USA > Wisconsin > Racine County > Racine > Racine, belle city of the lakes, and Racine County, Wisconsin : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. I > Part 39
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In the legal aftermath of the Glover case, which included court decisions up to the United States Supreme Tribunal, the Wisconsin Courts sustained the contention of the abolitionists, that the Federal Government could not compel citizens of a free state to deliver runaway negroes to slave-chasers from the South, and in consequence Wisconsin put itself on record as one of the original "state rights" states, and was in direct con- fliet with the Federal Government.
Just before the war, the Colored Baptist Church in Racine advertised in the local papers, the fact that their preacher and officers were about to solicit subscriptions from the public for the purpose of raising money to pay for some needed repairs on their church building. During the succeeding two or three weeks there was great excitement in Chicago and nearby towns
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on account of the presence and activity of mmerons slave- chasers in that city. About a month after the first announce- ment of the colored brethren, appeared another to the effect that they regretted to be obliged to state that they had been compelled to discontinue their building plans, as several prom- inent members of their church had fled to Canada because of the fugitive slave excitement.
An event which excited nation-wide interest, and which had significance infinitely beyond its seeming importance, was the capture by John Brown, with the help of sixteen white men and five negroes, of the United States Arsenal at Harper's Ferry, Virginia, October 16, 1859.
John Brown was the fanatical embodiment of the anti- slavery idea, and his andacions exploit with its tragie sequel a few weeks later, compellingly challenged the attention of the world, and especially of the South, to the uncompromising na- ture, and the heroic purpose, of those who were engaged in its propaganda.
The newspapers all over the North kept the people in- formed concerning the progress of the trial of Brown and his co-conspirators, and their execution-Brown on December 2, and Cook and Copeland on December 16, 1859. The editorial comment and the public sentiment were divided concerning the matter, although there was probably more reprobation than ap- proval of John Brown's raid. But there were some men in most Northern communities who not only had the vision to see the significance of that outbreak, but who had also the moral courage to honor the hero who held his life cheap that he might do something to promote the cause that his heart held dear.
John Brown was sentenced to be hung on Friday, Decem- ber 2, 1859. In Racine a meeting was called for Thursday night, December 1, at the court-house, to take action with reference to the execution of this sentence. M. Adams was made chair- man and S. C. Yont, secretary. Norman Clark offered a reso- lution, which was adopted providing for the "appointment of a committee to make arrangements for the proper celebration of the execution of John Brown, by a public meeting at some future time, and also to see that the bells of the city were tolled, and
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the flags of the shipping displayed at half-mast tomorrow in honor of his memory."
H. P. Witbeck, Norman Clarke, Dr. S. W. Wilson, Dr. Rufus Clarke and M. Adams were appointed as such committee. The meeting was addressed by William Penn Lyon. Dr. S. W. Wilson, H. P. Witbeck, Dr. Rufus Clarke, M. Adams and others. Many public and other buildings were draped in mourning on December 2nd, and the bells were tolled from 12 to 2 o'clock. On the Sunday following the pulpit of the Baptist Church was draped in mourning as a memorial of John Brown.
We have been told that during the JJohn Brown excitement in Racine a firm of Democratie lawyers having offices in the Titus Hall Block-now the Manufacturers' National Bank Building-had a banner thirty to forty feet long stretched across the front of their offices, facing Market Square, on which was painted in large letters, easily read across the square:
"DEATH TO TRAITORS,"
which sufficiently well indicated their sentiments.
The head of this firm of lawyers was Horace T. Sanders, and he supported the policies of the Democratic party until, led by its Southern wing, it undertook to disrupt the Union in 1861, when he became an ardent "war democrat." We are in- formed by competent judges, who knew him well and heard him often, that he was the greatest "stump speaker," or "spell- binder" that the city has produced and used his ability in this direction very effectively during the early months of the war, in promoting enlistments. In the spring and summer of 1862 he organized the Nineteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, one company of which was made up largely from Racine County, and went south as its colonel. He did good service in the war and came home a brigadier general.
On the evening of the day that Cook and Copeland were hanged, December 16, 1859, the court-house was filled to listen to addresses by Marshall M. Strong, Rev. Mr. Fellows and others on the meaning of the recent events in Virginia. Another meeting was held at Titus Hall the following night, with George S. Wright as chairman, and addressed by Rev. Mr. Brown and others, all of which indicates that there was great publie inter- est in Racine in these events.
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HISTORY OF RACINE COUNTY
In an extended account of the execution of John Brown in the Daily Journal of December 8, 1859, occurs this statement: "On the way to the scaffold, John Brown wrote the following and handed it to Mr. Hiram O'Bannon: 'I am convinced that the great iniquity that hangs over this country cannot be purged without immense bloodshed. When I first came to this state I thought differently, but am now convinced that I was mis- taken.'" He had prophetie vision at the last.
THE FIRST LINCOLN CAMPAIGN
The national campaign of 1860 was carried on with tre- mendons enthusiasm, under intense excitement. It was real- ized that a crisis was at hand, and Racine City and County, in common with the country at large, was stirred as it had never been before. Almost every man and boy in the town belonged to some marching or other political club, the Republicans being called the "Wide Awakes."
Bands, singing clubs, drum corps, semi-military organiza- tions and every other known method for arousing interest and enthusiasm were utilized. The marching clubs were uniformed and carried banners and torches, which martial exhibit made a strong appeal to the boys and young men. On the occasion of some big demonstration, the Republican paraders would march through all the principal streets, not forgetting or neg- lecting the "enemies' country, " the "bloody Fourth" ward, which was the city's Democratic breeding place, and which, be- fore the parade got back into "town," was pretty sure to do something to justify its appellation.
A typical rally of that campaign was that held by the Re- publicans on Ooctober 16. It was an all-day affair. "Wide Awake" marching clubs from out of town began arriving early in the forenoon, with bands of music and drum corps. The "Lincoln Rangers" on horses were a picturesque feature. J. I. Case was marshal of the day, and led the grand parade all through the city, including the "bloody Fourth," where one of the paraders, a boy, was hit on the head by a briek and nearly killed.
At 1 o'clock the parade arrived at East Public Square, now East Park, where a stand had been erected for speakers, from which James R. Doolittle and "Long John" Wentworth of
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HISTORY OF RACINE COUNTY
Chicago, in English, and Dr. Lieb and a Mr. Lindemamm in Ger- man, addressed the multitude. Owen Lovejoy of Illinois and Congressman John F. Potter of Wisconsin were on the program, but could not be present. In the evening a big torchlight pro- cession was held, ending in a fine display of fireworks.
STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS IN RACINE
Three days previous to this rally, on Saturday, October 13, Stephen A. Douglas, the "Little Giant" of the Democratic party, spoke to the citizens of Racine for eight minutes from the plat- form of his car, while the train waited at the Lake Shore Rail- road Station, but he was hoarse and could scarcely be heard twenty feet away.
The election of Abraham Lincoln on November 6, 1860, satisfied the slave oligarchy that there was no hope for their "institution" in a continued union with the North, and they began at once to take the necessary steps for the formation of a Southern Confederacy. On December 20, South Carolina sereded, followed in rapid succession by Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana and Texas. When the news of the secession of Louisiana reached Washington, John A. Dix, Secretary of the Treasury, telegraphed the treasury agent at New Orleans the historie message, "If any man attempts to haul down the American Flag, shoot him on the spot." On February 9, 1861, the Southern Confederacy was organized at Montgomery, Ala- bama, with Jefferson Davis and Alexander Stephens as presi- dent and vice-president, respectively, and the rebellion against the Goverment was in full swing.
The truth about the situation began to filter slowly through the North, which came soon to realize what it had been loath to believe-that the South really meant to fight-had, in fact, been engaged in acts of aggression against the Goverment for months. The Racine Journal of March 27, 1861, contained the following editorial paragraph: "Going, going, gone; look at the Government property, forts, revenue and money already collected at the South. Look at the easy steps by which the strong fortifications in the harbor at Charleston have fallen into the hands of traitors. Let every person in the North who has the spirit of a man, run in the house and get under the bed."
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HISTORY OF RACINE COUNTY
RACINE WAKES UP
Under these circumstances the people of Racine began to gather in public meetings, in an effort to understand the mean- ing of events, and to try to determine what was the right course of action to pursue. The imminence of war was the chief topic of conversation wherever two or three or more were gathered together.
On Friday, February 22, a Union meeting was held at Titus Hall, addressed by Gen. Halbert E. Paine of Milwaukee: a com- mittee composed of N. H. Dale, J. P. Wooster. A. P. Dutton, William P. Lyon and Dr. S. W. Wilson, reported some vigorous Union resolutions, which, before adoption by the meeting, were hotly objected to by H. T. Sanders and other Democratic lead- ers present, though without effect.
A "war" meeting, which was held in the court-house on February 24, was characterized by Editor Clement of the Jour- nal as a political move by the Democrats, and there was evidence to support the charge. Whatever the purpose of the organizers, the result was the adoption of a series of strong resolutions in support of the administration. The court-house was filled to a "jam" and the meeting was addressed by Chas. Clement, a favorite speaker; H. T. Sanders, the best spell-binder in the state: N. H. Dale, M. M. Strong and others. Half a dozen sets of resolutions were presented-by M. M. Strong, A. G. Harts- horn, E. Cram, A. P. Dutton, G. B. Judd and William P. Lyon.
On April 15, the President issued a proclamation calling for 75,000 volunteers, only 1,000 of which number were asked of Wisconsin. The first company offered from this state was the "Park City Greys," of Kenosha, which volunteered on the 17th inst .. and which went into eamp at Milwaukee on the 26th, the "Belle City Rifles." Racine's first organization, being at the Lake Shore Station to salute and cheer them as they passed through this city.
The first week after the beginning of war was one of tre- mendons excitement in Racine. The firing on Sumter had acted as a precipitate of the various opinions and theories as to what should be done; now every loyal man knew that we had to fight.
Those were testing times for Racine men and women: nen- trality was not tolerated: it was demanded that they should be either for or against the Union. Flag raisings were every day
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events and were ceremonious affairs, for the stars and stripes looked good and meant much to loyal Americans in the days when rebellion was rampant and treason in the air. The very existence of our country was at stake, and the question as to whether or not this people was worthy of a free government was to be put to the proof. We shall see how Raeine County men and women met the test.
RACINE'S FIRST COMPANY
The following call was printed in the local papers April 17, five days after the firing on Sumter:
"Our country is in peril. Young men, are you ready-have you any. love of justice-any sense of right-any fire of patriot- ism burning in your breast ?
"The undersigned invite the young men of our city who are willing to unite in the formation of an independent rifle company to meet them at Titus Hall this evening.
"The President has called for one regiment from Wiscon- sin; are you willing to show yourselves good citizens, devoted patriots and living men ?
"William E. Strong, N. J. Field, Jesse L. Burch, H. Utley, William Rowlands, William L. Parsons, Sam Manderson, JJohn Banman, George Banman, Fred G. Lacy, Walter Gregory, S. A. Seaman, James H. Hinds, Mahlon Barry."
On the evening of the same day at Titus Hall, a monster war meeting was held, attended by all classes of citizens, men and women. Mayor George C. Northrop was president, Wil- liam K. May, secretary, and the following men acted as vice- presidents: Thomas Falvey, E. R. Cooley, Thomas JJ. Emerson, 1. S. Blake and Elisha Raymond. The inevitable committee on resolutions was appointed, of which Charles E. Dyer was chair- man. Pending the report of this committee, the band played "Yankee Doodle," and speeches were made by Senator James R. Doolittle, Thomas Falvey, Henry S. Durand, H. G. Winslow, Dr. Knapp, Dr. J. L. Page, Charles E. Dyer and J. G. MeMyn.
FLAG RAISINGS
A United States Flag was observed floating from the tower of St. Patrick's Church, on St. Clair Street, on the morning of April 20, and on the afternoon of that day a thousand citizens
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formed in procession on Market Square and marched over to cheer the Flag, and to thank Father Gibson for his patriotic action. On arrival at the church, an informal meeting was held, speeches being made by William L. Utley, Father Gibson, Wil- liam P. Lyon, H. T. Sanders, Charles Clement and Dr. T. B. Lacey. After the speaking, repeated cheers were given for the Flag, when the procession reformed and marched back to the court-house.
On Tuesday morning. April 23. at 10 o'clock, there was a flag-raising at the German Catholic Church, with speeches by J. R. Doolittle, W. P. Lyon, H. T. Sanders, C. S. Chase, Abner Rouse, H. S. Durand and Fathers Gibson and Seiler. Mr. Beffel also, in a few remarks, called on the Germans to raise a com- pany.
Other flag-raisings during April, with public exercises, were those at the Fifth Ward school-house and at the residence of A. C. Barry.
On the afternoon of Monday, the 22nd, flag-raising exercises were held at the railroad round-house, where a 75-foot pole had been erected. A large crowd of citizens, accompanied by the Bugle Band and Major Thronp's Artillery, assembled there and listened to short speeches by Major Northrop, W. P. Lyon, M. M. Strong, Rev. A. C. Barry, Senator Doolittle, C. Clement and N. H. Joy. The crowd cheered the Flag: the band played; the cannon roared and an altogether inspring program was carried through.
On Sunday, April 21, patriotic sermons were preached, in the course of which the duty of Christian citizens at this crisis was clearly set forth. In the afternoon of that day a mion prayer meeting was held at the Baptist Church, which was crowded with the Christian people of the city. Addresses were made by Senator James R. Doolittle, Judge Wording and others.
On Monday night an adjourned war meeting was held at Titus Hall, with Major Northrop in the chair, and addresses by Dr. Roswell Park. Circuit Judge David Noggle and Rev. A. C. Manwell were heard. Dr. M. R. Teegarden offered his services as a gift during the war "to the family of every man who shall enlist." Subscriptions to the amount of $4,000 for the relief of families of volunteers, were made at this meeting.
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which was the largest gathering of Racine's citizens which had ever assembled up to that time.
ALLEGIANCE SWORN
A significant and impressive ceremonial was observed in Market Square during an early morning hour of April 23, 1861. At the war meeting at Titus Hall the night before, Circuit Judge Noggle had announced his determination to administer anew to the members of the bar and the county and Federal officials, the oath of fealty to the constitution, and at 8:30 in the morn- ing a large crowd of people had gathered before the court-house steps to witness the ceremonies, which were opened with music by the American Bugle Band. Stirring, patriotic addresses were then made by H. T. Sanders, N. H. Joy and P. B. Ladd. The oath was then administered to Judge Noggle by County Judge W. E. Wording, after which the other county officers and lawyers subscribed to the same oath, administered by Judge Noggle.
The entire gathering then, at their own request, were sworn with uplifted hands, to stand by our beloved country in her time of trial, against all foes. The scene was as solem as it was significant, and never to be forgotten by those who participated in, or witnessed it. The week previous Judge Noggle had ordered the Sheriff to procure and display the Fed- eral ensign over the court-house during the term of court.
The form of oath administered was varied to suit the differ- ent officers, and was drawn by Wm. P. Lyon, N. H. JJoy and Ira C. Paine, who were appointed by judge Noggle, a committee for that purpose.
At Titus Hall on Monday, April 22, before an immense as- semblage, the young ladies of Racine, with impressive cere- monies, presented a silk flag to the Belle City Rifles, the com- pany marching into the hall at the right moment to the enliven- ing music of the American Bugle Band. The presentation was made for the ladies by Senator James R. Doolittle, and the flag was accepted for the company by Capt. William E. Strong, in a soldierly speech, marked by much feeling. John G. MeMyn then delivered an address to the volunteers, which was full of sound sense and timely advice. H. T. Sanders was called out and made
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a brief talk, exhorting the young men to be true to the Flag, and to show no mercy to traitors.
On Thursday, May 2nd, the company left the city for Camp Randall, at Madison, a great number of people assembling at the station of the Lake Shore Railroad to bid them "God- speed." The Bugle Band led the march to the train, and II. T. Sanders, being called on, made a final address containing advice and cheer. This was the first company from Racine to leave for the South, and its going brought close home to the mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sweethearts and friends, a solemn sense of the reality of the war.
Upon arrival at Camp Randall, the boys were given a taste of camp life and the serious business of military drill. They were then asked to volunteer for three years, when some few of them concluded to quit, and Lient. Anson Doolittle re- turned to Racine and recruited enough new men at once to fill the company's quota .*
OUR FIRST MARTYRS
The boys remained at Camp Randall preparing for active service in the field until June 20, when they left for Washing- ton. On July 18, less than one month from the time they left Wisconsin, they were in battle with the Rebels at Blackburn's Ford, Virginia, and again, three days later, at Bull Run, where the first casualties of the rebellion among Racine County men were suffered, in the death of Charles Filer and Henry E. Ben- son, and the wounding of William H. Upham and many others. "No one who has not seen the anxiety depicted on nearly every face since the moment news arrived of our regiment being in the late bloody battle, can form any idea of it," was the editorial comment of the Racine Advocate, July 31, 1861.
The early reports included William H. Upham among the killed, and for some weeks it was accepted as a fact, and on August 4th, memorial services for the Racine dead in this bat-
*The Second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, of which the Belle City Rifles was a part, was notable on three accounts: It was the first Wisconsin regiment to be mustered in for three years. (See Adjutant General's Report, 1865.) It was the first regiment of three-year men to appear at Washington; and it was the regiment that suffered the greatest percentage of "killed and died of wounds," of any in the Union army.
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HISTORY OF RACINE COUNTY
tle were held at the First Presbyterian Church by Rev. J. C. IIntehins.
WAR PREPARATIONS
With the departure of the Belle City Rifles-Company F, of the Second Regiment-citizens turned their attention immedi- ately, with redoubled energy, to the formation of other com- panies. M. W. Carroll organized and drilled the "Carroll Guards," a company of eighty men, with headquarters in the old railroad offices, in Durand's Block, and their services were of- fered to the Government. The "Racine Union Guard," officered by E. Cram, captain; Henry T. Fuller, first lieutenant, and James F. Lewis, second lieutenant, drilled regularly and soon became proficient.
The "Scott Grays," under Capt. William P. Lyon. an- noneed on April 29th that it was fully organized and intended to be a permanent institution, and on May 15th tendered its services to the Government for three years. Captain Lyon be- came Colonel of the Thirteenth Regiment August 5, 1862. After the war he served his state as Judge of the First Circuit and as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
The Welshmen were also drilling a company in preparation for active service.
IN THE COUNTY
While the city was thus rapidly preparing to do its part in supporting the Federal Government, the country towns were not behind in patriotic enthusiasm. In Burlington, Waterford, Union Grove, Norway, Caledonia Center, Mt. Pleasant and other towns, public meetings were held, addressed by local and other speakers, in which the urgent need of the Government of the loyal support of all its citizens was strongly presented, and the young men urged to enlist. To this appeal came a splendid response, and within a very short time squads of "sol- diers in the making" might have been seen in all sections of the county marching and counter marching, in preparation for the serious business of war.
In Waterford, Tra A. Rice marshaled the boys who were ready to enlist, and in a few weeks had eighty men enrolled and marching through the town, headed by a brass band. In this town, out-door meetings were held, addressed by S. E. Chapman, Dr. G. F. Nowell and others. On May 3rd, at Shum-
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way's School-house in Raymond, and again on the 16th, war meetings were held by the young men of the town, the latter being addressed by Reverend Millard, Charles Davis, Charles B. Butler and HI. Shumway, and it was resolved to form a company. A few days later another meeting was held at the Center School- house, at which N. H. Dale, W. Nobles, B. McCoy and others made speeches.
On September 4th, the large school-house at Caledonia Cen- ter was filled to overflowing to listen to addresses by James O. Bartlett and M. J. Carroll of Racine. At the Waltermire School- house, Norway, on September 21st and 28th, large meetings were held, at which P. G. Cheves, Adam Apple, William Whiteley, J. S. Jones, Captain Johnson and others took a prominent part. At Union Church, Norway, on October 12th, another large meet- ing was held, of which P. G. Cheves was chairman: P. Adland, secretary, and Doctor Kitchingman, orator of the evening. Be- fore the war was six months old, 6 per cent of the entire popula- tion of the Town of Norway had enlisted.
CAMP UTLEY
In 1861 William L. Utley, of Racine, was Adjutant Gen- eral of the state, and was therefore at the head of the military affairs during the first nine months of the war. During his ad- ministration of that office, the state put 13,606 men into the field, besides getting five regiments of infantry, three regiments of cavalry, and several artillery companies in process of organ- ization.
In June, 1861, a camp of rendezvons was located at Racine, through the influence of the Adjutant General, which was called Camp Utley. Then the stern realties of the war were brought to the very doors of Racine people. The Fourth Regiment of Infantry was the first to be quartered here, and it came in June, Col. Il. E. Paine in command. From that time on there was always "something doing" at the camp as long as the war lasted.
Camp Utley was located on the farm of Truman G. Wright. and comprised seventy-five acres of land on the bank of the lake. extending from Sixteenth Street, south to the grounds of Racine College. The soldiers were quartered in the tents at first, but the kitchen, dining room, commissary and quartermaster's
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