The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-08-12


The company elected him Captain, and went
TO the front, serving in Eastern Virginia dur
ing its term of three months Capt Fair
child was appointed Lieutenant in the
Regular Army, but was almost Immediately
given a commission Of Major in the I'd
Wis, then being raised for three years.
His soldierly ability and his care for the
comfort and health Of his men made him
very popular in the regiment, and he was
splendidly advanced 10 the grade Of Lieuten-
anti Colonel The regiment was commanded
by Col Conner, Of the Regular Army,who soon
raised il TO the high efficiency which distin-
guished all the regiments Of the famous
Iron Brigade of the West" TO which it be-
longed ii gained its first fame by its mag
nifcent Fighting at Gainesville, on the 2sth
of August, 1862, which was one Of the blood
lest fights Of the war. The brigade was
marching toward Centerville, when it sud-
denly ran on TO four of Stonewall Jackson's
brigades strongly posted in the woods, and
at close range. The fight was opened by
the Cd Wis, and the 18th Ind. went to its
assistance speedily followed by the 9th and
eth Wis. The rebels were finally driven, but
not until the Union troops were frightfully
cut up. Lieut-Col Fairchild's regiment lost
its Colonel, who was killed, and its Major,who
was wounded twice, and had So killed and
102 wounded. After Col. Connor fell Lieut.
Col. Fairchild had command of the regiment
until the fighting was over. The brigade
was so reduced in strength that after the
battle the ID and 9Th Wis were temporarily
consolidated into one regiment, under COM
mand Of Lieut-Col. Fairchild, and in this
shape fought in the second battle Of Bull
Run. The next day after the battle Lieut.
Col. Fairchild was promoted TO the Colonelcy
of the ID, and commanded il at South
Mountain and Antietam, in both Of which il
fought calamity and lost heavily. The Iron
Brigade with the ID Wis. leading, opened
the infantry fighting on the FIRST day al
Gettysburg, and by brilliant movement
led by Col. Fairchild, succeeded in capturing
nearly all of rebel brigade. The fighting
was terrific, but the Iron Brigade added Il
its high reputation for stubborn gallantry
and Col. Fairchild's regiment lost from III
reduced numbers a. killed and 13S wounded
Col Fairchild was SO badly wounded in III,
left arm that amputatiOn became necessary
and he resigned his commission. lie wa
appointed Brigadier-General for gallant ant
meritorious services, the appointment datini
from the second battle Of Bull Run. Will
still disabled from his wound he was tallel
up as the nominee of the Union party @
Wisconsin for Secretary Of State, and electe
by a splendid majority. in 1866 he wa
elected Governor.
lie was subsequently appointed Consul
General at Paris, and was prominently mer
toned ia connection with the Republica
nominations for the Presidency and Vict
Presidency in 1880 and 1884.
Gen Fairchild il a gentleman of pleasin
address and democratic instincts He is
man Of the people, a true comrade, and wi
achieve new distinction in the Office Of Con
mander-in. Chief
: lie assumes the Office at a fortunate tim
3 The Order, reaping the benefit Of the wiz
administrations OF his predecessors, is in