1864 December 24: Daring and Successful Raid by the 2nd Wisconsin Cavalry

From The Prescott Journal of December 24, 1864.  During the months of October, November, and December, 1864, the 2nd Wisconsin Cavalry was engaged in “heavy scouting duty.”  Lieutenant Colonel Dale, along with 250 men, “encountered a large body of the enemy on the Vicksburg road, near Yazoo City on December 2.  After fighting some time, the enemy appeared in such numbers as to outflank the force of Lieutenant Colonel Dale.  After twice repelling the charges of the enemy, Dale’s forces were withdrawn, the Lieutenant Colonel being wounded in the ankle. . . . Twenty-seven were reported as taken prisoners.”

Company D of the 2nd Wisconsin Cavalry was the Saint Croix Lancers/Rangers, Company L was the Eau Claire Rangers, and Company M, while not a company composed mainly of men from our counties, contained many men from Prescott.  From the list of wounded, it would appear that of these only Company L was along for the “raid.”

Daring and Successful Raid.

Losses of the Second Wisconsin Cavalry.

The telegraph brought a brief account  of a recent raid by our troops from Vicksburg.  The Herald of that city brings a fuller report.  The expedition, under command of Col. OSBAND, left Vicksburg November 25th, and returned on the 4th inst.  It was designed to cut off the supplies which the enemy were drawing over the Mississippi Central Railroad from the rich districts of the Yazoo and the Big Black rivers.  After a sharp-fight, it was successful in burning the railroad bridge across the Big Black, and tore up a mile of track.  the 2d Wisconsin, Major DALE commanding, burnt Vaughn’s Station, warehouse, steam-water tank, destroyed a mile and a half of track, with $70,000 worth of railroad supplies, 100 bales of cotton, 20 barrels of salt, with a considerable amount of corn and wheat.

On the 29th ult. the expedition destroyed still more of the road, 1,200 bales of cotton, and a large amount of wheat and corn.  They next proceeded to Goodman’s Station, burnt the railroad buildings and 1,300 bales of cotton, two engines, four cars, and a large amount of other supplies.  Thirty miles of road was left a ruin, which cannot be put in order in less than sixty days.

Having accomplished their object, the expedition returned to Yazoo City on the 29th, in time to baffle the enemy who were seeking to occupy the point before our troops could reach it.  After resting on the 30th, Colonel OSHAND, hearing that the rebels were advancing sent out scouts on all the roads at daylight the following day, for information.—The Herald’s account continues :

The enemy were found on each road in more or less force, but strongest on the Vicksburg road, on which Major N.H. Dale, with 250 men of the 2d Wis. cavalry had been sent.  Major Dale drove the enemy beyond the junction of the Yazoo City and Benton roads.  Here, at some negro quarters, the enemy developed more strength, and two companies were dismounted to dislodge them.  Finding them about to be flanked, two other companies were dismounted and sent forward to cover the flanks of those now fighting.—Just beyond these quarters was a dense under growth of scrub oak in which quite a large force of the enemy were concealed, who now made a furious assault on the small force of Major Dale, whose gallantry was conspicuous, was wounded in the ankle and fainted from loss of blood and pain, while rallying his men, who were somewhat surprised by this sudden and unexpected attack.  The gallant men, however, reformed, and twice repulsed charges of the enemy with considerable loss.  The command was then withdrawn.

The best informed officers estimated the number of the enemy at this place from 1,5000 to 3,000, and his loss at 75 killed and wounded.

The enemy being in strong force, and partly infantry, Col. OSHAND did not deem it prudent to risk general engagement, and accordingly fell back across the Yazoo, and returned to Vicksburg without further loss.

HENRY R. BOARDMAN, Esq., of the 2d Wisconsin, sends the following list of the casualties in that regiment:

Company C.

Wounded—Albert M. Parker, in hand; Richard Ladd, in leg.

Prisoners—Lieut. S. Woodard; Sergeants Bellrode, Fisher, Alby, and Ellison; Corporals Donerar, Goodwin and West; W. Lasuer farrier; M. Mott, blacksmith; W. McCormick, saddler; Privates John A. Brown, H.J. Cook, J. Corning, W.P. French, T. Howard, M. Landgraff, M Oleson, H. Gibbs, W. Whiting, J. Lowden, Pierce S. Ransomer.

 This company, which was dismounted, except every fourth man who held the horses in the rear, and formed the left of the line of battle, was out-flanked and captured in a body.  Many of the men cannot but be wounded or killed as they were last observed in the face of the enemy and in the heat of fierce conflict.

Company F.

 Wounded—Ira Burton, in shoulder; Stuart Craig, in side; William Noble, in side—all severe, but not thought mortal.

Prisoners—Corp. James Logne; privates Henry Cate and Josiah Williams, the latter known to be severely, if not mortally wounded in the hip.

Company F occupied the right of the dismounted line of battle, and led on by Lieut. Hamilton gained an advanced position and being covered by a fence held their ground until the “recall” was sounded, when they reluctantly fell back to their horses.

Company I.

 Wounded—Lieut. Tinkham, slightly in ankle; Amos Sperry, in arm, slightly.

Prisoners—Joseph Vangarder, James Cullen,—both severely wounded.

Company I occupied the center, and officers and men deserve great credit for their stubborn resistance of two rebel charges, never flinching until ordered back by Maj. Dale.

Company L.

Killed—Joshua T. Thompson and George Gray, both left on the field.

Wounded—Anton Zittel, slightly in shoulder.

Company L also lost eight horses killed on the spot, as they were formed mounted across the road in rear of the center, to cover the retreat of the dismounted companies.  Orderly Sergeant P. Hartman had command of the company in the absence of the Captain, and is well spoken of by the boys.

Companies H and B, the latter temporarily under command of Lieut. Poynter, of Co. F, did all that the time and ground would permit in holding the rebels at bay until the command could form an orderly retreat.

1.  Military History of Wisconsin, by E. B. Quiner (Chicago, 1866), chapter 51, page 907 (available in the UWRF Archives and in the Chalmer Davee Library main stacks, E537 .Q56 1866).

1864 October 11: “I have given only a brief outline of the expedition but you can form some idea from it of what we are doing”

Jerry Flint, lieutenant of Company G of the 4th Wisconsin Cavalry, writes of a small cavalry raid he was involved in.  Of this raid, the official history of the 4th Cavalry says only, “Two other expeditions to Clinton were undertaken in the months of October and November, which were both highly successful”¹

The original letter is in the Jerry E. Flint Papers (River Falls Mss BN) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, University Archives and Area Research Center.

Camp, 4^th Wis Cavalry
Baton Rouge La.  Oct. 11^th 1864

    .My Dear Mother,

                                      I have an evening to myself to night, and it is the first one for some time when I have not been so tired that writing seemed almost out of the question.  We have [been] “raiding” considerable of late, and during such times a person gets but little opportunity for sleep or rest.

Day before yesterday we came in from a four days ride and yesterday had to move camp so that last night is the first chance for sleep I have had for a week.  Two of the nights out I rode all night, and the other two had only a part of the time to rest.  It is a pleasure, however, to get out into the country, mounted on a good horse, and go dashing along at a glorious gallop.  I will give a brief outline of my part in the raid.

We left camp about sundown on the 6^th.  The column consisted of four regiments of cavalry, and one battery of artillery, all under the command of Gen^l Lee.  [Albert L. Lee]

We went towards Clinton, only in a round about way, and arrived in the vicinity of that place at sunrise the next morning having made a march of forty miles.  Here a party sent ahead for the purpose discovered that the place was evacuated.  The column remained where it was, through the day.  About the middle of the afternoon a party of seventy men taken from three different regiments under Maj. Montgomery of the 6^th M^o Cavalry were detailed for a scout.  I was in command of the men from this regiment.  We started out about 5 o[‘]clock and at midnight dashed into Greensburgh [sic] 25 miles from where the we left the main column.  Finding no considerable force of the enemy, we stopped an hour, fed our horses, searched the town breaking up all the arms we could find and started forward and a little after sunrise reached Ossyka [sic] a small town on the New Orleans & Jackson railroad.

We found a few rebs, but the most of them skedaddled.  As the citizens were just getting breakfast we very politily [sic] took off our hats and seated ourselves around the tables in the several houses, and thus secured a warm breakfast, which we could do very good justice to, after a night ride of 50 miles.  We were now 75 miles from Baton Rouge by the most direct route.  We destroyed quite a quantity of muskets, captured some valuable dispatches at the telegraph office, and destroyed everything that could be of service to the enemy.

After resting our horses sufficient we started out again towards home by another route having about 30 prisoners.  The Maj. gave me the advance.  We captured some rebs on the way but only staglers [sic].  At night found ourselves again at Greensburgh [sic], where the whole column had arrived.  Stayed at this place over night and in the morning started again for Baton Rouge.  Marched slowly all day and camped at night in the vicinity of Greenville Springs, and the next day went into camp.  We brought in about 200 prisoners in all, besides getting a large number of horses and mules.  It was rather a pleasant trip though pretty hard on both horses and men.

I have given only a brief outline of the expedition but you can form some idea from it of what we are doing.  The weather is getting to delicious — warm sunny days, and cool refreshing nights.  Charly² is quite unwell, and I have got him sleeping in my tent to night because I am fortunate enough to have a mattress to sleep on.  He is a splendid fellow, and one of the best of soldiers.  Whitefield is well and.  Was out on the raid with us and was happy when he could encounter some old rebels’ hive of honey.  He is great for plunder — beats me all to nothing.  Rossie [Roswell V. Pratt] was in here to night; and seems as good a boy as ever.  I suppose Lt. Knowles is up there before this.  I hope he will have a good time for he well deserves it.  [Warren P. Knowles]

I am quite encouraged at the prospects of the the war coming to an end.  If the people at home will do their duty as well at the coming election as the armies of Grant and Sherman have done, and will do in the field, the war need not last six months longer.  The fire in the rear is all that has kept the confederacy together until now.  All the rebels we capture, say that their only hope is in the election of M^cClellan.  But I suppose you do not care to hear politics discussed so I will cease.  [Ulysses S. Grant, William T. Sherman, George B. McClellan]

My health is very good, and I am getting along first rate.  It is lonesome without Warren but if he is enjoying himself I certainly should not complain.  Give my love to Grandmother, Aunt Lydia, Uncle Joseph and all the good folks generally.  Tell Sarah to write.  I have forgotten whether I have answered her last letter or not, but tell her to write any way.  I don’t have so much time to write as I would if Warren was here.  I will enclose two or three photographs which I wish you to keep for me.  I shall spoil them if I carry them with me.  Well it is bedtime, and there is a general inspection at 8 o[‘]clock to morrow so I will bid you good night.  Make Phin [Phineas C. Flint] write for you.

Your boy,
. Jerry

1.  Military History of Wisconsin, by E. B. Quiner (Chicago, 1866), chapter 53, page 926.
2.  Could be either Charles G. Knowles or Charles P. Nichols.

Jerry Flint letter of October 11, 1864, from the Jerry E. Flint Papers (River Falls Mss BN) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls University Archives & Area Research Center

1864 May 9: “We are to proceed up the Tenn. to Clifton … then are to march to Huntsville”

Another of Edwin Levings’ more philosophical letters, with a bit of political opinion as well.  But first he talks about what the 12th Wisconsin Infantry is up to.  E. B. Quiner in chapter 20 (12th Infantry) of his Military History of Wisconsin¹ fills us in on what Ed is fairly accurately guessing at:

In April, General [William T.] Sherman promulgated an order for all veteran regiments, belonging to the Armies of the Ohio, Cumberland and Tennessee, on furlough, to join him in Tennessee.  Accordingly, on the gathering of the regiment at Camp Randall, from veteran furlough, on the 30th of April, they proceeded to Cairo, where they were joined by the non-veterans from camp near Vicksburg.  Accompanying the forces of General Gresham, the regiment proceeded up the Tennessee River, and landed at Clifton, Tenn., on the 14th, thence they marched by Huntsville and Decatur, Ala., to Rome, Ga., nearly 300 miles, and joined the “Army of the Tennessee” at Ackworth, Ga., on the 8th of June.  Here they became identified with the Atlanta campaign, under General Sherman.

The original letter is in the Edwin D. Levings Papers (River Falls Mss BO), in the University Archives and Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

Cairo, Ills., May 9th, 1864 ~

My Dear Parents,

                                I would not write to day did I know I should have another opportunity in a few days.  We expect to leave for up the Tenn. to-night, or to-morrow morning and I fear if I defer writing this after-noon I may keep you too long waiting, so I will drop you a word now, and tell you where we are going.

I understand that we are to proceed up the Tenn. to Clifton, 30 miles this side of Pittsburg Landing; then are to march to Huntsville, which will require 5 or 6 days time.  Probably we shall not get there in less than 8 or 10 days.  When Homer comes he will be sent, I think, via of Nashville and Decatur on the cars, so he will miss the march.  All our sick or those unable to march are to be sent by that route.  The distance by the route we shall take is about 325 miles.  We would much rather go than remain here longer.  The impression seems to be we shall not have much active service yet awhile,—that we are to protect the R. R.  I do not know how that is.  I want to see the rebellion crushed with all possible energy and dispatch, and if my service is needed on the battle field, I am perfectly willing to shoulder my rifle and start, ~ anything if it will help to put down the rebellion.  [paragraph break added]

I think I am beginning to be a pretty good soldier ~ I am willing to obey orders from whatever military source and my faith in a final glorious triumph of our arms & cause had not abated one particle, nor has my cheerfulness in the least given away to gloominess.  It does not trouble me who are my officers or who may be the next President, provided they do not stand in the way of speedily crushing the rebellion.  I have an abiding confidence in the future and let come what will, I mean to let Patience have her perfect work which will be have been, of course, when forbearance shall have ceased to be as virtue.  You may laugh if you want but that is the way I understand Scripture.  [paragraph break added]

With regard to the next President I am not decided yet, I am not certain but that a more energetic man than Lincoln [Abraham Lincoln] is now needed at the helm of State.  Lincoln had done well, but another man might do better, perhaps.  Your ax may be a good one, but mine may cut better.  To keep off the breakers we must come to disers discern the face of the sky and act accordingly.  We must learn to discern the signs of the times.  There is a fearful amount of recklessness and extravagance in the management of our political & military affairs, and it becomes us to see whither we are tending & to remove all evil obstructions.  I will say I do not admire the bitter hostility of the Fremont [John C. Frémont] party.  There is too much growling, too many threatening looks.  There principles may be correct, but their manner is certainly not, and they may kill their own party in their bitter zeal to crush that of Lincoln.  Homer will you get mother to make us some ration bags.

The boys have sent a box of clothing &c to Prescott in care of Carlos McCray, Postmaster of that place.  I send home in it my dress coat & rubber blanket which you can get when you are down at Prescott.  The charges will be light.  I have drawn a new rubber blanket.  I saw John Rice the other day.  He looks will & says he had a fine visit at Hamilton.  Write soon & often.  Direct via Cairo.

Yours affectionately, Edwin

Father, the enclosed receipt I took of Lyman Powell — well, he did not sign his name to it or else I tore it off.  I did not notice it till the other day.  Get him to sign it & will you forward to me.  Edwin D. Levings

1.  The Military History of Wisconsin, by E. B. Quiner (Chicago: 1866), chapter 6, page 194.  (UWRF Archives E 537 .Q56 1866; available digitally on the Wisconsin Historical Society’s website).

Edwin Levings letter of May 9, 1864, from the Edwin D. Levings Papers (River Falls Mss BO) in the University Archives & Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls

1863 December 10: “We have been chasing rebels since I last wrote, in rear of Natchez”

In E. B. Quiner’s Military History of Wisconsin,¹ we find that the 12th Wisconsin Infantry “On the 4th of December, they again embarked for Natchez on a fruitless expedition after Wirt Adams’ cavalry,² from which they returned to Vicksburg on the 23d of January, 1864.”  Part of that “fruitless expedition” is what Edwin Levings is describing below.

The original letter is in the Edwin D. Levings Papers (River Falls Mss BO), in the University Archives and Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

 Natchez Miss. Dec 10th /’63

My Dear Parents,

                             I have to write this morning with a pencil and with a tin plate for a table.  You are surprised, no doubt, to learn of our return to Natchez.  We have been chasing rebels since I last wrote, in rear of Natchez.  A force of 3,000 of them left Black River & were preparing to pounce on the city & get the Commissary stores.  The 32nd Ill., our regiment, a Cav. brigade & about a 1000 marines, with artillery left camp at Clear Creek on the 4th.  Took the boats at dark & reached Natchez next evening.  At midnight we marched quietly out to the picket lines.  At 10 o’clock of the 6th, we were in pursuit of the rebels, found where they camped the night previous.  We expected to have a battle that afternoon, but did not.  Gen. Gresham [Walter Q. Gresham] addressed a few words of explanation to us, told what he wanted, that we must whip the rebels or “go up the spout,” &c.  We marched 18 miles, camping south-east of Natchez.  [paragraph break added]

Next morning at 9 our Cav. began skirmishing with the rebels.  We hurried forward at at [sic] a double quick, across a wild, dashing brook then up a long winding hill, till we came in sight of the rebel position which was on a high ridge overlooking the country many miles,—a sort of Lookout Mountain.  The rebels had a battery on the hights [sic].  It was thought they had not seen our Infty., & we were immediately ordered to fall back across the creek & take a position for the purpose of drawing the rebels into a trap.  We did so.  The Cav. falling back for that purpose.  We had a splendid position, but Gen. Gresham was out[-]generaled here, I think.  We had only encountered the rear guard of the rebels & did not know it,—3 or 400, only.  Immediately on our withdrawal, they came down the hill and dashed up the bed of the creek to the Kingston road, to get us to follow them & not their main force.  We were a mile from them & in the woods.  Didn’t understand the game, then.  Knew nothing of the Kingston road striking the creek and so we were foiled.  They were not anxious to fight us & got away.  We tried to get around them, but failed.  Had we let alone strategy, and pitched right at them, we might have carried the hills and done something.  [paragraph break added]

The marines did not go with us — they went out on the Pine Ridge road.  We followed the Washington road till we came to another running south round the city, & at no time were we more than 12 miles from it.  Had the Infy. taken the Woodville road which is much shorter, we should have headed them off & got them bagged.  The Cav. lost a few killed and wounded.  The Gen. was a little chagrined, I guess, for when we camped that night, he told us to take anything we wanted outside the houses and we did.  We lived high the night of the 7th Dec.  Long shall we remember it.  Just think of it, Beef, mutton, turkey, chicken, fresh pork, sugar, molasses, milk, butter, honey, potatoes.  But Mother, as a certain woman said to her visitors, “We don’t live like this every day.”— Call on us to day and you will find us eating our regular hard tack.  [paragraph break added]

We got back from our chase day before yesterday, having marched 40 miles.  It is useless to set infantry after rebel Cavalry.  We came down here on a fleet of 8 steamers and somebody outside the city threw up a rocket in the night & let the rebels know that reinforcements had come.  So you see how our plans were defeated.  We may go somewhere else on a scout, but now we expect to stay here till our camp equipage arrives.

We hear Lee [Robert E. Lee] has been badly whipped.  Dale [Wilber Dale] is somewhat sick with chills and fever, though not dangerous.  We are both perfectly well.  We have received those stamps.  On the 3^rd we got a letter from you & one from Cousin Dwight.  He had been home on furlough.  An order was issued permitting the N. Y. Convalescent soldiers and those not on duty to go home on furlough of ten days & vote.  By some Copperhead dodge the train he was on, was detained and he did not get home in time to vote.  Grandmother was well & wanted to hear from us.  We had written her & she had got the letter.  Has David Burr³ been heard from yet?  How are you all getting along?  Hope we shall soon hear from you and from Hattie and Louisa,⁴ too.  The weather is damp and chilly.  I must close now so good bye,

From Edwin
. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .Dec. 10th 1863

1.  Military History of Wisconsin, by E. B. Quiner (Chicago: 1866), chapter 20, page 578. (UWRF Archives E 537 .Q56 1866; available digitally on the Wisconsin Historical Society’s website).
2.  William Wirt Adams (1819-1888) was a banker and planter in Mississippi near Jackson and Vicksburg. He served two sessions in the Mississippi House of Representatives. When the Civil War started, he formed the “Wirt Adams” Cavalry Regiment. They fought a rear-guard action in the Confederate retreat from Kentucky to Nashville, Tennessee, and subsequently to Corinth, Mississippi. Wirt’s regiment fought at the Battle of Shiloh, and were on outpost duty during the Siege of Corinth. After the fall of Vicksburg, both his regiment and the 28th Mississippi Cavalry harassed and skirmished units under General William T. Sherman. In September 1863, Adams was commissioned as brigadier general assigned command of a brigade composed of both his regiment and the command of Colonel Logan. In February 1864, he attacked General Sherman’s advance on Meridian, Mississippi. Near the end of the war, he operated alongside General Nathan B. Forrest in Alabama. He and his brigade surrendered near Ramsey Station in Sumter County, Alabama, on May 4, 1865.
3.  David C. Burr, from River Falls, was in Company F of the 1st Wisconsin Infantry. He was taken prisoner at the Battle of Chickamauga (September 19-20, 1863) and will die in Danville Prison (Va.) on December 29, 1863.
4.  Ed’s cousins, Harriet Lucinda (“Hattie”) and Lucy Louisa Levings, daughters of Ed’s father’s brother, Alpheus Hall Levings.

Edwin Levings letter of December 10, 1863, from the Edwin D. Levings Papers (River Falls Mss BO) in the University Archives & Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls

1863 June 14: “Our Regiment is horribly cut up, we lost our Colonel and most of the line Officers”

Frank D. Harding at this point was still with Company G of the 4th Wisconsin Infantry.  The majority of the letter discusses battles related to the Siege of Port Hudson.  The original letter is in the Frank D. Harding Papers (River Falls Mss AB), University of Wisconsin-River Falls University Archives & Area Research Center.

Carrolton La  June 14^th 1863

Dear Father

                         I received a letter from you last which is the only one I have received for the past two months.  I had began to think that you had given up the idea of ever writing to me.

There is but little news stirring that can be got hold of.  Every thing about Port Hudson is quiet but in a few days I think that it must fall into our hands.  We had one of the hardest fights there of any in this Dept.   The Western Regts behaved nobly and had they been supported by the nine month’s men we should have surely taken the place.  Our Regiment is horribly cut up, we lost our Col¹ and most of the line Officers.  Gen. Sherman² lost his leg and may lose his life.  He is better this morning I hear.

Out of eleven hundred and forty men that we left Wisconsin with, hardly four hundred are left and the Regt can not muster two hundred and fifty to go in to a fight.  Our loss before Port Hudson in killed and wounded will not fall much short of 5000 men.³  The negros fought like devils’ they made five charges on a battery that there was not the slightest chance of their taking, just (as their Officers said) to show our boys that they could, and would fight.  At one time the 4th Wis., 8th N.H., 6th Mich., and 75^th & 128^th N.Y. Regts were on their works and had their battle flags planted, but having no one to support them they were obliged to fall back.  My Co. [G] was not in the fight as they are stationed at Camp Parapet as heavy art [artillery].  One of our Lieut^s was on Gen Sherman’s Staff and was killed,⁴ two of the Sergts of my Co. were in the fight and one was promoted on the field for gallantry.  I went over the the battle field two days after the fight and the stench was horrible.  Our forces have surrounded the place now and are planting heavy guns and in the course of the week I think the [__?] for battle will come off.

I still board in Carrolton but do my work in the City in the Office of the Chief Commissary.  How long I shall stay there it is impossible for me to say.

Tell mother I picked out a dozen of gray hairs out of my head to lend her but I have lost them and have no time to look for more.  I mean to have my picture taken in a few days and will lend it to you. I don’t look much like a solider for I haven’t had a uniform on for more than one year.

Give my love to Mother and Diantha.  Write me soon.

Yours Truly,  Frank D. Harding

1.  Sidney A. Bean, from Waukesha, had been the colonel of the 4th Wisconsin Infantry only since March 17, 1863, being promoted from lieutenant colonel of the 4th when Halbert E. Paine was promoted to brigadier general of volunteers. Bean was killed May 29, 1863, at Port Hudson.
A list of the killed and wounded in the 4th Wisconsin Infantry from May 27 to June 2, 1863, can be found in E. B. Quiner’s Military History of Wisconsin (Chicago: 1866), chapter 14, page 504 ((UWRF Archives E 537 .Q56 1866, available digitally on the Wisconsin Historical Society’s website).
2.  As we learned yesterday, during the May 27, 1863, attack on Port Hudson, General Thomas W. Sherman was severely wounded, which led to the amputation of his right leg. His injuries were so severe that he was not expected to live. Even the newspaper in his hometown (Newport, Rhode Island) printed an obituary for him.
3.  This is a very accurate estimate by Harding. Five thousand Union losses is the number generally given.
4.  Edward A. Clapp, from Hudson.

Frank Harding letter of June 14, 1863, from the Frank D. Harding Papers (River Falls Mss AB) in the University Archives & Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls

1863 May 9: Union League Rally in Prescott

Following are the small items from the May 9, 1863, issues of The Prescott Journal and The Polk County Press.

From The Prescott Journal:

 .
  Four companies of the 30th, including Co. F, have gone to St. Louis.  Two companies are going to Superior [Wisconsin].¹

From The Polk County Press:

— Lieut. Col. Hamilton, of the 7th Wisconsin, having been honorably discharged on account of wounds received at the battle of Gainesville, has returned to his home in Milwaukee.²

—  An exchange [newspapers] asks the following question:

If a woman marries a man aged between 36 and 45, thus exempting him from the first class of conscripts, which alone is likely to be called out, is she not guilty of “disloyal practices ?”

1.  E. B. Quiner in his Military History of Wisconsin states: “On the 2d of May, 1863, companies D, F, I and K were sent to St. Louis, as guards for transports in the Indian Expedition, under General Sully.” The 30th Wisconsin, you may remember, is Colonel Daniel Dill’s regiment, and Company F—the Salomon Tigers—came primarily from Pierce County. Although The Prescott Journal does not seem interested in them, Company D is also from northwestern Wisconsin, being raised primarily from Saint Croix County. (Available in the UWRF Archives E 537 .Q56 1866), this quotation is on page 790. A digital copy is available on the Wisconsin Historical Society’s website.)
2.  Charles A. Hamilton, from Milwaukee, was wounded August 15, 1861, at Gainesville. He resigned on March 3, 1863.

1863 April 25: The 12th Wisconsin Infantry’s First Big Fight

Edwin Levings and his brother Homer were in Company A of the 12th Wisconsin Infantry.  E. B. Quiner, in his Military History of Wisconsin,¹ has this to say of the expedition Ed Levings describes in this letter:  “On the 18th of April, Colonel Bryant [George E. Bryant] was placed in command of a force of infantry, cavalry, and a battery, to coöperate with a force under General Smith,² from La Grange, against the rebel General Chalmers,³ on the Coldwater River, to divert his attention from the celebrated raid of Colonel Grierson,⁴ which that officer undertook in the Spring of 1863, penetrating through the centre of Mississippi, and arriving at Baton Rouge, La.  Colonel Bryant encountered the rebels in strong force at the river, and drove them from their position, and waited some time for the appearance of General Smith’s force to attack in the rear.  General Smith failed to appear, and Colonel Bryant returned towards Memphis, where he was met by an additional force, and returned to Hernando, and there waited for signals of attack by General Smith.  Not hearing from that officer, he returned to Memphis with his command.  The Twelfth formed part of the expedition but suffered no loss.”

The original letter is in the Edwin D. Levings Papers (River Falls Mss BO), in the University Archives and Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

Memphis, April 25^th 1863

Dear Parents,

I suppose if you are in receipt of our last letter, you are particularly anxious about us.  For we told you we were going out after a large force of rebels who were camped on the other side of the Coldwater River, 35 miles south.  The expedition returned yesterday noon, after an absence of 6 1/2 days, and I hasten to tell you we are both safe and sound and have had a glorious time.  I regret to say the main object of the expedition was not accomplished on account of the failure of Gen. Smith to coöperate with us, his part being to come in behind the rebels and attack them, while we engaged them in front so the rebels were not all “gobbled up” as they were expected to be, but

[page 2 —]  I will say we had several hard fights and lost some men.  But the rebels lost more & we returned with 80 prisoners, 200 horses and mules, 150 negroes, and destroyed a large amount of rebel supplies while gone.  So much I have told you, now for the sake of clearness and connection as well as interest I will speak of the events of the expedition in the order of their occurrence.  The Expedition consisted of 1 Battallion [sic] of the 5th Ohio Cavalry, the 13th Ohio Battery (4 guns), 41^st Ill. Int’y., 33^rd & 12^th Wis. & was commanded by Col. Bryant.  We left the city at day break on the 18th and reached Hernando at 5 P.M. 25 miles south.  The country was rough & hilly & rebels cavalry were all around us.  The 12th being the advance, & Companies A & B had a good deal of skirmishing to do.  6 or 8 rebels were caught by the cavalry reaching Hernando.

[page 3 —]  The Cav. had a hard fight 1 mile south of that place just after we came up & we had a chance to see it in part.  25 or 30 rebels were laid out on the field & 75 captured with their arms & 1 wagon of [hams?], our loss, one prisoner.  The prisoners were lodged in the Court House.  During the fight a force of rebels Cav. were seen coming into town to cut off our Cav. retreat & attack them in the rear not knowing we had guns & artillery along, when they saw us they skedaddled as fast as they could.  The captured rebels were sent out to draw our men into an ambush where lay a large force of rebels, but they were beaten at their own game.  The people seemed glad we had come for they thought we would be over powered.  We got a lot of cotton for beds & piled into the houses there being a hard rain all night.

[page 4 —]  2^nd Day — Clear but muddy.  Went on to the Coldwater 10 miles I saw one wounded rebel sitting up against a stump where he had been all night.  Our ambulances were sent out to pick up the rebel wounded & were fired into by the rebels.  Co’s I & G with a squad of Cav. were sent back to Memphis with the prisoners & captured arms, but after going a little ways a superior force of rebels came in sight & they had to double quick & break the arms & [__] escaped.  Our Regt. was behind that day.  There was Cav. skirmishing all the way to the river.  When we came up to the river there was a hard battle in progress down in the bottom.  The Cav. drove the rebels across the ferry & held there till we came up.  Major Hays⁵ of the Cav. was mortally wounded in the action.  The 41st & 33rd & the artillery & 3 companies of our own Regt. fought the rebels 6 hours, Co’s I & G guarded the prisoners & the other companies were held in reserve.  There was no attempt made to cross

[page] 5 [—]  the river as the programme was for Col. Bryant to hold the rebels there till Gen. Smith came in behind the rebels.  We could have crossed but there would have been great loss on our side if we had.  For the rebels were posted behind fallen trees & logs piled up in the thick brush where it was almost impossible to see a rebel, & they were reinforced several times & finally with artillery.  Gen. Chalmer [sic]³ commanded the rebels.  Our artillery fired 120 rounds of shell & grape & once or twice when rebel reinforcements came up, let whole volleys into the head of their columns which must have cut some of the down surely.  Federals & rebels lay within 30 yds of each other for 6 hours & every time a head showed itself the bullets blew.  Crack crack

[page] 6 [—]  crack all the time.  At last the rebs retired, evidently to entice us across, but they could not fool Col Bryant in that way.  They were superior in numbers & finally their artillery opened on us but none of their shell burst.  One shot struck within 10 ft of the ambulances & 3 others a few rods to the right of us.  This was to find out where our battery was, doubtless, when they would have opened on it furiously, no response was made, but the troops fell back a short distance & fearing us we finally fell back to Hernando by another road, for a better position.  We had not gone 2 miles ere rebel cav. hove in sight, but they were driven off by our cav.  Our loss was 4 killed & 12 wounded, I think.  The killed

[page] 7 [—]  were Major Hays of the Cav., a Capt. & Lieut. of the 33rd, 1 private 41st, 1 private 15th Ohio Battery.  One man of Co E. of our Regt was severely wounded in the right arm & right lungs.  Major Hays has since died.  We camped that night on a plantation & destroyed all the cotton.

3^rd Day — Gen. Smith had not been heard from & we lay still all day till noon in town & were reinforced by 100 2nd Wis. Cav.  Cav. drove the rebels back to the river.  Some of our men were engaged in catching horses & mules near town & the rebels fired at them but did no hurt & were driven off.  To retaliate for firing into our ambulances, the boys burned houses that cost $50,000.  The Court House alone, which was burned, cost $30,000.  The officers could not stop it.  At noon we left for Memphis

[page] 8 [—]  by a circuitous route east of that we came down by & camped on the plantation of Capt. Blythe,⁶ one of our prisoners — took his negroes, burned his fences & destroyed his cotton what there was.  We had but 4 days rations when we left Memphis & we took hams & everything else eatable along the road.  We had to skirmish again & I must tell you a story.  Col. Poole⁷ thought he saw rebels on the other side of us & Lieut. Reynolds⁸ sent us off towards a house but there were no rebels but negroes & they wanted to get away & were all ready.  I told them to go in front of me & give me one of their bundles & I would see them into our lines.  There were 8 of them but I got them all along but fell behind in doing so but the Cav. waited for me.  There were 4 women, 3 children & 1 boy 14 years old.  The boys call me John Brown.

4th Day.  Marched to within 12 miles of Memphis when reinforcements & provisions came & we had to go back again.  The troops that joined us were 5 Ohio Battery (6 pieces), 1 Battallion [sic] Cav., 46 & 14 Ills. Int’y.  Went back

[page] 9 [—]  5 miles and camped. — 5th Day — Marched to within 5 miles of the Coldwater stream & camped, resting awhile at noon at Hernando for rest & dinner.

6th Day — The rebels had disappeared & Col. Bryant with the Cav. crossed the river, when a dispatch from Gen. Smith came saying he was after the rebs & had force enough without out [sic] us & having but 2 days provisions on hand we started back for Memphis.  At noon 30 of the 2nd Wis. Cav. came upon a rebel supply train & destroyed what they could not carry off.  Among the things were 4 wagon loads of ham, a lot of lard, horses & mules & 75 negroes.  A Quartermaster & several other rebels were caught camped 15 miles from Memphis.

6th Day — Rained hard, marched to Memphis in the mud.

[page 10] [—]  We marched about 120 miles on this trip.  I carried only my oil cloth, 1 days ration, 45 rounds ammunition, rations being issued at night each day.  We both felt well & never took more pleasure in marching than on this trip.  The negro men we brought on are all enlisting & the women will sew & make soldier clothes for the darkies.  I wish we could start on another expedition to-morrow.  This may not be correct in every respect, but, doubtless, you will see the whole report by and bye & bye & get at the truth.  We had plenty of fun & terrified the rebels greatly, never had so much fun since I have been a soldier.  [paragraph break added]

I got 2 good Latin Books.  Homer will tell his own story to you in a day or two.  I must close & mail this.  Excuse my haste & little pains, for I suppose you want to hear from [us] immediately.  So good bye

Yours in love
Edwin Levings

We have just signed the pay rolls & will get 2 months pay in a day or two.

We rec’d. your letter of the 12th containing medicine, on this march.

I think this account is more correct than any you will see in the papers for I understand the accounts in the papers are very much distorted.  Co. B lost one man prisoner.

1.  E. B. Quiner’s Military History of Wisconsin (UWRF Archives E 537 .Q56 1866), chapter 20, this quotation is on pages 576-77. A digital copy is available on the Wisconsin Historical Society’s website.
2.  John Eugene Smith (1816-1897) emigrated from Switzerland and became a jeweler in Galena, Illinois. It was here that Smith joined the Union Army and become one of nine generals from Galena to fight in the Civil War. He participated in the battles Forts Henry and Donelson, Shiloh, Vicksburg, Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge, and Sherman’s March to the Sea. After the War, Smith stayed in the regular army until 1881 when he retired to Chicago, Illinois.
3.  James Ronald Chalmers (1831-1898) grew up in Tennessee and Holly Springs, Mississippi, and gradated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in law. Despite no military experience, when the Civil War started he was elected colonel of the 9th Mississippi Infantry Regiment. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Murfreesboro, and Stones River, among others. In 1863 he saw action in northern Mississippi, Tennessee, and Kentucky. Following the War Chalmers resumed his law career and served three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1877 to 1882.
4.  Benjamin Henry Grierson (1826-1911) was a music teacher and band leader in Illinois before the war. In 1861 he joined the 6th Illinois Cavalry and was promoted to colonel in 1862. In November of that year he became a brigade commander in the Cavalry Division of the Army of the Tennessee, and in December he participated in the pursuit of Confederate General Earl Van Dorn after his Holly Springs raid. Grierson is best known for Grierson’s Raid, an 1863 diversionary expedition through Confederate-held territory that severed enemy communication lines. Grierson left La Grange, Tennessee, on April 17, 1863. After the War, Grierson organized the 10th U.S. Cavalry, one of two mounted regiments composed of Black soldiers and white officers, called the Buffalo Soldiers.
5.  Charles S. Hays/Hayes was the major of the 5th Ohio Cavalry.
6.  Possibly John W. Blythe (1825-1897), captain of Company B, 5th Tennessee Cavalry.
7.  DeWitt C. Poole, the lieutenant colonel of the 12th Wisconsin Infantry.
8.  Charles Reynolds, from Madison, was the 1st lieutenant of Company A, 12th Wisconsin Infantry, at this time. He will eventually become the captain of Company A.

Edwin Levings letter of April 25, 1863, from the Edwin D. Levings Papers (River Falls Mss BO) in the University Archives & Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls