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During
the winter of 1862/1863 Colonel John T. Wilder was given the unenviable
task of chasing down Morgan’s cavalry with regular infantry. Seeing the
futility of the situation and being a progressive commander, Colonel
Wilder requested that his infantry units be mounted. Federal cavalry was
in short supply at this point in the war and Colonel Wilder was determined
to overcome this problem. Wilder’s first plan was to mount some of his
regiment on the mules used to pull the regimental supply wagons. This
proved disastrous to the poor souls attempting this, but very humorous for
their comrades. Undeterred, Wilder requested permission to mount his
regiment and in February of 1863 permission was granted. Wilder now went
about the task of "acquiring" horses and mules for his men. He
also went about equipping his men with the most advanced firearm
available. This was the Spencer rifle – a seven shot, metallic
cartridge, repeating rifle. In the hands of his regiments it turned the
tide of a number of major engagements.
Wilder’s brigade also known as the hatchet brigade and lightning
brigade proved themselves in battle during the Tullahoma campaign. They
went on to prove themselves in the capture of Chattanooga the battle of
Chickamauga, the Atlanta campaign, Wilson’s raid and the capture of
Macon.
The brigade consisted of the 17th and 72nd
Indiana, the 123rd, 98th and 92nd
Illinois and the 18th Indiana artillery battery.
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