History of Dane County, Wisconsin, Part 93

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899; Western Historical Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Company
Number of Pages: 1304

USA > Wisconsin > Dane County > History of Dane County, Wisconsin > Part 93

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Said the Regents of the University, in their report for the fiscal year ending the 30th of September, 1863: "The war, which has called away from the State so large a proportion of

622

HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

our enterprising young men, who, if at home, would be found in seminaries of learning, has continued to affect unfavorably the attendance upon the college courses of study." They added what seems now almost a prophecy : " When the final triumph of the Government and the con- clusive suppression of the rebellion shall again give peace to the country, there is reason to be- lieve that multitudes of young men now in the army will be found seeking the benefits of a liberal education. It will be the duty and the aim of the board, in the meantime, to place and keep the university in such a condition as will enable it to do its part of the work which will then devolve upon the higher institutions of learning."

By the end of June, 1862, seventeen of the Alumni of the university-there were forty- one in all-had joined the Union forces to war against secession : B. C. Slaughter, of the class of 1856; S. W. Botkin, T. D. Coryell and Charles Fairchild, of the class of 1857; R. W. Hubbell and W. F. Vilas, of the class of 1858 ; A. C. Botkin, S. Fallows and Edwin Marsh, of the class of 1859; W. P. Powers, J. E. Sutton, L. M. Comins and F. T. Starkweather, of the class of 1860 ; H. Vilas, W. W. Church, A. Gillett and M. Leahey, of the class of 1861; and the last named also, of the class of 1862. At the close of the war, the whole number of graduates, excluding the class of 1865, was fifty. Of these, twenty-five had joined the army. Just one-half, therefore, of the Alumni of the University of Wisconsin took part in that terrible conflict of arms between the two sections of our country.

The university was represented, of course, on many battle-fields during the war. Wherever their lots were cast, her sons reflected honor upon the institution. Some rose to high positions ; some sank to early and distant graves. " They all fought the good fight; they kept the faith.'

Bounty .- The amount of bounty paid by the several towns in Dane County (omitting Dane, Dunkirk and Vienna) was as follows :

TOWNS.

AMOUNT.

TOWNS.

AMOUNT.

Albion

$14,307 12

Middleton

.. $23,340 66

Berry

10,550 00

Montrose.

12,542 00

Black Earth

10,090 31

Oregon.

15,300 00

Blooming Grove.

14,565 83

Perry.

5,400 00

Blue Mounds

7,289 81

Pleasant Springs

14,772 61

Bristol

16,585 57

Primrose

12,837 51

Burke

17,808 00

Roxbury

21,976 15

Christiana

24,787 00

Rutland.

14,200 00

Cottage Grove.

23,727 00

Springfield

24,540 00

Cross Plains

15,367 02

Springdale.

7,693 24

Deerfield

6,262 00

Sun Prairie.

10,836 00

Dunn.

17,540 36

Vermont

5,377 74

Fitchburg

20,467 00

Verona

11,300 00

Madison.

7,613 19

Westport

22,900 00

Mazomanie

10,915 00

Windsor.

15,330 .00

Medina.

18,336 00

York

18,454 66

Scraps of War History .- 1861, March. Judge J. P. Atwood was chosen Captain of the Governor's Guard, and Lucius Fairchild First Lieutenant, to fill the vacancies occasioned by the resignation of Capt. George P. Delaplaine and Lieut. Haskell. D. C. Poole was elected Second Lieutenant to fill the vacancy caused by the promotion of Mr. Fairchild.

April .- The recent news of war from the south, kindled anew the patriotic feelings of the people. The stars and stripes waved over the capitol in Madison, while the most intense feeling prevailed. The Governor's Guard and the Madison Guard appeared on parade. Gov. Randall issued a proclamation calling on the State for volunteers. The services of the Madison Guard, under command of Capt. George E. Bryant, were accepted by the State government. The Governor's Guard, under command of Judge J. P. Atwood, tendered their services for the war, and were accepted. The Legislature adjourned April 17; members and outsiders united in singing the "Star-Spangled Banner," and all gave nine cheers for the Union. An enthusiastic meeting of 1,500 people was held in Madison, for the purpose of adopting measures to provide for the support of the families of the volunteers. The amount subscribed was $7,890. Gov. Randall commissioned J. F. Randolph, First Lieutenant, to raise a new company for the second

623

HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

or reserved regiment. The Freshman Class of the University held a class meeting, and bade farewell to four of their mates-Pliny Norcross, James M. Bull, Henry D. Smith and Edward G. Miller. Commission was issued to L. J. Dixon, of Madison, as Surgeon, with orders to report to Col. Starkweather immediately.

May .- William Hawley was elected Captain of the Dane County Volunteers, who unani- mously agreed to enlist for three years, or during the war. An extra session of the Legislature was called ; a military company composed of members of the Legislature was organized -- Captain, H. W. Emery ; First Lieutenant, Amasa Cobb. From the 18th of April to the 18th of May, eighty-nine companies of volunteers tendered their services to the Government. Col. Ellsworth was assassinated. He spent some time in Madison in 1858, giving the Dane cavalry their first instructions in drill.

June .- The Governor commissioned Hoel K. Lawrence Assistant Quartermaster General, with rank of Colonel. The ladies of Madison prepared a feast of good things for the 1,000 men at Camp Randall. Col. Coon expressed confidence that they would never have occasion to regret their generous manifestation, or have reason to be ashamed of the Second Regiment. The Colonel closed by proposing three times three for the ladies of Madison, who had provided the entertainment, which were given with a refreshing heartiness. Capt. McIntyre completed the mustering-in of the men of the Second Regiment. Only five men were ruled out, and these on account of exceeding the age prescribed, or for physical defects. James D. Ruggles was com- missioned Quartermaster of the Second Regiment. The Dane County Guards, Capt. Hawley, left for Fond du Lac. Paymaster General Simeon Mills paid off the soldiers of the Second Regiment on the 17th. Letters were received from enthusiastic members of the First Regiment, giving an account of their reception at different points on the way to Chambersburg. The Second Wisconsin left Madison on special trains, the 20th, for Chicago, thence to Harrisburg. The ladies of Madison furnished the regiment with a beautiful silk flag. George P. Delaplaine, of Madison, was commissioned Engineer in Chief of Wisconsin State Militia, with rank of Brigadier General. Dominic Hastreiter, of Madison, was appointed Captain of the State Militia, with authority to enlist a company without expense to the State until called into service. The Fifth and Sixth Regiments were stationed at Camp Randall.

July .- Camp Record, the title of a small sheet printed and published in Hagerstown, Md., by the First Regiment of Wisconsin Volunteers, with the motto of " Head of column, forward !" was received at Madison. On the 4th day of July, the two regiments stationed at Fort Randall marched four abreast, and 2,000 strong in the procession. The officers and employes of the State Hospital for the Insane raised, with appropriate ceremonies, a very handsome flag on the 4th. The First Regiment shed her first blood in defense of the Union, in the fight at Williamsport, Va. One ball struck the musket of John Sumner, of Company K, and cut the stock in two. The regiment had one man killed-Drake, of Company A ; one man mortally wounded- Sergeant Graham, of Company B ; Corporal Hutching was disabled, and four others wounded. The regimental colors, when Corporal Hutching was disabled, were immediately taken up and borne by Corporal Sabin, of the Governor's Guard. The Madison boys were conspicuous in the first brush, and proved themselves equal to the emergency. Commissions were issued in Madi- son to Cassius Fairchild and N. B. Van Slyke, as Aids to the Commander in Chief, with the rank of Colonel ; to William A. Mears as Assistant Quartermaster General ; to George B. Smith as Governor's Aid, with rank of Colonel. A supper given by the ladies of Dane County to the Fifth and Sixth Regiments, at Camp Randall, was an immense success. There were 6,000 present. The stores and shops in the city were closed at 4 o'clock, that all might enjoy the amusements of the day. The Fifth Wisconsin Regiment, Col. Amasa Cobb, struck tents at Camp Randall,' July 24, and started for Washington. The Fifth was escorted to the cars from camp by the Sixth Regiment. They marched out of camp to the tune of " The Girl I Left Behind Me." The Sixth Regiment left the 29th ; they were in excellent spirits. The regiment, exclusive of field officers, numbered 1,034 men.

624

HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

August. - Dr. A. J. Ward was appointed Surgeon of the Second Wisconsin Regiment, the position being vacant in consequence of the capture of Surgeon Lewis. On the afternoon train of the 23d, a portion of the Madison companies belonging to the First Wisconsin Regiment, about 85 men in all, returned. Almost the whole population of the city went out to welcome them home. After an excellent dinner at the depot, they were escorted to the park by Company B of the Governor's Guard, and by the Fire Companies and Turners. The Young America Brass Band furnished music for the occasion. The Governor welcomed them in a speech, and a dance was given them in the evening at the Assembly Chamber. Lieut. Meredith, of the Randall Guard, who was wounded at the battle of Bull Run, returned to his home in Madison; he was serenaded by the Stoughton Band, then in the city.

September .- The Eighth Regiment encamped at Camp Randall. The Chippewa Eagles, Capt. Perkins, brought with them a live American eagle. He is a majestic fellow, well-trained and docile, permitting people to pat his regal head and smooth down his feathers without resist- ance. When marching, the eagle is carried at the head of the company, elevated on a perch at the top of a pole. There is in the regiment a man who measures six feet eight inches and a half in height ; he is one of the " sons of Anak," in stature, and the general sentiment 'in the regi- ment points to him as the eagle-bcarer. The first death that occurred at Camp Randall was that of Alfred H. Casson, who died, after a brief illness, of typhoid fever. The company con- tributed from Wisconsin for Col. Berdan's Regiment of Sharpshooters, left Camp Randall for the East, under command of Capt. Alexander. Gov. Randall commissioned Capt. Geo. E. Bryant, late of the Madison Guards, First Wisconsin Regiment, as Colonel of the Twelfth Regiment.

October .- The Eighth Regiment left Camp Randall for St. Louis the 12th. A sword was presented to Quartermaster Andrew Sexton, of the Twelfth Regiment, by the Madison Typo- graphical Union. Edwin L. Reed, Company H, Second Wisconsin Regiment, son of L. T. Reed, of Stoughton, Dane County, was sick, and in the General Hospital at Washington. 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 expostulated, but without effect. The " double quick," at Blackburn's Ford, Thursday, July 18, 1861, 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 Sunday. At 4 o'clock, Monday morning, July 22, dis- covering 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.

November .- The members of Fire Company No. 1 presented a handsome sword to Quarter- master Charles G. Mayers, of the Eleventh Regiment. This regiment, largely made up of citizens of Dane County, started for the war. Thanksgiving Day at Camp Randall was observed. Messrs. Dutcher & McGonigal furnished 1,500 pounds of turkeys and chickens, which were served smoking hot, accompanied by extras. Hans Borchsenius was appointed Adjutant of the Fifteenth Regiment, with rank of First Lieutenant.

A box of supplies was forwarded to the Eighth and Eleventh Regiments Wisconsin Volun- teers, in Missouri, by the Ladies' Aid Society of Madison, Mrs. L. P. Harvey, President. The company officers of the Twelfth Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers presented Mrs. Bryant, the wife of the Colonel of that regiment with a silver pitcher and goblet; 3,000 Belgian rifles arrived in Madison, making in all 8,000 of these rifles that have been received by the State. William T. Allen, a grandson of Ethan Allen, enlisted at Camp Randall in the Sixteenth Wisconsin Regiment.

1862, January .- The Twelfth Regiment left Camp Randall for Dixie's Land. Henry Stock was commissioned Second Lieutenant, Company B, Ninth Regiment.

February .- Gov. Harvey presented, on the 22d, the National and State colors to the Fif- teenth and Sixteenth Regiments.

625

HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

March .- The Fifteenth Regiment started for the war, called the Scandinavian Regiment, Col. Heg. The Sixteenth also left Camp Randall ; it numbered at the time of its departure, 1,070 men. The last companies of the Irish Regiment, Seventeenth, started on the 22d.

April .- Under the direction of N. B. Van Slyke, of the United States Quartermaster's Office, a force of some fifty men commenced work at Camp Randall, superintended by M. E. Fuller and J. C. Pickard, in getting the barracks and grounds there in readiness for the recep- tion of prisoners. Among the severely wounded at the battle of Pittsburg Landing, on the 16th, was Lieut. Col. Cassius Fairchild. Gov. Louis P. Harvey was drowned; he lost his life in endeavoring to save the lives and alleviate the sufferings of the wounded Wisconsin soldiers. Some seven hundred and fifty "secesh " prisoners were received at Camp Rendall.

May .- The rebel prisoners, who had been well taken care of while here, started for Chicago.

June .- The Nineteenth Wisconsin Regiment left Camp Randall for Washington.

July .- The Ladies' Aid Society sent several boxes of hospital stores to Washington for the relief of sick and wounded Wisconsin soldiers in the hospitals in that city.

August .- D. K. Tenney offered $25 each to the first twelve able-bodied men who should enlist from Dane County in some company to be by him designated, recruiting in Madison for a new regiment. Messrs. A. R. Jones and W. G. Pitman have received recruiting commis- sions, and are actively engaged in getting up a company in this city, to be known as the Capital Guards. Capt. William F. Vilas, for a long time a member of the Governor's Guard, and who

has had command of the Madison Zouaves, is making a thorough canvass in order to fill his company to the maximum number. E. D. Churchill, of Dane County, has a pistol that was taken from a rebel officer in Virginia, who was captured by Henry Lye, a member of the com- pany of Sharpshooters that went from this State who enlisted from this county. Robert Steele, of the town of Dane, Dane County, is getting up a company of recruits for the Twenty-third Regiment. Mr. A. G. Darwin made an offer to all the men in his employ about the railroad who will enlist, to continue half their salaries, ranging from $200 to $600 a year during the war. A prospect of a draft has awakened the whole State to a comprehension of the fact that we are actually engaged in a war, and a determined effort is making in most of the counties to fill up our quota by voluntary enlistment. Old Dane is doing her share. An enthusiastic war meet- ing was held the 13th of this month, in Madison. All the bells of the city were rung, cannons fired, and the drum hand of the Twentieth Regiment stirred up the people with martial music from the front of the capitol. There were a number of men enlisted, and as many pledged different sums of money for the support of their families. Gov. Salomon presented the State colors to the Twentieth Regiment. This regiment, the first one under the new call for troops, left for St. Louis, and thence to the seat of war. Dr. William Hobbins is home on a short visit to his family. Word was received that Lieut. Oakley, of Company K, had lost an arm by a cannon ball. At the battle of Cedar Mountains (Antietam), on the 9th, Capt. William Hawley, of Company K, of the Third Regiment, was wounded in the ankle, and Lieut. T. J. Widvey, of the same company, was taken prisoner. This company went into action with forty-four men, and lost, in killed and wounded, eighteen. In the three days' fight of the 28th to the 30th, at Gainesville and Bull Run, the Iron Brigade suffered severely. The Second Regiment went into the fight with four hundred and thirty men, and lost, in killed, wounded and missing, two hundred and eighty-six. Capt. Julius F. Randolph, of Company H, a well-known and highly respected young man of Madison, was killed, with twelve of his company, and twenty- three wounded.

September .- Old Abe, the war eagle of the Eighth, is reported as in good condition.

October .- Col. George E. Bryant and Adjutant J. K. Proudfit, of the Twelfth Wisconsin, who have been home a few days, join their regiment. Charles G. Mayers, of the Eleventh, is home in good spirits on a short furlough. Col. Cutler, of the Sixth Wisconsin, is spending a few days in Madison. He was wounded at the battle of Gainesville. A letter from Capt. Arm- strong, of the Seventeenth, says that Martin Van Bergen, of Madison, was wounded in the battle

626

HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

of Corinth, but not dangerously. Capt. D. E. Hough, of Company A, Eleventh Regiment, is home on a flying visit.

November .- The Twenty-ninth Regiment left for the war. They were loudly cheered by the Thirtieth, which was drawn up to bid them good-bye. The drafted men from this county came into Madison.

December .- Col. Fairchild left to join his regiment, the Second. Mrs. Harvey's untiring zeal in the cause never flags. No wonder her name is received and she is looked upon as a min- istering angel by the Badger State boys. A few cases of small-pox reported in Camp Randall. The Christmas dinner at the camp for the soldiers, arranged under the auspices of the Ladies' Aid Society, was a success. There was an abundance of "good things." There were contribu- tions from the various towns and societies in the county. The next day the members of the camp unanimously adopted a letter of thanks to the society and those who aided it.

1863. January .- Frank A. Haskell is home on a visit; he passed through the battles of Gainesville, Bull Run No. 2, South Mountain, Antietam and Fredericksburg; had his horse killed under him, his clothes shot through but has not received a single scratch. Dr. McCreary, Assistant Surgeon of the Twenty-fifth Wisconsin, at Camp Randall, acknowledged the receipt from Mrs. B. F. Hopkins, the President of the Soldiers' Aid Society of Madison, of a box of pillows, slippers, wine, etc., for the use of the sick ; also some nicely preserved fruit from Mrs. H. D. Snow, of the city.

February .- The Twenty-fifth Regiment left Camp Randall for Cairo.

March .- J. S. Webster, a member of Berdan's Sharpshooters, arrived home, in Madison, on a short furlough. A Ladies' Union League was organized in Madison. Captain William F. Vilas, of Company A, Twenty-third Regiment, has been commissioned Major of that regiment; Second Lieutenant Henry Vilas was appointed First Lieutenant of Company B, Twenty-third Regiment. Mr. Mason, Chaplain of the Twelfth Wisconsin Regiment, goes to his regiment after a short furlough, and takes numerous small packages to members of the same regiment from friends. The contract for furnishing rations to the Thirtieth Regiment and recruits that are at Camp Randall, was let to M. E. Fuller. Maj. Hauser, of the Sixth Regiment, delivered at the executive office the old regimental flag of the gallant Sixth, worn and torn and tattered in the fierce conflicts of Gainesville, Bull Run No. 2, South Mountain, Antietam and Fredericksburg. It will be replaced by the Governor with a new flag. W. H. Worthington and A. R. Jones, of the Twenty-third, are home on a short visit.

April .- News was received that S. V. Shipman was wounded. At Whitewater bridge, in the vicinity of Cape Girardeau, on the 24th, Capt. S. V. Shipman, of the First Cavalry, with forty men of his company, was surrounded by rebels, and had either to surrender, or charge through a force of three hundred. They decided on the latter, and started. A deadly fire was opened on them as they advanced, from the front, but the sabres made such havoc among them that the breach was rapidly widened, and in a few minutes the company had cut their way through, and were on their way to the Cape. When nearly through the broken rebel ranks, Capt. Shipman's bridle rein was cut by a bullet, and his horse became unmanageable, when the crowd that had before given way closed around him, and, striking right and left, fighting with both saber and pistol, he fell at last with a dangerous wound. Besides the band of rebels through whom they charged, with hundreds firing at them, they were really surrounded by 3,000, who had four pieces of artillery and 3,000 more troops at some distance. . Capt. Shipman's wound, at first considered fatal, proved very severe, sixty pieces of bone being taken from it at one time, and at last, after months of suffering, left him a cripple for life.

Capt. Shipman was subsequently promoted Colonel. "His charge on the rebels," says Mr. Love, in his "Wisconsin in the War of the Rebellion," " will take rank among the most dar- ing and grand exploits of the war."

The national fast day was generally observed in Madison.

May .- Capt. Theodore Read, of Gen. Sedgwick's Corps, was wounded by a shell in the' shoulder. A letter from B. D. Atwell, of Berdan's Sharpshooters, says that Gen. Sickles com-

627

HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

plimented the regiment warmly for its gallant conduct. Eugene C. Hungerford, formerly a student in the State University, was killed while storming the heights of Fredericksburg; he was First Sergeant of his company, Fifth Wisconsin Volunteers. At a meeting of the Union League, Judge Byron Paine made an excellent speech. Col. Cassius Fairchild, of the Sixteenth Wisconsin, who was severely wounded at the battle of Shiloh, has so far recovered that he returns to his regiment. Lieut. Charles L. Dering, of the Third Regiment, who received a wound at the battle of Cedar Mountain, returns to his regiment.

Frederick Stevens, of Company A, Eleventh Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers, was killed in the fight at Port Gibson. He was a son of George S. Stevens, of Mazomanie. The news that Vicksburg was supposed to be taken caused the people in Madison to rejoice greatly over the good tidings, and at midnight a crowd of solid business men and others dragged the cannon into good position, and it made the welkin ring with the proclamation of the good news.

June .- At the battle of Black River Bridge, Daniel E. Hough, Captain of Company A, Eleventh Regiment, was mortally wounded, and died at the hospital on the 3d. John T. Brad- ley, Color Sergeant of Company G, Eleventh Wisconsin, writes home from near Vicksburg. He says the musketry firing has been so incessant for one week that it sounds no louder than pop- ping corn in a frying-pan would sound at home, but the artillery is deafening. Says Vicksburg is not ours yet, but we will get it some time. Some of the boys find the climate of Dixie, at this season, too warm for overcoats, and have sent them home for safe keeping. Major Hancock, of the Twenty-ninth Regiment, has reached his home in Sun Prairie. He had two horses shot under him and a ball through his thigh, at the battle of Black River Bridge. Fortunately, the ball glanced round the bone and came out, and the wound is doing well. He left his regiment in good condition and spirits, and is confident of the speedy fall of Vicksburg. Lieut. Col. Charles A. Wood, of the Eleventh Regiment, has resigned on account of ill health, and arrived in Madison. He has been in active service through the whole campaign up the Big Black River and in the rear of Vicksburg. Like all others who have been on the ground, he feels perfectly confident of the speedy capture of that stronghold. A returned soldier who was on the field of battle at Milliken's Bend, the next morning after the fight between the rebels and the negro regi- ment at that point, confirms what has been reported through the newspapers of the desperate fighting done by the blacks on that occasion. The dead were still lying on the field unburied, and he saw a rebel and a negro soldier lying together, each with his bayonet thrust through the body of his opponent.

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History of Dane County, Wisconsin, Part 93

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899; Western Historical Co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Company Number of Pages: 1304

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899; Western Historical Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Company
Number of Pages: 1304