History of the Third regiment of Wisconsin veteran volunteer infantry 1861-1865

Front matter

THE JAMES VERNER SCAIFE

COLLECTION

CIVIL WAR LITERATURE

Chapter I. Page

The Obganization — The call for troops — Companies oflfering services — Eandall's zealous action — Orders assigning companies to Third regiment — Commissioning of Hamilton Ruger and other field officers 1-9

CHAPTER n.

The Rendezvous — The regiment ordered into camp at Fond du Lac — Companies arrive — Description of first camp life — Mustered in -^Ordered to Hagerstown — Uniforms furnished 10-14

Chapter III

The Depaetuee — Leave Fond du Lac by rail — Incidents along the route — Feasted at Toledo, Erie, Buffalo, Elmira and Williamsport, Pa. — Reach Hagerstown 14^-15

Chapter IV

OuB FiEST Maechbs — First camp at Hagerstown — Knight's valiant defence — Regiment armed — Arms described — Ordered to march — Heat and dust — Camp near Rohrersville — Move to camp Pinkney — Description of scenery — Sickness in camp — Bull Run battle heard — ^fatterson falls back — Banks assigned to command — Regiment called to arms — Hamilton made brigadier — His brigade — Ruger promoted — Colored men in camp — March to Buckeystown — to Edward's Ferry — to Barnesville — to Edward's Ferry again — to Darnestown , 16-24

Chapter V

To Fbederiok — March to Frederick — Town described — Kindly welcomed — Ragged boys — The secessionist members of the legislature arrested 24-28

CONTENTS. IX

Chapter VI. Page

The Skiemish at Bolivar — Companies A, C and H sent to Harper's Ferry — Work in the morning — Wheat from flour mills — A visit from Ashby's men — Harper's Ferry described— Picketing on Bolivar — Foraging — Ashby attacks

— Marvin's fight on the picket line — Geary on the scenp — Bertram on Ashby's flank — Charging on the gun — O'Brien covers a retreat — Cavalry among the men — Casualties — The enemy's guns on Loudoun Heights — Ashby finally driven away — Great cry over small fight — Return to Frederick— Military heroes receive an ovation 28-35

CHAPTER Vn.

Back to the River — Ordered to Edward's Ferry — to Conrad's Perry — In sight of the Ball's BluflE region — To Poolville — to Darnestown again — Camp Jo. Holt in the woods 36-37

Chapter VIII

Winter Quarters — March towards Frederick — A race with the Ninth New York — A cold bivouac — The cantonment in the woods — Ruger provost marshal of Frederick — Regiment on provost duty — Patrol duty not agreeable — Promotions and changes 37-39

Chapter IX

The Campaign in the Valley — Banks sent into Shenandoah Valley — Regiment moves to Harper's Ferry — Encamped in Camp Pinkney again — Pontoon bridge laid — Cross the Potomac — Camp on Bolivar Heights — Move to Charleston

— Visited by McClellan — Occupancy of the churches — Forward movement on Winchester — Jackson meditates resistance, but finally retires — Hamilton's dispositions for attack — Advance in line of battle — Surrender of the town by its mayor — The brigade organized — Shields pursues — Description of the valley — Banks ordered to Manassas — Regiment marches through Snicker's Gap — Shields falls back to Winchester — Jackson follows and attacks — Banks returns to Winchester — Regiment recalled and marches to Strasburg — Thence to Harrisonburg — Bad weather — Fording iiie North fork — March up the valley — Return to New Market — Over the Massanuttons — Incidents — The Dunkards. 39-51

CONTENTS.

Chapter X. Page

The Skiemish at Buckton — Recross the Massanuttons — Idle camp life — Jackson plans mischief — The' position of our troops May 23rd — Kenly attacked at Front Royal — Capt. Hubbard's brave defense at Buckton bridge — Jackson's plans and his advance — Regiment sent to Hubbard's relief. 51-56

Chapter XI

Retreat From Strasburg — Kenly's fight and retreat — Jackson seeks to cut Banks off — Banks thinks of remaining but decides to retreat — The retreat — Stirring scenes — Stampeded teamsters — A dilapidated theatrical troupe — Jackson cuts the column — Gordon sent to cover retreat — Gallant conduct of Second Massachusetts and Twenty-seventh Indiana — Ashby's men stop to pillage — Gordon fights the rebel advance — Delays them several hours — Dispositions at Winchester — Banks goes to bed — Jackson gets ready for battle 56-63

Chapter XII

The Battle of Winchester — Donnelly and Gordon dispose their brigades — Position of troops — Battle begins at dawn — Donnelly's brigade give a bloody welcome to Ewell — Gordon's brigade stoutly stands but is enveloped — Movements of troops on both sides — The Third in action — Fights steadily — The brigade falls back — Close pursuit — Melee in streets — Many men captured — The retreat — Casualties — Jackson's booty — Good words for "the Third — Efforts to trap Jackson — He leaves the lower valley — Banks re-enters the valley — Third moves to near Front Royal 63-72,

Chapter XIII

Tni; Campaign Under Pope — The army of Virginia organized — Pope in command — He concentrates — Advance from Front Royal over Blue Ridge to Washington — A hot march — To Washington — Camp there — Ordered to Culpepper — The situation 72-75

Chapter XIV

The Battle of Cedab Mountain — March of Gordon's brigade to Culpepper — Thence to Cedar Run — Banks' orders — A torrid day — Position of troops — Battle opens — Third sent out as skirmishers — The rebels arrive on the field — Descrip-

CONTENTS. XI

PAGE.,

tion of locality — The position of the enemy — The artillery engaged — Crawford's attack — Ruger joins him — Advance of Crawford — He strikes enemy quite unexpectedly — The Third becomes engaged in little, brushy field — Terrific fire — Line falls back — Death of Col. Crane — Crawford's brigade is overwhelmed^ Tenth Maine sent in — Gordon's brigade moves up and becomes engaged — Heavy firing — Gordon's battle— Crowded off the field — Casualties — Comments on the battle — Wounded brought off under flag of truce — Death of Capt. O'Brien — Return to Culpepper 75-97

Chapter XV

Pope's Retreat — Pope's headquarters at Cedar Mountain — Line on Rapidan — Lee moves to take him in flank — Pope falls back, across Rappahannock — Third at Beverly Ford — Exciting incidents — Artillery flght — Stuart's raid — Banks moves toward Sulphur Springs — Jackson moves around to strike Pope in rear — Pope's desperate efforts to "bag" Jackson— Banks assigned to the guarding of railroad trains — His orders — The battles of Gainesville, Second Bull Run or Manassas — Gallantry of Gibbons' Iron brigade — Banks compelled to burn a large number of trains at Bristoe Station — Retreat by way of Brentsville — In support at battle of Chantilly — Description of battle — Retreat towards Washington — Gordon's brigade ordered back — He decides not to execute order — Biyouac at Port Worth — March into Maryland — Camp at Tenallytown — Rockville — Changes in commanders — Disgusted soldiers 97-119'

Chapter XVI

Under MoOlellan — Antietam — Pope relieved — Banks assigned to defenses of Washington — Twelfth corps to Sumner — New York and New Jersey regiments assigned to brigade — Stonewall Jackson heads advance in invasion of Maryland — Regiment moves northward — Through Frederick — Over Catoctin and South mountains — Night march on mountain side — General Mansfield assigned to command and joins corps — McClellan passes the column — Third's position the night before the battle — Hooker opens the battle — WiUiams' division moves up into the battle — Scenes in the morning — Description of the ground and battlefield — Gordon's brigade becomes engaged — Narrative of engagement — Mansfield faUs— Third Wisconsin opens, fire — Its deadly exposure—

Xii CONTENTS.

pAaE.

Parts performed by the regiments of tlie brigade — Sedgwick comes in — Third withdrawn to give room — Sedgwick and Sumner's corps repulsed — Casualties in regiment — Comments on conduct of regiments — Federal loss — Scenes next day — Again ready for battle — Lee retreats — Williams' division moves to Maryland Heights 119-135

Chapter XVII

The Winter of '63 — In camp under Maryland Heights — Heights fortified — President Lincoln reviews regiment — His awkward horsemanship — Gen. Slocum assigned to command— Ruger in command of a brigade — Capt. Hawley made lieutenant colonel — Other promotions — Preparations for winter — Disappointed officers and their wives — Orders to march to the Rappahannock — A dismal march — The mud campaign — Move to Staflford, C. H.— Winter life — Regiment is given " reward of merit " — Preparations for spring campaign 136-142

Chapter XVIII

Chanoelloesville — Campaign opens — Hooker's plans — Successful movements of the Eleventh and Twelfth corps — Cross at Kelly's Ford — Third andRuger's brigade push on to Germanna Ford —Capture of Confederates bridge guard — Fording the river — Exciting scenes — Move on to Chanoellorsville — Position taken — Movements for attack — Hooker recalls advance — Third returns to first position — Skirmish

— Death of Lieut. Col. Scott — A Zouave regiment runs — General hopeful feeling — A muster for pay — A rebel train seen in the distance — Birney ordered to charge — Ruger thrown forward — The Third lost in the woods — Hear the rout of the Eleventh corps — The Third hastens toward the firing — Lee and Jackson plan a blow on Hooker's left — Jackson's march — Assault on Eleventh corps in unprotected fiank — The rout of the corps — Williams' division thrown in to check Jackson — Position of the Third — An attack in the night — Artillery fire over our heads — Effect of it on rebels

— Death of General Jackson — A chilly bivouac — The attack on the morning of May 3rd — A hard fight — Brigade withdrawn — A inarch before thirty cannon — "A miss is as good as a mile " — New positions — The woods on fire — Retreat in the night — Lonely remaining on out post — March

in mud to Stafford 142-163

CONTENTS, Xlll

Chapter XIX. Page

The Battle of Beverly Ford — An idle month in camp — Lee's movement to Culpepper — A reconnoisance ordered — Pleasanton's cavalry to be " stiffened " with infantry — The Third is detailed as stiffening — March to Beverly Ford — Bivouac in the woods — Cross and surprise the enemy — Stuart's cavalry have a grand review the day before — The battle opens — The infantry skirmish — Cavalry charges — Activity of infantry — Stevenson and Oakey's flank movement on a dismounted regiment of rebel cavalry — Gregg's movement — We retire across river — Casualties 163-173

Chapter XXI

The Battle of Gettysburg — March from Rappahannock — Deserters shot at Leesburg — Into Maryland — Exciting news — Hooker relieved — Meade in command — Army moves northward — March of the Third — Description of field at Gettysburg — Buf ord reaches Gettysburg June 30 — Resolves to hold it — Battle of first day — Williams' division hurried forward — On the field — First position — Put in the line on the right — Position explained — The Second day — Williams' division sent to the left — Brilliant charge of Lockwood's brigade — Geary strays off — Mischief in our absence

— The division sent back — Runs into rebel line — Positions arranged — Battle at dawn — Charge of the Second Massachusetts and Twenty-seventh Indiana — Brave men fall — The general charge — Rebels dislodged from Gulp's Hill — The great cannonade — The advance of Picket's men — A magnificent sight — Repulse and great captures — Joy on the Union line — The bivouac among the wounded and dead — Ghastly scenes — Movements next day — Casualties — Lee's

great wagon train of wounded — We leave the gory field 174-207

Chapter XXII

JouRNEYiNGS — From Gettysburg via. Frederick and Crampton's Gap into the Antietam Valley — Close around Lee at Williamsport — Position of Williams' division — Ready for assault — Lee retires — Pursuit — Falling Waters — Kilpatrick's captures — March to Sandy Hook — To "Rappahannock again " — Marches to Kelly's Ford — Sent to New York by sea — Bivouac in City Hall Park — A pleasant stay

— Return to Kelly's Ford — On the Rapidan — Revival in rebel camp — Sudden orders — Eleventh and Twelfth corps

3iv CONTENTS.

PAGE, sent west — The long journey by rail — Incidents in Ohio — Reach Stevenson, Ala. — Sent back to Bell Buckle — A chase on foot after Wheeler's cavalry — Ramblings — Settle down at Wartrace 208-219

Chapter XXIII

Re-enlistment — Order calling for enlistment — The regiment veterans— The furlough — Recruitment of Regiment — Good words for regiment at home 220-223

Chapter XXIV

Again to the Field — From Madison to TuUahoma — Thence to Fayetteville — The hunt for guerillas — The atrocities of bushwhackers — Re-organizing county government — Strength of command 223-228

CHAPER XXV.

On to Atlanta — Resaca — Plans for campaign of 1864 — Sherman to knock Jo. Johnston — Concentration and advance — March from Fayetteville to TuUahoma — Thence to Bridgeport— Through Nickajaok Gap by " candle light" — Thence the Snake Creek Gap to Resaca — Battle of Resaca — Casualties— The two chaplains fall — Catching the itch 228-235

Chapter XXVI

On to Atlanta — New Hope Church — Resaca abandoned — Cross the rivers Oostenaula and Coosawattie — On to Cassville — Preparing for battle — Cassville people unhappy — Cross the Etowah — Muddy march up the Euharlee valley — Recalled to Geary's help — Battle of New Hope Church — A bloody engagement — Casualties — Death of Capt. Hunter — Wounding of Capt. Ruger — Several days of hard fighting — Moving out of "Hell-hole" — Under Pine mountain— Under Lost mountain — Before Kenesaw — Heavy shelling — Roaring days — Lines advanced — Third down west of Marietta. . 236-245

Chapter XXVII

On to Atlanta— Kulp's Fabm— Before Kenesaw— Third at Kulp's Farm — Description — Positions of troops — Hood attacks Hooker — A terribly bloody repulse — A panic in the night — Work on the picket line — Rain and mud — The assault on Kenesaw — Truce and burial of the dead, ...... 246-251

CONTENTS. XV

Chapter XXVIII. Page

>0n to Atlanta — ^eaoh Tbee Cbbbk — Kenesaw abandoned — Sherman follows — Advance of the Third — On the Chattahoochee— Rest, blackberries and boiled clothes — Truces on picket line — Advance across river and over Peach Tree Creek — Battle of Peach Tree Creek — Casualties — Importance of the battle 251-256

Chapter XXIX

'The Pall of Atlanta. Movements on 21st July — Rebel picket pushed back — Brisk fighting on the left — Advance of picket up close to rebel works — Capt. Hinkley's story — The battle of the 22d — Third in the line of investment — Breast works thrown up — Trenches how constructed — Death of Captain Orton — The Thirteenth New Jersey's gallant exploit — Battle of Ezra Church — Hooker relieved

— Capture of rebel picket line ^ Truces on line — Duty of videttes — Life in the trenches — Torm.ented with flies — Hawley's vigilance — Music at night — Shells and dangers — Officers running the guantlet for meals — The change comes — Twentieth Corps to the Chattahoochee — Others to the right — Withdrawing the picket — The Third has good time on the river — Reconnoisances — Slooum's return — Explosions heard — Atlanta found evacuated — Twentieth corps enters city — Close of campaign — Twentieth corps losses and achievements — Losses in Third — Glory of the campaign 257-271

Chapter XXX

Atlanta is Oubs. Regiment in camp — Reviews and rest — Repairs and drill — Fortifications — Foraging expeditions and great sport — Recruits and Indians — Reconnoisanoe — Reorganization— Election — Preparation for the great march

— Who were to go 272-277

Chapter XXXI

The Mabch to the Sea. — The march out from Atlanta — Strange scene — Camp at Stone Mountain — Foraging begins— Booty on bayonets — Captures of foragers — Rains set in — Lifting wagons out of m^ud — Blankets frozen stiff

— Cross the Oconee — The details for foraging — Bravery of the foragers — Sherman shows the boys how to issue sorghum— Game cocks — The negroes follow — Queer scenes

Xyi CONTENTS.

PAGE.

— The entry into Milledgeville — The Third as provost guard

— A day's occupation — The legislature flee — Their places taken by the Union men — A haul of tobacco — The march resumed — Bridges built — A skirmish with cavalry through Sandersville — On to the railroad — Destroying track — " Doughnats " made of rails — Destruction of bridge timber and lumber yards — Crossing the Ogeechee — Hard roads and poor fare — Night marches and torch lighted camps — Bummers mourning horses and cursing Asmussen

— March bears toward Savannah — Enemy found at Monteith swamp — Flank movements in deep water — Haughawout's charge — The prisoners arbitrate the issue, who was their captor — Scampering rebels — No fair race — On to Savannah — Run against fortifications — The great march ended — A great picnic for the Third 277-292

CHAPTER XXXI.

Abgyle Island. — The Third Wisconsin ordered across the channel to Argyle Island — Crossing in skiffs — Capture of the Ida by the One Hundred and Fiftieth New York — Gunboats come down — A short battle — Gunboats retire — An armed tender disabled and captured — The Third boys wade out and board her — Capture in South Carolina — Wheeler's cavalry on hand — An expedition across — Company E shivering and- shooting — Marksmanship under difficulties — Shelled by gunboats — Rice threshing for a living — A barge captured — Picket duty under water — Ugly negroes — A movement into South Carolina — Strong forces oppose — Stevenson wounded — Part of Third in a tight place — " Old Second " come to rescue — Savannah evacuated — Back into Georgia — Camp in the city 292-299

CHAPTER XXXII. Throdgh The Carolinas — Rest at Savannah — A grand review

— Making a parson pray for Pres. Lincoln — Preparing for a move — Readjusting commands — Hawley has the brigade — Bridge built — Into South Carolina — A cold, damp reception-The "tars" bid them good-bye — To Purysburg- Buried in a flood — On to Sister's Ferry — Obstructed roads — Skirmishing — Corduroying — The cheerfulness of the men — Building bridges neck deep — Over the Salkehatchie — A bet on railroad destroying— Marchi^g to the westward — Then over the icy coated swamps and forks of the Edisto — Over the Saluda and Broad rivers— Among the "high hills of

CONTENTS. XVll

PAGE.

Santee " — Coffee ration suspended — Anecdotes of Sherman

— His camp — His style of smoking — Geary at Winnsboro

— The town saved from burning — Foragers busy — Wanton destruction of property — A hard remedy for causing civil war — Crossing the broad Wateree — Passing Hanging Rock

— Marching through pine forests — Camp scenes — To the front as skirmishers — Heading for Cheraw - Over the Great Pedee — Into the pitch and turpentine region — Marching through burning forests — A turpentine distillery and pond set on flre — March through Gum swamp — Bridging the streams — Crossing Juniper creek — Fayetteville reached 300-,315

Chapter XXXIV

AvERASBOBO — Camp in a churchyard — To Kilpatrick's aid — A march in mud and darkness — The battle of Averasboro — Skirmishing in mud — Col. Hawley's report — Casualties — The movements of the armies .315-320

Chapter XXXV

Bbntonville — The Third corduroying and bridging — Carlin's division "knocked back" — The enemy's sharp attack — Williams' division brought up — Hawley's brigade in line — Thirteenth New Jersey do excellent work — Hazen arrives- - Fifteenth corps up — Enemy flees - -On to Goldsboro 321-327

Chapter XXXVI

Marching Home - - Rest at Goldsboro Full rations again — Army reorganized - Convalescents up — March to Raleigh — The news of Lee's surrender — " We must push Jo. Johnston now" — March to Richmond — Scenes on the way - Feeding the Confederates — March through Richmond — Through old battle fields at Spottsylvania and Chancellorsville - Skeletons and other ghastly sights — The Blue Ridge once more — Old landmarks — At Washington — The Grand Review— Red Star division bears off the palm — Eager to be mustered out — The Mexican scare — Farewell words with the " Old Second" Massachusetts — Parting with other regiments — Lonesome camp — Move to Louisville — Promotions — Camp in Crittenden place — Paid off — Mustered out — Started for home — Break ranks forever — The flag of the division without a bearer 327-344

A DDENDA — Notes — BlograpMcal Sketches — Incidents — Statistics of regiment — Rosters, etc 345-445

HISXORY

OF THE

Third Regiinenl of Wisconsin Veteran Volunteer Infantry.

Chapter I. The Oeganization

FTER the election in November, 1860, the ac- |Jy tion of the southern states in passing ordi- ^ nances of secession caused intense feeling in all parts of the Union. Thoughtful men saw that events were fast drifting to a collision of arms. The " war spirit " ran high. In both sections the young men, inflamed by the popular feeling of their communities, were eager to be called to arms; and all felt that the striking of a blow would be the signal for summoning armies to the field.

The blow soon came. On the 12th of April, 1861, the insurgent forces collected at Charleston, South Carolina, under General Beauregard, opened upon Fort Sumter, a government fortress in the harbor, with fifty breaching cannon. As the tidings fiashed over the north that the walls were crumbling under the fierce cannonade, that defense was hopeless, and the surrender only a question of a few hours, the patriotic indignation of the people knew no bounds. The uprising of the north, now thoroughly aroused, was a sublime spectacle.

On the 15th of April, President Lincoln issued his proclamation calling forth the militia of the several states to the aggregate number of 7S,000, to suppress combinations "too

2 THIRD REGIMENT WIS. VET. VOL. INPANTEY.

powerful to be suppressed by the course of judicial proceedings or by the powers vested in the marshals by law." Under this call Wisconsin was assigned to furnish as her quota one regiment of infantry or riflemen of 780 men.

Governor Alexander W. Randall on the same day received a telegram calling for one regiment. A letter received a few days later gave further details as to rendezvous and muster. The Governor was a man well suited for such an emergency. He foresaw, as the authorities at Washington did not seem to foresee, that more troops than the number called for would soon be wanted. He had the moral courage and the confidence in the people to act in advance of direct authority in preparing for anticipated further calls. He issued his proclamation, on the 16th of April, announcing the President's call, that the demand on Wisconsin was one regiment, required for immediate service, "and further service would be required as the exigencies of the service might demand." The far-seeing executive further announced that opportunities would be " immediately offered to all existing military companies, under the direction of the proper authorities of the state, for enlistment to fill the demand of the Federal government;" and he invited patriotic citizens of the state to enroll themselves into companies of 78 men each and to advise the executive of their readiness to be mustered into service immediately.

This was enough. The organization of companies throughout the state immediately began. The companies for the First regiment were enrolled and had reported within six days after the issue of the Governors proclamation. On the 22d he announced the enrollment of the regiment called for, expressed his regret that Wisconsin was permitted to send but one, and urged " the formation of companies of able-bodied men. 77 men in each, in every locality where it could be done without expense for subsistence; men who would pledge themselves to be minute men, standing ready at short notice to answer another call of the government. When full, such companies were to elect officers and report to the adjutant general for com-

THE ORGANIZATION. 3.

missions and orders; but the men were not to be taken front peaceful avocations to be drilled for active service."

The Governor's first proclamation met a prompt response. While but one regiment was called for, yet in seven days thirty-six companies had tendered their services. Everywhere the fife and drum were heard, war meetings were held, enthusiastic speeches made, patriotic songs sung; everywhere the people spoke, as with one voice, for vigorous military preparation and the putting down of the rebellion at whatever cost of blood and treasure. Cities, towns and villages raised large funds for the support of the families of soldiers who naight enlist. The clergy in the pulpit, the orators from the forum, the mothers and fathers, the wives and daughters exhorted the young and strong to rise up and save the Union from the threatened destruction.

Among the first thirty-aix companies which tendered their services in response to the Governor's proclamation, the following nine were afterwards assigned to the Third Regiment of Wisconsin infantry:

The " Watertown Eifles," organized at Watertown, Capt. Darius S. Gibbs, accepted April 18, 1861.

" Scott's Volunteers," Capt. John W. Scott, organized at Oshkosh, and accepted April 33., 1861.

" Green County Volunteers," organized at Monroe, by Capt. Martin Flood, accepted April 33, 1861.

" Waupun Light Guard," organized at Waupun, by Capt. Andrew Clark, accepted April 32, 1861.

" Williamstown Union Rifles," organized at Williamstown, by Capt. Gustave Hammer, accepted April 33, 1861.

" Grant County Union Guards,'' organized at Boscobel, by Capt. George W. Limbocker, accepted April 33, 1861.

" Neenah Guards," organized at Neenah, by Captain Edwin L. Hubbard, accepted April 23, 1861.

" Lafayette Rifles," organized at Darlington, by Capt. George T. Whitman, accepted April 34, 1861.

" Shullsburg Light Guard," organized at Shullsburg, by Capt. Howard Vandagrift, accepted April 25, 1861.

The " Dane County Guards," were a new company, organized at Madison by Capt. William Hawley, and were accepted on the 34th of April, 1861.

Of these companies the following had been organized in peaceful times, as militia companies under the former sys-

4 THIED REGIMENT WIS. VET. VOL. INFANTRY.

tern. They were independent companies of the organized militia, so designated to distinguish them from the enrolled militia, a body existing chiefly on paper, consisting of the entire population capable of bearing arms and between the ages of 18 and 45 years, viz. : Watertown Eiflemen, Waupun Light Guard, Williamstown Union Eifies, Neenah Guards. The other companies of the regiment were newly organized for the purpose of entering into the service.

When the several companies constituting the regiment were first accepted, it was upon the understanding that they were to be enlisted only for three months. The First regiment was mustered for that period only. But on the 7th of May .the secretary of war notified the Governor that all volunteers should enlist for three years, or during the war. All the companies which afterwards composed the Third regiment promptly accepted the change of terms of enlistment and cheerfully, hay, eagerly, enlisted for the longer period. On the 34th of April, the Governor had in contemplation the organization of the Third regiment, as appears from the following item in the Wisconsin State Journal, then the official state paper: " We hear that it is probable that Gov. Eandall will call the Third regiment into camp immediately."

On the 17th of April the Governor's order called on all companies of the organized militia, which did not decide to enlist, to deliver up their arms, stating in his order that large numbers of patriotic citizens were offering their services. The fervor to enlist at that time was pithily expressed by Senator E. L. Browne, who said, in a war speech in the Capitol, that "if we sent 20,000 men, and the war was no more destructive than ordinary wars,' we should not lose half as many in battle as would spoil at home for want of a fight."

Governor Eandall gave the preference to the independent companies already organized and armed, of which, at the time, there were some forty-two on the rolls of the adjutant general's office. He sent agents to the commanding officers with orders to assemble their commands within twenty-four hours after receipt of order, and call upon them to de-

THE ORGANIZATION. 5

termine whether they would volunteer and prepare for immediate service. If they declined they were at once to give up their arms and accoutrements. Such of the companies as refused to volunteer gave up their arms, and such of the members of the organized companies volunteering as did not choose to enlist found others only too eager to take their places.

The several companies accepted and understood to be for the Third regiment were engaged in drilling — usually under charge of some civilian who had a smattering of tactics — at their respective localities for some weeks. All were eager to be "sent to the front," and not very patiently awaited orders, which were every moment expected, calling them to the seat of war.

On the 7th of May the following order was promulgated which threw all into a state of high expectation: