I posted earlier about my ancestor from the 26th NC- I misspoke, he was actually my
wife's ancestor. But in further researching, I found something amusing or amazing depending upon your point of view:
my ancestor, Joseph Plummer Carder, was with the 19th Indiana at Gettysburg, which was part of the fight against the Confederate forces which included the 26th NC. So her ancestor and my ancestor spent the better part of the day shooting at each other (mine won, her's was wounded).
He did pretty good for himself, enlisted in Company K, Indiana 19th Infantry Regiment on 29 Jul 1861.Promoted to Full Sergeant, then promoted to Full 1st Lieutenant on 15 Oct 1863.Mustered out on 18 Oct 1864 at Petersburg, VA. Enlisted in Company K, 20th Infantry Regiment Indiana on 18 Oct 1864. Mustered Out Company K, 20th Infantry Regiment Indiana on 6 Dec 1864. There's some confusion on whether he was mustered into the 20th as a Captain, or left the 19th as a Captain. I'm guessing his service was up and the 20th was headed home, so he was attached to them.
The icing on the cake, however, is right here (2nd from right):
View attachment 16249
Here's some of his service before he got to Gettysburg
Nineteenth Infantry INDIANA
(3 years)
Nineteenth Infantry. Cols., Solomon Meredith, Samuel J.
Williams John M. Lindley, Lieut.-Cols., Robert A. Cameron,
Alois O. Bachman, Samuel J. Williams, William W. Dudley, John
M. Lindley; Majs., Alois O. Bachman, Isaac M. May, William W.
Dudley, John M. Lindley, William Orr.
This regiment was organized and mustered in at Indianapolis
July 29, 1861. On Aug. 9 it joined the Army of the Potomac at
Washington.
Its first engagement was at Lewinsville, Va., Sept. 11, where
it lost 3 men killed and wounded and 3 missing. It next
fought at Falls Church, after which it went into quarters at
Fort Craig, near Washington.
On March 10, 1862, it was attached to McDowell's (1st) corps,
with which it moved towards Fredericksburg and then toward the
Shenandoah Valley. It remained at Warrenton until Aug. 5,
when it made a reconnaissance towards Spottsylvania Court
House. It then joined Gen. Pope's army, fought at Cedar
Mountain, Gainesville and the second Bull Run. At Gainesville
it lost 187 in killed and wounded and 33 missing.
After the second battle of Bull Run it was stationed for a
time at Washington, then moved to Frederick City, Md., and
when Lee began his invasion of Maryland moved with Hooker's
corps in pursuit. At South mountain the regiment lost 40 in
killed and wounded and 7 missing, and at Antietam went into
action with 200 officers and men of whom but 37 returned from
the field.
Col. Meredith was made a brigadier-general on Oct. 6, and
Lieut.-Col. Williams became colonel. At Fredericksburg the
regiment was in the 4th brigade, 1st division, 1st corps, but
was only slightly engaged. It then went into winter quarters
until the beginning of Gen. Hooker's Chancellorsville
campaign, when it was in an engagement at Fitzhugh's crossing
of the Rappahannock where it lost 4 men killed and wounded.
It was in position at Chancellorsville, but was not called
into action. It was then attached to the 1st brigade, 1st
division, 1st corps, which was the first of the infantry to
engage the enemy at Gettysburg on July 1, 1863. The regiment
aided in the capture of Archer's Confederate brigade, but lost
210 men out of 288 that went into battle on that first day.
During the other two days of the fight it occupied a position
on Cemetery hill, but was not seriously engaged.
It then took part in the Mine Run campaign and passed the
winter near Culpeper, where a portion of the regiment
reenlisted. It broke camp at the beginning of the Wilderness
campaign; was engaged at the Wilderness, Laurel Hill, about
Spottsylvania, at the North Anna River and Cold Harbor; and
was then constantly on duty in the trenches before Petersburg
until the end of the siege.
Its losses from May 4 to July 30, 1864, were 36 killed, 168
wounded and 16 missing. The non-veterans were mustered out at
Indianapolis early in Aug., 1864, and the veterans and
recruits as part of the "Iron brigade" took part in the
expedition against the Weldon railroad. On Oct. 18, 1864, the
regiment was consolidated with the 20th Ind., Col. Orr of the
19th becoming colonel of the new organization, and served thus
until mustered out at Louisville, Ky., July 12, 1865.
Source: The Union Army, vol. 3
*********************************************************************************
Antietam after battle report:
Report of Col. Solomon Meredith, Nineteenth Indiana Infantry, of the battle
of South Mountain.
HEADQUARTERS GIBBON'S BRIGADE,
Camp near Sharpsburg, Md., September 20, 1862.
DEAR SIR: I most respectfully submit to you the following report of the
part taken by the Nineteenth Indiana Volunteers in the battle of the 14th
instant at South Mountain:
On the evening of the 13th we encamped 2 miles southeast from Frederick,
Md. We left camp soon after sun-up, marched through Frederick, took the
road toward Hagerstown, and marched 12 miles. On arriving near South
Mountain, it was ascertained that the enemy was in force on the mountain
and in the pass. I was ordered to form a line of battle about 3 o'clock p. m.,
which was done on the hill facing the mountain. Remained there until about
5 o'clock, when we were ordered to go forward. We went forward in line
of battle on the left of the pike leading through the pass, supported by the
Second Wisconsin, two companies of which (commanded by Capt.
Colwell) had been deployed as skirmishers. I also deployed Company B,
Capt. Dudley's, as flankers, to protect our left flank. We moved slowly
and cautiously, but steadily, forward. The skirmishers were soon fired on,
but pressed forward with caution.
On arriving near a house on our extreme left, surrounded on the southwest
and north by timber, I discovered large numbers of the enemy in
and around the house. They had been annoying us as well as the skirmishers
by firing from the house and outhouses; also from the woods near the house.
I ordered Lieut. Stewart, who commanded a section of Battery B,
Fourth Artillery, to come forward and open fire upon the house. He moved
forward his section of two pieces and threw several splendid shots, the first
of which took effect in the upper story, causing a general stampede of their
forces from that point, enabling us to go forward more rapidly, and with less
loss from their sharpshooters. Their skirmishers soon opened a sharp fire
upon ours, which made it necessary for us to push forward. We then opened
fire on the enemy at short range, who were concealed in part under cover.
The fire became general on both sides. The Nineteenth gave a shout, and
pressed forward-continued a steady step forward, cheering all the time. It
was a most magnificent sight to see the boys of the Nineteenth going
forward, crowding the enemy, cheering all the time.
After driving the enemy about three-quarters of a mile, I discovered a stone
fence in-front, which the enemy had fallen back to. At that point they were
annoying us very much. I then ordered Capt. Clark, Company G, to wheel
his company to the left, and move by the right flank until he could command
the line of battle lying directly behind the stone fence. They then opened a
flank fire upon the enemy, causing them to retreat precipitately, which gave
us an opportunity of pouring upon them a raking fire as they retreated.
Capt. Clark here took 11 prisoners-1 major, 1 captain, and 1 lieutenant
amongst them. The firing then ceased in front of us. The Second Wisconsin
came to our support promptly as soon as the firing became general, and
stood by the Nineteenth until the enemy fled over the mountain. After the
firing ceased in front, we discovered the enemy, who was concealed behind
a stone fence on the right of the pike, in front of the Seventh Wisconsin,
annoying them by a deadly fire behind their breastworks. Col. Fairchild,
commanding Second Wisconsin, wheeled the left wing of his regiment, and
opened an enfilading fire upon the enemy. After exhausting their
ammunition, he withdrew them and ordered up his right wing to take their
place, in which position they remained until they exhausted their
ammunition, when they were withdrawn. I then took forward my regiment
and occupied the same position, and continued an enfilading fire upon the
enemy, who soon fell back from their strong position, the Wisconsin and
Indiana boys giving three hearty cheers as the fate of the day was thus
decided.
It was then after 9 o'clock in the night, and pursuit being considered
dangerous, we lay down on our arms, holding the battle-field. Small
detachments of my command were now engaged in bringing in wounded
prisoners. We held the field until about 12 o'clock, when we were relieved
by fresh troops. The loss in the Nineteenth Indiana was 9 killed, 37
wounded, and 7 missing, making an aggregate of 53.
It was a glorious victory on the part of Gen. Gibbon's brigade driving the
enemy from their strong position in the mountain gorge. The boys of the
Nineteenth Indiana behaved most gloriously. Too much praise cannot be
bestowed upon them for their courage and gallantry. The officers were active
in the discharge of their duties. Lieut.-Col. Bachman was very
efficient on this occasion, rendering me important service.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. MEREDITH,
Col. Nineteenth Indiana Volunteers.
Lieut. FRANK A. HASKELL,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen.
Report of Capt. William W. Dudley, Nineteenth Indiana Infantry, of the
battle of Antietam.
CAMP, GIBBON'S BRIGADE,
September 21, 1862.
DEAR SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report o the part taken
by the Nineteenth Indiana Volunteers in the battle of the 17th instant:
Owing to the fall which Col. Meredith received in the battle of the 28th
of August, and the subsequent fatigue and exposure of the marches up to the
16th instant, he was unable to take command on our movement across the
Antietam Creek. The command now fell upon Lieut.-Col. Bachman.
Immediately on crossing the cheek we were advanced in line of battle up the
hill in a plowed field which covered the brow of the hill in a plowed field
which covered the brow of the hill. Lieut.-Col. Bachman
immediately deployed Company A, Sergeant Eager, forward as skirmishers
through the corn-field, in order to protect your front and the crossing of our
division, which, being accomplished, we were ordered to join the brigade
and move farther up to the right. We stopped for the night, having closed
column by division on first division, right in front.
Early on the morning of the 17th instant we were called up and prepared to
go into action. We moved directly to the front, in column by division. Our
first casualty occurred in a peach orchard near the destined battle-field.
We now moved to the edge of a corn-field near a stone house, which was
immediately used as a hospital. Here we lay down, while your skirmishers
were scouring the corn-field in front. We were soon ordered to the right, to
a piece of woods which skirted the battle-field on the right. Here we
deployed column and formed our line of battle on the right of the Seventh
Wisconsin Volunteers, and Lieut.-Col. Bachman ordered Company
B, then my command, to deploy forward as skirmishers. This being done,
the regiment moved slowly forward till the right was through the wood,
when we halted. It was at this time that the attempt was made to take Battery
B, Fourth Artillery, which was stationed at the straw stacks near the stone
house hospital. Upon seeing the advance of the enemy, Lieut./Col.
Bachman at once called in the skirmishers, and changed front forward on the
tenth company, so as to front the left flank of the enemy.
As soon as it was practicable we opened fire on them, and we have every
reason to believe that our fire was very effective in repulsing their attack
on the battery. Soon we saw the enemy falling back in great disorder, and it
was at this juncture that the gallant Lieut.-Col. Bachman, yielding to
the urgent appeals of the men, gave the order to charge, and, hat in hand
and sword drawn, he gave the order "double-quick", and bravely led on, the
men following, cheering as they advanced. We charged across the pike and
followed the retreating rebels to the brow of the hill, over which they gad
a strong reserve of infantry and three pieces of artillery, which pieces
seemed to have been abandoned by horses and men. It was at this point that
brave Lieut.-Col. Bachman fell, mortally wounded, and I took
command immediately. As soon as we could carry his body to the rear, we
fell back to the pike and rallied. Here we received an enfilading fire, the
enemy having succeeded in approaching within 100 yards of our right,
under cover of the woods. We again fell back to our old position, and
remained there until relieved by one of Gen. Patrick's regiments. We then
fell back in good order slowly about 30 rods into the open field.
In making the charge and retiring, our colors fell three times, the bearers
severely wounded. When they fell the last time, they were picked up and
carried off the field by Lieut. D. S. Holloway, of Company D. One of our
men captured a rebel flag and took it to the rear. In this charge Lieut.
William Orr, Company K, was severely wounded. At this time, about 2
o'clock p. m., we retired from the field in good order, and formed in a strip
of woods to the rear of the battle-field with the other three regiments of our
brigade, for the purpose of stopping stragglers.
Our loss was, killed, Lieut. Col. A. O. Bachman and 7 men; wounded,
Lieut. William Orr, Company K, and 70 men; missing, 26 men.*
The officers all vied with each other in the performance of their duty, and
too much praise cannot be awarded to the non-commissioned officers for
their gallant conduct; and the men of this regiment are all brave men, if we
except the few who found their way to the rear when danger approached.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WILLIAM W. DUDLEY,
Capt. Company B, Comdg. Nineteenth Indiana Volunteers.
Lieut. FRANK A. HASKELL,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen., Gibbon's Brigade.
Source: Official Records: Series I. Vol. 19. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 27
*****************************************
Chancellorsville, VA after battle report
No. 31.
Report of Col. Samuel J. Williams, Nineteenth
Indiana Infantry.
CAMP IN THE FIELD,
May 11, 1863.
SIR: In compliance with circular from brigade headquarters, I have the
honor to submit the following report of the part taken by my regiment
(the Nineteenth Indiana Volunteers) in the operations of the Army of the
Potomac, commencing April 29 and closing on May 6:
Early on the morning of April 29, my regiment advanced in line of
battle, supporting the Twenty-fourth Michigan Volunteers, to the bank
of the Rappahannock, under a sharp fire of musketry, sustaining a loss
of 1 man killed and 3 wounded. We then embarked in the pontoon boats
and crossed, and immediately formed a line of battle on the heights
above. We advanced in line to the left, and halted in a meadow, where
we deployed Company B as skirmishers, and lay on our arms for about
one hour, when, by order of Gen. Meredith, we fell back under the
crest of the river bluff.
In the afternoon we were ordered to occupy the position then held by the
Sixth Wisconsin, about one-fourth of a mile to the left, which I did, and
my regiment lay on their arms all night. Considerable rain fell during
this time. Companies E and K were on picket in our front all night.
About 10 a. m. on the 30th, moved, by order of Gen. Meredith, still
farther to the left, taking the ground held during the night by the
Twenty-fourth Michigan, and on the left and front of a small piece of
timber, where we at once commenced to throw up earthworks as a
protection against the enemy's shells, one of which struck and burst in
our half-completed works in front of Company F. No damage was done.
Without this defense it would most probably have killed and wounded
5 or 6 men.
On Friday morning, May 1, I sent four companies, under Maj.
Lindley, to the front and left, to finish and hold a small earthwork
commenced by the Twenty-fourth Michigan.
In this position we remained until the morning of Saturday, May 2,
keeping out from one to two companies day and night as pickets and
skirmishers, when, by order, we fell back behind the river bluff, and
recrossed to this side, leaving Company K, Capt. William Orr, as
skirmishers, who remained until all the force had crossed, and then fell
back in good order to the pontoons, rejoining his regiment some 2 or 3
miles from the river, on this side. Encamped for the night some 3 miles
from the United States Ford.
We were under arms at 2 a. m. on Sunday; crossed the pontoon bridge
at about 4 a. m., and moved to our position on the Gordonsville and
Fredericksburg pike, supporting a regiment of the Second Division.
In this position we remained until the morning of the 6th, when we fell
back to the bank of the river and stacked arms. We were under arms
again in about two hours, and crossed the river to this side; marched to
Hartwood Church, and encamped for the night.
On the morning of the 7th, we got under arms and marched to our
present camp.
In closing, let me say I cannot too highly praise the conduct of the
officers and men under my command. Their courage and coolness under
fire, the promptness with which they obeyed my orders, the way the
PAGE 270-39 N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XXXVII.
[Series I. Vol. 25. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 39.]
men kept closed up on the march, and the assistance rendered me by my
officers, was all a commander could ask.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
SAMUEL J. WILLIAMS,
Col. Nineteenth Indiana Volunteers.
Capt. J. D. WOOD, Assistant Adjutant-Gen.
Source: Official Records Series I. Vol. 25. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 39
Bringing the