The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-24
GEN. FAIRCHILD DEAD
ONLY MAN ELECTED GOVERNOR
THREE TIMES IN WISCONSIN.
The Ex-Commander-in-C of the G.
mOnia-Lost an Arm at Gettysburg.

MADISON. Wis. May 2s-General Lucius
al Legion and ex-commander- ir-chief OF the
G. A r., died at $40 tonight at his resi-
dence In this city. Genera Fairchild has
suffered from the effects of the grip for sew
eral weeks. and a month ago the ailment
was complicated by kidney trouble. Until
five days ago 1t was thought he would re-
cover. At noon to-day there was a change
for the worse. and at o'clock he sank into
comatose condition and did not regain con-
When the END Cameo
ments have been considered for the funeral.
Lucius Fairchild was born at Franklin
Mills. Portage county. Ohio. December q.
1881. He resided at Cleveland from an early
age until 1876, when he went to Wisconsin
and with the other members of his family
found home at Madison. In March, 1s49,
with an OK team he went to California in
search of wealth. He remained in Cali
fcrnia until 1855. most of the period being
spent in the hard life. of a miner. Various
business occupied his attention after his re-
turn to Madison in 1885, until the fall of 1858,
when. as the Democratic candidate. he was
elected clerk of the Circuit Court for his
county. In the spring of 1861 after the sur
render Of Fort Sumter. he enlisted as a pri-
vate In the Governors Guard of Madison.
Elected captain of his company. Ne declined
the position Of lieutenant colonel offered him
by Governor Randall. The regiment served
its three months In eastern Virginia. In
August, 1861, President Lincoln appointed
Fairchild captain in the Sixteenth Regu-
lars. and about the same time ne received
from Governor Randall commission as ma
jor in the second Wisconsin Infantry, which
had been in the battle of Bull Run and then
in Washington Accepting Acc ra both appoint. mt
regular army to receive leave or absence To
serve with a volunteer regiment. Shortly
after he was appointed Lieutenant coonel OF
colonelcy of another. Lieutenant Colonel
Fairchhd commanded the regiment the most
" .ne dme an Mi'l ne nd,ana Il
formed a brigade first commanded by Ten
Rufus King. of Wisconsin. AS part OF
!; Inc , First DIVISION OF the s f ihs
and campaigns of the Eastern army, except
those on the Peninsula, under Mcclellan
When the Army, of the Potomac, under
fourth Michigan had been added, and
Rappanannock at Fftzhugh's crossing in
pontoon boats, under a CALLING fire, and then,
charging up the heights. carried the rebel
oners, thus rendering it possible to lay the
pontoon bridges. Arriving on the battle
ground near Charlottesville early on the
called by General Wadsworth. his division
commander, to serve on mis- staff, and ne
At Gettysburg, as the Iron brigade, early
on the first day of the battle, engaged In
the desperate conflict on Seminary Ridge,
the Second Wisconsin in the advance lost, in
less than half an hour. ll6 of the 300 men en-
gagged, and there Col Fairchild fell, with mis-
left arm shattered, so that amputation near
the shoulder became necessary. While at
home recruiting his health the Union con-
vention of Wisconsin. much to his surprise,
nominated him for Secretary of State. Hav-
ing been appointed brigadier general, he
regular army and was elected Secretary of
State. After serving two years he was In
1866 nominated without opposition in the
and elected. In 1861 ne was renominated
without opposition and reelected; and again
in 1869. for the first time in the history of the
State, was nominated and reelected for
third term. Such, in outline, is General
Fairchild's official and military career in
Wisconsin, when. at the age of thirty-nine,
he had served as clerk Of the court, and &C.
cupied every military. rank from that. of
a private to brigadier general, and then
filled for two years the second, and for six
years the first executive office in his State.
In November. 1872, General Fairchild was
called from his retirement and was ap-
pointed United States consul at Liverpool,
promoted to be United States consul-general
for France After two years service In
that position he was again promoted to the
distinguished position of minister plenpo-
tertiary and envoy extraordinary at Mad
rid. Spain. After serving in this position
for two years General Fairchild resigned,
deeming 1t wise and proper to return to the
United States with his children, in order
to here compete their education. When
General Fairchild returned, In March, 1882
to his old home in Wisconsin. 1t was the
occasion of the greatest popular demon
stration of affectionate greeting ever ten
dered a citizen of his State.
In 1886 he was elected commander-in-chief
of the G.. A. r. Since he left that Office
he has lived quietly at his home in Madison,
Wis