1884
History of Green County
CHAPTER XX
THE WAR FOR THE UNION.
 
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    Before entering upon a consideration of the part taken by the citizen-soldiers of Green county, in the great contest between the slave-owners of the south and the lovers of freedom in the north, it is proper to dwell for a brief period upon the causes leading to the conflict of arms and incipient steps taken by the general and State governments in arousing and marshalling the hosts of liberty-loving men who afterward so grandly kept step to the music of the Union.
 

WISCONSIN'S FIRST EFFORTS.
 
    When Wisconsin was first called upon to aid the general government in its efforts to sustain itself against the designs of the secession conspirators, the commercial affairs of the State were embarrassed to a considerable degree by the depreciation of the currency.  The designs of the secessionists were so far developed at the end of the year 1860, as to show that resistence to the National authority had been fully determined on.  It is not a matter of wonder, then, that Gov. Randall in his message to the legislature, early in January, 1861, should have set forth the dangers which threatened the Union, or should have denied the right of a State to secede from it.

    "Secession," said he, "is revolution; revolution is war; war against the government of the Untied States is treason."  "It is time," he continued, "now, to know whether we have any government, and if so, whether it has any strength.  Is our written constitution more than a sheet of parchment?  The Nation must be lost or preserved by its own strength.  Its strength is in the patriotism of the people.  It is time now that politicians become patriots; that men show their love of country by every sacrifice, but that of principle, and by unwavering devotion to its interests and integrity."  "The hopes," added the governor, most eloquently, "of civilization and Christianity are suspended now upon the answer to this question of dissolution.  The capacity for, as well as the right of, self-government is to pass its ordeal, and speculation to become certainty.  Other systems have been tried, and have failed; and all along the skeletons of Nations have been strewn, as warnings and land marks, upon the great highway of historic government.  Wisconsin is true, and her people steadfast.  She will not destroy the Union, nor consent that it shall be done.  Devised by great, and wise, and good men, in days of sore trial, it must stand.  Like some bold mountain, at whose base the great seas break their angry floods, and around whose summit the thunders of a thousand hurricans have rattled -- strong, unmoved, immovable -- so may the Union, be, while treason surges at its base, and passion rage around it, unmoved, immovable -- here let it stand forever."

    These are the words of an exalted and genuine patriotism.  But the governor did not content himself with eloquence alone.  He came down to matters of business as well.  He urged the necessity of legislation that would give more efficient organization to the militia of the State.  He warned the legislators to make preparations also for the coming time that should try the souls of men.  "The signs of the times," said he, "indicate that there may arise a contingency in the condition of the govern- . . .


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ment, when it will become necessary to respond to a call of the National government for men and means to maintain the integrity of the Union, and to thwart the designs of men engaged in organized treason.  While no unnecessary expense should be incurred, yet it is the part of wisdom, both for individuals and States, in revolutionary times to be prepared to defend our institutions to the extremity."  It was thus the patriotic governor gave evidence to the members of both houses that he "scented the battle afar off."

    On the 16th of January a joint resolution of the legislature was passed, declaring that the people of Wisconsin are ready to co-operate with the friends of the Union everywhere for its preservation, to yield a cheerful obedience to its requirements, and to demand a like obedience from all others; that the legislature of Wisconsin, profoundly impressed with the value of the Union, and determined to preserve it unimpaired, hail with joy the recent firm, dignified and patriotic special message of the President of the United States; that they tender to him, through the chief magistrate of their own State, whatever aid, in men and money, may be required to enable him to enforce the laws and uphold the authority of the federal government and in defense of the more perfect Union, which has conferred prosperity and happiness on the American people.  "Renewing," said they, "the pledge given and redeemed by our fathers, we are ready to devote our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honors in upholding the Union and the Constitution."

    The legislature, in order to put the State upon a kind of "war footing," passed an act for its defense, and to aid in enforcing the laws and maintaining the authority of the general government.  It was under this act the Gov. Randall was enabled to organize the earlier regiments of Wisconsin.  By it, in case of a call from the President of the United States to aid in maintaining the Union and the supremacy of the laws, to suppress or rebellion or insurrection, or to repel invasion within the United States, the governor was authorized to provide in the most efficient manner for responding to such call -- to accept the services of volunteers for service, in companies of seventy-five men each, rank and file, and in regiments of ten companies of seventy-five men each, and to commission officers for them.  The governor was also authorized to contract for the uniforms and equipments necessary for putting such companies into active service.  One hundred thousand dollars was appropriated for war purposes; and bonds were authorized to be issued for that amount, to be negotiated by the governor for raising funds.  It will be seen, therefore, that the exigencies of the times -- for Fort Sumter had not yet been surrendered -- were fully met by the people's representatives, they doing their whole duty, as they then understood it, in aid of the perpetuity of the Union.

    Having defended Fort Sumter for thirty-four hours, until the quarters were entirely burned, the main gates destroyed, the gorge-wall seriously injured, the magazine surrounded by flames, and its door closed from the effects of the heat, four barrels and three cartridges of powder only being available, and no provisions but pork remaining, Robert Anderson, major of the 1st Artillery, United States army, accepted terms of evacuation offered by Gen. Beauregard, marched out of the fort on Sunday afternoon, the 14th of April, 1861, with the colors flying and drums beating, bringing away company and private property, and saluting his flag with fifty guns.  This, in brief, is the story of the fall of Sumter and the opening act of the War of the Rebellion.

    "Whereas," said Abraham Lincoln, President, in his proclamation of the next day, "the laws of the United States have been for some time past, and now are, opposed, and the execution thereof obstructed, in the States of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas, by combinations too pow- . . .


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erful to be suppressed by the ordinary course of judicial proceedings, or the powers vested in the marshals by law."  Now, in view of that fact, he called forth the militia of the several States of the Union, to the aggregate number of 75,000, in order to suppress those combinations, and to cause the laws to by duly executed.  "A call is made on you by to-night's mail for one regiment of militia for immediate service," telegraphed the secretary of the war to Randall, on the same day.
 

THE STATE AROUSED.
 
    In Wisconsin, as elsewhere, the public pulse quickened under the excitement of the fall of Sumter.  "The dangers which surrounded the Nation awakened the liveliest sentiments of patriotism and devotion.  For the time party fealty was forgotten in the general desire to save the Nation.  The minds of the people soon settled into the conviction that a bloody war was at hand, and that the glorious fabric of our National government, and the principles upon which it is founded, were in jeopardy, and with a determination unparalleled in the history of a any country, they rushed to its defense.  On every hand the National flag could be seen displayed, and the public enthusiasm knew no bounds.  In city, town and hamlet, the burden on every tongue was war."  "We have never been accustomed," said Gov. Randall, "to consider the military arm as essential to the maintenance of our government, but an exigency has arisen that demands its employment."  "The time has come," he continued, "when parties and platforms must be forgotten, and all good citizens and patriots unite together in putting down rebels and traitors."  "What is money," he asked, "what is life, in the presence of such crisis?"

    Such utterances and such enthusiasm could but have their effect upon the legislature, which, it will be remembered, was still in session.  So, although that body had voted to adjourn, sine die, on the 15th of April, yet, when the moment arrived, and a message from the governor was received, announcing that, owing to the extra-ordinary exigencies which had arisen, an amendment of the law of the 13th of the month was necessary, the resolution to adjourn was at once rescinded.  The two houses thereupon not only increased the amount of bonds to be issued to $200,00, but they also passed a law exempting from civil process, during the time of service, all persons enlisting and mustering into the United States army from Wisconsin.  When, on the 17th, the legislature did adjourn, the scene was a remarkable one.  Nine cheers were given for the star spangled  banner and three for the Governor's Guard, who had just then tendered their services -- the first in the State -- under the call for a regiment of men for three months' duty.

    "For the first time in the history of this federal government," are the words of the governor, in a proclamation issued on the 16th of April, "organized treason has manifested itself within several States of the Union, and armed rebels are making war against it."  "The treasurers of the country," said he, "must no longer be plundered; the public property must be protected from aggressive violence; that already seized must be retaken, and the laws must be executed in every State of the Union alike."  "A demand," he added, "made upon Wisconsin, by the President of the United States, for aid to sustain the federal arm, must meet with a prompt response."  And it did, and nowhere with more genuine enthusiasm than in Green county.
 

GREEN COUNTY AWAKENED.
 
    The county of Green was not slow to move when it was clearly seen by her citizens that the Union was in deed and in truth threatened by armed rebellion and avowed secession.

    Her first company was company C, 3d regiment.  It was enlisted in April and May, 1861.  In December of that year, the county was credited with 229 soldiers.  Her total credit in August, 1862, was 708 men; so, it will be seen, . . .

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that Green county was not slow to respond to the calls made upon her when the war broke out.
 

GREEN COUNTY'S ROLL OF HONOR.
 
    The following are brief sketches of the various Wisconsin regiments in which, to a greater or less extent, Green county was represented during the war.  To these sketches are appended the names of the citizen-soldiers from the county in each of these regiments, so far as ascertained:
 
FIRST WISCONSIN (THREE MONTHS) REGIMENT.
 
    On the 15th of April, 1861, an informational meeting was held at Madison, at the executive office, to consider events, Judge O. Cole, of the Supreme Court in the chair.  He made a speech full of patriotism and the noblest sentiments.  On the day following, Gov. Randall notified Capt. George E. Bryant that the services of the Madison Guards had been accepted, and he was authorized to fill up his company; and, on the same day, the governor issued a proclamation for the organization of the 1st regiment of Wisconsin Volunteers.  The enrollment of men for this company began on April 17, on which day twenty-eight names were enrolled, which on the 20th were increased to 118.  On the 17th, the Governor's Guard, a military organization at Madison, by their captain, Judge J.P. Atwood, tendered their services, which were accepted on the 18th.  The company had seventy-three names enrolled; and on the evening of that day, a large and enthusiastic meeting was held at the assembly room in the State capitol, at which Hon. H.S. Orton presided.  A committee was appointed to receive from the citizens, and those in the vicinity, subscriptions for the support of families which should need aid.  At this meeting, $7,490 were voluntarily subscribed.  The two Madison companies, with the other companies composing the 1st regiment, rendezvoused at Milwaukee on the 27th of April; and, on the 17th of May, the organization of the regiment was completed, and mustered into the United States service, and the was department informed that it awaited marching orders.  The troops remained in camp until the 9th of June, when, in obedience to orders from Washington, they left the State for Harrisburg, Penn., fully equipped by the State, with the exception of arms.  The commissioned officers were John C. Starkweather, colonel; Charles L. Harris, lieutenant-colonel; D.H. Lain, major; A.R. Chapin, adjutant; D.W. Keyes, quartermaster; B.F. White, surgeon; L.J. Dixon and J. Crugom, assistants; J.W. Plows, commissary; Charles Fairchild, assistant.  The regiment was composed of four companies from Milwaukee county, two from Dane county, one form Rock, one each from Kenosha and Found du Lac counties.  The regiment was quartered for a time at Hagerstown, Md., under the command of Generals Nagley and Abercrombie respectively.  It was assigned to the division of Major-Gen. Patterson, July 2.  It led the advance on Martinsburg, participated in the battle of Falling Water, and won a reputation for bravery and veteran-like conduct excelled by no other regiment.  After serving out the time for which it was enlisted, the regiment returned to Fort Scott, at Milwaukee, and was mustered out Aug. 22, 1861.  The only person from Green county in this regiment, so far as is known, was Robert Hewitt, of Albany.
 
SECOND WISCONSIN REGIMENT.
 
    The 2d Wisconsin was ordered to move into camp at Madison on the 1st of May, 1861, which was by S. Park Coon (who was appointed by the governor colonel of the regiment), named Camp Randall, in honor of the governor.  This regiment was first organized for three months' service; but, on the 7th of May, orders were received to recruit the regiment for three years, or the war.  The regiment was mustered into the United States service, and received orders to move to Harrisburg, Penn.  They started on the 20th of June, arrived at Washington June 25, and went into camp near the city.  After remaining in camp some time, Col. Coon was detached, and placed upon the staff of . . .

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Gen. Sherman; and the command of the regiment devolved upon Lieut.-Col. Peck.

    The numerical strength of this regiment when it left Camp Randall was as follows: field and staff, 9; company officers, 30; band, 24; non-commissioned officers, musicians, and privates, 985; total, 1,048.


To be continued
 
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