Payette enterprise. (Payette, Canyon Co., Idaho) 1909-1935, 1923-07-12
CIVIL WAR
VETERAN PASSES

David \ Hamm was born jun
: 9th, l844'a. Springfield, Illinois, ant
died at his home in Payette, Jul.
Sth, 1923, at the age of 79 years
one month and 2 days. He wai
united in marriage to Meriga Prentisi
at Madison. Wisconsin, November
i23, 1867. To this union was born
one child, Capitola, wife of T. H
Sanger of this city,, who together
with her mother still survive.
David A. Hamm enlisted from
Dane County, Wisconsin, to serve
! three years or during the war. he
was mustered into service at Madi-
son, Wis, on September 18th, 1861,
as a private of Captain William C.
/ Young's Co. E. Sth Regiment Wis
I consin Volunteer Infantry, Colonel
/ Robert c. Murphy commanding, he
was honorabiy discharged at Black
River Mississippi, on February 22nd,
1864, by reason of re-enlisting as a
veteran in this same company, and
regiment, and again mustered into
U. S. service on Feb. %, 1864, as
Sergeant, to serve three years more
under Capt. William C. Young and
Col. John w. Jefferson.
The Sth Wisconsin, was known as
the Eagle Regiment, from the
fact that it carried live bald eagle,
the property of Company c, and was
with the Company many times in
battle. The men named him "Old
Abe and swore him into the U. S.
service by decorating him with red,
white and blue ribbon. During the
battles, "Old Abe" would soar high
above the battlefield, and screech
constantly but never lost track of
his regiment and always returned to
his Company Immediately after bat
tie "Old Abe" survived the war and
many years after was kept at the
state capital of Wisconsin.
Mr.. Hamm participated in many
important battles, including, Island
NO. 10 Tennessee, Siege of Corinth,
Battle of Iuca, and Corinth. In the
latter battle the regiment was ex-
posed to terrific fire for more than
three hours. In March 1868, the
regiment Joined Grants forces. for |
the Vicksburg campaign, participat- |
ing in the engagements at Raymond, /
Jackson and the seige and assault of !
The regiment was en-
ployed as sharp-shooters in front of
until its surrender, July
ith.
At one time the regiment was with
,ut tents for forty-six days in bad
weather, marching and bivouacing,
md many of the men were without
hoes. For sixteen days they drew
'ut four days rations. Having enlisted
n the Sth. Regiment, it was about ,
o return TO Wisconsin on furlough :
n the spring of 1864, but when the
Red River expedition was projected, {
General Sherman desired it to ac-
ompany General Smith, and to take ]
,art in it. After the surrender of
iobile, the regiment marched to
Alabama. He was
at Corinth, Mississippi, in I
he right hip and one of his ears {
ini, OF hi | ,
ected his hearing He was con- c
tantly with his regiment during it's I
ervice outlined, bore a gallant part {
4 all engagements, and rendered a | {
aithful and meritorious service at i
II times. receiving an honoroble dis C
hage at Demopolis, Alabama, Sept. =
tn, 1865, by reason of the close of t
he war. having served thirteen days C
ess than five years. It
Mr.. Hamm was a member of the v
V. T. Sherman Post, No. 81, De- L
artment of Idaho, G. A. R., MEM t
er of the l. o. o. F., and the A. o. t
|. W., man highly respected in this I
where he has lived for $
lany years. (
Short Funeral services were held t
rom the home Monday afternoon at,
o'clock conducted by the Odd O
'ellows lodge. assisted by Rev. g
homas Ashworth. n
Mr. Ganrpe w Cats Of Enisn q | 10