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 41
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On Sunday evening. April 16, a union meeting was held at the Presbyterian Church, where brief addresses were made by Revs. Porter, Episcopal: Peat. Congregational: Sampson. Meth- odist: Ravlin, Baptist: Potter of Beloit, and by Senator James R. Doolittle, who had been an intimate friend of the President. Senator Doolittle said: "Abraham Lincoln is dead. My soul is overwhelmed and would sink utterly, but that I know God lives, and our beloved country is in His holy keeping. To any other people than my own neighbors, I could not now open my mouth to speak at all, and even to you I will only answer such earnest inquiries as you have pressed upon me and claim I ought to answer. You ask me to speak of Andrew Johnson - who is he, and what is he, and what will be his policy ?" He then pro- ceeded to give, at considerable length, a good report of the new President.
The war was over. The South was devastated; the North triumphant: the whole land in mourning, no community was exempt. Five hundred thousand lives were sacrificed, an incom- putable amount of suffering endured, and billions of dollars in wealth expended that the Union might be preserved and the nation be established. And it was worth while, for, because that war was fought -and won -one hundred million American citizens today can sing, " My country, 'tis of thee."
Racine County did its part well: twenty-two hundred men answered the call to arms. There still remains in our borders a remnant of that Grand Army that went forth so valiantly in '61-'65 to fight the battles of the republic. They are no longer young and there is pathos in the losing fight they are making against "Father Time." Soon the last man of them will dis- appear and that army will be without a representative in the land.
As its few remaining members totter along the last stage of the journey, shall not this generation, the beneficiary of their labors and sacrifices, which is to witness the finale of that great
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tragedy - shall it not make certain that no single survivor shall have canse to feel the sting of ingratitude, or to suffer the want of any needful thing that a wealth-burdened land can supply ?
COLONEL UTLEY AND RUNAWAY SLAVES
During the fall of 1862, there was much controversy in the border states over the status of the slave and the slave-holder in their relations with the army and its operation there. In Kentucky, the difference between a Union man and a Rebel was often determined by the character of the army in closest proxim- ity to a given point; if it was a Rebel force, a loyal man could not be found: if a Federal army was near, anybody could qualify as a Union man, even though he kept slaves. The state tried to be nentral, but made poor work of it.
Under these circumstances the Federal commanders, as a rule, found it convenient to return any negroes held in their lines, on demand of their masters, and in accordance with state law.
There was one brave, tender-hearted, right-minded officer from Racine, however, who took a course in the matter which, although in direct conflict with the wishes of his superior officers, met a prompt and enthusiastic response of approval and applause from all over the loval North, and particularly from his home state and town.
Colonel William L. Utley, of the Twenty-second Regiment, persistently refused to deliver to their alleged owners any fugi- tive slaves seeking refuge in his lines, in which position he was earnestly supported by his men. The following account of the difficulty has been made up from letters to the Racine papers by Chaplain C. D. Pillsbury; articles in The Milwaukee Sentinel from its correspondent in the field, "B. S. H."; and from Colonel Utley's own written version of the controversy. These men saw and heard the things about which they wrote. This sketch was submitted, also, to Captain Francis R. Mead and John C. Lun, of Company A of the Twenty-second, and they indorsed it as being a substantially correct account of the experience of their regiment and its colonel with the slave power in Kentucky.
About November 4, 1862, in the midst of a snow storm, a dwarf negro boy came into Colonel Utley's camp. He said that he had been living on walnuts and acorns in the woods for more than a week, and had sought refuge in other regiments, but was
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told they were not allowed to keep him. The boys of Company A took pity on him, gave him clothes and shoes - for he was nearly naked - and "fed him up." About ten days later there drove into camp one morning in a fine carriage, with a coach- man, the chief justice of the State of Kentucky, Robertson, who demanded of Colonel Utley that he deliver to him his runaway negro boy. The colonel said that if the boy was within his lines and was willing to go with him, he would not object, but he refused to deliver him otherwise.
The boy was found and brought before his master and the colonel, both of whom questioned him closely. In his replies he acensed the judge of cruelty and injustice and declined to go with him. Judge Robertson then assumed a magisterial air, informing his hearers that he was "some pumpkins" in Ken- tucky: "was the only man living who had voted in Congress for the Missouri Compromise; he had written and spoken eloquently in favor of emancipation." He said that he "didn't like slavery, but that if the Union Army was going to trample the rights of Kentucky citizens under its feet, there wouldn't be a Union man left in the state, and the Union could never be restored."
Colonel Utley replied that there "wasn't enough loyalty in the State of Kentucky to tip the scale against a ten-pound nigger baby." Then he said further: "Our superior officers have ordered us in violation of the proclamation of the President, to act as nigger-catchers for you: JJudge Robertson, we from Wis- consin didn't leave our happy homes for any such purpose; you talk to us about being 'nigger stealers'; look at that boy; is he your slave ? Haven't you grown fat, rich and aristocratie upon the sweat and labor you have stolen from him? The same God made him that made you, and endowed him with the same nat- ural rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness that you possess, and if Kentucky's loyalty and Unionism depend upon my willingness to be converted into a negro hunter for its bloated, aristocratie, Union hypocrites, it may go to hell, with all the nations that forget God." "If the tyrant had not been thoroughly brutalized, he could not have stood up under the withering looks of the officers and men who witnessed the scene." "Sir," roared the colonel, "do you think you will take that boy ?" The shout that went up from a thousand soldiers told him
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plainly that it would not be safe to attempt it, and he did not, Int drove out of camp in high dudgeon.
In about two hours, Colonel Utley was ordered to report forthwith to General Coburn, brigade commander, who advised him that in the interest of peace and harmony he had better obey the order of General Gilmore and return the fugitive: that, not- withstanding the proclamation of the President, he regarded the status of slavery in Kentneky the same, and entitled to the same rights and privileges "as though no army were here."
Colonel Utley, though an inferior officer, begged to differ with him; he "regarded the status of the army the same in Ken- tueky, and entitled to the same rights and privileges as though no slavery existed here." Continuing, he said: "Kentucky has resorted to all means to sednec the officers of the Union Army, and all that handsome women, fine carriages, sumptuous dimmers, virgin wine, and great men could do, has been done to lay me under obligations to their policy, but my honor as a gentleman and a soldier has so far deterred me from yielding. I stand alone. Every other officer has yielded, and I am reminded of a speech of Charles Summer, who said that slavery reminded him of the fabled mountain in Arabia whose magnetic attraction was so great that it drew the bolts out of every ship that passed, so that they fell to pieces; so it is here. Slavery in Kentucky has, by her wily machinations, drawn the bolts out of every command- ing officer, and in the estimation of every true man, they have gone to pieces. But I want you, General, and Judge Robertson (who stood near) to understand that God Almighty put heads on both ends of the bolts that hold me together, which slavery can never draw out so long as soul and body hang together"; and he did not deliver the boy to Judge Robertson, nor did his supe- rior officers attempt to force his acquiescence in their view of the matter.
While the fracas was at its height, one of the negroes was deroved ont of the lines, into a cornfield, where he was delivered over to his owner, by a soldier of the regiment named Luce, who, it is said, turned traitor to his comrades for money. He never repented the despicable trick, although life was made miserable for him during the balance of his stay with the regiment. If the negro had been smart enough to stay within the regimental lines, he would have been safe, for that, under the proclamation
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of the President, was United States territory, and not under state law.
TESTING THEIR METTLE
When the brigade to which the Twenty-second was attached was about to leave Louisville, that regiment was ordered, in punishment for the obstinacy of its commander and men, to remain behind to receive alone the wrath of the citizens of the town for holding and attempting to carry away, negro slaves. The brigade, minus the Twenty-second, as they marched through the town on their departure, still carried in their ranks some few colored men, but the soldiers were assaulted with stones, clubs and revolvers, and actually intimidated into releasing all of them.
The next day, when the Twenty-second was to leave, Colonel Utley was informed that he would never get away with any negroes. When ready to march, he ordered his regiment to load their guns and fix bayonets, and then advised the citizens of Louisville that if they intended any such hostile demonstrations against him as was shown the other regiments of the brigade the day previous, that they had better clear the city of women and children, for "as sure as there was a God in Heaven, he would shoot down every man who interfered with him, and lay the town in ashes." Not a hand was raised against them as they marched out, although one slave owner did allow his valor to get the better of his discretion, and ran inside the regimental lines to lay hold of his negro boy, but found himself at once "up against" a dozen bayonet points, some of which got through his hide to the seat of his intelligence and prompted a precipitate retreat.
Captain Mead says that JJudge Robertson's boy, and another about his size, were quartered with his company, and marched at its head through the city of Louisville, to the steamer landing. He, Captain Mead, was officer of the day at Louisville, and placed the boys between two big guards at the head of the column, and although there were officers at the gang-plank with civil processes for their arrest, and although threats were made that they would never be taken away, they were marched onto the boat and locked in a stateroom by Captain Mead, who ordered that no civil officer should be allowed on the steamer. No attempt was made to take the boys off.
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Chaplain C. D. Pillsbury's view of the matter was given in a letter to The Advocate of February 11, '63, as follows:
"There can be no doubt, from circumstances, that the Twenty-second was left to march through Louisville alone, that she might settle the question with Kentnekians in her own way. It is a significant fact that orders were issued to every other regiment, by General Granger, to take no colored persons on the boats who had not free papers. In referring to this order, Colonel Utley said to General Baird, "Ours have no free papers, but they have declared their intentions."
"An attempt was made to prevent the 'Commercial' from leaving with contrabands on board, and the captain, a Kentuck- ian, declared that he should be responsible for all negroes who left in the boats." The colonel told him that he was command- ing that boat and ordered him to steam up.
"Then came the sheriff of Jefferson County to serve writs on Colonel Utley for three negroes, Abraham, George and John, valued at $800 each. He received them with dignity, and though informed that all action would be withdrawn if the negroes were given up, he gave the necessary order, and the boat, with all on board, including contrabands, moved quietly down the river, as though nothing had happened."
There was evidence that those citizens of Louisville capable of appreciating courage and self-respect, had a better opinion of the Twenty-second Regiment than of those that submitted to their bullying tactics, and surrendered their principles with the negroes whom they released.
After Colonel Utley and the Twenty-second Regiment left the state, the controversy was continued for weeks in the news- papers, on the platform, and by correspondence, and although in the end the verdict of the courts was adverse to our fiery colonel and a judgment of $1,000 was ordered paid, and was paid by him, the facts of the case, and its merits, were so well aired that every right-minded, straight-thinking man, in the North, at least, was back of Colonel Utley in his courageous stand for principle, and for humanity.
Matt H. Carpenter of Milwaukee was attorney for Colonel Utley in the trial of the case, but he was obliged to pay the
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Photo furnished by Billings
UNVEILING OF SOLDIERS' MONUMENT, PUBLIC SQUARE. RACINE
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$1,000 judgment, although the Goverment later reimbursed him fully.
Some years later it was reported in Racine that Judge Rob- ertson was dead. and Colonel Utley, in his paper, The Journal, gave him the benefit of an extended obituary notice, which could hardly be calld a eulogy. On learning a few days later that the report of the judge's death was incorrect, the colonel had the pleasure of transmitting a copy of the paper containing his fimeral notice to Judge Robertson in Kentucky. How it was received the colonel never knew, or much cared.
Both sides in this controversy appealed to the President, and the matter was discussed at two cabinet meetings. Mr. Lincoln said to Coloney Utley's representative, The Sentinel correspondent: "This is a devilish vexed question at this time. Both sides wish to draw from me an opinion, and although I despise duplicity perhaps more than any other living man, yet for the sake of harmony in this hour of our nation's greatest trial, I would like to slide along through this crisis without com- mitting myself to either side." And he took no part in the controversy.
The dwarf negro fugitive, about whom much of the contro- versy raged, came to Wisconsin and located at Waukesha, where it is reported he was living until quite recently, engaged as a drayman.
On November 26, 1862, the local papers printed an open letter to Colonel Utley, signed by 49 prominent citizens of Ra- cine, expressing approval, satisfaction and pride in his action in refusing to surrender the runaway slave at the demand of the Kentucky state authorities.
Chaplain Pillsbury's reports of the affair seemed particu- larly to nettle Judge Robertson and he took occasion to make a public address at Lexington, Kentucky, in which he accused the chaplain of many unfair and untrue statements. The local papers had been furnished a full report of the address and printed some abstracts from it, in reply to which Rev. Pillsbury made full and satisfactory refutation of the charges.
The following letter of Samnel D. Hastings, treasurer of the state during the war, fairly expresses the sentiment of the people of Wisconsin for Colonel Utley in the controversy:
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State of Wisconsin, Office of State Treasurer,
Madison, Nov. 24th, 1862.
Col. W. L. Utley,
22nd Reg. Wis. Vohmteers, Nickolasville, Ky.
My Dear Sir:
"God bless Col. Utley for his noble stand against the slave Inmters of Kentneky" is the fervent prayer of every true man and woman in Wisconsin.
Col .! We feel proud of you and your regiment. No man, since the commencement of the war, has done a nobler thing for himself and the state than you have done. Stand firm to the position you have taken (we know you will - those double headed bolts won't draw out) and we will all stand by you. Remember, Col., that there are a great many men and women in Wisconsin who feel that you are showing yourself in a peculiar way, the representative and the exponent of the principles they hold very dear, and they will never forget your noble faith- fulness.
Very truly your friend, SAMUEL D. HASTINGS.
YOUNGEST SOLDIER IN THE UNION ARMY
The distinction of being the youngest enlisted soldier in the Union Army during the Civil War is claimed for John Dear- born Walker, the drummer boy of Racine. He was the youngest son of Enos and Lavinia Dearborn Walker, and was born at Gibson, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, Jamary 3, 1851. On September 1, 1862, at Madison, Wisconsin, he was mustered into service with Company B, of the Twenty-second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and was therefore less than twelve years old at enlistment.
In 1862, Charles Hoyt, a half brother, enlisted in the Twenty- second Wisconsin, and "Johnnie" frequently visited Camp Utley with him. He decided that he, too, would enlist. To this his mother objected and sought to have Colonel Utley discourage him in his ambition to become a soldier. The colonel informed Mrs. Walker that the boy was determined to go with the regi- ment and advised that she allow him to enlist then, rather than
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have him run away and go into the war with strangers. He added that before they reached Chicago, Jolmnie would be home- sick and want to return to Racine. This sounded reasonable to Mrs. Walker and she gave her consent. Johnnie enlisted and soon the Twenty-second started. The farther they went the better Jolmnie liked it, and, there being no indications of home- sickness, so far as he was concerned, he continued on his journey to the seat of war.
With detachments of the Twenty-second Wisconsin and the Nineteenth Michigan, he was captured at Brentwood, Tennessee, March 25, 1863, by General Forrest's cavalry. He was released unconditionally at Tullahoma and given a pass through the lines to Vieksburg, but General Bragg countermanded the order when he learned that Walker was regularly enlisted and subject to exchange and he was sent to Libby Prison, at Richmond, Virginia, and a little later exchanged at City Point.
Soon after this the diminutive drummer boy called on Presi- dent Lincoln at Washington, in company with Adjutant General Townsend. The President left an official reception to greet the boy and promised him that if he went through the war unhurt he would see that he received a West Point scholarship, but Mr. Lincoln was assassinated before the promise could be fulfilled.
It is said that on the night the Twenty-second was captured, Johnmie beat the long roll, kicked both heads out of his drum, the alarm was given that the rebels had surrounded them. and then turned his attention to the band instruments. He removed the valves and crooks, and threw them in all directions and as far as his strength would permit.
During the winter of 1865, JJohn D. Walker learned teleg- raphy under the tuition of Albert Guilbert and Norton J. Field, and in 1866 was assigned to the position of train dispatcher at Savannah, Illinois, under Division Superintendent Robert A. Knapp. Later he entered the employ of the Western Union Telegraph Company. He also worked at varions times for the Associated Press, the United Press, and prominent newspapers of Chicago and New York City.
He followed his profession up to the time of his death, which occurred in Chicago, September 21, 1913. He was survived by his wife, Margaret Walker, two sons, Warren and Edwin, and
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one daughter, June Walker. Mrs. C. C. Case, of Oak Park, Illinois, who for many years resided in Racine, is his sister.
RACINE'S SOLDIERS' MONUMENT
Soon after the organization of Governor Harvey Post in Janmary, 1881, active steps were taken toward seenring a soldiers' monument for Racine. A building committee was appointed, of which Commander L. C. Porter was chairman, and its members began at once to solicit subscriptions for that purpose, and were so successful that at the Memorial Day exercises in May of that year they were able to report $2,900 subscribed.
On this occasion William F. Vilas was the speaker of the day and in his address special attention was given to the proposed monument and the interest of the people of Racine generally was aronsed. A second committee of citizens, composed of John G. Meachem, chairman; William T. Lewis, secretary, and M. B. Erskine, treasurer, also did very efficient work in promoting the enterprise.
ยท In the winter of 1881-82, a great six-day fair was held in the Opera House, which was liberally patronized by the people, and which netted the monument fund $3,800. Hundreds of manufactured articles and other hundreds of articles of mer- chandise were donated by the manufacturers and merchants of Racine and other cities, to be sold at the fair. At its close there remained unsold about $2,000 worth of salable goods, which were stored in a building near by, to await an opportunity to dispose of them. Before that time arrived, however, the "stuff" and the building which contained it, and many other buildings, were consumed in the "big fire" of Friday, May 15, 1882.
The women of Racine are entitled to more than an honor- able mention in connection with the monument project; the wives of veterans, and many other patriotic women, gave con- tinuous and effective aid and encouragement in the way of soliciting subscriptions, giving of dinners and suppers, and par- tienlarly in the conduet of the "fair," where their co-operation was invaluable.
When sufficient funds had been subscribed and otherwise secured, the committee contracted for the moment, and on July 4, 1884, in the presence of thousands of citizens, it was dedicated. It had been decided to have a joint celebration of
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Photo furnished by Billings
HOME-COMING OF SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR VETERANS
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the Semi-Centennial anniversary of the founding of the city, and the monument dedication. The morning was devoted to the former and began with a "sunrise salute" by the reveme cutter "Andrew Johnson." At 9 o'clock a trades, civic and military parade traversed the main streets of the city, and at 10:30, at the Blake Opera House, was held a meeting of the Old Settlers' Society.
At 1:30 P. M. came the dedication of the monument, with the following program of exercises:
Music Plow Factory Band
Prayer. Rev. Eli Corwin
Monument Association Report William T. Lewis
Unveiling of Monument. Miss Flora Erskine
National Salute -21 Guns Andy Johnson "Red, White and Blue" The Band
Presentation of Momment Dr. J. G. Meachem, Sr.
Response for Post. Joseph V. Quarles
Dedication Hymn Male Chorus
Dedication of Monument. Gov. Harvey Post, No. 17
"My Country, "Tis of Thee"
Massed Chorus
Address
General E. S. Bragg
Address
Henry Allen Cooper
Music
The Band
Address General Lucius Fairchild
"Comrades in Arms". Male Chorus
Concluding Ceremonies. Gov. Harvey Post
Benediction Rev. John P. Williams
There had been some objection to the location of the mon- ument on the Square, which for a time threatened serious conse- quences to the whole project, but in the end there was pretty general agreement that the memorial was properly placed. The moninnent is of Vermont granite and is beautiful in design and symmetrical in proportions. Its cost was $8,000.
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR
The wave of patriotic militancy that thrilled the land, east and west, north and south, on the declaration of war with Spain, was evidence that Congress, in its action, had the backing of the whole people.
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In Raeine an enthusiastic war spirit was shown, as our militia company, under Captain William M. Lewis, was ready and expecting to be called ont. On April, 1898, a military ball was given at the rink by Company F, First Infantry, which was attended by a tremendous crowd of people. During the inter- mission the company was lined up in the center of the floor and a flag was presented to Captain Lewis, for the company, by Gretehen Riekemann, for the young ladies of Racine. The meet- ing was then converted into a reception for Company F, and Thomas Kearney, being called on for a speech, made some re- marks in his usual felicitous style, and at the end asked for sub- scriptions to relieve the company from any obligations for the expenses of the ball; $363.25 was immediately forthcoming.
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