The regiment was organized by Act of
Congress approved March 3, 1855, which also established the 9th
Infantry, and 1st and 2d (now 4th and 5th)
regiments of cavalry, and the following named officers were appointed to the
original organization:
Colonel Edmund B. Alexander.
Lieut.-Colonel Charles F. Smith.
Majors: William H. T. Walker and Edward R. S. Canby.
Captains: Henry F. Clarke,* Franklin Gardner,* James G. S. Snelling,*
Barnard E. Bee,* John C. Symmes,* Matthew S. Pitcher (N. Y.), Nathaniel S. Webb
(Conn.), Albert Tracy (Me.), Jesse A. Gove (N. H.), and John Dunovant (S. C.).
First Lieutenants: Joseph L. Tidball,* Alfred Cumming,* Cuvier Grover,*
Louis H. Marshall,* Henry E. Maynadier,* Henry B. Kelly (La.), James Findlay
Harrison (Ohio), William Clinton (Penn.), John McNab (Vt.), Nathan A. M. Dudley
(Mass.).
Second Lieutenants: Peter T. Swaine,* John H. Forney,* Lyman M. Kellogg,*
Lawrence A. Williams,* James Deshler,* William H. Rossell (N. J.), Alexander
Murry (Penn.), Malcolm H. Nicholls (La.), William Kearny (Mo.), and Curtis
Dunham (Kan.).
Captains Clarke and Symmes declined, and 1st Lieutenants A. D.
Nelson* and Henry Heth,* 6th Infantry, were appointed to fill their
vacancies. John Dunovant was the only captain who had seen no previous service.
The 9th and 10th Regiments of Infantry (riflemen) were
uniformed as
*Graduates of the U. S. Military
Academy.
532
other regiments of infantry, with the exception of the knapsack straps and
waist belts, which were like those of the French Chasseurs-a-pied. They
were also furnished with bugles instead of drums.
The headquarters of the regiment were stationed at Carlisle Barracks, Pa.,
recruiting being conducted under the superintendence of the regimental
commander, to whom all officers appointed to the regiment were directed to
report by letter, giving their addresses, and suggesting places in their
respective neighborhoods where recruiting rendezvous could be opened. For the
first few months a field officer other than the colonel was in command of the
regiment.
Recruiting rendezvous were established at various points throughout the
Middle and New England States, Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky, and the junior major
was designated as “inspector of regimental rendezvous and stations” in
April, 1855; Lieutenants McNab and Maynadier being announced at the same time as
adjutant and quartermaster respectively.
Colonel Alexander joined and assumed command of the regiment August 25, 1355,
relieving Lieutenant-Colonel Smith and continuing the regimental staff in their
positions.
To facilitate the necessary military instruction, Companies A, B, D, G and K
were, in August, placed under the supervision of Lieut.-Col. Smith, and C, F, H
and I, under that of Major Canby. Hardie’s Rifle and Light Infantry Tactics
were first used for instruction in the regiment. In September, 1855,
preparations were commenced for the transfer of the regiment to its first
regular station.
In October Lieutenant McNab was detailed on recruiting service and Lieutenant
Maynadier was made regimental adjutant in his place, Lieutenant Swaine, later,
being appointed regimental quartermaster in Maynadier’s place.
The Field, Staff, and A, B, C, D, F, G, H, I and K, left Carlisle Barracks
October 13th, and arrived at Galena October 17th.
Headquarters and A, C, D, I and K, travelled thence by steamboat to Fort
Snelling, arriving October 20th. Companies B, F, G and H, under Major
Canby, left Galena on the 18th and arrived at Fort Crawford, Wis.,
October 19th. Company C took station at Fort Ripley October 31st.
Of the first five hundred men enlisted for the regiment, sixty-six were born
in the New England States, one hundred and forty-nine in the Middle and Western
States, and two hundred and eighty-five were foreign born. From this total
enlisted, two hundred and seventy-five deserted before completing their
enlistment.
Company E during this year was serving in the field under General Harney, a
portion of the time being mounted. The seventy men carried on its return for
July had all been selected by Captain Heth from the general service recruits at
Governor’s Island, N. Y. The company, under Lieutenant Dudley, arrived at Fort
Leavenworth on the 25th of July. It left that post on the 4th
of August, and on the 3d of September was engaged in the battle of Blue Water.
The only changes in the list of officers of the regiment for the year 1855
were due to the death of Captain Snelling and the resignations of Lieutenants
Harrison and Kellogg. Aside from the regular promotions so caused, three brevet
second lieutenants—Hill of the 10th, Bennett of the 3d, and Bryan
of the 9th—were promoted and joined the regiment at the foot of the
list of second lieutenants.
In March, 1856, a system of regimental instruction was instituted. Exercise
in drill, target practice and marching was zealously kept up. It was impressed
on the soldiers that their duties as “Light Infantrymen” required of them a
complete knowledge of the use of the rifle, and especially deliberation and
calmness in firing, that each shot might be effective. The ranges for target
practice were two, three, four, five, six and seven hundred yards. Five shots
were allowed at 200 yards, seven at 300, nine at 400, nine at 500, and ten each
at 600 and 700 yards. The target used was a piece of white cotton, seven feet
long and four feet wide, stretched on an iron frame. The bull’s-eye was a
circle eight inches in diameter, four feet from the ground and equidistant from
the sides, painted black, with the exception of a small spot in the centre left
unpainted to determine the centre accurately. Outside the bull’s-eye were two
black rings concentric with it, with radii of six and nine inches respectively.
All shots were recorded and the men classified according to ability. Squads and
individuals were practised, and the percentage of hits to misses governed the
score, record in the cases of individuals being kept of bull’s-eye hits.
Regimental headquarters and four companies, under Colonel Alexander, left
Fort Snelling June 24th of this year, and arrived at Fort Ridgely
June 30th, taking station there; B, F, G and H left Fort Crawford,
Wis., June 9th, and arrived at Fort Snelling June 11th,
where H was assigned to duty.
On the 23d of July, B (Gardner) and F (Pitcher) left Camp Alexander, near
Fort Snelling, under the command of Lieut.-Col. Smith, on the Red River
expedition. They were absent until November 27th of the same year,
when the command returned to Fort Snelling, having marched in that time a
distance of nearly a thousand miles. Colonel Smith assumed command of Fort
Snelling on his return to that post.
On the 19th of March, 1857, it was reported to the commanding
officer of Fort Ridgely, that a war party of Sioux had raided a settlement at
Spirit Lake on the southern border of Minnesota, killing settlers and burning
their homes. The call for assistance came from Des Moines City, described
at-that time as a settlement on the Des Moines River, some fifteen miles north
of Spirit Lake. Captain B. E. Bee with “D,” numbering forty-eight rank and
file, left the post at noon of the same day and proceeded down the valley of the
Minnesota River to South Bend.
The season of the year was most unfavorable for such an expedition. The snow
lay deep on the trail, and had thawed to such an extent that it would not bear
the weight of the men or the heavy sleds used for transportation. Their progress
was necessarily slow and wearisome.
Extricating the mules and sleds from the deep drifts of snow by digging with
spade and shovel, and pulling them out of the sloughs, more troublesome than the
snow-banks, and more dangerous, occupied the men from early daylight until
darkness set in, and greatly delayed the progress of the command. For several
days the same difficulties were encountered.
By marching the command in column of fours and relieving the men at the head
of the column, at short intervals, they were able to break a road through the
deep and heavy snow. They would then stack arms, and the soldiers would fall
back to the assistance of the sleds. In spite of these difficulties the command
marched fifteen or eighteen miles a day. In addition to the severe strain this
labor imposed upon the men, they were, after reaching camp, drilled in
skirmishing, as many of them were recruits who had never been instructed in this
drill. In spite of their hardships and sufferings the soldiers behaved
gallantly, evincing patience, determination and pluck, and maintained a
cheerfulness really remarkable.
On the afternoon of March 28th, after a weary march of twenty
miles, the command arrived in sight of the Indian village, which was situated in
a thick grove of timber and apparently consisted of about thirty lodges. At once
all was made ready for action. The sick and weary rejoined the ranks from the
sleighs. The advance was made and the old story repeated. The Indians had fled,
and only their deserted village and a half-breed Sioux settler, well known to
the whites by the name of Caboo, remained to compensate the troops for their
gallant effort. From Caboo it was learned that the hostiles were a portion of
Ink-pah-du-tah’s band. They had wiped out the settlement, and had gone to
Heron Lake, some twenty-five miles distant in the direction of the Yankton
Country.
Caboo was confident that the Indians were there, although he asserted that
they intended to join the Yanktons, who were then at war, and against whom
troops were then operating on the Missouri River.
At retreat, Captain Bee, having decided to continue the pursuit, called for
volunteers, desiring to select for that purpose the strongest and most ardent of
the men, but every man of the company stepped to the front and desired to be
permitted to accompany the expedition. Selecting one officer,—Lieutenant Murry,—two
non-commissioned officers, and twenty privates, rationed for three days, Captain
Bee pushed on to Heron Lake. Caboo, who had joined the command as a guide, by
intercepting the trail shortened the distance marched to about fourteen or
sixteen miles. The camp was found, but the Indians had become alarmed and fled
in haste from their village, leaving behind traces of their plunder in the shape
of books, scissors, articles of female apparel, furs, traps, etc., scattered
about all parts of the village. They had been gone some hours. About four miles
beyond, at another small lake and grove, a small camp of hostiles had also been
established, but was deserted when Lieutenant Murry and his men, detached for
that purpose, reached it. Fearing that other bands were still about the
settlement, and being destitute of provisions, with a rapidly rising
stream—the Des Moines—between him and his supplies, and his men being
foot-sore and weary from a march of one hundred and forty miles under
difficulties not easily portrayed, Captain Bee was obliged to return
disappointed to his main camp. The command then marched to the settlements, and
an investigation entered into by Captain Bee disclosed the cause of the outbreak
to be as follows:
In the early winter Ink-pah-du-tah’s band, numbering about thirteen men,
had been hunting on the Little Sioux River. A dog belonging to one of the
settlers attacked and severely bit one of these Indians, and was promptly killed
by the Indian. The owner of the dog punished the Indian,, and the other
settlers, fearing trouble from the settler’s rash act, made matters still
worse, in fact, precipitated upon themselves an Indian war in short order. They
disarmed the whole band of Indians, thus leaving them without means of procuring
sustenance. The Indians became highly incensed at this act of the whites. The
captured arms were left unguarded, a fact the Indians soon discovered. They
immediately recovered them, and then turned with true savage fury upon the
defenseless settlers of the valley, murdering, burning and carrying into
captivity women and children. These Indians procured through the
unscrupulousness of a pair of white wretches by the name of Wood, who were
brothers, living on the opposite side of the river to the settlement destroyed
by the Indians, arms and ammunition. They are said to have carried on a
profitable traffic with the hostiles. There appears no record of a subsequent
hanging match either.
During April of this year the headquarters of the regiment were temporarily
established at Fort Snelling, in consequence of the Indian excitement, and upon
the strong recommendation of General Alexander, who earnestly set forth the
advantages possessed by that post in having a daily mail in summer, and a
tri-weekly mail in winter.
In May one of the white women, captured by Ink-pah-du-tah’s band of Sioux
at the Spirit Lake massacre, was surrendered to Agent Flandreau and taken to
Fort Ridgeley. While negotiating the surrender of two others held by the band,
it was decided to suspend military operations planned, and which were to have
been carried on mainly by the Tenth Infantry, under the command of
Lieut.-Colonel Smith and Major Canby, until that object had been accomplished.
Yellow Medicine Agency was the point from which the negotiations were being
conducted.
Following closely upon the Indian troubles which most of the regiment had
been employed, since early spring, in suppressing, came the necessity to send to
Utah a large military force to protect the Federal officers there,. and to
compel obedience to the laws. Brigham Young, who had been running things
successfully with a high hand for some years, finally announced himself as
follows:
“I am, and will be Governor, and no power can hinder it until the Lord
Almighty says,’ Brigham, you need not be Governor any longer.’”
This seems to have settled it. The Government ordered an expedition,
consisting of two thousand five hundred men under Colonel A. S. Johnston, I to
Utah Territory for protection of the newly appointed Governor, Alfred Cumming,
and other federal officials in the discharge of their duties.
The Tenth Infantry formed a part of the expedition, and by the 30th
of June, 1857, the regiment, excepting A and D, was at Camp Walbach, near Fort
Leavenworth. General Alexander, Colonel Smith, and Major Canby were present for
duty; A was at that time at Fort Ripley, and D at Fort Ridgeley.
The regiment took up the march July 18 and reached Fort Kearney August 7
where it remained until the 11th, and on August 31 encamped eight
miles below Fort Laramie, on the scene of Lieutenant Grattan’s massacre.* A
left Fort Ripley July 8, and D Fort Ridgeley July 21, and at the end of August
both companies were in camp near Fort Kearney, Neb., en route to Utah.
The march of the regiment from Fort Laramie was not resumed until Sept. 5,
the time since its arrival having been occupied in refitting, replenishing
supplies, and resting the weary. On the night of the 24th the Mormons
made an attempt to stampede the mules of the baggage train, a small party of
them dashing through the herd, firing and yelling. Only eleven of the mules were
driven off, and they were recovered the next day by a party of teamsters sent in
pursuit under Lieutenants Maynadier and Swayne. The regiment reached Green River
on the 27th, left there at midnight the same night, and after a march
Of 23 miles reached Ham’s Fork. Company C formed a part of the command of
Captain R. B. Marcy during October. It returned to Ham’s Fork October 31. A
and D joined the command on the 6th of November.
The regiment arrived at Camp Scott, near Fort Bridger, on the 20th,
where a winter camp was formed. The health of the regiment was reported
remarkably good, but many cases of frost-bite occurred during the month.
Theoretical and practical instruction was maintained as regularly as was
permitted by inclement weather, and the absence of large details for detached
guard and outpost duty, and the necessity of hauling all the fuel by hand four
or five miles. These laborious duties were -performed too, upon a restricted and
indifferent allowance of food. The ration of flour was restricted at one time to
ten ounces, and the beef cattle furnished were of the poorest quality, some of
them unable to stand up.
The regiment moved from Camp Scott to Fort Bridger March 18, 1858, in one of
the most terrible snowstorms ever encountered in that valley. It remained at
this post until June 15, when it marched to Salt Lake City. arriving June 26,
and at the temporary site of Camp Floyd, U. T., July 7, Major Canby, with E and
K left Camp Floyd August 6 to proceed to Fort Bridger and there to assume
command. Lieut.-Colonel Smith assumed command of the regiment August 6, Colonel
Alexander going on leave, and the regiment moved from temporary to permanent
site of Camp Floyd September 7, and at once commenced erecting adobe quarters
into which it moved October 16, 1858.
It was during the year 1858 that the “double quick” was established as
the habitual marching time of the regiment in the formation of line.
The duties which devolved upon the officers and men of the regiment at this
period were extremely disagreeable, and demanded the utmost caution,
determination, firmness and good judgment. The troops were employed in arresting
and guarding civil prisoners, upon the requisitions of U. S. Marshals, and
supporting officers at the U. S. Courts; Captain Heth, particularly, rendering
efficient service in these duties. Company B, under Lieutenant Cunningham, was
employed in protecting immigrants against Indians in the northern part of the
territory, going as far north as Fort Hall.
Sergeant Ralph Pike, 10th Infantry, died at Camp Floyd, U. T.,
August 14, 1859, and was buried with military honors on the 15th. He
was a victim to Mormon hatred, having been assassinated in revenge for the
proper discharge of his duty. It is of interest to know that the murderer of
Sergeant Pike was arrested. The arrest, however, was not made until about twenty
eight years had elapsed, and it is not known what punishment, if any, the
murderer received.
On March 21, 1860, the command of the regiment devolved upon Major Canby,
Lieutenant-Colonel Smith having been directed to assume command of the
department of Utah. Indian troubles in New Mexico occupied the attention of the
military authorities early in this year (1860), the powerful Navajo tribe
furnishing the greatest number of malcontents. Major Canby who stood high as an
efficient and successful officer in the field, was directed by the War
Department to proceed to Fort Garland, N. M., and on May 20 he, with A, F and H,
left Camp Floyd en route for that post, which was reached after a long and
arduous march of more than 640 miles, extending over a period of two months. The
route selected was by way of Summit Camp on Salt Creek, Utah, where the command
arrived May 31, and the Blue River, on which it encamped from June 28 until July
6, 1860, finally arriving at its new station, Fort Garland, July 28.
Regimental Headquarters, and B, C and G, under Captain Cumming, left Camp
Floyd May 10 en route to Forts Bridger and Laramie, and reached Fort Bridger May
20; Headquarters, and C, D and K, under Captain Dunovant, left Bridger May 26
and arrived at Fort Laramie June 19, 1860, having marched a total distance of
550 miles.
Colonel Alexander rejoined from leave and took command of the regiment July
16, 1860, and on the same date appointed Lieutenant J. H. Hill, adjutant and
Lieutenant L. H. Marshall, R. Q. M. Lieut.-Colonel Smith was relieved of the
command of the department of Utah and assumed command of Camp Floyd August 20,
1860.
During the month of August, 1860, A left Fort Garland on an expedition
against Navajo Indians and, on the 3d of October, had a sharp skirmish with a
superior force of them in the Tunica Mountains, near the Sierra de las Estréllas,
killing ten Indians, capturing five prisoners, taking 16 horses and destroying
the village. First Sergeant Boyce was wounded in the affair by an arrow shot
through his breast. The company then proceeded to Fort Defiance, A. T., arriving
October 4, and leaving on the 11th as part of the first column of the
Navajo expedition. On the last day of the month the company was in camp at Mesa
de las Bacis, Lieutenant Rossell in command, having marched a distance during
the month of over 300 miles.
During the first half of the month of November, A was employed in scouting
the country between Cañon de Chele and Cañon de las Simitas.
Major Walker and Captain Dunovant, who were both from the South, resigned in
December of this year.
Company A, with G, 5th Infantry, under command of Lieutenant
Lewis, 5th Infantry, left Fort Fauntleroy January 5, 186 1, on a
scouting expedition. About thirty miles north of Fort Fauntleroy, on the morning
of the 7th, a village was located, surprised by the troops, four
Indians killed, seventeen taken prisoners, twelve animals captured, and the
village destroyed. At the commencement of the year 1862 the regiment was
stationed as follows:
Headquarters and Companies D and K at Fort Laramie, Neb.; A and F at Socorro,
N. M.; B, E, G and I in Washington, D. C.; C at Fort Wise, Col.; and H in camp
at Pinos Ranch, near Santa Fé, N. M.
In January and early in February, A, F and H concentrated at Fort Craig, N.
M., and on the 21st of February were engaged in the battle of Val
Verde, near Fort Craig, with the rebel forces, F serving a battery of howitzers.
The battalion commander, Capt. W. H. Rossell, 10th Infantry, was
taken prisoner, ten enlisted men were killed and sixteen wounded in this
engagement. The killed were Privates Collins, Hoggant, Miller, Reichling,
Schweer and Washburne of Company A, and Corporals Crotty and Christianson, and
Privates Brown and Schweep of Company H. This was the regiment’s first
sacrifice to the Civil War, made on the dreary plains of New Mexico, nearly two
thousand miles from the principal theatre of operations.
Companies B, E, G and I, serving with the Army of the Potomac, left
Washington, March, 1862,—encamped near Fort Monroe from March 26 till April
4,—and at Yorktown, Va., on the 12th. In May B was broken up and
the men absorbed by E, G and I. The same course was adopted during the same
month with A in New Mexico, the privates being transferred and the
non-commissioned officers attached to F and H. During the previous month A, F
and H had formed part of Colonel Canby’s command, which left camp at Val
Verde, N. M., on April 1, 1862, F serving as artillery. They took part in the
affairs at Albuquerque on the 8th, and Peralto on the 15th
of April. In September and October, 1862, C, F and H, marched to Leavenworth,
arriving November 7. On the 24th they were in Washington, and four
days later had reported for duty with the 2d Brig., 2d Div., 5th
Corps, General Sykes commanding, at Aquia Creek, Va., where E, G and I were also
serving. These six companies were engaged in the battle of Fredericksburg, Dec.
13, 14 and 15. E, G and I, while forming part of Sykes’ Brigade, were engaged
in the battle of Chickahominy, with a loss in killed and wounded of thirty
enlisted men, and were engaged at Malvern Hill and Bull Run, 2d, with a loss in
those two engagements of thirteen enlisted men. They were also engaged in the
battle of Antietam, and in the action near Shepardstown, Va., with a loss in
these two engagements of fifteen enlisted men.
The year 1863 proved to be a most eventful one for the regiment. At its
commencement Headquarters and D and K were at Fort Kearney, having been
transferred to that post from Fort Laramie in the preceding June. C, E, F, G, H
and I were with the Army of the Potomac. Early in March, 1863, C, E, F and I
were broken up. and the enlisted men, numbering 81, were transferred and
attached to Companies G and H. Regimental Headquarters and D and K, commanded by
Lieut. Bush, left Fort Kearney April 7, and joined the regiment in the field
near Chancellorsville on the night of the 30th. When Lieut. Bush and
his command, numbering three officers and fifty men, direct from the plains of
Nebraska, joined the regiment, its total strength then amounted to but eight
officers and 100 enlisted men.
At about noon of the following day, while moving toward Fredericksburg, the
enemy made his appearance, and was attacked and driven back by the 2d Brigade,
which on that morning led the division. When the enemy was first encountered the
2d Brigade was deployed with the 2d and 6th Infantry on the right of
the road, the 7th, 10th, and 11th on the left.
The 17th was deployed as skirmishers. The 10th, with some
assistance from the 11th, captured in this advance 27 Of the enemy,
including one officer. Lieut. Bush commanded the regiment in this battle, and in
his report recommends Sergeant-Major William Stanley for promotion to a
second-lieutenancy for gallant conduct in the field. He also mentions national
color bearer, Lance Sergeant J. A. Crotty for soldierly conduct and for
capturing one of the enemy; and mentions Sergeant Michael Finaughty regimental
color bearer, for his coolness under fire.
The brigade commander in his report of the battle mentions Lieutenants Bush,
Sellers, Kellogg and Boyce, 10th Infantry. Lieut. Sellers was at this
time A.A.A.G. of the 2d Brigade,—Lieut. Kellogg, A.D.C.,—and Lieut. Boyce,
A.A.D.C. to the brigade commander. Lieut. Hampson is also mentioned by the
regimental commander for having distinguished himself in this action. The loss
of the regiment in this engagement was 12 enlisted men wounded. On the 6th
of May the regiment recrossed the Rappahannock and encamped near Falmouth, Va.
In this month K was broken up and its 25 enlisted men were transferred and
attached to D. The regiment, still forming a part of the 2d Brig., 2d Div., 5th
Corps, left camp near Falmouth, Va., June 4, reached the vicinity of Gettysburg
July 2d, and fought the enemy the same day, losing one officer—Lieut. W. J.
Fisher—and 16 enlisted men killed; five officers and 27 men wounded, and three
men missing. Captain William Clinton commanded the regiment at this time. The
regiment lay in position, supporting a battery during the night of the 2d, and
took part in the fighting on the A 4th and 5th. The loss
inflicted in these engagements upon what remained of the regiment at this time
was fearful. Sixty per cent. of the officers, and over fifty-four per cent. of
the enlisted men engaged were killed or wounded. The regiment occupied at one
time an exposed position, with a greatly superior force in front and on both
flanks. A terrific fire was directed against it by the enemy, and the roar of
musketry was so great that the commands given it to fall back were not heard.
Fortunately another portion of the Corps came to the rescue, and compelled the
enemy to retreat. The wounded officers were Captains Clinton and Bush, and
Lieuts. Welles. Boyce and Hamilton. Lieut. Boyce died shortly after from wounds
received in this battle.
On the 8th of July the regiment was encamped near Middleton, Md.
It crossed the South Mountain on the 9th, and arrived in camp near
Williamsport on the 14th. On the 15th it crossed the
Potomac at Berlin, and on the night of the 23d formed a part of the line of
battle at Manassas.
The losses of the regiment had been so heavy, and it had become so reduced in
point of numbers, that it had become necessary for the authorities to withdraw
it from the field and send it North for recuperation. On the 17th of
August what remained of it left Alexandria by steamer, arriving in New York City
on the 20th, where it remained until the 14th of
September, when it was transferred to Fort Lafayette, N. Y. H. At the end of the
year all that was left of the regiment consisted of the band and Company D, with
a total strength, present and absent, of 128.
Capt. William G. Jones, 10th Infantry, while absent commanding, as
colonel, the 36th Ohio Volunteers, was killed in the battle of
Chickamauga, Ga., Sept. 19, 1863.
The regiment left Fort Lafayette on the 23d of April, 1864, and joined the 1st
Brig., 1st Div., 9th Corps, near Bealton Station, Va., on
the 29th of the same month. On the 6th of May it took part
in the battle of the Wilderness, with a loss of eight enlisted men killed,
officer—Major Hayman—and 48 enlisted men wounded, and five men missing. On
the 12th of May the regiment was engaged in the battle of
Spottsylania C. H., Va., losing but two men wounded.
From this time on until the battle of North Anna River, May 24, there was a
total loss in killed, wounded and missing of 17 men. Casualties frequently
occurred while employed in reconnoissances, picket duty and skirmishing. While
making a reconnoissance near Spottsylvania C. H. on the 16th, one man
was killed; and two days later, while on the same duty, two men were killed and
one officer—Lieut. Reed—and one man were wounded. On the 3d of June the
regiment was engaged in the battle of Cold Harbor, losing one officer—Lieut.
Stanley, adjutant—and one man wounded. The regiment was transfered [sic]
June 11 to the 1st Brig., 2d Div., 5th Corps, and took
part in the battle of Petersburg, June 18, losing in killed and wounded three
men. One man was killed on the 19th, and another on the 21st.
On this date also Lieut. Skinner was wounded, from the effects of which he .died
June 26.
The regiment also took part in the assault following the explosion of the
mine at Petersburg, July 30. It was also engaged in the battle of Weldon
Railroad, August 18, 19 and 21, 1864, losing six men killed, one
officer—Captain R. H. Hall—and nine men wounded, and one officer—Lieut. J.
C. White—and sixteen men missing. The movement of the regiment to its position
of the first day at Weldon Railroad began at daylight on the 18th.
The march was a most fatiguing one, the heat intense. Lieutenant Luning,
commanding, was prostrated about noon from its effects, and the command then
devolved upon 2d Lieut. T. H. French. Fully one-third of the men had fallen out
of ranks before this time from sheer exhaustion, although they bravely
endeavored to keep up. In the first advance, which was made through a dense wood
east of the railroad, and half a mile beyond, the regiment was engaged,
outflanked, and subjected to a heavy cross-fire, which caused it to fall back to
a position in the rear of the woods. Captain Hall joined the regiment on the
morning of the 19th. At about 3 o’clock on the afternoon of that
day the enemy again attacked the line of which the regiment formed a part, again
outflanked it, and caused it to withdraw. It subsequently regained its first
line after a gallant charge against the enemy. Captain R. H. Hall, commanding
the regiment, was hit by a musket ball in the head a few hours after taking
command.
On the 20th there was no fighting for the regiment, but on the 21st
it occupied a position greatly exposed to an artillery cross-fire. The fire was
so well directed that our men had to seek safety on the outside of their
breast-works. 1st. Sergeant Pealock received special mention for his
gallant conduct, coolness and bravery, during these engagements of the 18th,
19th and 21st of August.
On the 1st of October the regiment, still forming a part of the 1st
Brig., 2d Div., 5th Corps, was engaged in battle on the Squirrel
Level Road, Va., losing three men, killed, and one officer—Lieut. T. H.
French—and five men wounded, and 18 men missing. The regiment was commanded in
this battle by 2d Lieut. Theodore Schwan, who, in his report, mentions
Lieutenants French and Hunter as having behaved with gallantry seldom surpassed.
1st Sergeant Pealock is again mentioned for coolness and bravery.
Corporal H. Marshall, 1st Sergeant Marpool, and Privates Stephens,
Steward, Landan and Mahony are also noticed for noticeable coolness under fire.
On the 12th of October the regiment was detailed as provost guard
at Headquarters 2d Div., 5th Corps, and on the 25th was
ordered to Fort Hamilton, N. Y. H., where it arrived on the 29th. It
was transferred to Fort Columbus, N. Y. H., November 3d and to Fort Porter,
Buffalo, N. Y., December 2d, where it was stationed at the end of the year. It
was much depleted in numbers, mustering, present and absent, but 189, a large
portion of the absent sick being permanently disabled.
In March, 1865, 245 recruits were sent to the regiment, certain companies
were reorganized, and were all filled to the maximum strength. In April 170
recruits were received and Company G was reorganized.
The regiment was again ordered into the field in April, 1865, and reached
Headquarters Army of the Potomac April 23d, at Burksville, Va. .It marched with
that army, via Richmond, May 6th, and encamped at Arlington Heights
May 12th. It participated in the review of the Army of the Potomac
May 23d, at Washington.
On the 20th of October the regiment moved by rail to St. Louis,
Mo., arriving October 27th, and on the 31st Companies A,
B, D, F, G and H moved by steamer up the Mississippi River to St. Paul, Minn.,
and were stationed as follows: Companies D and F at Fort Snelling; B and H at
Fort Ridgeley, and A and G at Fort Ripley, Minn.; Regimental Headquarters were
established at Jefferson Barracks, Mo. In December, 1865, C, E, I and K were
reorganized at the General Recruiting Depot, Fort Columbus, N. Y. H., and in
April, 1866, together with Regimental Headquarters, joined the regiment at Fort
Snelling.