GDG- Units history and what has caught my attention.

[Fred Johanson]

Jim,
 
Most Illinois regiments were busy down the Mississippi winning the war, but there were two and a fraction regiments in the AoP those July days.  Some companies of the 12th Cav were from what are now the Western Exurbs of Chicago, but I'm not sure if they were in attendance.
 
The 82nd IVI was in the thick of it with the 1st Brigade (Schimmilfenig), 3rd Division(Schurz), XI Corps.  Known as the 2nd Hecker Regiment, they were raised primarily raised from the German community of Chicago.  Company I were Scandinavians (a lot of Olsens and Olsons), and Company C was raised in one of the city's synagogues.  Their record in XI Corps wasn't stellar, but once in the XX Corps AoC, they performed well in the Sherman tour of the Deep South.
 
Pride of place goes to the 8th Cavalry.  It was raised "statewide" but Cos. E and F came from the southernmost townships of Cook County and adjoining parts of Will county (local farm boys who didn't take to horses formed the 39th IVI).  The Civil War monument in the town were we lived for 25 years was dedicated to the village's only known casualty, a trooper who died in Andersonville.  Fittingly, the monument stands where the family's farm lane, now named for them, met the IC tracks.

________________________________

From: gettysburg-bounces at arthes.com on behalf of Jim Lamason
Sent: Sat 10/20/2007 10:33 AM
To: 'GDG'
Subject: RE: GDG- Units history and what has caught my attention.



Esteemed GDG Member Contributes:


I thought since its been quiet that I would see if I could start some
conversation.

First of all, I realize that the units from my home state, played only a
small part in the battle itself.

Its interesting that when you find out how much involved your home state was
involved in a moment like this history how much more it pulls you in..

New Jersey compared to states like Pa, and NY from the north, and VA and NC
from the south, is small potatoes.  With only 12 Infantry regiments, two
full brigades and two individual regiments, 2 batteries of Artillery and one
regiment of Cavalry truly are only a small part in and of them selves.

Yet, they were in the middle almost all the major fighting on the 2 and 3
days of GB..

Has any one else in this group ever studied their home states like this?

On the Union side, there are states like Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan,
Wisconsin.

On the Confederate side there are states like Florida, Tenn, Alabama,
Arkansas..

And what have you discovered?

I am looking forward to your responses!

Your servant,
Jim Lamason
Middlesex NJ.


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