Four Years With the Iron Brigade
Page 55
The following-named officers are entitled to special mention for gallantry, viz: Col. Tarbell and Lieut.-Col. Denslow, Ninety-first New York Veteran Volunteers; Lieut.-Col. Kerr, commanding Sixth Wisconsin Veteran Volunteers, who was badly wounded while cheering on his men; Lieut.-Col. Richardson, commanding Seventh Wisconsin Veteran Volunteers; also First Lieut. J. A. Watrous, acting assistant adjutant-general, Second Lieut. C. W. Atherton, acting aide-de-camp, and Capt. H. T. Garfield, brigade inspector, members of my staff. The conduct of these officers came under my immediate notice. Lieut. Watrous was wounded and taken prisoner while discharging his duty. Lieut. Athereton and Lieut. Watrous each lost a horse, shot under them, which, with the horse of the orderly, make three horses lost from my headquarters on that day by the fire of the enemy.
My two orderlies, William Holloway, Company K, and Henry A. Hackett, Company H, both of the Sixth Wisconsin Veteran Volunteers, behaved in the most gallant manner, Holloway having his horse shot under him.
There are others, both officers and men, deserving special mention. The names of such officers will be found submitted in my report of the 23d instant for brevets, as recommended by their regimental commanders. My loss in killed, wounded, and missing was large for the time engaged, amounting to 8 officers and 290 men. I transmit herewith a tabular and nominal list of casualties occurring on that day.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. KELLOGG,
Col., Cmdg. Brigade.
Capt. HARRISON LAMBDIN,
Assistant Adjutant-Gen., Third Division.
HDQRS. FIRST BRIGADE, THIRD DIVISION,
April 10, 1865.
CAPT.: In compliance with orders, I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of my command on the 1st instant.
On the evening of the 31st of March the command encamped near the battle-field of that day, about one mile and a half northwest from the Boydton plank road, in column of regiments, right in front, facing the north. About daylight in the morning of the 1st instant, in accordance with orders, I changed the front of the brigade, by change of direction by the right flank, facing the east, and moved in colum, faced by the rear rank, in a westerly direction about three quarters of a mile, through an open field, my right connecting with the Second Brigade, commanded by Brig.-Gen. Baxter. At this point, by direction of the general commanding the division, the command was changed from the order in column and moved left in front, in a southwesterly direction, following the Second Division, Fifth Army Corps, to a position on Gravelly Run, near the Moody house and Gravelly Run Church, where, by order of the general commanding division, the brigade was formed in two lines of battle, the Sixth and Seventh Wisconsin Veteran Volunteers holding the front line. The right of my line connected with Gen. Baxter’s command, the left with the Second Division, Fifth Army Corps. Receiving orders to that effect, I advanced my command to a road about half a mile in my immediate front, at which point it executed a left wheel. Here we became engaged with the enemy, the command moving forward and firing as it advanced, driving the enemy before us. In moving through a dense thicket and wood, the connection became broken between my left and the Second Division, causing a large interval, which was taken advantage of by the enemy, who threw a force on my left flank and opened fire, evidently with the desire of arresting the forward movement of the line of battle. I ordered my front line to continue the advance, and ordered one battalion of the Ninety-first New York Veteran Volunteers, forming a portion of my second line, under command of Col. Tarbell, to deploy on the left flank of the brigade, covering that flank, with orders to move forward and engage the enemy at short range. This order was promptly executed, holding the enemy at bay, until the Third Brigade, commanded by Gen. Coulter, came up and filled the interval. My brigade now occupied the center of the line, between the brigades of Gen.’s Baxter and Coulter, and continued in that position until we found the enemy entrenched. We then drove them from their works across an open field, pursuing them closely about three-quarters of a mile, taking many prisoners and killing and wounding many of the enemy, when, in compliance with orders, the brigade was moved into camp for the night.
I cannot speak too highly of the officers and men of my command; all did their duty. I desire especially to mention Col. Tarbell and Lieut.-Col. Denslow, Ninety-first New York Veteran Volunteers; Acting Maj. Whaley; Second Lieut. William H. Church, acting adjutant; First Lieut. Thomas Kelly, commanding Company H, and Lieut. Davis, commanding Company F, of the Sixth Wisconsin Veteran Volunteers—who were conspicuous for gallantry and daring on that day. Also the members of my staff, who were all that I could desire. Every order was correctly transmitted, and no one faltered in his duty. Lieut. Sherley, Ninety-first New York Veteran Volunteers, temporarily serving on my staff, had his horse shot under him while gallantly discharging his duty.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. KELLOGG,
Col., Cmdg. Brigade.
Capt. HARRISON LAMBDIN,
Assistant Adjutant-Gen., Third Division.
Report of Col. Jonathan Tarbell, Ninety-first New York Infantry.
HDQRS. NINETY-FIRST NEW YORK VETERAN VOLS.,
In the Field, near Appomattox Court-House, Va., April 12, 1865.
CAPT.: I have the honor to submit my report of the movements of the Ninty-first New York Veteran Volunteers from the 29th ultimo to the present time, premising that the regiment has not at any time been detached, so that its movements are embraced in the history of the First Brigade, Third [Division], Fifth Army Corps, to which it belongs.
Being in camp about two miles from Humphreys’ Station, on the U. S. Military Railroad from City Point, early in the day of the 29th ultimo the regiment, with its brigade and division, entered upon the grand campaign which has just closed so gloriously. Marching in a southwesterly direction, the advance met and drove the enemy near the Boydton plank road late in the afternoon of that day, the Ninety-first, with its brigade, being formed in line of battle, but the retreat of the rebels rendered its engagement unnecessary. The 30th was a very rainy day, and was spent in camp, at night throwing up entrenchments at the crossing of the Boydton plank road over———creek to intercept a probable movement of the rebels in that direction.
On the 31 st the march was again taken up, leaving the earth-works in our rear. About 9 o’clock in the morning the advance met and engaged the enemy near the Quaker road, the Ninety-first being in column by battalions, with its brigade, in a dense wood a short distance in rear of the troops engaged in action. In the temporary absence of the brigade commander giving the Sixth and Seventh Wisconsin Regiments new positions, a brigade from the front, denoting a rapid retreat, broke through my battalions to the rear. The movement being imminent I took the responsibility of deploying my regiment into line of battle, which I did to the right of the third battalion, advancing my line about ten yards to the brow of a small declivity having a little ravine at its base, when I at once opened fire briskly, checking the enemy on this part of the line and turning him off to our left, remaining in this position until all other troops had left the field and the enemy in large numbers had passed my left considerably to our rear, when I directed my regiment to retire. I have since learned that orders had been sent to me to retire some twenty or thirty minutes before I moved to the rear, but the gallant acting assistant adjutant-general who started with the message for me fell wounded before reaching me, observed by some of my officers, but at the time unknown to me. At a log house in a clearing in the line of retreat an attempt to check the enemy was made, in which a portion of my regiment participated, my colors, myself, my lieutenant-colonel, Capt. Felthousen, and others among the number, in vain. On the brow of a high declivity farther in the rear a successful stand was made, and here a large portion of my regiment took an active part. Lieut.-Col. Denslow with a number of men and officers assisted in supporting a battery on its right, while others, under my own dir
ection, officers and men, were in the line on the left of the battery.
The enemy was here checked, the troops reformed, and another forward movement at once entered upon, passing over the battle-ground beyond the Quaker road and encamping for the night without further engagement on our part.
April 1, at daylight, the march was resumed, resulting in turning the rebel right, compelling the enemy to evacuate strong and extensive earth-works, and to a hasty and evidently unexpected retreat. On this morning the regiment broke camp at an early hour in obedience to the orders of the proper commander, marching with the brigade and division by a circuitous route several miles to the rebel right and rear, halting near what was said to be called the Gravelly Run Church, where the troops were formed in line of battle about 2 p.m., the Ninety-first New York forming the second line of this brigade, in rear of the Sixth and Seventh Wisconsin Regiments, connecting on the right with Gen. Baxter’s (Second) brigade, Third Division, advancing thence directly on the enemy about 3 p.m. After marching thus in line of battle a short distance, the enemy’s fire was drawn, and soon after the left wing of the Ninety-first was moved up to the first line of battle, on the left of the front of the brigade to which it belongs; shortly after the right wing was also moved up to the first line, both in obedience to orders of brigade commanders. The firing of the enemy was sharp, close, and continued, but the Ninety-first, with the other troops, advanced steadily, sometimes on the run, driving the enemy, who was not allowed to make a stand. Arriving at right of the enemy’s entrenchments, a portion of the Ninety-first took an active part in the capture of four pieces of the enemy’s artillery. Under the lead of its officers, headed by its colors, the regiment promptly charged thence across a large, open field, where the fire of the enemy was particularly severe and where the most of the casualties of the day occurred. Following in this charge, over the rebel works and across the field, Maj.-Gen. Warren close to, and next to him, over the rebel works and across the field. On the further side of the field the rebels disappeared from sight by a hasty flight into the woods, and so far as the Ninety-first was concerned, nothing further was seen of the enemy that day. The advance was continued till within two or three miles of the South Side Railroad, when a halt was ordered, and where the Ninety-first was the first regiment reformed. It was not long after dark, and the troops were halted to be reformed. This done, the Ninety-first went into camp for the night, with its brigade and division, marching back some four or five miles for that purpose.
During the advance and though fighting all the way, the entire line of battle successfully made a left wheel, by refusing the left and advancing the right, the Ninety-first performing its appropriate part in this splendid movement.
I respectfully submit that my officers, without exception, behaved throughout in the most gallant and resolute manner, while the men rushed on with loud cheers at almost every step. My color-bearer, Sergt. Patrick W. Mullen, Company I, is entitled to especial notice for his coolness and steadiness; he went at my side over the enemy’s breast-works into the open field spoken of; but, as far as I can ascertain, Corpl. Egbert H. Caswell, Company I, was the first man of the regiment to spring over, calling on his comrades to follow. Sergt. Henry S. Lode wick, Company K, and others took part in the capture of the enemy’s artillery beyond the right of the regiment.
April 2, our men marched with the other troops to the east two or three miles, where we halted, receiving the news of the evacuation of Petersburg. During the forenoon we were put on a rapid march to the west, reaching the South Side Railroad only to find it evacuated by the enemy. The troops without halting were started on the track of that road, the mile-boards marking thirteen miles from Petersburg, following this track on a swift walk three or four miles, when information was received of a column of the enemy to the west, after which the already tired, foot-sore, and hungry troops were hastened without a moment’s delay and at a pace which even flying fugitives could not outdo, overtaking the rebels late in the evening of that day. The Ninety-first went into camp with the other troops in line of battle, its right on a wood and swamp, and forming the second line of its brigade. Late in the evening the Ninety-first with other regiments of the brigade became engaged with a party of the enemy in the woods on our right, in which my regiment lost 1 killed and 15 wounded. The engagement lasted only a few moments, when the rebels retired.
April 3, we started with the other troops in pursuit of the enemy, who had retreated during the night, following by forced marches, and though the way was strewn with the evidence of a hasty flight, we failed to overtake the enemy that day, and at a late hour after dark bivouacked for the night.
April 4, again pursued the enemy, reaching the Danville railroad at Jetersville, Station, finding it in possession of the Union troops, and the enemy in strong force just beyond. Here the First Brigade, including the Ninety-first, threw up strong breast-works, awaiting and wishing an attack.
April 6, at 6 a.m. marched out to attack the enemy, who was found to have made another hasty retreat, but we followed on his track, making a long and forced march of about thirty-two miles.
April 7, still pressing the enemy, following the west side of the Appomattox, approaching the High Bridge, so called, over that stream soon after the passage of the enemy.
April 8, farther pursuit of the enemy and guarding the trains.
April 9, started with the train, but were detached at an early hour and sent to the assistance of our troops engaged with the enemy on the Lynchburg road, but success crowning the efforts of our brothers before we reached the scene of action, we were not engaged. On the afternoon of the 9th the enemy surrendered near Appomattox Court-House, where the Ninety-first is in camp with its brigade and division.
From the best calculation that I am able to make, the distance actually traveled since the 29th ultimo exceeds 150 miles. . . .
The following are the casualties Ninety-first New York Veteran Volunteers March 31 and April 1 and 2: March 31, killed, 25 men; wounded, 106 men, 3 officers; missing, 16men. April 1, killed, 6 men; wounded, 38 men, 2 officers; missing, 6 men. April 2, killed, 1 man; wounded, 15 men. Total, killed, 32 men; wounded, 159 men, 5 officers; missing, 22 men.
Respectfully submitted.
J. TARBELL,
Col., Cmdg.
Endnotes
Volume 1
1. The Regiment was called into Camp Randall at Madison in August 1861 and placed under the command of Colonel Joseph Vandor of Milwaukee.
2. Baltimore secessionists attacked the Sixth Massachusetts Infantry on April 10, 1861, as it marched through the city to board a train for Washington. Four of the soldiers were killed and 39 wounded. Twelve civilians were killed and dozens wounded.
3. The main staging facility for Wisconsin regiments. It was located at the old state fair grounds at Madison and named for Alexander Randall, the state’s first war governor.
4. One of the main bridges over the Potomac River leading to Washington, D.C.
5. The color company is assigned a position in the center of a regiment in line of battle, and the duty of the soldiers is to protect the unit’s flags and color guards.
6. Foot, Waterloo, enlisted August 19, 1861, discharged disabled August 9, 1862; Parsons, Tafton, enlisted August 19, 1861, mustered out September 1, 1864, wounded Gettysburg, mustered out September 1, 1864, term expired. Roster of Wisconsin Volunteers, War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865, Vol. I. (Madison, Wisconsin, 1886), 559, 560.
7. The family home and estate of Robert E. Lee seized upon his resignation from the Union Army. It is now the site of the Arlington National Cemetery.
8. Brother, Patch Grove, enlisted August 19, 1861, mustered out September 1, 1864, term expired. Thorpe, Potosi, enlisted August 19, 1861, detached to Battery B, 4th U.S. Arillery from November 28, 1861, discharged March 17, 1862, for disability. Wisconsin Roster, 558, 561.
9. Shipton, Waterloo, enlisted August 19, 1861, discharged February 22, 1862, disabled. Wisconsin Roster, 561
&n
bsp; 10. The regiments of the Western Brigade, except for the Seventh Wisconsin, which is listed in Appendix A, are as follows:
THE SECOND WISCONSIN VOLUNTEERS
Company County
A The Citizens’ Guard Dodge
B The La Crosse Light Guards La Crosse
C The Grant County Grays Grant
D The Janesville Volunteers Rock
E The Oshkosh Volunteers Winnebago
F The Belle City Rifles Racine
G The Portage City Guards Columbia
H The Randall Guards Dane
I The Miner’s Guards Iowa
K The Wisconsin Rifles Milwaukee
K* Dane - Milwaukee
(*Replaced original Company K in January 1862 after it was detached and converted to heavy artillery).
THE SIXTH WISCONSIN VOLUNTEERS
Company County
A The Sauk County Riflemen Sauk
B The Prescott Guards Pierce
C The Prairie du Chien Volunteers Crawford
D The Montgomery Guards Milwaukee
E Bragg’s Rifles Fond du Lac
F The Citizens’ Corps Milwaukee Milwaukee
G The Beloit Star Rifles Rock
H The Buffalo County Rifles Buffalo
I The Anderson Guards Juneau and Dane
K The Lemonweir Minute Men Juneau
THE NINETEENTH INDIANA VOLUNTEERS
Company County
A The Union Guards Madison
B The Richmond City Greys Wayne
C The Winchester Greys Randolph