John T. Wilder was a New York Native that was best known for his contribution to the Union brigade, his Lightning Brigade, and his Spencer Repeating Rifles. Wilder enlisted not long after the Civil War broke out in 1861. Within months, Wilder was a leader as a colonel of his own brigade.
In September, Wilder was stationed in Munfordville, Kentucky, at the same time Commander Braxton Braggs was beginning to march through the state. The location, an area that was important as a transportation hub, held the danger of being taken by the Confederates. Although Wilder was greatly outnumbered, he boldly refused surrender on September 13th, 1862, when the Confederate troops began attack. At the time, he was able to inflict casualties on the Confederates. However, as a few days passed, Wilder realized that Confederate forces were receiving reinforcements much more quickly than the Union was. Outnumbered 22000 to 4000, Wilder entered enemy lines under the guise of a truce after midnight on September 17th. Here, he met General Major Simon Boliver Buckner, who told Wilder of the futility of resistance. Convinced, Wilder accepted defeat and surrendered his entire Union garrison the following morning.
“Well, it seems to me, I ought to surrender.” – John T. Wilder
Following this event, Wilder was taken as a prisoner of war, only to be released in an exchange two months later.
- Kelly Chen
Sources:
http://www.civilwar.org/education/history/biographies/john-t-wilder.html
http://www.civilwarprofiles.com/john-t-wilder-and-the-spencer-repeating-rifle/
http://www.timelines.ws/states/KENTUCKY.HTML
In September, Wilder was stationed in Munfordville, Kentucky, at the same time Commander Braxton Braggs was beginning to march through the state. The location, an area that was important as a transportation hub, held the danger of being taken by the Confederates. Although Wilder was greatly outnumbered, he boldly refused surrender on September 13th, 1862, when the Confederate troops began attack. At the time, he was able to inflict casualties on the Confederates. However, as a few days passed, Wilder realized that Confederate forces were receiving reinforcements much more quickly than the Union was. Outnumbered 22000 to 4000, Wilder entered enemy lines under the guise of a truce after midnight on September 17th. Here, he met General Major Simon Boliver Buckner, who told Wilder of the futility of resistance. Convinced, Wilder accepted defeat and surrendered his entire Union garrison the following morning.
“Well, it seems to me, I ought to surrender.” – John T. Wilder
Following this event, Wilder was taken as a prisoner of war, only to be released in an exchange two months later.
- Kelly Chen
Sources:
http://www.civilwar.org/education/history/biographies/john-t-wilder.html
http://www.civilwarprofiles.com/john-t-wilder-and-the-spencer-repeating-rifle/
http://www.timelines.ws/states/KENTUCKY.HTML