Template:SWTSWV (Chapter 1)
Fort Sumpter was fired upon, and recognizing the full import of that event, on the fifteenth day of April 1861, President Abraham Lincoln issued his proclamation calling for seventy-five thousand volunteers to suppress the rebellion by force of arms. This first bugle call of war found the author of this book in the sparsely settled County of Juneau in the State of Wisconsin. I was then twenty-two years of age, and had come out of college with the class of 1860. With the proclamation of the President came the announcement that the quota of the State of Wisconsin would be only one small infantry regiment of seven hundred and eighty men. It seemed quite evident that only by prompt action I might secure what was then termed the "glorious privilege" of aiding in crushing the Rebellion, which undertaking it had been estimated by one in high authority[1], could be accomplished in sixty days. It is pleasant to remember that at that day few questions were raised as to the rates of compensation for service, and so remote a contingency as realizing upon the promise of a pension was not considered. Nothing beyond the opportunity to go was asked. What seemed to most concern our patriotic and ambitious young men was the fear that some one else would get ahead and crush the Rebellion before they got there. Drawing up the following pledge and signing it, I began the work of gathering Volunteers on the twenty-fifth day of April 1861.
"We, the undersigned, agree to organize an independent military company, and to hold ourselves in readiness to respond to any call to defend our cpuntry and sustain our government." It will be noted that the service offered was not limited to three months but was for "any call."
Forty-eight signers were secured as the result of my first day's work. Then John A. Kellogg, the Prosecuting Attorney of the county, would not be denied the privilege of signing my paper and joining with me in the work of raising a company of Volunteers. I argued with Kellogg, who was ten years my senior and a married man, that young men, without families, could crush the Rebellion, but he could not brook the thought of being deprived of sharing in the satisfaction and glory of that service, and feeling that this would be his only chance, he joined in the work of making up the company with the utmost zeal.
On the thirtieth day of April one hundred men, who had agreed to volunteer, met in Langworthy's Hall, in the village of Mauston, the county seat, to organize the company. There was no contest for the positions of Captain and First Lieutenant. But for the other offices there was active competition, and the meeting assumed something of the aspect of a political convention. After a discussion in which Badgers and other typical beasts and birds were considered for an appropriate name, we adopted the mellifluous title of "The Lemonweir Minute Men" from the peaceful and gently flowing river, in the beautiful valley of which most of our men resided. It would "remind us of home" said one, and this argument carried the day.
Extracts from a letter written to my sister in Ohio will serve to illustrate the spirit of these times and of this occasion. Their zeal might have been tempered had they known more of war, but a purer impulse of patriotism never burned in the souls of men, than that which inspired the unmercenary Volunteers of 1861.
| May 4, 1861 - Rufus R. Dawes to (Sister) |
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The question of getting into active service now absorbed the minds of all, and great anxiety and impatience was displayed lest we should not be called, or other companies, later organized, should be preferred. On May 16th, I wrote to my brother, E.C. Dawes, then a student in college in Ohio,
| May 16, 1861 - Rufus R. Dawes to Ephraim C. Dawes (Brother) |
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During this period of doubt and anxiety, I found comfort in the judgment of one Captain Balfour, of Mauston. He differed from the general opinion as to the serious magnitude of the coming war. He was an old gentleman who had served as a Captain in the British army. He had been through campaigns in Spain and was present at the burial of Sir John Moore. He, and other young officers, he informed me, had taken turns in sitting on the throne of Spain which had been abandoned by Joseph Bonaparte, when Wellington's army had entered Madrid.
His wife, a hale and bright old lady, had been with him in these campaigns, serving as vivandiere of his regiment. Captain Balfour, then over eighty years of age, said "Don't fret, young man, your company will be needed. Those Southern people are determined upon war. It will take years to put them down. You'll see, you'll see! You have no Wellingtons or Napoleons in this country, and next to no experience in war. This is no job of sixty days." I constantly advised with this venerable soldier who gave me excellent counsel and suggestions of practical value, drawn from a long experience in field service. Two weeks more passed away, much exciting news coming from Ohio,[3] and on the second of June, I find the following report of the condition of our affairs in a letter to my sister.
| Unknown Date - Rufus R. Dawes to (Sister) |
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On the 10th of June I wrote:
| June 14, 1861 - W.H. Watson (Military Secretary of Wisconsin) to Rufus R. Dawes |
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These gentlemen had been old friends and college associates at the Wisconsin State University.
A Poster:
RALLY! BOYS, RALLY!! RALLY!!!
ENLISTMENTS WANTED FOR THE LEMONWEIR MINUTE MEN! HEADQUARTERS L.M.M., Mauston, June 17th, 1861.
This company is ordered by the Commander in chief to hold itself in readiness to be mustered into the service on Monday, June 24th. Men are wanted to complete the full complement of one hundred and one. Come forward, boys, and place your names on the roll.
R. R. Dawes, Captain.
To my sister on the 20th of June, I write:
| June 20, 1861 - Rufus R. Dawes to (Sister) |
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Some ladies of Marietta, Ohio, had sent to me, through my sister, one hundred pin cushions for my company.
On the 29th of June came the welcome telegram, which was received with the greatest enthusiasm, ordering us into quarters.
| June 29, 1861 - W H. Watson (Military Secretary of Wisconsin) to Rufus R. Dawes |
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On the 6th day of July, in compliance with orders, the company, ninety-four men in all, took the cars for Madison to join the sixth regiment. We had been assigned to that regiment because of the failure of several other companies registered higher on the list in the Adjutant General's office. Our arrival, therefore, as it completed the organization of the regiment, was an event, increased in its interest and importance by the several previous disappointments. I received a telegram from the Colonel of the sixth regiment, while en route, asking the hour of our arrival. Had I suspected the reception that was being prepared for us, I think I should have entered protest. As we approached Camp Randall that afternoon, the fifth and sixth regiments, nearly two thousand men, were in line of battle to receive us with becoming state and ceremony. My company had had practically no drill. "By the right flank, right face" according to the Scott tactics, and "Forward march" was almost the sum total of my own knowledge of military movements. The men stumbled along in two ranks, kicking each other's heels as they gazed at the novel and imposing spectacle before them. A few wore broadcloth and silk hats, more the red shirts of raftsmen, several were in country homespun, one had on a calico coat, and another was looking through a hole in the drooping brim of a straw hat. I remember, also, that there were several of those ugly white caps with long capes, called "Havelocks." The men carried every variety of valise, and every species of bundle, down to one shirt tied up in a red handkerchief. My confusion may be imagined when I was met at the gate way of Camp Randall by Frank A. Haskell, the Adjutant of the sixth regiment, who was mounted on a spirited charger, and quite stunning in his bright uniform and soldierly bearing. With a military salute he transmitted an order from the Colonel "to form my company in column by platoon," and to march to Headquarters under escort of the Milwaukee Zouaves. Hibbard's Zouaves, (Co. B, 5th Wisconsin,) was then considered the best drilled company in the state. Their appearance in bright Zouave uniform was fine. I answered Adjutant Haskell, "Good afternoon, Sir. I should be glad to comply with the wishes of the Colonel, but it is simply impossible." So we took our own gait in the direction of Headquarters. The maneuvres and the yelling of the Zouaves, who engaged in one of their peculiar drills, increased the distraction of my men, and they marched worse than before. However, we got into line in front of Headquarters and were briefly congratulated upon our arrival, in a few pertinent remarks by Colonel Lysander Cutler. The Colonel informed us in his speech that we would be designated as Company "K." But in recognition of our grand entree, the camp had already christened us Company "Q."
Fortunately, our first essay in military evolution at the evening dress parade, took place behind the backs of the regiment. Adjutant Frank A. Haskell came to my relief, and of his kindness on that occasion I have an appreciative memory. The fun he enjoyed in watching us, amply repaid his service. By our designation as Company "K" we were brought in camp, and in line, into close connection with Company "E," an alliance which proved congenial. The Captain of that Company appeared to be much gratified that a Captain had come in, who knew less than he did about military matters. Thus began an intimate association, which lasted through three hard years of trial, in which we were together. At this beginning of our acquaintance, I think a fellow feeling made us wondrous kind. In politics and law, Edward S. Bragg stood among the first men in his state, but in military matters he had yet, as the Indians would say, "a heap to know." The sixth regiment was an exceptionally fine body of officers and men, as their history may abundantly attest. There were many of the officers of the line, already well qualified by education and experience, for their duties. Company "A" was commanded by Captain Adam G. Malloy, who had been a soldier in the war with Mexico. His Company was being well instructed, and he was ambitious that they should justify their selection as first upon the list. Company "C," which had been made the color company, was commanded by Captain Alexander S. Hooe, whose father was a Major in the regular army. In that association he had grown to thorough knowledge of the drill. Company "F," of Germans from Milwaukee, had two of the most highly qualified officers with whom I met in all my service, Lieutenant Schumacher and Lieutenant Werner Von Bachellé. Both had served in the armies of Europe, and as competent, exact and thorough drill masters, they were no where to be surpassed. It was to me an instructive pleasure to watch them drill their companies. The influence of this splendid company, and its Lieutenants, was marked in stimulating others to equal their performance. Both of these gallant men and model soldiers were killed in battle for their adopted country. The Captain of Company "H," which was also composed principally of Germans, was a character. He could, at that time, express himself only with much difficulty in English, He was a tall and stalwart soldier, rigid as a disciplinarian and exact as an instructor, as he had been educated in the military school at Thun, Switzerland. He had also served in European wars, and acted on the Staff of General Garibaldi. One saying of Captain Hauser in Camp Randall is memorable. Exasperated at his men who got into a huddle, he shouted, "Veil, now you looks shust like one dam herd of goose." Lieutenant John F. Marsh of Company "B," had served in the war with Mexico, and there were other officers of excellent qualification, among those upon the roster.[4]
On July 9th, I reported progress in a letter to my sister as follows:
| July 9, 1861 - Rufus R. Dawes to (Sister) |
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About this time we received from the State of Wisconsin payment for our services. To our surprise and gratification
we were instructed to make up our pay roll from May 3rd., the date of our commissions. I remember that when I took my pay roll to that excellent gentleman, Simeon Mills, the Paymaster, he said, "I see, Captain, that you have omitted to put in your servant." I said, "I have no servant." Mr. Mills said, "I think you certainly have, as the Regulations require it." Seeing that he knew more about the subject than I did, I made no further objection to a servant's going on the pay roll. This was one of the farces of our military system. My treacherous memory forbids my recording here, whether my servant was described as having green eyes and red hair or red eyes and green hair ; but I think the old pay roll will disclose a very remarkable descriptive list of this imaginary person. A Captain of infantry had sixty dollars per month as pay and sixty-eight dollars per month as "allowances." Thirteen dollars per month and thirty
cents per day (one ration) was allowed for a servant, and one dollar and twenty cents (four rations) was allowed for
subsistence. But the Captain was obliged to certify that he had a servant, and to describe him. Few Captains had servants, but all had one hundred and twenty-eight dollars per month.
Our regiment, strange to say, was uniformed by the State of Wisconsin in the color of the Confederacy, gray. These gray uniforms were of honest and excellent material, and we exchanged them with regret a few months later for the sleazy, shoddy blue, we received from the general government, at that early period in the war.
The question which absorbed the most attention next in Camp Randall, was the impending muster into the United States service. As the day approached, I found it was inevitable that I should lose four men, who could not or who would not be mustered in. One was too old, one was too young, one showed that he had no idea of going with us, and the last one had a presentiment that he would be killed. I labored with this last man, for he was a strong, hearty, good fellow, but he said that in a dream he had seen himself killed. This seemed absurd, but I had to let him go. Later in the war this man enlisted in a Wisconsin Cavalry regiment, and served his term without a scratch. Captain Bragg asked me if I did not want two of his men. I was anxious to muster in as many as possible, and did want badly two men. He said that one of his men wanted to serve his country as a fifer and the other as a drummer. The fifer could not fife, neither could the drummer drum. But none of my men in Company "K" could perform such service, and they were all desirous to serve as soldiers in the line. There seemed nothing in the way of this arrangement to swell my ranks by two, and so I took them in. Captain Bragg got nothing tor his men, but he settled perplexing questions about the music in Company "E."
We were mustered into the service of the United States for the term of three years, unless sooner discharged, on the 16th day of July, 1861. The regiment mustered in ten hundred and forty-five men. In my company ninety-two men were mustered. In giving these figures, I follow the authority of my own contemporary letter.
Referring again to the old bundle of letters, carefully preserved by my sister, who herself, long years ago, passed away from us, I find that the movement of our army towards Bull Run, in Virginia, which was then in progress, aroused our expectation of moving Eastward. I find, also, that upon the occasion of the presentation by the State, of colors to the fifth and sixth regiments, there was a grand celebration and jollification at Camp Randall. There were about six thousand visitors present. A fine supper, the gift of the ladies of Dane County, was served to both regiments in the dining hall. The camp was beautifully decorated, and no grounds were neater or more tastefully adorned than those of Company "K." To our First Sergeant, David L. Quaw, is chiefly due the credit.
My next letter is dated at Camp Cutler near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, August 1st.
| August 1, 1861 - Rufus R. Dawes to ? |
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The question was raised, why Miss Anderson passed our old Colonel by and presented this little token to the youngest Captain in the line. It was wholly due to the superior lung power of Company "K."
We did move from Harrisburg, but it was not to Harper's Ferry nor to fight the enemy, for the next letter is from Baltimore. "We are encamped in Patterson Park, a beautiful grove overlooking the city, the bay. Fort McHenry and a broad extent of finely cultivated farms. We marched several miles through the streets of Baltimore last night, without arms. We were escorted by two hundred armed police. Our boys were well supplied with brick bats. The rebel Plug Uglies commenced an attack on Bragg's Company, "E," which marched just in front of my company, but it was promptly suppressed by the police. The streets were jammed with people, as we marched, and the excitement was very great. The sentiments expressed were spitefully hostile. There is a slumbering Volcano in Baltimore ready to break out at any success of the Rebellion. Your imagination cannot picture with what unction they would roll under their tongues such morsels as, "Bull Run you blue bellies!" "How do you like Bull Run ?" "It was Yankees Run." We have come into a different atmosphere. I hope we may remain here awhile. We need drill badly and our present situation is all that could be desired.[5]
We are very closely confined in camp. No commissioned officer can leave without a pass from the Colonel. There is plenty of money in the regiment now, gold and silver. Our old Colonel Cutler is a very strict disciplinarian, and will tolerate no nonsense. He was Colonel of a regiment in Maine in the Aroostook war. Queer as it now sounds, the boast of our Colonel's military record was in serious earnest.
Camp Atwood, Patterson Park, August, 5th 1861.
| August 5, 1861 - Rufus R. Dawes to ? |
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This little affair was our first contact with rebels who would shoot. In some respects it was a very laughable experience. When the firing began, which was after midnight, I formed my men in the company street and loaded up with brick bats. We had no guns. Companies "A" and "B" only had been armed as yet, and they were on guard duty contending with the foe. I sent Lieutenant Kellogg to the Colonel for instructions. This was super serviceable as the Colonel would have sent for us if he had needed our brick bats. Lieutenant Kellogg wandered around in the dark night and found the Colonel in the back part of the camp where the firing was the hottest. What instructions he received we never learned, as he fell into a dreadful hole in his reckless rush to bring them to us, and his condition of body and mind was such that he did nothing but swear a blue streak about his own mishap. With us the tragedy ended with a roaring farce. Lieut. Kellogg was of quick blood and it was not always safe to congratulate him as the only man wounded in the Battle of Patterson Park.
While we were at Patterson Park we were under the Command of General John A. Dix.
On the seventh day of August we moved on to Washington. The order came while the regiment was engaged in the evening Dress Parade, and it was received with enthusiasm. Our orders were to move at once, and there was hurrying in hot haste.[6] The regiment had been armed, while at Patterson Park, with Belgian muskets, a heavy, clumsy gun, of large caliber, and not to be compared with the Springfield rifled musket. We again marched through the streets of Baltimore at night. Our muskets were loaded and my letter says, "at half cock," and we received from all citizens the compliment of respectful silence. We started about midnight, in filthy cattle cars, and reached Washington City at daylight. We marched to the City Hall Park, and, late in the day to Meridian Hill, where we established our camp, a few rods from Columbia College, then being used as a hospital for the wounded from the Bull Run battle. This camp, called Kalorama, was, as indicated by its classic name, indeed beautiful for situation and for its magnificent view of the Capitol and the city. But the three weeks spent there were a great trial. There were in my company twenty-five men sick with the measles, and the other companies were in like manner severely scourged. The weather was intensely hot and the water was not good. Melons were freely sold in camp, and a general run of sickness was the result beyond our measles. On August fifteenth, we had in Company "K" thirty-five reported sick and unfit for duty. On August twenty-third, a more cheerful condition prevailed, as I write as follows to my sister:
| August 23, 1861 - Rufus R. Dawes to (Sister) |
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To my brother on August twenty-fourth, I wrote from Camp Kalorama:
| August 24, 1861 - Rufus R. Dawes to Ephraim C. Dawes (Brother) |
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Theodore D. Kanouse, who was an old college friend at the Wisconsin State University, often came to my quarters, and his witty comments upon the infelicity of his service in the band, were a source of amusement. He said he had undertaken to crush the Rebellion with a trombone and, willing to admit his own failure, he hoped the Government would not rely wholly upon its brass bands to accomplish that result.
Frank A. Haskell exercised at that time a marked influence upon the progress of the regiment in soldierly knowledge and quality. He was an educated gentleman, a graduate of Dartmouth College. He had belonged to the Governor's Guard, a military company at the Capitol of Wisconsin, and had been drawn by natural tastes to some study of military tactics. Haskell had been born with every quality that goes to make a model soldier. He took great interest and pride in the instruction of the regiment, and so elevated his office, that some men then thought the Adjutant must at least be next to the Colonel in authority and rank. It was a good instruction in the school of a soldier to serve a tour of duty in the regimental guard. One especial and untiring effort of Adjutant Haskell was to exact cleanliness and neatness of personal appearance, an essential condition of true soldierly bearing. The cotton gloves, which he required the men to wear, were kept snow white, nor did he allow them to cover dirty hands. It was a dread ordeal for a man to step four paces in front and face the Adjutant before the assembled guard and in fear of this he went there clean at however great and unusual a sacrifice of customary habit. To see Haskell, "About face" and salute the Colonel before the regiment when we were on dress parade was an object lesson in military bearing.
On the twenty-sixth of August there was a general review of all the troops encamped on Meridian Hill. General George B. McClellan was the reviewing officer, and this was our first introduction. On that day I wrote to my sister:
| August 26, 1861 - Rufus R. Dawes to (Sister) |
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- ↑ Wm. H. Seward, Secretary of State, in President Lincoln's Cabinet.
- ↑ This is what I heard from home. Letter from my mother dated Marietta, Ohio, April 28, 1861:
April 28, 1861 - Sarah Cutler (Mother) to Rufus Dawes
Marietta, Ohio April 28, 1861
"Governor Dennison has sent six cannon and two companies of the regular army to Marietta. Your Uncle (William P. Cutler) has not joined the Silver Greys for he will have to go to Congress in two months. He is one of the Committee of Safety. Business is prostrated, yet the people are hopeful and seem determined at all hazards to sustain the Government. Provisions here are abundant and cheap. The excitement is so great and so entirely engrossing that all other subjects are dismissed. People recognize the hand of God in these things and feel thankful that the North is right. To-day at church the soldiers marched in and took the front seats. What a sight for Marietta! The Ohio river perhaps will be the border. Before the end of the week there will be thousands of troops quartered in Marietta. I despair of giving you any idea of the excited state of things here."
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- ↑ Marietta had now become a Camp for the troops that made up the army for the campaign in West Virginia. From my mother:
May 27, 1861 - Sarah Cutler (Mother) to Rufus R. Dawes
Marietta, Ohio, May 27th, 1861.
"All of the first ladies in the city have given their names to nurse or furnish supplies for the sick. As yet we have no system, but hope to get organized in a day or two. The hospital is an old brick building near the Fair ground. There are thirty-nine sick men there 'to-day, and they are far from comfortable. But the Citizens are sending in things every day and we shall soon get fixed. Most of the men are sick with the measles. There is one case of typhoid fever. Another regiment (18th Ohio) came in to-day.
Everybody is making bandages, lint, and Havelock caps. L--- has made five and a half dozens of plasters of mutton tallow, spread on linen rags, four inches square and done up neatly in oiled silk, very acceptable, the surgeons say," Such were the preparations for war in 1861.
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- ↑ This is the roster of officers Dawes left Wisconsin with in the 6th Wisconsin Infantry:
6th Wisconsin Infantry - Original Officers Lysander Cutler - (Colonel)
J.P. Atwood - (Lieutenant Colonel)
B.J. Sweet - (Major)C.B. Chapman - (Surgeon)
A.W. Preston - (1st Assistant Surgeon)
O.F. Bartlett - (2nd Assistant Surgeon)Frank A. Haskell - (Adjutant)
Isaac N. Mason - (Quartermaster)
N.A. Staples - (Chaplain)Company Captain 1st Lieutenant 2nd Lieutenant A A.G. Malloy D.K. Noyes T.C. Thomas B D.J. Dill J.F. Marsh H. Serrill C A.S. Hooe P.W. Plummer T.W. Plummer D John O'Rourke John Nichols P.H. McAuley E E.S. Bragg E.A. Brown J.H. Marston F W.H. Lindwurm F. Schumacher W. Von Bachellé G M.A. Northrup G.L. Montague W.H. Allen H J.F. Hauser J.D. Lewis J.A. Tester I Leonard Johnson F.A. Haskell A.J. Johnson K R.R. Dawes J.A. Kellogg Jno. Crane - ↑ Muster Roll of Company "K," 6th Wisconsin Volunteers, in August, 1861:
- ↑ General Dix says he had "telegraphic orders" to send General Rufus King and the two Wisconsin regiments (5th and 6th,) to Washington.
