The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-05

Interesting Facts in the Civil and military
Career of General FairchiId.

Interesting Facts in the Civil and Military
Career Of General Fairchild.
St. Louis Republican
In electing General Fairchild to the highest
position in their order the Grand Army OF the
Republic paid a deserved compliment to the emf
nent services rendered the country by him, both
in military and civil capacity Throughouths
career of twenty-five years both as q soldier and
as an official. honors seem to have been thrust
upon him without his seeking. And after an
hours conversation with him it is not difficult
to discover the cause of his popularity man
of magnificent physique. brilliant speaker, with
that eloquence that enthuses the nearer with
courage and patriotism until the roar OF the can
non seems musical and cavalry charge but
play; a coaversationalist who magnetzes you
and makes friend OF you, even though it be
against your vail, he is a born leader OF
men, When hardly more than boy he
accompanied an expedition to California. and
before the party was week on the road "Luce"
Fairchild was the recognized leader. In the
mining camp he was the ruling spirit, was sue
cessfu, returned to Madison satisfied with the
West, and began TO study law being admitted
to the bar just before the outbreak of the war;
He has never, however, practised in his profess
sion.
General Fairchild entered the army under
rather peculiar circumstances. For some time
he had held the position of lieutenant OF little
company of guards organized at Madison, but
p, bis knowledge OF military tactics was somewhat
commencement of hostilities between the
North and the South, he and number of
friends were industriously engaged in whiting
the dry-goods boxes which they were seated,
while discussing the outbreak. when another
acquaintance came rushing up and told Fair
child that the Governor wanted to see him. In
tn ose days Madison was o small town, and the
Governor was on intimate terms with every man,
woman and child in the village, and such sum
mons was not, therefore, considered surprising,
or endowed with any extraordinary Importance.
Nevertheless, he obeyed. and entering the Gov
ernor's Office asked what was wanted. The
chief executive received him with unusual cere-
mony, and solemnly announced that he had de-
cded to commission him colonel of the First
Wisconsin Regiment, which was then forming.
Fairchild received the information with aston
ishment.
"Why. Governor" he added, 'what could do
with a regiment9 Why, never saw two com
panies of soldiers together in my lifeI No, sir;
I'm not going to make fool of myself In that
way am going in the army, that's certain;
but I'll tell you what I'll do, Governor. I'll or
ganize a company, and you can make me captain
IL you want to- but not colonel"
The Governor insisted, but Fairchild was OBJ
stinate, and he was at last obliged to consent to
his terms. The future general went back to his
friends. who were still at work on the boxes and
told them the news They volunteered immedi-
ately, and the same evening they started out to
organize their company. They marched out to
little settlement a few miles from Madison to
the music Of drum and fife, which served to
arOuS6 b06 n6lRnOOfDOOQ, ana mere, mounted
upon dry goods box, Fairchild made his debut
an orator They obtained some volunteers,
and went on to another village, and the next
evening returned to the capital with the reaui-
site number OF men, The company was imme-
diately organized, and marched to the war, with
Fairchid at Its head, as part of the First Wis
consIn Regiment.
The Captain soon learned something Of mill
tary tactics and was promoted to the rank of
major then colonel, and, lastly brigadier-gen-
tVU0n iph
Of age, and one of the youngest of those who
bore that title. While leading his brigade in
the Battle of Gettysburg his arm was taken off
by cannon ball. and he was sent home to re-
cover. About the same time an old friend of
his went back to Madison with one leg less than
he had when he entered the army, and these
two veterans became inseparable during their
convalescence One day they were seated upon
the steps of the State house chatting, when sud
denly they heard cheers and stamping Of feet up
in the second story Of the building.
Whats all that noise about2 What's going
on up therel" asked the General of his com
panion.
''The Unionists are holding convention, ;" was
the reply.
Lets go up aud see what they are doing"
"You can go up; but remember can't go with
one leg very we'll"
''Well, Isuppose we can find out later" said
Fairchild, and they continued their converse
ton.
A few minutes later Matt Carpenter, after
wards United States Senator, came running out
of the State house, and, seeing Fairchild, rushed
up to him, saying:
Say, Luce, I've got some news for you.
You've just been nominated Secretary of State"
Fairchlld had always been a Democrat and
was then. He refused to believe in the truth of
the information, no hint having been given him
of any movement to that effect, and it was not
until United States Senator Howe came out and
corroborated it that he became convinced Then
he turned of and went straight to his home,
going through the house into the kitchen The
trio of friends followed him and begged him to
accept, but he said that he was determined to go
back to the army he got we'll. He
could be a soldier with one arm as we'll as Phil
kearney. and hia commission as brgadier gen.
eral was promised him. His friends told him he
could not serve the country as well or better in
his present condition as Secretary of State, and
their arguments being strengthened by others
who came in on the same errand, he finally con-
scented, but, as he said against his wishes, and If
he was not elected he was going back to the
army anyhow.
1t Is said that he did notleave Madison during
the campaign, but, nevertheless, he was elected,
and when his term expired he was reelected.
Then be WAS elected Governor. serving three
terms. He was then appointed United States
consul at Liverpool by Grant, where be remained
several years, and was then appointed ooneul-
general at Paris residing in Paris until his ap-
pointment as United States Minister to Spain.
Five or six years ago he resigned this position
and returned to Madison, Wis, where he has
since resided.
AT the last Grand Encampment of the Grand
Army of the Republic held at San Francisco
this year, he was elected to the highest position
in the order almost unanimously, and since his
election de has devoted almost his whole time to
the interests of the order He is now a Wis
ting tour to the principal posts throughout the
country, and his route is laid out up to next
March. He is accompanied by his wife and
daughter.