McLeod County, Minnesota - Chapter 10: Echoes of the War, 1917

The Presidential campaign of 1860 was as full of interest to the small number of voters in McLeod county as to those of any other county in the union. The Republicans were largely in the majority, as the vote at the Presidential election showed : but the Douglas Democrats, few though they were, were zealous and devoted. Col. Stevens's Glencoe Register supported the Douglas or Democratic ticket, national, state, and local, although the colonel, in his paper of September 15, declared that if certain charges which had been made (that Douglas was opposed to the homestead bill) were true he would, if he lived until the election, 'vote for the Black Republican candidate for President." At that time the Democratic name for those of the opposition party was "Black Republicans." Col. Stevens sometimes called them "the Blacks," although he subsequently became a Republican himself.

After the October state elections, when Ohio, Indiana, and Pennsylvania all went Republican, it became apparent that Lincoln would be elected to the Presidency. At once the disunionists of the South began to denounce the American Union and threaten to destroy it by means of the secession of their states and the formation thereof of a separate and adverse new republic, wherein slavery should be perpetual. With unproven charges that their "rights" had been trampled upon, and that they would be still further crushed and broken under a "tyrant's heel" if Lincoln were elected, they noisily announced that they meant to resist the trampling and to prepare for the resistance at once. With an assumption of superior or personal and physical courage - with an over-sensitiveness to what they considered an affront they declared that they had a right to withdraw from the Union their ancestors had helped to form, and that like their ancestors they were prepared to defend their rights by force of arms.

and the first months of 1861 and rose to the occasion. They were against secession and rebellion in any form and were for the maintenance of the old Union, and the whole Union, at all times and under all circumstances, The people were unanimous on the subject. Democrats and Republicans were on the same side when the Union question was up. Col, Stevens's Democratic Glencoe Register was a fair exponent of public sentiment, and it was unequivocally radically against secession and rebellion in any form. In the issue of the Register for December 22, 1861, before many of the. Southern states had seceded he had sound stirring Union articles, He even hinted at war. Referring to the declaration of the seceders that by the secession of Louisiana the new Confederacy would hold and control the mouth of the Mississippi and dictate and govern Northern shipments therefrom, the Colonel said;

"If anybody supposes for a moment that in case the secession movement is carried into execution the states in the interior will be left walled in from the seaboard - the supposition will be a great mistake. There is no use talking - the outlet of the Mississippi, as well as the ports of the Atlantie and those on the Gulf, must remain as they are, * * * Gentlemen of the South, that will never do. Pass your secession acts if you like, but just count on this - that the people of the West alone will never permit your proposed action, and are determined that both the head and tail of the Mississippi shall belong to the same nation, It is idle to suppose for a moment that there can be peaceful secession."

The election of 1860 in the county had passed off peacefully. New county officers chosen were B. G. Lee, L. Coleman, and F, W. Getchell, county commissioners, in place of A. J. Snyder, A. Langley, and in renewal of a former term of Mr, Lee, As register of deeds Eli W. Stocking succeeded George Harris, and J. R. Armstrong, sheriff, vice W. W. Rossman. Lewis Harrington was elected county auditor, to take office in March, 1861,

The remarkable and extraodinary incidents of 1861 were nearly all connected with the war. There was a late delayed spring, the most unfavorable since 1857. There were heavy frosts and some snow in May, and the last two weeks in that month resembled in temperature the first days in April. Corn planted in the latter part of April did not germinate, or "come up," for three weeks, but the most of it finally sprouted and there was a good crop.

In June Mr, Reed, of Glencoe, returned from a long sojourn on the Chippewa river. He reported that in the latter part of May a small camp of Sisseton Sioux were attacked in their camp near his tent by a strong war party of Chippewas. The Sioux had three men, three women, and a baby killed; the Chippewas had no loss, but retreated pursued by some Sioux re-inforcements.

The county was prospering at the beginning of 1861. The crops had been bountiful and wheat and flour were very cheap; 4 common price for wheat was 50 cents a bushel. Col. Stevens complained in his paper that buttered bread was so cheap that "a hungry dog won't eat it," with flour at $2.00 per hundred and butter 13 to 15 cents a pound. Hay was $2.00 a ton.

The school enumeration showed 260 children in attendance at the schools. Besides those at Hutchinson and Koniska there were the school at Glencoe, with Prof. Folsom as principal; one down at New Auburn attended by many McLeod children, and presided over by Chauncey Wilkinson; one in the Pettijohn neighborhood, in Rich Valley, taught by John McClelland, the crippled blizzard victim, and another over in Winsted.

The situation was fairly felicitous had it not been for the apparent danger of a civil war in the near future, This great menace, like a black storm cloud low on the horizon, filled every mature mind with apprehension and unrest. Finally the secessionists fired on Fort Sumter. Then the situation cleared. There was only one thing left for Union patriots to do - fight! Right gallantly did little McLeod coiinty - far out on the frontier, feeble in numbers, but strong in determination - tise to the occasion. Fort Sumter was fired on April 12, two days later President Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers to subdue the rebellion, on the 16th Lieut. Gov. Donnelly called for a regiment of Minnesotians, and immediately McLeod county got ready.

There was what was called a war meeting at Hutchinson early that season at which the participants pledged themselves to help sustain the Union if they had to fight. But the earliest meeting of the kind was held at Glencoe. According to the published report of its proceedings in the Register the meeting determined to form a company of volunteers and get ready to fight. The Register's report shows that the citizens of Glencoe and vicinity met, pursuant to notice, on Monday evening April 22, 1861, for the purpose of expressing their views in regard to the political trouble endangering the Union. Rev.

Dr. A. MeWright was called to the chair and Prof, S. H. Fol- Som appointed secretary. Col. John H. Stevens was called upon to address the meeting and said that there was no use to disguise the fact that they were in the midst of an awful, lamentable, raging civil war. He did not believe there was any just cause for those troubles. As long as the fight had been confined to the extreme South, they could not feel the same interest that they did now. He then proceeded to defend the Constitution and the laws of the United States, contending that it was the duty of every one who respected the rights guaranteed to them by the Constitution to defend it to the bitter end. He closed by saying that he had been requested to endeavor to raise a company of volunteers in this neighborhood. He said that as the Government forts in this state had been evacuated, the people should raise a force for their own protection if nothing else. He had no fears of depredations being committed on the settlers here by the Indians, but there appeared to be a mistrust among the female portion of the community, and the sight of a well-trained company would go a long way to dispel those fears. Robert Fraser made a patriotic speech in which he said he was for raising a volunteer company, and in case of emergency, was for a fight. Matters had been carried so far there was no other way but to commit the whole trouble to the God of Battles, Rey. R, A. Judd asked if the citizens raised a volunteer company and received arms from the Government, whether they would not be liable to be called out on a requisition of the governor. Col. Stevens said that in such a case the company would most assuredly be liable to be called upon to do duty, and that the call would be right and proper, Mr. Fraser suggested that in case the people form a company for their own self-defense, they would not think of calling on the Government for arms, but furnish them themselves. Rev. Judd said that he supposed that Col. Stevens took the correct view of the case, and that if they called upon the Government for arms, they should be subject to be called upon by the proper authorities to protect their common country. So it ought to be, (he said amid loud cheers.) For one, he was willing to enlist, subject to the call of the Government. The requisition of the Governor Should be responded to at once. Mr. Fraser said that for our State to raise a regiment would be more than for many other states to raise ten, twenty, thirty or forty regiments; but Minnesotans must be on hand to do their part. Isaac W. Cummings moved that the citizens raise an independent. com- pany, and equip it with arms themselves, to protect their own county from the depredations of the Indians. Col. Stevens said they could not raise a company to be independent of the Government. For one, he was in favor of raising the company and at the same time placing that company at the disposal of the Government for weal or woe. There would be no danger of being called out unless in case of emergency. If the able-bodied men did not pursue that course they should, and ought to be liable, when the time came, to conscription or draft. Mr, Fraser inquired whether those present were willing to organize for the service of the genera] government, or if they wished to organize for the safety of their portion of the State. He suggested that those who were then holding commissions, or rather those who volunteered, start, with half a dozen men, and before they could get to the seat of war, those few would be attached to other companies. After remarks by A. M. Close and J. W. Bates, the vote was taken on Mr. Cumming's resolution, and lost.

Col. Stevens moved, seconded by Mr. Judd, the following resolutions, which were passed with one dissenting vote: "Resolved, That we, the citizens of McLeod county, in public meeting assembled, do hereby express our firm attachment to the Union and the Constitution of the United States, and do most solemnly protest against the lawless, unjustifiable, and wicked conduct of those who have been instrumental in create ing the disturbance. Resolved, That the citizens of this county will use their best endeavors to raise a volunteer company in response to the patriotic call of His Excellency the Governor."

Mr. Bates proceeded to give his reason why he voted against the second resolution. Dr. MeWright (chairman) suggested that the resolution had passed, and if there were any remarks on it there must be a reconsideration moved. Mr. Bates then moved a reconsideration of the resolution, which was seconded, He then said he was in favor of the substance of the resolution, but objected te the form in which it was worded. It was well known, he said, that there were thousands of Indians on the frontier, and as McLeod county was on the border, all the men then there should be suffered to remain, for fear that disturbances might arise with the savages. The county had no men to spare. It was the first duty to the citizens to protect their wives and children. Mr. Bates was in favor of raising a company, but wanted it done with restrictions. Myr, Close said a company could not be raised with restrictions. Mr, Judd was of the same opinion. The vote was then taken, and the meeting, with two exceptions, refused to reconsider the resolution. Mr. Bates then said that if such was the voice of the meeting, he would abide by its decision, and was ready to enlist.

A committee was then appointed to procure recruits to fill the company, and Dr. George W. Taylor, Rev. R. A. Judd, Robert Fraser, Esq., Capt. Marshall Robinson, and Ex-Sheriff W. W. Rossman were appointed. The meeting then adjourned with three cheers for the Constitution and the Laws of the United States.

In the latter part of May, in pursuance of the recommendation of the Adjutant General of the state, the following named citizens enrolled into a company that was known as the Home Guards of McLeod:

The company was designated as "B," Nineteenth Regiment, Minnesota State Militia, which was commanded by Col. T. C. Jewett, Forest City. There were 78 names enrolled the first day, and it was expected there would be twenty or more to increase the number to 100. The company met Saturday, May 265, and elected A. H. Rouse, captain; W. K. Vickroy, first lieutenant; third lieutenant, F. W. Getchell; ensign, S. D. Dammon. The following were then appointed non-commissioned officers of the company: Chas. W. Applin, orderly Sergeant; Douglas McDougal, second sergeant; A. S. Nobles, third sergeant; John Copeland, fourth sergeant; Robert J. Moore, first corporal; D. §. Marshall, second corporal; H. Wilson, third corporal; J. F. Withee, fourth corporal. The band was com. posed of Captain J, R. Louden, Professor S. H. Folsom, Reuben Lamphear, C, L. Snyder, Joseph Hankenson, and Andrew RB, Applin. There was considerable interest in the election of the officers. Every one had his favorite candidate, but the election passed off good naturedly and the unsuccessful candidates took their defeat with a good grace; they felt that they could train as well in the file. After election the company paraded. The Glencoe Weekly Register of Saturday, June 1, 1861, printed the following in regard to the parade and the company: "We must say the members of the company were as fine a body of men as need be. We observed in the company Rev. R, A. Judd and Rev. Henry Elliott - but we need not: specify any particular names, as the company is composed of first-class and first-best citizens. The company is simply raised for home protection, though there are a good many members who would not hesitate if called upon to go South to fight the secession enemy. If called upon to do garrison duty in any of the forts in the state or to watch the Indians, the company will be on hand for such services. They will drill once a week. We are glad to learn that our Forest City neighbors are also raising' a company."

Very soon the enlistments began. Probably the first man in the county to actually enter the volunteer army of the Union was Lloyd G. Pendergast, of Hutchinson. He went down to Minneapolis, when the volunteers were forming, and May 4, 1861, was mustered into the service as a private of Company D, First Minnesota. Two weeks later, or May 16, he was transferred from Company D to Company I of that regiment, and October 23, 1862, after participating in a great part of the good service rendered by it he was transferred to Company C of the First U.S. Regular Cavalry. At the time he enlisted Pendergast was 19 years of age. The State Adjutant General's records and "Minnesota in the Civil and Indian Wars" reverse the dates here given, and show that Mr. Pendergast enlisted first in Company I, May 4, and was transferred to Company D, May 16, but the facts are as stated above according to Mr. Pendergast's assertions which are Supported by papers in hig possession. The records referred to also state that this soldier's transfer was to the Fourth U. 8, Cavalry, and not the

First; but this is another error as shown by Mr. Pendergast's discharge from the latter regiment. Mr. Pendergast's excellent war record is badly bungled in the notations of his State's official rolls. He was of the big family of Pendergasts at Hutchinson, a brother of Prof. W. W. Pendergast and is fairly prominent in the state. He has been a Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor, custodian of the State Capitol building, a Representative from Itasca county in the Legislature of 1915, and at present resides at Bemidji. A few days after Pendergast's enlistment, or May 26, Rollin M. Burnham enlisted in Company I, which was largely from Wabasha county, and May 28 Daniel Butler enlisted and was mustered into Company B, the Stillwater company. Both men were from Mc- Leod. Their records have been lost from the official rosters, but one roll shows that Butler was at one time on detached service and was probably mustered out of service at some headquarters, Mr. Pendergast thinks that Burnham was discharged for disability.

In July began enlistments in the Second Regiment and these were continued through August. In September two men joined the Third Regiment, and numerous enlistments were made in the Fourth Regiment. Company B, of the latter regiment was almost wholly from McLeod county and very largely from Glencoe. The first commissioned officers, Captain James C. Edson, Lieutenant Ransom A. J udd, and Rudolph Borgesrode, and Orderly Sergeant Cyrus L. Snyder, were all from Glencoe. Lieutenant Judd was the talented young Methodist preacher so well known in the county, His religion and his patriotism were both sincere and fervid, and he was equally willing to serve his country and his God. He might have become distinguished if he had lived to the end of the war, but he died near Corinth, Mississippi, July 9, 1862, virtually of camp diarrhoea, In Company H were four men, two of whom were the Badgers, father and son, the former, James S., aged 48, and the latter, Samuel M., aged 14, who was the youngest soldier from the county, and perhaps from the state,

Company A, the Carver county company, with Capt. L, L. Baxter as commander, and Capt. J. C. Edson's Company B, the McLeod county company, both of the Fourth Regiment, constituted the garrison at Fort Ridgely this winter. The fort was only about 45 miles southwest from Glencoe, and as the sleighing was fine, and so many of the soldiers had relatives and friends in McLeod, there were many excursions from the country to the post during the winter. There was a "grand ball" given at the Fort on New Year's Eve, aid it was attended by many men and by many women, the wives, sisters, and sweethearts of the soldiers from McLeod.

In the winter, prices of all kinds of farmers' produce were very low. Wheat was 50 and 60 cents per bushel at Carver, the nearest market. Hogs were from $2.50 to $3.00 per hundred. Butter, made by the farmers, was from six to ten cents a pound, and Dr. Kennedy, a merchant at Young America, refused to buy any more, even at six cents, alleging that he would lose money if he did. Poultry could not be disposed of at any price; every family raised its own supply of chickens, ducks, and geese. Deer was so plentiful that venison was five cents a pound. And yet the patriotic people found ways and means to raise money for the aid of their brave volunteers in the war. It is an actual fact that some of them dug ginseng and gave the proceeds to help the soldiers or their families.

In December Sioux Indians came over from their reservation on the Minnesota and camped on the Buffalo, in the vicinity of Glencoe, and engaged in hunting the next two months on the Buffalo and in the Big Woods. They went back to their reservation in February. Commenting on their visit the Register said: "Every year they come back to their old hunting grounds in this county and feast on the deer and other game in addition to trapping for fur-bearing animals. To be sure they are sometimes a little mischievous, and help themselves to hay for their ponies, the white men's traps, and annoy the women by begging for bread, salt, and pork, and they never leave anything of their game behind but the hide and horns of the deer and in the fall and spring the feathers of ducks and wild geese; yet we like to see the smoke of their tepees in the neighboring forests, the other adjuncts of their life in their camps, and the tall, slim red men stalking through the streets and roads is a picturesque sight." The Indians were very friendly and there was no thought that their visits to the county a few months later would be of a different character. In the spring matters had a more promising aspect. The maple sugar crop had been large, planting was Successful, and corn and small grain were growing finely. The streams were full of fine fish and the prairies were almost covered with flocks of prairie chickens. At Koniska, early in J une, the finest fish were taken by wagon loads and given away by the takers; nobody thought of selling the finest black bass, pike, and croppies in those days. The wheat crop was so promising

The engrossing thoughts of everyone were about the war. The sympathy of everybody was with the Union soldiers at the front. Nearly every able-bodied man wanted to go and help them. There were very few that could enlist but would not, while there were many that would join the ranks of the Union defenders but could not. Of the latter class their wives and little ones and their aged parents, all in humble circumstances, had first claims upon them, And yet Col. Stevens said in the Register that more men of McLeod ought to enlist. In June quite a number of men went to the new gold mines of Montana. The Colonel wrote: "It would be a good deal better for those that are leaving us for the gold regions to shoulder a musket for the Union. In time of peace persons may be permitted to act selfishly, but it is a crime to do so now."