Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1906-03-12

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along with varying fortunes. With
the opening of the campaign in the
spring of 1864, we had as fine an
army as ever marched and fought I'm.
der any flag 1t was only equaled
by the confederate army opposed to
us, and this condition had been
brought about by strenuous work,
drilling, marching and fighting for
three long years. The practice Of
political appointments had been
largely discontinued, and men were
raised to the rank of commissioned
officers by merit and soldierly con-
duct at the front.
Gentlemen, it was my fortune a
year ago last fall, as one of the com
mission to locate a monument at
Andersonville, to stop over one day
at Atlanta, Ga, and visit some OF
the battle fields We went east till
we came to Legget's Hill, where one
of the most holly contested fights of
the war was fought. While there /
got acquainted with Mr.. Dalgrein,
who owns the battle field. He is
the son of General Dalgrein of the
confederate army and a nephew of
Admiral Dalgrein of our navy. He
very courteously showed me over the
field and showed me the position of
the opposing forces. On Legget's
Hill the earth works stands as solid
and intact as they did almost forty
two years ago. On the front of these
works two hundred yards to the
north is a creek running east that
has cut down into the soil about six
feet. From the works to about 20
yards north of the creek not a tree
eral Force was ordered to take this
position commanded by General Pat.
ClebrOn. General Force formed
his men in the edge of the wood and
detailed the 18th and 18th regiments
Wisconsin infantry under the com
mand Of Colonel George E. Bryant
to charge the works; the balance of
the brigade was held in reserve. The
two regiments made a dash and got
under shelter in the creek bottom.
Then a scramble up out of the ravina
when the command was given to
halt, right dress, fix bayonets, guide on
the cOlors, charge, and they captured
the works and held them for two
days in spite of repeated attempts to
retake them, when the confederates |
retired towards Atlanta. |
speak of this fight because the credit |
belongs exclusively to Wisconsin |
troops. The loss in these two regi- |
ments on this charge was one out of
every four killed or wounded.
THE war with Spain came upon
us like thunder clap out of clear
sky. 1t found our nation as usual
for war. We had in
his state what was known as the ma
ional guard. It's members were
lerisively called tin soldiers and who
net once every year at Camp Doug
as and had gloriously good time
1t the expense of the state, and, who
n case of war, would be absolutely
worthless. The war came and with
t the call for Wisconsin to FIJI her
luota; and then we saw that these
in soldiers were stern patriotic men,
capable, willing and anxious to main
ain on the field of battle the honor
If our state and nation. We, the
I'D soldiers, who had learned to
udge men, when we saw you go to
he front, knew that we had no cause
10 fear for the credit of Wisconsin,;
and when we saw how quickly and
the regiments we're
for the service, then we be-
gan to appreciate the work done by
the adjutant general and his staff
and the officers and men Of the ma
.ionaI guard.
1t has been my fortune during the
last four years to become familiar |
With the immense amount of study |
and work to make the Wisconsin Ma
tional guard a model for all the
states to copy, and it only needs T!
YOUR active cooperation and support
to make the ambition of the adjutant !!
general and staff an assured success.
| visited Camp Douglas for the first |
time during the encampment two
years ago. I thought I would be
able to criticise, but l found that /
had never been far enough advanced |
in military science to do so, and to |
use the favorite expression of Presi- |
dent Roosevelt, I was delighted. |
Since then I have visited, the camp
once or twice each year, and after
watching the splendid work done
there, l have become thoroughly i'm
bued with the idea that the Wiscon-
sin National guard is one of the
greatest educational institutions in the
state. 1t is educating thousands OF
young men in obedience, cleanliness.
sanitary conditions and physical de
velopment. and is preparatory
school for higher positions. Second.
The national guard has wonderful
deterrent effect on the lawless ele-
ment that congregates in certain To-
calities in all large cities. Third.
In case Of war and this state should