Frank A. Pettis: Reedsburg's Drummer Boy

Frank Allen Pettis Reedsburg’s Civil War Drummer Boy

Frank Allen Pettis About age 12 This is the story of an eleven year old Reedsburg boy, who in 1862, enlisted in the Union Army as a drummer. Along with his father, Amos, and his teacher, A.P. Ellenwood, they volunteered to help fight the rebels during the American Civil War. Many thought the war would be over in a few months…..It wasn’t.

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Civil War Terminology Battery…..Artillery batteries often consisted of six field pieces for the Union Army and four for the Confederate States Army, although this varied. Batteries were divided into sections of two guns apiece, each section normally under the command of a lieutenant.

Breastworks…..A temporary fortification, often an earthwork thrown up to breast height to provide protection to defenders firing over it from a standing position.

Brigade…..Consisted of anywhere from two to seven regiments for a fighting strength that could range from a few hundred to 2,000-4,000 soldiers.

Canister Shot…..A thin-walled metal cylinder packed with musket balls, or large lead or iron balls, and sawdust.

Cannonading …..Many cannons shooting at the same time.

Contrabands…..In August 1861, the Union Army and the US Congress determined that the US would no longer return people who escaped slavery who went to Union lines, but they would be classified as "contraband of war," or captured enemy property. They used many as laborers to support Union efforts and soon began to pay wages.

Cars…..Railroad cars.

Earthwork…..Fortifications constructed from dirt. Dirt is a very inexpensive resource, and when used in massive amounts it is the basis for a very strong and intimidating structure.

Grape Shot…..Cannon charge consisting of small round balls, usually of lead or iron, and used primarily as an antipersonnel weapon.

Mustered…..In military organizations, the term muster is the process or event of accounting for members in a military unit. This practice of inspections led to the coining of the English idiom pass muster, meaning being sufficient. When a unit is created, it is "mustered in" and when it is disbanded, it is "mustered out".

Picket…..A "picket," or sentinel, served as the eyes and ears of the army. Posted as close to the enemy as possible, the picket was responsible for noting any movements of the enemy and alerting the main line or camp of an enemy attack. An additional duty of the picket was to prevent desertion from his own ranks.

Rifle Pits…..A short trench or excavation with a parapet of earth in front to shelter one or more riflemen.

Regiment…..The basic maneuver unit, usually consisting of 1,000 men when first organized. The attrition of disease, combat, and desertion would rapidly reduce this number.

Secesh…..A secessionist, a supporter of the Confederacy during the United States Civil War. Skirmisher…..To screen the advance of a parent force and to disrupt the enemy's own reconnaissance efforts.

Veterans…..Soldiers who have served the length of their enlistment term and have reenlisted for another term.

Works…..Same as an Earthwork. See above.

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Frank Pettis* was born in Cranesville, Erie Co., Pa. January 22, 1850.

When he was about three years old, he moved to Reedsburg, Sauk County, Wisconsin, with his parents, Amos Pettis, and Cordila, nee Cole. At the time Reedsburg was just a small village located along the Baraboo River.

Upon entering school, Frank was taught by Alexander P. Ellenwood, also an early settler in the village.

Ellenwood came to Reedsburg in 1858, and taught school there for one year. In 1859, he became principal of the Reedsburg Union School until 1861. It was noted that Ellenwood, “Being of a patriotic disposition, loving his country and his flag, he felt it to be his duty to give his services and life if need be, for them.” He enlisted in the 19th Regiment, Company A, Wisconsin Infantry as a lieutenant at the beginning of the Civil War, and rose to the rank of Captain. When he left for the war, several of his students went with him.

Alexander P. Ellenwood Amos Pettis (or Pettyes) was born May 4, 1816, in New York state, to Israel Pettyes and his wife. Amos was married twice: first to Cordelia A. Cole (1821-1862) and then in 1865, to Margaret A. Devy Pomeroy Miller (1827-1905). Amos and Cordelia were the parents of Louisa Pettyes (1843-?), Electa P. (Pettyes) Worden (1844-1930), Frank A. Pettis (1850-1918), and Fred E. Pettyes.

When Amos married Margaret in 1865, the widow of Dr. Ekanah Phelps Miller who died in Iowa, she brought to the family her three children, Elizabeth Miller (1857-?), James Miller (1859-?), and Fred Miller (1866-?).

Their marriage took place in Columbia Co., WI.

When the Civil War broke out, Amos joined the 19th Regiment, Company A, Wisconsin Infantry on January 6, 1862, as a fifer.

Each company had its own fifer and drummer. It was their duty to signal the troops what to do and when to do it: to march, halt, charge, retreat, fire, etc. They also regulated the camp duty, with a call to dinner, to rise in the morning and call reveille in the evening.

They also played during parades, funerals, and for the entertainment of the troops.

Amos Pettis

Frank Pettis was present for every battle his unit was engaged in, from Suffolk, VA, and New Bern, NC, to the sieges of Richmond and Petersburg. Amos returned safely from the war in 1865, and became a tailor in Reedsburg.

Amos died July 4, 1880, and is

buried in Douglas Cemetery, Marquette County, Wisconsin.

*The family name was spelled several different ways: Pettyes, Pettys, and Pettis. These spellings are used interchangeably, usually depending upon how it was recorded in the historic records.

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The Call to Arms The Civil War, The War of the Rebellion, or the War Between the States, began in 1861, and was ostensibly, a fight to free the slaves of southern plantation owners. It divided the union, as well as families, and caused the death of more than 620,000 Americans.

The Call to Arms was raised by Abraham Lincoln, and northern states responded with the enlistment of young men, and old.

Men on horseback rode through Reedsburg shouting, “The War has begun. Troops have attacked Ft. Sumter.” That fateful date was April 12, 1861. At once in the livery stables, barber shops, and across line fences, farmers and shop keepers could talk of nothing else. None of them — Irish, German, English, Canadian, Scotch — had ever known slavery in their upbringings. The idea that “Slavery is wrong,” had been taught them by their parents. “People should not be owned and worked like oxen and horses.”

All that summer while farmers were shocking oats, cutting hay, and weeding potatoes, the talk continued. Townspeople gathered on street corners discussing the war. “Let's get into this war and free those slaves. It won't take long, maybe a couple of months.”

An article in the 1880 History of Sauk County noted, “The responses to the call were immediate and of the most encouraging character…..No state in the Union was more prompt in sending forward volunteers than was Wisconsin, and no part of Wisconsin responded with greater vigor than did Sauk County.”

Recruiting stations were set up in all the major cities in the county, and men were sent from town to town, looking for volunteers. Again, the 1880 History of Sauk County recounts their travel to Reedsburg: “Arriving at Reedsburg, the Sauk County Rifleman (for such was the name by which these first recruits were known) stopped at the Alba House, where a grand reception awaited them.” Speeches were made by prominent citizens, and ten recruits were enrolled. “The boys returned to their homes to await the call of the Governor, to whom their services had previously been offered.”

That call soon arrived, and the men were ready. These first recruits came primarily from the towns of Reedsburg, Baraboo, Winfield, Woodland and Westfield, and became part of the 19th Regiment, as Company A. Co. A was organized in Reedsburg in the fall of 1861, with R.M. Strong as captain, Henry A. Tator and Alexander P. Ellenwood as first and second lieutenants, respectively. The company was assigned to the 19 th Regiment, then organizing at Racine, and spent the winter there. The men suffered a great deal from the cold, the barracks being far from comfortable. In April, 1862, the regiment went to Camp Randall, Madison, and guarded confederate prisoners until June. Then it was ordered to Virginia, where large forces were gathering for the mighty struggle for Richmond. It is doubtful whether any man in the regiment dreamed at this time that its flag would be the first union flag to float over the Confederate capital of Richmond, and that that would not occur until almost two years later. The regiment soon reached Norfolk, Virginia, in which city and vicinity it was destined to remain until April, 1863, doing picket guard* and provost duty. This duty was performed in a manner that won the praise of the commanding officers, although it was little to the liking of the men. The 19 th did more provost duty than any other Wisconsin regiment during the war. *An advance outpost or guard for a large force was called a picket. It was a scattered line of soldiers well in advance of the main army’s encampment, but within support distance. It was considered to be one of the most hazardous duties that an infantry could be assigned, as they were the first to be attacked by the enemy, and more likely to be killed, wounded or captured.

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Provosts are military police whose duties are policing solely within the armed forces of a country. It was their mission to administer law-and-order during the Civil War. The provost-marshal, appointed for every military department, partook of the character both of a chief of police and of a magistrate. The Provost obtained guards from the enlisted ranks of infantry and cavalry units as a temporary duty.

The following extract from “Wisconsin In The War,” tells something of the service the regiment was called upon to perform and conveys the idea as to what service in the army sometimes called for: On the 14th of April, 1863, the [Wisconsin] Nineteenth received orders to march without tents to Suffolk to reinforce that place, as an attack was expected from Longstreet’s corps. They marched at ten o’clock in the evening, reached Suffolk at midnight, went two miles farther, through a heavy rain and intense darkness, to the camp of the 21st Connecticut, where about half of the men obtained shelter among the friendly soldiers of that regiment, and the other half suffered exposure to the cold and drenching rain until morning. They had six hundred men for duty. At five in the evening they were ordered to Jericho Creek, where they pitched their tents, which had now been brought forward. At midnight they were ordered under arms, and four companies were directed to march. It was very dark, the roads were bad, and it rained in torrents. The party proceeded seven miles, floundering through the mud as best they could, wading swollen creeks, where one man came near drowning, and immediately entered on picket duty when they reached their destination. One night they spent in the rifle pits on the Nansemond River. Another night one hundred and sixty men, in nine hours, built a corduroy road three hundred yards over a deep marsh, and a rough bridge over a creek ten yards in width, carrying the timber and rails for them on their shoulders from half to three-fourths of a mile. At one time half their number, while exposed to a cold rain, had neither rest nor refreshment for thirty-six hours. One night they pitched tents in obedience to orders, and in an hour, by order, struck tents and prepared to march; then, in obedience to new orders, pitched tents again—two companies being posted as pickets—and at ten o’clock the same night set out on a six miles’ march through deep mud; that accomplished, rested two hours, chiefly in the mud, and then at three o’clock in the morning went into line of battle. That done, they stacked arms, and at daylight engaged in building an earthwork, named “Fort Wisconsin,” here they labored until noon of the next day. Soon after one hundred and fifty men were reported sick; surgeons had resigned; no field officer was with the regiment except Col. Sanders; three line officers were detached from service and four others were sick.

Soon after, this the regiment was sent to Newbern, N.C., and there engaged in outpost duty and participated in a number of minor but sharp fights.

Photo curtesy of Wm Schuette, Civil War reenactment camp in Sauk City, WI, 2010 6

In 1864, the regiment returned to Virginia and engaged in the bloody conflicts before Petersburg and Richmond. At the battle of Fair Oaks, near Richmond, October 27, 1864, a portion of the regiment went into the fight with eight officers and 190 men, only 44 escaped death, injury or capture.

The flag of the 19th was the first to float over the Confederate capital of Richmond, when the city fell. Early in the morning of April 3rd, the regiment started hurriedly for Richmond. The men did not know the meaning of the movement. It was simply a question of marching as fast as their legs could carry them. They passed deserted rebel entrenchments and literally ran four or five miles into the city. The flag was run up over the city hall and the regiment was soon hard at work restoring order in the panic stricken and burning city.

Co. A bore an honorable part in the services rendered by the regiment. Captain Strong became colonel of the regiment and H.A. Tator became captain. Failing health compelled him to resign and he was succeeded by A.P. Ellenwood, the Reedsburg schoolmaster who took a number of his pupils to war, including drummer, Frank Pettis.

Image curtesy of the Sauk County Historical Society 7

Young Frank Pettis Heeds the Call During the Civil War, drummers and buglers were allowed to enlist in the army without meeting the 18-yearold minimum age requirement for a combat soldier. Some estimates noted that 100,000 boys younger than 15 enlisted in the Union Army as musicians. Some 300 were even younger than 13.

It was the duty of the musicians to signal the soldiers when to eat, when to sleep and when to awaken. They also set the pace during marches. During a battle, using their instruments they sounded out to let the soldiers know when to shoot and when to retreat. In the heat of battle, officers shouting orders could not be heard over the din, so the musicians’ louder bugles and drums were used as signal devices.

These young musicians were also required to help remove the wounded from the battlefield, and act as runners or curriers between outposts. They could be required to assist a surgeon in a field hospital—holding down a soldier who was having a limb amputated, and then disposing of the severed member.

They were not, however, allowed to carry guns. Instead, they were issued a thin sword, which they wore proudly around their waist. There were occasions when they might be required to pick up a rifle to save their own life, or that of a fellow soldier.

One such youth from Reedsburg, Frank Pettis, was eleven years old when he enlisted in the Union Army as a drummer boy, on January 7, 1862. His father, Amos, played the fife and enlisted about the same time.

Several months later, on February 22, 1862, at the age of 12, Frank began his military service with his teacher, Captain A. P. Ellinwood, and his father, in Wisconsin’s 19th Infantry, Company A.

Pettis was present at every battle the 19th unit fought—from Suffolk, VA, and New Bern, NC, to the sieges of Petersburg and Richmond, where the colors of his regiment were the first to fly from the Confederate capital building in Richmond, VA. There is an abundance of information on the unit’s sojourn at New Bern, NC, so I shall concentrate the balance of this story on that location.

A Drummer’s Duties In the Civil War drummers were an essential part of military bands for obvious reasons: the time they kept was important to regulate the marching of soldiers on parade. But drummers also performed a more valuable service apart from playing for parades or ceremonial occasions.

Drummer boys played the drums in patterns of beats that were coded signals, which told troops actions to take: to meet, attack or retreat. During battles, soldiers couldn't always hear the voice of a commander, but they could hear the sound of a drum. The drummers were required to know 26 different beat patterns.

During encampments, the drummer often joined the banjo player and the fiddler to entertain the weary troops.

Despite their grueling schedule of drumming and chores, drummer boys still managed to have fun. They played games such as checkers, dominoes, cards and even cockroach races. They also enjoyed foot races, wrestling, boxing and baseball. Singing, playing practical jokes, telling stories, reading and writing letters was also popular. Often, a lifetime bond was formed between the drummers after they had shared in the experience of living within close quarters in the campground, and also enduring the horror of battle.

Besides their primary job (beating the drums), drummer boys also acted as stretcher bearers and assisted surgeons. They would walk around the battlefields to look for the wounded, so they could be treated. They also helped bury the dead.

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Soldering In North Carolina Late summer of 1862…This excerpt contains a description of what the New Bern, Evan’s Mill encampment would have looked like when Frank Pettis’ unit was stationed there later in 1864.

By Private Thomas Kirwan Massachusetts 17th Regiment, Company K About a mile further on, after passing through a narrow belt of woods, we came out upon Evan’s plantation.

On our right was a field of some eighty acres, about half of which was covered with a young growth of apple trees. On the left was a field of about twenty acres, at the further end of which was the plantation house, with its Negro huts, surrounded with the inevitable grove of elegant shade trees. Just opposite the front gate of the mansion, the road turned sharp to the right, and on looking ahead, we beheld a block-house, nearly completed, in the rear of which was the encampment, and our future abode. Upon reaching the block-house, the road took a turn to the left, down a short, steep hill, skirting the bank of a stream, which it crossed on a rude plank bridge, still turning toward the left.

After crossing the bridge, a grist mill lay on the right, and about 69 yards on the left, on the dam of a magnificent pond of water stood a large saw mill, which ran two sets of saws when in operation. It was then idle, the dam having broke away. The road, after crossing the flume of the grist mill led on to the Negro village--quite a collection of comfortable houses built on each side of the cross road, which led to Pollocksville. Just before coming on to the Pollocksville road, in a field to the right was a large cotton gin and press. At the intersection of these roads was our outpost in the day time, the guard being drawn in to the mills at night.

On entering the front gate, I was struck with the size and beauty of an immense beech tree, whose wide extending branches covered a circle of over 190 feet in diameter and in Yankee fashion, I immediately computed that if cut down it would make over five cords of firewood. It must have proved a cool and inviting shade for the planter and his family in the summer time.

The blockhouse at Evan’s Mill, N.C. 9

Approaching its huge trunk, I observed that the Yankee jackknife had been at work and covered it with the representative names of men from nearly every United States regiment that had ever been in the department.

Besides the huge beech there were numerous other trees—elm, cedar, Cheney—and the beautiful flowering althea.

The house was an ordinary two story one, containing about 7 rooms, set on brick blocks about three feet from the ground, and serving as a cool place of resort for the pigs, fowl, and youthful, curly-headed Negroes, during the heat of the day. This, together with the plantation attached of some 10,000 acres, seven or eight hundred of which were cleared, together with the mills…

At the back of the mansion house were two Negro huts, where those who were domestics were lodged. The body of the Negroes were lodged as mentioned about a mile away.

The headquarters of the Wisconsin 19th Regiment, Company A At New Berne, N.C. Photo curtesy of the Reedsburg Public Library—Colorized by John Klecker

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Adjoining the Negro-huts attached to the mansion were the various outhouses and stables, behind which the land sloped to waters of the tortuous stream which emptied into the mill-pond further down. To my view Evan’s Mills at first appeared a lonely place; but a further acquaintance with it materially altered my opinion. Were it not that the restraints which discipline imposes upon the soldier, living in this place would be quite agreeable.

Note the outbuildings, left, behind the mansion.

Additional buildings behind the main house.

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In 2016, the Sauk County Historical Society received an email from a gentleman in New Bern, North Carolina, Steve Dembickie, who had seen a photo on our Society’s web site which matched one that he had in his collection. It depicted a blockhouse, which, during the Civil War, existed near where his home is located today. This blockhouse was a temporary location for Wisconsin’s Company A, 19th Infantry encampment during the war, the company in which Frank Pettis was serving. The photo shows soldiers lined up, possibly for an inspection, and right in the center, is a little drummer boy! None of the soldiers were identified, but it seems logical that the boy would have been Frank.

Additional information on the 19th Wisconsin Infantry, was found in Merton Krug’s 1929, History of Reedsburg and the Upper Baraboo Valley. Krug wrote that, “At the confluence of the Neuse and Trent rivers near New Bern, on Brice Creek—a location that the rebels considered an important outpost and which they had strongly fortified—had been “wrested from their hands by the bravery of the Union troops.

Frank Pettis with his drum

“It was here that Wisconsin’s 19th Regiment was assigned to provide picket duty at Evan’s Mill on Brice Creek. It was a swampy area with only one accessible route. “At that place was a saw and flourmill and a large plantation which had belonged to General Evans of the rebel army,” wrote Krug.

Officers were quartered in the mansion, with the soldiers residing in a barracks built for the purpose. A photo in the Reedsburg Old Settlers’ collection, depicts a man on the porch, with a boy seated on his lap. Upon closer inspection, the boy is wearing a uniform exactly like the one in a tintype of young Frank Pettis! Since Frank’s uniform is unique, it has to be him. See the following page.

“At the time of the attack upon Newburn (sic) on February 1, 1864, Company A was also attacked by a brigade of rebel cavalry and a battery of artillery. They sent to New Bern for reinforcements and received three companies of cavalry and a twelve pound howitzer with men to man it.” noted Krug. They were able to hold out for three days.

Orders were then received from headquarters at New Bern, for the 19th to fall back to that city. The rebels had found a way around the swamp and were about to recapture the place where Pettis and his unit were camped. This forewarning saved the regiment from ultimate capture. Shortly thereafter, the rebels abandoned the location and the 19th regained the position. They rebuilt what the rebels had burned, and remained there until April, 1864.

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Wisconsin 19th, Company A, Headquarters at New Bern, NC, 1864. Frank Pettis is seated on the lap of another soldier, Lewis H. Cahoon, at the far left on the porch in the above photo. An enlargement of that area is shown below. Colorized by John Klecker.

Lewis H. Cahoon

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Union & Confederate Battle Reports These reports were made on the days that Evans Mills was being attacked when the Wisconsin 19th, Co. A was garrisoned there. Brigadier General, I. N. Palmer, Commanding General of the New Bern District, sent the following reports.

New Berne, February 2, 1864—5:15 p.m.

MAJOR: I am justified informing by telegraph that the post of Newport is attached, and I think it will fall. The rebels have the railroad now between Newport and Morehead City. The post at Evans’ Mill is also surrounded, and our little forces at these points will no doubt be defeated, as the opposing numbers are much the largest……….

New Berne, N.C., February 3, 1864—8 p.m.

MAJOR: M y last communication to you concerning the state of affairs at this place was addressed to you yesterday at 5 p.m. At that hour the communication with Morehead City by telegraph was interrupted, and the telegraph operator at Newport reported the rebels on the railroad at that place. I was in communication with the stations Croatan and Havelock until 10 p.m. yesterday, at which time I ordered the commands at those points to this place, as the post at Evans’ Mill was about to be attacked; and, if carried, the commands at the stations mentioned would have been jeopardized. The commands came safely. At midnight the rebel force under the immediate command of General Pickett, commenced to retire toward Kinston……..

Here is some of the Confederate battle reports pertaining to the same time frame of early February, 1864.

This "Expedition Against New Bern" of February, 1864, was to have a multiple prong attack. As you read the reports, it is the failure of Brigadier-General Seth M. Barton to complete his part of the attack as to why the whole battle fails. He was to come up from the south from Pollocksville and while crossing Brice's Creek cut the railroad line to prevent Union soldiers and supplies from reaching New Bern from Newport Barracks and Beaufort. General Martin mentioned in the reports had come up from around Wilmington, which was still a strong Confederate stronghold. Summarization by Steve Dembickie, who lives near Evan’s Mills today.

Page #90: Enclosure No. 12. Lt. Colonel Jeffords is referring to Havelock Station as being deserted and reports that Croatan Station is also deserted. His last sentence is interesting in that he believes New Bern possibly has fallen. Enclosure No. 13. This I believe, is Colonel Jeffords reporting that they have come upon Evans Mill to discover that a fight had occurred at the blockhouse and that all the houses (Wis.19th, Co. A Headquarters, I am surmising) are vacant. Again Jeffords refers in this report that “I am still fully impressed New Berne has fallen", little does he know that General Pickett has called off the attack and is in retreat back to Kinston.

Enclosure No.14. You can feel the concern and maybe disappointment in Colonel Jeffords report on General Barton.

Page #91: Enclosure No.16, Colonel Jeffords reports of his not understanding why General Barton fell back. The mention of 1,500 men that were either killed, wounded, and captured were from the entire battle, mainly from the fighting that was going on about 8 miles northwest of New Bern at a place called Bachelor's Creek.

Page #92: No. 12. This is Major-General George Pickett's report to General Robert E. Lee about why he felt that the "Expedition Against New Bern" had failed.

Steve Dembickie surmises that, The "What Ifs" of war, had General Barton been successful and New Bern fallen, we probably wouldn't be talking about Frankie Pettis. I am indeed glad he failed!!!!

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Sketch of the Battlefield near New Bern, NC 15

The Block House with soldiers of the Wisconsin 19th, Company A, assembled at Evan’s Mills, near New Bern, NC in 1864. Frank Pettis is seen with his drum in the bottom enlargement, on the far right marked with an *. Photos curtesy of the Reedsburg Public Library—Colorized by John Klecker

The Civil War Blockhouse The blockhouse was built of hewn logs and usually consisted of two stories. Some of the troops would have their barracks there in the blockhouse, while others would be in their tents or out buildings. It would be supported by one heavy gun mounted at an elevated point, so as to allow the small garrison to keep a large force at bay. There would also be a redoubt (trenches) dug around the perimeter of the blockhouse. Units would communicate back and forth during battles using couriers to forward communiques, and they also were using the telegraph quite a bit as well as the signal corps (flags).

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Evans Mills [North Carolina]

1863: Gustavus B. Williams to Bernette (Hill) Williams These letters were written by Sgt. Gustavus B. Williams of Co. K, 51st Massachusetts Infantry — a 9-months enlistment organization. They describe the encampment at Evans Mills.

The sergeants and privates have quarters in board huts accommodating from two to a dozen or more each, and the block house, a strong log building of two stories with port holes for cannon and perforations for musketry.

Our mail will be promptly brought us. We have a mule and cart and the Captain has a horse, one of which will go almost daily to the city about eight miles distant. This was an immense plantation with two hundred (I judge) negroes upon it. A creek flowing near us carries a sawmill and a grist mill. A plantation sergeant has charge of the whole and last year raised considerable produce. The mills are kept running now and the Government have agents manufacturing tar a mile below here. Tar is worth at the North, I have heard, about $40 per barrel. A great many contrabands* — I don’t know how many — are employed here so you see we have in our care much that is valuable. Game and fish abound. Eggs at 25 cts a dozen can be bought and milk at 10 cts so we need not starve. I had milk in my tea last night — a great treat, and if my box with butter and cheese comes as I expect by next steamer, I shall live well.

The ground is elevated and the place must be healthy at least till hot weather comes. The spring comes on very slowly though oats are up already looking quite good. There was a hard frost last night and winter clothing is very comfortable yet.

In the creek and swamps we are told are [Water] Moccasins, Copperheads, Rattlesnakes, alligators, wood ticks, and what besides of danger, we don’t know nor wish to know. Our huts have an abundance of rats. We do know but we can guard against them — only keep the Rebs away.

Lieut. Coleman was at Newbern when the pictures were taken. I shall buy the two described…the photographs were taken March 28. I shall…send them when they are finished. The samples are now before me hence I describe them so that you will know what they mean if you get them. The ground slopes abruptly from the block -house towards the angle of the river which is bridged. The bridge is commanded by the six pounder cannon.

The stream…in front of the spectator flows through swamps apparently impassable. The enemy must approach by the road…they would stop on the distant plains and shell us out rather than attack with cavalry or infantry by the flank being up on two bridges, one already mentioned the other just beyond across the mill trench…both under our guns… *Contrabands: This term meant that once the fleeing slaves crossed Union army lines, they were classified as property. All enemy property that fell into Union hands constituted contraband and would not be returned. A federal policy was instituted on August 6, 1861 - fugitive slaves were declared to be "contraband of war" if their labor had been used to aid the Confederacy in anyway. If found to be contraband, they were declared free.

National Park Service.

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The following description of the events at New Bern is taken from the “History of Reedsburg and the Upper Baraboo Valley” by Merton Edwin Krug, 1929.

NEWBURN, N. C. At this place they [Wisconsin 19th, Co. A] landed on the eleventh. This is one of the finest towns in the state, containing about five thousand inhabitants and situated at the confluence of the Neuse and Trent rivers.

The rebels considered it an important position and had strongly fortified it early in the war. It was wrested from their hands by the bravery of the Union troops under Generals Burnside and Commodore Goldsborough in February, 1862.

Upon the arrival of the regiment in Newburn, Company A was assigned to outpost and picket duty at Evans’ Mill on Brice Creek, eight miles south of the city. At that place was a saw and flourmill and a large plantation which had belonged to General Evans of the rebel army. The officers were quartered in the Evans mansion, and the soldiers in barracks erected for the purpose. From west and south there was but one place of access, on account of intervening swamps, and that was across the milldam, and, this enabled the company to hold the position against superior numbers of the enemy.

At the time of the attack upon Newburn on the first of February, 1864, Company A was also attacked by a brigade of cavalry and a battery of artillery. They sent to Newburn for reinforcements and received three companies of cavalry and a twelve pound howitzer with men to man it. With this assistance they held the rebels in check three days. Captain Tator who was in command of the outpost and who was an efficient officer, sent out cavalry scouts several times a day to watch the enemy and ascertain their position and what they were doing. At one time they found them building a bridge, evidently for the purpose of bringing over their artillery for an attack; but a severe shelling from the howitzer stopped the enterprise. It is probable that the manifest boldness and daring of the Union troops led the enemy to the conclusion that the force at the outpost was superior to what it was in fact.

On the morning of February 3rd, Captain Tator received orders from General Palmer, commanding at Newburn, to fall back to the city, soon after which, the rebels, guided by a Sesesh [Secessionist] planter named Wood residing in the neighborhood marched around the swamp on the south and coming in on the rear, took possession of the place. Company A was thus fortunately saved from being taken prisoner.

Upon their evacuation of the place, they burned the barracks and other property which they could not take.

The rebels destroyed other property, and undertook to burn the Evans mansion but the fire was extinguished before much damage was done.

The confederates soon abandoned the position and Company A was reinstated. In rebuilding their barrack they tore down some buildings formerly used as slave cabins. In one of them was found an old rebel payroll, on which the name of Wood as a recruiting officer appeared, whereupon Lieutenant Ellinwood and a small detail of men went out to his plantation and brought him in as prisoner. He was sent to Newburn and thence delivered to the tender mercies of General Butler, commandant at Fortress Monroe, who ordered him into confinement at the ripraps.

In the latter part of April, 1864, the regiment was ordered to Yorktown, where a week was spent in reorganizing the army. Company A was placed under the command of Captain Tator.

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The Wisconsin 19th, Company A, went on to fight many other battles with bravery and fortitude.

When Frank Pettis’ enlistment was up after 3 years as a drummer boy, he could have called it quits and returned home. However, at the age of 15 he reenlisted as a regular soldier and stayed the course of the war. His father, Amos, after having served his three years, was mustered out on February 22, 1865. Frank and his teacher, Ellenwood, returned home safely after the war, and were mustered out on August 9, 1865.

The 19th Co. A Wisconsin suffered 2 officers and 41 enlisted men killed in action or who later died of their wounds, plus another 3 officers and 115 enlisted men who died of disease, for a total of 161 fatalities.

The 19th Regiment, Co. A of which was raised in this county, arrived at Madison yesterday, to be mustered out. A reception was given it jointly with the 33rd Regiment, which arrived there at the same time. The 19th, it will be remembered, claims the honor of being the first regiment that unfurled the flag of the Union in the rebel capital upon its evacuation by Lee. February, 1865

Officers of the Wisconsin 19th Infantry, Company A

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Regimental History of the Wisconsin 19th Infantry Nineteenth Infantry. — Cols., Horace T. Sanders, Samuel K. Vaughn; Lieut. -Co1s., Charles ‘Whipple, Rollin M. Strong, Majors, Alvin E. Bovay, Amos O. Rawley. This regiment was organized in the winter of 1861-62, at Camp Utley, Racine, and was ordered to Camp Randall on April 20 to guard Confederate prisoners sent from Fort Donelson. It was mustered in April 30, 1862, left the state June 2, and was on garrison duty at Norfolk, Va., until April 14, 1863. It was then on picket and guard duty at various points for about two weeks, when it was assigned to duty at West Point and Yorktown until the middle of August, and at Newport News until Oct. 8. It was then divided by companies for outpost and picket duty at points near New Berne, N. C, and was in several small engagements with the enemy. It was ordered to Yorktown, April 28, 1864, and on May 12 the right wing, acting as a skirmish line, covered the 3d brigade. It accompanied the general advance upon Fort Darling, carried the first line of the enemy's works, and occupied the road in the rear of Fort Jackson, where the next day the regiment was united. It was compelled to fall back by the furious assault of a heavy force, but it did so in good order. It took part in the operations about Petersburg, doing siege and picket duty in the trenches. In August the veterans were sent home on furlough but returned in October, and participated in the engagement at Fair Oaks, a force of less than 200 men being engaged and suffering a loss of 136 wounded and captured. They were joined by the non-veterans and the regiment was kept on picket duty in front of Richmond until April 3, 1865, when it entered the city and planted the regimental colors upon the city hall. It was on provost duty at Richmond, Fredericksburg and Warrenton until Aug. 4, and was mustered out at Richmond Aug. 9, 1865. Its original strength was 973. Gain by recruits, 187; substitutes, 54; veteran reenlistments, 270; total, 1,484. Loss by death, 136; desertion, 46; transfer, 152; discharge, 345; mustered out, 805.

From “The Union Army”, by Federal Publishing Company, 1908, Volume 4.

Ruins in front of the Confederate capital in Richmond, VA, in 1865. This is a scene which the 19th Wisconsin Regiment might have seen when they entered the city on April 23, 1864, to raise their flag over city hall—purportedly the first regiment to do so.

The city hall is the pillared building in the center of the photo.

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Wisconsin State Journal April 3, 1915 Stars and Stripes in Richmond Fifty years Ago Wisconsin Regiment Planted Old Glory Over Confederate Capitol Fifty years ago today at 8 o’clock in the morning, Richmond, the capitol of the confederacy surrendered to the attaching Union forces. And 50 years ago today at 8:15 o’clock in the morning, the flag of the Nineteenth Wisconsin infantry was floating from the flagstaff of the Confederate capitol. The flag is now in the state historical library.

W.O. Pietzsch, chief clerk in the Industrial commission, was a member of the regiment that achieved this honor for which every soldier in the brigade was fighting. Mr. Pietzsch had been captured at Fair Oaks, six miles from Richmond, a few days before the surrender and sent to Libby prison, but he holds the honor of membership to the famous Nineteenth, whose achievement in placing the flag on the capitol was widely heralded in 1865, as one of his most cherished possessions.

“We knew that Richmond would fall sooner or later,” said Mr. Pietzsch this morning, “and every soldier in the army was hoping for the honor of being the first to place the stars and stripes above the rebel capitol.

When the surrender did come, Major Warner of Portage, was the first to gain the flagstaff, and it was our banner that floated over the enemies’ state-house.

“A colonel of an eastern regiment, as soon as he saw what Major Warner had done, demanded that the Wisconsin flag be removed, and, because of his superior rank it was done. But the matter was taken at Washington later and decided in our favor. I have always been very proud of that honor, even if I was not present at the time.

“There were a number of Madison men in the old Nineteenth,” continued Mr. Pietzsch, “but they are all dead now.”

Confederate Capitol in Richmond, VA. Note the two flag poles, on either end of the building.

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Frank A. Pettis

Age about 12

Age about 13

The actual size of the Frank Pettis Civil War portrait, left, as compared to a penny. The surrounding frame is of gold color foil and the portrait is black and white. Additional portraits like this one, of 127 soldiers in the Wisconsin 19th Company A, are archived at the Reedsburg Library.

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Frank Pettis, right, with an unidentified friend.

Probably around age 14 or 15 Photo taken in Reedsburg Photo courtesy of Sandy Rakow, Arizona, Colorized by John Klecker

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19th Regiment, Infantry Accounts from the Baraboo Republic The men of the 19th Regiment were found to be at Camp Utley, Racine, WI, on Feb.7, 1862, awaiting further orders. The camp was located on the banks of Lake Michigan, about one mile south of Racine. An article in the Baraboo Republic, relates that several men were suffering from severe colds. The expectation was that there would be 500 men of the 19th Regiment in camp within the following week. There was not much drilling due to the severe cold weather.

On Feb. 25th, 1862, the Republic correspondent, known only as “E”, wrote that the regiment was filling rapidly, and that there were two or three cases of measles. Captain Strong was praised as being the right man in the right place. Lieutenants Tator and Ellenwood were also in good form, and Col. Sanders was the commander of the unit. He is described as, “truly a man for the times—always good-natured, and hears the least complaints from his men—and I really believe the boys would hardly be willing to exchange him for some of the big generals.”

The Colonel’s wife was also well liked. “Mrs. Sanders has the same kind of care for the boys that the Col. has, and has been the most frequent visitor to the hospital in the place. As an instance of her Samaritanism, one of the boys was very sick for some two weeks, and as the hospital offered few comforts for a sick man, she made it part of her daily duty to go to the hospital and visit him, and each visit was sure to be accompanied by something good and useful to a sick person—but this is not all, she brought a good bed and clean shirts; and everything that a mother could have thought of she was sure to bring,” noted the writer.

Several days later it was noted that Company A was mustered into the service by Capt. Trobridge of Milwaukee, and “not a man was rejected.”

Rumor had it that the 19th was to be shipped to Chicago to guard Confederate prisoners taken at Ft. Donelson.

The writer lamented that, “Be that as it may, we are ready for any duty that may be assigned us, but would prefer to catch our own game.”

Washington’s Birthday was duly celebrated in Racine. The 19th followed four batteries of artillery during a parade. One hundred guns were fired, and speeches were made. “In the evening the city was illuminated,” probably by fireworks. In the same article were listed the names of officers and others. Also named was “F. Pettyes, 2nd musician. The first musician was, H.D. Root. Of the 102 men, 96 were from Sauk County.

By May, 1862, the 19th Regiment, Company A, was sent to Camp Randall in Madison to guard “Old Secesh” (Secessionists). The writer noted that “Some, for instance, are sullen, and want to fight for Southern independence…..and would gladly see the old flag wave again over all the South.”

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By May 13, 1862, the 19th Regiment was on the move, much to their delight. The dispatches to the Baraboo Republic were being written by one of the soldiers who used the name, “File Closer.” He wrote that, “After eleven days of railroading, steamboating, marching, counter-marching and a general banging and thumping throughout, we have at last found a respite from our labors for a few days.” They were headed to Camp Douglas in Chicago in charge of 1,000 “secesh”. Arriving late in the evening under a heavy storm, many of the soldiers had all night duty, guarding the prisoners. The next morning they relieved themselves of the prisoners, noting, “with considerable satisfaction, having had the pleasure of their delightful society for over a month at Camp Randall, which we considered sufficient. We prefer to seek the animal in his native wilds.”

Camp Douglas, Chicago After joining the rest of the regiment at Chicago’s North-western depot, the 19th took the [train] “cars” and were, “soon whirling along towards Washington.” Even though the weather was stormy, the writer noted that the patriotic demonstrations that greeted them along the route, were universal.

The next stop was Fortress Monroe near Hampton, Virginia. After spending a day and a half on a “crowded little steamer,” they arrived in the ruined village of Hampton. “Desolation reigns throughout the whole country round. The hand of war has left its imprint indelible on the fated village of Hampton.” wrote the correspondent.

When next we hear from “E”, the 19th is in Norfolk, “guarding the ‘secesh,’ and what little government property there is left to guard.” The regiment was divided, some being in Norfolk, the others, in Portsmouth. He also noted that many of the men were sick, but that they had a splendid hospital. “It is the largest and best hotel in Portsmouth, and was in good running order when Gen. Viele stepped in and took possession.” The author went on to note that, “The proprietors removed nothing, and of course there were Negroes enough to run the institution that are used to it.” Within the “hospital rooms”, each patient had a good bed in a room to himself. The room had a wash-stand, mirror, fireplace, wardrobe, and everything that one would find in a first class hotel.

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By November, 1862, the 19th was finally in the south. “Today finds the 19th Wis. in the best condition it has been in since it arrived in Dixie,” wrote the correspondent. He said that they have been in the best shape since they left Racine.

Life in the South was considerably different than what the regiment soldiers were used to at home in Wisconsin. “Things here move on in the old way...,” noted the writer. “The Negroes are really living on their masters, and Norfolk is depot of contrabands; there are at least three hundred in the government employ, and many of them are cutting wood near the city; they are sent to cut five cords of wood per week, and all they cut over the five cords, they get fifty cents a cord for.” This amounted to around $8 in today’s buying power. It was the practice of the slave holders in the old days, but, apparently, without the remuneration for the extra cords. With the extra money the government was paying them, the writer went on to explain, “Many of them [slaves] are getting new clothes and appear much more like folks than they did when they first came in our lines.”

In November, citizens of the North, did their civic duty and voted. It was the same for the troops who were fighting to preserve the nation. The writer observed that, “The Secesh (secessionists) here are bitter as ever, and as Capt. Strong very justly remarked today at the election, ‘every man that owns a Negro is a secessionist.’

That’s the doctrine, if you doubt it, enlist and come to Dixie.”

The men were anxious for the results in the Wisconsin election and the arrival of the Pay Master.

It had been four months since they had been paid, and “We have nearly worn our pockets out feeling for ‘change’.”

Another interesting observation by writer “E”: “Our cook said to me the other night that he believed the Yankee army had turned out to answer the prayer he had repeated ever since he could remember, ‘that he might one day be free.’ He’s black as a tar pot.”

Mr. E, in December of 1862, reporting from Norfolk, wrote that he had become disheartened at the pace of the war that seemed to be at a standstill. “I believe I can say, without the least fear of exaggeration, that since we have been here, I have seen thirty thousand soldiers pass over the railroad from Norfolk to Suffolk, and yet there are little or no signs of a forward movement at this department at the present time.”

Another depressing incident occurred which added to the disillusionment. “One of our fine gunboats that left here a few days ago for the James River, has been accidently blown up, and the disaster of course leaves a vacancy in the river, as well as in Uncle Sam’s pocket of seventy-five thousand dollars.” 1.1 million in today’s dollars.

However, the 19th Wisconsin, Company A, was itself, doing quite well, with light duty and many privileges which other regiments were not privy to. “Ten of our company…are permitted to attend the theater each evening; and in fact, at all times when off duty, we have the liberty to enjoy ourselves in our own way, as though we were not ‘fighting men’.”

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Another ray of sunshine for the boys, was a package from home. The correspondent relates that, “We have by no means been forgotten by our friends at home; for box after box of such things as none but a mother, a sister or a brother would have thought has come to hand. Here let me say a word in regard to one of the articles contained in these boxes. Of all the butter in the world, give me Wisconsin butter.”

“E” closed his December letter with, “Wishing the friends of Co. A and the regiment generally a ‘Merry Christmas,’ and the colored South a ‘Happy New Year.’”

On April 6, 1863, the 19th Regiment had marched all night to reach the railroad station to take the train to Suffolk. They arrived around midnight.

The writer noted that some of their pickets were driven in at daylight by sharpshooters. He said that, “The sharp shooters are at work all the time, and are dreaded worse than all the artillery and infantry combined.”

The regiment was stationed about a mile below Suffolk, where the 2nd and 4th Wisconsin Batteries had been continually shelling the woods, both day and night. “Gen. Peck is nearly scared to death. He fell from his horse and broke his arm,” noted the correspondent.

General Peck telegraphed General Dix, that there were about 60,000 rebels in the vicinity. However, Union General Longstreet and his men were camped nearby with a force of approximately 40,000 soldiers. “We are under arms all the time, and I write sitting on my knapsack which is already packed, and all equipment’s on.

The citizens of Norfolk and Portsmouth wait on Gen. Viele today to have the 19th sent back to Norfolk. Lt. Tator is ready to start and I must bid you good bye. Yours truly, E.” The 19th, Company A, was still near Suffolk in May, and were headed down the river to support a battery to keep the Rebs from crossing. “Co. A took position in the rifle pits, and pecked away all day as faithful as men could, while the rebs returned our fire vigorously.”

“At 6 o’clock one of the boats the Curdelion, steamed up and gave signs that she intended to pass, and the boys in the pits fired as fast as possible to give the rebs all the work possible while the boat passed. All went on smoothly, excepting the firing from the pits, until the boat was directly between their battery and us, when they opened fire with a 32 lb. Parrot*, which missed her.

The next passed through her bow, and the third passed through from one wheelhouse to the other and the screams of the men told us that some were wounded. The boat kept on up stream and moored beside the upper fleet,” wrote E. *The Parrot was a type of muzzle-loading rifled artillery weapon, that fired a 32 pound shell.

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The Regiment was next ordered to build a bridge across the river so they could take the “troublesome battery.” They ran out of materials, but the next day it arrived and the bridge was completed. That night, the 89th N.Y. and 8th Conn., came down the river in a gunboat above the rebel battery and captured the whole command. They captured 150 men, several cannon and all their ammunition. The writer noted that, “The river is lined with batteries and rifle pits, and the firing is incessant.”

“E” expected they would go on an “expedition” that night. “The 8th Conn. is camped with us, they have only 100 men, and some of the officers have only one arm, and some only one leg. They have been all killed off. I think they ought to all be discharged and have a pension.”

R.T.W. writes in July, 1864, “After the retreat from Drury’s Bluff, our regiment, with several others, was detailed for duty in the line of defenses, near Point of Rocks, on the Appomattox.”

Since the 21st of June, Company A has done duty in the trenches. The correspondent goes on to write, almost casually, that they had lost one killed, and four wounded. At that point in this bloody war, the loss of fellow soldiers was almost a daily occurrence, and the shock of the losses was dulled by the carnage experienced all around them. “Sylvester Searls, killed; Jesse Mallon, wounded in head and arm by shell, seriously; W.W. Holton, wounded in neck, shell, seriously; L.H. Cahoon, in head, slight.”

BATTLE OF FAIR OAKS/CHAFFIN’S FARM A reprinted article from the State Journal, dated October 29, 1864, informed the readers in Wisconsin, that there had been heavy losses in the ranks of the 19th. “The nineteenth participated in the movement in front of Richmond, and a few only of the regiment have returned from the fight at Chaffin’s Farm to tell how desperately it contended against overwhelming numbers.” A partial list of the casualties was enumerated in the article. “A partial list only, as will be seen in the fact that of the brave men from the Nineteenth who went into the fight, only thirty-five or forty came back, and those not all unharmed.”

On Nov. 9th, further details were printed in the Baraboo Republic. Company A, it was noted, was made up of detachments, the veterans being mostly at the front. Of 180 men from Company A, and another detachment, who went into that battle, one hundred and forty-five were killed, wounded and missing. Only 35 escaped uninjured.

The Battle of Chaffiin’s Farm

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Additional information on the Battle of Chaffin’s Farm was provided in the State Journal, by Major Vaughn, one of the survivors.

“On the morning of the 27th [October 1864], the 19th Wisconsin was ordered to join a reconnaissance in force, consisting of large portion of the 18th Army Corps. We left camp at 5 A.M., with three days’ cooked rations, proceeded in a northerly course, passing through a portion of White Oak Swamp, and arrived on the old battlefield of Fair Oaks about 2 P.M. same day. At this point our advance became sharply engaged with the enemy’s skirmishers, driving them back a distance of three-fourths of a mile into their works. Fairchild’s brigade, composed of the 89th and 148th New York and 19th Wisconsin (only veterans being with us), was at once sent forward to charge a six-gun fort, and in doing so had to pass over an open plain three-fourths of a mile wide, subject to a withering cross-fire as well as a direct one from the works we were charging. In crossing this plain or open field full one-half the brigade fell. The advance succeed in reaching within one hundred yards, but could go no further, and, as a protection, laid down in this position and remained some two hours, expecting supports would come to our assistance. It was now about 5 P.M., and the ‘Johnnies’ knowing they had us, charged out over their works and captured nearly the whole of the regiment. Some few escaped, choosing rather to run the fire of a storm of rebel bullets than be sent to the ‘Hotel de Libby’ or Belle Isle*. Among the fortunate was your humble servant.” He noted that they had taken 180 men and 9 officers into the fight. The losses were 140 men and 8 officers. “Very few of the wounded succeed in getting off the field,” he wrote. *Notorious Confederate prison camps.

C.A. Chandler, of Co. A, also wrote to captain Tabor about the battle of Chaffin’s Farm.

“You of course retain a lively interest in your Company (Co. A) and there never was a time when active sympathy was more needed than now. John has written you, undoubtedly, most of the particulars of the fight of last Thursday. He was not in the charge, and of course could not see all that I saw. Captain if you had been there, and lived to get out, you would have been proud of your old company. The whole regiment and brigade went in like heroes, but it was sheer madness to attempt to carry those works with a single line. Our regiment was on the extreme left of the assaulting line, and was exposed to a murderous cross-fire, as well as to a direct fire from the front. Col Strong fell during the advance, shouting ‘Go in, boys, I’m hit!’ He is said to have received a ball in the leg, and could not be got off the field, but is probably a prisoner, as the rebels charged out and killed or captured all that were left. Major Vaughn showed great pluck, and was one of the very last to leave the field. He came off unhurt amid a shower of bullets, only a single ball passing through his coat. Poor John Fuller fell shot through the breast, while carrying the colors. Carpenter caught them up, and he too fell. Our flag was lost, but with it was lost most of the regiment.”

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Another account of the incident was recorded by Rev. S.A. Dwinnell, recounting the story told to him by his son, E.A. Dwinnell, who was in the battle.

REEDSBURG, Nov. 12, 1864 My son, E. A., reached home on Wednesday last, from the terrible charge at Fair Oaks. He was attended by H. Grote, less severely wounded than himself. He reports that the charge was made across an old field, nearly level, about 100 rods wide—the enemy’s works being on higher ground. When they entered the charge, they were told by our skirmishers that the works of the enemy were poorly manned, and they could be easily carried. At the edge of the field they were opened upon from the front, and by a terrible cross fire from each side; at first solid shot, shell and musketry, to which was added grape and canister as they neared the works. Only their brigade, the 3rd, under Col. Fairchild, consisting of three small regiments, attacked at that place. The Second Brigade and the colored one went in at other points. My son was wounded—about fifty rods on the field—severely in the right hand by a minnie ball, passing through from side to side. He then fell down, and while taking off his knapsack for protecting his head as he lay, was struck by a ball on the head, by another on the leg, and by a piece of a shell (as it supposed) on the left forearm. He lay about half an hour, when there was a lull in the cannonading, and he crawled backward, drawing his knapsack at his head for some distance and Eugene A. Dwinnell then ran to a place of safety. He saved everything but his rifle. He says that there was a little depression in the ground a few rods ahead of where he lay, where a good many of the men fell down to save themselves, and were probably unhurt. He knows nothing of the missing. Says that Col. Strong went in on foot, eight or ten paces in the rear of his men—saw or heard nothing of him afterwards. Forty rods on the field we learn that our son, Osgood, was unhurt, still pressing on. That is the last we know of him. Company A, of the 19th, from this place, being on the right of their regiment was next the 148th New York, which was said to contain a good many raw recruits, who got out of line, fell to the left and mixed in with Co. A, as they ran. My son says that he saw none of the 19th after they entered the field. The Brigade started on double quick in the thin pines, some distance back of the old field, where the enemy opened on them.

“Soon after he escaped, the rebels charged out upon the field, as he presumed by their yells, and took possession, thus preventing our men from carrying off the wounded.

“He is quiet—wound painful—converses but little. With the best of care we hope to save his hand, so that it may be of some service to him. May God in mercy care for the prisoners.”

From the 19th Regiment Chaffin’s (not Chapin’s) Farm, Nov. 9, ‘64 Editor Republic: Will you please to publish the following statement, which may prove of interest to the friends of the 19th Wis., particularly Company A. Our regiment, previous to the 2nd battle of Fair Oaks, Oct. 27th, was made up of detachments, the veterans being mostly at the front. A detachment of about two hundred on provost duty at Norfolk, and a large number in the 18th A.C. ambulance Corps, consequently, and fortunately, only one hundred and eighty went into that fatal charge; one hundred and forty-five of that number were killed, wounded and missing—thirty-five only escaped uninjured. Of the nine officers who entered the charge, one captain and one Lieut. were killed; Lt. Col. Strong and one Lieut. were wounded and are prisoners; the Adj’t and two Captains are prisoners, not wounded; one Lieut. wounded and brought off the field, and the Major came off alone uninjured. We were fearful that Lt. Col. Strong was killed, but we have reliable knowledge, which we this day received from a rebel 31

Lieut. on the picket line, who saw the Col. day before yesterday, (the 6th), in a hospital in Richmond. The Col. is severely wounded in the knee, but is doing well. The Lient. was not allowed to speak to the Col., but saw him sitting on his bunk, cheerfully giving to the physicians in attendance, the names of men of our regiment who were near him. The Lieut. remembered none of the names given, neither can we learn anything of the fate of our missing men. Should we at any time receive anything in regard to them, their relatives may be assured that they will at once receive the benefit of it.

The regiment did its duty manfully, as you have ere this learned through the State papers.

Since the 27th the detachments have been collected, and to-day we report present for duty two hundred and seventy-five men, thirty-seven of whom are from Co. A. I cannot close without telling you that Co. A are right not only in fighting, but in voting. Lincoln & Johnson rec’d 26 votes yesterday, McClellan 6. For Member of Assembly, A.W. Starks rec’d 22 votes. No opposition.

Hoping this too long article may not be wholly void of interest to yourself and readers.

I am truly yours, ALEX. P. ELLENWOOD, Lt. Comand’g Co. A, 19th, Wis. Baraboo Republic October 28, 1864 From the Nineteenth Regiment—How it fought and lost at Chapin’s Farm NEAR RICHMOND, Va., Oct. 28, 1864 EDS. STATE JOURNAL: On the arrival of the veterans of the 19th at Point Comfort, Va., they were, by request, ordered to the front. The three years men were held in Norfolk, Va., to do provost duty, except very few, such as officers and sergeants, who were needed with their companies, and a few patriots banished to the front semi occasionally because of their love of whiskey or some other darling weakness.

The veterans, their commanding officers and the banished patriots, continued on the lines on the west of Chapin’s Farm till the 26th, when we were relieved by a part of the 3d division, 18th army corps.

Our division (2d) rested for three nights, and on the morning of the 27th we started for the right of our lines, where we arrived about 12 AM. we rested about half an hour, then advanced about one mile beyond the Fair Oaks battle field, deployed to the left of the highway and advanced through a pine copes' where we engaged the enemies skirmish line. We then advanced in good order, in battle line, on the double quick, driving the enemy across a ploughed field on an ascending plane, till we came within one-eighth of a mile of a rebel fort.

The ground then descended, and on went the 2d brigade, 2d division, till close on to the walls of the fort, where we were met with enfilading fire from right and left as well as a direct fire from the fort. One brigade numbered about 600 souls in an open field, exhausted by an advance of three quarters of a mile, through a shower of rebel bullets, on the run, now encountered two ditches and the fort all manned by about 1,500 rebels; just imagine, 600 in the field, exhausted from 12 miles march, the last three quarters of a mile on the run, led against 1,500 rebels, well covered by breastworks, fronted by deep ditches, and protected by an abattis. Yet on went our brave fellows, cheering amidst the death rattle of their comrade and encouraging hurrah, or bravo boys, of their commanding officers, every one of whom endeared himself to the men of the 19 th.

Most noble and patriotically amongst them stood Capt. Patrick Bennett, who to the moment of his death, shouted, “give it to them, boys,” as he led waving his hat high above his head. I have always doubted the manhood of large men, but our Adjutant, Chipman A. Holley, 6 feet 6 inches, towered on to the enemy’s 32

breastworks, every inch a man; and so died the burly, but noble hearted Lieut. Wright, but sir, not a man or officer faltered till the very air seemed to be turned from its course by rebel bullets, then we lay down and hugged the earth close, fighting as best we could for three long hours, vainly looking for reinforcements.

About 5 p.m., Col. Fairchilds, acting General in charge of our brigade, composed of the 148 th and 89th New York and the 19th Wisconsin, gave orders to retreat; but alas, it was too late, many rose to their feet but to fall dead or wounded, others seeing they could fight on their face and hands, but never retreat with any show of life, continued the battle till we fell back, while the rebels advanced and took those who remained, prisoners.

Capt. Martin Scherff, Co. F, Capt. H. Wentworth, Co. K, and Adjt. C. Holley, are all prisoners at Libby Prison, Richmond. From Col. Strong we only know he was wounded through the knee and left on the field. He asked some men and an officer to help him off, all of whom, for some patriotic reason, declined retarding their own progress in such undertaking.

Lieut. Lowery went in like a man at the head of his division, and was last seen on the hill close to the fortifications.

Capt. Spain was the commander of the Division led by the lowery (companies D, and C,) but the General this day detailed him as Brigade officer of the Day, whose duty it then became to see that every man and officer remained with his regiment and did his duty on the field, and faithfully did he perform his duty.

The men in past times often accused their officers of cowardice, and Spain knew it, and on the field twice we came near having a panic. Acting General Fairchild, his Assistant Adjutant General Capt. Puhlman, of the 19th, and the rest of his staff, assisted by Capt. Spain and Col. Murry, of the 148th “Division officer of the Day,” in vain tried to rally the men by prayers and threats, and impeding their way, when Spain shifted his place from the front of the men to their rear, thus getting between them and the rebel fire. He then yelled “now boasters run and leave your officers, here we stand between you and your enemy.” Whereupon the 19th said “no never, we stand by you,” and again we formed a line. Again the line was broken and could not be formed. Capt. Spain was then the only officer of the 19th with us and he being a Captain was on the left of the other two regiments. The line should be started on the right, but neither the 148 th nor the 89th being able to start the line, Capt. Spain then jumped to the front, and says to the 19 th Wisconsin, ‘forward and right oblique to the right, till we show our neighbors from New York how to form a line under an enemy’s fire,” and we did so. We then mustered 15 men and 5 Sergeants and the Captain. An officer then jumped to the front of the swaying mass, composed of the remnants of the 148th and 89th and yelled “New York dare do what Wisconsin can,” and again our line was formed, and here we remained till the 9th Vermont was ordered to our front. Our whole brigade at this time would number perhaps, 80 men.

On our first attempt to stop the stampede, one of the General’s Aids, a Captain of the 2d Pennsylvania, had his ear split open with a musket ball.

After night, Major Vaughn got off the field and assumed command of the Regiment, and behaved throughout most nobly.

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1st Serg’t. Howard of Co. I, was wounded in four places, and when his son, a private in the same company, was helping him off the field, he got his scalp cut with a ball, that covered his head and face with blood, but did no serious harm; the young fellow marched boldly off, and conveyed his parent clear off the field and to the hospital, where they both remained.

The names of the men and 5 Sergeants who formed and took the right of the Brigade are: Co. A—1st Serg’t C.A. Chandler, E.A. Burton, Wm. Swetland, James Curtis, Wm. Pitt and John Wering.

Co. D—Corp. Michael Kane, G.W. Norris and Thomas Brand.

Co. E—Joshua Davis and George Chaffe.

Co. G—Serg’t. Wm. A. Hollenbeck, S.A. Lamphear and Cyrus Kidder.

Co. H—1st Serg’t. T. Cherroin.

Co. I—1st Serg’t. Wm. Taylor and his son, A. Taylor, D.T. Watters and James A. Smith.

We lost our colors, and charge it to those who ordered us to charge and do an impossibility for our numbers.

There were some 20 more of the boys conveying the wounded to the hospital.

The Nineteenth Regiment—Letter from Major Vaughn.

Correspondence of the State Journal CHAPIN’S FARM, Va., Nov. 1, 1864 MESSERS. EDITORS: On the morning of the 27th ult. the 19th Wisconsin was ordered to join a reconnaissance in force, consisting of a large portion of the 18th Army Corps. We left camp at 5 A.M., with three days’ cooked rations, proceeded in a northerly course, passing through a portion of White Oak Swamp, and arrived on the old battle-field of Fair Oaks about 2 P.M. same day. At this point our advance became sharply engaged with the enemy’s skirmishers, driving them back a distance of three-fourths of a mile into their works.

Fairchild’s brigade, composed of the 89th and 148th New York and 19th Wisconsin, (only the veterans being with us,) was at once sent forward to charge a six-gun fort, and in doing so had to pass over an open plain three-fourths of a mile wide, subject to a withering cross-fire as well as a direct one from the works we were charging. In crossing this plain or open field full one-half the brigade fell. The advance succeeded in reaching within one hundred yards, but could go no further, and as a precaution laid down in this position and remained some two hours, expecting supports would come to our assistance. It was now about 5 P.M., and the “Johnnies” knowing they had us, charged out over their works and captured nearly the whole of the regiment.

Some few escaped, choosing rather to run the fire of a storm of rebel bullets than be sent to the “Hotel de Libby” or Belle Isle. Among the fortunate was your humble servant.

We took into the fight about one hundred eighty men and nine officers. Our loss is one hundred and forty men and eight officers. Among those know to be killed are Capt. Patrick Bennett, of Co. E, from Racine County, and Lieut. John Wright, of Co. H, residence Milwaukee. Capt. Martin Scherff, of Co. F, Capt. Harmon Wentworth, of Co. K, and Adjutant C.A. Holley are prisoners in Libby. Lieut. Wm. Spiegleberg was wounded and brought off the field. Lieut. Col. R. M. Strong (known to be wounded) was last seen on the field. Fears are entertained that he died upon the field, as nothing ca be herd of him. Lieut. James G. Lowery and Orderly Sergeant A.E. Christie, of Co. d, are wounded and prisoners in hospital in Richmond. Very few of the wounded succeeded in getting off the field.

I am unable to inform you further at this time.

Very respectfully, S.K. VAUGHN, Major Com’dg.

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From the Nineteenth Regiment—Losses in the Recent Movement

PROVOST MARSHAL’S OFFICE Head Quarters District of Eastern Virginia Norfolk, Va., Nov. 1, 1864 Editors State Journal: The following is a copy of a letter just received from the front: CHAPIN’S FARM, Oct. 30, 1864 CAPT. TABOR: You of course retain a lively interest in your Company, (Co. A) and there never was a time when active sympathy was more needed than now. John has written you, undoubtedly, most of the particulars of the fight of last Thursday. He was not in the charge, and of course could not see all that I saw. Captain if you had been there, and lived to get out, you would have been proud of your old company. The whole regiment and brigade went in like heroes, but it was sheer madness to attempt to carry those works without a single line. Out regiment was on the extreme left of the assaulting line, and was exposed to a murderous cross fire, as well as to a direct fire from the front. Col. Strong fell during the advance, shouting, “Go in, boys, I’m hit!” he is said to have received a bell in the leg, and could not be got off the field, but is probably a prisoner, as the rebels charged out and killed or captured all that were left. Major Vaughn showed great pluck, and was one of the very last to leave the field. He came off unhurt amid a shower of bullets, only a single ball passing through his coat. Poor John Faller fell shot through the breast, while carrying the colors. Carpenter caught them up, and he too fell. Our flag was lost, but with it was lost most of the regiment.

Captains Scherff and Wentworth and Adjutant Holley are in Libby Prison, as we learn from a rebel paper.

Captain Bennett was brought off the field dead. Lieut. Lowrey and Sergt. Major Earthman are missing. Only two Orderly Sergeants came off unhurt—Charrion and myself. Howard, of Co. I, was severely wounded. Nolan was hit twice and is supposed to have been killed. The rest are missing. The casualties in Company A were as follows: Sergt. Dwinelle, wounded in both legs, hand and head—all slight; Corp. Fuller, killed; Corp. Rathbun, wounded in hip; Grote, in head; Dick Thorne, in hand; Sergt. Palmer, Corporals Apker and Hobby Bingman, Cooper, O.H. Dwinnell, Enser, Fosdick, Gahrigen, Hollinshead, Livingston, Mallow, Miller, N.H. Pitte, Pietzsch, Sanborn and Winchester are missing.

The Regiment now consists of 84 men, organized as one company, of which I am Orderly Sergeant, Charroin Sergeant Major and Akjutant, and Spain Captain.

C.A. CHANDLER I learn that of Company B only three are left. Their names are as follows: Charles Kribbs, Frederick Munzer and Jacob Grether.

Col. Sanders is still very low, but hopes are entertained of his recovery.

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A.C.B.

THE NINETEENTH February 8, 1865 This regiment, since the disastrous fight at Fair Oaks, has been gradually getting itself into shape again, and may now be regarded in excellent condition. Its present effective strength is about 400.

Major Vaughn is winning an enviable name as an able and efficient commander, and is well supported by staff and line officers. The surgical department is in charge of Dr. Dodge, of Janesville, than whom there is not a more faithful and skillful surgeon in the army. Dr. Diefendorf, our major surgeon, is on duty at Chesapeake Hospital. We are comfortably hutted for the winter, and are enjoying a good degree of quiet. Picket firing is entirely dispensed with along our lines, and only an occasional report of a gun is heard in the vicinity of Dutch Gap. The boys, or the non-veteran portion of them, are anxiously looking forward to the time—the 19th of April next—when they shall doff the uniform of Uncle Sam and return to civil life. And may we not all anticipate a day not far distant, then our sacrifices and sorrows on there behalf of our torn and bleeding country shall be at an end—when peace shall have been restored to our stricken land—when our national sins shall have been purged away, and every inch of American soil shall have been consecrated to freedom. Then, all of disaster and suffering—all of loss and trial—all of mourning and sorrow—shall be submerged in the swelling tide of joy.

CONSTANTINE. May 3, 1865 RETURNED—We learn that Col. R.M. Strong, of the 19th Regiment, returned last week to his home in Reedsburg. Shortly after the breaking out of the rebellion, Col. Strong, it will be remembered, resigned the Sheriffalty [sic] of this county, and raised the first company for the regiment he now commands. In the advance on Richmond, he was severely wounded, losing his leg, was taken prisoner, and held for some months in confinement in the Southern prison. He deserves, as we doubt not, he has received, a welcome commensurate with his gallantry and sufferings.

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Name

From

Enlisted

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Mustered Out

After the war, Frank Pettis returned to Reedsburg, and worked for his father in the tailor business. At the age of 20, he married Jane Pomeroy on Jan. 1, 1870, and to them were born five children—one son and four daughters.

Oscar Nelson Pettis (1870-1948) Olive Pettis, Mrs. Alfred Deal (1877-1934) Hattie Pettis, Mrs. Charles Rumpf (1874-?)

Lillian May Pettis, Mrs. William Storandt (1887-?)

Mina Pettis, Mrs. C.A. Williams (?)

Shortly thereafter, he went to work at the feed mill of his former teacher and commander, A.P. Ellenwood.

The mill was located near the old fairgrounds on the west side of Reedsburg. He worked there, eventually becoming a partner. In 1907, he was working in the milling business at Camp Douglas. He retired in 1911, and moved back to Reedsburg after his wife died in 1916. He was a lifetime member of the Grand Army of the Republic and the Reedsburg Drum Corps.

1890 Reedsburg Directory

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Sauk County Court Records

4 June 1866 – 14 November 1871 Volume 3 – Page 48 The State of Wisconsin to all whom it may concern and especially to Amos Pettyes of Reedsburg in the aforesaid county greeting: Know ye that whereas application hath been made to the judge of our county court of said county for the appointment of a guardian to Frank Pettyes aged 17 years AD 1866 of Reedsburg in said county minor child and heir of said Amos Pettyes and in appearing to our said judge that Amos Pettyes of Reedsburg in said county is a fit and proper person to be the guardian of said minor and whereas the appointment of guardian in such cases may be made by said judge; and it appears satisfactory that it is necessary to appoint a Guardian to the said minor and said Amos Pettyes having given bond for the faithful discharge of the duties of said trust (which said bond has been affirmed by said judge) now therefore transferring in your care and fidelity, and have appointed and do by these present appoint you the said Amos Pettyes guardian to said minor hereby authorizing and empowering to take and have the custody and _____ of said minor and the care and management of his estate until he shall arrive at the age of twenty one years or until you shall have been discharged from said trust according to law. And you are hereby _____ according to the terms of your bond filed and appointed aforesaid, to make an inventory of all the estate real and personal of said minor that shall come to your possession or knowledge and to return the same into the Probate Registry of the said county court within six months next ensuring the date of these present: To dispose of and manage all such estate according to law and for the best interest of said minor, and faithfully to discharge your duty in relation to the care custody and education of said minor; to make an account on oath of the property estate and moneys of said minor in your hands and all proceeds or interest derived therefrom and of the management and disposition after same within one year next ensuring the date of these present and at such other times as the said county court shall direct; and as the expiration of your trust to settle your account with the judge of said court or with the minor if he shall be of full age or with his or their representative legal representative and to pay over and deliver all the estate moneys and efforts remaining on your hands or due from you on such settlement to the person or persons who may be lawfully entitled thereto. In testimony where of ____ _____caused the seal after said county court to be hereto affixed witness the honorable J. B. Quimby Judge of said court this 6th day of November AD 1866 at Baraboo in said county. J.B. Quimby, County Judge.

Reedsburg Free Press September 5, 1873 FRANK PETTEYS brought part of a load of whopping big watermelons into town last Monday; and left [his] team standing right [in front of] PERRY’s store, while he went and hunted up a customer for them, and the colt part of the team wouldn’t stay worth a cent, but ran off down [the] street, towards the bridge likittylarrup, accompanied by “old mare” part of the team; and GEORGE STEWART very gallantly and valiantly and courageously rushed out of his tavern room, right in front of the team and by sundry shoutings and gesticulations and yankings at the bits, succeeded in bringing the “flying steeds” to a stand-still; and FRANK gave GEORGE the biggest melon in his wagon as a Reward of Merit, and gave us another not to say anything about it; and we vow it was bigger than a great big round green “punkin,” and looked muchly like one and we took it to the lair of ye young editors, and they did feast on it for two whole days, and pronounced it by all odds the bust watermelon tasted this year; in consequence of which we had concluded not to say a word about the runaway or the present to GEORGE or ourselves, but only that everybody who wants a tip top good watermelon should buy it of FRANK PETTEYS. Note that this entire paragraph is a single sentence!

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Reedsburg Free Press

REVIVE OLD TIMES: October 24, 1907 One of those rare reunions which always leaves a bright spot in memory's casket was held last Sat. by a number of members of COMPANY A, 19th. WIS. VOL. INF. This company was remarkable in a number of ways and has some records which are hard to duplicate in the magnificent service in the whole Union Army. Of the one hundred five men originally enlisted there were but seventeen left at the final close.

The forenoon was spent in the G.A.R. hall visiting and at noon all went to the Hotel Grand for dinner. The members present were: J.C. Fosnot, Henry Grote, W.T. Swetland, D.M. Shelden, Frank Pettyes, A.L. Brooks, C.F. Sheldon, C.A. Danforth of Company "A", A.L. Brooks the adopted member of the regiment, and the following invited guests:-Nelson Payne Mrs. H.C. Ellinwood, Mrs. C.F. Sheldon, Mrs. Frank Pettyes, Mrs. D.M. Shelden, Mrs. P.M. Winnie and daughter Alma and Mr. and Mrs. G.J. Seamons.

Clarence Danforth who was a guest of the local members of the company, now lives in Tacoma, Wash. where [he] has accumulated enough of this world's goods so that he can spend his declining years in peace and happiness. But with all the enjoyment to be found in a comfortable home and congenial surroundings, he says he yearned often for the companionship of his former comrades, and well did he improve the times while in this vicinity and not a single one was slighted.

At the close of the war he returned to Reedsburg, but lived here only a year when he moved west and with the exception of a few days spent here in 1881, has not been back since.

Mr. Danforth had been to Virginia where he visited many of [the] scenes, battle fields and places of historical interest, made famous by the army of which his company had a lively part. He has many views, relics and other tokens which were of intense interest to his former comrades and none the less enjoyed by the others present, so the time passed all too quickly.

The company also had the honor of having one of the youngest, if not the youngest enlisted member in the state. His name is Frank Pettyes, and he enlisted with his father eleven days before he was twelve years old.

He went with the company to the front and when his term expired he re-enlisted and served till the close of the war, taking his discharge April 9, 1865. He is now in the milling business near Camp Douglas, respected and honored as a citizen. Only one other musician of the thirty in the 19 th regiment is now living as far as can be learned.

Mr. Grote had kept a memorandum of the doings of the company while in the service, but they were burned out at the time his house was destroyed by fire several years ago.

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Reedsburg Times Press – October 25, 1907

A HAPPY REUNION Army Comrades Have Joyful Meeting LIVE OLD DAYS OVER th

Members of Co. A. 19 Wis. Meet and have Banquet in Honor of Visiting Comrade Sketch of the Company A re-union, the significance of which cannot be appreciated except by who shared army hardships and dangers, was held here last Saturday by a number of the survivors of Co. A, 19th Wisconsin Infantry, the meeting being held on account of the presence in the city of Clarence Danforth of Tacoma, Wash. Mr. Danforth stopped here on his way home from an extended visit in the East and particularly to the scenes of the 19 th Regiment’s operations in Virginia. He had much to tell his comrades of the old battlefields, some of which are scarcely changed after a lapse of more than forty years. The presence of Frank Pettyes of Camp Douglas, the drummer boy of Co. A, added to the pleasurers of the occasion.

The veterans, a number of ladies and guests met at the home of A.S. Brooks and proceeded to hotel Grand, where Landlord Noyes had nicely decorated the dining room with flags and had a fine dinner ready for them.

A jolly dinner hour followed by a season of visiting and reminiscences will long be cherished in the memory of those present.

Those who partook of the banquet were: C.A. Danforth, Mr. & Mrs. Frank Pettyes, Mr. & Mrs. C.F. Shelden, Mr. & Mrs. D.M. Shelden, J.C. Fosnot, Henry Grote, W.T. Swetland, A.J. Brooks, A.S. Brooks, Nelson Payne, Mrs. H.C. Ellenwood, Mrs. P.M. Winne, Miss Alma Winnie and Mr. & Mrs. George Seamans. Mr. Payne belonged to the 19th, but not to Co. A, and Mr. Brooks is regarded as a member by adoption, his regiment, the 2 nd Pa. Heavy Artillery, serving with the 19th before Petersburg.

Co. A was organized in Reedsburg in the fall of 1861, with R.M. Strong as captain, Henry A. Tator and Alexander P. Ellenwood as first and second lieutenants, respectively. The company was assigned to the 19 th Regiment, then organizing at Racine, and spent the winter there. The men suffered a great deal from the cold, the barracks being far from comfortable. In April, 1862, the regiment went to Camp Randall, Madison, and guarded confederate prisoners until in June. Then it was ordered to Virginia, where large forces were gathering for the mighty struggle for Richmond. It is doubtful whether any man in the regiment dreamed at this time that its flag would be the first union flag to float over Richmond, and that that would not occur until almost two years later. The regiment soon reached Norfolk, Virginia, in which city and vicinity it was destined to remain until April, 1863, doing picket guard and provost duty. This duty was performed in a manner that won the praise of the commanding officers, although it was little to the liking of the men. The 19th did more provost duty than any other Wisconsin regiment during the war.

The following extract from Wisconsin In The War, tells something of the service the regiment was called upon to perform and is interesting, as well in conveying an idea as to what service in the army sometimes called for: On the 14th of April, 1863, the Nineteenth received orders to march without tents to Suffolk to reinforce that place, as an attack was expected from Longstreet’s corps. They marched at ten o’clock in the evening, reached Suffolk at midnight, went two miles farther, through a heavy rain and intense darkness, to the camp of the 21 st Connecticut, where about half of the men obtained shelter among the friendly soldiers of that regiment, and the other half suffered exposure to the cold and drenching rain until morning. They had six hundred men for duty.

At five in the evening they were ordered to Jericho Creek, where they pitched their tents, which had now been brought forward. At midnight they were ordered under arms, and four companies were directed to march. It was very dark, the roads were bad, and it rained in torrents. The party proceeded seven miles, floundering through the mud as best they could, wading swollen creeks, where one man came near drowning, and immediately entered on picket duty when they reached their destination. One night they spent in the rifle pits on the Nansemond River. Another night one hundred and sixty men, in nine hours, built a corduroy road three hundred yards over a deep marsh, and a rough bridge over a creek ten yards in width, carrying the timber and rails for them on their shoulders from half to three-fourths of a mile.

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At one time half their number, while exposed to a cold rain, had neither rest nor refreshment for thirty-six hours. One night they pitched tents in obedience to orders, and in an hour, by order, struck tents and prepared to march; then, in obedience to new orders, pitched tents again—two companies being posted as pickets—and at ten o’clock the same night set out on a six miles’ march through deep mud; that accomplished, rested two hours, chiefly in the mud, and then at three o’clock in the morning went into line of battle. That done, they stacked arms, and at daylight engaged in building an earthwork, named “Fort Wisconsin,” here they labored until noon of the next day. Soon after one hundred and fifty men were reported sick; surgeons had resigned; no field officer was with the regiment except Col. Sanders; three line officers were detached from service and our others were sick.

Soon after this the regiment was sent to Newbern, N.C., and there engaged in outpost duty and participated in a number of minor but sharp fights.

In 1864, the regiment returned to Virginia and engaged in the bloody conflicts before Petersburg and Richmond. At the battle of Fair Oaks, near Richmond, October 27, 1864, a portion of the regiment went into the fight with eight officers and 190 men, and but 44 escaped death, injury or capture.

As stated before, the flag of the 19th was the first to float over Richmond, when the city fell. Early in the morning of April 3rd, the regiment started hurriedly for Richmond. The men did not know the meaning of the movement. It was simply a question of marching as fast as their legs could carry them. They passed deserted rebel entrenchments and literally ran four or five miles into the city. The flag was run up over the city hall and the regiment was soon hard at work restoring order in the panic stricken and burning city.

Co. A bore an honorable part in the services rendered by the regiment. Captain Strong became colonel of the regimen and H.A. Tator became captain. Failing health compelled him to resign and he was succeeded by A.P. Ellenwood, the Reedsburg schoolmaster who took a number of his pupils to war.

This Pettis family photo album dating to the Civil War, was donated to the Sauk County Historical Society in 2023, by Sandy Rakow, Frank’s great granddaughter. It was undoubtedly, the album owned by Frank Pettis, or his father, Amos. The photos inside the 2” by 3” album were thumbnail images of Frank, his father, and others in his 19th Regiment, Company A. The cost for each of the small photos would have been around 25 cents each.

Quite a lot for someone back then. Many of the soldiers probably had their picture taken for the first time ever.

They would send the photo home so that if they didn't survive the war, their family would have a remembrance of them. And, sadly, many did not return.

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Reedsburg Free Press

Thursday, August 22, 1918 Obituary Pettis

Frank Pettis was born in Cranesville, Erie Co., Pa. January 22, 1850.

He came to Wisconsin with his parents when about three years old and settled in Reedsburg which was then a very small town. Here he attended school which was taught by A.P. Ellenwood of this city until he was in his eleventh year when he enlisted with his teacher, Capt. Ellenwood in 1861 and served as a drummer boy in the Civil War for three years, then he re-enlisted for the remainder of the war. He was with his captain in every battle in which they engaged: Suffolk, Carville and Bottom Ridge, VA. Newburn, N.C., Deep Creek, Swift Creek, Proctor’s Creek, Dury's Bluff, Petersburg, Va., Fair Oaks Siege of Petersburg and Spring Hill. The regimental colors were the first to float from the confederate capitol, Richmond, Va. At the age of 20 he learned the miller’s trade and was in the milling business until seven years ago when he retired. He was married when about twenty to Jane Pomeroy. Five children were born to them, one son and four daughters, all of whom are living. Oscar of Camp Douglas, Mrs. Alfred Deal and Mrs. William Storandt of Kilbourn, [now Rock Springs, WI] Mrs. C.A. Williams of Gary, Minn., one sister, Mrs. Electa Worden and a half brother, Fred E. Pettis of Endeavor.

He had been to Rochester to the Mayo Bros. hospital for examination on account of poor health and was on his way back to his daughter’s at Kilbourn when he was taken with a stroke at Mauston [WI] and died Thursday morning, August 15th at the hospital in that city.

The body was brought to Reedsburg Friday where it was met at the station by members of the G.A.R. and the Reedsburg Drum Corps of which he was a member, who with muffled drums proceeded the hearse to the home of his cousin, Mrs. Delia Weidman on 2nd street, with whom he had made his home since the death of his wife two years ago. The funeral was held from the home Saturday afternoon conducted by Rev. J.E. Cooke of the Methodist church and the military rites of the G.A.R. Relatives who were present at the funeral were—Oscar Pettis of Camp Douglas, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Rumpf and daughter Pearl of Appleton, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Deal and Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Storandt, Kilbourn, Mrs. C.J. Williams and son of Gary, Minn., Mrs. E. Worden, Mr. and Mrs. F.E. Pettis, and Mrs. W. Holcomb of Endeavor, Arnold Pomeroy, Madison, Fred Hagerty and Henry Burrington of Sun Prairie.

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Reedsburg Times Press August 25, 1918 OBITUARY Frank Pettis On Thursday, August 15, in a hospital, after a prolonged illness, died Frank Pettis, an old and highly respected citizen of Reedsburg at the age of 68 years, 7 months and 24 days. Reedsburg has been the home of deceased for more than 65 years, except for the time he served in the Civil War; then his home was in camp and field with those who fought to preserve this union.

Frank Pettis was born at Carnesville, Penn., January 22, 1850. He came with his parents to Reedsburg when only three [years] of age. That was in the year 1853, when this was a small and struggling hamlet. Here the lad attended school until the outbreak of the Civil War. He was then 11 years old, but was fired with the martial spirit of the day and sought to get into the service. His teacher at that time was Alexander P. Ellenwood, a man inspired with deep patriotism, who started in to raise a company for the defense of the union.

After much importunity, young Pettis was taken as a drummer boy, and in this capacity he rendered valiant services in recruiting the company. Mr. Ellenwood was made second lieutenant, but afterward was promoted to the rank of captain for brave and meritorious conduct in action. As drummer boy Frank Pettis served three years, when the time of enlistment expired. But he did not quit. He enlisted as a common soldier, although only 14 years of age, and served to the end of the war.

When peace was declared, Mr. Pettis returned to Reedsburg and at the age of 20 began to learn the miller’s trade. He followed this business until a few years ago, when he sold out and retired from business.

Deceased married Jane Pomeroy in the year 1870, and to them were born five children—one son and four daughters.

They survive; Mrs. Pettis died about two years ago. The son is Oscar, Camp Douglas; the daughters are, Mrs. C.G. Rumpf, Appleton; Mrs. Alfred Deal, Kilbourn; Mrs. C.G. Williams, Gary, Minn, and Mrs. William Storndt, Kilbourn. A half brother and sister live at Endeavor. There are five grandchildren.

For all his extreme youth, Mr. Pettis’ war record was one to be proud of. Funeral was held at the Harrison Wiedman home, this city, on Saturday, the Rev. J.E. Cooke officiating. G.A.R. boys all were there and the service was a most impressive one. Interment was made at Greenwood.

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Green Wood Cemetery Reedsburg, Wisconsin

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Christmas 2018

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Reedsburg Area

Veteran’s Memorial Wall “This Memorial Wall tells a story…a story of what it took to keep this country free.” The wall was dedicated on July 4, 2011, and “it now stands as a place of gratitude and reflection,” notes the memorial brochure. Frank Pettis, Reedsburg’s drummer boy during the Civil War, is depicted on the left side of the “Courage” panel with his drum.

Photos curtesy of William Schuette 49

Reedsburg Veteran’s Memorial

In 2016, Sandy Rakow and her husband visited Reedsburg and stopped at the Veteran’s Memorial Wall. She is the great granddaughter of Frank Pettis, Reedsburg’s Drummer Boy.

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Greenwood Cemetery in Reedsburg, WI

Sandy Rakow, and her husband, Ray, visited the grave of her great grandfather, Frank Pettis in 2016.

“Sandy said that she remembers that her mother told her that the Walt Disney Studios called her to get permission to do a movie about him-Frank Pettis. Johnny Shiloh, it was called. There was a movie by that name, and I think it may have been based partly on his [Frank’s] life.” [The movie was actually based on the life of Johnny Clem, another 12 year old who distinguished himself during the Civil War. Disney may have wanted background information on the life of other drummer boys.]

This commemorative paver, left, is located in the Tuscania Memorial, in Lower Ochsner Park, Baraboo, WI. It was sponsored by William Schuette in 2018.

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It’s all Relative After having spent over a year researching the history of the life and times of Reedsburg’s Civil War drummer boy, Frank Pettis, it was time to put my genealogical knowledge to the test. I had learned so much about Frank and his exploits, and I wondered if there were any relatives of his still around.

One day, I was rummaging through the files at the Sauk County Historical Society, and came across a file with Frank Pettis’ name on it. Whenever a letter of inquiry is sent to the Society, by someone wanting research on an ancestor that letter and copies of any material sent to them is archived. Included in the file were several queries from a lady in Arizona who was writing on behalf of Sandy Rakow. It turned out that Sandy was a great granddaughter of Frank Pettis!

The letter had been written in 1999 from Tucson, AZ, and I wondered if Sandy was still at that address. A little Internet research located a phone number of the lady who had written the letter of inquiry, and I called her.

Amazingly, she and Sandy were still living in Tucson. After Sandy returned from vacation, I was able to make contact with her and learn more about her famous relative.

As luck would have it, Sandy was coming to Wisconsin in September, 2017, for a class reunion at Beloit, and was eager to come to Reedsburg for a meeting. Sandy, her husband, Ray, and I had a wonderful get-together at the Reedsburg Library. We exchanged information and photos, and then visited the Pettis’ graves at Green Wood Cemetery. We also went to see the Veteran’s Memorial where Frank is depicted on one of the panels.

It was a fascinating afternoon, learning more about Frank, and meeting these new friends. We both vowed to keep in touch.

Interview with Sandy Storandt Rakow, Great granddaughter of Frank Pettis September 2016 Sandra Joan (Storandt) Rakow is the daughter of Roger Ward Storandt and Mary Jane Fisher. Roger was the son of William Storandt and Lillian May Pettis. Lillian was the daughter of Frank A. Pettis and Jane Pomeroy.

Sandy noted that she is from a family of military volunteers, much as was Frank Pettis. Her grandfather Storandt served in WWI, her father was in WWII, and Sandy enlisted in the Navy in 1959.

She said that her grandmother, Lillian Pettis Storandt, was her favorite. She taught Sandy how to sew, which led her to her love for quilting. Lillian would cut up her old house dresses to make quilts. Sandy noted that one of her (Sandy’s) quilts is on display in Washington, D.C. It was noted that Sandy’s grandfather, Frank Pettis, also worked in his father’s tailor shop for a while after his Civil War service—another family connection.

The fife that was used in the war by Amos Pettis—Frank’s father—is still in the family, said Sandy. Her sister, Jacque Storandt Ramsey, has it on display in a shadow box in her home. The fife went to Jacque because she was in the high school band at the time. The whereabouts of the drum that Frank used during the war is unknown. Perhaps one of his extended family still has it somewhere.

Sandy recalled that her mother told her that during the 1960s, the Walt Disney Studio contacted her regarding Frank’s service as a young drummer boy in the Civil War. They were probably doing background research for a Wonderful World of Disney TV film they were making at the time. The resulting story was about another 11 year old drummer boy, John Clem, who distinguished himself during that war. It was called Johnny Shiloh, and stared Kevin Corcoran.

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Larry Pettis Great grandson of Frank Pettis Additional research revealed the whereabouts of another of Frank Pettis’ relatives living in Viroqua, WI, Larry Pettis. He has a brother living in New Lisbon, WI. They are both great grandsons of Frank. Their father was Melvin O. Pettis (1917-?), his father was Oscar Nelson Pettis (1870-1948), who was the son of Frank Pettis (1850-1918) & Jane Pomeroy.

Larry noted that he has another famous relative by the name of Jefferson Davis! Yes, that Jefferson Davis, who was president of the Confederate States. He described the relationship in an email: “My mother’s side was Davis. My grandfather was Merton Davis of Mauston, killed in a saw mill accident in the early 1950s. Jefferson Davis had a half-brother (same father, different mother). I think I’m the great great great great great grandson of that half-brother. Jefferson Davis was in Wisconsin as an officer in the U.S. Army at Fort Winnebago.”

So Larry Pettis can boast that he has ancestors who fought on both sides during the Civil War. Larry also said that it appears that Frank changed the way his last name was spelled. Peteys was the way it was spelled back where he was born in Pennsylvania. In the Wisconsin Volunteers list, it was spelled Peteys.

It was not a misspelling, and it was not uncommon during those times to do that, because of the fear that there might be relatives of theirs in the South, and they didn’t want to fight against a relative. When they came back after the war, they changed it back to Pettis, as it had been here.

Civil War reenactment at Sauk City, WI, 2010 Photo curtesy of William Schuette 53

A drum, similar to this, was carried by Frank Pettis during the Civil War. The whereabouts of his actual drum is unknown. This one is located in the archives of the Sauk County Historical Society.

Prior to the Civil War, drums used by the military were usually 18” deep. However, in order to accommodate the shorter drummer boys of the Civil War, the depth was lessened to 12” to 14”, with a diameter of 16”. A zig zag rope was placed around the drum, which could be manually tightened to stiffen the drum head when it was tuned. A leather strap was attached to the drum to hang the instrument around the player’s neck. The shell of the drum was usually made of ash of maple or other pliable woods. Wooden hoops held the drum head in place. The head, or playing surface, was usually made of calfskin or sheepskin.

A small metal-ringed hole was usually placed on the side of the drum to improve the sound. Drummers would often sign their names, dates, units and home towns inside the drum. This information was placed opposite the hole, making it easy to identify the owner.

Most Civil War drums were decorated with hand painted artwork of Union eagles. DRUM! magazine described a paint job as being: The crowning glory of many of these drums was their hand-painted decorations. Normally the drummer boy would receive his drum with the painting on the shell of the drum. Although there were no standards, a blue background was designated for an infantry unit, while a red background signified artillery. An American bald eagle most commonly emblazoned the Federal Army drums but sometimes the Confederates used it as well. Federal drums were also decorated with 13 stars for each of their 13 [original] states. Confederate states were represented with 11 stars. With these beautiful decorations, it is no wonder that these drums were treasured long after the passionate sentiment of America’s bloodiest battle had abated.

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Headquarters of Wisconsin 19th Infantry, Company A in 1864. Former home of Major General Evans of the Confederate Army—(1) J.T. “Yank” Holton (2) Eugene Dwinnell (3) Jude Castle one of the men (4) Freed Negro Slave (5) L. Cahoon (6) Frank Pettis (7) Cpl. Palmer (8) Freed Negro Slave (9) A.P. Ellenwood (10) H.A. Tator (11) Quarter Master. Photo curtesy Reedsburg Library—Colorized by John Klecker

This composite image consists of a contemporary color photo of the location in Evan’s Mills, New Berne, NC, where the Wisconsin 19th Regiment was stationed. The monochrome image of the blockhouse, was superimposed in its actual location in 1864.

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Reedsburg’s Drummer Boy, Frank Pettis, Returns to New Bern Battle Ground

This cutout of Frank Pettis, was created by Steve Dembickie at New Bern, NC. It was patterned after the newspaper photo of Frank, left, and was placed near the original blockhouse location.

The New Bern, North Carolina Connection “It's funny how things happen and how interesting and fascinating history is.”

This from a May, 2016, email which I received from Steve Dembickie, who lives just across the road from where the log blockhouse in New Bern, NC, was located, and where the Wisconsin 19th Company A, was stationed in 1864 during the Civil War. It was the unit in which Frank Pettis served as a drummer boy.

Steve went on to relate the following story: “This all started about a month ago when a good friend of mine had read a book from the New Bern library titled Crossing Antietam, the Civil War Letters of Captain Henry Augustus Sand, Company A, 103rd New York Volunteers. In his letters he describes picket duty at the Evans Mill Plantation and the surrounding area.

“This is less than a month after the battle and capture of New Bern in March, 1862, so I am guessing before the blockhouse is built. He writes about five letters back home to his family from right here at Evans Mill.

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It was upon reading his letters that prompted me to research more about the Plantation and the picture I had of the blockhouse, which in turn led me to finding the same blockhouse picture on your [the Sauk County Historical Society] website. Who would have thought that I would have to go through Wisconsin to learn about New Bern and Evan’s Mill?”

Steve has provided much of the information regarding that location, and its significance as related to the Wisconsin 19th, Company A, when it was stationed there. He is as dedicated to this project as I am, and we have both learned a lot about this phase of the Civil War.

This fife and pipe belonged to Amos Pettis, Frank’s father, who also served in the Civil War as a fifer. It now belongs to Jacque Storandt Ramsey, a great granddaughter of Frank. She said that when the pipe was placed into the shadowbox, it still contained tobacco.

Photo curtesy of Jacque Ramsey

There was another direct Petty ancestor who fought in the Revolutionary War. He was the son of Benjamin Petty. James Petty (1755-1821) was Frank Pettis’ great grandfather, and was a private who fought at Rhode Island in the military unit of Topham’s Regiment, State Troops. He enlisted 4 August 1778, and was 23 years old at the time.

Just as Amos Pettis and his son, Frank Pettis, both were participants in the Civil War, so were Benjamin Petty, and his son, James Petty, both participants in the Revolutionary War.

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Pettis Souvenir of the War In 2018, I received a letter from John D. Seidel of Thiensville, WI who had a Confederate guidon flag, which family tradition said was brought home as a souvenir of war by Frank Pettis when his unit was stationed in Richmond, VA. This type of flag was used to rally the troops around the commanding officer, and was always placed on the field when the officer was present.

The flag was given or sold to Fred Eugene Pettyes (1866-?), who gave it to his daughter, Lena Mae Pettyes (1912-1978), who gave it to her son, John F. Seidel on his 21st birthday. John wrote to me to see if I could provide him with information about the flag.

Mr. Seidel indicated that he knew the name of his grandfather, but not that of his grandmother.

His mother didn’t speak much of her family when she was alive, said Seidel. So, I decided that I would see if I could learn anything about his ancestors.

Thus began another genealogical and historic research project, into another branch of the Pettis tree. I took out a month’s membership in Ancestry.com to begin my search. I was extremely lucky to find several people who had already conducted extensive research on the Pettis family. And what I learned really came as a surprise to me. There are two other historically notable ancestors on the Pettis tree, but more about them later.

Photo curtesy of John Seidel

I sent photos of the flag to my friend in North Carolina, the one who lives near the site where Frank and his unit served during part of the Civil War, and who was a great help in doing research on Frank’s sojourn there.

His Civil War history group, includes a member who is an expert regarding Civil War flags. He indicated that it appears to have been homemade, based on the hand stitching.

I then began researching the gentleman who originally received the flag from Frank, Fred E. Pettyes, who was his half brother. They had the same father, Amos Pettis, but different mothers. After Amos’ first wife died (Cordelia A. Cole), he married Fred’s mother (Margaret Ann Dey Miller), and apparently changed the spelling of his name to Pettyes. That was not uncommon in those days.

I was able to locate two persons who had conducted research into the Pettyes family history, and who had posted their family research on line. Included were photos, and extensive histories of each of the persons in their tree. These included their spouses, children, dates, and other pertinent information which was available through various genealogical and government resources. The extent of the Pettis’ family ancestors goes into the thousands, if one wanted to follow up on research for each of them. However, I followed only Frank Pettis’ direct line back to 1567!! Frank’s oldest documented relative was Ebenezer Pettey, who was born that year. The family has documented records of ancestors in England that go back over 450 years! That’s only 75 years after Columbus discovered America.

I also learned that two of Frank’s ancestors fought in the American Revolutionary War! Benjamin Petty (1724-?), was a Captain in the Massachusetts Army, enlisting in 26 Jan. 1776. I wonder if he ever saw or met George Washington.

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More Souvenirs of the Civil War at New Burn, NC A July, 2020, email from Steve Dembickie, NC, brought good news. “Was doing some metal detecting here at my house this past week and found another Minie ball along with two canister balls and possibly a horse tack buckle. Have not done any serious detecting here for a number of years. Found these articles on my east side yard, the side facing where the blockhouse stood about 130 feet away. A very good find!”

Photos curtesy of Steve Dembickie

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Photo work by John Klecker

The original blockhouse image superimposed on the New Bern, NC, site as it looks today.

Photo from the collection of Nathaniel Glasgow This is a different photo of the Evans house that Nathaniel Glasgow found. The picture was taken from a side view of the house while the 51st Massachusetts was garrisoned there, March - May 1863, about five months before the Wisconsin 19th arrived. This is the same house where Frankie Pettis is pictured sitting on the lap of Lewis Cahoon.

Excerpt from a letter to his wife, from “Gustavus,” dated April 9, 1863, describing this photo.

“Our last sensation at Evans Mills is a photograph of the Company paraded before the officers house. An artist from Newbern came here and took the pictures. There are three views. One showing the company at ‘parade rest’ officers and sergeants in front, officers quarters, darkies, Dr. Eames, Capt. JD Kimball, Artillery Sergeant Atkins and gate sentinel Doggett in background.”

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Curtesy of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum

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Epilog A three-thousand-year-old inscription in King Tut’s tomb reads, “To speak the name of the dead is to make them live again…” In a small way, this research into the life of Frankie Pettis, has reawakened his memory and life story for those of us who have learned of his courage and dedication during the Civil War over 150 years ago. On Memorial Day in 2016, a wreath was placed on his grave in Greenwood Cemetery, in memory of Reedsburg’s brave young drummer boy.

I would like to thank the following who helped make this research and publication possible: Sandra Storandt Rakow, Jacque Storandt Ramsey, Steve Dembickie, Larry Pettis, Reedsburg Library, the Reedsburg Area Historical Society, The Sauk County Historical Society, and the Reedsburg Old Settlers Association. Also thanks to John Klecker of New Bern, NC, for colorizing photos in this publication.

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Photo curtesy of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum

Researched, written & produced by William C. Schuette 2016 & 2021 Updated 2023 Reedsburg, Wisconsin Copyright William C. Schuette

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