Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1919-03-20
Re ninisCenceS Of
Ole Newport

Sent mel, in an article by staff writer,
revived civil war drama that was
very nearly related to Kilbourn. The
incident related was the saving of a
100000 fleet of gunboats in the Red
river Of Texas by General Joseph Bal
ley and Major Guy Pierce, the latter
being a figure in the closing of the in
decent at Madison when he was instru-
mental in placing the RECORDS and me-
MORALS in the state historical rooms
The occasion of this last production of
that famous episode of the civil war,
more than half a century ago, was in
connection with the placing of paint
ing of the scene and incident in the
executive reception room at the Wis
consin state capitol.
Briefly the details of this story,
which has several times been printed
in this paper, were dis follows:
In the spring of 1864 the United
States government deemed it advisa-
Bile to make strong demonstration
of force in Texas, partly owing to the
French occupation of Mexico, partly
because the forces of the then failing
Southern Confederacy were drifting
that way. General Banks entered with
about $4,000 troops, and a large fleet
OF gunboats under Admiral Porter
assembled the Red river. The land
iy>40
ment with the confederates, and the
feet not being near enough to sup
port, the United States troops were
defeated and had to withdraw. In the
meantime the water in the river had
fallen so that the gunboat fleet was
aground and in danger of capture. Jo-
seph Bailey, an officer in the Fourth
Wisconsin cavalry, proposed to float
the fleet cut by system OF wing dams
which he had seen in use and helped
to build in the numbering business on
the Wisconsin river. In spite of the
sneers and ridicule Of the scientifically
educated officers of the fleet, he was
permitted to make the effort. The
result was that by wing dams the wa
ter was concentrated into a narrow,
deeper channel and the fleet was float
ed out and saved. Colonel Bailey was
promoted a brigadier general for this
service, he received vote OF thanks
from the navy, and the officer OF the
feet presented him with big silver
loving cup and a sword. After the war
poil X
to Missouri, where he was elected
sheriff. While pursuing desperadoes
he was ambushed and killed by bush
whackers.
The memorial just placed in the
capitol is picture of the dam with
large size portrait of General
Bailey. The loving cup and sword.
were kept by his daughters until
1895, when penurious circumstances
obliged them to offer them to the
state Major Guy Pierce, brother
officer of Gen. Bailey was asked by
the daughters to take charge of the
disposal. Through his efforts the leg
islature purchased the cup and SWORD
and they are now in the state his
torical rooms.
Joseph Bailey was associated with
Ion ATTAIN Bowman in founding the
village of Newport, about three
miles below the present village OF.
kilbourn They obtained title 10
land on this side of the river, ana
some on the Delton side. They or
eanized company which included
Byron Kilbourn, president OF inc La
Crosse railroad then being pusheo
outs from Milwaukee to La Crosse. IL
was proposed to make Newport ah
mnortant center, cross the river there
establish shops, factories, ETC. but
men who owned considerable lahu
desired by the company saw chahce
TO speculate, and boosted the price
.hovond all reason. This led the
comnanv to abandon Newport, and II
ie said that Bailey, John B. Welt ana
others came to where the present
I<ilhourn dam is, and by the lsi'
of lanterns took soundings for announcer
dam. Then began the poolh 'ii'''
,,odo Kilbourn and killed Newport
1,bat doomed village was torn down
and moved up to Kilbourn' many
houses intact being drawn over Inc
snow by oxen Joseph Bailey pun
and occupied the former Merchantmen
residence near the drinking fountain
Tn 1851 Company D, 4th Wisconsin
cavalry was organized here under
command of Captain Joseph bailey'
Their temporary armory was 1nI
l,ilding now used for the Eplscopai
cb,rch and they drilled among ne
vilIage streets to the delight OF the
enthusiastic Juvenile Americans VINO
formed attendant lines before oeSiue
and behind the soldiers. Guy -
pierce was a sergeant, and rose "
tbe rank of major during the war lor
valiant services. He lived IN TINS
community until his death re" year
ago Of all of that company mos'iS
l,1mhermen. the only survivors we
know in this vicinity are A. J. Henry
Of Easton. Lewis Buckley of Portage,
and Dick Carpunke of Mauston Carl