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 8
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I went to Patch Grove, found Wood sick in bed, considerably discouraged and well pleased to fall in with the new plan. Up to this time I had been working at a great disadvantage in getting recruits, for those who were backing the Wheeler company asserted that there was no show for me making up the requisite number for the company, and even if I made it up there was no assurance that a cavalry company could be gotten into service. Now the acquisition of the recruits from Patch Grove nearly made up the required number, and I had Colonel Washburn's word that the company would be accepted. I came back to the village, announced the success of my mission, and started in enthusiastically to recruit the number more needed to make up a full company. But recruits came slowly both for myself and Wheeler. When matters were at nearly a standstill Lieutenant Luxton again appeared on the scene. Meeting me, he said: "Hello Sherman, how are you making t?" "Pretty slow," I said. "A few more recruits are needed yet and they are hard to find." "Why don't you go over to Black River Falls? A com- pany has gone to pieces there and I could have gotten twenty men there yesterday if I had wanted them." Forgetting my pre- vious experience with Luxton, I quickly engaged a livery team and drove to Black River Falls; found there was not a word of truth in Luxton's statement, and no men to be had. One of the first persons I met there was Captain Wheeler, who had come
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on the same fool's errand as myself. We went back together, better friends than ever, and found that during our absence Luxton had been trying his best to get Wheeler's and my men to leave and go with him. Notwithstanding the discouragement and Luxton's treachery, I persevered, and finally got the requisite number of recruits enrolled. Just then I received perhaps the most bitter disappointment of my life. A letter was received from Washburn stating that the recruits at Patch Grove had held a meeting and decided that they would not consolidate with mine, but would go ahead and fill up their own ranks, and Wood had sent word to Washburn that they would soon appear in camp with a full company. This left me without the requisite number of men, and no assurance of acceptance if the company was filled. I did not dare tell the boys of the condition of affairs. Here were some sixty odd of the best men of the Chippewa valley or of the country, who were fully expecting to be sworn into service without delay, and I alone knew that there were no grounds for that belief. It was a forlorn hope, but I went on with my prepa- rations to start for camp near Milwaukee, trusting that in some way, I knew not how, a solution of the difficulty would be found. Having no governmental authority, there was no financial backing for the venture, except myself. The boys did not know it, but I personally paid the entire expenses of the company to Sparta and at that place. At Sparta we took the train for Milwaukee. The boys were going to war, so they thought, and were running over with aninal spirit. At one or two of the stations a supply of a different kind of spirits was taken on board, and this added to their hilarity. The conductor came around and asked for cer- tificates of transportation. I told him I had none. He was sur- prised and said that I must pay their fare or they would be put off the train. I told him I could not pay their fare if I would, and as for putting them off the train, I suggested that it might not be a very safe thing to try with those lumberjacks; and the sounds which came from the other car added emphasis to my words. Then he said that at the next junction he would have to uncouple the car and leave it on the switch. I replied that this would not work either, for we had started for Milwaukee and were going there, and on the least show of uncoupling the car we would take possession of the train. I was a railroad man myself and could run the engine, and I knew I could make up the balance of a train crew from my company. That put an end to objections on his part, and we continued on our journey, finally reaching Milwaukee. But what was I to do now that I
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was there? I had a magnificent body of men much above the average height and firmly built. I had taken pains to number and rank them in order of height, and this added much to their military appearance. Getting them in line after leaving the cars, they made a showing to be proud of. Just then a man in the undress uniform of an officer of the regular army drove up and stopped to look at them. IIe then inquired of a bystander where they were from. "From Ean Claire," was the answer. "Who is their captain?" I was pointed out. "Well," said he, "I have seen every regiment of the regular army and every regiment that has gone out from this state, but this is the finest looking body of men that I ever saw in line."? Getting into his carriage beside him, I quietly asked him to drive a little distance away, and then I told him the awful fix I was in. "Don't worry," said he. "I can assure you that Washburn will be very glad to get those men. March them around to headquarters." With a lighter heart than I had carried for weeks, I marched the boys around and stood them in line on the walk across the street from Washburn's headquarters. I was then led into the hotel, where I met Colonel Washburn. He came out and looked at the boys across the street. There was no further question in regard to their acceptance. He wanted those boys-and more like them if they could be obtained.
Washburn's first suggestion was that my company be con- solidated with another company, with a division of officers. I told him that my boys had been promised that they should elect their own officers, and this was acceded to. We found Captain Wood there. Instead of a full company as promised, he had not much more than half the required number. We were given quarters and at last were actually sworn into the service of the government.
I got my men into quarters, drew rations, blankets and fuel and then took the train back to Eau Claire to get a few more recruits who were not ready to go when the company left. Returning to Milwaukee a few days later I found the strife between Washburn and ex-Governor Barstow redhot. The occa- sion for this rivalry was that an order had been received from the war department stating that but one cavalry regiment would be received, and this would be the first one ready to take the field. There were at this time three cavalry regiments in process of formation : That of Prof. Edward Daniels, of Ripon, with ren- dezvous on the lake shore above Milwaukee; C. C. Washburn's regiment, with rendezvous at Milwaukee, and ex-Governor Bar-
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stow's regiment, with rendezvous at Janesville. I found that during my absence at Eau Claire I had lost four of my men, who had been induced to go into the Barstow regiment, among them being my Rank 1 man, who stood six feet four. It appears that an agent of Barstow had been treating the boys pretty liberally to liquor, and when in a somewhat mellow condition had spirited them off to Janesville. I immediately took the train and went after those boys. Arriving at Janesville, I hunted up Bar- stow and told him my errand. The ex-governor was very cordial. Said he liked my style. Pointing to a half-barrel of whisky and a glass on top of same, he said: "Help yourself. Let's take a drink," which we did. Then, coming back to my request for the return of my men, he said that was out of the question, and emphasized it with some strong profanity, in which the ex-governor was an expert. Said that those men should never go back, as anything he got from Colonel Washburn he intended to keep. After a few minutes spent in conversation at the office, Barstow ordered a horse for himself and another one for me and said, "Let's go down to the barracks and see the troops. I want to show you my regiment." After another drink we started. As we rode along { again insisted on the return of those men ; told him I could not muster in without them. Barstow continued firm, declaring those men could not go, but that he would "loan" me as many more to assist me in mustering. As may be inferred, this "loaning" of recruits was not a strictly regular procedure, but was sometimes resorted to by those who lacked a few of the required number of recruits, and was winked at by those higher in authority.
We rode ont to the barracks. I found the regiment enclosed in a stockade built of sixteen-foot planks set vertically. After we had been there a short time Barstow became engaged in conversation with some of his regimental officers and I remarked that I would look around for a while, to which the ex-governor replied, "All right, captain; go ahead." I soon ran onto my boys. They were glad to see me and anxious to get back. One of the boys was on patrol. I planned with him that he should pry one plank loose at the bottom, and then, as opportunity offered, the boys were to slip through and take the railroad track for Milwaukee, my rank man having both feet badly frozen, as he had on only a pair of tight boots. Nothing of unusual interest oceurred during our stay in Milwaukee, only regimental and sword drill, etc. It may be proper to state here that eventually all three of the cavalry companies were accepted.
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We left Milwaukee in early spring and went to Benton Bar- racks, St. Louis, where we drew our horses. I assisted in the pur- chase of 10,000 horses. Trainloads were brought from all direc- tions. The test was to race each horse straightaway forty rods and back. The rider would then dismount, a man would grab the horse by the bridle with whip in hand and circle the horse at full speed in as short turns as possible. This to test the wind. If the wind was found all right the horses were further examined for other defects. If accepted the buyer announced "Inside" and if not accepted "outside." That ended the matter. It was useless for the seller to say a word. Twelve regiments were mounted, eleven in solid colors, mostly bays. Two battalions of the second Wisconsin were mounted and the balance on mixed colors. I conceived the idea that each company should have a distinct color. There were enough of each to mount a company of blacks, grays, red roans and "clay banks," These last were a breed imported from Europe and raised mostly in Missouri. They had black manes, tails and legs and a black stripe down the spine. The body color was about that of yellow clay, from which they took their name.
About this time the rebel General Stuart's Black Horse Cavalry had been making some of its dashing raids and blacks were much in favor and considered the ideal cavalry horse. All the com- panies wanted the blacks so the choice of colors was settled by ballet. Captain Richmond got the blacks, Capt. Von Heyde the red roans, Capt. Whytock the grays and I got the claybanks. I was so disappointed that I offered Captain Richmond all the money I had if he would exchange, but he laughed at me. I considered the claybanks the poorest of all, and tried to trade for the grays or red roans, but with no better success. The red roans were a pony built horse with round quarters, strong loins and sloping shoulders, and as many of my men were the heaviest in the regiment I thought the roans would be more suitable, but I had to content myself with the claybanks. It was now early summer. My brother Stanton visited me on a furlough, he be- longing to the First Iowa Cavalry, a regiment where each man furnished his own horse. I was glad to see him for he had already had some experience in the cavalry. I was relating to him my disappointment in the matter of horses when he replied, "you have the best cavalry horse in the world." "How so?" said I. He replied "The claybank is the most tractable, docile and yet fearless, and will learn the bugle call before his rider does. We have some of them in our regiment and they excel all
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others. You let me take your company into the amphitheater for a few days and I will drill them for you, and then I'll show you," which he did more or less for two weeks.
At the first call for regimental drill for the sword, mounted, there was a great surprise in store for the regiment. We were formed in line, swords with metal scabbard and steel chains hanging at the left side, bridle rein in the left hand, right arm hanging down by the right side. Now, we were all lined up, as perfect as we can get our horses, waiting for the first command, which is "Draw-sabers." At the command "Draw" each man throws his right arm across his body, grasps his sword, and draws it up six inches in the scabbard, and as he gets the word "saber" it leaps from the scabbard, passes the body to the right with its point skyward, straight with the arms and at an angle of about thirty degrees. Now notice what happens. A thousand arms swinging together on to the hilts of a thousand sabers and rais- ing them six inches in their metal seabbards with a rattling of steel chains and then the flash of a thousand blades in the sun- light, and where are you at? Every company stampeded except the elaybanks. The scene was picturesque, and somewhat tragic, for a few riders were thrown from their mounts. Horses were rearing and plunging in great confusion. This ended the drill for that day, and claybanks stock was at a premium. A feeling of envy was shown by some of the officers of the other companies, and on the part of company L there was a greater pride in their horses and from that time on they received the best of care. My brother Stanton was induced by Col. Washburn and myself to act as scout for our regiment, being attached to my company, he having been promised a transfer from the Iowa cavalry to which he belonged.
After the expiration of a few weeks spent at Benton Barracks we received marching orders for Springfield, Mo. Nothing of special interest occurred on the way, except that I might relate a little incident which occurred at the small village of Rolla. There was a company of "Home Guards" in charge of this place. Now from my own experience and observation I have no very high opinion of these Home Guards. Doubtless some of them were entirely true and loyal but on the other hand many of them seemed to have joined these organizations to prevent themselves from being drawn into field service, on either side, and their attitude was that of Good Lord or Good Devil to which ever of the two opposing forces might seem to be in the ascendancy at any particular time. Several of my boys in taking in the town
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had committed some minor offense and had been lodged by these Home Guards in a guard house or calaboose. Word was brought to me of this by some of the other boys. That day I was mounted on a horse which was the private property of one of my company, Philip Hanck. Old residents will remember the man well. He and another man kept a hotel on the corner opposite the Galloway House. The horse was a "leopard" stallion, or part Arabian blood, a splendid animal, perfectly fearless and would carry its rider anywhere. I went to the commander of the Guards, told him my company was to leave in the early morning, that I would see to the conduet of my men, and asked their release. The man was very pompous and insolent and no satisfaction eould be ob- tained from him. Different action on my part was necessary. Turning to the boys who had accompanied me I ordered them to break open the guard house. This was done in short order and my boys released. The Home Guard commander stood there fuming and vowing vengenee and after one particular offensive remark addressed to me I wheeled my horse and made straight at him. He started on the run and soon being hard pressed run up the steps of the leading hotel and disappeared through the large entrance, but my horse could climb steps as well as he and I fol- lowed. By ducking my head I was able to ride through the entrance and right into the hotel lobby. As may be imagined it caused some excitement and there was screaming from the lady guests, but my man got away from me, slipping out the back door where I could not follow. I then turned my horse, reached down and pieked up a rocking chair and with that in my hand rode out of the entrance and down the steps. The guard officers gave me no further trouble and with my full compliment of men the next morning we started on. We reached Springfield where a regimental conference was held between our officers and the command there, which resulted in our regiment being sent south to the town of Ozark, under command of Major Sterling. The balance of the regimental officers remained in Springfield. A large train of wagons was supplied and we were to gather corn and grind it in a gristmill at Ozark, also procure forage for the horses. These supplies were to be sent to the relief of Gen- eral Curtis, who was hemmed in and surrounded by the enemy down on White River, near Batesville. There had been a previ- ous effort made to relieve this general, but it proved disastrous, the train being captured and the supplies burned.
Early the first morning after reaching Ozark some boys of Co. L went down the Forsythe road, foraging for chickens, when
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they discovered some rebel cavalry eoming up the road. Con- cealing themselves in the brush they counted the cavalrymen as they rode past. There were 225. The report was brought to me and I immediately earried it to Major Sterling in command and asked the privilege of going after them with Co. L. The major did not approve this on the ground of the absence of all the other regimental officers at Springfield and our expedition to Ozark being for the securing of supplies and not for the purpose of entering into any engagement with the enemy. I urged my re- quest strongly and finally was told I eould follow them up for a short distance, "But don't be gone over an hour." Learning of the permission given by Major Sterling, Captain De Forrest requested me to let him make up half of the pursuing force with men from his company, to which I assented. Ozark was gar- risoned by about forty infantry. I secured one of these as guide on account of his knowledge of the country, mounted him and then we started down the road toward Forsythe in pursuit of the enemy. It proved that the rebel cavalry had ridden up to the brow of the hill overlooking Ozark, expecting to capture the place, but discovering our regiment eneamped there had quietly countermarched back toward their encampment at Cowskin Prai- rie, on the south side of White River. Had we not arrived at Ozark the day before it would have been an easy matter for them to capture the garrison, and so sure were they of doing this that they had brought along a six mule team to take back their ex- pected plunder. We had gone only a mile or so when we ap- proaehed a cloud of dust which filled the roadway nearly to the tops of the trees. I immediately ordered my men to a gallop expecting to soon overtake the rebels. After riding perhaps for three quarters of a mile further we came to a fork in the road and the dust was down both roads. I called a halt and con- ferred with my guide. The right hand road was the direet route to Pea Ridge and the left hand road to Forsythe, but on account of the dust in both roads we could not tell which way they had gone. The guide was of the opinion that the rebel cavalry were from Cowskin Prairie and would probably take the left hand road. I cautiously advanced expecting every minute to run into the rear guard, but we traveled on and on, but always dust in the road ahead of us, until we had passed the summit of the Ozark mountains and were on the southern deseent, to White River. My brother Stant was all the time alone in advance. We had gone probably twenty miles when he returned with a prisoner mounted on a mule with a young negro weneh behind him. Stant
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said, "Put this man in the ranks." "Why no, he is not a soldier," I replied. "He is a spy sent back in this guise to find out if they are being followed ;" and he wheeled his horse and galloped ahead out of sight. I interrogated the man, but he assured me that he was a preacher going to preach a funeral sermon, so I let him go and started the command ahead, but had gone only a short distance when I heard rapid firing ahead.
Stant had run into the rear guard and opened fire on them. I immediately ordered a charge which the boys made with a will. Within a mile we ran into dozens of the rebels, most of whom threw up their hands and cried "dont' shoot, I surrender," many dismounting, holding up their bridle rein and throwing down their arms. We passed all sneh leaving it to Captain De- Forrest's men, who were behind ns, to take care of those who had surrendered, while we kept on after those who would not halt or surrender. While riding along at a furious pace Len Laneas- ter's horse slipped on a ledge of slate that extended across the road when horse and rider fell to the ground, Lancaster being eaught under the horse and severely injured. I detailed two men to take him to the rear, and on we started again. Presently we ran across their six-mule team and wagon, but on we went, the fastest horses in front. Every man taking the initiative, some following far into the woods those of the rebels who left the road.
I had seen nothing of Stant yet, and feared he was killed. After running past perhaps a hundred men who had throwu down their weapons and offered to surrender we emerged ont of the timber on the level bottom of White River. Here there was no dust to speak of, and there were several farm houses in sight. I will take time here to describe our own shooting irons, which were somewhat out of the usual order. Each man was furnished with a Savage revolver, having a nine inch barrel, a heavy weapon, provided with a lever which dropped down in front of the trigger, with a loop in the lower end for the middle finger. When this lever was pulled back it would cock the revolver and turn the cylinder, but if not let go forward again pulling the trigger would not discharge the weapon. Lieut. Tom Nary was riding by my side. He was a splendid specimen of physical man- hood and with no laek of courage. As we were dashing along we overtook a rebel officer. I was on one side and Nary on the other. Nary was on the left, pointing bis revolver at the offieer, com- manding him to halt or he would shoot, but the officer kept right on. Probably through failure to release the lever before men- tioned Nary's revolver would not go off. In the meantime I had
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dropped back to keep out of the range. Finally there was a sharp report and the rebel offieer fell dead, shot through the heart. Just at the close of our ehase what was our surprise to run aeross a young woman in riding habit standing beside the road patting her pony on the neck, the pony gushing blood from its nostrils with every breath. We stopped and looked in amazement. Just then the pony recled over and fell dead. I rode up to her with the question "what have we here?" There was a look of scorn and no reply. "Where is your gallant?" I added. She turned and looked southwest across the field and pointed out a lone horse- man half a mile away, evidently mounted on a thoroughbred, for his tail was straight out and his gatherings rapid. "There he goes," said she, "and you can't catch him." "Well," said I, "I think I will have to take yon prisoner." "I reckon you won't." As she said this she went into her pocket and brought out a document. It proved to be a permit for her to go in and out of the lines at pleasure, and signed by Colonel Boyd, who was a federal officer living in Missouri, and this was his daughter, who had been down to Cowskin Prairie and married a rebel officer, the one in command of the expedition against Ozark. Her husband was one of the very few in the rebel command who had not laid down arms, surrendered or been killed. This expedi- tion was their wedding tour, and the eomtemplated capture of the garrison and supplies at Ozark was expected to add spice to the trip.
Our horses by this time were tired and their riders were dust covered, hot and thirsty. As the boys began to gather in from the woods and elsewhere we stopped at a farm house where there was a well with an old-fashioned sweep. The thirst of men and horses was quenched, the horses being allowed to take only a few swallows at a time until eooled off. The boys continued to come in, brother Stant the last to show up. He had been led a long chase deep in the woods. A count was taken and every man found safe and whole. We then started baek to Ozark. The six-mule team belonging to the rebels was made use of in hauling the guns and equipment of all deseriptions which they had sur- rendered or dropped in their flight. There were 110 pieees, all told, including a considerable number of earbines, with bayonets which slid down into a casement, and had been furnished by the government for the protection of camel trains which carried mail aeross the plains. There were also squirrel rifles, shot guns, der- ringers and dueling pistols, also some bowie knives.
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