First Sergeant Johann Behrens

[12th Missouri Yankee]

Hello. I am researching one of my CW ancestors, Johann Behrens of the 12th Missouri Infantry , U.S., Company I. I found some information for free online. Any help or information would be appreciated.

 

[Cilla]

Welcome to CWT. I'm new here too

I was doing a little research on Behrens, and it turns out he was not the only Behren to serve in the 12th Missouri. Claud Behrens is the other Behren. I don't know if you knew that already.

http://www.sos.mo.gov/archives/soldiers/results.asp?sType=unit&txtUnit=12th Regiment Infantry Volunteers&selConflict=Civil War

They also served in the same Company I. I'll keep looking for more information as the day goes on.

 

[12th Missouri Yankee]

Thank you Cilla.
I followed him from Germany to the United States and after the war he settled in Nebraska, as so many Behrens did.

 

[Cilla]

No problem, and thank you. Fun project for me

 

[Cilla]

Johann enlisted into the 12th Missouri on August 10th, 1861, and mustered September 23rd, 1861.

Claus enlisted into the 12th Missouri on September 6th, 1861, and mustered also on September 23rd, 1861. He was discharged for an injury on June 14th, 1863 in St. Louis, Missouri.

 

[East Tennessee Roots]

Hello. I am researching one of my CW ancestors, Johann Behrens of the 12th Missouri Infantry , U.S., Company I. I found some information for free online. Any help or information would be appreciated.

In addition to what Cilla found :

He was listed as:
* Wounded 7/23/1864 (place not stated) (Severe wound in left arm, amputated)


..........................................................................................................
Twelfth Infantry
MISSOURI
(3-YEARS)
Twelfth Infantry. -- Cols., P. J. Osterhaus, Hugo Wangelin;
Lieut-Cols., Otto Schadt, Jacob Karcher; Majs., Hugo
Wangelin, Jacob Karcher, Gustavus Lightfoot, Fred Lederberger.

The regiment was organized in St. Louis in Aug 1861. Its
first active service was as a part of Gen. Sigel's division in
the Fremont expedition, moving successively to Jefferson City,
Sedalia, Springfield, Wilson's Creek and Rolla, where it went
into quarters.

Leaving Rolla in Jan., 1862, it marched with Gen. Curtis into
Arkansas; fought at the battles of Pea Ridge, Leetown and
Bentonville, pursuing the enemy from Pea Ridge through
southern Missouri and northern Arkansas to Batesville. On
Sept. 1, 1862, it left Helena and made an expedition to Ste.
Genevieve and Pilot Knob.

Returning to Helena, it embarked on transports for the Yazoo
River; fought at the battles of Chickasaw Bluffs and Arkansas
Post; was then in the expedition through Yazoo pass; marched
to Grand Gulf, where it joined Gen. Grant's army for the siege
of Vicksburg, taking part in the various skirmishes and
assaults incident to that movement.

After the fall of Vicksburg it was part of the expedition to
Canton, Miss., and with other troops went to Chattanooga,
where it took part in the battles of Lookout Mountain and
Missionary Ridge. The early part of 1864 was spent in
Alabama, but about May 1 it joined Gen. Sherman for the
Atlanta campaign, being assigned to the 3d brigade, 1st
division, 15th corps.

It was on the skirmish line at Resaca; took an active part in
the battles at Dallas, Kennesaw Mountain and Ezra Church, and
assisted in the siege of the city until August and September,
when the men were mustered out and the regiment ceased to
exist.

Source: The Union Army, vol. 4, p. 262

************************************************************************

Pea Ridge, AR after action report:

No. 9.

Report of Maj. Hugo Wangelin, Twelfth Missouri Infantry.

CAMP ROSE HILL BATTLE-FIELD.

COL.: In accordance with your instructions, just received, I do
hereby respectfully submit my report of the movements and actions of
the Twelfth Missouri Volunteers on the days of battle, March 6, 7,
and 8, 1862:

Arriving in Bentonville March 6, at about 10 a. m., I was ordered by
you to remain in town until receiving further orders. The regiment
had their arms stacked in front of a large unfinished frame church.
The Second Regiment Missouri Volunteers marched from the south into
our road and followed the main army, of which the Twelfth Missouri
formed the rear. In the rear of the Second Missouri, and apparently
from the same direction, appeared a large body of troops, who after a
short time were discovered to be the enemy, how strong I am unable
to say. The effective strength of the Twelfth at that day was only
some 325 men, as two companies had been ordered off several days
previous. The enemy outnumbering us and the other troops in town
greatly spread out, his men on both sides of the road and parallel
with it, in order to intercept all egress I was then ordered by Gen.
Sigel to march in the rear of a company of flying artillery on the same
road as our whole army had taken. Shortly after, however, the whole
regiment was ordered forward, with the exception of one company, who
remained as protection behind the artillery almost the whole day. We
had hardly left town when it was taken possession of by the enemy. Gen.
Sigel ordered the Twelfth (the only infantry present) to throw out
skirmishers on both sides of the road, and to march the balance of the
regiment on both sides of the artillery by the flank, fronting outward.

This way we marched without any molestation for several miles, when
we were suddenly attacked by a large body of cavalry, who were, after
an engagement which to me seemed to last about a quarter of an hour,
driven from the field, leaving many of their dead and wounded on the
field.

This was the first time the men stood in fire, but all without exemption
behaved gallantly, pouring in their shot with deliberation and
coolness. The enemy, so severely repulsed, withdrew, and we marched
forward on our road without any further molestation.

The casualties of the day were 3 wounded. One ambulance, with the
driver, was taken, with some sick soldiers of some other regiments. We
marched on, and meeting you after a few hours' further march went
into camp.

This morning (March 7)the regiment was ordered to follow in its
march the Thirty-sixth Illinois Volunteers, and finally, after an hour's
march, deployed on a large field, protecting Capt. Hoffmann's battery.
After a while two companies were ordered to deploy as skirmishers
towards the woods, about a quarter of a mile in front of us, to
protect some horses and drivers who were sent to recover a cannon
which had been lost in a previous engagement of the day, which order
was executed in gallant style. The gun was recovered and brought
back. We were then several times ordered to change our position, when
finally, while the regiment was marching into the timber by the right
flank and was about half in the thicket, a large body of the enemy's
infantry appeared, which was soon engaged by the regiment's left wing,
and after considerable execution driven back.

This ended the second day's engagement as far as this regiment is
concerned. After some marching without coming to any other general
engagement we, in company with several other regiments, encamped
in a large corn field, without fire, water, or food. The casualties of the
day were 12 wounded, some of whom severely.

It is with great satisfaction that I can bear testimony to the coolness
and bravery of all the officers and men under my command during the
whole day. The comparatively small loss I attribute solely to their
firmness, which enabled them to drive the enemy off with great loss,
without being subject themselves to a very protracted fire.

On the third day (March 8), commenced with a march at 12.30 a. m. towards
the Telegraph road, whereon we encamped for the rest of the
night, and the regiment finally obtained some food--the first for
twenty-four hours. The battle was commenced by the enemy by throwing
roundshot over and sidewards of our camp, without hurting anybody. We
were marched about 7 a. m. into a large corn field, occupying about the
center of the left wing of the army, which was placed in a large semicircle.
On our right was Welfley's and afterwards some other battery; on our
left Hoffmann's battery. This position we occupied for some hours, the
battle being for that length of time only an artillery engagement. After
this time, the enemy's cannon having been almost silenced by the
well-directed fire of our artillery, Gen. Osterhaus ordered two companies
to deploy as skirmishers towards the enemy, to which was presently
added another company. The men had to pass over a pretty large field
without any shelter before reaching the woods in which the enemy was
concealed, which was done in double-quick time. Following up the
enemy into the timber, there composed of large trees without any undergrowth,
the enemy retreated rapidly behind a fence at the other end
of the timber, from where they poured a destructive fire on us. The
balance of the regiment in the mean time coming up, and the Twenty-fifth
Illinois skirmishing on our right and the Thirty-sixth Illinois on
our left, we went forward, routing the enemy completely before our
front, and achieving, in connection with the other brave troops on our
right and left, a complete and decided victory.

This ended the battle, as far as I am aware of--at least as far as this
regiment is concerned. The officers and men engaged in battle this
day numbered less than 400, but, I say it with pride, showed themselves
worthy of the distinguished commander whose name the regiment bears.
The casualties of this day were 3 killed and 12 wounded,
the majority severely. My horse was killed by a shot in the neck.

Respectfully submitted.

HUGO WANGELIN,
Maj., Commanding Twelfth Missouri Volunteers.


Source: Official Records
PAGE 227-8 OPERATIONS IN MO., ARK., KANS., AND IND. T. [CHAP. XVIII.
[Series I. Vol. 8. Serial No. 8.]

 

[12th Missouri Yankee]

Thank YOU both! Really exciting. I found a record that said he mustered out in 1864 but had no idea he was wounded.

 

[12th Missouri Yankee]

I wonder what battle he was wounded in on 7/23/1864?????

 

[Cilla]

I wonder what battle he was wounded in on 7/23/1864?????

There was a skirmish near Kernstown, VA that day during the Petersburg Campaign.

http://www.brettschulte.net/CWBlog/2006/07/23/today-in-the-petersburg-campaign-july-23-1864/

Maybe the skirmish?

 

[12th Missouri Yankee]

I will look that up. He made it through The battle of Kennesaw Mountain with his unit in early July.

 

[12th Missouri Yankee]

Cilla,
It must have occurred between the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain early July 1864 and before The battle of Ezra Church. He did not make it to Atlanta. I am glad he did not participate in the burning.

 

[Cilla]

Cilla,
It must have occurred between the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain early July 1864 and before The battle of Ezra Church. He did not make it to Atlanta. I am glad he did not participate in the burning.

Thank you, I will look into that for you.

 

[12th Missouri Yankee]

hey Cilla,
The Battle of Atlanta was 7/22/1864, and he was serving under the command of Colonel Wangelin under Woods so he must have been wounded there..... as many brave soldiers from both sides were wounded.

 

[Cilla]

hey Cilla,
The Battle of Atlanta was 7/22/1864, and he was serving under the command of Colonel Wangelin under Woods so he must have been wounded there..... as many brave soldiers from both sides were wounded.

That makes sense..

 

[12th Missouri Yankee]

Colonel Wangelin led the 12th Missouri across fire swept Bald Hill before he was wounded on 7/22/1864. Really cool story.

 

[Cilla]

That sounds amazing! He was very brave it seems.

 

[AUG]

Looking in The Day Dixie Died by Gary Ecelbarger on the Battle of Atlanta, the 12th Missouri was in 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, of the XV Corps. After the left flank of the Army of the Tennessee collapsed, Gen. James McPherson, before he was killed, ordered Col. Hugo Wangelin's brigade to fill a gap to the east of Bald Hill. At 2:00 pm Wangelin's brigade, composed of only 1,000 men, moved into position probably about 1/4 of a mile to the east of Bald Hill and constructed field works for about 3 hours. It seems like Wangelin's men had no idea that four Confederate brigades (3 of Cleburne's Division) were to their right when they reached their position. General Blair of the XVII Corps complained that Wangelin's brigade was too small to fill the gap. Ecelbarger goes on to describe Cleburne's attack on Bald Hill against Mortimer Leggett's Division, but he does not mention Wangelin's brigade again until page 157, without saying much.

So I can't tell you how seriously they were engaged on July 22, but it looks like they were mainly positioned to the east of Bald Hill throughout the battle. If your ancestor was indeed wounded on July 23, its possible he was wounded while on picket duty, not sure. Throughout the Atlanta Campaign there was skirmishing between the lines nearly every day.

 

[12th Missouri Yankee]

Thank you. While researching his unit I found out Wangelin's men moved through a "wall of fire" on Bald Hill between General Dodge's XVI corp. and General Blair's XVII Corps. Apparently his unit arrived and was able to plug a gap between the two corps. A map online showed the same movement on CW Trust. What is unclear to me is if Wangelin's men included the 12th or if it was composed of the 17th primarily.
Thank you for the information and ideas too.

 

[12th Missouri Yankee]

Was it common for a corporal to do picket duty? He was not yet promoted to First Sergeant at the time of his injury.