April 16-28, 1862 – Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana
Forts Jackson and St. Philip
Other Names: None
Location: Plaquemines Parish
Campaign: Expedition to and Capture of New Orleans (1862)
Date(s): April 16-28, 1862
Principal Commanders: Flag-Officer David G. Farragut [US]; Brig. Gen. Johnson K. Duncan and Cdr. John K. Mitchell [CS]
Forces Engaged: West Gulf Blockading Squadron [US]; Garrisons of Forts Jackson and St. Philip and the crews of various ships [CS]
Estimated Casualties: 1,011 total (US 229; CS 782)
Description: Early Union plans had called for the division of the Confederacy by seizing control of the Mississippi River. One of the first steps in such operations was to enter the mouth of the Mississippi River, ascend to New Orleans and capture the city, closing off the entrance to Rebel ships. In mid-January 1862, Flag-Officer David G. Farragut undertook this enterprise with his West Gulf Blockading Squadron. The way was soon open except for the two forts, Jackson and St. Philip, above the Head of the Passes, app...
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August 5, 1862 – East Baton Rouge Parish
Baton Rouge
Other Names: Magnolia Cemetery
Location: East Baton Rouge Parish
Campaign: Operations against Baton Rouge (1862)
Date(s): August 5, 1862
Principal Commanders: Brig. Gen. Thomas Williams [US]; Maj. Gen. John C. Breckinridge [CS]
Forces Engaged: 2nd Brigade, Department of the Gulf [US]; Breckinridge’s Corps [CS]
Estimated Casualties: 849 total (US 371; CS 478)
Description: In an attempt to regain control of the state, Confederates wished to recapture the capital at Baton Rouge. Maj. Gen. John C. Breckinridge planned a combined land/water expedition with his corps and CSS Ram Arkansas. Advancing west from Camp Moore, the Confederate land forces, coming from the east, were only ten miles away on August 4. They reached the outskirts of the capital early in the morning, formed for an attack in two divisions, and began to drive back each Union unit they encountered. Then, Union gunboats in the river began shelling the Confederates. The Arkansas could have neutrali...
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1862
Found this letter on the Adams County, Wisc. usgenweb site.
Frank was a member of Co D with Guy Pierce, so thought this might be of interest.
Printed in the Friendship Reporter, Friendship, Wisconsin, Thursday, July 10, 1919
SURNAMES: FERRIS, HILL, REID, WHITE, WILLIAMS
A Letter From The Long Ago
Mrs. S. W. Ferris of White Creek, sends us the following letter which was
written by Frank Ferris to his family at White Creek, during the dark days of
the Civil War. The writer was killed soon after leaving the hospital and
returning to duty. Augustus Hill mentioned in the letter, was a brother of J.
B. Hill of this place, and the Reid family, were wartime residents of White
Creek, the Ennis Reid Post of that place, being named after one of its
members. Than White was also an early settler of this vicinity. The letter
follows:
St. James Hospital,
New Orleans, Aug. 7, 1862
Dear Paren...
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May 1, 1863
Port Gibson
Other Names: Thompson’s Hill
Location: Claiborne County
Campaign: Grant’s Operations against Vicksburg (1863)
Date(s): May 1, 1863
Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant [US]; Brig. Gen. John S. Bowen [CS]
Forces Engaged: Army of the Tennessee (comprising two corps) [US]; Confederate forces in area (one reinforced division: four brigades) [CS]
Estimated Casualties: 1,648 total (US 861; CS 787)
Description: Maj. Gen. U.S. Grant launched his march on Vicksburg in the Spring of 1863, starting his army south, from Milliken’s Bend, on the west side of the Mississippi River. He intended to cross the river at Grand Gulf, but the Union fleet was unable to silence the Confederate big guns there. Grant then marched farther south and crossed at Bruinsburg on April 30. Union forces came ashore, secured the landing area and, by late afternoon, began marching inland. Advancing on the Rodney Road towards Port Gibson, Grant’s force ran into Rebel outposts after ...
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May 18-July 4, 1863
Vicksburg
Other Names: None
Location: Warren County
Campaign: Grant’s Operations against Vicksburg (1863)
Date(s): May 18-July 4, 1863
Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant [US]; Lt. Gen. John C. Pemberton [CS]
Forces Engaged: Army of the Tennessee [US]; Army of Vicksburg [CS]
Estimated Casualties: 19,233 total (US 10,142; CS 9,091)
Description: In May and June of 1863, Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant’s armies converged on Vicksburg, investing the city and entrapping a Confederate army under Lt. Gen. John Pemberton. On July 4, Vicksburg surrendered after prolonged siege operations. This was the culmination of one of the most brilliant military campaigns of the war. With the loss of Pemberton’s army and this vital stronghold on the Mississippi, the Confederacy was effectively split in half. Grant's successes in the West boosted his reputation, leading ultimately to his appointment as General-in-Chief of the Union armies.
Result(s): Union victory
CWSAC Reference #: MS011
Preservation Priority: I.2 (Class A)
National Park Unit: Vicksburg NMP
May 21-July 9, 1863
Port Hudson
Other Names: None
Location: East Baton Rouge Parish and East Feliciana Parish
Campaign: Siege of Port Hudson (1863)
Date(s): May 21-July 9, 1863
Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks [US]; Maj. Gen. Franklin Gardner [CS]
Forces Engaged: XIX Army Corps, Army of the Gulf [US]; Confederate forces, 3rd District, Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana, Port Hudson [CS]
Estimated Casualties: 12,208 total (US 5,000; CS 7,208)
Description: In cooperation with Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant’s offensive against Vicksburg, Union Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks’s army moved against the Confederate stronghold at Port Hudson on the Mississippi River. On May 27, after their frontal assaults were repulsed, the Federals settled into a siege which lasted for 48 days. Banks renewed his assaults on June 14 but the defenders successfully repelled them. On July 9, 1863, after hearing of the fall of Vicksburg, the Confederate garrison of Port Hudson surrendered, opening the Mississippi River to Union navigation from its source to New Orleans.
Result(s): Union victory
CWSAC Reference #: LA010
Preservation Priority: I.1 (Class A)
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30 April 1864 – Milwaukee Sentinel
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April 30, 1864 – Milwaukee, WI
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Date: Saturday, April 30, 1864 Paper: Milwaukee Sentinel (Milwaukee, WI) Volume: XXI Issue: 103
August 2-23, 1864
Mobile Bay
Other Names: Passing of Forts Morgan and Gaines
Location: Mobile County and Baldwin County
Campaign: Operations in Mobile Bay (1864)
Date(s): August 2-23, 1864
Principal Commanders: Adm. David G. Farragut and Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger [US]; Adm. Franklin Buchanan and Brig. Gen. Richard L. Page [CS]
Forces Engaged: Farragut’s Fleet (14 wooden ships and 4 monitors) and U.S. army forces near Mobile [US]; Buchanan’s Flotilla (3 gunboats and an ironclad), Fort Morgan Garrison, Fort Gaines Garrison, and Fort Powell Garrison [CS]
Estimated Casualties: 1,822 (US 322; CS 1,500)
Description: A combined Union force initiated operations to close Mobile Bay to blockade running. Some Union forces landed on Dauphin Island and laid siege to Fort Gaines. On August 5, Farragut’s Union fleet of eighteen ships entered Mobile Bay and received a devastating fire from Forts Gaines and Morgan and other points. After passing the forts, Farragut forced the Confederate naval forces, u...
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September 23, 1864 – Milwaukee
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Date: Friday, September 23, 1864 Paper: Milwaukee Sentinel (Milwaukee, WI) Volume: XXI Issue: 253 Page: 1
23 Sep 1864 – Milwaukee Sentinel
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October 25, 1864 – Baton Rouge, Louisiana
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by A D Lytle http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Content.aspx?dsNav=N:4294963828-4294955414&dsRecordDetails=R:IM33529
1864
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Blissfield
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Guy lived here as a child
1880 – http://www.wiroots.org/wimarquette/cvlcolumbia.html
Major Guy C. Pierce, member of the Standing Committee of the Soldiers' Reunion, printed
a roster of the Columbia Rifles in the Adams County Press in 1880. He noted this was
not a complete list and appealed to old comrades for additional names.
The Columbia Rifles, Company D, 4th Wisconsin Cavalry
Soldier Occupation Residence BAILEY Little George machinist Chicago Illinois BOYNTON Lieutenant A. hardware Maple Grove Dakota BUCKLEY Louis farmer Big Spring Wisconsin CARFUN--E Dick farmer Lemonweir Wisconsin COTTINGTON Sergeant J. P. -- Sandy Creek Wisconsin DAVIS Jeff. farmer Delton Wisconsin DAWES George logging foreman Necedah Wisconsin FARNHAM Charles F. travelling for Smith Hewett Co. Milwaukee Wisconsin FAY Sergeant Henry Fay farmer Elk Creek Wisconsin FOGEL George W. -- Wonewcoc Wisconsin GEORGE T. J. sheriff Dunn County Wisconsin HANCOCK Garrett farmer Brodhead Wisconsin HARRISON J. M. M.D. Friendship Wisconsin HATCH Sergeant L. E. livery stables Rolling Prairie Minnesota HE...
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1 Jan 1883
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2 June 1888
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Claim for horse lost during the War
16 Aug 1889
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8 Nov 1889 – Wisconsin State Journal
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9 Dec 1889 – The Oregonian
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12 April 1895 – New York Herald Tribune
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7 May 1912
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Guy was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his service at Mobile Bay. He was among those whose Medals were later taken back.....
9 Dec 1913
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10 Jun 1914
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ongoing pension claim
1 Feb 1916
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8 Feb 1916
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August 16, 1889 – Madison, WI
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Date: Friday, August 16, 1889 Paper: Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, WI) Volume: 51 Issue: 1 Page: 8
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The infantry National Standard with the "Baton Rouge" honors is most impressive and will be used as the dust jacket for the regimental history. Even though the regiment was authorized to add "Bisland" and "Port Hudson" battle honors to their flag (this is mentioned in the ORs), it was never done.
November 8, 1889 – Madison
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Date: Friday, November 8, 1889 Paper: Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, WI) Volume: 51 Issue: 13 Page: 8
December 9, 1889 – Portland, OR
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Date: Monday, December 9, 1889 Paper: Oregonian (Portland, OR) Page: 4
April 12, 1895 – New York, NY
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Date: Friday, April 12, 1895 Paper: New York Herald-Tribune (New York, NY) Page: 12
1900
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The Fourth Wisconsin Cavalry was organized as the 4th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment at Camp Utley, Racine, WI, and mustered into the service of the United States on the July 2nd, 1861. It left the state on the 15th of July, proceeding to Baltimore, MD, and into camp at the Relay House, MD, August 5, 1861, remaining on duty there until early in November when the regiment was transferred to Baltimore. It remained there until the latter part of February, 1862, when it proceeded to Newport News, VA, from which point the Fourth embarked on the 6th of March to join the "Army of the Gulf." It arrived at Ship Island below New Orleans March 12, 1862, and landed in New Orleans on May 1st. It was at once assigned to active service and took part with an expedition up the Mississippi River against Vicksburg in May, and another in June, and with this force occupied Baton Rouge, LA, a little later in the year. The forces there were employed in successful expeditions during that winter, and in May were ...
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1861
Guard Railroad near Baltimore, Md., until November, 1861.
Expedition to eastern shore of Maryland November 14-22.
1862
Duty at Baltimore until February, 1862.
Moved to Fortress Monroe, Va., February 19, thence sailed on Steamer "Constitution" for Ship Island, Miss.,
March 5, arriving there March 13, and duty there until April 16.
Operations against Forts St. Phillip and Jackson April 16-29.
Surrender of Fort St. Phillip April 29.
Occupation of New Orleans May 2.
Expedition to New Orleans and Jackson Railroad May 8-10.
Occupation of Baton Rouge May 12.
Reconnaissance to Warrenton May 14-29.
At Baton Rouge until June 17.
Expedition from Baton Rouge June 7-9 (2 Cos.).
Williams' Expedition to Vicksburg, Miss., and operations in that vicinity June 20-July 26.
Grand Gulf June 23-24.
Battle of Baton Rouge, La., August 5.
Evacuation of Baton Rouge August 20.
Bayou Des Allemands September 4-5.
Expedition from Carrollton to St. Charles' Court House September 7-8.
At C...
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Guy Carpenter Pierce was born near Potsdam, St. Lawrence County, New York, February 13, 1840...His father, Morris Pierce, in Whiting, Addison County, Vt. in 1806...and his Mother, Mary Ann Carpenter, near Potsdam, New York, in 1811...Their ancestors being Scotch and English. They moved to Lenawee County, Michigan, in 1844 and to Branch County, Michigan in 1853.
The writer was travelling in Wisconsin when the Rebels fired on Fort Sumter, and enlisted in Captain Joseph Bailey's Company of 'Columbia County Rifles' for the three months' service, April 30th, 1861, but did not get out with the three month troops. They were among the first to reorganize for three years or during the war. Pierce being the first Private who stepped to the front with a red hot patriotic speech urging every comrade to enlist for the war, which they did. Pierce was then detailed to go to Necedah with Lt. Edwin E Herron and recruit the Company up from 77 men to 101, for which services he was promoted to 2nd Sgt. ...
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Union Army Units at Port Hudson - May 27, 1863
Commander: Major General Nathaniel P. Banks
Right Flank: Brigadier General Godfrey Weitzel
DWIGHT'S DIVISION - Brigadier General William Dwight
PAINE'S DIVISION - Brigadier General Halbert E. Paine
VAN ZANDT'S BRIGADE - Colonel Jacob Van Zandt FEARING'S BRIGADE - Colonel Hawkes Fearing, Jr.
1st Louisiana 8th New Hampshire
91st New York 133rd New York
131st New York 173rd New York
4th Wisconsin (nine companies)
THOMAS' BRIGADE - Colonel Stephan Thomas
12th Connecticut GOODING'S BRIGADE - Colonel Oliver P. Gooding
75th New York 31st Massachusetts (seven companies)
160th New York 38th Massachusetts
8th Vermont 53rd Massachusetts (eight companies)
156th New York
NELSON'S BRIGADE - Colonel John A. Nelson
1st Louisiana Native Guards (at least six companies) DETACHMENT ON WEST BANK
3rd Louisiana Native Guards 11th New York
6th Massachusetts Battery (two guns) 162nd New York
1st Louisiana Cavalry (detachment) 6th Massachusetts ...
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Note how they formed a rope into the letter 'D' for their company. Photo courtesy of JT Elderkin, descendant of George Oakes
Spring Grove Cemetery, Wisconsin Dells
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Wisconsin Dells
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"Belle Boyd Confederate Spy Born in Virginia, died in Wisconsin. Erected by a Comrade." The caretaker at the cemetery, Bob Hall, said that the local story went that Guy Pierce gave the land for her grave, which matches our family story, too. The pink granite headstone was arranged for by Alice Pierce. Later, there were attempts to remove Belle's remains, so the cemetery cemented in the grave. Soil from the South was added. She is given a Confederate flag, as well as a GAR star. Her grave is right next to the Pierces. (And that's me in the pink sweater!)
June 18, 1903 – Omaha, NE
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Date: Thursday, June 18, 1903 Paper: Omaha World Herald (Omaha, NE) Page: 1
1927
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Plat book of Columbia County, Wisconsin : compiled from surveys and the public records of Columbia County, Wisconsin (1927) Original Plat Map of Kilbourn, Wisconsin. Yes, it's too hard to read, but if you want a full view, go here: http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/WI/WI-idx?type=arti cle&did=WI.PLATBOOKCOL27.I0028&isize=M
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Michael J. Martin's A History of the 4th Wisconsin Infantry and Cavalry in the Civil War is a deeply researched and vividly written study of an unheralded Federal combat regiment. Few of the thousands of regiments raised to fight the American Civil War experienced the remarkably diverse history of this little-known organization. The Wisconsin "Badgers" began the war as foot soldiers in the summer of 1861 as the 4th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. After service in Maryland guarding railroads, the men sailed to the Gulf of Mexico to join Maj. Gen. Benjamin Butler's expedition to capture the South's most important city: New Orleans. From August 1862 to July 1863, the 4th Wisconsin participated as infantry or mounted infantry in a series of bloody battles in Louisiana, including Baton Rouge, Bisland, the siege of Port Hudson, and Clinton. With a desperate need for mounted troops, the Badgers were officially changed to cavalry in September 1863 and became the 4th Wisconsin Cavalry. As troo...
Wisconsin Dells
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1911 – Ripon, wisconsin Reunion
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Guy is wearing the Congressional Medal of Honor awarded for action at Mobile Bay. Several hundred of these were later revoked; Guy petitioned Congress to have it restored.
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Michael J Goc has done his research, and writes a fascinating story about Joseph Bailey. Guy C Pierce, close friend and Aide de Camp and sometime Chief of Staff for Bailey is mentioned throughout. A must read!
http://www.crt.state.la.us/hp/nationalregister/nhl/document2.asp?name=17072001.pdf&title=Highland+Stockade
Narrative Description
Summary
The Highland Stockade (16EBR89) is a Civil War-era Union fortification and camp site located in
southern Baton Rouge on the south side of Highland Road approximately l/4 mile west of its juncture with
Starring Lane (Figure 1). It is the only Civil War-era Union fortification in the Baton Rouge area with
documented in situ archaeological deposits and extant earthworks. The site area covers c. 6.65 acres
and consists of eight separate earthworks and an adjacent camp site. The earthworks are, in general, in
good condition, with the largest one extending over 97 meters in length. Archaeological investigations of
the site in 1997 and 1999 recovered in situ Civil War-era bullets around the earthworks and Civil War-era
bullets and a brick feature in the camp site area. In addition, a local avocational metal detector has
reported finding many Civil War-era bullets, buttons...
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