The History of Dodge County, Wisconsin, containing a history of Dodge County, its early settlement, growth, development, resources, etc, Part 56

Author: Western Historical Co
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, Western Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 774

USA > Wisconsin > Dodge County > The History of Dodge County, Wisconsin, containing a history of Dodge County, its early settlement, growth, development, resources, etc > Part 56

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HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.

and stripes, that beautiful emblem of the brave and the free; that flag which has so seldom been lowered to a foreign foe was now given into the hands of brothers who had become traitors to their country, and by them trailed in the dust ! O how the patriotic blood of the loyal men of the North was stirred within them when they learned of the outrage! Meetings were held in every city, village and hamlet throughout the length and breadth of the land, and resolutions were passed in which the patriotic feeling of the country was expressed, and offers of men and money made to the General and State Governments.

The citizens of Dodge County were in no wise behind their brethren in any part of the North. On Thursday evening, April 18, a large and enthusiastic meeting was held at Beaver Dam, an account of which we extract from the Argus, of that city, under date of the 19th :

BEAVER DAM IN A BLAZE ! DECLARES FOR THE UNION. PATRIOTS CALL FOR JUSTICE TO OUR FLAG. NO DEMOCRATS, NO REPUBLICANS, BUT ALL FOR THE UNION OR AGAINST IT. CONCERT HALL JAMMED FULL.

A tremendous meeting convened last night in Concert Hall, in accordance with a call previously made by many of our citizens, both Democrats and Republicans, for the purpose of taking into consideration the present state of the Union and the emergency which is now before the people. The meeting was organized as follows : H. D. Patch, Chairman ; E. Botsford, W. Barnes, J. F. McClure, A. Haight, A. Joy, G. H. Stewart, C. Burchard, Vice Presidents ; H. G. Bicknell, G. H. Wells, Secretaries ; D. S. Ordway, B. Phelps, E. C. McFetridge, Committee on Resolutions. The "Star Spangled Banner" was sung by H. G. Bicknell and Thomas Bull. The Chairman read the following letter from our fellow-townsman, Hon. A. Scott Sloan :

" To the Chairman of the meeting to be held this evening :

"SIR: I am unexpected called away, and cannot be with you. I hope our citizens will give a decided expression to their sentiments in this crisis. It is no longer a question of politics or of party. It is an issue between loyalty and rebellion, between patriotism and treason. He that is not for us is against us.

" Yours, etc., A. SCOTT SLOAN."

Patriotic speeches were made by Messrs. G. H. Hallett, C. Burchard, H. G. Bicknell, D. S. Ordway, J. A. Douglas, Rev. J. J. Miter, A. Haight and E. P. Smith. The following resolution was offered by G. H. Hallett at the close of his remarks :

" Resolved, That we, the citizens of Beaver Dam, ignoring party distinctions, pledge ourselves, unqualifiedly, to support the Federal Government in the present crisis."

Adopted unanimously. The following resolutions were adopted with a thundering and unanimous aye :

" WHEREAS, on the first Wednesday in March, in the year of our Lord, 1789, our forefathers organized and commenced proceedings under a Constitution which, from that time, has been a bulwark and safeguard to our liber- ties, and under which we, as a nation, have attained to the most perfect prosperity, to the highest civilization, and the greatest perfection in the arts and agriculture, to the highest religious enjoyment, privileges and freedom ever reached by any nation of which history has a record ; and whereas, all enlightened nations have long turned their eyes toward, and rested their hopes and expectations upon this Government and Constitution, as the guarantee of universal freedom, civilization, enlightenment and religious liberty, and have long since come to entertain the sentiment ' that if the American Government becomes a failure, crumbles, and has not strength sufficient for the sustaining of itself, then that no Democratic Government can stand, that no people can ever expect to retain sufficient integrity, sufficient patriotism and sufficient religious sentiment to maintain a perpetual and successful government over themselves ;' and whereas, we are now, and have been since the year 1789, endeavoring to solve this great problem of popular government and to vindicate the integrity, the goodness, the patriotism and the relig- ious sentiment of the masses who form this and must form every popular government ; and whereas, we believe that the true interests of all the world are involved in and hang contingent upon the final success of our Democracy ; and whereas, we are now in the midst of revolution which threatens the permanency of that Government which our fathers left as their best legacy to us and this humanity ; therefore,

" Resolved, That the contest now going on is a contest which involves not only the existence of this nation, but also the existence of constitutional freedom and religious liberty, and that every patriot will support the present Administration in its endeavors to defend the nation's integrity and the perpetuity of the Union with his whole influ- ence, his purse and his sword.

" Resolved, That it is the sense of this meeting that an immediate organization of an independent military com- pany in this place be had, and that able, patriotic citizens at once enroll themselves therein, and hold themselves in readiness to respond to the call of the Governor of this State whenever made.

" Resolved, That we have heard with feelings of deep sorrow and burning indignation of the atrocious attack made upon the flag of our country by traitors, who have avowed their determination to overthrow and destroy this Government, and in this transcendent contest we will ignore all party distinction and join our fellow-countrymen everywhere to suppress and put down, at all hazards, this most unlawful and wicked conspiracy against our liber- ties and our Government; and that henceforth we will recognize no distinction among us save that of patriot and traitor.

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HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.

" Resolved, That we applaud our patriotic Government for so promptly taking the initiatory steps for putting the State and Legislature on a war-footing; and that, in response to his and the nation's call, in the name of human lib- erty everywhere, in the name of constituted authority, by the glorious memories of our fathers, and in a firm reli- ance upon the God of battles, we pledge to them our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.

" Resolved, That we will support the present policy of the Government of the United States with men and money, and that the glorious old banner of our nation shall wave again on the walls of Fort Sumter, and every other fort, arsenal, dock-yard and navy-yard which belongs to this nation.

" Your committee report the foregoing preamble and resolutions, and respectfully recommend their adoption.

" DAVID S. ORDWAY,

" BENJAMIN PHELPS, " E. C. MCFETRIDGE.

" April 18, 1861."

The " Marseillaise Hymn" was sung by Messrs. Bicknell and Bull. E. E. Holt was appointed Treasurer. The books were opened, and in a short time more than one hundred and fifty names were enrolled. The meeting adjourned.

We have given the report of the meeting in full, in order to show the temper of the people at the time. This meeting was but a reflex of those held in all parts of the county. Steps were at once taken to raise means to provide for the families of those who should enlist and march to the front. In less than a week, the following subscriptions were obtained in Beaver Dam for that purpose :

A. Scott Sloan, $25 per month ; A. Willard, $100; J. S. Rowell, $50; M. F. Lowth, $50 ; Marvin & Goodnow, $50; E. P. Smith, $100; J. T. McGlashan, $100; Lewis & Bro., $100; G. H. Stewart, $250; A. Gilbert, $25; B. Thorp, $25; L. Rushlow, $25; Mr. Campbell, $25; Parish & Doolittle, $25 ; J. Dougan, $25; J. A. McFetridge, $25; L. E. Platt, $50 ; S. Bergman & Co., $25; J. R. Traver, $25; Mr. Woodard, $25; D. S. Ordway, $100; A. F. Bur- gess, $10; H. W. Lander, $50; C. Schlehuber, $25; E. J. Jones, $25; G. E. Redfield, $50; Whittaker & Hensler, $25; A. S. Dominy, $10; J. Hayden, $10; D. L. Townsend, $50; Dr. Bottsford, $25; Gilbert Brown, $25; Rufus Dodge, $100; R. V. Bogert, $100; A. Joy, $100; J. B. Cochrane, $50; John Brown, $10; S. M. Drown, $10; H. Hathaway, $5; William Hallett, $5; J. B. Kellum, $10; E. E. Holt, $50; S. W. Wheeler, $50; Charles Bur- chard, $25; Wm. C. Barnes, $50; Thomas Young, $25; D. Drake, $25; S. Drown, $25; F. C. Drown, $25; Mrs. Vesper and J. Mitchell, $25; R. Farnsworth, $25; Cyril Vesper, $25; Joseph Clark, $10; A. W. Johnson, $10; J. Patzelberger, $20; M. Bam- berger, $3; J. G. Ellis, $5; A. P. Lawrence, $50; E. J. Boomer, $50; J. Swart- hout, $50; H. N. Justice, $25; John Clem, $25; J. Mayne, $25; J. Ackerman, $25, John De Clark, $15; R. C. Gaton, $25; Asa Jenkins, $15; George Smith, $50; Edward L. Hall, $25; James Lynch, $10; D. Newman, $50; Th. Huth, $25; G. C. Gunn, $25; O. S. Phelps, $25, and go himself or furnish substitute; H. V. Spooner, $25 or go him- self. Other subscriptions of small amounts, which, added to the above, made a grand total of $3,152.42. All of which goes to show the resolutions previously given were made in earnest.

While the foregoing subscriptions were being raised, enlistments were being made all over the county. Among the first companies to report was that of the Beaver Dam Rifles, Capt. T. B. Catlin. The following is the original roster of the company, as published in the county papers at the time :

Captain, T. B. Catlin ; First Lieutenant, D. E. Tilden ; Second Lieutenant, Thomas R. Stafford; Sergeants-R. C. Scovill, John McCoy, J. D. Jennings, D. Woodard ; Corporals -- Samuel White, Benjamin Smith, John Yetter, H. H. Linnell. Privates -- James Ordway, S. P. K. Lewis, J. A. McFetridge, O. F. Hawley, J. M. Patch, C. W. Young, I. Haring, J. Clough, H. D. Patch, E. E. Holt, William Ashton, E. C. McFetridge, H. A. Bendle, W. J. Francisco, George W. Page, James De Clark, A. A. Drown, N. Gould, H. P. Young, J. Riley, Z. Gibbs, D. McMullen, William Fardon, S. I. Cleveland, H. W. Clark, J. Cavanagh, C. S. Small, Hugh Lewis, J. B. Wait, Horace Grover, W. D. Stanton, J. McDonnell, F. P. Thompson, A. A. Johnson, John A. Douglas, G. W. Surdam, John Manson, O. S. Phelps, D. L. Townsend, J. Q. Evans, J. J. Haring, O. C. Gould, G. Harworth, G. H. Page, J. A. Cole, G. L. Stultz,

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HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.

Robert Pringle, F. Williams, G. D. Brown, L. C. Sperry, C. Foote, Alexander Samuels, Sam- uel Hampton, A. Nelson, G. F. Foote, J. Watson, F. Kesimbeler, A. P. Warren, James Powers, E. J. Hatch, E. Wicks, E. Kaler, C. A. Drown, J. J. Thompson, E. Gordon, John Cole, A. O. Butler, F. Hubbard, J. H. Douglas. Musicians, W. Graham and L. Delent.

This company was assigned to the Fifth Wisconsin Infantry, and was given the letter "D." During its four years, the company saw much active service, and the history of the gallant Fifth Wisconsin will not suffer by comparison. On mustering into service, the regiment was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, its first active duty in the field commencing in the spring of 1862, when they were placed in the front and took part in the battle of Williamsburg. Arriving on the field about 10 o'clock, skirmishers were thrown out to the the front and left, the regiment crossing Queen's Creek and taking possession of the enemy's earth-works on the right. Here they again formed in line, Companies A, E and G deployed as skirmishers, facing the second work, of which the regiment. also took possession, suffering severely from a galling fire which the enemy opened from three larger works on the front and left. The regiment again advanced about four hundred yards, Companies D and K being sent forward to support the line of skirmishers, the remaining five companies supporting a battery which had taken position near some low farmhouses, and were engaged in shelling the enemy's works. This position was maintained until nearly 5 in the afternoon, when a sharp fire of musketry on the line of skirmishers announced the approach of the enemy in force. After maintaining this position some time, against vastly superior numbers, they were ordered to retire. Says Col. Cobb in his official report :

" In falling back to the point indicated, the regiment was immediately unmasked by the buildings, and found themselves in front of the enemy's center ; a heavy regiment, afterward ascertained to be the Fifth North Carolina, which was supported on either flank by other troops, all of whom advanced rapidly, concentrating upon them a rapid and heavy fire. They fell back in good order, every man loading as he retreated, wheeling and returning the fire of the enemy with rapidity and coolness worthy of veterans. In this manner, they fell back slowly to the line of battle of the brigade, which had already formed, taking position in the center-a space having been left for that purpose. A charge being then ordered, the whole line moved forward with a shout and a well-directed fire, driving the enemy before them like chaff, they fleeing in wild confusion, leaving the field, over which they had just pursued the retiring line of the Fifth, literally strewn with their dead and wounded, and leaving their battle-flag behind them, which was captured by a member of the regiment."

Two days afterward, when on dress-parade, the regiment was highly complimented by Gen. McClellan, who addressed them as follows : "My lads, I have come to thank you for your gal- lant conduct the other day. You have gained honor for your country, your State and the army to which you belong. Through you, we won the day, and Williamsburg shall be inscribed on your banner. I cannot thank you enough for what you have done. I trust in you for the future, and know that you will sustain the reputation you have won for yourselves. By your actions and superior discipline, you have gained a reputation which shall be known through the Army of the Potomac. Your country owes you its grateful thanks."

Gladly would we follow the history of this gallant regiment, of which Dodge County sol- diers formed a-part, until its final discharge at Madison, Wis., on the 20th day of July, 1865. But time would fail us to tell of their achievements in the seven days' conflict before Richmond, at Fredericksburg, at Spottsylvania, Rappahannock, Sailors' Creek, Winchester, Petersburg, Mary's Heights and other famous engagements. Of Company D, there were killed in engage- ments eight, viz .: S. H. Hovy, Lewis Coly, William Foster, at Spottsylvania ; John Purdy, John Galligher, Edward Martin, L. M. Muzzy, at Sailors' Creek ; Paul Purnvelle, at the Wil- derness. Died of wounds, seven, viz .: Samuel White, Hartwell C. Horn, George W. Buffum, William D. Lyon, William T. Moffitt, Henry Thielke, Harry White. Died of disease, ten, viz .: Henry A. Douglas, Minal J. Farrar, Zeno Gibbs, William M. Hutchins, Charles Kinnesly, Aaron Lawley, George W. Page, S. C. Parker, Newel Reed, John L. Riley.

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HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.

The first company formed in this county was that of the Horicon Guards, which entered the three-months service under the first call. It was assigned to the First Regiment as Com- pany C. At the expiration of their term of service, they were mustered out. The following is the original roster as copied from the Beaver Dam Argus of May 3, 1861 :

Captain, O. B. Twogood; First Lieutenant, J. C. Adams ; Second Lieutenant, Charles H. Larrabee. Sergeants-S. W. Verbeck, J. W. Clark, H. W. Phelps, H. A. Winter. Cor- porals-S. E. Tyler, George Clauson, W. W. Gilbert, Thomas McNeil; Standard Bearer, Guy S. Cobb ; Secretary, J. O. Pierce. Privates-W. F. Disher, G. C. Williams, Theodore West, T. Delaney, George Graves, John R. Deacon, Lewis Frederick, James Dilley, W. F. Glover, S. Purdy, L. Kennedy, A. W. Cole, N. E. Hoyt, M. S. Rice, C. M. Hyde, J. S. Walker, T. G. Goss, William Ward, C. F. Bower, J. H. Quick, Franklin Perry, John Garvin, Karl Knibel, James Stevens, Henry Welsh, Charles Munn, Henry Ihde, John Mendel, Thomas Sherron, Charles Wilson, Henry Dowd, Charles Burgess, John Gillespie, Andrew Nightingale, Peter Ingleheart, Reuel Dye, Robert Rennie, G. W. W. Tanner, John Powers, Nathan Frost, Willhelm Zeiman, August Kruger, Allen Young, Charles Gorman, D. W. Cole, Ernest Seifert, Frederick Rex, Frederick Mark, C. J. Robinson, Julius Reichenstein, John Brogess, G. L. Haight, August Henze, Peter Van Slyck, William Lammond, John Ihde, Charles N. Allen, George Chandler, Louis Franke, W. W. Cannell, L. W. Graves, E. J. Babcock, Albert Horny, Ferdinand Roll, E. H. Benson, J. W. Frownfelter, Nathan Wilcox.

Dodge County was represented in almost every regiment that went from the State-some more and some less. In the Tenth there were a large number of men from this county. This regiment was mustered into service in October, 1861, and was sent to the front in November of that year, crossing the Ohio River at Jeffersonville, Ind., and becoming a part of the Union forces in Kentucky. In a congratulatory address to the regiment on the 26th day of April, 1862, Gen. O. M. Mitchell says: "Your march upon Bowling Green won the thanks and confidence of your commanding General. * With a supply train only sufficient to feed you a two-days march from your depot, you undertook the herculean task of rebuilding twelve hundred feet of heavy bridging, which, by your untiring energy, was accomplished in

two days. Thus, by a railway of your own construction, your depot of supplies was removed from Nashville to Shelbyville, sixty-three miles, and in the direction of the object of your attack. The blow now became practicable. Marching with a celerity such as to outstrip any messenger who might have attempted to announce your coming, you fell upon Huntsville, taking your enemy completely by surprise, and capturing not only his great military road, but all his machine-shops, engines and rolling stock. A communication of these facts to headquarters has not only won the thanks of our commanding General, but those of the Department of War."

The first battle of special importance in which the Tenth was engaged was that of Cham- plin Hills, near Perryville, Ky. Stationed in the left wing, under command of Gen. Rousseau, they were under fire from 11 in the morning until night. At one time, having exhausted all their ammunition, the regiment held its position with empty pieces for twenty minutes, until the battery in front, which they had been ordered to support, was withdrawn to a safe position, which they retained until night put an end to the conflict. Says Gen. Rousseau in his report : " Col. Harris' whole brigade was repeatedly assailed by overwhelming numbers, and, after exhausting their ammunition and that taken from the dead and wounded on the field, still held their position. * For this gallant conduct, these brave men are entitled to the gratitude of their country, and I thank them here as I did on the field of battle."

On the 18th of September, 1863, they marched to within a short distance of Chickamauga. At 10 on the following morning, they were ordered to advance in the second line of battle of their brigade. Advancing a short distance through the woods they received the fire of the enemy, who was driven back with considerable loss, when the regiment was ordered to the front line on the right of the brigade, where skirmishers were thrown out and the enemy again engaged. After holding this position some time against a well-sustained attack in front, the enemy, in

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HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.

greatly superior force, succeeded in turning the right flank of the brigade, forcing them to fall back. In the afternoon they again occupied a position in front, again retiring in the evening. At daylight, on the 20th, the Tenth, forming the line of support to the brigade, was assigned position in the front, which they held until 10 o'clock, when the enemy made a fierce charge upon the brigade, and the regiment was at once ordered up. Repulsing the attack, they retained this position but a very short time, before the enemy turned the left of the division and was dis- covered advancing through the woods on their left flank. The Tenth was now ordered to the left, where, with other troops, they engaged the enemy, driving him back. Heavy firing was kept up nearly all the afternoon, the regiment holding its position until nearly dark, when the line on the right and rear gave way, leaving them exposed to a terrible fire from three directions, and they were forced to retire. The Tenth, being on the left, and not being aware of the enemy's position on that flank, retired to the left and rear, and ran directly into the lines of the enemy, who captured a large number of officers and men. The few remaining were brought off with the balance of the brigade. During this terrible two days' conflict, when the heroism of Gen. Thomas' troops saved our army, the Tenth lost eighteen men killed, fifty-six wounded, and one hundred and thirty-two missing, of whom the greater number were prisoners .* The regiment served their full time, arriving at Milwaukee October 25, 1864, where they were subsequently mustered out of service. The Sixteenth Regiment was also well represented by Dodge County men, and did excellent service. Their muster into the United States Service was completed on the 31st of January, 1862, leaving the State on the 13th of March following, for the front, and were disembarked on the 20th, at Pittsburg Landing. Here, a few days after, they experienced some of the realities of war. During the night of the 5th of April, four companies of the regiment were stationed in the performance of picket duty about a half a mile from the main body of the regiment, which then occupied position in the advance of our forces. At daybreak, on the morning of the 6th, they were fired upon by the enemy, and the battle of Shiloh com- menced. On the report of the first attack upon our pickets, the regiment was formed and advanced to their position in the front line of battle, which they held, until having been out- flanked by the vastly superior force of the enemy, and exposed to a concentric fire, they were compelled to fall back half a mile, where they again took position in the first line of battle. During the remainder of that and the following day, they were constantly exposed to the enemy's fire, changing positions in accordance with the varying fortunes of the conflict, and sustained a loss of two hundred and fortv-five men killed and wounded.

A number of other engagements of less importance the regiment participated in, marching thousands of miles. They were in the grand review at Washington at the close of the war, and were mustered out at the expiration of their term of service at Louisville, Ky. They arrived at Madison, Wis., on the 16th day of July, 1865, where they were paid and formally disbanded on the 1st of August, 1865.

The "sober second thought " frequently causes men to turn about, and we therefore see men who, under the excitement of the moment, enroll their names among their country's defend- ers, hasten to undo their acts. On another page we have given the names of those who enlisted on the formation of Capt. Catlin's Company. We here append the list of those who actually entered the service:

Capt. T. B. Catlin, First Lieut. D. E. Tilden, Second Lieut. T. R. Stafford, Sergeants R. C. Scovell, Charles Verbeck, J. H. Douglas, D. Woodard, D. H. Moore ; Corporals Samuel White, Benjamin Smith, John Yetter, H. H. Linnell, M. Kirby, Charles Charnock, James Ord- way, A. Turnbull ; Privates Herbert P. Young, Julius Clough, John Hammond, George W. Page, William Ashton, Charles H. Foote, O. S. Foster, James DeClark, Charles A. Drown, Henry A. Douglas, John L. Riley, George Cole, Zeno Gibbs, Jr., John J. Thompson, John E. Cole, Robert Pringle, Charles McCoy, Thomas Reynolds, Holland Smith, Stanly A. Brown, Newel Reed, Henry Hastings, Stephen C. Parker, Alex. J. Burroughs, Benjamin Fahringer, Eli Mason, Thomas G. Crocker, James B. Canterbury, Elijah Young, Jr., James B. Wait,

* Official report of Capt Roby, commanding the regiment.

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HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.

Charles Byers, Julius A. Hewitt, Isaac Stover, Asahel A. Johnson, Henry D. Fox, Charles H. Miller, George P. Smith, Alexander Samuel, William B. Crocker, Edward Smith, William Col- lingburn, Alonzo Nelson, John W. Turner, John Brady, Benjamin B. Painter, Minot J. Farrar, James McQuenly, William B. Naylor, John D. Buckley, Charles T. Cleveland, L. J. E. Boyer, B. T. Worthington, Albion P. Howe, Benjamin Hadley, Adolph Lavigne, Frank Brown. John Gustavison, Solon A. Hovey, Timothy D. Skinner, Ephraim Houlle, Peter Anderson, Charles Johnson, D. D. Parkhurst, Edward F. Charnock, Frank Lavigne, Horace H. Hecox, George Gray, Martin G. Creasy, George Burr, Charles Jones, James W. Decker, Louis A. Bacon, George Anderson, James Powers, Lewis Delent, William D. Lyon, Charles M. Conklin. John G. Hardey, Richard Bruce, George N. Foote, William M. Hutchins, Lewis Longstaff, Cyrus A. White, William D. Stanton, David Clark.

Dodge County lost many brave men during the four years' struggle, but none whose loss was more deeply felt than that of Capt. Horace D. Patch, Company C, Tenth Regiment, W. V. I., who died June 22, 1862, from the effects of exposure and a wound received at Pittsburg Landing. Says the Argus, under date of July 4, 1862 :

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The History of Dodge County, Wisconsin, containing a history of Dodge County, its early settlement, growth, development, resources, etc, Part 56

Author: Western Historical Co Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago, Western Historical Co. Number of Pages: 774

Author: Western Historical Co
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, Western Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 774