History of Wright County Minnesota, CHAPTER XIX MILITARY HISTORY--Pages 610-614, 618-624, 628, 629, 631 + ? ========================================================================= USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. If you have found this file through a source other than the MNArchives Table Of Contents you can find other Minnesota related Archives at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/mn/mnfiles.htm Please note the county and type of file at the top of this page to find the submitter information or other files for this county. Made available to The USGenWeb Archives by: Rebecca B Frank ========================================================================= Clearwater, Silver Creek and Corinna Excerpts from : Curtiss-Wedge, Franklin. History of Wright County Minnesota. Volume II. Chicago: H. C. Cooper, Jr. & Co. 1915. Call Number:977.6C94h CHAPTER XIX MILITARY HISTORY Page 610 - 611 FIRST MINNESOTA INFANTRY The regiment was organized in April 1861, and originally commanded by Willis A. Gorman, of St. Paul. It was ordered to Washington, D. C. and engaged in the following marches, battles sieges and skirmishes: First Bull Run, July 21 '61; Edwards' Ferry, October 22, '61; Yorktown, May 7, '62; Fair Oaks, Jun1, '62; Peach Orchard and Savage Station, June 29, '62; Glendale and Nelson's Farm, June 30, '62; Antietam, September 17,'62; Charlestown, Va., October 17, '62; first Fredericksburg, December 11, 12, and 13, '62; second Fredericksburg, May 3, '63; Gettysburg, July 2 and 3, '63; Bristow Station, October 14, '63. The regiment was discharged at Fort Snelling , Minn., May 5, '64. It will be seen by this record that the First Minnesota participated in some of the most important battles of the war, and was almost constantly active, on the march or in the field of battle, at all times reflection credit upon the state that sent them forth to sustain the Union in its hour of peril. Among the line officers of this regiment was Lieutenant Ellet B. Perkins, of Clearwater. He enrolled May 21, 1861, promoted sergeant, color sergeant and first lieutenant and discharged with the regiment May 5, 1864. On that date he became captain of Co. B. First Battalion, Minnesota Infantry. (Clearwater, mentions ONLY) Co. D. - Ellet P. Perkins, already noted, first lieutenant. Corporals: Hanford L. Gordon, Clearwater, enrolled May 21, 1861, discharged for disability December 1, 1861 musician, Geo. E. Fuller, Clearwater, enrolled May 21, 1861, promoted corporal, discharged with regiment May 5, 1864. Privates: Leonard B. Carter, Clearwater, enrolled May 22, 1861, absent sick on discharge of regiment Carroll H. Clifford, Clearwater, enrolled May 21, 1861, discharged with regiment Francis L. Curtis, Clearwater, enrolled May 26, 1861, discharged with disability December 29, 1861 William A. Gordon, Clearwater, enrolled May 21, 1861, discharged for disability October 2, 1862 Lewis B. Geer, Clearwater, enrolled May 21, 1862, discharged with regiment Alexander H. Hyatt, Clearwater, enrolled May 21, 1862, promoted corporal, discharged for disability June 14, 1862 Charles Rines, Clearwater, enrolled May 21, 1861, promoted corporal, discharged with regiment Edward Walker, Clearwater, enrolled May 21, 1861, promoted corporal, discharged with regiment Charles M. Woodworth, Clearwater, enrolled May 21, 1861, died September 28, 1861, at Camp Stone Page 611 - 613 SECOND INFANTRY This regiment was organized in July, '61, and originally commanded by Horatio Van Cleve. Ordered to Louisville, Ky., in October, '61, and assigned to the army of the Ohio. It was engaged in the following marches, battles, skirmishes and sieges: Mill Spring, January 19, '62, Siege of Corinth, in April, '62, then transferred to the army of the Tennessee Bragg's Raid, Perryville, October 8, '62 Skirmishes of the Tullahoma campaign, Chickamauga, September 19 and 20, '63 Mission Ridge, November 26, '63 Veteranized in January, '64, and participated in the battles and skirmishes of the Atlanta campaign, viz.: Resaca, June 14, 15, and 16, '64 Kenesaw Mountain, June 27, '64 Jonesboro Sherman's March through Georgia and the Carolinas, and Bentonville, March 19.'65 The men were mustered out at Louisville, Ky., and discharged at Fort Snelling, Minn., July 11, '65. This regiment covered itself with laurels at the battle of Mission Ridge, were they were badly cut up in a charge they made on the enemy's works. Few Minnesota regiments, if any, performed more long and laborious marches than the "Bloody Second." (Clearwater, Corinnaand Silver Creek mentions ONLY) Co. C. - Private George E. Clifford, Clearwater, mustered February 17, 1865, discharged with regiment July 11, 1865. Co. E. - Charles D. Molin, Clearwater, wagoner, died at Corinth Mill, May 20, 1862. Co. I. - Levi Drew, Clearwater, mustered September 14, 1861, reenlisted December 23, 1863, discharged with regiment. Co. K. - Jerome Rogers, Clearwater, mustered February 17, 1865, discharged with regiment. Page 613-614 THIRD MINNESOTA INFANTRY This regiment was organized in October, 1861, and originally commanded by Co. Henry C. Lester, of Winona. Ordered to Nashville, Tenn., in March 1862. Captured and paroled at Murfreesboro, in July, 1862. Ordered to St. Louis, MO., thence to Minnesota. Engaged in the Indian expedition in 1862. Participated in the battle of Wood Lake in September, 1862. Ordered to Little Rock, Ark., in November, 1863. Veteranized in January, 1864. Engaged in battle of Fitzhugh's Woods, March 20, 1864. Ordered to Pine Bluff, Ark., in pril 1864; thence to Duvall's Bluff, September 2, 1865. Mustered out at Duvall's Bluff, September 2, 1865. Discharged at Fort Snelling, Minn. (Clearwater, mentions ONLY) William W. Webster, Clearwater, was a major of this regiment. He was enrolled as captain, Co. A. November 11, 1861, was promoted to major, and resigned November 12, 1864. Co. A. -Captain William W. Webster, already noted; ...... Cassius P. Camp, Clearwater, mustered October 28, 1861, re-enlisted December 23, 1863, discharged form hospital September 18, 1865 A. C. Collins, Clearwater, enrolled September 23, 1862, killed at Wood Lake, Minn., September 23, 1862 Elias Cowan, Clearwater, enrolled September 25, 1861; re-enlisted December 23, 1863, promoted corporal, died at Pine Bluff, Ark., August 16, 1864 O. D. Gamage, Clearwater, enrolled September, 24, 1861, re-enlisted December 23, 1863, died at Duvall's Bluff, Ark., November 23, 1864 Amos McDonald, Clearwater, enrolled October 25, 1861, discharged for disability March , 1862 Martin Minister, Clearwater, enrolled October 8, 1861, re-enlisted December 23, 1863, discharged from hospital September 4, 1865 George E. Mitchell, Clearwater, enrolled October 25, 1861, discharged for disability November 1862 Salisbury Rowell, Silver Creek, enrolled October 2, 1861, re-enlisted December 23, 1863, discharged with regiment Samuel Smith, Clearwater, died July 17, 1862 William B. Walters, Clearwater, enrolled September 25, 1861, promoted corporal, re-enlisted December, 1862, promoted sergeant, discharged with regiment Edward Woodworth, Clearwater, enrolled October 2, 1861, discharged for disability July, 1862 Dryden Woodworth, Clearwater, enrolled October 10, 1861, re-enlisted December 23, 1863, promoted corporal, discharged with regiment Recruits - Elisha Cowan, Clearwater, enrolled February 29, 1864, discharged with regiment. EIGHTH MINNESOTA INFANTRY Pages 618-624 (Clearwater, Silver Creek mentions ONLY) This regiment was organized August 1, 1862, and originally commanded by Co. Minor T. Thomas, of Stillwater, Minn. It was stationed at frontier posts until May, 1864, when it was ordered upon the Indian expedition. It was engaged in the following battles, sieges, skirmishes and marches: Tah-cha-o-ku-tu, July 28, 1864 Little Missouri, battle of the Cedars, Wilkinson's Pike, December 7, 1864 near Murfreesboro, December 8, 1864, and Overall's Creek Ordered to Clifton, Tenn. thence to Cincinnati thence to Washington thence to Newbern, N.C. at the battle of Kingston, March 8, 9, and 10, 1865. The men were mustered out at Charlotte, N. C. , July 11, 1865, and discharged at Fort Snelling, Minn., later. Co. E. was made up almost entirely of Wright county men. Thomas Tollington, of Clearwater, was mustered in as first sergeant, October 2, 1862, was promoted first lieutenant, and discharged with the regiment. Co. E. -Sergeants, Thomas Tollington, Clearwater, enrolled September 8, 1862, promoted first lieutenant, discharged with regiment Edward Woodworth, Clearwater, enrolled September 8, 1862, discharged with regiment Corporals, Asel E. Hulett, Silver Creek, enrolled September 8, 1862, promoted sergeant, discharged with regiment;..... George W. Carpenter, Silver Creek, enrolled September 8, 1862, discharged in hospital at Fort Snelling, 1865 Edward P. Bradberry, Clearwater, enrolled August 14, 1862, discharged with regiment Henry S. Braughton, Clearwater, enrolled August 14, 1862, discharged in hospital, 1865.... Franklin W. Clifford, Clearwater, enrolled August 14, 1862, discharged in hospital, 1865 Dexter E. Collins, Silver Creek, enrolled August 14, 1862, discharged with regiment Charles Gibbs, Clearwater enrolled August 14, 1862, discharged with regiment Randolph Holding, Clearwater,enrolled August 14, 1862, discharged with regiment; John W. Lyons, Clearwater enrolled August 14, 1862, discharged in hospital, 1865 Homer Markham, Clearwater, enrolled August 14, 1862, discharged with regiment John D. Ponsford, Clearwater, enrolled August 14, 1862, died November 22, 1864, at Louisville, KY. Elisha C. Sabin, Silver Creek, enrolled August 14, 1862, died July 4, 1865, at Charlotte, N. C. Co. E. commenced its organization August 12, 1862. August 14, the company went to Fort Snelling, where the poor rations furnished gave the recruits their first insight into the hardships of army life. They passed the required medical examinations, were duly sworn in, and the same day elected their company officers. This was Wright county's first military organization, and by assignment became Company E, Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. Following is the muster roll of that date. (Clearwater, and Silver Creek mentions ONLY) Second lieutenant - Harvey S. Brookins, Silver Creek First sergeant - Thomas Tolington, Clearwater Sergeants - Edward Woodworth, Clearwater Corporals - Asel E. Hulett, Silver Creek George W. Carpenter, Silver Creek Privates - Edward P. Bradbury, Clearwater Henry S. Braughton, Clearwater Franklin W. Clifford, Clearwater Dexter E. Collins, Silver Creek Charles G. Ells, Clearwater Charles H. Gibbs, Clearwater Randolph Holding, Clearwater Joseph N. Locke, Silver Creek John W. Lyons, Clearwater Homer Markham, Clearwater Mathew Murphy, Clearwater Ellet P. Parcher, Lynden Frank M. Parcher, Lynden John D. Ponsford, Clearwater Elisha C. Sabin, Silver Creek Charles H. Vorse, Lynden The Indian uprising was causing a panic among the settlers and the boys of Co. E. were sent to Monitcello to afford protection to that locality. They remained but a short time then returned to Fort Snelling, where they were armed with Austrian rifles and in November ordered to Fort Ripley, where they went into winter quarters. The next spring they were ordered to Paynesville, Stearns county, where they remained nearly a year, in the meantime sending out small scouting parties in various direction. In the summer of 1863, a party of men under Sergeant John B. Parvin were scouting in Wright county. While stopping at the house of Joseph Locke, in Silver Creek, on the evening of August 1 an incident occurred which cost the life of one of their number. Bears were reported numerous in that section, and for the purpose of perpetrating a joke upon a comrade, one of the party, Christopher I. Bailey, secreted himself in the bushes by imitating the growl of a bear and moving slowly on his hands and feet, purposed scaring A. H. Bertram, a comrade who as about to pass on his way to a spring of water near by. Bertram was deceived, returned to the house, secured his gun and fired upon the supposed animal, killing Bailey instantly. In the spring of 1864, the company was mounted, and accompanied Gen. Alfred Sully on his march across the plains westward crossing the Missouri river at Fort Rice. July 18, the command struck directly west on the Heart river. At a point 125 west of Fort Rice and seventy-five miles north of Heart river they had a battle with the Sioux. The Indians were put to route, and a large amount of stores destroyed, together with the tents of a large village. In this campaign the members of Co. E. did good service and were given credit. August 12, they reached the Yellowstone river, where they were supplied by steamboat with full rations. They had been subsisting on half rations for many days. On their return down the Missouri to Fort Rice, they received orders to return to Fort Snelling, and after turning over horses and cavalry equipment to proceed directly south. They reached Fort Snelling late in October, and about November 4 started southward. Transportation was not at that time sufficient, and the members of Co. E. suffered from exposure both on the Mississippi river flatboats and barges and on the railroad cattle cars. But they finally arrived at Nashville, Tenn., were sent out to Murfreesboro, went into camp near the Shelbyville, pike, and suffered many deprivations, both there and at Fort Rosecrans. On the morning of December 7, they started with moany other regiments to meet the Confederate army under Hood. They participated in the two days' battle of the Cedars, were in the front, and did good service. In this battle Ellet P. Parcher and Elbridge F. Washburne were killed. F. M. Parcher, G. R. L. Wedgewood and Thomas Anderson were wounded. After the defeat of Hood's army, Co. E., together with the remainder of the Eighth and other regiments, were ordered to North Carolina. The now seasoned veterans went by way of the Tennessee and Ohio rivers to Wheeling, then by rail to Washington, D. C., where they arrived about February 1, 1865. They reached Wilmington, N. C., a few days after Fort Fisher had surrendered. From there they were ordered to Beaufort, then to Newbern, then to Goldsboro. At about this time news came that Richmond had been taken, and there was rejoicing. Subsequently the members of the company were engaged in several skirmishes in North Carolina, and were finally stationed at Charlotte until the middle of July, 1865, where they were ordered home, where they arrived about the last of the month. After a splendid reception at St. Paul, a public dinner at the State House there, and a cordial greeting at Monticello, the company separated. The annual reunion date was fixed as December 7, the anniversary of the battle of the Cedars, in Tennessee. Page 628-629 HATCH'S BATTALION The Independent Cavalry was organized July 20, 1863. Ordered to Pembina, October, 1863. Ordered to Fort Abercrombie, May, 1864. Stationed at above fort until mustered out in April and June, 1866. (Clearwater, mentions ONLY) Co. B. - Elijah Doble, Clearwater, enrolled July 4, 1863, deserted August 11, 1863; William Dixon, Clearwater, enrolled March 25, 1864, discharged with company. Co. C. - Steven C. Kemp, Clearwater, enrolled march 24, 1864, promoted corporal, sergeant, discharged with company. Page 631 G. A.R. POSTS A. C. Collins Post, No. 112, G. A. R. This post was named in honor of A. C. Collins, a member of Co. A. Third Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, who was killed by the Indians in the battle of Wood Lake, September 23, 1862. The post was mustered in at Clearwater, July 12, 1884. The first officers were: C. H. Gibbs, commander D. E. Collins, senior vice commander G. O. Pratt, junior vice commander S. A. Howard, adjutant J. H. Miller, quartermaster J. B. Stevens, chaplain John Dodds, officer of the day W. T. Brannon, officer of the guard G. P. Boutwell, sergeant major S. H. Marvin, quartermaster sergeant James Shannon, guard The charter members were: 1 - C.H. Gibbs, Co. E., 8th Minn. Vol. Inf., died October 14, 1890. 2 - D. E. Collins, 8th Minn. Vol. Inf.. 3 - G.O. Pratt, Co. G. 27th N.Y. vol H. A. dead. 4 - S. A. Howard, Co. F. 111th Pa. Vet. Vol. Inf. 5 - J. H. Miller, Co. C, 22nd N.Y. Vol. Cav. 6 - J. B. Stevens, Co. B. 1st Minn. Vol. Inf., dead. 7 - John Dodd, Co. B, S. S. 16th Mich. Vol. Inf. 8 - William T. Brannan, Co. M, 1st Minn. Vo. H. A. 9 - G. P. Boutwell, Co F, 38th N. Y. Vo. Inf. 10 - S. H. Marvin, Co. F, 3rd Wis. Vol Inf. 11 - James Shannon, B. S. S. 16th Mich. Vol. Inf., dead. 12 - William Ponsford, Co. E. 8th Minn. Vol. Inf.. 13 - Mathew Murphy, Co. E. 8th Minn. Vol. Inf.. 14 - Charles H. Vorse, Co. E. 8th Minn. Vol. Inf.. 15 - H. Markham, Co. E. 8th Minn. Vol. Inf.. 16 - J. M. Baxter, Co. I. 154th N. Y. Vol. Inf. 17 - Hiram Bentley, Co. C., 7th Mich. Vol. Cav., dead. 18 - Isaac Whitney, Co. E. 12th Vt. Vol Militia, dead. 19 - W. P. West, Co. B. 62nd Ill., Vol. Inf. 20 - C. M. Shattuck, Co H. 142nd N. Y. Vol Inf., dead. 21 - Adison Winzet, Co B. 48th Mo. Vol. Inf. 22 - W. J. Smith, Co. I, 100th Ill. Vol Inf. 23 - Isaac Carter, Co. I, 7th Minn. Vol In., dead. 24 - Nelson Sheldon, Co. C. 5th Vt. Vol. Inf., dead. 25 - Richard Bell, Co. C. 5th Vt., Vol Inf., dead. 26 - Martin Minster, Co. A 3rd Minn. Vol. Inf. 27 - William Dixon, Brackets Indep. Bat. Minn. Cav. Those who have joined since the organization are: 28 - J. F. D. Hamlin, Co. K, 13th Mic. Vol. Inf. 29 - J. F. Fuller, Co. A. 3rd Minn. Vol Inf., dead. 30 - T.J. Woodworth, Co. H., 1st Minn. H. A., dead. 31 - Thomas Biggerstuff (Biggerstaff?), Co. D. 4th Pa. Vol. Cav. 32 - George T. Cambell, Co. 3 8th Minn. Vol Inf., Dead. 33 - W. H. Cutting, Co. K., 9th N. Y. Vol. Cav. 34 - John Kaufman, Co. G. 2nd Minn. Vol Inf. 35 - E. F. Burnum, 14th Ohio Battery. 36 - Jasper Burrell, Co. H. 12th Mich. Vol Inf. 37 - Charles W. Potter, Co. E. Indep. Bat. Minn. Cav. 38 - Ervin Whittock, Co. I, 84th Ill. Vol. Inf. 39 - James Brooks, Co. H. 7th Mich. Vol Inf. 40 - William H. Bedle, Co. -, 16th , Ill. Vol Inf., dead. 41 - W. W. Webster, Co. A. 3rd Minn. Vol. Inf., dead. 42 - S. N. Pavitt, Co. B. 6th Minn. Vol Inf., dead. 43 - F. B. Wyman, Co. K, 114th N. Y. Vol. Inf. 44 - H. C. Powers, Co. C, 6th N. Y. H. A., dead. 45 - George Clifford, Co. C., 2nd Minn. Vol Inf., dead. 46 - John A. Wagner, Co. C. 2nd Col. Cav., dead. 47 - Levi Drew, Co. I, 2nd Minn. Vol. Inf. 48 - H. F. Merrill, Co. C, 23rd Wis. Vol. Inf. 49 - Edgar N. Smith, Co. A. 100th Ill. Vol. Inf., dead. 50 - James Lyons, Co E. 8th Minn. Vol Inf. 51 - Daniel Stirewalt, Co. H. 79th Ind. Vol Inf., dead. 52 - Levi Richardson. 53 - Michael Larkin, Co. D. 28th Wis. Vol Inf. 54 - C.M. Blake, Co. G. 8th Mass. Militia, dead. 55 - James Atwater, Co. D. 1st Minn. Vol Inf., dead. 56 - Barton Clark, Co. A., 17th Ill. Vol. Ca., dead. 58 - Theodore Clark, Co. F, 5th N. Y. vol. Cav., dead. 59 - A. L. Stimler, Co. A. 21st Pa. Vol. Inf., dead. 60 - DD Storing, (Storms?)Co. -, 25th Ill. Vol. Inf. 61 - J. R. Binnings, Co. A, 91st N. Y. Vol. Inf. 62 - J. H. Pownell, Co. A 97th Ind. Vol. Inf. 63 - Jacob L. Grove, Co. H, 34th Ill. Vol Inf. 64 - C. D. Keene, Co. C, 13th Ill. Vol Inf., dead. Levi Pretz, Co. C, 25th Wis. Vol. Inf., dead. The Commanders of the post have been: C. H. Gibbs D. E. Collins G. P. Boutwell J. M. Baxter S. H. Marvin John Kaufman A. C. Powers W. P. West S. A. Howard C. D. Keene The adjutants have been: S. A. Howard J. F. Fuller W. H. Cutting A. C. Powers B. P. Boutwell The present officers are: S. A. Howard, commander J. M. Lyons, senior vice commander S. S. Storms, junior vice commander D. E. Collins, quartermaster B. P. Boutwell, adjutant S. H. Marvin, chaplain J. M. Baxter, officer of the day M. Larkin, officer of the guard Twenty-eight former member of the post are known to be dead. Some have moved from the vicinity and are known to belong to posts elsewhere. Some have been suspended and dropped. Memorial Day has been duly observed with appropriate exercises each yuar since the post was organized. A handome granite monument erected on the G.. A. R. lot in Acacia Cemetery bears the inscription: "In memory of Our Country's Defemders. 1861-1865." (Note: The above article regarding the post, and also an article which appears elsewhere regarding the circle, are form the pen of S. A. hoard, charter adjutant and present commander of the post.)