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11th Vermont
Regiment Infantry
| Regimental History |
| Eleventh Infantry — First Heavy Artillery. — Cols., James M.
Warner, Charles Hunsdson ; Lieut.-Cols., Reuben C. Benton, George E. Chamberlin, Charles
Hunsdon, Aldace F. Walker, Darius J. Safford; Majs., George E. Chamberlin, Charles
Hundson, Charles K. Fleming, Aldace F. Walker, Charles Buxton, George D. Sowles, Robinson
Templeton, Darius J. Safford, Henry R. Chase. The 11th was the largest Vermont regiment
sent to the war, both in original membership and in total enrollment. It was recruited as
an infantry regiment at the same time as the 10th, under the call of July 2, 1862, for
300,000 volunteers. By the middle of August ten companies had been organized, and
rendezvoused at Camp Bradley, Brattleboro, where they were mustered into the U. S.
service, Sept. 1, 1862, for three years. It left the state on Sept. 7 for Washington,
where it arrived on the 9th and was assigned to duty in the chain of forts constituting
the northern defenses of the capital. By order of the secretary of war, dated Dec. 10,
1862, it was made a heavy artillery regiment, and was designated the "1st artillery,
11th Vt. volunteers." Authority was also given to increase its numbers to the regular
heavy artillery standard of twelve companies of 150 men each, with three majors and four
lieutenants to a company. This was accomplished in the course of the next few months. It
remained in the defenses of Washington for a period of 18 months, during which time it was
chiefly employed in strengthening the works and constructing and garrisoning Forts Slocum,
Stevens and Totten. It assumed the red stripes and chevrons of the artillery and its
companies were designated as batteries. A new flag was also added to the other colors of
the regiment, bearing crossed cannons on a yellow field. During the latter part of its
artillery service at Washington, it garrisoned four other forts and occupied a line of
about 7 miles front, the works mounting upwards of 200 heavy guns and mortars. It
experienced little of the real hardships of war during the year 1863 and the first three
months of 1864. It had comfortable quarters, the men enjoyed excellent health and rations
and even luxuries were abundant. It maintained an excellent state of discipline and was
rated the best disciplined regiment in the defenses of the capital. After the terrible
losses incurred at the battle of the Wilderness, it was ordered to reinforce the army of
the Potomac and reported for duty as infantry near Spottsylvania Court House with nearly
1,500 men in line. It was assigned to the Vermont brigade, 2nd brigade, 2nd division, 6th
corps, and was divided into three battalions, each of which was manoeuvred as a regiment,
and each of which exceeded in numbers any one of the older regiments of the brigade. The
Vermont brigade at this time was reduced to about 1,200 muskets. During the severe
campaigning which now ensued, the 11th participated in every battle of the 6th corps from
May, 1864, to April, 1865. It was engaged at Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, June
18, 1864, Weldon railroad, Fort Stevens, Charlestown, Gilbert's ford, Opequan, Fisher's
hill, Cedar creek, Petersburg, March 25 and 27, 1865, and in the final assault which
carried the works of Petersburg on April 2. In the affair on the Weldon railroad, June 23,
1864, the regiment suffered the greatest loss sustained by any Vermont regiment in one
action, its loss being 9 killed, 31 wounded, and 261 captured. Among the prisoners were 1
field and 17 line officers. The regiment participated in the review of the brigade, June
7, and in the grand review of the 6th corps at Washington on the following day. Original
members, recruits for one year, and recruits whose term of service expired before Oct. 1,
1865, were mustered out of service on June 24, 1865, and the remainder of the regiment was
consolidated into a battalion of four companies of heavy artillery, commanded by Maj.
Safford, and stationed in the defenses of Washington until mustered out on Aug. 25, 1865.
The following officers were brevetted for gallant and meritorious service : Col. James M.
Warner, Maj. Aldace F. Walker, Capt. James E. Eldredge, Lieut. Henry C. Baxter, Capt.
George G. Tilden, Lieuts. Henry J. Nichols, George A. Bailey, John H. Macomber and Charles
H. Anson. The original members of the 11th numbered 1,315, recruits and transferred men,
1,005 — total, 2,320. Its losses were 152 killed and mortally wounded, 210 who died
of disease, 175 who died in prison and 2 by accident, a total of 539. The total number
wounded was 457, captured 339. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 1
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