Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1865-02-04
q


1t will be remembered that under the pro-
visions OfField Order No. =, by authority Of
1.-THE them Maj Gen. Grant, dated November
4, 1862, the Sixteenth Wisconsin was then
consolidated into five companies, owing to
its greatly reduced numbers in the early and
many severe engagements il encountered
The policy of the General Government hav-
ing soon after been changed in the disposi-
ton of regiments of this character, and this
being the only Wisconsin regiment in which
the order was enforced, measures we're taken
and consent of the War Department obtained
November %, 1868, for recruiting five com.
panies ard reorganization of the regiment
1t. Col Cassius Fairchild, commanding the
regiment, was detailed to superintend the re-
cFuitment, and by most commendable per.
severance accomplished the result The
companies were forwarded as fast as cOmplet.
ed, the last one leaving the State in the
month of October, and the regiment was
thereby restored to minimum.
The call of the President of the United
States, February /, 1864, for five hundred
thousand volunteers, including the prior call
for three hundred thousand, and giving cred
it to sub-districts for all recruits obtained
under the draft just completed, to apply
thereon, brought also authority for the Organi-
recruiting service. This was greatly increas-
ed in the State by the order of your Excel
lency, February 10th, directing the organza-
ton of the Thirty-sixth regiment of infantry,
and the appointment of the gallant, now Ia
mented, Haskell to tHe command The pres
tige of his name and brilliant career, soon
brought to his standard a maximum regiment
which with but a short delay in the State TO
receive arms was on the goth of May, brigad.
ed in the army of the Potomac, .and at the
extreme 'front.', ..:..-..
The peculiar fortunes of this regiment, lead
me to deviate from the usual course of the
report to briefly note their experience. On
the 26th Of May, within less than twenty days
from their leaving the State, companies h
and K formed part of the line of skirmishers,
with loss OF fourteen men, near Sections
Junction; June 1st they were In the charge
at Turner's Farm, and June Sd in the general
engagement at Cold Harbor, where, with 80
many of his regiment, their brave Colonel
was killed by the bullet of a rebel sharp.
shooters, while forming the brigade of which
be had command for action. On the 18th Of
June the total loss of the regiment in killed,
wounded and missing to that date was two
hundred and thirty-f0ur.. On tfe 18th follow
ing, Lieut.. Col. Savage fell in action mOrtally
wounded, and Major BFowna severely. On
the I4th of August Lieut. Col. Warner lost
an arm, and Maj. Hamilton was severely
wounded in the face, and on the 2sth of the
same month the balance. of the regiment
present for duty, numbering near one hun
dred aud sixty officers and men, under com.
mand Of line officer, we're more than three.
fourths captured In the action at Ream's Sta
ton. Thus, the regiment which left the
State on the 10th of May nine hundred and
ninety in numbers, had, in one hundred days,
Lost of its field officers two killed and three
soseFereiy wounded as 70 beiEcapacitated for
duty for months, and was for a time itself
reduced to a. mere squad Stragglers and
convalescents have. since Joined the CON-
mand, and there were present for duty Nov.
LIST, two hundred and fouraa $50
b.i No regiment has in so short q time encOun-
tered such dangers aud losses--none borne
itself more calamity or won pTouder name
The Thirty seventh and Thirty -eighth Req
meuts Of Infantry were also authorized on the
-7th and Sth Of March. .-4f
Meanwhile recruiting for old regiments
continued briskly, and until the announcement
BY the Secretary of War that the quota OF
Wisconsin was full under the calls Of
February, and March, when, the immediate
incentive being 8, removed, recruiting
ceased almost entirely, leaving the Thirty
seventh and Thirty-eighth with less than bali
aregiinent each - 30
A subsequent order Of the War Depart
ment directed the assignment of two cOmpa-
MES of drafted men, on duty at Camp Ran,
DAN, TO the Thirty-seyenth, and the organized
companies of each regiment were ordered 70
the front under command of the Lieutenant
Colonies. Colonels Hartman and Bintlln
were directed TO remain for the recruitment
of the regiments, which was accomplished
under circumstances rejecting much eredH
upon those officers. a1a
Under the call of the President of July IT,
1864, for 100000 volunteers of one, two OF
three years term of service, the Forty-second,
Col Sprague the Forty-third, Col. Amasa
Cobb; the Forty-fourth, Col. Geo. G. Symes'
and the Forty fifth infantry, Col. 81. F. Belitz'
have been authorized. The two first are CON-
pleted and at the front The last two are yet
recruiting-the Forty-fourth with FIVE COM
panies, and the Forty fifth with four compa-
MES at the front under command OF Lieu
tenant Colonel.
Upon the return Of the non-veterans OF
the Fifth regiment of infantry, whose three