unwavering devotion to its interests and integrity." "The hopes," added the governor, most eloquently, "of civilization and Christianity are suspended now upon the answer to this question of dissolution. The capacity for, as well as the right of, self-government is to pass its ordeal, and speculation to become certainty. Other systems have been tried, and have failed; and all along, the skeletons of nations have been strewn, as warnings and land-marks, upon the great highway of historic overnment. Wisconsin is true, and her people steadfast. She will not destroy the Union, or consent that it shall be done. Devised by great, and wise, and good men, in days of sore trial, it must stand. Like some bold mountain, at whose base the great seas break their angry floods, and around whose summit the thunders of a thousand hurricanes have rattled — strong, unmoved, immovable — so may our Union be, while treason surges at its base, and passions rage around it, unmoved, immovable here let it stand forever." These are the words of an exalted and genuine patriotism. But the governor did not content himself with eloquence alone. He came down to matters of business as well. He urged the necessity of legislation that would give more efficient organization to the militia of the State. He warned the legislators to make preparations also for the coming time that should try the souls of men. "The signs of the times," said he, “indicate that there may arise a contingency in the condition of the government, when it will become necessary to respond to a call of the National Government for men and means to maintain the integrity of the Union, and to thwart the designs of men engaged in organized treason. While no unnecessary expense should be incurred, yet it is the part of wisdom, both for individuals and States, in revolutionary times, to be prepared to defend our institutions to the last extremity." It was thus the patriotic governor gave evidence to the members of both houses that he "scented the battle afar off."

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

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

were fully met by the people's representatives, they doing their whole duty, as they then understood it, in aid of the perpetuity of the Union.

Having defended Fort Sumter for thirty-four hours, until the quarters were entirely burned, the main gates destroyed, the gorge-wall seriously injured, the magazine surrounded by flames, and its door closed from the effects of the heat, four barrels and three cartridges of powder only being available, and no provisions but pork remaining, Robert Anderson, major of the first artillery, United States army, accepted terms of evacuation offered by General Beauregard, marched out of the fort on Sunday afternoon, the fourteenth of April, 1861, with colors flying and drums beating, bringing away company and private property, and saluting his flag with fifty guns. This, in brief, is the story of the fall of Sumter and the opening act of the War of the Rebellion. "Whereas," said Abraham Lincoln, president, in his proclamation of the next day, "the laws of the United States have been for some time past, and now are, opposed, and the execution thereof obstructed, in the States of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, by combinations too powerful to be suppressed by the ordinary course of judicial proceedings, or by the powers vested in the marshals by law." Now, in view of that fact, he called forth the militia of the several States of the Union, to the aggregate number of seventy-five thousand, in order to suppress those combinations, and to cause the laws to be duly executed. "A call is made on you by to-night's mail for one regiment of militia for immediate service," telegraphed the secretary of war to Randall, on the same day.

In Wisconsin, as elsewhere, the public pulse quickened under the excitement of the fall of Sumter. "The dangers which surrounded the nation awakened the liveliest sentiments of patriotism and devotion. For the time, party fealty was forgotten in the general desire to save the nation. The minds of the people soon settled into the conviction that a bloody war was at hand, and that the glorious fabric of our National Government, and the principles upon which it is founded, were in jeopardy, and with a determination unparalleled in the history of any country, they rushed to its defense. On every hand the National flag could be seen displayed, and the public enthusiasm knew no bounds; in city, town, and hamlet, the burden on every tongue was war." "We have never been accustomed," said Governor Randall, "to consider the military arm as essential to the maintenance of our government, but an exigency has arisen that demands its employment." "The time has come," he continued, "when parties and platforms must be forgotten, and all good citizens and patriots unite together in putting down rebels. and traitors." "What is money," he asked, "what is life, in the presence of such a crisis?" Such utterances and such enthusiasm could but have their effect upon the legislature, which, it will be remembered, was still in session; so, although that body had already voted to adjourn, sine die, on the fifteenth of April, yet, when the moment arrived, and a message from the governor ⚫was received, announcing that, owing to the extraordinary exigencies which had arisen, an amendment of the law of the thirteenth instant was necessary, the resolution to adjourn was at once rescinded. The two houses thereupon not only increased the amount of bonds to be issued to two hundred thousand dollars, but they also passed a law exempting from civil process, during the time of service, all persons enlisting and mustering into the United States army from Wisconsin. When, on the seventeenth, the legislature did adjourn, the scene was a remarkable one. Nine cheers were given for the star spangled banner and three for the Governor's Guard, who had just then tendered their services the first in the State-under the call for a regiment of men for three months' duty.

"For the first time in the history of this federal government," are the words of the governor, in a proclamation issued on the sixteenth of April, “organized treason has manifested itself within several States of the Union, and armed rebels are making war against it." "The treasuries of the country," said he, "must no longer be plundered; the public property must be

protected from aggressive violence; that already seized must be retaken, and the laws must be executed in every State of the Union alike." "A demand," he added, “made upon Wisconsin by the president of the United States, for aid to sustain the federal arm, must meet with a prompt response." The patriotism of the State was abundantly exhibited in their filling up a regiment before some of the remote settlements had any knowledge of the call. On the twentysecond, Governor Randall reported to the secretary of war that the First regiment was ready to go into rendezvous. The place designated was "Camp Scott," at Milwaukee; the day, the twenty-seventh of April. Then and there the several companies assembled-the regiment afterward completing its organization.

With a wise foresight, Governor Randall ordered, as a reserve force and in advance of another call for troops by the president, the formation of two more regiments-the Second and Third, and, eventually, the Fourth. Camps at Madison, Fond du Lac, and Racine, were formed for their reception, where suitable buildings were erected for their accommodation. Companies assigned to the Second regiment were ordered to commence moving into "Camp Randall," at Madison, on the first day of May. On the seventh, the secretary of war, under call of the president of the United States for forty-two thousand additional volunteers—this time for three years, or during the war-telegraphed Governor Randall that no more three months' volunteers were wanted; that such companies as were recruited must re-enlist for the new term or be disbanded. At the extra session of the legislature of Wisconsin, which, as already mentioned, commenced on the fifteenth of May, called by Governor Randall immediately upon his being notified of the second call of the president for troops, on the third of May, the law hurriedly passed at the close of the regular session, and under which the governor had organized the First regiment, was found inadequate to meet the second call for troops. "A bill was introduced, and became a law, authorizing the governor to raise six regiments of infantry, inclusive of those he had organized or placed at quarters. When the six regiments were mustered into the United States service, he was authorized to raise two additional regiments, and thus to keep two regiments continually in reserve to meet any future call of the General Government. He was authorized to quarter and subsist volunteers at rendezvous—to transport, clothe, subsist and quarter them in camp at the expense of the State. Arms and munitions were to be furnished by the United States. Recruits were to be mustered into State service, and into United States service, for three years. Two assistant surgeons to each regiment were to be appointed, and paid by the State. The regiments, as they came into camp, were to be instructed in drill and various camp duties, to secure efficiency in the field. The troops, so called in, were to be paid monthly by the State, the same pay and emoluments as the soldiers in the United States army, from the date of enlistment. The paymaster general was authorized to draw funds from the State treasury for the payment of the State troops, and the expense incurred in subsisting, transporting and clothing them. The governor was authorized to purchase military stores, subsistence, clothing, medicine, field and camp equipage, and the sum of one million dollars was appropriated to enable the governor to carry out the law."

same.

Other laws were passed relating to military matters. One authorized the governor to purchase two thousand stand of arms; and fifty, thousand dollars were appropriated to pay for the Another authorized counties, towns, cities and incorporated villages to levy taxes for the purpose of providing for the support of families of volunteers residing in their respective limits. The one passed at the previous session, exempting volunteers from civil process while in the service, was amended so as to include all who might thereafter enlist. One granted five dollars per month as extra pay to enlisted volunteers having families dependent upon them for support, payable to their families. Another authorized the governor to employ such aids, clerks and

messengers, as he deemed necessary for the public interests. Still another authorized the payment of those who had enlisted for three months, but had declined to go in for three years. The expenses of the extra session were ordered to be paid out of the "war fund." One million dollars in bonds were authorized to be issued for war purposes to form that fund. The governor, secretary of state and state treasurer were empowered to negotiate them. By a joint resolution approved the twenty-first of May, the consent of the legislature was given to the governor to be absent from the State during the war, for as long a time as in his discretion he might think proper or advisable, in connection with the military forces of the State. For liberality, zeal and genuine patriotism, the members of the Wisconsin legislature, for the year 1861, deserve a high commendation. All that was necessary upon their final adjournment at the close of the extra session to place the State upon a war footing," was the organization by the governor of the various military departments. These he effected by appointing Brigadier General William L. Utley, adjutant general; Brigadier General W. W. Tredway, quartermaster general; Colonel Edwin R. Wadsworth, commissary general; Brigadier General Simeon Mills, paymaster general; Brigadier General E. B. Wolcott, surgeon general; Major E. L. Buttrick, judge advocate; and Colonel William H. Watson, military secretary.

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On the seventeenth of May, the First regiment, at "Camp Scott," was mustered into the United States service, and the war department informed that it awaited marching orders. The regimental officers were not all in accordance with the law and mode adopted afterwards. On the seventh of the month Governor Randall had appointed Rufus King a brigadier general, and assigned the First, Second, Third and Fourth regiments to his command as the Wisconsin brigade; although at that date only the First and Second had been called into camp. This brigade organization was not recognized by the General Government. The secretary of war telegraphed the governor of Wisconsin that the quota of the State, under the second call of the president, was two regiments-so that the whole number under both calls was only three (the First) for three months, two (the Second and Third) for three years. Notwithstanding this, Governor Randall proceeded to organize the Fourth.

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As a number of the companies ordered into "Camp Randall" on the first day of May to form the Second regiment had only enlisted for three months, the order of the secretary of war of the seventh of that month making it imperative that all such companies must re-enlist for three years or during the war, or be disbanded, the question of extending their term of enlistment was submitted to the companies of the regiment, when about five hundred consented to the change. The quota of the regiment was afterward made up, and the whole mustered into the service of the United States for three years or during the war, under the president's second call for troops. This was on the eleventh of June, 1861. The Third regiment having had its companies assigned early in May, they were ordered in June into "Camp Hamilton" at Fond du Lac, where the regiment was organized, and, on the twenty-ninth of June, mustered into the United States' service as a three years regiment. This filled Wisconsin's quota under the second call of President Lincoln. By this time war matters in the State began to assume a systematic course of procedure-thanks to the patriotism of the people, the wisdom of the legislature, and the untiring energy and exertions of the governor and his subordinates.

The determination of the secretary of war to accept from Wisconsin only two three-years. regiments under the second call for troops was soon changed, and three more were authorized, making it necessary to organize the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth. The Fourth was called into "Camp Utley" at Racine on the sixth of June, and was mustered into the service of the United States on the ninth of the following month. By the twenty-eighth of June, all the companies of the Fifth had assembled at "Camp Randall," and on the thirteenth of July were mustered in as

United States troops. By the first of July, at the same place, the complement for the Sixth regiment had been made up, and the companies were mustered for three years into the service of the General Government, on the sixteenth of the same month. Governor Randall did not stop the good work when six regiments had been accepted, but assigned the necessary companies to form two more regiments-the Seventh and Eighth; however, he wisely concluded not to call them into camp until after harvest, unless specially required to do so. “If they are needed sooner," said the governor, in a letter to the president on the first of July, "a call will be immediately responded to, and we shall have their uniforms and equipments ready for them." "By the authority of our legislature," added the writer, I shall, after the middle of August, keep two regiments equipped and in camp ready for a call to service, and will have them ready at an earlier day if needed."

About the latter part of June, W. P. Alexander, of Beloit, a good marksman, was commissioned captain to raise a company of sharpshooters for Berdan's regiment. He at once engaged in the work. The company was filled to one hundred and three privates and three officers. It left the State about the middle of September under Captain Alexander, and was mustered into the service at Wehawken on the twenty-third day of that month, as Company "G" of Berdan's regiment of sharpshooters. On the twenty-sixth of July, a commission was issued to G. Van Deutsch of Milwaukee, to raise a company of cavalry. He succeeded in filling his company to eighty-four men. He left the State in September, joining Fremont. The company was afterward attached to the fifth cavalry regiment of Missouri.

About the 20th of August, Governor Randall was authorized to organize and equip as rapidly as possible five regiments of infantry and five batteries of artillery, and procure for them necessary clothing and equipments according to United States regulations and prices, subject to the inspection of officers of the General Government. The five regiments were to be additional to the eight already raised. One regiment was to be German. During the last week of August the companies of the Seventh regiment were ordered into “Camp Randall," at Madison. They were mustered into the service soon after arrival. On the 28th of August orders were issued for the reorganization of the First regiment for three years, its term of three months having expired. The secretary of war having signified his acceptance of the regiment for the new term, its mustering into the service was completed on the nineteenth of October. This made six infantry regiments in addition to the eight already accepted, or fourteen in all. On the same day orders were issued assigning companies to the Eighth regiment, the whole moving to "Camp Randall," at Madison, the first week in September, where their mustering in was finished on the thirteenth.

The Ninth, a German reginent, was recruited in squads, and sent into camp, where they were formed into companies, and the whole mustered in on the 26th of October, 1861, at " Camp Sigel," Milwaukee. Companies were assigned the Tenth regiment on the 18th of September, and ordered into camp at Milwaukee, where it was fully organized about the first of October, being mustered into the service on the fourteenth of that month. The Tenth infantry was enlisted in September, 1861, and mustered in on the fourteenth of October, 1861, at "Camp Holton," Milwaukee. The Eleventh regiment was called by companies into "Camp Randall " the latter part of September and first of October, 1861, and mustered in on the eighteenth. The Twelfth was called in to the same camp and mustered in by companies between the twenty-eighth of October and the fifth of November, 1861. The Thirteenth rendezvoused at "Camp Treadway," Janesville, being mustered into the United States service on the seventeenth of October, 1861. These thirteen regiments were all that had been accepted and mustered into the United States service while Randall was governor.

From the commencement of the rebellion a great desire had been manifested for the organ