Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1871-06-07
18th Wis. Regiment.

1
| June 7th, at Turner Hall. A brief outline
of the history and exploits of this regimen
may not prove embarrassing to the reader
of the REPUBLICAN.
The 29th regiment was recruited prime
pally in the counties of Jefferson, Dodge
Dane and Columbia, and the companie
composing the organization were ordered t
rendezvous at Camp Randall, Madison, Ser
TENDER goth, 1862 Under the supervision
of Col. Charles R. Gill, then resident {
/ this city, the organization of the regimen
] was soon completed, and it was mustered
into the service on the 9th of the sam
month, one week after arriving in camp
On the I'd OF November, having received
orders to join the Army of the Southwest
they left camp Randall and proceeding
down the Mississippi, disembarked on the
7th on the east bank of the river, opposite
| Helena, Arkansas On the 18th of Novem
Der detachment of four hundred men from
the regiment, commanded by Col. Gill, join
ed an expedition into the interior of Arkan-
sas, by way of White River, but the low
stage of water compelled their return te
camp on the I'D. The next day the regi-
ment embarked, proceeding down the river
to Friar's Point, Miss, where they estab-
lished their camp, having previously, in a
sharp skirmish, driven ous band of guer-
illas A few days afterwards detachment
of four hundred men of the regiment en-
countered large guerilla force in the in
terror and put them to fight. On the 9th
of January, 1868 they evacuated Friars
Point and returned to Helena. On the 1lth
they again embarked, taking part in an ex-
pidition intended for the capture of Arkan-
sas Post, and to penetrate the interior of the
state by way of White River. When the
expedition got to the mouth of White River
on the 18th, information was received that
Al kansas Post had surrendered, and the ex-
petition moved up White River to Duval's
Bluff, capturing a number of prisoners, sew
eral pieces of artillery, small arms ana stores
at different points along the river. On the
23d the regiment returned to Helena, and
went into camp five miles back of that
place; where they were engaged in OUTPOST
duty.
In the organization of the army for the
great campaign which witnessed the fall of
Vcksburg in the summer of 1868, the
twenty ninth was assigned a position in the
Thirteenth Army corps. To participate in
the general movements they left Helena on
the 10th of April, arriving at Millikins
BeEd on the 18th. Their march around
Vicksburg was commenced three days later
The roads were almost impossible, and
many places through swampS had to built
by the men before any progress could be
made The regiment, however, arrived at
Perkins Plantation, below Vicksburg, on
the 2ist, and on the 9th embarked on
transports and barges for attack on Grand
Gulf The gun boats failing TO silence the
rebel batteries, they again landed on the
10th and marched to point opposite Bru-
insburg, at which place they crossed the riv-
er next day, and marched during the night
over rough and difficult roads towards Port
Gibson, Miss, in the vicinity of which they
arrived early on the morning of the lst of
May. The enemy was discovered, strongly
poste on all the roads leading to Port Glib
son. and general action was commenced;
the rebels fought desperately, but, beaten at
all points, they were finally forced to hasty
retreat; this was the first engagement of
the regiment, and gallantly did they sustain
the reputation of Wisconsin troops for cool
ness and bravery, receiving high praises
from their Brigade commander, General
McGinnis in his official report. In this ac-
ton they suffered a loss OF seventy-ive
killed and wounded. Next morning the
18th entered Por. Gibson and march was re-
summed on the 81 crossing Bayou Pierre
they moved towards jackson, and on the
18th encountered tie enemy near the main
crossing of Fourteen Mile Creek. In con-
nectioD with others of the brigade part OF
the regiment deployed as skirmisherS sue
ceeded in driving the enemy across the
creek and some distance from it. Early on
the morning of the 18th the division crossed
the stream, moving to tue right towards
Raymond, which place they passed through
on the l4th and turning to the northwest,
took the advance towards Vicksburg. Fall
ing in with the enemy near Bolton. the
division was formed in line awaiting his at
tack. Early Oh the morning of the 10th
they moved towards the enemy, whom they
found six miles in advance strongly posted
on Champion Hills the battle immediately
com menced, the 18th being under fire from
the beginning and one of he first closely en-
gagged with the enemy The regiment ad-
vanced about four hundred yards across an
open field, taking position at the foot of a
hill which was occupied by the enemy. The
brigade charged up the hill to dslodge the
enemy, and the 10Th moved rapidly forward
under severe fire from battery they
kept steadily on until within easy range,
when they opened terrific fire, sustained
by the whole brigade. 1t was only a few
roomapte batora tho anemv he1an tO wayer
and a bayonet charge was Immediately Or
dered. the 29th pressing forward ON the
double quick the rapidity of the advance
was such that many of the enemy had no
time for escape, and number OF prisoners
together with the battery fell into our hands
Theenemy being yet in force in the woods
beyond, the regiment still pressed forward
until they drove the enemy half a mile
from where his battery was stationed. Here
the rebels received reiniorcements, and Gen.
McGinnis' brigade fell . back to more Sc
cure position. In this bat tie the goth cap
tured 800 prisoners, a stand of colors and
battery of brass pieces, and sustained loss of
nineteen killed and ninety-hye wounded,
about Que fourth of the number engaged.
After remaining out on the field for several
days engaged in burying the dead, the reg
lmSHL LuONSu Ol lOIu W DiftCh DIYtI,
and on the 2lst to the advanced lines of our
entrenchmets in rear of Vicksburg, partici-
pating next day in the gene raj assault on
the enemy's works. During the remainder
of this celebrated siege the 29th were con-
stantly engaged in the rife pits and adj
vanced works. their list of casualties show
ing loss of six men killed and wounded
subsequently the regiment took part in the
siege of Jackson suffering a loss of five men
killed and wounded.
On the 9th of August the regiment was
placed on transports, and proceeding down
the river landed on Natchez on the 7th
they remained here until the 10th, when
they again moved down the Mississippi, in
company at Carolton, Louisiana on the
18th About the middle of September they
went into camp at Brashear City Breaking
camp on the Sd OF October they commenced
the movement to Opeousas. The regiment
met the enemy at Opelousas on the 2lst,
and after a skirmish pressed forward to
Barrels Landing, where they went into camp
and were employed in picket guard duty
until the 10Th, when they returned to ope-
lousas On the Sd of November the 18th
was ordered to reinforce General Burbrldges