HISTORY & ROSTER OF THE 50TH REGIMENT WI VOL. INF. - COMPANY "G" Pierce County, Wisconsin donated by Jan Gunderson *************************************************************************** This web site and its contents in the format presented, except where otherwise noted on the page, are copyrighted by Debbie Barrett and may not be copied, altered, converted nor uploaded to any electronic system or BBS, nor linked from any "pay-for-view" site, linked in such a manner as to appear to be part of another site including "frame" capturing, nor included in any software collection or print collection of any type without the express written permission of the author of this site, namely, Debbie Barrett. Please report any such violations to Debbie Barrett, mrsgrinnin@home.com. If you are caught in someone else's frame, please go to http://www.rootsweb.com/~wipierce and click on the link provided to free you. *************************************************************************** The 50th Regiment Infantry Wisconsin Volunteers was the last full ten company regiment raised in 1865 from Wisconsin.  Starting in February and continuing through March, each company was recruited separately. These companies were raised in counties throughout the state and sent to Camp Randall, Madison, where they were processed, trained and sent to Benteen Barracks, St. Louis, MO, where they awaited final organization as the 50th Wisconsin.   The officers of Company "G" were:  George Clements, Captain from Prescott, formerly of Company "B", 6th Wisconsin, part of the famous "Iron Brigade".  First Lt. Melville B. Cowles, of Hudson, formerly of Company "F", 1st Wisconsin Infantry and 2nd Lt. Reuben S. Andrews, of Trimbelle, formerly of Company "A" 30th Wisconsin. Shortly after the ten companies were assembled in St. Louis the entire regiment were loaded onto a steamboat for transport up the Missouri River to towns located along the river and posted for the purpose of "restoring civil government" and offering government pardon to the Missouri men who had volunteered.  This was part of the reconstruction period happening all over the South and was one of the bloodiest in Missouri history.  At the end of July, 1865, civil government had been deemed restored and the 50th Wisconsin was ordered on to Fort Leavenworth, KS, to await further orders.  Company "G" was posted at Berlin, MO April 30, 1865 and arrived at Fort Leavenworth July 12, 1865. Sometime around mid-August, Colonel John G. Clark, (of Lancaster, WI) received orders from General Grenville Dodge to take the 50th Wisconsin up the Missouri River to Fort Rice, Dakota Territory.  During this point in history this fort was deep in hostile Indian Territory.   They were to relieve the garrison there for the winter and replace the regiment of "Galvanized Yankees" (Confederate soldiers taken from Union prisons to serve on the western frontier). The desertion rate was high during the trip upriver.  At St. Joseph, MO and again at Council Bluffs, they left in great numbers, totaling 141 men, equal to one total company.  As a result, there were only nine full companies out of ten.  A number of men also died on the trip.  One man was accidentally shot by a boy who was accompanying the regiment to the Fort where his family were traders. At this time of year the Missouri River is very low and further transport by steamboat impossible, so from Fort Randall, Dakota Territory to Fort Rice, a 400 mile journey across the plains through Indian country, the men marched.  They reached Fort Rice in October, 1865. The 50th spent the winter at Fort Rice in complete and utter isolation from civilization, surrounded by encampments of Sioux Indians, some hostile.  During this time period no one deserted, unwilling to brave the winter and Indians.   In January, 1866 several men including  Flanders, Vance, R.S. Andrews, Asa Hunter and David Davis, went out to hunt buffalo.  David Davis was lost and never found.  His horse, rifle, pistols and saddle were later discovered in a hostile Indian encampment. Late in May 1866 the 50th was relieved by U.S. Army regulars and finally mustered out at Camp Randall on June 14, 1866.  They had served longer than any other Wisconsin regiment after the war, and had served six months longer than their original enlistment period.  They had suffered from disease, isolation, cold and boredom.  This company received little or no recognition for their contributions and today have become nearly forgotten compared to their brothers who fought in the many battles in the Civil War. In the roster of Company "G", the residence listed is not necessarily the town, village or township where the man lived, but could be the place he enlisted from or where he received credit for his enlistment.  Several men who served in Company "G" were from Rock Elm Township. Officers: Date Name Residence Promoted Remarks Cpt. George R. Clements Prescott 21 Mar 1866 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. see Co. B 6th WI Inf. 1st Lt. Melville B. Cowles Hudson 21 Mar 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. see Co. F, 1st WI Inf. 2nd Lt. Reuben S. Andrews Trimbelle 21 Feb 1865 From Sgt. Co A, 30th WI Inf. M.O. 14 Jun 1866 term exp. Enlisted Men: Date Name Residence Enlisted Remarks Andrews, Charles Hudson 21 Feb 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Andrie, Julius H. Clifton 11 Feb 1865 M.O. 22 Feb 1866, term exp. Bachelor, Alfred River Falls 4 Mar 1865 Corp.; M.O. 13 May 1865 Bachelor, Elijah J. River Falls 4 Mar 1865 M.O. 13 May 1865 Bachelor, John M. River Falls 4 Mar 1865 Deserted 28 Jul 1865 Barrett, Anthony Hudson 2 Mar 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Beardsley, Jerome Oak Grove 1 Mar 1865 Sgt.; M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Beardsley, John River Falls 8 Mar 1865 Corp.; M.O. 7 May 1866, term exp. Beatty, John S. Esdaile 11 Feb 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Blakley, Phillip Salem 9 Mar 1985 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Bliven, Pardon C. River Falls 21 Feb 1865 d. 26 Apr 1865, St. Louis, MO, disease Britton, Nathan F. Hudson 8 Feb 1865 Sgt.; M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Brunner, Godfrey Union 10 Feb 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Buzzell, William M. Necedah 7 Mar 1865 M.O. 1 Nov 1865 Campbell, Patrick El Paso 9 Feb 1865 M.O. 1 Aug 1865 Cartright, Orlando Star Prairie 12 Feb 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Clay, John H. Hudson 16 Feb 1865 d. 23 Jun 1865, Jefferson City, MO; disease Clemens, Peter Prescott 11 Feb 1865 Corp.; M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Close, William A. River Falls 21 Feb 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Collett, James Salem 9 Mar 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Crabtree, Richard Troy 14 Feb 1865 M.O. 15 Jul 1865 Cummings, Levi P. Star Prairie 12 Feb1865 M.O. 13 May 1865 Curry, Robert River Falls 6 Mar 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Davis, David Clifton 11 Feb 1865 Supposed dead; lost on prairie, Fort Rice, Dakota Territory, 9 Jan 1866 Eaton, Russel G. Clifton 14 Feb 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Eckstein, Carl F. Prescott 9 Jan 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Fields, James H. River Falls 9 Mar 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Filkins, Frank Clifton 15 Feb 1865 Corp., Sgt.; M.O. 14 June 1866, term exp. Flanders, John Esdaile 22 Feb 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Follansbee, John B. River Falls 9 Mar 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Fox, Gotlieb Hammond 8 Mar 1865 M.O. 13 May 1865 Francisco, John Oak Grove 10 Feb 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Frey, Jacob Oak Grove 25 Feb 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Getchell, Edward E. Oak Grove 17 Feb 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Gilmore, John S. River Falls 9 Mar 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Gilmore, Thomas S. Esdaile 22 Feb 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Goldsberry, John H. Prescott 24 Jan 1865 Corp.; M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Goodrich, George H. Hudson 27 Feb 1865 Sgt.; M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Gordon, Thomas Necedah 4 Mar 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Hadsell, Bethuel Diamond Bluff 25 Feb 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Hanvelt, Manes Salem 9 Mar 1865 Deserted 26 Aug 1865 Hart, Conrad Diamond Bluff 25 Feb 1865 M.O. 7 May 1866, term exp. Hawley, Oscar S. Prescott 11 Feb 1865 Corp.; M.O. 18 Dec 1865 Heckel, Paul Martell 3 Mar 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Heiserman, John J. River Falls 6 Mar 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Hoover, Austin Hudson 14 Feb 1865 Corp.; M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Huber, Adam Martell 27 Feb 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Hudson, Josuah Oak Grove 23 Feb 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Humphery, Wesley River Falls 9 Mar 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Hunter, William Diamond Bluff 1 Mar 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Hutchinson, William Prescott 4 Feb 1865 M.O. 25 Jul 1865 Jackson, George Salem 9 Mar 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Jacobs, S.W. Hudson 7 Mar 1865 M.O. 30 Nov 1865 Jenkins, M.M. Pleasant Valley 25 Feb 1865 M.O. 25 Jul 1865 Johnson, Peter J. Clifton 13 Feb 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Jones, Sylvestor Oak Grove 16 Feb 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Kean, Henry Hammond 24 Feb 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Klingensmith, David Clifton 10 Feb 1865 M.O. 13 May 1865 Leischer, Charles Hudson 11 Feb 1865 M.O. 28 Mar 1866, term exp. Linder, Chrisman Union 10 Feb 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Lockwood, Levi Pleasant Valley 25 Feb 1865 Corp.; M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Macklin, George E. Hammond 10 Mar 1865 M.O. 13 may 1865 Macnider, John S. Hudson 14 Feb 1865 Corp.; M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. McFetridge, William F. New Richmond 10 Mar 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. McKeen, John Oak Grove 7 Feb 1865 1st Sgt.; M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. McKnight, James E. River Falls 9 Mar 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. McMillian, Robert River Falls 10 Mar 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Monroe, Frank Hudson 4 Mar 1865 Deserted 6 Jul 1865 Moore, Andrew J. Trimbelle 3 Mar 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Mumford, Arthur J. Prescott 9 Jan 1865 Corp.; M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Murphy, James El Paso 15 Feb 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Nelson, Gunder Martell 23 Feb 1865 M.O. 13 May 1865 Northrup, Perry G. Oak Grove 22 Feb 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. O'Brien, Charles Prescott 11 Feb 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. O'Brien, John S. Hudson 8 Mar 1865 d. 7 May 1865, St. Louis, MO; disease Palmer, Lewis R. Star Prairie 12 Feb 1865 M.O. 13 May 1865 Parmeter, George River Falls 2 Mar 1865 M.O. 29 Jul 1865 Picket, Zera E. River Falls 5 Mar 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Purdy, Oliver Oak Grove 10 Feb 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Reynolds, Peter O. St. Joseph 28 Feb 1865 M.O. 25 Jul 1865 Richardson, Alfred G. Oak Grove 10 Feb 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Roddy, John Prescott 11 Feb 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Sheasby, Charles Troy 14 Feb 1865 Corp.; M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Siples, Rufas H. New Richmond 15 Feb 1865 M.O. 13 May 1865 Stafford, Patrick El Paso 15 Feb 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Taggard, Thomas Esdaile 22 Feb 1865 M.O. 1 Aug 1865 Travis, Samuel D. Prescott 29 Dec 1865 From Co. "H"; M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Tripp, William Salem 9 Mar 1865 Deserted 26 Aug 1865 Truman, George W. Isabelle 24 Feb 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Truitt, Henry O. Clifton 13 Feb 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Vance, John Esdaile 22 Feb 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Waterman, Stephen A. Necedah 7 Mar 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Wehermann, Frederick Prescott 7 Feb 1865 M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. West, Thaddeus Prescott 23 Jan 1865 Sgt.; M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Whitney, James W. Star Prairie 3 Mar 1865 Corp.; M.O. 14 Jun 1866, term exp. Wilkinson, Willard H. Troy 9 Mar 1865 M.O. 25 Jul 1865 Winchell, William River Falls 3 Mar 1865 Deserted 26 Aug 1865