USA > Wisconsin > Eau Claire County > History of Eau Claire county, Wisconsin, past and present; including an account of the cities, towns and villages of the county > Part 24
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August 12 Laneaster's Battery was ordered to the front to shell the enemy's works. The infantry could not have taken the works by assault, owing to the deep ravines and steep hills. In order to get a position for firing, the artillery was compelled to come out into full view of the Spanish works on the crest of the mountains. The Spanish artillery fired on the battery as it
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was advanced up the road, but with little effect. Later the Spanish gunners directed their fire towards the Wisconsin troops. One shell burst in the midst of L Company, killing Corporal Oscar R. Swanson and Private Fred Vought, and wounding Cor- poral Yanke and Private Buntz.
A few moments later the Spanish again opened on Lancaster's men and held them under a heavy fire. Owing to their better position the Spaniards could fire upon the Wisconsin line with small arms, but the elevation made the small arms fire of the Americans ineffective. The fire of Lancaster's guns was well directed and Spanish infantry could be seen leaving their posi- tions and retiring to stronger works in the rear.
At length the Spanish guns became silent and the battery moved further up the road with F Company as support. They had advanced but a short way when they encountered a storm of rifle bullets from the infantry and shells from the big guns, and were compelled to fall back. The Spanish Infantry had left their entrenchment and concealed themselves in a banana field where it was almost impossible to discern them. This ended the direct attack on Aibonito Pass.
It had been disclosed the Spanish position was such it could not be carried by a direct attack, and General James II. Wilson, commanding the division, directed an attack be made by going through the mountains. A mule pack train was assigned to the Third for carrying ammunition and rations and the command was ordered to prepare to take a trail up through the moun- tains, drive the enemy out of Aibonito and capture the pass and the city.
On the evening of August 12, Colonel Moore called his officers together and informed them of the work laid out for them on the next day. All appreciated the movement would be a hard one and probably result in considerable loss. Colonel Moore spoke of the honor conferred upon the regiment by General Wilson in designating it to lead the advance. To Major George and his battalion he assigned the honor of opening the way. Captain Ballard, E, and Captain Kinney, of C Company, were designated by Major George to lead the advance, with Companies I and H in support and reserve. Just before the officers' meet- ing was dismissed Colonel Moore suggested all write letters home. Saturday, August 13, everything was made ready for the ad- vance on Aibonito. The regiment was in column of fours on the road and was waiting only for the pack train to form. Officers in charge of the train reported they would be in position within
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five minutes, but before the five minutes had passed, a staff officer from headquarters directed Colonel Moore to withhold the march until further orders. The regiment was held in readi- ness to move at any moment. At about 2:30 came information of the signing of the protocol and that further movement was suspended for the time being.
Officers and men alike were much disappointed. They had made ready again for a movement which was cancelled. Later in the afternoon, to give the men something to do, Colonel Moore marched up the road some half a mile and established a new camp, where the regiment remained for several weeks.
The signing of the protocol on August 13, instead of a week later, prevented an interesting bit of history being made.
On August 31, Wednesday, occurred the death of George Edwards, Quartermaster Sergeant of H Company, Menomonie. Sergeant Edwards had formerly been a member of E Company and had many friends among the Eau Claire boys.
The month of September was spent in the camp just north of Coamo. There was little happening of a nature to stimulate activity and much sickness developed. Colonel Moore and the medical department made every effort to keep the camp sanitary and officers looked closely after the habits of their men with a view to preventing illness. The lack of something to do induced homesickness and the malaria and typhoid quickly followed. The following table is taken from Captain Emanuel Rossiter's story of I Company. The figures, while not official, were gathered from reliable sources and are approximately correct :
September 13-
126 men sick in hospital.
200 men sick in quarters.
128 men sick in other places.
September 19- 138 men siek in hospital. 413 men sick in quarters. 148 men sick in other places. 18 men left this day. 12 men died in Porto Rico.
Officers and men were afflicted alike. For several weeks the number of officers available for duty was reduced to such a point that Lieutenant Cousins, acting regimental adjutant, and Lieu- tenant Smith, of I Company, who had been placed in command of F Company, alternated on serving as officer of the day. This detail was in addition to their other duties and there was no officer of the guard. Colonel Moore wished to help out by taking his regular turn as officer of the day, but this the two Lieutenants
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HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
would not permit and they were tough enough to handle the situation between them.
On September 3, Father Sherman, a Jesuit priest, a son of General William T. Sherman, paid the regiment a visit and was entertained at the officer's mess. He was an old friend of the Third, having visited at the Camp Douglas Reservation.
On September 9 a second member of E Company passed to the great beyond. Corporal Sumner P. Bartlett died in the hospital at one o'clock in the morning. He had been taken to the hos- pital several days before. Corporal Bartlett had been a member of the company when it was first organized, but had been out of the service for several years when President MeKinley sounded the eall to the colors. He was a good soldier and popular with his officers and comrades. At four o'clock in the afternoon of the day of his death his remains were conveyed to the govern- ment cemetery, where they were deposited with military honors. In addition to members of his own company several men of other companies attended the services, showing his cheerful disposition and nature had made for him friends among the men from other towns.
Sergeant Major MeCall was discharged by order of the War Department on September 10, and Colonel Moore at once ap- pointed Samuel E. Grout of Eau Claire to that position. He had been Battalion Sergeant Major of Major George's battalion and in addition to that duty had acted as Commissary Sergeant a large part of the time. The appointment of Sergeant Grout was a most deserving recognition of his able and conscientious serv- ices. When the call came for troops in April he was attending the medical department of the University of Minnesota and came on to Camp Harvey from there. He laeked but a year of com- pleting his eourse but was informed by the faculty leave would be granted him and every opportunity given on his return to complete his studies. Sergeant Grout was of great assistance to the surgeons in their work and his spare time was put in at the hospital or among the siek in quarters. His appointment as Sergeant Major was a popular one with the men, who had for him love, admiration and respect. He is at present practicing his profession in Alabama and has built up a fine practice and reputation.
On Sunday, September 11, just after noonday mess, eame a telegram from General Brooke at a point on the northern coast, advising a terrible hurricane was coming towards Coamo. This news broke the monotony of the life the regiment was leading.
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SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR
All hands turned their eyes in the direction of the north and waited with calmness the possible destruction. If the hurricane was coming they would have to take it on open ground, as the camp was not provided with cyclone cellars. Nothing, however, occurred, further than a brisk wind and heavy shower.
September 12, General Ernst, brigade commander, issued an order fixing the price of provisions as follows:
Eggs, each 4c
Milk, per quart.
8c
Chickens, according to size 10 to 20c
Melons 15e
Bananas, small, 14c ; large
Oranges, per hundred. 30€
On the 13th, guard details were reduced to 22 non-commis- sioned officers and 69 privates. For some days 24 non-commis- sioned officers and 93 privates had been required. Twenty-seven men were detailed for duty at hospitals to assist the regular hospital corps of men in caring for the sick.
September 19, the regiment received pay and Major M. R. Doyan had a long and busy day. His money, mostly in crisp new bills, was carried in three iron chests. The amount he carried was one hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars.
Tuesday, September 20, notice was received of the third death in E Company, that of Private Dwight (. Brace, which occurred in the hospital at Ponce on September 17. Private Brace was highly esteemed by his officers and comrades. Frequently he had attended to paper work in the company. He possessed consider- able talent as a caricaturist, handling the pencil or crayon with much skill.
Adjutant Consins, in response to a request from the Secretary of War, cabled the strength of the regiment for duty on this day was 617. In this list B and A Companies rank first, with 68 and 67 men, respectively, and F and L Companies last with 36 and 37, respectively.
September 23 a detail of ten men from E Company was sent to Barranquitas, a small town about nine miles as the crow flies from Coamo. By road it is a little longer. This detachment was there until October 17, and had an interesting tour of duty. Cor- poral Atkinson recalls many pleasant hours spent in the company of an old school master from whom he heard many interesting stories and traditions of the island.
On the 27th came orders to march on San Juan on the 29th.
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HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
This news worked a miracle with those who were on the sick report. Many men suffering from malaria and who could searcely more than walk pulled themselves together and reported to their company commanders they were again fit for service. Later in the day came the disappointing news the order had been reseinded, but on September 30 orders were again issned to prepare for the march. Adjutant Cousins cabled the War Department the strength of the regiment was 534 on this date.
Sunday morning, October 2, the regiment was on military road, advancing on San Juan. About ten-thirty the column passed through Aibonito Pass. This was where the Spaniards had expected to make their stand and it was at this point the regiment lost men in August. The sick of the regiment were left behind at Coamo with Major George in command. He was also placed in command of the sick of the Sixteenth Pennsylvania and of the battery.
The animals of the command were spared as much as possible owing to lack of proper forage. No oats had been issued for some days and no hay. Horses and mules alike had to feed on corn and freshly cut grass. This forage was much too heating for the labors they had to perform. Many of the mounted officers walked a good part of the distance to save their horses. Thirty bull teams had been issued to the regiment on September 29 and these were used to help out the mules. The march was along the finely constructed military road and beautiful scenery was disclosed as the column wound in and about the mountain side.
October 3 the regiment was again on the march. The health and spirits of the men were revived by the movement and the scheduled day's march was covered before noon. The men re- quested their captains to ask Colonel Moore to continue the march and this request was granted. The regiment covered two days' scheduled mareh in one. About seven-thirty in the morning the column crossed over the divide. The camp was made a mile and one-half north of Cayey in a field covered with a beautiful turf, but soft and wet owing to the severe rains.
October 4 and 5 was spent in the camp at Cayey. On the 5th the regiment was paid off by Major J. C. Muhlenberg.
October 6, very much to the disgust of the command, orders came direeting the regiment to turn back and march to Ponce. Over one-half of the distance from Ponce to San Juan had been covered and the road to San Juan was down grade. Reveille was sounded at four o'clock and in a heavy rain the camp was broken and march begun. Nearly all the way to Aibonito the rain came
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SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR
down. Canvas was in such condition it could not be used. Adju- tant Cousins took possession of the old barracks, a large wooden building, and under this covering the regiment passed the night.
On the 7th the march was continued to Coamo and buildings were again used here. October 8, marched from Coamo to Juan Diaz. On the 9th, Sunday, the regiment reached Ponce. For the first time in many days there was no rain. Four rivers were forded with difficulty owing to flooded condition. The regiment moved into the already made camp of the Nineteenth Regular Infantry. They had been withdrawn to the barracks. The canvas was new and tents provided with floors. The camp was beautifully located on the bank of the river abont two miles from Ponce.
General Gny V. Henry was in command at Ponce and on the 11th paid the regiment a visit. He came entirely alone, not even an orderly accompanying him, and insisted on holding his own horse while at regimental headquarters. He impressed the Wis- consin officers most favorably. He showed great interest in the welfare and comfort of the regiment. General Henry had a high reputation as a soldier and his face bore the scars of Indian campaigning.
October 12, Surgeon Major John B. Edwards was taken to the officer's hospital in Ponce from a severe attack of typhoid. He had a long siege of the fever and the regiment came home without him. It was many days after the regiment had sailed before the nurses dared to tell him he had been left behind.
October 16, Senator Thomas B. Mills, of Superior, Wis., made the camp happy by his arrival. Ile had many personal friends in the Eau Claire Company, who joined with the men from Su- perior in extending to him a welcome.
October 17 the steamship Manitoba was assigned to the regi- ment for the trip home.
On the 20th this order was revoked and the Chester assigned. The Chester was a better boat for officers, but not as well equipped for carrying the men. Colonel Moore registered a vigorous pro- test with General Ilenry, which resulted in the order being rescinded and the Manitoba again assigned.
Tuesday, October 18, was "Occupation Day," and the citizens of the city held a grand celebration. Frank Dana's Third In- fantry band, together with three other military bands and the troops quartered in the city, joined in the festivities.
During the night of October 18-19, there occurred an exciting and later amusing event. Some days before this the 47th New
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HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
York had disembarked and were held at the port for several days before going into camp on ground to the west of the camp occupied by the Third Wisconsin. It developed afterwards the men of the regiment, of the 19th infantry and of the regular artillery had devoted their attention to filling the New Yorkers with all kinds of tales of dangers. The New Yorkers had been led to believe they were in constant danger of being sprung upon from ambush and cut to pieces. In the early hours of the night a dummy figure had been set outside the 47th guard line. It had been so arranged long cords would make movements of the legs and arms. Between three and four o'clock a sentry got sight of this figure and challenged, and, receiving no reply, he fired. The sentry on adjoining post came up, challenged and fired. Then came the Corporal, who challenged and fired; fol- lowing him was the relief and at length the entire guard. The firing awoke Colonel Moore and Adjutant Cousins. Supposing something was wrong in the camp of the 47th, either an attack by guerrillas or a mutiny, Jack Hood, of the band, was directed to sound the long roll, and no man living could sound it better than Jack.
In the darkness the men sprang into the ranks in all stages of dress and undress. Notwithstanding their haste, none forgot their rifles, belts and shoes. Some men were even thoughitful enough to strap on their wire cutters, thinking barb wire barriers might be encountered. The Adjutant, in the meantime, was trying to get in connection with the 47th camp and about time firing died down there got the Adjutant of the 47th on the wire and offered Colonel Moore's assistance. This was respectfully but emphatically declined and no explanation given of the firing. After a reasonable interval the men were sent back to their tents. It was well along in the day before the cause of the disturbance was learned. It was not a safe subject to discuss with the 47th New York officers or men.
Friday, October 21, the command was up and astir at four a. m., packing and making ready to take the transport. In good order transportation and regiment passed through the city and arrived at the port in ample season. By five p. m. all were on board. The wagon transportation was left behind by direction of the quartermaster's department. The horses traveled with the regiment and the last of them were loaded about midnight. The boat, however, did not steam out until the next morning, Satur- day, it being contrary to the sailors' habit to sail on a Friday. At nine o'clock on Wednesday, the 26th, the Manitoba arrived
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SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR
off' quarantine New York harbor and anchored for the night. Early the next morning Colonel Moore directed Lientenants Holway, Williams and Cousins to go ashore and report the regi- ment at the army headquarters. These officers arranged for the drawing of the warm clothing and the traveling rations for the trip from New York to Wisconsin.
Later in the day of the 27th the Manitoba, having been passed by the quarantine officers and given a clean bill, steamed up to the docks at Weehawken. The boat was still in motion when Governor Scofield came down the dock, accompanied by Edward Mullen, and extended an official welcome. The Governor was heartily cheered by officers and men.
On the 28th, in three special trains, the regiment started for Wisconsin over the West Shore railway. Two sections of this train were pulled into Milwaukee, where the citizens of that city, on October 30, tendered all officers and men a banquet. The other section, carrying the companies from Eau Claire, Neills- ville, Menomonie, Hudson and Superior, pulled through from Chicago, and by night of October 31 all the companies were in their home towns.
A delegation from Ean Claire met the troop train before day- light. Among them were Captain Henry, Hon. William P. Bart- lett and William K. Atkinson. Eau Claire was reached about 9:30, and again at the Omaha station the men received an ovation from the people of Eau Claire.
On November 1 a furlough was granted to all men of the regiment and leave of absence to officers. During this furlough Dr. McDonald, army surgeon, visited the home station of all com- panies to ascertain the health of the command. Dr. McDonald was a favorite with officers and men. He had accompanied the regiment in its march up the mountains, returned with the com- mand to Ponce, and accompanied the regiment to Wisconsin.
Until January it was not known what the Government would decide to do with the regiment. There were reports it might be sent to Philippines and other reports it might be put into some of the Western forts. In the meantime Captain Ballard was busily engaged in preparing the company for muster out or return into active service. In late December the order came for mus- tering out and on January 6, 1899, Captain E. P. Andrus, of the army, arrived in Eau Claire and by midnight of that day E Company had been discharged from the volunteer service.
During the service losses occurred and some men had been transferred to other organizations.
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HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
Three had been lost by death :
Private Charles Eck at Camp Thomas, May 22, 1898.
Corporal Sumner P. Bartlett at Coamo, September 9, 1898. Private Dwight C. Brace at Ponce, September 17, 1898.
By honorable discharge one man had been taken from the rolls :
Private Leonard Loken, September 15, 1898.
Four were transferred to the Hospital Corps, namely :
Privates: Malcolm J. Cernahan.
Alexander S. Morgan. William H. Bruce. Charles E. Day.
All others of the rolls were mustered out Jannary 6, 1899, as above stated.
All through the winter of 1898-1899 many of the men suffered from the effects of the campaign. Some of those who had malaria in their systems still feel the effects of it at times.
On January 14, 1899, the officers of the field and staff and non-commissioned staff were mustered out at Camp Douglas by Colonel Andrus.
The State of Wisconsin at once set about the re-organization of the National Guard and companies in the volunteer service were given an opportunity to re-enter the guard. E Company, of the Third, was the only company in the State which failed to re-organize. Captain Ballard gave the company two opportuni- ties, and on the second failure referred the matter to the Adju- tant General, with the result that B Company, of the Fifth In- fantry, was transferred to the Third Infantry as E Company. Captain Otto H. Kitzman commanded this company and extended an invitation to all the volunteers to enlist, and several of them did so. On the reorganization of the regiment, June 10, 1899, Captain Ballard was commissioned as Major and assigned to the Second Battalion, consisting of Companies C, E, H and I. Mar- shall Cousins was appointed Regimental Adjutant with rank of Captain, and Percy C. Atkinson was appointed Battalion Sergeant Major. On the creation of the office of battalion quartermaster aud commissary, he was promoted to that position with rank of Second Lieutenant, and at a little later date was again promoted to Battalion Adjutant, with rank of First Lieutenant.
Marshall Cousins was promoted to grade of Major, December
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14, 1913, and was succeeded by Perey C. Atkinson as Regimental Adjutant on the same date.
Major Ballard continued in the service until April 22, 1908, when he was discharged on account of ill health. The Major died October 15, 1909, and was interred with military honors in Forest Hill cemetery, Eau Claire. A number of the officers of the regiment from adjoining stations were present at the service. Following his retirement from active service a regimental order was issued making the announcement. This order is reproduced, as it gives a biographical sketch of the Major.
General Orders, No. 18.
HEADQUARTERS THIRD INFANTRY
Wisconsin National Guard La Crosse, May 11, 1908
Announcement is hereby made of the retirement, after twenty years of continuous service, of Major Joseph M. Ballard, on April 22, 1908. For some weeks prior to this time his health had rap- idly failed, to the sincere regret of his comrades and friends. Major Ballard's service in the military establishments of the State had been long and honorable, and gained for him a place of dis- tinetion and high regard in the hearts of all with whom he had come in contact.
Previous to his coming to Wisconsin he served in the "Worces- ter Continentals," C Company, Second Infantry, Volunteer Militia of Massachusetts. He became corporal in this company May 7, 1880, and Sergeant December 27, of the same year. A few years later he came to Wisconsin, and when the suggestion was made to organize a military company in his home city of Eau Claire, Joe Ballard was one of the first to respond to the call and be- came president of the civil organization formed to finance the new company. He was active in perfecting the organization. The company was organized in the summer of 1887 as an inde- pendent company, known as the "Griffin Rifles." He was com- missioned First Lieutenant of the company November 14, 1887, having previous to that time served as First Sergeant. On April 20, 1888, the company was mustered into service of the State as E Company, and he was re-commissioned as First Lieutenant in the Wisconsin National Guard. He was promoted to Captain April 15, 1890, and as such entered the volunteer service of the United States May 11, 1898. He served throughout the Porto Rican campaign with credit and honor to his country, his regi-
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ment, his company and himself. E company, under his command, was the first to land at the Port of Ponce July 28, 1898, the day of the surrender of that city by the Spaniards. By direct verbal command of Lieutenant General Miles, Captain Ballard took pos- session of Government Buildings and threw a guard and patrol about the port. On August 9 he took part in the battle of Coamo.
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