USA > Kansas > Kansas; a cyclopedia of state history, embracing events, institutions, industries, counties, cities, towns, prominent persons, etc. with a supplementary volume devoted to selected personal history and reminiscence, Volume II > Part 105
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Walsburg, a station on the Union Pacific R. R. in Riley county, is located about 18 miles northwest of Manhattan, the county seat. It has a money order postoffice and a local retail trade. The population in 1910 was 50.
Walsh, Hugh Sleight, secretary and acting governor of the Territory of Kansas, was a native of the Empire State, having been born at New Windsor, Orange county, N. Y., about 1810. He was educated in his native state, then went to Alabama, and came to Kansas in 1857. He served as private secretary to Govs. Stanton and Denver, and in the
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spring of 1858 was appointed secretary of the territory, entering upon the duties of that office on May 12. When Gov. Denver resigned in the following October, Mr. Walsh served as governor until the arrival of Gov. Medary in December. Connelley says: "He endeavored to per- form his duties in a manner satisfactory to the administration at Wash- ington, and seems to have cared little for the good opinion of the people of Kansas." He was particularly active in aiding the border ruffians in their efforts to suppress Capt. James Montgomery (q. v.) and his com- pany in southeastern Kansas. In June, 1860, he retired from the secre- tary's office and engaged in farming near Grantville, Jefferson county, Kan., where he lived with his son De Witt until his death on April 23, 1877. Mr. Walsh took a keen interest in state politics, and while posi- tive in his opinion and always ready to defend his views he was never abusive toward his political opponents, among whom he had many warm personal friends.
Walsh's Administration .- As stated in the preceding article, Mr. Walsh was appointed secretary of the territory in the spring of 1858, and entered upon his duties as such on May 12. On July 3 Gov. Denver left Kansas for Washington, leaving Mr. Walsh as acting governor until the 30th of the same month. But little of moment occurred during that period, and aside from issuing a number of commissions to county and township officers he had but slight opportunity to display his executive ability.
On Oct. 10, 1858, when Gov. Denver resigned, Mr. Walsh again became acting governor and served until the arrival of Gov. Medary on Dec. 18. Probably the most significant occurrence in this second period of his administration was the Democratic territorial convention at Leavenworth on Nov. 23. This convention adopted resolutions declar- ing "the causes which have hitherto divided and estranged the people of Kansas no longer exist ;" urging upon Congress "the justice and propri- ety of selling a quarter-section of land to every actual settler who shall remain upon and cultivate the land for three consecutive years ;" favor- ing legislation to encourage the establishment of free schools, and demanding of the legislature "the immediate revision of the present representative appointment, so that the people may be fully and fairly represented in that body."
During the fall of 1858 the free-state men under Montgomery and John Brown continued to "regulate" affairs in southeastern Kansas, particularly in Linn and Bourbon counties. (See Denver's Administra- tion.) On Nov. 19 Walsh wrote to Gen. Cass, Buchanan's secretary of state, suggesting a reward of $300 for Montgomery and $500 for John Brown, and expressing the opinion that this would "break up their organization or drive them from the territory." The reward was not offered at that time, and in the latter part of November the governor's office was almost deluged with correspondence relating to the unset- tled conditions and outrages committed in the stricken district. Among those who wrote to the governor were C. M. Daniels, sheriff of Linn
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county ; R. B. Mitchell, a member of the legislature; Joseph Williams, associate justice in the 3d judicial district ; and J. E. Jones, editor of the Fort Scott Democrat. To show the administration at Washington the condition of affairs in Kansas, Mr. Walsh, on Dec. 9, sent copies of several of these letters, with some of his replies, to Gen. Cass.
From his letter it would appear that he had changed his opinion con- cerning the offering of a reward for the apprehension of Montgomery, as he says: "I have had a proposition from one of Marshal Fain's deputies to take Montgomery, but without a prison to keep him in, it would be useless, in case he should be unable to give bail-and if he could give the required bail he would be at the same kind of work the next day."
At that time the arrival of Gov. Medary was daily expected, and with regard to the deputy marshal's proposition Mr. Walsh said: "I shall wait for Gov. Medary's arrival, and let him lay his plans before the governor, with the hope that he may have the means to renumerate him for so hazardous an enterprise," etc.
From Aug. I to Sept. 15, 1859, during a temporary absence of Gov. Medary from the territory, Mr. Walsh was for a third time called upon to discharge the duties of governor. The most important events during this time were probably the political conventions to nominate candi- dates for delegates to Congress. On Aug. 3 the Republicans met at Lawrence and renominated Marcus J. Parrott for another term, and on the 17th the Democrats met at Topeka and nominated Saunders W. Johnston, one of the early territorial judges. On Sept. 12 James M. Winchell and John A. Martin, who had respectively served as president and secretary of the Wyandotte constitutional convention, issued a proclamation calling an election for Oct. 4, when the people would vote for or against that constitution. Before the day of the election arrived Gov. Medary returned and assumed the functions of the executive office.
William G. Mathias, a member of the legislature, wrote to President Buchanan on March 3, 1860, inclosing a petition from the Democratic members of that body, complaining of Mr. Walsh's official conduct. In · his letter Mr. Mathias said: "For some time past there seems to be an 'irrepressible conflict' going on between Gov. Medary and Sec. Walsh, to the detriment of our party organization, and when the late legislature met it was apparent, but the Democratic members refrained from taking sides. At the close of the session, however, Mr. Walsh acted in bad faith (as we think) toward our party, and we therefore resolved to address you in the accompanying letter ; and we now request a removal of Mr. Walsh. Our reasons are as follows: When the session before the last (1859) adjourned, Mr. Walsh stated that he had no money to. pay off the members, but they were told to call on a certain banker in Lawrence, K. T., (Mr. Babcock) and that he (Babcock) would pay them; but when they did so a discount of five per cent. was demanded, which was properly refused.
"At the close of the late session, at which those whom I now repre-
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sent and myself were members, we were told by Mr. Walsh that he had no money, but if we would call on Mr. Babcock, the banker, he ( Bab- cock) would take an order drawn on him (Walsh) and he (Walsh) would accept the same. We called as requested, and Mr. Babcock again demanded five per cent. discount for currency, which we promptly refused. . These facts alone have tended to a considerable degree to depreciate the administration in Kansas Territory, and unless he (Walsh) is removed we fear further harm to our already crippled party."
George M. Beebe, a member of the legislature, was recommended by Mr. Mathias and the petitioners as a suitable person to succeed Mr. Walsh, and this recommendation was indorsed by Gov. Medary. On April 21 a remonstrance against the removal of Mr. Walsh was sent to President Buchanan. It was signed by John Martin; E. B. Smith, clerk of the Shawnee county district court ; C. C. Kellum, postmaster at Topeka ; James Gordon, postmaster at Tecumseh; and Cyrus K. Holli- day. This remonstrance was presented to the president by Mr. Fitz- patrick of Alabama, and was indorsed by Albert G. Brown, one of the senators from Mississippi, who suggested to the president that it would be well to examine the inclosed papers before final action was taken on the question of Beebe's nomination. Mr. Beebe was appointed, how- ever, on May I, and on the 17th Walsh wrote to Senator Brown, inclos- ing a statement of his account with the government and charging Gov. Medary with being a "Douglas man." At that time he was acting gov- ernor of the territory, having assumed the duties of the office on April 15.
On June 14, still acting as governor, Walsh wrote a long letter to Gen. Cass explaining the situation in Kansas and the causes of the strained relations between him and the governor. "It is now nearly two months," said he, "since I became aware that Gov. Medary, working through other parties, was endeavoring to effect my removal from office. As no charges have been made officially known to which I could make answer, I have been left to conjecture the ground on which my removal was asked."
The writer then goes on to account for his failure to pay the mem- bers of the legislature, and says he informed the comptroller on the day of the adjournment that the funds for that purpose had not yet arrived. After calling attention to the fact that his relations with Govs. Stanton, Walker and Denver had always been pleasant, he added: "It was left for Gov. Medary to ascertain and make the charge of incompatibility of temper which renders it necessary for himself or me to get out of office."
Mr. Walsh then charges the governor with having issued bonds con- trary to law upon warrants issued by H. J. Strickler, territorial auditor. and expresses the opinion that the governor "committed a grave error, if not worse, in signing, sealing and approving certain territorial bonds contrary to law, and against the advice of good legal authority and my earnest protestation."
But Mr. Walsh's greatest anxiety seems to have been for the welfare of the party. "If my past action as a Democrat and conduct as an
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officer," said he, "cannot save me from humiliation for the gratification of Gov. Medary without an exposure of these transactions, I trust the knowledge now imparted of the motive which impels his action is cer- tainly deserving of some consideration, and its effects upon the party obviated, by at least not removing an officer who has done his whole duty as far as opportunity applied, and endeavored to prevent the violation of law and the disgrace of the party and the administration by others."
Two days after this letter was written Mr. Walsh decided it was use- less to make any further efforts to retain his position, and retired from the office, thus bringing his administration abruptly to an end.
Walton, one of the thriving little cities of the third class in Harvey county, is located on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe R. R., 7 miles northeast of Newton, the county seat. It has a bank, the leading denom- inations of churches, good graded schools, telegraph and express offices, and has a money order postoffice with one rural route. The population according to the census of 1910 was 357. Walton was laid out in 1871 by William Mathews, who erected the first building and used it for a dwelling. The first store was opened by B. C. Johnson. The third building was the railroad section house. A school house was built in 1871 from a subscription fund raised for religious and educational pur- poses, and Mrs. M. J. Sharron was the first teacher. The postoffice was established the same year with Mrs. E. Peck as postmistress. On ac- count of some difficulty over the title to the lands, the growth of the town was retarded until 1876.
Wamego, the largest town in Pottawatomie county, is located in Wanego township on the main line of the Union Pacific R. R. and the Kansas river, about 15 miles south of Westmoreland, the county seat. It is an important shipping center, has grain elevators, 2 barrel factories, a flour mill, a national and 2 state banks, 2 weekly newspapers, an inter- national money order postoffice with four rural routes, express and tele- graph offices, etc. The population in 1910 was 1,714.
The town was platted in 1866 by Hugh S. Walsh, agent for the Wa- mego Town company. Additions were made in 1870 by A. M. Read. Antoine Ulrich and S. Finney. Being at the end of the first division of the Union Pacific railroad, the shops and round house were located there, in which quite a number of men were employed, which helped the growth of the town. As early as 1872 a two-story stone school house was erected at a cost of $12,000. A bridge was built over the Kansas river by issuing bonds, the greater part of the expense being borne by the citizens of Wamego. This caused the products of Wabaunsee county to be marketed by way of Wamego.
Wanamaker, a hamlet in Shawnee county, is located 5 miles west of Topeka, the county seat, state capital and the postoffice from which it receives mail. The population in 1910 was 17.
War of 1861-65 .- In proportion to population, Kansas furnished more troops to the Union army during the great Civil war than any other
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loyal state. This is not surprising when the character of the men who made the state is considered. Most of the pioneers were nurtured in an atmosphere opposed to slavery. When they established their homes in the Territory of Kansas they were compelled to undergo a long struggle with the slave power, and when the slave states attempted to secede from the Union the men of Kansas felt they had an old score to settle --- an old wrong to avenge. Under all calls for volunteers from April 15, 1861, to Dec. 19, 1864, the quota of Kansas was 16,654 men, while she furnished 20,097. These volunteers were divided into seven regiments of infantry, nine of cavalry, and three batteries of light artillery. In addition to these organizations there were two regiments of colored infantry and an independent colored battery accredited to the state.
The first infantry was organized under the call of President Lincoln dated May 8, 1861, and was mustered into the U. S. service at Leaven- worth on June 3, with the following officers: Col. George W. Deitzler ; lieut .- col., Oscar E. Learnard; major, John A. Halderman. Soon after the muster it was ordered to Missouri, marched through Booneville, Springfield and Clinton, and joined Gen. Lyon's forces at Grand river. It took part in the battle of Wilson's creek, Aug. 10, 1861, where it lost in killed and wounded over half the number of men actually engaged, win- ning the commendation of the Union commanders. The regiment was then employed until the following October in guarding the lines of the Hannibal & St. Joseph and the Missouri Pacific railroads. In Feb., 1862 it was ordered to Fort Leavenworth, where the men received a ten day's furlough, and early in May was ordered to join the army at Pittsburg Landing, Tenn. During the summer it was engaged in opening and guarding the Mobile & Ohio railroad, and in October moved to Corinth, Miss., where it was assigned to the advance in pursuit of the retreating Confederates. On Feb. 1, 1863, it was mounted by order of Gen. Grant, and then employed in the vicinity of Vicksburg, guarding roads, etc. The regiment was mustered out at Fort Leavenworth on June 17, 1864, except the reënlisted men, who had been organized into a veteran bat- talion at Bovina, Miss., May 28, 1864. This battalion was mustered out at Little Rock, Ark., Aug. 30, 1865. While in the service the First Kansas traveled over 6,000 miles and participated in 30 engagements. The casualties of the regiment amounted to 97 killed, 34 died of wounds, 94 died of disease, and 210 were discharged for disability.
The Second infantry was a three months' regiment organized under the call of April 15, 1861, for 75,000 men. It was mustered in at Kansas City, Mo., June 20, 1861, and was mustered out at Leavenworth on the last day of the following October. Of this regiment Robert B. Mitchell was colonel; Charles W. Blair, lieutenant-colonel; William F. Cloud. major. Immediately after the muster the regiment was ordered to Mis- souri and joined Sturgis' brigade at Clinton. Early in July it joined the First Kansas and the two regiments were formed into a. brigade under command of Col. Deitzler. Subsequently it joined Gen. Lyon's forces and took part in the battle of Wilson's creek. It participated also in
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engagements at Forsythe, Dug Springs, Paris, Shelbina and Iatan, all in Missouri. The casualties were 5 killed ; 8 died of wounds; I missing, 2 died of disease, and 7 discharged for disability.
The Second cavalry was the outgrowth of several companies that were organized in Wyandotte and adjoining counties late in the year 1861. These companies were consolidated with Nugent's Missouri home guards, and on March 27, 1862, the regiment was organized as the Sec- ond Kansas calvary, with Robert B. Mitchell as colonel; Owen A. Bas- sett, lieutenant-colonel ; Charles W. Blair, major. The main portion of the regiment was mustered out at Little Rock, Ark., April 21, 1865, and the veteran battalion at Fort Gibson, Ind. Ter., June 22, 1865. Its first service was in the Indian Territory. In August it was ordered back to Fort Scott, Kan., where it received orders to assist in the pursuit of Col. Coffey's command. At Coon creek, Mo., Aug. 23, the regiment encoun- tered some of Shelby's men and a sharp skirmish ensued. Later it was engaged at Newtonia, Marysville, and some minor actions, and at old Fort Wayne a portion of the regiment made a brilliant charge, captur- ing four pieces of artillery. After that most of the service was along the border until the winter of 1863-64, when it moved into Missouri and Arkansas. It formed part of Gen. Steele's expedition to Little Rock, participated in the battles of Cane Hill, Prairie Grove and Cabin creek, and won a reputation for valor, skill in scouting, etc. While in the service the Second cavalry lost 51 killed, 13 died of wounds, 8 were reported missing, 94 died of disease, and 91 were discharged on account of disability.
Two regiments designated as the Third and Fourth were projected in the fall of 1861, but they were consolidated as the Tenth infantry (q. v.) in the spring of 1862.
. The organization of the Fifth cavalry was commenced in the summer of 1861. Its active service began in July, when Companies A and F left Fort Leavenworth for Kansas City, Mo., and a few days later joined Col. Weer's expedition to Harrisonville, where Company F lost one man killed. Hampton P. Johnson, who had been selected for the colonel of the Fifth, was killed at Morristown, Mo., Sept. 16, 1861, though the adjutant-general's report gives his name as colonel when the regiment was mustered in at Barnesville, Bourbon county, Dec. 31, 1861. Powell Clayton was the lieutenant-colonel and James H. Summers was major, Early in 1862 the regiment was reorganized and on March 7 Lieut .- Col. Clayton was promoted to the colonelcy. Some time was spent in drill- ing while in camp at Fort Scott, and in May Col. Clayton led an expedi- tion to destroy forage and other supplies south and west of Helena, Ark. The Fifth participated in the battle of Helena and a number of other engagements, and was engaged in the military operations around Pine Bluff. Lieut. Young of Company L, and Lieut. Greathouse of the First Indiana. were sent with 100 picked men to destroy the bridge at Long View, 40 miles below Camden, and they performed the duty in such a way as to win the praise of their superior officers. After the battle of
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Camden the greater portion of the duty of the regiment consisted of scouting, picketing roads, guarding railroad lines, etc. A portion of the Fifth was mustered out at Leavenworth on Dec. 2, 1864, and the veterans were mustered out at Devall's Bluff, Ark., June 22, 1865. The casualties of the regiment were 41 killed, 12 died of wounds, 221 died of disease, and 114 were discharged for disability.
Under authority from Gen. Nathaniel Lyon, the work of organizing three companies of cavalry to guard the Kansas border was commenced. It was soon discovered that three companies would not be sufficient and eight were organized and formed into a regiment, which was mustered into the U. S. service as the Sixth Kansas cavalry on Sept. 10, 1861, at Fort Scott. Of this regiment William R. Judson was colonel; Lewis R. Jewell, lieutenant-colonel; and William T. Campbell, major. For sev- eral months after its organization the Sixth was kept busy running down and disbanding guerrilla bands along the border, taking part in the actions at Newtonia and old Fort Wayne. In Dec., 1862, it was raised to a full cavalry regiment, after which it was employed in Arkansas and the Indian Territory for the greater part of the time it was in service. Part of the Sixth was with Col. Doubleday's expedition into the Indian country, and the entire regiment was with Col. Weer's expedition into the Cherokee nation. The last service of the regiment was in Arkansas. A portion of it was mustered out on March 22, 1865, at Devall's Bluff, Ark., and the remainder of it at the same place on the 18th of the follow- ing July. The regiment lost 76 killed, 19 died of wounds, 5 were reported missing, 123 died of disease, and 118 were discharged for disability. In the adjutant-general's report, the historical sketch of this regiment says : "Kansas lost a greater number of men killed in action and died of wounds, in proportion to the number of troops furnished, than any other loyal state-the per cent. being over 61 per 1,000-whilst the Sixth lost a greater number than any other cavalry regiment of Kansas troops, its loss being nearly 80 per 1,000 of the whole number enlisted."
The Seventh cavalry was mustered in at Fort Leavenworth on Oct. 28, 1861, with Charles R. Jennison as colonel ; Daniel R. Anthony, lieu- tenant-colonel; and Thomas P. Herrick, major. While all the Kansas troops were sometimes called "Jayhawkers," the name was especially applied to this regiment, which was usually referred to as "Jennison's Jayhawkers." Jennison resigned on May I, 1862, and was succeeded by Albert L. Lee, who was promoted to brigadier-general, and when the regiment was mustered out at Fort Leavenworth on Sept. 29, 1865, Thomas P. Herrick was in command, having been promoted to the colonelcy. Immediately after being mustered in the regiment was ordered to Missouri. On Nov. 11, 1861, a detachment under Lieut .- Col. Anthony met and defeated a force of guerrillas under Upton Hays on the Little Blue river. In this action Hays' force outnumbered Anthony's 4 to I. The winter was spent in western Missouri, and from January to March the regiment was in camp at Humboldt, Kan. It was then ordered to join Gen. Halleck's army at Corinth, Miss., where it was
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employed for some time in guarding working parties on the Mobile & Ohio railroad. It engaged the enemy at Jacinto, Rienzi and Iuka; took part in the skirmishes at Bear creek and Buzzard Roost; joined Gen. Grant at Grand Junction ; was in the fights at Tuscumbia, Town creek, Pontotoc and several minor actions, and was constantly employed in scouting and skirmishing from May 9, 1863, until Jan. 8, 1864. After the men received their veteran furlough the regiment was ordered to Mem- phis, Tenn., and soon afterward was sent back to Mississippi. It took part in the battle of Tupelo, July 14-15, 1864, then returned to Mem- phis, and in September was ordered to St. Louis. It was an active par- ticipant in the Price raid, after which it was stationed in Nebraska until ordered to Fort Leavenworth for the muster ont. The Seventh lost 55 men killed, 9 died of wounds, 161 were discharged for disability, 98 died of disease, and 2 were reported missing.
The Eighth Kansas, an infantry regiment, was mustered in at Law- rence on Sept. 2, 1861, with Henry W. Wessels of the U. S. army as colonel, John A. Martin as lieutenant-colonel, and Edward F. Schneider as major. On Feb. 7, 1862, Col. Wessels was ordered to Washington to assume command of his regiment-the Sixth U. S. infantry-and Lient .- Col. Martin was promoted to the command of the regiment. On Nov. I, 1862, he received his commission as colonel. The Eighth was mustered out on Nov. 28, 1865, at San Antonio, Tex., under the command of Lieut .- Col. John Conover. On Feb. 28, 1862, Gen. Hunter issued an order of the reorganization of several Kansas regiments and the Eighth received a battalion that had been organized for service in New Mexico under the command of Col. Robert H. Graham, who commanded the regiment until Col. Martin received his commission. In May, 1862, an order came to send all available troops to Gen. Halleck at Corinth, Miss., and the Eighth was one of the regiments included in the order. Soon after reaching Mississippi the regiment began to liberate and harbor slaves, and Gen. Quinby threatened to muster it out because it was "mutinous, undisciplined and demoralized." Gen. Rosencrans instructed his inspector-general to investigate the matter, and that officer reported the Eighth one of the best regiments in the army. After taking part in the action at Jacinto and the military operations about Eastport, it was ordered to reinforce Gen. Buell in Tennessee. With Bnell's army is marched to Lonisville, Ky., fought the battles of Perryville and Lancas- ter, and then returned to Nashville. It participated in the engagements of the Tullahoma campaign, the battle of Chicamanga and the actions about Chattanooga, especially the capture of Brown's ferry, which opened the Tennessee river to navigation and saved the besieged army in Chattanooga. The Eighth was with Sherman on the Atlantic cam- paign, and in the fall of 1864 returned to Nashville with Gen. Thomas. When Hood's army was so signally defeated, the regiment was ordered to New Orleans and from there to Texas, where it remained until mus- tered out as above stated. The losses of the Eighth were 62 killed, 25 who died of wounds, 135 who died of disease, 3 were reported missing and 181 were discharged on account of disability.
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