The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1898-02-03

eaa5hs In point Of num-
bers enrolled,
length of service and losses in killed on
the field, both numerically and by per-
centage, the history of the Second Wis.
consin is identical with that of the ban
ner Georgia regiment Both entered the
field in 1861. The record of the Sixth
Georgia, as found in the only regimen
tai history preserved, closes in July,
1864, with the regiment in the trenches
at Petersburg. The Second Wisconsin
was mustered out in June, 1864, having
closed its fighting career at Spottsyl-
vania. Its death roll was the heaviest
Of any infantry regiment in the Federal
army according to numbers enrolled.
Placed in juxtaposition, tho figures in
dicating the strength and losses of-these
two regiments are seen to be remark
ably close:
Enrolled. Killed. cent. Wounded.
Second Wisconsin. 1,203 23s 1877 SIS
Sixth Georgia. 1882 23S 1915 $50
Ten different counties contributed the
ten companies organized as the Sixth
Georgia regiment, in May, 1861. The
regiment was the first in Georgia, and
possibly in the whole Confederacy, to
enlist for the war. Captain Alfred H.
Colquitt was elected colonel. Proceed
ing at once to Richmond the Sixth was
sent to Yorktown in the column form
ing there to stay tho advance Of the
Federal forces up the peninsula from
Fortress Monroe. During year in the
Yorktown army the regiment lost 1875
men by sickness. No heavy fighting fell
to it's lot until the battle of Seven Pines
at the close of May, 1862. The regiment
was in the brigade Of General Rains
which charged upon the Federal flank
when it was surprised at Seven Pines.
Compared with other portions of the
division engaged there under A. P. Hill
the loss in the brigade was slight The
Sixth lost heavily in it's right companies,
its adjutant was killed and Lieutenant
Colonel j. M. Newton wounded.
At the battle of Gaines Mill, which
the Confederates call Cold Harbor, the
Sixth fought in a brigade newly, organ
lied under Colonel Colquitt, who had
been made brigadier. It was attached
to the division OF D. H. Hill and under
him supported Stonewall Jackson in
the flank attack which he had brought
his valley army down to spring upon
Fitz John Porter's line north. of the
Chickahominy. .;V.,r..z,4
The following brief account Of the
experience Of the Sixth that day, writ
ten in the field by an officer, shows
what matter of fact affair tho going
into battle becomes: 1--WE marched rap
idly and reached the battlefield about /
o'clock in the afternoon. Under a hot
fire from the batteries on the adjacent
hills we were thrown first on one part
OF the lines and then Oh the other as the
enemy seemed to be concentrating on
one or the other point. AT last we were
ordered forward and soon met the foe.
With q shout our boys charged, and the
enemy gave way until re-enforced by
the second line OF battle, when we were
halted and with our thinned ranks
fought most desperately for more than
two hours just at this time re-enforce-
ments were sent to our relief, and, mis-
taking US for the enemy, poured des-
perate vo!ley into our rear. Even un-
der the concentrated fire from friend
and foe our shattered ranks stood un-
broken. The e-enforcements swept by,
driving the enemy before them. Dark
ness coming on, we slept OIL our arms
Our loss was exceedingly heavy-more
than 900 killed and wounded, fully half
the number carried into action.''
The struggle described took place on
the MCGEE House hill, first with the
regular battalions under Sykes and then
with the volunteers of General ]. ].
Bartlett's brigade
During the ''Seven Days battles"
Hills division remained with jackson s
column and didn't get into action until
the afternoon Of July 1, when it march
cd up to the Federal batteries ranged
tier above tier at Malvern Hill. At
the signal for attack Hills division
charged alone. Seeing that there were
no troops supporting his leading brigade
under General Garland, Hill sent the
Sixth Georgia across the bullet swept
field to the task. Fortunately for the
regiment Toombs' Georgia brigade
marched up from the flank and drew
the enemy's fire or the Sixth would
have been wiped out 1t escaped with a
loss Of SO men,
The Sixth missed the bloody field OF
Second Bull Run, Hills division re.
naming at Richmond when Lee march
cd north against Pope, but it made ur
for it in the battles in Maryland. Al
Antietam it fought in the cornfield
along the pike, where it's Federal dou.
BILE, the Second Wisconsin,, was en-
gagged. General Colquitt's brigade was
in the first line to advance from the
= woods at Dunker's Church across the
cornfield to the fence, beyond which lay
Hooker's batteries and line of battle.
The Sixth regiment went into the fight
$50 strong. It made breastwork Of
the fence and piled bullets into the Fed.
erals until second line of the enemy
marched upon it in front and column
came up on the flank, breaking Col
Quits command into fragments Hurl
ed back into the tall corn and pursued
by the enemy, the fragments became
intermingled with ranks Of their foes.