Message:
I finally managed to acquire a reprint of an old copy of the regimental history of the 11th New York Cavalry, that faithful group of Empire Staters that served alongside the 4th Wisconsin Cavalry through much of 1864. The book, which was written by Company Cs Thomas W Smith and titled, The Story of a Cavalry Regiment, Scotts 900, 11th New York Cavalry, contains a treasure trove of reminiscences of incidents that occurred during the Greensburg-Osyka, Liberty-Brookhaven and West Pascagoula Raids. I wish I would have had a copy of this opus when I was putting together the recently published history of the 4th Wisconsin Infantry and Cavalry as there are many excerpts I would have included in that book. I did note somewhere in my book that the Badgers and the troopers in the 11th New York were the best of friends. The following tale from the 11th New York Cavalrys trooper James Hamlin (found on pages 299-300) aptly confirms my suspicion
I have read the sketches of comrade T.W. Smith . . . He mentions the Fourth Wisconsin Cavalry that was with us much in Louisiana, and between which regiment and Scotts 900 there existed the kindliest feeling. They were always ready to fight for our boys with either arms or fists, and were, I think, the best regiment we ever brigaded with. To the boys of our [11th New York] regiment I would say Do any of you remember a short, rather solidly built Norwegian boy, who was always doing orderly duty? His name was Nelson. He went home, practied law, was elected to the Wisconsin Legislature, moved to Minnesota, was afterward sent to the State Senate, then twice elected governor of Minnesota . . . Thats Knute Nelson. When he was running for governor the first time, he visited my town. I was one of the committee who met him at the train. On our way home to the hotel for dinner I told him I understood he was a member of the Fourth Wisconsin Cavalry. He said I was correctly informed. I then told him of my regiment. He grasped my hand with a true comrades grip. At the hotel, as he emerged from the dining room, he found the lobby full of leading politicians, all eager to meet him. After a very hurried introduction, he turned to me and asked, Are you very busy? Being assured that I was not, he said Lets take a walk. For nearly two hours we walked about the side streets of our little town, and not once did he refer to his candidacy for governor or even speak of politics. Among other things, he said to me Hamlin, after I have passed off the stage of action, I care not to be remembered as a politician. Above and far beyond any civic title I have won or may hereafter win, I cherish my career as a private soldier in the army of my adopted country; and when I am laid to rest, my friends can do me the greatest honor in their power by putting at my head a simple stone with these words Corporal Knute Nelson, Fourth Wisconsin Cavalry. Maybe some of our boys remember - an awfully jolly fellow? Well, that boy was George W. Peck, of Pecks Bad Boy fame, who but recently vacated the chair of governor of Wisconsin. There was a tall musician, the greatest story-teller in his regiment. His name was W.D. Hoard, and he vacated the governors chair when Peck was elected. Think of that, boys! Three governors from the ranks of one regiment! That beats the record. I am proud of such a fine regiment of Badger soldiers, who did more than their part to save the Union.
Merry Christmas, Michael J. Martin |
