John Barrett Murphy Civil War Soldier Compiled and Edited by Al Palmer Lambertville, MI May 2009

2 Table of Contents

John Barrett Murphy Civil War Soldier...... 3

Day by Day in the Civil War with the Iron Brigade ...... 13

Appendix A: Maps of the Iron Brigade inVirginia 1862 - 1865...... 37

Appendix B John B. Murphy’s Compiled Military Record...... 38

3 John Barrett Murphy Civil War Soldier

John B. Murphy (1404) was born 10 January 1839 in either Glen, Montgomery County or Hastings, Hastings County, New York, USA. Family records list the Glen location while a biography, noted below, notes his birthplace as Hastings, NY. His parents were Arthur Murphy and Della (Delia) Colton Murphy.

Arthur was born in Ireland about 1811. Delia was born in Ireland on 28 March 1818. It is not known when either came to the U.S., but they were married in 1835 in New York, New York. One of great mysteries, yet to be unraveled, is whether they met in the U.S. or Ireland.

Arthur Murphy Delia Colton Murphy

The 1840 census reports the family living in Glen, Montgomery County, New York. 1850 was the first U.S. census to list the family members and John appears in the Arthur Murphy household that year. By then, the family has moved to Waukesha, Waukesha County, Wisconsin. John’s occupation (remember he was about 11 years old) was listed as farmer.

He appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Millville, Grant, WI, USA, in the household of his parents, Arthur Francis Murphy (1408) and Delia Colton (1971).11 He lived on 10 Jul 1860 at Millville, Grant, WI, USA.22

He began military service on 31 Aug 1861 at Madison, WI, USA. He enrolled in Company H, of the 7th Wisconsin Infantry for a period of three years on 20 Jul 1861 at Fennimore, WI.33 John B. Murphy, then 22 years old, was subsequently mustered into the army at Madison, Wisconsin on 31 August 1861.

The account of his service which follows is based on his cumulative military record, a brief published biography, and a history of his regiment (http://www.secondwi.com/wisconsinregiments/eastern.htm). All are consistent, with

4 the exception being a few battles listed in the biography that were not noted in his military record. It is assumed that record keeping, being what it was during the war, the biography is probably more accurate, since it was based on John’s recollections.

Lincoln appealed to the state governors for soldiers, initially asking for one regiment of 1000 men from Wisconsin. They were to serve for a period of ninety days, as it was assumed that the war would be over by then. The number was raised in one day and became the Wisconsin 1st. The next call was for three year volunteers and that was the call answered by John.

To be an officer, you only needed to raise a company of 100 or so men. The men were gathered together and enrolled. A captain was elected by popular vote and the prominent citizen who probably put up the money and persuaded the men to join, generally got the honor. Other officers were elected and previous military experience was rarely a factor in who was chosen. Once enrolled and the company formed, the men went to the training camp where they were formally mustered into the army.

Ten companies comprised a regiment which was led by a Colonel, generally appointed by the Governor, often as a political favor. The number of soldiers in a regiment ranged from 830 to 1010. Four regiments were formed into a brigade, commanded by a Brigadier General. (http://www.ironbrigade.net/unit-organization.htm).

John Murphy was mustered into company H of the 7th Wisconsin Infantry regiment. They were trained at Camp Randall, Madison, Wisconsin and initially deployed in the defense of Washington, DC. until March of 1962 when they began to move into Virginia. Initially, the brigade was comprised of the 2nd Wisconsin, 6th Wisconsin, 7th Wisconsin, and 19th Indiana regiments. The 24th Michigan regiment was added later after the brigade took heavy losses. Battery B - 4th US Artillery was also included. The Rufus King brigade, as they were known, wore black felt hats for which they were known throughout the south. For its heroic efforts at Gainesville and Antiteam, it became known as the “Iron Brigade.”

The men of the Iron Brigade first made a name for themselves simply as members of "Rufus King's Brigade". But as commanders and uniforms changed, and the conflict advanced to the war's most critical moment at Antietam, they earned some more titles. The men of the south knew them first as "That damn Black Hat Brigade" and latter to all as the "Iron Brigade" because they "stood like Iron" in the face of withering enemy fire. The truth is, the history of the Iron Brigade begins like a song of glory and victory assumed, and ends with the brigades virtual

5 destruction on the first day of Gettysburg. The men were not of iron, but of flesh and blood and they anointed their nations fields with more of themselves than any other regiment in the Union. (http://www.ironbrigade.net/index.html)

On 10 March 1862, the Army Corps. is reorganized and the 7th Wisconsin becomes part of the first Division under the command of Rufus King. They break camp on March 10 and after a series of marches, reconnaissance activities and a few skirmishes end up in the vicinity of Falmouth and Fredericksburg, Virginia at the end of April, 1862. In all, they have traveled about 48 miles and contemporaneous reports describe the weather as horrendous for most of the month. They remain in that area experiencing little or no action until July, 1862.

After a reconnaissance mission to Orange Courthouse, and an eighty mile march in three days, they are camped at Gordonville, VA.

Aug. 28th , at an early hour, we march to Gainesville, turn to the right Bethlehem Church road, and halt and lay on arms until 5 P.M. when we return to the pike and march slowly toward Centerville. At about 6 P.M., and two miles from Gainesville, while marching by the flank a rebel battery, posted on a wooded eminence to the left of the road, open fire on our column. The old Second promptly faced to the front, and directed by Gen, Gibbon, advance by quick time upon the battery, and soon met the enemy’s infantry emerged from the woods. Here for twenty minutes the Iron Brigade checked and sustained the onset of Stonewall Jackson’s whole division of rebel infantry under one of the most intensely concentrated fires of musketry ever experienced by any troops in this or any other war. (http://www.secondwi.com/wisconsinregiments/battles2.htm)

This brief summary does not do justice to the savagery of the battle of Gainesville. John Murphy and his comrades had only experienced light skirmishes with the Confederate Army to this point. At Gainesville, they were outnumbered by an experienced corps led by Stonewall Jackson. The two armies faced each other over open ground, often separated by less than one hundred yards. The musket fire was withering from both sides. The 7th Wisconsin and the other regiments stood their ground and held the line. Jackson elected to withdraw and the Union army proceeded on to Manassas. John Murphy received a “slight” wound to the head on 29 August 1862.

The losses on both sides were horrendous with over 1/3 of the 7th Wisconsin, dead or injured. The head of John’s company, Captain Randolph, died in the battle. John

6 Murphy survived and on 4 September 1862, was promoted from private to corporal. One would like to think that it was because he showed leadership during one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War.

Through the first half of September 1862, the Army of Virginia marched north through Georgetown and Washington DC, eventually stopping at South Mountain near Middletown, VA on September 14. The Confederate Army was dug in and the 7th Wisconsin was assigned the task of storming the pass and securing it for the passage of the Union army. They succeeded in driving the opposition from behind the stone walls and up the pass. It was after this battle that the brigade became known as the “Iron Brigade of the West.”

On September 15th, the army pursues the confederates through Boonsboro to Antiteam Creek near Sharpsburg. That battle has generally been considered one of the bloodiest of the entire Civil War. Again, John Murphy survived an encounter with an experienced and determined opposing army. At the same time, he is serving with an equally determined corps rapidly gaining experience and a reputation for bravery and fortitude.

On 19 September 1862, the confederate army retreats across the Potomac river and the Iron Brigade remains at Sharpsburg, VA, burying the dead, recruiting and training.

Breaking camp on 20 October 1862, John Murphy and his companions march southward through Warrenton, Fayel, Morrisville, and Brooks Station where they camp from November 28th to December 9th, during which time it snowed heavily.

They fought in the battle of Fredericksburg from December twelfth to the fifteenth, though their part of the line saw little action. On December 23, 1862, the Army of Virginia, makes camp for the winter at Belle Plaine, VA.

On 21 April 1863, at the opening of the 1863 campaign, John is promoted from Corporal to Sergeant. The photo at the left shows him with his stripes.

Now known as the Army of Potomac and under the command of General Hooker, the Corps remained in camp until 28 April 1863. One notable event occurred during that time when the army was reviewed on 9 April by Gen. Hooker, President Lincoln, Secretary Seward, Gen. Stoneman of cavalry fame, and Gen. Sickles, accompanied by their wives. John Murphy probably saw Abraham

7 Lincoln and may have even had the opportunity to meet him.

On 29 April 1863, opening the campaign of 1863, the army advanced to Fitzhugh’s crossing where a pontoon bridge was to be erected across the Rappahannock river. The Confederate army was entrenched on the opposite side and their fire prevented the erection of the bridge. The 6th Wisconsin took the advance by taking command of the boats and transported the remainder of the brigade across under the withering fire of the enemy. In less than 20 minutes the Iron Brigade had secured the line and the bridge was erected.

The entire brigade crosses the river by 2 May 1863 and through the month marches to Millsville, VA. arriving on 26 May 1863.

From 12 June 1863 to 30 June 1863 the army marches 123 miles through Virginia and Maryland to Marsh Creek, PA just south of Gettysburg. They are placed in the line of battle. General Meade is now in command of the army.

The Iron Brigade marched into Gettysburg on a beautiful July 1st morning. They were quickly ordered to attack the Confederate army entrenched in McPherson’s Woods. In spite of a severe artillery barrage, the line was able to advance and force the Confederate army to retreat. After a lull of two hours or so, the Confederate army advanced and forced the Union forces, including the 7th Wisconsin to retreat back through Gettysburg finally reorganizing on Cemetery Hill at the end of the first day. The regiment saw little action during the second and third days of the battle of Gettysburg.

The Seventh Wisconsin bore its share in the battle with characteristic gallantry, and Gettysburg National suffered severely. During the action, Captain Park--Meredith Ave., Hollon Richardson, who was acting on General Gettysburg, PA Meredith's staff, seized the colors of a Pennsylvania regiment, and attempted to rally them back into the fight, but it was in vain, and although he made a conspicuous mark by this action, he retired unharmed. (http://www.secondwi.com/wisconsinregiments /gettysbu.htm)

The Iron Brigade lost a total of 1212 men while the regiment lost 178 at the battle

8 of Gettysburg and John Murphy survived another major battle of the Civil war.

After the battle of Gettysburg, the Army of the Potomac including the Iron Brigade pursued the Confederate army south for the next four months.

From July 5 to July12, they chased the rebel army to the banks of the Antiteam river, a distance of 56 miles. With the Confederate army still in retreat, the 7th Wisconsin in company with the other members of the Iron Brigade chased them 75 miles over the next 11 days.

On 1 August 1863, they broke camp, crossed the Rappahannock River and formed a line of battle where they remained until 7 August. They then recrossed the river and went into camp where they remained until 15 September 1863. They are to spend a great deal of time in the area of Warrenton, Brandy Station, Rappahannock Station, and Kelly’s Ford, VA.

16 September 1863 found the Army of the Potomac breaking camp and marching the 12 miles to Poney Mountain where they again made camp. On 17 September 1863, the citizens of Wisconsin and Michigan presented the Iron Brigade with a stand of silk colors. After a festival, they broke camp and marched to the Rapidan river where they formed a line at Martin’s Ford.

Leaving Martin’s Ford on 11 October 1863, the army moved the twenty-five miles through Stevensburg, Brandy Junction, finally forming a battle line at Warrenton Junction.

They remain on that line until 14 October 1863 when they march over the plains of Manassas and found themselves on the old familiar territory around Gainesville where they received their first taste of the horrors of war just fourteen months earlier. They have covered many miles since then and seen more bloodshed than any person should have to endure. The horror is certainly compounded when they are ordered to return to the battlefield at Gainesville and bury their dead who have remained in the field since August 1862

After voting in the national election at the company headquarters on 4 November 1863, they march seven miles to Catlett’s Station.

Marching and fighting the fifteen miles through Rappahannock Station, on 8 November they captured several pieces of artillery, a bridge, a train and 2000 prisoners. They remained in camp at Beverly’s Ford repairing the railroad and earthworks and engaging in picket duty until 26 November 1863. The army is back and forth across the river until 4 December 1863 when they arrive at Kelley’s Ford to

9 lay out a camp for the winter. John Murphy is granted a furlough and goes home to Grant County Wisconsin on 19 December 1863. John’s military record indicates that he was sent home sick and authorized to remain there until 5 March 1864.

24 December finds the army again breaking camp and marching to Culpepper Court House where they build another camp for the winter.

John remains home recovering from his illness and on recruiting duty until 12 June 1864, when he rejoins the regiment just before the siege of Petersburg.

In the meantime, the Army of the Potomac has broken camp on 6 February 1864 and marches to Belleville where they engage in a skirmish with sharpshooters. They return to camp on 7 February 1864 to prepare for the “final battle.” The army of the Potomac is now under the command of General Ulysses S. Grant.

On 6 May 1864, the Iron Brigade engages the Confederate forces in what has come to be known as the Wilderness Campaign. It marks the beginning of an eleven month period in which the armies are always within musket shot of each other. General Wadsworth who had led the 7th Wisconsin at Gettysburg is killed in this engagement. Additional skirmishes occurred around the Wilderness area until 14 May when the brigade formed behind the breastworks at Spotsylvania Court House.

Throughout May they moved south arriving near Jericho Ford on 26 May 1864. The terms of service for the members of the 2nd Wisconsin regiment ended on 11 June 1864 and they were relieved of duty and started for home.

From early May when the 1864 campaign began until near the middle of June, the Army of the Potomac had lost nearly 60,000 men. At the battle of Cold Harbor, Grant lost 7,000 men in twenty minutes. John Murphy returned from recruiting duty just after this battle. The 7th Wisconsin was involved in preparations for the siege of Petersburg which ultimately lasted from 16 Jun 1864 until 2 April 1865. The conditions on the Union line were acceptable, but the Confederate forces inside Petersburg quickly ran out of food and were in desperate straits throughout the period.

On 18 August 1864 Grant began a campaign to destroy the Weldon railroad which was being used to supply the Confederate forces at Petersburg. In a battle that raged for five days, the Union forces were only able to control a small portion of the railroad. In a biographical sketch published in 1901, it was noted that John Murphy had participated and was wounded in the hand at the battle for the Weldon railroad.

1 0 John Murphy’s regiment remained in the siege until 6 February 1865 when it participated in actions designed to disrupt the wagon trains attempting to deliver supplies to Petersburg. For two days the two armies skirmished in the vicinity of Dabney’s Mill, Rowanty Creek and Gravelly Run.

The Union forces finally won a decisive victory at Five Forks on 1 April 1865 cutting off all supply chains to Petersburg and Lee ordered the evacuation of that city and Richmond.

The 7th Wisconsin, probably with John Murphy, was present at the battle at Appomatox Court House when Lee made one last attempt to reach his supply line at Lynchburg, only to find his army surrounded by Union forces.

After Lee’s surrender on 9 April 1865, the regiment was moved to Washington DC during the month of May. They participated in the Grand Review on 23 May 1865 in Washington DC and were moved to Louisville, KY on 16 June 1865. John Murphy, now twenty six year old, and his surviving comrades were mustered out on 3 July 1865 at Jeffersonville, IN. During its history, 1630 men were enrolled in the 7th Wisconsin and 281 fell in Alice Graham Murphy John B. Murphy the conflict. John had been tested in some of the most severe combat in the war, received two promotions and lived on to the age of 78 on 31 Aug 1861. He ended military service on 3 Jul 1865 at Jeffersonville, IN, USA.44

John married Alice Graham (1405), daughter of William Graham (1416) and Eliza Button (1417), on 24 Dec 1865 at Woodman, Grant, WI.55 He had been home for six months. It would be wonderful to know how and when they met. Had she been waiting for him those three long years? No known letters exist to describe that relationship.

1 1 He and Alice Graham (1405) appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of at Woodman, Grant, WI, USA, enumerated 24 Jun 1870. Their children Frank Graham (202), Lilliam (1406) and Jennie (Jane) (1407) were listed as living with them.6 According to that census, he was a farmer at Woodman, Grant, WI, USA.77

He and Alice Graham (1405) appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of at Marion, at Grant,, enumerated 18 Jun 1880, Their children Lilliam John B. Murphy (far right) and (1406), Frank Graham (202) and Jennie (Jane) Civil war Comrades. Date (1407) were listed as living with them.88 That unknown. census records his occupation as, “farmer.”

The following biography appeared in the "Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa, and Lafayette Wisconsin," Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1901.

J. B. MURPHY, one of the prosperous farmers of Marion township, Grant county, enjoys the honor of being chairman of the town board, and was born at Hastings, N.Y., on Jan. 10, 1839, being a son of Arthur and Delia (COTTON) MURPHY, natives of Ireland.

The father came to New York at the age of eighteen, while the mother was brought to this country when but an infant. In 1856 the family came to Grant county, and although the father was a stonemason by trade, he took up land in Woodman township, which he greatly improved, and resided upon the farm until his death, which occurred in 1878, his wife surviving him until 1896.

To them were born children as follows: Mary, clerk in the land office at Washington, which position she has held for twenty years; Edward, of Woodman; Caroline, Mrs. BALLINGER, of Bloomington township, Grant county; Kate, of Colorado; Anna, Mrs. LEWIS, of Iowa; Alice, of Bloomington township, this county; Walter, of Bowen county, Iowa; our subject.

J. B. MURPHY was reared in Waukesha county, Wis., and then moved to Iowa county, whence in 1856 he accompanied the family to Woodman, Grant county, later going to Millville, and finally to Marion township, in 1866, where he purchased a farm of 200 acres, now counted as one of the finest pieces of farming property in Grant county.

1 2 In August, 1861, Mr. MURPHY enlisted in Co. H, 7th Wis. V.I., for three years or duing the war. The regiment was mustered in at Madison, Wis., and was assigned to te Army of the Potomac, forming part of the famous "Iron Brigade." During his term of service Mr. MURPHY participated in the battles of Gainesville, second battle of Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Wilderness and Petersburg, and also took part in the capture of the Weldon railroad. On account of a gunshot wound, received in the hand, Mr. MURPHY was honorably discharged in September 1864, having served bravely and been promoted to the rank of sergeant.

In 1866 Mr. MURPHY was married, in Fennimore, to Miss Alice GRAHAM, born in Venango county, Penn., daughter of William and Eliza (DIXON) GRAHAM, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Mount Ida township in 1858, opening up a farm, where the mother died in 1879, and the father in 1888. They were prominent pioneers of Mount Ida township, and will long be remembered as representative farmers.

Five children have been born to our subject: Lillian, Mrs. SMITH, of Republic, Wash.; Frank, married and resides in Mason City, Iowa; James, of Mason City; Alta and Grace.

Mr. MURPHY is an active member of John McDermott Post, G.A.R., No. 101, Boscobel.

In political matters, Mr. MURPHY sympathies are with the Democratic party, and he has acceptably served as chairman of Marion township for ten years, prior to the present term. Few men are more popular in Grant county than Mr. MURPHY, and he may well be regarded as one of the leading exponents of the best agricultural interests of the great commonwealth of Wisconsin. (Pgs. 925-926).

He appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of at Boscobel, at Grant,, enumerated 3 May 1910.99 Alice Graham Murphy does not appear in that census since she died on 17 December 1902. He was a retired farmer on 3 May 1910 and living at Boscobel, Grant, WI, USA.1010

He died on 14 Mar 1918 at Boscobel, Grant, WI. He was buried after 14 Mar 1918 at Boscobel Cemetery, Boscobel, Grant, WI; .

1 3 1 4 Day by Day in the Civil War with the Iron Brigade

The compilation which follows was taken from a number of on line sources. It gives some idea of the activities of John B. Murphy’s military unit. As you read, remember that the movements may have involved as many as 30,000 soldiers plus all of the others that accompanied the troops. There were no wagons for moving men and only the officers had horses. Everyone else walked and they didn’t have Nike cross trainers on their feet. Imagine the sight of 30,000 men, supply wagons, cannons, etc., moving by your small isolated farm in rural Virginia.

1862

March 10, the campaign opened with a general advance on Manassas; break camp, march out on the turnpike to Fairfax Courthouse, bivouacing near Germantown or where Germantown was. It rained all day, marching heavy, distance sixteen miles.

March 11th remained quiet.

March 15th returned in a heavy cold rain to within about three miles of Alexandria, distance marched 14 miles

March 16th, returned to Camp Tillinghast and occupy the old winter quarters, distance 16 miles.

March 18th, marched 8 miles by way of Alexandria, go into camp at Fairfax Seminary

April 5th, We march to Centerville, camp on Hunting Creek, distance 15 miles.

April 6th we march at an early hour through Fairfax and Centerville to Blackburn, where we camp on the old battlefield, distance 22 miles.

April 7th march from Manassas junction to Milford on Broad Run and camp, distance 8 miles.

April 8th march to Kettle Run and camp. At this camp we experience one of the most disagreeable, cold, wet, and chilly snowstorms known to occur in this climate, and in the morning we call it snow camp.

April 12th the major part of the Second Wisconsin out on the Orange and Alexandria road and the balance with the other regiments of the

1 5 Brigade march to Catlett’s station on Cedar Run to rebuild the railroad bridge destroyed by the enemy, distance 7 miles

April 21st march towards Fredericksburg to Elk Run. In consequence of heavy rain it is flooded, cannot pass it, go into camp, distance 5 miles.

April 22d, rain ceases at an early hour. By 9 o’clock we pass over the river, march to Howard Station, distance 16 miles.

April 23rd, march at an early hour, pass through Falmouth about 4 P. M., camp about a mile from the village on the heights opposite the City of Fredericksburg, Va., distance 10 miles.

April 27th, march to Potomac Creek, 5 miles to repair railroad bridge,

May 2d, regain the brigade and march rapidly to within two miles of Fredericksburg and camp, distance 12 miles.

May 11th, Maj. Duffera, upon a reconnaissance with a squadron of cavalry of the Harris Light, makes a dash upon the enemy’s pickets on the plains at the mouth of the Massapanox Run, captures a Confederate Officer and several men, succeeds in getting up quite an excitement in camp, from which action is visible by the troops, being on dress parade, the dashing major being placed under arrest for disobedience of orders for bringing on a skirmish, though it was evidently successful without much loss. While in this camp Co.s D and F of the Second are detached with the construction corps to assist in repairing bridges, the enemy making us plenty of work. They engage us in good honest labor.

May 23rd our division is reviewed by President Lincoln , being highly complemented for its splendid appearance and bearing on this auspicious occasion.

May 26, cross the Rappahannock and pass through the city on the Bowling Green road to Guinies Station and camp on the grounds occupied and called Camp Alexandria by the enemy only a few days before, distance 8 miles. We suppose the object of this move was to form a junction with the army on the Peninsular, a portion of which at this time occupied Hanover Junction, 26 miles distant.

May 29th, break camp march back through Fredericksburg across the

1 6 Rappahannock, out through Falmouth Camp on the Catletts Road after a march of 13 miles.

May 30th up at an early hour, but do not march until 9 A. M. By which time it is very warm. During the fore part of the day, in consequence of a hot sun and dusty road, many of the men falling out and straggle after the marching column when the ambulances are full. In the afternoon we are reinforced with a shower of rain, and march much easier. At Town Run at dark. At dusk we halt and make coffee, thence to Elk Run and camp, distance marched 22 miles.

June 2nd, when General King’s division march by way of Greenwish to Hay market under a scorching hot sun, and the men straggle badly; camp at sunset, distance 12 miles.

June 3rd, rained in torrents all night. We are nearly drowned out , blankets, clothing all wet as water can make them; continues raining until the 5th. The division is here concentrated.

June 6th, at an early hour, we march out on the Warrentown pike and on through New Baltimore and camp, distance 13 miles. The Iron Brigade is now playing a game of hide and seek, making short and rapid marches back and forth over a strip of country for the sole purpose of keeping the enemy from slipping into Washington; at the same time the enemy scarcely keeps up in appearance, if anything he is playing with us about here and there as a kind of ruse, which has more or less of Confederate smartness in its makeup. We are not in the secret of the part we are expected to play, we take to the work right humbly and view the country around Warrentown with a relish that defies competition.

June 7, found the brigade quiet in camp near the beautiful little town of Warrentown, the capital of Fauquier County, Virginia. The town consists of a handsome court house, a jail, a town hall, four churches, two academies (one for male and one for female), several stores, two hotels, two printing offices and, previous to the beginning of the war, 2,000 inhabitants. Here the women folk were somewhat haughty and arrogant at us Lincoln chaps, and seemed to delight in taunting those of the soldiers who stood guard over Gov. Smith’s residence.

Many of the Iron Brigade will remember the free bath they received

1 7 by the ladies then in charge of the governor’s residence.

June 8th opened with a fine summer morning, many of the boys going to the Episcopal Church to hear a sermon by the resident rector, but before the text was read marching orders were received, services were abruptly broken up and each soldier repaired to his regiment. After a march of ten miles go into camp at Warrentown Junction.

June 9th brings to Elk Run, ten miles distant.

June 10th we make ten miles under a heavy rain, camping to the right near Harwood Church.

June 11th we reach Fredericksburg, after a march of 10 miles, and go into camp on the Lacy farm opposite the end of the city. Here orders were given to make ourselves comfortable, and we take advantage of the privileged and proceed to enjoy the short respite from a great deal of marching over pike roads. Previous to the war this Fredericksburg had a population of about 6,000 people.

June 13th, Second and a section of Battery L, First N. Y. Artillery and a squadron of cavalry cross the river to reconnoiter immediately southwest of the city, a distance of seven miles over the telegraph road, returning to camp without so much being permitted as to exchange the usual morning salutations with our enemies.

July 24th, when the Second Regiment of the Iron Brigade, marched toward Gordonsville. At night we bivouacked near Chancellorsville. The next day we proceeded on the plank road until about 3 P.M.

July 27th At night we go into camp in Wilderness, after having marched over eighty miles to ascertain the purpose of the rebels gathered in the vicinity of Gordonsville. .

July 29th our camp is moved to escape malaria that is prevalent along this river this season of the year

Aug. 6th at early hour, advance to Beaver Dam Station to Matt river, Stuart’s cavalry harassing our rear. A full thirty miles march that day

Aug. 7th march to Spottsylvania Court House

1 8 Aug. 10th. Break camp, send the sick toward Washington and march to Harnwood Church up to the Rappahannock, cross the river at Alles Ford and bivouac. Distance twenty miles.

Aug. 11th march at an early hour through Stevensburg, leaving Culpeper Court House to the right, pass on and join the main body of Gen. Pope’s army now massing at this point. Distance twenty-five miles.

Aug. 16th we move out across the field of Cedar Mountain and camp at its base.

Aug. 19th commence the movement known as Pope’s retreat. We march through Culpeper to Rappahannock Station. Distance 17 miles.

Aug. 20th cross the river and camp about half mile from the station back of the railroad, the enemy’s cavalry hanging close on our rear, coming up within range of our cannon, when a skirmish ensued with loss on both sides

Aug. 21st move to the right to prevent the enemy from crossing the river at Beverly’s Ford, and skirmish with them, sustaining some loss. The entire regiment is put on picket duty.

Aug. 22nd remain in line near Beverly’s Ford, and at times are subject to heave cannonading, and luckily without loss. About nine march up the river toward Warrentown. In the afternoon it rains. Marching becomes very heavy. Bivouac just before reaching Warrentown. Distance 15 miles.

Aug. 28th , at an early hour, we march to Gainesville, turn to the right Bethlehem Church road, and halt and lay on arms until 5 P.M. when we return to the pike and march slowly toward Centerville. At about 6 P.M., and two miles from Gainesville, while marching by the flank a rebel battery, posted on a wooded eminence to the left of the road, open fire on our column. The old Second promptly faced to the front, and directed by Gen, Gibbon, advance by quick time upon the battery, and soon met the enemy’s infantry emerged from the woods. Here for twenty minutes the Iron Brigade checked and sustained the onset of Stonewall Jackson’s whole division of rebel infantry under one of the most intensely concentrated fires of musketry ever experienced by any troops in this or any other war.

1 9 Aug. 29th we lay at Manassas Junction near the railroad. On the afternoon we marched up the Sudley to its crossing of the Warrentown pike and took position in the rear of and in supporting distance of Gen. Siegel’s troops who have been engaged all day.

Aug. 31st fall back of Centerville and camp. The weather rainy and chilly. Distance 5 miles.

Sept. 2nd we march by the way of Falls Church to Upton’s Hill and camp. Distance 10 mile. We had four days’ rest.

Sept. 6th we recross the Potomac at Aqueduct bridge, pass through Georgetown and Washington out on the Oakville Pike and camp near Leesboro. Distance 18 miles.

Sept. 11th to New Lisbon on National Road leading from Baltimore to Harper’s Ferry. Distance 7 miles.

Sept. 12th march to New Market. Nine miles.

Sept. 13th march to Monocacy. Seven Miles.

Sept. 14th Early in the morning the whole army advance over the Catoctin Ridge of mountains into the middle Valley,. The First Corps through Frederick city and Middletown to South Mountain, where the enemy was found strongly posted. The Iron Brigade was assigned the task, together with the old Battery B, Fourth U.S., of storming the pass. It was late in the afternoon, near sunset when Gen. Gibbon advanced a regiment on each side of the National Turnpike in line of battle, preceded by strong skirmish line, and followed by the two other regiments, and the old Battery B moving on the road within rang of the enemy’s guns which were firing on the advancing column from the gorges, the Iron Brigade advancing steady, driving the enemy from behind stone walls and up the pass.

Sept. 15th we pursue the enemy closely through Boonsboro and Keedysville to Antietam Creek, where we skirmish some, but with no loss.

Marched in three days thirty miles.

Sept. 16th, during the fore noon we lay in position a little to the right of Sharpsburg road and near Antietam River. In the afternoon Hooker’s

2 0 Corps, consisting of Rickert’s, Meade’s and Doubleday’s divisions, cross to the south side of Antietam to attack and, it if possible turn the enemy’s left flank. The enemy were met and engaged by Gen. Meade’s Division and driven back, but darkness coming on we rest for the night on our arms. Distance three miles.

Sept. 17 we are aroused at day break by sharp firing of the pickets on our left, and fall into line, advanced nearly parallel to the road leading into Sharpsburg in a cornfield near Dunkard Church.

Sept. 18th. Everything is quiet, thought the enemy appear in front. Details are sent out to bury the dead where it can be done without an exposure to the enemy’s pickets.

Sept. 19th, at an early hour, it is reported that the enemy have retreated across the Potomac. We march across the battlefield and camp near the Potomac a mile west of Sharpsburg. Distance 3 miles. For several days details are made to bury the enemy's dead, the work being decidedly unpleasant, the weather being very warm and decomposition had set in.

Sept. 29th we remain resting, recruiting and drilling for several weeks.

Oct. 20th break camp at 1 P.M. March through Keedysville in a heavy rain storm. Distance 12 miles.

Oct. 27th pass through Pleasant Valley, crossing South Mountain at Crampton's Gap, through Burkittsville and Petersville in Middle Valley toward the Potomac. Eight miles.

Oct. 30th cross the Potomac at Berlin and march to Lovettsville, VA. Seven miles. March to Purcellville. Eight miles.

Nov. 3rd to Snickersville. Five miles.

Nov. 4th being the day for general election in Wisconsin, polls were opened at each company's headquarters, and vote. Gen. Gibbon being assigned to command Rickert's Division, Col. Morrow, of the 24th Michigan, assumes command of the Brigade. In the afternoon we march to Bloomfield, four miles.

Nov. 5th march to Rectortown, twenty miles.

2 1 Nov. 6th to Warrentown, eighteen miles.

Nov. 7th remain in camp enjoying a snowstorm.

Nov. 9th, Col. Cutler returns, Sixth Wisconsin, having been absent on account of wounds, assumes command by virtue of his rank.

Nov. 10th the army is reviewed by Gens. McClellan and Burnside, the former relinquishing his command and Burnside assuming command.

Nov. 11th march to Fayel, six miles.

Nov. 17th to Morrisville, ten miles.

Nov. 18th to Harwood Church, 10 miles.

Nov. 19th & 20th, to Stafford Court House, six miles.

Nov. 22nd march to Brooks Station of the Aqua Creek and Fredericksburg Railroad, where we go into camp.

Nov. 28th Gen. Sol Meredith, formerly Col. of the Nineteenth Indiana, is ordered to assume command of the brigade.

Dec. 5th quite a heavy snowstorm.

Dec. 9th break camp, march about three miles southward across the railroad - Potomoc Creek. The whole army is on the move.

Dec. 10th change position to the left.

Dec. 11th march to near Fitzhugh Crossing two miles.

Dec. 12 Crossing the Rappahannock with Franklin’s grand division, in the First Division, under General Doubleday, they occupied a very important position, on the extreme left, during the battle, but did not become engaged with the enemy’s infantry, except a little skirmishing with the supports of a battery, and also a brush with a portion of Stewart’s cavalry. A change of position during the battle, exposed the brigade to heavy artillery fire, but their range was inaccurate, and the loss of the brigade was very light. In the monthly reports of the Second Regiment, Corporal Arthur Rangott, of

2 2 Company F, was reported killed. Ten were wounded.

Dec. 14th lay in line of battle.

Dec. 15th still remain under arms and about same as two days previous. Scarcely a man but what breaths easier as he touches the north side of the river.

Dec. 16th move back on heights, form line of battle. Distance four miles.

Dec. 20th march to White Oak Church and bivouac on Buttard's Branch. Distance ten miles.

Dec. 23rd. March down near Belle Plaine, landing for the purpose of going into camp. Four miles. From camp we have a pretty view of the Potomac River. We have now reached 1863.

The following extract gives some idea of what it was like to be in camp.

"If there is any place on God's fair earth where wickedness 'stalketh abroad in daylight' it is in the army," wrote a Confederate soldier in a letter to his family back home. Indeed, life in the army camps of the Civil War was fraught with boredom, mischief, fear, disease, and death.

Army regulations called for the camps to be laid out in a fixed grid pattern, with officers' quarters at the front end of each street and enlisted men's quarters aligned to the rear. The camp was set up roughly along the lines the unit would draw up in a line of battle and each company displayed its colors on the outside of its tents. Regulations also defined where the mess tents, medical cabins, and baggage trains should be located. Often, however, lack of time or a particularly hilly or narrow terrain made it impossible to meet army regulations. The campgrounds themselves were often abysmal, especially in the South where wet weather produced thick mud for extended periods in the spring and summer; in the winter and fall, the mud turned to dust.

In summer, troops slept in canvas tents. At the beginning of the war, both sides used the Sibley tent, named for its inventor, Henry H. Sibley, who later became a Confederate brigadier general. A large cone of canvas, 18 feet in diameter, 12 feet tall, and supported by a center pole, the tent had a circular opening at the top for ventilation, and a cone-shaped stove for heat. Although designed to fit a dozen men comfortably, army regulations assigned about 20 men to each tent, leading to cramped, uncomfortable quarters. When ventilation flaps were closed on cold or

2 3 rainy days, the air inside the tent became fetid with the odors of men who had scarce access to clean water in which to bathe. s the war dragged on, the Sibley was replaced with smaller tents. The Federal armies favored the wedge tent, a six-foot length of canvas draped over a horizontal ridgepole and staked to the ground at the sides with flaps that closed. off one end. When canvas became scarce in the South, many Confederates were forced to rig open-air beds by heaping straw or leaves between two logs. In autumn and winter, those units that were able to find wood built crude huts, laying split logs on the earth floor and fashioning bunks with mattresses of pine needles.

When not in battle, which was at least three quarters of the time, the average soldier's day began at 5 A.M. in the summer and 6 A.M. in the winter, when he was awakened by reveille. After the first sergeant took the roll call, the men ate breakfast then prepared for their first of as many as five drill sessions during the day. Here the men would learn how to shoot their weapons and perform various maneuvers. Drill sessions lasted approximately two hours each and, for most men, were exceptional exercises in tedium. One soldier described his days in the army like this: "The first thing in the morning is drill. Then drill, then drill again. Then drill, drill, a little more drill. Then drill, and lastly drill."

In the few intervals between drill, soldiers cleaned the camp, built roads, dug trenches for latrines, and gathered wood for cooking and heating. Finding clean water was a constant goal: the lack of potable water was a problem that led to widespread disease in both armies. At the outset of the war, the soldiers on both sides were relatively well-fed: the mandated daily ration for a Federal soldier in 1861 included at least 20 ounces of fresh or salt beef, or 12 ounces of salt pork; more than a pound of flour, and a vegetable, usually beans. Coffee, salt, vinegar, and sugar were provided as well. Supplies became limited when armies were moving fast and supply trains could not reach them in the field.

When in the field, soldiers saw little beef and few vegetables; they subsisted for the most part on salt pork, dried beans, corn bread, and hardtack-a flour-and-water biscuit often infested with maggots and weevils after storage. Outbreaks of scurvy were common due to a frequent lack of fresh fruits and vegetables.

By far, the most important staple in the minds of the soldiers was coffee. Men pounded the beans between rocks or crushed them with the butts of their rifles to obtain grounds with which to brew the strong drink. Although most Federals were well-supplied with coffee, the Confederates were often forced to make do with substitutes made from peanuts, potatoes, peas, and chicory.

2 4 Most armies were forced at some point to live off the land. The Confederates, who fought mostly on home ground, tried harder to curb pillaging, preferring to request donations from townspeople rather than steal supplies or take them by force. Attached to most armies was the sutler, a purveyor of all goods not issued by the army, including tobacco, candy, tinned meats, shoelaces, patent medicines, fried pies, and newspapers. Sutlers were known for their steep prices and shoddy goods, but soldiers desperate for cigarettes, sweets, and news from home were willing to use their pay for these treats.

Boredom stalked both armies almost as often as did hunger. When not faced with the sheer terror of battle, the days in camp tended to drag endlessly. The sheer tedium of camp life led the men to find recreational outlets. "There is some of the onerest men here that I ever saw," wrote a new recruit, "and the most swearing and card playing and fitin [fighting] and drunkenness that I ever saw at any place."

When not drilling or standing guard, the troops read, wrote letters to their loved ones, and played any game they could devise, including baseball, cards, boxing matches, and cockfights. One competition involved racing lice or cockroaches across a strip of canvas. As hard as most commanders attempted to control vice in camp, both gambling and drinking were rampant, especially after payday. Confederate General Braxton Bragg concurred: "We have lost more valuable lives at the hands of whiskey sellers than by the balls of our enemies."

Army regulations prohibited the purchase of alcohol by enlisted men, and soldiers who violated the rule were punished, but men on both sides found ways around it. Members of a Mississippi company got a half a gallon of whisky past the camp guards by concealing it in a hollowed-out watermelon; they then buried the melon beneath the floor of their tent and drank from it with a long straw. If they could not buy liquor, they made it. One Union recipe called for "bark juice, tar-water, turpentine, brown sugar, lamp oil, and alcohol."

When not drinking or gambling, some men escaped the tedium of daily army life by enjoying "horizontal refreshments," as visiting prostitutes became known. Thousands of prostitutes thronged the cities in the war zones and clustered about the camps. By 1862, for instance, Washington, D.C., had 450 bordellos and at least 7,500 full-time prostitutes; Richmond, as the center of prostitution in the Confederacy, had about an equal number. Venereal disease among soldiers was prevalent and largely uncontrolled. About eight percent of the soldiers in the Union army were treated for venereal disease during the war and a great many cases were unreported; figures for the Confederacy are unavailable, but assumed to be about equal in proportion. With the invention of penicillin more than 70 years away, treating venereal disease

2 5 with herbs and minerals such as pokeweed, elderberries, mercury, and zinc sulfate may have eased symptoms but did nothing to cure the disease.

Even more pervasive than boredom, gambling, or venereal disease was homesickness. Men spent more time writing letters and hoping to receive them than any other leisure activity. Furloughs were rarely granted, and most soldiers had few opportunities to spend extended periods of time away from the army. Federal troops were often stationed too far from home to have time to get home, while Southern armies, short of manpower, needed every available soldier to fight. For better or worse, Civil War soldiers were forced to call camp home for the duration of their terms of service. Source: The Civil War Society's "Encyclopedia of the Civil War" http://www.civilwarhome.com/camplife.htm

1863

Jan. 20th Up to this day we were in winter quarters at Belle Plaine. Gen. Burnside attempts a winter campaign, and today we break camp and march up the Rappahannock towards Banksford, a cold wind blowing from the northeast with rain since sunset. We are all wet, and stop for the remainder of the night, without fire or shelter on a barren ridge.

Jan. 21st remain with the trains near Stoneman's Switch on the Aqua Creek and Fredericksburg Railroad.

Jan. 23rd a council of war was held, campaign abandoned.

Jan 24th return to our winter quarters at Belle Plaine, but marching through mud and rain about forty miles. The campaign is termed Burnside's Stuck in the Mud.

Feb. 12th the Second and Sixth Regiments go down the Potomac on a foraging expedition; return by boat at night. March ten miles, bring back a quantity of hams, grain and bacon, horses, mules and prominent Confederate prisoners.

March 25th. The routine of dull camp life is again broken by an expedition under Col. Fairchild to Mechsdoe Creek, with a detatchment of cavalry men on a steamer.

April 9th. Our corps is to-day reviewed by Gen. Hooker, President Lincoln,

2 6 Secretary Seward, Gen. Stoneman of cavalry fame, Gen. Sickles, accompanied by their wives.

April 14th. Supplied with eight days rations.

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

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

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

May 2nd. Recross the Rappannock, take up the pontoons, march up the river at United States Ford. Distance fourteen miles.

May 3rd. Cross on a pontoon bridge at an early hour, join the main army near Chancellorsville, 6 miles.

May 6th, march to Brewer's house on the Catlett road, eight miles.

May 7th, march to the heights near Fitzhugh Crossing and camp, ten miles.

May 21st the Iron Brigade starts down the northern neck to rescue the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, who were reported cut off by the enemy at night. Bivouac at Millsville.

May 26th, reach camp, having marched in one day thirty-one miles, in another thirty-two.

June 12th, break camp, march to Deep Run, twenty miles.

June 13th, by Morrisville and Spotted Tavern to Liberty, above Bealton Station,

2 7 twelve miles.

June 14th, march to Warrentown Junction, thence along the Orange and Alexandria road to Kettle Run. About dusk, make coffee, cross Broad Run after midnight and reach Manassas Junction about sunrise, form line and stack arms, rest about four hours; then to Blackbird's Ford, reaching Centerville Heights about noon, where we pitch tents. Distance marched thirty miles.

June 20th, march up the railroad to Guilford Station, three miles.

June 25th, by Frankville to Edward's Ferry, cross the Potomac, march through Poolville and Barnesville, sixteen miles.

June 26th, march over Sugar Loaf Mountain, cross the Monocacy at Greenfield, through Adamstown on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, over the Catoctin Mountains to Jefferson in Middle Valley, Md. Distance fifteen miles.

June 27th, march up the valley through Middletown, camping ten miles above. Distance eight miles.

June 28th, early in the afternoon long roll is beat, fall in and march over the Catoctin Range to Frederick City, nine miles.

June 29th, march northward by Lewistown and Mechanicsville to Emmittsburg, twenty-four miles. Gen. Hooker was today relieved and Gen. Meade succeeds to command.

June 30th, march about eight o'clock to March's Creek (Gettysburg) and bivouac in line of battle, eight miles.

June 31st The Army of the Potomac seems to be mad clean through. The Iron Brigade marched in the following order: First, Second Wisconsin; second, the Seventh Wisconsin; third, the Nineteenth Indiana; fourth, the Twenty-fourth Michigan; and fifth, the Sixth. The Iron Brigade was, as the rest of the army, mad clear through.

July 1st "At an early hour, Wednesday, July 1, the men partook of their frugal meal of hardtack and coffee. The Pennsylvania line had been reached and passed , and the forces of the enemy must be reached very soon, but we did not suspect that the foe was within a few

2 8 hours' march.

It was a beautiful day and a beautiful season of the year. The fields were either green with grass or yellow with the golden grain.

Nature had put forth her loveliest colors. Here and there an old Pennsylvania farmer and the women and children would greet us loyally and pleasantly as we passed by, little dreaming that they were living near a spot that was destined soon to be the battleground of one of the greatest battles of the century.

The Iron Brigade marched along the Emmitsburg turnpike, and when within sight of Gettysburg we could see General Buford's cavalry dismounted, fighting with the enemy's infantry, west of the town. General Reynolds had gone forward to confer with General Buford, when, as we reached a point about a mile from town, a staff officer came dashing up to General Meredith and directed him to form his brigade in line and charge the enemy in McPherson's Woods. The brigade formed in line on the double quick, in order - the Second and Seventh Wisconsin, Nineteenth Indiana and Twenty-fourth Michigan (the Sixth Wisconsin being held in reserve to be used whenever required); the men loaded and fixed bayonets while on the move.

The Brigade passed rapidly over the undulating ground between the Emmitsburg road and a rail fence that ran parallel to our lines a few hundred yards from McPherson's Woods. We were delayed at this fence a few moments caused by this obstruction, and the terrific fire of the enemy which made great gaps in our line. Then the brigade pulled itself together and with a cheer, dashed forward. Wm H. Harries, read Oct. 8, 1895

At this time, Wadsworth's division moved on and entered a field a short distance to the left of the Gettysburg Seminary, the Iron Brigade in the advance, in the following order: the Second and Seventh Wisconsin, Nineteenth Indiana, Twenty-fourth Michigan, and Sixth Wisconsin. An order was given to double quick in line, loading and fixing bayonets as they went. As they came to the brow of a hill, the Second Wisconsin, under Colonel Fairchild, discovered in their front, a body of the enemy who were advancing rapidly to a very advantageous position.

2 9 These immediately opened fire, and gave the regiment a tremendous volley, which cut down thirty percent of their numbers. Lieut. Col. Stevens, of the Second, fell soon after the regiment got under fire, mortally wounded, and Col. Fairchild received a ball in the left are, which compelled him to leave the field. The brigade pushed forward, driving the enemy before them, who soon broke and fled, and the division held the position. Wisconsin in the War, Quiner

As we reached the edge of the timber, the enemy's lines began to waver and then break; General Archer, whose brigade was in front, evidently refused to be borne to the rear with his troops and was taken prisoner together with about two hundred and fifty of his men." .

Late in the evening the Iron Brigade, then reduced to the size of a very small regiment, was placed in position on Culp's Hill to the right of the Baltimore Pike." 1st Lieut Cornelius Wheeler, paper April 5, 1893

July 3rd dawns upon the army about the same position as the night before. Gettysburg. Most unmercifully punished, thwarted in every point and worsted in every encounter, they fall back to gather their remnants and prepare to evacuate the Key Stone State. We lay down in laurels of victory.

July 4th the enemy are reported on retreat, and a portion of our army march out in pursuit.

July 5th we advance to the Emmetsburg road, and toward eve pitch tents. In three or four days we have marched about 10 miles.

July 6th, march to Emmetsburg, ten miles.

July 7th, through Adamsville and Lewiston across Catoctin Mountain at Hampberry and camp, twenty miles.

July 8th, through Middletown to Turner's Pass in South Mountain, where we take position on the west slope and entrench, seven miles.

July 10th, march down to Boones borough and again entrench a position on the Hagerstown road, five miles.

3 0 July 12th, march to Funkstown, and after changing position for the second time, finally halt on the west bank of the Antietam River, having come upon the rebels, and a skirmish follows; four miles.

July 14th, the enemy has retreated to the south side of the Potomac; we move to Williamsburg and camp, four miles.

July 15th, by Keedysville to Campton's Gap, eighteen miles.

July 16th to Petersville, four miles. July 18th, cross the Potomac and camp at Waterford, Va., ten miles.

July 19th, to Hamilton, eight miles.

July 20th, to Middleburg, fifteen miles.

July 22nd, to White Plains, nine miles.

July 23, via New Baltimore, to Warrenton, eleven miles.

July 25th, to Warrenton Junction and camp.

August 1st, break camp, march to Beverly Ford.

August 2nd, cross on pontoon bridge over the Rappahannock River below the railroad and bivouac in line of battle. In this position we remain until

Aug. 7th, when we recross the river to go into camp on the riverbank near the pontoon bridge. Whole distance marched, eight miles.

Sept. 16th, again strike tents, march through Brandy Station and Stevensburg to Poney Mountain and pitch tents, 12 miles.

Sept. 17th, on this day the citizens of Wisconsin and Michigan residing in Washington present the old Iron Brigade with a beautiful silk stand of colors. On this occasion we have a grand festival.

Sept. 24th, break camp and march to the Rapidan, taking up position at Martin's Ford.

Oct. 11th, march to Stevensburg at Kelley's Ford.

3 1 Oct. 12th, cannonading in direction of Brandy Station, toward which point we march rapidly.

Oct. 14th, midnight, we receive marching orders, move rapidly to Warrenton Junction, form a line of battle, break ranks and make coffee, march along railroad stopping at Bristow Station. Distance twenty-five miles.

Oct. 14th, march over the plains of Manassas and prepare for action. Cross Bull Run at Blackburn's Ford, bivouac on Centerville Heights. Distance ten miles. Have a fight, capture five cannon, nearly five hundred prisoners.

Oct. 15th, take position behind entrenchments on Warrenton Turnpike. In the evening make a demonstration at Blackburn's Ford. At an early hour we advance upon Warrenton turnpike, through Gainesville and Hay Market and bivouac.

Our cavalry, under Kilpatrick, advance, become closely embarrassed in a position about Bucklin's Mills and are compelled to fall back through our infantry picket line. The Iron Brigade is called out to check the enemy's advance, which they decline, but succeeded in capturing a number of our pickets, thirty of whom were from the Huckleberry Seventh. Late in the evening we move back of Haymarket and bivouac in the open plains. Distance twelve miles.

Oct. 20th, on the afternoon we break up and march through Thoroughfare Gap. The Second Wisconsin and the Nineteenth Indiana guarding the trains. It is one o'clock at night when we camp at the foot of Blue Ridge near the village of Georgetown. Distance fifteen miles.

Oct. 24th, march out seven A. M. by Gainesville and Bristow Station; heavy rain. When we camp at night the Iron Brigade is about played out. Distance twenty-five miles. Right here Col. Fairchild visited the Iron Brigade. We send a detail to the battlefield of Gainesville to bury the remains of our dead comrades killed there in August, 1862, and lying exposed.

Nov. 2nd we are again called on to exercise the elective franchise. The polls are opened at all company headquarters. Quite a spirited political contest ensues, but the result, well, that is best shown by an examination of the returns.

3 2 Nov. 5th, march to Catlet's Station, Iron Brigade the rear guard. It is near midnight when we go into camp. Distance seven miles.

Nov. 7th, march about sunrise toward Kelley's Ford, cannonading all the afternoon in the direction of Rappahannock Station and the Ford. We camp for the night at Morrisville. Distance fifteen miles.

Nov. 8th, march at an early hour across the river at Kelley's Ford, thence up the railroad, bivouacking for the night in line of battle at Brandy Station. Distance ten miles. In yesterday's battle at Rappahannock Station and Kelley's Ford our army captured several pieces of artillery, a bridge, a train and 2000 prisoners. (Here is where Fillmore got in his work.)

Nov 9th, about 4 o'clock A. M. march back, recrossing the Rappahannock River on a pontoon bridge to repair the railroad from Warrentown Junction to the river. We go into camp near Beverly's Ford. Distance seven miles. Remain here doing picket duty and fatigue duty on the railroad and earthworks until

Nov. 26th. March to Culpepper Ford on the Rapidan. Twelve miles.

Nov. 27th, cross the river on a pontoon bridge before daybreak, marching our upon the plank road leading from Chancellorsville to Germania Mills.

Nov. 28th, at an early hour our advance is made and soon the enemy's pickets are engaged. At Robertson's Tavern we form in line of battle and halt.

Dec. 1st, late in the afternoon we fall back through the Wilderness, recross the Rapidan at midnight near Germania Mills. Distance seven miles.

Dec. 2nd are detailed to guard Mitchell's Ford, to which place we march, five miles.

Dec. 3rd, rejoin the division.

Dec. 4th, lay out a camp at Kelley's Ford and commence to build winter quarters. Remain here until

Dec. 19th John B. Murphy goes on furlough and returns to Wisconsin.

3 3 Dec. 24th, when we break camp and march to Culpepper Court House, where we again build winter quarters about three-quarters of a mile west of village, and here we are strongly quartered for the winter.

1864

Feb. 6, From our quiet winter life we are early on the march to Poney Mountain bivouacing in the woods near Raccoon Ford on the Riparian. Distance twelve miles. In the evening detachments from the several regiments of the Iron Brigade , Under Col. Morrow, proceed under cover of darkness to Belleville on Raccoon Ford and set fire to the village, the buildings have served for a cover for the enemy's sharpshooters.

Feb. 7th. March back to camp, occupying former quarters Distance ten miles. And thus we are awaiting the preparations going on for the final conflict. Gen. Grant in command.

May 5th. This morning we read an order from General Meade and at an early hour we march by Stevensburg, cross the Rapidian at Germania Ford and go upon picket duty along the railroad near Chancellorsville. Distance, twenty miles. This was the beginning of 11 months of constant fighting in which the two armies were always within gunshot of each other.

May 5th, march to Wilderness Tavern, engage the enemy in the woods; distance, ten miles.

May 6th, move forward, engage the enemy in the afternoon.

May 7th, march towards Spottsylvania Courthouse.

May 8th, our march continues all night. Here we build our rifle pits and await the arrival of the main army.

May 10th, move forward and charge the enemy's breastworks, but find these too strong to take by assault.

May 11th, march to rear of line of battle.

May 12th, March to left of line of battle.

3 4 May 13th, march back toward the right, three miles.

May 14th, march to left of line in rear of Ninth Corps; seven miles.

May 21st, march to Guinea, eight miles.

May 22nd, to Wolf's Church, twelve miles.

May 23rd, cross the North Anna River at Jericho Ford, ten miles.

May 25th, march to left of line, two miles.

May 26th, recross the North Anna.

May 27th, march nearly parallel with the Pamunky river all day. Distance twenty-two miles. Cross about six miles from Moneabuck.

May 28th, cross the Pamunky river about four miles from New Castle; distance eight miles.

May 29th, march toward the Chickahominy river, bivouac in line about six miles from the river; distance four miles.

May 30th, march southward about three miles and form line. Here we remain until

June 5th, when we march to the left. Camp near Cold Harbor; distance twelve miles. March to Bottom bridge on the Chickahominy; distance eight miles. Here we remain until June 11th.

June 12th John B. Murphy returns from furlough.

June 12-18 Advance to Petersburg, begin siege.

Aug. 18 Warren reached the Weldon Railroad and drove off the Confederate pickets. He ordered the division of Brig. Gen. Charles Griffin to destroy the track.

Aug 19, Maj. Gen. William Mahone's Confederate division attacked Brig. Gen. Samuel W. Crawford's division, driving back its flank. Warren brought up reinforcements and counterattacked.

3 5 Aug. 20 The Federals succeeded in retaking nearly all the lost ground by the day's end. Warren had established a strong defensive position in an L-shape around Globe Tavern

Aug. 21 Hill attacked Warren's new position. Parts of three Confederate divisions assailed the Union works but were repulsed. The IX Corps extended the Union siege lines to connect with Warren's current position. The battle raged for five days and in the end the Confederates had lost the Weldon Railroad and were forced to cart supplies 30 miles from the railroad at Stony Creek up the Boydton Plank Road into Petersburg.

October 27, Hancock marched across Hatcher's Run, brushed aside Confederate pickets and moved around the Confederate flank towards Burgess Mill. After days of fighting the tables had thus turned and the Confederates, now threatened with encirclement, retreated up the Boydton Plank Road. Hancock retained his hold on the Boydton Plank Road and Grant left to him the decision whether to remain or withdraw to the initial Union lines. Although Hancock had repulsed the Confederate attack, his position was still very unstable. That night Hancock marched his men back to their original position.

Dec. 7 We started at daylight taking the Jerusalem Plank road and crossed the "Nottoway" the first night and there camped, making some 20 miles from camp the first day.

Dec. 8 Started at daylight and marched all day without accident, the 5 corps in advance, camping at night near "Jarratt's Station." The 5 corps were busy tearing up the railroad (Weldon) that night, and in the morning we commenced following their example. We have made a complete wreck of the Weldon road for nearly 20 miles

Dec. 12 Return to camp. Coming back, we made clean work of the buildings on the route in retaliation for some of our men who were unable to keep up with the column, being murdered and mutilated.

1865

February 5, Bvt. Brig. Gen. David Gregg’s cavalry division rode out to the Boydton Plank Road via Ream's Station and Dinwiddie Court House in an attempt to intercept Confederate supply trains. Maj. Gen. G.K.

3 6 Warren with the V Corps crossed Hatcher’s Run and took up a blocking position on the Vaughan Road to prevent interference with Gregg’s operations. Two divisions of the II Corps under Maj. Gen. A.A. Humphreys shifted west to near Armstrong’s Mill to cover Warren’s right flank.

February 6, Gregg returned to Gravelly Run on the Vaughan Road from his unsuccessful raid and was attacked by elements of Brig. Gen. John Pegram’s Confederate division.

Apr. 1 the V Corps under Maj. Gen. G.K. Warren attacked and overwhelmed the Confederate left flank, taking many prisoners. Sheridan personally directed the attack, which extended Lee’s Petersburg lines to the breaking point. Loss of Five Forks threatened Lee’s last supply line, the South Side Railroad. The next morning, Lee informed Jefferson Davis that Petersburg and Richmond must be evacuated.

April 9, At dawn, the Confederate Second Corps under Maj. Gen. John B. Gordon attacked Sheridan's cavalry and quickly forced back the first line under Brevet Brig. Gen. Charles H. Smith. The next line, held by Brig. Gens. Ranald S. Mackenzie and George Crook, slowed the Confederate advance[3]. Gordon's troops charged through the Union lines and took the ridge, but as they reached the crest they saw the entire Union XXIV Corps in line of battle with the Union V Corps to their right. Fitz Lee's cavalry saw these Union forces and immediately withdrew and rode off towards Lynchburg[4]. Ord's troops began advancing against Gordon's corps while the Union II Corps began moving against Lt. Gen. James Longstreet's corps to the northeast. Colonel Charles Venable of Lee's staff rode in at this time and asked for an assessment, and Gordon gave him a reply he knew Lee did not want to hear: "Tell General Lee I have fought my corps to a frazzle, and I fear I can do nothing unless I am heavily supported by Longstreet's corps." Upon hearing it Lee finally stated the inevitable: "Then there is nothing left for me to do but to go and see General Grant and I would rather die a thousand deaths."

Brig. Gen. Joshua L. Chamberlain was the Union officer selected to lead the ceremony, and later he would reflect on what he witnessed on April 12, 1865, and write a moving tribute:

The momentous meaning of this occasion impressed me deeply. I

3 7 resolved to mark it by some token of recognition, which could be no other than a salute of arms. Well aware of the responsibility assumed, and of the criticisms that would follow, as the sequel proved, nothing of that kind could move me in the least. The act could be defended, if needful, by the suggestion that such a salute was not to the cause for which the flag of the Confederacy stood, but to its going down before the flag of the Union. My main reason, however, was one for which I sought no authority nor asked forgiveness. Before us in proud humiliation stood the embodiment of manhood: men whom neither toils and sufferings, nor the fact of death, nor disaster, nor hopelessness could bend from their resolve; standing before us now, thin, worn, and famished, but erect, and with eyes looking level into ours, waking memories that bound us together as no other bond;—was not such manhood to be welcomed back into a Union so tested and assured? Instructions had been given; and when the head of each division column comes opposite our group, our bugle sounds the signal and instantly our whole line from right to left, regiment by regiment in succession, gives the soldier's salutation, from the "order arms" to the old "carry"—the marching salute. Gordon at the head of the column, riding with heavy spirit and downcast face, catches the sound of shifting arms, looks up, and, taking the meaning, wheels superbly, making with himself and his horse one uplifted figure, with profound salutation as he drops the point of his sword to the boot toe; then facing to his own command, gives word for his successive brigades to pass us with the same position of the manual,—honor answering honor. On our part not a sound of trumpet more, nor roll of drum; not a cheer, nor word nor whisper of vain-glorying, nor motion of man standing again at the order, but an awed stillness rather, and breath-holding, as if it were the passing of the dead! – Joshua L. Chamberlain, Passing of the Armies, pp. 260-61

Apr. 14 Abraham Lincoln Assassinated.

May March to Washington, DC

May 23 Participate in Grand Review.

June 16 Moved to Louisville, KY

July 2, 1865 7th Wisconsin Infantry and John B. Murphy mustered out of the army

3 8 Appendix A: Maps of the Iron Brigade inVirginia 1862 - 1865

3 9 Appendix B John B. Murphy’s Compiled Military Record

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