Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1896-05-27

that line of work as in others, and he
soon had 4 company gathered together,
of which he was elected captain imme-
diately. At the same time he declined
the governors offer TO be lieutenant
colonel His regiment went into the
field, was engaged in several skirmishes,
and, returning III three months to Madi-
son. WAS mustered out He was commits
stoned then Il captain in the regular ar
my. declined Gov. Randall's offer of pro-
motion to be .co,onel of a regiment. but
the Second reg .nient. which, owing to the
cOloneFs ill-health, he commanded dur
ing the most important engagements.
In an encounter with Stonewall Jack
SON 1T the battle of Gainesville the Sec
ond, which was the crack regiment of
half of its members. Uuring this en-
gagement FairchiId had his horse shot
from under him, but did not lose his
nerve and coolness At the second battle
of Bull RIM, two days later, he COM
manded the consolidated Second and
Seventh Wisconsin and covered the re-
treat of the Federal forces He was the
last soldier TO leave the field.
At the first guns of the battle of An
tetam he arose from the soldiers sick
couch in an ambulance and hurried for
ward arriving in time to participate in
the afternoon fighting. Immediately pre-
vious to the battle Faiuchild had been
made colonel of the Second, and his
bravery on the field during that memoir
able day elected compliments from the
Confederate commander.
In 1865 he was nominated to be gov
ernor by the Republicans and elected.
He served his state in that capacity for
three terms.
He was chosen in 1867 TO preside over
the great Sailors and Soldiers conven-
ton held in Chicago. He was nominated
70 no tN in
other remarkable instance of the office
seeking the man, for not one of the pub
lie positions which he occupied was Of
his own choosing.
An English Journals said during his
term of office in that island country
that ''no American consul ever made
more friends at this post" He re-
manned abroad as representative of this
government some ten years, serving art
Paris after leaving England. AS Amer
lean minister to Spainl he. represented
this country at the session OF the inter
national commission in 1880 to adjust
the complicated affairs of Morocco. In
1886 he was elected commander-in-
chief of the Grand Army. From that
time until a few years ago he took am
active part in all public matters that
had for their object the promotion of
the interests of the state. OF late; how
ever, he had withdrawn, from public
Ire as mucn as Il man IN MS posi-
we'll could, and it was with difficulty
that he was induced to become chairman
of the semi-centennial committee which
has in charge the arrangements, for the
celebration of the ffftiGtt' anniversary
of the admission of Wisconsin TO the
union. Having accepted the task he no
doubt would have wished to have thus
! tttingly rounded out his services TO- the
state but as it is the committee has al
| ready had the benefit, of his counsel,
/ and the celebration of the states 6f-
| tieth birthday will he a. oapstone to
memory'S monument.
| Col. Fairchld took an active. part aa
! Fredericksburg with Burnside, and at
| Charlottesville he took conspicuous part
on the staff of Gen. Wadsworth.
! The gallant Second lost 1I6 of it's 800
men at the battle of Gettysburg. In
| leading a desperate charge up Seminary
! hill Gen. Fairchild's military career was
closed by ball which shattered his left
| arm, rendering amputation necessary
! While at home nursing the place where
| the member was he received commits
| sion or acknowledgements Tor gaflantry
| He was on the eve of returning to the
front when the Union Republican con
vention nominated him to be secretary
of state.
He was married in 1864 and had three
children, Mrs. Selden Bacon of New
York, Mrs. Charles NJ. Morris of Madi
son and Miss Caryl