USA > Wisconsin > History of the First Wisconsin Battery Light Artillery > Part 21
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About the last of February General Arnold ordered a re- view of Horse Artillery, consisting of Nimms' Massachusetts Battery, two Regular Batteries and the 1st Wisconsin Battery. It was a fine day and there was a large gathering of specta- tors on the ground to witness the review. among whom were Lawrence Barrett and Dan Setchell, the former then playing leading parts in the excellent stock company at the Varieties Theater, while the latter was the leading comedian of the same company. Barrett afterwards became one of the leading actors on the American stage, ranking next to the Booths, and Setch- ell was near the front rank in his line when he lost his life in a shipwreck while en route to Australia. General Arnold, him- self an artillery officer in the Regular Army, and formerly Captain of one of the batteries that was to take part in the review, announced that the positions assigned the batteries in column on our return to the city would indicate the merit ac- corded for proficiency, the right being accorded to the best. There was no cavalry in this review, and all passed off in good shape, the batteries passing the review-
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ing officer the second time on the dead run amid the cheers and shouts of the spectators. Then followed a trial drill. There was plenty of room for all, and at it we went. Good luck or skill again favored us. We met with no accidents or mishaps other than the breaking of a gun axle as we passed through an old ditch. Men and horses behaved splendidly and responded to the commands without a single failure. Again we beat the Regulars in rapidity of movement and horsemanship. Several of the Regulars were unhorsed during the day, while none of the volunteers in the 1st Wisconsin or Nimms' Batteries were unseated. The latter battery was fully up to the Regulars in all maneuvers, but the right of the column was given to us on our return march, with the congratulations of General Arnold. As we were about to leave the grounds a stranger came from the crowd and approaching Lieutenant Webster said: "I am from Wisconsin, live in Milwaukee and have been around the army a great deal, and I want to say to you that I am proud of the Ist Wisconsin Battery."
About this time we were ordered out to witness the execution of the death penalty, by shooting, upon three soldiers who had been tried and found guilty of desertion or murder. But few of the members of the Battery and none of the officers cared to go; but the order was mandatory, as it was the intention of the authorities to make the execution an example to deter others from committing similar offenses. The Battery turned out in force and in "full dress" to witness a distasteful performance. All the troops in the city were required to be present to witness the same. The three men were placed in a kneeling position on their coffins, blindfolded, of course. while the shooting squad was drawn up a few paces to the front. At the signal the squad fired and the three men fell, two of them dead, but the third raised to his knees, and was attempting to rise to his feet when the Sergant in charge of the firing party stepped to the front and shot him through the head, kill- ing him instantly. It is extremely doubtful if the killing of the last man by the Sergeant had the intended effect upon the spectators, as most of them looked upon it as little better than murder itself.
New Year's Day of 1864 was the coldest day within the recollection of the "oldest inhabitants" in that country. It was, in fact, the coldest New Year's generally, all over the country, on record. It literally knew no north, no south, no east, no west, and was emphatically non-sectional. Weather cold enough to freeze ice was almsot unknown in the history of New Orleans. There were persons living there who were nearly grown, who had never seen ice or snow other than such as came from the ice house. But on this New Year's morning there was ice on the street gutters strong enough to bear the
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weight of a full-grown man. This extreme cold resulted in much suffering among the poor people, white and black, as they were never accustomed to prepare for cold weather. Sev- eral persons were frozen to death on and about the levee. Even Northern men felt the cold severely and kept close to the fire or bundled up warmly in overcoats and blankets. All realized that there was much truth in the reply Captain Jones, of Min- neapolis, Minn., made to the salutation, "Well, what do you thing of this for the sunny South ?" Said he: "Well, I will tell you what it is; I think a man will freeze to death quicker in Minnesota than in New Orleans, but he will not suffer half so much in doing it."
The Battery had never been assigned to any command since arriving in the city. It had been ordered to report to General Arnold, Chief of Artillery for the Department, and had done so. General Ord commanded the corps to which we belonged, and he was in the city and in command of his corps. General Reynolds was in command of the defenses of the city, and supposed to command all troops stationed therein, while Colo- nel N. A. M. Dudley, known as "Nancy Ann Maria," was in command of the cavalry forces. The latter had established his headquarters near the Battery camp, and as we were "horse artillery" he assumed that we were "his meat" and ordered us out for review. Lieutenant Webster would not recognize his authority, whereupon the Colonel was going to make it hot for the Lieutenant. The matter was referred to General Ar- nola, who decided that Webster did right in refusing to recog- nize Dudley's authority, and told the latter that the Battery would continue to report to him and receive orders only through him until assigned. Dudley was an infantry officer in the Regular Army and was vain of his accomplishments. When assigned to the command of the cavalry he at once sur- rounded himself with a staff that for size and gold braid was not equaled by that of any Major-General in the Department. The next review the Colonel had, which was but a few days after the former attempt to get us out with his forces, he pro- cured an order from General Arnold for us to report to him for the occasion, which we did. The review was had in the vacant country then between New Orleans and Carrollton, about where the Exposition was held many years later, and was about six miles from camp. We were promptly on hand, however, and were assigned our place in the column. The line was formed on the right, and as the Battery approached the place where it was to wheel into line Lieutenant Webster no- ticed that there was a deep ditch that would interfere with the maneuver as laid down in the tactics, so he headed the leading piece (we were moving in column of pieces) to the left that we might make distance enough to the rear so that we could come
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into position without having to countermarch through the ditch. No sooner had the leading piece left the column than it was noticed by Colonel Dudley, and he commenced to carve the air with his saber and shout at the top of his voice, while his Adjutant came riding at breakneck speed toward the Battery. As the latter approached he shouted. "General Dudley orders that battery to head back into line." It was so headed and at the proper time was headed to the right into line, through the ditch, and, of course, away to the front of the cavalry some 30 yards, as it had to march that distance before its caisson was straight in line. This nearly set the Colonel frantic. Again his Adjutant came tearing across the field to order that battery back into line. He rode up to Lieutenant Webster and imperiously demanded what he was doing with that battery so far to the front. Webster replied that he was trying to get it into position, but if it was not being done to suit him he could take it and put it in to suit himself. This non-plussed the Adjutant, for he knew absolutely nothing about artillery maneuver, and he turned to the Lieutenant and asked him if he could get it back there some way. Webster told him that he could, and would do so if he was permitted to without inter- ruption from those who knew nothing about it. The Adjutant withdrew and the Battery was duly countermarched through the ditch and brought to its proper place. That day we were kept in the saddle eight hours, marching 12 miles, and per- formed some evolutions during the review. General Arnold was present as a spectator during the review, and was indig- nant at the manner in which Dudley interfered, and made it appear to the uninformed that we did not know how to get into line, and after that there was always some artillery staff officer present to look after the artillery whenever we were re- viewed.
One day while we were away from the camp for drill the 1st Maine Battery took possession of yard No. 2 for a camp. When we returned Lieutenant Webster told the Captain that he could not stay in there. as we needed all the room. The Cap- tain said he should remain, as he was ordered in there. Web- ster replied, "I order you out and you will go." After a lit- tle further parley the Captain took his men and horses and looked for a camp elsewhere, leaving his guns by consent.
Captain Foster, who had been working con-tantly at his veteranizing scheme. but with poor success so far as the regi- mental organization was concerned, was called home by the sickness of his wife in the latter part of January. He had secured all the names that could be recruited from the Battery.
Of the detailed infantrymen serving with the Battery the following reenlisted: Henry Baker. Thomas W. Beagle. Henry Burton, Charles Dunbar, Berry Danigan, C. C. Gab-
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bart, Aug. Haas, J. W. Jacobs, Henry Jacobs, Allen D. John- son, Abraham Lance, Peterson C. Lowery, George Messmer, Thomas Ackers, and J. Nolan. They were duly furloughed and sent home for a frolic. Most of them remained their full time, but Allen Johnson returned and reported for duty within half the allotted time and gave as a reason for his short stay that, after his army experience, he could not look a hog in the face with a clear conscience, so he came back to the Battery.
About this time Lieutenant Hackett returned with the re- cruits he had been gathering, which were said to be the best looking lot of recruits that had arrived in that city for months.
As illustrative of one phase of our army experience we give space to a paragraph from the pen of George L. Herrick :
"I was sent from the Battery up river to hospital, and, when able to walk, was put in the hospital corps in Ward G, the wounded ward, where I dressed and did all I could to help my suffering comrades. About this time, December, 1863, I got a letter from the "Deacon," C. C. Buzzell, saying the Battery was going to Galveston, and to go I was fully determined. I made application to good old Dr. Paddock, and he informed me it was of no use, I could not do duty, and, besides, I was tranferred into the Invalid Corps. This comes to mind as though but a month ago. Previous to this I had supplied myself with a corps jacket, but took good care my name was not on the book as such. I denied being transferred, and an examination being made found I was not. After threatening to go, if I had to desert the camp, he gave me an order for transportation to the Battery. This was the last of December, 1863.
"This is the first entry in my little book, January 1, 1864 : 'Left Vicksburg early in the morning on the steamer Brazil, and no one killed by bushwhackers while going down the river, which seemed a streak of good luck. Arrived in Natchez and stopped at Uncle Sam's hotel, there being plenty room, as usual, all outdoor, waiting for a down-river boat, and the roof of the hotel must have been out of repair. It was a cold rain. Did not get a boat until the 6th, 10:00 a. m., steamer Shenan- go; arrived at New Orleans in due time. Here I did have trou- ble. Some of those new Downeasters were on duty. and I was ordered to fall in with a squad of deserters that they had on the boat, and for the first time I refused. My papers were of no account : I had to show the Sergeant that I could not walk very far, so he sent a man with me on the cars for Carrollton. I then got a pass and started to look up the 1st Wisconsin Bat- terv. The commander at camp said they had gone to Galves- ton. I knew if they were in the city they would be all over and I should run across some of them. As I got off the car I heard Billy MeKeith laugh, and what do you suppose they
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were doing? Only riding one of those wooden circus horses, with a short stick, stabbing for rings as they came round on one side. He went with me to the Battery in the Picayune cotton press. I think I never was so pleased as then, not even when we were discharged one year later.
"Captain Foster went up to the camp and receipted for me. I know he got my blanket.
"The returning board for the recent election having prompt- ly canvassed the votes and declared Michael Hahn and his associates on the ticket duly elected. it was decided by the authorities to inaugurate them with an imposing ceremony. Here, again, the master mind of P. S. Gilmore was brought into requisition. The fourth day of March was the day and Lafayette Park, opposite the city hall, the place set for the ceremonies to be held. Elaborate preparations were made for the same. An amphitheater was built in the shape of a horse- shoe with seats on the inner side rising one above the other from the floor to the top, with a seating capacity of 5,000 per- sons. On the prolongation of the heels of the horseshoe were two lines of anvils with stalwart men with hammers in hand to join in the chorus. Behind the line of anvils were two lines of infantry with loaded muskets, and around the semicircle, on the outer rim thereof, were 24 pieces of artillery. In the cen- ter between the heels of the horseshoe was arranged a keyboard from which ran wires to the pieces of artillery, for the purpose of firing them as they should be needed. In and around the aforesaid amphitheater were about 400 brass instruments, and on the seats were 5,000 school children and their teachers to do the singing. All of this was for the musical part of the pro- gram; what was done in the city hall we did not know, as none of us entered that edifice to find out, and we cared so little about it at that time that no inquiries were made. It was probably satisfactory to all concerned. for we never heard any fault con- cerning it. Lieutenant Webster had charge of half of the can- non, including our own. The concert was awfully grand, and when the finale came it was terrific. Only to think of 5,000 voices, 400 brass wind instruments, 50 or a 100 stalwart men with hammers pounding on anvils. 24 pieces of artillery and a regiment of infantry firing by file, platoon and company, all going at once. It was enough to impress one for a lifetime; it was pandemonium turned loose, and more too. That was the beginning of Mr. Gilmore's career as a musical director, and the 1st Wisconsin Battery aided materially in giving him his first success. We had left camp early in the morning expect- ing to get through in time to get home for dinner, but had been kept there all day without a bite for man or beast. This being reported to the committee in charge of the exercises, we were directed to take the horses to camp and feed them and then
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come back to town, where a good supper would be furnished the company. When we reported we were taken to one of the best and largest restaurants in the city and given a 'spread' that would have done honor to a Major-General and staff. The menu was extensive and embraced the finest meats, fruits, wines and liquors. All were hungry and did full justice to the viands set before them. Several of the men indulged too freely in the use of the stronger wines and became rather noisy, two of whom were Corporals, both of whom were reduced to the ranks for the offense. As a rule, however, the men behaved splen- didly. as was remarked by the proprietor of the restaurant and others who, by curiosity, had been attracted thither.
"There was a combination saloon and grocer near camp, kept by a German by the name of Gettle, where the boys used to resort for sucli commodities as they found there to suit them. Gettle was a good-hearted, jolly Dutchman, but was not selling groceries or beer for his health alone, but he was shrewd enough to know that if he kept on the right side of the boys he would be the more likely to get their money when they had any to spend. He was, therefore, very obliging and sometimes would put himself 'a leedle oudt' to favor them. Many a good joke was perpetrated against the officers which was never known by them until long after the war was over. The fol- lowing extract from a letter written to Captain Webster by Sergeant McKeith. 20 years after the event occurred, will illus- trate how the boys 'stood in' with each other: 'You will recol- lect, while in New Orleans, at one time we got so unruly we were restricted to two passes a day and only two at a time. You got it into your head that the boys were running the guard, and one night came to me, I being in charge of the guard, and said, "Sergeant, have the assembly blown at 10 o'clock tonight." I knew what the racket was in a minute and said. "I'll bet we will catch a pile of them out. for I believe they are running the guard." I posted the 9 o'clock relief and started for the beer garden, where I found about 30 of the boys with Lieutenants Hackett and Nutting at their head. It did not take me long to tell them that there was going to be a roll call, and I skipped back to camp and told Hank Hackett if any of our platoon were absent to answer for them. I then went to your quarters to entertain you until it was time for the assembly to blow. If you will remember there was not a man missing from camp. P. J. Donnelly was gone from my platoon, but Hank promptly responded to his name. The next morning at roll call you praised us for our good behavior, and owing to the fact of all being present at roll call the night before we could have all the passes we wanted. I often wanted to tell you, but was a little timid, and
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did not know how you would take it, and I did not want to lose your confidence.'
"At another time two cannoneers, for leaving camp without leave, were sentenced to a week's confinement in camp. That very evening they slipped out, went down the street a few blocks, boarded a car and sat down. Upon looking around they perceived Lieutenant Webster sitting in a corner of the car looking at them with surprise and reproach. Nothing was said then, but next evening the corporal of the guard escorted them to a caisson, requested them to put a right and left hand through the fifth wheel, on either side of a spoke, and hand- cuffed the two wrists together, leaving them all night. This was repeated during each night of the week. Many were the attempts each made to crawl through between the spokes, and then out on the proper side, but both were 'chunky' boys and could not make it work. But they could and did take the wheel off the spindle and carry it with them over to Gettel's and sit there and eat oysters and wash them down with claret or beer."
It will be remembered that Jimmy Davidson, after his epi- sode with the cavalry officer, had been sentenced to confinement in camp for one week. He tells in the following how he served his sentence :
"I got the week in Company Q. After being in three days I thought all was honey. I had dug a hole in the brick for one foot. I made a run, jump, one foot on a hinge on the gate, jump and grab top hinge with left hand, right foot in hole in brick wall, that gave me the force to grab the top of wall and throw myself on the outside. I had practiced it two nights, till I had got it O. K. Time was set and I made a flying leap and over I went; dropped my 15 feet. At two more feet, the last two, was Lieutenant Dan W. Lieutenant says: 'Well, well, Jim, did somebody push you over the wall?' I agreed they did. He escorted me back and left instructions for the rest of the company to let me be. Lieutenant was on duty. you see, all the time. Always one eye open and always for the boys' good."
It will be remembered that at one time there was an in- cipient rebellion in camp, almost. among the non-commissioned officers of the Battery, because they were held responsible for the policing of the camp and the presence of the men for such duty. It ought not. perhaps, to be called or designated a re- bellion, as all that they proposed to do was to resign their offices and to go into the ranks and serve there. As a sequel to the strictures put upon them by the officers of the Battery we will here introduce an order issued as the result of an inspec- tion of the camp made on the 3d of March by a committee of officers appointed to inspect the camps of the city and to re- port on their condition. This committee reported as follows:
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JAMES CARROTHERS.
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"'First Wisconsin Battery, Lieutenant Daniel Webster, Com- manding :
"'The appearance of the quarters of this Battery is highly commendable to both officers and men. The bunks are clean and orderly, the floors are tidy, the men bright, clean and re- spectful to their officers. The yards are in complete order. The drains free from filth and sinks daily cleaned, with lime freely strewn therein during the day. The cook houses are models of neatness and good order, built by themselves. An- other feature we deem worthy of especial mention. The en- listed men of the Battery contribute each five cents weekly, which amount is expended in supplying themselves with an excellent supply of newspapers and periodicals from various parts of the country. Your committee takes great pleasure in awarding the justly deserved credit due to the officers of this Battery. A more self-sustaining, self-reliant body of men can- not be found in the U. S. Army.'
"Upon receiving this report of the committee General Rey- nolds, commanding the defenses of New Orleans, promptly issued the following order which was read before all the troops in the city :
" 'The Major-General commanding is proud to recognize in this company the material and characteristics of good soldiers. Strict observance of order and discipline are alike creditable to officers and men. The expenditure of labor to secure comfort and cleanliness and the means adopted for mutual improvement and mental culture, are highly commended and evince a deter- mination to merit the proud distinction due to true soldiers who learn their whole duty and perform it.
"'By command of Major-General Reynolds.
""JOHN LEVERING, "'Major and A. A. General.'
"When the above was read before the company none were sorry that they had been required to attend strictly to camp duties."
In connection with the reading room spoken of above there was also a "literary" formed by those thus inclined. At one of their sessions the following production was read by the poet-painter of the Battery, Joseph Bowker, a detailed man from the 42d Ohio Regiment :
NOMENCLATURE.
To while away an idle hour of late The following lines we chose to perpetrate, That bring some names so vividly to view,
They cannot well be misconstrued by you.
Then, first of all for statesman or sage,
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Is Daniel Webster, great in any age,
While for two soldiers not without renown,
We have two Generals, Winfield Scott and Brown.
And for success in putting rebels through Providence has kindly furnished Scott No. Two.
And still, again. for statesman, sage or wit,
We boast a Sheridan if not a Pitt :
Next comes Burton, great in tragedy or drama,
But here my rhyme is lost unless I throw in Cramer.
Now, laying jokes aside, if not religiously inclined,
Whenever Barter "calls" we're very apt to mind, And saints, as you'll agree, are still to duty true,
When I reveal their names, Barnard, Bartholomew;
Some things are quite hard to understand,
One why a Marshall should not have command,
Another, why a man who stands six feet and more
Should still be Down, forever Down, an inch above the floor; Again, alas! 'tis said too often to our sorrow
That we must fast for bread till drawing of the morrow, Yet, for scarcity we cannot blame our maker,
Since he has kindly furnished us a Miller and a Baker;
And yet, for all this mystery the answer Merritts favor,
We need not go to Wales for Welch, nor to France to find a Haver;
Nor is there a lack of Scottish chiefs for mountain or for valley,
So long as we can claim McCoy, McGregor or McNally;
'Tis said with truth our flag is laid upon the shelf at home, And we are left no rallying point, no guidon should we roam, Yet fortune favors us in this, of colors there's no lack,
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