16 Wisconsin Ouzakee Rifles

[shariethomaswestling]

Hello,
I am new to this forum, but I did see that a member is looking for anyone else with ancestors who served in the Ozaukee Rifles out of Port Washington Wisconsin. My Great Great Grandfather Henry Thomas served for several years and was wounded. Died in the Old Soldiers Home Milwaukee in 1919. His brother Charlie died in Henry's arms preceding the battle of Atlanta. I have a fair amount of information on this as well as a portrait of these two very young Thomas boys and information on their parents, and Henry's offspring. I would love to talk.
Sharie Thomas Westling

[email protected]

 

[CMWinkler]

Welcome.

 

[Legion Para]

Welcome to the forum Sharie.

Please tell us more about Henry Thomas. Were Charlie and Henry with Company K at Shiloh? Could you post a photo of Henry? Thank you.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

Welcome to CivilWarTalk.

I believe that member was @16wisvolinf. I don't believe he's been on the forums since last summer. However, if he returns I tagged him in this reply so that he might see your post.

 

[shariethomas]

Welcome to CivilWarTalk.

I believe that member was @16wisvolinf. I don't believe he's been on the forums since last summer. However, if he returns I tagged him in this reply so that he might see your post.

Thanks! I hope he sees it. I would love to share some more family information with him. I have learned that knowing our past, leads us to greater understanding of our present! Poor Henry Thomas suffered greatly, as did all of those Civil War Soldiers! His PTSD behavior (as we would label it today) I believe was passed down to his son's and their son's. Helps me to understand and forgive my "tough" father, grandfather and great grandfather. Seems like those things get passed down to several generations and eventually get "watered down" in following generations.
There is an amazing account of the Wisconsin 16 (named the "Ozaukee Rifles") Google it to find this amazing account of those boys. It covers 4 years of service. It was written by a guy who must have served with the unit. At least there are MANY personal accounts covering the 4 years. My other thought is that it was compiled from a host of letters written back home...but written almost like a diary covering 4 years. I think this guy became a reporter for the Port Washington News Paper in his later years. Guaranteed to bring you to your knees!

 

[shariethomas]

Welcome to the forum Sharie.

Please tell us more about Henry Thomas. Were Charlie and Henry with Company K at Shiloh? Could you post a photo of Henry? Thank you.


View attachment 89903

Yes both were in the Battle of Shiloh, I believe. So young! Family story is that Charlie (age 16) joined first, followed by his younger brother Henry (age 14) , who wanted to protect him. Did not work out since Charlie eventually died in the arms of his younger brother Henry. Last words were, "I have the death wound" Charlie was "hit in the bowels by a minie ball"

 

[shariethomas]

Welcome to CivilWarTalk.

I believe that member was @16wisvolinf. I don't believe he's been on the forums since last summer. However, if he returns I tagged him in this reply so that he might see your post.

Is there a way to personally contact him, via this forum? Or is my best hope that he will once again "sign on" to this forum?

 

[shariethomas]

Welcome to the forum Sharie.

Please tell us more about Henry Thomas. Were Charlie and Henry with Company K at Shiloh? Could you post a photo of Henry? Thank you.


View attachment 89903

Thanks! I tried to post a photo of the two Civil War brothers in another reply here. Hope you can see it. Kind of an almost creepy image! Looks like it was a black and white photograph that was colored over by chalk. The chalk comes off. My Dad had inherited from Henry's niece but he gave it away to his elderly cousin. I was very selfish and wanted to keep it, but Dad didn't know I was interested. At least I had access to copy it. Who knows maybe I will get it back some day!
Is the photo that you have posted an image of the Wis 16 Flag?? I have NEVER seen that image before!

 

[Legion Para]

Yes, the flag posted above is the State Colors carried by the 16th Wisconsin.

Click on the following link for more information on the flags of the 16th Wisconsin.

http://www.wisconsinbattleflags.com/units-flags/16th-wisconsin.php

 

[Legion Para]

The Wisconsin Veterans Museum has a large collection of 16th Wisconsin images. Just click on the link below.

http://wisvetsmuseum.pastperfectonl...yword=16th+Wisconsin+Infantry+Regiment&page=5

There was a Henry L. Thomas in Company E, 16th Wisconsin. Any relation?

 

[Legion Para]

This old thread may be of interest.

http://civilwartalk.com/threads/16th-wisconsin-infantry.117876/

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

Is there a way to personally contact him, via this forum? Or is my best hope that he will once again "sign on" to this forum?

I don't think so. It appears he never shared any personal contact info.

We have private messaging within CivilWarTalk, but that's only if he logs back in.