Story of the service of Company E : and the Twelfth Wisconsin Regiment, Veteran Volunteer Infantry, in the War of the Rebellion : beginning with September 7th, 1861, and ending with July 21st, 1865

Front matter

EMORY UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

COL. CEO. E. BRYANT,

COMMANDER 12th WIS. VOL. INF

Preface

■"T is certain that the varied and stirring events connected with the service of any company or regiment taking ^ an active part in our great civil war, from 1861 to 1865, list furnish abundant material for an interesting story; and a sketch of the service of our company and regiment ould be of no little interest, especially to those of us who arched, and fought, and camped, and enjoyed, and suffered gether under the banner of the Twelfth Wisconsin and the .g of our Union.

But the interest and value of the story here presented has :en bounded in on all sides by the limited ability of the ithor. No one can more fully understand than he how uch better a book an abler writer could make out of the same aterial. Yet he feels that no one could bring to the work a ore willing heart or hand than he has done; the writing of is story has been truly a labor of love — a task that has ver become irksome, but one that has daily brought with the tenderest emotions of fraternity and the purest sentients of loyalty.

This story has been written during the brief intervals of ;sure that have been snatched from a busy life, therefore it 11, no doubt, seem here and there disjointed; yet, what is itten is written, and the author will offer no further apology, ill, he begs all who read it, especially his old comrades, to iticise kindly: he hopes they will dwell upon such parts as ey can commend, and pass lightly over what seems faulty. Several comrades have been helpful in furnishing material r this history — among them Colonel Bryant, Captain Kinney, eutenant Linnell, Lieutenant Griffin, Henry H. and imund F. Bennett, Nathaniel Darrow, Edwin W Truell, 'son Wright, Seneca Briggs, John Griffin, H. S. Beardsley, eut. Bird and N. D. Brown. For their willing, cheerful aid e writer hereby returns his hearty thanks. He also wishes

PREFACE.

to acknowledge, with especial gratitude, the quick and ready sympathy and encouragement of his good friend and comrade, S. Glyde Swain, without whose persistent efforts and unflagging interest in the work, this book would never have been written. The thanks of every member of the company and regiment are due to Comrade Swain for his untiring zeal and energy in securing a written record of our army service.

With these few words in the way of preface, this story of Company E, and of the Twelfth Wisconsin Regiment, is hereby presented to his old comrades by the

Author.

Milton, Wisconsin, June 8, 1893.

1X>it{J tender ani> fobincj affection, f0c

author btbicatea t$\B 600&

to tit memory of

Our ©cab Comrabea.

IMEMRCkldH

Our ©eab (Cotmabe**

^r

=V

Capt. ABRAHAM VANDERPOEL Capt. JOHN GILLISPIE.

Lieut. JAMES H. THAYER, Sergt. JOHNSON MOULTON.

Serg-t. HENRY W STUTSON.

Sergt. EDDY COLE.

Corp. JOHN G. HUBBELL.

Corp. JAMES McVEY.

Corp. JOHN J. LOMAN.

Corp. HIRAM S. BEARDSLEY.

Corp. CHARLES W. FIELDS.

Corp. JOHN STULTS.

Musician REUBEN W. GREEN.

GEORGE W. BAILEY.

ETHELBERT BARTON.

JOSHUA L. BOYD.

FRANCIS H. BROWN.

SAMUEL D. BURHANS.

JAMES H. CLEMENT.

JOSEPH C. EDMONDS.

HENRY

WILLIAM FISHER.

JOEL M. FREEMAN.

CHARLES GLOYD.

WESLEY HARBAUGH.

NATHAN D. HARRISON.

AARON M. HUMPHREY.

ENOS JOHNSTON.

RUFUS JOHNSON.

ABRAHAM KNAPP.

GEORGE W. MARSHALL.

GEORGE C. MONTANYE.

HORACE OSTRANDER.

HENRY ROCKWELL.

JAMES M. SEXTON.

LAREDO S. SMITH.

HARLAN A. SQUIRES.

ELIAS L. STEVENS.

DANIEL TITUS.

CLEMENT A. BOUGHTON.

WILLIAM STOWELL.

FLUNO.

Table Of Contents

PREFACE.

Chapter I. — Introduction

Reunion at Milwaukee. June, 18X0. — Reunion at Madison, September. 1SST; Comrade Swain wants a Company History written. — Reunion at Madison, September 2U. 1K88. — Company organization. — Reunion at Milwaukee. August. 18S1). — Steps taken to have this book written. — Letter of Dr. Rosenkrans. — Reunion at Kilbourn City, June 15 and 10, \S')Z. — Fifty-one of Co. E. present. — Camp fire. — Completion of plans for the printing of this book 13-

Chapter II. — Why We Went to War

Circumstances under which our country was settled. — Disagreement with the mother country. — War. — Independence. — Constitution adopted. — Opposition to strong central government. — Two parties. — State or national sovereignty. — Various conflicts of opinion. — Slavery question. — War. — Wh v we went to war 20-

Chapter III. — Organization op the Company

John Gillispie. — Capt. Vanderpoel and "Wisconsin River Volunteers." — Names of officers and men. — Election of officers. — A word about them. — About the Com pany 34 41

Chapter IV — Soldier Like in Delton

Daily Drill. — Spectators on the parade ground. — The little "house wives." — Pun at Freer's. — The big bed room. — Dutch Company. — War Meetings. — "John, if you don't enlist you shall never kiss me again." — "Maustou Squad." — "Fairfield Squad." — About "the boys." — "Copperheads." — Mr. Blank's life comes almost to a tragical end. — " Gott vill pless us, I know he vill!" — Husking-bees. — "Uncle Freer's" cornfield. — We are shut in and bombarded with apples and doughnuts till we surrender. — Glovd's cornfield ." 42-63

Chapter V. — Good Bye, Delton

Orders to report at Camp Randall, Madison. — The good byes. — Prayer for us by the village pastor. — A jolly ride to Madison. — A night at Lodi. — A wayside enlistment. — We march into camp 64-70

Chapter VI. — In Camp Randall

We are assigned to the Twelfth Regiment. — Our officers. — New Uniforms. — Guard duty.— Passes.— Our tents. — The stoves (?) we had. — The "Old Mess House." — Going to breakfast. — Fun at table. — Our food. — A rat

•Vitrei?1'?" o^P r?"^.-"^,///; " and roll call.-Dailv drill.- rW R«7J V eTenm&s.-Stones, discussions.-The skeleton in the battle ~rnlW°r d,lssectlon--Games.-" Tattoo" and "Taps," Sham n™^™ Vw?- * S 'A'ay- Bucked and gagged."- A military funeral. 7ree£wu, clot$",»F— 6e""i? fits-Belgian Rifles.-Kickers— Pay-day, K, n;7 "S and music. -Recruits. -Inauguration of Gov. Harvey .-Orders to go South.-Good bye, Camp Randall 71-92

Chapter VII.— Good Bye, Wisconsin

January 11 1862.— Ride to Chicago.— March through the citv.-Bless the ladies of Galesburg '.-March from Quincy to Hannibal.-A night on the t?-^° { theMlsslsslPPi--Cold!-Turkey and Honey .-Cross to Hannibal. —Ride to Weston.— Quarters in a church 93-96

Chapter VIII.— A Month at Weston

A look about town.— Picket duty.— Distressing the enemy.— The old German s bakery.— His show case.— Col. Bryant's orders. Benson Eighmy's turkey.— A wild goose chase. A flag on the hotel.— Coffee and doughnuts on picket.— Other incidents.— March to Leavenworth 97-113

Chapter IX. — A Bear among the Badgers

Old Abe, the war eagle. — Harlan Squires and our bear. — A great attraction at Camp Randall. — In Chicago.— On the river bank.— On to Weston.— A sight for the colored people. — Wrestling with Hank Marston.— March to Leavenworth. — Sold to a citizen at Leavenworth. — Harlan dies at Vicksburg 104-109

Chapter X. — Our Kansas Campaign

In Leavenworth. — Kansas oratory. — "'John Brown's Body." — Orders to march to Ft. Scott. — First day out. — " Tanglefoot." — A cold night.— W.yandotte. — Tired Badgers. — Ft. Scott. — Cricket. — March to Lawrence. — Death of Laredo S. Smith. — News of battle of Pittsburg Landing. — March to Ft. Riley. — News of death of Gov. Harvey. — Circumstances of his death. — School children at Manhattan. — Camp incidents at Ft. Riley. — A load of apples. — Swapping coffee for buffalo beef. — Allotment commissioners. — Capt. Vanderpoel resigns. — Promotions. — Ordered to Corinth, Miss. — March back to Leavenworth. — Review.— Steamboat ride to Columbus, Ky.— for shame ! 110-121

Chapter XI. — A Summer in Tennessee

Bridge building. — Blackberries. — Pies 'n things. — Death of John Loman. Humboldt, our camps there. — Seizure of sugar, molasses and cotton. — "The Humboldt scare." — The mounted battalion. — " The Soldiers' Budget. — Two characteristic editorials.— Picket duty. — "Old Tom." — The Colonel signs a pass. — "Mail!"— A bit of romance.— Religion.— Deacon Sexton. — His influence. — "Surgeon's call." — Quinine. — "Stick out your tongue." — " We are all surrounded! " — Sam Burhans on picket. — Lieut. Linnell after horses for the mounted infantry. — Death of Wm. Fisher. — Train guards to Corinth.— Recruits. — Men discharged. — Death of Euos Johnston 122-143

Chapter XII. — We Join the Main Army

Maj. Strong in command. — Fighting about Corinth. — We go to Bolivar.

Battle of the Hatchie. — A midnight greeting and its response. — In camp at Bolivar. — Recruits. — Cope. — " Spranglefoot." — He upsets the Company,— A primitive meeting house. — Cen. Grant's plan for taking Vicksburg.— Move to LaGrange. — McPherson's expedition. — "Supporting the batter3%" — A bit of a skirmish. — Our camp at LaGrange.

"Adjutant, Adjutant! bring me a pans! " — Flapjack's. — Reviewed bv Gen Grant. — March to Holly Springs. — Pigs in camp. — A resurrection —

Lumpkin's Mills.— Ctesar sees "oneo'dem tings bust." — Water Valley'

A sudden right-about-face. — Holly Springs captured with an immense store of supplies. — Col. Murphey, 8th Wisconsin Infantry. — Gen. Grant changes his plans. — We march back to Holly Springs. — Corn in the car — Meal from Lumpkin's Mills. — Pudding. — Guarding railroad. — Moscow'

Tenn " ' ,,

Chapter XJII. — From Moscow to Memphis.

A disagreeable march. — "Commissary" in camp. — Ed. Robinson's fire. — Collierville.— A rebel sneak.— Danyer on picket.— The "Tree of Life."— Charley Fields and Rufe Johnson equalize wealth.— Badly scared. — Crackiny a cap on picket. — Sam. Burhans loses his thumb.— A falliuy limb. — Our band.— Ball playing.— A sudden death.— A visit from Mrs. Gov. Harvey. — John Gaddis' pictures. — Gray-backs.- — March to Memphis. Goiny to the show. — Smuyyliny yoods throuyh the picket line. — A stuffed mule. — Corporal O'Slash uses the tips of his tinkers. — Vaccination.— The eyys would not "balance on the tripod." — Sherman before Vicksbury.— Grant's army at Memphis. — Grant at Vicksbury. — Col. Grierson's raid.— A march to the Coldwater river.— A skirmish. -Charley Fosbinder wounded. — Extract from a letter from Comrade Eosbtnder. — Grant"* army sent down the river to Vicksbury.— We yo. too. — Some of our losses 101-178

Chapter XIV — Our Part in the Siege of \ icksisurg

A moonlight boat ride. — Charley Hriyys yets into the j>antry.— A vineyar bath. — A yu ii boat protects us. — Milltken's Bend. — Sonny's Point.— Our march across "the Point.1" — Lobsters and honey. — We yo to Grand Gulf. — ■< >ulli tie of Grant's plans, — The investment of Vicksbury. — Our camp at Grand Gulf. — Incidents.-- Contraband camp. — A prayer meetiny. — We move up to Vicksbury. — Go into the sieye Our rifle pits. What we did while on duly. — Heads down. — Sleepiny in the noise, —Shell noise. - Uodyiny balK. Rubber blankets. — Advanciny rifle pits. — Bad water.— Plenty of food.— Hand yrenades.- I'ort Beaureyard blown up.— Mortar shells. — Duyouls in Vicksbury.- Johnston in our rear. Scarcity of food in Vicksbury. — Lieut. Linnell advances the posts. — Geo. Marshall brinys in the spades.— Death of Harlan Squires.- We yo visitiuy.- Negotiations for surrender. —A ylorious "Fourth of July." — We feed our enemy. — Gen. Loyan enters the citv. — We yuard mir prisoners.- Woundiny of Lieut. Bird 179-207

Chapter X\'. — Jackson; and Yickshurg after the Siege.

Off f<»r Jack-son. — A wet niyht <m the road. Our troops at Jackson.- — An unfortunate charye. Gen. Launtan removed. — Return to Vicksbury. — A bleak cam pint; place -Sickness. — Kurlouyhs. — " Poker Hollow. ""—Jim Price. — Ordered to Natchez. — A novel procession.— Peaches to kill or cure. — A deliyhtful ride to Natchez 308-216

Chapter XVI. — Soldiering in and arout Natchez

Natchez. — Melons. — Another procession of the sick.— A pleasant camp. — Kruit.— The melon trade.— The Ouitman place. — Colonel Bryant conducts services. An expedition to Harrisonburg". La.— Fixiny up camp at Natchez. — A <|uiet life in camp. -Our relations with the 2*th and 32d Illinois. — Mayyie and Tom. — We yo to Vicksbury. — Camp near the Biy Black.-- Return to Natchez. — A chase after Wirt Adams. — A new camp at Natchez. Cold weather. — Re-enlistiny. — List of "' Veterans. "—A reyimental spree. -Extracts from Bennett's diary.— Off for Vicksbury ayain. - Losses of our Company 217 240

Chapter XVII. — The Meridian Expedition

Sherman's plans for controlliny Mississippi.— Our start. — Fiyhliny at Champion Hills and Baker's Creek. — A spy, — Leyyelt'* men chase the Rebels. — In Jackson. — A sad shot. — Contrabands. — A nueer conveyance and its load.— Sherman's narrow escape. — Eire as well as sword. — We reach Meridian. — March to Quitman. — Return march. — Short of rations. — Skirmishiny. — Arrival at camp. — Short of clothiny. — Concerniny the ueyroes. — Recruits. — Veteran f urlouyh 241-253

Chapter XVIII. — On Veteran Furlough

We take passaye up the river from Vicksbury on steamer Continental.— Crowded and cold, yet yood natured.— A soft bunk.— Syr up. --An improvised yuard house. — A cold niyht at Cairo. — Ride to Chicayo. — Colder — "Soldiers' rest." — Too yood to be true. — On to Madison. — A distinguished waiter. — Camp Randall, and chanyes there. — " Condemned Yankees.'1 ■—

Col. Bryant has a word to say to us. — Home.'— A wedding-. — "Good bye, again." — Return to Cairo. — Railroad accident. — Cupid's darts done in pine.— About the non-vets. — Paducah. — Bennett wounded. — A grim playful freak.— Return to Cairo.— Up the Tennessee In Clifton.— A zoological specimen. — March to Huntsville. — Native beef 254 270

Chapter XIX. — We Join Sherman's Army

Plan of campaign for summer of 1804. — A great double campaign. — Fitness of Grant and Sherman for such a campaign. — Size of Sherman s army, — Of Johnston's armv. — A word about Johnston. — We leave Cairo. — '■Laff, if ye want to.'"— Trip up the river.— At Clifton.— March to Huntsville.— Camp's lunch. — Marching to Sherman's army. — Gaddis' diary.— A hard march. — "-El-a-a-a-a-ir .'"" — John Montanye 271-283

Chapter XX. — The Taking of Atlanta

Flags at half-mast. — An old hero gone home. — We take place in the lines before Kenesaw. — Building works in the night. — "Mike McCarty " gives expression to his feelings. — In the rifle pits. — Gen. Polk's death. — A key to the Rebel signals. — Artillery duels. — "June 15." — General fighting. — Kids and their service. — Capt. Maxson's charge. — Continual fighting. — Rebels retreat from Big Shanty to Kenesaw Mountain.— We follow. — List of battles — twelve in twelve days! — Jem McVey disappointed.— Tobacco famine. — " Old Soldiers." — We move around to the right of Kenesaw. — Approaching Nickajack Creek. — Henry Fluno killed.— Entrenched in front of Rebel works. — Artillery firing. — "Howly Moses ! lay low, byes .' " — A slobbering gun. — A result of giggling- — Rebels evacuate their works on the Nickajack. — Transferred from Gresham's to Leggett's Division. — March around b3' Roswell's Mills and Decatur to the rear of Atlanta. — Johnston removed and superseded by Hood. — A word about Johnston. — Our line closes on Atlanta. — Gresham wounded. — Our charge on Bald Hill. — Further events of the day. — Losses. — Capt. GUlispie. — "Boys, vou do me proud ."' — Charley Fields. — Clem. Boughton. —Will. Stowell.— John Stults— Orson Wright.— Sergeant Griffin.— J. M. Clement. — Henry Stutson. — Ed. Truell. — Truell's commission as First Lieutenant by brevet. — His medal. — Other losses. — Fortifications thrown up at night. — Battle of July 22.— " Get into the works!" An awful struggle. — Gen. Force wounded, Col. Bryant in command of the brigade. — Gen. McPherson killed.— Results of the battle. — Clem. Boughton and Will. Stowell.— " Wake up, Bub!" We shift our position.— Battle of Ezra Church. — Daniel Titus killed. — Atlanta in a state of siege. — Lieut. Thayer wounded. — A queer caper. — Fire works. — Advancing picket lines. — Going to the hospital. — A glad surprise. — The boys plague Darrow. — Siege of Atlanta raised. — Jonesboro'. — Extracts from diaries of Kinney and Darrow. — Ohira Stowell gets a guide. — Campaign closed, Atlanta evacuated. — Gen. Grant's opinion. — Hooker's opinion. — A thought or two of the author's. — Losses since June 11. — A "deserter" 284-333

Chapter XXI. — After Gen. Hood

Military situation in Georgia after fall of Atlanta. — Hood's move. — The pursuit. — "Hold the fort, I am coming." — Rebs "toting" ties. — Ed. Bennett's account of the march after Hood. — Awfully sleepy. — Camp "going with the boys." — Non-veterans discharged. — Their march to Chattanooga. — Sherman's return march to Atlanta. — The political situation. — Election of Lincoln. — A word about copperheads. — Atlanta destroyed 334-343

Chapter XXII. — In the Hospital; and Various Incidents

Hospital at Marietta. — Its organization. — Ed. Truell. — Stephen Squires. — Lieut. Thayer. — His death. — Col. Tom Reynolds. — Careless nurses. — When a man died. — Diet. — No salt. — Charge of the old cow. — Hospital moved to Atlanta. — Bad arrangements there. — Orson Wright. — "Mother Bickerdyke." — Other noble women. — I rejoin the company. — An election in camp. — War not a failure. — An attack of quinsy. — One wav to escape. — Losses since October 4. — Promotions. — Recruits " 344-352

Chapter XXIII. — The March to the Ska

What a private knows. — A mighty commotion. — Atlanta in ruins. "Forward, Murc/i!" — Sherman's thoughts on leaving Atlanta. — Organization

of the army. — Equipment. — Plans for subsistence. — "Commissary."

Huge knapsacks. — Our Old Man " Schaufnookel." — Our line of march,—

Rebel proclamations. — " De pood Lawd bress Linkum's sogers!" — Foragers' escapade at Milieu. — "Stragglers." — "Bummers." — "Contrabands."— "/ want my mammy ! " — Shelter tents. — Housekeeping. — Evenings around the camp fire. — Sleep, sweet sleep. — Starting in the morning. — Hitching along. — A torpedo in the road. — Approaching Savannah. — Boom .' — Lino of battle. — Works. — "For fife hoondred I coom '" — Military situation at rear of Savannah. — We move to the right. — The. taking of Fort McAllister.— The Union fleet.— Rations. — Beef.— Rice.— Our place in the siege. — Death of Maj. Price. — Gambling. — Lieut. Liunell mustered out. — Kinney becomes 2d Lieutenant. — Plans for charging across the rice field. — Evacuation of the lines. — We march to the city. — A bit of forage. — " Savannah water." — News of the evacuation taken to the fleet by Capt. Langworthy and some men of Co. G. — Account by N. D. Brown, one of the party. — Sherman's Christmas present to Lincoln. — Sherman thanked by Congress. — Sherman's city government in Savannah.— Newspapers. — Our Christmas doings. — Scuffling in the tent. — Leaves on his back. — Losses since November IS. — Promotions. — Results of the "March to the Sea" 353-388

Chapter XXIV — Through the Carolinas

Off for the North. — The ocean. — A boat ride. — Oysters. — The tide. — In the mud. — A dispute. — Christian commission. — Two letters. — March to Pocotaligo. — Death of Capt. Chandler, Co. K. — Skirmishing- about Pocotaligo. — Capturing a station. — An engine rampant. — Darrow's military plans. — Out foraging. — " Yanks, halt .' " — Rebel prisons. — Our treatment of rebel prisoners. — Grant and Sherman's plans. — Importance of this campaign. — Our march Continued. — At the Salkehatchie. — Rebels retreat. — "General, hurry up!" — Fighting on the North Edisto. — Mower's attack. — Orangeburg. — A spunky girl. — Rebel Hag captured. — Fire. — Court House burned. — A shell explodes. — Wading streams. — Columbia. — We hear of Capt. Gillispie. — Fire in camp. — City taken. — Fire in the city. — ^'Lefcr bum!" — Who set the fires'.' — Sister Caroline's punishment. — "Salt" for Charleston. — Charleston evacuated. — Little brown jug. — Ruins of Columbia. — Tearing up railroad. — Our officers. — Concerning discipline. — Kinney's new hat. — Crossing the Wateree. — Pontoon bridges described. — Some of our foragers murdered. — Retaliation. — A prisoner shot in our camp. — Gloomy weather, gloomy camp. — Cheraw. — Rebel consternation. Johnston again. — On to Goldsborough. — Crossing the line into North Carolina. — Fires mostly stopped. — Fayetteville. — Union boats in Cape Fear river. — Rebel newspapers. — Some mail. — Sherman's opinion of his army. — Military plans. — Battle of Bentonville. — Arrival at Goldsborough.— Our past march. — "■Ma/I!" — Corps badge. — Jewelers in camp. — Condition of our army. — Schofield's men must not sneer at us. — Losses —Rest at Goldsborough 389-424

Chapter XXV. — The End of the War

Sherman goes to meet Grant. — Future plans. — Richmond taken ! — Canteens. — Off for Raleigh. — Lee captured. — At Raleigh. — Rain. — A rift in the cloud. — Johnston wants to surrender. — We go into camp. — Conference between Johnston and Sherman. — A great grief, a national loss. — Terms of surrender. — Memoranda sent to Washington. — Rejected. — Stanton. — Grant comes to Raleigh. — He reviews us. — After Johnston again. — Shabby treatment of Sherman. — "Swansy Corps fife days.' — Johnston's final surrender. — Our great joy. — Back to Raleigh. — War closed. — Promotions 425-433

Chapter XXVI. — From Raleigh to Washington

Off for Washington.— Foot and Walker's line.— Marching' on a bet.— Our stop at the Roanoke. — Indignation. — "The three Graces." — Girls hindering our march.— Lieut. G. doesn't (?) like it.— Onr army a sight to the negroes. — Snapping gun caps. — Cruel sport. — Kinney stops it.— Boys full of fun. — Approaching Petersburg. — Old battle fields. — How we headed off the ISth Corps. — Darrow's story. — A war of words. — Our march through Richmond. — Gen. Halleck does not review us.*-White gloves and blackened shoes. — Off for Washington. — "ZVJte that ! " — Our manners correspond to our clothing. — Frederickstrargv—Camp near Washington. — First view of the Capitol. — Description. — A beautiful view. — Mt. Vernon. — The Grand Review. — Capt. Gillispie comes to see us. — Sad thoughts of the past. — Down Pennsylvania Avenue. — A grand sight. — Crape everywhere for the martyred President. — Sherman does not see Stanton. — In camp near Tenallytown.— 38th Wisconsin Infantry. — A day in the city. — Trouble between our men and the Potomac army. — Sherman's farewell address to us. — Relations of Gen. Sherman and his men. — Men mustered out of service,— Deaths.— A promotion 434-534

12 Chapter XXVII. — We Go to Louisvili k, Kv.

Baltimore & Ohio R;iil road. —The count r\ . — Scenerv.— t >n in Waldo, ol Co. G, killed.— Arrival at I'arkersburg.— Koiils on the Ohio. — Boat racing. Cinciuna'.i.— Louisville. — A pleasant camp.— Somot hiuu" flood to c"aJ-~ Anxious to fro home. Affairs in Mexico. "Logan! I.oiinn! u .>/vi-<7/. Mischief brewing through idleness.— Men from' the 25th Wisconsin put into our regiment. — Capt. Gillispie opens Sutler Shop, and trusts all the boys. — Wen. Sherman bids us good bye, Julv 4. — Promotions. — We are "mustered out," July 16. We slart home ou the 18th. A If. Slarks in the mud. — Men discharged since June 7. — "1'cnrs! " 454-4h2

Chapter XXVIII. — Homeward Bound

Happy day— July 18, 1865.— Bidding Gen. Leggett good bye.— He looks lonesome.— Col. Proudfit's remarks. — The General's reply. — Gen. Leggett at Madison, in 1887. On freight cars for Chicago. Uncomfortable. Gj>t his toe hurt. — A lively corpse. — Turns up in Chicago. — Other hurt toes, that hurt yet. — Chicago. — In God's country — Approaching Madison. — A bit of a speech — ."A'it* it, Jim! " — At the depot Dispersion. — Strange feeling of liberty 463-468

Chapter XXXII. — Biographical Sketches

Colonel Bryant. — Colonel Proudfit. — Dr. E. M. Rogers. — Dr. S. L. Marston. — Lieutenant F. B. Bryant. — Judge N. S. Gilson. — Of Co. E: Captain Vanderpoel. Captain Gjjlispie. Lieutenant Linnell. Lieutenant Thayer. — Captain Kinney. — Lieutenant Griffin. — Corporal McVey. — Corporal H. S. Beardsley. — Sergeant Eddy Cole.— Elias Stevens.— Samuel Glyde Swain. — Henry H. Bennett. — John G. In gal Is. — Daniel C. ( Iillispie. — William H. Harrison. — Nathaniel Darrow. — James A. Cope. — Hosoa W Rood. — Members of other Companies : Lieutenant W. C. Stevens. — Lieutenant H. P. Bird.— Dr. W F. Buudy.— Matthias Lavillette 488-529

Introduction

I RUE friendship grows stronger as it ripens with age. It _L seems as if time daily strengthens the feeling of comradeship that began thirty years ago, when the boys in the army tented together, slept together and ate together, marched and camped together, fought, bled and suffered together, in a common glorious cause — the preservation of our National Union. We felt drawn to one another then, but the years that have come and gone have cemented our hearts and affections into a sacred bond of abiding friendship.

Fifteen years passed away after the war before our company or our regiment met together in a formal reunion; then came the great gathering of Wisconsin soldiers at Milwaukee, in June, 1880. That was a time long to be remembered by all who were present. Of our own company twenty-two met again in the same tent, and for three or four days they heartily enjoyed one another's society. They talked over their varied experiences during the fifteen years since they had separated at Madison in '65; they went back in memory to the old war days and briefly lived them over again; they felt their hearts knit together as they had not done even in the camp or on the battlefield. They talked and talked the days away, and talked away on into the nights, finding it hard work to go to sleep.

Some met in that reunion who never saw one another again face to face ; since that time not a few have gone into camp over the river. Among these, I think to-night of our good Comrade Eddy Cole, of Mauston, who died during the following winter.

At that time it was suggested that a roster of the surviving members of Company E be printed, giving the residence of each member and some other facts of interest, and that a copy o this roster be put into the hands of each in order that h< might keep in touch with all his comrades ; a step was takei in that direction, but the plan was not full}' carried out. Yet after that reunion every comrade felt a new and livelier inter est in all the others than he had before felt since the war, am he went home with a greater pride in his company ant regiment.

At that meeting it was found that some of the boys ha< already so changed in appearance that they were not easil recognized by their old tent mates, and this fact taugh them that age was beginning to stamp itself upon the feature of the beardless "boys of. '61 "

In 1887 a circular was issued by Colonel Bryant and off! cers of the Sixteenth Wisconsin, calling a reunion of th Twelfth and the Sixteenth at the Capitol, in Madison, in th early days of September. There was a general response t this call, a goodly number of the survivors of each regimer being present. About eighteen of Company E came together o that occasion, two or three bringing their wives with them.

It was easy to see that old Father Time had been sti further marking up the faces of the old boys. He had mad some of them bald-headed and the most of them gray; it we still harder work to recognize the features of those whom w had not seen before since the close of the war.

This reunion of '87 was a very interesting one. We wei all made glad by having with us our much loved Generi Leggett, who was our Division commander from the time ( the Atlanta Campaign till the end of the war. He claspe the hand of each one of us as heartily as if we had all bee generals. At our camp fire he made us a speech that dre us to him all the more strongly.

At this time our Comrade S. Clyde Swain, with other: began to talk in favor of a company organization. H thought such a plan fully as desirable as the regiment; organization that had been formed. He and they felt thi pains should be taken to perpetuate the old friendships c war times, and thought that each comrade should have at hand the means of knowing the whereabouts and welfare of all the others. Nothing definite was done at this meeting, however, about organizing.

The next regimental reunion was held at Madison, September 26, 1888. At this time Comrade Swain pushed the matter of company organization until it was accomplished, he himself being chosen President, Charles Coleman, of Baraboo, Secretary, and H. S. Beardsley, of Tomah, Historian. A Historian was selected with the thought that some records of the company and its members should be written, printed and preserved. After this some printed blanks were sent to the boys to fill, calling for the leading events and main facts of their lives before, during and since the war. Some of the blanks were filled and returned, but not all.

Then came, in August, 1889, at Milwaukee, the National Encampment of the G. A. R. This meeting was made the occasion for a general reunion of hundreds of regiments, and ours among them. Colonel Bryant, as president of our regimental association, called our reunion at Temple Emanuel, for August 28th. This meeting proved to be of greater interest to both our company and regiment than any other had been. A large number of the regiment enrolled their names, forty-three of Company E being present.