Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1863-06-23
Correspondents ofthe State journal. ]
The Seventh Wisconsin Regiment.

The Seventh Wisconsin Regiment.
Washington, D. c., May 10Th, '63.
1t is sail that it is never too late to
"render unto Caesar that whieb is Ce-
sar's; = in view Of this great truth. | have
taken my pen in hand for the purpose of
paying a just tribute to gallant regiment,
tie name Of which heads this article. In
doing this, | do not desire to make any
inyidious comparisons which will in any
manner reflect upon other Western regi-
ments which have so bravely passed
through the fiery ordeal of the campaign
in Virginia and Maryland, as too much
cannot be said or written in their praise
! Believing that the meritorious conduct of
the veterans comprising this regiment has
not received the extended notice through
the press, which they 50 richly deserve, |
have taken this method TO place upon re-
cord, plain and truthful statement Of the
services rendered by the eth, during the
eyentful scenes of the recent terrible con-
ficts in Virginia and Maryland, dating
back from the Goth Of August, 1862, to
the storming of the Fredericksburg heights,
on the 29th of April, 1868.
During this campaign but little has been
written OF the part taken in thes battles by
Gen. Gibbons, "Iron Brigade;;a Of the
trials and hardships which the sons Of the
Far West have endured in "Dixie's land,"
and but little praise has been awarded to
the officers in command who have led
their brave comrades on to victory and
imperishable glory. Comparatively few
are there away from the blood-stained soil
Of Virginia and Maryland who know how
Wisconsin's sons have taken the lead 10
fierce conflicts, with Indiana's noble 10Th
by their side. That great battles were
fought during the period above mentioned
is known to every school boy in the land,
but of the indiyual deeds of heroism and
the conspicuous parts performed by the
disti1 rushed regiments Of Gibbons late
command, very little has appeared in print
As | am devoting this article more par
ticuarlv to the 9Th, it may be well to state
that the Colonel in command, w. w. Rob-
inson, is the senior Colonel Of the Brigade,
and in every respect gentleman and a
brave officer 1t was at the battle Of
GAINESVILLE, Va, on the 25th Of August,
1862, that Gen. Gibbons command of
Western troops, comprising the Wisconsin
I'd, 9th, 18th, and Indiana 10Th, engaged a
full Division of the enemy, and after des-
perate engagement, defeated them; though
we gained triumphant victory, the rank
and file Of the Brigade was sadly decin-
ated. The loss of this Regiment in killed
and wounded was 2l7, among the field Of
ficers wounded were Gel. w. w. Robinson,
Lit Col. G. A. Hamilton and Mai. Bill.
These officers acquitted themselves in the
most praiseworthy manner. u
The most fattering encomium which
your correspondent can pay to the heroic
Col. Robinson, is TO say that bis own vete-
ran followers fully appreciate his bravery
and military ability. If promotion is
based upon mans ability, courage anu
military skill, star upon the shoulder
straps of this gallant officer would be a
just reward for his services. The wound
ing of these officers placed the responsible
ity OF the command Of the regiment upon
the senior Captain, John B. Calls. He
assumed the honorable position on the
30th of August, and won laurels for his
regiment and himself at the second Bull
Run battle. 1t was on that ever memor
able field of conflict that the Eth and ID
stood side by side and supported battery
after three regiments had abandoned it in
despair. Though the enemy fought hard
to take the battery, it was saved through
their indomitable courage. When the
fortunes Of war turned against our arms,
and it became necessary for our forces TO
fall back, the "Iron Brigade" moved off in
such military like and orderly manner as
10 attract the attention OF Gen. Joe Hook
er, who was watching with keen and OBJ
serving eye the movements of the troops.
/ So proud was lie of the splendid order
which they observed, that be stood up in
his stIrups and shouted out THAT'S the
aOag to do 1t, boys" From this disas-
tous battle field we followed our Western
heroes to the South Mountain Here the
9TH was assigned place in the front to
open the fight and carry the gorge in the
mountain at all hazards. which it did
against a determined and bloody resistance
on the part Of the rebels, disputing every
inch Of ground with the 7th, which then
only numbered 299 men.
During this sanguinary conflict the 18th
LOST, in killed and wounded, AT Here |
must remark, in justice to the gallant act
ing Colonel, Capt. Calls, that he distin-
uished himself b. bis soldierly conduct and
bravery. The morning after the splendid
victory Of South Mountain, between day
break and sunrise our troops We're in hoi
pursuit of the enemy the remnant Of the
war-worn veterans of the 7lh, burning to re-
venge their comrades, pressed forward with
the old Brigade, to the historic battle field
of Antietam, were the fortunes Of war again
afforded the regiment another fearless ae