History of Dakota Territory, volume III, Part 58

Author: Kingsbury, George Washington, 1837-; Smith, George Martin, 1847-1920
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1146

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SOUTH DAKOTA: ITS HISTORY AND ITS PEOPLE

General Sulley. Doctor Stewart, the new department commander, had taken part in this engagement.

In June, 1911, the Lake Madison Veterans' Association assembled at Colton on the twenty-fifth anniversary of their organization. Many were present and had a pleasant time. Several other military organizations were in existence in the state and are to this day.

In 1911 the encampment was held at Pierre. The city and the principal busi- ness blocks and many residences were decorated and a large crowd assembled to witness the proceedings. The local G. A. R. Post and W. R. C. prepared a spe- cial program, of which music was a distinguishing feature, for the entertainment of the visitors. Col. T. G. Orr with a squad of "boys" from the Soldiers' Home was present. Colonel Geddis, former commandant of the Home, was also present. The music of Major Pembleton's martial band enlivened the out-of-door exer- cises. Company A of the National Guard did guard and escort duty. The play- ing of the national and popular airs by the Capital City Band was the chief musical event. The principal meetings were held at the auditorium. Judge Dick Haney welcomed the visitors to the city. Responses were made by Gen. H. A. Kingman, department commander G. A. R., and Mrs. Mary J. Osborne, president of the W. R. C. Thomas H. Brown was chosen the new commander and Helen Kibbee the new president. The resolutions adopted favored a per capita tax of 60 cents for the employment of a female nurse at the Soldiers' Home, denounced the attempt that had been made to besmirch the military record of Thomas H. Brown, and recommended that an examination of the moral character and habits of all applicants for admission into the Soldiers' Home be made.

The Twenty-ninth Encampment of the G. A. R. was held at Mitchell in June, 1912, and was called to order by Commander Thomas H. Brown. It was a joint session of the G. A. R. and the W. R. C. Commander Brown in his address said, "With a glorious past and a bright future the years dance merrily on; we are build- ing an empire and we are happy in our usefulness. The glitter and glory of the past is now assuming somber shades and shadows through dimmed eyes and stricken hearts. But with the courage and fortitude born of the hardships and suf- ferings of the Civil war, we are meeting with soldierly resignation that enemy which is ever advancing, never retreats and never lost a battle-AGE. How rap- idly are we surrendering to the inevitable. Those of us present today are the vigor and strength of the old guard. If the absentees could be present many would be on stretchers, wheeled chairs, crutches and other invalid conveyances. Those are the battered, tattered remnants of the grandest army of history. It is almost a desecration to attempt in words to portray the modest, unostentatious, tender, watchful care of the Woman's Relief Corps. They are the very life of many posts and the encouraging support of all. As an organization they possess that which we do not possess, the power of renewing their youth; and therein is the assur- ance of their increasing strength to meet the cares of our increasing weakness. We are glad to know that they measure their success by their service to the Grand Army. The day is approaching, yea, is near at hand, when the Sons of Veterans, organized and unorganized, and the Woman's Relief Corps, will take the entire responsibility and carry forward the patriotic purposes of the Grand Army of the Republic. Memorial Day last was generally observed, the citizens taking charge of the program. A few counties under the law paid the necessary

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expenses. In the passage of this law the Legislature designed to encourage and insure a proper observance of that day." During the year, the commander said, he had enforced the disuse of the portrait of Lincoln in a billboard whisky sign. The commander commended the new pension law which had been signed by the President May II, 1912. He said that while the Soldiers' Home was well con- ducted it had not the capacity to care for all of the infirm old soldiers.

It was noted at this encampment that a bill in Congress provide for an appropriation to pay in part the expenses of the soldiers of the Federal and Confederate armies to attend the fiftieth anniversary of the battle of Gettysburg on the field. In this connection Comrade Ringman remarked: "We have been preparing for three years one of the greatest anniversaries ever held on American soil or in any country of the world. There was passed by the last Legislature a joint resolution making every man in the state, whether in the northern or southern army, a delegate to this encampment. The important things to be done were to learn the names of all who expected to go and get from the Legislature as large an appropriation as was possible to defray costs."

There was present at this encampment Mrs. Cora D. Davis, of Oregon, presi- dent of the National Woman's Relief Corps, who remarked: "Among the reflec- tions which we indulge none is more ennobling in its influence than the contem- plation of these patriotic comrades of ours whose lives are linked with the unfold- ing of our institution ; the story of their services and their love of country. And we teach our children to believe that there is no organization on the face of the earth that is the equal of the Grand Army of the Republic, whose members, by their heroism and sacrifices, have raised this nation high above the nations of the earth, where it stands today the peerless sovereign of them all. And so with each passing year our gratitude to the Grand Army of the Republic grows greater, our devotion stronger, our love purer, our lives more consecrated, and our obli- gation more sacred. The Civil war will in time, I believe, come to be known as the greatest war of the earth, because its results have in a great measure changed the destiny of the whole human race and have advanced civilization and fredom far beyond the dreams even of those who won the victories. It has been predicted that the time will come when every Union soldier who fought for human liberty will be lifted out of the niche of honor which he now occupies and will be placed upon the pedestal of the world's heroes. It is a great pleasure and a distinguished honor to me to come into this inspiring presence and extend to you the greetings of the National Woman's Relief Corps and of the 170,000 loyal women who are devoted to the principles you espouse and who are devoted to you." She ended her eloquent remarks by reciting the poem entitled "Where Does the West Begin," one verse of which is :

Out where the world is in the making, Where fewer hearts with despair are aching, There's where the West begins.

Where there's more of singing and less of sighing, Where there's more of giving and less of buying,

Where a man makes friends without half trying, That's where the West begins.

HURON COLLEGE, HURON

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Judge Gifford reported that the office of advocate-general had paid chief attention during the past year to the compilation of the laws of the several states with reference to granting aid to ex-Union veterans, their widows and orphans. He said that the object and purpose of this work was to furnish information as a foundation for legislation in the state in the same direction, to create a fund from which those needy veterans and their widows and orphans can receive aid and support in their own home without separating the families and placing theni in the Soldiers' Home, and to relieve the congestion at the Soldiers' Home.

Comrade Van Etten, patriotic instructor, gave an interesting description of his experiences and movements : "I started out in my work as patriotic in- structor February Ist, and remained out until April Ist,. Weather didn't stop me. I gave thirteen addresses in Sioux Falls, and the professor of the school said my address was the best they had ever had in their school. When I went there they told me I could not get into the school, because they had shut out fakers and peddlers and that kind of people; and I said: 'If I don't get into Sioux Falls High School while I am here you may shoot me,' and I went and got a permit. I visited every school from Wolsey to Woonsocket and west to Wessing- ton Springs, and east to Egan. I didn't miss a town. I held meetings every night. I didn't miss a night from the Ist of February to the Ist of April, and I had audiences ranging from fifty to four hundred. I paid my own expense in nearly every town, the total amounting to $125, and I can afford to do it because I am connected with the temperance reform. I go before the people at night and they give collections. I think a $5 collection is an abundance, but they gave me $10 at Madison. Nearly all the posts have a patriotic instructor, and they have flags on the schoolhouses at many places, and I find that at many of the schools the children can tell me who made the first flag and how many stars were in the flag and how many there are now. Most of the schools have a flag and float it on holidays. I, have a bullet that was shot into my arm, and I cut it out with a razor, and I carry that around, and you can't imagine how much patriotism that little bullet will bring out of 150 school children."

The resolutions adopted at this encampment asked the next Legislature to make an appropriation sufficient to secure the services of a professional female nurse for the Soldiers' Home. Governor Vessey was thanked for his Memorial Day proclamation. Aberdeen was chosen for the next encampment.

Mrs. Farr, a member of the Woman's Relief Corps, in an interesting address, observed that "the Corps was in session working earnestly to perpetuate the prin- ciple for which you fought fifty years ago. To prove that their hearts are still loyal to you we have been detailed to come to you at this time and extend the loyal, fraternal greetings of the members of this twenty-ninth convention and to assure you that we have pledged anew our allegiance to our God, our country, and you. During our peace program yesterday afternoon one of our speakers mentioned the 'boys of the '6os.' It is a fact that the Union was literally saved by the boys in their teens." The official record of enlistments was as follows:

At the age of 10 years and under 25

"At the age of 12 years and under.

225

At the age of 14 years and under 1.543

At the age of 16 years and under. 844,891

At the age of 18 years and under. 1,151,438

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SOUTH DAKOTA: ITS HISTORY AND ITS PEOPLE

At the age of 21 years and under 2,159,798

At the age of 22 years and over. 618,51I

Wounded in battle. 280,000

Killed in the service. 67,000

Died of wounds

43,012

Died of disease ..

244,586

Died of other causes.

24,872

On June 30, 1913, there were reported to the national headquarters fifty posts, with 838 members, in South Dakota. The total receipts were $373.10, with $368.13 additional on hand, and the expenses were $342.16, with $399.07 on hand. Memorial Day was well observed all over the state.

At this year's encampment Mrs. Ida McBride, of the national department, again addressed the veterans, ladies and friends. She said that the Woman's Relief Corps was organized more than thirty years ago, and that the present membership was 167,000. The annual campfire, a recent invention, where all the delegates could talk and tell their experiences and their impressions, was greatly enjoyed. The amusing colloquies and stories would fill a volume. The committee on resolutions reported among others the following :

Resolved, that our appreciation of the official visit of our commander-in- chief, Gen. Washington Gardner, merits especial mention and that his charming presence proved both an inspiration and a benediction; and we thank him most heartily for the effort made to meet with us and cheer us on our way.

Resolved, that in view of the fact that the revenues, as now fixed, are inade- quate to finance the department, the recommendation of the commander that the stronger posts hold campfires and turn into the department the net avails of the same, is most heartily approved ; and we urge that every post that can should do so, and thus aid to increase the income of the department.

Resolved, that there is just cause for congratulation in the fact that our State Soldiers' Home is now fulfilling its true mission and that the management has reached that high plane where only commendation is heard.

The report of the Woman's Relief Corps showed a total membership of 1,885, and expenditures for the year ending March 31, 1914, of cash, $312.77; relief other than cash, $657.01. Mrs. Clara A. Lukins, a past department presi- dent, was present. She detailed her experiences. Mrs. Ida McBride, the national president, was also present. She said in part: "I am a little different from your past president, Mrs. Lukins. She said she loved the Grand Army of the Republic, but not any particular member. I love all of the Grand Army, and one particular member more than all the rest. The man whose name I have had the honor to bear more than forty-five years is a member of the Grand Army. This year I tell him he is judge advocate-general of the Woman's Relief Corps, for without his assistance I could do little. I bear today, I think, the greatest honor that can come to woman, after the honor of motherhood. When last year I became president of the Woman's Relief Corps I felt that there was not more in life if I looked only for the blessing."

In 1914, May 21, there were in the state 965 members of the G. A. R. in good standing. As the years had passed there was a steady falling off. Campfires were urged to be held where camps were large, in order to raise means to pay expenses. The encampment thanked the Legislature for permission to erect upon

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the capitol grounds at Pierre a monument commemorative of the soldiers of the Civil war. Commander Jolley said: "It is for this encampment to proceed as it shall think best to bring this matter before the public. We, the G. A. R., cannot erect this monument, and if we could it would not be good policy for us to do so. This is a public work, and should be done by all the people who favor such a patriotic movement. It will be necessary under the law as passed to have the Woman's Relief Corps and the Sons of Veterans to join in this work with a committee that you should appoint. The State Capitol Commission is the proper body to select the spot for this monument ; and they must also approve the plans." The commander was generous enough to say nothing concerning the stinginess of the Legislature in refusing to make a reasonable appropriation for a part of the expenses of erecting the structure. In order to carry out this good object and to see that the work should go rapidly forward, a government committee was appointed and given full authority to push the project forward. They were Comrades Farr, Hoffman and Lawrence.

The commander further said: "The 30th day of May is no longer the Memorial Day of the Grand Army. It is the Memorial Day of the whole country and all the citizens thereof. Long after the last soldier of the Civil war will have passed away the custom of decorating the graves of the dead will be observed throughout the republic. The graveyards and cemeteries of this land instead of being a place of sadness are now a thing of beauty. The old soldiers established the custom of decorating the graves of the dead, and every family has made it a day for strewing with flowers the graves of their departed friends. The Grand Army must have been guided by a friendly hand when it took the Woman's Relief Corps as an auxiliary. If it had not been for the members of the Corps we would have been in much worse condition than we now are. The very idea that there is a strong force back of us gives us more vigor for the work we have to do. In my work the past year I have learned what a help they are to us. At the national encampment when a committee of the Woman's Relief Corps came into the hall and handed to the commander a draft for $1,000 I was happy, not alone because of the money but because I knew that we had a strong help back of us. I have always found a better and stronger post where there was a good Woman's Relief Corps auxiliary. The day is fast coming when all the work that is done for us will be done with and by the members of the Corps. The easy, quiet and earnest manner in which they go about their work stamps them at once as faithful, true and sincere."

CHAPTER XII

THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR

The war with Spain was preceded by several months of expectancy and un- certainty during which time nothing could be done but wait the outcome of the controversy between the diplomats of the two countries. The people of South Dakota, like those of other states, had looked with indignation upon the atrocities and butcheries on the Island of Cuba during 1896 and 1897 while the army of Spain was crushing and killing the native population. Many here, as elsewhere, believed it the duty of the United States Government to interfere in order alone to protect their own rights which were incidentally being infringed and trampled upon. Later in 1897 war was deemed probable between the United States and Spain. The climax was precipitated by the destruction of the battleship Maine in Havana harbor on the night of February 15, 1898. Not since the famous Sioux uprisings were the people of South Dakota so thoroughly aroused, and from many newspapers came the demand for war to avenge that act. Public meetings were held in many cities of the state, stirring resolutions were adopted and volunteers were offered. At Aberdeen an enlistment office was opened on the 16th or 17th "for the enrollment of those who promise to answer the first call to arms in a war with Spain, and scores of patriotic citizens have placed their names thereon," said the News, which asserted that Brown County could be counted on for 1,000 men for the war if it should come. At Sioux Falls, Watertown, Canton, Mitchell, Huron, Yankton, Vermillion, Pierre, Hot Springs, Rapid City, Dead- wood and other cities and at many smaller towns the same patriotic spirit was shown and thousands of volunteers were promised if needed.

The Second Regiment National Guard was at that time under the command of Col. Mark W. Sheafe of Watertown. Within a few days after the destruc- tion of the Maine he was flooded with letters from individuals in all parts of the state asking, pleading, for him to use his best offices for their admission into the service. Battery A at Clark was so eager for service that they deluged him first with letters, second with telegrams and finally ten of them took the train to meet him at Yankton, where he was temporarily sojourning, wiring ahead, "Ten of us on train to see you." At this time Colonel Sheafe and others were engaged extensively as a company in the cattle business on the range and employed about fifty cowboys who were noted for their dare-devil riding, rounding-up and shoot- ing. All of them caught the war fever at the start and were eager to go as a body, but all could not be spared from the range, as the company (McLain, Williams & Sheafe) had then about ten thousand cattle to be cared for. So far as known this was the first tender of cowboys as a body for the war. No doubt many had thought what an ideal body of troops, real fighters, a cowboy company would make-had even had such thoughts before a war with Spain was thought

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SOUTH DAKOTA: ITS HISTORY AND ITS PEOPLE

of-had been aware of the value of their services and their daring during the previous Indian wars. But so far as known this was the first real movement for a distinctive cowboy command for the war. The idea was abandoned because the men, en masse, could not be spared from the range, but many of them as individuals entered the service in other commands. The headquarters of these cowboys was near old Fort Bennett.

In order to appease those who were determined to enter the service Colonel Sheafe promised them that if war should occur he would lead them to the front as a part of the Second Regiment. It is probable that Colonel Sheafe thought at the time that he could fulfill this promise. He made the following statement at this time: "And may heaven be kind to the Spaniards if Company B ever turns itself loose in the midst of a drove of them. I would hate very much to indemnify the Spanish government for the dead. South Dakota's militia is in excellent shape and will make an excellent showing if called out."

Soon it was realized that war was out of the question unless it could be shown that Spain was responsible for the destruction of the Maine, and until it could be shown that that country would not agree to make certain amends for wrongs already done to this country. In March the report of the court of inquiry was sent to President Mckinley and it became known a few days later that the court held that the first and principal explosion came from the exterior port side, that the second explosion was from the reserve magazine and that the big magazine did not explode. After due negotiations President McKinley's ultimatum was sent to Spain on April 2. On April 20 Spain refused to grant the demands of the United States and then for the first time it was realized that little short of a miracle could avert war.

In the meantime, particularly after the report of the court of inquiry had been made public, the whole country was rapidly preparing for the struggle. In South Dakota the feeling was intense and five times as many men as could probably be accepted were offered.

Finally, on April 19, came the declaration of war and the call of the President for volunteers. It was determined at once by the war department to make the National Guard the basis of the volunteer organizations; but this fact was not wholly clear to the citizens at first and accordingly the formation of more than twenty independent volunteer companies was commenced in the towns and cities of the state. In the principal centers of population several companies were started as early as April 21 or 22. At a mass meeting in Yankton it was decided to raise three companies to be tendered the President. Two companies were started at Sioux Falls and a third was proposed. Aberdeen, Watertown, Redfield and Huron also held big meetings which began the enlistment of companies. In the Black Hills particularly was the war spirit rampant and paramount. There all restraints were swept aside by enthusiasm, patriotism and gallantry and hundreds of rough men sought the enlistment offices and would not accept a negation. At Scotland sixty men enlisted in one day-the 23rd. At Vermillion, Flandreau, Brookings, Mitchell, Chamberlain, DeSwet, Madison, Pierre, Mil- bank, Sisseton, Ipswich, Faulkton, Hot Springs, Rapid City, Lead, Deadwood, and Belle Fourche similar meetings were held, great loyalty and enthusiasm were exhibited and thousands of men were offered for the service.

Vol. III-27

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SOUTH DAKOTA: ITS HISTORY AND ITS PEOPLE

At first the orders from the war department seemed conflicting, which con- dition of affairs occasioned much confusion in the war movements in this state. It was thought at first that Colonel Sheafe should be the leader of the forces from South Dakota, but later Lieut. Alfred S. Frost was commissioned colonel of the First Regiment South Dakota Volunteers. The regiment was ordered to mobilize at Sioux Falls on April 30.

At first it was thought that the number of volunteers to be required from South Dakota would be about eight hundred and fifty, but in the end a full regiment of infantry, the First, was accepted and in addition a regiment of cowboys was accepted though raised only in part in this state. Battery A, as such, could not get into the service. A considerable squad of men was secured here by recruiting officers for the regular army, and many men left and became members of companies in other states. All of Colonel Grigsby's cowboy regi- ment except five troops came from adjoining states.

Company A of the First Regiment came from Pierre; Company B, from Sioux Falls; Company C, Yankton; Company D, Worthing; Company E, De- Smet; Company F, Aberdeen; Company G, Huron; Company H, Watertown; Company I, Custer City ; Company K, Brookings ; Company L, Spearfish; Com- pany M, Rapid City.

The attitude of Governor Lee in support of the war movement was sus- tained unanimously by the leading men of all parties in the state. Political differences were forgotten in the patriotism that burned in every breast. He was at once confronted with the serious problem of raising means to put the regiment in the field in the absence of any legislative appropriation that could be used for that purpose. Here was strikingly shown the unwisdom of the last few legislatures which had refused to make appropriations for the maintenance of the guard. At once the governor decided that the money must be raised from private sources. C. A. Jewett, B. H. Lien, State Bank and Trust Company, Sioux Falls Savings Bank and Minnehaha National Bank, all of Sioux Falls, advanced $1,000 each, or a total of $6,000, toward defraying this expense. Their example was followed promptly by the First National Bank, American National and another national bank of Deadwood and by the Pierre National and the Bank of Commerce of Pierre, making in all a total of $11,000, which sum was placed in the hands of Governor Lee to be used in fitting the First Regiment for the field. Governor Lee himself advanced $3,000, thus raising the total used to $14,000. This sum proved sufficient. In time it was refunded by the Government.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume III, Part 58

Author: Kingsbury, George Washington, 1837-; Smith, George Martin, 1847-1920 Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : S.J. Clarke Publishing Company Number of Pages: 1146

Author: Kingsbury, George Washington, 1837-; Smith, George Martin, 1847-1920
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1146