Military Archives – Page 13 of 246

Encampment in Virginia

Washington in September, 1862, while relatively secure from the easy capture which would have been possible in the summer of the previous year, was not in a situation of such safety as to preclude anxiety, for Pope had just been beaten at Bull Run and Lee’s army was north of the Potomac in the first of its memorable invasions of the loyal states. On the very day of his check at Antietam, September 17th, the Nineteenth Connecticut Volunteers reached the capital, and the next day moved into the hostile state of Virginia, bivouacking near Alexandria. In this vicinity the regiment … Read more

The Call to Arms for Litchfield County, CT

Presentation of colors, September 10th, 1862

In spite of the labors of unnumbered chroniclers, it is not easy, if indeed it is possible, for us of this later generation to realize adequately the great patriotic uprising of the war times. It began in the early days of 1861 with the assault on Fort Sumter, which, following a long and trying season of uncertainty, furnished the sudden shock that resolved the doubts of the wavering and changed the opinions of the incredulous. Immediately there swept over all the northern states a wave of intense national feeling, attended by scenes of patriotic and confident enthusiasm more noisy than … Read more

The First Battle of the County Regiment

Charge of the 2d Connecticut Heavy Artillery at the Battle of Cold Harbor, Virginia.

The movements of both armies were bringing them steadily nearer to Richmond, and but one chance now remained to achieve the object of the campaign, the defeat of Lee’s army north of the Chickahominy and away from the strong defenses of the Confederate capital. The enemy, swinging southward to conform to Grant’s advance, finally reached the important point of Cold Harbor on May 31st. Cavalry was sent forward to dislodge him, and seized some of the entrenchments near that place, while both armies were hurried forward for the inevitable battle. The Sixth Corps, of which the Second Artillery was part, … Read more

Ranald S. Mackenzie Takes Command

Immediately after receiving news of the action of June 1st, Governor Buckingham had sent a commission as colonel to Lieutenant-Colonel James Hubbard. He, however, was unwilling to assume the responsibility of the command; this had been his first battle, and he “drew the hasty inference that all the fighting was likely to consist of a similar walking into the jaws of hell. He afterwards found that this was a mistake.” Upon General Upton’s advice, therefore, the officers recommended to the Governor the appointment of Ranald S. Mackenzie, then a captain of engineers on duty at headquarters, and this recommendation being … Read more

Assault on Fisher’s Hill and Battle of Cedar Creek

General Sheridan’s method of operation could hardly be held as dilatory. It would doubtless have commended itself more highly to his men if it had been somewhat more so, when at daylight on the morning after the splendid success of September 19th they were ordered in pursuit of Early’s army. The Confederate forces had taken position on Fisher’s Hill, considered the Gibraltar of the Valley, and according to Sheridan, almost impregnable to a direct assault. Two days were occupied in bringing up troops and making dispositions for the attack. The Second Connecticut reached its assigned position on the 21st near … Read more

Surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia

Colonel Hubbard, though born in Salisbury, had lived in the West before the war, and first saw service with an Illinois regiment. Returning to Connecticut, he assisted in raising a company for the Nineteenth, and was mustered in as its captain. He was steadily promoted until the death of Colonel Kellogg brought him naturally to the command of the regiment; but, as has been said, his own modest estimate of his qualifications for this responsibility caused him to decline the appointment. When it came to him a second time he accepted, and proved by his subsequent handling of the regiment … Read more

Return to Litchfield County, CT

Immediately after the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, the Sixth Corps was moved to Burkesville, some distance from Appomattox in the direction of Richmond, and there it remained for about ten days awaiting events. On April 22nd it was ordered southward to Danville, with a view to joining Sherman’s army then confronting Johnston in North Carolina, a movement which again necessitated some fatiguing marches, the one hundred and five miles being covered in less than five days. News was received, however, that Johnston had followed the example of Lee and surrendered, and the corps thereupon faced about once … Read more

Soldiers of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

The following are the surviving union soldiers of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina. The names are correct, but the spelling may differ from that on the muster roll. John Going Welch Thomas Otter James Otter John Brown Owkwataga Mason Ratley Steve Johnson John Taylor John Canott John Igotpa David Patridge James Walkingstick Thomas Canott all of Company D, Third regiment North Carolina mounted infantry; R. B. Smith, company and regiment unknown. The following are the surviving widows of union soldiers: Nancy Brown, widow of Benj. Brown; no children. Ah-nu-yo-hi Walker, widow of John Walker; 1 child … Read more

Native Americans in World War 2

Six grandsons of the Reverend Ben Brave, Sioux Indian

Native Americans played the same rolls as many other Americans who entered into World War 2. They enlisted, fought in battles, suffered wounds, many were killed, some were captured, some received medals. Many of the women and men who didn’t go off to war, still participated at home, joining service groups and volunteering their time. This manuscript provides stories of these brave men and women Native Americans who fought for freedom during World War 2, casualty lists of injured, POW’s and KIA’s, as well as taking a brief look at the most important Navajo Code Talkers roll in WW2.

Indian Service Employees in World War 2

Twenty-one employees of the Indian Service gave their lives for the cause of freedom and justice, some of them in action against the enemy, some in training, some by accident, and some by illness. There will be more names to add to the list when the reckoning is completed.

A Family of Braves

Six grandsons of the Reverend Ben Brave, retired Sioux minister, have shown their patriotism by donning uniforms. Four went into the Army, one into the Navy, and one into the Coast Guard.

Indian Prisoners of War Released

Many Indians reported as prisoners of war have now been released and have come home again. Lt. Frank Paisano, Jr., a prisoner of the Germans, has returned to Laguna Pueblo. During his absence he was awarded the Air Medal, which his wife accepted in his name. Omar Schoenborn, Chippewa, once reported dead, was one of 83 men who escaped death when the prison ship carrying them to Japan was sunk off Leyte. He managed to swim ashore and to hide from the Japanese until the arrival of the American forces. Gilmore C. Daniels, Osage, who joined the Royal Canadian Air … Read more

Indian Women Work for War Victory

Indian women, anxious to help out during the war-created manpower shortage, have made an astonishingly large contribution to their country’s needs. Thousands of them have left their homes to work in factories, on ranches and farms, and even as section hands to replace men who were vitally needed elsewhere. They have joined the nurses’ corps, the military auxiliaries, the Red Cross, and the American Women’s Voluntary Service. Not content with this, they have given their services in many other and more unusual ways. More than 500 Eskimo and Indian women and girls worked day and night manufacturing skin clothing, mittens, … Read more

To the Indian Veteran

The Congress and the state legislatures have passed many low providing various benefits for all veterans except those who have been dishonorably discharged from the armed services. Many of you know what these benefits one; but when you come home you will find at the agency someone who can tell you just how to apply for the benefits which you want, and what you must do to qualify. There is no distinction made between Indians and any other veterans. Every organization serving the veteran will serve you. Your Selective Service Board to which you report within ten days after your … Read more

Indians Work for the Navy

Indians unload Oregon timber at Naval Supply Depot

By Lt. Frederick W. Sleight, USNR The story of the American Indian and his efforts in this second great world struggle is not limited to the exploits of soldiers. Men and women too old or too young for service with the armed forces have volunteered for work in the war industries as well as in food production. This report on one of the U.S. Navy’s greatest land-based activities illustrates the intense desire of the Indian people to serve where they are directly connected with the work of the war. The Naval Supply Depot at Clearfield, Utah, has as its aim … Read more

Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming Indians Wounded in Action

The following Indians Wounded in Action, are listed by Name, Tribe and Location of death. The name under the photograph is the person shown. No additional information was provided in the book. Utah Sammy Arrats, Ute, Tarawa Richard Burson, Ute, Iwo Jima Alfred Parriette, Ute, Pacific Harvey Natchees, Ute, Belgium Henry Drye, Paiute, Italy Washington James Wilson, Swinomish, New Guinea Harold Jackson, Clallam James R. Alexander, Lummi, France Howard A. George, Lummi, Germany Benjamin W. Hillaire, Lummi, Germany Anthony Jefferson, Lummi, France Bert H. Jefferson, Lummi, Philippines Forrest L. Kinley, Lummi, Philippines Charles Owens, Europe Bernard Bumgarner, Quinaielt, Europe William … Read more

Oklahoma Indians Wounded in Action

The following Indians Wounded in Action, are listed by Name, Tribe and Location of death. The name under the photograph is the person shown. No additional information was provided in the book. Rudoph Allen, Tonkawa, Europe Oland Kemble, Pnoca, France Levi Horsechief, Pawnee, Europe Marcellus Choteau, Kaw, Philippines Gale New Moon, Ponca, Europe Lawrence Good Fox Jr., Pawnee, Europe James Armstrong, Jr., Caddo-Cheyenne, Pacific Francis Bates, Arapaho, Europe Harold S. Beard, Cheyenne-Arapaho, Aleutians Rubin Bent, Quapaw-Cheyenne, Europe Oliver Black, Cheyenne, Europe Richard Boynton, Jr., Cheyenne-Arapaho, Europe Roy Bullcoming, Cheyenne, Europe Richard Curtis, Jr. , Cheyenne, Mediterranean William M. Fletcher, , … Read more

New York and North Dakota Indians Wounded in Action

The following Indians Wounded in Action, are listed by Name, Tribe and Location of death. The name under the photograph is the person shown. No additional information was provided in the book. New York Arthur Lazore, Mohawk, France Leonard Beaubien, Mohawk, France Friacis Billings, Mohawk, France Stanley Connors, Mohawk, Palaus Louis Martin, Mohawk, Europe Wilford Smith, Tonawanda-Seneca Orlando Scorgg, Â Tonawanda-Seneca, France Warren Spring, Tonawanda-Seneca Eugene Reuben, Tonawanda-Seneca Cortland Luna, Tonawanda-Seneca Marvin Crouse, Onondaga Randall Poodry, Tonawanda-Seneca, Tunis Edward Black, Onondaga, France Vincent Printup, Tuscarora Harrison Henry, Tuscarora William Mt. Pleasant, Tuscarora Frederick Schanandoah, Onondaga, Italy Chapman Schanandoah, Onondaga, Atlantic Clifford … Read more

New Mexico Indians Wounded in Action

The following Indians Wounded in Action, are listed by Name, Tribe and Location of death. The name under the photograph is the person shown. No additional information was provided in the book. Hiram R. Brown, Acoma Pueblo Francis J. Johnson, Acoma Pueblo Manuel R. Cata, San Juan Pueblo Regorio Calabaza, Santo Domingo Pueblo Dempsey Chapito, Zuni Aresenio Sanchez Cyrus Mahkee, Zuni, Guam Jose B. Valdez, Isleta Pueblo Jose P. Lucero, Jemez Pueblo James Mitchell, Navajo, France Richard H. Marmon, Laguna Pueblo, Germany Ted Shashewannie, Zuni James D. Sice, Laguna Pueblo William J. Naranjo, Navajo, Sicily Ned Arviso, Marianas Walter H. … Read more

Montana, Nebraska and Nevada Indians Wounded in Action

The following Indians Wounded in Action, are listed by Name, Tribe and Location of death. The name under the photograph is the person shown. No additional information was provided in the book. Montana Max Small, Cheyenne Edward Sam Bixby, Cheyenne Dale Spang, Cheyenne Jasper Tallwhiteman, Cheyenne Ben Bearchum, Cheyenne Robert Bigback, Cheyenne Russell Fisher, Cheyenne Elmore Limberhand, Cheyenne Arthur Youngbear, Cheyenne George Nequette, Blackfeet, Europe John McKay, Blackfeet, Italy Frank Baker, Blackfeet, Italy John A. Gobert, Blackfeet, Leyte Clarence Cadotte, Blackfeet, Europe Harry Schildt, Blackfeet, Pacific Orville Goss, Blackfeet, Iwo Jima Sidney Brown Jr. , Blackfeet, Iwo Jima Stanley Bird, … Read more