Forgotten Heroes

Forgotten Her es Heroes and Heroics During the Civil War

by Avi Heiligman

Union Sharpshooter “California Joe” with his Sharps rifle, 1862

During wartime, armies will see an expansion of their forces. This was very evident in the American Civil War as the U.S. Army went from 16,000 soldiers in 1860 to over 1 million by the war’s end in 1865. Recruits came from all walks of life, and units were formed based usually on their state of origin. Some of these of units were not of the usual standard, and many had incredible tales of bravery as they served their country with distinction.

Many unique units were formed during the Civil War, but only one had a crazy age requirement. The 37th Iowa Infantry Regiment was known as the Greybeards Regiment as the minimum age for enlisted men was 45 years old. Many of these men were grandfathers, and none were actually born in Iowa as the territory wasn’t settled until 1833. Given their age, the regiment was usually given light non-combat duties such as guarding supply chains. They did see action on June 5, 1864 when they engaged a band of Confederate guerrillas, and three enlisted Greybeards became casualties.

The oldest of the Greybeards was 80-year-old Curtis King who descended from Pocahontas. The former farmer decided to answer President Lincoln’s call for volunteers and, after getting rejected twice from other units, was finally accepted into Company H, 37th Iowa Infantry Regiment. He was discharged in 1863 and was noted as one of the most efficient men in the regiment.

The Sharps rifle was known for its accuracy, and a specific unit of marksmen used the carbine version to great effect. with the most accurate rifles that were outfitted with telescopic sites. These units were present at several battles including Gettysburg, where they delayed the Confederates at the boulder-strewn Devil’s Den. They played an important role in the overall battle as they stalled Confederate reinforcements from reaching disorganized Union lines.

The 37th Iowa Infantry Regiment was known as the Greybeards Regiment as the minimum age for enlisted men was 45 years.

The term sharpshooter was created, and the first unit of sharpshooters was under the command of Union Colonel Hiram Berdan. Soldiers in the 1st United States Sharpshooters Regiment had to go through rigorous marksmanship training and tests. They wore green uniforms instead of the traditional Union blue uniforms in one of the first attempts at camouflage. Sharpshooters were equipped

The second in command of the 1st United States Sharpshooters Regiment was William Y. W. Ripley. He started his Civil War service with a volunteer regiment from Vermont and in late 1941 joined the Sharpshooters. Ripley was hailed for his heroic actions during the fighting in the Battle of Malvern Hill in Virginia. His Medal of Honor citation reads: “The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Lieutenant Colonel William Young Warren Ripley, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 1 July 1862, while serving with 1st U.S. Sharpshooters, in action at Malvern Hill, Virginia. At a critical moment Lieutenant Colonel Ripley brought up two regiments, which he led against the enemy himself, being severely wounded.” He had been struck in his leg by a bullet and had to be carried off the battlefield.

Later in the war, Ripley rejoined the Vermont infantry and became the commander of the 1st Vermont Militia Division as a major general.

Two of the most celebrated units of the Union Army were the Irish Brigade and the Iron Brigade. The Irish Brigade was made up of soldiers from New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania, with most having Irish heritage and many actually having been born in Ireland. They were known for their courage and toughness in battle and on several occasions led the charge for the Union’s Army of the Potomac. The brigade suffered heavy casualties at Antietam and Fredericksburg. There is a monument to their bravery at Gettysburg.

The Iron Brigade had several nicknames, including the Black Hats and the Brigade of the West. These names came from the unique black hats they wore in battle. The soldiers came from Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan. The name Iron Brigade came from their dispositions, and they were engaged in many important battles including the Second Battle of Bull Run, Antietam, Gettysburg and Appomattox Courthouse.

The brigade played a prominent role

A member of the Greybeards Regiment A depiction of the Irish Brigade fighting in the Civil War

on the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg by repulsing a Southern offensive through the Herbst’s Woods. They captured much of a Confederate brigade including their commander, General James Archer. Later in the battle, the Iron Brigade made a charge that captured the flag of the 2nd Mississippi Regiment, and they took hundreds of prisoners during the fighting. They took heavy casualties but remained present in the battle. While positioned on Culp’s Hill, they made a night counterattack to retake positions that had been captured by the Confederates.

These are just some of the many interesting units that fought with distinction during the war that ripped apart our country. There were others like the 3rd Maryland Cavalry Regiment that was noted for having galvanized Yankees in their ranks. Galvanized Yankees were former Confederate prisoners, and the regiment was present during battles in the Western Theater of the war.

The names of the soldiers that fought in these units may not be well known – even their unit’s history aren’t talked about – which makes this history that deserves to be remembered.

Avi Heiligman is a weekly contributor to The Jewish Home. He welcomes your comments and suggestions for future columns and can be reached at aviheiligman@gmail.com.

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