2nd Vermont Infantry Regiment

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2nd Vermont Infantry Regiment
Flag of Vermont (1837-1923).svg
Flag of Vermont, 1837–1923
ActiveJune 20, 1861 to July 15, 1865
DisbandedJuly 15, 1865
Allegiance Flag of the United States.svg United States
Union
Branch United States Army
Union Army
Type Infantry
Size1,811
Engagements First Battle of Bull Run
Battle of Williamsburg
Battle of Savage's Station
Battle of Antietam
Battle of Fredericksburg
Battle of Salem Church
Battle of Gettysburg
Battle of the Wilderness
Battle of Spotsylvania Court House
Battle of Cold Harbor
Third Battle of Winchester
Battle of Cedar Creek
Commanders
Colonel Henry Whiting
Insignia
2nd Brigade (Vermont Brigade), 2nd Division, VI Corps (Union Army), Army of the Potomac/Army of the Shenandoah (Union) VIcorpsbadge2.png

The 2nd Vermont Infantry Regiment was a three years' infantry regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It served in the eastern theater, predominantly in the VI Corps, Army of the Potomac, from June 1861 to July 1865. It was a member of the famous Vermont Brigade.

Contents

History

In July 1861, the United States Congress authorized President Abraham Lincoln to call out 500,000 men, to serve for three years unless sooner discharged. The 2nd Vermont Infantry was the first of the three years regiments from the state placed in the field as a result of this call, and it served longer in the service than all but one other Vermont unit, the 7th Vermont Infantry. It was organized from militia companies from Brattleboro, Burlington, Castleton, Fletcher, Ludlow, Montpelier, Tunbridge, Vergennes and Waterbury. [1]

The colonelcy of the regiment was initially offered to Israel B. Richardson, a native of Vermont, but he had just accepted command of the 1st Michigan Infantry. Richardson recommended a classmate from the United States Military Academy, Henry H. Whiting, and he was commissioned by Governor Erastus Fairbanks on June 6, 1861. [1] George J. Stannard, of St. Albans, was appointed lieutenant colonel, and Charles H. Joyce, a young lawyer from Northfield, was appointed major.

The regiment rendezvoused at Burlington, [2] and was mustered into United States service on June 20. [1] Four days later, the regiment left for Washington, D.C., arriving on June 26. It was initially brigaded with three Maine regiments under command of Colonel Oliver O. Howard. On July 21, the brigade participated in the First Battle of Bull Run. [3] The regiment suffered 68 casualties: 2 killed, 35 wounded and 31 missing. [4]

August 12, 1861, the regiment transferred to Chain Bridge, [5] where it went into camp with the 3rd Vermont Infantry, 6th Maine Infantry and 33rd New York Infantry. In September, the 4th, 5th and 6th Vermont regiments joined with the 2nd and 3rd to form the famous "Old Vermont Brigade," under the command of newly promoted Brigadier General William Farrar Smith, previously commander of the 3rd Vermont Infantry. [6] Smith was soon assigned command of the division of which the Vermont Brigade was a part, and William T. H. Brooks, a native of Ohio, but the son of a Vermonter, assumed command. [7]

The history of the regiment from this point on is essentially that of the Vermont Brigade, except for numerous personnel changes.

Colonel Whiting resigned on February 9, 1863, and was replaced by James H. Walbridge, who commanded the regiment until he resigned on April 1, 1864. [8] He was replaced by Newton Stone, who was killed in action at the Battle of the Wilderness, on May 5, 1864. His replacement, John S. Tyler, had been wounded on May 5, and died of his wounds on May 23. Amasa Tracy, his replacement, commanded the regiment until it was disbanded. [2]

Lieutenant Colonel George J. Stannard was promoted to the colonelcy of the 9th Vermont Infantry on May 21, 1862, and later commanded the 2nd Vermont Brigade, which garnered honors for its participation in the repulse of Pickett's Charge at the Battle of Gettysburg on July 3, 1863. [2]

The original members of the regiment, who did not reenlist, were mustered out of the service on June 29, 1864. One year recruits and others whose term of service was due to expire prior to October 1, 1865, were mustered out on June 19, 1865. The remaining officers and men mustered out of service on July 15. [2]

Regimental staff


2nd Vermont Infantry Regimental Commanders and Field Staff [9]
Rank or PositionNameResidenceRemarks
ColonelHenry WhitingSt. Clair, MI.Commissioned Colonel. June 6th, 1861. Resigned February 9th, 1863.
James H. WalbridgeBennington, VT.Commissioned Captain Co. A, promoted to Major, May 21, 1862, to Lt. Col. January 8th, 1863, Resigned April 1st, 1864.
Newton StoneBennington, VT.Commissioned 1st Lt. Co. A, promoted Capt. Co. I, January 22nd, 1862, to Major January 8th, 1863, to Lt. Col. February 9th, 1863, Killed in action May 5th, 1864.
John S. TylerBrattleboro, VT.Commissioned 1st Lt. Co. C, promoted Capt. Co. C, January 23rd, 1862, to Major February 9th, 1863, to Lt. Col. April 2nd, 1864, Died of wounds May 23rd 1864, received in battle May 5th 1864.
Amasa Tracy Middlebury, VT.Commissioned 1st Lt. Co. K, promoted Capt. Co. H, January 24th, 1862, to Major April 2nd, 1864, to Lt. Col. June 17th 1864, Brevveted Col. April 2nd 1865 for gallantry at Pettersburg VA. wounded in action May 3rd, 1863, and October 19th , 1864. Mustered out July 15th 1865.
Lieutenant Colonel George J. Stannard St. Albans, VT.Commissioned Lieutenant Colonel June 6th, 1861, promoted to Col. of the 9th Vermont Infantry May 21, 1862.
Charles H. JoyceNorthfield, VT.Commissioned Major June 6th, 1861, resigned January 6th, 1863.
Newton Stone(See Colonel)
John S. Tyler(See Colonel)
Amasa S. Tracy(See Colonel)
Enoch E. JohnsonCastleton, VT.Commisioned 2nd Lt. Co. B, promoted 1st Lt. Co. B, September 2nd, 1861, to Capt. Co. D. January 25th, 1862, to Major, June 17th, 1864, Brevetted Lt. Col. October 19th, 1864 for gallantry in al the actions since Battle of Cold Harbor, and especially at Battle of Cedar Creek, Mustered out July 15th 1865.
MajorCharles H. Joyce(See Lieutenant Colonel)
Newton Stone(See Colonel)
John S. Tyler(See Colonel)
Amasa S. Tracy(See Colonel)
Erastus G. BallouBoston, MA.Enlisted 1st Sergeant Co. I, May 7th 1861 , promoted to Sergt.-Maj. Oct, 14th 1861, Commissioned 1st Lt. Co. K, January 27th, 1862, promoted to Capt. Co. K. August 4th, 1862, Brevetted Major, August 1st, 1864, for gallantry in the Battle of the Wilderness and subsequent engagements, Wounded May 3rd, 1863, July 10th, 1863, May 5th, 1864, and April 2nd, 1865. Mustered out July 15th, 1865
AdjutantsGuilford S. LaddBennington, VT.Commissioned June 11th 1861, Resigned July 17th, 1862.
Francis M. EdgertonPoultney, VT.Enlisted Sergeant Co.B, May 9th, 1861, Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant Co. F. January 25th, 1862, Mustered out June 29th, 1864.
Orman P. RayEssex, VT.Enlisted Private Co. G August 30th, 1862, Promoted Sergt-Maj. November, 1st 1864, Commissioned December 24th, 1864 Mustered out June 19th 1865
Quartermasters Perley P. Pitkin Montpelier, VT.Commissioned June 6th, 1861, Promoted Captain and Assistant Quartermaster of U.S. Volunteers February 19th, 1862.
Lauriston L. Stone.Stowe, VT.Enlisted Commissary-Sergeant. June 6th, 1861, Promoted Q.M.-Sergt. Commissioned April 3rd, 1862. Taken prisoner October, 26th, 1863, pardoned December 10th, 1864. Mustered out April 16th, 1865.
SurgeonsNewton H. BallouBurlington, VT.Commissioned June 11th, 1861, Resigned December 18th, 1862.
William J. SawinChicopee Falls, MA.Transferred from 10th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment as Priv. to Co. E. 3rd Vermont Infantry Regiment, Promoted Asst.-Surg. in the 2nd VT Regt. June 21st, 1862. Wounded and taken prisoner June 29th, 1862. Pardoned July 22nd, 1862. Commissioned December 18th, 1862. Mustered out June 19th, 1864
Melvin J. HydeIsla La Mott, VT.Commissioned Assistant-Surgeon August 1st, 1864. Mustered out July 15th, 1865
Assistant-Surgeons.Benj'n W. CarpenterBurlington, VT.Commissioned June 11th, 1861, promoted Surg. 9th Regt. VT. Vols. June 21, 1862.
William J. Sawin(See Surgeon)
Augustus A. AtwoodSharon, VT.Commissioned Assistant-Surgeon September 22nd, 1862. Resigned June 25th, 1863.
Luman A. NoyesTunbridge, VT.Commissioned Assistant-Surgeon April 14th, 1863. Resigned May 27th, 1863.
Melvin J. Hyde(See Surgeon)
Edwin R. BrushCambridge, VT.Drafted Private Co. H July 17th, 1863, Commissioned Asst.-Surg. October 15th, 1863. Mustered out July 15th, 1865
ChaplainsClaudius B. SmithBrandon, VT.Commissioned Chaplain June 6th, 1861. Resigned July 8th, 1862.
Durrell W. DaytonMiddlebury, VT.Commissioned Chaplain August 18th, 1862. Resigned January 6th, 1863.

Medal of Honor

Five members of the regiment were awarded the Medal of Honor. [10] [11]

Engagements

ENGAGEMENTS
Battle of First Bull Run July 21, 1861
Battle of Warwick CreekApril 6, 1862
Battle at Lee's Mills April 16, 1862
Battle of Williamsburg [13] May 5, 1862
Battle of Garnett's & Golding's Farm June 26, 1862
Battle of Savage's Station [6] June 29, 1862
Battle of White Oak Swamp June 30, 1862
Battle of Crampton's Gap September 14, 1862
Battle of Antietam September 17, 1862
Battle of Fredericksburg December 13, 1862
Battle of Marye's Heights [6] May 3, 1863
Battle of Salem Church May 4, 1863
Second Battle of Fredericksburg [14] June 5, 1863
Battle of Gettysburg [15] July 3, 1863
Battle of Funkstown [15] July 10, 1863
Second Battle of Rappahannock Station November 7, 1863
Battle of the Wilderness [16] May 5–10, 1864
Battle of Spotsylvania May 10–18, 1864
Battle of Cold Harbor June 1–12, 1864
Second Battle of Petersburg June 18, 1864
Battle of Reams' StationJune 29, 1864
Fort Stevens (Washington, D.C.) July 11, 1864
Battle of CharlestownAugust 21, 1864
Battle of Opequon (Gilbert's Ford)September 13, 1864
Battle of Winchester (Opequon)September 19, 1864
Battle of Fisher's Hill September 21–22, 1864
Battle of Cedar Creek October 19, 1864
Siege of Petersburg March 25, 1865
Third Battle of Petersburg April 2, 1865
Battle of Sailor's Creek April 6, 1865

Final Statement

FINAL STATEMENT [17]
Original members866
Gain (recruits and transfers)992
--- Aggregate1858
--- Losses ---
Killed in action139
Died of wounds84 [18]
Died of disease136
Died in Confederate prisons22
Died from accident3
Executed1
Total of Deaths385
Promoted to other regiments8
Honorably discharged446
Dishonorably discharged24
Deserted170
Finally unaccounted for5
Transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps and other organizations120
--- Total Losses773
Mustered out at various times700
Total wounded692
Total taken prisoner129

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 Adjutant General (1892), p. 27.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Dyer (1908), p. 233.
  3. ↑ Benedict (1886), p. 69-72, Vol. I.
  4. ↑ War Department (1888), p. 208, Vol. II-VIX.
  5. ↑ Crockett (1921), p. 514, Vol. III.
  6. 1 2 3 Crockett (1921), p. 510-512, Vol. III.
  7. ↑ Dyer 1908 , p. 233. Benedict 1886 , pp. 69–72, Vol. I
  8. ↑ Benedict (1886), p. 105-106, Vol. I.
  9. ↑ Adjutant General 1892 , p. 30-31, Vol. VI.
  10. ↑ "Congressional Medal of Honor Society". Congressional Medal of Honor Society. CMOHS. 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  11. ↑ "Victoria Cross, the Men Behind the Medals: The Comprehensive Guide to the Victoria & George Cross - MOHs". Victoria Cross, the Men Behind the Medals. VCOnline. 2020. Archived from the original on 3 May 2020. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  12. ↑ Zeller (2002), p. 193.
  13. ↑ War Department (1884a), p. 157, Vol. XI-XXIII-I.
  14. ↑ Benedict (1886), p. 142-143, Vol. I.
  15. 1 2 Benedict (1886), p. 144, Vol. I.
  16. ↑ Coffin (2002), p. 104.
  17. ↑ Adjutant General 1892 , p. 66, Vol. VI. Fox 1889 , p. 147
  18. ↑ Fox (1889), p. 116.

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References

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