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 7
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Captain John E. Perkins hesitated at first about accept- ing such a strange volunteer, but finally agreed to take him to the front.
It was mainly through the sagacity and foresight of R. F. Wilson, an influential resident, who argued "nothing
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EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR
could be better chosen, not even the flag itself, to ensure fame and success," they looked upon it in a favorable light, and after a surgeonlike examination of the eyes, claws, beak, wings and plumage, concluded by a jocose vote to accept "the new recruit from Chippewa." A little flurry ensned about contributions, when S. M. Jeffers, a civilian, purchased the bird for two dollars and a half, and pre- seuted it to the company.
In due time the eagle was sworn into the United States service by putting around his neck red, white and blue ribbons, and on his breast a rosette of the same colors.
James McGinnis craved the privilege of superintending the eagle, to which all tacitly assented.
In a few days he produced quite a respectable perch and two patriotic ladies made some little flags to be carried on each side of him, when on the march; and gay and imposing indeed did he appear as he rode in imperial state beneath those miniature "'stars and stripes" through the principal streets of Eau Claire, inspired by martial music and cheered by the enthusiastic people.
"OLD ABE'S" BATTLES
1861
Fredericktown, Mo. . October 21
1862
New Madrid and Island "10" March and April
Point Pleasant, Mo. March 20
Farmington, Miss. . May 9
Corinth, Miss. May 28
Iuka, Miss. September 12
Burnsville, Miss. .September 13
Iuka, Miss. September 16-18
Corinth, Miss. October 3-4
Tallehatchie, Miss.
December 2
1863
Mississippi Springs, Miss. May 13 Jackson, Miss. May 14
Assault on Vicksburg, Miss. May 22
Mechanicsburg, Miss. June 4
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HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
Richmond, La. June 15
Vicksburg, Miss. June 24
Surrender of Vicksburg July 4
Brownsville, Miss. October 14
1864
Fort Scurry, La. March 13
Fort De Russey, La. March 15
Henderson's Hill, La. March 21
Grand Ecore, La. . April 2
Pleasant Hill, La.
April 8-9
Natchitoches, La.
. April 20
Kane River, La.
April 22
Clouterville and Crane Ilill, La. April 23
Bayou Rapids, La. May 2
Bayou La Monre, La. May 3
Bayou Roberts, La. May 4-6
Moore's Plantation, La. May 8-12
Mansura, La. May 16
Maysville, La. May 17
Calhoun's Plantation, La. May 18
Bayou De Glaise, La. May 18
Lake Chicot, Ark June 6
Hurricane Creek, Miss. August 13
Two battles were fought by the regiment while the eagle and veterans were home on furlough-Carmargo Crossroads, Miss., July 13, and Tupelo, Miss., July 14 and 15.
WAR BEARERS OF THE EAGLE
1. James McGinnis, of Eau Claire, from Sept. 1, 1861, to May 30, 1862.
2. Thomas J. Hill, Eau Claire, from May 30, 1862, to Aug. 18, 1862.
3. David MeLain, of Menomonie, from August, 1862, to October, 1862.
4. Edward Hummaston, of Eau Claire, from October, 1862, to September, 1863.
5. John Buckhardt, of Eau Claire, from September, 1863, to September, 1864.
6. Johu T. Hill, of Ashland, during the journey home, from Memphis to Madison, in September, 1864.
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"ABE'S" PEACE ATTENDANTS
1. John MeFarland, state armorer.
2. Angus R. MeDonald, Eleventh Wisconsin infantry.
3. John G. Stock, Fourth Wisconsin cavalry.
4. E. G. Linderman, Fifth Wisconsin volunteer infantry.
5. William J. Jones, Sixteenth Wisconsin volunteer infantry.
6. George W. Baker, Nineteenth Wisconsin volunteer infantry.
7. I. E. Troan, civilian.
8. John F. Hill, Eighth Wisconsin volunteer infantry.
9. Peter B. Field, civilian.
10. Mark Smith, Seventh Wisconsin volunteer infantry.
11. George Gillies, Second Wisconsin volunteer infantry.
At the close of his war career "Old Abe" was presented by the company to the state and a place was provided for him at the state capitol at Madison, where he was viewed by thousands. He was also taken to various parts of the United States, being in great demand all over. He attended national conventions, was taken to the great cen- tennial at Philadelphia and other noted gatherings, where he was the center of attraction. Space forbids a more detailed history of incidents and anecdotes concerning this famous war bird.
He was adored by the members of the Eagle company and the Eagle regiment and on the field of battle he was always able to locate his regiment and company. The war anecdotes alone in which this bird figured would fill a book. He also attended the regimental reunions.
Toward evening of a cold day in the winter of 1881 a fire started mysteriously in a quantity of paints and oils stored in the basement of the capitol, near Old Abe's large cage. The blaze created an enormous volume of black and offensive smoke. which at once filled the cage to suffocation.
Abe, understanding full well the nature of what was going on around him, sent forth such a scream as had never before been heard in that building. Attendants and watchmen rushed below to learn the cause of the startling outery, and before attacking the flames, opened the door of the perch-room. The eagle, with another piercing screech, swept swiftly out and away from the smudge.
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HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
He seemed to be either frightened or injured by the smoke, for his breast heaved, his heart labored heavily and his plumage was disheveled. Nor was he ever well there- after. He ate sparingly or not at all; his eyes lost their wonderful luster; he sat around in a half-comatose condi- tion for a few days, and on March 26, 1881, with a slight tremor and a few feeble flaps of his wings, expired in the arms of his stout keeper, George Gillies.
George said that Abe seemed to know he was about to die, for when he asked solicitously, "Must we lose you, Abe ?" the old bird raised up his head and looked wistfully into the keeper's face and then sunk back into his arms and passed away. Around him were numbers of one-legged and one-armed veterans whose sad faces showed that they had lost a beloved comrade.
At first the general desire among the soldiers was to have Abe buried in the beautiful Forest Hill cemetery, where rest two hundred Union and one hundred and fifty Confederate dead, with appropriate military ceremonies and under a handsome monument.
The suggestion that the taxidermist's art would pre- serve him to the sight for an indefinite period dispelled those notions, and he was turned over to Major C. G. Mayers, who, after preserving and stuffing the warrior- bird, fixed him firmly to a neat perch as he stood for years in the war museum of the capital.
His mounted body was destroyed in the second capital fire some years later.
Thomas Randall, in his "History of the Chippewa Valley," credits the pioneer lumberman, Stephen S. McCann, as being the man who purchased the eagle from its Indian captor, and this error has been quite generally copied. From extracts given from Rev. Barrett's book it will be seen that it is Daniel McCann to whom this honor belongs. A cousin of mine who visited the Daniel McCann farm in Chippewa county shortly before the eagle was brought to Eau Claire saw it tied to a barrel in the door- yard. Little did he realize how great the fame of this bird was to become. I am furnishing you a picture of Old Abe, the war eagle, also a picture of its Indian captor, also an extract from the old Free Press confirming the circumstances connected with the taking of the young chief's picture.
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DISTINGUISHED VISITORS
(Eau Claire Free Press, Feb. 23, 1865.)
Last Sunday about noon, three Indians of the Flambeau tribe came into town, taking up their temporary abode at the residenee of Rev. J. O. Barrett. Through the courtesy of Theodore Cole- man, editor of the Chippewa Falls Union, Mr. Barrett got traek of these dusky fellows far up in the "big woods," and on the day they touched the nearest point on the Chippewa river, he had them engaged to visit him at the earliest possible date for the purpose of getting information relative to the eagle of the Eighth Wiseonsin, which was captured by one of them in the spring of 1861.
These visitors were none other than part of the royal family. Ah-monse (The Bee), chief of the tribe, and two of his sons, Ogema-wee-gee-zhiek (Chief of the Sky) and Shaw-wau-ko-gee- zhiek (Blue Sky). Ah-monse, the oldest chief of the Chippewa tribe, is a deliberate old man, prudent in his plans and courteous in bearing. The same may be said of the others. He has three other sons, Wau-saa-naa-go-nee-bee (Light), Pee-zhee-kanze and E-squaa-bit (Outside of the Others). Ah-monse stated that many years ago, before white man settled here, he was in a battle with the Sioux, on the west side, near the village of West Eau Claire, and that he there killed "one Indian." Of this he spoke with animated pride. Ogema-wee-gee-zhiek is the Indian who captured the eagle, and from him Mr. Barrett obtained all the information he desired, which is peculiarly interesting. In due time it will appear in his history of the celebrated bird. He seems to be conseious of his importanee, and no doubt will be recognized as sueh by his tribe, as well as by the pale faces who have an affeetion for the American eagle. Arrangements could not be consistently made with these Indians to remain until Monday, so their likenesses were taken on the Sabbath, that of the Eagle Indian intended for a steel engraving for the history. They ean be seen at the Devoe's photograph rooms and are very finely executed.
DEPARTURE OF THE BADGERS (Free Press, Sept. 19, 1861.)
The Eau Claire Badgers took their departure from this place for Madison, preparatory to a campaign in "Seeessia," last Friday morning on board the steamboat Stella Whipple. Nearly every
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HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
community in this county and Chippewa has its representative- a volunteer offering in the cause of patriotism-in the ranks of the company, and this, with the fact that the company is to go off into active service almost immediately, combined to make the occasion one of more than ordinary interest to people of the upper Chippewa valley. The company formed in front of the Eau Claire House about 10 o'clock, and after a little preliminary marching, proceeded to the boat, greeted on the way by cheers and good-byes innumerable. At the boat a large concourse was gathered, and the next half-hour was spent in leave-taking. The scene was truly an effective one. Everybody was busy with the "parting offices" to relatives or friends.
"Shout, sob and greeting, Love's deep devotion constantly meeting,"
marked the passing moments. Hands were shaken time and again, "good-byes" repeated over and over, words of blessing, encouragement, cheer and advice passed reciprocally many times. At last, after repeated impatient importunities from the whistle of the boat, and call after call from the officers, the company was all gotten aboard and the boat slowly left the shore, amid multiplied cheers and parting calls and adjurations, succeeded by waving of hats and handkerchiefs, till the boat rounded the bend and was out of view.
The company, we understand, reached Prairie du Chien on Sunday and probably reached Madison the next day. The passage to Prairie du Chien was attended by many demonstrations and enthusiasm along the river.
Before the completed Badger company had left the village, in the Eau Claire Free Press of September 5, we find the fol- lowing :
"ANOTHER COMPANY
"We hear it rumored that another company will be gotten up here forthwith. The noble response from every direction to fill the Badger ranks demonstrated that another company could be immediately raised. The present company numbers about 100 men, and within six weeks that number can be doubled with the right kind of timely effort. We have fine military ability left yet, and we hope it will come voluntarily into service. Who will come forward and take the initiative?"
In the Free Press of October 10 we find a notice of a war meeting to organize this second company, and in the following
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EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR
issue a statement that the meeting had been held and a good start made. John R. Wheeler, John Kelly, M. E. O'Connell and Malcolmn Reed are named as prime movers in the project.
THE CHIPPEWA VALLEY GUARDS (Free Press, Oct. 31, 1861.)
What an eulogium upon the patriotism of the valley is the fact that such numbers have gone to the wars; and yet the number is rapidly increasing. The Chippewa Valley Guards are daily adding to their numbers, and at the present rate their ranks will soon be complete. The work of recruiting goes on nobly. M. E. O'Connell is drilling the company and is making good headway.
(Free Press, Dec. 5, 1861.)
The members of the Chippewa Valley Guards met on Monday evening and elected, without a dissenting vote, John R. Wheeler as their captain. This is a high and well deserved compliment. Mr. Wheeler has wou the confidence of all the members of his company, and by his energy in getting it np, the admiration of our citizens.
(Free Press, Dec. 19, 1861.)
On Monday evening a grand ball was given at Reed's hall to the Chippewa Valley Guards, at which time a beautiful flag, a gift from the patriotic ladies of Eau Claire, was presented to the company. The hall was crowded to its utmost capacity. At about half past nine o'clock the members of the guards were formed in line by M. E. O'Connell, and after a short exhibition showing what proficiency they had obtained in drilling, were addressed by H. W. Barnes, Esq., in a neat and appropriate presentation speech.
Mr. Porter was called upon to respond for the guards.
The company here gave three rousing cheers for the ladies of Eau Claire. The next morning an immense throng of people gathered to witness the departure of the guards. They marched up to the front of the public building to the tune of "The Girl I Left Behind Me," where blankets were furnished and vehicles were provided for their conveyance to Sparta.
A noticeable feature in the procession was a live eagle. This is the second bird of this kind that has gone to the war from Eau Claire; and his imperial highness seemed to enjoy it hugely.
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HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
Note .-- I find no further mention of this eagle, and do not know his fate. He certainly never attained the fame of Old Abe of the Eighth Wisconsin. W. W. B.
Below we give the names of the men who answered the roll call and took their departure : John R. Wheeler, M. E. O'Connell, Robert Corbett, W. A. Wilcox, O. H. Browning, Edwin Daily, S. W. Jennings, Daniel E. Stevens, Martin Miley, Joseph Monteith, Noah Barnum, Russell Westeott, Patrick Redmond, William H. Mower, R. B. Wall, H. M. Culbertson, Owen McGinnety, Phillip Perry, Jackson P. Long, John McKernon, James Corwin, William Lake, HI. L. Ames, James B. Drew, John Taylor, John M. Jones, Charles C. Fordice, David B. MeCourtie, William Marks, Sanders Cochran, Thomas Megillen, James Smith, James V. Walker, Will- iam Biss, John A. Hieks, James Crawford, John Corbett, Har- rison Beebe, John Kelley, Louis R. Belknap, Andrew Chambers, Lucius P. Robinson, W. W. Bartlett, W. W. Allen, Michael Meegan, J. D. MeViear, Abijah B. Moon, J. W. Clemens, Horace W. Smith, William Sawley, Thomas W. McCauley, P. S. Drew, James Hines, J. B. Vanvieck, Jacob S. Mower, Horace A. Finch, T. S. Kilgore, Thomas Denny, Charles Stewart, William Archer, William H. Pond, John Rounds, James O. Hatch, Charles Rich- ardson, Michael Megillen, Alex MeCloud, John C. Beers, Zachariah C. Riley, Isab Jones.
As was always the case in the recruiting of companies, there are some names to be found on this original list which do not appear in the official roster of the company, showing that these persons were not mustered into service in the company, although some or all of them may have gone out in other companies later on.
Of those enumerated above the following are not found in the official roster of the company: Owen McGinnis, Phillip Perry, James Corwin, James .B. Drew, John Taylor, William Marks, W. W. Allen, Abijah Moon, J. W. Clemens, T. W. MeCauley, T. S. Kilgore, Isab Jones.
On the other hand, the names given constitute but a small part of those who were in this company during its service, as the state roster contains no less than 267 names of members of Company G, Sixteenth Wisconsin Volunteers.
The offices of first and second lieutenant were not filled until the company reached Madison, where, on the 4th of January, 1862, William H. Pond, of Eau Claire, was chosen first lieutenant
CAPT. N. P. GREER
A. C. ELLIS
C. E. BROWN
LIEUT CHARLES BUCKMAN
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EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR
and Cyrus A. Allen, of North Pepin, second lieutenant. M. E. O'Connell, who went out as first sergeant, became second lieu- tenant in September, 1862. The Chippewa Valley Guards became Company G of the Sixteenth Wisconsin, and before the close of. the war Captain Wheeler was promoted to the rank of major.
THE EAU CLAIRE RANGERS
Scarcely was the recruiting of the company known as the Chippewa Valley Guards well begun before a move was made to organize still a third company. Mr. Porter did not consider this a wise move and his feelings are expressed in an editorial under date of Nov. 14, 1861. It may be explained here that the third company was being recruited by A. M. Sherman, and as infantry. It was not until some weeks later that the decision was made to change it to a cavalry company. Although at this time Mr. Porter did not think it possible to recruit two com- panies, and favored the Wheeler company only, still, later when it was demonstrated that both companies could be made up, Mr. Porter heartily complimented Sherman on his energy, persever- ance and success.
(Free Press, Nov. 28, 1861.)
The Eau Claire Rangers, Captain A. M. Sherman, have enlisted forty men at Patch Grove, near Prairie du Chien, and are now accepted in Colonel Washburn's regiment of cavalry, and will proceed at once to winter quarters at Milwaukee, where they are to be furnished with horses, uniforms and equip- ment. Their quarters are said to be comfortable, and attached to them are parade grounds for cavalry drill and a hall for fencing and gymnastic exercises. If the men who have enlisted here come promptly to the scratch the company will leave this place the first week in December. A few more are needed, and as this is the only chance to join cavalry in the northwest, the ranks will undoubtedly be filled at once. We can certainly com- mend the energy of Captain Sherman in succeeding with the company, and the fact is a high and well deserved compliment.
(Free Press, Dec. 1, 1861.)
Captain Sherman's company of cavalry, the Eau Claire Rangers, left this place for Milwaukee Tuesday and Wednesday of last week. Including those that went yesterday it numbered seventy men, and without disparagement to any other we may
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safely say that in point of size and muscular development they were the finest body of men that will probably leave this state.
The following is a list of officers and enlisted men of the rangers : Captain, A. M. Sherman ; first lieutenant, Israel HI. Bur- banks; second lieutenant, Thomas J. Nary ; orderly sergeant, E. J. Meyers; camp quartermaster sergeant, Byron Wells; sergeants, James LeRoy, Pierre Hartman, Benjamin T. Buck, Alex McNaugh- ton ; corporals, Phillip Haug, Maleomb Reed, L. L. Lancaster, B. F. Lockwood, A. H. IIolstead, George W. S. Hyde, Milo B. Wyman, George Murphy ; privates, Hiram Larrabee, J. L. Daven- port, Phil. Hutchins, William Chatwood, Daniel D. Ellis, Joseph Z. Black, Milton Toffelmire, Josh T. Thompson, Truman Edwards, Henry Armstrong, George Swan, John Lang, August J. Fox, Otis N. Cole, Claus Torgenson, Hiram Chamberlin, J. S. Hastings, Pliny D. Rumrill, John J. Whipple, Charles Baird, Andrew Poller, Christ McDonald, Edwin L. Andrews, Michael Johannis, Hugh Fitzpatrick, William H. Stowe, Harrison Beeman, Jolın O. Gates, Joy H. Chase, Albert Dunbar, Charles Swan, M. F. Stevens, Daniel Gillinore, Daniel Robbins, Isaac O. Stephens, Jerome B. Evans, James T. Livermore, J. B. Bateman, George P. Moses, Romeo Bostwick, Levi F. Decker, George Robinson, Davis Houck, W. F. Hall, Michael Egan. W. E. Knight, George E. Bonell, M. M. Persons, Elbridge C. Pride, G. F. Bannister, William II. Vasey, G. A. Fiddler, Chapin Cutting, John Vaugh, Isaac K. Knight, Asigal Wyman, George Manchester, Henry Hartman, George Bur- pee, Marquis L. Coon, Oscar A. Dunbar, Abijah Moon, Martin Sebald, Thomas Powell, George W. Holstead, Alphonso Hulbert, Jacob Richtman, Darius Craig, John Reddle, Joseph W. Root, Charles Loomis, George W. Groom, H. W. Cartwright, John Seaver, Orin O. Olur, John Bloom, Ransom Wilkes, William Chatwood. The Eau Claire Rangers subsequently beeame Com- pany L of the Second Wisconsin cavalry.
Editor Telegram :- After much effort I have finally prevailed upon Captain A. M. Sherman to tell the story of his company, Company L of the Second Wisconsin cavalry, the only cavalry company recruited in this section.
SHERMAN'S NARRATIVE
I reached Eau Claire in 1857, and besides being engaged in the sawmill and lumber business, was for a time engineer on some of the Chippewa river steamboats. I was running the Stella Whipple when it took Company C, Captain Perkins' company,
bater St 2 4 th
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EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR
to LaCrosse, and well remember the ovation given to the company on its arrival there. About this time a letter was received from my father asking if any of his sons had buckled on their armor in defense of their country. If not he would have to set an example for us. I was anxious to take a hand in the struggle, and different ones had suggested that I raise a company. Among those making this suggestion was John Kelly, later Captain Kelly, who had charge of a crew of rivermen for Chapman & Thorp. I started to Madison to make arrangements for raising the company, but on my return found Kelly had been persuaded to join forces with John Wheeler, who was then raising a com- pany, and whose project had the support of the leading news- paper of the place, while my own efforts in that direction were criticised and discouraged. My company was, as Wheeler's, to be an infantry company.
I soon got about forty men on my list. Then for a time recruiting was nearly at a standstill in both companies. At this point a suggestion came to me, which, although it did not fully solve the problem, went far toward doing so. This was to change from an infantry to a cavalry company. I had found quite a number who stood ready to enlist in cavalry, but who would not enlist in an infantry company. The change was brought about as follows: Having decided that it would be advisable to change to a cavalry company, I immediately wrote a letter to Colonel Washburn, who, I heard, had just been commissioned to raise a second cavalry regiment. Just as I was about to put the letter in the mail I met a Lieutenant Luxton, who had come to the village to pick up recruits and I confided my whole plan to him. He said I had struck the right person; that it would not be necessary to send the letter to Washburn, as Washburn had authorized him to get recruits. Also said I could go on and make up my company and I could go out as captain of same. I then told Luxton that I thought he ought to withdraw from the ter- ritory and leave it to me. Ile consented; said he would go up to Chippewa Falls and pick up a few men who had already promised to go, and then would leave. I started down to Durand and around in that vicinity, was gone some days, and on my return was surprised to find Luxton still there picking up recruits. I asked him what he meant by this, but he assured me that it would be all right; that he thought that he could get some of these men better than myself, but that the recruits would be divided and I would get my men just the same. I soon realized that this man Luxton was a very unreliable man to do business
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HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
with, so I interviewed Colonel Washburn personally and made a trip to Milwaukee for that purpose. Colonel Washburn was pleased and said the matter could be arranged. He explained his plan and gave me a letter to a Mr. Wood, of Patch Grove, near Milwaukee, which read about as follows:
"Dear Sir :- This will introduce to you Mr. A. M. Sherman, of Eau Claire, who is raising a company of cavalry with the intention of not being brigaded with another company. Yourself and Captain Dale, of Racine, have received commissions from me to raise two companies to be brigaded, he to take the senior captaincy and you the junior captaincy. I find that Captain Dale is guilty of double dealing in having accepted this commission from me and being now engaged in recruiting for the Barstow regiment. I therefore now throw Captain Dale over entirely and would ask you to turn your recruits in with A. M. Sherman, and when the company is made up he will be the captain of the same and yourself first lieutenant. The balance of the officers will be elected alternately from your own and Captain Sherman's recruits."
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