Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1919-06-12
Work Of Women During
The Great Civil " ar
Written for the Sank County Historical Society by Mrs
H. Palmer Baraboo

fortitude, courage, tender mercy ana
sound judgment, met the need and
mastered the situation.
When the shot was fired that was
heard around the world, the North
awoke to the fact that civil war was
inevitable. From a peaceful industrial
community, Wisconsin quickly became
a hive of military activity When
Governor Randall made stirring ap-
peal to Wisconsin women to aid in
every possible manner in caring for
the soldiers, not only OF Wisconsin,
but the boys of other states as well,
they entered heart and soul into the
work.
Patriotic meetings were held in
sechoolhouses, town halls or any hall
large enough to accommodate a crowd.
Able speakers encouraged the men by
every possible argument to enlist,
bands were called out to arouse, by
their martial music, enthusiasm
among the laggards. Dances were given
at which the girls bestowed, with min
gled smiles and tears, their favors to
the young volunteers.
Officers and men alike were equally
ignorant of military tactics and every
where the task of drilling the recruits
was going on at all hours of the day
Flags were displayed in every con-
ceivable place, while the streets were
lined with women and girls watching
the maneuvers and inspiring the men
by their lively interest.
Nearly every community presented
& banner Of special design and ma
terial to the departing company, the
presentation of which would be the
occasion for special service and music
The presentation of the flag to the
First Wisconsin regiment by Mrs.
George Walker occurred at Camp Scott
en- May 8, 1861, in the presence of the
governor, Brigadier General King and
other officers. Her address reflects
the spirit of the occasion:
I'm confiding this banner to be up
held by your strong arms and daunt-
less hearts, we feel that you will never
permit a hostile or traitor flag to as
sumo the place of the glorious and
unsullied Stars and Stripes, which
have been, and with Gods blessing,
ever shall be, symbol Of our military
glory.
1.-THE ladies who prepared this beau
tiful standard have adorned its azure
blue with a star for each state, thirty
four in all, for we recognize no seces-
sion from the glorious sisterhood of
states"
The departing soldiers were always
entertained with suppers or luncheons.
the most elaborate being banquet
given by the Madison people, assisted
by the surrounding community, to the
Fourth and Fifth regiments, in the
assembly hall. Six thousand people
attended, many coming from nearby
towns. The building and grounds
were deliberately decorated, and the
generosity of the people and the cult
nary skill of the ladies were equalled
only by the appreciation of the guests.
After supper the regiments were
drawn UP in dress parade and a flag
presented to each.
When President Lincoln, April, 1861,
issued his first call for troops, not
only did the men respond, but the
women of every community in Wis
cGnsin rallied to the call for organized
relief work for the soldiers, and while
companies were being formed and sent
to the front, the women put forth ev-
cry effort to provide the soldiers with
everything possible for their comfort.
During the early part of the relief
work nearly every box was directed to
some individual or specific military or
SANITATION. This led to many disap-
pointments, as owing to lack of a
good mailing system many OF the
boxes never reached the intended re-
cipient, and, as a result, Governor
Harvey, in 1862, called for contribu-
tons for Wisconsin soldiers as body
rather than as individuals or compa-
MES. Soon all sectional feeling dis
appeared and supplies were sent to
union men irrespective of state lines.
Soon after the war commenced the
women of Wisconsin began meeting at
the homes to make garments for the
soldiers. In few months these meet
ingS developed into aid societies, with
officer rules and a regular scheme OF
work and committees appointed to
have charge of the various divisions
of the work Old clothing was made
over or mended; new material was
purchased with money subscribed or
procured by giving entertainments.
Among the leaders in war work in
Baraboo were mesdames G. E. Ryan,
B. F. Mills, E. M Marsh, David Mum
son, NJ C. Johnson. P. Platt, R. S.
Orvise, R. Jackson, ]. Newman, Nor
man Stewart, Frank M. Stewart,
Thomas English and w. burlington.
Money was secured for work in Bara-
loo by subscriptions and giving enter
tainments, the most popular being tab
leaux by local talent After the play
refreshments would be sold and the
money used to purchase material for
work. Mrs. j. Newman, long since
naSod awav mazda a h0uSp-to n h0uSa