Company G, 1st USSS
Wisconsin Sharpshooters
also called "Berdan's Sharpshooters"
- Organized on Sep 23 1861 at Camp Randall, Madison, WI
- Enlistment term: 3 years
- Mustered out on Sep 22 1864
Historical notes and Reports:
Source: The Union Army, vol. 4, p. 72
Company G. First U. S. Sharpshooters, Wisconsin 3 years
Company G. First U. S. Sharpshooters. - Capt., Frank E. Marble; First Lieuts., Charles F. Shepard, Charles A.
Stephens; Second Lieuts. Charles A. Stevens, Ezzan H. Benson, Perrin C. Judkins.
Col. Berdan of New York, having been authorized by the government to recruit a company of sharpshooters
from each loyal state, Co. G was raised in Wisconsin in Sept. 1861. No applicant was accepted unless he could put
ten consecutive shots within 5 inches from the center of the bull's eye at 200 yards, when firing at rest.
The company was organized at Camp: Randall, left the state Sept. 19, went into camp at Weehawken, N.
Y., and was mustered in on the 23rd. The 1st regiment U. S. sharpshooters was organized with ten companies and
on March 21, 1862, was assigned to Gen. Fitz John Porter's division in the Army of the Potomac at Fortress Monroe.
It was under fire at Big Bethel, Va., for the first time, and was next in a skirmish at Cockletown in
April, while en route to Yorktown. It was in the rifle-pits before Yorktown until its evacuation, 5 picked men
of Co. G being the first to enter the works. It was engaged in the action at Hanover Court House in May, and assisted
in the repulse of the enemy.
Co. G was one of two companies sent to Gen. Slocum's division. It was engaged as skirmishers at Mechanicsville;
took part at Gaines' Mill; suffered severely at Charles City cross-roads from a flank fire caused by the retreat
of a regiment in front, but it held its position. It was in action at the battle of Malvern Hill, and lost heavily
during the spring and summer, in killed wounded and sick. It was engaged in the skirmish near Manassas, was in
the second battle at Bull Run, was present at Antietam but not in action, was engaged in skirmishing and as guard
at crossings in the march of the corps to Blackford's ford, on the Potomac.
It was at Sharpsburg, Md., until Oct. 30, when it joined the army at Warrenton, was ordered to Falmouth
in November and went into camp, remaining there until Dec. 11. It
participated in the battle of Fredericksburg and was selected to cover the retreat of all the forces across
the Rappahannock. It was in winter quarters at Falmouth until Apr. 28, 1863 when the forward movement was begun
with the 3rd army corps, to which the 3rd brigade, consisting of the 1st and 2nd sharpshooters, was attached.
Co. G was put forward as skirmishers in the battle of Chancellorsville and engaged in a hot fight with
a body of the enemy, capturing 60 in one squad, and assisting in the capture of the 25th Ga. in a railroad cut.
The company covered the movement of the troops in recrossing the river, maintaining one position for 17 hours without
being relieved, even to obtain water.
On June 11 the sharpshooters were assigned to the 2nd brigade, 1st division, 3rd corps, with which they
were engaged at Gettysburg, Co. G being posted on the picket line, where it checked an advance of the enemy on
July 2. It also aided in repulsing a desperate charge and in the capture of a brigade on the 3d.
As skirmishers it took part in the battle of Wapping Heights, and also took part in the action at Auburn,
where it charged across an open space and dislodged a party of dismounted cavalry, forming a strong skirmish line.
At Kelly's ford, the regiment formed a line of skirmishers, drove the enemy across the ever, prevented his reinforcements
from coming up, and captured the rifle-pits, together with 500 prisoners, Cos. G and B covering the advance.
Co. G formed the extreme advance in the demonstration against the enemy's works at Mine Run, and then
was in camp until Jan. 11, 1864. It was transferred to the 2nd brigade, 3rd division, 2nd corps and was in camp
near Brandy Station until May 3.
In the battle of the Wilderness it was on the skirmish line and held an exposed position during the entire
engagement. It was in the battle of Po River and at Spottsylvania participated in the charge of the 2nd corps,
which resulted in the capture of 4,000 prisoners, 20 cannon and the first line of works.
The regiment was engaged at the North Anna, where Co. G supported a battery the first day and covered
the passage of the river by the troops, a detail of 40 men capturing and holding several buildings close to the
enemy's line.
At Totopotomy creek, it was in continuous action and at Cold Harbor was sent with others to the front
to protect the troops engaged in constructing earthworks. It took position before Petersburg on June 15 and was
in the first assaults on the works.
It was in the battle on the Jerusalem plank road, was also engaged at Deep Bottom, and remained before
Petersburg on picket duty the remainder of the summer.
Co. G was mustered out Sept. 22, 1864, the reenlisted veterans and recruits being transferred to other
companies. Its original strength was 105. Gain by recruits, 80; veterans, reenlisted, 9; total, 194. Loss by death,
34: missing 8; desertion, 4; transfer, 43; discharge, 58; mustered out, 47.
|
