The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1902-10-09
Loyal Legion OF Wisconsin Meets and
Discusses the Life and Work Of
Pioneer ken0sha Teacher.
SON PAYS TRIBUTE DUE HIM.
John McMynn, of Chicago, Tells of Martial
Rights of the Black Man.

TIC AOydl LSp1OH, dtlCuuSu the uISl
fall meeting and banquet Of the COM
mandery Wednesday evening in Mil
waukee. The subject Of the evening
was the Tenth Wisconsin and its
Commander, Colonel John G. Nc
Mynr," whose memory is still veneer
ated by the survivors of the regiment,
and by the people Of Kenosha more
than in any other part Of the State.
Colonel McMynn was born at Pala-
tine, n. Y, of Scotch descent, and
taught in the High school of Kenosha
and Racine for thirteen years previous
TO the war. {. He entered the army in
1861 as jor of the Tenth Wisconsin
Infantry, and was promoted colonel Of
the same regiment. He was State
superintendent1o schools four years
and regent sof the State University
twenty years.
The paper of the evening was read
by his son, John c. McMynn, of Chi
cago. Colonel McMynn resigned in
June, 1868, on account of his wife's
delicate health. The last reunion of
his regiment he attended was at New
| Lisbon. His portrait is in the State
Historical society rooms. After the
PRONUNCIATION of the order instructing
the officers to give up to owners or ex-
pei from camp, fugitive slaves, Col.
McMynn declared that he would not
play ''slave catcher for any power on
earth, neither would he give up negroes
who had brought to the regiment val
liable information.
To protect himself from criticism he
sent resignation to Col. Sill, who
commanded the brigade. No notice
was taken of it and it was inferred that
no complaint would be made. He
wrote that it required ten times the
courage to remain al his post and dis
obey the Internal fugitive slave order
than to resign and go home.
Col. McMynn's belief in his regi-
ment's soldierly qualities was illus
rrated by the following anecdote:
1.-THE Tenth came greatly to admire
Col. McMynn. At first they thought
him too austere and too severe disci-
plinarian. The tide all turned in his
favor one night during the chase after
Bragg. The regiment dropped on
either side of the road when darkness
came, too weary to cook coffee, and
fell asleep. About 10 O'Clock the c1at-
tering of hoofs and the rattle of sabers
was heard coming toward the sleeping
soldiers. The guard called out "The
rebels are coming"
The men reused up and quickly got
awayfrom the road. It was not force
Of charging Contederates It was only
brand-new brigadier general with his
staff officers and cavalry escort The
first officer to confront him was Col
McMynn.
"Who are you sir?" demanded the
new born brigadier.
"My name is McMynn, sir, and I
command this regiment
"Well, sir, you are in command of a
/ lot of towards"
| "Well, sir, you are an internal and a
disreputable liar. There are no drawer
men in the army" was the Colonel's
reply.
"Consider yourself under arrest, sir.
Captain, take his sword"
"Who in - are you, sir?''
/ II amSBriga BLANK, and
have come to take command of this
brigade"
Whatever else you are, sir, I re-
peat, sir, you are liar Take my
sword, sir. I have nothing to take
back"
"From that moment there was moth
| ing the regiment would not have done
for she Colonel. General Blank took
command next morning. General L.
H. Rosseau, the gallant Keutuckian
who commanded the division, looked
into the.troub1e caused by the fresh
brigadier, finding that his conduct was
the direct cause of an artillery man S
death, who had been run over in the
wild and.unnecessar night ride. Then
he heard of his brutal remark about
the Tenth and his row with Colonel
McMynn. It made the Kentuckian
thoroughly mad. At noon he relieved
Blank from command. seut him out of
the division, returned McMynn' S
sword and directed him to resume
command of his regiment >
Tributes to the memory of Col. Nc
Mynn were given BY t. L. KEENAN,,
L. D. Huxley, of Waupun, Major A.
s. Cheney, of Oak Park, Judge c. d.
Cleveland, of Oshkosh, Professor w.
II. Beach, Charles II. Ansoa and Maj
I. g. Robinson. Attorney Robert Nc
Mynn, son of Colonel McMynn, grace
fully thanked the comrades for their
respect for his fathers memory and
tributes to his good deeds as warrior
| CASTORIA