1863 November 21: More on Union Prisoners, the Red River Campaign, English Sentiment, Massachusetts Pay for Black Soldiers, and Other News

The following summary of the week’s war news is from the November 21, 1863, issue of The Prescott Journal.

NEWS ITEMS.

— The Army of the Potomac is still in the same place it occupied at last account.  Cavalry reconnoisances [sic], with an occasional shot at a rebel, and “firing” heard in the direction of somewhere, is the startling intelligence we have from the war in Virginia.

— The barbarians at Richmond are not content with starving our soldiers, but they refuse to allow supplies to be sent them.  A steamer with food and clothing attempted to reach Richmond, but was not permitted to do so.

— BRAGG [Braxton Bragg] has opened fire upon Chattanooga and its adjacent camps.  It is stated by some of the correspondents that he has for a long time been quietly working his parallels up towards Chattanooga and expects to compel the Federals to evacuate the place.  We shall soon learn the full measure of his success or defeat.

— In Louisiana, a late fight occurred between WASHBURNE’s [sic: C. C. Washburn] advance and the rebels, in which the latter were successful at first, but were finally repulsed with a lose of 100 killed and 200 prisoners.

— The bombardment of Fort Sumpter [sic] is still progressing.  It would seem as if it must be pretty well pulverized by this time.  The monitors have attacked the Sullivan Island batteries.

— A collision recently occurred on the Opelousas Railroad [in Louisiana] by which the 97th Illinois had 12 killed and nearly seventy wounded.  The 54th Illinois had 2 killed.

— Indications are that the State of Missouri is to take measures for the emancipation of her slaves this winter.—Should she do so, a new movement is inaugurated which will not stop until every state in the Union has free State Constitutions, and not a bondman treads American soil.

— Minister ADAMS¹ says that English sentiment is now strongly in favor of the North.

— The Secretary of War directs that for each battle in which every officer, non commissioned officer and private in the Invalid Corps may have been engaged and borne an honorable past, a scarlet braid, one sixth of an inch wide may be worn on the right arm, with a space of one sixth of an inch between each braid.

— GEN. BANKS [Nathaniel P. Banks] is rapidly moving forward with his Texas Expedition, and will soon have the back door of Rebeldom effectually closed.  If Richmond was starving previous to this movement, it will be difficult to describe its situation when its supplies from Mexico and Texas are cut off.

— Massachusetts has passed the bill for payment of $300 State bounty to each volunteer.  They also passed a bill to pay colored soldiers three dollars a month from the State Treasury, which makes their compensation equal to that of the white troops.

— The Union pyramid of 1863 is made up of nineteen large and loyal states.  We give the other sides as follows

COPPERHEAD PYRAMID.

n   e   w
jer
se
y.

— PRO. MAR. GEN. FRY [James B. Fry] says that a citizen who pays the $300 commutation, is exempt from service for the whole time for which he was drafted, viz; three years.

— The Hudson Bar have passed very appropriate resolutions on the death of Lieut. E. A. CLAPP and Hon. JAMES B. GRAY.

1.  Charles Francis Adams, Sr. (1807-1886) was the son of John Quincy Adams—who was the U.S. envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to the Court of St. James’s, 1814-1817—and grandson of John Adams—minister plenipotentiary to the Court of St. James’s, 1785-1788. Charles F. Adams served in the Massachusetts State Senate (1844-1845), ran unsuccessfully for U.S. vice-president in the 1848 election, and served in the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts (1859-1861). During the Civil War, Adams was Lincoln’s foreign minister in London, where he played a key role in keeping Britain neutral.
The office of United States Minister/Envoy Extraordinary (now Ambassador) to the United Kingdom is known formally as Minister to the Court of St. James’s.

1863 July 25: Lieut. Edward A. Clapp’s Final Letter

The following excerpt from Lieutenant Edward A. Clapp’s letter of May 26, 1863, comes from the July 25, 1863, issue of The Prescott Journal.  Clapp was killed on May 27, 1863, at the Siege of Port Hudson.

LETTER FROM JUDGE CLAPP.

[We are permitted to make the following extract from a letter written by the late Lieut. CLAPP of HUDSON, to Capt. Sam Harriman.—They are doubtless his last written words, as the letter is dated on the day before that on which he met his death. What a severe and deserved rebuke he administers to these who are trying to elevate themselves to power by exciting opposition to the war measures of the Government. These are worthy to be the last words of a patriot soldier, who was given his life for the Government he loved.]

“My face was crimson with shame upon reading that in our own Wisconsin there had been opposition to the draft.  The conscription law I look upon as one of the wisest and fairest laws that ever was enacted; and since it is an important measure for carrying on the war, it should receive the cordial support of the people.  It seems strange to me to read in the papers so much caviling about the government, the inefficiency of military leaders, the impolicy of war measures, arbitrary arrests and the like.  I cannot help thinking that people who indulge in such kind of talk overlook one important fact which ought to be apparrent [sic] at this time, that is, That we are in a state of war for the preservation of our Government.  The issue of the war is left to the arbitrament of the sword. Caucussing [sic] will avail nothing.  Our condition being that of war, it seems wise to adopt war remedies.

Our whole people being concerned in this war, it appears so [to?] me that the principle of subordination to the ruling power is applicable, (though perhaps not in the same degree) to the citizen as well as the soldier.  The man, who is entrusted with the direction of affairs in such a crisis as this, should have the zealous support of the whole body of the people.

It comes down to this principle, that we must trust the Government with the management of the war and give it all the support we can, because in no other way can there be that unanimity of action so necessary in war.  Scarcely any measure could be adopted but the people, viewing it as a political question, would divide on.  It is but a natural and necessary incident to a state of war like this, that during its continuance there will be more or less of an abridgement of civil rights.  But who would not suffer temporary despotism if need be, in order to secure permanent liberty?  Those persons who cavil so much about freedom of speech and arbitrary arrests, it seems to me for the sake of temporary liberty would be willing to incur permanent despotism.—Despotism must necessarily be in the ascendant in war, as liberty should be in peace.

I hope for the honor of our State, that no opposition will be allowed to show itself to the carrying out of the conscript act, but that the people will meet the sacrifices it imposes like patriots—like men.  If the people aid in all possible ways in bringing out such forces as the President may call for, the fall of this rebellion will be swift and terrible.  Murmuring and muttering against the exercise of authority under the law, will have the tendency to create dissatisfaction that will only prolong the war and all its calamities.  It will not change the result, for the war will go on until rebellion is crushed and the country united.

Protected: 1863 July 9: “Nearly every man I think had rather have been with the reg[iment] … than to have had no part in those fights”

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1863 June 27: Local News from Pierce County

The following are the smaller items from the June 27, 1863, Prescott Journal.

— We learn by a letter from the 4th regiment, published in the Madison Journal, that Judge Clapp’s body was buried on the battle field, where he fell.  If this is true, the efforts of friends to recover his body will probably be in vain.  [Edward A. Clapp]

We learn by a letter later than the above, that Lieut. Clapp is buried at Baton Rogue [sic: Rouge].  The letter stated that he conducted himself with the greatest coolness and daring, during the battle, and fell within 20 yards of the intrenchments.—Hudson Times.

— Five deserters, arrested by Provost Marshal Tillapaugh,¹ and lodged in Racine jail, were sent to Madison on Monday last.

— It is arranged that if a draft is to come off, those drafted and claiming to be exempt must report at the Provost Marshal’s office, at La Crosse.  We suppose the object is to test them, and every one who can get through the sand from the depot to the Provost’s office will be judged strong enough for war.

— Forty soldiers of the 10th Minnesota, came up on the Pembina last Tuesday, on their way to Forth Snelling.

— Nineteen thousand widows have applied for pensions at Washington.—Their husbands have been killed in the civil war.

— General Lane [James Henry “Jim” Lane] has been called by the disturbances that exist in the Western part of Missouri to remove his headquarters for the present from Jefferson City to Lexington, the center of the affected region.  The bushwhackers there are becoming every day more numerous and daring, and require a strong hand to suppress them.

AN UNWORTHY SON.—The rebel Col. Lawrence Williams, recently arrested and hung as a spy at Franklin, Tennessee, for attempting to penetrate the line of Gen. Rosecrans’ army [William S. Rosecrans], disugised [sic] in full Federal uniform, was a Buffalonian, and a son of the gallant Capt. Williams killed at the battle of Monterey, whose remains, together with those of Capt. Fields, were buried in this city with the highest military honors.  It is sad to think that the son of so brave an officer should have ignominiously lost his life in attempting to betray the country in whose service the noble father died.—Buffalo Express.

1.  James M. Tillapaugh was a 33-year old physician living in Racine, Wisconsin, in 1860. Captain Tillapaugh was provost marshal of District 1. He returned to Racine and his medical practice after the War.

1863 June 20: Polk County is “in out of the draft,” Plus Several Obituaries of Local Soldiers

Following are the small items from our June 20, 1863, newspapers.  The first item includes Burnett County, which we have not heard much about so far.

From The Polk County Press:

— Enrolment officers have been appointed for this and Burnett counties.

— The Polk County Rifles will meet at the Fair Ground for the purpose of drill at one o’clock to-day, (Saturday.)

— An enrolling officer by the name of DOUGLASS, while performing his duties in Dodge county, this state, was shot through the back by some cowardly villian [sic] who was concealed in some bushes.  The wound is said to be fatal.  Owing to this occurrence company A 30th, Capt. SAM. HARRIMAN, has been sent down into Dodge, to enforce the laws and prevent anything else of the kind occurring.

RESISTANCE TO THE DRAFT.—It is said that the government has decided that the twenty-fifth section of the Conscription Act relative to the arrest of persons resisting the draft, shall be strictly adhered to.  It provides that if any person shall obstruct any officer in the performance of his duty under it, he shall be subject to summary arrest by the Provost Marshal, and be forthwith delivered to the civil authorities, where upon conviction, he shall suffer fine and imprisonment.

— We have received a call from Dep. Provost Marshal, JOHN L. DALE, who passed through our town on his way to Superior.  JOHN says Polk county is all right, sound, patriotic and loyal, and her people “in out of the draft” and wishes he could say as much of other counties in the state.  We have heard that JOHN was in a decline, owing to army rations, and hard times generally, at Madison, but to see is to believe, in some cases, and having seen him we pronounce him in “good condition.”

THE 4TH WISCONSIN— COL. BEAN KILLED.—The 4th Wisconsin was in the fight at Port Hudson, and bore itself gloriously, as is the wont of our brave Wisconsin boys.  Out of 300 that went into the fight 70 were killed or wounded.  Col. Sidney A. Bean is among the killed.  Col. Bean was formerly a professor in Carrol College at Waukesha.  He was a young man of fine talents and great promise—Madison Journal.

— We are informed by John L. DALE, that EDWARD A. CLAPP, of Hudson, member of Gen. SHERMAN’S staff [William T. Sherman], and who is well known to many of our citizens, being the law partner of ALLAN DAWSON, Esq., of Hudson, and who enlisted in the Hudson City Guards at the outbreak of the rebellion, was killed in the recent battle at Port Hudson, La.  He was a brilliant lawyer, a loyal true man, a brave unflinching soldier and died a hero, at the head of an advancing column.  He entered the ranks as a private, and by his integrity and brave conduct was promoted a lieutenant, and placed on Gen. SHERMAN’s staff.

— The “Herald” says Gen. Butler [Benjamin F. Butler] will be brought out by the war Democrats for the Governorship of Massachusetts.  If he consents to run, Republicans will probably endorse him, and Gov. Andrew will be set aside.

— The telegraph reports a fearful decimation of the 4th Wisconsin, in the late fight at Port Hudson.  Its loss in killed is more than one in five—a mortality very rarely experienced in the deadliest battle.  Besides the Colonel killed, three other commissioned officers are reported as badly wounded.

THE UNION AND THE WAR.— The cause of the Union is the cause of peace, of civilization, and of liberty.  The cause of the rebellion is the cause of war, of barbarism, and of tyranny.  Let all who prefer peace and civilization and liberty, to war, and barbarism and tyranny, work and pray that the Union cause may speedily triumph.

THE LOUISIANA COLORED REGIMENTS.—A correspondent at Baton Rouge, under date of May 21st writes:  “There are already five regiments of colored troops organized in this department and credited to Louisiana.  It is expected that, in all, twenty-eight regiments will be organized at once in the department of Gen. Banks.”

From The Prescott Journal:

  Judge CLAPP, of Hudson, Lieut. in the Hudson Guards, 4th Wis., was killed in the attack of Port Hudson.—He was acting as aid to Gen. Sherman.  Judge CLAPP led a lucrative business, and enlisted as a private at the first call for volunteers.  He has fallen a victim to the slaveholder’s rebellion.  Honor to the fallen brave!

WARREN KNOWLES, of River Falls, was acting as Gen. Sherman’s Orderly; had a horse shot under him.

HARD ON ENROLLING OFFICERS.—The women particularly seem to have an antipathy against this class of men,—wherever they go the tender sex loses its customary timidity and the amizon [sic] breaks forth at once.  Such is the case in Dubuque county just now, where the enrolling officers encounter much trouble.  As the ladies in Pierce county are all for Union, friend [C. P.] Barnard will not be molested in his official duty.

  Every negro soldier enlisted and sent into the field diminishes by one the number of white men to be to be drafted.—Any squeamish fellow who objects to having fighting done by a “nigger,” should at once report himself to the nearest recruiting officer, and volunteer.

  Gen. Grant has sent flve [sic] thousand prisoners to Island No. 10, in the Mississippi, where they will be detained until the fate of Vicksburg is decided.

D I E D,

In the Hospital at Grand Gulf, Miss., May 11th, 1863, William Gray, son of Mr. Ryan Gray of Oak Grove, aged 25 years.  He was wounded May 1st at Port Gibson, and died from the effects of his wound, after lingering ten days.

COLORED TROOPS.—The Anglo African, inn its last issue, in an article on the colored element and the war, says:¹

	Adjt. General Thomas had two weekage under arms	11,000
	Gen. Banks	3,000
	Kansas regiment	1,000
	Gen. Hunter, about	3,000
	Gen. Foster	3,000
	Gen. Rosecrans, about	5,000
	Navy	5,000
	Gen. Curtis	2,000
	Massachusetts regiments	1,200
	District of Columbia	800
	Total,	35,000

ARRIVAL OF REBEL PRISONERS AT PHILADELPHIA.

Twenty-one hundred rebel prisoners captured at Haines’ Bluff on the Mississippi, arrived at Philadelphia last week, on their way to Fort Delaware.  The Press says :

“A more miserable looking set of men we have ever seen.  They were ragged and filthy.  Many were hatless and shoeless, and all of them seemed to be perfectly lame.  They were entirely submissive; not an insulting remark was made against them.  They were asked by some of the lookers-on if they were hungry and they replied no, that they have had as much as they could eat since they have been prisoners of the war, larger in quantity and better in quality than they had at any one time during the past six months.

“Some were free in their conversation and said that at Haines’ Bluff they were on half rations before the attack was made.  They said it was entirely impossible to stand the Federal fire, and there was no alternative left them but to surrender.”

“Some express a willingness to take the oath of allegiance. Others said that Gen. Pemberton [John C. Pemberton] was whipped as soon as the attack was made by the land forces; but he does not stand in very good repute, and that, to save himself from disgrace, must hold out.  They say that the supply of provisions at Vicksburg must be very limited by this time.—They talk as though Vicksburg must fall.  Many of the rebels said they were tired of the war, that it was pretty well plaid [sic] out, and if not stopped pretty soon there will be a grand revolt.

“Quite a number of the men are sick looking, with scarcely ten pounds of muscle or flesh ot [sic] give shape to their persons.  A few hard pieces of ingrain carpeting on their soldiers, which they used in place of blankets.[“]

1.  Several other newspapers from the time do not include this chart, but rather follow “the colored element and the war, says” with this: “the negro troops now in the service number thirty-five thousand, not including those acting as pioneers for Banks and Grant. It says these will doubtless swell the number to fifty thousand.”

1863 June 14: “Our Regiment is horribly cut up, we lost our Colonel and most of the line Officers”

Frank D. Harding at this point was still with Company G of the 4th Wisconsin Infantry.  The majority of the letter discusses battles related to the Siege of Port Hudson.  The original letter is in the Frank D. Harding Papers (River Falls Mss AB), University of Wisconsin-River Falls University Archives & Area Research Center.

Carrolton La  June 14^th 1863

Dear Father

                         I received a letter from you last which is the only one I have received for the past two months.  I had began to think that you had given up the idea of ever writing to me.

There is but little news stirring that can be got hold of.  Every thing about Port Hudson is quiet but in a few days I think that it must fall into our hands.  We had one of the hardest fights there of any in this Dept.   The Western Regts behaved nobly and had they been supported by the nine month’s men we should have surely taken the place.  Our Regiment is horribly cut up, we lost our Col¹ and most of the line Officers.  Gen. Sherman² lost his leg and may lose his life.  He is better this morning I hear.

Out of eleven hundred and forty men that we left Wisconsin with, hardly four hundred are left and the Regt can not muster two hundred and fifty to go in to a fight.  Our loss before Port Hudson in killed and wounded will not fall much short of 5000 men.³  The negros fought like devils’ they made five charges on a battery that there was not the slightest chance of their taking, just (as their Officers said) to show our boys that they could, and would fight.  At one time the 4th Wis., 8th N.H., 6th Mich., and 75^th & 128^th N.Y. Regts were on their works and had their battle flags planted, but having no one to support them they were obliged to fall back.  My Co. [G] was not in the fight as they are stationed at Camp Parapet as heavy art [artillery].  One of our Lieut^s was on Gen Sherman’s Staff and was killed,⁴ two of the Sergts of my Co. were in the fight and one was promoted on the field for gallantry.  I went over the the battle field two days after the fight and the stench was horrible.  Our forces have surrounded the place now and are planting heavy guns and in the course of the week I think the [__?] for battle will come off.

I still board in Carrolton but do my work in the City in the Office of the Chief Commissary.  How long I shall stay there it is impossible for me to say.

Tell mother I picked out a dozen of gray hairs out of my head to lend her but I have lost them and have no time to look for more.  I mean to have my picture taken in a few days and will lend it to you. I don’t look much like a solider for I haven’t had a uniform on for more than one year.

Give my love to Mother and Diantha.  Write me soon.

Yours Truly,  Frank D. Harding

1.  Sidney A. Bean, from Waukesha, had been the colonel of the 4th Wisconsin Infantry only since March 17, 1863, being promoted from lieutenant colonel of the 4th when Halbert E. Paine was promoted to brigadier general of volunteers. Bean was killed May 29, 1863, at Port Hudson.
A list of the killed and wounded in the 4th Wisconsin Infantry from May 27 to June 2, 1863, can be found in E. B. Quiner’s Military History of Wisconsin (Chicago: 1866), chapter 14, page 504 ((UWRF Archives E 537 .Q56 1866, available digitally on the Wisconsin Historical Society’s website).
2.  As we learned yesterday, during the May 27, 1863, attack on Port Hudson, General Thomas W. Sherman was severely wounded, which led to the amputation of his right leg. His injuries were so severe that he was not expected to live. Even the newspaper in his hometown (Newport, Rhode Island) printed an obituary for him.
3.  This is a very accurate estimate by Harding. Five thousand Union losses is the number generally given.
4.  Edward A. Clapp, from Hudson.

Frank Harding letter of June 14, 1863, from the Frank D. Harding Papers (River Falls Mss AB) in the University Archives & Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls

1863 June 10: Jerry Flint’s Brother George Dies in the War

Phineas was not Jerry’s only brother, he had an older brother, George W.  George W. Flint, also from River Falls, was in Company A of the 20th Wisconsin Infantry.  Unknown to Jerry, George had just died from disease on May 10, 1863, in Springfield, Missouri.

The original letter is in the Jerry E. Flint Papers (River Falls Mss BN) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, University Archives and Area Research Center.

Camp Parapet La
June 10^th 1863

Dear Brother,

I have just learned of your wherabouts [sic] through Rossie [Roswell V. Pratt] and have determined to write to you.  I wrote to you about a year ago but as I never received any answer I did not write again.  I have wished to hear from you a great many times but never have.  Our company is detached from the regiment and serving as Heavy Artillery on a battery about 10 miles above New Orleans.  The regiment has been through all the battles of the Teche¹  under Gen. Banks [Nathaniel P. Banks] and is now before Port Hudson where they have already seen some pretty hard fighting.

The place is still in possession of the rebels but is thoroughly invested and must come clean.

Our first Lieut E A Clapp was was [sic] killed while acting aide-de-camp on Gen. Sherman staff [Thomas W. Sherman].

I had a letter from Helen a few days ago.  Mother and Phineas are with them. Dean has bought out his brothers tin shop and Phin is going to help him.  I do not know as Mother will stay there.  She thinks some of living with Uncle J’s folks.  Helen lost another of her children last winter.²

I have heard of Thomas Randall’s death.  His son we buried [sic] last summer at Baton Rouge.  Poor George he was a good fellow and a fine soldier.³

My health is very good and has been the most of the time since we have been in this God forsaken country.  I am troubled some with the Fever and Ague.

The weather is so hot that it is almost impossible to stand it.  As Uncle Healy⁴ says “I can’t enjoy religion” a bit it is so hot.

I will not write much now for this may never reach you but if I receive an answer to this I will write longer next time.

Write soon if it is not more than a dozen words and give me a history of your military career.

Hoping this may find you well I remain as ever

Your Brother
Jerry

Direct to
Co. G. 4^th Reg. Wis Vol
New Orleans La.

1.  Jerry is referring to the Bayou Teche Campaign, a brief military campaign in April and May 1863 in Louisiana. Union forces were trying to trap Confederate units between the Bayou Teche and the Atchafalaya River.
2.  Helen is Jerry’s sister. Dean is Royal L. Dean, her husband, who becomes a tinner by trade. Phin is Jerry’s brother Phineas Flint. Jerry, Phin, and Helen’s mother was Jerusha Pratt Flint.
3.  Thomas Randall, from River Falls, was in George Flint’s company (Company A of the 20th Wisconsin Infantry); he died March 30, 1863, in St. Louis, Missouri, at age 45.   George T. Randall, from River Falls, was in Jerry’s company (Company G or the 4th Wisconsin Infantry); he died August 7, 1862, in Baton Rouge, at age 24.
4.  Possibly Manly Healy, from River Falls, who does not seem to have been an actual relative.

Jerry Flint letter of June 10, 1863, from the Jerry E. Flint Paper (River Falls Mss BN) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls University Archives & Area Research Center

1862 July 2: News on the 4th and 20th Wisconsin Infantries and More

Following are the smaller articles for the week, published July 2, 1862.

From The Hudson North Star:

THE HUDSON CITY GUARDS. — We are just in the receipt of a long and very interesting letter from FRANK HARDING, dated Baton Rouge, June 12, 1862, and are truly sorry that we cannot give it publicity in this issue.

The 4th Wisconsin has been the hardest kind of service, and they have, as our readers know, performed their duty so well, as to received the highest commendation from their regimental and brigade officers, and in fact from Major General BUTLER.  This severe service and the climate is telling fearfully on the regiment.  Mr. HARDING writes that out of 112 of our noble boys, only 50 are fit for service. — Among those particularly mentioned by him as sick are JOHN VAN METRE, Sargeats [sic] CLAPP and WILSON, Lieutenant WING, Capt. WHITE, &c.¹  Our prayer is that they may all be spared to return home.

PERSONAL. — FRENCH THORNHILL² whom we were informed a few weeks ago was dead, arrived here on Saturday last, safe and well.  He has been for the last eight months with the 8th Wisconsin Regiment, and left it two miles from Corinth, about a month since.  He brought with him a lot of secesh trophies from New Madrid and Island No. 10.

MAJOR OF THE 20TH. — H. A. Starr,³ of Milwaukee, has been appointed Major of the 20th Wisconsin Regiment. — It is one of the best selections yet made in the State.  Major Starr is a thorough diciplinarian [sic], conversant with the rules of armies, has some actual service ;  and for military bravery, determination, and integrity of purpose, the is no better soldier in the State.

DEATH OF COL. WOOD. — Colonel D. E. WOOD of the 14th regiment, dead at his residence in Fond du Lac on the 23d ult.  Thus has the State and Country lost another noble man, and the army a valiant and able officer.

On the bloody field of Shiloh, he and his regiment, as our readers all know, behaved with the greatest galantry [sic].  The hardships and exposures of that terrible battle, was the cause of his sickness and untimely death.  Young in years, he has fallen a victim to this unholy rebellion, but his memory and heroic deeds will be held in grateful rememberance [sic] by his countrymen.

TO VISIT THE HOSPITALS. — Speaker Beardsley, who has acquitted himself so creditably and satisfactorily as the presiding officer of the Assembly, has been appointed by the Governor to visit the hospitals and camps in the western department, where there are sick and wounded Wisconsin soldiers.

Mr. Beardsley is especially well qualified to discharge this duty.  For many years a successful practitioner of medicine and surgery, he has for some time past been engaged in mercantile pursuits.  He accordingly combined the qualifications of a regular surgeon and an active and successful man of business.  Added to these, he is a gentleman of great kindness of heart, and will spare no pains to alleviate the sufferings of our sick and wounded.  The appointment is an excellent one. — Madison Journal.

—The Senate Territorial Committee have reported a bill admitting Western Virginia into the Union as an independent State, under the name of West Virginia.  In addition to the counties in the new State, as organized by the Wheeling Convention, those laying north of Harper’s Ferry and down the Valley of Virginia, are included.  One provision which the Convention is required to add to the new constitution, by this bill, is one declaring all children born of slaves after July, 1861, free for life.  The bill opens with a preamble declaring that an act of the Virginia Legislature of May 18th, 1861, gives consent to the formation of a new State within the limits of Virginia.

— Nearly all the churches in Washington have been appropriated by the Government for use as hospitals.  The Smithsonian Institute, Odd Fellows Hall, and all other public buildings suitable for the purpose are to be taken.  It is understood that most of the wounded will be brought to Washington, and most of the sick sent to New York and Philadelphia.

— The use of the soldiers ‘drill.’  To make a hole in the enemy.

— When the rebels fight, they soon get out of wind.  When they talk, their wind is inexhaustible.

From The Prescott Journal:

The Ladies’ Soldier’s Aid Society will meet at Mr. G. H. NICHOLS’ on Tuesday afternoon, July 8th.  The ladies of Prescott and vicinity are invited to attend.  The gentlemen are especially invited to be present in the evening.

Lt. W. H. YORK⁴ left here on Monday for Madison, with about twenty men for the 20th Regiment.  He will return for more recruits who could not get ready in time to go now.  Mr. YORK has raised more than any other recruiting officer for the 20th.

1.  John H. Van Meter, Edward A. Clapp, Henry A. Wilson, Isaac H. Wing, and Daniel W. White, all from Hudson.
2.  Samuel B. Thornhill, of Saint Croix Falls, was the surgeon with the 8th Wisconsin Infantry. He was “dismissed.”
3.  Henry A. Starr was commissioned major of the 20th Wisconsin on June 30, 1862, and in December of 1862 will become the lieutenant colonel.
4.  William H. York, from Prescott, was the 1st lieutenant of Company A until October of 1862, when he was promoted to be the regiment’s quartermaster.

1861 October 30: Judge Clapp Recruiting for Replacements

From The Hudson North Star of October 30, 1861.

Sergeant Clapp.—Better known by our citizens as Judge Clapp, is now here from the “Fourth Regiment” on the recruiting business. When the first call for volunteers was sounded through the land, Judge Clapp laid aside his civil honors, business and the quiet and comfort of a good professional occupation, to enlist in the ranks of the Hudson City guards, as a private, that he might peril his life in the defense of our common country. He labored with others early, and late, to fill up the ranks of our gallant company which has won for itself and us such proud honors. The Hudson City guards now need twelve men to fill up their depleted ranks, to the original number of one hundred and one men.

The noble boys in the Guards wish those recruits to come from no where else but from their own home—from the Valley of the St. Croix. Sergeant Clapp has come into our party  midst for that purpose, he comes as the especial agent of our gallant company. He has not come in vain. Though this Valley of the St. Croix has raised three companies, and Captain Mears is now raising the fourth, though our population is spare and our quota has long since been more than furnished, we know that twelve valiant men will volunteer to join their brothers in arms.

Monday evening a large, and enthusiastic meeting was held at Rickard’s Hall, which was addressed by Sergeant Clapp, with enthusiastic patriotism. He spoke at length of the Fourth Regiment, gave a hopeful account of the position of affairs at the seat of war, and explained the advantage recruits would have in rapidly learning a soldier’s duty by going into a company like the Guards, and a regiment like the Fourth which has had five months experience on the field and in camp.

Three men have enlisted already, and by the time Sergeant Clapp has visited the various towns, we have no kind of doubt as to his success. He has opened a recruiting station at the Post Office where recruits may be enrolled, and any information obtained of Mr. Seymore.

1861 October 30: News of E. A. Clapp and of the Saint Croix Lancers

Also from The Prescott Journal of October 30, 1861, come these three small articles: one on the “St. Croix Lancers” cavalry company getting ready to leave for Milwaukee, one on Sergeant E. A. Clapp back in town recruiting, and one on the effect so many missing men will have on the county elections.

SERGEANT E. A. CLAPP, of the Hudson City Guards, has returned home for the purpose of recruiting a few men. No better opportuoiiy [sic] is offered for going into the service.

St. Croix Lancers.

The St. Croix Lancers, (cavalry,) will leave Prescott for their rendesvous [sic] at Milwaukee, on Tuesday, Nov. 5th. All persons wishing to join must do so immediately. Expenses paid from date of enlistment.                             J. W. BASCOM.
                                     Recruiting Serg’t St. Croix Lancers.

The vote in this county will be light at the best—so many are gone to the war. Let us get out all who remain.