April

1863 April, The Second Wisconsin

FROM THE LIGHT GUARD
CAMP BELL PLAIN
April 5th, 1863

EDITOR REPUBLICAN:- I am once more with the boys. I found them not demoralized or discouraged as some of our copperish-friends would have it. But being sound in body and mind, are fully prepared to do their duties as soldiers.
I know that I speak the sentiments of those who left your city under the command of Capt. Colwell, when I say "Down with the traitors and up with the Stars." we did not bid our homes and friends that good bye in an idle or thoughtless moment but with heavy hearts, moistened eyes, spoke that parting word, fully appreciating the dangers before us. Many of our brave boys of Co. "B" fell on the battle field yet I am proud to assure their friends that they fell gloriously and like men defending their flag to the death, I am proud also to state that all wounds received by this Co. were received in actual battles and not as stragglers and away from their place in line. You may expect a good report from the boys. Democracy and Republicanism and all other isms are laid aside - Tis Union!, Union!, Union!, we number ranks and file 30 men and they never were in better fighting condition than today. We expect to move soon.

As a specimen of the boy's style of doing business, let me bring to your notice the following. While a squad of our men, commanded by my 2d Lieutenant (Daily), hunting deserters and stragglers.
Burhee (once of your office) being sent out in certain direction came upon a deserter, halted and quickly another served him in the same way, and in a short time had the third deserter safely in the barn, unassisted by any one but his musket and held them there nearly a whole day before more men came to his assistance, said barn being some ten miles from the reserve. Men of this stamp are not much demoralized and Copperheads and deserters are becoming acquainted with the fact every day.
My health is rapidly improving, may be going on picket tomorrow morning to remain three days - this speaks well for my friend Dr. Cameron who took an interest in my welfare while at La Crosse.
R. Hughes
P.S. I have just received official notice of the death of Norman McHardy of my Co. a braver man never graced the battlefield.
Three inches of snow fell last night.
R. H.

April 9th., Our corps is to-day reviewed by Gen. Hooker, President Lincoln,
Secretary Seward, Gen. Stoneman of cavalry fame, Gen. Sickles, accompanied by their wives.

Cornelius Wheeler’s diary

A CARD
Camp, 2d Wis. Vol's, Belle Plain, Va.,
I hereby acknowledge the receipt, through Capt. Hill, of various and divers bottles and cans of fruit pickles and other luxuries from Mrs. F. H. Ellsworth, Mrs. A. P. Bennett and Mrs. McGregor; also,
Messrs. S. S. Branman, J. B. Wells, A. M. Craig and A. P. Bennett, for which I tender my most sincere thanks. It is highly gratifying to know that while we are periling our lives for the protection of that government, we are kindly remembered by friends at home.
The only return I can at present make for such favors is to continue in the faithful discharge of my duties in aiding to crush this rebellion and restoring peace to our once prosperous and happy country.
S. H. Morrison
Co. "G" 2d Wis. Vol's.

THE VOICE OF THE IRON BRIGADE
Copperhead Slanders rebuked

No Peace Until the Rebellion is Crushed

Resolution adopted unanimously by the Brigade composed of the 2d, 6th, and 7th Wisconsin Regiments and the 19th Indiana and 24th Michigan Regiments Volunteers.

WHEREAS, Certain evil minded persons about the army and at home have circulated basely slanderous reports concern the Army of the Potomac, and with pain and regret we have noticed a resulting demoralization of his army; and reports put in circulation by a set of Northern traitors to advance their wicked designs lay to our charge the imputation that we are in favor of peace on any terms; therefore for the purpose of refuting such slanders alike insulting to our character as soldiers or citizens.

We of the 4th Brigade 1st Division 1st Army Corps,

Do Resolve:

1st. That we denounce such reports and declare emphatically that there are no men to be found in the ranks who would not blush at dishonorable or inglorious peace, and who would not rather sacrifice their all for the maintenance of the Constitution and the integrity of the Union and for the crushing out of this rebellion.

2d. That wearying as the profession of a soldier may be and much as we long for the society of our families and the endearments of home, we feel it our duty to carry this war to the bitter end; and whatever the consequence to ourselves may be, the Army of the Potomac will be true to its flag and not desire peace till the last armed rebel has vanished from our soil.

3d. That we warn our friends at home to beware of traitors in their own midst - wolves in sheep clothing - and never forget that the first duty of a good citizen is the maintenance of his rightful Government, with subordination of all lesser personal, political, or social interest, to the great common cause. The blood of thousands of our friends and comrades already sacrificed upon the altar of our country should incite all to emulate cheerfully their glorious example which calls upon you to fill the thinned rank of our army which never will submit to inglorious peace.

4th. That it is our sincere belief that the safety of our country lies in rallying around the government in a hearty co-operation of all for a vigorous prosecution of the war and a stern resolution to fight until the last rebel in arms is subdued and the Stars and Stripes are again floating over every inch of territory belonging to the United States; and we invite our friends at home to join with us in the motto: "High the flag of our country - death to traitors, south, north, east or west."

5th. That we fully endorse the spirit of the last congressional militia law and are in favor of enforcing the same throughout all States and parts of States now under the control of our government. The grumblers and fault finders at home, the heroes of the quill, and the thundering public orators - after having seen the fruitlessness of the attempt to crush the rebellion with their long range guns may thus have the opportunity to show their metal to correct errors and to prove their oft pledged devotion to the Union in shouldering the musket and joining their brethren in arms. Let it be understood that in the present struggle no neutrality can be permitted, and that men must either fight, pay, or emigrate.

6th. That we recognize in the present administration the government de facto, and cheerfully endorse it to any subsequent one in all acts or measures having for their object a vigorous prosecution of the war and the effectual crushing out of this rebellion.

April 14th., Supplied with eight days rations.

April 22nd, the regiment is visited by Gov. Soloman.

April 28th, break camp, form brigade line, march in rain by White Oak Church toward the Rappahannock and bivouac near Fitzhughs Crossing. Evidently spring campaign has begun. Distance seven miles.

Cornelius Wheeler’s diary

Fitzhugh’s Crossing - April 28, 1863
General Hooker was placed in command of the army of the Potomac, and the campaign of 1863 was begun on the 28th of April. Breaking Camp on that day, the brigade proceeded to Fitzhugh’s Crossing, below Fredericksburg. It was now attached to the First Division, General Wadsworth, of the First Army Corps, General Reynolds. On the 29th, the division moved down to the river, at the Crossing, with a pontoon train, to lay a bridge across the river at that point. As the engineers approached the river, the enemy’s pickets, on the opposite bank, opened a sharp fire of musketry, driving our pontooneers and sharpshooters back from the river. About sunrise, an attempt was made to shell them from their rifle pits, but it proved ineffectual. The "Iron Brigade" was thereupon organized into a storming party, to cross the river in pontoon boats, and drive them out at the point of the bayonet. Unslinging their knapsacks, the Sixth Wisconsin took the advance, followed by the Twenty-Fourth Michigan. They reached the river with pontoon boats, launched them, filled them with men and polled them over as rapidly as possible, under a galling fire of the enemy, followed by the balance of the brigade, and charged immediately on the entrenchments at the top of the bank. In less than twenty minutes, the struggle was over, and the brigade was in possession of the enemy’s works, with nearly two hundred prisons. Twenty-nine of the enemy were killed in the fight, and the balance retired across the plain, to a safe position, in the entrenchments on the heights beyond.

For their gallantry in leading this desperate charge across the river, Colonel Bragg and the Sixth Regiment received special mention in a complimentary order from General Wadsworth, thanking them, and the Twenty-Fourth Michigan, for the heroic manner in which they crossed the river and seized the heights, and also, General Meredith, and the rest of the "Iron Brigade" for the promptness with which they followed, in the daring enterprise.

In the monthly reports of the Second, we find the names of Oscar B. Bradford, of Company B, and William H. Snodgrass, of Company C, reported as wounded at Fitzhugh’s Crossing, April 29th. On the 3rd of May, Sergeant J. M. Patch and Henry C. Parker are reported wounded.

The Military History of Wisconsin, Quinter, 1866

April 29th, about midnight, the Iron Brigade moves down to the river and lay a bridge at Fitzhugh Crossing, Sixth Wisconsin and Twenty forth Michigan in advance, followed closely by the Second, Seventh and Nineteenth Indiana, all at double quick. When the boats were filled they were quickly pulled over the stream under a galling fire from the enemy, gaining the banks in less than twenty minutes, two hundred rebels being taken prisoner, twenty-nine killed, after which Battery B crosses over, takes position between the bridges, where we entrench and remain here several days, subject to a good deal of shelling.

Cornelius Wheeler’s diary