I just came across your website and plan on ordering your book this weekend. I’ve done a great deal of genealogy, and have traced my several branches of my family back to the 1200s and 1300s. However, I have been completely stumped by my paternal line, which ends at William Collins (my great-great grandfather), who was a member of the 11th Wisconsin Infantry, Co. D. (His father may have been one Col. James Collins, who fought in the Black Hawk Wars, but I don’t have exact confirmation on that.) I do know that William Collins was one of the first settlers in the Richland Center area, along with his older brother James Collins. He had a farm near Orion on the Wisconsin River. There is mention that he left for California during the Gold Rush, only to return to his Wisconsin farm in 1854. He married in 1855 and had three children. He joined the Wisconsin Ploughboys on Sept. 12, 1861. And it appears he was discharged due to a disability on Feb. 23, 1863. And that’s the last record I have of him. He was married to one Mary (Hurd) Collins. According to records, she remarried one of William’s friends and farmhands Zacharia Hole in 1865. Sorry for the long story, but do you have any information about William Collins? Did he die shortly after his discharge? Did he return to Wisconsin? If he did die, where was he buried? Was he wounded? If so, in what battle? If you have any information, it would be greatly appreciated.

I look forward to reading your book.

Best regards,
Craig K. Collins (William’s great-great grandson)

You comment on the account of Bayou Cache by Cornelius McCarthy in your blog. You’ve researched so well, I’m sure that you have tracked this down through the newspaper microfilm since he regularly mailed the editor with news and updates. At this time, a sword belonging to McCarthy 11/D has been donated to and can be viewed at the Brewer Library History Room in Richland Center, WI– an interesting piece of history from this unit. This facility also has the original decorative muster roll. The other great documents are the official records of this unit (and others) at the Wisconsin State Historical Society Library.

Cornelius McCarthy was promoted to Brevet Captain after the war because of events at Bayou Cache., In the promotion citation from Governor Lucius Fairchild, there is another “mini-description” of the events of the day– McCarthy was attacked by two mounted enemy officers but defended himself “manfully,” captured the horses and turned them over to his officer, while saving the life of one as well.

My grandpa heard stories passed down from Cornelius which we heard as kids… with the most memorable being that as the cannons were being rolled along, he most remembered the sound of bones crunching beneath their heavy weight. We don’t know the circumstance or have confirmation of this, but he also bragged at being able to load his weapon quickly to get off the first shot as he came face to face with an opponent. One time he said that he could see he was behind the other soldier directly in front of him, so he made the quick decision to shoot the other man with his ramrod which was still down his barrel. That bought him enough time to escape, but he did, in fact, carry 2-3 miniballs in his hip area for the rest of his life– a souvenir of the Battle of Bayou Cache.

My mom noted (I believe from your book) that some men of 11/D are listed as deserters, but that it was not uncommon to become separated from your unit, rejoin another unit, or be transferred, etc.

I’m really interested to know if you have any further info on those listed as “deserters” from 11/D– Allpress, the Conkels, Doudna, etc? I’m interested for a few reasons: According to family stories, Cornelius McCarthy’s daughter was engaged to a man from Richland County who went off to the war. He is claimed to have deserted. She later went to St. Martinville, LA in search of him. Although she didn’t locate her fiancee, she did marry there and remained until her death in the 1930s.

I”m also interested in this group of men since there is currently a project for a Veteran’s Memorial underway in Richland Center, WI. If you read any of the newspaper microfilm from post-war years, you will know that Cornelius McCarthy greatly desired a memorial for the soldiers, though this never came to fruition until now. I am on the research team for the Civil War veterans (quite an undertaking since anyone who lived in Richland County for any length of time at any point in their life is eligible). The memorial covers all veterans and wars from 1812- present. There has been some discussion whether to include those who have been dishonorably discharged, court-martialed, or (primarily in the case of the Civil War) listed as deserters. Since I know the possibility exists that the above roster is incorrect or incomplete, and also since my ancestor so convincingly called for a monument honoring his comrades, I really want to do all I can to completely research every name listed as “deserter” to assure that they are included on the memorial wall if this is somehow incorrect.

Thanks for any advice or assistance you can give me concerning these names!

Again, thanks for a great book– I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in this era! You may be interested in contacting the committee of “Muskets and Memories” in Boscobel, WI (near Richland Center) as a possible speaker, vendor, etc. for their annual CW reenactment! Lots of other 11/D descendants still in the area!

Thanks again!
Cindy McCarthy