A Narrative of Service with the Third Wisconsin Infantry Part 9

Wis.h.i.+ng you all success and happiness and Heaven's best blessing, we bid you farewell. We are, brothers, yours fraternally,

George W. Stevenson, Lieutenant-Colonel; Warham Parks, Major; J. G.

Conley, Surgeon; T. J. Kopff, a.s.sistant Surgeon; A. C. Taylor, Adjutant; J. T. Marvin, Quartermaster; I. E. Springer, Chaplain.

Captains--Ralph Van Brunt, Julian W. Hinckley, N. Daniels, E.

Giddings, A. D. Haskins, C. R. Barager, J. Woodford, John M.

Schweers, John E. Kleven. First Lieutenants--Stephen Lieurance, Oliver A. Hegg, J. D. Goodrich, John Agnew, John B. Du Bois, Abner Hubbell, J. D. Babc.o.c.k, W. W. Freeman, George H. Cutter. Second Lieutenants--E. V. Moran, Lewis Colby, Edwin F. Proctor, Elon G.

Biers, David Clark, A. S. Hill.

The Western veteran regiments still had work before them, and were not mustered out. They were organized as a provisional Brigade under Hawley's command, and ordered to Louisville, Kentucky. Our Regiment left the east on June 11, travelling by way of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad to Parkersburg, and then down the Ohio River to Louisville. Here the Regiment was filled up with men from other Wisconsin commands, that were mustered out of service, until we had about 1,500 on our muster rolls.

It was rumored, and in fact intended, that we should go to Mexico to drive out the French. The programme was entirely changed, however, when news came of the voluntary withdrawal of the French soldiers, and orders were issued to muster out our Regiment.

A considerable number of our old veterans did not want to go home. A company was made up of those who wished to enter the services of the Juarez government in Mexico--at least they wished to go, if I would go in command. I was not quite ready, however, to become a soldier of fortune. When our duty to the Federal Government had been accomplished, I was as anxious as any to be mustered out of the army of war, and return to the army of peace.