The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1868-10-09
vindicatlon of Gov Seymour.

The following article we publish to show
the sentiments of respect, We might even
say affection, with which the gallant soldiers
OF the war in this section regard Gov. Sey-
mour. No drawer or more effective CONS
pany of men went to 'the front" in the
hour of our country's need than the 'Oconto
River Drivers. They were accepted unIer
the direct influence of Gov Seymour, who
was visiting here at the time, and now,
when the fair name of that patriot and
statesman is assaulted by his enemies, they
step forward without solicitation to vindi
cate his honor as they did in the time of
war to aid in pres ervation of our Union.
Some of them are called Democrats, and
some Republicans, and all are patriots
Some OF them bear the scars of battle, and
some are crippled FOR life in their country
cause. One sick a1d disabled by his coun
try s service. had to be lifted up in bed in
order that he might have the pleasure of
attaching his name to this document which
was probably the last act of his life. The
signatures comprise the survivors of that
gallant band in this section with the excep
ton of three who were up in the pineries
too tar to be reached, but who wouldlsig it
IT they had the opportunity :ayi ags.f
To the editor fthe Aduocate.
r Having heard a great deal said in this
community In reference to Gov. Seymour S
war record, L desire to state few facts
that l know are well known to nearly all if
not all the prominent men residing in
Green Bay, which transpircd in May, June
and July, 1861. In the latterpart of May,
| was instrumental ia raising company of
volunteers tor the war then known as the
"Oconto River Drivers and afterwards
known as Co. IL, in the 4th Wisconsin In
fantrv, and subsequently, as the 4th Wis
consln Cavalry Regiment. AT that time
the Government had called out seventy five
thousand men; the quota, | think, from
Wisconsin, was less than three regiments
In May, | rendered the services of the
Drivers to the Governor of Wisconsin
and received a commission as Captain, and
was, | think, the 9th company offered, ais
most enough to organize ten regiments.
The Governor had adopted the rule that all
companies would be accepted in the order
IN which their respective services had been
rendered. 1t was officially stated that IS.
900 men were sufficient to put down the
rebellion, and as the quota of Wisconsin un-
der that call was less than three regiments,
there was little or no hopes of the Drivers
being accepted. | went to Madison in per-
son and made the best efforts ! could to
have the company accepted at once, but ut
terly failed. On my return home, [ met
Governor Seymour at Green Bay, who in
a conversation with me then told me not to
be discouraged, but if possible keep my
company organized that soon The Govern
ment would want, in his. opinion, great
many more men, and then stated TO ule
that Gen'l Daniel f. Sickles, Of New York,
had been authorized to raise and equip "A
brigade aud that had better go to New
York IN person, and to Washington, and
make an effort in that direction to procure
the acceptance of the company, and that he
Seymour, would give me letter to Gen.
Sickles, and also one to w. III. Seward then
Secretary OF State. it'
l then went to Oconto, fwherc the men
had remained organized in my absence,
and then stated the substance of this con
versation and suggestions of Mr. Seymour.
1t met the appreciation of the t,ieh, and In
early June left for New York and WASH
ington, with letters from Mr.. Seymour to
Gen. Sickles and Mr.. Seward. Before L
left home, Gov. Seymour gave me his
check on New York to aid in paying
my expenses, and it was especially
valuable and available because at that time
it may be remembered the Wisconsin mo.
ney was not worth generally 80 cts an the
dollar in the State, and could not be used
out Of the State at any price. Mr. Sey-
mour also procured me free pass FROM
Green Bay via. Buffalo to New York City.
At New York did not see Cen, Sackes in
person, but addressed him note, encIos
ing Mr.. Seymour's letter to him, asking
him to accept the Drivers, stating tina; |
was going to Washington, and would re-
main a few days at Washington, at which
place | should be anxious to hear from
him. While at Washington, | received
communication from Gen. Sckles, through
his Adjutant, accepting my company and
furnishing transportation for the company
from Green Bay to New York, which &C.
ceptance and papers l have still ia my
possession, and in few days met Gen Sickles
at Washington, who then made final
arrangements with fmel for the company.
At Washington I delivered Mr. Sey-