»"-nK ■■.' °-n^. «*►_ "T^.* ^^^ ^V.o ^v^^ ^^ "^ ^v^ • M Q "♦ft C'^ " • •/ \*^^\/ v'^v \*^v *-./ .V-^. V** •^'^r S' ^A (5°.«» ^ STATEMENT OF MILITARY SERVICES BRIGADIER GENERAL JOHN C. STARKWEATHER, OF WISCONSIN, SIIiCE THE 4rH OF MARCH, 1861. By recLTzest of the War Department. DAILY SENTINEL PRINT, MILWAUKEE. n STATEMENT OF MILITARY SERVICES RENDERED THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES SINCE MARCH 4th 1S61, BY BRIG.-GEN. JOHN C. STARK W^EATHER, Of th.e State of Wisconsin, AS PER REQUEST OP THE WAR DEPARTMENT, JANUARY 30th, 1864. Washington City, March 9th, 1864. May 11th, 1830 : Born at Cooperstown, State of New York. April 8th, 1861 : Commissioned as Colonel First Regiment Wisconsin Militia, and acting as such, as also in capacity of Captain of Company called "Milwaukee Light Guard," when the President's first proclamation was issued for troops. Offered "Milwaukee Light Guard" for support of the Gov- ernment, and same accepted by Hon. A. W. Randall, Governor of Wisconsin. April 17th, 1861 : Commissioned as Colonel of First Regi- ment Wisconsin State Active Militia. May 17th, 1861 : First Regiment mustered into the service of the United States for three months. May 18th, 1861 : Regiment reported to the Secretary of War for duty. Assisted Governor of Wisconsin as to the organization of regiments uiuler the second proclamation of the President, as to State Militia laws, collecting arms and equipments, &c. Collected and forwarded state arms through Hon. E. I. Tinkham, Chairman Safety Committee, Chicago, for protection of Cairo. June 7th, 18G1 : First Regiment ordered to move. June 9th, 1861 : Regiment moved to Chambersburg and reported for duty ; assigned to Fifth Brigade, Gen. Jas. S. Negley, Second Division, Maj. Gen. Wm, H. Kline. June 22d, 18(31: Assigned to Sixth Brigade, Col. J. J. Abercrombie, Seventh United States Infantry. July 2d, 1861 : Regiment crossed the Potomac at Williams- port and fought battle (so-called then) "Falling Waters." Loss: One killed, five wounded, one prisoner — seven Defeated and drove the enemy under Gen. Stonewall Jack- son from the field ; first man killed and wounded in A^irginia ; particularly complimented by Maj. Gen. Patterson and Col., (now Gen.,) Abercrombie. Thanked by loyal citizens of Martinsburg, and flag present- ed by them to the Regiment for its efficiency and bravery. Moved with army to Winchester, and retired with the same to Harper's Ferry. July 22d, 1861 : Designated to command and regulate the military affisiirs of the Department in the vicinity of Monocacy Aqueduct, Conrad and Edward's Ferries — First Wisconsin and two Maryland Companies detailed to aid me. July 28d, 1861 : Moved to positions on the river. July 27th, 1861 : Movement completed and position of troops reported. July 29tji, 1861: Madereconnoissance in person to Edward's Ferry. Heavy skirmish with enemy. My horse shot. Killed the rebel shooting him. August 3d, 1861: Maryland Companies ordered to Har- per's Ferry. August 5th, 1861 : Rebel pickets having been reported gone, sent J;hree (3) men First Wisconsin across the river to examine the country, streams, fords, and position of the enemy. Same attacked by twelve (12) of the enemy. Defeated them with loss three killed, seven wounded — ten. My casualties, one wounded. August 12th, 1861 : Ordered by Maj. Gen. Banks to Wis- consin for muster out. August 15th, 1861 r Offer to re-organize my Regiment for three years or during the war accepted by the Secretary of War. August 20th, 1861 : Regiment mustered out. August 21st, 1861 : Re-commissioned as Colonel of same Regiment — First Wisconsin Volunteers — and immediately re- organized the same by virtue of the special order from the War Department. September 27th, 1861 : Reported Regiment ready for muster to Adjt. Gen. U. S. A. October 8th, 1861 : First Wisconsin Volunteers mustered. October 27th, 1861 : Ordered to move and report for duty to Gen. W. T. Sherman at Louisville, Ky. October 31st, 1861 : Reported as per orders for duty, and stationed at Jeffersonville, Ind. November 16th, 1861 : Moved to mouth of Salt River. December 3d, 1861 : Moved to Elizabethtown. December 4th, 1861 : Reported to Gen. Jas. S. Negley at Camp " Nolin," on Louisville & Nashville Railroad, having been assigned to his Brigade, (Seventh,) Second Division. December 11th, 1861: Moved with troops to Bacon Creek and constructed Bacon Creek bridge. December 17th, 1861 : Moved with troops to Munfordsville and remained there nearly all winter, engaged in usual routine of fatigue, drill and picket duty. February 14th, 1862 : Moved with troops towards Nashville. March 2d, 1862 : Arrived at Edgefield, opposite Nashville. March 5th, 1862 : Appointed Provost Marshal of Edgefield. March 9th, 1862: Company " B," First Wisconsin Volun- teers, had skirmish with rebel cavalry about two hundred strong, at 6 A. M., on " Granny White's Pike," out of Nash- ville, and defeated them. Loss : One killed, two wounded — three. Loss of enemy : Three killed, four wounded — seven. First man killed and wounded in Tennessee. March 16th, 1862 : Relieved from duty in Edgefield and rejoined command. March 29th, 1862 : Moved with Brig.' Gen. Jas. S. Negley's command towards Columbia, Tennessee. April 2d, 1862 : Arrived at Columbia, Tennessee. April 5th, 1862 : Assigned to command a Brigade composed of the First Wisconsin, Thirty-fifth Indiana, Co.s " D" and "F," First Battalion Pennsylvania Cavalry, and one Section Artillery. April 7th, 1862 : Moved my command to a point two and one-half miles beyond Mt. Pleasant, Tennessee, and took up position on branch of Bigly Creek, remaining there some time, performing the usual routine of fatigue, drill, and picket duty, making reconnoissances and keeping open communication with troops north and south. May 14th, 1862 : Thirty-eighth Indiana Volunteers and Fifth Kentucky Cavalry assigned to my command, and moved towards Rogersville, Tennessee, on the Tennessee river. May 15th, 1862 : Ordered to move towards Florence and destroy all the boats on the Tennessee river. Did so. Had skirmish with enemy at Bainbridge Ferry and defeated them without loss to us. May 17th, 1862 : Returned with troops towards Columbia, arriving there on the 19th. Command divided up and assigned to building railroad bridges, telegraph lines, repairing roads, &c. Portion of command moved towards and arrived opposite Chattanooga, where they had a skirmish with the enemy. All troops were under command of Gen. Jas. S. Negley. Moved from Chattanooga to Shelbyville. June 22d, 1862 : Moved towards Battle Creek, Tennessee, ■with two Regiments and Section of Artillery. June 22d, 1862 : Thirty-fifth Indiana Infantry, Fifth Ken- tucky and Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry relieved from my com- mand. July 5th, 1862 : Had command of all the troops at Battle Creek. Had daily patrols to Jasper. July 6th, 1862 : Had skirmish with the enemy, defeating them. Loss : One killed, four wounded, five missing — ten. July 13th, 1862 : Ordered by Gen. Negley to move to Athens, Tennessee ; order held in abeyance by Maj. Gen. Buell. July 17th, 1862 : Gen. Milo S. Haskell assumed command of all the troops at Battle Creek. July 19th, 1862 : Ordered and moved to Mooresville with First Wisconsin Volunteers and Section Artillery. August 13th, 1862 : Ordered by Gen. Buell to c troy all boats on Tennessee river, near by. Did so. August 18, 1862: Ordered with First Wisconsin to Nash- ville ; took up position at Edgefield on arrival, and guarded railroad bridge and picketed that side of the river. August 28, 1862 : Brigadier General L. H. Rousseau as- sumed command of all troops in and around Nashville. September 3, 1862 : First Wisconsin Volunteers relieved from Seventh Brigade, General James S. Negley, and assigned to Twenty-eighth Brigade. September 3, 1862 : Twenty-eighth Brigade formed by order of Major General Buell, and assigned to me. Brigade com- posed of First Wisconsin, Seventy-ninth Pennsylvania, Sev- enteenth Kentucky, and Twenty-fourth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, and First Kentucky Battery; assigned to Third Divis- ion, Brigadier General L. H. Rousseau, commanding. September 4, 1862; Twenty-eighth Brigade ordered to move in advance to Bowling Green, same being threatened by Gen- eral Bragg. September 12, 1862 : Relieved from command and assumed command of First Wisconsin Volunteers. September 16, 1862 : Re-assigned to command of Twenty- eighth Brigade, having been relieved for the four days by mis- take. Fourth Indiana Battery added to the Brigade ; moved with troops to Louisville, Kentucky. September 28, 1862: Twenty-first Wisconsin Volunteers assigned to the Twenty-eighth Brigade. Moved with troops towards Perryville in pursuit of Bragg. October 8, 1862: Engaged in battle *' Chaplin Hills," or " Perryville." About half-past eleven, A. M., that day, hearing heavy firing in front and having been cut off from the balance of Third Division by the interposition of General Jackson's Second Brigade, halted the trains of troops moving in advance, and moved forward Avith my command, (except Seventeenth Ken- tucky Volunteers, Avhicli was left guarding supplies), at double- quick, and without awaiting orders, took up a position on the extreme left, thinking it not only a post of danger but that it was the key to the position occupied by our troops ; reported my arrival and position to General Rousseau, same satisfactory. Left the highway, passing through woods and fields in order to attain the left of the line, and almost immediately upon my arrival became fiercely engaged with the enemy and so contin- ued until night-fall. Brigade repulsed all attacks of the ene- my, punishing him severely; my whole line moved not, maneu- vered not, and was never broken ; all other troops retired to new lines and positions, some retiring in disorder and con- fusion. First Wisconsin Volunteers captured First Tennessee, (rebel) colors, and drew off by hand all the guns and caissons of the Fourth Indiana Battery, and three guns of the First Ken- tucky Battery, the same being disabled on account of loss of horses. Full compliment of colors and guidons presented to the First Wisconsin Volunteers by Indiana troops for bravery ex- hibited in supporting and saving Fourth Indiana Battery. Loss of First Wisconsin fifty per cent, of those engaged. Strength of Brigade engaged, twenty-one hundred and eighty- nine. Loss of command : killed one hundred and sixty-five, wounded four hundred and fifty-eight, missing twenty-four, prisoners thirty-three — six hundred and eighty. Thanked upon the field by Generals McCook and Rousseau, ofiicially and otherwise, mentioned for bravery, skill and cool- ness. Named officially for promotion. General A. McD. Mc- Cook accorded to my command the honor and glory of having saved the left of the army. Moved with troops towards Nashville. December 26, 1862 : Moved with troops towards Murfrees- boro. December 29, 1862 : Moved with Brigade to Stone River, at its junction with Jefferson and Lavergne Pike. December 30, 1862 : Fought battle of " Jefferson." A supply train of (64) sixty-four wagons sent to me under pro- tection of convalescents only, was attacked by General Whee- ler's cavalry, bringing on the engagement. Defeated the ene- my with heavy loss. Strength of command engaged, seventeen hundred. Loss of command : killed one, wounded eight, prisoners one hund- red and thirteen — one hundred and twenty-two. Prisoners were convalescents and teamsters, mostly unarmed. Strength of enemy as reported by prisoners captured, with four 12-pound field howitzers, thirty-five hundred. Loss of enemy : killed eighty-three, prisoners eight, — ninety-one. Wounded were carried off on horses ; loss in wounded must have been large. General Braxton Bragg in his official report of Stone River battle accords the loss of the battle in great part to the position and action of my Brigade on the 30th. Highly com- plimented by Generals Thomas and Rousseau. December 31, 1862 : Moved and reported for duty at five P. M., on battle field of Stone River. January 1, 2, 3, and 4, 1863: Engaged in battle of " Stone River," or "Murfreesboro," occupying last (3) three days position in front, supporting batteries, skirmishing with enemy making rifle pits, etc. Loss of command : killed three, wounded sixteen, missing three, — twenty-two. Moved with troops into Murfreesboro. Especially named by Generals Rosecrans and Rousseau, for skill, coolness and bravery. Named for promotion officially and otherwise; name placed on "Role of Honor." January 8, 1863 : Assumed command First Division Four- teenth Army Corps. 8 January 19, 1863: Relieved from command of Division by General R. S. Granger. January 1863 : Number of Brigade changed to Third, and number of Division to First. Remained at Murfreesboro until June, performing usual rou- tine of picket, fatigue, forage, and drill duties. Kentucky troops relieved from command. February 18, 1863 : Assumed command First Division. February 22, 1863: Relieved from command First Division. April 28, 1863 : Number of Brigade changed to Second. June 24, 1863 : Moved with troops towards Chattanooga. June 25, 1863: Engaged enemy at "Hoover's Gap," and routed them. Strength of command fifteen hundred and fifty- four. Loss of command : killed two, wounded eighteen, — twenty. Captured prisoners, (rebels) fifteen. July 17, 1863 : Appointed Brigadier General Volunteers, upon ofiicial recommendation and otherwise. * July 22, 1863 : Mustered out as Colonel First Wisconsin Volunteers and assigned to same Brigade. August 9, 1863 : Assumed command First Division. Aug. 24, 1863 : Relieved from command First Division. Moved with troops across Tennessee^River towards Dalton. September 11, 1863 : Moved with Brigade, three Regiments and Battery, one Regiment engaged working on road to the rear, to reinforce General James S. Negley at " Dug Gap." Engaged with the enemy and covered the retreat of First Di- vision, (balance) and Negley's Division, towards Stevens Gap, without loss of guns or transportation. Loss of enemy very heavy. Loss of Brigade : killed two, wounded one, — three. My Aid, Lieutenant Robert J. Nickles, First Wisconsin was killed. Complimented highly by Division Commanders and other officers, for skill and coolness in performing and executing this difficult movement. Moved with troops in concentration towards Chattanooga. September 19th, 20th and 21st, 1863 ; Engaged in battle " Chickamauga." Wounded in left leg morning of 20tli September, but remained in the field and in full command until army retired into Chattanooga. Engaged nearly all the time 19th and 20th. Lost no artil- lery. Captured one gun. 21st September, occupied position in front. 22d September, covered with the balance of First Division retreat of entire army to Chattanooga, without loss of anything. First Wisconsin's loss was 69 per cent, of those engaged, and of officers killed and wounded, one-seventh of all killed and wounded in the Fourteenth Army Corps. My Adjt. Gen., Lieut. Chas. A. Searles, First Wisconsin Volunteers, was killed. Strength of command engaged, one thousand three hundred and thirty-eight. Loss of command: Killed, sixty-one; wounded, two hun- dred and eighty-six ; missing, two hundred and seventy-seven — six hundred and twenty-four. Many of those reported missing proved to be also wounded. Highly complimented in person and officially, by my Division commander. Gen. Rosecrans informed my Brigade in person, " that their fighting and maneuvering was well and bravely done — none did better." Hemorrhage of the lungs, brought on by over-exertion of the voice at Chickamauga. October 9th, 1863 : Assigned to Third Brigade on re-organ- ization of army, composed of my old command, with addition of Third Brigade, Second Division, Fourteenth Army Corps. Remained in Chattanooga, engaged in usual routine of fatigue, picket and drill duties. Engaged in battle "Chattanooga," holding forts, rifle pits, and having general charge of reserve. January 13th, 1864: Ordered to Washington City, by order dated Jan. 6th, 1864,