Riggs, Isaac (1822-1898)
LIEURANCE, RIGGS, SHAFENBERG, SLEISTER
Posted By: Carl Malone (email)
Date: 4/11/2017 at 18:11:38
The Atlantic Daily Telegraph
Atlantic, Iowa
August 23, 1898Isaac Riggs was born in Montgomery county, N. Y., Dec. 27, 1822 and died here at his home last Saturday at noon. He was an early settler in Wisconsin, having come to that state in 1848. He was married to Minerva Lieurance, August 3, 1864. To them were born six children, one son, Geo. L. now of Shelby county this state and five daughters, the eldest now Mrs. Shafenberg, of Hartlington, Neb., Mrs. Sleister, of Crawford county this state, and Augusta, Anna and Gertrude, all grown and living at home.
The family moved from Wisconsin to Missouri in 1877 and then on to Shelby county, Iowa, and 1896 to Atlantic. He was a wagon maker for a few years after marriage and then was engaged in agricultural business. He rendered efficient service in the war for three years and since then his health has been impaired and his last illness, epilepsy, grew out of sickness brought on in the war. The tree daughters at home and the mother are consecrated Christian workers and we have reason to believe that during the last three years while he has been an invalid, tender hands have ministered to him and many kind words of love have been exchanged.
Elders Hill of the Congregational church and Stanley of the Baptist church assisted Elder McIntire of the Church of Christ to conduct the funeral services from the house at 602 Spruce street, Tuesday morning, August 22, 1898. Rev. Stanley in behalf of the G. A. R. gave the following brief address.
“Another old veteran of the war for the Union has been mustered out and we are assembled as patriotic citizens and sympathizing friends to give his remains honorable burial. Isaac Riggs, so he has been written on the imperishable roll of honor preserved in the archives of a grateful nation was a member of the famous Second Regiment, itself a part of the celebrated “Iron Brigade” and served through its entire existence, being one of its few survivors. One of the first regiments to respond in President Lincoln’s first call and the first to leave Wisconsin, it fought in the first battle of Bull Run, Gen. W. T. Sherman, brigade commander, losing 164 men. A year later, August 28, 1862, it fought in the ranks of the Iron Brigade at Gainsville [Gainesville], Va., where four brigades of Stonewall Jackson’s men were held in check all day until after dark, checked for the first time in their history, the second Wisconsin losing 162 men. A few days later the Iron Brigade stormed Turner’s Gap on the road to Antietam, the second regiment losing 90 men. Three days later the brigade fought in the hottest part of the battle of Antietam, the Second regiment losing 91 out of 150 men engaged. Gen. McClelland pronounced them “equal to the best troops in the world.” They went through Frederiksberg and Chancellorsville to the carnage of Gettysburg where the Second led the charge on Archer’s rebel brigade and lost one-third of its numbers from a single volley. Here their colonel, Lucius F. Fairchilds, afterwards governor of Wisconsin and commander-in-chief of the G. A. R., lost his left arm. They lost 187 men. The Second followed Grant through all the battles of the Richmond campaign until the crossing of the James river, their term of service having expired. The total enrollment was 1,180, lost in action 1,040 men killed and wounded, leaving 140 survivors.
This man was a hero among heroes. He fought under Sherman, Reynolds, Fairchild and Grant. Glory enough for him and his. Honor the memory of the brave.
NOTE FROM CONTRIBUTOR: Isaac Riggs was born December 27, 1822 and died August 20, 1898
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