Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-20

The regiment served its three months in
eastern Virginia. In August of the same year
President Lincoln appointed Capt. Fairchild to
the same rank in the sixteenth regiment of
regulars, and about the same time he received
from Gov. Randall a commission as major in
the second Wisconsin infantry. He accepted
both appointments and was the first officer of
the regular army to receive leave of absence to
serve with a volunteer regiment. Maj. Fair
child shortly after was commissioned lieiten-
ant colonel of the same regiment. Col. O'Con-
nor of the secord Wisconsin infantry being in
poor health, Lieut.. Col. Fairchild commanded
the regiment much of the time. 1t rapidly i'm
proved in discipline and efficiency, and ac-
auired the reputation of being one of the best
regiments in the service. With the sixth and
seventh Wisconsin and nineteenth Indiana it
formed brigade. first commanded by Gen.
Rufus King Of Wisconsin. and which afterward,
under Gen. Gibbon. won an enviable reputa-
ton. As part of the first division of the first
army corps it took part in nearly al, the great
battles and campaigns of the eastern army, ex-
cept those on the peninsula under Mcclellan.
In 1862 these regiments participated in the
movement on Manassas, and subsequently
formed part OF the Army of the Rappahan-
mock under General Mcdowell Later they
took in the movement of the Army Of Virginia
under Pope. At tho battle of Gainesville. July
%, 1862. the regiment gained the name Of 1.-THE
Iron Brigade" They were at the second battle
of Bull Run, at Fredericksburg under Burnside
Hooker, at Charlottesville. He was also in the
battle of South Mountain =.
At Gettysburg, as the Iron brigade, early on
the first day Of the battle, engaged in the des-
perate conflict on Seminary Ridge the second
Wisconsin, in the advance, lost, in less thar,
half an hour, 1l6 men Of the 800 engaged; and
there Col, Fairchild fell with his left arm
shattered, SO that amputation Just above the
elbow became necessary.
While recruiting his health at Madison hav.
ing the desire and intention OF rejoining the
army-he having been recommended BY all
the generals under whom he had served for
appointment as brigadier general-the Union
convention of Wisconsin, much to his surprise,
nominated him, with great unanimity and en-
thusiasm, for the Office Of secretary of state.
He was elected, and two years later. in 1866,
was elected governor of Wisconsin, being in
augurated January /, 1866, and was reelected
in 1867 and 1862
In 1872 he was appointed q. S. consul at Liver
pool remaining there until 1878, when he was
promoted to the Office Of consul general at
Paris. While there he was appointed minister
to Spain. He resigned that position in 1851,
reaching his Wisconsin home March 2, 1882.
being enthusiastically welcomed by tho COVER
nor and lieutenant governor Of the state on be-
half of its citizens.
manderef the Department OF Wisccnsin, Grand
Army Republic, and at the national encamp-
ment held in August of the same year at San
Francisco was elected commandments of
that body. The generals prompt action in aid
OF tho earthquake sufferers at Charleston was
gratefully remembered by the southern people
Tho general was married in 1861 and has
three children. He occupies the housa erected
~ bus father some forty years ago.