| Admin/Biog History |
TAPLIN, Osman B. - Pvt., Company E, 2nd Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry
Osman was born circa 1840 at Vermont. He resided at Oshkosh, Winnebago County when he enlisted there on Apr. 21, 1861. An unmarried lumberman, he stood over 5'8" tall with blue eyes, brown hair and a florid complexion. He was assigned as above and was wounded severely in the side at Antietam, Maryland on Sept. 17, 1862. Osman died of his wounds on Sept. 24, 1862.
Jane S. Taplin was the wife of Lowell G. Taplin. They were born in Vermont and married there circa 1840. The couple had two children: Osman B., born circa 1841 and Carrie L., born circa 1843. In 1860 the family was living in Oshkosh in the 1st Ward. Lowell was working as a carpenter. Her son Osman died from wounds received during the Civil War. She died September 4, 1892 in Oshkosh.
John B. Davids was born circa 1841 at Illinois. He was a son of Alexander a brother of William. John was a single farmer residing at Oshkosh, Winnebago County when he enlisted there on Apr. 21, 1861 in Company E, 2nd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. Standing just over 6' tall, he had gray eyes, brown hair and a dark complexion. He was assigned as above and was promoted to Corporal and then Sergeant in that company on Dec. 16, 1862. John was taken prisoner at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on July 1, 1863. He was mustered out on Feb. 2, 1865 at Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin. John was listed in the 1899 article by Col. Harshaw as residing at Portland, Oregon. |
| Classification |
Archives |
| Collection |
Civil War Small Collections |
| Dates of Accumulation |
September 1862 |
| Abstract |
Letter and envelope addressed to Lowell G. Taplin from Sergeant John B. David concerning Osman B. Taplin, Company E, 2nd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry.
2 miles N.W. of Catersville
Mr. Taplin
Dear Sir,
Last Monday the 17th of Sept. Our army and that of the enemies were engaged all day and most of the same night. Our Reg. "The 2nd Wis." was formed in line at daylight and in about an hour we were engaged with the enemy. We were the first line of battle and on the extreme right. Consequently we lost the heaviest. Our reg. Took into action 151 men, 75 of them were either killed or wounded. Our Co. Lost 12 killed or wounded. [?] is among the wounded.
He was hit after firing two rounds. I was slightly wounded in the knee, but as I was able to walk I helped him from the field. He was taken from me before going far and put in an ambulance, then to where he is at present.
He is now doing well but as he is dangerously wounded it will take some time for me to say whether he will live or not. I am left to take care of him. And I assure you I will do all that is possible for one to do for a dear friend. Dr. Arnt of our Regt. Was here to see him this morning. He (the Dr.) Told me there were hopes of him. That this being the thirteenth day he looked extremely well. Better than he expected. My opinion is that he will live. I shall try to keep you informed from day to day as to how he gets along
I hope to be able in the course of 2 more days to say that he will live. He is wounded in the right side, the ball struck him about half way between the navel and the side , passed through the body, coming out just above the point of the hip. There are no bones touched and if his insides are not hurt he will get well. That is now the question which it will take 2 days more to answer,
As I said before, I will try and keep you informed as to how he gets along, but as I can not give you any directions as to where you to write and not being with the regt. It will be impossible for to even send a letter to either him or me at present.
Osman is now sleeping very quietly says he is as well as could be expected under the circumstances.
With these few lines I will close.
Yours Respectfully
J.B. David, Co. E
2nd Reg. Wis. Vols. |
| Event |
Civil War |
| Category |
8: Communication Artifact |
| Legal Status |
Oshkosh Public Museum |
| Notes |
TAPLIN, Osman B. - Pvt., Company E, 2nd Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry
Osman was born circa 1840 at Vermont. He resided at Oshkosh, Winnebago County when he enlisted there on Apr. 21, 1861. An unmarried lumberman, he stood over 5'8" tall with blue eyes, brown hair and a florid complexion. He was assigned as above and was wounded severely in the side at Antietam, Maryland on Sept. 17, 1862. Osman died of his wounds on Sept. 24, 1862.
DAVIDS, John B. - Sgt., Company E, 2nd Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry
John was born circa 1841 at Illinois. He was a son of Alexander from a previous sketch and a brother of William from a following sketch. John was a single farmer residing at Oshkosh, Winnebago County when he enlisted there on Apr. 21, 1861. Standing just over 6' tall, he had gray eyes, brown hair and a dark complexion. He was assigned as above and was promoted to Corporal and then Sergeant in that company on Dec. 16, 1862. John was taken prisoner at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on July 1, 1863. He was mustered out on Feb. 2, 1865 at Madison, Dane County, Wis-consin. John was listed in the 1899 article by Col. Harshaw as residing at Portland, Oregon.
TAYLOR, William P. - Pvt., Company E, 2nd Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry
William was born in 1831 at Fredrickton, New Brunswick, Canada. He resided at Oshkosh, Winnebago County when he enlisted at Madison, Dane County on May 18, 1861. An unmarried joiner, William stood just over 5'6" tall with gray eyes, brown hair and a florid complexion. He was assigned as a fifer in the above company and was taken prisoner in the first battle at Bull Run, Virginia. He served in the office of the Wisconsin Soldier's Aid Society in Washington for the rest of his enlistment. William was mustered out on June 28, 1864 at the end of his term of enlistment. During the great Oshkosh fire on July 14, 1874, while helping a widow remove a heavy chest from a second floor apartment before the flames reached there, he suddenly dropped the chest and sat down in great pain. He was eventually taken back to his room at the Adams House by a doctor, where he died that same evening. Although single, William left a great legacy in this area. He was generous to a fault and helped anyone who truly needed it whenever he could. As a large testament to his friendship, mourners numbering in the thousands attended the solemn procession. The citizens of Oshkosh provided a monument for his grave in Oshkosh at Riverside Cemetery, Block 11. His grave was decorated by the local GAR post in May 1882.
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| Object ID |
SC411.5.17.4 |
| Object Name |
Letter |
| People |
Taplin, Osman B.
Taplin, Lowell G.
Davids, John B. |
| Subjects |
Civil War
2nd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry
Iron Brigade
Battlefields
Death
Casualties
Military hospitals
Wisconsin Soldiers' Aid Society
Religion |
| Title |
Letter from John B. David to Osman Taplin's father. |
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