William Henry Nettleton
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William H. Nettleton was one of the first settlers in Pine Valley Township, Clark County, Wisconsin. He was born in 1838 in New York and was twenty-two years old at the time of the 1860 Clark Co., WI Federal Census. Also recorded in that census were forty-five year old David Nettleton, a farmer also born in the Empire State, with real-estate valued at $1,500 and personal assets of $300. Twenty year old David G. Nettleton, was also listed on that record as born in New York.
William Nettleton fought in the Civil War and was a member of the Twenty-first Regiment which was organized at Oshkosh, and was composed of companies enlisted in Fond du Lac, Winnebago, Outagamie, Waupaca, Calumet and Manitowoc Counties. Its organization was perfected under the supervision of Colonel Benjamin J. Sweet, and it was mustered into the United States service on September 5, 1862, with the following roster:
Colonel - Benjamin J. Sweet
Lieutenant Colonel - Harrison C. Hobart
Major - Frederick Schumacher
Adjutant - Michael H. Fitch
Quartermaster - Henry C. Hamilton
Surgeon - Samuel J. Carolin
First Assistant Surgeon - James T. Reeve
Second Assistant Surgeon - Sidney S. Fuller
Chaplain - Rev. Orson P. Clinton
Captain of Co. F. - Edgar Conklin
First Lieutenant of Co. F. - Milton Ewen
Second Lieutenant of Co. F. - Charles H. Morgan
William Nettleton Was
Wounded During the Atlanta Campaign After many days of severe skirmishing,
the twenty-first regiment joined in the great movement to flank the enemy out of
Atlanta. The 21st deployed as skirmishers and drove the rebel
cavalry about two miles along the railroad, which was completely destroyed by
the troops in the rear. After the battle of Jonesboro the Confederates
evacuated Atlanta and the 21st went into camp in the city on
September 8th. After just four months from the opening of the
campaign the regiment had fought their way for a distance of more than 135
miles. The regiment suffered severely in this campaign with a loss of 112
killed and wounded and 110 disabled by disease and fatigue. This left only
about 1/3 of the arms-bearing men to enter Atlanta. In the pursuit of General Hood's army,
the regiment was under the command of Major Charles H. Walker, the former
Captain of Company K. After this unsuccessful chase, the 21st went
into camp at Kingston, Georgia. Here the regiment was filled with recruits from
the 1st and 10th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiments.
Lieutenant Colonel Harrison C. Hobart was commissioned Colonel, Major Michael H.
Fitch was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel, and Captain Charles H. Walker was
commissioned Major. Colonel Hobart was assigned to command the First Brigade
and the regimental command fell to Lieutenant Colonel Fitch. Private John F.
Fitch of Company K was reported as having died of wounds on October 24, 1864.
On November 12, 1864 the 14th
Corps, under the command of Major General Jefferson C. Davis, commenced the
famous "March to the Sea." The 21st was now the only Wisconsin
regiment in the corps, which was now in the Army of Georgia. On November 4th,
the army passed through Marietta, Georgia, leaving the town in flames. On
November 15th, the 21st entered burning Atlanta. The
regiment, well equipped and clothed, with haversacks filled for the last time
from the stores of the army, moved forward on the march. There was no hospital,
no base, and with rations and forage for only a few days. On November 17th
the regiment reached the Oconee River. Regular foraging parties were organized
to obtain supplies for the men and animals. On November 23rd the 21st
entered Milledgeville, thus far meeting no enemy except occasional scouts of
rebel cavalry. Much of the time was employed in destroying railroads and
bridges. On December 6th, the regiment reached the Savannah River,
fifty miles from Savannah. The rebel cavalry were brushed away as the army
dashed along the banks of this river. On December 11th the regiment,
in the pine forests a few miles from Savannah, heard the guns of the Federal
Navy firing upon Fort Jackson. The 21st took an active part in the
siege of Savannah until its evacuation. On December 21st the 21st
entered the city and went into camp. At this place Colonel Hobart, by
recommendation of General Sherman, was brevetted Brigadier General by a special
order of the War Department and assigned to a command of that rank. On January
20, 1865 the Carolina campaign commenced. General Hobart still commanded the
same brigade. Lieutenant Colonel Fitch was detailed to the command of three
regiments and Major Walker assumed command of the regiment. The 21st
crossed the Savannah River with the 14th Corps and shared actively in
the campaign which "marked the earth with ruin." The regiment marched with the
column that passed north of Columbia, South Carolina and, after overcoming
almost insurmountable difficulties, crossed the Catawba River. The roads were
almost impassable, and the men would never forget the many miles of corduroy
which they constructed. On March 4, 1865 the 21st entered North
Carolina. At this point the burning ceased. On March 11th the
regiment encamped at Fayetteville on the Cape Fear River. Leaving Fayetteville,
the regiment was in the advance brigade, which encountered the enemy, in force,
near Bentonville on March 19th. The advance of the enemy was
gallantly driven back to their main line by three regiments of the brigade
immediately under the command of General Hobart. In this sharp engagement,
which was the last of Sherman's battles, the 21st took an active
part. After this battle, the
following casualties were officially reported as wounded from Company F:
Soldier & Unit History
William H
Nettleton – Transferred to F Company 17
September 1862
This regiment was organized
at Camp Bragg, Oshkosh 5 September 1862 and was sent to Covington, Kentucky for
the defense of Cincinnati.
It participated in the battle of Perryville in the 28th brigade, and after a
march of 12 miles on the day of the battle, was placed by mistake in an exposed
position alone, subject to the fire of both friend and foe. It escaped utter
destruction by breaking ranks, then rallied and took position in line of battle.
It lost 179 in killed, wounded and missing.
On December 7 it was ordered to Nashville. With its brigade it repulsed an
attack on the supply wagons by 3,500 of Wheeler's cavalry at Jefferson, the
burden of the attack falling on the 21st. Gen. Rousseau said: "This regiment,
led by its efficient commander (Hobart}, behaved like veterans."
It went into the battle of Stone's River the following day, was sent to the
extreme front, and for 3 days held position under heavy fire. It encamped at
Murfreesboro during the winter and spring, moved south with the Army of the
Cumberland in June into Alabama and Georgia and arrived at Chickamauga in time
to take part in the second day's fight. It "never faltered during the whole day,
but often the second line would have to face about and drive away the rebels
from the rear." On being ordered to retire it fell back "only to the second line
of works, where, still fighting, surrounded by the enemy, Lt. Col. Hobart and
about 70 officers and men were captured."
The regiment was in reserve at Missionary Ridge and then was stationed on the
summit of Lookout Mountain until the spring of 1864. It was in the advance on
Resaca in May 1864, and was the last to retire in the evening. At Dallas it
remained for 6 days under fire, its skirmishers being within 50 paces of those
of the enemy.
The regiment followed Johnston in his retreat from Dallas to Kennesaw
Mountain, where it charged the enemy's skirmish line and gained position within
150 paces of the main line of Confederate works. It was in siege, fatigue and
guard duty until the fall of Atlanta, took part in the battle of Jonesboro, and
then went into camp at Atlanta.
On Oct. 1 it was attached to the 1st brigade, 1st division, 14th army corps,
and pursued Gen. Hood northward. It then rejoined Sherman's army, took part in
the march to the sea, the siege of Savannah, the Carolina Campaign, and the
march to Richmond. It participated in the grand review at Washington, DC where
it was mustered out 8 June 1865.
Grand Review in
Washington D. C., May 23, 1865
Rocky Mound Grange--William Nettleton is listed as an early member in
1976. Sources: The Military History of
Wisconsin: A Record of the Civil and Military Patriotism of the State in the War
for the Union, by E. B. Quiner, Esq.,
1860
Federal Census for Clark Co., WI
Company F - Corporal L. Sutliff and Privates, William Nettleton
and Robert Patton. Wisconsin 21st Infantry 1862-1865
Wounded 19 March 1865 Bentonville, North Carolina
Mustered out 19 May 1865
Data of Town Where Enlisted: Black
River Falls, WI
Killed or mortally wounded
18
Died as POW
0
Died of Disease
15
Disabled
30
Deserted
5
Discharged
9
Mustered out
57
