Civil War Soldier's Grouping from Captain Richard Carter, Wisconsin 2nd and 5th Infantry Including his Sword, Diaries, Letters... (Total: 2 )

Description

Civil War Soldier's Grouping from Captain Richard Carter, Wisconsin 2nd and 5th Infantry Including his Sword, Diaries, Letters, Documents, Reunion Ribbons and Other Effects.

Richard E. Carter first enlisted in the Wisconsin 2nd Infantry in May 1861 as a private. He remained with the Wisconsin 2nd for a year and the group includes his diary for that time with content detailing the formation of his company and their participation at the First Battle of Bull Run (First Battle of Manassas). Carter was discharged from the Wisconsin 2nd Infantry in November 1861 and then enlisted as a quartermaster sergeant in the Wisconsin 5th Infantry in March 1862. During his time with the Wisconsin 5th, the infantry saw heavy fighting at Williamsburg, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and the Wilderness.

The archive includes Carter's diaries for 1861 and 1863; eight letters dated June 30, 1861 to December 4, 1863; approximately 42 documents relating to his service in the Wisconsin 5th, including his appointment and a seven page draft giving an account of all the battles his regiments participated it; four newspapers, and several post war documents and correspondences; Carter's sword and sword belt; pocket knife; a Masonic token; and various Women's Relief Corps medals and ribbons.

Most notably present is Carter's 1861 diary during his service in the Wisconsin 2nd, which would go on to earn the nickname, "The Iron Brigade." The pocket diary measures 3 x 6 inches with printed dates for daily entries which are mostly written in pencil. The diary begins on Monday, May 6 and much of that month gives an account for daily drilling and arrivals of new recruits. On May 24, Carter writes that the Milwaukee Zouaves had arrived, drawing large crowds, and that "News came of the assassination of Col. Ellsworth." Ellsworth had been killed that very day, and that Carter records it likely that evening is evidence of the significance of the event in rallying Union sentiment. Carter records the mustering into Federal service on June 11 of the Wisconsin 2nd.

Carter joins the regiment band in June, and records the troops daily routines and movements, including the capture and shooting of spies on June 28. The Wisconsin 2nd fought at the First Battle of Bull Run, and Carter records the regiment's movements leading up to the battle as well as their participation. The day of the battle he writes: "[July 21] At 2 o'clock this morning we were awakened by our officers & started for Bulls run at 6 20 the signal gun was fired & it was a long time before they replied. It was near noon ere the battle reached its height at that time the 69th N.Y. made a charge. Tremendous firing lasted the entire day. Our forces made their retreat several times but they received reinforcements all day." Additional transcriptions can be found online in the extended description. The rest of the diary has sparse entries, with one notable entry on September 28 in which Carter records: "Our troops mistakenly fired into each other killing a few."

Carter is discharged in November 1861 and reenlists into the Wisconsin 5th in March 1862 and much of the rest of the documents, letters and a second diary are from his service with the Wisconsin 5th. A second diary kept in a small line notebook measuring 3 ¼ x 5 inches contains entries dated from October 16, 1863 to May 7, 1864. Carter has written his name on the front cover, and again on the first page, and writes instructions should he die in battle: "In case of my decease in battle or otherwise telegraph the fact and manner and send my effects to William E. Carter. Platteville. Grant County, Wisconsin." The diary is mostly written in pencil and gives a good account of the Battle of Rappahannock Station and the ensuing Union advances. Carter writes: "Saturday Nov. 7th 1863. Again we are in motion towards the enemy. We moved out at daylight our Brigade leading left in front. Ordered not to light any extra large fires that the enemy be not alarmed and this after a citizen outside our picket line had been told by staff officer yesterday that we were to march today. Took the road to Fayettesville. Soon after noon reached the Railroad I think near Rappahannock Station Rebels are in plain sight. Sunday Nov 8th 1863. Just before sundown yesterday our Brigade received orders to forward our line of battle. After march to within sight of the Rebel fortifications we partook of something to eat and soon started again forward. The Sixth Maine were deployed as skirmishers. We supported them in the first line and were in turn supported by the 49th and 119th Pa. In the charge we took possession of two forts and the connecting rifle pits. The fire was very hot but we drove the enemy from their works. They fought stubbornly but the 2nd Brigade Wi Regts aiding our Brigade took 12 prisoners and thirteen pieces of artillery & eight or nine stand of color with 1500 stand of arms. The Col. was wounded in the hand. Major [John Mansfield] mortally wounded. Capts Walker & Ordway killed and Lieut Hutchinson & Farwell wounded. 7 enlisted men killed & 47 wounded. The Sixth Me. Lost 15 officers killed & wounded & about 90 men, I understand we on our arms near the fort."

Carter's eight letters are mostly written to his brother William ("Bill"). One notable four-page letter dated November 22, 1863 gives an account of the Battle of Rappahannock Station and makes mention of Captain Walker writing instructions in the event of his death. His account describes their attack on the fort and the poor performance of the 119th Pennsylvania. A partial transcription can be found online in the extended description.

Included in Carter's military papers is a 7-page draft report written on four bifolia dated November 22, 1864. The report is supposed to be his annual report as assistant quartermaster for July 1, 1864, but in fact gives an accounting of all the battles he participated in during his service in the Wisconsin 2nd and 5th Infantries giving a brief account for each battle. Of Gettysburg, he writes: "Reached Gettysburg on the 2nd of July and were immediately thrown forward. Were soon moved to the extreme left and formed the extreme left of the Army. On the 5th started in pursuit of the enemy overtook him near Fairfield an had a slight skirmish. Passed on the 6th through Emmetsburg in pursuit..."

Carter's non-regulation Foot Officers' sword has a 27 ¾-inch slightly curved blade (33 ½-inches overall) with etched foliate designs on either side and an "H. Sauerbier / NEWARK / NJ" maker mark on the reverse ricasso. Gilded-brass hilt with an open guard with foliate arms. Wire-wrapped leather grip. Metal scabbard with two mounting rings. The hilt shape has more in common with the Model 1860 cavalry saber than the regulation Foot Officers' sword. An interesting example and an uncommon maker. The accompanying leather sword belt has a regulation 1851 pattern brass waist belt plate; with ornate stitching and retains the brass keeper and one of the mounting straps. Also included is an English-made silver pocket knife with a 2 ½-inch blade, 6-inches open with English hall marks engraved "Lieut. R. Carter." Also, a Masonic token, 1 ¼-inches in diameter, from the Dodgeville [Wisconsin] Chapter No. 82 R.A.M., with "Richard Carter" on the obverse; two Woman's Relief Corps medals; and fifteen silk ribbons including several for the Woman's Relief Corps and various encampment ribbons and reunion ribbons.

Condition: Both diaries have wear to the covers but are intact. Documents and letters have usual wear along folds and partial separations. November 22, 1864 report is light, with foxing and intermittent loss of paper affecting text. The sword blade has an old repair 6 ½-inches from the hilt; the wire wrap on the grip is complete but unraveled. The metal scabbard with uniform light surface rust. Good condition. The waist belt is dry and scuffed with a few significant tears along the edges. The belt plate displays honest wear and the tongue has suffered a bit of loss. Pocket-knife blade is bit loose but is generally in very good condition. Newspapers have been stored folded with heavy wear and chipping. Remaining medals and ribbons in very good condition.

More Information: Transcriptions of entries in the 1861 diary leading up to and including First Bull's Run:

"[July 16] Great bustle today preparing to march. Started at 3 P.M. 18 Regs. on the march passed the place where the Ohio troops were fired into by a Battery. Marched into Vienna & marched there about 10 P.M. [July 17 written above the date] 9 Maine soldiers taken prisoner & shot...Secessionists wandering too far from camp. [That day's entry then reads:] About 3 A.M. called up by the ... of Sherman's Battery. A short time after noon we reached Germantown where the S had thrown up breastworks & then vacated in such a hurry they left their warm dinners. Captured 3 Cavalry early & two late. The enemy had made blockades all along the roads... [Carter continues his entry for July 17 in the front of the diary in the space for January 2] cont July 17th. The boys fired the house in Germantown near Fairfax. Cooked Chickens, pigs, turkeys &c. About 4 P.M. we encamped between two & three miles from Germantown. The Secessionists were about 2 hours ahead. About 200 S. Cavalry were skirmishing around our camp. [July 18] About a little before noon an engagement commenced between the N.Y. 12th & the Mass 1st and about 15 or 25000 R in which Shermans Battery took part it is rumored that the 12th & 1st are cut to pieces. Our Brigade men we Geo P... & myself formed immediately behind the Colors & saw shoot & shell fall like...around us [he continues this entry in the front of the diary] July 18th Saw a Ball from a Rifle Cannon fall into the Ranks & kill a La Crosse boy. We fell back & encamped for the night near Centreville it is rumored that large reinforcements arrived on both sides. We had Artillery. It is rumored that Beauregard is in charge in person. [July 19] Last night we camped about a mile from Centreville on the road to Manassas nothing of importance only that we are encamped in sight of the Fairfax mansion... [July 20] Musket firing nearly all night. We are expecting an attack but this morning all is quiet again. [July 21] At 2 o'clock this morning we were awakened by our officers & started for Bulls run at 6 20 the signal gun was fired & it was a long time before they replied. It was near noon ere the battle reached its height at that time the 69th N.Y. made a charge. Tremendous firing lasted the entire day. Our forces made their retreat several times but they received reinforcements all day. [July 22] At 1 A.M. this morning I awoke our Regt & we started for Camp. We reached Vienna about day break. After resting a few moments we again started & readied Camp about 8 A.M. We then got orders to start immediately for Fort Corcoran & stayed until nearly night in a rain storm we then went into a barn & slept all night.

Partial transcription of a four-page letter dated November 22, 1863 with an account of the Battle of Rappahannock Station: "....When we commenced the charge I had not the slightest idea we were going to storm the works. Twas near dark. We were marching in line of battle with guns unloaded and the Colonel had no idea of an attack as I should judge for without loading he gave the order to ‘stack arms.' We had hardly put our guns in stack before the order came to 'take arms' and ‘forward' when one of our officers suggested that our guns were not loaded. We then had to halt and load and the Sixth Maine were still advancing as skirmishers. When we did start we had to run in the place of ‘double quick.' Not a word was spoken of what we were to do and many of us had no idea until the command ‘double quick' was given. Then the command left oblique was given and that threw the left including us still farther behind and mixed us up somewhat add to this it was a very uneven piece of ground with a ditch in front about as bad to cross as a mill race and but a short distance from the fort. The first shell fired at us after we started to charge wounded a Sergeant or our Co. close by me. On on we went men falling around until we reached the foot of the work. Here I saw Gen Russell, Col Allen, Capt. Packard, Gen Russell's aid and Adjt. Bennett on horseback close to the works urging the men in. That was the excess of braving. ‘Fill up the pits' was the cry. I dashed into the fort as soon as I could and took a hasty survey of the ‘situation.' "Twas so dark I couldn't see whether the fort was merely a redoubt of a regular fort. I could see the bridge and that we enfiladed it at short range. I immediately directed all the officers around me. Meantime the Rebel fire at the corner of the fort where we were standing was as hot as any fire I ever witnessed musketing. It behooved me to seek shelter while exposing ourselves could benefit no one, besides we were all too tired to stand so we got behind the works. Our work was done. We had taken the works and our duty now was to hold them. The enemy were menacing our right flank where we should have been supported by the 119th & 49th Pa. The 49th came up pretty well but the 119th did nothing and hid behind bushes and could not be rallied. Gen Russell said to Col Ellmaker Col. your Reg. is not wirth a dam. I know it the Col. answered. None but the Conscripts and they fight well. Capt. Packard, Gen's aid said toa few of us the other day if the 119th had done their work as well as the rest of the Regt.s there would have been no need of sending for the 2nd Brigade and we might have had all the credit..."