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Subject: [GM-L] HILDRETH/Battle of Fredricksburg
Date: Wed, 21 Mar 2001 18:21:25 EST

In a message dated 01-03-17 18:39:39 EST, Janice transcribed :

<< Subject: [GM-L] Sherman Hildreth,

Source: Prescott Memorial

p. 149-150

7. Sherman F. Hildreth b. Aug 26, 1836. Served in the 11th New Hampshire
Regt.
three years, in the Union Army against the rebellion
Sherman F. Hildreth enlisted Aug 13, 1862 in Company B, Sewell D. Tilton,
Captain
11th Regiment N.H. Volunteer Infantry, Walter Harriman, Colonel. Left
Deerfield, N.H.
for Concord August 28th. Left Concord in about a week, proceeded to
Washington,
and went into camp at Arlington Heights; in two weeks was ordered to
Frederick City,
Maryland, but finding the enemy had been driven back and retreated toward
Harper's
Ferry, the New Hampshire 11th followed and encamped for several weeks in the
vicinity of that place. Thence to Falmouth, opposite Fredericksburg, VA
where the
regiment encamped for some six weeks, when on the 13th of December 1862, the
regiment was ordered across the Rappahannock and to the attack of
Fredericksburg,
which was done amid terrific fire from the rebel batteries. The regiment
went into the
contest and fought bravely, but the fortune of the day was against them, and
in
common with the whole Union forces, recrossed the river. The loss of the
11th was
200 killed and wounded. The regiment was in the hottest of the fight, and
its gallant
conduct won the approbation of the commanding general. After this battle,
Sherman
F. Hildreth was detailed on hosptial duty and saw mor more hard fighting.
He
was
mustered out with his regiment and honorably discharged June 4, 1865.
>>
I am interested in knowing if anyone is related to this Sherman HILDRETH as a
GG distant cousin in the RUGGLES clan was in the Louisiana Washington
Battery defending Marye's Hill during the Battle of Fredricksburg. He was
mortally wounded in the spine working his gun and died only a short time
later of his wounds. He was buried in Richmond in a grand military ceremony.

This is the second RUGGLES who was b in Mass (North) but for personal beliefs
fought for the Soutn. I have a copy a letter he wrote to his father a month
before Fredricksburg. The other RUGGLES wrote of his moral disagreement with
the Federal Govt's positions in his letter of resignation of his comission
(Lt Col). (There might be one other who had a like conscience but have not
yet stumbled upon proof for him)

Just curious

Bill

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