USA > Wisconsin > An illustrated history of the state of Wisconsin : being a complete civil, political, and military history of the state, from its first exploration down to 1875 > Part 35
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HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
The Twenty-seventh Regiment was mustered into the ser- vice on the 7th of April, 1863. It left the State March 16, un- der orders to proceed to Columbus, Ky. Here it remained, engaged in garrison-duty, until the 30th of May, when it moved with other forces to Memphis, from whence the regiment was ordered to Vicksburg. On the 4th of June, they proceeded up the Yazoo River to Satartia, where an action took place between the rebel artillery and the gunboats. They marched down the river thirty miles, to Haine's Bluff, where they arrived next day. Subsequently they moved to Snyder's Bluff, and engaged in picket-duty, and work on the fortifications, until after the capitulation of Vicksburg, when they moved to Helena, Ark. Thence they proceeded up White River to Duval's Bluff, and marched to Little Rock, and assisted in the capture of that place. On the 23d of March, 1864, they accompanied the march of Gen. Steele to co-operate with Gen. Banks in the celebrated Red River Expedition.
The Twenty-eighth Regiment left the State for Columbus, Ky., on the 20th of December, 1862, and were sent forward by railroad to Union City; but, meeting no enemy, they returned to Columbus until Jan. 5, when they embarked for Helena, Ark., and on the 11th were assigned to the second brigade. Arriving at Saint Charles, the Twenty-eighth, with a squad of cavalry and artillery, were landed to hold the place. Subse- quently they went with an expedition fitted out at Helena on Feb. 24, known as Yazoo Pass Expedition, after which the regi- ment returned to Helena. They suffered much from the dis- eases engendered in the malarious district of Tallahatchie. In July an expedition was made towards Cotton Plant, Ark. At Helena, they completed a line of fortifications around the place ; and on the 4th of July a force of about fifteen thousand strong of the enemy made its appearance under Gen. Holmes. After a continuous fight of five hours, the enemy fell back, and gave up the contest, leaving his dead, - over four hundred, - besides over eight hundred prisoners, in our hands. . Gen. Salomon and the brave men of his brigade are entitled to the credit of the repulse of the enemy at Helena. With a force of about thirty-five hundred men, he succeeded in holding at bay and driving off a force of at least fifteen thousand.
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HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
Being protected behind their works, the casualties were light, -killed two, and wounded four. The regiment left Helena on the 11th, accompanying Gen. Steele in his expe- dition against Little Rock, which place they reached Sept. 10, where they remained until Oct. 26, when they joined in Marmaduke's forces towards Saline River, proceeding to Roekport on the Washita, where further pursuit was aban- doned ; and the regiment returned to Little Rock on the 1st of November. From this place they were ordered to Pine Bluff, sixty miles from Little Rock, on the Arkansas River : here, on the 10th of November, they went into winter-quarters, and were engaged in pieket and garrison duty until the 27th of March 1864.
The Twenty-ninth Regiment was at Friar's Point in December, 1862, in charge of Col. Gill, who endeavored to put a stop to the cotton traffic then carried on in that neigh- borhood with the rebels. In doing so, he incurred the ill-will of Gen. Gorman, who placed him under arrest. In January, 1863, his sword was returned; and Gen. Gorman was soon after superseded. The regiment was afterward engaged in an expedition up White River, and was part of the force employed in opening a pass to the Yazoo River, and similar duties, until March 1, afterwards proceeding to Grand Gulf and to Port Gibson, in which they took an active part in the engagement at that place. The casualties were twenty-one killed, and fifty wounded. Shortly afterwards, the battle of Champion Hills was fought ; and the regiment was highly complimented for its bravery in that battle. The regiment lost thirty- two killed and seventy-nine wounded in this last battle. The Twenty-ninth was engaged till the 19th of May in burying the dead, collecting arms, and constructing bowers for the wounded, when they marched to Vicksburg, and took a posi- tion in the trenches. After the capture of that place, the brigade participated in the taking of Jackson. The regiment was actively engaged in the fall of this year, marching and countermarehing on various expeditions along the river to Natchez, thence to Carrollton and Algiers, to Brashier City, to New Iberia and Vermilionville, to Opelousas, to Barrs's Land- ing, to Carrion Crow Bayou, Vermilion Bayou, and Spanish
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CROSSCUP & VEST-SO.PHIL
DR. H. A. YOUMANS.
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HISTORY OF WISCONS
Lake. The regiment returned to New Iberia on the 17th of November. From that place, they moved to Berwick City Dec. 21, and by rail to Algiers, where the regiment was assigned a place in the Texas expedition under Gen. C. C. Washburn.
The Thirtieth Regiment, during 1862, was retained in the State of Wisconsin, in the performance of duties pertaining to the enforcement of the draft. In the month of May, four companies were sent to St. Louis as guards for transports in the Indian expedition, under Gen. Sully, in which they were engaged until April 10. Two regiments were sent to the Lake Superior country, where they remained until Aug. 21; and, on their return, were sent to protect the enrolling officers in Washington and Dodge Counties. In July, they were sent to Lafayette County for the same purpose; and one company was sent to New Lisbon, Juneau County, to protect the citizens against threatened Indian attacks. In August, a detachment was sent to Brown County to protect the enrolling office. In this and similar duties, the regiment was engaged until March, 1864.
The Thirty-third Regiment, on the 18th of April, 1863, formed a part of a force of infantry, cavalry, and artillery, under the command of Col. E. E. Bryant of the Twelfth Wis- consin, who marched to Coldwater, with a force under Gen. Smith, from La Grange. Reaching Hernando after a journey of almost continuous skirmishing, the rebels were encountered ; and, after a sharp fight, the enemy retired, losing fifteen killed, and seventy-five prisoners. Pursuing the enemy to Coldwater River, the Thirty-third, opening a brisk and destructive fire, drove them in confusion across the stream. On the 17th of May, they embarked, and proceeded down the river to join the army at Vicksburg. The guerillas having fired into the transports, the Thirty-third and two other regiments were landed, and pursued the rebels for five miles, but did not over- take them. Thence to Snyder's Bluff, where they remained till May 25, when they marched to the rear of Vicksburg, and took position. This place they kept until the surrender of the city. The regiment did much service in the operations con- nected with the siege, and took part in the second attack on Jackson. After a number of skirmishes, they moved down the
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HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
river to Natchez, on the 18th of August. Subsequently return- ing, they encamped at Milldale, engaged in the usual routine of camp, guard, and drill duty, and were thus engaged until Jan. 31, 1864.
The Thirty-fourth Regiment was mustered into service by companies for nine months. They left the State Jan. 31, 1863, Col. Fritz Anneke being in command. The regiment arrived at Columbus, Ky., in February, where they remained until the latter part of August. Their term of office having expired, they returned to Camp Washburn, Milwaukee, and were mustered out on Sept. 8. The Thirty-fifth Regiment was mustered into service Nov. 27, 1863, and the muster completed Feb. 27, 1864. The Thirty-sixth Regiment and other regiments were not organized until 1864.
The First Cavalry Regiment in the beginning of 1863 was stationed at West Plain, Pilot Knob, St. Genevieve, and Cape Girardeau. The latter part of May, it arrived at Nashville, Tenn., and on the 14th was assigned position in the cavalry corps of the Army of the Cumberland. During the summer, it was stationed at various places in Tennessee, taking part in the general movement of the army during the battle of Chickamauga. They subsequently marched to Larkins- ville, Ala. They were engaged actively in skirmishing with the enemy, at Anderson's Gap capturing eleven prisoners ; and, during the same day, thirty-seven of the enemy were killed and wounded, and forty-two made prisoners. As the movements of cavalry regiments were so active, it is impossible to give fuller particulars concerning them. On the 14th of January, 1864, they marched to and encamped near Dandridge, and were engaged next day with the enemy, losing one man wounded.
The Second Cavalry Regiment in February, 1863, was at Memphis, Tenn., and remained there until the month of May, Lieut .- Col. Thomas Stephens in command. In April, a detach- ment took part in the action at Cold Water, and did very active service. On the 10th of June, Major-Gen. Washburn was placed in command of all the cavalry forces at Memphis, and received orders to report to Gen. Grant at Vicksburg. On the 18th of June, the regiment was at Snyder's Bluff, engaged in
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HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
scouting, up to July 4. On that day, they moved to the forks of Deer Creek and Big Black River. On their way, they received information of the surrender of Vicksburg. They took part in Gen. Sherman's expedition to Jackson, and on their return encamped (June 29), within a short distance of Redbone Church. The Third Cavalry was, in the latter part of 1862, at Fort Blunt, and on the 16th of July, 1863, marched southward, under command of Gen. Blunt. The next day, they were engaged in the battle of Honey Spring, in which the rebels were utterly routed, with the loss of many prisoners. On the 16th of August, they routed a superior force of the enemy ; and, the day ensuing, attacked a large body of rebel Choctaw Indians, capturing their stores, and putting the whole force to flight.
The Thirty-first Regiment was fully organized at Prairie du Chien, and left the State for service in the field on the 1st of March, 1863, under orders to report at Columbus, Ky. Pro- ceeding by way of Cairo, Ill., they arrived at Columbus on the 3d, and went into camp at Fort Halleck. Here the regiment was stationed, and was engaged in the performance of garrison- duty, until Sept. 24, when it left Columbus, with orders to report at Louisville, Ky., which place it reached on the 27th. On the 5th of October, it marched to La Vergne, Tenn., and guarded the road until the 25th, when it marched to Murfrees- borough. Three companies were detached, and stationed at a point where the railroad passed Stone River. Here they threw up fortifications, and guarded this important bridge during the winter.
The Thirty-second Regiment, on the 7th of January, 1863, was at Jackson, and on the 2d of February returned to Memphis, where it remained until the third day of November, engaged in provost-duty. The regiment went on an expedi- tion to Germantown on the 3d of November. On the 26th, it again left Memphis, and proceeded to Moscow, Tenn., when Col. J. H. Howe was placed in command at the post. The regiment remained, engaged in duty in Tennessee and North- ern Mississippi, looking after Gen. Forrest, until Jan. 27, 1864.
In October, Company I was attacked by five hundred rebels near Baxter's Springs, led by the infamous Quantrell, and
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HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
disguised in Federal uniforms. After a brave but ineffectual resistance, the escort of sixty-five gave way, while Company I held its ground, and the fiendish pursuers slew them without mercy. A number were killed after their surrender, and the bodies burned. Among the number killed, was A. W. Farr, quartermaster of the regiment.
The Fourth Cavalry was in charge of Lieut .- Col. Bailey on the 1st of August, 1863, having been changed from an infantry to a cavalry regiment. After the organization, it was actively engaged in scouting, picketing, and foraging in the vicinity of Baton Rouge, but took no part in pitched battles. On Col. Boardman's arrival, he made a reconnoissance of the country ; and Lieut. Earll, with a small party, captured seventeen of the enemy. During the fall and winter of 1863-64, their operations were chiefly in the country lying between the Comite, Amite, and Mississippi River.
The thirteen batteries of artillery, and four of heavy artillery, performed excellent and valuable services during the year .. The limits of this volume must be our apology for not noticing many of the prominent engagements or actions in: which they participated. Full justice has been done to these artillery and infantry companies in the two Military His- tories of Wisconsin, to which the reader is referred for further. details.
CHAPTER XLVIII.
ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. LEWIS.
Events of 1864 -Legislation - War Measures - Military Operations within the State.
THE term of the newly-elected State officers commenced on Monday, Jan. 4, 1864 ; at which time Gov. Salomon resigned the duties of his position to his successor, Hon. James T. Lewis of Columbia County. At the hour of twelve, M., on that day, the oath of office was administered in the Assembly Hall to such State officers as were in the city, by Hon. Luther S. Dixon, chief justice of the Supreme Court. A considerable number of ladies and gentlemen were present to witness the ceremony. Immediately after taking the oath of office, Gov. Lewis delivered a brief and patriotic inaugural address. At its close, a salute of fifteen guns was fired in the park by the gunner.
In consequence of the blockade of the railroads by snow- drifts, Lieut .- Gov. Spooner; Attorney-Gen. Smith, Bank Comp- troller Ramsay, and State-prison Commissioner Cordier, were not present. Gov. Salomon was also absent, having gone to Milwaukee prior to the 1st of January, and was not able to return on account of the snow-drifts.
In his inaugural address, Gov. Lewis pledged himself to use no patronage for a re-election, to administer the government without prejudice or partiality, to observe economy, to promote agriculture and the arts, to inculcate morality, to foster educa- tion and benevolence, and emphatically to employ all his executive power to suppress the Rebellion, and terminate the war.
Having previously served as lieutenant-governor and secre-
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ROSSCUP & WEST-SC.EHR. A.
HON. NATHAN MYRICK.
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HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
tary of State, he was well acquainted with the duties of his new office, and entered upon it with ease and vigor.
The seventeenth session of the State legislature convened Jan. 13, 1864, and adjourned April 4, 1864, holding a session of eighty-three days.
The senate, after the usual preliminaries of presenting cre- dentials, and taking the oath of office, by the new members, was organized by Hon. Wyman Spooner, lieutenant-governor, taking his seat as president, and the election of Frank M. Stewart as chief clerk, and Nelson Williams as sergeant-at- arms ; and, in the assembly, W. W. Field was elected speaker, John S. Dean chief clerk, and A. M. Thomson sergeant-at- arms.
The governor, in his first annual message, gives condensed statements of the different funds of the State, and a synopsis of the reports of the State officers and State institutions, from which a few extracts are taken. The receipts into the general fund during the previous fiscal year was 8850,376.12. The balance remaining in the fund at the close of this fiscal year, after paying all demands against it, was $205,958.61. The receipts of the school-fund were 8292,423.51. The whole amount of State indebtedness on the 1st of January, 1864, was $1,775,000. The debt was created pursuant to provisions of law by the issue of State bonds and certificates of indebted- ness.
The amount paid to families of volunteers from the com- mencement of the war to Jan. 1, 1864, was 81,197,044.70 ; amount paid on United States tax, 8441,735.37 ; amount paid on Capitol enlargement, $100,000; amount advanced by the State for boarding and equipping soldiers, caring for the sick, and other war expenses not enumerated, 8200,000.
The whole number of persons in the State between the ages of four and twenty years was 320,965. Number of school- districts, 4,768; value of schoolhouses, 81,326,753 ; whole amount raised for teachers' wages, 8334,446.85; total tax for school-purposes, 8679,000,000. Number of banks doing busi- ness Oct. 1, 1862, 65 ; aggregate capital, 83,298,000; number of banks Oct. 1. 1863, 68 ; aggregate capital, 83,488,000; receipts into the State treasury on account of all funds during the year,
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HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
82,658,095.08 ; and disbursements, 82,602,386.25. Number of patients in the Insane Hospital, 188 ; admitted during the year, 123 ; appropriations for the institution, $38,790.90. Pupils in Deaf and Dumb Institution, 78; expenditures for the institu- tion, 1863, 812,683.81. Pupils in Blind Institution in 1863, 54 ; expenditures for the institution, $13,848.13. Convicts in State-prison, 116; expenses of prison, 835,920.54, with an indebtedness of 89,255.48.
The governor recommended the continuance of a generous policy by the State for her citizens in the army and their families at home. Hle recommended the completion of the south wing of the Capitol (the cost not to exceed thirty thou- sand dollars), the immediate selection of the Agricultural College Lands donated to the State by the General Government, the encouragement of the mining and agricultural interests of the State, and suggested the propriety of further legislation for the maintenance of the purity of the ballot-box.
Of this session of the legislature, one writer says, -
" It was one of the most intelligent and harmonious public bodies that ever convened in the State. There was less political discussion, and fewer exhibitions of party feeling, than we have witnessed in any previous legis- lature. The measure which excited most public interest was the pro rata bill. It failed to pass. Its death, however, was not solely attributable to railroad opposition. As the subject was discussed, quite a powerful hos- tility was developed from sections of the State interested in unfinished or projected railroads, and from the districts of the State lying upon portions of completed railways distant from the markets. These found, that, under a pro rata bill, their freights were likely to be increased : the others feared the bill would retard and discourage the building of roads. The agitation of the subject, however, will not be without beneficial results. Its effect will be to restrain the railroads from adopting exorbitant tariffs, and will exert a wholesome influence, and may render legislation uunecessary."
Among the acts of a general nature passed at this session, except those relative to the war of the rebellion, which will be referred to hereafter, were, an act to provide for continuing the work on the State Capitol, by which the State Board of Build- ing Commissioners were authorized to contract for the comple- tion of the south wing of the Capitol (except the finishing of the basement), and for the completion of the centre part and rotunda, up to the top of the roof of the east and west wings,
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HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
to be completed before the thirty-first day of December, 1864 (the sum of sixty thousand dollars was appropriated for the same); an act granting pre-emption rights to occupants of swamp and overflowed lands, to establish lumber districts, and to regulate the traffic in logs, timber, and lumber, in said districts ; an act to guard against the abuse of the elective franchise, and to preserve the purity of electors by a registra- tion of electors ; and an act to provide for levying a State tax for the year 1864, of two hundred and thirty-five thousand dollars.
The following acts passed were relative to military matters : three acts to authorize towns, cities, and villages to raise money by tax for the payment of bounties to volunteers, and to pro- vide for levying and collecting the same; an act revising, amending, and consolidating all laws relative to extra pay to Wisconsin soldiers in the service of the United States ; provid- ing for the relief of families; providing for the proper recep- tion, by the State of Wisconsin, of volunteers returning from the field, or service of the United States (under this law, veteran regiments returning home on furlough, or regiments returning on expiration of term of service, were received and entertained by the State authorities) ; an act repealing the law relative to allotment commissioners ; to authorize the governor to purchase flags for regiments or batteries whose flags were lost or destroyed in service; an act amending the law suspending the sale of lands mortgaged to the State, or held by volunteers, so as to apply to drafted men ; providing for levying a State tax of two hundred thousand dollars for the support of families of the volunteers ; authorizing the governor to take care of the sick and wounded soldiers, and appropriating ten thousand dollars for that purpose ; two acts authorizing the borrowing of money for repelling invasion, suppressing insurrection, and defending the State in time of war, - one for three hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and the other for three hundred thousand dollars ; an act prohibiting the taking of fees for pro- curing volunteers extra bounty ; an act defining the residence of certain soldiers from this State in the service of the United States, who had received local bounties from towns other than their proper place of residence. To summarize : forty-three
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HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
jaws were amendatory to general laws; twenty-one amending private and local laws; eighteen amending the Revised Stat- utes ; eighty-five authorizing towns to pay bounties to soldiers ; ten charters for bridge; thirty relative to courts ; twenty-two conferring certain powers and duties on the governor ; sixty- three legalizing bounty-tax proceedings ; thirty-three conferring powers and duties on the secretary of state ; thirty, same on state treasurer ; and a large number of appropriations and other bills. On the 18th of February, 1864, Gov. Lewis sent to the legis- lature a message, and a document from W. Y. Selleck, military agent of Wisconsin, at Washington, D.C., in reference to the establishment of a soldiers' national cemetery at Gettysburg, stating that the governors of the various States which had lost at that battle took a deep interest in the undertaking. A meeting of the governors was subsequently had, and a plan of association formed. The legislature of Wisconsin, in aid of this organization, appropriated the sum of 83,523. On the 1st of February, Pres. Lincoln issued a call for five hundred thousand volunteers, which was to be considered as including the three hundred thousand called for on the 17th of October, 1863. At the beginning of the year, the system of extra bounties by towns gave great impetus to recruiting for old and new organizations ; so that no draft under the calls of Feb. 1 and March 14 was necessary. The history of the organization of new regiments will be noticed hereafter.
On the 21st of April, a proposition was made to the Presi- dent by the executives of the States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin, tendering for extra service eighty-five thousand troops for the term of one hundred days; the organ- izations to be governed by the regulations of the war depart- ment. This proposition was accepted ; and Gov. Lewis pro- ceeded at once to issue orders to carry out the arrangement. The Thirty-ninth, Fortieth, and Forty-first Regiments were organized, and left the State in the middle of June for Mem- phis, Tenn. On the 18th of July, Pres. Lincoln called for five hundred thousand volunteers for one, two, and three years' service. The quota of Wisconsin was given as 19,032. There being a difference of opinion as to the number of troops re- quired from this State, Adj .- Gen. Gaylord proceeded to Wash-
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HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
ington to consult with the authorities on the subject. He succeeded in bringing the quota to 15,341, being less 3,691 than the quota first required. On the 14th of September, the governor was authorized to organize eight companies to com- plete the First Regiment of Heavy Artillery. The companies were soon full, and were en route for the field before Nov. 12. The quota of the State not being filled by volunteering, a draft took place on the 19th of September, which resulted as follows: total number subject to draft, 94,068; number drafted, 17,534; mustered in, 2,494 ; substitutes after draft, 945; discharged after draft, 6,724; failed to report, 7,367; paid commutation, 4 ; amount of commutation, 81,200.
Inte
CROSSCUP & WEST-SC. PHILA
LYMAN C. DRAPER, LL.D.
CHAPTER XLIX,
WISCONSIN'S WAR RECORD.
Events of 1864- Regimental History -Sketches of the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh Regi- ments -Their Operations in 1864.
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