Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1882-02-22
A Fighting Family,

The Van Valkenburghs have long been
known as fighting men. In this sketch
We shall deal with but one branch of the
family. In family Of six sons, five OF
them were officers of the late war. Their
names are II. B., D. H., B. j., E. P, and
G. S., and all brothers Of the we'll known
lawyer Of this city. When the war broke
out r. B. Van Valkenburgh was in Con-
gress from New York. He resigned.
went home and in short time returned
10 Washington in command of a regl-
meDt which marched TO the White House,
through a terrific thunder storm, singing
"John Brown" President Lincoln made
the New York boys pleasant speech Of
welcome. Col. Van Valkenburgh was
soon made brigadier general, and at
the battle Of Antietam had command Of
a division. In 1862 he was elected to
Congress as republican, resigned his
com m ission. After serving one term he
retired. Long before the war he took Il
deep interest in military matters, having
codified the militia laws Of New York.
He has been at The head of the Indian
department anc was for some years Min.
lister to Japan. He il now an associate
Justice of the supreme court Of Florida.
Of which Hon. E. NJ. Randall formerly of
Waukesha, is chief justice.
Major D. H. Van Valkenburgh, many
years ago Sheriff of Manitowoc county,
entered the army as lieutenant In the
first N. Y. artillery, and was killed at
Fair Oaks, Va, during McClellan's cam.
paign. He had risen to the rank Of
major.
Major B. J. Van Valkenburgh IF Green
Bay, went out Quarter-master OF the
1'wen,y-first Wisconsin, was soon made
captain and assigned 10 brigade and
was brevcted for good conduct. The
IN jor is highly esteemed by all who
know him.
Captain E. P. Van Valkenburgh enter
ed the service as a private in Michigan
regiment and was soon afterwards trans
ferred to regiment Of engineers and
miners, in which he won the rank OF
captain. He is now prosperous bust
ness man at Austin, Minnesota.
Col. G. 8. VanValkenburgh was anoth.
or kind Of a soldier. He had been q resi-
dent ofArkansas for twenty years when
the war broke out. He went into an Ar.
kansas confederate regiment as a lieut..
| enant and at the end Of the war was full
colonel. He was captured five times and
was successful in making his escape four
times. The colonel and Frank B. are
| twin brothers, and 80 closely resemble
each other that their most intimate friends
sometimes make laughable mistakes. In
April, 1865, the colonel was IN serious
trouble. He was accused IF having as.
sumed command Of his regiment while a
parOled prisoner, and was in fair way
10 have serious punishment inflicted
His brother Frank went to Washington
and as the war was virtually over, had no
difficulty in getting such papers from LIN.
coin and Stanton as would protect the con.
federate colonel, even if he had violated
his parole, which he had not. The Nil.
waukee lawyer took 1t upon himself IL
carry those papers 10 his brother, the con
federate colonel. He was given guard
| 10 a certain river. Crossing that, he q
once found himself IN the hands Of rebe
soldiers. He explained his mission and
| was permitted to pass on. These soldiers
told linn that the only way he could get
to Pine Bluff was to call himself the COL
oneI. They said "You look just like
him." After going a short distance a
man pOked revolver in his face and
wanted to know what he was about anC
where he was hound He told him hi
was Colonel Van Valkenburgh, of PINE
Bluff, had just cot out of prison and wal
on his way home. The next man he mt
recognized him as the colonel and helped
him through. He found his brother q
home and remained with him severa
days. Colonel Van Valkenburgh is 1
prominent lawyer and Mason. He ha
visited hls> Wisconsin relatives severa
times since the war;" -Milaoaukee Sun
day Telegraph. -.i...
As two prominent members of thi
"fgh,ing family"-Maj. B. j., of Greer
Bay. Wis, q former resident, and Cap
E. p. present resident Of this city-ar
SO we'll known among US, we publish til
above, knowing that it cannot fail to b
of interest to their hosts of friends i
Austin and Southern Minnesota.
Dn~>srsu vol:oc 90 ofnh hnaAONhn .IiH1i