As we consider the mood of the Western states as the Civil War began we can better understand why Charles Pooch and many others were preparing to volunteer for service in the Union Army. Wisconsin and Minnesota were newly settled and shaping their identity as territories and states. Seven years after the War concluded Charles Pooch and family would move from east central Wisconsin to south west Minnesota.
The Wisconsin and Minnesota western region began to take part in the Civil War in May, 1861.
On May 17, 1861 the First Wisconsin Regiment was mustered in with Col. John C. Starkweather. They were to see first action on July 2 at Falling Water, West Virginia. The Second Regiment, mustered in on June 11, saw action in the Battle of Bull Run on July 21. The Seventh Regiment would not be mustered in until September 16. Charles Pooch was in the Seventh Regiment, Company I.
The Union defeat at Bull Run was a disaster to the plans of the Union. The Second Wisconsin took the brunt of Wisconsin men in the battle.
On June 22, 1861 the First Regiment of Minnesota Volunteers paraded at Fort Snelling and departed for the scenes of battle. It was on July 21 at the Battle of Bull Run that the Regiment lost 42 officers and men along with 108 wounded.
Now the citizens of both Wisconsin and Minnesota were aware that this developing conflicts was a serious threat to them personally.
We do not yet have written records of how the Pooch family in the Wautoma was being affected by these developments. We can assume that everyone was anxious about the future. They knew that the developing War would affect them. Having come recently from Northern Germany in Europe where wars were frequent, the events in America likely gave them a sense of urgency.
Sources for this article: Wisconsin information:
http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/tp&CISOPTR=44347&CISOSHOW=44123
Minnesota information: Volumn 2 of "A History of Minnesota" by William Watts Folwell pages 84-85.
Battle of Bull Run information:" A Brotherhood of Valor" by Jeffry Wert pages 38-49
Send further information and corrections to dkrueger@visi.com
Written by Delton Krueger
The Wisconsin and Minnesota western region began to take part in the Civil War in May, 1861.
On May 17, 1861 the First Wisconsin Regiment was mustered in with Col. John C. Starkweather. They were to see first action on July 2 at Falling Water, West Virginia. The Second Regiment, mustered in on June 11, saw action in the Battle of Bull Run on July 21. The Seventh Regiment would not be mustered in until September 16. Charles Pooch was in the Seventh Regiment, Company I.
The Union defeat at Bull Run was a disaster to the plans of the Union. The Second Wisconsin took the brunt of Wisconsin men in the battle.
On June 22, 1861 the First Regiment of Minnesota Volunteers paraded at Fort Snelling and departed for the scenes of battle. It was on July 21 at the Battle of Bull Run that the Regiment lost 42 officers and men along with 108 wounded.
Now the citizens of both Wisconsin and Minnesota were aware that this developing conflicts was a serious threat to them personally.
We do not yet have written records of how the Pooch family in the Wautoma was being affected by these developments. We can assume that everyone was anxious about the future. They knew that the developing War would affect them. Having come recently from Northern Germany in Europe where wars were frequent, the events in America likely gave them a sense of urgency.
Sources for this article: Wisconsin information:
http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/tp&CISOPTR=44347&CISOSHOW=44123
Minnesota information: Volumn 2 of "A History of Minnesota" by William Watts Folwell pages 84-85.
Battle of Bull Run information:" A Brotherhood of Valor" by Jeffry Wert pages 38-49
Send further information and corrections to dkrueger@visi.com
Written by Delton Krueger
