HISTORY OF THE

FIFTY-EIa^TH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY

IN THE
WAR OF THE REBELLION
FROM 1861 TO 1865
WRITTEN BY:
CLARENCE O. SOEHNER
retyped and RECOPIED BY'
MRS, RICHARD O. SOEHNER
A M
, . PBL'FACE
Several years ago, upon Kj' return from Vicksburg, liississippi,
after a v/eek spent in attending the dedication of Chic llonuments at the
Vicksburg National Park, and follo'/'ing sorce of the routes gone over by
the 58th Ohio Infantry, in v/hich ray Grandfather, Lt Col- Dister, v/as a
meniber, I rade an effort to find more detailed information of the regi*-
ment, only to find that no history had ever been written of this organi--
zation<
At the outset, and long before I had any intention of putting
into bock form a complete history, I took short notes of events, dates and V
; , . names for uy own infoimation, whenever available^ * . ,
After spending much tiir;e, my volume of information increased ' x :
> until I finally decided to write a complete history of the Plfty-Eightli
Chio Volunteer Infantry, for the information of the decendants of this , - '
.fighting regiment, and trust their deeds will be treasured as a precious )/\\
: / legacy. ' ^
' ^ would not have undertaken this labor but for the zealous
prompting of the following, then surviving members, of the old 58th, y/ho i '
have now all passed over the great divide which separates time from ' v,
^ ~ ' eternity, r '
\ Captain Louis Keller, Captain Joseph Lister and Lieutenant '
Charles Stroedter of Dayton, Ohio; Si. Boysell, Lima, Ohio; Lieutenant
Theodore Dickman, V/apakonetta, Ohio; Lieutenant Theodore Scheldt, Fort
Eec'oyery, Ohio.
Among the serviceable works I have consulted and cited, these
deserve special mention;
"Ohio at Shiloh", "Ohio at Vicksburg", "Ohio in the War",
' '' ^^ein Tagebuch Im Hevolutions Kriege" by Lieutenant Johann Stuber,
' 58th Ohio Infantry,- and "ii'/ar of the Bebellion Official Hecorda",
^ Series I, Volume XVII, Parts I and II.
'7 VT'--SN i /
f*l
' J
July, 1921
. 1 5i
itilViW
. ^ll
v/
KISTOHY OF THE FIFTY-EIGHTH OHIO 701.UJ1TS2H
IIJFiUOTfiY
1)
4. I the urgent necessity for an increase of the Union Armv
'oroornen'"'?M additional contlgenfo? ^
t"ooh hold of this ;ntt:r>ith'e"r^^^^^ ^ the Goyer,
Ohio InfantrTT regimenta tp organize at that time was the 58th
was thoi- 1- >1^ Sianing, the intention of the organizers of the regiment
r ^ be recruited in Counties throughout the state where there
were large German Fopulations, the intention heing that it should he the ath OaV.
(37th Ohii). " Ohio). "The Srd Geman Regiment". ,; ..
-. . , ^ .. .Captain Peter Dister (Later Kajor and Lt. Col.), Oantaln Oaliev >nd
teinster^Heer Breran vicinity. Lieutenant Theo. Dictaan in
iftxnsxor, wear BreEen, and iijiglaae County, Ohio,
brcflni7oa w ^^ an expiration of three months, seven companies had been
at^^Oh ' ^ average of ahout eighty men to a company and were mohilized at Camp Chase, about four miles south of Columbus, Ohio, fere rest of ^^1/ ?
time was Opent in perfecting themselves in the "School of the Soldier". r.H"
Were transferredDeceiiOjer, three con^panies of the 61st Ohio^^v ^
ss,r~*s:; oS; "=" ='" - """
Colonel; Valentine Bausenwein
Lieutenant polonelj Ferdinand Rempel
R.ajdrj Peter Bister
Surgeon: Reiner Schallern-
, -^j^-itant: Remain Lujeane
^.^artermaster; Peter A. Bishop
Fred vir Richmann
'' Sergeant ]v!aJor: Theodore Scheldt .
Company "A'*
Andrew Gallfy ..
is't I'ieutenant: Theodore BiclmiGnn -
2nd Lieutenant; Michael l^eller
^ 1st 3ergeant: Charles Kette ' ' : ' ' i
Company,
Captains Joseph 11* Brown . ' .
1st Lieutenant; Charles Straedter ' '
2nlJieutenaijtji.,.^_^^ ^
^ Company "C"
Captain; Laceritz Barentaen ' ' .
-1st Lieutenahts E. J. Brauneis
2nd Lieutenants Erhardt Goehl
Compan2^ "D" <
' y Captains Andrew Huher
Ist Lieutenant; Henry Bohl
2nd Lieutenant; V/illiam Rhode ' '
Company "S"
Captain: Albert Stehly
Ist Lieutenant:
August Bierwlrth
2nd Lieutenant: Peter Kaufiiiann
Companj'-
"p'*
Captain;
John Buns
1st Lieutenant:
Wilford Stiers
2nd Lieutenent:
Frederick Teuscher
Company "G"
Captain:
Baptist Beukler
1st Lieutenant;
Oscar Von Brabender
2nd Lieutenant; Conrad B. Krause
Corrpany "H"
Captain: Ezra Jackson
1st Lieutenant:
Christopher C. Knlser
2nd Lieutenant: Wm. H. Hulls
Company
WJ
Captain;
Saruel 1'.^ Llorrison
1st Lieutenant: Wi. Robey
2nd Lieutenant:
Stephen Defenbnugh '
Company "K"
Captain: Charles A^ Barker
Ist Lieutenant: William S. Friesner
2nd Lieutenant: Leander E. Hodge
(2)
I; officers was taken from the ircrning report of the',:
58th Ohio on the daj'' it left Ccuj-p Chase for the South# Too much room would he --
j taken up in making a report of all resignations and vacancies filled, caused hy
: sicJm death and other causes# A complete roster of officers aiid
men of the 58th Ohio can he found in "Official Eoster of Ohio Soldiers in the
' War of the Eehellion, Vol. V".
The regimental hand consisted of twelve musicians, recuited from /.
the musically inclined enlisted men of the different corpanies of the regiment,-.1
^der the leadership of William Goehl of Coliuribus, Ohio.
The uniform and equipment of the regin.ent consisted of light blue
"Irphsers, dsrk blue blouse, black overcoats, black hats, regular army pattern i^
trimmed with brass eagle on right side and large feather on left side, brass
horn in front v/ith the number of the regiment - 58 - and company letter in ail-
ver underneath: horn. Each enlisted man was equipped with haversack, canteen,
knapsack, blanket, belt ana side arms# The first rifles issued to the regiment
were of Austrian manufacture and weighed fourteen pounds, but they were soon
.excKa.n'ged'~;f^r Snfieid. Bifle> The ^oionei, V. Bausenwein> had seen'^sorvice
in. the German army and was just six months in Air.erica when given coirma'nd of the
regiment.# v Ke spoke a very broken English and reading and vvriting in our language
was very difficult for him. He was discharged from the army early in August,
1862.
-Ened,^Bempel,-,--d4d-~no-t--lave---fn--the~-fro-nt^-wi-t-h"
the regiment but received an appointment as Provest-harshal and shortly after
resigned.
'>i.-had^'seen- ac'txv0^'-bervd-ce--in'-:'the''^ German a'^rmy- and
'as'i^'c^ptairt'cftom^^thfe'^'ILst^ Ohid"'Vblunheeriilnfasn,'tr2r <V,' >
^ ^Upon hliii fell^'^the 'Suty "^df'organi-zdng ^the eiitire^'Ve'gime'nt ' ^ ^
y^'Sifepe-flenoe
I
(2)
Eental evolutions, it v/os io-iJ'' ? finally to the Battalion and Bei^i-
regiinent v/ent through the sntireaeroa;onv''of -i^" ' In January the entire
review before lisny of the officers at C-rn fh Jarade. and finally naosed in
ipon .ts appearance and efficiency. ^oneratulated the reglnent
^^en it^,ltarcfe$~1,|:^.;,:^^--^^^ ^he 58th Eegir.ent. was January 8th, 1862
clrrrr^ J^^augaration. ShortJr^rfter tHi^Ti:^
S^ar:? t,hey"w:re Lsp ted hi ^Qner&i oj. Chio, who in a few w^t iJ-t-cea oy tne Go\'-ernor and Miutant
appearance and emciency. They^were fh" theiri upon their
House and presented with a heaufi!m the rotunda of the State
^Oluabus. After the presentation by the the Qentian ladles of
donaideratlon of the Governor AUiulnt r ' "lttee, Colonel Bausenweln in
^n Engiinh. following which, the recile^rgatXefclelr: f1"1' ^
- - regiment ma now awaitinj^ mfrnVi- ^ snd returned to cairn,
tlirfsvM forl shit fuMt-" Officers th.ir families and friends before leaving ne 1 ?'""^tion to enable them to visit
^iyOfe6r1JLlved^na f Adventure".
arched from CamTsS^eTrColuKS^-O^ Ohio
the ^an Handle^te
iiiprning. Leaving th li+tio v' t. ^his "at one o'clock"thl" i'ni i
"lelf "S eoloM flyln/they
Cairo anc? then down the Tennpoc^^p f and down the Ohio
arrived on the morning of the 13th l+1^
when Private Bnton Keppler. CoLat
^ "'-t Ifo^ned- From here'tS h <^"10, fell from the deck of
direction of Port Ponelson. Barlv on th ' "P"'''' *^P the CuEiberland Elver in
aisombarked about four mill "' pit T 1 ^^th the reglmel
. S'S.s,-.nscrsr;,:; s;t:rj?;;if.r;
wounded so1d-fSyd-'-'v.,,.i ^^of the regiment saw for the firnt f ' ^
' 11 ^fr "inft,,.,.ft3i.^eing cftrVi'a'f{'"**^''''4<'U'g.'- r " tirst tiine,
' Af^r dPlflvT^PvT? ..a.Zy
- : ....I.,.;.. . 1,,
tlrpd and hungl! laylnmroir astablished, and the regiment
- " P"ows Ind
:, -tth ublanket . :o1^rtT?h1e1^^^^^^ - themselves covered
^reparations wer11tl:n!?.^gS^J^3^Brigade of lew .allace.s hi.i,-
V and "B advanced as skiJ
'u s "iii-o Liaae to tokfl i ., >3 *j.vjiaxone
1: V A advancpri no oi>-4 l . P'ri' Inthe assault on thp''Ti'hri'+ n^""- '.
, IH reb^advance ccSIdli^rC 7^
)
(4}
and clDOut the S'^,.e tin;e they "began a terrific rifle fire; this was answered by
heavy volleys froiii the rifles of the 58th Ohio-
The 58th now advanced and supported Taylor*s Illinois Battery on the
fiashville Road and successfully held that iir.portant position against the re"bel
division coiriE'^jrided "by Bushrod Johnsfon.
The rebels on their repulse, reported that it was Impossible to take
the h'ashville Road as it was filled v/ith regular soldiers. This mistake occurred
from the fact that the men of the 58th Ohio wore hats with the regulation
feather and dark blue uniform usually worn only by the regular army.
regiment advanced to about three hundred yardp from the Fort where
it was under terrific fire of grape and cannister. After dark the firing grad-
ually ceased and the 58th, after being relieved by another regiment, marched
about three hundred yards to the rear and stacked arms. Shivering with cold,
and hungry, they spent their second night lying on the frozen ground, it being
impossible to make fires for waniith or copking, on account of the close proximity
of the enemy.
Early on the morning of the 16th, the regiment Was marched to the
center of the line, where it remained about two hours, cold, hungry, and with
bayonets fixed, awaiting the coEJiand for the finul charge upon the Fort.
Finally from the right, loud cheering was heard, which rolled from
regimant to regiment and soon the glad tidings reached the 58th of the surrender
of the Fort.
In battle line the 58th now advanced into the center of the Fort,
pulling down a rebel flag, the first one that many men of the regiment ever gazed
upon. Quantities of provisions were left by the rebels, which were soon devoured
by the fan:iahed Union troops. The 58th occupied tents left by the enemj' for over
a v/eek, until the arrival of their own tents ahd camo equipment.
The regiment was encaniped here until klarch 6th, when it" marched on
sixteen rnles to Fort Henry on the Tennesae River? kiich time was now taken up
/ with company and battalion drill. The weather was cold and wet,, causing much
sickness. Gn Saturday, Varch 15th, the regiment received orders ta. board the
steamboat '^Silver kbon'-. The ty/o other regments of the brigade, 6ath and 78th
Ohio, also received orders and boarded the stearboats "Mnnehaha" and "Chateau".
It took practically the entire day and part of the nighty until all equipment
had been loaded, when finally all three boats carrying the brigade left.
At about 9 jOO AM on the miorning of the 18th of k^rch the 58th landed
at Crump*3 Landing, close to a small town called "Sa-yannah" and marched about a .
mile where camp was estalblished at "Stoney Lonesomxe"# v .
On March 26thI General Lew Wallace held a revieyr,coh8isting of the
56th, 58th, and 78th Ohio Infantry, llth and 32nd Indiana Infantry and two batter^
ies of artillery. General Lew Wallace complimented the 58th upon its appearance
on this occasion.
> ' On Sunday morning, March 30th, regimental Inspection was held, with
full marching equipment. : Af"ter the inspection the body of Private John Shenk of
Company "B", who died at the hospital, was buried with military honors.
On the following Sunday, April 6th, heavy firing was heard in the
direction of Pittsburgh Landing> Shllnh^T which is about fifteen mileaL-fnom the
. . CW "b^^e^eth. At noon the regiment recexm&re:L4fej:a^(i^tL2:ilte_tj^^
mepwere^Xssued, ten dexs... rat ions. ^About one o'clock the regiment, 630 strong,
begap its march towards Shiloh, in heavy marching order, taking-r-^e-"*ShtD!iptk:s^^
RoadrTel-'vigg southwa3t7~tawg,gkJ;iieL..j:.jMr"b^ .
The y/eathsr was exceedingly warm for the time'of'^year and the regiment
passed piles of overcoats, blankets and equipment dropped by different regiments
j preceding the 58th.
reeinent and the
^ river road to the tattle field. ' " ^ I'lttshurgh Road, then via the
I for the nighu'^^ro'^fires^oculd^h-'^ ^ ^tacted arms and slept
Of the rebels heil- c oL bv i"- ^="bt
a he.vv thunder ar.d
plainlj' heard hut nof^ir" coulii he i " ''^^'''S ories of the 'rounded could be
contending amiec. ^ of the
I
Brigade, LeAvamPa "Z o^ 'hayer-e
,? Wn^e, after which V/allace's Division adv^L-dat dcuMt^J'"^ a terrific
the position occupied by the enemy the nigh? ^re^us.
enery left^l ttsL"Sste^r.lt'a-"? o^coats and unlioriLs. which the
, have the opoortiuHtv o-- ^ regirent did not '
terrific an^ effoiuvet the.enemy, as the artillery fire was both
The regiment now passed Til'-hr;"" Graeir o.-_ .
battery, dead rebel artillervTr^r apa ho-seo i!, *l ' ^
horses were still hitched to the Caison- t'^Xh?? vf*
hitch their horses or splice their g-unr."" '" cot have tine to lun-
coolness and galla^t^'a^id'^he'hall^of'bullets^^iTS^I""^''#^^-^'^^^
respigeHt-hn^neWrfCTrrf^^ of the
Inv tvpcp the enetiy'vrs now stand-
ddvanced-to^nrt;iL^ll4^^
tr^r was statioreci or xT:r'7^3>^;..~.^ i'.t wjfa XflTan-
This made the " twelve paces to its rear.
Dtgter aligned the reelrgnt with thJt^of f";,sreat tact and courage, iajor
was nine men h^lled^w?
yfg.lJfth the dead, ar^wowi^djrthe
^neral Lew^n^cs and st^f-i^-rad'rTKrougrTHF'^csEBr"^
division an'd watp
conduct in1h?samfr whlcf ^^th for their
On A^il iv^; 1=he "Brttisof Shilch"
In'eetablishiS cLp Towtrll^^^flrtL'l
bff:rt:na?t-- SL^r^hfoSra^?:??
owing the .
Xo.nteth^w;^wgt^^rnhe "
^ ... MLVs,=s.:;;ss;rLr's; =r.s.n2,r.S"i-c
7^
)
St"' to destination. ca.p was .ade for the
lile town f-oStioro? i".' ^!'\fSit:ent arrived at I'urdy, a pleasant
to the resit,ent enckn^ped ahout four and^LSf^aef'rorS-V'tof^^T K
'-hjii^d^i^hUeJailroadj_3hifib.nuna-fnQr.: Corinth to '
at 9:00 tLt-"o\nTn""t
lag about fifteen n.ile: to .".Jidcwn! cr^ ltri
ana the regiment marched ahout seven rne^ ^ ^camp was broken before daylight
Katohie Elver. About 150 yards frov thi ' a'' a bridge over the
where the Mississippi and LntralXllrhd ^ railroad bridge is situated
"A" and "C were detailed to Junction. Companies
itarohed to Bollver, about a Bille nd f''h ^ balance of the regtoent
Offlr.p about a half mile from the town. rom the bridges, and established
........ "
detailed as advance ^iTgTU un lii:. Ths 58th was
bordered with prospeSTS^^^
but were later"ordered Wk'tf'itfpreviou1^'!np'^ora^^^^
day it acted as rear guard and also^rntsLH'sL'M The following
trains of the divlsio^ burnished details to guard the escort wagon
Memphis anfeSed'alorthfLnhl T?, ffcurteen mdlss frc^
about five s!" loulsviile Railroad for
, V, -ifcja* i^ince ieaving^hiioh the regieen^hp'd v^y-g ' 1-i>+ w
camp that IfteSoorin th^FairKoL^^ ^i from, Memphis and established
With excellent driL ng w:t!rand :ifkcm dPots.
S th^on^^fs^^t^ft^m^
drinking water, it is alau lXi 4-^+r~" gdv/-'bej.ly and aaually poor
the wagTro^tl^'ed for Wt'oringto^^ "baetgd^along^^
beside the SSnd Indiana"lnfantry!^^ reoiment moved to Gera.antown and encamped
""" .b^uw^
Ueut'LanTc! Kitef"
tiTTda ; > ^^inzer of Company "IT' followed with an address in JSngliah
i
(7)
On V/ednesday, July 2Srd, the regiEient received orders to report at 3^^
Helena, Arkansa-s, v/hich is about one hundred iniles I'roBi lleHiphis* The same day
the regiifient "boarded two boats, and arrived at Helena late the ssirie nights The
following day the regiment left the boats Pvbout noon and marched through Helena,
a neat little tov/n of about 1500 inhabitants and made camp about one mile from . :
town.
General Curtis is now in command of this district, with the following!
organizations, 12th, 17th, and 32nd Lissouri Infantry, 58th Ohio Infantry,
Koffinan's Ohio Battery from Cincinnati, V/oefle*3 Battery from St. Louis,, Ito.,
Fremont Hussars, Benton's Hussars, practically all German organizations. The
58th Ohio is now part of General Qaterhaus* Pivision ^d Brigaded, undajgAiiher-^ -
coDir.anT^rx'iilbHrrhnods-il^oiBrFIy'CoIoneT'TyiM^e-^ Infantry) J^lich
"bad blood'* existed between members of the 58th Ohio and IstUobraska Infantryi /
which terminated in a free for ail fight in which the Kebraskans cair.e put second-
best. ' Angered at this they returned and began firing with pistols into the, camp-i;
of the 58th. This: was ^ust before dress parade and the officers had a, difficu^
task keeping their men from loading their rifles and returning the fire. In
r effort to separate the rioters;. Kia.ior Bister was painfully cut in .the face by one
of thp Hebraskans Brass parade^as held on schedule, after wnicnjthe guards In--^
both, nan.pg were doubled for the .night
On Friday, August 16th, the 58th Ohio and 76th Ohio Infj5iat.rx,.. four
pieces of Hoff!mari*^3 Hattery received orders "fco go ~^wn the Ivlississ-ippi^vBi^^
a' reconnoltering expedition. The^: 58th and ops seation o~arjlLiliij^y li'9^ -
bout - while the _76th v/TS^'^s^nd 's'ec'tioirof "theTBattery boarded the . - V*
"JVicBowell". The trip down the river was both pleasant and interesting, and
blessed with beautiful weather# On Saturday afternoon, about one o*clock, Ser- /;]
geant Felix Latin, of Company "A" from Baytoni Ohio, fell overboard.
sldered a good swimmer, but on account of the heavy clothing and boots he was
wearing at the time, made it impossible for him to save himself and /he. was /,drowned,
before, the life boat could reach him.' - , ' . ' - , . ^ ^ - > " ,
'V'' The expedition continued dov/n the river, several gunboats just^Ha-ving
joined the boats carrying the troops., * . . ^
. Early llbnday morning hurried orders were received to disembark on the+
f>nn^wp nV. Skirmishers were ^sent ahead and soon entered-the caii:p of an ehtirbjy
'^^'i';.rebel regiment The "en^y made a" hasty retreat soiiie time before and-the .tents
V7ith blanketsv plothing and camp equipment. .-4.-. v
At Headquarters. threak-
ant officers v tent.-was ^louna xne morning reporii-^ou.
'i^^rshoiw^fthe^orcS to be the.;21st'Iiouidana-Eegiment..iLouisana-Tigers]
W-y: this reglmep-^ alqo fell,, .hands of the 58th.
^ ^ y """^ter marching about eight miles in the" direction the enemy was going,
' the regiment was suddenly halted by a shot from one of its field pieces.. Company
""A** was deployed as skiimishers, going through corn fields and woods, and followed
>' by the balance of the regiment) it arrived at a railroad station and nearby a'long'^
' ,A, "passenger train with engine ready to make its departure. The rebels had alreddy ;-
' ,, entrained and were ready to leave, when several well directed shots from the
' artillery made them retreat-into the woods.. ~ 'r
. iy. , V The depot, cars and engine and a railroad trestle near by were .burned^
and the regiment, tired and hungry, returned to the boats with 57 rebel prisoners.^
' 7 ^ On the same day a new boat. "Fair Flay", which had .lust'left. Eew '
^Orleans', the dight before, v/as captui?d v/ith 3000 Enfield Rifles; ^six field '
j pieces, horses for the officers^ and a quantity of ammunition.
'ffSt
^v-'l
4" A'
.-'iK-Vx -
jSlfiiii
, - - ;,\T
(8)
The town near the captured camp is called Millikens Bendi ahout
twentv-five miles from Vickshurg, Mas. The follov/ing day Colonel Woodi in '
j charge*''Sinb!!^e!ftpedlTion, ofde'redr-ar&ennen from each regiment to report on the
rama^ ^'konarch", "I*70ness" and "Sampaon'* to make a reconnaisahce up the Yazoo
Pdver* The rams were accompanied "by the steam ships "B^nton" andJiS.t.Louia>
Colonel Hood 'n^'.qt.pr flf^noTrpArtifid this expedition*
- > " They ?/ent ahout forty miles up the Yaaoo River, destroyed a "battery
of 48 po^d caliber siege guns# Close by they encountered a force of about 5000
" rebels* The rams fired several shots, but the expedition being only small in
. 'number, did not get v;ithin firing distance of the enemy# '
"-r-' " ' . On the night of the 22nd the expedition started" on its return,'with ^
the loss of one man. Private August Herman of Company '*E'S who was drowned by
' ' " falling from a ram into the river. On reaching the mouth of the Yazoo the ex- " '
pedition left the rams and joined their regiments on board the cteamboats and
the trip back to Helena began the same day# - V
^ About noon of the 25rd, Sreenville, Msa* was reached# The cavalry ' t
' and artillery followed by^etacjim-ien-tB~o^~Pn#&ja.-u:yLj^rt tne ooats and adva^ed- -
. ug^' a blitterv j^t the ^bjsls had erected at this point# After the artillery had V.
fTfedseveral shofsT^Ke* infantry advScecTT only to find the rebel artillerymen ^ \
. to have fled In haste, leaving the body of one rebel soldier who was killed by - , .//
' artillery fire# The detachments marched back to the boats and the trip up the '
^ river was again resumed# , \ " ...
"T/Towards evening a landing was again made for the purpose of burying "
-.r - two members of the regiment, one from '*B" and another from "K" company* It was
- \, . beli'eved they died from yellow fever# . , , ; ,
. .T .V, morning of the 25th,they arrived at
I *
t
..'v.;;
a spot where the river" //,
I - by: the 58th, left the boats and advanced about 100 paces when they received'ilie* %'V
W lay down# The gunboats threw a well directed fire in the direction . .:v" v
of the woods, after which a half of a company of cavalry advanced at a gallop ^
'towards the woods. They were met by a terrific rifle fire from the rebels# The
troop returned v/ith the loss of one man killed and tv;o wounded. ^ ' v - ' 'Vf!
,^1 - " The 58th now advanced in battle formation, Hoffmann's Battery firing,,^
idver'their heads. The rebels now hastily retrea-ted and the landing jsarty returned-^
to the boats, having captured sixteen rebel prisoners and obtained some valuable '/.H;
information# ' _ 'vH'
On the morning of the 26th, they were met by the steamboat', "Jatan",
- carrying the 12th Missouri Infantry and one section of V/oelfle's Battery, also
provisions and coal* ' . , _
V y.-.' They were ordered sent out to meet the boats by the Commanding General . .
"at Helena, who became alarmed at the long stay of this reconnaisance party. The
"Jatan'* with the relief party on board accompanied them on their return trip , "'rj
? 'T^"^ ..to Helena. - ;
4^/ About two o'clock Sutler AndrewBaer of Columbus, Ohio, fell overboard
tyv y,' and before help could reach' him ?;as drowned. AiuOng the horrified spectators to ;
this tragedy was his brother, who had just joined him to help in the sutler ,
divided into two streams, with an island in the middl
' Qn the_27th. .about four PJi, the,-xegiment arrived at
-chappy to. get.
ii
;1
nun , .'""f
back to their old camS^and i.t3....nlease.nt associations. IMj
hdaiftlly' thanked the regiment for tnelr conduct throughout this expedition#
I'r 11 I iiiili'i 'I 'ii 'Td III I ifi|- ' .i-.....>a.acfeOTrTi ii ^ .tii - ^ y(i
'M
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.sVT'''':
(9)
juat returned^from Colmbu^%hlo*'^whe Colonel Bauaanweln, who had
^.boa, the daughter oHn innuenWM r
the Colony treated the entire rot-ir=er^r^ Coluitbus, Ohio. Kiat evening
arro-ama^ nl' all omoera JTEBrWEE-
inarrlage. It ir"reported tSTwlhe and beer"gwlgg^lsfiv bla reoei
regiirentsl "band intf>nnlnc-ip^ ^A-t-v. f i^owecr ireely, the strains of the
dlaperae until l^ StefUp" "ot
Sverr i?. skirmish drill and battle exercises.
SSuSSLSJSssr;
m^" held riSitlnrand1In?1^^ff^ . the offlce5o"of~IKe-r-
to the 3eorgi^rr;::L:g^t:^^i,:r^l^t:^
. eyeing ^^aAdlUgft Ur Ohio wlth'the beat'
tlcally. evS ^ S^ifwIrtL' luch sicteearanrdeath/^^"" ' ;
nineteen years^of ^e and aix'^feet t"ll"^h^^'^^^^ Company "&", aboy barely .
.'boa"^
2nraiU4^ivi3iL^trbe atatio T received marching orders anrthei"'
3teele.a Biviaion w^re ordered to Pilofhf^b!"isa^ri!'" vil
the. 76th Sfth boarded the ateairegJ-LaCroaae" and .
^StiTi-tOO l^-thraltrrlon'^tiSfS t'f and uif^ook ;
trthrbur^coner
law hadrid. . On Thursday a short atop was made L'col^.Lf Fy '
they arrived at Cairn m e./i j. ^ , ^"xumDus, j&y. The same evening -
.vlelona. T^oIllUo"* "gL^tstrret^tiirL'^^Tb'" '
ahout sixty miles froir St Tnnio ^^ere. The next morning at a point '
callsd ."ijittja p..i.n On'sund^ ' " tn.J.aad:-ait-a-8B:all town
-.. Iha inhabitants oonsiated moB+iv of-b this friendly little town. : ,
tthe troops. A U^p'atUn 'rthru '
^-profitable business fron tho trooo- P-^tion in the town and enjoyed quite a,
.plentiful here and'the two weeks Lenrat thlDlacrr -' '
rr|coUections to the members of the 58tL '' Pleasant
On the rfip'impnt was a*
/oliliasaamahder: Lainr
officer ^ thA^^TT"
'">1 ' aiTiTn I
10
Saturday, Cctoberirth, ard the regiirent begen its inarch to Pilot Knob, Mc#,
about forty-five miles from 3t. Genevieve.
The first day twelve miles were covered, the roads being very hilly
' following day stztaen miles wore covered and camp was made ner
This town contained quite a German population
^d alt..cu|h It was ounday, the rear doors of the saloons v^ere found ooen to all
Who had a thirst. *
The next morning the last twelve miles of the march were made and
camp established in a woods close to Pilot Knob-
i 4. following Sunday orders v/ere received and the regiment n-arched
about two miles to Ironton, a short distance from this place where a small fort
was situated, the regiment made camp beside the 76th Ohio. Hufilmnn's Battery'
was also stationed hers.
On Friday, IJovember 7thi Captain Beukler retui'ned from Ohio with
thirty recruits which were divided among the companies of the regiment.
Sunday, November 9th, a general inspection was held and the follow
ing day a review of the entire division was held by General Davidson of St. Louis*
November 12th, the regimient marched back to its old camp at St.
Geneviere,. but its stay at that place was of short duration, for on the 16th
^era were received to v.ove. The regiient boarded the ateaiiiera '^igX-JiagXsJ^a
ohite Cloud for l.eKphi3_asji from there to Helena. Ark., where the rBvlment
aa?rived^jgj!foV
'''''''''''^T"new'^gan't2afTon3 had arrived since the departure of the 58th
several months before. The camp was now kno'jm as Camp Steele and the 58th was " ^
' coiiTuanded by General Hovey. and Ist Brigade consisting /
^ ^^M-MlLJ^^antry, ora, i^tn and ran j\:i330uri Infantry and Ituffganna
_ Battery, expedition corcprisirig the Bight Wind 12th Army Corps, Army of the
Tennesae,^commanded by li^ajpr General William T. Sherman, U.S. Aa , embarked at
f ^cphis, Tenn. December 20th, 1862, for operations against TTicksburg. Mas. '
force consisted Of the First Division, commanded by General A.
J- Smdth, Section Division, coEDanded by Genera] Korgrn L. Smith", Third Division
. commanded by General George W. A^organ, totaling 32 regiments of infantry and
eight batteries of artillerywith an aggregate of 20,523 men- On Konday, December
20th, this force was joined at Helena, Ark. by the Fpurth Division, commanded
by^neral Frederick Steele with eighteen regimehts of infantry and one battery-
artillery, totaling 12,510 men, making an aggregate of 33,053 men ready for duty. '
This force, with necessary rations, forage, amjsiinition and land
transportation, marched down the river with the co-operation of the Mssissippi
Squadron in comrand of Acting Rear Admdral David Di Porter, tJ.S-N. The 58th Ohio
wan part of the Fourth Division, boarded the stecir.er Polar Star and Te^'V HelVna,''^''^
'fWe'^ahbut"twenty miiWs'untii"'^'''
r-
, - - -'kansas bank. On the Mss-
icrsr^pi sloe ii^ 1;he
^htire section as light as day.
On Viednesday, December 23rd, the journey was continued until 10:00 PL!
when a atop v/as made for the night. *
Thursday, December 24th, the journey did not begin until noon,
g,hortlx^tfiim.Ialand-NumbeT-^-Si---ar~Boldver-Stationj-TOs-iras'S-ed".Scme^irrire "^^ter~^
.'V was passed and other places familiar to the 58th, which had visited '
. ; these peaces several months before while on a tour of reconnaisance#
transport continued its journey down the river until about 2:00
^ o clock Christmas morning, when Lillikens Bend was reached and stop made until .
r \ daybreak. ^ -
(11)
4 4.V , ChristEas (Jay a gur.boat p.-iq rom, foUoe(a by transports oontain-
pSf. General Frank Blair, consisting of the-68-ttf-0}rlr8T~'
^atn, ^oth ana 31st Missouri, went up the ra2e-fllnreT-BTBl-WTie4.ea--(ii--eto
ofr-ne-l' r boats on the right side of the river at the plantation
J, ^ "L ("Obnson Plantation). After a heavy bonbardt'ent bv the
gunboat the peth advanced about two bivouaced for
, bn wrapped in their blankets, lay on the ground with a light
a ^!v v"' Chrlstitaa nights spent happily around
the fireside with their dear ones. fij m ^
errie= following Eorning, the march was resuired and driving in the
PlaS^tion wbe 1"''^. ^1'" the timber at a place known as ilrs. lake's
neafth^whiS ^ousfornifw ^battery of two guns planted
! !",, ! Bayou^ Asection of Huffmann's Battery was
Sklrv4.b.! f-r^^i towards the right and placed in line of
hanfon a ^ opmpanles held in reserve.. They crossed a bayou near at
. . babbiting their horses across, and soon encountered the
b^ignishers in^e of from gO^-o-^GgyBhev H.eve t.e e
the briS or difficult ford or pass. Upon reaching
a'line of rifle nit"' ^1' """l Ihir, nf mii.ni.etnjf fppm
Jine - rifle pits, constructed along the levee bri^hf^pposite aborelinih^^
up tilldarr^ taking cover in the abatis, a; sharp fire was" kept
Kirser of Comnenr"^"^!^^'''"' tKem being the brave Captain ..inser of Company "H who was shot in the head and instantly killed.
entne Sunday, the 28th, the regiment was under arms before daybreak end
FOvee ''be division of General Iforgan advanced from the White '^
Smith S~aaertb position and the division of General K. 1.
h fnL right. .aoat.UXiQa...the Fourth Division, of
hi^^e 58th waa^ p advanced with the right of th)rDivisror"upoTlffe'1[^^
Geiiegjl..l8; t,. Alth*a' 'At'-mr'peiii.fethe' 68th rested ^SfiTliimSp ms being p'rspSST
sfore It could be^aerved, orders were: S.S
.. ' poTjn wes beinfi preci
but before it could be_aary.ed, orders were recdT9l'ct"^raavaas^^d---f'he--rS^^^
. the "balance of the "brigade, wae now withdrawn for the
General Lorgan who was hotly engaged with the eneir^y in .
^ront of the White House. In executing this movement, the troops were exposed to
the^ tire of their own artillery' as well as that of the enery. It was getting
dus^ and unable to niake any further reconaissance the 58th was marched into a
wopds and rested upon their arms, and without fires, acting as reserve to the
outposts..
On l-onday, December 29th, 1862, the 58th was assembled while the
artillery was pouring a heavy fire into the hills a.id front, but was answered
with very little spirit. Bo rifle fire was heard at this time. Tha_.5ajaltu.
the balance of Blair's Brigaiie, was now being formed in the woods between Thosp-
sor^j^ a^ar-erfcH'saw bayou, a sHgwrafstance beHna-tils bavou 'which cnrb'STi^
^^''" ^:be-TUi5!atBrrpSlht and this bayou was an entanglement formed
iiS.jASJl'Ji>_ainall-_ca"ttonwood~-t-pee3--en1rwa-ned~"amoTrg-~th"e~~stUBip~3'TTfie~"b"id"^"o3f
bayou was about ICQ yards wide, with quicksand, a.nd 15 yards wide water,
aoout three feet deep. The bank on the opposite side wes steep and obstruotd
by abatis, crowned by a line of rifle pits. On the slope above this was^ still
Mother line oi rifle pits and above this on the plateau wes the country road.
the ocrt.. being thrown on the lower side for a parapet which covered batteries
and sharp anooters. Batteries were also placed on the heights to the right
(l2l
ana left, hioh enfiladed the rifle pits r:r.d road.
of tattle about'lhO feef^art^^thristh 1111^01"!,+ two lineeN
/^\ irorit and the 58th Ohio Infantrv Ir tha " m ^"tantry holding the right I
pied the left frci!TnETM29tH~nrs^ettrlInSw' tiasouri Infantry ocou-i
the 29th Kieeouri atTCrJo -U'ht conpa^y of 1
Orders were given to'fS bayo^^tfs SUard.
one roimd to be fired by all artiller" on the'fiefri was
twelve there was a crash of artillerv''ard at J " itinutes before
yigade rushed out of the woods with hea^t u"' oomand "To the Charge" the
ba^ about ten feet in the heigth they oasLd descending a f
cotton woods and went through the bayou corta- field of thickly set
^d waa^,orossed slowly under the^'^ujIrrous-TlM'-dr ^ titey J.
crossed, ..hey gncount^ e eteeir-Kr']. . Jhen this was .
lines of_f|fie "itTTT---^^ Trrn-|- crowned with tlTZZ
aad;:gaCISecrhail of b 1^f
^id the bursting shellTlir^driiV of^the entire hill was aclood^JF';
eecond line of rifle pits. Here th tuf < "'^' taehed to the i
rushed for the third line of rifle . A
able works only to tour nnt their lives J.:
nnd cT^rnrrrTTTr^.-.:. i" Mgntenant Cplpiiel Diater J
^fglMlMgTOg^htrronejildl^ anTcmira~l
aead, at the feet pf his men wi.~^ y _ f^xi hanlrwtr.Ho
efforts to urge forward and ^ncoura conspicuous for his ' ;V
It is useless to appj, worL to ^1^ entire charge. r
thus shed their blood for their'coMtL ! - ^tol3m of those who
instances of individual courage. T ^e^'v nori"'''' '= iht
arms and cannister to such a deeree ^ f their fire of air.aH
^ding^the .treat begun the rfgi.ent
and eettinfortleirkn",! t^ll'^^jtul^
thoj^ht lost. Hraotically ever^ kLivor orthrS" ^n
botdis or bullets on his clothing or body! Liv!tf hu""! epUnters of M ;
carried his knapsack containing^ong other^blf '?"t :Luft of Ootpany "A" , v! J Vi
engagecent and during the day he axrerienced nec through the entire
oounted, by the light of:a candle" si'ytv-two hnV upon his return
Uy splinters of bOEbs and buH^ts durW ^ through the blanket, cade ' '
OHio, had arifle ball throughl^s'ca^t^r^l"-':, Private LeiChtle frOE Payton. .
:th: gno^d'iidSrird-t.:: ^
..... rs.s;! - -...
z^'k^s:
tive strenvtb rt-jrrabout one.third
Cenersl Sherman's Coimand oonaisted''of^?^ +"^ ^ ' ntire loss of "
wounded, twnety-five eixty-five
captured or missing 538, aggregate 1776? " i^en tciHed 189, wounded 940,
/-N
(13)
, following morning .Idjutant Sohde asseaibled the reginient and marched
theiri irom the "boat to the landing for the purpcae of getting a report of the dead,
v'cunaed and mdssirg. This was indeed a sad task, especially to see company after
cunpjany, sooe with hardly p I'Ten ren, scrr.e with all officers gone, in corxand of
faces of all plainly showing the anxiety and sadness over the loss
of fallen officers and comrades. The mn wore listless and answered the questions
of the adjutant in a toneless voice indeed a change from the happv, carefree
regiment of a d<?y ago# ^
Herewith is the reportj as taken "by Mjutant Ehode oh the?morning of
December 20th:
Fi^ld and Staff
it Col
Capt
Serg
Corp
Cprp
Private
Private
Private Daniker
Prlv'ite George Gaiser
Private Harding
Private Eeichelt
Private Otto
Private Tobe
Private V/m. Rudolph
Company ^3"
Capt. Fix
Lieut. Chasi Kette
Lieut. Oderfeld
Private Prank Klein
Private Adam Sisenbach
Private Charles Ellrich
Private Hicholaus Liebler
Private Florence Schrenler
Company "C"
Ist Serg. Qeo. Pastoff '
Corp. John Schneller
Private John Buerke
Private Louis Bohn
Private Jacob Hofifiian
Private Fred Straus
Private Peter Grossman
Private Jacob Yung
JPrjjmte.ADia3^...~^chinke4r
Peter Digter
Company
Gallfy
Heckmann
Abbott
G. Koerner
Arkenberg
Ahlers
Private Charles Weirich
Killed .yy
Wounded, and ca.ptured
Killed
Wounded (left arm shot off)
Wounded
V/ounded
Vi'ounded and captured
Severly wounded
Captured
Killed
Killed
Killed
Killed
Severely wounded
Seyerely wounded
Severely wounded (Commanded Co. .
"H" during charge)
Severely wounded
Wounded
Wounded ; .i,
Wounded
Wounded
Killed
V/Q.unded
Wounded
Killed
Killed
Killed
Killed
'Wounded
Wounded
-Wounded r-^^
Wounded
CoDipany '*D"
1st Serg. Philip Froehe
Gorp John Werren
PriTate John Prick
Private Bernard Kachhold
Private Hzra Kerr
Private Harrison Kerr
Private Vu. Ochahim
Gorr-pany
Captain Peter Kaufniann
Private Thorias V/ittehurg
(Inpossihle to get a true report this day on
account of only a few men having reported
hack to the regiment*)
Cornpany -'P"
Private Jacob Burgoon
Private John W. Coffin
Private Joseph Wisciver
Private Alex KcBonald
Coihpany "G"
Captain John G. Anderegg
Lst it. JoGob Raring
Ist Serg. Hudolph Domke
Private Frederick Beck
Private Joseph Bachrnan
Private Jacob Kochehdorfer
Private Chas. Lutz
Private Ernest Bpemer
Private Chas. Weache
Private George Sisenhut
Private August Wagner
Company "R"
Captaij^ Christ C. Kinser
Serg. Elias Dodroe
Serg. John Krinn
Fred Walker
Slias Smith
^drew Borden
Private Sam Stiner
Private George K'oss
Private Charles Hanson
Private Robert Branum
Private Benj. Bramon
Private Sol. Boyer
Private Paulus Bisley
Company
Captain Korrison
-Corp
Corp-
Corp,
inmi--Arr-Jbrhh"roir
Private John A. iVyers
Private Christ Schelenburg
Private Abraham Beaver'
iitm
Wounded and captured
Killed
Killed
Killed
W'ounded
V/ound ed
V/cunded
Killed
Killed
Killed
Killed
Killed
Wounded
Captured
V/ounded
Killed
Killed
Killed ;
Killed
Killed
Killed
Killed
Wounded
Wounded
Killed
Killed
Wounded
Wounded
Wounded
Killed
Killed
Killed
Killed
Wounded
Wounded
Wounded
Wounded
Wounded
"KiXred""
Killed
Killed
Wounded
iu)
CoLipany "Z"
Captain Frissner
Lt. Dieienbach
Serg. James A. Brown
Frivfte V/illiam Harrison
Private John Gilpin
Wounded
Wounded
Wounded
Killed
Killed
(15)
^iany men were slightly wo'inded and after having their wounds dressed,
never reported same. Cf these several died later from, the effects of these
supposed wounds and a nun.her became perii;anently disabled.
Details were sent forward, under a flag of truce, to collect the
wounded and bury the dead. Upon their return, they reported finding the body of
oriicefs and men v;ere"pfaHTchliy"tHppM'"'b The graves of Col.
^^sterjind other .officers of the 68th were marked and the hodi^%TfrSTpiaced*"^
iF"^renches aha marked so'ttey'coulT
On January 4th, 1863, the 58th boarded their boat at Johnston's
Plantaticn and steam.ed to Mlikens Bend, La., taking part in the operation in
the reduction of Port Kindman on January 11th, this battle is mere generally
known as Arkansas Post. The brunt of this battle fell upon Hcvey and Thayer's
Brigade. The casualties in Bladr's Brigade, in which the 58th was then attached,
were few.
After this engageic^^^ the regiment eiicnmped about four miles south of j
Vicksburgh On Friday, February 6th, ^^h^58th^ receij:_G^^^
Admiral Porter>lor duty on the gun boats and the fbilowihg assigrmiQnts were made.
Companies "A'V and "B" on the
Companies "G", "F" and "G" on the
Company "D"
Company "2"
Coiupany "il"
Conpany "I"
Ccmpanj^ "K"
"B^iound City"'
"Benton"
"Carondelet^'
"Baron de Kplb"
"Pittsburg"
"Linden"
"Louisville"
Company "C" refused duty on the gun hoats but was later placed on the
"Cincinnati". Some of the officers not satisfied with their assignirent on gun
boats resigned. There was also miuch dissatisfaction am.orig tlie men, m.any Thinking
that inasmuch as they enlisted voluntarily in the army it was an injustice to
place themt on giin boats* But, inasmuch as the reginieht was much depleted fn
nuE^ber on account of its heavy losses and the survivors heing allssaaonacl veterans
made their duty on the gun boats very valuable.
i/:ost of the time was taken up in patfoling the river* Large forces
of Grant's Army were working night and day in digging a canal to chahge the
course of the Kississippi River*
On B.arch 15th about 3:00 Ail the gun boats "Mound City", "Carondelet",
Cincinnati", "Pittsburg", and "St. Louis" went up the Yazoo Biver and stopped
at Johnston*s Landing, the ..same place where last Decembar thft rAgTTT-.oTit iiegar- its
fight among the Chlckasaw Hills, but no landing was made. They fihalLy proceeded
up the Black River and for three days rode through this stream, bozvaered on both
sides by woods and heavy undergrowth. Finally emerging from the woods they
reached a large plantation, to the aatoni3hij:eht of the Hegro plantation workers.
(16)
aen ir forr! p! cavalry was observed and the followinr r.crnlng they were
^ 1000 tarll kJ. "" "1 advLoed about
rr" aireotsd shots frcr. tho gun boats aoattored the rabels.
' arrivir'e on thi^"5th finally ordered to return, arriving on ^ne ^5th o. Inrch at the mouth of the Yazoo Elver.
Ihis ended the expodltlon of Sear Cre^t 1" vhich t>,.> nntv, 1..=+ or
nounnod, several later died on the Karine Hospital "Boat t
tude vith 't'velvn'^h return from this expedition the iren were given more lati-
e- passes they visited many places of Interest. Suite a
Heglment) which was near,
disDensinfi very^gto^beerrhlch "Gld"at t""^ incidentally the sutler, who was
for"an aiiy ti^ fup full. " . " ^ isntr-"Ye cents
run +h -hiPK, orders vere received to make ready to
raL The Vicksburg. About ten o'clock the start was
?h 'WSl" af nirsM^a f if transports, headsd bv
M M ^ ^7 tha ''Carondelet's "S^-ound Citv"
:3
rerected''abourirc'of citfof^nGlJsburL''SrreLfs "
. a*-vu erecxea aoout IOC cannon of heav^'' calibers
^ start was made, going down the Klssisslppl very alow, and no llvhr-
the boaL^shfuld ti' o^lps and orders were given that the machinery on""' " .
tiie oo&ts should run as quietly as possible.
4.V , ; and Carondelet were at the he.nd of the river obbds.ita wViat-o
tae Cham of Jiills connect with tJie city of yickshurg and where the first hat-
^ bolf"^ suddenly the rebels cpened a heavy fire upon the
botbr:: Orders were at once given for "full speed ahesd".
-innlr.. Constructed harges filled with cotton, and at tho be-
oinnir-a of the engageiaent set them afire, llshtlng the river and oltv a- lieht
as day. The sky was blood red, shd the hills darted with tongs of flsx;-, bl
Z wts Z Th fi^ suceessfully'returned by tL ^uxi boats, tne enwir alfair lasting about two and one-half hours.
oaciyi !. passing the city, the clock on the court house could he plainly
seen, it^ was .^ust 11:30 H. The "Benton" fired eighty-one shots and
done a.uou anage to tne asserhled military and civilians who were flocking' in
the streets of the city. j. yxvaijt, xu
n-x Tt "3nnton and wounded four men. On the '-J/ound
fVd. ''''' seriously wounded. Every hOat was hit at least three or four
res out no serious oer;age cone, lifter passing the city the entire force went
eo-=fa^bItf f ^^ "Warrsntown", where the rebels had '
. np^r Of fwelYe pounders. . These were q,uiakly silenced and after
p-ssing this town, they proceeded eevefai miles and anchored for the liight.
several dayfwa^^^ad^! ^ot3 went as as Hew Carthage, where a stop of '
Gulf wro the river on April 22nd Until Grand
,.^.1, yf^^-^-*-----^sgQ^^-enegy-..hadr^lran4ed~upo-ft-ir-h-3di^ The ''HeF^un^
nrpd tn^mtu^^^ at a^,out 2000 yards from the fort, hut few shots were
^t,+ +' hoats ^re now stationed .ahout forty miles from Yickshurg,
hut tne lire from the mortors could dasily he seen at night and the thunder of
their artillery distinctly heard. /
J
I
17
fully phased t'blockLfffyL'Sburr'art=' "anng euooess-
at Kew Carthage. loaded with Union Troops
began a un boats
hours, silencing every g,, in "the fo^t "C " lasted about three
xive second shells, the other bots in oorparlscr n'*'''" b'*" 200
tent was continued and was even core te-rl^r evening the boiubard-
trocps were landed ano encanped beswrihrtroor b^Hflonal
bardicent lasted about two hours when the f - landed. The bou-
I'he loss on the "iL; o fV Srsdually ceased.
pf Company -v- who was instt^ly L'lled!'"'"'-yrederlclc Perlvold.
nineteen men.'wer?hl1bv f sL\'l"'?, orew, consisting of
Of the crew vvere iren.bers%f CoSany '4./afd fou
Ueuter.ant Hr.erlng of Coapanv "cu Ls'alarser?, u,? J.he551h.
P-ece Of tb^ffne Off the right leg at the toL!" ^
holes, caused by large caliber Droiectilee'h^t^ f"elve large
in recoanoltering and picket duty." her. i^uoh tine was taken up
the 58th with tn're^^en were^ordered^^^^tb"* lieutenant Scheldt of
land and report at Youngs Point abm +^+ ? ooKBiander of the "liound City" to
mission was to take official reports as tftL"t^k^ I'heir \
tion of rebel prisoners. 0"!^ and <llsF03l-\,
During the hoy'^etilirwerrLnfour'to^fora^^^ """" ^'"'ned.
potatoes, l)erries, etc. iora^e. The;' canie back loaded with
Welter did,not return! th^'hLl^\eeritoI^^or'dS! /
"A" -ot to ,
:::::miSeo^ hefSet:!%s^- n
killed two oxen-and a oo^ iK "-bbher of Jeff Davis, where they \
TSis' 's" t"<"o.rs;"Cs.:r""' ' \
Of rioksburg. During tL^Svhrt'LfL'csite^- ^ direction /
batteries at Vioksbul^.. ^e wlkef,!! lb
oould be Plainly hea!d anfthe^oL S the bl>^ operations
Grant was how ahont 5 batteriss. KjaiLreoM^^
^ J
"Senton" and "Tesc^bla" Wan early^tr"Lfba^dVh^i'"''^ "Carondelet", ^
the boats not being a thousand yards from ^^01!^ofVi T^luhsburg, ,;
""I' bP^it, the eneaeeb.ent lastinfu^tn 11-30 S r" "'
31X and seven;, starboard qirio m:qv. 4.' il-oO AAi. Cannons number -
was fatally ,lnjuEsd...Jbat-abou:-t..fettrtenae^Srh^ ^
the most severe being iieutenant ocheidt who ro by bomb splinters, ' 1^
arm and side. The ienton" wK hrfabout h P^e head, right
on board. Admiral Porter" in his reSS tb anyone
Dick", named by the fleeV on account'of the pop, "Whistling
was la flight, and the accuracy of its oPew f"projectile ' '
oould shoot, was put out of action. " ' "" distance it
18)
return of CaptairOallf^ofOaotol^Tf turprlaed at the ^
v.. f wi v-<uj..pF-ny A am Captain Andere^r^ of Con-nflnfr "f" \
Bayou'^A:h^;^8 ^out \
'vsra also being reoelv8dd?lly^^"irbeTf"r^^ patrol and reoonnaiaanoe. tany prisoner
Vic^- a'bur^ a^'d that hnfh +Vi ^ reported about 58,000 rebel troops about
.i.i:si.):;,S*).;rL2)."a,r """" " i
:ss^)^r ;
.'nxsr H=H~ =
T, ^ocpany v oi the 58th had sixteen aen on board this boat >111 +
all were saved except Corporal Bedhorn, who was drowned. '
^PhMrflT-,, pay being received for January
February, l,:arch and Aoril. nrivntPH
fcr^tglfour months service
Pen-perton o-p the eon^'n f \ ^^ispatclTwtTIre^^
troopr 37 000 L f surrender to General Grant and that the
' QK would lay down their arms at 10:00 Mfi this date#
ousto:^rv ^ r^ds! tile
j? >uly salute and the boats began to "dress un" o-" in n+ha*.
Cs."w.ss'pS:r "" " " "
Vichsbure at di r-f the Kisslssiippi and bordering the City of
now thrtb'l tfoooro "Ss began s^ing their appearance Ld
entrenchtteats.: jeen stacking tnelr arcs and aarpblng out of their
B. j 1. "^"Berful transfoneat ion scene now presented itself on the boats.
dancing. Officers shaking hands? d
Mother salute was being ^ired froc all ships in honor of the "SurrendBr of
"Black Hawk", headquarters boat, had already landed ht the
I^he? o? t"" """ ^"d sailors and shortly after
th?^1ty. landing regiaonts of infantry who began patrolling
passes Practically all the crew on the gunboats received
w?r??ce?ved Of ? V- a^pedltion. Towards evening news
three day light at Gettyahurg, Pa. in which General Keade
turned back the entire rebel arny of General Bobert E. lee. This report e?bo'
caused moh reooicing and irany believed the War would soon be over!
1, On fcpnday, July ISth at gjOO PM CcEpany "A" lost one of its irevhpr,
prcfetsi?rMd"^h?rb^^^*'"^V ''' 52 years of age. a drug^st by
at th! !?? t ooK'r oearer in the SSth: for sore tike. He was buriL
Cava?;y :!?h MUUry Wobo!' - yplunteers
received orders that thoy. wg^.,
J-J *. STea^frpDi gun bout duty anfi were to report to Kaior Ez"ra aTftrVetnn
coraianding officer of the 5^jCMp^t^Tickebnrs.fo7t;^
(19)
This w.5.3 jo,Ycu3 news to the regin;ent for all were disgusted with
their six iionths of hard dut;" spent on tine hoats. The carp of the 56th was
situated in the northern part of the city, close to the river. Non-conjr.issioned
officers frcB all companies were sent hone to return with drafted nen to fill
) the depleted ranks of the 58th.
Lany of the officers were also allowed to go hone on furlough.
On Thursday, August 6th, Lieutenant, Joseph, ptst left. for. Cairo on
the ,heat "Lu2:ina,ry" v/ith the oody of his hrotpdr,, the, late Lieutenant Oolonol
Peter Dister of the 58th,, who v/as killed at Ghickasaw Bayou on Lecenher 9th,
1862. He accoKipanied, the body heme to Dayton,..Ohio, where burial service iwas
held. at^"Qmanuel Catholic Churchi* The funeral procession consisted of a Battalion
ayor and Cfty ,Council, ^*'2veral fratern,^MQ;rdr%iiT^^o.iU.'6wsd by
relatives and frisnds. -He 7/as buried at St. Henry. Cercetary v/ith" military honors.
4i.bcut-.twenty-thrae years: later ,the-vbody v/us takea. up,..and,,now.
Cejfatery;.nea^r-Dayton, Ohio.
Private Barthclarious Trenthardt, Company ''D", 58th Ohio, died
-ifptenibdr 4th, 1862, of typhus Fever. lie was born in Kantpn Bern^ GeiTuahy.
Lieutenant Joseph Dister and Lieutenant Louis Keller arrived in canp
on .aeptember 5th, after a thirty day furlough 7/hich was spent at Dayton, Ohio.
Private Alois Pucha, Company "A", 68th Ohio, died October 1st, 1862,
pi fever. He was sick about one week. He leaves a widow and three children, who
reside at Dayton, Ohio. He v/as buried in the Geinetery at Vicksburg, liiss.
Cn October 13th an election for Governor of Ohio 7/as held. The polls
opened at ten o*clock. Three judges and two clerks were sworn in. Soldiers not
twenty-one years of age or who were not born in this country and did not have
citizens papers^were not allowed to vote. 43 over half of the SSth present in
cai?p were born in Oermany and had taken out no papers, the vote >a3 rather light.
Sighty-three votes were cast, thirty-one for Yallandingham and fifty-two for
f Johh^^
j ^ ^ ^ On November 1, 1863, the 58th became part of the 1st Brigade, 1st
Division, 17th ilrm?/ Corps. The infantry regiments of the brigade consisted of
tne 72nd Illinois, 17th Wiscohsin and 1St Kansas^
On October ISth^ Lieutenant Colonel Jackson returned after spending
sixty days in Ohio on recruitine duty. 7ath him were Sergeant L. Krimm of Company
'A" and Sergeant Miller of Company "C".
On Hovember 13th, Lieutenant Colonel Jackson returned to Ohio on
recruiting duty# The expiration of the two year term of service for the 58th was '
f drawing near and an order of the War Department was issued allowing every m.an who -
would re-enllst^400#00 bounty and a leave of absence for thirty days, sam.e to
take effect on the day they arrived in Columbus, Ohio.
. Lieutenant Kette of Company "3" was designated as Eeoruiting Officer
. for the regiment. Che hundred and four of the veterans re-ehlisted and the or-
ganiaation nov/ became known as the 58th Ohio Fplunteer Veteran Battallion and
ccnhlsted: of: five'co^ ^;; , .
^ Tuesday, February 12th,- Battalion drill was held, the first tim:e
^ in fourteen months. : .V;:
Several days later Lieutenant Colonel Jackson returned from Ohio after
oi' sixty days, bringing thirty recruits and commissions for sixteen
offiber ^ n;.:-
. On Monday, February 22nd, \7ashir3gton*s Birthday, the customnry salute
01 34 guns was fired. At 9.00 AM, by order of the Post Gommandant General '
(20)
^ Vicksburg were paraded down Cherry Street to Washington
in close ord-r ^whl*trr to the Court Eouse, where all troops were luassed
) ' 4. " i. troops in front and colored troops in the rear- After
v/P3^'re^d^t!''r ^ ^egir.ental hand, Wa-;hingtons Farewell address
and General .BrainL? ^ Illinois. Short talks were n-.ade hy General AcArthur
Several days later the 58th received 220 new Soringfield Bifles to
replace the sar.s nuKher of Enfields that had oecpme unserviceable,
^'"4. veterans of the 22nd Ohio who had re-enlisted were
transierred to the 58th Ohio. aaouu wer-
-Pro-h 1100 20bh, Easter Eay, was celebrated with a special dinner,
ire.h band concert. 2ver,- tent plentiful^ supplied'^with easSr^gga
j Swilay, tay 22nd, the veterans of the 58th who had re-enlisted
received their thirty-day furlough. Before leaving, the regtoLt wis assertled
offers =T^ Colonel Jackson, after which the following
S Co^rHonor Sdal^'''''' the regiment and received the 17th
Henry Odarfald, CoEpany "E'V 58th Ghio, kedal of gold in-
scrihed Fort Donelspn, Shiloh, Chiokaaaw Bayou, Viokshurr.
1st lieutenMt TTilliam Hhode, Adjutant 58th Ohio Volunteer Infantr-,
medal of pld, icscrihed Fort Sonelson, Shiloh, Chiofcasaw Bayou, Ark
ansas Post, Viokshurg. oj-uu , ara
SergSMt Stuber Johann, Oocpany "A" 58th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, ffiedal
of silver, inscribed Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Chickasaw Bayou, VioksbUT-g.
Private David Crbanskj', Ootpany "B" 58th Volunteer Infantry, medal of
Silver, inscribed Fort Dbnelson, Shiloh, Arkansas Post, Chickasav; Bayou.
7^ Grand Gulf, Vicksburg. V
/ . Servant Frederick liusller, Corcpany "0" 58th Ohio, medal of Silver, in
scribed Fort Bonelson, Shiloh, Chickaaaw Bayou, Vicksburg.
Sergeant Philip Froebe, Company "B" SSth Ohio, medal of silver, in
scribed Fort Bonelson, Shiloh, Chickaaav/ Bayou, Vicksburg.
Private Frank Guckert, Company 'G^' 58th Ohio, medal of silver, in
scribed Fort Bcnelsbn, Shiloh, Chickasaw Bayou, Vicksburg,
Sergeant Benone 3. Blosson, Company "K" 58th Ohio, medal of silver, in
scribed Fort Bonelson, Chickasavf Baycu, Grand Gulf, Aricansas Post,
vicksburg
Ist Sergeant David Jenkins, Cottpany "K" 58th Ohio, medal of. silver, in-
sorxbed Fort Bonelson, Shiloh, Chiokasaw Bayou, Grand Gulf, Arkansas
post, Vicksburg.
Corporal James Brown, Company VK" 58th Ohio, silver medal, inscribed
Port Bonelson, Shiloh, Chickasaw Bayou, Vicksburg-
Private Phomas Bisbenett, Company "K'* 58th Ohio, medal of silver, in
scribed Fort BonslsOn, Shilohi Chickasaw Bayou, Arkahses Post, Grand
Gulf, Vicksburg.
The furloughed veteraas, cohsiatihg of im men arid five captains,
namely, Gapthiri Gallfy, i?hpd8, Huis, Friesnes and Roby, marched to the dock
, ^gra they ^boarided the A. Eorey^^*^ .arrivingvat Eow Albariy, Ind* ;on Saturday,"'
.iune 4Lth arid then rail finally arriving at Coluiiibus, Ohio, June ICth, where
they were royally received.
y^Mle the re-9riliste veterans were on furloughi-:the remaihdQf of
the regiment received orders on July 10th to accompariy the 72nd iUinpia and one
brigade cf colored troops on an expedition. They marched in the direction of
) ! un<i t^en turning to the left , in the difsctiori of Grand Gulf and Port
}
(21
Gibson, canie in cont='ct "itv, ^
jnich lasted iiiDcut two hcur-> cavalrv Aft
vounded. i,any or-^-cn^ enen^ retreated with i-- i a il^jht
In :!:v
Jnckaon of the 58th Ohio anl re'fr-'t'Tn "eutenant COcaei
^ Gapt,Gin Ivforriann n-f n in corir'.and of Cantti ^ colonel
of h^in-y ^ . ^locn 01 Conianr "i" h-j,^ x. ^^ptain ilndersffj? of
I'eine senouea;- ill. ^ the re<-lrenl L
^Pbe re-sm^ni- ^^c,j.nent on account
''^Lr'-r
fearing >/JssZf T the hoat""-^.^^ ""e sad
: end load their rln;1 ^h.,
i-rivate Louis Oreporrof r^' discharge of a rf?,! 7 ldn
Of Comrauy "C" I ?. ^^^t-Pany "H", Eortallv wr.m^f'. t" " h^dhs of
Ko &3 aurvlTsd about fro hours '.fterr^\^''^
On J r"- "t-a child, r-sidln^ , o feaching Vlokshur-.
Earohlng orfi^rv o' "'^h, at 5:00 il/;. "
"Oil satisfied rith tni * ^" btate^to^'o"
forlcClei?" "SteenH'^'
Bapuhlioan ca^Jdater"''" Ibs'vot'eT.corlhf^U 'T
iJurinfi- Chric?tTr>co ..,r^ i "coixi, the
whose term of service hflrt -k ? receiver that c,n i.
near Coluffibus Ohio J expired to prepare to r-ot ' ^"iisted men
^ With the rl ' nt ? ""ator out. 0^0^^^ ^'"''' P Chase,
, SSttwil
^ . , rsgirient would ideo ^ ^^aclvSon made a short adrirfao j.
and trusted they would"arrl account of their'te^^of""
part cf tha hoif,,. " bafelv and in +4r= + f' aervioe expiring
tegifent oelobrated witVthr"''.a-nd telat^ves^^^Thrha?
SPtten ehrlstEaa eve by all tL ""^'^aes, it beinfa ne^^V^' '
On Pecettber%?h 58th. fcr- On Pecsfber mh nif
.^Spa:~:^ --d^d^?L^:S
and prov^dMy/'"''"^' left behind, the 5e?repent\?trt1nalfgeneral
On L:arch Pth -4. general routine
"S2
Cn i'riday. Aorii latj, -u*
. account of the sufrendL or r celebration was beld in Vi,.v v
. Grant. All hous= frf General Lee and Mg .rrv + ! ^ffckaburg, on
laternb. Thiri ''ta decorated wS fL heral
^oyed at the prospect ofby the Patriotic inhabilant^^^h^ "iapanese
., ,Knibn. laie r^elo ^ f ^he was.nnd *?oaou^l''!^
"ere crowded with both = if '^'^cabed by stern rprn= ^ Wotory of the
; ,-de at the CO r1 ^ -Xu^^d^td s^^ct^tre
"Oalro, orrrinriL^rf"^'^' "^h/ the steax.er "Sulton^"
7- -s-,s.,"s-=i."-.s:
(22:
^ Monday evening, Captain Prieaner, the nev coDJiiander of the 58th
Ohio Yeterrjn Battalion, left rith twenty-one veterans of the regir.ent on the
j hoat "Sultana" to guard 196C paroled Union Soldiers who were to he sent to Carfp
Chase, near Colunhus, Chio, for final muster out. On Saturday, April 29th, re
ports were received that the "boilers of the "Sultana" exploded when ahout ten
miles from Memphis and that only ahout 500 cf the entire 2067 on hoard arrived
safely. Lost of the po.rcled prisoners were from Chio, Indiana and Tennesee,
and had been confined at Andersonville and Cahawha since the battles of Shiloh,
Chickamauga and Gettysburg. Capta,in Priesner and five men were saved, sixteen
men were lost. Following are the names of the men of the 58th who lost their
lives on the "Sultana".
Company
It 11
Private David Keustadt
CoL.pany "C"
Private Hiram Campbell
Company "D"
Private John C. Bauer
Private Peter Breson
Gonpany
Private Philip Baads
Private Frederick Young
Company "g" .
Private John Hawken
Prlyate John Lowery
Conipan^^ "H"
Private Bcbert Bramum
Private John Ell lick
Private Christopher Kincer
Private Samuel Wilson
Company "I"
Private V/illiam Wells
Gompan2>' "K"
Private Jacob Eesitler
Private Jom.es Stuller
" r V\ Private George Kerns Z : ; -
On Sunday, E!ay 15th, the entire 58th regiment, under conytiand of
. , Captain Louis Keller, iaafched to the depot and boarded trains to take them to
the Big Black Hiver Station. The 7th Ohio Battery> eq\iipped as infantry accom-
^ the, feglm-ent* .'
After arriving at their destinaticn, they marched to Jackson, Mss.
. and encamped about thrqa squaires from the state house.
About this time. Captain Friesner, who ?;as saved from the illr-fated
. ; "Sultana", reported "back to the regiment, with the raidc of Lieutenant Colonel.
On Thufada2s June 15th, the regiment left Jackson by train and about
, four hours later detrained at Canton, Kiss. Vfliere the regiment marched with
band playing, to the court house and encamped in the court house parki
On Wednesday, June Slat, camp was broken and the regim.eht marched to
the depot and entrained, gpihg to Grenada, about 85 Biiles from CantQhii
On Thursday, June 3Cth, the regiment held a dress parade in the town
of Grenada before the headquarters of General K^ltby.
On Friday, Jiily i4th, camp was broken and re-established about two
miles from town. This was a very good camp location and far more healthy thaii
the canp just: vacated.
)
)
. }
)
;
(23)
coD^and olthf^a^'o-"GLId^ Jfriesner took over the
vfte ioet 0. Greoeoa. She reglasnt was aseisned the followioe poete.
OoEpany A, conianded by Captain Morrison
Conpany B' , eoEtanded by Captain Keller
Company C", cocicnnded by Captain Froebe
on",' V Captain Gellhausen
Cocpany S , oocianded by Captain Dister
to llta
to Seuatobia
to Holly Springs
tc Czford
to Black Hiver Station
camp at GremdfLfweat'^^r^toM 'h f CPtain Keller, left its
panLs goipd to Sair"ew :ta1^L!'' rail, followed by the different com- ^
and after f short'atay^Irrlverii^Wo^^h regiment assembled at Jackson
part of the city# ^ estebiished carop in the southern
hich tcok'pX'ia::M:yrs:pL&::/i86f
leave the same day for hone J 1' ^ Pr'ePhrations were made to
an Old veteran 0? thr58tr'hif f ^he boats the body of John Bevers.
honors. Finally the "^ath 4. r!" was buried with military
up the riv^rpLsinglJe cHr^d'hl if Tr
he seen on deck, taking a last tiew of scenes in wMch the 58th'hartS
a prominent part, and which now historic-
Taking the''lKircLmi1lS'arr?vfd'arS^ i? day.
following day they a-rived in CoiM^^n!" n- on Tuesday and the
off and received their dlecMrgf^rtihcaJes? ' "'?
were going by every train -^bo^vt > 7 I* sfiiR evening fonner itenibera
the deeds of the ghlant bSth |lo jHofbut'mi!S."'=""V'
honorable ^ battles in which this regiment bore an
April 6th and 7th, 186S
to Jiay 20th, 1868
During April, Riay and June, 1862
August 19th, 1862
August 22nd, 1862
August 23rd, 1862
August 26th, 1862
Dec. 27th, 28th and 29th, 1852
January 11th, 1863
Karch aist, 1863
fort Bcnelspn, Tenn-'
-Siege of Gorihth
.'Jurdy .
jdillkenB iendi La. .
Baines Bluff,
Oreecville, lass.-
Boliver Landing, lllss.
Chickasaw Bayou, Kiss.
Arkansas Post, Ark.
Deer Creek, Kiss. .
On gunboats ruirming blockade past
?ick3burg, Kiss.
Grand Gulf, Kiss.. .
Black fiiver, Kiss.
Lake Providence, La.
Fort Morgan, Ala. .
April 16th, 1863
April 29th,. 1863
A'ay 17th to 22nd, 1863
June IGth, 1863 .
August 5th to 23rdi 1864.
returned "ut df the r-slment. tho few surviving members
anrSrLd tw !' ^hem the tattered and blood stained oo^Ls
5 SirS
^ )
!
(24)
to coiLaeitiOrate the achievettenta^of^Ohl^ dedicated thirty-four nionwneats
n *v ^c^ieveffienta of Ohio orgajfjizationa at Shiloh Tenn
58th Ohio. fiell stands the tton^ent of the
-rLIrSrSKH"^ rsr.s'.ss.'..
s"sj.r..X!r2 ;s Ijfjs srH"
Boleisnly dedicated. f derate Army, these fiionumenta were
^ rotunda of, Hall at Dayton, Ohio a beaatifnr
tal)let was erected by Dister Post Yl> r
Colonel Peter Dister, in whose lionor the G p lieutenant
unveiled by two little Viria a'+ '^ed. 5?he tablet waa
on Septen^r 25th! 19iif daughter ofCoionel Dister,
cos,redes of the 58th ME loL'eU '^f the survlvlns'
soidlers at the side of Coionev;^ ! t L5^' "as one of the two
Johnson. Of Corspan^ "li."^arinstinUv kiUef 'fh f ^"ifam
other ootrades of the old 58th iara nrnont +* Ptin louia Keller and several
ises^ory Of their departed con^p^ last tribute to the
In thp blank silence of the narrow toab
Ola; may rest, which rapt their hniran birth
V^t alljunconquered by that silent doom.
of their deeds still walks the earth."