work and loss of sleep broke down
great numbers of men who had received no wounds in battle.
Some who began the campaign with zealous and eager bravery,
ended it with nervous and feverish apprehension of danger in the
ascendancy. Brave men were shielded if their records on other
occasions justified another trial, which ordinarily resulted well,
but cowards met no mercy. They were dismissed and their
names published throughout the land, a fate more terrible than
death to a proud spirited soldier.
There were among officers and men some who would even shoot
off a finger or attempt to inflict a wound upon themselves in
other non vital parts. Ordinarily the "damned spot" caused by
the powder burn, remained to tell its story.
(To my wife.) Before Petersburg, July 8th, 1864.
"General Cutler's plan is to consolidate the second, fifth and
sixth regiments, which he wishes me to command as Colonel.
I have recommended Sergeant Major Cuyler Babcock for ap-
pointment as Adjutant, in place of Brooks, whom I shall assign
to a company."
(To my wife.) Before Petersburg, July loth, 1864.
"We are in the trenches again, but the rebel infantry is very
friendly. A villainous shell occasionally shrieks over our heads,
but does no further harm than to create a kind of shivering sensa-
tion that 'the Angel of Death has spread his wings on the blast.' "
State op Wisconsin, Secretary's Office, )
Madison, July 5th, 1864. j
Colonel Rufus R. Dawes :
"Dear Colonel : — Yours of the 26th of June received, and I take
great pleasure in informing you that I have this moment put the
seal on your commission as Colonel, vice Bragg, promoted. If
you have time, I would like a letter from you, giving your idea of
the situation. Yours truly,
I/UCIUS Fairchild."
(To my wife.) Before Petersburg, July 13th, 1864.
. "We are busy making the papers for the muster out of our
men, whose terms of service expire, and they are nearly wild at
M
the prospect of seeing once more their long separated families
and their homes. The men who go now were not on the veteran
furlough, and few of them have seen their homes for more than
three years. Some have passed through twenty battles and
nearly all have marks of wounds received in battle. I am myself
the only man who has passed unharmed through every battle and
skirmish of the regiment. I have been sitting on our commission
for examination of officers. We have to haul over the coals the
Captain commanding the ."
The term of service of nine commissioned officers expired on
the 15th of July. But owing to ambiguous and conflicting orders
on the subject of mustering commissioned officers, issued by the
War Department, the authorities in the Army of the Potomac
refused to discharge officers without an order from the Depart-
ment. This involved delay and action at Washington upon each
case. All were finally mustered out excepting one Lieutenant.
It had been the practice to receive officers into the service for the
remaining or unexpired term of their regiments. The result of
an order forbidding such musters was, that if an officer did not
wish to pledge himself for a new term of three years, he refused
to accept promotion. Second Lieutenant John Timmons had
been offered a commission as Captain of his company "G," but
he declined to accept it for this reason, and the appointment was
given to Sergeant Lewis A. Kent. Pending the granting of
his discharge by the War Department, Lieutenant Timmons was
"mustered out forever by a minie bullet" in the battle of the
Weldon Road.
(To my wife.) Befork Petersburg, Jui^y 17th, 1864.
"There is a prevailing impression that siege operations have so
far progressed as to bring another attempt upon the enemy's
works when the mine is exploded. (It appears from this letter
that we knew about the work upon the mine, which was not
exploded until the 30th of July.) There is now no mortar or
artillery firing along the line. Before to-day the enemy would
throw a mortar shell into our lines at intervals of about fifteen
minutes."
(To my wife.) Before Petersburg, Va., July 22nd, 1864. .
^ "We are in the trenches to-day, and about once an hour a
mortar shell is thrown by the enemy. When we hear the chug
of the mortar firing, we all run into the bomb proofs and we
have time to do so, but we have to be quick about it. Dr. A. W.
Preston has been discharged for disability and I have taken great
pleasure in recommending Dr. Hall for promotion.
I strolled along our line of entrenchments to-day. It would
seem, that our army is impregnably entrenched. I have been ap-
pointed President of our division court martial, and as I am
President of the fifth corps examining commission, my hands
are full. There is an immense amount of digging in this siege
of Petersburg."
Mine Kxplosion.
(To my wife.) Before Petersburg, July 30th, 1864.
"Shortly after daylight the mine was exploded and at that signal
every cannon and mortar on the line opened on the enemy.
There was for some reason a long delay in setting ofi' the mine.
I was lying in a bomb proof taking a nap, when I felt a jar like
an earthquake. I jumped out in time to see probably the' most
terrific explosion ever known in this country. A fort and several
hundred feet of earthworks were literally hurled into the air.,
It is hardly possible that any man lived who was in the line.
Our men gained the enemy's works and took their line, and
the position held would have broken the rebel army. But victory
stands with the enemy, who drove our men out and regained all
they had lost. I stood on the top of our log house and saw the
rebels charge upon our men. (General Mahone commanded this
force.) We had three men wounded on the skirmish line. The
pile of dead around the ruins of the fort is very large."
(To my wife) Near Petersburg, August ist, 1864.
"We are to-day about four miles from the enemy and upon the
extreme left of the army. It seems comfortable to get almost
out of hearing of the shooting. I have put the regiment into
camp and I have fixed up a fine and shady bower for my head-
quarters. Day before yesterday's failure will likely make summer
bowers fashionable for this army. We hear that the paymaster
is coming with four months pay. I^ieutenant John Timmons of
company 'G' expected to be mustered out on July 15th, and sup-
DR. J-OMN C. MALL,
SUP.GEON SIXTH WIS. VOIA
posing of course that he would be, as was his legal right, 1
recommended the Governor to appoint Sergeant Lewis A. Kent
Captain over Timmons, and now poor 'Tim,' in addition to being
conscripted, is jumped."
(To my wife.) Near Petersburg, August 5th, 1864.
"The weather is very hot and things go on with the usual stale
monotony of a summer life in camp. Occasionally we hear a
burst of cannon and mortars in the distance, but we are out of
the way of them. We have orders to get under arms at daylight
every morning.
We live very well. I still have the cow ; she gives all the
milk Dr. Hall and I can drink or use, and we are very popular
with our friends. We have plenty of vegetables. Dr. Hall has
received his commission as Surgeon. The other officers now with
the regiment whose terms of service have expired are l,ieutenants
John Timmons, H. B. Merchant, and William Golterman. The
five officers absent from the regiment, whose terms have expired,
have been mustered out and honorably discharged."
Headquarters Fourth Division, Fifth Army Corps, \
August gth, 1864. |
Lieutenant Colonel Rufus R. Dawes, Commanding Sixth Wis-
consin Veteran Volunteers :
*"Coi,ONEi, : — I have just received a communication from the
War Department authorizing me to muster out yourself and
Second I/ieutenant William Golterman of your regiment.
Very respectfully
R. MONTEITH,
Capt. and A. C. M., 4th Div., 5th A. C."
'%ieutenant Colonel R. R. Dawes, of the sixth Wisconsin
*rrom the Official Army Register of the Volunteer Force of the United
States Army, 1861—1865, I take the following :
"Mustered out on expiration of term of service : Lieutenant Colonel
Eufus R. Dawes, August 10th, 1864, (Brevet Brigadier General, March 13th,
1865.) Captain Thomas W. Plummer, July 25th, 1864. Captain Charles H.
Ford, July 29th, 1864. Captain William N. Remington, October 11th, 1864.
First Lieutenant Lloyd G. Harris, July 23rd, 1864. First Lieutenant John
Beely, July 25th, 1864. First Lieutenant William S. Campbell, October
11th, 1864. First Lieutenant Earl M. Rogers, March 10th, 1865, (Brevet
Major, March 13th., 1865.) Second Lieutenant Howard J. Huntington, July
23rd, 1864. Second Lieutenant William Golterman, August 10th, 1864.
Second Lieutenant Hiram B. Merchant, September 6th, 1864.
3o4
Veteran volunteers, whose term of service has expired, left fof
the north two days since. The Colonel enlisted as a private, and
was at once promoted Captain of the company. In 1862 he was
made Major of the regiment, and in 1863 I^ieutenant Colonel.
When Colonel Bragg was promoted to brigadier general. Colonel
Dawes received a colonel's commission, but in consequence of the
regiment being badly cut up, he could not be mustered. Having
been in all the fights of this army since it left the Peninsula in
1862, his record is one of which any of&cer might well feel proud.
During the late engagement I , saw one of our men being
brought from the field with a fractured thigh. By his side on the
stretcher was his musket and equipments. When asked why he
attempted to save his gun, and he so badly wounded, his answer
was : 'Captain is a bully little fellow, and the Ordnance De-
partment isn't going to stop his pay on account of carelessness
on my part.' "
The above is from the "Sunday Morning Chronicle," of Wash-
ington. "Cron-i-kill !" the news boys shouted as they sold the
papers in the army. The writer, as might be suspected from the
story about the wounded soldier, was our Ordnance Sergeant,
Jerome A. Watrous. His was the intricate and difScult task of
keeping track of our muskets, bayonets, shoulder belts, waist
belts and their plates, cap boxes, primers and cartridges. He
wore red chevrons and in that day they well accorded with
the ruddy glow of his fresh and boyish cheeks. But he had
enlisted in 1861, served through all and re-enlisted as a veteran.
There was yet time to show his qualities in a wider field of action.
He became Adjutant of the regiment and served as Adjutant
General of Colonel John A. Kellogg's brigade ot three thousand
five hundred men in the great campaign that ended with Appo-
mattox. He was brevetted Captain for his efficient and gallant
service.
Chapter XV.
Brom the Stand-point of a Civilian— Tbe Battle on the Weldon
Road— "Poor Murdered Tlminona! " — Letter From Captain Rem-
ington—Captain Chas. P. Hyatt Hilled— Dr. Nail 'Writes Fully
from the Sixtb—General Brag-g-j Writes of our Comrades Fallen
—My Brother Under the Surgeon's Hnile—The Sixth Re-organ-
ized— Colonel John A. Kellogg — Individual Records — The
Cheering in the 'Wilderness Explained T>y a "Johnny" — The
Story of 'William Jaokson— Captain M^arston Shot at Gfettj^sburg-
—Seventeen Years Later— To my Living Comrades— Statistics
From Colonel Fox and the Official Records.
I had returned to Washington to make my final settlement and
close my business account as a regimental commander when I
wrote this letter:
(To my wife.) Washington, D. C, Thursday Evening, )
September ist, 1864. j
"I am safely here to-night, somewhat tired" from the journey.
I am fairly heart-sick at the stories of blood I hear from the old
regiment. Captain Hutchins was killed. Full of the satisfac-
tion of his new commission, he met death in his first battle.
But the saddest of all, Timmons was killed. Poor, murdered
Timmons ! His legal right to be discharged was as clear as mine
and just the same. It seems almost certain to me that I could
never have lived through another such carnival of blood.
Only eighty men are left in the ranks for service."
Third Division Hospital, September 4th, 1864.
"Dear ColoneIvI-I received your kind letter some time
since, and I should have answered it before only that I have been
very sick since you left us. I knew that you will be surprised
to think of my being in a hospital, but it is so, and just at a time
of all others that I wanted to be with the Sixth. Captain
(Thomas) Kerr (the senior captain,) was sick at the time of the
battle, (battle of the Weldon Road, August i8th, 19th and 21st,)
and if I could have been there I would have been in command of
the regiment in one of its hardest battles. The regiment never
306
did better than under Captain (Charles P.) Hyatt. I came on to
the field just as Hyatt lost his leg, and commanded the regiment
in the rest of the fight and until I came back to hospital again.
(It will be noted that Captain Remington got up ofi' of a sick
bed in the hospital to go to the regiment when he learned that it
was in battle.) Poor Timmons is dead and out of the service.
His application for discharge came back the other day asking if
he had taken the 'veteran furlough ?' General Bragg returned it
with the' endorsement : 'This of&cer has taken his long furlough.
He was killed in the battle.'
The old division is broken up, and our brigade is in Crawford's
division, the third brigade. The second brigade was sent to the
first division. An effort is being made to have all of the troops
of the old first army corps put into one division. From what
I hear I think it will be done, but I do not know who will com-
mand it. I have a prospect of going home Monday morning on
sick leave. I remain, as ever, your friend and well wisher,
William N. Remington,
Captain Company 'K', Sixth Wisconsin."
It will be remembered that this brave man and splendid soldier
was shot in one shoulder at Gettysburg, while rushing for the
rebel flag and he was shot in the other shoulder on the loth of
May at Laurel Hill. So late as 1882 he had not received a pen-
sion, nor asked for one until 1879. He then apologized for
asking a pension on the ground that his "boys were all girls."
I was a member of the 47th Congress from Ohio. The one-legged
veteran. Captain E. M. Truell, of Wisconsin, asked me one day, as
I had been a Wisconsin soldier, if I knew Captain Bill Rem-
ington of the Sixth. Of course I did, and he then told me that
Remington needed only the affidavit of his regimental com-
mander to complete his claim. Captain Remington was in
Northern Dakota, and he -had lost track of his regimental
commander in Ohio. Truell and I made quick time for the
Losses at Weldon Road, August 18th to 21st.
Officers : killed, 2 ; wounded, H : missing, ; aggregate 5
Men " 7; " 23; " 10; " 40
Total, 45
tff?
pension office, and it did not take me long to "call up that case"
and swear it through. I soon received a letter from "Captain
Bill" and he said : "If an Angel from Heaven had appeared to
help me, I could not have been more surprised." Poor^fellow !
He did not live long to enjoy the benefits.
General Bragg has written : "You name Charley Hyatt. Cap-
tain Charles P. Hyatt was a gentleman and a soldier, with a
manner as gentle as a woman. He was an excellent officer, and
I was especially fond of him in command of a skirmish line.
The hotter the fire, the cooler he grew, until, if I were telling a
camp fire story, I would say that he 'froze the water in his can-
teen.' I made a special Aide-de-camp of him on my staff, and in
the battle on the Weldon Railroad, I placed him in command of
the Sixth in my front line. He fought the regiment splendidly.
The next day we were attacked in strong force in our works and the
assaulting party came so close that they could not get back, and
they threw up their hands. The firing ceased and I detailed
Captain Hyatt to take the sword of the commanding officer. He
did so, and while returning, a stray shot came flying across, and
it tore off Hyatt's leg. He sufiered an amputation and was sent
to Alexandria, from where he wrote me a cheerful letter. He
was moved again to Philadelphia, — gangrene set in, and glorious'
man that he was, he died a soldier's death."
Hbadqdaeters Sixth Wisconsin Veteran Volunteers, )
On WELr 3N R. R. near Petersburg, Sep't. loth, 1864. J
"Dear Cclonel: — Your favor reached me in due time, and would
have been answered before this had it not been for my ill-health.
I got quite sick soon after you left, and was obliged to go to
division hospital and stay there some three weeks. I returned
to the regiment two days ago, and think I shall be able to remain
with it. * * * Of course you have heard all, and more than
all about the fights he:e, on the i8th, 19th and 21st of August
by our corps, resulting in our getting and holding a piece of the
Weldon R. R. The i8th and 21st, we gave the 'Johnnies' all
they wanted, did a good thing. On the 19th, we got the worst of
it rather. For our regiment particularly, it was a bad day.
Captain Hutchins and Adjutant Cuyler Babcock were killed, and
Lieutenant John Timmons, whose application to the Secretary of
War to be mustered out was still pending, was mustered out of
the service forever by a minie bullet. This seems hard, for he
would have succeeded with his application. I,ieutenant Mer-
chant was mustered out by order of Secretary Stanton three days
ago, after risking his own life in four battles, after his term of
service had expired. But the most unjust and meanest thing the
Government could do, it did. It was ordered that his muster
out should date from July \'^th, thus robbing him of six weeks
pay for perilous service, he was compelled to perform. This may
be just and right, and it may be the proper way to increase
the patriotism of officers, but the obliquity of my moral percep-
tions is such that I cannot see it.
I congratulate you on getting out when you did, and your wife
and friends also. I often think it was almost Providential.
These last battles might have proved that you too are mortal.
And then, — but why speak of distress so fortunately perhaps
avoided? I trust you will have all manner of happiness and
success in business at home, and long outlive the present disas-
trous years of the Republic.
You desire to have yours and General Bragg's reports of the
last engagements you were in. I will try to get copies and for-
ward them to you.
You remind me of my promise to write the history of the
regiment from last October, and request me not to neglect it. I
have been in no condition to write it yet, and until a few days
ago, it has been difficult to get access to the books and papers
from which to obtain the proper data. But our teams are with
.the regiment now, and I have no excuse to neglect the matter
longer. I advise you not to put too much trust in my executing
this labor of love even.
Grant seems to be giving a look of permanency to our occupa-
tion of this line. He has nearly completed a railroad from City
Point to the Yellow Tavern, Warren's headquarters, and the
extreme left of our line on the Weldon Road. It was close by
this tavern that we lost in the three battles I have mentioned,
three officers and thirty-seven men, most of the casualties occur-
ing on the 19th, and reducing our regiment to less than one
hundred men all told, for duty. But this is aside from my
309
present subject. Our line of works makes a loop around the
tavern, and back upon itself for six or eight miles. This, of
course, is to protect our rear and the new railroad. A depot for
storing supplies is to be built near the camp of our brigade, and
we shall soon present a business and town-like appearance. We
have our baggage, and wall tents. The new Doctor and myself
are getting domiciled in one of the latter. We have a tolerably
dry camping ground, but we are surrounded by marshes of
indefinite extent, and the malarial poison begins to tell on our
men. But the Sixth is as good at fighting fevers as fighting
'Rebs,' so we are hopeful.
Well, Colonel, how does the war look to you from the stand-
point of civil and domestic life ? Have you joined the grumblers
who severely ask, 'Why does not the Army of the Potomac move?'
I think not. Have the recent successes south and west increased
your confidence in our final triumph? Perhapsjiit was owing to
my illness, but to tell you the truth, I have been for the last two
months, a good deal discouraged ; have almost despaired of the
Republic. But I feel a little better about matters now.
What about the political aspect? The presidential question
seems to be reduced to a choice between 'Old Abe' and 'Little
Mac' On one side js war, and stubborn, patient effort to restore
the Union, and National honor; on the other side is inglorious
peace and shame, the old truckling subserviency to Southern
domination, and a base alacrity in embracing some vague, decep-
tive political subterfuge, instead of honorable and clearly defined
principles. Truly yours,
John C. Hai,i.."
It will be noticed that all were sick. The exhaustion, mental,
as well as physical, of the long and terrible campaign which had
lasted from May 5th until August 22nd, without cessation, did
much to aid the marshes in producing this result.
General Bragg has written : "John Timmons, of company 'G',
Second Lieutenant, was another noble fellow. He was an Irish-
man, quiet, but full of humor and brim full of pluck. When J.
L- Converse was killed in the Wilderness, he refused promotion
and announced his purpose to muster out at the end of his en-
310
listment. When we received orders to move to fight the battle
of the Weldon Railroad, John's time was out and he was waiting
the arrival of a muster out of&cer. I urged him to remain in
camp, knowing all the circumstances of his intended marriage.
But when the regiment moved he went with us, and in the battle
of the second day he was shot and instantly killed.
Little Hutchins, (Captain William Hutchins,) originally
fourth Corporal of company 'B,' reached the Captaincy of his
company and wore his rank for the first time in that battle and
was shot at the time Timmons fell.
Babcock, of company 'C,' (Sergeant Major,) was shot, while
lying in the trenches at the Weldon Railroad, by a ball that struck
the limb of a tree overhead and deflected, striking him on the top
of the head, producing instant death. He had his commission as
I/ieutenant and Adjutant in his pocket, but went to the grand
encampment beyond the river, for muster.
You must not think I am proposing to write your book, but I
send you these incidents and sketches for you to reject or mould,
as you choose, into your narrative.
Upon the principle that I remember to have seen on a pamph-
let of Indian stories in old Brandt's time in the Susquehanna
valley
'Gather up the fragmente— let nothing be lost,
To show the next ages what liberty cost.'
Sincerely your friend,
Edward S. Bragg."
Upon his return from rebel prison. Captain Kellogg found his
promotion awaiting him, and he has written : "I proceeded at
once to my home in Wisconsin and made a short visit there. I
went from thence to Madison and obtained an order assigning
enough drafted men to fill the regiment to the maximum and
proceeded with them to the regiment in the field. It was then
lying on the Jerusalem plank road, near City Point. Here I
found many changes. The regiment was commanded by Major
Thomas Kerr, who was a Lieutenant when I left.* Nearly every
oflScer on duty when I left the regiment the previous May was
*An error; he was appointed Captain in ISSii,
^0£?A" _1, JTEI-l-OGfG?,
811
either promoted, killed or mustered out.
The following February, 1865, General Bragg having been
ordered to Washington, with a portion of his command, the
balance was re-organized by adding to the sixth and seventh
Wisconsin and the independent battalion of the 2nd Wisconsin,
the ninety-first New York heavy artillery, commanded by Colonel
Tarbell, the brigade numbering about three thousand five
hundred men. I was assigned to its command and had the sat-
isfaction of participating in the last campaign, and of witnessing
the final ending of the war of rebellion at Appomattox on the
ninth of April, 1865. Among the troops who laid down their
arms at this surrender was the 13th Georgia, the same regiment
that had captured me on the eighth day of May 1864."
On the nineteenth of October, 1864, Major Kellogg was pro-
moted to I/ieutenant Colonel, and on December tenth to Colonel
and Major Kerr was on the same date appointed lyieutenant
Colonel. The veterans and 'recruits of the second Wisconsin
were consolidated with the Sixth on November twenty-second,
1864, and Captain Dennis B. Daily, of the old second, was ap-
pointed Major of the Sixth, as re-organized. Colonel Kellogg
brought about four hundred and fifty drafted men to fill the
ranks of the regiment, as he states, "to the maximum." For the
history of the service of the regiment under Colonel Kellogg I
have no data beyond the ofiicial records, and these have not yet
been fully published.
One more duty yet remained before I was done with my
service in the war. It was to be with my brother while he passed
through the ordeal of the surgical operation. This was performed
in a building at Fairmount, near Cincinnati.Ohio, which was then
used as an officers' hospital. Dr. George C. Blackman, one of
the most skillful surgeons in the country at that time, performed
the operation. My aunt, Miss Julia P. Cutler, wrote to our sister
in Persia, giving my own contemporary description of the opera-
tion.
Marietta, Ohio, September 24th, 1864.
"My Dear Jane: — Just before bed time Rufus and Mary
came in, he having come up from Cincinnati to-day. Dr. Black-
man performed the operation at the officers' hospital, Rufus
312
remained with him through the whole, and helped hold his hands
while it was done. He was an hour and a half under the sur-
geon's knife and not under the influence of chloroform. During
the four months which intervened since the wound was received,
the jagged flesh had been put together and a sort of chin formed,
so we hoped that the operation would not be an extensive one,
but in this we were disappointed. The flesh was all cut loose,
then a gash cut through the cheeks on both sides to the angle of
the jaw; slits were then cut parallel with them, in the same direc-
tion, so as to get a loose strip of flesh an inch wide, which was
only attached to the face at the angle of the jaw. These strips
were pulled and stretched so as to meet over an artificial under
jaw and teeth, to form an under lip. The tightening and stretch-
ing of these strips caused the upper lip to be pushed out of
place and protrude, so a gore had to be cut out on each side and
sewed up. Then the flesh which had been loosened from the
chin was put back and trimmed so 'as to fit in with the new under
lip. He lay upon the table unbound, Rufus holding his left hand.
His Sself possession was remarkable, obeying every direction of
the operator, turning his head as directed, until the agony and
the loss of blood exhausted him, and only a shiver ran through
his frame. After it was over and stimulants administered he rose
and walked upstairs to his room. Dr. Blackman considers the
operation a great success. He invited a number of physicians to
be present. One of them told Rufus that a man who could,
endure what Major Dawes had that day would bear burning at
the stake."
It is a pathetic memory to me that when my brother had been
told that the operation was over. Dr. Blackman, looking at his
work, said : "Major, I must finish up with two more stitches."
The Major, to whom there was left no voice, raised up one finger
to plead for only one. I cried: "Dr. Blackman, don't touch
him," and he then raised up both fingers and the two stitches
were taken. During the operation he came near strangling with
the blood in his mouth, and in a spasmodic effort to get his
breath, threw out the false teeth and jaw, which were not re-
placed. It is perhaps well that they were not, but this made nee-
313
essary a month later a second operation of comparatively limited
extent. To the casual observer no trace appears under the full
beard now worn by- Colonel Dawes, but a glance will show the
marks of the "gores" cut in his upper lip. Captain Wm. Wilson,
now of Cleveland, Ohio, and Captain W. R. Thomas alternated
with me in holding my brother's hand.
Here are a few exceptional records to which "without invidious
discrimination," as the official reports say, I may call attention.
Edward A. Whaley, of company "C," enlisted April 30th, 1861,
and he re-enlisted as a veteran volunteer. He was promoted to
Corporal, First Sergeant, Captain and Major by brevet. He was
wounded at South Mountain, at Petersburg and at Five Forks.
His right leg was amputated. It may be said that there is a good
deal left of Major Whaley, who still lives, a much respected and
honored citizen, and as modest as he was unapproachably faith-
ful, brave and true.
James Whitty, of company "A," was wounded at Gainesville,
at South Mountain, at Fitz Hugh's Crossing and at the Wilder-
ness. His left leg has been amputated.
Sergeant Allison Fowler, of company "A," a re-enlisted vet-
eran, was wounded at South Mountain, at Gettysburg, at the
Weldon Road and killed at Hatcher's Run, February 6th, 1865.
Frank Hare, of company "B," a re-enlisted veteran, was
severely wounded at Antietam, was wounded and a prisoner at
the battle of the Wilderness. His leg was amputated by a Con-
federate surgeon.
Peter Adrian, of company "C," was a recruit, who came to us
February iSth, 1864. He developed a 'remarkable capacity for
stopping bullets. He was wounded at Spottsylvania, at the
Weldon Road, and at Five Forks, He was mustered out with
the regiment.
First Sergeant Jacob Lemans, of company "C," was wounded
at Gettysburg, at Petersburg and at Five Forks.
Lieutenant George D. Eggleston, of company "E," was
wounded at Antietam, at Gettysburg and at Spottsylvania.
Sergeant Leo Gotsch, of company "F," was wounded at An-
tietam, at Petersburg and at Hatcher's Run.
314
Henry Steinmetz, of company "F," was wounded at Antietam,
at Gettysburg and at the Wilderness.
Nathan Burchell, of company "I," was wounded at Antietam,
at Ivaurel Hill and at Five Forks.
William J. Revels, of company "K," was wounded at South
Mountain, at Gettysburg and killed at the Weldon Road.
Sergeant James P. Sullivan, of company "K," was wounded at
South Mountain and discharged as disabled. He re-enlisted in
the regiment and was again badly wounded at Gettysburg.
Nothing discouraged, he re-enlisted again as a veteran at the end
of his second term.
Corporal Dugald Spear, of company "D," was wounded at
Antietam, at Gettysburg and killed at the Weldon Road.
On page 263, in the account of the battle of the Wilderness I
say : "On the afternoon of May seventh the soldiers in the line
of the rebel army in our front began a loud cheering, which con-
tinued to run along their lines for nearly half an hour. Its signifi-
cance I have never learned." Since this was printed I have found
in the 'History of Gregg's Brigade of South Carolinians,' pub-
lished by J. F. J. Caldwell, an o£Bcer of the first regiment of South
Carolina Volunteers, a full history of the affair. I quote from
this author: "While we were closing up here a pace at a time,
the grandest vocal exhibition took place that I have heard. Far
up on the right of the Confederate line, a shout was rai?ed.
Gradually it was taken up and passed down until it reached us.
We lifted it as our turn came and handed it to the left, where it
went echoing to the remotest corner of Ewell's corps. This was
done once with powerful effect. * * * Again the shout arose
on the right, again it rushed down upon us for a distance of per-
haps two miles. Again we caught and flung it joyfully to the
left, where it only ceased when the last post had huzzahed. And
yet a third time this mighty wave of sound ran along the Con-
federate lines. The effect was beyond expression."
William Jackson came home with me as he desired. First I
found employment for him as a waiter in a hotel and next in the
service of a railroad company. He needed no more help. His
sterling qualities won success. For twelve years he served as a
station baggage master in odr city. He then started in business
315
for himself, and April 7th, 1886, he died of consumption. Se
had accumulated a handsome property and with his brother
owned a fine home, a store building and other property. Few
young men do better, who enjoy the best advantages. Kvery
dollar of his first two year's earnings he saved to get his mother.
His brother was then a boot-black in the St. Charles hotel in
Washington. The proprietor of that hotel took a kindly interest
with me, and William's brother, Moses Jackson, a brave and
true man, was sent to Spottsylvania County, Virginia, to find
their mother. He was successful in the search. He found her
in 1866 still held as a slave by a brute named Richardson. Moses
brought his revolver to bear on Richardson, and he was obliged
to push and drive before him his mother and a sister, while he
held at bay this Richardson. Night and day Moses pushed them
through on the march to Washington, and the proprietor of the
St. Charles hotel sent me a telegram announcing the safe arrival
of the party. I sent a card to be pinned on the woman's dress,
giving her destination and the route. The neat, gentlemanly
station baggage agent, who then always wore the army blue,
awaited with a swelling heart the arrival of the train. Only by
this card could he recognize his mother. She had been whipped
and choked, so that her power of speech was almost gone, owing
to injury of the throat and palate. The daughter was an idiot,
rendered so by blows upon her head. Poor William! he could
not bear to take this bitterness to my wife, with whom he had so
often talked and planned in joyous anticipation of this event, but
he went to my mother, and saying : "Mrs. Dawes, see what
slavery has done! " he broke down in an agony of grief and dis-
appointment. Bravely he took up the burden. The sister soon
died. Mrs. Jackson was an unusually bright woman and before
the war, as her associations had been with a good family, she was
all her son imagined her. She outlived both of her faithful sons,
and she lived in the enjoyment of comfort and even luxury.
The gratitude of Mrs. Jackson was amusing as well as touching.
She put Abraham I^incoln as the first man and myself as the
second. She could not speak to me on the subject, because her
partly paralyzed tongue would not act, owing to her excitement,
so she put on her best one day and came to tell my wife her tale
316 ,
of overflowing thankfulness, but she could not speak a word only
"William will done write it."
An examination of the Adjutant General's Report of Wiscon-
sin, a most complete and admirable work, shows that I have done
injustice to the marksmanship of the rebels in the railroad cut at
Gettysburg. They did hit Captain Marston. He was not
knocked out, but kept the field as I remember.
Aftbr Seventeen Years.
House op Representativk'?, Washington, D. C, )
December iSth, 1881. )
"My dear wife: — I have to-day worshipped at the shrine of
the dead. I went over to the Arlington Cemetery. It was a
beautiful morning and the familiar scenes so strongly impresssed
upon me during my young manhood, were pleasant. Many times
I went over that road, admiring the beautiful city and great white
capitol, with its then unfinished dome, going to hear the great
men of that day in Congress. An ambitious imagination then
builded castles of the time when I might take my place there.
Now at middle age, with enthusiasm sobered by hard fights and
hard facts, I ride, not run with elastic step over the same road,
with this ambition at least realized, and warmth enough left in
my heart to enjoy it. My friends and comrades, poor fellows,
who followed my enthusiastic leadership in those days, and fol-
lowed it to the death which I by a merciful Providence escaped,
lie here, twenty-four of them, on the very spot where our winter
camp of 1861 — 1862, was located. I found every grave and stood
beside it with uncovered head. I looked over nearly the full
16,000 head-boards to find the twenty-four, but they all died alike
and I was determined to find all. Poor little Fenton who put
his head above the works at Cold Harbor and got a bullet
through his temples, and lived three days with his brains out,
came to me in memory as fresh as one of my own boys of to-day,
and I^evi Pearson, one of the three brothers of company 'A,'
who died for their country in the sixth regiment, and Richard Gray,
Paul Mulleter, Dennis Kelly, Christ Bundy, all young men, who
fell at my side and under my command. For what they
died, I fight a little longer. Over their graves I get inspiration
317
to stand for all they won in establishing our government upon
freedom, equality, justice, liberty and protection to the humblest."
To my living comrades this book will be my greeting and
farewell, for we can never again rally on our color. If I have
brought back to you, by the printing of my contemporary papers,
something of your own feelings and experiences in those days of
glory, which you had lost, and if I have said aught to fan to life
the yet smouldering spark of fiery zeal for the honor and glory
of the "Old Sixth" regiment, I am content. It is a matter of
sincere regret that many noble deeds and some brave men are
overlooked. But remember I was not then a historian. I was
then only writing to my family, friends and M. B. G., (my best
girl), who were personally strangers to you all. I wonder that
so much was saved. Enough is recorded, here and elsewhere, to
show the generations yet to come that our band was of the finest
quality of heroic mettle, and "equal," as General McClellan wrote,
"to the best troops in any army of the world."
The shadows of age are rapidly stealing upon us. Our burdens
are like the loaded knapsack on the evening of a long and weary
march, growing heavier at every pace. The severing of the
links to a heroic and noble young manhood, when ^generous
courage was spurred by ambitious hope, goes on, but you have
lived to see spring up as the result of your suffering, toil and
victory the most powerful nation of history and the most benefi-
cent government ever established. While you are in the sear and
yellow leaf your country is in the spring-time of the new life your
victory gave it. This is your abundant and sufficient reward. It
now only remains for me to lay aside my pen, as I did my sword,
and again take up my business.
The following statements are taken from the valuable publica-
tion of Colonel W. F. Fox, entitled "Regimental I^osses in the
Civil War."
"The regiment left Wisconsin July 28, 1861, proceeding to
Washington, where it was assigned to the brigade which was
destined to fill such a glorious place in the annals of the war.
The Sixth had the advantage of a year's drill and discipline be-
fore it was called upon to face the enemy in a general engage-
ment, its first battle occurring at Manassas — ^August 28th and 30th
318
— where it lost 17 killed, 91 wounded, and 11 missing. The
regiment lost at South Mountain, 11 killed, 79 wounded and 2
missing; and .at Antietam, three days after, 26 killed, and 126
wounded. Under command of Colonel Dawes, it won merited
distinction at Gettysburg in the battle of the first day ; all his-
tories of that field mention the manoeuver — and the part taken
in it by the Sixth — by wnich a part of a Confederate brigade was
captured in the railroad cut. The casualties at Gettysburg were
30 killed, 116 wounded, and 22 missing. Upon the re-organiza-
tion of the army in March, 1864, Wadsworth's division was trans-
ferred to the fifth corps, and with it the Iron Brigade, under
General Cutler. The regiment lost at the battle of the Wilderness
8 killed, 40 wounded, and 15 missing; at Spottsylvania, 10 killed,
69 wounded and 5 missing; at Hatcher's Run (Dabney's Mills),
13 killed, 81 wounded, and 7 missing ; at Gravelly Run, 5 killed,
34 wounded, and 32 missing. Major Philip W. Plummer was
killed at the Wilderness."
In his investigation of comparative losses in battles. Colonel
Fox has included about two thousand regiments which were
more or less engaged with the enemy. Ih the number of men
killed in battle, the sixth Wisconsin regime at is tenth upon the
list. Only nine regiments engaged in the war suffered a greater
loss in killed. The second Wisconsin, according to Colonel Fox,
suffered the greatest loss in killed in proportion to the whole
number upon its rolls of any regiment in the Union army during
the war. Col. Fox says : "The 'Iron Brigade' suffered a greater
proportionate loss in battle than any other brigade in the Army
of the Union."
319
SIXTH WISCONSIN INFANTEY.
Iron Bbigadk — Wadswoeth's Division — First Ooeps.
(1) CoLONBL Lysander Cdtlke, Bebvet Major Genbeal.
(2) Colonel Edward S. Bragg, Brigadier General.
(3) Colonel Eufus E. Dawes, Brevet Brigadier General.
(4) Colonel John A. Kellogg, " '• "
Companies.
Killed and. Died of
Wounds.
Officers Men. | Total.
Field and Staff
2
1
2
1
1
2
3
2
2
28
25
14
28
15
17
23
19
37
22
2
Company 'A'
29
27
", '0
i^
" 'D'
29
" 'E'
17
" 'F'
20
" 'G'
25
" 'H'
19
" 'I' .:
37
" 'K'
24
Totals
16
228
244
224 killed — 12.5 per cent, of total enrollment.
Of the 1,058 men originally enrolled, 170 were killed — 16 9 per cent.
Total of killed and wounded, 867; missing and captured, 112; died in
t Confederate prisons, 20.
Battles. K. & M. W.
Gainesville, Va.,Aug. 28, '62 14
Manassas, Va., Aug. 30, '62 11
South Mountain, Md 16
Antietam, Md 40
Fitz Hugh's Crossing, Va 5
Gettysburg, Pa ; 41
Wilderness, Va, May 4-6, '64 15
Spottsylvania, Va., May 8th 3
Spottsylvania, Va., May 10th 12
Spottsylvania, Va., May 12th 3
Spottsylvania, Va., May 13th 6
Battles. K. & M. W.
North Anna, Va 3
Bethesda Church, Va 2
Petersburg, Va. June 18th 10
Petersburg Trenches, Va '.. 5
Weldon Railroad, Va :....i2
Dabney's Mills, Va,, Feb. 6, '65. ..24
Gravellv Eun, Va 9
Five FoVks, Va 7
Picket Line,- Va, Aug. 31, '62 1
Prison guard, Salisbury, N. C... 1
Detail, Artillery Service 4
List of battles according to the United States Army Register: Cedar
Mountain, Eappahannock, Gainesville, Groveton and Bull Eun, South
Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksbu-g, Fitz Hugh's Crossing, Chancellors-
ville, Gettysbu?:g, Haymarliet, Mine Eun, Wilderness, Spottsylvania,
North Anna, Tolopotomy, Eethesda Church, Cold Harbor, Petersburg,
Weldon Eailroad, Hatcher'. Eun, Oct. 27, 1864, Hatcher's Eun, Feb. 6-7,
1865, Gravely Run, Five Forks.
INDEX
Of persons, places and organizations mentioned. (Con.) indicates Confed-
erate, (n) reference to notes. Numbers indicate pages.
A.
Acquia Creek, 106
Acquia Creek Railroad, 42, 116
Adams, Private, 106
Adrian, Peter, 313
Alabama, 13th Reg. (Con.) 85
Aldie Gap, 154
Alexandria, 36, 37
Allen, W. W. 13n
Anderson, Major, 115
Anderson, Miss, 16
Anderson, Private, 168
Andrews, Dr. A. D , 107, 115, 129
Andrews, Mrs. ]E. B., 10
Angle, The Bloody, 94, 255n, 267,
268, 269
Antietam, Battle of, 53, 88—97, 100,
102, 107, 128,' 183, 187, 205, 214,
240, 313, 314, 318
Babcock, Serg. Maj. Cuyler, 291, 292,
300, 307, 310
Bachelle, Captain Werner Von, 13,
93, 98, 99
Bachman, Lieut. Col. A. F., 92
Bailey's Cross Roads, Review at, 28,
30-
Bakersville, Md., 101, 102, 103
Balfour, Captain, 8
Baltimore, 16, 17, 19, 145
Baltimore Turnpike, 179
Ball, Edward, 36
Balls' Cross Roads, 34
Banks, General, 45, 55
"Banta," 110
Barcus, Thomas, 94
Barnesville, 156
Bartlett, Dr. O. F., 13, 101, 102
Bates, Colonel, 190, 265
Battery B, 4th U. S. Artillery, 43,
60, 66, 73, 81, 91, 95, 173, 175
Battery, Carpenter's, (Con.), 65
Batterv, Gerrish's, 53n
Battery, Hall's, 165, 166, 170
B.
Antietam Creek, 86, 87, 153
Antietam Turnpike, 95
Appomattox, 304, 311
Arlington Cemetery, 316
Arlington Heights, 25, 29, 30, 32, 36
Arlington House, 33, 35, 36
Army, Lee's, (Con.) 109n, 171, 175,
198, 244, 263
Army of the Potomac, 24, 30, 36, 37,
58n, 69, 76, 78, 79, 100, 104, 105,
109n, 118, 119, 123, 124, 125, 126,
127, 128, 132, 145, 149, 153, 160,
185, 186, 201, 250, 263, 278, 301
Army, Sherman's, 281
Army of Virginia, (Pope's), 69, 78
Archer, General, (Con.), i66n
Arnold, J. Middleton, 237
Atwood, Lieut. Col. J. P., 13n, 24
Battery, Huntington's Ist Ohio, 197
Battery, Captain Mink's, 276
Battery, Pogue's, (Con.), 65
Battery, Simmon's Ohio, 80, 85
Batterv, Wooding's, (Con.), 65
Battle' Hymn of the Republic, 29n
Beauregard, General, 23
Bealton Station, 152
Beech, Surgeon J. H., 272
Beely, Lieut. John, 170n, 171n, 172n,
276, 303n
Belle Plaine, 95, 115, 116, 117, 118,
119, 123, 129, 130, 132, 135, 228,
254, 256
Benson, Wesley, 287, 288, 289
Bentley, Captain E., 226n
Berdan's Sharpshooters, 266, 276
Berlin, 188
Bethesda Church, Battle of, 279, 280,
294
Beverly Ford, 193, 195, 222, 223
Bickelhaupt, William, 72
Bickerdyke, Mrs., 287
Biddle Colonel, 173n
322
Bird, George W., 9
Birdsall, Samuel, 27
Blackman, Dr. George U., 311, 312
Blair, Major J. A., (Con.), 158n, 160,
161, 169, 183
Blenker, General, 27
Bode, Lieutenant, 89, 98
Boonesboro, 86, 185
Bowling Green Eoad, 53, 111, 112,
149
Bradford, Hill, 205
Bragg, General Edward S., 13, 15,
20, 25, 32, 39, 49, 54, 57, 61, 62, 63,
67n, 71, 72, 75, 76, 77, 78n, 82, 83,
84, 85n, 89, 93, 96, 98, 99, 103, 105,
106, 108, 110, 114, 115, 129, 130,
131, 132, 135, 136. 137, 138, 139,
146, 147, 149, 185, 189, 193, 201,
202, 204, 214, 216, 221, 222, 227,
232, 237, 240, 241, 243, 244, 246,
249, 251, 253, 255, 257, 259, 260,
261, 263, 266, 267, 272, 279, 283,
284, 285, 291, 293, 297, 304, 306,
307, 309, 310, 311
Bragg, General, (Con.), 210
Brandy Station, 194, 212, 222
Brent, Dr. G. P., 286n
Brentsville, 217, 291
Bridgeport, Alabama, 233
Brigade, Archer's, (Con), 165, 171
Brigade, Augur's, 35, 40
Brigade, Baker's, 28
Brigade, Baylor's, (Con.), 65, 66
Brigade, Cutler's, 165, 166, 167, 171,
172, 174
Brigade, J. K. Davis', (Con.), 165,
171
Brigade, Doubleday's, 59, 66, 67
Brigade, Early's, (Con.), 65, 66
Brigade, Gibbon's, 40, 43, 45, 51, 53,
56, 57, 59, 60, 65, 70, 78, 79, 80, 85,
87, 92, 104, 105, 109, 146, 225
Brigade, Gregg's, (Con.), 314
Brigade, Hatch's, 59
Brigade, Hood's Texas, (Con.), 91n,
95
Brigade, Iron, 25n, 45, 53, 96, 109n,
110, 112, 131, 139n, 153, 164, 165,
166n, 171, 174, 175, 179, 191, 197,
201, 202, 203, 205, 206n, 214. 219n,
227, 231, 232, 247, 253, 259, 261,
264, 266, 267, 269, 272, 274, 275,
276, 277, 290, 291, 306, 309, 318
Brigade, Junior Bucktails, 174, 175,
257, 263; 266, 267
Brigade, King's, 35
Brigade, Law^s, (Con.), 91n, 95
Brigade, Lawton's, (Con.) 65, 66
Brigade, Lightburn's, (15th Corps),
281
Brigade, Patrick's, 57, 59, 66, 68, 70
Brigade, Starke's, (Con.), 65, 66
Brigade, Second, (4th Div.), 276
Brigade, Taliaferro's, (Con.), 59, 65,
66
Brigade, Trimble's, (Con.), 65, 66
Brigade, Wadsworth's, 35
BriggB, General H. S., 190, 193, 198,
200, 201
Bristoe Station, 37, 39, 213, 217, 218
Broad Run, 154, 155, 214
Brockenbrough, Mrs., 121
Brock Road, 263
Brooklyn, 14th Regiment, 38, 60, 90,
102, 136, 161, 163, 165'. 167, 173,
182, 216, 223, 246
Brooks, Adjutant E. P., 54n, 58n, 61,
84, 148, 152n, 169, 170, 180n, 207,
220, 242, 247, 276, 294, 295n, 300
Brooks Station, 107
Brough, Governor, 243
Brown, Captain E. A., 13, 31, 32, 35,
49, 57, 88, 98. 99n
Brown, Ralph, 32
Buckland's Mills, 59, 214n, 215
Buford, General, 164, 194n, 212
Bull Run, 59, 69, 75, 149, 151, 214,
216
Bull Run, Second Battle of, 53, -70—
75, 187, 213, 318
Bull, Norman S., 251n
Bundy, Christ., 317
Burcbell, Nathan, 314
Burns, John, 164
Burnside, General, 94, 105, 107, 108,
114, 115, 116, 118, 243
Butler, General, 278
Cake, Dr. W. M., 286n
Callis, Lieut. Colonel John B., 78n,
81, 85n, 96n, 159n
Camp Atwood, 18
Camp Cutler, 16
Camp Lyon, 24
Camp Randall, 11, 15
Campbell, Lieutenant, Wm. S., 170n,
303n
Carl's Bridge, 54
Carroll, Colonel S. S., 266
Carter, Lieutenant Colonel B. F.,
323
(Con.), 96n
Cashtown Turnpike, 167, 174
Catlett's Station, 39, 45, 46, 218
Cedar Mountain, 55, 56, 204
Cemetery Hill, (Gettysburg), 176,
177, 178, 179, 180, 181
Centreville, 36, 38, 58, 59, 75, 15],
211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 217, 232
Chain Bridge, 22, 23, 24, 25.n
Chamberlain, George E., 46n
Chancellorsville, Battle of, 137—139,
187, 226
Chandler, Captain, 32
Ohantilly,, Battle of, 75
Chapman, Surgeon C. B., 13n
Chapman, Lieutenant O. D., 168,
170n, 180n
Charleston, (S. C), 296
Chase, Salmon P., 270, 271
Chattanooga, 208, 209, 289
Chickahominy, 284, 285, 290
('hickamauga, 208
Christian Commission, 241, 256, 294
City Point, 308, 310
Clark, Eev. L. F., 240, 241
Clark's Mountain, 211
Clary C. H., 251n
Cobb, Amasa, 21, 24
Cochran, Eev. Warren, 245, 283, 285,
298
Coffin, C. C, 258n
Cold Harbor, Battle of, 94, 187, 279,
280, 280-284, 285, 294
Colquitt, Col. A. H., (Con.) 85
Columbia College, 19
Colwell, Capt. Wilson, 81
Company A, (6th Wis.), 12, 18, 83,
103, 170n, 264, 283, 292, 313
Company B, 13, 18, 27, 57, 81, 103,
161, 170n, 180n, 251, 310, 313
Company C, 13, 23, 26, 63, 92, 103,
106, 110, 152n, 155, 168, 170n, 251,
265, 277, 310, 313
Company D, 26, 94, 103, 168, 170n,
283, 314
Company E, 12, 15, 17, 20, 25, 26, 39,
57, 63n, 88, 103, 122, 168, 170n,
264, 313
Company F, 13, 72, 89, 93, 103, 170,
180n, 265, 313, 314
Company G, 26, 103, 170n, 261, 296,
297, 301, 302, 309
Company H, 13, 103, 161, 168, 170n,
228 267
Company I, 23, 26, 56 72, 84, 88, 94,
103, 112, 113, 155, 161, 168, 170n,
180n, 259, 261, 297n, 314
Company K, 12, 15, 16, 19, 20, 25,
26, 31, 32, 36, 39, 45, 71, 81,. 103
170n, 203, 264, 266, 272, .306, 314
Gone Riyer, 120
Converse, Lieutenant .Tames L." 26,
170n, 253, 261, 296
Converse, Captain Eollin P., 81, 93,.
98, 170, 180n, 251, 253, 259, 260
Cooper, John, 134n
Corps, 1st Army, 78, 87, 116, 131,
139, 145, 146, 158, 162, 164, 172n
175n, 176, 219, 220, 222, 225, 226,
230, 239, 240, 306
Corps, 2nd Army, 203, 204, 213, 219,
227, 230, 258, 261, 262
Corps, 3rd Army, 182, 219, 222
Corps, 5th Army, 138, 239, 240, 250,
256, 258, 259, 261, 263, 269, 275,
278n, 291, 299, 318
Corps, 6th Army, 147, 149, 222, 267
Corps, 8th Army, 145
Corps, 9th Army, 243, 247, 256
Corps, 11th Army, 137, 172n, 176,
179, 210
Corps, 12th Army, 181, 182, 208, 210
Corps, 15th Army, 281
Corps, Ewell's, (Con.) 174, 176, 213,
227, 314
Corps, Fitz John Porter's, 69
Corps, Hill's, (Con.), 174, 261, 275
Corps, Longstreet's, (Con.), 73, 274
Corps, McDowell's, 37n, 45, 46n, 78
Corps, Sherman's 233
Corps, Stonewall Jackson's, (Con.),
55, 58, 70, 95
Couch, General, 138
Covington, Lieutenant George B.,
288
Crane, Surgeon C. H., 271
Crane, Lieut. John, 8, 13, 25n, 26
Cresson, 16
Crounse, L. L., 94
Cub Eun, 75
Culpepper, 191 194n, 203, 205, 206, 207,
208, 211, 212, 214, 234, 235, 236, 238,
240. 241, 242, 243, 245, 247, .249
Gulps' Hill, (Gettysburg), 160, 171,
179, 180, 182, 204
Cutler, General Lysander, 12, 13, 18,
20, 26, 27, 31, 32, 34, 35, 37, 43, 49,
50, 53, 54, 55n, 58, 60, 61, 62, 77,
98, 101, 104, 105, 109, 112, 113, 119,
129, 130, 171n, 183n, 189, 194, 198,
200, 202, 208, 216, 219n, 220n, 221,
222, 223, 224n, 234, 238, 240, 257,
262n, 263n, 267n, 274, 276, 284, 291,
294, 298, 300, 318
324
Cutler, W. P. Hon., 7n, 34, 36, 107, 114, 115, 118, 119, 123, 191, 250
D.
Daily, Major, D. B,, 121, 311
Dallas, Georgia, Battle of, 281n, 286
Davies, Major H. W., 54, 55ii
Davies, Colonel J. Mansfield, 54
Davis, General Joseph R., (Con.),
170, 183n
Davis, Colonel P. S., 218n
tawes. Colonel E. C, 8, 31n, 40, 105,
154, 196, 233, 244, 263, 281, 285,
286, 287, 288, 289, 311, 312, 313
Dawes, Henry, 270, 271
Dawes, Hon. H. L., 34
Dawes, General E. E., 8, 10, 11, 13n,
49, 54, 55n, 114, 115, 124n, 129, 140,
152n, 159n, 161, 173n, 180n, 181,
182, 183n, 196, 202, 218n, 226n, 250,
251, 252, 253, 256, 259, 270, 271,
272, 273, 299, 300, 303, 304, 311
Dawes, Captain Wm. J., 239
DeepEun, 151, 152
Dempsey, M., 256
Dill, Colonel D. J., 13, 49, 236
Division, Crawford's, 306
Division, Doubleday's, 87
Division, Ewell's, (Con.), 59, 65, 66
Division, 4tli, (5th Corps), 240, 248,
250, 257, 259, 260, 261 262, 274, 284,
306
Division, Franklin's, (Grand), 37,
107-, 109, 110
Division, Gibbon's, 110
Division, Griffin's, 275, 276
Division, Hatch's, 78, 80
Division, Gen. Edward Johnson's,
(Con.), 255n
Division, Kearney's, 58n
Division,. King's, 37, 46n, 51, 55, 56,
59, 70
Division, McDowell's, 25, 28, 33, 35n
Division, McCall's, 37
Division, Meade's, 110
Division, Pennsylvania Eeserves, 87,
"■ 266. 279, 280
Division, 2nd, (5th Corps), 264
Division, 2nd, (15th Corps), 281
Division, Shield's, 45
Division, Steinwehr's, 178
Division, Stonewall Jackson's,(Con.)
65, 66, 95
Division, "Wadsworth's, 146, 158, 161,
164, 165, 166, 318
Dix, General John A., 19
Doubleday, General Abner, 51, 62,
67, 87, 92, 93, 96n, 101, 109n, 112n,
113, 115, 161, 165, 166, 172, 183n
Dow, General Neal, 247
Dudley, Lieut. Col.Wm.W., 92, 96n,
159n
Dunkard Church, (Antietam), 90,
92 95
Dunn, Harry, 228
Dwight, Lieut. Col. Walton, 218n
E.
Edgell, Lieutenant, 53n, 54
Edwards, Dr., 288
Edwards Perry, 156
Eggleston, Corporal, 168
Eggleston, Lieutenant, George D.,
313
Ellis, Lieutenant, Arthur 0., 58n
Ely, Captain, 92
Emancipation Proclamation, 12 6,
230, 231
Emmitsburg, 157, 158, 161
Emmittsburg Road, 164
Emmons, A. G. 32
Evans, Sergeant William, 159, 161,
170, 172n
Ewell, Gen. (Con.) 66, 68, 213, 258
Fairchild, Gen. Lucius, 48, 62, 74,
78n, 85n, 109n, 120, 121, 159n,
166n, 201, 217, 237, 300
Fairfax Court House, 36, 37, 75
Fairfax Seminary, 37
Fairfield, Sergeant, Geo. 265
Falmouth, 40
Fenton, Lawson, 283, 316
Fenton, R. C, 34
Fine, Eudolph, 75
Finnicum, Major Mark, 159n
Fitch, Lieutenant, Michael H., 27
Fitz, Hugh's Crossing, Battle of, 136,
137, 187, 313
Five Forks, 313, 314
Flannagin, Lieut. Colonel, 159n
Fletcher, Abe, 46
Fletcher, Sergeant, 232
Flynn, Major Patrick, 287
Ford, Capt. Chas. H., 143, 144, 170n,
303n
Fowler, Colonel E. B., 167n, 173n,
325
183
Fowler, Sergeant A., 313
Fox, Ool. W. F. (Statistics) 318, 319
Franklin, General W. B., 106
Frederick City, 78, 79, 157
Fredericksburgh, 40, 44; 45, 47, 48,
50, 51, 52, 53, 55, 106, 108, 138. 139,
147, 149, 214, 220, 252, 254, 255,
256, 257, 258, 278
Fredericksburgh, Battle of, 94, 108-
113, 128, 135, 144, 187
Frederick's Hall Raid, 46, 63-55
Frederick's Hall Station, 54, 55
Funkstown, 186
Gaby, William D., 288
Gaines Farm. 284
Gainesville, 59, 215
Gainesville, Battle of, 53, 60-68, 70,
74n, 95, 187, 214, 220n, 313
Gary, Lieutenant Colonel, M. W.,
(Con.) 96n
Gates, Beman, 237, 250, 251, 252,
. 254, 256, 258, 277
Gates, Charles B., 192, 249, 253, 284,
285 ' > >
Gates, Miss M. B., 140, 162, 237
Gaubatz, Philip, 258
Geary, General John W., 183
Georgetown Hospital, 251
Georgia, 6th Regiment, 85
Georgia, 13th Regiment, 311
Georgia, 23rd Regiment, 85
Georgia, 26th Regiment, 85
Georgia, 28th Regiment, 85
Gettysburg, 95, 153, 158, 161, 164,
171, 176, 180, 186, 195, 240
(Tettysburg, Battle of, 151, 158-186,
187, 188, 192, 196, 215, 306, 313,
314, 316, 318
Germania Ford, 226, 250
Gibbon, General John, 43, 44, 49, 50,
53, 54, 60, 63, 67, 68, 71, 72, 81, 83,
84, 91, 92, 96n, 105, 106 .
Goltermann, Lieutenant Wm., 170,
180n, 265, 303
Gordonsville, 52
Gorman, General, 84
Gotsch, Sergeant Leo, 313
Graetz, Lieut. Oscar, 170u, 253, 265
Grant, General U. S., 238, 239, 240
241, 250, 256, 258, 278, 290, 294'
295n, 308
Gravelly Run, 318
Gray, Richard, 316
Green, Dr. J. H., 289
Greene, General Geo. S., 181, 183
Grigga, Cassius, 46n
Grover, Colonel Ira B., 247, 259, 260
Guilford,' 156
Guinea's Station, 274
H.
Hagerstown, 186, 187
Hall, Captain, 170
Hall, Dr. John C, 104, 108, 114, 115,
122, 132, 148, 176n, 195, 196, 200
204, 205, 216, 229, 241, 298, 302.
303, 309
Hamilton, Lieutenant Colonel, 62
Hamilton's Heights, 111
Hancock, Gen. W. S., 24, 255n, 290
Hanover Town, 278
Hardaway, Capt. R. A., (Con.) 112
Harper's Ferry, 16, 79, 214, 284
Hare, Frank, 313
Harries, Lieutenant Wm. H., 266
Harris, Ira, 53n
Harris, Lieut. L. G., 26, 152n, 165,
166n, 170, 171n, 303n
Harrisburg, 16
Harris' Store, 274
Hart, Captain, 143
Hart, Corporal J. E., 264
Haskell, Colonel Frank A., 11, 12,
13, 20, 21, 23, 25, 49, 50, 128
Hatch, General J. P., 60, 67n, 76, 78,
87n
Hatcher's Run, 313, 314, 318
Haupt, Herman, 43
Hauser, Major J. F., 13,49, 129, 144,
151, 152n, 159n, 169. 170, 180n 198,
227, 232, 238, 242
Hayes, Lieutenant Colonel Ruther-
ford B., 80
Haymarket, 214, 216, 220
Heathville, 120, 121
Hendrick, Ed., 34
Heth, General Henry, (Con.) 171 n,
183n
Hickenlooper, General Andrew, 43
Hickok, Corporal Wm., 277
Hill, General A. P. (Con.) 147. 183n
Hoffman, Colonel J. W., 218n, 276
Hollenger Family, 172n
Holman, Mr., 34
Hood, General J. B., (Con.) 96n
Hooe, Capt. A. 8., 13n, 32, 35, 49, 92
Hooker, General Joseph, 74, 78, 80,
85, 86, 96, 118, 119, 120n, 125, 126,
129, 132, 138, 142, 148, 149, 151,
155, 157, 209, 210
Howe, Mrs. Julia Ward, 29
Hughes, Captain Robert, 266
Huntington, Captain, 202
Huntington, Lieutenant Howard J.,
89, 90, 120, 121, 139, 170n, 283,
297n, 303n
Hutchins, Oapt. Wm., 305, 307, 310
Hyatt, Captain Chas. P., 57, 93, 170n,
180n, 267, 306, 307
Indiana, 7th Eegiment, 180, 247, 259,
260, 261
Indiana, 19th Eegiment, 25, 48, 59,
Jackson, Moses, 315
Jackson, Mrs., 315
Jackson, General Stonewall, (Con.),
45, 47, 51, 55, 59, 65, 66, 68, 69, 79,
137
Jackson, William, 55, 109, 152, 155,
200, 201, 221, 238, 242, 277, 284,
292, 298, 314, 315
"Jake," 38, 39
James River, 290
Jefferson, (Md.), 156
Jericho Ford, 274
Jericho Ford, Battle of, 275-277, 278,
285
J-
K.
Kalorama, 19, 22
Kanouse, T. D., 20
Kearny, General Philip, 74, 75
Keedysville, 86, 87
Kellogg, General John A., 6, 8, 13n,
18, 26, 32, 35, 56, 84, 88, 90, 93, 94,
113, 129, 171n, 253, 259, 261, 272,
285, 295, 296, 304, 310, 311
Kelly, Dennis, 316
Kelly, Isaiah F., 225n
Kelly, Corporal James, 161
Kelly, Judge W. D., 114
Kelly's Ford, 211, 212, 225, 227, 229,
60, 63, 64, 66, 74n, 78n, 80, 81, 86,
92, 97, 113, 143, 157, 159n, 165, 184,
276, 277, 279
Jerusalem Plank Eoad, 310
Johnson, Governor Andrew, 126
Johnson, Lieutenant A. J., 13n, 25n
Johnson, Lieut. Jerome B., 63n, 98
Johnston, General Jos. E., (Con.),
196
Johnson, Mrs., 287
Johnson, Captain Leonard, 13, 25n
Jones, Colonel, 281, 286n
Jones, E. C, 122, 123, 223
Jones, General J. R., (Con.), 96n
Jones, Lieutenant Meredith, 166
Jordon, Lieut. Colonel, 217, 218
Juneau, County of, 5, 272
230, 232, 233
Kent, Captain Lewis A., 261, 296,
297 301 303
Kerr,' Major Thomas, 27, 168, 170n,
305, 310, 311
Kilmartin, John, 227
Kilpatriok, General Judson, 54, 55,
215 220 222
King,' General Rufus, 19, 20, 27, 36,
39, 49, 65, 67, 73
King George Court House, 143
Kingston, (Georgia), 281, 287
Klein, Sergeant, 232
Lacy House, (Wilderness), 261
Lair, Dr. J. A , 286n
Lampe, Charles, 72
Landrum House, 269
Langworthy's Hall, 6
Laurel Hill, 253n, 258, 264, 265,
266, 269, 285, 306, 314
Law, Col. E. M., (Con.), 96n
Lawrence, William, 84n
Lee, Fitz Hugh, (Con.), 215
Lee, Col. John C, 117
Lee, Gen. Robert E., (Con.), 33, 56,
69, 86, 100, 111, 145, 154, 155, 185,
192, 193, 198, 213, 219, 258
Leesburg, 152, 154
Lemans, Sergeant Jacob, 313
Lemonweir Minute Men, 6, 10
Leonard, Col. 8. H., 218n
Lewis, Governor, 247
Lewis, Hugh, 64n
Lewis, Lieut. J. D., 13, 25n
Libby Prison, 220, 247
Lincoln, Abraham, 5, 7, 19, 30, 45,
76, 100, 105, 118, 126, 131n, 146,
230, 249, 309
Lindley, Maj., 159n
Lindwurm, Captain W. H., 13, 25n
Linsley, Captain, 48
327
Lisbon, 78
Lockwood, Captain H. C, 216n
Locust Gro /e, 227
Long, Representative, 246
Longstreet, Gen. (Con.), 180, 210
251n, 262
Lowrance, Col. W. J., (Con.), 175n
Lyons, Lord, 37
M.
Macon, Georgia, (Military Prison),
295,296
Madison, 11
Mahone, General 302
Malloy, Captain, A. G., 12, 13
Maloney, Patrick, 166n
Manassas, 36, 58n, 64, 65, 67, 68, 69,
151. 212, 222
Mangan, Lieut. Michael, 170n
Mansfield, Maj. John, 120, 159n, 183n
Marietta, 7n, 9n, 10, 124, 191, 192,
224, 236, 237, 238
Marsh, Captain J. F., 13, 27, 64, 98
Marsh Creek, 157, 188
Marston, Captain J. H., 13, 168, 170n,
316
Marten, Lieut., 164, 165
Martindale, General J. H., 226n
Mason, Isaac N., 13
Massachusetts, 12th Eeg't., 190, 265
Massachusetts, 13th Reg't., 218n
Massachusetts, 14th Regiment, 21
Massachusetts, 15th Regiment, 21, 28
Massachusetts, 39th Regiment, 21 8n
Massaponax River, 110, 112
Matapony River, 274
Mauston, 6, 7, 10
Mauston Star, 272, 273
M'Cauley, Lieutenant P. H., 13, 25n
M'Clellan, General George B , 19,
21, 23, 24, 28, 30, 33, 37, 76, 79, 83,
85, 100, 105. 107, 114, 118, 119, 240,
309 317
M'Clellan, Captain, 102, 103
M'Cunn, Judge, 246
M'Dowell, General Irvin, 25, 27, 28,
36, 37, 45, 46, 51, 59, 68, 69, 81, 219
M'Parlin, Surgeon Thomas A., 271
M'Pherson Woods, 164, 171, 174
Meade, General George G., 157, 158,
160, 186, 187, 192. 196, 202, 212, 213,
217, 219, 225, 230, 232, 240, 299
Merchant, Lieutenant H. B., 170n,
303, 308
Meredith, General Solomon, 27, 78n,
85n, 107, 108, 109n, 112, 132n, 1.36n,
153, 157, 164, 166, 179
Meredith, Colonel S. A., 68
Meredian Hill, 21
Merrill, Emory, 206
Merrill, Lawson, 206
Messenger's Ford, 196
Michigan, 24th Reg't., 101, 105, 112,
134, 135, 136, 138, 159n, 165, 184,
197
Middleburg, 189, 191
Middleton, 79, 80, 156
Milhau, Surg*'on J. J., 271
Miller, Captain, 102
Miller, David R., 88n
Mills, Simeon, 14
Milwaukee, 16, 2.36, 237, 238
Milwaukee Light Infantry, 236
Milwaukee Zouaves, 12
Mine Explosion, 302
Mine Run, 224, 227, 230
Mink, Captain, 276
"Mink," 48, 200
Mississippi, 2nd Reg't., 95. 158, 159,
160, 161, 169, 170, 173, 180n, 183
Mitchell'sFord, 225, 227
Montague, Lieutenant G. L., 13, 25n
Monteith, R , 303 ■
Montgomery Hall, 23
Morgan, General John (Con.), 191,
192
Morrisonville, 222
Morrow, Colonel Henry A., 101, 112,
134, 143, 159n, 183n
Morton's Ford, 208, 209, 211
Mosby, Colonel J. S., (Con.), 189,
199, 220, 147
Mossee, Mr., 241, 247, 248
Mount Pleasant, .53
Mountain Run, 227
Mulleter. Paul, 316
Munson's Hill, 23, 34
Muster Roll of Company K., 17n,
18n
N.
Nashville, 289
Nazro, Captain, 236
New Baltimore, 59
Newton, General John, 189, 190, 202,
209, 214, 215, 216, 224, 243
New York, 2nd Reg't., 21, 84, 85
New York, 24th Reg't., 102
New York, 69th Reg't., 21
New York, 76th Reg't., 62, 66, 68,
165, 220n
New York, 79th Reg't., 21
New York, 95th Reg't, 68, 161, 163,
165. 167, 173, 218
New York, 147lh Reg't., 165
New York, 91st Heavy Artillery, 311
New York Herald. 94
Nichols, Dr. H. W., 286n
Nichol, Lieut. John, 13, 25n
Ohio, 23rd Reg't., 80
Ohio, 53rd Reg't., 281, 286
Ohio, 55th Reg't , 117, 118
Ohio, 73rd Reg't , 178
Ohio, 148th Reg't., 249
"Old Mat," 110
O'Neal, Larry, 283
o.
North Anna River, 54, 270, 274, 275.
276, 277, 278, 279
North Anna, Battle of, 277, 278, 294
Northern Neck, 143
Northumberland County Raid, 120-
123
Northrup, Captain M. A., 13, 25n
Noyes, Captain D. K., 13, 83, 87, 98,
232 .
Ny River, 269
O'Neill, Mayor, 237
Orange and Alexandria Railroad,
193,. 219, 222, 236
Orange Court House, 52
O'Rourke, Capt. John, 13, 25n
Orr, Capt., 276
Osborne, Col., 242, 246
Pamunky River, 279
Patrick, Gen., 67
Patterson Park, 16, 18, 19
Pattison, Capt. A. B., 299
Paxton. Miss Sailie, 172n
Pearson, Jesse, 292
Pearson, Levi, 292, 316
Pearson, Wm., 292
Pelouz, Louis H., 271
Pendleton, Col. Edmund (Con).,96n
Pendleton, Jack, 234
Pennsylvania College, 176, 177
Pennsylvania, 8th Reg't. (Reserves),
280n
Pennsylvania, 32nd Rog't,, 21
Pennsylvania, 56th Reg't , 62, 66, 68,
165, 197, 218n,-219n
Pennsylvania, 83rd Reg't, 276
Pennsylvania, 149th Reg't., 174, 218n
262
Pennsylvania, 150th Reg't., 21 8n
Pennsvlvania, 167th Reg't, 194
Pennsylvania, 188th Reg't, 293
Perrin, Colonel Abner. (Con.), 175n
Petersburg, Siege of, 290-303, 313,
314
Pickett, General, (Con.), 160, 182
Pittsburg Ijanding, Battle of, 39
Plank Road, (Wilderness), 262n
PlugUglies, 17,18
Plummer, Major P. W., 13, 23, 26,
54, 93, 223, 242, 247, 249, 2.51, 253,
259, 260, 279, 295
Plummer, Captain T. W., 13, 152n,
279, 303n
Po River, 274
Poffenberger's House, (Antietam),
92 93
Pool'sville, 156
Pope, General, 51, 52. 53, 55, 58n, 66,
76
Potomac Creek, 42, 44
Potomac River, 22, 115, 120, 156, 157,
186. 188
Port Royal, 134
Preston, Dr. A. W., 13, 115, 134, 137,
140, 141, 170, 196, 203, 251, 302
Pruyn, Lieutent.nt Howard F., 55,
93, 170n, 253, 264
Pryor, General Roger A., (Con.),
205, 207
Pve, Major Edward, 167, 168, 183n,
218
Quaw, Captain David L., 16, 26, 31, 43, 71
R.
Eacine, 16
Raccoon Ford, 211
Randall, Governor, 9, 202
Eapidan River, 208, 211, 213, 219,
222, 225, 227, 250
Rappahannock River, 40, 44, 56, 58,
108, 109, 112, 116, 117, 1.35, 136,
142, 146, 147, 187. 195, 197, 198,
199, 203, 212, 219, 222, 225
Rappahannock Station, 200, 201, 226
Reader, Lieut. William A., 26, 31
Remington, Oapt. Wm. N., 169, 170n,
171n, 172n, 253, 264, 265, 272,
303n, 306
Resaca, 281, 288
Reynolds, General John F., 67, 101,
136n, 153, 162, 165, 166. 219
Revels, Wm. J., 314
Rice, Gen. J. C, 200, 201, 202, 216,
218n, 249
Richardson, Captain Hollon, 51, 82,
174, 220n
Ricketts, General, 105
Richmond, 41, 44, 45, 76, 238, 240,
278, 279, 282, 290
Riley, William, 55, 56, 57, 69
Robertson's Tavern, 230
Robinson, General John C, 264
Robinson, Colonel W. W., 136n, 153,
159n, 174, 176n, 183n, 264, 267, 275,
276, 283
Rock Creek, (Gettysburg), 180, 181n
Rockville, 78
Roddis, Mr., 237
Rogers, Lieut. Clayton E., 26, 43,
112, 113, 114, 135, 144, 150, 171n,
176, 179
Rogers, Lieut. Earl M., 113, 114,
170n, 262, 297n, 303n
Rosecrans, General, 208, 210
Rosser, Colonel T. L. (Con.), 224,
225, 226
Salem Church, 138
Salomon, Governor Edward^ 50, 237
" Sam," 148
Sanitary Commission, 251, 256, 287
Scales, Gen. A. M. (Con.), 175n
Schumacher, Lieut. F., 13n
Sears, William, 51
Sedgwick, General, 138, 139, 214
Selleck, W. Y., 251, 252, 253, 258
Seminary Ridge, (Gettysburg), 164,
173, 174, 175, 176
Serrill, Lieutenant H., 13, 31
Seward, Secretary W. H., 6n, 27
Seymour, Horatio, 106
Sharpsburg, 86, 96, 99, 100, 101
Sharpsburg and Hagerstown Turn-
pike, 87, 88, 94, 95
Shenandoah Valley, 45
Sherman, Corporal, 94
Shiloh, Battle of, 40
Shippen, Captain, 276
Showalter, Lieut. Levi, 165, 166n,
171n
Sickles, General, 180
Slaughter Family, 205, 206, 207
Smith, Honorable Caleb, 27
Smith, Dr., 120, 121. 122
Smith, Hadyn K., 286, 287, 288, 289
Smith, R. N., (Drum Major), 164,
207
Snicker's Gap, 104
Snyder, Sergeant Nicholas, 267
South Mountain, 79, 80, 85, 156, 157,
186
South Mountain, Battle of, 53, 80-84,
85n, 97n, 128, 187, 313, 314, 318
Spear, Corporal Dugald, 314
Spottsylvania, Battle of, 94, 187, 250,
256, 258, 265, 267-273, 277, 278,
285, 294, 297, 313, 318
Spottsylvania Court House, 53, 253n,
254, 255, 257, 263, 264, 270, 274
Sprague, Albert P., 251n
Stanton, Secretary E. M., 45, 77
Staples, Chaplain N. A., 13
Steadman, Levi, 168
Steginan, Captain Lewis E,, 183u
Steinmetz, Henry, 314
St. Stephens Chapel, 39, 40
Stevensburgh, 212, 222, 225, 242
Stevens, Lieut. Col G. H., 159n
Stevens, Hon. Thaddeus, 118
Stewart, Lieutenant James, 73, 81,
132n, 175
Stone, Colonel J. M., (Con.), 1158,
169n, 182, 183
Stone, Colonel Roy, 174
Stringfellow's Ford, 211
Stuart, General J. E. B., (Con.), 53,
54, 58n, 110
Sudley Springs, 69
Sullivan, James P., 47. 314
Sumner, General, 84
Sumpter, Fort, 5, 115
Sweet, Lieutenant Colonel B, J., 13,
24, 37, 49, 50
T.
Taliaferro, General, (Con.), 66, 68
Talty, Hugh, 47
Tarbell, Colonel, 311
Taylor, Chas. M., 46n
Telegraph Road, 53, 274
Temple, Silas W., 46n
Tester, Lieutenant J. T., 13n
Thomas, Lieutenant F. C, 13n
330
Thomas, Captain W. E., 313
Thornburg, 274
Thoroughfare Gap, 215, 216, 217
Ticknor, Captain John, 26, 29, 81,
89, 98, 167, 170n, 180n
Timmons, Lieutenant John, 170n,
253, 265, 297, 801, 302, 303, 305,
307, 309, 310
Todd's Tavern, 264
Tomlineon, Bob., 214
Towie, John R., 46n
Trumbull, Hoel, 50
Turner, Capt. I. N. M., (Con.), 96n
Turner, John, 8
Turner's Gap, 80
Tyler, General, 258
U.
United States Ford, 139
TJpham, Lieut. Lyman B., 31, 93
Vallandigham, Mr., 155, 192, 216
Van Dor, Colonel, 25
Vicksburg, 144, 163, 196
Upton's Hill, 75, 76, 78
Utley, WiUiam L., 8
V.
Vilas, Lieutenant Colonel William
F., 9, 49, 50, 207
W.
Wadswortb, General James S., 26,
115, 129, 130; 135, 136n, 144, 153,
171n, 173, 175, 176, 179, 183n, 239,
240, 242, 245, 249, 250, 251n, 257,
262
"Wainwright, Colonel W. P., 68
Waller, Frank Asbury, 161,169, 170,
ISOn
Walker, Francis A., 203n
Ward, Surgeon A. J., 63n
Warren, General G. K., 213, 219,
239, 240, 243, 245, 266
Warrenton, 47, 58, 59, 105, 191, 192,
193, 214, 222
Warrenton Turnpike, 59, 66, 69, 70,
75
Washington, 19, 30, 33, 34, 51, 75,
77, 78, 128, 149, 154, 159, 225, 226,
252, 290, 301, 305, 311, 316, 318
Waterford, 188
Watrous, Captain Jerome A., 304
Watson, W. H., 10, 11
Weldon Koad, Battle of, 292, 301,
305, 306, 307, 308, 310, 313, 314
Welsh, Major M. C, 299
West Point, 278
Whaley, Major Edward A., 313
Whaley, William, 30
White Oak Church, 140, 142, 143,
144, 145. 146, 149
White Plains, 191
Whitty, James, 313
Wickes, Rev. Thos.. 237
Wilcox Landing, 290
Wilderness, The, 249, 250
Wilderness, Battle of the, 250, 259-
263, 285, 294, 313, 314, 318
Wilderness Tavern, Old, 259
Williams, E. S., 64n
Williams, Major H. J., (Cop.), 96n
Williams, General Seth, 236
Williams, Colonel S., 113, 159n
Williamsport, 186, 187, 192, 193, 196
Willoughby Run, (Gettvsburg), 174,
175
Wilson, Captain William, 313
Wisconsin, 2nd Regiment, 21, 25n,
48, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 74,
78n, 80, 81, 92, 97, 120, 121, 132,
143, 159n, 165, 166n, 184, 186, 194,
197, 236, 266, 311
Wisconsin, 5th Regiment, 15, 19n,
21, 24, 25
Wisconsin, 6th Regiment, Passim
Wisconsin, 7th Regiment, 25, 61, 62,
63, 64, 66, 74. 78n, 80, 81, 82, 97,
132, 135, 153, 159n, 165, 174, 179n,
184, 194, 214, 220n, 236, 248, 249,
252, 265, 279, 311
Wisconsin, 30th Regiment, 236
Wister, Colonel L., 218n
Wood, Captain J. D., 60, 166
Woods, John P., 150
Woodward, Lieut. Gilbert M., 164
Woffard. Colonel W. T., (Con.), 95,
96n
Work, Lieutenant Colonel P. A.,
(Con.), 96n
Wright, General, 267n
Wright Major, 159n
Y.
Yates, Aaron, 46n, 266
Yellow Tavern, 308.
w