In the summer of 1862, General Sigel was authorized by the President to raise twelve regiments of infantry, from among the German population of loyal States. He sent a request to Governor Salomon for the formation of one regiment in Wisconsin. Governor Salomon entrusted the mutter to W. H. Jacobs Esq., of Milwaukee. By his energy and ability and the aid rendered by the patriotic Germans of the State, a full regiment was soon recruited and organized at Camp Sigel, Milwaukee, and Mr. Jacobs was appointed Colonel. It was mustered into the United States service on the 17th of September, 1862, and left the State with the following roster:
Colonel - William H. Jacobs.
Lieutenant Colonel - Charles Lehman; Major - Philip
Horwitz;
Adjutant - Philip J. Schlosser; Quartermaster
- F. W.
Hundhausen; Surgeon - Francis
Huebschmann; First Assistant
Surgeon - Simon Vander Vaart; Second Assistant Surgeon -
Theodore Fricke; Chaplain - Rev. William Vette.
Co Captains First Lieutenants Second Lieutenants A William George Christian Sarnow August F. Mueller B Fred. C. Winkler William E. Huttmann Francis C. Lackner C John P. Seeman John W. Fuchs Bernard Domschke D August Leigowsky August Schueler Herman Furstenburg E Anton Kettlis Charles W. Newkirch John F. Hagen F Henry Baetz Charles Pizzaia Albert Wallber G Jacob E. Mann William Smith Julius Misswinkel H Hans Boebel Johseph Wedig Charles Vocke I Franz Landa Henry J. Berninger John Orth K Louis Pelosi Jacob Heip Edward Carl
With the exception of
Company G, which consisted in part of Americans,
the whole regiment was composed of men of German birth or German parentage.
Being ordered to report at Washington, they left the State on the 6th of
October. On their arrival, they were ordered to proceed to Fairfax Court
House, to join the Eleventh Army Corps, under General Sigel. The regiment
was assigned to the second Brigade of the Third Division. It was immediately
put upon duty, engaging in drill whenever opportunity offered. On the 2nd
of November, they marched to Gainesville, and were occupied in the vicinity
of this point, at different stations, until the 9th of December, when the
Eleventh Corps took up its line of march for Falmouth, opposite Fredericksburg,
where they arrived on the 14th just as General Burnside was withdrawing
his forces, after his unsuccessful attack on the heights of Fredericksburg.
Operations for the winter
having closed, the Eleventh Corps proceeded to Stafford Court House, where
they went into camp. The ill-fated "Mud Campaign," in January, 1863, routed
the Eleventh Corps from their winter quarters. They joined the expedition,
leaving the Twenty-sixth to guard the lines, which they did until relieved
by the Twelfth Corps. The Eleventh Corps soon after returned to Stafford
Court House, where the regiment constructed a comfortable camp, and remained
during the winter months.
On the 5th of February,
1863, Major Horwitz resigned, and Captain Baetz, of Company F, was appointed
Major.
Early in April, preparations
for the summer campaign began, and on the 27th of April, the regiment,
with the rest of the Eleventh Corps, broke camp, and at midnight, crossed
the Rappahannock at Kelley's Ford, and on the 29th, crossed the Rapidan
at Germania Ford, and by hard marching, reached Locust Grove, a few miles
west of Chancellorsville, on the 30th of April. The corps was put in position
along the Fredericksburg Pike, facing south. The line of battle was along
the road. The extreme right of the line was occupied by a brigade in position
at an angle of about forty-five degrees, supported by three or four additional
regiments, with a section of artillery. This was the extreme right of the
line. The Twenty-sixth, in the Third Division, was about a quarter of a
mile from the extreme right.
No demonstration was
made on the line on the 1st of May, except a fire from a battery, nearly
opposite the center of the Eleventh Corps, intended to ascertain the position
of the army. Slight rifle pits were thrown up during the night, and a wood
road, in the direction of the rebel guns, was barricaded, by falling timber.
During the next day, it was reported that troops were passing some distance
in front of the line, but no notice was taken of it. On the 2nd, the original
line of battle remained the same, except that a brigade of the Second Division,
was sent to aid General Sickles. The Twenty-Sixth, with some other regiments,
were marched perpendicularly to the rear, and posted on some hills, facing
the west. It was posted on a ridge, about a quarter of a mile from the
road, with the One Hundred and Nineteenth New York on its left, and its
right unprotected. Matters remained quiet until about five o'clock, when
a crash of musketry was heard on the right, which proved to be the enemy's
attack upon the right and rear of the brigade which held the position at
the extreme right. The rebel general had massed his force at that point,
and the brigade was soon broken and scattering to the woods in the rear.
The enemy continued his attack, and succeeded in rolling up a portion of
the First Division, which occupied the right, creating a great amount of
confusion. Another column of the enemy passed still further to the rear,
and struck the position held by the Twenty-sixth, simultaneously with the
attack on the First Division. The enemy advanced without skirmishers, and
poured in a deadly volley upon the skirmishers of the Twenty-sixth, under
Captain Pizzuli, who was instantly killed. They fell back on the reserves,
which fired a volley and retreated on the battalion, when the two regiments
became engaged in a fierce and deadly struggle with the veterans of Jackson,
while they were fighting their first battle. Posted on a bare hill top,
they gallantly resisted the enemy, until they were being flanked on the
right and left. With reluctance, they retreated at the order of the brigade
commander, to the main portion of the army, near the Chancellorville House.
The advance of the enemy was checked by the approach of darkness. We think
much injustice was done, in the outcry made at the time, at the alleged
cowardice of the German troops. Experienced officers have, since the war,
gone over the battle ground, and have pronounced the positions occupied
by the Eleventh Corps, as perfectly untenable, and that the best troops
in our armies, in the same position, and under the same kind of attack,
would have broken and retired, leaving no alternative but a retreat.
On the 3d, the Eleventh
Corp. moved to the left, where it took position. The Twenty-Sixth was on
the extreme left, near the river, where it engaged in a spirited skirmish
on the 4th. The next day it was moved to the right, where it remained until
the morning of the 6th, when the army of General Hooker made a general
retreat across the river, at United States Ford, and the Eleventh Corps
returned to its old camp at Stafford Court House.
The list of those killed
and died of wounds, at Chancellorville, we copy form the Adjutant General's
records, and the list of wounded is as officially published:
KILLED OR DIED OF WOUNDS. -- Sergeant Major H. Carstangen. Company A -- Private
August Bietz. Company B -- Privates Carl Casper, Henry Distelhorst August Tolzman, August Rulke and Chas. Van Draw. Company C -- Privates Herman Herman. Company D -- Corporal Joseph Gross, Privates Louis Dross, Henry Schwartz and Fred. Thiele. Company E -- Captain Charles Newkirch, Corporals Moritz Fuchs and Chas. Winkleman Privates Laurentz Berg, M. Thurnwachter and Charles Waetzel. Company F -- Sergeant Christian Schmidt, Privates Aug. Pickeruhn, Herman Roehr and Fred. Voss. Company G -- Captain Charles Pizzala, Corporal Henry Gunther, Privates Jacob Lauerman, Jacob Wieman, Geo W. Rasco, Jacob Dixheimer, Richard Daly, Kilian Schnepf, Joseph Steinmetz, John Schmidt, John C. Vetter, and Franz Zilsdorz, Company H -- Pivates Jacob Hartman, Godfrey Wenzel, Fred. Werner and A. J. Zinke. Company I -- Sergeant Geo. Wachter and Philip Waldorf, Privates Joseph Stollenwerk, Henry Behrke, John Law, John B. Smith, J. Veron and Fred. Nero. Campany K -- Captain August Schueler, Privates Michael Rausch, August Fleck, Jacob Juderman, Martin Mergeld, Fred. Steinhoff and Fred. Sonnenschien -- 53.
WOUNDED-- Company A -- Private Gotthold Jaening. Company B -- Privates Fred. Liebold, William Lauer, Henry Fink, August Moldenhauer and Aug. Schasse. Company C -- Lieutenants Robert Muller and Henry Rauth, Corporals Heinrich Urlch and L. Schuly, Privates Jacob Muhel, John Beres, Jno. Sauer, Lewis Manz, Andreas Sprengling, P. Weber, Dominique Weiss and Carl Muller. Company D -- Corporal John Mower, Privates Heinrich Elsner, P. Lersch, Nicolaus Rausmunere and Adam Freeling Company E -- Privates Carl Beinnel, John Brown, Anton Ewins, Henry Flammary, Friedrich Hansen, August Luedtke, John Ostertag, William Rosenthal, August Stengel, Heinrich Wagner and John Waskoweiz. Company F -- Second Lieutenant Adolph Cordier, Corporal Daniel Taube, Privates Gottfried Arndt, Joseph Braumeister, Christof Burkhardt, August Donath, William Hoefling, Ernst Jaelling, Joseph Joachimstahl, Aug. Koinke, Wilheim Utke and Wenzel Jours. Company G -- Corporal Andrew J. Fullerton, Privates Henry Blenker, William Salter, Peter Dullenbach, Frederick Distler, Geo. H. Emmett, Jacob Knobel, Johan Maier, Peter Ripplinger, Frltz Schaeffer, Matthias Stroupp, Petter Ullweling, Mathias Zaeger and Martin Abbott. Company H -- Sergeant Harsch, Privates William Anhalt, Barbien Guiseppe, Erasmus Boll, Charles Grasse. Friedrich Imig, Michael Wagener and Philip J. Zimmerman. Company I -- Privates Christian Crusius, John Koegs, Carl Beckman, Gustav Braun, Peter Dwarschack, Henry A. Fisher, John Graff, Charles Jacobi, Clemens Kamschatte, Warlow Lustofke, Wm. Lehmann, Chancy Leky and William Baetz. Company K -- Lieutenants C. Doerflinger and Henry Grere, Sergents Friedrich T. Koerner and Friedrich Mann -- 96
Battle of Gettysburg
The regiment remained
encamped at Stafford Court House until the 12th of June, when orders were
received to march without delay. Lieutenant Colonel Boebel was in command
of the regiment, Colonel Jacobs being absent on leave. It was ascertained
that the enemy was marching on a second invasion into the loyal States.
All the forces of General Hooker were, therefore, soon placed on the route
through Virginia. They proceeded, by way of Catlett's, to Centreville,
thence to Edwards' Ferry, from whence, on the 25th, they renewed their
march, and reached Emmettsburg, Md., on the 29th of June, where the Eleventh
Corps encamped. On the 1st of July, the fire of artillery was heard in
the direction of Gettysburg. March was resumed, and at a rapid pace, the
Eleventh Corps pushed forward, the First Corps, of General Reynolds, having
opened the battle of that memorable day. The Eleventh Corps pushed forward,
passed through the town, and the Third Division formed to the right of
the First Corps, which occupied a position to the northwest of the town.
The Twenty-sixth was placed in the second line, in double column, closed
in mass. The lines then advanced, and the first line became engaged. The
enemy, advancing in overwhelming force, soon compelled the first line to
break in disorder, scarcely allowing the regiment in support to deploy.
The Twenty-sixth became hotly engaged, checked the enemy, and held its
position until the flank of the One Hundred and Nineteenth New York, which
was on its left, was turned, which compelled the brigade to retire. They
retreated across an open field, under a heavy fire of the enemy, in very
good order. At the edge of the town a stand was made, a smart skirmish
ensued, and the Twenty-sixth took position of rear guard, during the further
retreat to Cemetery Hill, where it took position behind low stone fence.
Only four of the officers engaged, escaped unhurt. In the subsequent battles,
the Twenty-sixth was not engaged, except small parties on picket.
The list of those killed
of died of wounds, we take from the records of the Adjutant General's office,
and the list of wounded is as officially published:
KILLED OR DIED OF WOUNDS -- Sergeant Major Alexander Metzel. Company A -- Frist Lieutenant Martin Young, Corporal John Kraus, Privates F. Bramberg, Christan Gaemer and Leonard Stamm. Company B -- Sergeants Fred. Ehlert, August Brandtz and O. Metzel, Corporal William Backhaus, Privates Jacob Eberhardt, Edward Fiestel, Fred.Zuelsdorf, William Lauer and William Hartman. Company C. -- Corporal P. Berlandi, Privates John Dallman, Joseph Koch, Joseph Neuman, Henry Leken, Joseph Balmers, and Peter Kreascher. Company D -- Privates Druizas Dronkers, Andrew Pfau, Francis Stoppel and Joseph Fitwiseta. Campany E -- Privates Heinrich Meier, Herman Schlensedt and Mathias Schwister. Company F -- Second Lieutenant Peter Rook, Sergeant Willliam Hess, Privates Leopold Schmidt, Frauz Schars and Christian Stier. Company G -- Corporals George Kochler, Fritz Zieklorf and John Pitger, Privates Ferd. Fritz and Julius Jenslow. Campany H -- Corporals Henry Mohr, Philip Diefenthaler and Phil Mathes, Privates G. J. Meyer, A. Texton and B. Bruno. Company I -- Captain Wm. Smith, First Sergeant C. Bruckart, Corporals G. Ferge and George Regehbrecht, Privates Ferd. Kruse, Fred. Stolberg and Phillip Feldmann. Company K -- Corporal Paulus Neuser, Privates John Herman, Fred. Rochrig and David Rothakcr -- 53.
WOUNDED. -- Company A -- Sergeant Sigmund Junger, Corporals Conrad Grode and Adelbert Eyesenhardt, Privates George Kissinger, Phillip Kissinger, Edward Seeliger, Herman Sentz and Charles Jacob Theime. Company B -- Lieutenant F rancis Lackner, Sergeant William Steinmerer, Privates William Braasch, Matthew Dornbach, William Duchring, Albert Jahns, Bernhard Kuckkan, Chas. Kuhlmann, Julius Muller, Gottlieb Rabe Hermann Schultz, John Weisenbach and Frederlck Wendorf. Company C -- Corporal Henry Klinker, Privates Johan Ayt, Charles Boye, William Gerbor, Peter Hoffmann, Rudolph-Hunziker, Mathias Zack, Nicolaus Paulus, Benedict Rigger, T. Shaeffer, Carl Scherer and Morrls Winkler. Company D -- Sergeants August Bartsch and Leopold Milchior, Corporal Peter Gutmann, Private. William Franksen, Fredrich Baer, John L. Gerhouser, Joseph Heilger, Heinrich Rost, Ludwig Rohn, August Westhoff and John Wildhagen. Company E -- Sergeant Casper Beuchnar, Privates Carl Kreuger, H, Brown, Carl Arndt, John Brown, prisoner, Isham L Gross, Mathias Haertle, Nicholas Jenner, John Pommerich, Carl Reubeamers, John Schueller, Charles Stier, Christian Wiess, Ferdinand Waller and August Yapfe. Company F -- Lieutenant Otto Troemel, Privates Adolf Yodle, Franz Benda, John Kmapf, Abraham Kletzin, Gottlieb Krueger, Jno. Libnl, Gerhardt Neiphaus and John Shimonek. Company G -- Lieutenant Ferstenberg, Corporal John Shultz, Privates George Dellenbach, Bernhard Daul, John Fitting, Christian Franz, Charles Franz, Charles Hafeman, Jacob Heinz, William Hughes, Peter Kuhn, Henry Miller, Gottleib Metzner, G. Schuk, Andreas Stubanus, Joachim Wiedemann, P. Walter, John Walter and Nicholaus Young. Company H -- Sergeant Joeseph Maschauer, Corporals Friedrich Ruesche and Phillip Kuhn, Privates Ludwig Beck, Heinrich Boehler, William Ehrmann, Adam Goelt, Heinrich Meiners, Joseph Stellen, Jacob Steinback, Friedrich Steinhaus, Friedrich Thriele and Charles Wickesberg. Company I -- Privates Car Baluff Louis Justin, Anton Neumeister, Frank Rerac, John Style, John N. Stilb and Adolph Weidner. Company K -- Privates Charles Grochowsky, John Goess Gubert Mendloch Friedrich Sasse H. Schroeder, P. Schneller and Leonard Von Wald -- 115.
The enemy was discovered
to be on the retreat on the 4th. On that day, Colonel Jacob returned, and
took command of the regiment.
On the 5th, the army
set out on its return to Virginia. The Third Division marched by way of
Boonsboro, to Funkstown, from whence it marched to Williamsport, thence
to Berlin, and on the 19th, recrossed the Potomac, and took up its line
of march to Warrenton Junction, where it arrived on the 25th of July.
The regiment was very
much reduced by the casualties of battle and the hardships of the campaign,
and so few officers were present, that it was temporarily organized into
five companies. It remained here until the 17th of September, engaged in
picket and patrol duty, when it moved to Rappahannock Station, where it
assumed its rightful organization, and remained until the 24th, when the
Eleventh Corps marched to Manassas Junction. The Eleventh and Twelfth corps
being transferred to the army in Tennessee, they proceeded, by rail, to
Columbus, O., and thence to Bridgeport, Ala., where they arrived on the
2nd of October. On the 8th of October, Major Baetz resigned, and Captain
Winkler, of Company B, was appointed Major. The regiment moved to various
positions, and engaged in fatigue and other arduous duties, until the 27th,
when it crossed the Tennessee, and assisted in repelling the enemy's attack
on General Geary, at Wauhatchee, where they had two men wounded. On the
8th of November, Colonel Jacobs proceeded to Wisconsin on recruiting service,
leaving the regiment in command of Major Winkler, who retained it, as Colonel
Jacobs soon after resigned.
On the 23rd, 24th and
25th, the regiment was engaged in the brilliant action at Mission Ridge,
and on the 26th, joined in the pursuit of the enemy, until the 28th, when
they returned to Paker's Gap, and received three days' rations, with orders
to make it last six, and on the 29th, started with Sherman's forces, for
the relief of General Burnside, at Knoxville.
This forced march was
one of peculiar hardship, the weather being cold, the country rough, the
roads muddy, and rations short, shoes worn out, and clothing scanty. It
was a repetition of the old story. They marched to Knoxville, Longstreet
had retreated to Virginia, and the division marched back again, to its
old camp in Lookout Valley, where they remained till January 24th, 1864,
when they moved to Whitesides, a few miles from Chattanooga, and remained
till the 23rd of April. Colonel Jacobs resigned on the 11th of January.
In the organization of
the army for the Atlanta campaign, the Twenty-sixth was transferred to
the Third Brigade, Third Division, of the Twentieth Army Corps. It joined
its new brigade in Lookout Valley, with a force of 417 muskets, convalescents
and recruits having joined it. With the division, on the 7th of May, it
advanced within about three miles of Buzzard Roost, near Dalton, and on
the next day, took part in a reconnaissance towards that position, and
became engaged in a skirmish, in which Lieutenant Juengcr, of Company A,
and First Sergeant Fred. Stolberg, of Company I, were wounded. With the
Twentieth Corps, it moved, by way of Snake Creek Gap, to Resaca, where
it formed in line of battle, on the 13th. In the afternoon of the 14th,
in a skirmish, the regiment lost one man killed, and three wounded. On
the 15th, the Twenty-sixth, with the division, (Butterfield's) proceeded
to the extreme left of the army, and took part in the assault of the enemy's
position, its brigade, (Colonel Ward's,) taking the advance, supported
by the Second, Colonel Coburn's, in which the Twenty-second Wisconsin was
located.
The Twenty-sixth occupied
the right of Ward's brigade, and advanced to a hill in its front, and drove
from it the enemy's skirmishers, who were protected by slight breastworks,
and took possession of the hill. The main line of the enemy's works, which
was the chief point of attack, lay on an adjoining ridge, nearly parallel
with the one just taken. The intervening valley was covered with a dense
growth of young pines. The brigade advanced through this obstruction, drove
in the enemy's skirmishers, and attempted to take the works by assault.
The works were strong, the enemy's fire heavy, and the difflculty of getting
through the growth ofpines, all contributed to defeat the object of the
assault, and the whole force was compelled to retum to the hill in their
rear, an attempt to retake which was defeated, and thc encmy severely punished.
A lodgment was made by another portion of the Twentieth Corps, and the
four gun battery was held under control, so that the enemy was forced to
evacuate the town during the night, this last being the key to his position
at Resaca.
The caualties, as officially
published, were:
KILLED OR DIED OF WOUNDS. -- Company A -- Private Theodore Koenig. Company B -- Private Albert Johns. Company E -- Private August Kuehn. Company F -- Fisrt Lieutenant Christain Phillipp. Company G -- Privates P. Stoffell and Albert Wolf. Company H -- Sergeant Charles Wickesburg, Corporal Phillip Nell, Private August Conrad -- 9
WOUNDED -- Company A -- Sergeant August Nischke Private Herman Opitz. Company B -- Sergeant Charles Weinrich, Corporal Charles Laufer, Privates Fred. Siebold, Wm. Yager, Philip Lieberstein, H. Perschbacher and Theodore Maasch. Company C -- Corporal G. Schenle, Privates Anton Rinke, Henry Siegrist, Henry Urich and Adam Wuest. Company D -- Corporal Frank Smotzeck, Private Edw'd Kehrein. Company E -- Coporal Micolaus Jermer, Privates R. Gaubatz and C. Schaefer. Company F -- Corporal John Kihm, Privates H. Hacker and C. Meyer. Company H -- Sergeants Jacob Nytes and Rudolph Siebelist, Corporal Martin Kuhn, Private Charles Graefe, Wenzel Kapinos, Jacob Mahloch, John Rosenbaure, F. Spranger, Robert Voight and Chas. Hoberg. Company I -- Seareant P. Waldortf, Privates Ernst Domkoehler and Edmund Johnson. Company K -- Privates Joseph Wimmers, William Frank, Humbert Waizer, Jerome Crandall and William Kremer -- 37
The Twenty-sixth, with
the division, went in pursuit and encountered the enemy's rear guard on
the 18th, which was driven before them, from position to position. On the
19th, Ward's brigade was detached on a reconnaissance and encountered a
large body of the enemy, but they were not attacked. When near Cassville,
the skirmishers of the Twenty-sixth met those of the line, the enemy, and
drove them from the field. At Cassville a lively action took place between
the skirmishers and the artillery of the two armies, but the enemy continued
his retreat. On the 25th, Pumpkin Vine Creek was crossed, and the enemy
was encountered near New Hope Church. The First and Third Divisions advanced
and drove the enemy back a mile to a fortified position with a swampy ravine
in front. The Third Brigade was on the extreme left to cover that flank,
the Twenty-sixth being in the second line. A very hot contest took place,
extending the whole length of the line, the enemy's artillery being advantageously
posted, was very effectually used, while the nature of the ground prevented
the Union forces from using their artillery. The Third Brigade on the extreme
left, became involved in the combat and the Twenty-sixth moved forward
and relieved an Ohio regiment the line which continued till darkness closed
the battle when the brigade was removed to another part of the field.
The following are the
casualties in the several battles near Dallas, as officially reported:
KILLED OF DIED OF WOUNDS -- Company C -- Corporal Theodore Shafer, Privates Edw. Langer, Antonio Rinke, Julius Suttinger and John Lauer. Company E -- Privates George Kraus, Reinold Kraus, Henry Romag, Nicholas Snider and Fred. Lankow. Compay F -- Privates Henry Hecker and Michael Wagner. Company G -- Corporal Robert E. Templeton, Privates Emerson L. Smith and George Dillenbach. Company K -- Privates Jacob Klink and F. Roell -- 17.
WOUNDED -- Company B -- Privates Ferdinand Hubner, Adam Truss, Charles Jeager, August Ninow, Bernhard Kucklan and John Weisenbach. Company C -- Private John Christen. Company E -- Lieutenant Fred. Horner, Sergeant Philip Phipp, Corporals Henry Deiner and Franz Kivin, Privates PaullStatzel, Henry Wagner, Charles Stier Fred. Zirber, Sam. Procheld and F. Ohike. Company G -- Privates Cyrus Scahaefer, Chas. Haseman and William Lerri. Company H -- Private Henry Boehler. Company I -- Private Rudolph Laive. Company K -- Sergeant Henry Nolt -- 23.
On the 28th of May, Lieutenant
Colonel Boebel was discharged by reason of his wounds, and Major Winkler
was appointed Lieutenant Colonel.
During the next few days
the Twentieth Corps was moving towards the left to get possession of the
railroad, and flank Johnston's position at Allatoona, which was done, and
that position fell into our position. On the 6th, they again began their
movement southward, and struck the enemy's lines at Pine Knob. They gradually
closed down upon him, compelling him to abandon his fortified position.
He was driven from Pine Knob and Lost Mountain, till on the 17th, he was
found intrenched on the south bank of Nose's Creek. While in pursuit, the
skirmishers of the Twenty-sixth captured a battle flag.
Returning from Nose's
Creek, the enemy took refuge behind works around Kenesaw Mountain, where
he was found strongly intrenched. On the 22nd, the Twenty-sixth was much
exposed to the enemy's fire, and suffered severely, Lieutenant Colonel
Winkler having a very narrow escape. The brigade being relieved, it moved
to the Powder Spring Road, where they intrenched close to the enemy's line
and remained under a constant fire of sharpshooters and artillery until
the 3rd of July, when the enemy abandoned his position and moved to the
banks of the Chattahoochie, near Nickajack Creek.
The list of those killed
or died of wounds, for the month of June, we copy from the records of the
Adjutant General, and the list of wounded, from the monthly reports:
KILLED OR DIED OF WOUNDS - Company A--Private Nicholas Paulus. Company B -- Privates Charles Kuhlmam, Fred.Wendorffand Hlenry Geisner. Company C -- Sergeants Jacob Michael and Christopher Kroger. Company D -- Private Charles Johns. Company F -- Privates G. Kruger. Company H -- Private George Knehn. Company I -- Privates John Koeprieck and John Steyle -- 11.
WOUNDED.-- Company A -- Privates Adolph Kuhlig,William Hausburg and John Paul. Company C -- Sergeant A. Schnoeder, Privates Charles Boetcher, Privates Louis Zimmerman, Charles Weidener, Fred. Jarrett and Benedict Rieger. Company D -- Privates William Muhlison, William Boehmer, J. Klineschmidt, John Meyers, Jacob Schoenburger and J. Schafer. Company E -- Privates Charles Herman, Gotleib Freigler, Wm. Rosenthal and F. H. Gross. Company F -- Privates Wenzel Schnicker and F. K. Fisher, Company G -- Private William Ficks. Company H -- Private Michael Detsch. Company I -- Privates Jacob Blum, William Matushka, John Groff, William Klatt, Rudolph Knofsky, Joseph Michalosky, Fred. Mueller, William Richter, Anton Niemaster, Ernst Schreiber, George Boyer and Wm. Kraklow. Company K -- Private Conrad Knoepp -- 36
The army remained at rest
after driving the enemy to the Chattahoochia, until July 17th. The Twenty-sixth,
with the Twentieth Corps, crossed the river on that day at Paice's Ferry,
and moving towards Atlanta, crossed Peach Tree Creek about noon of the
20th. In the battle which occurred here, the Third Brigade occupied the
left of the Corps, connecting with Newton's division of the Fourth Corps.
The Twenty-sixth was on the right of the brigade, and with the Twentieth
Connecticut, occupied the front line. The line was formed on low ground,
with two parallel ridges in front, separated by a shallow ravine. The Twenty-second
Wisconsin as skirmishers, gained the second ridge, and held the position
till some time in the afternoon when. the enemy being reinforced, returned
to the attack and drove the skirmishers, who fell back to the first ridge
to which the Third Division had advanced. They opened on the advancing
enemy and the battle of Peach Tree Creek began with terrible fierceness.
The Twenty-sixth was exposed to a heavy fire on the front and left flank.
The enemy advanced to within ten paces of our lines, the Twenty-sixth receiving
the chief weight of the attack, and was met by a terrible fire which he
was unable to stand, and finally broke and fled. The Twenty-sixth formed
and secured a position on the top of the hill. The colors of the Thirty-third
Mississippi were captured by Captain Fuchs, of Company C. Forty prisoners
were taken by the Twenty-sixth. On reaching the hill the regiment was again
assailed by a severe fire from the woods on its left. The Twentieth Connecticut
soon came to its relief Captains Seeman and Mueller were killed and Captain
Steinmeyer and Lieutenant Vollmer, were wounded, the latter mortally.
The list of those killed
and died of wounds is copied from the Adjutant General's records, and the
list of wounded for the month of July, is compiled from the monthly records:
RECORD DIED OF WOUND. --Company B -- Privnte William Lauer. Company C -- Captain Robert Mueller. Company D -- Privnte William Milke. Company G -- First Lieutenant Nicholas Vollmar. Company H -- Private Valentine Mueller. Company I-- Captain John P. Seeman -- 6 WOUNDED.--Company A --Corporal Henry Van Eweyke, Privates Julius Semish and Fred. Sholtz. Cornpany B -- Sergeants Charles Weinrich and H. Branneschwig, Privates William Ewald, August Wendorf and Fred. Winter. Company C -- Corporals August Truemper and Ferdinand Krueger and Private PeterWeber. Company D -- Gorps. Bartholomaus Peissue and Mich. Huntz, Prlvates Will. Kraelner and F. K.Warner. Company E -- Capt.Wm. Steinmeyer, Privates Ed. Dreblob and Jn. Urban. Campany F -- Sergts. John Voight and W. Lipman, Privates L. Busch J.Schmidt, J.Shultz, P. Newman and F. Winter. Company G -- Pirvates Peter Philipsen and William Hughes. Company H -- Sergeant Randolph Seibelist, Corporal Peter Mauer, Privates Franklin Zager and Franz Ruter. Company I -- Privates Christian Crusius, Ed. Johnson and J. Bulda Company K -- Corporal Henry Lorch, Privates Charles Orth, Friedreich Demmle, J. Karr and Conrad Hartsman -- 39
Colonel Wood, commanding the Third Brigade, in his official report, thus speaks of the conduct of the Twenty-sixth in the battle of Peach Tree Creek:
"Where all behaved well, it may be regarded as invidious to call attention to individuals, yet it seems to me I cannot discharge my duty in this report without pointing out for especial commendation the conduct of the Twenty-sixth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry and its brave and able commander. The position of this regiment in the line was such that the brunt of the enemy's attack fell upon it. The brave, skilful and determined manner in which it met this attack, rolled back the onset, pressed forward in a counter charge and drove back the enemy, could not be excelled by the troops in this or any other army, and is worthy of the highest commendation and praise."
On the 22nd of July, the
Twentieth Corps advanced and took its place in the line of investment around
Atlanta. The Twenty-sixth, during the siege which followed, occupied several
different positions, and engaged in the various duties incident to the
siege.
On the 25th of August,
with the Twentieth Corps, it withdrew from before Atlanta and took position
at Turner's Ferry, on the Chattahoochie, while General Sherman executed
his masterly movement around Atlanta. On the 2nd of September, Atlanta
was entered and occupied by the Twentieth Corps, in and near which the
Twenty-sixth remained until it took position with the brigade and joined
in Sherman's grand march.
The following list of
killed, and those who died of wounds during the siege of Atlanta, we find
in the records of the Adjutant General:
KILLED OR DIED OF WOUNDS. -- Company A--Privtates Stephen Fiass and Reinhold Hemitz. Company B -- Privates William Sasse and William Hartmann. Company D -- Privates John Held and Jacob Weber. Company E -- Privates Xavier Brown and Fred. Waller. Company F -- Privates William Arndt and Gerhard Nelphnus. Company H -- Corporal Franz Reuter. Company I -- Private P. Gilljoham. Company K -- Sergeant Bernhard Ott -- 13.
On the 17th of August,
Lieutenant Colonel Winkler was appointed Colonel, and on the 19th of October,
Major Lackner appointed Lieutenant Colonel, and Captain Fuchs Major. regiment
being reduced below the specified number, these could not be mustered.
On the 15th of November,
the Twenty-sixth moved forward with the forces of General Sherman in his
march to the seacoast. The labors and services performed during this movement
did not differ materially from those of other regiments, and the general
description of the march having been given, we deem it unnecessary to enter
into particulars. They reached Savannah and entered that city on the 21st
of December, and in January, started towards Goldsboro.
At the battle of Averysboro,
on the 16th of March, the Third Division marched to the assistance of Kilpatrick's
cavalry and Hawley's brigade of the First Division. Line of battle was
formed and the enemy engaged, the contest lasting till dark, the enemy
being driven back to his intrenchments, which he abandoned during the night.
Captain Schmidt and Lieutenant Klien were killed in this battle.
The following casualties
were officially reported:
KILLED OR DIED OF WOUNDS. -- Company A -- Corporal Jacob Gilgen. Company B -- Capt. Chas. Schmidt and Private Chas. Busse. Company C -- First Liemtenant F. R. Klein. Company D -- Private Carl Kaener. Company E -- Corporal Herman Kindsmuth and Private John Gruhtke. Company F -- Corporal Chas. Oestrich, Privates M. Risenbengler and John Schmldt. Company H --Private G. Statz -- 11.
WOUNDED.--Company A -- Privates Mlichnael Moldenhuer, Charles Theime, Peter Pfeifer and Fred. K. Mueler. Company C -- Sergeants Henry Erdman and Martin Hahn and Private Herman Bigalke. Company D -- Corporal William Nittle. Company E -- Pivate Frederick Witzel. Company F -- Sergeant August Olm. Company H -- Private George Schmal. Company I -- Private Peter Dworschalk -- 12.
The Twenty-sixth was also
present at the battle of Bentonville on the 19th, the Third Brigade moving,
to the aid of the Fourteenth Corps. The Twenty-sixth was in the reserve,
and did not deliver its fire.
With the rest of the
army the Twenty-sixth reached Goldsboro on the 24th, and went into camp.
Taking part in the subsequent movements of General Sherman, they proceeded
to Raleigh, and on the surrender of General Johnston, with the Twentieth
Corps moved to Richmond, thence to Washington, where it took part in the
grand review in May.
Mustered out
Leaving Washington on
the 13th of June, it arrived at Milwaukee on the 17th, where it was enthusiastically
received by the citizens generally, and after passing through the principal
streets, proceeded to the Turner's Hall, where a splendid banquet was prepared
for it by the German citizens. Governor Salomon welcomed the regiment,
after which it marched to Camp Washburn, and was there discharged and paid
off, on the 29th day of June, 1865.
Lieutenant Colonel Winkler
was brevetted Colonel, and also Brigadier General for meritorious services
during the war.
Regimental Statistics. -- Original strength, 1,002. Gain -- by recruits in 1864, 84, in 1865, 2; by substitutes, 1; total, 1,089. Loss --by death, 284; deserted, 31; transferred, 125; discharged, 232; mustered out, 449.
"The Military History of Wisconsin" by E. B. Quiner, ESQ., by Clarke & Co., Publishers 1866
