Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1901-07-27
Reunion OF Cavalry.

Elaborate arrangements are being
maze In the city for the annual reunion
OF the First " Wisconsin cavalry Of civil
war fame, which will bring to Kencsha
many OF the best known survivors of the
civil war in Wisconsin. There will be
one thing about the reunion that will
revive many memories, and that will be
the fact that it will be held on the spot
where the regiment first encamped
when 1t was to be mustered into the
service III 1861. Refund the history OF
the First cavalry and its members center
many OF the traditions Of Kenosha and
Southern Wisconsin during the civil war,
and the reunion will probably be the
greatest event Of the year in Grand Army
circles. For years efforts have been made
to get the survivors back to the old stamp
ing ground, but the efforts have ALWAYS
resulted in a few Of the boys gathering
round campfire in Chicago, and this
ended the reunion. However, over two
hundred survivors have promised to come
to kenosla to &c into camp for a few
days on ''The Old Camp Ground" The
hlstoryo of the First regiment is the history
OF Wisconsin in the war Of the rebellion,
for there was 30 cavalry regiment that
saw more Of the great struggle, or to
which higher praise is due for the success
of war. The First regiment contained
the flower Of WiscOnsin's manhood.
Nearly every private in the ranks was
picked from the best families in the State
and a large number Of the boys were col
lege boys, who had been attending the
State university when the call to arms
was sounded. As matter Of history, the
First regiment was organized in the
summer Of 1861. Professor Edward
Daniels, Of the State university, who
afterwards became Colonel Daniels, was
authorized by the general government
to raise a cavalry regiment. He first
submitted the proposition to number
Of his fellow professors and pupils, and
latter he opened his recruiting station
near Rip0n, calling it Camp Fremont.
But soldiers were scarce at RipOn and
early in November the First came to
Kenosha and established its first camp
en- tie south Of the village near the ceme-
terry.
In a short time large number Of re-
cruitS were secured in Milwaukee and
Southern Wisconsin, and the first Of
March the regiment was ready to take
to the field. But it was some time before
the soldiers were sent to join the diVi-
sion OF the West, and III the meantime
the headquarters in Ken0sha were the
social center of Southern Wisconsin.
Every soldier in the regiment had friend
in Kenosha, and when they marched
away On March II, great crowds came
from all parts OF the state to bid the
soldiers godspeed. Captain Thomas J.
Connatty and Captain Mari, two KenOsha
teachers, were captains Of companies in
the regiment; but there was one other
thiEg that bound the regiment to Keno
sha, and that was the fact that "Dashing
Kate Elkins,' at that time the belle of
kenosha, was the daughter Of the regi
ment. Every soldier looked upon Kate
Elklns as the one woman in the world,
aR4s-when the regiment started to the
front il is one of the traditions Of the city
that they marched past and Saluted
,.sisr EIkins, and that the daughter Of the
reg ment pressed kiss On each soldiers
bros. Miss Elkins has since gone far
from kenosha, bal she has been asked to
return and take part i'll the reunion.
After leaving kenOSha the First regi-
ment took part III every important battle
iii the western part Of country, and along
the firing line and in the cemeteries
Of the South a large number Of the boys
were left sleeping when the war was
over. Personal bravery distinguished
many Of the men in the companies. They
were at Abbeyille when President JEFF
ferran Davis and his party were captured
by the Union soldiers after the terrible
fight with the Confederate, guarding the
train which carried the leading men Of
the COnfederacy.
When the regiment was mustered out
I.t 70 in, raooix n
Warmest praise from the Secretary
Of War and from the president. Among
the long list of men especially mentioned
for bravery in connection with the service
Of the First regiment, Major Henry
EggleSOn, Of Milwaukee, was especially
h0n0red ON account Of his services ON the
field. He was one great favOrite Of the
regimental officers, and he lost his life
from disease contracted on the battle
field.
The records of the army show that the
First bore more than its share Of the
brumt Of the battle. Many CT the soldiers
died on the field, some Of them served for
years in Anders0nyille prison and other
prison pens at Richmond and Atlanta,
white over three hundred died after the
struggle was over from wounds and
disease.
The record was given by the war de-
partment is as follows: Killed III action,
81; died from wounds, IS; died from di-
sease, 293; died from accidents, 8; total
373. This report, however, only covers
the loss of life up to the close of the war.
When the old boys return to Kenosha
next month they will be royalty greeted,
and they will be the guests Of the city.
The Common Council has made liberal
allowance for the entertainment Of the
heroes.