The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1868-11-26
Reunion OF the a1st Regiment WiscOn.
sin Volunteers.

BcQ0lOu OF the 1lSt Regiment WlSCOn-
sin Volunteers.
The following account of re union of
the 2lst Regiment will be of interest to
many of our readers:
OSHKOSH, Tuesday Nov. 18th 1868.
The first reunion of the 2lst Regiment
of Wisconsin Volunteers was held here
yesterday according to call. The reyi-
ment was enlisted during the last weeks
Of August 1862 in the Counties of Fond
du Lac, Winnebago, Outagamie, Wau-
pacca, Calumet and Manitowoc. They
tendezvoused at Camp Bragg in this City
and were mustered into the United. States
service on the 5th of September, with
Col. Ben. j. Sweet; It. Col. Fl. c. Ho-
bart; Major Fred Schumacher; Adj NJ
Il. Fitch; Quartermaster H. G. Hamil-
ton; Surgeon S. J. Carolin.
The regiment was goo strong, and af-
ter only ten days i'll camp left on Sept
18th for Cincinnati. which was then
threatened by the rebels Their first duty
was in the trenches at Covington Ken
lucky, digging and guarding. Little
Phil Sheridan next took them in charge
at Louisville, and gave them their first
thorough equipment. When Buell. beat
Bragg in the race from Tennessee, the
2lst was assigned to brigade in Rous-
seau's Division. On the Sth of October,
less than month from the time they left
the State, they took gallant part in the
battle of Perryville under Col. Stark
weather commanding Brigade.
BY some mistake this regiment was
placed in front of our line, in position
where they received the fire of both ar
mics, but they moved with the GOODNESS
of veterans, and joining their Brigade
utterly routed the enemies right and saw
ed the day In this battle they lost their
Colonel, severely wounded, and so men.
On the 30th Of December, $500 OF
WheeleI's cavalry attacked supply train
and was in attacked by Starkweather and
whipped. In his report, Rousseau says
the burden ofthe fight fell upon the 81 st
Wis, and they behaved like veterans. "
They here took their first lessons in artil-
lery practice, some of the men Selling an
abandoned gun, hauling it into position,
and using it most efectually against
Whecler's massed cavalry. Their loss
was four men.
That night the regiment moved to the
support of Gen. Thomas, at Stone River,
and on the I'd of January moved to the
extreme front, under heavy shell fire
and took a position, which they held
against the enemy for three days.
At the fearful battle of Chicamauga,
the regiment fought not only cody, but
desperately. On the e7enlng of the 10th
the enemy having fanked our right, this
Brigade was ordered to fall back, but the
2fst did not get the order, and did not
move until they found themselves almost
surrounded by the rebels They then
fell back fighting, and finally cut their
way out, losing however their 1t. Colonel
and seventy men. and their flag. Col.
Hobart was taken to Libby prison, from
which he afterwards escaped by the cele-
brated tunnel. In this cnga cement, the
regiment lost in killed and wounded, thir.
ty-two.
At Lookout Mountain and Missionary
Ridge they were in reserve, but joined IN
the fierce pursuit. Volumes could not
relate the thrilling incidents Of the days
and ghts of marching and fighting tina
followed. But everywhere, the Dist up
held the proud reputotion for tireless in
domitable pluck, that had by this time
wreathed the Wisconsin troops, wherever
they had become known.
At the battle of Resaca, they werc the
last to leave the trenches they had taken
and finally did not retire until they We're
relieved They lost forty seven
At Dallas, the skirmishers of the 2lst
were within fifty PAGES of the enemy and
for six days held their position under a
constant fire. Loss thirty two. But time
and space fails, to even mention the long
list of gallant deeds of this true Wiscon-
sin regiment, now dwindled to mere
handful, but yet and always prodigal of
their strength and blood At one Of he
battles of Kenehaw Mountain, this regi-
ment in skirmish line, dashed through a
deep stream, up an embankment and into
line of rebel rifle pits, repu.scd a North
Carolina regiment sent TO drive them ou.
and took thirteen Of their assalIants pris
oners.
Before Atlanta the regiment lost by
wounds, death and disease 222 men.
But the war closed with the complete
success of our armies. The rebellion
surrendered at discretion.
In the long bright roll of glory. for
places on which the different States of
the free north contended, Wisconsin
stands among the highest. She was
young in the sisterhood, and compare
lively weak in numbers. But her rcgi-
menss, were host, each in itself. The
back woodsman of Maine, Michigan, Wis
consin and Minnesota. never were beaten.
The old 2lst, were we'll up in roll where
all were heroes. 1t was fitting hat here
where they first gave their oaths to the
Government they gave their lives to sup
port, the few remaining men should first
meet, in 'peace their valor won," to or
ganize anew the fraternal bond that was
so close in the years of bloody strife they
passed through together
About one hundred and fifty of the
heroes assembled. Many old com
rades. of other regiments, were here as
invited guests
About half past 2 P. NJ, the meeting
was called to order, at the Court House.
by Capt. C. n. Paine. On motion of
Cart. Myron, Col. NJ Fl. Fitch took
command. The Colonel who has com
manded the regiment through many of
its bloodiest fields, and was mustered out
with it, took command, and made neat
little speech giving some history of the
regiment, and rightfully claiming for it a
high place among Wisconsin regiments.
The Committee en- permanent organic
atien reported as follows:
For President-Col. NJ. Fl. Fitch.
lst Vice President Maj. G.. H. Walker.
I'd do Capt. Alex White,
A. Go.
Sd Vice President-Capt. Henry Tur-
ner, D. Co.
4th Vice President-Scrgt. Joseph
Barnes, [. Co.
5th Vice President-,Private B. G.
Avery, B. Go.
Secretaries-C. F. Wyman, Sergt. f.
Co.; a. W. Bollard, private, d. Co.
Cor. Seecretary-Wm. Wall, Capt G.
Co.