Blog Archive for June, 2007

The second round is upon us - here are the match-ups:
(1) 7th Infantry v. (16) 10th Infantry
(8) 1st Infantry v. (24) 22nd Infantry
(5) 2nd Infantry v. (12) 15th Infantry
(4) 3rd Infantry v. (13) 16th Infantry

(3) 6th Infantry v. (19) 12th Infantry
(6) 26th Infantry v. (11) 24th Infantry
(7) 36th Infantry v. (10) 21st Infantry
(2) 5th Infantry v. (15) 37th Infantry

Click here for the updated bracket.
With only two first round upsets, future rounds promise to be action packed!
Also look for letters, photos, and other items from our collections as the tournament progresses.

In the final matchup of the first round, the 5th Wisconsin, the #2 overall seed easily dispatches the 6th Light Artillery. The 5th has the fourth highest number of casualties (195) among Wisconsin units, and saw action as part of the Army of the Potomac during the Peninsular Campaign, Second Bull Run, Antietam, Fredricksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, and Richmond. The 5th originally began as part of a brigade - later known as the Iron Brigade - commanded by General Rufus King that included the 2nd and 6th Wisconsin and the 19th Indiana. When the 7th Wisconsin mustered in, state officials hoped they would replace the Indiana unit; instead, the 5th left, joining up with regiments from Maine, New York, and Pennsylvania as part of Hancock’s Brigade. The 5th acquitted themselves well during the May 1862 Battle of Williamsburg, repulsing the Confederate advance, then charging the 5th North Carolina, driving them from the battle field. As one account stated, the enemy fled “…before them like chaff, they fleeing in wild confusion, leaving the field…literally strewn with their dead and wounded, and leaving their battle flag behind them, which was captured by a member of the regiment.” Their actions earned high praise from Major General George McClellan, who said: “My lads, I have come to thank you for your gallant conduct the other day. You have gained honor for your country, yourselves, your state, and the army to which you belong. Through you, we won the day, and Williamsburg shall be inscribed upon your banner. I cannot thank you enough for what you have done. I trust in you for the future, and know that you will sustain the reputation you have won for yourselves. By your action and superior discipline, you have gained a reputation which shall be known throughout the Army of the Potomac. Your country owes you its grateful thanks. As for myself, I can never thank you enough.” For additional info on the 5th Wisconsin, click here.
You really have to feel for the 6th Light Artillery. Running into a juggernaut like the 5th Wisconsin is like Bethune-Cookman playing North Carolina in the first round of the NCAA tournament - there’s just no way it is going happen. The 6th, however, has a lengthy and proud service history, starting with the Battle of Island No. 10 in March 1862 and ending with action at the Battle of Nashville in December 1864. The 6th participated in the siege and battle of Corinth, and later served under General Grant at Vicksburg and Champion’s Hill. After the surrender of Vicksburg, the unit moved east, eventually reaching Chattanooga and taking part in the battle of Missionary Ridge, and subsequent battles northern Alabama before joining Sherman’s army at Kingston, GA and engaging in garrison duty until November 1864. Here is an article detailing the 6th’s activities in and around Corinth in July 1862.

Well, we are getting towards the end of the first round and there have only been two upsets so far. Alas, this contest is no different - with its status as a “fighting regiment” firmly entrenched, the 37th Wisconsin pushes on towards a possible matchup with the tournament’s #2 seed, the 5th Wisconsin.
Like the 36th Wisconsin, the 37th served only a short time in the Civil War, but suffered incredible casualties as they were thrown into the fire with the Army of the Potomac, serving at Cold Harbor, Petersburg, and about Richmond until Lee’s surrender at Appomattox. The 37th saw action at the front for less than a year, but lost a staggering 14% of its men in the field, fifth most among Wisconsin units. The 37th lost a remarkable 55 men at Petersburg Mine (The Crater), which accounted for 21% of the engaged force at the battle! Company K of the 37th featured a large number of Menomonee Indians, whose bravery at the Crater we will discuss in the next round. For more on the Native Americans in the unit and brief regimental history, click here.
The 20th Wisconsin left Wisconsin on August 30, 1862 and joined Brigadier General Francis Herron’s Brigade in Rolla, Missouri on September 6. Throughout the fall, the 20th participated in a campaign against the Confederate General Hindman’s Army of the Trans-Mississippi in SW Missouri and NW Arkansas, which culminated in the Battle of Prairie Grove (AR) on December 6, 1862. The 20th suffered more casualties at this battle than any other unit, losing 88 men in the field, the 21st largest loss of any regiment during the entire war. Hindman’s men routed Herron’s cavalry, but the Union infantry pushed the Rebels back. In the meantime, an artillery duel broke out. Herron’s men assaulted twice, and were repulsed; the Confederates counter-attacked, were halted, but kept moving forward, putting the Union lines in danger. Just before the Rebels might have overrun Herron, Brigadier General James Blunt’s divisions intervened and destroyed the Confederates left flank. During the night, the Confederates retreated, giving the Union full control of NW Arkansas, which they held throughout the war.
Following Prairie Grove, the 20th was in service through Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, taking part in a number of expeditions and excursions, including one into Mexico in January 1864. The 20th later accompanied Admiral Farragut’s assault on Confederate forces in Mobile Harbor, and was present at the fall of Fort Morgan, Spanish Fort, and Fort Blakely. For more on the 20th, click here and here; for more on the Battle of Prairie Grove, check this out.

Despite an impressive resume that includes the capture of Confederate States of America President Jefferon Davis, the 1st Cavalry is the third of three cavalry regiments to fall during the tournament. Because of the nature of cavalry units - skirmishing, hit and miss engagements in far-flung places - it is difficult to justify putting them through to the next round, especially when they face a formidable opponent like the 36th Wisconsin.
The 36th only served in the Civil War for sixteen months, but lost 157 men in the field, slightly 15% of their enrollment, which ranks 17th nationally among Fox’s “Fighting 300.” The 36th was thrown immediately into the fire, reaching Grant’s Army on May 18, 1864 and taking the battlefield at Spotsylvania the very next day. The 36th saw action in some of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War, including the Wilderness, Petersburg, and Cold Harbor, where four regimental companies lost 49 men in the field, over 20% of their engaged force. The unit as a whole suffered a 69% casualty rate during that battle, and lost one of its colonels, Frank Haskell, during combat. In his memoirs, General Grant expressed remorse over the last assault at Cold Harbor in which 50,000 men charged at the Confederate lines, because of the incredible loss of life - over 1,800 killed and over 9,000 wounded for the Union forces. From June to July 1864, two of the 36th’s three colonels died in battle or from wounds, with many other officers wounded or killed on the road to Petersburg. Here is a National Park Service site about several of the major battles the 36th particpated in.
The 1st Cavalry organized at Ripon in 1861 and left for the front in March 1862, heading first to Missouri and Arkansas. Transferred to middle Tennesee in May 1863, the unit served with the Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Cumberland, taking part in the advance on Chattanooga and the battle of Chickamauga. During the Atlanta Campaign, the 1st served under General Sherman. Shortly therafer, the 1st was sent in pursuit of Confederate forces in or near Nashville . During early 1865, the 1st Cavalry skirmished in Alabama, pursuing retreating Rebel forces, but they were soon to receive a plumb assignment: capture escaped CSA President Jefferson Davis. Presumed to be in southern Georgia, 15o men under the direction of Lt. Col. Henry Harnden (whose horse saddle is on display here at the Veterans Museum) set out for President Davis. The unit located Davis and his wife on a train heading for Irwinville and set out to make their move. Harnden happened upon Colonel Prichard of the 4th Michigan Cavalry, whom he informed of their pursuit and declined any assistance. Ten miles outside of Irwinville, Harnden’s men discovered the camping ground of the train; they waited until dark to attack. At 3am on May 10th, Harnden gave the order to move forward. After about a mile of marching, one of his sergeants spotted a party of men in a thicket of trees. Assuming them to be Rebels, he attempted to flee, when a hail of bullets came down on his party, wounding three of seven men. Harnden sent out a squad of ten additional men, and later his entire force when they were met with fire. The group captured one prisoner - a member of Colonel Prichard’s 4th Michigan Cavalry, whose help Harnden had refused back in Abbeville. As it turned out, Prichard sent a squad of his men forward, arriving at Irwinville before the train arrived. As his principle force moved on the train from the front, the dismounted force encountered Harnden’s men, resulting in the unfortunate events described above. The reward for President Davis was divided among the two regiments. For a complete unit history on the 1st Cavalry, click here.
This past Wednesday, the Wisconsin Veterans Museum came into possession of the 1st Cavalry’s regimental flag, previously located at the Ripon (WI) Historical Society. The Museum has had the unit’s guidons in the collection since after the war, but never the flag, which as you can see from the picture, is in dire need of restoration. Much of the 1st Cavalry came from the Ripon area, so it is no coincidence the flag ended up there. We are very happy to have the flag in our collection and thank the Ripon Historical Society for giving it to us! 1st Wisconsin Cavalry Regimental Flag

Despite an early setback at the Battle of Chaplin Hills (Perryville) in October 1862, the 21st Wisconsin afforded itself well throughout much of its service, and easily asserts itself over the 9th Wisconsin. Here is an excerpt from a letter sent by Private John Corey to his wife Hannah four days after Chaplin Hills. The collection is available in the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Archives.
Oct 12/62
One Mile from Harrodsburg
“…After we had rested a short time, the word came for us to fall in and march for the field. We all rose and started at a brisk pace till we got a short distance from our left flank and then we struck a double quick through the field and took our position in a cornfield not over 20 rods from the Rebels before we was formed in line the boys began to fall. The first man that fell was young man by the name of Smith; he had a leg broken and I was ordered with 2 others to take him to the ambulance wagons. He was rather large and a heavy lode for us to carry but still we got him off and why he was not killed I cannot see for the balls flew as thick as bees all around us both cannon and rifle. To say I was scarte I cannot for I was not the least expected. But what I shall be in another battle I cannot say. The boys all stood well considering the chance they had an many rebble bit-the-dust before they left the field. The engagement lasted about 4 hours and we lost a great menny men in killed and wounded in our regiment lost in killed and died since the battle about fifty. The number of our wounded I cannot tell for I do not know but judging by the appearance at the different hospitals I shoudl think would reach a thousand. But the Rebels is the most degraded lot of men I ever heard of. They have left there dead on the field and they will have to remian there for we have no time to bury them for we are after the rest of them….We are now within 12 miles of Bragg and tomorrow if nothing happens we should find the rat again. We have plenty of tgroops to whip in any position.”
The 21st has the highest KDW and KDWMPE of any non-”Fighting 300″ regiment, ranking 11th in both categories. The 21st saw action at Stones River, Tullahoma, Chattanooga, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Atlanta, the March to the Sea, and in the Carolinas. In October 1864, veterans from the 1st Wisconsin and the 10th Wisconsin joined with the 21st after the enlistments for many in their previous units had expired.

Organized in Milwaukee, the 9th Wisconsin left the state for Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in early 1862. The unit participated in various movements in Arkansas, Missouri, and Indian Territory, and finally engaged in battle in September 1862 at Newtonia, Missouri. Overwhelmed by the Confederates’ numbers, the 9th fell back, but was soon surrounded by the enemy; most of the regiment was taken prisoner. Following a prisoner exchange, the regiment participated in many expeditions in Arkansas, and took part in the battle of Jenkins Ferry in April 1864. The 9th marched constantly during their service, occasionally skirmishing with the enemy or Indians. For more on the 9th, click here. The Wisconsin Veterans Museum has an excellent remembrance of the war from Conrad Kuoni, a 9th Wisconsin veteran from Sauk City. The reminiscence is written in German with an English translation. He talks about his early life in Europe, immigrating to the United States, enlisting in the Army, and traveling south via train. He touches upon his experience as a prisoner of war (POW), the fighting at Jenkins Ferry, and being wounded in the right leg. He describes the amputation of his leg, prison life, being fitted for an artificial leg, and learning of President Abraham Lincoln’s death. The collection also includes photocopied military certificates and a letter about the truce that lead to Kuoni’s release from prison. If you are interested in reading Kuoni’s papers, please visit the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Archives.

Aside from the ten “fighting regiments,” the 24th has one of the highest KDWMPE of any Wiscosnin regiment at 10.3%. The 24th saw action in a number of battles - Stones River, Chickamauga, Atlanta, and Nashville - but the regiment is best known for its heroism at the battle of Missionary Ridge, near Chattanooga, in November 1863. During the battle, Union forces led by Grant, Sherman, and Thomas routed the Confederate forces led by Braxton Bragg. The 24th Wisconsin, along with the rest of its brigade, charged up the Ridge, knocking out rifle pits and pushing them from entrenchments. 18-year old Adjutant Arthur MacArthur - father of noted WWII General Douglas MacArthur - grabbed the regimental flag from its exhausted bearer, shouted “On Wisconsin!” to his comrades, charged up the slope, and planted the colors of the 24th on top of Missionary Ridge during a critical part of the battle. He received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions. The 24th took part in the Atlanta campaign and the Battle of Nashville, both of which you will read about next round.
The 18th Wisconsin, like the 14th and 16th Volunteers, served bravely at Corinth and Shiloh. The regiment also took part in the Siege of Vicksburg, and was later transferred to Memphis. After a 250 mile march across Tennessee, the 18th joined up with Sherman’s Army and participated in the attack on Missionary Ridge. Thereafter, the 18th worked to protect the lines of communication in Northern Alabama, Northern Georgia, and near Chattanooga. The 18th, along with the 12th Light Artillery, was engaged in the celebrated defense of Allatoona Pass, Georgia in October 1864. A portion of the 18th later traveled with General Sherman on the March to the Sea. For more on the 18th, click here.

During its nearly three years of service, the mostly German-speaking 26th Wisconsin asserted itself as one of the state’s and one of the Union’s finest fighting regiments. The 26th lost over 17% of its men in battle (188), tied for second among Wisconsin units and ranked fifth among all Union regiments. This statistic alone is enough for the 26th to send the 25th home early.
The regiment first saw action at Chancellorsville in early 1863, where it lost 53 men, eleven percent of its engaged troops. The regiment, along with the rest of the 11th Army Corps, was unprepared for the Confederate assault and fell back. Newspapers in New York and Milwaukee chastised the “German” regiments as cowards for this supposed retreat. It took a great deal of time for the unit’s commanding officers to remedy the regiment’s poor reputation. Here is a letter from Major General Franz Sigel to Governor Salomon vindicating the actions of the 26th. The 26th later saw action at Gettysburg (which we will discuss next round), Lookout Mountain, Atlanta, and on the March to the Sea.
The 25th Wisconsin mustered into service in La Crosse in September 1862. Its first duty was in Minnesota, defending small villages in the midst of a Sioux Uprising. The 25th left Wisconsin in February 1863, seeing duty along the Mississippi River in Arkansas and Mississippi before heading to Chattanoga and becoming part of Sherman’s Army in May 1864. The 25th saw action at Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, and the siege of Atlanta before heading out on the March to the Sea. The 25th lost 409 men to disease, by far away the most of any Wisconsin unit. Conversely, the unit lost only 51 men in combat. The 460 combined casualties is the highest of any Wisconsin regiment. For more on the 25th, click here.

The second upset of the tournament sees the 12th Wisconsin triumph over the 14th. While the 14th has a higher # of KDW and served longer during the war, their KDWMPE is virtually tied. The tiebreaker ended up being the 12th Wisconsin’s claim to fame as one of the “Marching Regiments.” During their service through Kansas, Western Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Georgia, and the Carolinas, the 12th marched 3,838 miles, traveled 2,506 miles by railroad, and 3,159 miles by steamboat, for a grand total of 9,503 miles! That’s like traveling from Madison, Wisconsin to Melbourne, Australia!
The 12th first saw “action” in Kansas in early 1862, which is detailed in this newspaper article. The 12th left Kansas for Columbus, Kentucky in May 1862, and soon become part of the Army of the Tennessee. Early duties included guarding railways and accompanying expeditions into Mississippi. The regiment participated in the Jackson, Vicksburg, and Natchez Campaigns, and served under General Sherman on the Meridian Campaign of early 1864, seen by some as practice for Sherman’s March to the Sea. During the campaign, Sherman’s troops destroyed over five dozen bridges, nearly twenty locomotives, and over 100 miles of track. Sherman learned that he could march through the South relatively unscathed, destroy infrastructure, and raid the stores and land of the inhabitants to feed his soldiers. This raiding strategy became the basis for the total war that was the March to the Sea.
The 14th Wisconsin served in Mississippi, fighting at Shiloh, Corinth, and Vicksburg, among others. Portions of the unit joined up with 17th Army Corps and participated in the Atlanta, Savannah, and Carolinas Campaigns as well. The 14th played a role during the Mobile Campaign and the capture of Spanish Fort in Spring 1865. One of the major targets of the Confederacy, Mobile was heavily fortified, surrounded by over 300 heavy artillery pieces, underwater obstructions, and island and shore batteries. The need for Union troops elsewhere prevented a siege, but by spring 1865, General Grant was ready to capture the “Paris of the Confederacy.” 32,000 Union soldiers participated in this two-prong attack, half attacking Spanish Fort, the rest assaulting Fort Blakely, protected by artillery and several Confederate Navy ships. Spanish Fort fell on April 8; Fort Blakely fell under siege the next evening, resulting in the capture of over 3,000 POWs. The 14th participated in this siege, then moved on; other Wisconsin units participated in the occupation of Mobile. The Battle of Fort Blakely is now seen as the last major battle of the Civil War, occurring several hours after General Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox. For more on the Battle of Mobile, click here.

Another matchup and yet another relatively easy victory for an Iron Brigade regiment. The 6th Wisconsin lost 244 men in the battlefield, second most among Wisconsin regiments and 10th most nationally. Part of the Black Hat Brigade - called such because of their tall, black felt hats - the 6th first saw combat at Brawner’s Farm in August 1862, just prior to Second Bull Run. On September 14, 1862, the Iron Brigade earned its name with a spirited, relentless attack up the National Road at Cumberland Gap. Witnessing this advance, Army Commander George McClellan observed the men “stand like iron.” From there the 6th went on to Antietam and Gettysburg, which we will cover in future rounds. For more on the 6th, please click here for the letters of Lt. Col. Rufus Dawes from the Gettysburg National Park Virtual Tour.
The 17th Wisconsin was made up of predominantly Irish soldiers, and fought gallantly at Cornith, Champion’s Hill, Vicksburg, Natchez, Atlanta, the March to the Sea, and the Carolinas Campaign. The unit lost only 41 men in the field, but lost nearly 200 due to disease. For more on the history of the 17th, click here.

Over the next couple days, we will post the second half of the first round results. We hope that you are enjoying this endeavor and are learning a great deal about Wisconsin in the Civil War. We encourage you to comment on these posts, and please tell your friends, family, and acquaintances about this too. A lot of work has gone into this project and we would really like people to read it! Again, look for highlights from our archival collections in the coming rounds - we have some GREAT resources and we look forward to sharing them with you.

Tomorrow, the third installation of “7 Weeks, 7 Wars, 7 Objects” kicks off at 11am. We hope that you can stop by to learn about our World War I collections from Curatorial Assistant Peter Kraemer. He has some FANTASTIC objects from the “Great War,” including what we believe is the only surviving WWI hospital bathrobe! Hope to see you there!