A number of posts ago you stated that you needed another "nut" to crack. I think that I have one for you.

I have a Waltham mod. 77 Wm. Ellery SN 62765 in a silver hunting case engraved on the case back "Wm H Shaw, Presented by Co. D, 37th Mass Vols" (3 lines) and directly below that in slightly smaller font is "at Fredricksburg Va., May 6th 1863" (3 lines). May 6, 1863 was last day of the battle of Chancellorsville (Fredericksburg).

I've only been able to identify him as a First Sergeant promoted by battlefield commission to 2nd lieutenant on March 4, 1865 and that he served in the Union Army from July 24, 1862 (?) to July 24, 1865. He was born May 14, 1833 in Cummington, Mass., Hampshire County and died on September 8, 1919. I have been unable to find anything else about him.

The watch is a really nice piece that I picked up from a gold buyer in the late 70's. I am hoping that With your knowledge and resources you might be able to add a bit more to Lt. Shaw's life.

Well let us see what we can find.

US Civil War Soldier Records & Profiles
William H. Shaw
Residence: Cummington, MA
Occupation: Farmer
Age at enlistment: 29
Enlistment date: July 8, 1862
Rank at enlistment: Sergeant
State served: Massachusetts
Survived the war: Yes
Service record: Enlisted in Company D, Massachusetts 37th Infantry Regiment on Sep 2, 1862. Promoted to full 2nd lt. om March 4, 1865 at Washington, DC
Sources:Massachusetts Soldiers, Sailors and Marines in the Civil War
GAR Dept of Massachusetts 1866-1947 (Sargent)

Regimental History
THIRTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT
MASSACHUSETT VOLUNTEER INFANTRY
THREE YEARS

The 37th Regt. Mass. Vol. Inf. was composed largely of men
from the four western counties of Massachusetts and was
organized at Camp Briggs, in August and early September, 1862.
Major Oliver Edwards, commander of the camp, was commissioned
colonel Aug. 27, and between Aug. 30 and Sept. 4 the companies
were mustered into the United States service. On Sept. 7 the
regiment left for Washington arriving on the 9th. Here it was
assigned to Briggs' Brigade of Casey's Division of Reserves and
was stationed at Camp Chase on Arlington Heights.

Transferred to Frederick, Md., Sept. 30, and thence to
Downsville, it was there assigned to Devens' Brigade, Couch's
Division, 4th Corps, but served with and was later attached to
the 6th Corps. After an expedition to Hancock, Md., and to
Cherry Run Ford in October the regiment returned to Downsville
marching thence to Berlin, Md., where it crossed the Potomac
Nov. 3 with the rest of the Army of the Potomac. Devens'
Brigade now became a definite part of Newton's (3d) Division,
Franklin's (6th) Corps. Thanksgiving found the 37th at
Stafford C. H. Its first battle experience was on the Union
left at Fredericksburg,, Dec. 11 to 15, 1862. Here Devens'
Brigade led the advance in the crossing of the Rappahannock by
Franklin's Corps on the 11th, and covered the withdrawal of the
corps on the night of the 15th. During the battle on the 13th
the 37th was not heavily engaged.

The winter of 1862-63 was spent in camp near White Oak
Church about three miles east of Falmouth. In January, 1863,
the regiment participated in Burnside's "Mud March," after
which it returned to its former camp.

On May 3, 1863, the 37th, now a part of Browne's Brigade,
Newton's Division, participated in the capture of Marye's
Heights at Fredericksburg,, and later the same day and on the
following day was in action with the 6th Corps near Salem
Church, in these two engagements losing 27 men wounded, two
fatally.

As a part of Eustis' (2d) Brigade, Wheaton's (3d) Division
it participated in the forced march of the 6th Corps from
Manchester to Gettysburg on the night of the first and
morning of the second day of July, 1863, covering 35 miles in
less than 18 hours and arriving on the field on the afternoon of
the 2d just at the close of the fighting on the Union left. On
the 3d the regiment suffered severely from shell fire while being
shifted from one point to another in the rear of the line.

Early in August the 37th was sent to New York City to
assist in the enforcement of the draft. In October it rejoined
the Army of the Potomac near Chantilly, Va., and on Nov. 7 was
in the supporting line at the capture of Rappahannock Station.
During the closing days of November it participated in the Mine
Run Campaign, then went into winter quarters near Brandy
Station.

Early on the morning of May 4, 1864, the regiment broke
camp at Brandy Station and started for the Wilderness. It now
formed a part of Eustis' (4th) Brigade of Getty's (2d)
Division, Sedgwick's (6th) Corps. Near midday May 5 Getty's
Division was hurried to the junction of the Brock and Plank
roads arriving just in time to save that important point from
falling into the hands of the advancing Confederates. On the
following day the 37th was very heavily engaged on the right of
the Plank road losing 34 men killed outright and over 100
wounded, about 20 of these mortally.

At Spottsylvania on the 8th, 10th, 12th, and 18th of May
the regiment was engaged, having an especially severe
experience on the 12th when it assisted in supporting Hancock's
assault near the Bloody Angle. During this period the 37th
lost 32 men killed or mortally injured together with about
twice as many surviving wounded. Here Col. Edwards
commanded the 4th Brigade and Lt. Col. Montague the regiment.

The regiment was present at the operations on the North
Anna River, May 23 to 25, but suffered no loss. During the
fighting near Cold Harbor, June l to 12, the 37th lost 6 killed
and 23 wounded, several fatally. Lt. Col. Montague having been
disabled at Spottsylvania May 12, Lt. Col. Harlow of the 7th
Mass. Regt. commanded the 37th until the close of the Cold
Harbor operations.

On June 15 the regiment received 76 recruits from the 7th
Regiment and that night crossed the James, arriving on the 17th
in sight of the spires of Petersburg. Here it remained until
July 9, suffering frequent losses. It then accompanied the 6th
Corps to Washington to assist in driving back the Confederates
under Gen. Early who was threatening the city. It now formed a
part of Edwards' (3d) Brigade, Russell's (1st) Division,
General Wright now commanding the corps, General Sedgwick
having been killed at Spottsylvania. On Sept. 14, the regiment
was armed with Spencer, seven shot repeating rifles.

After pursuing Early as far as Snicker's Ferry on the
Shenandoah, the 6th Corps returned toward Washington, only to
be again sent to the Valley of the Shenandoah by way of
Harper's Ferry and assigned to the command of Genl. Philip H.
Sheridan. Under his command the 37th was engaged in the
operations of the late summer and fall, participating in the
battle of Charles Town, Aug. 21, and that of Winchester, Sept.
l9, losing in these two engagements a total of 20 killed and
95 wounded, several of the latter mortally.

About Dec. 15, 1864, the 37th returned to the Petersburg
lines and was stationed near Fort Wadsworth on the Weldon
Railroad. It skirmished at Hatcher's Run, Feb. 5, 1865,
made an advance near Fort Fisher, March 25, and participated in
the general assault on the Petersburg lines, April 2. It
entered Petersburg next morning, but rejoined the 6th Corps
about noon and started in pursuit of General Lee's army. Since
March 25, Captain Archibald Hopkins had commanded the regiment.

At Sailor's Creek, April 6, it assisted in the defeat and
dispersion of Ewell's Corps and the capture of Generals Ewell,
Kershaw, and Custis Lee. Here 9 members of the 37th were
killed and 31 wounded, several mortally. Captain Hopkins
received the brevet of major for his services at Petersburg,
and that of lieutenant colonel for his conduct at Sailor's
Creek.

Continuing the pursuit to the vicinity of Appomattox C.
H., after the surrender of Lee's army the regiment was ordered
to Burkeville, thence to Danville, and again back to
Wilson's Station on the Southside Railroad. Returning to
Washington, it participated in the Grand Review, May 24, and
four weeks later was mustered out of the service, its
recruits and re-enlisted men having been transferred to the
20th Regiment. Returning to Massachusetts, on the 2d of July
the regiment was assembled for the last time at Readville
where its members were paid off and discharged.

Source: Massachusetts Soldiers, Sailors & Marines in the Civil War

Battles Fought
Fought on 8 Dec 1862 at White Oak Church, VA.
Fought on 13 Dec 1862 at Fredericksburg, VA.
Fought on 1 May 1863 at Fredericksburg, VA.
Fought on 3 May 1863 at Fredericksburg, VA.
Fought on 5 Jun 1863 at Fredericksburg, VA.
Fought on 2 Jul 1863 at Gettysburg, PA.
Fought on 3 Jul 1863 at Gettysburg, PA.
Fought on 30 Nov 1863 at Mine Run, VA.
Fought on 5 May 1864 at Wilderness, VA.
Fought on 6 May 1864 at Wilderness, VA.
Fought on 8 May 1864 at Spotsylvania Court House, VA.
Fought on 9 May 1864 at Spotsylvania Court House, VA.
Fought on 10 May 1864 at Spotsylvania Court House, VA.
Fought on 11 May 1864 at Spotsylvania Court House, VA.
Fought on 12 May 1864 at Spotsylvania Court House, VA.
Fought on 13 May 1864 at Spotsylvania Court House, VA.
Fought on 15 May 1864 at Spotsylvania Court House, VA.
Fought on 18 May 1864 at Spotsylvania Court House, VA.
Fought on 21 May 1864 at Spotsylvania Court House, VA.
Fought on 27 May 1864 at Pamunkey, VA.
Fought on 27 May 1864 at North Anna River, VA.
Fought on 27 May 1864 at Near Pamunkey River, VA.
Fought on 1 Jun 1864 at Cold Harbor, VA.
Fought on 3 Jun 1864 at Cold Harbor, VA.
Fought on 4 Jun 1864 at Cold Harbor, VA.
Fought on 5 Jun 1864 at Cold Harbor, VA.
Fought on 8 Jun 1864 at Cold Harbor, VA.
Fought on 11 Jun 1864 at Cold Harbor, VA.
Fought on 15 Jun 1864.
Fought on 18 Jun 1864 at Petersburg, VA.
Fought on 19 Jun 1864 at Petersburg, VA.
Fought on 21 Jun 1864 at Petersburg, VA.
Fought on 12 Jul 1864 at Fort Stevens, DC.
Fought on 20 Jul 1864 at Snickersville, VA.
Fought on 20 Jul 1864 at Snicker's Gap, VA.
Fought on 21 Jul 1864 at Snicker's Gap, VA.
Fought on 22 Jul 1864 at Snicker's Gap, VA.
Fought on 21 Aug 1864 at Charlestown, WV.
Fought on 21 Aug 1864 at Charles Town, WV.
Fought on 19 Sep 1864 at Winchester, VA.
Fought on 23 Nov 1864.
Fought on 5 Feb 1865 at Hatcher's Run, VA.
Fought on 7 Feb 1865 at Hatcher's Run, VA.
Fought on 25 Mar 1865 at Petersburg, VA.
Fought on 2 Apr 1865 at Petersburg, VA.
Fought on 6 Apr 1865 at Sailor's Creek, VA.

More to follow

Tom

It looks like his parents were Solomon Shaw born about 1791 in Ma. who was a farmer & Poly T. Shaw born about 1802 in Ma. The lived in Cummington Ma. from the earliest I can find them of 1840 up until William's death in 1919.

William was married to a Julia A. Shaw & in 1870 they were living with his parents.

In 1900 they were living in their own house & had a son Almon M. born Nov. 1872 in Ma & an adopted daughter Grace M. born March 1879.

In 1910 Julia apparently has passed on & William is now living with his son Almon & his wife Mary E. who was born about 1878 in Ma. Almon is listed as a farmer & William H. as a widowed. They were living in Chesterfield Ma.

William also had the following younger brothers, George H. born about 1835, Francis H. born about 1838, Charles M. born about 1840

Tom

Wow! In less than an hour you found out more about Lt. Shaw than I did in 20+ years. I am very appreciative.

Everyone talks about the provenance and history of the watches we collect and I do think the more that we can pass along with them the better for our avocation and future caretakers. Thanks again, Tom.

William was William Hinckley Shaw & his wife was Julia A. Allen 1838-1880

Almon Mitchell Shaw Nov. 11, 1872

Found where William & Julia had more children, Walter Allen Shaw 1866-1925, Harry Nathan Shaw 1871-

Great work Tom.

Ray

Tom,
Yes, great work again.

Malcom, show us some pics of the watch.

Tom is a hybrid of Allan Pinkerton and Sherlock Holmes.

We should give him a nickname .

Tom--that info was awesome
I am a member of the Sons of Confederate veterans and read anything and everything about the conflict.
Tony

Thanks all, I would also like to see some photos of the watch.

Tony, I read mainly history books myself, I could join the sons of the American Revolution & have thought about it at times but have yet to do it.

Tom

It looks like during the battle on May 6th of 1864 William H. Shaw lost one of his hands, the image below is from History of the Thirty-seventh Regiment, Mass., Volunteers, in the civil war by James L. Bowen.

The following is the description of the battle;

WILDERNESS, VA
MAY 5TH - 7TH, 1864

Wilderness, Va., May 5-7, 1864. Army of the Potomac. On March 9, 1864, Maj.-Gen. U. S. Grant was raised to the rank of lieutenant-general and placed in command of all the United States armies in the field. The interval from that time until the 1st of May was spent in planning campaigns, and in strengthening, organizing and equipping the several armies in the different military districts. Grant remained with the Army of the Potomac, which was under the immediate command of
Maj.-Gen. George G. Meade, and which had for its objective the destruction of the Confederate army under command of Gen. Robert E. Lee. On May 1, the Army of the Potomac lay along the north side of the Rapidan river and was organized as follows: The 2nd corps Maj.Gen. W. S. Hancock commanding, was composed of four divisions; the 1st commanded by Brig.-Gen. F. C. Barlow, the 2nd by Brig.-Gen. John Gibbon, the 3rd by Maj.- Gen. D. B. Birney, and the 4th by Brig-Gen. Gershom Mott. The 5th corps, commanded by Maj.-Gen. G. K Warren, consisted of
four divisions, respectively commanded by Brig Gens. Charles Griffin, J. C. Robinson, S. W. Crawford and J. S. Wadsworth.

The 6th corps under command of Maj.-Gen. John Sedgwick included the three divisions commanded by Brig.-Gens. H. G. Wright, G. W. Getty and James B. Ricketts. The 9th corps, Maj.-Gen. A. E. Burnside commanding, was composed of four divisions, each of which was commanded by a brigadier-
general-the 1st by T. G. Stevenson, the 2nd by R B. Potter, the 3rd by O. B. Willcox and the 4th by Edward Ferrero. The cavalry corps, under command of Maj.-Gen. P. H. Sheridan, consisted of three divisions, the 1st commanded by Brig.-Gen. T. A. Torbert, the 2nd by Brig.-Gen. G. A. Custer and the 3rd by Brig-Gen. J. H. Wilson. With the 2nd corps was the artillery brigade under Col John C. Tidball; the artillery of the 5th corps was in charge of Col. C. S. Wainwright; that of the 6th corps under Col. C. H. Tompkins, and the artillery reserve, composed of Kitching's, J. A. Tompkins' and Burton's brigades, was commanded by Brig.-Gen. Henry J. Hunt. Burnside
had 14 light and 2 heavy batteries. During the campaign the 18th corps, commanded by Maj.-Gen. W. F. Smith, was transferred from the Army of the James to the Army of the
Potomac. This corps was composed of three divisions, commanded by Brig.-Gens. W. T. H. Brooks, Godfrey Weitzel and E. W. Hinks, and the cavalry division under Brig-Gen. August
V. Kautz.

Lee's army-the Army of Northern Virginia-consisted of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd corps, respectively commanded by Lieut.-Gens. James Longstreet, R. S. Ewell and A. P. Hill, and the cavalry corps of Maj.-Gen. J. E. B. Stuart. Longstreet's corps included the divisions of Kershaw and Field, and the artillery brigade under Brig.-Gen. E. P. Alexander. Ewell's corps was made up of the divisions of Early, Edward Johnson and Rodes, and the artillery brigade of Brig.-Gen. A. L. Long Hill's corps was composed of the divisions of R. H. Anderson, Heth and Wilcox, and his artillery was commanded by Col. R. L. Walker. Stuart's cavalry embraced three divisions, commanded by Wade Hampton, Fitzhugh Lee and W. H. F. Lee, and the horse artillery under Maj. R. P. Chew. The Union army numbered about 120,000 men of all arms, exclusive of Smith's corps. Lee's army numbered about 61,000 not including the forces under Beauregard on the Petersburg lines and the troops left in the defenses of Richmond, about 30,000 in all. Ewell's corps was intrenched along the south side of the Rapidan, his right resting near Morton's ford a short distance above the
mouth of Mine run. The upper half of the intrenched line was held by Hill's corps, the left extending to Barnett's ford, about 5 miles west of the Orange & Alexandria railroad. Longstreet's command was at Gordonsville, the junction of the Orange & Alexandria and the Virginia Central railroads. Lee's headquarters were at Orange Court House, about half way
between Longstreet and the line along the Rapidan, from which point he could easily communicate with his corps commanders, and detachments of cavalry watched the various fords and bridges along the river.

Grant's plan was to cross the Rapidan at the fords below the Confederate line of intrenchments move rapidly around Lee's right flank and force him either to give battle or retire to Richmond. As soon as this movement was well under way, Gen. Butler, with the Army of the James, was to advance up the James river from Fortress Monroe and attack Richmond from the south. The region known as the Wilderness, through which the Army of the Potomac was to move, lies between the Rapidan the north and the Mattapony on the south. It is about 12 miles wide from north to south and some 16 miles in extent from east to west. Near the center stood the Wilderness
tavern, 8 miles west of Chancellorsville and 6 miles south of Culpeper Mine ford on the Rapidan. A short distance west of the tavern the plank road from ermanna ford crossed the Orange & Fredericksburg turnpike, and then running southeast for about 2 miles intersected the Orange plank road near the Hickman farmhouse. The Brock road left the Orange & Fredericksburg pike about a mile east of the tavern and ran southward to Spottsylvania Court House, via Todd's tavern. The first iron furnaces in the United States were established in the Wilderness, the original growth of timber had been cut off to furnish fuel for the furnaces, and the surface, much broken by ravines, ridges and old ore beds, was covered by a second growth of pines, scrub-oaks, etc., so dense in places that it was impossible to see a man at a distance of 50 yards. Between the Orange plank road and the Fredericksburg pike ran a little stream called Wilderness run, and north of the latter road was Flat run the general direction of both streams being northeast toward the Rapidan into which they emptied. On the Orange plank road, about 4 miles southwest from the Wilderness tavern, was Parker's store.

From the Confederate signal station on Clark's mountain, near the right of Ewell's position, the Federal camps could be plainly seen. On May 2nd Lee, accompanied by several of his generals, made a personal observation, saw the commotion in the Union lines, and rightly conjectured that an early movement of some kind was in contemplation. He accordingly directed his officers to hold their commands in readiness to move against the flank of the Federal army whenever the orders were given from the signal station. It was on this same day that Meade, by Grant's instructions, issued his orders for the advance. Knowing that his every movement was observed by the enemy, he determined to cross the Rapidan during the night. At midnight on the 3rd the 5th and 6th corps, preceded by Wilson cavalry division, began crossing at Germanna ford. The 2nd corps, preceded by Gregg's cavalry, crossed at Ely's ford farther down the river. On the evening of the 4th Warren's corps went into bivouac near the Wilderness tavern, Sedgwick was between Warren and the Rapidan; Hancock was near the cross-roads at Chancellorsville and Burnside, with the 9th corps, was moving by a forced march from the Rappahannock river toward Germanna ford in response to a telegram from Grant. Wilson's cavalry covered both the plank road and the turnpike west of Warren's camp, the main body of the division being at Parker's store and a small force at Robertson's tavern on the pike. The orders issued that evening for the movements of the army on the 5th would indicate that both Grant and Meade believed that Lee would fall back toward
Richmond upon finding his flank turned by a superior force. In this they were mistaken. Lee had out generaled Hooker on the same ground a year before, and he now decided to make an effort at least to drive the Federals back across the Rapidan. Therefore, as soon as he learned on the morning of the 4th that Meade's advance had crossed the river, Ewell was directed to move by the Orange turnpike, Hill by the plank road, and Longstreet was ordered to bring up his corps with all possible despatch. That night Ewell was bivouacked about 5 miles from Warren's camp, Hill was at Verdiersville, about 3 miles in the rear of Ewell, and Longstreet was at Brock's bridge, 10 miles east of Gordonsville.

During the night Lee sent word to Ewell to "bring on the battle now as soon as possible," and ordered Hill to move forward at the same time as Ewell. Warren's orders were to move at 5 a.m on the 5th to Parker's store and extend his right toward the Wilderness tavern to connect with the 6th corps. He moved on time, Crawford's division in advance, Wadsworth's in the center and Griffin's in the rear. About 7 o'clock Meade received a despatch from Warren, announcing that the Confederates were in some force on the pike about 2 miles west of the tavern. Meade hurried to the front and directed Warren to attack with his entire corps to develop what part of Lee's army was there. Hancock, who was moving to take a position on Warren's left, was ordered to halt at Todd's tavern and await further orders. Sedgwick was ordered to move by a cross-road that left the Germanna road at Spottswood, attack any Confederate force he might find in his way, and connect with Warren's right on the pike. Grant joined Meade soon after these orders were issued and the two generals established their headquarters on the knoll around the Lacy house, a little west of the Wilderness tavern.

At 8 o'clock Crawford was in a strong position on the Chewning farm, where he was directed to halt until Griffin and Wadsworth were ready to move against the enemy on the turnpike, when he was to send one of his brigades to join in the attack. About noon Griffin attacked vigorously striking Jones brigade of Johnson's division and driving it back in some confusion through the supporting line, after which he advanced against Battle's and Doles' brigades of Rodes'
division. Wright of the 6th corps, was to have moved forward on Warren's right, but owing to the dense thickets and the uneven surface of the ground, he was unable to connect with Griffin's line in time to carry out the original plan of attack. As Griffin advanced, his right therefore became exposed and Ewell hurled the brigades of Gordon and Daniel against his flank forcing Ayres' brigade back across the pike. Seeing that his line was in danger of being broken, Griffin then gave the order to fall back. In executing this order his line was so closely pressed by the Confederates that he was compelled to abandon 2 pieces of artillery. Wadsworth, in moving forward through the thickets, lost his direction and exposed his left flank to Gordon and Daniel, just after they had forced Griffin to retire. These two brigades now attacked Wadsworth and drove back his left in disorder. The Confederates then poured through the gap thus formed and struck Dennison's brigade of Robinson's division in the flank as it was moving to Wadsworth's support. Pursuant to orders Crawford had sent McCandless' brigade to join Wadsworth's left, but the latter had begun his advance before McCandless could reach the position assigned him. The brigade was moved forward, however, in the direction that McCandless supposed would bring him into the desired place, and came up just in time to be engaged by Gordon's victorious forces after Dennison's defeat. A sharp fight ensued, but McCandless was greatly outnumbered and was finally forced to withdraw with a severe loss in killed and wounded and the capture of several hundred of his men. Ewell then reformed his line on the ground where he was first attacked and intrenched his position. Warren fell back about 300 yards and formed a new line with his right resting on the pike.

Early in the morning Wilson left Col. Hammond, with the 5th N. Y. at Parker's store and pushed on with the rest of his command toward the Craig meeting-house. Soon after Wilson's departure Hammond became engaged with Hill's advance and Crawford threw forward a skirmish line of his infantry to support the cavalry. This line soon encountered Kirkland's brigade of Heth's division and with Hammond's regiment was slowly forced back along the plank road toward the Wilderness tavern. Getty's division was hurried forward to the intersection of the Brock and Orange plank roads, and despatch was sent to Hancock directing him to move up on the Brock road to Getty's support. Getty reached the cross-roads just in time to secure that important position, and formed his division in two lines of battle at right angles to the plank road, Wheaton's brigade in the center, Grant's on the left and Eustis' on the right. Hill advanced against this line, but received such a galling fire that he speedily retired and for the next two hours everything was quiet, except for the almost constant firing of the skirmishers. When Hancock received the order at 9 a.m. to halt at Todd's tavern his advance was already some 2 miles beyond that point, and this caused some delay when, two hours later, he was ordered to move to the support of Getty. At 2 p.m. Birney's division came up on the Brock road and formed on Getty's left in two lines of battle along that road. The divisions of Mott and Gibbon followed in order, as fast as the narrow road and dense undergrowth would permit, and also formed in two lines on the left of Birney. Barlow's division, on the extreme left, was thrown forward to some high, clear ground, which was the only place along the line where artillery could be used to advantage. Here Hancock massed all his batteries except Dow's and one section of Ricketts', the former of which was placed near Mott's left and the latter on the plank road. As fast as the different commands fell into position breastworks of logs and earth were thrown up. The second line also threw up works in the rear of the first, and later a third line was constructed behind the divisions of Mott and Birney. Before his troops were in position Hancock received orders to attack, and a little after 3 p.m. Getty was directed to attack at once, without waiting for Hancock. During the lull of two hours Hill had been industriously pushing his men into position and forming a junction with Ewell's right. He was anxiously awaiting and expecting the arrival of Longstreet, but that officer had delayed his advance, because he was unwilling to take the road assigned him by Lee, and waited for permission to select his own route. The result was that when darkness fell on the 5th he was still miles away from Hill's right.

Although Getty received orders about 3 o'clock to attack
at once, his advance was delayed an hour, as he was engaged in
shifting Wheaton's brigade to the right of the plank road to
make more room for the 2nd corps. At 4:15 he moved forward
down the plank roads, but had not proceeded more than 300
yards when he encountered Heth's division. Ricketts' guns had
advanced with the line of infantry and did good service in
forcing back the enemy's center, but Hill's line overlapped
Getty's flanks and the slight advantage gained in the center
was more than offset by the severe losses on both the right
and left, where the Federal attacks were repulsed, Grant
losing nearly 1,000 men, about one-half of his brigade.
Seeing that Getty had met the enemy in force, Hancock ordered
Birney's and Mott's divisions to his support, and a little
later sent Carroll's brigade of Gibbon's division to the right
of the plank road to support Eustis. About 5:30 the enemy
charged and forced back the Union line for 50 yards. One of
Ricketts' guns had to be abandoned on account of the horses
being killed. Some of the Confederates reached this gun and
planted their colors on it, but they were driven away before
they could withdraw it. About the time that this charge was
made Hancock had completed the formation of his line and
attacked Hill's right with great vigor, Smyth's "Irish"
brigade driving back the enemy's line for some distance. In
his report Hancock says: "The battle raged with great severity
and obstinacy until 8 p.m. without decided advantage to either
party." While this was apparently true at the time an hour
more of daylight would have witnessed Hill's defeat. He had
extended his lines to the southward to cover the ground that
had been assigned to Longstreet. This thin line was now
shattered and disjointed, and had it been severely pressed for
an hour longer it must inevitably have been broken at some
point and the whole corps driven from the field. During the
action Gen. Hays' commanding one of Hancock's brigades, was
killed; Col. Carroll and Gen. Getty were both severely
wounded, but neither left the field until the fighting was
over for the day.

In the afternoon some heavy skirmishing took place on the
Federal right. About 5 p.m. Ricketts' 2nd brigade, under the
command of Brig.-Gen. Truman Seymour, who had relieved Col. B.
F. Smith that morning, Neill's brigade of Getty's division,
and part of Wrights's 1st brigade, under Col. W. H. Penrose,
attacked the Confederate brigades of Hays and Pegram in a
strongly intrenched position on the ridge south of net run.
Pegram placed some artillery on his left, the fire from which
enfiladed Neill's line, forcing him and Penrose to retire from
the field with considerable loss. Seymour continued the
contest until dark, but was unable to dislodge the enemy from
his position. The Federal loss in killed and wounded was
heavy on this part of the field, Col. Keifer, commanding
Seymour's first line, being severely wounded. On the other
side Gen. Pegram was wounded and compelled to leave the field.

While these different infantry engagements were going on
the cavalry was not idle. At the Craig meeting-house
Chapman's brigade of Wilson's division encountered Rosser's
brigade of Hampton's cavalry and drove it back about 2 miles.
Rosser was then strongly reinforced and Chapman fell back on
the 1st brigade at the junction of the Parker's store and
Catharpin roads. Soon after this Wilson ordered his whole
command to Todd's tavern, where he had been directed by
Sheridan to meet Gregg's division. On the way to Todd's he
was closely pressed by the Confederate cavalry. Gregg arrived
at the tavern about the same time as Wilson, when the two
divisions immediately assumed the offensive and drove the
enemy beyond Corbin's bridge across the Po river.

Immediately after the fighting ceased on the 5th,
Hancock, Warren and Sedgwick received orders to attack at 5
o'clock the next morning. Burnside, then in the vicinity of
Germanna ford, was instructed to march at 2 a.m., with
Stevenson's, Potter's and Willcox's divisions, and be in
position to join in the general advance at the hour
designated. From prisoners captured during the day it was
learned that Longstreet was hourly expected and Hancock was
notified to keep a close watch on his left. Barlow's
division, with all the artillery of the 2nd corps, was
therefore placed in position to protect the left flank and a
strong skirmish line was thrown out on the Brock road. The
Federal attack was anticipated by the enemy, who began firing
on both the left and right a few minutes before 5 o'clock.
Soon after the firing commenced, Hancock attacked in two
lines, extending across the plank road, Getty's division, with
Eustis on the right, Wheaton in the center and Grant on the
left, supporting the divisions of Mott and Birney, the latter
being in command of Hancock's right wing. The Confederates
were pushed back about a mile and a half from the cross-roads
when Wadsworth's division came sweeping in from the right,
which threw the enemy into confusion and resulted in the
capture of several hundred prisoners. The whole line then
pressed on after the almost routed enemy for nearly a mile
farther; Lee's trains and headquarters were in full view and
the battle was nearly won, when a heavy artillery fire was
opened on the Union lines from Poague's batteries masked in
the shrubbery on the south side of the road, and it was
learned that one of Longstreet's divisions had finally
connected with Hill's right. In the impetuous advance
Hancock's line had become somewhat disordered and he ordered a
halt to readjust his lines before engaging the fresh troops.
Getty had been wounded during the action and turned over the
command of the division to Wheaton. He was now relieved by
Webb's brigade of Gibbon's division and formed his command
along the original line of battle on the Brock road. At 7
a.m. Gibbon, commanding the left wing, was directed to attack
the Confederate right with Barlow's division, but owing to the
expected attack by Longstreet the order was but partially
carried out. Frank's brigade only was thrown forward to feel
the enemy's position and after some sharp fighting it
connected with Mott's left. About 8 o'clock Stevenson's
division of Burnside's corps reported to Hancock. Burnside,
with his 2nd and 3rd divisions, had been expected to move by a
cross-toad toward Parker's store, on Birney's right, and
attack simultaneously with the rest of the line. About the
time of Stevenson's arrival at the Brock road, Hancock
received word from Meade that Burnside had then pushed forward
nearly to the store and was ready to attack. This information
proved to be erroneous and was in a measure contributory to
the disaster that overtook Hancock later in the day. Burnside
was delayed by a lack of definite information regarding the
ground over which he was to move and the dense thickets he
encountered, so that it was 2 p.m. before his attack was
commenced. A few minutes before 9 o'clock Birney, Mott and
Wadsworth, with part of Stevenson's division and three
brigades of Gibbon's, resumed the attack along the plank road
and were soon furiously engaged with the enemy. Just previous
to this, rapid firing was heard in the direction of Todd's
tavern, which Hancock supposed to be the threatened flank
attack by Longstreet, and this caused him to send Brooke's
brigade of Barlow's division out on the Brock road to occupy a
line of breastworks there to hold Longstreet in check.
Leasure's brigade of the 9th corps and Eustis' of the 6th were
held in readiness to support Barlow. As a matter of fact
Longstreet was at that moment in Hancock's front, the firing
at Todd's being an engagement between Sheridan and the
Confederate cavalry. In his report Hancock says: "The
arrangements made on my extreme left to receive Longstreet
prevented me from pushing my success at the time when Gen.
Birney was driving Hill on the plank road."

South of the plank road and nearly parallel to it was the
unfinished Gordonsville & Fredericksburg railroad. About 10
o'clock Longstreet sent Gen. Mahone with four brigades to move
along the line of this railroad and gain Hancock's flank and
rear, while the brigades of Law, Gregg and Benning engaged the
Federals in front. Mahone first encountered Frank's brigade,
which had nearly exhausted its ammunition and was therefore
compelled to retire before the vehement flank attack. He then
struck the left of Mott's division, which in turn was forced
back in some confusion. Heroic efforts were made to rally the
men and reform the line along the plank road by throwing back
the left, but the troops had been engaged all morning under a
heavy fire in the dense forest and their formation was too
irregular for such a movement. At Birney's suggestion the
whole line was then withdrawn and reestablished in the
breastworks along the Brock road. When Longstreet saw that
Mahone's attack was successful he ordered a general advance
along the plank road, hoping to crush Hancock's line.
Mahone's men, upon seeing the head of the Confederate column,
mistook it for a fresh body of Union troops and fired a
volley, killing Gen. Jenkins and wounding Longstreet. Lee
then assumed command of his right wing in person and ordered
the attack to be postponed, although the Confederate line was
then within a short distance of the Union works. About half
an hour before Mahone struck the left of Hancock's line
Cutler's brigade of Wadsworth's division was driven back to
the open ground near the Lacy house, but Birney sent two
brigades and recovered the lost ground, though at considerable
loss. During this part of the battle Gen. Wadsworth was
mortally and Gen. Baxter severely wounded.

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. all was comparatively quiet along
Hancock's front. About 2 o'clock Robinson's 1st brigade,
under Col. Lyle, and two regiments of heavy artillery reported
to Hancock and were massed near the cross-roads in reserve.
At this time Burnside made an assault on the enemy's line near
the Tapp house, north of the plank road, and drove it back in
disorder, but part of Heth's division and Wofford's brigade of
Kershaw's came up as reinforcements and regained all the lost
ground. At 3 p.m. Hancock and Burnside both received orders
to attack at 6 o'clock. They were not permitted to wait until
that hour, however, for at 4:15 the enemy advanced against
Hancock in force, pressing up to the edge of the abatis, less
than 100 yards from the first line of works, where they halted
and opened a fierce fire of musketry. This was continued for
half an hour, during which time the Union line held firm.
Then a portion of Mott's division and Ward's brigade of
Birney's gave way. Concerning this break, Hancock says in his
report: "The confusion and disorganization among a portion of
the troops of Mott's and Birney's divisions on this occasion
was greatly increased, if not originated, by the front line of
breastworks having taken fire a short time before the enemy
made his attack, the flames having been communicated to it
from the forest in front (the battle-ground of the morning),
which had been burning for some hours. The breastworks on
this portion of my line were constructed entirely of logs, and
at the critical moment of the enemy's advance were a mass of
flames which it was impossible at that time to subdue, the
fire extending for many hundred paces to the right and left.
The intense heat and smoke, which was driven by the wind
directly into the faces of the men, prevented them on portions
of the line from firing over the parapet, and at some points
compelled them to abandon the line."

As soon as Mott's men gave way the Confederates advanced
And, some of them reached the breastworks and planted their
colors thereon. But their victory was of short duration, for
Carroll's brigade moved by the left flank, advancing at the
double-quick with fixed bayonets, and drove the enemy back
with heavy loss in killed and wounded, some of the dead being
afterward found inside the works. Dow's battery, one section
of which was near the plank road and the others in the second
line near Mott's left, did good service in firing on the
enemy, both during his advance and retreat. After the repulse
of the Confederates by Carroll, Lee withdrew his troops from
the contest, and there was no more fighting along the Brock
road that day, the order for the attack being countermanded
because Hancock's men were almost out of ammunition and it was
too late to replenish the supply. When Burnside heard the
firing in Hancock's front he advanced against the enemy before
him, but his attacks were isolated and unsupported and the
only important result attained was to prevent Heth and Wilcox
from moving to Lee's support

When the attack began in the morning Wright's division
vigorously assaulted Early's intrenchments in his front, but
was repulsed with heavy loss. A second attack met with no
better success, and as the withdrawal of Burnside's corps had
left Sedgwick's right exposed he was ordered to intrench his
position and act on the defensive. Warren's attacks on Ewell
were also unsuccessful, as the enemy's lines here had been
strengthened during the night and several pieces of artillery
added. During the day Sedgwick was reinforced by Shaler's
brigade, which had been guarding the trains, and Johnston's
brigade was sent to Early. Both sides were thus reinforced
and some sharp fighting occurred during the afternoon, the
attacks of Warren and Sedgwick serving to keep Lee from
concentrating his entire force against Hancock. Just before
sunset Gordon's brigade, supported by Johnston's, made an
attack on Sedgwick's right flank, while Pegram engaged the
Federals in front. Shaler's brigade was engaged in building
breastworks and the sudden descent of the enemy threw it into
confusion, rolling it back on Seymour's brigade, which also
fell into some disorder. Seymour and Shaler, with several
hundred of their men, were captured. Johnston passed to the
left of Gordon and gained Wright's rear, where he captured a
few prisoners. Wright promptly restored order among the
troops and repulsed the attack of Johnston. Gordon's men were
thrown into confusion and Early ordered both brigades to
withdraw. In his Memoir Early says of this flank attack: "It
was fortunate, however, that darkness came to close this
affair, as the enemy, if he had been able to discover the
disorder on our side, might have brought up fresh troops and
availed himself of our condition." This flank attack of
Early's was the last important event in the day's contest,
and, in fact, closed the battle of the Wilderness, for when
Federal pickets and skirmishing parties were sent out the next
morning no trace of the enemy could be discovered on the field
of the day before. The Army of Northern Virginia had retired
to its line of intrenchments and the redoubtable Lee had
evidently abandoned his offensive campaign.

The Union loss in the battle of the Wilderness was 2,246
killed 12,037 wounded and 3,383 captured or missing. No doubt
many of the wounded were burned to death or suffocated in the
fire that raged through the woods on Hancock's front.
Concerning the enemy's casualties Badeau, in his Military
History of U. S. Grant, says: "The losses of Lee no human
being can tell. No official report of them exists, if any was
ever made, and no statement that has been put forth in regard
to them has any foundation but a guess. It seems however,
fair to presume that as Lee fought outside of his works as
often as Grant, and was as often repelled, the slaughter of
the rebels equalled that in the national army. The grey coats
lay as thick as the blue next day, when the national scouts
pushed out over the entire battle-field and could discover no
living enemy "

Source: The Union Army, vol. 6
Wilkesboro, N. C.,
March 29, 1865.


12th Ohio Cavalry.

As an incident of an expedition into western North Carolina
under Maj.-Gen. George Stoneman, Brig.-Gen. Alvan C. Gillem
reported that on the night of the 29th the 12th Ohio drove a
force of Confederates from Wilkesboro, compelling them to leave
their stores and horses behind.

The casualties, if any were not reported.


Source: The Union Army, Vol. 6, p. 934
Wilkinson's Cross-Roads, Tenn.,
Dec. 29, 1862.


Cavalry Division, Army of the Cumberland.

Brig.-Gen. D. S. Stanley, commanding the cavalry division, says
in his report: "We encountered the enemy's cavalry, and found
them in strong force at Wilkinson's cross-roads. Our cavalry
drove them rapidly across Overall's creek, and within one-half
mile of the enemy's line of battle.

The Anderson cavalry behaved most gallantly this day, pushing
at full charge upon the enemy for 6 miles. Unfortunately their
advance proved too reckless. Having dispersed their cavalry,
the troop fell upon two regiments of rebel infantry in ambush,
and after a gallant struggle was compelled to retire with the
loss of Maj. Rosengarten and 6 men killed, and the brave Maj.
Ward and 5 men desperately wounded."


Source: The Union Army, Vol. 6, p. 934
Williams' Bridge, La.,
June 28, 1862.


Detachment of 2nd Company Massachusetts Unattached Cavalry.

Lieut.-Col. J. A. Keith of the 21st Ind. infantry left camp at
Baton Rouge on June 27, with 40 men of the cavalry company
under Capt. J. M. Magee, on a reconnaissance. Next morning he
learned from 3 prisoners taken by the way that a company of
Miss. cavalry, 110 strong, under a Capt. Terrell, was encamped
at Williams' bridge over the Amite river, 8 miles away, and
determined to surprise and break up the camp.

This was accomplished without casualty to the Federals and with
a loss to the enemy of 4 killed and 7 prisoners, besides some
valuable stores, forage and equipage.


Source: The Union Army, Vol. 6, p. 935
WILLIAMSBURG, VA
MAY 4TH - 5TH, 1862

Williamsburg, Va., May 4-5, 1862. 3rd and 4th Army Corps
and Cavalry, Army of the Potomac. Upon the evacuation of
Yorktown by the Confederates, Gen. McClellan, commanding the
Army of the Potomac, ordered his cavalry, with four batteries
of horse artillery, under the command of Brig.-Gen. George
Stoneman, in pursuit, the infantry following as rapidly as
possible. The 3rd corps, commanded by Brig.-Gen. S. P
Heintzelman, moved on the direct road from Yorktown to
Williamsburg with Hooker's division in advance closely
followed by Kearny's. The 4th corps, under command of Brig.-
Gen. E. D. Keyes, took the Lee's Mill road farther to the
left, Smith's division having the advance with the divisions
of Couch and Casey in supporting distance. Near the Half-way
house-so called because it was about half way between Yorktown
and Willliamsburg-Stoneman's advance encountered some of the
enemy's cavalry and the skirmishing commenced. Knowing that
the Confederates were moving on both roads, Stoneman sent
Emory's brigade to cut off the enemy on the Lee's Mill road,
while he engaged the force in his front, gradually pressing it
back to Fort Magruder, about a mile from Williamsburg. Fort
Magruder was the largest of a line of redoubts which had been
constructed sometime before by Gen. Magruder, commanding the
Confederate forces on the lower peninsula. When Stoneman came
in sight this was the only one of the redoubts occupied, but
Gen. J. E. Johnston, who was conducting the retreat, hurried
troops to the rear to man the trenches before Stoneman's
supports could come up. Emory encountered a regiment of
Confederate cavalry on the Lee's Mill Toad, under the command
of Gen. Stuart himself, but without infantry could not corner
the enemy. Some confusion arose in the movements of the
Federal infantry. McClellan had remained at Yorktown to
direct the movements of Franklin's division of McDowell's
corps, which had been ordered to the peninsula, and Sumner was
assigned to the command of the forces in pursuit. Heintzelman
was in the advance before Sumner, and in his report states
that his instructions directed him to "take control, of the
entire movement." When Smith's division reached Skiff creek,
on the left-hand road, the bridge was found to have been
destroyed and Sumner ordered him to take a cross-road to the
one on which the other column was moving. This brought Smith
into the other road near the Half-way house just as Hooker's
troops came up, forcing Hooker to halt for about 3 hours until
Smith's command could get out of the way. Hooker then
followed Smith for some 3 miles, when he crossed over to the
road that the latter had left, and where Emory's cavalry was
operating. Smith's division came up with Stoneman about 5:30
p.m. and by Sumner's direction was formed in three lines of
battle to charge the enemy's works. About 6:30 the order was
given to advance, but the dense undergrowth in the woods soon
made it apparent that a charge over such ground was
impracticable, and as darkness was coming on the troops were
halted under instructions to attack at daylight the next
morning.

The attack on the 5th was commenced by Hooker's division,
which had marched until 11 o'clock the night before, and at 5
:30 a.m. was within sight of the enemy's works before
Williamsburg. Two hours later Gen. Grover was ordered to
begin the attack by sending the 1st Mass. to the left and the
2nd N. H. to the right of the road as skirmishers, under
instructions to advance to the edge of the timber, where they
were to turn their attention to the occupants of the rifle-
pits in their front, as well as to the sharp-shooters and
gunners in Fort Magruder. The 11th Mass. and 26th Pa. were
then sent to the right of the 2nd N. H. and ordered to advance
as skirmishers until they reached the Yorktown road. Webber's
battery was next pushed forward into an open field on the
right of the road, but before the guns could be brought into
action it was subjected to such a heavy fire from Fort
Magruder and a battery on the left that the cannoneers were
forced to retire. Volunteers were called for to man the
battery and the men of Osborn's battery dashed to the deserted
guns, placed them in position and opened fire on the fort and
the battery mentioned. Bramhall's battery was then brought up
on the right of Webber's, and by 9 o'clock the guns of the
forts were silenced the Confederates in the rifle-pits having
in the meantime been driven back by the well-directed fire of
Hooker's sharpshooters. Leaving the 5th N. J. to support the
batteries, Gen. Patterson moved with the rest of his brigade
to the left of the road in anticipation of an attack from that
direction, and the heavy firing there soon demonstrated that
the anticipation was being realized. Patterson found himself
confronted by Pryor's and Pickett's brigades, outnumbering his
own command five to one, and twice sent back for
reinforcements, but receiving none gave the order to retire.
The 73rd and 74th N. Y., the only remaining regiments of
Hooker's reserve, were ordered to the left, and with their
assistance Patterson rallied his men and repulsed the enemy
three times after he had advanced to within 80 yards of the
road, which was the center of operations. Hooker now ordered
all his available troops to the left, and they arrived just in
time to meet a fourth assault by Longstreet's whole division,
which had just reached the field. At the same time the guns
from Fort Magruder opened again and another body of
Confederate troops advanced against Webber's and Bramhall's
batteries, capturing 4 guns. Just then Berry's brigade of
Kearny's division arrived on the field and repulsed the attack
on the batteries, saving the remainder of the guns, the 5th
Mich. charging with the bayonet and driving the enemy back to
the rifle-pits with a loss of 143 killed and a large number
wounded. Kearney's other two brigades-Birney's and Jameson's-
now came up and relieved Hooker's men, who retired to the
rear, where they replenished their ammunition and remained in
reserve. The Confederates, seeing that the Union line had
been strengthened by the arrival of these fresh troops gave up
the attempt to turn Hooker's left and retired to their
intrenchments.

Smith's attack, which was to begin at daylight, did not
commence until about noon. Late on the evening of the 4th
Sumner learned from a countryman that the redoubts on the
Confederate left were unoccupied. A reconnaissance the next
morning verified the information, and Hancock was ordered to
move with his own brigade, part of Davidson's, and Cowan's M.
Y. battery and occupy the redoubts. Hancock crossed Cub Dam
creek on a narrow bridge, threw forward the 5th Wis. and 6th
Me. as an assaulting party in case the redoubt should be
occupied by the enemy. Finding it unoccupied he left three
companies to hold it, formed a skirmish line in an open field
to the rear, with the main body of his infantry behind in line
of battle, the artillery in the center, and moved against
another redoubt farther down the stream. This was also found
to be unoccupied and was taken possession of by Hancock, who
now sent back to Smith for reinforcements to enable him to
hold the advantage he had gained. He then moved forward to
drive the enemy from the two nearest works in his front and
create a diversion in favor of Hooker, who was then seriously
engaged in front of Fort Magruder. Deploying his line on a
crest, with the artillery on the right and left of the
redoubt, he threw forward a strong skirmish line and drove the
enemy from his position, but did not take possession of it as
the reinforcements had not arrived. Sumner had twice ordered
reinforcements to Hancock, but each time had countermanded the
order. Upon a third request for reinforcements he ordered
Hancock to fall back to his first position. Doubtful as to
whether this meant the first fort occupied or to retire across
the creek, Hancock determined to hold on until he could
communicate with Sumner, and again sent back for
reinforcements, directing the officer to state the importance
of holding the position. In his report Hancock says: "While I
was awaiting a reply to this message the crisis of the battle
in front of Fort Magruder appeared to have arrived; and in
order to furnish all the assistance possible our battery threw
percussion shell into that fort." This action drew attention
to Hancock. Artillery was turned on him and D. H. Hill
advanced with a heavy force of infantry to drive him from his
position. Hill soon occupied the redoubts and Hancock's
skirmishers became engaged with this force while a cavalry
column came out from behind a point of woods on the right.
This was held in check by the skirmishers, however, and
Hancock gave the order to fall back to the crest and form in
line of battle. This was taken for a retreat by the enemy,
who now advanced. Hancock's men behind the crest waited until
the Confederates were within easy range, when they suddenly
appeared over the top of the hill and poured a murderous
volley of musketry into the line rushing up the opposite
slope. "Now, gentlemen, the bayonet!" cried Hancock, and the
whole brigade charged with a vigor that threw the enemy into
utter rout and drove him from the field with a loss of about
400 men in killed, wounded and captured. McClellan, in his
report, refers to this action of Hancock's as being "one of
the most brilliant engagements of the war." It was the
relieving feature of the battle of Williamsburg, an engagement
fought without a plan, without unity of action on the part of
the different commands, and practically. without a commander.
The repulse of Hill came about 5:30 p.m. Before he could
reform his shattered lines to renew the attack darkness came
on and the Confederates in front of Hancock bivouacked in line
of battle, expecting to be attacked during the night. Late in
the afternoon Peck's brigade of Couch's division came up and
took position on the right of Hooker, where he held his
position until the action was over. Had he arrived sooner
Sumner might have been able to reinforce Hancock, thus
enabling him to press the advantage he had gained on the
Confederate left, which would no doubt have resulted in a
sweeping victory for the Union arms. About the time that Hill
was driven back loud and prolonged cheering was heard at
Sumner's front, announcing the arrival of McClellan on the
field. The enemy, however, regarded it as a signal that heavy
reinforcements had come up, and during the night Johnston
evacuated his position, continuing his retreat toward
Richmond.

The Union losses in the battle of Williamsburg were 456
Killed, 1,410 wounded and 373 captured or missing. The
Confederate reports show a loss of 288 killed, 975 wounded and
297 missing, but Heintzelman, in his report, says: "In the
town the enemy abandoned all their severely wounded without
attendance or the least provision for their sustenance.
Counting them, the prisoners captured during the battle and
the first day of the retreat, we got about 1,000 men; among
them one colonel and several other officers. Up to Saturday
800 rebels were buried by our troops."

Source: The Union Army, vol. 6

I also found that William H. Shaw apparently published a book "War Diary of Company D"in 1904 & had 100 copies printed.

It would be neat to find a copy of that.

Tom

I would like to say with all honesty;
That is one of the most dazzlingly brilliant account of events I have seen of the Civil War, and relayed and referenced by one of our own special members; Tom Brown
Barring extraterrestrials re-entering New Mexico, I feel sure they are one of the safest states in the nation with Tom on the job
Thank You Tom Brown for what you do everyday in New Mexico & everyday on IHC185 [Salute}
Here are some interesting facts;
CIVIL WAR 1861~1865
3,263,363 Served
498,332 Deaths
381,881 Wounded[est]
VIETNAM WAR 1964~1975
8,744,000 Served
90,209 Deaths
153,303 Wounded
GULF WAR 1990~1991
2,225,000 Served
529 Deaths
467 Wounded
Now we can see The Civil War and its importance and the great loss of life and wounds suffered as brother against brother right here on our own soil. Nearly 25% of those who served in the Civil War were either killed or wounded. That is 1 in 4 gave all.......
Thanks again Tom for what you do and what you mean to us at IHC185
Regards,
bb

Tom,

I can't tell you how much I appreciate your research on my behalf. The president of our local"Civil War Rountable" knows of the watch and had asked me to bring it to one of their meetings. I had been reticent to do so because I really didn't know that much about Lt. Shaw. The situation certainly has changed - thanks to your research. Still hard to believe that Shaw literally passed through Hagerstown,MD and that I have his watch 150 years later.

I will pursue the diary that you identified through our library and Historical Society.

Thank you Tom.