USA > Wisconsin > Dane County > Madison > A history of Madison, the capital of Wisconsin : including the Four Lake country : to July, 1874, with an appendix of notes on Dane County and its towns > Part 24
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In accordance with the said order, contracts were entered into between the executive committee and the aforementioned parties, on the 6th day of June, 1861; and the requisite bonds to secure the completion of the contract and the faithful per- formance of the work, were duly made and deposited by the: several contractors.
The heating apparatus, gas pipes and fixtures, registers, window guards and sewerage, are not included in either of the above mentioned contracts, as it was deemed advisable to have that work performed by the State, under the direction of the Board, by purchasing the materials and having them fitted by persons in their employ. The Board of Trustees, in their annual report for 1861, speak of the commendable zeal of the contract-
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ors in the prosecution of the work, which was commenced on the first of June of that year, and which was so far advanced as. to be roofed and enclosed before the winter set in.
The Board also report the whole number of patients received into the hospital since it was opened in July, 1860 to October 1, 1861, one hundred and forty-five.
It will be necessary, at this point of our history, to give an account of the momentous events which were close at hand, and in which Madison, as the seat of government, took an important part. It is not necessary to recount the causes, running through a long term of years, which led to the insur- rection of the people of a portion of the states of the union, against the general government, and arrayed more than a million of citizens in arms - a most bloody war, of four years' duration, involving the expenditure of almost untold treasure, and the loss, on either side, of hundreds of thousands of the country's bravest and best men. While all these important events were transpiring, the people of Madison and county of Dane had their share of them. Their coffers were opened, their young men were sent forth, some of them to lay their lives upon the altar of their country, others to return maimed for life, and others to return at the end of the conflict, weary and worn, crowned with victorious wreaths.
As is well known, the state of South Carolina passed an ordinance of secession from the general government, on the 12th of April, and commenced open hostilities by firing from James' Island upon Fort Sumter, garrisoned by Major ROBERT ANDERSON and about seventy men. The Fort was surrendered on the 14th of April. On the day succeeding (15th) President LINCOLN issued his proclamation declaring the southern states in insurrection, and issued a call for 75,000 three months" volunteers, to aid in suppressing the rebellion. In Wisconsin, as in all the other northern states, the public pulse quickened under the excitement, and on every hand the national flag was displayed, public enthusiasm knew no bounds, and in city, town and hamlet, the burden on every tongue was for a vigor- ous prosecution of the war.
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On the 15th of April, an informal meeting was held at the Governor's office, to consider events, Judge O. COLE in the chair, who made a speech full of patriotism and the noblest sentiments. On the day following, Gov. RANDALL notified Capt. GEO. E. BRYANT that the services of the Madison Guards had been accepted, and he was authorized to fill up his com- pany; and on the same day the Governor issued a proclama- tion for the organization of the First Regiment of Wisconsin Volunteers. The enrolment of men for the Madison Guards began April 17th; among others were G. E. BRYANT, CHAS. E. WOOD, C. L. HARRIS, L. D. ALDRICH, L. FAIRCHILD, D. C. POOLE, J. K. PROUDFIT, J. F. RANDOLPH, E. A. TAPPAN and W. H. PLUNKETT. Twenty-eight names were enrolled on the 17th, which number was, on the 20th, increased to one hundred and eighteen.
On the 17th, the Governor's Guards, by Judge J. P. ATWOOD, waited on Gov. RANDALL and tendered their services, which were accepted on the 18th. The company had seventy-three names enrolled.
On the evening of the 18th, a large and enthusiastic meeting was held at the Assembly Room in the State Capitol, at which Hon. H. S. ORTON presided. A committee consisting of J. N. JONES, L. B. VILAS, W. F. PORTER, S. KLAUBER and NEELY GRAY was appointed to receive from the citizens of Madison subscriptions for the support of families as shall need aid. At this meeting $7,490 was voluntarily subscribed.
On the 20th of April, the Governor commissioned J. F. RAN- DOLPH, late Orderly Sergeant of the Governor's Guards, as First Lieutenant, to raise a new company for the Second, or reserve regiment, and on the 22d he reported his company full.
On the 24th of April, the two Madison companies left for camp at Milwaukee, escorted to the depot by the Fire Depart- ment and the Turners' Association.
In the organization of the First Regiment, the Madison Guards were known as Company E, and the Governor's Guards as Company K, and of the Field Staff officers, CHAS. L. HARRIS,
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Lieutenant Colonel; HARRY BINGHAM, Assistant Quarter- master; L. J. DIXON, Assistant Surgeon, and CHAS. FAIRCHILD, Assistant Commissary, were of Madison.
The officers of Company E were, GEO. E. BRYANT, Captain; WM. H. PLUNKETT and WM. H. MILLER, Lieutenants; and Com- pany K, LUCIUS FAIRCHILD, Captain; DEWITT C. POOLE and JAS. K. PROUDFIT, Lieutenants.
On the 22d of April, a company known as the "Hickory Guards" was organized for perfecting themselves in military tactics. Of this Company L. S. DIXON, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, was Captain.
Randall Guards was fully organized April 27th, with J. F. RANDOLPH, as Captain, and A. A. MEREDITH and NAT. ROL- LIS, as Lieutenants. The company was known as Company H of the Second Wisconsin Regiment.
The two Madison companies with the other companies com- prising the First Regiment, rendezvoused at Milwaukee on Saturday, April 27th, of which regiment Capt. J. C. STARK- WEATHER of Milwaukee, had been commissioned Colonel; CHAS. L. HARRIS of Madison, Lieutenant Colonel; DAVID H. LANE of Kenosha, as Major, and ALFRED R. CHAPIN of Milwaukee, as Adjutant.
The organization of the regiment was completed and mus- tered into the United States service on the 17th of May, and the War Department informed that it awaited marching orders. The troops remained in camp until the 9th of June, when, in obedience to orders from the Secretary of War, it left the State for Harrisburg, Pensylvania, fully equipped by the State, with the exception of arms.
Of the further history of the Regiment, under the first call, it is only necessary to state, that it was assigned to Maj. Gen. PAT- TERSON's Division, July 2d; led the advance on Martinsburg, par- ticipated in the battle of Falling Waters, in which battle Color Bearer, FRED. B. HUCHTING, of Company E, Madison, was the first man wounded, and SOL. WISE of Company K, also of Madison, was taken prisoner, and won a reputation for bravery and veteran-like conduct excelled by no other regiment.
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After serving out the time for which it was enlisted, the regi- ment returned to Camp Scott, and was mustered out of service August 22, 1861. A portion of the Madison companies, about eighty-five men, arrived here August 23d, and after an ample dinner at the Railroad House, formed a line, and a pro- cession of the Young American Cornet Band, the Governor's Guards, Fire Companies and the Turners' Society, and accom- panied by the State field piece, marched to the front of the State Capitol, where a welcome address was delivered by Gov. RANDALL, after which the company dispersed. The remainder of the companies were left at Milwaukee and returned home at their convenience.
The Governor having determined to organize more regiments as a reserve for future calls, accepted the proposition of the State Agricultural Society, tendering the use of their fair grounds at Madison as one of the camps. These grounds were already enclosed with a high board fence, with several buildings which might be fitted up for use until more substantial ones could be built. Carpenters and laborers were set at work on the 27th of April, under the direction of Maj. H. A. TENNEY. WILLIAM W. TREDWAY, of Madison, was commissioned Quar- termaster General, and at once proceeded, in behalf of the State, to procure clothing, camp and garrison equipage for the Second Regiment, and for the six infantry regiments sub- sequently raised under the proclamation of the President. SIMEON MILLS, of Madison, was about the same time commis- sioned Paymaster General, and paid the several regiments from date of enlistment up to the time of their departure for the field. The Second Regiment was ordered to move into camp at Madison, on the 1st of May, which was, by Col. S. PARK CoON, named Camp Randall, in honor of the Governor. This regiment was first organized for three months' service, but, on the 7th of May, orders were received to recruit the regiment for three years or the war, and the Governor, wishing to gratify the enthusiastic desires of the companies who had ten- dered their services, proceeded also to organize the Third and Fourth Regiments. During this time, the ladies of this city
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performed a large amount of labor, done at a time when great suffering would have occurred if their timely assistance had not been rendered. The ladies of other cities and villages were also diligently engaged in the same benevolent work.
The Second Regiment left the State on the 20th of June, and proceeded to Harrisburg, Pa., one company of which was enlisted at Madison, the " Randall Guards," known as Company H, of which J. F. RANDOLPH was Captain, A. A. MEREDITH, First Lieutenant, and NAT. ROLLINS, Second Lieutenant.
This regiment was called upon to suffer much of privation and hardship. They were in the "Onward to Richmond " movement, participated in the skirmish at Bull Run, July 19, took an active part in the memorable battle of July 21, and won a high reputation for bravery and soldier-like conduct. They were the last to leave the field at the disgraceful finish, and their thinned ranks at roll call the next morning, proved the part they acted. As an evidence of what the Second Regi- ment had been through, it is sufficient to state that it left the State June 20, over one thousand strong, and, October 1, re- ported for duty six hundred and eighty-nine.
Of the "Randall Guards " (Company H), in these engage- ments, we find the following record: JULIUS F. RANDOLPH,* Captain, wounded July 21, 1861; A. A. MEREDITH, First Lieu- tenant, wounded, and arm disabled; G. M. HUMPHREY, First Sergeant, wounded; THEODORE D. BAHN, Fourth Sergeant, wounded; S. M. BOND, Fifth Sergeant, wounded; PETER MOR- RISON, Corporal, wounded; G. A. BECK, private, wounded and taken prisoner; F. M. BUTEN, private, wounded; THOS. CAN- NING, private, wounded; THos. MURPHY, private, wounded; E. L. REED, private, taken prisoner; E. R. REED, private, wounded; HENRY STORM, private, wounded; J. M. ZOOK, private, wounded.
After this battle, a number of changes took place in the officers of the regiment; of these, LUCIUs FAIRCHILD, formerly Captain of Company K of the First Regiment of three months volunteers, was appointed Lieutenant Colonel; J. D. RUGGLES, Quartermaster, and A. J. WARD, Surgeon, all of this place.
* Capt. Randolph was killed at the battle of Gainsville, August 20, 1862.
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The Third Regiment, CHAS. S. HAMILTON, Colonel, was or- dered into camp at Fond du Lac, and left for Harrisburg, July 12. Of this regiment, the only company from this section was the "Dane County Guards " (Company K), of which WILLIAM HAWLEY was Captain; THEO. S. WIDVEY, First Lieutenant, and WARHAM PARKS, Second Lieutenant.
The Fourth Regiment encamped at Racine, June 6, HALBERT E. PAINE, Colonel, in which Madison and Dane county were not represented by a company. L. D. ALDRICH, of this place, was appointed Adjutant.
The Fifth Regiment was called to Camp Randall, June 21, AMASA COBB, Colonel. Madison was not represented in this Regiment.
The Sixth Regiment was called to Camp Randall, June 25, LYSANDER CUTLER, Colonel. Of the commissioned officers, the following were from Madison: J. P. ATWOOD, Lieutenant Colonel; FRANK A. HASKELL, Adjutant; C. B. CHAPMAN, Sur- geon. Col. ATWOOD resigned on account of ill health, Septem- ber 21. There were no companies from Madison.
The Seventh Regiment came to Camp Randall in the month of August, and its organization completed September 2, JOSEPH VAN DOR, Colonel. Of this regiment, from Madison were CHAS. W. Cook, Adjutant, and ERNEST KRAMER, Assistant Sur- geon. Dane county was represented by a company called Stoughton Guards.
The Eighth Regiment was organized September 4, ROBERT C. MURPHY, Colonel, and was not called to Camp Randall until the 16th. The following commissioned officers were from Mad- ison: GEO. W. ROBINSON, Lt. Colonel; JOHN W. JEFFERSON, Major; EZRA T. SPRAGUE, Adjutant, and WM. HOBBINS, Assist- ant Surgeon. There were no Madison companies.
The Ninth Regiment was organized at Camp Sigel, at Mil- waukee, and was recruited among the German population, FREDERIC SALOMON, Colonel, and was mustered into the ser- vice October 26. In this regiment, Company F was composed of the Madison Sharp Shooters, of which company, DOMINICK HASTREITER was Captain, MARTIN VOIGLE and JOHN GERBER,
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were Lieutenants, as the first officers. Some changes were made before they left camp, and MARTIN VOIGLE was Captain, and A. P. DÆRSCHLAG, First Lieutenant.
The Tenth Regiment was organized at Camp Holton, Mil- waukee, and mustered into service October 14, ALFRED R. CHAPIN, Colonel; BENTON MCCONNEL of Madison, was Quar- master, and was the only person holding an office. No com- panies were attached to the regiment from Madison.
The Eleventh Regiment was organized September 18. It was intended at the outset to be a Dane county regiment, but it was soon ascertained that Dane county had already honored too many drafts upon her citizens, to be able to fill up the regi- ment, and it was found necessary to do this, in part, outside of the county. The Regiment was called into Camp Randall dur- ing the month of October, and placed under the command of Col. CHAS. L. HARRIS of Madison, with the following field and staff officers: CHAS. A. WOOD, Lt. Colonel; ARTHUR PLATT, Major; DANIEL LINCOLN, Adjutant; CHAS. G. MAYERS, Quar- termaster, and JAS. B. BRITTAN, Chaplain; H. P. STRONG, Sur- geon; E. EVERETT and C. C. BARNES, Assistants. All of the above, with the exception of the three last named, were from this place. Of the companies comprising the regiment, the following were made up of Dane county volunteers: Company A, " Watson Guards," officered by D. E. HOUGH, Captain; P. W. JONES, and W. L. FREEMAN, Lieutenants. Company B, "Mendota Guards," J. H. HUBBARD, Captain; E. S. OAKLEY and JAS. M. BULL, Lieutenants, and consisted of 101 men. Com- panies F and G, the " Harvey Zouaves " and " Randall Zouaves," were made up from Dane and other counties; of Company F, E. R. CHASE of Madison, was Captain. The regiment left for the seat of war November 20, 1861.
The Twelfth Regiment was called to Camp Randall during the month of October, under the charge of Col. GEORGE E. BRYANT, formerly Captain of Company E, of Madison Guards, First Regiment (three months); of the other staff and regi- mental officers from Madison, were: DE WITT C. POOLE, Lt. Colonel; ANDREW SEXTON, Quartermaster; JAS. K. PROUDFIT,
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Adjutant (formerly Second Lieutenant, Company K, Governor's Guards of First Regiment, three months), and Rev. L. B. MA- SON, Chaplain. There was no Dane county company con- nected with the regiment.
The Thirteenth Regiment was organized September 17, 1861, and volunteers were from the counties of Rock and Green- MAURICE MALONY, Colonel. The regiment rendezvoused at Janesville. There were no officers or companies from Dane county attached to it.
The Fourteenth Regiment was organized in November, and was rendezvoused at Camp Wood, Fond du Lac, DAVID E. WOOD, Colonel. There was no representation in this regiment from Dane county.
The Fifteenth Regiment was organized in December, at Camp Randall, and was known as the Scandinavian Regiment, HANS C. HEG, Colonel; HANS BORCHSENIUS of Madison, was Adjutant.
The Sixteenth Regiment was organized and ordered into camp at Madison early in November, BENJ. ALLEN, Colonel. Of the field and staff officers from Madison were: CASSIUS FAIRCHILD, Lt. Colonel; THOMAS REYNOLDS, Major; GEO. SABIN, Adjutant. No Madison companies attached.
The Seventeenth Regiment was not fully organized until 1862, although a few of the field officers were appointed in October, 1861. Of this regiment JOHN L. DORAN was Colonel; W. H. PLUNKETT of Madison, was Adjutant, but afterwards promoted to Major; THOS. REYNOLDS was Quartermaster, but December 10th was promoted Major of the Sixteenth Regiment. No Madison companies represented.
The Eighteenth Regiment was organized the latter part of October, and was expected to occupy Camp Randall as soon as the Twelfth had commenced to move for the seat of war. JAS. S. ALBAN was appointed Colonel, and the remaining officers from the northeastern portion of the State,
The Nineteenth Regiment was an "Independent," Regiment, the Colonel, HORACE T. SANDERS, received his appointment from the War Department. It rendezvoused at Racine, and April 20, 1862, was ordered to Camp Randall, to guard rebel prisoners. Madison not represented.
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In addition to the above eighteen regiments of infantry or- ganized and sent into the field in 1861, there were three cav- alry companies organized. Of Company G, First Cavalry, STEPHEN V. SHIPMAN was First Lieutenant, promoted to Cap- tain of Company E, in 1862; E. A. CALKINS, Major, and JOHN D. WELCH, First Lieutenant and Battalion Adjutant of Com- pany L, Third Cavalry; and ten batteries of artillery. The officers named were from Madison.
The next day after the mustering out of service of the First Regiment, its late Colonel, JOHN C. STARKWEATHER, was com- missioned as commanding officer of the " Three-years First Regi- ment." The enlistment went on rapidly, and the companies began to rendezvous at Camp Scott, Milwaukee. Of the field and staff officers, Madison was represented by HARRY BING- HAM, Quartermaster, and Dr. LUCIUS J. DIXON, Surgeon. The companies were organized in the counties of Milwaukee, Ke- nosha, Sheboygan, Fond du Lac and St. Croix. The regiment started for Louisville, Ky., October 28.
Such, in brief, is an account of the organization of the first eighteen regiments that were formed in this State during the year 1861. It will be seen that a large number of the regi- ments were officered in part by Madison and Dane county men, and the companies of volunteers will show that this county did her whole duty in furnishing her quota for active service.
There was one EDWIN L. REED, Company H, Second Wisconsin Regiment, son of L. T. REED of Stoughton, Dane county, who was sick and in the General Hospital in Wash- ington. Hearing that a forward movement was about to be made, he left the hospital and returned to the company, where, on account of his feeble condition, he was ordered into the Regimental Hospital. But when, at last, the regiment was formed and in line to move forward, he was found in the ranks, fully equipped, and determined to go. The captain expostu- lated, but without effect. The " double quick " at Blackburn's Ford, Thursday, July 18th, was too much for him, and in spite of his earnest protests he was ordered into the Field Hospital at Centerville, where he remained until after the fight on Sun-
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day. At four o'clock, Monday morning, July 22d, discovering the Union forces had all gone, he awoke a wounded friend,, and together they started on the retreat. His progress was. impeded by his wounded friend, and at Fairfax, they were both overtaken by the enemy, and were "furnished transportation " to Richmond. After intense suffering, Mr. REED died October 23, 1861, in Libby Prison.
Capt. J. F. RANDOLPH was also sick and in hospital, and had been for some time, but when the forward movement was made, he came forward and resumed command of the com -- pany, and remained in command until he was wounded, July 21, 1861.
The history of the war, for the year 1862, will be continued in the next chapter.
The National Anniversary was celebrated this year with. more than usual interest. The procession was formed of five. divisions, the whole under direction of WM. T. LEITCH, Grand Marshal. The first division was composed of the Dane Cavalry,. under charge of Lieut. TIMOTHY BROWN, the governor and State officers, soldiers of the war of 1812, with the venerable NATHANIEL AMES, the only revolutionary soldier living in the state, born April 25, 1761, and who was consequently over one. hundred years of age; a triumphal car of thirty-four young ladies under charge of HERBERT REED, carrying the National Flag representing the States of the Union, escorted by the Governor's Guards, Lieut. FULLER; the judges of the various courts, Dane county officers, the mayor and common council, the chancellor, faculty and students of the State University, and the Board of Education. The second division, G. P. DELA- PLAINE, Marshal, was composed of the State Artillery, Capt. MCFARLAND; the Fifth regiment of Wisconsin Volunteers, Col. AMASA COBB; the Sixth regiment, Col. LYSANDER CUTLER. The third division, S. G. BENEDICT, Marshal, with the Fire Department of the City of Madison. The fourth division, the military companies from Dane county, the Turn Verein Asso- ciation, and citizens of Dane county; and the fifth division,. PHILANDER FRENCH of Fitchburg, Marshal, with a grand
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cavalcade of farmers. The officers of the day were, Hon. J. C. FAIRCHILD, President; Vice Presidents, five from the city of Madison, and one from each town in Dane county ; Hon. BYRON PAINE, Orator; D. MCFARLAND, Reader; Rev. W. L. GREEN, Chaplain; J. H. MCFARLAND, Chief Gunner. The exercises at the stand were very interesting. Judge PAINE'S address was a thoughtful and philosophical production, clear and vigorous in style, and delivered without the aid of notes - the fine voice and elocution of the speaker giving it additional effect.
The State Journal, in an article published in the month of December, says: "The year 1861 has been an eventful one, but with all the trials and hard times, of which people have justly complained in other parts of the country, Madison has been exempt. The business has been prosperous, and the improvements of the town have been considerable and sub- stantial, showing a healthy financial condition of our citizens. Among the improvements that have been made during the year, are: the western wing of the State Capitol, which has been put under contract in accordance with act of the Legis- lature, approved March 9, and the work of building so far com- pleted as to render its completion during the next summer an easy matter. A wing nearly doubling the capacity of the Insane Hospital, has been so nearly finished that it will be opened for patients next spring. These undertakings are of a public character, and have been prosecuted with commendable enterprise. To the business buildings there has been erected the block of S. KLAUBER & Co., on Pinckney street, adding four noble stores. G. W. GILMAN has put up a fine building adjoin- ing, eighty-five feet deep. CHURCH & HAWLEY have lately extended their manufacturing facilities, adding steam works, and various modern improvements in machinery. A. G. DAR- WIN has added to the hotel facilities a commodious house near the depot of the Milwaukee Railroad. This building is thirty- two feet, fronting the railroad track, and fifty-four feet deep, two story high with a longitudinal wing east of the same, fifty-five feet on the track, and thirty feet wide, with a veran-
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dah on the south and east sides. Mr. J. C. SCHETTE erected a large iron foundry during the summer, which, in the fall, was coverted into a flouring mill. Among the residences, are those of C. L. WILLIAMS, Esq., corner of Dayton and Hamilton streets; J. W. HARVEY, on Johnson street; TRUMAN E. BIRD, on Pinck- ney street; A. C. DAVIS, corner of Johnson and Pinckney streets; G. A. MASON, on Johnson street; Mr. WALKER, a stone building, in form resembling a castle, on Johnson street; A. SHERWIN, Esq., on Gorham street; THADDEUS DEAN, Esq., on Wisconsin Avenue."
Prince NAPOLEON passed through the city August 31st, on his way to St. Paul. He and his suit were locked up in one of the cars. There was a large crowd anxious to see him, chiefly on account of the resemblance his features have to those of his celebratea deceased kinsman. The daughter of Victor EMMAN- UEL, his beautiful young wife, was not seen. As the train moved on, the crowd gave him a hearty cheer.
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