USA > Wisconsin > History of the 6th Wisconsin Battery : with roster of officers and members; also proceedings of Battery reunions, speeches, &c > Part 3
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.True, many, doubtless, rushed forward who were im- pelled as much by the excitement of the time as by love of: country .; many did not stop to consider, but madly 'followed the swaying throng; while others again went under the delusion that actual war could be averted. But before the organization of our Battery, all this had changed. There had been time for mature reflections ; men had thoughtfully weighed the impending struggle, and hard contested battles had dissipated all hopes of a peaceful adjustment. Our boys had counted the cost-had viewed the war as an actual existence, and come together know- ing the privations and dangers they had to encounter, .yet determined to meet them as became true soldiers. By birth they belonged to many different nationalities ; by affiliation they represented many and different religious and political creeds, but they came together not as Ger- mans, as Frenchmen, as · Englishmen or Irishmen-not as Republicans or Democrats, but as American citizens, claiming the Government of the United States as their patrimony,. and- determined to uphold the honor and unity of that Government, or die in, its defense.
. If there is aught that is grand or noble in the career of the soldier, it is the purity of the motives that prompt him to action. . The trained soldier loves the battle-field because it is in the line of his profession. He may ex- hibit bravery, zeal and endurance for the hope of reward or the love of conquest. . But these incentives have no tendency. to cause the citizen-soldier to immure himself within the confines of a military camp, abandon the com- forts of home and the pleasures of society, to embrace a calling so opposed to his tastes, so fraught with danger. It is only the promptings of duty and an innate patriot- ism that make him voluntarily exchange the comforts of peace for the horrors of war. And when the emergency · ceases that called him to arms, he leaves the tented field
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to resume his accustomed occupation without a pang of regret. It is always to the motives that influence him to action more than to his success, that credit is awarded to the soldier. History points out as among the most not- ed of military heroes the names of Alexander, Hannibal, Cæsar and Napoleon ; and they each embodied many of the attributes that combine to make the successful sol- dier. Genius, courage, endurance, energy and zeal they all possessed, and had not these been dimmed by a mor- bid ambition, they might have proved a blessing rather than a curse to mankind, and have met death peacefully instead of in the tragical and ignoble manner in which their careers were terminated. Alexander died from the effects of a drunken debauch, if not as many have held, from the effects of poison, secretly mixed with his wine. Hannible, after the loss of his influence, died by his own hand while in voluntary exile. Cæsar was murdered in the midst of supposed friends, by those who professed the warmest friendship; and Napoleon "the man of destiny," who in the zenith of his glory, was designated as the "morning star," "the man of a thousand thrones" died un- wept and unhonored, an outlawed prisoner, upon the bar- ren island of St. Helena ! While these names stand con- spicuously among those celebrated for military greatness, their memory is tarnished by their ungovernable ambi- tion and they fall short in the just estimate of humanity of many who fall far beneath them in the brilliancy of their achievements. In the merit of true greatness they fall beneath a Tell, a Bruce, a Kosciusko or a Washing- ton-like those who became soldiers through love of country and not through love of conquest. It is patri- otism and not ambition that calls out the true soldier ; and in our organization there were none who were actu- ated by the ambition of conquest or lured by the paltry pittance of a soldiers' wages ; but their country in her hour of need called for their services and to that call they cheerfully responded. There were tender partings when we left the camp-there were ties that rendered home dear to all-but the call to duty was imperative.
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ADDRESS BY H. S. KEENE.
It is unnecessary for me to dwell upon the time spent in camp of instruction at Racine; of the impatience to get into active service ; of the delay in equipping us ; of the long days spent cooped up in camp or the pleasant evenings spent with the fair ones in the city. This was incipient soldiering, but it gave but a faint premonition of the coming future.
At last we left Racine with some sad adieux, tender regrets and tearful partings, and were on our way to the scene of action. The necessity of compressing the events of years into such narrow limits will only permit me to give a cursory glance at our soldier life proper-a life that always seemed to me may be said to have begun the day we left Cairo and entered Missouri ; when, worn with the fatigue of the long journey, we left the cars at Sykestown and commenced our first march, to New Mad- rid. That first march is one not easily forgotten. It was after 2 o'clock when we started, and we had to make twenty-two miles before we slept. A drizzling rain set in and the roads became muddy, still we pressed for- ward, cheered on the march by no music save the heavy boom of cannon at Island No. 10. As an example of. complete exhaustion. I always refer back to that night, when, supperless, I crept in upon a pile of corn to sleep.
At New Madrid we expected our equipments, but were put in charge of some heavy guns at different points along the river, and here got a chance to exchange our first shot with the enemy. But again we grew im- patient with the delay in equipping us-a delay for which it seemed there must be somebody responsible. At this point our Captain proved equal to the emergency, and developed a knowledge of that attribute of the soldier which is known in soldier parlance as "jayhawking." In one of the deserted forts, where they had been left by the rebels in their hasty retreat from the town, was a light battery of new bronze guns, just such as we had so long coveted ; and the Captain " drew" them without the intervention of an ordnance officer, or the usual form- ality of "red tape." Horses were obtained from the quar-
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termaster, and, by a little strategy, harnesses were also procured, which were designed for another battery ; and we at last equipped for the field. Those little guns bore well their part on many a hard fought field, until they were condemned as " worn out in the service" by the in- specting officer ; and yet it was not until after the close of the war, that the department at Washington made the inquiry of the Captain, where he got his equipments ! Being equipped, and Island No. 10 having surrendered, we were ordered to Corinth, to take part in the siege, of that town. The evacuation of Corinth and retreat of the rebels southward virtually suspended active operations in th it quarter for the summer, and we remained in camp at Rienzi. But we were on the front, constantly men- aced, so there was little chance for that apathetic feeling generally so inseparable from inactive life in camp. We al! remember the many nights when our slumbers were so abruptly broken by the order " Harness and hitch up -Cannoneers to your posts !"
The approach of autumn brought a renewal of active hostilities, and from this time our Battery history is merged in that of the old, 3d Division. The battle of Iuka had been fought and won, and we broke camp and left our summer quarters, ignorant of our destination.
As we entered Corinth that bright October's morning, speculation was rife as to our destination but the uncer- tainty was dispelled as the heavy boom of cannon broke the morning's stillness. How vividly we recall those days of strife, of anxiety, of seeming defeat and ultimate victory. But I do not wish to lift the pall from that scene of death, for even to the soldier who is engaged in the strife the horrors of the battle are only seen when it is past. " There is something of pride in that perilous hour,
Whate'er be the shape in which death may lower.
For fourne is there to tell who bleeds
And Honor's eyes on daring deeds. But when all is o'er. it is painful to tread
O'er the weltering field of the tombless dead, To see worms of the earth and fowls of the air, Beasts of the forest, all gathering there, Each regarding man as his prey All rejoicing in his decay."
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ADDRESS BY H. S. KEENE.
Our brilliant victory over the enemy at Corinth was dearly bought, for it cost the lives of many of our best and bravest comrades. On that bloody field, we left the gallant Noyes, Honn, Brown, Thomas, and Barney. Braver men never lived-truer heroes never died. Of them we can only say with the poet :
" Brave men who * * * fell
Beside their cannon, conquered not, though slain, There is a victory in dying well Ye have not died in vain ! "
I shall not attempt to follow in detail our long chase after the retreating enemy, nor our long march through Lagrange, Holly Springs and Oxford to the Yocona river. The close of the year found us near Memphis, where we went into winter quarters. Thus closed the first year of our active service-an eventful year to us and an important one in our country's history. At its close, but little progress could be noticed, and a cloud of vague uncertainty still enveloped the ultimate result.
Important battles had been fought : Donaldson, Shiloh, Pea Ridge, Williamsburg, 2d Bull Run, Antietam, Chap- lin Hills, Corinth. Fredericksburg, and many others of lesser note. Thousands had yielded their lives a sacri- fice in their country's cause; thousands had suffered worse than death in the loathsome prison pens ; while thousands were left crippled and maimed, to drag out a miserable existence! The year had been fraught with the vicissitudes of hope and fear, of victory and defeat ; vet we did not despair, but while looking with deep so- licitude to the hidden future, determined to go forward in the path of duty. The dreary winter at last wore away, and the opening spring brought a renewal of ac- tive hostilities. The first of March we broke camp and embarked on transports, to cooperate with the army des- tined for the reduction of Vicksburg. All must remember the grand and imposing scene as our fleet swung out into the river, and the loveliness and beauty of the first eve- ning spent upon the water. The gentle ripple of the river, whose placid waters were unruffled by the slight- est breeze, but mirrored back the silver sheen of the
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clear, full moon, seemed to illy harmonize with this mar- tial array. Yet the beauty was marred by the thought that of the many thousands crowding the decks to gaze upon that scene, thousands would never return, but fall victims to miasma, disease and the engines of war. Then followed our disembarking near Grand Lake, our return to Helena, and the dreary and monotonous expedition down the Yazoo Pass-an expedition that always calls to mind the celebrated one wherein,
"The King of France with forty thousand men, Marched up the hill and then marched down again."
Our first trip down the river and back, the Pass expe- dition, our being cooped up on the sand island below Helena, and subsequent trip down the river, consumed the time until the middle of April, when we disembarked at Milliken's Bend. Ten days afterward we were on the march around Vicksburg, moving without tents or bag- gage, and, as all must remember, much of the time even unencumbered with rations. Crossing the river below Vicksburg the first of May, our progress was contested step by step ; the roar of cannon was almost incessant, . vet success as constantly perched upon our banners. Port Gibson, Jones' Cross Roads, Raymond, Jackson, Cham- pion Hills and Black River Bridge followed each other in rapid succession, with the usual intermediate skirmishes. They were busy days, but they developed the fact that hungry men fight well. Days together we had nothing but corn meal-no sugar, coffee, salt, meat or grease of any kind-yet our bread made of the unsifted meal and brackish water was very palatable when we could get it. but once a day. A dollar apiece was freely offered for crackers ; vet in the flush of success, men even forgot to curse the quartermaster.
Some of these battles were hotly contested-Cham- pion Hills being among the hardest fought battles of the war; but their successful issue gained for us the point sought, and Vicksburg was invested in the rear. Then followed the long seige-forty-eight days of inces- sant fighting-in which no battery engaged played a
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ADDRESS BY H. S. KEENE.
more conspicuous part than the old 6th. Our Captain displayed the true national characteristic of the land of his extraction, for like the Irishman, who in a general fight wherever he sees a head to hit he hits it; so the Captain, wherever he saw a chance for a shot, the shot was given.
The incidents of that memorable siege can never be ef- faced from the memory of those who were participants, nor can the grandeur and sublimity of the night scenes dur- ing the bombardment. The roar of cannon has a pecul- iar fascination to the soldier at any time, but when it would break upon the stillness of midnight from the whole investing line of batteries and gunboats, while the sky was filled with the meteor-like light of the cours- ing shells, it possessed a sublimity that baffles description. Nor can we forget those days of fear- ful slaughter when we assaulted their works, of one of which to-day is the anniversary. The 19th and 22d of May and 25th of june are days not to be soon for- gotten, as their record is written in the blood of many of our noblest heroes. But the dawn of the anniversary of our nation's birth brought the end, and above the walls that had so long and persistently poured their deadly hail into our ranks, the glorious old stars and stripes were flung to the breeze! How often on the recurrence of that day had we gazed with pride upon the flowing folds of that o'd banner, but never did it seem to wave so proudly as it did that day over Vicksburg !
The successful termination of the siege gave us another period of rest-a rest that though much needed, soon grew monotonous and made us long for active service.
September brought marching orders, and embarking we took a final farewell of Vicksburg. We stopped first at Helena, but soon moved from there to Memphis, from whence, early in October, we set out on our long march to Chattanooga, a march that was only eclipsed "When Sherman marched down to the Sea."
We often marched to the music of the cannon, as for days it was a constant skirmish on the front. On this
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march there was often such a scarcity of rations as to cause a lively dispute between the boys and the mules as to the rightful ownership of the corn scattered from the feed of the latter. But the long march was finally made, and we passed under the frowning batteries on Lookout Mountain and took the position to which we were assigned near the river above Chattanooga.
From this point our Battery and Battery A. Ist Ills. were sent in response to a requisition from Gea. Grant, for the "two best batteries in the corps", to cross the river with the advance in the attack on Mission Ridge. The crossing was successfully accomplished -- the batteries planted on Mission Ridge, where we assisted in gaining the battle that broke the rebel power in Tennessee.
Then followed the pursuit of the retreating forces ; the return to Bridgeport, where we stopped two or three weeks; the march thence to Larkinsville, where two weeks were spent ; and thence to Huntsville, where we arrived the 9th of January and went into winter quarters.
At Huntsville we spent over five months, when we were ordered to join the forces operating against Atlanta. Throughout that long siege we were generally in hearing of the sound of strife, but our active participation was over. Guarding points at Kingston, Cartersville and Etawah consumed the time until the term of the old organiza- tion had expired. However, the organization was not broken up as the veterans and recruits kept it up until the close of the war.
Throughout these long marches, along the shores of the Mississippi, the Tennessee, the Cumberland and the Etawah, our course is marked by the mounds that cover the mouldering forms of our fallen comrades. The grass and flowers of many summers have grown above them, upon which the pearly dews of morning sparkle in the sunlight, emblematical of the tears shed over their fate by the many loved ones. But their slumbers are un- broken by the crack of the whip of the overseer or negro driver-the clanking of chains or groans of the slave. Above them floats the old flag, flapping in the gentle
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POEM BY J. ALLEN COOMBS.
breeze a melancholly dirge over the fallen heroes whose blood helped wash the foul blot from its escutcheon-its stars no longer dimmed by the dark cloud of human slavery-but emitting the bright scintillations of liberty and freedom. With us these fallen comrades will all meet at the great and final reunion. When the trumpet sounds the assembly, all must fall into ranks ; every name will appear on that final muster-roll, and each must respond to that final roll call. And let us all endeavor to live lives so pure that we may appear at that final review by the Great Commander in garments so immaculate that not one will be called upon to step from the ranks.
After the oration, the following Reunion Poem, by J. Allen Coombs, was read : 1758103
The years may rush forevermore, Like ocean waves, upon the shore Of Time and leave their changes, And on each brow may leave their mark; But hearts that glow with friendship's spark No flight of years estranges.
The memories of angry strife Awake sad pictures into life- We can forget them never; But crimson tides have ceased to flow, And Friendship's bonds shall stronger grow, Forever and forever.
No more is bared the glittering steel- No more with battle's shock we reel- No more Death's fires are burning; Comrades again stand side by side, And Memory's doors are opened wide, 'On golden hinges turning.
Hushed is the bugle's blast, Hushed is the roll of drum, Silent the shriek of shell And the deadly cannon dumb. The sleeping hills and vales Repose from the battle's roar, And the camp fire's light illume. the night In our stricken land no more.
The peacetul song is heard Where the trimson sabres clashed, When the charging squadrons rode And the rattling muskets flashed.
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6TH WISCONSIN BATTERY.
Hushed is the sound of strife- Hushed is the martial strain- Lifted the smoke and the bondsman's yoke, And shattered his galling chain.
The reaper reaps the grain Where flashed the hero's sword, And the purple violets grow Where the patriot's life blood poured ; The echoing bugle call Is changed for the peaceful bell,
And light has beamed on a mace redeemed Where the dying warrior fell.
Tenderly sigh, O breeze, Fondly ye branches wave, Lovingly twine, O vines, Over the hero's grave ! Ye birds in woolland bowers Sing from the boughs o'er head A plaintive song and the notes prolong, A dirge for the royal dead. .
The seasons come and go- The years pass one by one, But our commade's rleeds shall live Till the day of life is done. Theirs was the cause of Right, Theirs was the cause of Gol ! And angels above looked down with love Where they sleep beneath the so.L
Comrades, the strife is o'er ! The sword is rusting now. And the ripened fruits of Peace Hàng from the tndel bough. The chain of friendship spons Again the crimson flood, And God's great hairl protects the land So late baptized in blood !
May His outstretching hand Still guide os on through life ; May He our nation keep From fratricidal strife. On His great camping ground May we trusther nice. Beyond the strife and tous of life, When the last long roll is best.
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ADDRESS BY O. J. BURNHAM.
3D REUNION, AT LONE ROCK, 1878.
The third annual reunion was held at Lone Rock, September 25th, 1878.
A steady rain the night previous and up to a late hour in the morning, made the attendance small as compared with the previous one. There were forty-two of the Bat- tery boys in attendance. "Old Abe," the war eagle of the old Sth Wis. was borne at the head of the procession. O. J. Burnham, of Richland Center gave the annual oration, as follows :
Seventeen years have passed since first we met as a military organization, here in the little village of Lone Rock. Can it be possible that so many years have elapsed since we united with the "Sauk Boys" at Wilson Creek, and were escorted by almost the entire population of this Prairie, and the adjacent valleys, to our Head Quarters at Lone Rock?
When we trust to the first impressions of memory, as we take a retrospective view of the past, it seems impos- sible, and yet "time" has scored 17 full-fledged years, each with its long, dreamy, hazy Indian Summer Au- tums, its cold, dreary, tempestuous Winters, its bright, joyous budding Springs, and its long Summer days, so full of labor and promise to the farmer ; each year, a full cycle of germination. growth, maturity and decay. Years overflowing with incidents that have passed into history, recorded as some of the most wonderful and greatest achievements of man in his 4000 years of existence. Our own 4 years' struggle for National existence, in which a million lives were lost, and the grand structure of the American Republic shaken to its foundations, tottering on the verge of ruin, and the whole social system of one- half the United States completely revolutionized, is but a
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6TH WISCONSIN BATTERY.
small portion of the eventful history of the past 17 years. Three times has Europe been engaged in wars, which, though short, accomplished as great or greater changes. The map of Europe has to be so often remodeled that the closest student can hardly keep himself posted suffi- ciently to pass a creditable examination, while in the matter of progress and improvement the world has taken a stride, hardly equalled in any previous half-century.
The time I have allotted myself will not admit of ref- erence to even a hundredth part of the events which rush into memory as my mind wanders back over the last half generation. We only need to glance at our- selves and few remaining comrades who meet us here, to be forcibly reminded of the lapse of years. With most of us nearly half our lives have passed since first we met here. We were mostly boys or young men then. We, who then were cultivating incipient downy mustaches, now find our hair and beard streaked with gray. To-day we clasp the hands of middle aged men, and can hardly realize that they and the gay youthful soldiers, who, 17 years ago parted from their sweet-hearts here at the de- pot, are the same. A few old men were with us then. Most have passed to the other land to receive their re- ward, with many, Oh! how many, of fewer years ? But, comrades, although what remains of our lives be spent in scenes far removed, under brighter skies, or upon more fertile lands, we can never forget Lone Rock. We shall always remember the little town as it was then, a few houses and stores on the treeless prairie, inhabited by a warm-hearted patriotic and hospitable people. Lone Rock is the birthplace of our battery and as such will always have a warm corner in our hearts. It was here we organized and elected our officers, here we made a few attempts at drill and roll call, and here we received our name,-Buena Vista Battery of Light Artillery, a name associated with the military history of our Cap- tain, as a soldier of the Mexican war, and the name of the Town in which we organized. After seventeen years, like the Locusts, we have returned to devour again the
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ADDRESS BY O. J. BURNHAM.
substance of this hospitable people, and yet they do not seem to complain. On the contrary I think I discern something of a feeling of pride and satisfaction in welcom- ing their boys who return, as a family of children to the old homestead, to celebrate an anniversary, and clasp the hands of brotherhood and fellowship, whose bonds have never diminished, here upon the very soil which saw us first united. There is no place more appropriate, or which would bring to mind more forcible the feelings and inducements which caused us to leave our homes and kindred for the dread uncertainties of war. As comrade Keene told us at Avoca, "it was Patriotism that called us." Our country was assailed and our hearts burned with indignation, that our Government, the Great United States, should be openly defied and challenged to mortal combat by a few overbearing, arrogant Southerners. I don't believe that we thought the country in great dan, ger. We had too great confidence in the patriotism of the United North, and too little respect for the fierce de- termination and vast resources of the South. We had yet to learn that our Generals high in authority. com- manding divisions, corps, and even grand armies, would from motives of jealousy alone, withhold their support, in direct disobedience of orders, and suffer a great and- de- cisive battle to be lost, and thousands of brave lives sacri- ficed for naught. No! We had no fears for the result. We had confidence in our leaders, ourselves, and our cause, and we went forth expecting to return in a few months, one year at farthest. with the crown of victory upon us. We looked forward to a short, glorious and decisive campaign. How little we realized what was in store for us. We had all read histories of wars, lives of soldiers, and romances in which soldiers were the heroes, and battles and adventures, the main feature. We had had boyish dreams of the greatness and renown we should achieve when we too should be soldiers and our country in danger. What boy has not indulged in "day dreams," built castles in the air? and the brightest and grandest structure he ever built upon that ethereal foundation is
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