An Adventuring Spirit

Union General Augustus Wade Dwight was killed March 26^th 1865 in the attack on Fort Steadman.

Augustus Wade Dwight was born in Halifax, Vermont February 22^nd 1827, the first child born to Morris and Minerva (Bryant) Dwight.  The family moved in 1829 so his father could practice medicine in Cummington, Massachusetts, then to Poughkeepsie, New York in 1839 and finally in 1840 to LaFayette, New York.  Dwight started at Yale College in 1851, but a lack of funds caused him leave by the second semester.  He went west to California, caught up in the gold rush.  While in California he studied for the law.  His adventuring spirit found him on a ship to Hawaii, then onto China, and finally back to the United States having circumnavigated the globe.  By 1859 Dwight had settle in Onondaga County, New York and had been admitted to the bar.

In 1862 when Lincoln called for more troops, Dwight volunteered.  He was made the Captain of Company E of the 122^nd New York Infantry July 1862.  By August of 1862 he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel under Colonel Silas Titus.  The regiment’s and Dwight’s first engagement was at the Battle of Antietam, where they were held in reserve.  The first heavy fighting came at the Battle of Gettysburg on Culp’s Hill.  Dwight sent reports of the war to the “Syracuse Journal” a local newspaper, as well as writing letters to relatives of men killed in action.  He was wounded the first time September 19^th 1864 at the Battle of Opequon in the right thigh, then at the Battle of Cedar Creek a ball shattered his right wrist, and he was sent home to recover.  He rejoined his regiment in February 1865 in front of Petersburg, replacing Titus in command of the regiment.

In the early morning hours of March 26^th 1865 the Confederates launched an attack on Fort Stedman, initially capturing the Union Fort.  The Union troops would retake the Fort, and in the afternoon Dwight’s regiment was ordered to take some Confederate trenches that had been weakened by the attack.  As the men moved forward, Dwight was hit in the head by artillery fire and killed instantly.  His body was returned home and is buried in the Oakwood Cemetery in Syracuse, New York.

The Youngest Confederate General

Confederate Major General Stephen Dodson Ramseur died October 20^th 1864 from wounds received the day before at the Battle of Cedar Creek.

Stephen Dodson Ramseur was born May 31^st 1837, the son of Jacob Able and Lucy Mayfield (Dodson) Ramseur in Lincolnton, North Carolina. His family and friends knew him as Dod.  Ramseur studied math at Davidson College, and then finished his education at the United States Military Academy at West Point.  He graduated in 1860, ranked 14^th in his class, he was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the United States Artillery.

Ramseur resigned his commission and joined the Confederate Army before his home state had even seceded.  On May 27^th 1861 he was made Lieutenant Colonel in the 3^rd North Carolina Infantry.  During the Peninsula Campaign Ramseur commanded the artillery in Confederate Brigadier General John B Magruder’s division.  In April 1862 he became the Colonel of the 49^th North Carolina Infantry.  He led a charge and was wounded during the Battle of Malvern Hill.  Ramseur was unable to return to duty until after the Battle of Antietam, when he was given command of a brigade of four North Carolina regiments in Confederate Brigadier General Robert E Rodes’ division.  On November 1^st 1862, Ramseur would be promoted to Brigadier General, and at only 25 was the youngest Confederate General at the time.  He led his brigade against the Union right at the Battle of Chancellorsville, and he would be wounded again.  At the Battle of Gettysburg he led his brigade against the right flank of the Union First Corps on Oak Hill, pushing them all the way through the town to Cemetery Hill.  Ramseur was in the action at the Battles of Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House, and Cold Harbor.

Ramseur was part of Confederate General Jubal A Early’s Corps during the Valley Campaign of 1864.  During the Battle of Cedar Creek on October 19^th 1864 the Confederates made a surprise morning attack on a Union camp, routing most of them.  But the Confederates being hungry and worn out stopped, fell out of ranks and started rummaging through the Union camp.  Ramseur pulled together a few hundred of his men, and with those soldiers stood off a counter attack made by Union General Philip H Sheridan for over an hour.  Ramseur leading his men had three horses shot out from under him, before being shot through the lungs.  He was captured by a member of the 1^st Vermont Cavalry, and was taken to Sheridan’s headquarters at the Belle Grove Mansion near Meadow Mills, Virginia where he died.  Ramseur’s last words were, "Bear this message to my precious wife—I die a Christian and hope to meet her in heaven."  He is buried in the St Luke’s Episcopal Cemetery in Lincolnton, North Carolina. 

Only Thirty Men Left

Col Peter A S McGlashan

On July 31^st 1863 the 50^th Georgia Infantry changed Colonels from Confederate Colonel William R Manning to Colonel Peter Alexander Selkirk McGlashan.

The 50^th Georgia Infantry was organized at Savannah, Georgia March 4^th 1862.  It was made up mostly of men from the southern part of the state.  They began drill at Camp Davis near Guyton, Georgia under the command of Confederate Colonel William R Manning.  On July 17^th 1862 the 50^th was sent to Richmond, Virginia to become a part of the First Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia under Robert E Lee.

The men of the 50^th saw action in over 45 engagements, including the Battles of South Mountain, Sharpsburg; where they were part of the brigade which held the bridge over Antietam Creek, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg.  After the Battle of Gettysburg their Colonel William R Manning resigned his command due to health issues and was replaced on July 31^st 1863 by Colonel Peter Alexander Selkirk McGlashan.  When Confederate General James Longstreet moved his Corps in the autumn of 1863 the 50^th became engaged in the Siege of Knoxville.  They would return to the Army of Northern Virginia and continue on through war with fighting at Petersburg and the Battles of Cedar Creek and Sayler’s Creek, where their commander Colonel McGlashan was captured.  The men of 50^th were still the Army of Northern Virginia when Robert E Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court House on April 9^th 1865.  When the 50^th surrendered it counted only 30 men on the line.

If you’re interested in reading more about this regiment, check out 50th Georgia Volunteer Infantry Confederate States of America (CSA)

Battle In Civil War Battles

Confederate General Cullen Andrews Battle was appointed a Major April 28^th 1861 of the 3^rd Alabama Infantry.

Cullen Andrews Battle was born June 1^st 1829 in Powelton, Hancock, Georgia the son of Doctor Cullen and June A (Lamon) Battle.  He read for the law under the Honorable John Gill Shorter before becoming a lawyer in 1851, and was active in local politics.  He was a Lieutenant Colonel in the militia.

At the beginning of the Civil War, Battle was appointed the Major of the 3^rd Alabama Infantry on April 28^th 1861, he moved up in rank quickly and was their Lieutenant Colonel by July 31^st 1861.  Following the Battle of Seven Pines, Battle was promoted to Colonel.  He was injured just before the Battle of Chancellorsville from a fall of his horse.  Battle was back in command by the Battle of Gettysburg.  He and the 3^rd where part Colonel Edward O’Neal’s Brigade and they saw heavy action on July 1^st 1863 on Oak Ridge.  Battle moved up following Gettysburg, being promoted to Brigadier General and command of a brigade during the Mine Run Campaign.  He continued to serve throughout the 1864 Overland Campaigning season, before a wound at the Battle of Cedar Creek put him out of action for the rest of the war.

With the Civil War over Battle returned to his law practice and became a newspaper editor.  He also served as the mayor of New Bern, North Carolina.  He was writing book about the 3^rd Alabama when he died April 8^th 1905 in Greensboro, North Carolina.  Battle is buried in the Blandford Cemetery in Petersburg, Virginia.

New Hampshire's First

The 1^st New Hampshire Cavalry was officially detached from the 1^st New England Cavalry January 7^th 1864.

From October through December 1861 there were four companies of cavalry organized in Concord, New Hampshire.  These companies were attached as a battalion to the 1^st New England Cavalry as Companies I, K, L and M.  The battalion was detached on January 7^th 1864 and officially became the 1^st New Hampshire Volunteer Cavalry.  Under the command of Colonel John L Thompson they were ordered to Washington, DC April 23^rd 1864.  They were attached to the 2^nd Brigade of the 3^rd Division of the Army of the Shenandoah.  A part of the regiment was in service at the Battle of Cold Harbor from June 1^st to 12^th 1864.  They were involved in all of Union Philip H Sheridan’s Shenandoah Valley Campaign, including the Battle of Cedar Creek.  They were on guard and patrol duty in the defenses of Washington, DC in March of 1863 against raids of Mosby’s Raiders.

During their service they had 33 men killed of mortally wounded, and 114 who died from disease.  The 1^st mustered out of service July 1865.

Mortally Wouned In A Surprise Attack

Union General Daniel Davidson Bidwell died from wounds received while leading his brigade October 19^th 1864 at the Battle of Cedar Creek.

Daniel Davidson Bidwell was born in Buffalo, New York August 12^th 1819.  He received his education in local schools, and became a member of the Buffalo Militia.

When the Civil War started Bidwell became of private in the 65^th New York Infantry, moving up in rank to Captain.  He helped organize the 74^th New York Infantry, and then became the Colonel of the 49^th New York Infantry in August 1861.  Bidwell and his regiment saw action during the Peninsula Campaign.  They were also in the Second Battle of Fredericksburg, the Battle of Salem Church and the Battle of Gettysburg.  Bidwell moved to lead a brigade in the Battles of Spotsylvania and Cold Harbor.  He was promoted to Brigadier General August 11^th 1864.  Bidwell’s Brigade was part of the Sixth Corps and took part in Union Major General Philip H Sheridan’s Shenandoah Valley Campaign.  He was involved in the Third Battle of Winchester and the Battle of Fisher’s Hill.

On October 19^th 1864 at the Battle of Cedar Creek the Confederates made a surprise attack on the Union troops.  By 7 am only the Sixth Corps was left contesting the Confederate advance.  Bidwell’s Brigade held the left flank.  It was while holding this line that he was mortally wounded.  His body was taken home and he is buried in the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, New York.

A Soldier's Artist

Artist and Civil War Medal of Honor winner Julian A Scott was born February 14th 1846.

Julian A Scott was born in Johnson Vermont February 14th 1846 the son of Charles and Lucy [Kellum] Scott. He attended Johnson State College. At the beginning of the Civil War several Scott brothers enlisted, including Julian’s older brother Lucian who was wounded at the Battle of Ball’s Bluff, taken prison and almost died in Libby Prison. Julian enlisted at the age of 15 in the 3rd Vermont Infantry, Company “E” as a fifer. He received the Medal of Honor in February 1865 for rescuing wounded at the Battle of Lee’s Mills while under fire.

Following the war Scott graduated from the National Academy of Design in New York City. He then traveled to Europe to continue his education in art. He produced many works of his experiences of the soldiers experience during the Civil War. Scott’s master work of art is the “Battle of Cedar Creek” now located in the Vermont State House in Montpelier. The painting illustrates the Vermonter’s roll in the battle. He would travel west as part of a 1890 census party and there painted Native Americans in Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arizona.

Scott died at 55. He is buried in the Hillside Cemetery in Scotch Plains New Jersey.

Another website to look at about this subject
Julian A Scott, Artist

The Lawyer of the Vermont Brigade

On January 17th 1828 Medal of Honor holder, Lieutenant Colonel Lewis Addison Grant was born.

Lewis Grant was born in Winhall, Vermont the son of James and Elizabeth [Wyman] Grant. He went to local schools, and than taught school in Vermont, New Jersey, and Boston while reading for the bar. In 1855 he was admitted to the bar and began a law practice in Bellows Falls,Vermont.

He was mustered in as a Major of the 5th Vermont Infantry in September 1861. He was promoted several times, was wounded at the Battle of Fredericksburg, and he took over command of the Vermont Brigade and was leading them in 1863 at the Battle of Gettysburg. He was the acting commander of the 2nd Division 6th Corp during the Battle of Cedar Creek.

When the war ended General Ulysses S Grant recommended Lewis for an appointment in the regular army. He was appointed in August 1866 as a Lieutenant Colonel in the 36th Regiment of the United States Infantry, but he turned down the appointment. He lived in Illinois, Iowa and finally settled Minnesota. During President Benjamin Harrison’s administration he was the Assistant United States Secretary of War. He also served in President Grover Cleveland’s cabinet.  Grant was awarded the Medal of Honor in May 1893 for "Personal gallantry and intrepidity displayed in the management of his brigade and in leading it in the assault in which he was wounded.”  He died at Minneapolis March 20th 1918, and is buried in Lakewood Cemetery. He was 90.