USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > History of Milwaukee from its first settlement to the year 1895 > Part 72
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In politics Capt. Steinmeyer was a Republi- can, but persistently refused to accept any office, although frequently importuned to do so by those who esteemed him for his ability, honesty and in- tegrity. The year prior to his death he was sol- icited to become a candidate for mayor on the Republican ticket, but refused to depart from the rule of his life which had been to take no part in public affairs, other than to interest himself as a citizen and voter in securing good government for the city, the state and the country at large.
His ample means enabled him to devote a large share of his time to travel during the later years of his life and he several times visited Europe. and also traveled extensively in California and other portions of the United States.
CHARLES S. HAMILTON, one of the most distinguished Wisconsin soldiers who participated in the Civil War, was a resident of Milwaukee during the later years of his life and died in this city deeply mourned by his old comrades in arms and the general public April 17, 1891. He was born in the town of Western, Oneida county, New York, November 16, 1822, the son of Zayne and Sylvia (Putnam) Hamilton. His immigrant ances- tor on the paternal side was Gallatin Hamilton, a physician of note, who came to this country from Glasgow, Scotland. in 1668, and settled at North Kingston, Rhode Island. This immigrant ancestor reached the patriarchal age of one hundred and two years and died at Danbury, Connecticut. He married Mary Berry, who was a native of England and Gen. Charles S. Hamilton was therefore of mixed Scotch and English extraction. His father died at Aurora, New York, in 1864, and his mother, who was a descendant of Gen. Israel Put-
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nam, died at Cattaraugus, New York, in 1884, at the advanced age of ninety-four years.
The parents of Gen. Hamilton removed to Aurora, New York, when he was a child, and he obtained his early education at that place. In 1839 he entered the United States Military Academy at West Point, and was graduated in the class of 1843, among his classmates being Gen. U. S. Grant, Gen. W. B. Franklin, Gen. John J. Peck and Gen. C. C. Augur. He was assigned to duty as brevet second lieutenant in the second United States Infantry Regi- ment, promoted to second lieutenant, and was as signed to the Fifth Infantry Regiment when it was a part of the force under Gen. Zachary Taylor at Matamoras, Mexico. Joining his regi- ment, he participated in the assault on Monterey, and won from his superiors favorable mention for bravery in that action. He was also a participant in the siege of Vera Cruz, and the march to the City of Mexico. He was in the engagements at Cerro Gordo, and Contreras, was breveted captain for gallant conduct at Cherubusco and was as- wounded at Molino del Rey. He spent six months in a Mexican hospital recovering from his wound, and after the close of the Mexican War was stationed two years at Rochester, New York, as a recruiting officer, and was eighteen months on duty in Texas and in the Indian territory.
In 1853 he resigned his commission and settled at Fon du Lac, Wisconsin, where he was engaged in business when the War of the Rebellion began. Ilis experience as a military officer caused him to be called upon by Gov. Randall as soon as it became apparent that hostilities were to be inau- gurated, to assist in the organization of the mili- tary forces of the state. Commissioned colonel of the Third Regiment of Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, he organized the regiment and took it into the field in July of 1861. A brigadier-gener- al's commission bearing date of May 17th reached him soon afterward, he and Gen. Rufus King being the first general officers commissioned in the war from Wisconsin. He was in command of the Third Regiment but a short time, but its his- tory as one of the bravest and best of Wisconsin regiments is well known.
In August, of 1861, Gen. Hamilton was as- signed to the command of the second brigade of Gen. Banks' division, and was in the Shenandoalı
Valley until the spring of 1862. He was then placed in command of what had been Gen. Heint- zelman's division of the third army corps. In April his corps took a position before Yorktown. and was among the officers who urged a quick, strong and aggressive campaign at that time. The criticisms of some of the leading officers of the army, of Mcclellan's deliberate and timid operations, resulted in their being withdrawn from the peninsular army and assigned to other commands. Gen. Hamilton was one of the offi- cers thus transferred, and was placed in command of the left wing of the army of the Mississippi. Gen. W. S. Rosecrans being placed in command later, Gen. Hamilton took command of the third division of that wing of the army. September 19, 1862, he marched his forces from Jacinto to attack Gen. Sterling Price at or near Iuka. He encountered the enemy in force two miles from Iuka, and under many disadvantages fought and won one of the most hotly contested battles of the war. With seven regiments he fought the whole force of Price from four o'clock in the afternoon until dark, held the field that night and in the morning pursued the fleeing rebels who had suffered the loss of twice as many men as the Union forces. During this engagement Gen. Hamilton was in the thickest of the fight, encouraging his men by his coolness and bravery. His horse was shot under him and his sword hilt shattered by a bullet, but he was apparently unmindful of his peril, and his gallant and heroic conduct won the admiration of Gen. Grant, who commended him to the President for acknowledgment of his services.
At the battle of Corinth, which was fought on the 3rd and 4th of the following October, Gen. Hamilton rendered such conspicuous service to the Union cause that one historian who has writ- ten of that battle says: "Nothing saved the Union army from defeat but the cool, determined energy and bravery displayed by the troops of Hamilton's division and the admirable tact of that officer." After this battle Rosecrans was transferred to the department of the Cumberland, and Gen. Hamil- ton was in command of the army of the Missis- sippi until it was merged with the army of the Tennessee.
When Grant organized his army into four corps in November of 1862, contrary to his wishes some
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newly made major-generals were assigned to duty as his corps commanders, and Gen. Hamilton was thus supplanted in the command of troops which he had disciplined and led to victory. Not- withstanding the manifest unfairness of the treatment which he received at the hands of the War Department at this time, he continued for a time in command of the dis- trict of Jackson and Corinth, with headquarters at La Grange, and planned the famous Grierson raid through Mississippi. He was in command at Memphis, Tennessee, in January and February of 1863, and in April was commissioned a major- general, his commission being dated back to the battle of Iuka. Being unable to obtain the com- mand to which his rank entitled him, owing to the peculiar policy of the War Department at that time, he resigned his commission and re- turned to his home in Fond du Lac. There he continued in business until 1869, at which time he was appointed by the President, United States Marshal and removed to Milwaukee. He held the office of marsbal until 1877, and also engaged in business, establishing here linseed oil works which were in successful operation for many years.
In addition to the office of marshal Gen. Ham- ilton held as a civilian the office of president of the Board of Regents of the state university for nine years. He was also commander of the Wis- consin department of the Loyal Legion, and the feeling of that body of patriotic veterans of the war toward him is expressed in the following memorial spread upon the minutes of the organ- ization at the time of his death:
"We are minded of another passing of the dark river; another leader of the brave young legions of '61 has crossed over to that shore ever hidden in the mists of the infinite. With his comrade he- roes Grant, Sherman, Sheridan, Thomas, Meade, Logan, and oh! how grand and glorious a host, he is now in the encampment of everlasting peace.
And as our column in ceaseless march moves over that mysterious ford into the 'dim realms of shade,' we survivors are reminded that, though a goodly number of us remain, we are the fast-van- ishing rear guard of the old Army of the Union of Liberty, once led by that galaxy of conspicuons, well-bred, well-tried generals, of whom Charles S. Hamilton was one.
There may be gloom at the camp-fires; the world may seem more lonesome to the veteran
with his superb commanders gone out of it. Yet bravely, calmly in soul, as one trained in armies and steadied in service, he will bear his part here, serving according to his assignment, trusting, hoping, but not fearing the great hereafter.
The departure of Gen. Hamilton, dis- tinguished as he was in two wars, conspicuous and useful as a citizen, and so long a prominent and honored member of this order, calls for a more fitting memorial than this poor sketch contains. Though penned in affection, it is but a feeble tribute to his worth and service.
Gen. Hamilton enjoyed in a high degree the respect and esteem of the people of Wisconsin. For nine years he was one of the Board of Regents of the University, and most of that time was the president of that body, and one of the broad- minded men who foresaw the possibilities of what would upbuild that institution.
He especially enjoyed the confidence and esteem of Gen. Grant. In less than a month after the latter had entered upon his duties as president, he appointed Gen. Hamilton as marshal of the District of Wisconsin, in disregard of political pressure in other directions. In this important position the general served for eight years to the perfect satisfaction of bench, bar and people.
As a citizen he bore a prominent part, and bore it as a large hearted public-spirited man. As a soldier his work, his victories and the honors he won are a part of imperishable history.
From this commandery his death removed one of its eminent members and honored companions. He was elected companion of the order of the Loyal Legion in 1874, by the commandery of the state of Massachusetts. In the following May he was one of the charter members of the command- ery of Wisconsin. In 1881 and 1882 he was its commander and always one of its most zealous and beloved companions. By us who knew him, and by those who come after us in perpetuation of this noble brotherhood, and by a greatful peo- ple whom he served with conspicuous valor and a high degree of military talent, his memory will ever be cherished and his name held in honor."
Gen. Hamilton always took a deep interest in the soldiers' rennions, and in 1889, when the National Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic was held in Milwaukee, being unable to attend the sessions of the Grand Army and the reunion to which he had been invited, on account
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of illness, the survivors of the old Third Wiseon- consin Regiment marched in a body to his home, on Marshall street, to pay their respects to their old commander. The occasion was a memorable one, the brave old soldier receiving with tender warmth those who had called themselves "Hamil- ton's Badger Boys" in 1861.
Gen. Hamilton married Sophia J. Shepard at Canandagua, New York, February 8, 1849, and their union was blessed with seven sons, six of whom are now living. Mrs. Hamilton, who is still a resident of Milwaukee, was the worthy companion of a distinguished husband, and has endeared herself to the people of Milwaukee by her good works and womanly graces.
HARRISON CARROLL HOBART has lived a long, active and useful life, and at this writing, (September, 1895,) he is still actively engaged in important business, possesses all his faculties and is one of the most interesting men to converse with in all Milwaukee. He was born January 31, 1815, in Ashburnham, Worcester, Massachusetts, his father being a typical New England farmer. His early life was not unlike that of thousands who have won success-one of privation and many cares, with plenty of hard work on a farm and meagre schooling. At sixteen he went to New Hampshire and spent three years learning the printer's trade. As a journeyman printer he earned the means to prepare for college at the Concord Literary Institute and at New Hampton Academy, and in 1838 entered Dartmouth Col- lege, supporting himself there by teaching win- ters at the Rochester Academy, graduating with honors in 1842. It was young Hobart, while in college, who first suggested organizing the Pbi Kappa College Society. Hobart was not pleased with the system of social exclusiveness he dis- covered. He was a natural Democrat and hostile to the principle on which the extent of birth and wealth, instead of ability and scholarship, was made the basis of social distinction. The new so- ciety was a success from the start and is now among the most prosperous college societies in our country. General Hobart studied law in the office of the late Robert Rantoul, Jr., and many years later, when he became a citizen of Calumet county, he cansed one of the towns of that county to be named Rantoul, in honor of his former friend and instructor. He was admitted to the bar in Suffolk county in 1845, and the next year
settled in the village of Sheboygan, and at once became prominent as a lawyer and successful in his practice, a practice, which continued until the breaking out of the war of 1861. He very soon took an active part in politics as a Democrat. In 1847 he was a member of the ter- ritorial legislature from the counties of Sheboy- gan and Washington, and an able, industrious and influential member. That legislature pro- vided for a second constitutional convention, and the constitution recommended by that convention was approved by the people, and is the one under which we are now living. It was while a member of the territorial legislature of 1847 that Mr. Hobart introduced a bill, which was passed, to construct a railroad from Milwaukee to Wauke- sha. That was the first link in the great Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul system. He also intro. duced a bill to abolish capital punishment. He was a senator from the first district in the first state legislature, and served as chairman of the Judiciary Committee that year, having the most difficult work of any committee during the session. Hobart introduced and secured the passage of the Homestead exemption law and was active in secur- ing the passage of the liberal franchise law grant- ing civil rights to women, the school laws, which have remained about the same ever since, and the law creating the State University and the State Historical Society. In the next legislature he ap- peared as a member of the assembly and was promptly chosen speaker. His ability, judgment, tact and thorough knowledge of parliamentary usages placed him, at once, in the front rank of state legislators. The state never had a more dig- nified, conscientious, able speaker. Ilis being speaker did not interfere with his actively per- forming his many legislative duties, and some of them very exacting. It was in that session that he procured the passage of a bill for incorporating the Sheboygan & Fond du Lac Railroad Com- pany. On its organization he was attorney for the Board of Directors. In 1850 Speaker Hobart was the Democratic candidate for Congress in what wasknown as the third district. His opponent was Governor James D. Doty, who was an inde- pendent candidate and had the support of the Whigs and Free Soilers, thus being able to defeat Hobart, but this was the last public service Judge Doty rendered Wisconsin.
In 1854 Hobart removed to Calumet county and
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assisted in founding the city of Chilton, which he made his home. His law practice and extensive property interests required his close attention, yet he continued to take an active part in political and public affairs, and was prominent in the councils of his party, appearing as a delegate in local, state and national conventions. In 1856 he was again nominated for Congress, his Republican opponent being the late Charles Billinghurst. It was dur- ing the Freemont campaign, when political excite- ment ran as high in Wisconsin as it ever had done. He was defeated by a small majority. In 1858 he returned to the assembly from the Calu- met county district, and, among other bills intro- duced by him, was one incorporating a company to build a railroad from Milwaukee to Green Bay. This was for many years known as the Milwaukee & Northern Railroad. It is now a division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul. That year he was chosen a regent of the State University. Without any effort on his part, Mr. Hobart was nominated by the Democrats for governor, in 1859, that being his last appearance in politics until after the war. He made one of the most brilliant campaigns, if not the most brilliant cam- paign, ever made by a candidate for governor in Wisconsin. He spoke nearly every day and even- ing during the campaign, but the tide had set in against the Democratic party. The issues which resulted in the war had become clearly defined. It was on the eve of the great presidential cam- paign which gave to humanity and the world the services of Abraham Lincoln, at a time when the services of a less great statesman would scarcely have met the requirements. Hobart went down to defeat, but he lost none of his personal popu- larity.
As the opening of the war was an epoch in our national history, so was it an epoch in the history of the lives of most men who had been active in public affairs. Hobart was then forty-five years of age. Most of his mature life had been spent in Wisconsin. An able man of graceful impulses and decided opinions, devoted to his friends, an impressive, ready and tactful public speaker. with ever increasing interest in public events, be parti- cipated in all of the movements of men and parties which made up the history of the state. He was justly regarded as one of its foremost citi- zens. No one questioned the purity of his char- aeter, the uprightness of his public and private
conduct. No one in Wisconsin was more gener- ally respected. That April day in 1861, when the news reached Chilton that the war had begun, Hobart's law books were closed and he proceeded at once to raise a company for the Nation's ser- vice. He knew no party then. His country was in danger, and that country was dearer to him than home, with its beautiful surroundings, dearer to him than life itself. He was called upon from various portions of the state to make speeches at war meetings. At one of these meetings, April 24th, he said to a large and enthusiastic audience: " It is no time to dispute as to who has brought about this disturbance; it is enough to know that this country is in danger and that action, prompt and decisive action, is what is wanted. I would rather go to the war and fill a soldier's grave than to stay at home a coward." He was the first man to enlist in the company, and that company en- thusiastically elected him as captain. Gov. Ran- dall, who had been elected in opposition to Hobart, sent him his first military commission. The writer of this has often wondered why Gov. Randall did not send commissions as colonel to such war Demo- crats as Hobart, Bouck and Bragg instead of the captain's commissions which he did send them. Hobart's company became K, of the Fourth In- fantry, later Fourth Cavalry, and left the state July 5, 1861. At Corning, New York, railroad officials refused transportation to Elmira. Capt. Hobart was given permission by Col. Paine, of the Fourth, to seize the first engine that came over the road and attach it to the cars containing the Wisconsin regiment, and compel the engineer to take them to Elmira. This was done, and but little delay was occasioned. While the regiment was at Baltimore Capt. Hobart, on the order of Gen. McClellan, served as judge advocate in the trial of officers in that city. On the 5th of March, 1862, the Fourth Regiment, on the steamer Consti- tution, was part of Gen. Butler's army for the cap- ture of New Orleans. After a rough voyage of eight days they landed on Ship Island, participating in all of the work of the expedition previous to the bombardment of forts Jackson and Phillips. After the surrender of the forts the regiment as- cended the river and was one of the very first to enter New Orleans. Capt. Hobart took an active part in all the operations of that part of the army as far up the Mississippi as Vicksburg, and was an active participant in the
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battle of Baton Rouge when the late confederate, Gen. Breckenridge, attacked the Union forces under Gen. Williams. August 21, 1862, Capt. Hobart was promoted to lieutenant colonel of the Twenty-first Wisconsin, his old neighbor, Col. Benjamin J. Sweet, being the colonel. Col. Sweet was severely wounded at the battle of Perryville and never returned to the regiment, consequently Col. Hobart not only disciplined but commanded it throughout nearly its entire service. There is no way by which one can so surely learn the value and popularity of an officer as by the ex -. pression of opinions by the men under his com- mand. Every officer and man in the Twenty-first Wisconsin was a friend and admirer of its com- mander. There were no better disciplined or braver regiments in the service than Col. Hobart commanded. Its first great battle, under his com- mand, was Stone river, in December, 1862. The day before the general engagement the Twenty- first Wisconsin met Wheeler's Rebel Cavalry three thousand five hundred strong, with four howitzers, at Jefferson Pike, near Stone river. Wheeler had attacked the supply train guarded by a number of convalescents. Hobart's regiment was ordered to reinforce the escort, of the train and attack the enemy. The attack was promptly made and severe. Notwithstanding his superior numbers Williams was defeated and the train was escorted in safety to the main army. Gen. Rous- seau, in reporting that action, said: "In this action the burden of the fight fell upon the Twenty-first Wisconsin, Lieutenant-colonel Hobart commanding. This regiment, led by its efficient commander, behaved like veterans." Col. Hobart actively participated in the battle of Murfrees- boro and in a subsequent movement of the Army of the Cumberland. Ile was in the action at Hoover's Gap, with the advance upon Tallahoma, at the crossing of the Tennessee river, September 11, 1863, and in a fight at Dug Gap. The position of the Twenty-first Wisconsin at the battle of Chickamauga, September 19th, was in the front line of the Fourteenth Corps under the command of General Thomas. The fighting continued through the 19th and 20th, and on the last day the Twenty-first made repeated charges until near sundown. General Thomas then ordered the line to fall back, the enemy having broken through the line and then moving upon the right flank. This order was not received by Colonch
Hobart, who continued to hold his ground until he saw the other regiments retreating. He then fell back slowly, contesting all the ground, until the regiment was nearly surrounded, when he at- tempted to eut his way through the enemy, in which movement he was partially successful, for the main portion of the regiment reached a safe position, but Col. Hobart and about seventy men were made prisoners. He fell into the immedi- ate hands of Gen. Pat Cleburn, to whom he sur- rendered his sword. In company with seventeen hundred prisoners, Col. Hobart went to Atlanta, and a few days later was on his way to Libby Prison, Richmond, riding in a box car. A writer has truly said "there is no prison episode in modern war history that is of more thrilling interest than the escape of Gen. Hobart and his associates from Libby Prison." A tunnel was excavated from the basement of the old tobacco warehonse under the street, the outer opening being made in a shed in sight of the prison. The tunnel was seventy feet long and eight feet below the surface of the street. A month had been required in digging it. Feb- ruary 9, 1864, it was completed. Col. Hobart was placed in charge of the escape and one hun- dred and nine passed through the tunnel, of whom fifty-seven reached the Union lines in safety, in- cluding Col. Hobart. Col. Hobart and his associ- ates reached the Union outposts near Fortress Mon- roe, and reported to Gen. Butler. While convers- ing with Butler, whom he knew personally, and under whom he had served as a captain in the Fourth, he suggested to the general a plan which he believed would result in an early exchange of a number of prisoners. It was this: That a boat- load of Confederate officers be sent up the James River to the outposts of Richmond with an offer to exchange them for an equal number of Union prisoners, man for man and rank for rank. Hobart did not beheve they would be refused. Butler thought the suggestion a good one and requested Col. Hobart, upon reaching Washington, to lay the matter before Secretary Stanton. Stanton re- ferred him to Gen. Meredith, who had charge of that department, and Meredith approved the sug- gestion and gave Butler an order to try the ex- periment. Not long afterward Butler sent a steamer with two hundred and fifty Confederates and offered them in exchange. It was a serious matter with the Confederate authorities, but they were unable to reject the offer. The exchange
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