The Goldfield news. [volume] (Goldfield, Nev.) 1904-1911, 1909-06-05

OflELD NEWAs aAxohOAH, IN o wy.
|NEVADA'S PART IN THE WAR
oLoNEL EDDY. in his eioauen. address It the Memorial service Sun
day. referred to the part played by Nevada in h wz of the rebellion
and told how Nevada was born that liberty and the fruits of the wal
might be preserved Time was too bkf for him To elaborate upon this thens
but the day should not be allowed to pass without a fuller presentation of the
historic incidents of those stirring times
Congress passed al act creating the territory Of Nevada, March q 1861.
and James W. Nys was commissioned governor Of July IL. War had already
broken out between the north and the south. but Nevada was 70 remote thai
only a faint sound Of its thunderngs and a coloress picture of its horrors
wered depicted BY the single thread of wire which spamed the continent. But
the angry controversy which had lead up to the war had become almost "
tense in far-away Nevada as elsewhere nearer he scene II the conflict The
discovery Of silver ON he cOmstocl had brought to shsr .uou a mixed popu
ation from every state and every section of the country. and when the u
break occurred the respective strength of the unon and secession sentiment
wa. no. nov and the fate of the Pacific coast o which the youn territory
vas a part, va in doubt The population was composed of natives of tine
north and Of the south, with a southern and foreign element sympathizins
Ni.h the south, and who's expressions emboldened secessioniss u demon
STATIONS of violence, threatening civil war;. The coast military department
was under the command of General Albert Sidney Johnston, a southern MN,
who was believed I be ready t. CO. Operate with the confederate rebel gOvnl
ment. BY a secret and strategic movsaent, General Edward vos Summer
Unexpectedly arrived in San Franclco and took command. From that date
secession had but little hope o. the Pacific coast There existed, however. then
and subsequently, a secret organization, the details Of which were kept a pro
found secret by those who were leaders and to whom it vas entrusted, having
fr its object the abhshm Of s.te and territorial governments undfr
confederate authority. Commissions Of governors and military officers, signed
by Jefferson Davis president of the confedeacy, were sent to the leaders e
the organization. Nevada, it vas understood, wa to be given to David s.
Terry, who visited the territory with others Of the conspiratos, having in his
pocket the commission of governor. Meetings were held in secret and ome
demonstrations we're made rs if to feel the temper Of the people, but there
vas n % outbreak of hoShities or assumption Of authority. The intention ..
the consprators was suspected and their movements were closely watched,
and precautions were taken by TN u oniTs and federal authorities n head.
quarters OF. the couspratms were in San Francisco. but their operations and
plans mcIu0e Int enUre racine ccaSSL OF al least SUCH STATES anu IeEutoliS
as they could induce to join or had hopes Of conquering.
Community troubles broke ut all vcr the state as a result of the high ten
sion existing. Auroro, county seat Of Esmeralda county at that time, W.
especially torn up by ARTISANS and eivh ar in evada severaln mest unreal
end to have its inception in Esmera da's county seat The rebelious spirit
in Nevada manifested itself in a defiant manner on many occasions in the
hrsta and second years of the war and the issue seemed doubtful, but it was
met by the determined manner OF the loyal element which repressed any
lied a local branch of the Order of the Golden Circle and their operations
were carried on with the greatest secsecy. The unionists soon organized
local branch Of the Union League to counterfeit the Vaccinations of the seces
sionsts
and Sly commands were raised with Mt dmculty, n III SUng OF 1867
however, a recruiting office had already been opened for infantrymen, all
s~ infantry companies were enlisted in the territory, numbering 1000 men.
These volunteers were stationed at various places throughout the territory and
performed efficient service in suppreczng any rebenious uprising and CONTROL
ing the Indian outbreaks that occur cd during the period.
Nevada was SC far from the scenes of war that it was impractical to
send Ter troops to the front. Beside, 1t as very necessary to thu unionca cause
that Nevada, California and other coast states be kept pacihed and in the
ranks
Although n o troops went from this territory to the fields where tn var
ws raging, Nevada rendered most valuable service to the union cause and to
the caus of humanity in other WAYS. The hardy unon me could not offer
their blood, but they gave generously of their money to help the struggle fa
furnished the mints with constant now Of silver that supplied the sinews q
var to the union forces ant made Ultimate victory possible and assured.
Being denied te privilege Of sending hr troops to the front, Nsvsd,
jealous to participate in some wa in III struggle, threw herself int the wors
of the Sanitary Commission, whose work was similar to that now done by the
Red Cross The government had never prepared to care for tn vast numbes
If sick and disabled men resulting from fatgung campaigns and mercnes
battles. To provide for this fell upon the humane people of the country
The grim story Of war;, with its hetombe Of slain, the mourning friends 1t
hcme, and wide spread desoation, is often relieved by the tales of individual
heroism, by generous deeds OF friend and foe, by the grand uprising of c0mmu'
tiles in acsof love- charity and patriotism, showing humanity IN bright reh'i
against the dark background If hate and strife and death. While the war
vas being fought with unparalleled ferccn@s Of the Atlantic coast. the people
of the Pacific coast were in comparata e quiet enjoying a remarkaoe aesf4
of prosperity, put praying with exce,ing deep sympathy for IN success u
heir relatives n friends in the bloody contest. Many from tn northern
and southern states went to the rnt II offer their strength n ives
need be, in he cause # humanity, i'll tn work Of a sanitary ommlssion
Those who could lot go mt of their money and stores Nevadas great heart
responded to this work and large sms were collected and sent to he SAM
tary Commission for the alienation Of suffering and distress whrever found.
Men of every political party gave, whether Democrats Republicans Or secev
somsts. and there vas no sect Or religion that vas not represented in tbs
noble army of givers. OF the $LsocooO raised throughout tn country o.
popular subscription for the work of the Sanitary Commission, W efow
cam from tn Pacific coast and Nevada contributed nearly 100000 Of this
amount. Esmerada county alone, with only a handful of people, gave S1Oso.
Numerous and original plans were adopted for raising money for tn
Sanitary Commission fund, and moi the most interesting and important n
its results, vas what was known as tine sanitary sack of -four . TIL story
of which has become historic n of frequent telling. In fat, starting az tMc
little town of Austin, Lander county it became of almost national import
ahe
An election for mayor was being held in Austin. The excitement was
high and the rivalry keen. Two friends of the opposing candidates fr
mayor, ne a pronounced secesdonist and the other an aggressive union ma,
wagereda sack # -four on the result the loser buying the fW r carry
it OF his back to the home Of the successful candidate at the remote en- u
town, to be appropriately accompanied by a band, with suitable banneo'
ETC.. Dr. Herrck was the unionit and B. {. Gridly the secessionst II
was decided that the winner should give the sack Of nou to the Sanitary Coh
The Mol man won, and the wager vas paid In the manner AZ
.,aIA ~ III waar Gidlex b seccsuouHt carried 4 sck Of dur to tie