Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1903-07-23
s. f. SHEPARD.
Your obedient servant,

about the 10th day of June, that an
attack by the enemy was likely to
be made upon his forces, it was
deemed best by him that due prep
paration should be made to resist
such attack, and, as it would require
both time and labor to put his forces
in condition to successfully cope
with those of the enemy, detail
consisting of Shepard, Jeuck, Heath
cock, Spensley, Cox and Bishop was
made for that purpose. In conse-
held, made up of the following COM
rades: Jeuck, Heathcock, Spsnsley,
Hoare, Cox, Bishop, b. T. Prideaux
and Shepard. After mature deliber-
alton, it was the unanimous opinion
of said council that the occasion was
one calling for prompt and vigorous
action on the part of our forces, that
Comrade Shepard be placed in COM
mand, and that ne be instructed and
authorized to proceed at once to
make the best preparation he could,
either for defence, or for attacking
the forces of the enemy.
AS you are aware, our forces con-
sisting of infantry and artillery, were
at this time largely scattered over
the district, and were more or less,
demoralized and in need of drill. Es-
pecially was this true of the battery.
/ therefore determined to at once
bring them to within supporting dis
lance Of each other, and to re-Crgan-
ize and drill them. In order that this
might be done, and that the best pos
sible results might follow, Captain
Macs was requested to take command
of the artillery, with authority to
draw upon the ordinance and quar-
termaster department for anything
needed to put it in the very best cor
dition to meet the coming struggle.
With the energy, promptness and
loyalty that always characterize the
true soldier Captain Macs at once
proceeded to secure new guns, horses
and oil necessary equipments for his
battery. He also gave his men some
little drill, of which they stood very
much in need. The brilliant manner
in which his guns were served, and
the terrible destruction made by
them in the ranks Of the enemy on
the afternoon of July 4th, 1903, prove
that he was the right man in the
right place, and that he needs no
further commentator from me.
Information was constantly being
brought me, from sources which |
deemed most reliable, that the enc
my was advancing on the several
roads leading to our encampment,
and that he had, in fact, already es-
tablished several posts of observa-
ton within our city, thus convincing
me that he really meditated an early
attack. | therefore deemed it my
duty to erect some kind of fortifica-
lions for the better defence and pro-
lection of the position entrusted to
my care. That | might the better
accomplish this undertaking, ! Sc
cured the services of that loyal and
accomplished engineer, comrade G.
NJ. Reynolds, and together we pro.
ceeded to inspect the ground and to
decide upon the location of such
works as he in his Judgment might
think necessary; and the successful
manner in which we were able to
resist and beat back the many desper-
ate assaults made upon our works
shows that to him are We indebted for
the safe and glorious march We made
through that terrible storm of shot
and shell
The Notifications finished, and all
distractions, such as timber and
brush, which might give cover to an
advancing foe, removed. the next
important move was the selection of
some one to command the forces
whose duty it would be to defend
them. Being familiar with his fit
ness for the task, decided to entrust
the arduous duty to that old and Oft
tried veteran, Maj. Geo. Jeuck, and
the fact that "Old Glory was still
waving over our fortiticat ons at the
time Of the defeat and retreat OF the
enemy clearly shows that my judg
ment was not at fault, and that a
better selection could not have been
made.
Our colors were placed in the keep
ing of comrade Hoare, with ins;ruc-
tions that they be kept floating in the
face 81 the foe. They were shot
down several times during the en-
gagement, yet, amidst the fire and
the smoke OF the battle that so furl-
ously ragged, comrade Hoare was seen