CDVs of KIA Capt. Edward K. Wilcox of 10th Massachusetts and 27th Mass Infantry
These two carte de visite photographs depict Edward K. Wilcox, a native of Springfield, Massachusetts, who served with distinction in both the 10th Massachusetts Infantry and later the 27th Massachusetts Infantry during the American Civil War. At the time of his enlistment, Wilcox was a 20-year-old bookkeeper residing in Springfield.
Wilcox initially enlisted on October 16, 1861, and served as Sergeant Major in the 10th Massachusetts Infantry, mustering into the regiment’s Field and Staff on June 21, 1861. He was discharged on October 2, 1861, in order to accept a commission. Shortly thereafter, on October 16, 1861, he was commissioned as First Lieutenant of Company I, 27th Massachusetts Infantry, and was promoted to Captain on February 13, 1862.
The photographs were taken by J. C. Spooner of Springfield, a local photographer whose studio documented many Massachusetts soldiers during the war. These pair of photos were identified through other existing poses of Capt. Wilcox
Captain Wilcox was killed in action on June 3, 1864, during the Battle of Cold Harbor, Virginia, one of the most devastating engagements of the Overland Campaign. His death at the age of 23 underscores the youth and sacrifice of many Union officers. These CDVs serve as poignant visual records of a young officer whose military service spanned the early enthusiasm of enlistment to the brutal realities of late-war combat.
History of Capt. Wilcox by Dennis Segelquist
Edward Kirk Wilcox, son of O. W. and Mary Ann Wilcox, was born at Springfield, Aug. 24, 1841. He fitted for college at Williston Seminary, Easthampton, and with Alexander Hyde, Esq., of Lee, entering Williams in 1858, but after two years decided upon a business instead of a professional life, and was temporarily with his father at Springfield. He was of the first to enlist at his country's call, and mustered as sergeant-major of the Tenth Massachusetts regiment, June 21, 1861, marching with them to the front. Upon the organization of the Twenty-Seventh Regiment he was appointed first lieutenant, and assigned to Company I,
Capt. Henry A. Hubbard. On account of the sickness and early death of his captain, he was in command of the company in all its North Carolina service, and was promoted captain, Feb. 13, 1862. Indifferent to danger, he was a spirited leader, with coolness and efficiency, inspiring his men by his own demeanor. He was with the regiment on provost duty at Norfolk, during the winter of 63 and 64, but upon the organization of the " Red Star Brigade," was appointed acting assistant adjutant general on Brig. Gen l C. A. Heckman's staff.
After reaching Bermuda Hundreds, he was appointed aide-de-camp to Gen l Weitzel commanding the Second Division, Eighteenth Army Corps, and participated in all the actions of the Army of the James. Of the battle of Drewry's Bluff, May 16, 1864, he wrote, " It was the hardest fight I ever was in. How I escaped I cannot tell, as I was under fire seven or eight hours carrying orders into the thickest of the fight."
May 17th, Gen l Stannard assumed command of the brigade, and Capt. Wilcox was transferred to his staff as acting assistant adjutant general First Brigade, First Division, Eighteenth Army Corps. May 30th, the Eighteenth Army Corps started for White-House Landing, effecting a junction with the Army of the Potomac at Cold Harbor on the eve of June 1st. Stannard's Brigade was led immediately into action, and its frequent changes and the nature of its service, rendered Capt. Wilcox s duties incessant and onerous. Says Durfee's " Annals of Williams College : " "
It so happened that as he was passing through his regiment, the morning of the 3d, a charge was ordered." Unconsciously, this does not do him full credit ; it did not happen. Instructions as to the charge had passed through his hands at three o clock the day previous, and he was there from plan and purpose. He placed himself in front of the line, when one of his brother officers said, " Coxey, go back where you belong; this is no place for you ! " to which he replied, " I am going with you ; my place is where I can serve my country."
When Gen l Smith s voice rang out on the morning air, " Forward ! * with a ringing cheer and call to his men, he dashed forward, foremost of all. Gaining the enemy's cnrvettes, he dashed over them in advance of the column, with his face set on the enemy's main line just in front, when he fell pierced with a dozen bullets. " Coxey," as he was generally known, was popular, genial, courteous and affable. His urbanity, frankness and kindness, insured lasting friendship. His eoften expressed preference was, that he might be allowed to return to his command, and share with them the honors and dangers of the field. His name is now borne by Post 16, Grand Army of the Republic, Springfield, Mass., an excel lent painting of him gracing their hall. Captain Wilcox was instantly killed as he passed the last line of rifle-pits, by a rifle-ball through his neck.