This is a sample of the Bryant Papers located at the Wisconsin Historical Society. They cover mostly the family business, as well as Col. George Bryant's dealings with the 1St and 12th Wisconsin, to his activities after the war. These papers range from 1792 to 1939. The Call Numbers are located below.
[The 12th Wisconsin Infantry Volunteers (The Marching Regiment) first order to March]
STATE OF WISCONSIN
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
Madison, Dec. 10th, 1861
Col. G. E. Bryant
Comdg. 12th Regt.
Wis. Vol.
Camp Randall
Sir
The following dispatch was received at this office last evening.
By telegraph from Washington
December 9, 1861
To Lieut. Gov. Noble,
Please send the (9) Ninth (12) Twelfth (13) Thirteenth Regiments to Fort Leavenworth, to report to Major General Hunter. Arms are ordered there for them.
L. Thomas, Adjt. Gen.
Head Quarters 12th Reg. W. V.
Camp Randall
Madison, Wis., Dec. 18th, 1861
Mrs. S. Bryant
Dear Madam
We the undersigned Company officers of the 12th
Reg. W. V. would most respectfully present to you the accompanying Pitcher
and Goblet as a token of our high regard for Col. Bryant as a man and of
our growing confidence in him as a brave and accomplished officer. And
permit us Madam to make this the occasion of conveying to you our deliberate
purpose to stand by the Col. like a band of brothers in the day of battle
and of peril that may await us, and of assuring you that when he shall
command though fearful may be the odds against us, we will press with our
brave men to meet the embattled enemies of our country and sacrifice if
needs be everything but honor, to raise the loved old flag to its original
proud position before the Nations.
With sentiments of kind regard for yourself and
children and with expressions of hope that after the great struggle of
Liberty shall have been brought to a successful issue, the Col. with his
brows entwined with the laurels of victory and followed by the benedicting
of his grateful countrymen whose liberties he shall have contributed much
to reestablish, may be restored in full health and vigor to his family
and home.
We Remain Dear Madam Your Obedient Servants:
Norman Mleod, Capt. Co. "I"
Orrin T. Maxson, 1st Lieut. "
Francis Hoyt, 2 Lieut. "
E. Stevens, Capt. Co. B
B.F. Blackman, 1st Lieut.
J.W. Luste, 2nd Lieut.
Charles Socber, Capt. Co. C.
F. Milson, 1st Lieut.
M.J. Cantwele, 2nd Lieut.
Jms. Martin Price, Capt. Co. D.
Thomas Farmer, 1st Lieut.
W.J. Horton, 2nd Lieut.
Abraham Vanderpoll, Capt. Co. E
John Gillispiec, 1st Lieut.
L.L. Linnell, 2nd Lieut.
Geo. C. Morton, Capt. Co. F.
Seoi Odell, 1st Lieut.
H. Tourtilott, 2nd
Danl Cowell, Capt. Co. G.
Chas. McNebt, 1st Lieut.
W.W. Pottan, 2nd Lieut.
Milo E. Palmer, Capt. Co. H.
Nathan A. C. Smith, 1st Lieut.
C.C. Lovett, 2nd Lieut.
H.L. Turner, Capt. Co. I.
V.S. Bennett, 1st. Lieut.
I.S. Tinker, 2nd Lieut.
D. R. Sylvester, Capt. Co. J.
A.N. Chandler, 1st Lieut.
Isaac Walker, 2nd Lieut.
U.S. Quartermaster Office
Madison, Wis. Jan. 8, 1862
A.G. Davine, Esqr.
Agt. of M & PDRR & CB RR
Madison
Sir
You will please transport the 12th Regt. W. V.
- Col. Bryant from this place to Quincy, Ills. upon the terms proposed
in your letter dated Dec. 21st & 29th ult. to wit:
From Madison to Janesville at two cents per mile
for each man, and from Janesville to Qunicy at one and one fourth of one
cent per mile for each man. The distance to be computed by the shortest
all rail route.
Baggage to be transported from Madison to Chicago
at Government rates for such freights and from Chicago to Quincy free of
charge. All freight to go through from Madison to Quincy without breaking
bulk. Coffee to be furnished the men three times in each twenty four ddhoarse,
as the Colonel may order on the route.
You are to take the troops via M & RD CRR
to Janesville. C & UW to Chicago and C. B. IRR from Chicago to Quincy
and to make all necessary arrangements for the connections and transshipment
from Quincy to the Hannibel and St. Jo. RR with least possible delay and
without trouble to the Quartermasters department here.
Col. Bryant or the Commandant of the Regt. will
recept to you at the end of the route, for the number of men transported
and weight of baggage transported, upon the return of which receipt together
with this order, your account will be settled at this office.
Cars to be in readiness at Camp Randall on Saturday
morning the 11th inst.
Yours & C. A. R. Eddy, A. Qur.
by N.B. VanSlyke, Qur. Agt.
Hd. Qtr. Central Division of the Miss.
Trenton, Tenn. Sept. 3, 1862
Colonel
You ask the following questions: "If a negro master
was an open reccissionist, and employed his negros on Southern Forts, and
then, when we came here, took the oath, and the negro ran away after masters
taking the Oath, though he worked on Forts, am I to give a receipt.
In answer, I would say the negro is entitled
to his free papers, by the Act of Congress of Aug. 6th, 1861, and no receipt
should be given. My understanding of the matter is, that the Loyal owner
(and in this case I mean by Loyal, a man, who has always been a union man,
or has taken no part in this rebellion should be protected in his property
at all hazards. If his negros will not stay at home, and he prefers a receipt,
give him one; and I should make the receipt show that he had always been
loyal. Where a negro escapes from a rebel sympathizer, and before he took
the oath, and he wanted a receipt, I should give it, but state the fact
in the receipt. When a negro escapes from a man, who has taken the oath
but whose sympathies have been with the south, and whose sympathies are
that way after taking the oath, I should give a receipt, and state that
the man had taken the oath, but his sympathies are with the South. Where
a negro is free by acts of his master or acts of the negro, no receipts
should be given; but a statement of the fact may be given the master if
he desires it. And where a really Union man loses a negro who comes to
our lines, if the negro is not in our lines, but is known to have been
there, I generally give such a man a statement (not a receipt) of the fact,
as I am disposed to help all in my power any loyal union man in getting
his property or pray for it.
G. M. Dodge
Brig. Genl. Comdg.
Col. Geo. E. Bryant
Humboldt
Tenn.
Humbolt Tenn.
13th Sept., 1862
I hereby report to you the Death of Corporal Thompson P. Loyd, of Company C 12th Regt, Wisconsin Vol. who died in Hospital at this place 13th September, 1862.
Inventory of Effects of Corp. Thompson P. Loyd
1 Ten Dollar Piece
3 Ten Dollars United States Treasury Notes
1 Pocket Book
1 Pocket Knife
1 Drinking cup and case
1 Tobacco Box
1 Pair Shoes
1 Needle case
2 Pocket Handkerchiefs
1 Blouse
1 Pair Pants
1 Cap. and Cover
1 Towel
1 Pair Gloves
1 Port Folio
7 Three cent postage stamps, 1 one cent stamp
1 Knapsack Haversack and Canteen
1 Watch chain and Guard
Fr. Nelson, Capt.
Comd. Company C
12th Regt. Wis. Vol.
To His Excellency
Abraham Lincoln.
President of the United States.
Sir.
I respectfully request
That Co. George E. Bryant
of the 12th Regiment Wisconsin Veteran Volunteers Infinity be
promoted to be a Brigadier General of Volunteers.
Col. Bryant is a graduate
of Norwich University and entered the service April 15./ 61 raising a company
for three months, with which he entered the First Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry.
He earned with great credit, especially at Falling Water, the only engagement
in which the Regiment took part. He was appointed to his present position
Sept. 27, 1862, and soon after took the field.
His Regiment is the largest
and one of the very best in this army, owing mainly to his Military education
and ability and care as commander.
The Regiment was reenlisted
as Veterans to the number of 568 of 650 present. It is claimed to be the
Couragest Veteran Regiment of Infinity in U. S. Service, and its acts clearly
indicates Col. B.'s standing with those who have served under him and know
him best.
He is energetic, of good
habits, honorable and upright in all respects.
Wisconsin has many regiments
of excellent troops in this army with no General officer, and Col. Bryant
is the Senior Colonel from his state, save one who is in Texas.
Col. Bryant with his
Regt. has performed much good service in this Department and especially
in the Campaign against Vicksburg and Jackson, during a large position
of which operations, as well as previously he commanded a brigade with
marked ability. He is one of our very best officers.
He has always been prompt
and successful in all duties or enterprises, and his promotion is due to
a deserving officer and to a young and gallant State and also is urged
upon the ground of manifest benefit to the service
I am very Respectfully
Your most obedient Servant
W. L Gresham
Brigadier General Comdg.
3d Brig, 4th Div, 17th Army Corps
Jan 27th 1864
Approved
M. M. Crocker
Brig. Genl. Comdg. 4th Div. 17th A. C.
Approved
James B. McPherson
Maj. Genl. Comdg. 17th A. C.
Report of 1 Brigade
3 Div. 17th
From June 8 to Sept. 11, 64
By Col. G. E. Bryant
Hd. Qrs. 1 Brig. & C
Sept. 11, 1864
Capt. J. C. Douglas
Sir,
I have the honor to report the following as the
part taken by the 1st Brig. 3rd Div. 17th A. C. in the battle before Atlanta
July 25th. The Brigade at here on that day was formed in two lines facing
westward, and was engaged in throwing up breastworks when the sound of
heavy musketry on my right, in front of 15th Camp caused me to form in
line my two reserve Rgts. the 12th Wisconsin (Lt. Col. Proudfit Commanding)
and the 31st. Ill. (Lt. Col. Pearson Commanding) veteran Regts of Inft.
came after forming them received an order from Maj. Gen. House and to send
my reserve Rgts. to the support of 15th Corps. They were immediately started
on the double quick the 12th Wisconsin in advance and proceeded more than
a mile to the right of 15th Corps. The 12th Wisconsin formed on the extreme
right of the army in a ravine and charged up a hill, from which our men
had just been dislodged (thereby newly turning out my left flank) routing
the enemy therefore capturing and killing some hundred of the foe. This
position they held during the day and night following during which time
several charges were made by the enemy, but in each case easily repulsed,
the Regt was protected by slight [?] breastworks, built by our men and
by the energy during that short time they held the hill and improved by
themselves after they retook the hill. The Regt. lost but two men killed
and seventeen wounded. The 31st Ill on its arrival at 15th Corps was held
in reserve for the same time and suffered no loss. The balance of the Brigade
in common with the works of the Division was exposed to an enfilading fire
from the enemy, artillery but lost but one man killed and one man wounded.
The conduct of Lt. Col. Proudfit and his Rgt. in promptly and quickly moving
to the place "of need" was highly commended by many officers who witnessed
their acts. It was without doubt one of the important movements thus saved
our flank and gained us the victory.
And the following as the part taken by the brigade
before Jamestown August 31st at 11 o’clock a.m. and thus day leaves ordered
by Maj. Gen. Wood to report with three Rgt. the 12th, 16th Wisconsin and
31st Ill. to Maj. Gen John and Logan. This was done in 15 minutes and by
his directions and was conduct, led by a staff officer to Brig. Gen. Hazen
and under his direction formed the brigade as full, the 31st Ill covered
a gap fronting an orchard toward Jonesboro. The 12th and 16th Wisconsin
were moved to the left with an interval of some two 7th [?]
of 15th Corps between them refusing their line; to protect the flank. Works
were hastily thrown up the 12th and 16th Wis. being compelled to build
traverses and wings to protect themselves from the shell and bullets of
the enemy. The charge of the enemy extended along the front of the 31st
Illinois and Seven Cos. of 12th Wis. which was successfully resisted at
both points. Owing to the nature of the ground and the formation of our
works, other Regts. had flank fines, over our front. I claim for the brigade
as its just proportion of killed, wounded, and prisoners that fell into
our hands in that day, two hundred sixty two men. The 31st Ill with 200
men expended in one hour nineteen thousand rounds of ammunition.
Early in the great battle of the 22nd the brigade
became engaged and continued on till the next morning repulsing many charges,
literally piling their dead in heaps in front of the works fighting the
enemy all night with but the breastworks between them and their foe. Early
in this action Brig. Gen. Force was wounded and the undersigned assumed
command. During the fight the Brigade charged forward many times, fighting
from both sides of some breastworks, and at times it was obliged to refuse
its flanks to meet the desperate and furious onsets of the enemy so that
it had to fight at some time on two fronts and one flank, but it held the
"Hill" so dearly gained the day before but with a loss of [No number given]
killed wounded and missing. They key to position of the army of the Tennessee.
During all of these two days desperate fighting the organization and order
was excellent and the men in the best of spirits. They fought to "whip"
and when the enemy at one point of the line had reached the outside of
the breastworks "fixed bayonets" and severe that there they would stay
or die from the time the command joined the Grand Army at Ackworth June
8th until the close of the campaign it was constantly at the front under
fire. Marching, digging, and fighting it has not failed to take a hold
any positions it was ordered to. Now has any part of the commanded moved
except in pursuance of orders from supreme authority. The officers and
men "believe" that they can't be whipped and have always had perfect confidence
in their officers and their final success. Of the part taken by the brigade
in the battles of July 28th at ... end
Gen. J. C. Douglas
A. A. Genl.
Capts.
I have the honor to submit the following in brief, of the part taken by the 1st Brig. 3rd Div., 17th A. C. Veteran. The 20th, 30th, 31st, and 45 Ill. Regts of Infty., and the 12th and 16th Wisconsin vet, Rgts. of Infty. in the Campaign for Atlanta since May 1st 1864. The whole command was transported from Cairo, Ill. and transported to Clifton Tenn. under Command of Brig. Gen. M. J. Force and marched to Huntsville and Decatur, Ala. and Rome to Ackworth Ga., where it arrived on the 9th of June. On 10, June marched to Big Shanty, Ga. and on the morning of 11th June advanced inline of battle to near Kenesaw Mt. And entrenched.
The Brigade participated in the charges of 15 June and 19 June on Bushy Mountain also in the subsequent movements of the Div. to 27th June where it participated in the charge on the evening works in which the Brigade was severely engaged suffering considerable loss and driving the enemy's skirmish from its position, and holding a position near the enemy's line under heavy fire until ordered to return. On 4 July Brigade was ordered to the right of the Army, and in marching to position near the enemy's skirmishers firing them some tow miles, taking and holding a potion on the right of the 16th Corps and subsequently extend it line fifty miles to the right, reaching Sweet Water Creek along the banks of the Chattahoochee guarding several ferries.
While in this position the 12th Wis. Joined the Brigade.
Previous to joining the Brigade, the 12 Wis. had moved with the balanced of the Army under command of Brig Gen. Gresham, 4th Div., to Big Shanty, Ga., advancing on 11th June in line of battle. On 12 June, a detail of two hundred men were ordered to reconnoiter a positioning in advance of picket line. They charged their enemy's pickets, driving them from and advancing beyond thin works but were subsequently met by a heavy force obliged to fall back with a loss of 25 killed and wounded. On 16th July, Brigade men and from the [?] of the army, marching via Marietta and Roswell passing through Decatur, Ga. July 20th, at [Gauie?]. On the morning of 21st Brigade advanced position proceeding west. At [Gauie?] the Brigade was ordered and to charge a hill in its present. The 12 and 16 Wis. Regts. Formed the advance, charging [closer?] supported by 20th, 30th, and 31st Ill. Regts. The advance was made up a hill, through open field under heavy musketry of the enemy. The works taken and held - with aggregate loss to the Brigade of [no number given] killed wounded and missing. The steady unweaving advance of the columns under the severe fire of the enemy line, of Clebrun's famous division, advantageously posted behind entrenchments was such a s to merit for with officers and men the highest valor and courage and skill. In this charge, if fifteen minutes, the 12th Wis. Regt. lost out of 600 men engaged, 134 men killed, wounded. It confiscated more small arms than it had men engaged; many of them … and two flag staffs. The Rgts of the brigade behaved with equal gallantry, but suffered less loss.
Also available:
A sketch of the 12th on bivouac at Camp Audas opposite
Hannibal.
Click to see Sketch
A map which shows the route the 12th Wisconsin took between
the Mississippi to Decatur, Ala.
Click to see Map
*** End of The Colonel George Bryant Papers. ***
From the Wisconsin Historical Society. Call numbers:
AUTHOR Bryant, George Edwin, 1832-1907.
TITLE Letter, 1861.
: MAD 4 /14/File 1861 December 18
CALL NO. File 1861 December 18
AUTHOR Bryant, Frank H.
TITLE George E. and George W. Bryant papers, 1792-1907.
: MAD 4 /17/B4
CALL NO. Wis Mss 2BX
