Introduction to the History of the Colors of the Regiment.

Comrades:

In preparing the brief history of our Colors, I have had to depend largely upon the help of others, upon information sent me by numerous members of the Regiment - although as a regimental marker I had opportunities to know a great deal of the subject, particularly that relating to the different organizations of the Guard. That there may be some discrepancies I do not deny, because individuals do not always see and describe the same thing or event exactly alike, although each and all were eye witnesses and participants. To harmonize the information, together with the compilation and arrangement of the work in chronological order, has been no easy task, and I trust that the history will be justly and kindly criticized by all who may read it. If glaring inaccuracies are found please inform me wherein they exist, for which I tender my thanks in advance.

It has been my endeavor to mention all those who bore the colors and who served in the Guard, giving names and engagements, with lists of casualties and brief personal sketches of many, and of those who fell under the folds of or banner, for they all were staunch and brave defenders of Old Glory, "when the red carnage of war prevailed." If any names are omitted it is because I have not their record, and none will regret such omissions more sincerely than

Your friend and comrade,

W. F. Goodhue.

The first man to hold the position of Color Bearer of the Third Regiment, Wisconsin Infantry, was Charles L. Dering, a Sergeant of Company I, from Shullsburg, Wisconsin. He was appointed by Colonel Charles S. Hamilton, at Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, when the Regiment was organized sometime in June, 1861. But Sergeant Dering never bore the colors, for the Regiment had none the first two months of its existence, a condition that was again repeated some two years later.

Although the State of Wisconsin expended about $80,000 on the equipment of the Regiment, it left the state July 12, 1861, without arms or colors. Its uniform was a gray-colored flannel blouse, trousers and wool hat, and altogether of flimsy material; so ragged were the men two months later, that with the gray color, dirt and rags, it could have passed itself for a regiment of "Johnnies" and the beholder would never doubt it. Had the regiment been precipitated into battle, with its gray uniforms and no colors, unquestionably it would have drawn the fire of other Union troops as well as the Confederates upon itself.

In anticipation of receiving a stand of colors from the Government, Colonel Thos. H. Ruger, who had succeeded Chas. S. Hamilton to the command of the Regiment, organized the Color Guard, August 11, 1861, when in camp at Maryland Heights, Maryland. The first Color Guard was:

Lyman B. Balcom, Co. D; William Brisbin, Co. C; Thos.E. Orton, Co. H; Thos. M. Cooper, Co. K; Robert F. McGonigal, Co. F; and Thos. H. Bright, Co. I.

The colors however were not received until September 8, 1861, when the Regiment was encamped at Darnestown, Maryland. Before the Colors were received, promotions from the Guard occurred. Corporal Lyman B. Balcom, Co. D, was promoted Sergeant, then to Second Lieutenant, November 1, 1862; First Lieutenant January 2, 1863; Captain, April 21, 1863; all in Company D. He was badly wounded at Cedar Mountains, and resigned because of wounds, July 24, 1864. Sergeant C. L. Dering was promoted to Sergeant Major, August 31, 1861, vice E. E. Bryant, promoted to Second Lieutenant, Co. A; promoted to First Lieutenant, Co. B, April 21, 1863; wounded at Cedar Mountains, August 9, 1862; resigned because of wounds received.

Before the Colors was received, Sergeant Dering was promoted, therefore the first man to bear our Colors, was his successor, Sergeant Hiram K. Edwards, Co. G, from Clayton, Wisconsin. Under Sergeant Edwards' leadership, the Guard was:

William Brisbin, Co. C; Thos. E. Orton, Co. H; Thos. M Cooper, Co. K; Robert F. McGonigal, Co. F; Charles B. Rosenow, Co. G; Thos. H. Bright, Co. I.

While Sergeant Edwards was the first to carry the National Colors of the Regiment, who of the Guard was the first to carry the Standard (a blue silk flag, gold fringed, with the United States Arms emblazoned thereon in gold,) is unknown, but it was carried on march and parade in the earlier days of the Regiment's existence, subsequent to September 8, 1861. Both Flag and Standard were with us in our journeyings along the Potomac, in the campaign of Ball's Bluff and Bolivar Heights and with us on parades at Ruger barracks, Frederick, Maryland, in the winter of 1861-2. When preparations were made for leaving Frederick, at the opening of the campaign in the Shenandoah Valley, Colonel Ruger ordered the Standard to be left at Frederick and stored with other belongings of the Regiment. It was packed in the original box in which both flags had been received, and turned in to the Regimental Quarter-Master, Lieutenant James G. Knight.

February 25, the Regiment embarked on the cars enroute for Harper's Ferry and the wagon train traveled the highway to the same place, leaving the Standard in its box, lying upon the ground at Frederick, where some good, patriotic friend to the Regiment found and delivered it to the Post Quarter-Master, who took it from the box and laid it upon the rafters in the upper story of the Government ware-house at Frederick, where it remained safely until the following September, (1862), when Lee's army invaded Maryland, when it was again saved to the Regiment, this time by one of its members, who thus tells the story: