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The Jewish Home | APRIL 28, 2022
Forgotten Her es
Heroes and Heroics During the Civil War by Avi Heiligman
Union Sharpshooter “California Joe” with his Sharps rifle, 1862
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OctOber 29, 2015 | the Jewish Home
D
uring 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 37 th 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, 37 th 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 1 st 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.
