River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1880-06-03
A "REMINISCENCES.
How Gsn. Heintzeiman Helped TO Carry
a Connecticut Election.
New Haven Palladium

New Haven Palladium.
The obituary sketch of Gen. S. p.
Heinizelman published in our yester-
day mornings issue reminds a reader
of an incident of the election campaign
in this state ia the spring of 1868. The
contest that year was very close, and
the democrats, who were working hard
to carry the state, had many things in
in their favor. Their candidate, ex-
Gov. Seymour, was personally popular;
the news from the army was discour-
aging, and democratic state committee
discovered by careful canvass that in
the fourteen regiments which had left
the state since the previous spring the
loss of votes was IN the proportion of
ten republicans to four democrats.
The state convention of the democratic
party met about the middle of Feb
ruary, and assumed position
of undisguised hostility TO the
continuance of the war for the union.
When Thomas II. Seymour is
elected" said one of their orators, "ihe
president will understand what that
means. 1t will mean that the blood Of
our brethren has been shed in an I'M
holy crusade and the war must stop"
The republicans were alarmed at the
prospect. and SO were the soldiers at
the front. From the camps of all the
Connecticut regiments came letters
of urgent appeals to the friends at
home to vote for the government and
put stop to this fire in the rear. The
congressional delegation was TO be
chosen rs well as state officers and a
legislature. The republican committee
ascertained that unless some soldiers,
votes could be had the democratic NOM
inees wonld probably be elected in the
first and forth districts. 1t was also
necessary TO bring home some of the
soldiers who lived in equally balanced
towns to prevent the loss of the legis-
la, ure. A committee went to Washing
ton and laid the case before the secre-
tary of war. He issued an order extend
ing the furloughs of all men then at
home, and granting iurloughs to all
Connecticut convalescents in the hos
pitfalls from Fortress Monroe northward.
This secured about 800 voters. No
party distinction was made, the COM
mittee feeling sure of the soldiers SEN
timents. Two hundred men were fur
Laughed from Gen. Hooker's army, but
800 more we're needed to carry out the
plan of the republican campaign, and
they must be had from the regiments
serving in the defense of Washington,
as part of the command of Gen.
Heintzelman. These Connecticut regi-
ments formed brigade under Col.
abbott, of the First Artillery, brilliant
officer of the regular army who had
been placed in command of the regi-
ment after the promotion of General
Robert Tyler.
When captains of the various com
panies sent up to his headquarters ap-
plications for furloughs for the men
designated by the committee, Col. Alb
bott refused to grant them, and told
the gentleman who was attending to it
that soldiers had no business to vote
or think about politics. when men
join the army said he, "they volun-
tarily become parts of a machine, and
surrender their rights as citizens. "
There was no time &c spare for argu-
ments or remonstrances, and the clti-
zen mounted and MADE the quickest
time the mud would permit back 10 the
Capital ~ ISpOlb LIS III luGhs JdluCS L.
Howard, of Hartford, devoted patriot
whose winning courtesy and clear prac-
teal brain made him the most effective
member of the committee, suggested
an immediate interview with Gen.
Heinlzelman. The brave soldier was
alive to the emergency, and met ii
promptly. A peremptory order was
prepared ond sent by mounted order.
ly, who had instructions to deliver it
Immediately and bring back reply.
The fourloughs were brought to Wash
ington, every one disapproyed by the
Brigade commander, to be granted
nevertheless, by his ranking officer
and on the Saturday before the first
Monday in April, the 300 men Of Alb
bolts command were at home and al
work.
Gen Heintze'man, in the course oil
that interview declared that he had
some sympathy for the rebels who were
| fighting US in the field, but 8 beai E
contempt and adherence for the COW.
ards who were sneaking in the rear,
watching for a chance 10 destroy the
government. 81 hate TO hurt brave
foe," said the plain-spoken soldier
''but shooting is too good for these
| northern traitors; they ought every one
| of them to be hanged"