USA > Wisconsin > An illustrated history of Wisconsin from prehistoric to present periods : the story of the state interspersed with realistic and romantic events > Part 35
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Edward V. Whiton, the celebrated jurist, and chief justice of the Supreme Court of Wisconsin, died on April 12, 1859, at his residence in Janesville. On August 24, 1859, the Democratic state convention placed in nomination Har- rison C. Hobart for governor; A. S. Palmer, lieutenant governor ; A. B. Alden, secretary of state; Lion Silverman, state treasurer ; J. C. Squires, bank comptroller; Samuel Crawford, attorney general; L. C. Draper, super- intendent of public instruction, and H. C. Fleck, state prison commissioner.
The Republican state convention met on August 31st, and placed in nom- ination Alexander W. Randall for governor ; B. G. Noble, lieutenant-governor ; L. P. Harvey, secretary of state; S. D. Hastings, state treasurer ; James H. Howe, attorney general; G. Van Steenyck, bank comptroller ; J. L. Pickard, superintendent of public instruction, and H. C. Heg, state prison commissioner.
At the November election, the whole Republican state ticket was elected. Governor Randall received 63,466, H. C. Hobart, 59,516, giving Governor Randall a majority of 3,950.
Governor Randall and the balance of the state officers-elect were inaugu- rated on Monday, January 2, 1860, at 11 A. M., at the assembly chamber. The oath of office was administered by Chief Justice L. S. Dixon, in the pres- ence of a large number of prominent citizens.
The thirteenth annual session of the state legislature convened on January 10, 1860, and adjourned to April 2, 1860. Governor Randall, in his message to the legislature, after quoting statistics of a general nature, said : " It is a matter of congratulation, that the finances of the state are in so sound a con- dition. Unlike most new states, Wisconsin has paid for her public improve- ments without creating a permanent state debt for such purposes. The school fund, on the Ist of October last, amounted to $3,001,297.30, producing on interest at seven per cent., $210,090.81 ; and the amount to be appropriated in March next is $245,272.41. The University fund, at the same time amounted to $300,725.22, and the interest therefrom $21,050.76, which amount is the income of the University, adding $501.04, the balance in the treasury. The swamp-land fund amounted to $988,712.88, and the interest, $69,209.90. The number of acres of land in the state, assessed last year, was 17,411,418, and the equalized valuation $6.78 per acre; the aggregate valuation of personal property is $ 13,607,893, and the total value of all prop- erty, as equalized, $168,620,233. The total taxation levied last year was one and four-tenths mills on the dollar valuation, producing in aggregate the sum of $234,310.II."
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HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
The November election, in 1860, was an exciting one. The Republican electors received 86,110 votes, the Douglas electors, 65,025, the Breckinridge electors 881 ; and 161 votes for electors who favored John Bell for the presidency. The Republican majority was 21,089 over Douglas. The electors, at a meet- ing in the electoral college, cast their vote for Abraham Lincoln and Hannibal Hamlin. At this election, John F. Potter, Luther Hanchett and A. Scott Sloan, Republican candidates for congress, were elected, over John E. Arnold, J. D. Reymert, and Charles H. Larrabee, Democratic candidates. These candidates represented the First, Second and Third congressional dis- tricts.
The fourteenth session of the state legislature convened January 9, 1861, and adjourned April 17. Governor Randall, by proclamation, convened an extra session on May 15th. The governor's message was delivered, in per- son, before the two houses in joint convention. The message was an able and lengthy one, and contained recommendations and suggestions for the im- mediate consideration of the legislature at that session. The statistical review of the state's affairs; for the year previous, was voluminous.
At this time the whole number of persons within the state, subject to mili- tary duty, exceeded 130,000. The governor recommended that steps be taken to place the volunteer militia upon a more efficient footing. In conclusion he used the following language, with reference to the slavery question, then agitat- ing the minds of the people throughout the United States : " The hopes of civilization and Christianity are suspended now upon the answer to this ques- tion of dissolution. The capacity for, as well as the right of, self-government, is to pass its ordeal, and speculation to become certainty. Other systems have been tried, and have failed ; and, all along, the skeletons of nations have been. strewn as warnings and landmarks upon the great highway of historic govern- ment. Wisconsin is true, and her people steadfast She will not destroy the union, nor consent that it shall be done. Devised by great, and wise, and good men in days of sore trial, it must stand. Like some bold mountain, at whose base the great seas break their angry floods, around whose summit the thunders of a thousand hurricanes have rattled, strong, unmoved, immovable, so may our union be, while treason surges at its base, and passions rage around it. Unmoved, immovable, here let it stand forever."
On May 17th, Governor Randall issued a proclamation in which he said : "For the first time in the history of this federal government, organized treason has manifested itself within several states of the union and armed rebels are making war against it. The proclamation of the President of the United States tells of unlawful combinations too powerful to be suppressed in the or- dinary manner, and calls for mililary forces to suppress such combinations, and to sustain them in executing the law. A demand made upon Wisconsin by
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WISCONSIN'S STATE GOVERNORS.
the president for aid to sustain the federal arms must meet with prompt re- sponse. One regiment of the militia of this state will be required for military service, and further service will be required as the exigencies of the country may demand. Opportunities will be immmediately offered to all existing mili- tary companies, under the direction of the proper authorities of the state, for enlistment to fill the demands of the government."
The governor requested the patriotic citizens of the state to enroll them- selves into companies of seventy-eight men each, and to advise the executive of their readiness to be mustered into the service of the United States forthwith.
LEDE
EN
HOS.S.
GEN.TH
GETTYSBURG
GEN.LUCIUS FAIRCHILD.
RWARDJAS
WAT
UE
ROS
MIL
NAS $337
GEN. EDWP S.BRAGG
CHAPTER XLI. Wisconsin in the Civil War.
1861-1865.
The Call to Arms .- Wisconsin's Wonderful Response .- One Hundred Thousand Volun- teers .- All Classes and Conditions Represented .- Sunday Service Suspended .- Wisconsin Women in the War .- The Christian and Sanitary Commissions .- Skulkers to Canada .- The Loyal League and the Knights of the Golden Circle .- The First Regiment Ordered to the Front .- They Engage and Drive the Enemy .- Anecdotes and Incidents .- The Old Iron Brigade.
INTO the immense armies and navies, on the union side, between the 16th day of April, 1861, and the same month in 1865, Wisconsin contributed nearly one hundred thousand of her loyal sons.
It is impossible for even the most intelligent of the present generation to appreciate the material composing the numerous organizations of these won- derful human forces.
Not infrequently, every civilized nation on the face of the earth was rep- resented in the rank and file of the same regiment.
Every condition of social, religious and political faith, all the trades, occu- pations and professions were represented. The same tent covered the banker, lumberman, medical student, lawyer, merchant and machinist. The million- aire's son touched elbows with the son of his father's hired man.
When the war commenced Wisconsin had been a state scarcely twelve years, so that, comparatively speaking, only a few of these volunteers were native born ; while the sons of New England, and all other of the loyal states, who had settled there, helped to fill the quotas called. But whether born in America, or across the ocean, they were patriotic and proud of their new home, and the Badger commonwealth had no more gallant defenders on land or sea than those who were bred beyond her borders, or in foreign climes. The earlier volunteers were usually young men, the average age being less than twenty-five years. Such a variety, such a mixture of manual and mental strength, when harmonized and disciplined for effort in a common cause, and that the cause of a generally-united country dedicated to freedom, against an unholy sectional rebellion to maintain human slavery, constituted a force which only needed wise leaders or commanders to become irresistible to all the com- bined armies of the world.
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HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
HOW THE NEWS CAME.
It was Friday morning, April 12th, 1861, when the slaveholders' rebellion first opened fire on the flag of the national government, flying from Fort Sumter, in Charleston harbor, South Carolina. On the 14th (Sunday), Presi- dent Lincoln called for seventy-five thousand volunteers, to protect Washing- ton and the public property. Wisconsin's share, or quota, was fixed at one regiment of infantry.
This call for troops was first heard of from the pulpits of the principal churches, at the close of the morning service, in the cities of Wisconsin having telegraphic communication, on April 14th, 1861. The effect of the announce- ment can hardly be told upon those who had persistently insisted, notwith- standing all the threats which had been made, that no American would ever open fire upon an American flag. Then came a palsied numbness, and from those of hotter temperament-those who had met the threat of secession with the counter-promise of hanging-there was instant willingness to make the promise good.
The noon Sunday schools were not well attended by the older boys that day. They were out on the corners listening, thinking and talking, as they had not listened, thought nor talked before. There was very little loud expres- sion, and no boasting or cheers. The saloons were not patronized by even those who habitually frequented such resorts. There was a most ominous quietness among those who gathered on the streets from the different congre- gations. This semi-silence was more expressive than can well be described. It forbode a terrible storm.
THE PRECEDING PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN,
of the previous autumn and fall, had been waged with surprising vigor by the three contending parties. The organized marching columns constituted re- markable and conspicuous figures. They were usually composed of repre- sentative citizens, according to their respective political affiliations, the country on horseback and the city on foot. It may be truthfully stated that they were the only practically organized forces in the country. They differed in politics, social condition, religion and business, but as a general rule they were all union men. They were not soldiers, but they were patriots. The shots at Sumter, and the president's call for volunteers to protect the national capital, harmonized, for the time being, all other differences. These were the men who consulted together that Sunday noontime. They united in sending dis- patches to Governor Randall, at Madison, tendering their services. The next morning (April 16th) that official was able to wire to the secretary of war that in place of one, Wisconsin tendered three regiments of infantry to the national government, and that they awaited muster-in and marching orders.
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WISCONSIN IN THE CIVIL WAR.
THE DISTRIBUTION OF THOSE WHO
went out from the state to represent at the front the patriotism of its new and mixed population found such service for the maintenance of the national cause in seventy-four different organizations, besides those who did duty on the water as naval officers, seamen and marines.
There were fifty-three regiments of infantry, besides one company formed of the most skilled riflemen, which was called Co. G, of the celebrated United States Berdan Sharpshooters Regiment. Four regiments of cavalry, thirteen light batteries, and one full regiment of heavy artillery, besides a battalion of the last-named regiment, who at the expiration of their term of service, re- enlisted, and until the close of the war were known as such. The service of each of these will be given, so far as can be, in the numerical order of their organization and departure from the state.
WISCONSIN'S TRIBUTE TO THE NAVY NUMBERED
more than one thousand able-bodied men, but because we had no seaport city, and, with a single temporary exception, no recruiting station for such service, nearly all those who entered from Wisconsin had to leave the state to do so, and our commonwealth never received the credit from this class of enlistment. But this fact is known, that the Badger State was represented by one or more of her citizens on four hundred and eighty-seven different vessels, which served and fought on the union side. The names and experiences of these several boats, will be hereafter recorded.
WISCONSIN WOMEN IN THE WAR.
Those who think that the union soldiers, in the south, won the final glorious victory by their own heroic efforts, are in error. They did their part, and did it splendidly. They could not have remained a single day before the enemy-much less four long years-except for that great supporting rear-line of battle at home. The great loyal north was always actively engaged in backing them up.
Individual efforts of men, women and children at home contributed their immeasurable weight to the national cause, while organizations in infinite num- ber aided the government in its great cause. Among the latter are conspicu- ously mentioned in all histories
THE CHRISTIAN AND SANITARY COMMISSIONS.
While men of means poured out their wealth most bountifully, it was the mothers, wives and sisters, who stirred men to organized action. None but a soldier or sailor, who, when in grevious trouble, whether in camp, hospital, prison or on the march, has received the contributions of thoughtful women at home, can fully appreciate even a fractional part of what these two generous
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HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
commissions did for the country's cause. Their record-although not as full as it should be made-will be found in its proper place in later pages.
THE LOYAL LEAGUE.
The general government had its bitter enemies in large numbers scattered here and there among the loyal people of the north, and while such were not brave enough to go openly and fight on the side of slavery, they secretly or- ganized and in midnight meetings laid plans to discourage enlistments, and by the back-fire process aid the enemies of the union. They were principally known as "Knights of the Golden Circle," "Copperheads," and "Canada Skulkers." The surrender of the confederacy, and capture of all its archives, exposed the treason of all those who belonged to these several organizations- and the story is told for the first time, as far as Wisconsin citizenship is con- cerned, in the following pages. It constitutes one of the most interesting features of Wisconsin in the war. Some skipped to foreign parts, and were there relegated to the rear-for everybody hates a coward. Others through a vicious or mistaken theory as to state rights and the slavery issue, remained at home, frequently stabbing their own government in the back. There were other individuals who were too pure, good and holy to take part on either side, or do anything except find fault with everybody and hide behind one excuse and another, and often behind the skirts of a slender woman.
There was another class (or at least person) without mention and record of which no History of Wisconsin in the War would be complete, and it has never been given until now. At least one prominent citizen of the Badger State had the courage to fight for his convictions, although it required him to leave his home, enlist and serve in the army against his former neighbors, who were in the union army. Major Chas. H. Gardner, at the present time one of the prominent members of the legal profession, and a leading politician of the state, a man of great mental and physical vigor, believing that the southern idea was the right one and the most beneficial to the nation, voluntarily cut loose from his associates and business at Watertown, went to Kentucky, and enlisted as a private soldier in the confederate ranks, served through the war, receiving various promotions, and, after the war was over, returned to his Watertown home.
THE FIRST (THREE MONTHS) REGIMENT,
after its organization, went immediately into camp at Milwaukee, and shortly after left the state for Washington, eight hundred and ten strong. It is true that several of the ten companies were organized around a small nucleus of the remnants of a former state militia company, but a large majority of the volunteers were never members of a military company, and first saw an army musket and a military uniform at the
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WISCONSIN IN THE CIVIL WAR.
camp in Milwaukee. The people having for years followed peaceful pursuits, such an army as the present National Guard, now so well known in nearly all the states, had no existence in 1861.
But the public schools and colleges of the nation were more or less rep- resented in every mess. They learned quickly. They merited all the praises bestowed by army officers after their first engagement with the enemy, and the spontaneous and wonderful reception tendered them upon their return from the front. Nearly all re-entered the service for three years after the expi- ration of their short-term service in Virginia, during which, July 2d, 1861, at Falling Water, Va., they met and fought a victorious combat, driving the force of the celebrated " Stonewall " Jackson for miles beyond its selected position, capturing camps and prisoners.
Col. John C. Starkweather was the commanding officer, and it has been well said that his confidence in his men was only equaled by their faith in him. He was over six feet tall, with elegant military bearing, and had so strong a voice that, ofttimes, amidst the rattle and Foar of battle, the enemy heard the commands he gave to his brigade a full quarter of a mile away. He was a good disciplinarian, but recognized that his men, although able and willing to learn, were green and unsophisticated, as the following illustrates :
One of the volunteers, on a wet night, had been detailed as guard over some bales of hay. Having full confidence that the forage would not run away on such a stormy night, the soldier made a hole in the pile, crept in and slept. McCracken, for such was the guard's name, should have known that on such nights the colonel would be sure to visit all the sentinels and outposts, to praise the vigilant and punish those derelict in duty. After a restless nap he awoke only to find his gun gone; the condition of his situation flashed upon him in an instant. Rushing off to his mess, he quickly secured another mus- ket, and aroused a comrade, to secure, if possible, the one taken from him, and which doubtless had been sent to regimental headquarters, to be used as evidence against him, when summoned to arrest in the morning. The scheme worked, and when, three-quarters of an hour later, the colonel returned with a guard to take the place of the sleeper, McCracken brought the party to a sudden " Halt ! who comes there ?"
" Look here, McCracken, where did you get that musket? Less than an hour ago I found you here asleep, and took yours away from you, now what do you think of it ?"
" What do I think of it?" stammered the confused guard.
" Yes, what do you think of it? That's the question for you to answer."
" I think any d-d fool can rob a sleeping man of his gun or anything else, without much credit to the robber."
*
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HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
In the midst of an active, hot summer's campaign, the regiment was hurriedly marched through the streets of a southern city.
" What dirty ragamuffin regiment is that?" asked a bystander on the walk, and within hearing of Starkweather, who instantly wheeled his horse to the speaker, and replied :
" That's the dirty ragamuffin First Wisconsin, sir. By G-d, sir, I'm its commander, and if there is any man in it, who doesn't know more than you do, who isn't a better gentleman than you are, and who can't whip a dozen like you, I'll have him courtmartialed and shot."
From scores which might be given, a single other incident will be here narrated. Col. Starkweather's elegant manners and social disposition brought him many invitations, and when off duty and in convivial company, he main- tained his leadership, sometimes to his own detriment. On one occasion a party of kindred spirits, from the different regiments of the brigade, were enjoying themselves, in the rear of the sutler's tent, and fell to discussing the merits of their respective colonels, each of course championing his own. One of them in the heat and enthusiasm of debate, alleged in detriment to the Wis- consin commander, that he sometimes got tipsy, and was promptly called down by the same McCracken, before named, who captured the house, and proved his fidelity to his colonel, by proclaiming that Starkweather drunk was a better officer than all the others put together when sober, and he stood ready to prove it, if the others would ever get sobered up.
REORGANIZED FOR THREE YEARS.
After serving more than their enlistment called for, the (3 months) First Regiment, being relieved by the Third Wisconsin, at Harper's Ferry, returned to Milwaukee, and were there mustered out August 21st, 1861. Many of them then, on the same day, re-enlisted in the Three Years First, among them the then veteran Col. Starkweather. All of those who returned from their short service were deemed veterans, and, as such, readily received commissioned or non-commissioned places in the regiments organized after their return. Seven full regiments had been sent out since the first call, and in reorganizing, the origi- nal First would naturally have been designated as the Ninth Wisconsin Infantry. But Col. Starkweather insisted on holding his priority in regimental order, so that the new and reorganized First, Three Years Volunteers, maintained their place as No. 1, while they were in fact the Ninth regiment organized for service. This fact has been omitted by official reports, and all histories of Wisconsin in the War.
It is also worthy of note that more than 95 per cent. of the original list re-entered the service, and that to the 810 men who composed it, there were subsequently issued over 1,200 commissions, ranging from
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WISCONSIN IN THE CIVIL WAR.
lieutenant to brigadier-general. Among the survivors after the war were men who occupied front positions in civil, official life, governors of states, judicial officers, foreign ministers and national representatives. Such were the union volunteers of 1861-1865.
It was a typical Wisconsin regiment, and much here narrated as to the material composing the same is equally applicable to every other organization. The service of the Three Years First will appear in its place later on, in its order with other regiments as they left the state for the front.
THE BADGER BOYS IN BATTLE.
It may be truly said, without danger of denial, that from July 2d, 1861, until the last confederate forces surrendered, May 26th, 1865, there were no important campaigns or battles in which Wisconsin had not its armed repre- sentatives actively engaged.
Prior to the earlier date given there had been a few unimportant occupa- tions, reconnoissances and a few minor affairs, where shots were exchanged between union and secession forces, usually of a naval nature, wherein less than a hundred in total had been touched by lead or iron. .
The first campaign or organized movement against confederate forces, originated by General Scott, who (next to President Lincoln, was the com- mander-in-chief of all the national armies and navies), with full approval of the war department, sent General Patterson with a well-equipped column of 32,000 men across the Potomac into the famous Shenandoah Valley of Vir- ginia, to threaten, attack, fight and beat General Jackson's army if he could, but in any event to prevent him from reinforcing General Beauregard at Bull Run, when the union army under General McDowell should assault and seek to capture or annihilate the rebellious forces principally congregated there a few days later.
Patterson crossed the river on the 2d of July, 1861, with the First Wiscon- sin infantry in the lead, and engaged and drove Jackson from his position at Falling Water, ten miles southward to Bunker Hill and Winchester. This was the first time that Wisconsin troops met the enemy. The last shots fired by Wisconsin troops were at Talladega, Alabama, April 22d, 1865, by the Fourth Wisconsin, who, on Wilson's cavalry raid, captured the enemy and first learned that Lee had surrendered and the war was over.
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