Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1868-03-11
COL. GILL.

l.. ". Powell, the Madison correspon-
dent Of the Chicago Republican, in CIV
ing sketches of the State officers of Wis.
consln thus speaks of Atty Gen. Col. C.
R. Gill:
Col. Charles R, Gill, the Attorney Cen
efai OF this State, is an average-sized man :;
head having forward inclination, face
cream shaved, forehead high and promi
hen', eyes clear blue, his flexible lips
wear good-natured, though sometimes
half sarcastic smile, earnest and thoughtful
expression on the face when matters of
Importance are under consideration,
perfect ease OF manner, ready presence of
mlnd under all e1igencies, adrotness In
making the most of passing occurrences, a
ready Wit, and the life Of the circle in
ID "hlch he happens to be-a combination
OF qualities not often met with in sensitive
ana thoughtful natures like his He pos
Sesses enough Of what are called the,
p" higher qualities" to appreciate their
existence IN others, and not enough of any
one to disturb the perfect equilibrium of
his own mind. Everything in his mental
furnishing Is always completely under
his control, and on hand for use at a mo
ment'S notice; is noted for his quick tact
and ready reply, as well as sound common
sense The ethereal part of a man, if
[ may be allowed such an expression. is
selt-distrustful. i'll at home in this world
and stands IN awe Of nothing SO much as
what IS called common sense henc. the
latter will usually triumph and lead to
permanent success while the former won
ders IN amazement how it is accomplished.
The subject OF tnis sketch was born in
Herkimer county, n Y, in 1880; re-
moved to Batavia, in the same State, in
1913, where he subsequently read law and
was admitted to the bar; came to Wis
oonsln IN 1854, and established himself
IN practice in the city of Watertown,
where be has since resided until he re-
moved to this city about a year since
In 1899 he was elected Senator from
Jefferson county and served two years,
during the last of which the late war was
lnaugurated. At. the session of 1861 he
was the first man to suggest that troops
would be needed to put down what be
toresaw would be a widespread and great
rebellion The records show that Wis
consln made the first actual movement In
providing to furnish troops to the United
STATES Government, and Col. Gill the tirss
to suggest the propfiety of it, fer which
be was abused by the opposition press as
fanatic; one Of the Inevitable results,
one IN advance of the people who has the
courage to publicly advocate his views
viii lncur-the case with Col Gill He
moved the appointment of a Joint Com
mttee to inquire into the expediency of
placing the State on. a war footing, and to
report APP IAN or bill to meet the emergency.
he was the Chairman of this Committee.
drew up and reported such bill for the
defense Of the State and to aid in enforcing
the laws. 1t became a law, and troops
were organized under it. He boldly ad-
vocated vigorous prosecution Of the war.
and opposed sending Commissioners to the
Peace Congress.
AT the close of the session he rturned
to WATERFOWL and was active in raising
troops, lending his voice and influence
to that end in 1862 he enlisted as a pri-
yate IN company being recruited there.
he was subsequently appointed Colonel of
the twenty ninth Wisconsin Infantry, and
led that regiment IN the Yazoo Pass and
other expeditions, the battles of Port
Gibson, Champion Hill, &c, and in the
siege OF ' lcksburg, where his health failed
and be resigned and came home, where he
suffered many months from the effects of
sickness contracted in the service. His
career as soldier was distinguished by
bravery and valor.
While IN command at Helena lie
deemed it his duty to stop the illegitimate
use of the military in protecting the cot
ton thieves, and issued an order by which
he incurred the enmity of the rebels and
their sympathizers as we'll as the train of
a1myfolloWers bent N plumber He aimed
to do his duty to the Government in this
and every emergency, irrespective of con-
sequences. A uEerior officer interfered
IN behalf of the rebels and spectators,
but Col. Gill was eventually justified and
sustained, and his superior superseded
The course of this worthy officer
(Gll) met the approval of every true
friend of the Government.
In 1865 he was nominated and elected
Attorney General, and again in 1867, and
has ever filled the position to the credit of
himself and to the satisfaction of the pub
lic He was the first man in Wisconsin
who foresaw the apostacy of Andrew
Johnson-his determination to invalidate,
the fruits of our victory or rather to des-
troy those fruits. He made the first pub
he speech in this connection, and struck
the first blow in the State Convention in