Thrice Wounded at Antietam: One Soldier’s Story

The 30th Ohio monument at Antietam is close to where Private Thaddeus Fleck was wounded three times during the fighting on the evening of September 17, 1862. The regiment suffered 80 casualties including 49 wounded. 

Thaddeus S. Fleck of Marysville, Ohio died on February 5, 1885, at the age of just 41. At the outbreak of the Rebellion, he was scarcely 18 years of age and was working as a carpenter when he enlisted as a private in Co. E of the 30th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. “He participated with his regiment in all the campaigns and battles in which it was engaged until the Battle of Antietam, including Carnifex Ferry, Centreville, South Mountain, and many skirmishes,” his obituary noted.

“At the Battle of Antietam, the regiment lost heavily. Fourteen balls from the enemy pierced their colors and two color sergeants were killed. Thaddeus was wounded at Antietam on September 17, 1862, in three different parts of his body. First the left hand, then in the face, and the last shot in the right thigh where a Minie ball was found embedded and was extracted by the surgeon. A bullet hole was also found in his cap. He fell near the stone fence where the Rebels made their desperate charge as is so well remembered by the boys of the 30th Ohio,” it continued.

“On Wednesday morning by daylight, our artillery opened up, and thundered away as if they were determined to do something. In a short time, the infantry were all on the move and musketry could be heard all along our lines in the center and on the right. Our brigade did not participate in the fight in the forepart of the day but had to lie under a heavy artillery fire all the time, which is very disagreeable indeed. At times it cannot be helped, so we have to grin and bear it. In the afternoon the Rebels began to get a little to impudent in our neighborhood, hurling their “plug uglies” into our ranks rather more frequently than we desired. About 4 p.m., we got into line and marched forward in the face of the enemy at the double quick until we came within musket shot of their batteries. Here we fixed bayonets, made a charge, and got into a cornfield where we found more than we expected. The 30th Ohio happened to run into “a bad fix.” The Rebels got crossfire on our rear, and a heavy fire in our front, thinning our ranks. Here both of our color bearers were killed, and we were ordered to retreat which we did at the double quick for about 400 yards, when the engagement became general and our regiment escaped their cross fire. The fight continued until dark, when the firing ceased, each party still holding possession of their own ground. If it had not been for a stone fence, the 30th Ohio would have been almost annihilated.” ~Private Isaiah Robb, Co. I, 30th Ohio


“The Union line being compelled to retreat some distance, he was left on the field and reported by his comrades as dead. But after rallying from the first shock, he made a desperate effort to follow up the slowly retreating lines of his regiment and followed them up about a mile as he supposed. He was then captured by the Rebel cavalry, being taken prisoner by a young boy about 16 years of age who assisted him onto his own horse and carried him back into the Rebel lines. Here, he with others were laid on an old log stable and his young guard did all he could to relieve his suffering. The next day, the Union lines advanced and took possession of this stable, capturing the young Rebel boy at the same time,” the obituary stated.

“When he was sent to the hospital, this young boy followed him and waited on him several days and young Fleck often referred very feelingly to this incident. Soon after being taken to the hospital, his brother David Fleck, who had gone in search of him, found him in Hospital A in Frederick City. After nursing him for a few weeks, David returned home and his William Henry Harrison Fleck went to the hospital and nursed him until Thaddeus was discharged from the service on December 3, 1862. Young Fleck was almost entirely disabled but worked at his trade more or less in the southern part of Union County until 1870 when we went west and resided in Missouri and Kansas for a few years.”

“A few years ago, he returned to his brother John in Marysville where he had made his home a greater part of the time. He had been failing very rapidly for the last year and died from the effects of the wound in his face from which he has suffered the most intense pain ever since he was wounded on that terrible field of carnage at Antietam. A few days before his death he said to one of the family that he had not had a good night’s rest for more than 20 years. Yet through all these years he bore all his suffering with the fortitude of a true soldier without a murmur.”

“He was a brave and true soldier is the evidence of his comrades, never shrinking from duty either in camp or on the battlefield. He was a young man of excellent character, as is well known by all who remember him, and as he was nearing the dark river of death he expressed his hope in the Saviour and died happy, his last words being, ‘He is my strength.’


Thaddeus S. Fleck was born March 23, 1843, in Jerome Township, Union Co., Ohio to John and Mary Fleck. According to the Ohio State roster, he was discharged December 21, 1862, at Camp Chase, Ohio for wounds received in action. His funeral was held at the home of Frederick B. Fleck on February 7, 1885, and he is buried at Oak Dale Cemetery, the members of Ransom Reed Post G.A.R. attending the funeral and laying him to rest.

Sources:

“Answer to the Last Roll Call: Death of a Brave Union Soldier,” Obituary of Private Thaddeus S. Fleck, Co. E, 30th O.V.I.,  Marysville Tribune (Ohio), February 18, 1885, pg. 2

Letter from Private Isaiah Robb, Co. I, 30th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Tuscarawas Advocate (Ohio), October 3, 1862, pg. 3

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