Wallick Soldiers of the American Civil War

34th & 36th Ohio Volunteer Infantry · Co. D · Shenandoah Valley

Edward Wallick

Private · Shenandoah Valley Campaign · Brother of Isaiah Wallick, Killed at Missionary Ridge

Regiment

34th Ohio Vol. Infantry, Co. D → 36th Ohio, Co. D

Rank

Private

Enlisted

Lima, Ohio · Feb 3, 1864

Mustered In

February 15, 1864

Mustered Out

May 30, 1865 · Surgeon's certificate of disability

Service Time

1 year, 4 months

Born

December 1844 · Coshocton County, Ohio

Died

October 20, 1918 · Portland, Oregon

Physical Description

5′ 9″ · Dark hair · Blue eyes · Occupation: Farmer

Bounty

$100 paid · $200 owed by Federal Government · $84.15 deducted for clothing account

Family Lineage

Son of Samuel · son of "Bunker Hill" Michael · son of "Bedford" Michael · son of Hans Michael and Esther Wallick

Edward Wallick, c. 1900 — Private, 34th and 36th Ohio Volunteer Infantry
Edward Wallick, c. 1900.

A Brother's Tribute

In the late fall of 1863 the family of Samuel Andrew Wallick had just finished harvesting their crops when they received stunning news from the war front. They had been shorthanded on their Hardin County, Ohio farm for the past two years ever since Samuel's eldest son, Isaiah, left to join in the fight to suppress the southern rebellion. He and his regiment, the 49th Ohio, had been in some of the bloodiest engagements of the war. Before the rebellion, names such as Chickamauga Creek, Shiloh Church, and Murfreesboro were just remote specks on a southern map. Now they were synonymous with savage, brutal fighting — and the 49th Ohio had been in them all.

Shortly after Thanksgiving, Samuel Wallick's family learned of the most amazing and glorious victory the Union Army had achieved thus far on a battlefield. The Union Army had made a spectacular charge up Missionary Ridge, just outside of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and thoroughly thrashed the Rebels. Isaiah and his regiment were part of this heroic endeavor. For Samuel Wallick the news of this stunning Union victory was soon tempered by news that his son, Isaiah, had been killed during the battle. The charge up Missionary Ridge took place on the day before Thanksgiving, November 25, and Isaiah became mortally wounded sometime during the attack. He was taken to a hospital in Chattanooga where he struggled all through the holiday with his wounds, but they were too severe and he died the day after Thanksgiving, November 27, 1863.

Edward Wallick was just a few weeks shy of his nineteenth birthday when brother Isaiah was killed at Missionary Ridge. Edward was born in Coshocton County, Ohio (as were all of Samuel's children), but moved to Ada, Ohio, as a youth. When the war broke out in 1861, Isaiah was quick to enlist, leaving Edward the only son to help on the farm. Isaiah's death could have brought bitterness to Samuel and his family. However, Edward volunteered for service just two months after the death of his brother. He could have waited to be drafted or tried to avoid military service altogether. He did neither. It seems more likely that Edward volunteered out of his sense of patriotism and honoring his brother's sacrifice.

Edward would serve under future President Rutherford B. Hayes through some of the most dramatic fighting of the Shenandoah Valley Campaign — Cloyd's Mountain, the Lynchburg Raid, Opequon Creek, Fisher's Hill, and Cedar Creek — before being felled not by a Rebel bullet but by typhoid fever. He was discharged in May 1865 with a surgeon's certificate of disability, returned to Ada, Ohio, and eventually made his way to Portland, Oregon, where he died in 1918 at age 73.

✦

West Virginia · Virginia · Shenandoah Valley · 1864

Edward Wallick with the 34th Ohio Volunteer Infantry

Feb 3, 1864

Edward Wallick enlists in Lima, Ohio for 3 years as a volunteer recruit. He is eventually paid a $100 bounty and is due $200 more by the Federal Government, although his record states that $84.15 will be deducted "for clothing in kind or money advanced."
Enlistment document for Edward Wallick, dated February 3, 1864 — in lieu of his signature he made his mark, witnessed by W. A. Bearinger
Enlistment document for Edward Wallick, dated February 3, 1864. In lieu of his signature he made his mark, witnessed by W. A. Bearinger.

Feb 15, 1864

Edward is mustered into Federal service.

Feb 27, 1864

Edward is assigned to Company D, 34th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and joins the unit as a new recruit at Charleston, West Virginia.

May 1, 1864

General Crook's Expedition against the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad

The 34th Ohio is divided into two columns on April 29th — one mounted infantry going with General Averill and his cavalry, and one dismounted infantry going with General Crook and his infantry division. On May 1st General Crook sets out from Charleston, WV to break up the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad and destroy the New River Bridge near Newbern Court House, VA. Since it would have been easier for a new recruit to assimilate into a dismounted infantry unit, it is believed that Edward is with General Crook's division.

May 9, 1864

Battle of Cloyd's Mountain

General Crook learns that the Rebels occupy the summit of Cloyd's Mountain, near Dublin, VA, and prepares to dislodge them. The Federal forces must cross open ground under heavy musket and artillery fire. They make a successful charge and drive the enemy from the field.

May 10, 1864

General Crook Destroys the New River Bridge

The main goal of the expedition is achieved when Union forces defeat the Confederates guarding the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad Bridge over the New River. The bridge is totally destroyed. They then move and capture the Confederate stores and supplies at Dublin Depot.

Jun 6, 1864

Skirmish at Buffalo Gap

The 34th is part of future President Rutherford B. Hayes' brigade. They have a skirmish with the Rebels at Buffalo Gap, where they succeed in driving them out of the pass. General Hayes will be Edward's brigade and division commander for much of his enlistment in the 34th Ohio.

Jun 8, 1864

General Crook, with Edward and the 34th Ohio, arrives at Staunton, VA and makes their final preparations to join General Hunter in what is to become a disastrous raid on Lynchburg, VA.

Jun 16, 1864

The 34th Ohio reaches Liberty, VA. After crossing the Blue Ridge Mountains they have a skirmish with the Confederates outside town.

Jun 17–19, 1864

Raid on Lynchburg, VA

General Crook sends the 34th Ohio's brigade on a flanking expedition across the James River for the purpose of attacking Lynchburg from the rear while the cavalry on their left makes a diversionary probe. The attack is made late in the day on the 18th and is partially successful. In the opinion of Lt. Colonel Franklin, commanding officer of the 34th Ohio, the attack would have been entirely successful had orders from General Hunter not forbidden the Union forces from occupying the city that night. Lynchburg is reinforced by 20,000 Confederate soldiers from General Early's command at Richmond overnight. The next morning the Rebels open the day with a fierce cannonade and the Federals answer back with their own barrage. In the afternoon there is an engagement and the 34th Ohio suffers severely. At dark on the evening of June 19th the Federal forces must retreat.

Jun 21, 1864

Engagement near Salem, VA at Catawba Mountain

The enemy continues to press the retreating Federals and attacks the unsupported artillery of General Hunter's command while it passes through a narrow gap at Catawba Mountain. The Rebels suddenly descend from the hills, dispersing drivers and gunners. They continue their savage attack by shooting horses, cutting their harnesses, and blowing up caissons. The mounted portion of the 34th Ohio, being a few miles away, hurries to the scene and counterattacks. The Rebels are driven off after a sharp engagement and the Federal retreat continues.

Jul 1, 1864

The Federal forces are continually harassed by the enemy as they march through the eastern mountains of West Virginia. They arrive at Charleston on July 1, 1864 — exhausted, ragged, and half-starved. General Hunter's "Retreat from Lynchburg" is a disaster long remembered by the men of the 34th Ohio.

Jul 12–15, 1864

Edward and the 34th Ohio move from Charleston, WV to Martinsburg, VA in the Shenandoah Valley.

Jul 20, 1864

Engagement at Stephenson's Depot

The 34th Ohio has a forced march from Martinsburg to Stephenson's Depot (two miles north of Winchester, VA) in an effort to check the Confederate advance. The outnumbered Federal forces engage the Rebels, capture their artillery, and kill or wound all their brigade commanders. The losses to the 34th Ohio are 10 killed and 20 wounded.

Jul 24, 1864

Battle of 2nd Kernstown

Confederate General Jubal Early is attacking in the Shenandoah Valley as a diversion to make General Grant pull some of his Federal troops from besieged Petersburg, VA. The 34th Ohio is sent west out Romney Road, just north of Kernstown, to protect the Federal right flank. They are not engaged until the afternoon, helping to cover the Union Army retreat.

Aug 24, 1864

The 34th Ohio is sent to Harper's Ferry to protect that vital possession from an attack by General Early.

Sep 3, 1864

Edward and his regiment are moved south to Berryville, VA, about eight miles east of Winchester, VA.

Sep 19, 1864

Battle of Opequon Creek (3rd Winchester)

The morning of battle, Edward and his brigade have moved to where the Winchester-Berryville Pike and Opequon Creek cross, just east of Winchester, and are held there in reserve all morning. At this time Elias Wallick is engaged just north of the Berryville Pike and mortally wounded. At noon the 34th Ohio moves west toward Winchester and is positioned on the battlefield north of Red Bud Run, where they can support an attack by the Federal right flank. Edward is still in General Hayes' brigade and they deploy for battle about 4:00 PM. The brigade advances parallel and north of Red Bud Run, then wheels to the left and charges into the Confederates. There is pressure all along the Federal line and the Confederates finally break and stream back into Winchester as a disorganized mob.
The open field Edward and the 34th Ohio Infantry crossed on their way to the Battle of Opequon Creek
Edward and the 34th Ohio Infantry moved across this ground on their way to the Battle of Opequon Creek.
Red Bud Run on the Opequon Creek Battlefield — Edward and the 34th Ohio crossed here and pushed the Confederates through Winchester in a total rout
Red Bud Run on the Opequon Creek Battlefield. Once across Red Bud Run, Edward and the 34th Ohio engaged the Rebels and pushed them to, then through, Winchester, VA in a total rout. The Confederates didn't stop retreating until they found favorable ground twenty miles farther south, at Fisher's Hill.

Sep 22, 1864

Battle of Fisher's Hill

Confederate General Early tries to make a stand at Fisher's Hill after his defeat at the Battle of Opequon Creek. The Confederates have chosen a naturally strong position to defend and are well entrenched. General Sheridan orders Edward's division to Little North Mountain, where they slam into the Confederate left at about 3:30 PM. The Rebels are rolled up on the left as the Union attacks the center and the Confederate line breaks from their trenches. By the end of the day General Early has lost sixteen guns and 1,000 men are taken prisoner.
The Confederate position at the Battle of Fisher's Hill — the Confederates formed their line of battle in this open field, perpendicular to the horizon; the 34th Ohio was positioned on the distant ridge
The Confederate position at the Battle of Fisher's Hill. The Confederates formed their line of battle in this open field, perpendicular to the horizon. The 34th Ohio was positioned on the distant ridge. During the attack the Federal forces charged down from the hills into the Confederate left flank, driving them from the field.

Oct 19, 1864

Battle of Cedar Creek

Union General Sheridan has continued to press the Confederate forces in the Shenandoah Valley. General Early decides to make one last attempt at pushing the Federals back down the valley. On October 17–18 he makes his preparations for an early morning attack on the 19th. The Confederates storm into the unsuspecting Union camps that morning, initiating a Federal panic and general retreat. Edward's VIII Corps is the first camp to be assaulted by the Rebels and the fleeing troops quickly move through other Federal campgrounds. The attack happens so fast that by late morning all seems lost for the Union Army. Out of this disaster comes one of the great legends of the Civil War. General Sheridan was called to Washington days before and has just returned to Winchester when the battle begins. Hearing the faint sounds of battle from his headquarters, he decides to get a closer look and leaves Winchester between 8:30 and 9:00 AM. Sheridan soon arrives on the battlefield where the Union soldiers are in total disarray. He mounts his horse, Rienzi, and makes his legendary ride on the battlefield, inspiring his troops to halt the Confederate advance. By 4:00 PM he is ready to counterattack. Edward's VIII Corps is still disorganized, but a few get assembled and form a column in reserve. The counterattack drives the Confederates back to their original line. As night descends, the Federals pursue General Early's troops back to Cedar Creek and make camp where they had been positioned before the morning's surprise attack.
Encampment site of the VIII Corps at Cedar Creek — Edward's regiment was camped here on the morning of October 19, 1864 when Confederates under General Jubal Early made a surprise attack
Edward's VIII Corps was camped here on the morning of October 19, 1864 when the Confederates, under General Jubal Early, made a surprise attack and drove the entire Union Army miles to the rear. By midday the Federals were in total disarray.
Cedar Creek Battlefield in the Shenandoah Valley — General Sheridan became a legend here by rallying his troops on his steed Rienzi and turning certain defeat into a decisive Union victory
General Sheridan became a legend here on Cedar Creek battlefield by rallying his troops on his steed, Rienzi, and turning certain defeat into a decisive Union victory.
Artist Louis Prang's depiction of General Sheridan rallying his troops at the Battle of Cedar Creek — Thomas Buchanan Read's poem 'Sheridan's Ride' immortalized the event
Artist Louis Prang's depiction of General Sheridan rallying his troops at the Battle of Cedar Creek. Thomas Buchanan Read wrote the poem "Sheridan's Ride" which immortalized the event and was memorized and recited by school children for years after the war. It was the most popular poem of the late nineteenth century — for Northerners.

Oct 25, 1864

Edward becomes sick at Winchester, VA and is admitted to the hospital one week after the Battle of Cedar Creek.

Maryland · 1864–1865

Typhoid Fever & Discharge

Nov 5, 1864

Admitted to Clarysville Army Hospital

Edward is admitted to the army hospital in Cumberland, MD — probably the large facility at Clarysville, just outside of Cumberland. He is diagnosed with typho-malarial fever, or what was known as "camp fever" during the Civil War. The symptoms include a pronounced chill followed by an intermittent fever, abdominal tenderness, nausea, diarrhea, retention of urine, and a heavy coating or furring of the tongue.
Hospital record listing Edward Wallick admitted to Clarysville Hospital with camp fever — his birthplace is listed as 'Shackland County, Ohio', an obvious misspelling of Coshocton County
This hospital record lists Edward Wallick's birthplace (nativity) as Shackland County, Ohio. There is no such county in Ohio and it is obviously a perversion of Coshocton County. Misspellings are commonplace in Civil War records.

Dec 1864

Edward is still hospitalized. However, one record states he is on furlough for a time in December. Perhaps he goes home for Christmas.

Jan – Feb 1865

The record is vague, but Edward may have been able to rejoin the 34th Ohio for a time in January and February, 1865.

Feb 22, 1865

34th Ohio Consolidated with the 36th Ohio

Edward and the 34th Ohio Infantry are consolidated with the 36th Ohio Infantry. Since being organized in the summer of 1861, the 34th Ohio has lost so many men due to battle and disease that they are well below regimental strength. Edward joined a veteran unit who had already been together two-and-a-half years. It is a blow to the 34th Ohio because they lose their independent identity as a regimental unit, something prized by the Civil War soldier. Since units were organized regionally (primarily by counties), it was sometimes difficult to blend two veteran regiments together. It appears that Edward is well enough to join the 36th Ohio for a very brief time.
Two records showing that Edward Wallick was transferred from the 34th Ohio to the 36th Ohio — notice the two spellings for 'Wallick' on the index cards from the National Archives
Two records showing that Edward Wallick was transferred from the 34th Ohio to the 36th Ohio, but he spent little time with his new regiment because of chronic illness. Notice the two spellings for "Wallick" on the index cards from the National Archives.

Feb 26 – May 30, 1865

Discharged — Surgeon's Certificate of Disability

Edward is again admitted to Clarysville Army Hospital near Cumberland, MD and will remain hospitalized there for the rest of his enlistment. He is discharged May 30, 1865 under General Orders #77 — the same discharge order Elijah Wallick received — with a surgeon's certificate of disability. This General Order states that "all volunteer soldiers who need no further treatment in army hospitals are to be honorably discharged from service with immediate payment and all prisoners-of-war treated the same."

Jun 1865

Edward fulfills his military obligation and returns to Ada, Ohio. He marries Hanna Jane Stroud on December 18, 1872 and they have five children who survive to adulthood. By 1910 Edward has moved to Portland, Oregon, and there he dies on October 20, 1918. Edward Wallick is buried in Multnomah Park Cemetery, Portland, OR.
Edward Wallick's gravestone at Multnomah Park Cemetery, Portland, Oregon
Edward Wallick's gravestone at Multnomah Park Cemetery, Portland, OR.

Portland, Oregon

Edward returned to Ada, Ohio after the war, married Hanna Jane Stroud in 1872, and raised five children. Like so many of the Wallick veterans, he eventually moved west — settling in Portland, Oregon by 1910. He died there on October 20, 1918, at age 73, and is buried in Multnomah Park Cemetery.

Edward outlived his brother Isaiah by 55 years — a life shaped from its very beginning by the sacrifice Isaiah made on the slopes of Missionary Ridge.

Acknowledgment

A special thanks to Ron Wallick and Mary (Wallick) Stierhoff for their help with this biography. Ron was instrumental in acquiring the photos of Edward and his gravestone at Multnomah Park Cemetery, and Mary supplied regimental information from the National Archives about her great-grandfather.

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