Description
Very nice portrait of political leader and captain of the 12th Wisconsin Infantry, Orrin F. Maxson. At the outbreak of war, Maxson assisted in raising a company of volunteers for Federal service and was elected first lieutenant of “A” company which would become part of the 12th Wisconsin Infantry. Following the resignation of the company’s captain, Norman McLeod, Maxson was promoted to captain of the company in March, 1862. They would take part in the Vicksburg Campaign and were involved in pacifying remaining Confederate resistance in southern Mississippi and Louisiana until they received a veterans’ furlough in March, 1864. Following their return from furlough, they participated in the preliminary actions leading up the the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, where Maxson would distinguish himself. Maxson received compliments from his brigade, division, and corps commanders, including General James McPherson. Maxson’s commander, George E. Bryant, then serving as brigade commander, wrote of Maxson’s reconnaissance in his official report on the events leading up to the capture of Atlanta. In early July of 1864, Maxson again played a leading role in skirmishing around Nickajack Creek. Following the battle, they were then engaged in the trench lines until the capture of Atlanta. Shortly after the fall of Atlanta, Maxson’s three-year enlistment expired and he returned to Wisconsin. Very nice clarity to this one and back marked out of Madison, Wisconsin.
