The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1863-03-26

lIltO camp DIV IuI COICOIdl fd.. "HCIC wv
+ lay for some time, until we were ordered in
= to Maryland and were brigaded with the 9th
and 18th Wisconsin, and 18th Indiana, and
6 placed under command of Brigadier General
I Rufus King.
Having crossed and recrossed the river sew
eral times for specific purposes, we were fin
q ally ordered to camp at Arlington Heights,
early in November, where we spent the win
. ter Of 81 and 81.
While at Arlington Heights our time was
f spent in drills, reviews; and the performance
of picket duty. Nothing of any particular
note occurred to disturb the monotony of camp
life, except a Thanksgiving dinner at which,
Senator Wilson of Massachusetts, and Secre-
tary Seward were guests and the presenta-
ton to the regiment of a pair of Guidon flags
richly and elaboratly wrought in gold bullion
on a gound work of heavy blue silk with sill
yer mountings. This munificent gift was the
handiwork of the donor, a Miss Benkhart, one
of New York's fair daughters, and presented
to the regiment for its perfection in drill and
marching. The presentation was made with
some very appropriate remarks from Gen.
King.
The Guidons were received in behalf of the
regiment by Capt. Mansfield, with a like re-
Spouse of patriotic eloquence, and delivered
over to the color bearers, who have often been
heard to make the remark that they would
sooner lose their lives, than the flags.
The spring of 81 at length arrived, and the
busy note of preparation again oundedfor the
campaign, which was Onward to Richmond"
as of yore, and the 18th day of April, found us
again with faces set southwark. Passing
through the deserted rebel strong hold of Cen
%terviIIe, Bull Run and Manassas, we slowly
wended our way through mud and storm to
the Rappahannock River, which point we
reached on the 23d, wen finding no enemy we
were ordered back to Brook Station and set to
work rebuilding the Rail Road bridges des-
troyed by the rebels before evacuating their
positions at Aqua Creek and Fredericksburg.
This work completed we were moved up with
Gen. Kings Division, took possession OF, and
occupied Fredericksburg. With the excep-
ton of two reconnaissance into the enemy's
country on the oath of July and 4th of August
nothing partaking of the nature Of an active
campaign was experienced until the 10th Of
August, when we were ordered to join Gen.
Pope's army then marching on Culpepper by
the way of Warrenton, but did not reach him
until the day after the battle at Slaughters
Mountain. The enemy having fallen back
across the Rapidan, we remained i'll camp on
the battlefield until the 18th, when an order
came for the whole army to fall back and re-
cross the Rappahannock River, which was ac-
complished on the 21st, the enemy closely fol-
lowing in our rear. On the 21st the rebels be-
gan to show themselves in considerable force at
Rappahannock Station, and at different points
both above and below with the evident intent
to cross, to defeat which purpose our forces
opened q brisk cannonading from our side Of
the river, while the river bank was thickly
lined with pickets and skirnishers. This hnd
of warfare was kept up on the 2lst, 22d, and
23d, at the station, on all of which occasions, :
the second participated, with very slight loss.
On the 23d Kings Division was ordered TO
fall back to Warrenton and protect the cross
ing of the river at White Sulphur Springs,
which point we reached on the 18th, and held
until the 9th, when we were again ordered
to fall back with all possible dispatch to Ma
nassas. The division fell back from white
Sulphur springs and Warrenton, late i'll the
day Of August 9th, marching until a late
hour in the night, when we bivouacked with
the order to move out again at 3 o'clock on
the morning of the 2Sth. On the 28th, short
ly after l O'clock ?. NJ. our advance guard
came up very close to the rear of the enemy,
where skirInishing had already taken place by
the advance Of our cavalry. We here halted
uiltI dbOuG Il OCUOCh L &. NJ. Will We again
fell in and resumed the march, making, how
ever, but a short distance when unexpectedly,
and suddenly came upon the enemy, who had
posted themselves i'll a select and chosen po-
sition, and Immediately opened fire upon our
brigade. This little episode was not on the
days programme, but did not take us alto
geticr by surprise. Quick as thought the
ambulances and transportation trains were
wheeled out ofthe marching column, the clear
shrill voice ofGcn. Gibbon rang out command
ing the brigade to form their line of battle,
and in less time than | am consuming in mar
rating the event, the deadly strife
ed. The battle lasted one hour and ten min
utes, when pitchy darkness closed the scene
our brigade holding their position and the
field.
There probably has not been SO unequal and
deadly a fight as this battle, during the war.
1t was afterward ascertained that we fought
the famous Stone Wall Brigade of jackson, all
picked and chosen troops, supported by Ewelfs
entire division. The rebel hordes during the
fight would charge upon a feeble column, ut
tering the most hideous yells, seemingly
sufficient to have to aveunstrung ironnerves,
but the demonstration and effort did not win,
for one cool and well directed fire from our
Austrian rifles sent them back reeling, silenc-
ing many voices forever. We have gained
the significant name of the 'Iron Brigade as
the rebels themselves acknowledged, that Glib
bon's Brigade was the first that had ever made
them turn their backs; but most dearly did
the name cost; the scene on the field was tru-
ly appalling.
Tricky scattered lay our brave dead and
wounded officers and men; Oh, the misery that
crowded itself into that short hour the kill
ed and wounded Of the brigade numbered
TT,
We remained on the field rendering all the
aid possible in the removal and care OF the
wounded and with as many as could be NOV
ed in the, division train of ambulances, fell
back to Manassas junction, 3 o'clock on the
morning of the 18th. The principal part of
the day was spent in forcing our new posi-
ton again in front, and III recognizing to
some extent the troops Of the brigade, by con-
solidating the 9TH with the End Regiment,
placing the same under command Of 1t. Col.
Fairchild. The position now occupied by the
brigade, was very near the old Bull Run bat
tie field of 1861, where we lay until noop.of
the 30th when the Iron brigade again fell in
and once more moved to the scene of strife
Our army held their ground but a very short
time, when they gave way and now follow
ed the most disgraceful defeat of the war
Vain and unsuccessful attempts were made to
rally the army, but every entreaty seemed to
fall upon deaf ears, and a steady line of re-
treating masses kept pouring by until the
whole army was under way toward Center
vile. Here again as on the former oocaeion
the End with the brigade of Gen. Gibbons
were the last troops to leave the field, and con-
stituted the rear guard Of Pope's army reach
ing Centerville at 10 O'Clock a. NJ. of the 31st.
The time intervening between this and the
End of September was spent in slowly falling
back and skirmishiug until we reached Up
toms Hill late in the day and went into camp.
Here we fell in with a part Of our old Co. X.
(now Wisconsin heavy artillery who were
/ oarrisnnino the Fort at this Mace. Hare also