(ISSN 0043-6534) WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY

The State Historical Society ofWisconsin • Vol. 81, No. 4 • Summer, 1998

i/ •t^ h I nf^ ir M-d^ t ' '

--^-If---. •••!:•• • t^r'*'?*^'' THE STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF WISCONSIN

GKOROE L. VOOT, Director

Officers OERAI.D D. VISTE, President RICHARD H. HOLSCHER, Treasurer PAI RICIA A. BO<;E, First Vice-President GEOR(;E L. VOCT, .Secretary MARY A. SATHER, Second Vice-President

THK STATE HisrtjRicAi, Sot:iETV OF WISCONSIN IS both a state agency and a private membership organization. Founded in 1846—two years before statehood—and char­ tered in 1853, it is the oldest American historical society to receive continuous public funding. By statute, it is charged with collecting, advancing, and dis.scminating knowl­ edge of Wisconsin and of the trans-Allegheny West. The Society serves as the archive of the State of Wisconsin; it collects ail manner of books, periodicals, maps, manuscripts, relics, newspapers, and aural and graphic materials as they relate to North America; it maintains a museum, library, and research facility in Madison as well as a statewide sys­ tem of historic sites, school services, area research centers, and affiliated local societies; it administers a broad program of historic preservation; and publishes a wide variety of his­ torical materials, both scholarly and popular.

MEMBERSHIP in the Society is open to the public. Individual memhersh'ip (one person) is $30. Senior Citizen Individual membership is $25. Family membership is $35. Senior Citi­ zen Family membership is $30. Supporting membership is $100. Sustaining membership is $250. A Patron contributes $500 or more. LiLe membership (one person) is $1,000.

MEMBERSHIP in the Friends of the SHSW is open to the public. Individual membership (one person) is $20. Family membership is $30.

THE Sot:iETY is governed by a Board of CXirators which includes twenty-four elected members, the Governor or designee, three appointees ofthe Governor, a legislator from the majority and minority from each house, and ex officio, the President of the University of Wisconsin System, the President of the Friends of the State Historical Society, the President of the Wisconsin History Foundation, Inc., and the President of the Adminis­ trative Gommittee of the Wiscon,sin Council for Local History. A complete listing of the Curators appears inside the back cover.

The Society is headquartered at 816 State Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53706-1488, at the juncture of Langdon and Park streets on the University ofWisconsin campus. The State Historical Museum is located at 30 North Carroll Street. A partial listing of phone numbers (Area Code 608) follows:

General Administration 264-6400 Hours of operation 264-6,588 Affiliated local societies 264-6.'J8.S Institutional advancement 264-6.585 Archives reading room 264-6460 Library (arculation desk 264-65,S4 (Contribution of manuscript materials 264-6477 Maps 264-64.58 Development 264-6.589 Membership 264-6387 Editorial offices 264-6461 Microforms reading room 264-6536 Fax 264-6404 MiLseum tours 264-65.55 Film collections 264-6470 Newspaper reference 264-65.S1 Genealogical and general reference inquiries .... 264-6.5.S5 Picture collections 264-6470 Government publications and reference 264-6.52.5 Public information office 264-6.586 Historic preservation 264-6,500 Sctiool services 264-6579 Historic .sites 264-6.586 Archives Division http://www.vvisc.edu/shs-archives The Society's web address is http://www.shsw.wisc.edu

ON THE C:OVER: "The Maine Saluting the Spanish Flagship on Arriving in the Harbor of Havana " by H. Reuterdahl, from Harper's Pictorial History of the War with Spain, 1898. Volume 81, Number 4 / Summer, 1998

WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY

Published quarterly by the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Hardtack, Canned licef, and Imperial Misery: 816 State Street, Madison, Rae Weaver's Journal ofthe Wisconsin 53706-1488. Distributed to members as part of Spanish-American War 243 their dues. Individual member­ ship, $30; .senior citizen Edited by Sean Patrick Adams individual, $25; family, $35; senior citizen family, $.^50; supporting, $100; sustaining, Forgotten Angel: $250; patron, $500 or more; life The Story of Janet Jennings and the Seneca 267 (one person), $1,000. Single numbers from Volume 57 forward fohn Evangelist Walsh are $5 plus postage. Microfilmed copies available through tJniversity Microfilms, .300 North The Iron Brigade Melded: Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106. CommunicaUons should A Review Essay 294 be addressed to the editor The Richard Zeitlin Society does not assume responsi­ bility for statements made by contributors. Periodicals postage paid at Madison, Wisconsin. Book Reviews 297 Postmaster: Send address changes to Wisconsin Magazine of History, Book Review Index 308 Madison, Wisconsin 53706-1488. Copyright © 1998 by the State Accessions 310 Historical Society of Wiscon.sin. Wisconsin History Checklist 315 The Wisconsin Magazine of History is indexed annually by the editors; Contributors 318 cumulative indexes are assembled decennially. In addition, articles are abstracted and indexed in Editor America: History and Life, Historical PAUL H. HASS Abstracts, Index to Literature on the American Indian, and the Combined Associate Editors Retrospective Index to foumals in MARGARET T. DWYER History, 1838-1974. JOHN O. HOLZHUETER Photographs identified with WHi negative numbers are from the Book Revieiv Editor Historical Societv's collecdons. CHRISTOPHER W. WELTS m THE ^

^li —ilciK: >. \

WHi (X:i) 142:'):^ (H|)|x-i-) W'Hi (X3) 44426 (loivcr) The defining image ofthe xvar—the destruction ofthe .Maine in Havana harbor—xuas high drama for illustrators and journalists to capture (upper). The reality of the loss appeared most stark in photographic pnin (loxver).

242 Hardtack, Canned Beef, and Imperial Misery: Rae Weaver's Journal of the Spanish-American War

Edited by Sean Patrick Adams

HEN a massive explosion ripped The Spanish-American War reflected Wthrough the U.S.S. Maine on Febru­ America's imperial ambitions. By the close ary 15, 1898, Rae Weaver was toiling away of the nineteenth century, Spain was a as a printer for his newspaper in the placid third-rate power, barely clinging to Cuba surroundings of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. As and Puerto Rico in the Caribbean and ttj the stricken battleship settled on the bot­ the Philippine Islands in the Pacific, while tom of Havana harbor, the lives of Weaver the United States yearned for overseas pos­ and thousands of other Americans changed sessions and a place among the world's forever. Within three months, a state of war great military powers. The sinking of the existed between Spain and the United Maine provided an ostensible cause for the States, and the federal government had American declaration of war—although de­ called for 125,000 vt:)lunteers to supple­ finitive proof that Spain was responsible for ment the Regular Army. This quota was destroying the warship eludes experts to quickly met; a generation had passed since this day. Whatever its cause, the war's few the Civil War, and the gruesome realities of major engagements were brief and decisive. battle echoed only faintly in the minds of American warships defeated Spanish fleets most Americans. By the time W^eaver—as off the coast of Elavana and in Manila Bay, part of Company K, Second Regiment, Wis­ while American expeditionary forces se­ consin National Guard—received the call cured most of Cuba and Puerto Rico with­ to arms in late April of 1898, Rear Admiral out suffering major casualties. In the peace William T. Sampson and his North Atlantic treaty concluded on December 10, 1898, Squadron were already steaming down to Spain surrendered all claims to Cuba and blockade the coast of Cuba, and an Ameri­ ceded the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and can expeditionary force under General Guam to the United States. This swift, de­ W. Rufus Shafter was preparing to invade cisive defeat of Spain and the resultant ter­ the island. ritorial gains confirmed America's place among the world's first-class pcnveis. In many respects, the Spanish-American W^ar EUITOR'S NOTE: I should like to thank Joanne Wells seemed the perfect victory.' of the Dodge County Historical Society for bringing Rae Weaver's story to the attention of the State His­ torical Society ofWisconsin, and for providing the ' For more on the Spanish-American War in gen- initial transcription of his text. ei-al, see David F. Trask, The War With Spain in 1898

Copyright© 199,S l)v llic .Siulc 11 243 .All righls of ixprodiu tion in am' WISCONSIN MAC;.A.ZINE OF HIS'I'ORY SUMMER, 1998

For many volunteers, however, the actual ^a(-^^'5-s,^-v'^J^, ' experience of war proved less than perfect. Of rotighly 3,000 Wisconsin men who en­ listed, only about half ever heard a shot fired in anger. Many never even left the States. In a way, Rae Weaver was lucky to be among the 3,314 American soldiers who in­ vaded Puerto Rico in July and August of 1898 and actually went into battle—lucky, because he had a better chance of surviv­ ing combat than he did the training camp in Georgia. During the wai", more than two thousand American soldiers died of dis­ ease, compared to 385 who died as a result of battle. Most Americans remember the heroic images of the Spanish-American War—the Rough Riders charging up San Juan Hill, Admiral George Dewey annihi­ lating the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay—but many soldiers would later describe their military service as mostly dull, with only brief bouts of excitement. For many, the danger of battle seemed almost a relief from the drudgery and squalor of camp life. "You don't know the half of what's go­ SHSW \,,a,il \l,iu ,, ,1- \,, 1, ing on down here, or in other words, not Beaver Dam mayor Rae Weaver: half has ever been told," wrote a Wisconsin descriptions of the American South and of soldier to his family in the fall of 1898.- Sto­ Puerto Rico, his observations on the curi­ ries of disease-ridden camps and inedible ous logic of military service, and his grow­ rations eventually surfaced, but these only ing realization that war is not entirely a rol­ slightly tarnished the image of the Spanish- licking adventure. Weaver'sjournal is crafted American War in popular opinion. In fact, with humor, evenhandedness, and atten­ many journalists and editors assumed that tion to detail. Obviously he had learned the public would not appreciate negative something about journalism from his work accounts of the war, so a kind of informal as a printer, and his clear, concise writing censoiship existed throughout 1898. style allows his narrative to flow smoothly, Fcjr this reason, Rae Weaver's journal with a bit of caustic commentary thrown in chronicling his Spanish-American War ex­ at times. Weaver's age also had something periences from a firsthand perspective is a to do with his abilities and perspective. He rare treasure indeed. Here we find Weaver's was, after all, neaiJy thirty, not a young farm boy, but an adult professional. A century has passed since the sinking of the Maine, (New York, 1981); G.J.A. OToole, The Spanish War: and many tales of the Spanish-American An American Epic—1898 (New York, 1984); andjames C. Bradford, ed., Crucible of Empire: The Spanish- War have disappeared with its veterans. But American War and Its Aftermath (Annapolis, 1993). For because Rae Weaver persevered at his jour­ the role ofWisconsin soldiers, see Michael Stevens, nal, readers can again bear witness to et al., Letters From the Front, 1898-1945 (Madison, America's coming of age as a world power. 1992), 1-24. Following his military service, Weaver re­ •^ La Crosse Daily Republican and Leculer, Septent- ber26. 1898. turned to Beaver Dam. He spent the rest of

244 ADAMS: RAE WE.A.VI<;R S JOURNAL his life in Dodge County, where he became in grammar, spelling, capitalization, and active in politics as a socialist. Over the punctuation remain uncorrected, although course of his career he ran, unsuccessfully, date and place lines have been standard­ for governor, for Congress, state senator, ized for clarity. Editorial insertions of words and sheriff; he also served on Beaver Dam's or letters always appear in brackets. Slips of common council and served two terms as the pen have been silently corrected, and mayor from 1930 to 1934. A fireless advocate minor changes in punctuation have been of veterans' rights. Weaver was a member of made where absolutely necessary. Because the Wisconsin Department of the United Weaver's original journal was a lengthy doc­ Spanish War Veterans. Although he rose to ument that could not conveniently be re­ the rank of Department Commander dur­ produced in its entirety here, some pas­ ing the 1926-1927 term, the organization sages of the original version have been purged him from its ranks during the early omitted and are noted with ellipses (...). 1930's.'' He died in 1943 at seventy-four The full text is available in the Wisconsin In order to preserve the sense of imme­ State Archives at the State Historical Soci­ diacy in Weaver's journal, it is presented ety ofWisconsin, Madison. here without major alterations. Most errors S. R A.

Thursday, April 28lh, 1898 curred at nightfall to bid adieu to friends, BEAVER DAM, WISCONSIN probably for the last time. The members of Call received by the Beaver Dam Guards the company who refused to volunteer and at 8:25 A.M. Left the city as a private in Co. failed to pass their medical examination re­ K, 2nd Inft. W. A. G.^ at 10:17 A.M. for the turned with the excursionists to Beaver state assembly of troops at the State Fair Dam. Grounds, Milwaukee, Wis. Arrived there at 12:30 o'clock p.M Monday, May 9th, 1898 MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN Sunday, May 8th, 1898 Regular drills during the day. Done our MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN first washing in the army. Wash list—one All the men were busy during the early undershirt, two pair of socks, four hand­ hours of morning putting the camp in first- kerchiefs, one towel. Assisted Capt. Zink'' class shape to receive visitors. Special trains making out reports late into the evening— were run from several different points in 2 A.M. The Third regiment received orders the state, and it is reported that 60,000 to leave camp and move to the front and people were on the grounds. A special train their quarters resounded with cheers and from Beaver Dam brought 210 visitors, who wild enthusiasm. . . . came well prepared with eatables, and spent a happy day visiting the different Sunday, May 15th, 1898 members of our company. A sad time oc- MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN All the companies ofthe Second regiment •'' Althotigh Weaver's dismissal from the United were up and hustling early in the morning Spanish War Veterans was ostensibly over some fi­ and each man prepared his own breakfast. nancial misdeeds, it seems more probable that he was At a few minutes before 8 o'clock A.M. we removed from the conservative organization because of his .socialist affdiations. ** Meaning the Wisconsin Adjutant General, com­ •'' Capt. Philip J. Zink, a prominent cidzeii and mander ofWisconsin National Guard forces. owner of a restaurant in Beaver Dam.

245 Wlli (x:!) ,')i,s.v,i Camp Harvey, Milxuaukee, 1898. 'The men oj tin Secimd Wistonsin Injantry po.se for photographers bej'ore shjjping to then soutlunn (amp. were ordered to fall in to board the train venirs at Terra Haute, and a number of the and at 8:30 we were on the cars. At 8:40 we boys had buttons cut from their blouses. started and the engine jumped the track. Wfe started again, at 9:45 and were cheered Monday, May 16th, 1898 by the remainder of our regiment who were CHATTANOOC;A, TENNESSEE waiting to take the train. When we passed . . . Arrived at Chattanooga at 10:40 P.M. the Soldiers home we were given a royal and got hot coffee which was served to the farewell departure by the veterans of the men. Chattanooga is 11 miles from Chicka- home who were dra\vn up in line along the mauga Park,'' Ga., where we go into camp, tracks. AiTived in Chicago, 111., at 1:25 P.M. and as the hour was late when we arrived at Stopped near the Stock Yards, where hot Chattanooga we were kept in our cars all coffee was secured and furnished. Lots of night at the depot there. All the sectic:)ns of sport in buying beer Albert Fox and a sa­ the Second regiment arrived here a few loon keeper have a fight. Edgerton sepa­ moments apart and are quartered side by rates them and one of our men soaked the side, awaiting to move in the morning to saloon keeper with a cup of hot coffee. Lots the park. Wi-ote a letter here and mailed it of excitement. Wrote a letter home and upon our arrival. All our men are well and gave it to a gentleman from the train win­ not an accident occurred to our section on dow to mail. . . . Fifth stop at Terra Haute, the way from Milwaukee to C]hattanooga. Inch, 176 miles from Chicago. Population of Slept in the car seats with the tracks near us Ten-a Haute, 42,000. Time—10:05 P.M. Hot filled with trains loaded with soldiers. coffee served. A large delegation at the de­ pot and a royal receptic:)n tendered the boys. Wrote a second letter and mailed it home. '' (Tiickamauga, in northern Georgia, just sottth Last for the night. Went to sleep in the car of (Chattanooga, was the site of a famotis ('ivil War seats. There was a gi^eat scramble for sou­ batde (September 19-20, 1863) as well as a U.S. Arm\' training camp.

246 '^k*-

WHi (X.s)) ,50630 Camp Harvey, Milxuaukee, May 1898.

Tuesday, May 17th, 1898 pretty place in the woods of the park. We CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE pitchetl our tents at 3 P.M. in the afternoon. The morning is bright ancl clear and all Shortly after pitching our tents a great the boys are well and happy. A lai^ge num­ many members of our company walked ber of letters and the first papers that we about four miles to take a bath in a husky could purchase in the south were secured colored creek, which Hows near the park. and sent to Beaver Dam—l^he Chattanooga Our first meal was a hand-me-down lunch, Times. Several of our boys climbed on a and consisted of nothing but hard-tack', freight train near to us to view "Look Out canned baked beans, and coffee—without Mountain," which is located about 4 miles either sugar or milk. Our pixjspects for from this place. The sight was beauuful in breakfast are bright—bacon, hardtack and the clear sunlight. We started for Chicka- coffee. We are quartered in 7 X 7 tents. The mauga Park from Chattanooga at 9:05 A.M. first night in camp found the following in We got permission from Capt. Zink to go our bunk—8 men—heads to the center, out near the depot, where we purchased oi"- feet taking an airing . . . anges, ginger-cakes, cake, straw-berries, lemons, sardines, sugar, and stamps. Had Thursday, May 19th, 1898 some southern apple-pie—it is a flap-over CHICKAMAUGA PARK, GEORGIA about 4x8 inches in length. Bought from Company drilled in extended order in a coal black lady—nearly opposite the sight the forenoon. At 5 o'clock in the after­ of "I,ook Out Mountain." We arrived at Ly­ noon, the Second regiment attended the tic, Chickamauga Park, Georgia, at 11 A.M., first brigade formadon and passed in re­ got out ofthe cars and marched about one- view, making an excellent showing. In the quarter of a mile up to a group of small trees, where we met the remainder of the regiment, and after a dry, dusty walk of ' A hard biscuit made from flour and water baked without salt. Hardtack was a common, if unsavory, ra­ about three miles we were located in a don for soldiers during the nineteenth century.

247 WISCONSIN MAC;A/,INE OF HISTORY SUMMER, 1998 afternoon there were darkey concerts in der of our rations were purchased. The the company streets which were quite guard was divided into three details and I amusing and entertaining. The little lads, was assigned as corporal ofthe third detail. as black as coal, sang several comical and There were 6 men in each. Kept awake all patriotic songs and received a good contri­ night and laid around a little fire made bution from the soldiers. Several different of fallen wood, limbs and branches. Had mementoes of the great battle fought be­ a pleasant visit with the Maryland troops tween the north and south on these grounds as they passed our quarters. They had on September 19th and 20th, 1863, have marched to the park from Chattanooga, been found by members of Company K. Tenn., and were very fired and dusty. Each man in this regiment, which was from the Enday, May 20th, 1898 city of Baltimore, Md., had a small silk flag CHICKAMAUGA PARK, GEORGIA pinned to his clothing and an extra pair of ... I seen the Kansas, New York, and shoes, which had been given to them by the Massachusetts troops as they entered the patriotic women of that city. . . . grounds to-day. May the hand of provi­ dence give these poor troops a better re­ Wednesday, May 25th, 1898 ception than they received here. Eight men CHICKAMAUGA PARK, GEORGIA fell in the New York regiment while passing We arose at 5 A.M. and had our breakfast us, one died at the depot, and the poor earlier than usual, and got prepared for a Kansas troops were nearly famished for forced march. We went out at 6:30 with food and water. To add to the misfortune shirts, leggins, and campaign hats, carried ofthe troops entering camp here, the boys our canteens and haversacks, and marched who are already located, jeer the new com­ 10 miles or more through Tennessee and ers with the following: "I had a good home Georgia, returning after making a large cir­ when I left," "left," etc. A young opossum cular march to Snod Grass Hill, where it was caught by Frank Crane during the was intended to have us participate in a forenotjn drill and the boys are keeping sham battle. We got into battle formation and feeding it. Rations are very short and if in a prickly thicket, but took no further ac­ it were not for the provisic^ns purchased by tion in the battle. Returned to camp at 9:30 individual members and the quartenuaster o'clock, pretty tired but all feeling fairly many a member could show an empty well. Today we received the first fresh beef stomach. Taps have been at 10:30 P.M. up we have had from the government since we to to-day. To-night they are at 9:15. Perhaps left Milwaukee, and to hear the boys cheer this will be a great benefit to the boys, as upon receiving it, would make anyone they will retire earlier, and the noise about think that we had licked Spain and were camp will be hushed sooner ready to return home. Went bathing in the afternoon with six members of Company K, Saturday, May 21st, 1898 and had a pleasant visit to different points CHICKAMAUGA PARK, GEORGIA on the grounds. While in swimming we met Was detailed on guard duty at brigade a jolly lot of Irishmen from the Missouri headquartei^s. The detail consisted of 1 lieu­ and New York regiments. We viewed the tenant, 1 sergeant, 3 coi^porals and 18 pri­ 15th Wisconsin regiment's monument, vates. Took 24 hours rations with us. Ra­ which is one of the finest in the park.*^ We tions for Bert Germain and myself, the two also visited the camp of the Dakota rough men detailed from Co. K were 12 boiled eggs, 4 lemons, 1 can of salmon and a few ** The 15th Wisconsin was the "All-Norwegian pieces of hardtack. The hardtack is all that Regiment," led by Col. Hans Heg, who fell at Chicka­ the government furnished us, the remain­ mauga.

248 ADAMS: RAE WEAVER'S JOURNAL

riders—cavalry In the evening took part in preparing to be photographed. The first dress parade. Walked about twenty miles grey-backs^ have appeared and are in a during the day Getting toughened to war healthy condition to keep the boys from times. Feeling very well thus far The dif­ getting lonesome. We received our pon- ferent company commanders in our regi­ cho.s—oil cloth blankets—from the gov­ ment have commenced issuing a few passes ernment this evening. . . . each day to the men, to allow them to visit Chattanooga, Tenn., and view the sights Wednesday, June 1 St, 1898 there. . . . CHICKAMAUGA PARK, GEORGIA A large number of Company K attended Monday, May 30th, 1898, mass at 6 A.M. at the 69th New York head­ Decoration Day quarters. The rude altar was some large su- CHICKAMAUGA PARK, GEORGIA ply boxes covered with white cloth, a large Drilled two hours in a baking heat on a board nailed up at the rear covered with breakfast of black coffee, hardtack, and two white cloth, upon which hung a crucifix. small pieces of cheese. All the members of Two candles were nailed to the boxes. It the Third battalion piled their tin army was an interesting sight to see thousands of dishes out in their company streets at din­ worshipers from a dozen different states ner time today on account of their light ra­ upon bended knee during the entire ser­ tions. Company K had their picture taken vices. The regular drills were held during during the strike for bread and many com­ ical incidents occurred while they were •' Soldiers' slang for body lice.

WHi (X.^) 31842 Once in southern camps, like Camp Shipp m Alabama, Wisconsin soldiers learned the rigors of army life, and prepared for the heat ofthe Caribbean.

249 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SUMMER, 1998

the day and a band concert at regimental American nation appreciates the sacrifices headquarters during the evening. Great re­ of its patriots. . . . joicing in camp upon receiving word from Beaver Dam that a large consignment of Sunday, June 12th, 1898 eatables had been sent to us. . . . CnicKAMAuciA PARK, GEORGIA During the early hours of morning the Sunday, June 5 th, 1898 entire Second regiment got their quarters CHICKAMAUGA PARK, GEORGIA in apple-pie order as we received instruc­ No drills of any kind were held to-day. A tions that they were to be inspected, but it number of our company went to Chat­ turned out to be a hoax, but, nevertheless tanooga. There was a game of base-ball be­ everything was slick and clean. At 9 o'clock tween the Montana Rough Riders and a the entire regiment fell in, in fatigue uni­ picked nine from the Second regiment dur­ form, without side-arms, to attend the fu­ ing the afternoon. The following is the neral of our comrade, a member of Co. F, score: Rough Riders—31; 2nd Regt.—13. of Oshkosh, who died last night. The fu­ Services were held at regimental head­ neral obsequies were held just across the quarters in the evening. A large tent has guard line at the south of our camp. His been erected in the field west of our camp company acted as a guard of htjnor and the by the Salvation Army and they are holding remainder of the regiment fell in to the their services there, commencing to-day. . . . rear of them and marched to where the fu­ neral services were held. The remains were Eriday, June 1 Oth, 1898 encased in a rude, plain, but substantial CHICKAMAUGA PARK, GEORGIA army coffin, and drawn in an army wagon, At 6:35 A.M., after breakfast and making drawn by two large black army mules. The up our quarters, I started with a detail for regimental chaplain. Rev. E. H. Smith, led Chickamauga for fatigue work. Our detail the funeral procession, and on both sides was composed of one lieutenant, two cor­ of the wagon containing the remains, were porals, and eighteen privates. We arrived at eight stalwart soldiers. The services con­ Chickamauga shortly after 8 o'clock. Our sisted of a sad, pathetic selection by the work was to dig up the sewerage pipes from band, after which the chaplain told a short the Park Hotel, which were clogged, the ho­ history ofthe deceased, read a few passages tel being converted into a hospital. . . .Just of scripture and then offered a fervent before dinner an oil-cloth covered under­ prayer. The band then played another se­ taker's wagon stopped near where our de­ lection and the little funeral cortege pro­ tail was working, and we, to satisfy t:)ur cu­ ceeded to the national cemetery near Chat­ riosity opened and looked into it. We seen tanooga, Tenn., where the internment took the form of a fine built man, cold in death. place. Company F, the pall bearers and He had been dead fotir days, and was badly chaplain were all that accompanied the re­ decomposed, his head and shoulders were mains as it is six miles distant froiu our all flv-blowed and maggots were running camp. out of his eyes, nose, ears and moitth, and About II o'clock it commenced to rain the remains had never been on ice and and for over two hours it poured down in looked as though they had stood in the hot torrents. It cleared up nicely about 1 o'clock sun since death. The undertaker and his as­ and dried up wonderfully on account of sistant were on their way to Chattanooga, the sandy condition of the soil. August Tenn. by team, thirteen miles distant, and it Zinke, Arthur Gauerke, Andrew Koebler was from 96 to 98 degrees in the shade. If and myself and Dennis Cross and Augustus the remains were not baked or roasted it is Kerr, of Co. L, of Ashland, took a walk to no fault of the sun. This shows how the Snod Grass Hill to view the sights there.

250 ADAMS: RAE WEAVER S JOURNAL

There is a large lattice-work iron tower at the summit of the hill, about 75 feet in %.'• height, which we climbed to the top to view the surrounding country. The sight was a beautiful one, owing to the heavy clouds that were moving to and fro in the heavens around us. In the distance we could plainly see Look Out Mountain, which was par­ tially hidden from view by its summit rais­ ing far up into the clouds. The observer can also get a fine view of Missionary Ridge and many noted battlefields in closer prox­ imity to the tower. At the base of the tower are many beautiful and artistic monuments >''WMit '"^ to commemorate services rendered by a 7f-'-; number of different states in the great battle fought here Sept. 19th and 20th, 1863. Among the finest is the Minnesota, Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. The Ohio people have been very lenient in the distri­ bution of their monuments and there are WHi (X:?) .-)1843 more representing that state than all the other states combined. The Michigan mon­ Soldiers of the Fourth Wisconsin preparing to ship out. ument is to the honor ofthe 11th Infantry. We visited Snodgrass House, a typical south­ in mud, our trousers, shoes, hats and stock­ ern log-cabin, but at present uninhabited, ings were soaking wet, and we sat on our and viewed the interior and exterior A knapsacks and went to sleep for the night. guard has been placed here to keep visitors Our rest was very poor and you could hear from running away with the entire house, the soldiers on all sides groaning, cough­ which they are trying to carry away as sou- ing, swearing, and all wishing for their old veniers. At the very base of the tower on homes in Wisconsin. Our tents were moved Snod Grass Hill are seven graves, the last while I was on duty at Chickamauga, and resting place of the Snodgrass family, who what little straw we had spread on the were all killed while trying to escape from ground was burned and since then we have their log-cabin on the day the battle was slept on the bare ground, but it was impos­ fought here. Not a monument marks their sible for us to make our beds in the mud to­ resting place, but instead a picket fence en­ night. . . . closes one grave and a few rough stones cover the graves of the others. Monday, July 4th, 1898 Shortly after we had started for camp, CHICKAMAUGA PARK, GEORGIA the rain again commenced, and it poured No morning drill, as all were preparing and poured, and we made our way to our and packing up to move. Our tent all quarters covered with our government rub­ joined in doing otir washing and had all ber blankets, looking like drownded rats, our clothes clean to leave with. The order with water over ankle deep, wet breeches, to leave here is reported to be for seventy hats and stockings. Our entire camp is men from each company and there is con­ flooded and it is pouring as hard as ever at siderable rivalry to see who are the chosen 5:30 o'clock. At 9:15 when taps was sounded men. . . . We were all packed up early in the it was still raining, our tent was ankle deep evening awaiting orders to move at 3 A.M..

251 WISCONSIN MAC;.'\ZINE OF HISrORY SUMMER, 1998

July 5th, going from here to Charleston, deuces. We returned to our camps at 5:30 South Carolina, but about 8 P.M. an order and took part in regimental parade, which came notifying us that we would not move was held on a fine boulevard called the bat­ for the present. There was no afternoon tery, adjoining a handsome park facing the drill or evening parade, as all were busy in ocean. Seen one ofthe boats captured from packing up to move. All the companies Spain, which is in port here being remod­ were disgusted with the way we are deceived eled to be tised in the American navy. in getting orders. This is the third time we There are two boats here which were cap­ have packed up and torn down to be pre­ tured. The population of South Carolina is pared to move. It was a dismal way of cele­ about one-half white and the other half col­ brating the Glorious Fourth ofJuly . Four of ored from appearance. We received word our men who went to Chattanooga Satur­ this afternoon that we may have to remain day and yesterday have not returned yet. here a week to await transports, or we may They are probably celebrating. . . . go at any time. . . .

Thursday, July 7lh, 1898 Eriday, July 15 th, 1898 CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA We traveled all night and arrived at Battalion drill on Marion square in the Charleston, S. C. at 5 A.M. . . . After we had forenoon. Company drill in the afternoon everything fairly arranged we went in and evening parade on the battery. The bathing off from the wharf in the rear of weather is very warm and the men suffer the store-house we were quartered in. It was greatly in the drills. It appears that our the first time I had ever seen or bathed in drilling is mostly for show rather than for the ocean. After taking our bath, or at 3:30 active military training. It may be to give o'clock we took a strole about the city view­ some of our tin-horn display officers a ing the different points of interest. Among chance to get a write-up in the city papers. the places we seen to-day were the new and If some of the officers spent one-half the old post-office buildings, the city market, tiiue they spend in looking for cheap glory the citadel'"—surmounted with a statue of in looking to the care and welfare of their Calhoun," located in Marion square park, men and in seeing that they got good and the military school of South Carolina— wholesome rations, it would be far better called the West Point of the south, the city for the government and the troops. police station, where two colored drunken women were arrested while we were there, Saturday, July 16th, 1898 the Fenian hall. We also viewed many beau­ CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA tiful churches ancl were surprised to see Revilee was sounded at 4:30 this morning cemeteries around each church, right in and we had a very scant breakfast, packed the heart of the city. This place is very neat our supplies and fell in with our regiment for a Southern city—that is what we have and assembled with our brigade—the 3rd seen thus far, only the streets are of several W^isconsin and the 16th Pennsylvania at different widths. The buildings are not Marion square, and were given a forced built on a line but project out almost any march of six miles out into the country and everywhere. The streets are all good from our place of assembly. The tempera­ and there are many beautiful and odd resi- ture was over 100 degrees in the shade and our route was over cobble-stone streets to the city limits. The men were clad in heavy '" The Citadel is a state-funded militar}' college in woolen clothing and carried our haversacks, Charleston, founded in 1842. canteens, ponchos, and shelter-tents. Itwas "John C. Calhoun (1782-1850), U.S. senator and presidential candidate from South (Carolina. the most brutal occurrance which I have vet

252 ADAMS: RAE WEAVER S JOURNAL observed in the army. The three regiments rain came down in torrents, accompanied have been living for ten days on travel ra­ by a hazy mist, which completely flooded tions and have been compelled to do extra our quarters, which were on the upper heavy field work. Hundreds of men who al­ deck. The storm lasted but a few moments ways take great pride in their drilling and and after it cleared away a boat was discov­ marching, were compelled to leave the ered in the distance to the right of the ranks, overcome through weakness. All told transport carrying the 3rd Wisconsin regi­ there were 160 men taken to the city hospi­ ment and the one we were on. It caused tals and cared for in the regimental hospi­ considerable amusement for a time and tals on account of this inhuman march. various rumors were started about Spanish Some were seriously ill, while others were gun-boats, etc. It disappeared from view af­ only overcome by weakness. We left our ter about one ht^ur's run, going in a more quarters at 6:30 and returned at 11:30 A.M. southernly direction than our boat. About The entire march was about 13 miles. There 2 P.M. one of our engines gave out and we was no drill in the afternoon owing to the only made about 7 knots an hour, instead terrible condition ofthe men, but parade of 12 knots as we had been doing up to the was held in the evening, as usual. I did not time of the accident. About 5:30 P.M. a go all the way through the march but fell large ocean liner passed us on the left, go­ out and journeyed back to camp slowly af­ ing toward America. Our engine was re­ ter the regiments. The sides ofthe road was paired about 7 P.M. and we continued our fairly lined with men, some of them suffer­ journey in haste, trying to make up for the ing greatly. . . . delay. All of Co. Kwere still enjoying good health at the hour of retiring. Wednesday, July 20th, 1898 CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA Saturday, July 23rd, 1898 Arose at revillee as usual and all com­ AT SEA menced at once to pack up to take the Shortly after 11 o'clock last night we had transport. La Grande Duchess. The entire a heaw rain storm and our blankets and day was spent in loading, and at 5:35 P.M. clothing were wringing wet. I was corporal we marched on board. At exactly 7 P.M. we ofthe guard today and am enjoying the nov­ pulled anchor and started on our voyage elty of filling the position on board of a amid one of the most hearty farewells that transport. The morning opened clear and could be given by the good people of bright but rain clouds were gathering in the Charleston. We passed Fort Sumpter at sky all forenoon. The sea is very calm how­ 7:50.^^ The 3rd Wisconsin regiment started ever, but the captain is very anxious about the same time we did, they leaving on the the weather, as this is the season of hurri­ Obdam, transport Ncj. 30. We anchored in canes and ferocious storms in this climate. Charleston Harbor for the night, a short Frankjillson and George Edgerton are quite distance from Fort Sumpter . . . sick and have gone into the hospital, which is on the hurricane deck, at the rear end of Friday, July 22nd, 1898 the boat. Q. M.''^ Serge Miller is also very AT SEA sick but manages to keep around. Our ra­ The day opened clear and bright with a tions since we have been at sea are some­ mild sea. We all slept well, but were crowded thing terrible. The canned beef issued to us like sardines in a box. About 9 A.M. we ex­ is very poor It is making all the men sick. . . . perienced our first rain storm at sea. The '•^ Q.M. stands for Quartermaster, signifying the '- Fort Simiter was the site of the opening en­ branch ofthe army in charge of supplies and trans­ gagement of the Civil War in 1861. port.

253 will (X:!) 31S3 .Second Wisconsin infantry on board ship in the Caribbean Sea, en route to war.

Monday, July 25Ih, 1898 for them. We arose with the break of dav J AT SEA and prepared for our trip to Ponce. Our Retired early last night and slept well transport started on the trip down the coast until awakened about 4:30 A.M. by a heavy and we arrived there about 6 A.M., the rain storm and a heavy rolling sea. About other two regiments in our brigade having one-half of Co. K are seasick and of the preceeded us. In leaving our boat to take 1,500 men on board our transport, all are part in the battle we carried our shelter about exhausted with hunger The coffee tents, ponchos, canteens—filled with con­ is like lye, the meat spoiled and the canned densed ship water, haversacks—filled with to-matoes cannot be cooked and there is no hardtack, our guns, belts, bayonets, and 90 seasoning to put on them. There are 40 pa­ rounds of ammunition for each man. We tients in the hospital on board, said to be commenced to go to shore at 9:30 A.M., the suffering with typhoid fever. The sea was men all looking weak and exhausted from very rough during the entire day. About hunger. Just a few moments before we went 5:30 P.M. land was sighted. When the dis­ down into the lighters [a small sailing covery was made, the Obdam was about one craft], orders were received that we were mile ahead of our boat. We drifted about all also to carry our knapsacks with all our evening waiting to discover our convoy. . . . worldly possessions with us, making from 60 to 75 pounds for each man to carry. The Thursday, July 28th, 1898 regiment were all day getting to shore—our AT SEA company reaching land at exactly 3 P.M. Our rest was badly broken all night by After landing we remained a short time un­ the unloading of the horses and the feed der a pretty shed near the shore, when we

254 Bormay & Co., Engravers, N.Y. The island of Puerto Rico in 1901, after U.S. victory. From the book. The Spanish-American War, xuritten by Russell A. Alger, who served as War Secretary during the conflict. marched down the beach in the rear of boat. The first death occurred to-night some storage buildings, where we remained while our boat was lying in port, Ethan about one hour. While here I gathered up Allen, of Waupun, a member of Co. D, died. some very pretty shells from the sea-shore. He had no fever or disease and the proba­ We then marched into a small side street ble cause of his death was being so poorly near the coast after which we fell into line fed on our trip. The city of Ponce is really with our regiment and brigade and marched one of the most beautiful cities I have through Ponce. The city surrendered to ever seen. The population is estimated at our troops at 5 P.M., the evening before our 43,000. The buildings are all very fine, the arrival. This was demanded by our war ves­ streets nicely paved, good walks, a most sels and we were put into the city as an army beautiful public park, electric lights and of occupation. grand foliage trees, such as are only seen in We marched through the city amid cheers the tropics—which are as superb as the eye of Viva la Americano, Viva la Puerto Rico, ofthe most artistic artist in the world could and the hearty goc^d will of the resident paint and which are almost tc^o fine for de­ population. We then went to quarters on the scription. The blossom of the tree of the limits of the city where we finally laid down bread of St. John is brilliant red and with for the night at precisely 10 o'clock. Our the leaves of a dark green makes a sight guns laid at our side, with mother earth as never to be forgotten. The coconut tree, our beds and the canopy of heaven as our the coffee tree, banana tree, palms of all de­ covering. Our supper consisted of nothing scriptions, cactus, ferns, ornamental grasses but the fearful rations we had been given on and beautiful flowering shrubs, grow wild board ship. Theie was not a death on board in abundance, and the effect is wonderful our transport during the voyage, although to the eye, who has never had the chance 40 men were treated in the hospital on the to see them grown only in northern green-

255 WISCONSIN MAC;AZINE OF HISTORY SUMMER, 1998 houses. Ponce is said to be the most enter­ port News, America, with sick patients from prising and progressive city in Puerto Rico. our brigade. George Edgerton is among Her people are of Spanish and native de­ those to be sent back. Three of these Span­ scent, and their color ranges from white to ish boats were captured when the city of a dark black, or the same as the negro in Ponce was taken. A member of Co. B got America. The resident population have a beastly drunk to-day and shot twice at one dialect of their own—Spanish, but differ­ of the sentinels on duty in the regimental ently spoken. guard and he is lying in the guard house to­ night awaiting a court martial. The native Friday, July 29th, 1898 [liquor] is sold very cheap and is very in­ PONCE, PUERTO RICO toxicating. We arose at daylight, our clothes all wet with heavy dew that falls in this climate Sunday, July 31 st, 1898 nights, and ate our rations that we had PONCE, PUERTO RICO brought with us. After we had eaten we The company were all up at day-light moved our location to an adjoining field af­ and preparing our tents and getting every­ ter a shower of an hour's duration, which thing packed up snug and our guns we seen coming and hastily put up our shel­ cleaned and ammunition ready for our first ter tents. All day was spent by the boys in outpost duty. We left our camp at 8 A.M. cooking and greeting Puerto Ricans, who and were put on post about one mile west visited our camp to sell fruit, cigars and of quarters, our line running thence about rum. Late in the afternoon six Spanish 900 yards north covering very good ground spies were captured by the 16th Pennsylva­ for observation. Each squad was posted nia, who were on outpost duty. We enjoyed about 100 yards apart and consisted of 4 a good night's rest, the first one in our shel­ men each, taking 9 squads to cover the ter tents, although we had quite a rain in ground and 4 men were used as a detail to the early evening. convey prisoners to the reserve. This took 40 men. The remainder of Co. Kwere used Saturday, July 3Oth, 1898 as reserve to answer all calls from the PONCE, PUERTO RICO squads on duty and also to repulse the en­ The day opened bright, clear and not ex­ emy if attacked, until word could be sent to tra warm. We all fell in line with guns, belts, the main camp. We captured a large num­ ammunition, canteens, and ponchos ready ber of prisoners, some 20 in all, but all were to meet the enemy at any moment, and discharged, as they nearly all claimed to be took all our dirty clothing and marched friendly and that they were going to Ponce about half a mile to a creek to take a bath to register and put themselves under and do our washing. The creek was clear, American protection. The first two men we cool, and about one foot to eighteen inches caught had 2 pack horses, 40 rounds of am­ deep and was fresh spring water, and is munition, a dirk knife, and a complete out­ where we have been getting our drinking fit for a private in the Spanish army. This water. We all felt very refreshed after our outfit consisted of 2 serge uniforms, 1 iT)und bath and returned to camp where we hung cap, 2 white shirts, 2 white collars, 2 suits of our clothes out to dry and they were dried fine white silk underwear, 1 towel and a in a very few moments. The remainder of number of small toilet articles, I blanket, the day we laid around camp with 24 hours and 1 ponchcj. Our outpost duty was with­ rations packed, and ready to move at a mo­ out any noticeable incident, although we ment's notice. Albert Fox and August Suck were on the alert all night and heard con­ were detailed to take Spanish boats to New­ siderable firing in ambush.

256 1 xit r e 17 i

J-flf* •> a. WHi (X.^) fi02:i WTiile Rae Weaver and his comrades .spent August campaigning in Puerto Rico, other U.S. soldiers, like these men of the Thirteenth Minnesota, fought half a world away in the Philippines.

Monday, August Isl, 1898 Tuesday, August 2nd, 1898 PONCE, PUERTO RICO PONCE, PUERTO RICO Our company returned to camp about At 7 A.M. we fell in and went on outpost 9 A.M. after being relieved from outpost duty occupying the same position we did duty and after being served with beans, the first day. I had charge of Post 1, on the hardtack and coffee, the company gath­ outer guard instead of in the reserve, as the ered up their dirty clothing and fell in line, first day. Solon Davison, Ed. Zieske and under arms, to go to the creek to wash, and Harry Hampton were on post with me, and take a bath. Henry Kraeger was given a we fared very well during the day. We were ducking with all his clothes on as he would stationed on both sides of one of the main not bathe with the rest of the company. roads leading into the city of Ponce and Our rations are again very good. The 6th hundreds of marketmen travel along this Massachusetts and 6th Illinois regiments thoroughfare going to and from this place came into camp near us today, marching to do their trading, and sell their produce, here from Port Gaunica, a distance of 26 milk, fruit, etc. We made all sorts of trades miles, making the march in three days. with them, giving them hardtack for milk, They were well received all along their bread, candy, mangolds, dried salt fish, co­ journey by the native population and did conuts, cigars, and cigarettes. Flour here re­ not meet any Spanish for an encounter on tails for $24.00 a barrel at present, in U.S. the route. coin, and the natives are very anxious to

257 WISCONSIN MAC.A.ZINE OF HISTORY SUMMER. 1998 trade for anything that looks like bread- stuffs. We were relieved at 4 P.M. by a com­ pany from the 6th Illinois infantry and returned to camp. The first mail from Amer­ ica arrived today and it made the boys very happy to receive word from home. The lat­ est dates were the Milwaukee Sentinel, of July 23rd. There was a cold-blooded murder committed near my outpost this afternoon, when Private La Duke, of Co. I, of our reg- iment, shot and killed a man from a provi­ sional regular regiment. The affair was most brutal and started over two little chickens, which had been bought or stolen from the natives. While on duty we seen three native funerals pass our post, two infants and one a young native some 14 to 16 years of age. The bodies of the infants were beautifully dressed, their faces and hands painted to look very life like, and they were carried on the head of a young boy about 16 years of age. The little coffins were open, a little boy carrying the lid covered with flowers in the rear ofthe bearer ofthe corpse. There were WHi (X3) 30631 only the two little boys in the first funeral. One of Wisconsin's own: William R. McCaul of Tomah, In the second funeral the body was bourne Sergeant Major ofthe Third Wisconsin Infantry, the same by two little boys, but the mother pictured here in December of 1898. of the child rode on a pack-horse in the rear, and was accompanied by four lady brought from Beaver Dam with us." My friends, all nicely dressed in pretty white gun was No. 419,399. We also turned in our dresses. The remains of the older person cartridge belts, bayonets, scabbard, and am­ was carried on the heads of two young men, munition. We were then issued new Kcag- the coffin similar to those tised in America Jorgensen rifles,'-' belts, scabbards, and am­ and closed, and was accompanied by about munition. Also a new bayonet which greatly a dozen men to relieve the bearers in car­ resembles a heavy butcher knife. Many of rying the dead. The women here do not the boys felt very sorry to part with their old wear hats of any kind, and if anything at all rifles, having taken great care of them and is worn, it is a fancy towel, white cloth or come to regard them as their personal handkerchief. The evening was a clear property. The number of my new gun is moonlight night until time for retiring, 97,000. Mike Harti's knapsack took fire when the rain fairly poured down, wetting from a lighted candle in his tent last night our beds and tents in fearful shape. . . . while we were on outpost duty and three

Saturday, August 6th, 1898 ''* The .4.5-calibre Springfield rifle was the stan­ PONCE, PUERTO RICO dard-issue weapon for volunteer forces at the onset We were relieved on outpost dut)' at 8 A.M. of the Spanish-American Wan '' The .30-calibre &ag-Jorgensen rifle was a more and returned to quarters where we were modern weapon issued to Regular Army units. Some served with morning rations after which we \'olunteers also received these rifles over the course turned in our old Springfield lifles that we of 1898.

258 ADAMS: RAE WEAVER S JOURNAL

[rifle] shells exploded from the heat ofthe company. I had charge ofthe first relief and sack and its contents burning. No one was had the honor of establishing the posts injured but considerable excitement was around our new camp. The guard detail, al­ caused by the accident. though nearly famished for food, were un­ able to get anything to eat until 9 P.M. Ow­ Sunday, August 7th, 1898 ing to the late hour in getting the guard PoNCE, PUERTO RICO together itwas impossible to put up a guard Broke camp and had our grounds policed tent and we laid out in the open air all at 9 A.M. Were loaded up and started on our night. . . . first march toward San Juan at 12 P.M. We had our rifles, 100 rounds of ammunition, Tuesday, August 9th, 1898 shelter tents, ponchos, canteens filled with 20 MILES FROM PoNCE ON water, and haversacks filled with hardtack. ROAD TO SAN JUAN We laid on the ground for three hours in a At 3 A.M., or nearly three hours before roasting sun from the time we got packed daylight, our entire brigade were quietly up until we started on the march. We trav­ awakened and all were at once hustling and eled over the noted military road from preparing for our first battle. Our morning Ponce to San Juan. This road is said to be mess consisted of one-half cup of coffee, one ofthe finest roads in the world consid­ one spoon full of beans and four hardtack. ering its length, and was built by convict la­ Our day's rations consisted of 8 hardtack, bor, and at a very heavy tax to the popula­ one can of tomatoes, and one can of corn- tion, for the road was built under Spanish beef'^^ for each eight men. We left camp for officers, who acted as constructors and drew the field of action shortly after 6 A.M., and enormous salaries. All the creeks, except­ cautiously marched around the back of the ing four, were bridged with stone bridges two large mountains to the position as­ and one with an iron and wooden bridge. signed us in battle, a little over a mile from These four creeks we forded, taking off our our camp. At precisely 7 A.M. the artillery leggins, shoes and stockings, and rolling up opened fire upon a blockhouse in the dis­ our trousers as far as we could to cross. Our tance where the Spanish were located. The march was from 10 to 12 miles, passing fire was answered with a charge from their two small villages and two small cities on rifles. It took but a very few shots from our the route—Juana Diaz and Wonorea. The batteries before the blockhouse was shat­ largest city passed was Wonorea, a typical tered and in flames, and the Spaniards little city of this country, with a population were fleeing toward Coamo. The following of 6,000. Everything surrendered as soon as is a sketch of our positions, etc. [Editor's our troops arrived and the stars and stripes note: sketch on following page.] were proudly floating over these places As soon as the Spanish commenced to when we left, with a military guard from retreat all our troops commenced to close our ranks stationed at each place. We ar­ in upon them from all sides until they were rived at the place where our camp was es­ finally run down by the 16th Pennsylvania tablished at 6 P.M., the boys in very good about one fourth of a mile east of Coamo. condition, but several with badly blistered Here the real work of fighting was done, feet. The march was very hot, with only our and the final charge was made. The Span­ four short rests. ish surrendered after a fierce fight, leaving Company K went on outpost duty im­ five men dead on the road, ten men seri­ mediately after evening mess, but I was de­ ously and fatally wounded and a large num- tailed as corporal of the regimental guard with Otto Marquardt, George Laux, and "' Corned beef, a pickled meat common in irtili- Tom Maroney as the guard detail from our tary rations.

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A jmrtion of Rae Weaver's journal, describing the action on the road to Sanfuan, brings the daily experience of fool soldiers into focus. ber slightly hurt by being shot in the limbs, mules were buried by details from our making only flesh wounds. Our troops did troops. In our chase through the moun­ not lose a man, but had two men danger­ tains and ravines after the Spanish we had ously shot—one through the lungs and one to ford two streams and our shoes, stock­ in the groin, while five men were shot in ings, leggins, and trousers were soaking the limbs, but their injuries were only wet, until we rested in a field near where slight. Of the five Spaniards killed, four the final battle was fought and where we es­ were officers and one a private. The colonel, tablished our camp. or commandant, of the Spaniards was The roads around (]oamo were en­ among the killed. His body, when found, trenched with ditches and breastworks were had been pierced by eleven bullets, five in made of bags filled with earth and iron wa­ the face and the remainder in the chest ter main pipes. One ofthe bridges between and stomach. His brains were all over the our camp of yesterday and the battlefield road where he fell. Six horses and one mule was blown up and our wagon trains had to were also killed that belonged to the Span­ travel a long distance to reach us, having to ish. We captured 168 prisoners at the con­ ford one stream eight times on the route, clusion of the charge and some 20 others and not reaching our camp until 6:30 in were captured or gave themselves up dur­ the evening. After they arrived everything ing the day. We took 175 Mausser'' and was hustle and confusion until our shelter Remmington rifles from our captives, with tents were put up, our supplies assorted their accoutrements and hundreds of thou­ and evening mess was served. All were very sands of rounds of ammunition. The killed tired and most of us went to bed with very Spaniards bodies were hauled away in oxen empty stomachs, as all we had to eat was carts and buried late in the afternc:)on by four hardtack each, one spoon full of beans, native Puerto Ricans, and the horses and and one-half cup of coffee. We all slept very good and camp was very quiet after lO P.M. It is said that some 400 Spanish troops es­ '' The Mauser was a German-made rifle used bv caped, when the final battle was raging, but the Spanish army.

260 ADAMS: RAE WEAVER S JOURNAL our cavalry gave chase, but did not capture the field and took everything away in the them.'*^ line of guns, cartridges, belts, etc. Two Ameri­ cans were killed, one seriously [injured] Wednesday, August 10th, 1898 and two slightly injured at the battle at Ai- COAMO, PUERTO RICO bonito Pass to-day.^^ The killed were mem­ We laid around camp all day resting up. bers of Co. L, of the 3rd Wisconsin regi­ A large number of Co. K fell in and went ment. It is the firing in this battle that we bathing in the forenoon. Shortly after the have heard all day. My relief on outpost was noon hour our army wagons all started for from 7 P.M. until 1 A.M. on Post 4. Itwas the Ponce to bring rations. We were very short farthest post out and was located in a nar­ on food all day and even ran out of hard­ row, lonely mountain pass. While we were tack. Some ofthe men in our company went being relieved we were shot at twice by out foraging in the afternoon. Hugh Phelps some enemy in the field adjoining us, but shot a calf and Anton Zemlo .skinned it, and no one was injured. itwas brought to camp and the meat will be cooked and served for breakfast. Three of Saturday, August 13th, 1898 the Spanish troops that were seriously COAMO, PUERTO RICO wounded in yesterday's battle died in the Company K was relieved from outpost hospital in Coamo to-day. The creek where duty at 3:30 A.M. and marched to camp in the boys go in bathing is between our camp the darkness of early morning, crossing and city of Coamo. It is spanned by a very mountains and ravines and fording one pretty iron bridge. Go to this creek any time creek to get to quarters, where we arrived during the day and you will find our troops shortly after 4 o'clock. We were relieved in bathing, while the shores are lined with from outpost to go into camp and leave for native women washing clothes. . . . battle with the regiment at 5:30 A.M. An or­ der came at 5 A.M., delaying the battle for­ Eriday, August 12th, 1898 mation. At 11 A.M. we broke camp and fell COAMO, PUERTO RICO in under arms. Marched four miles east to Arose at 3 A.M., had our morning mess the scene of the Spanish post, where we and were started to do outpost duty at 4:15, went on outpost duty. . . . Atjust dusk our or nearly two hours befoi^e daylight. We got troops were all startled by a report that the lost in the mountains and marched around Spanish cavalry were advancing and were until 6 o'clock before we found our post of near our picket. A corporal from Co. M, duty. We had 4 posts, with 3 reliefs and a re­ Second Wisconsin came running to our sta­ serve. I was in the third relief with Otto Mar­ tion halloowing "The Spanish cavalry are quardt, George Laux, and Adam Polzin in coming!" We hadjust finished our evening my squad. Shortly after 1 P.M. heavy firing mess and some were arranging our guns from the artillery was heard east of where and accoutrements, others were resting on we were stationed, and it kept up during the the ground, others reading, andjohn Nay- entire afternoon. While we were on outpost Ion, Will Sullivan, Ray Noyes and I hadjust duty, Adj't. Disch, searched all our knap­ commenced a game of sixty-six [a card sacks and their contents for souvenirs of the game]. All our men stopped everything, battle, which the men had found left upon

'^ Some 1,300 Spanish troops awaited Gen. Wil­ ^* The Battle of Ccmmo was the first major en­ son's division at Aibonito, but no major battle oc­ gagement ofthe Puerto Rico campaign. The Span­ curred there because on the afternoon of August 12, ish suffered about forty casualties, and another 167 1898, Wilson received word of a peace settlement be­ .surrendered. No Americans were killed. tween the United States and Spain.

261 WISCONSIN M.'VGAZINE OF HIS'FORY SUMMER, 1998 rushed for our guns and ammunition and cers and orderlies, all mounted, visited the placed ourselves in a good position to give Spanish camp and returned shortly after­ our Spanish brethern a hot time, but it ward. Shortly after dinner the Spanish offi­ proved to be six Spanish officers and six or­ cers again came to our picket line, under a derlies, all mounted, who had approached flag of truce and communicated with offi­ our lines under a flag of truce, with an im­ cers from Gen. Wilson's headquarters. Our portant communication for Gen. Miles.^" company did nothing but lay around all After we had recovered from our alarm we day, ready to fight at a moment's notice. spent the entire evening in laughing and Only a few men were excused at a time to rehearsing the different positions attained do fatigue work or go for water Our battal- by our brave men in loading and preparing lion killed four beeves today that had been for this reception. At 12:30 A.M. they passed captured and all had a large quantity of our outpost returning to their camp, which fresh meat. In addition to the meat one box is in plain sight of our present location. It is of hardtack and some coffee were sent to a splendidly fortified mountain peak, and us for rations. Received the [Beaver Dam] by going by road is six miles from us, but up Argus and [the Dodge County] Citizen of the mountain side is probably one and a dates, July 21st and 28th this evening, and half to two miles opposite of us. When the all were more than pleased to read them or Spaniards were returning to their camp hear the news from home.^- all our men hid so that they could not tell what strength we had with us, or our exact Monday, August 15lh, 1898 location. AIBONITO PASS, PUERTO RICO Long before daylight we were all awake Sunday, August 14th, 1898 and had a terrible night's rest lying on the AIBONITO PASS, PUERTO RICO ground or on the hard road-bed. Cooked At daylight all the boys went to hustling coffee and ate hardtack for our morning in cooking coffee and the rations we car­ meal at 8:40 A.M. Gen. Wilson, five other of­ ried with us, and after morning mess some ficers and two orderlies went into Spanish of our men killed a young beef that had camp. I went on picket duty at 8:30 at the been caught foraging and it was cooked for nearest post to the Spanish forces and had our dinner. Went in a foraging party to charge ofthe first picket men from Co. Kon some houses that had been deserted by na­ duty here. My relief was one corporal—my­ tives during the battle on these grounds Fri­ self—and three privates, Ferdinand Dahl, day, and got considerable tobacco, the only William Sullivan, and William Plagemann. thing left on the premises by the owners. Our time was two hours on and six hours off, They left two goats and one kid and we with four details in the picket. At 2:30 P.M. milked the goats. I also found some sou­ Capt. Zink, Ben. Bogardus, and I, and three venirs—a little pitcher, some nails, native men from Co. I, went to the Spanish camp dishes, a small wooden-box, etc. George under a flag of truce, to pay them a friendly Laux and I gathered up a coffee-sack and a visit. When we approached their picket line large tin pail full of good leaf tobacco we were met by three officers and two or­ which we took and divided between the derlies. We laid down our arms and were re­ company, giving each man a hat full. About ceived with a very cordial reception. We ex- 10 .A,.M. Gen. Wilson-^ and some other offi-

commander ofthe First Division ofthe expeditionary 2" Gen. Nelson Appleton Miles (1839-1923), force. commander of American ground forces in Puertt) -- Both newspapers had employed Weaver as a Rico. compositor at different times, pineau Independent, -' Gen. James Hanison Wilson (1837-1925), June 11, 1943.

262 ADAMS: RAE WEAVER S JOURNAI

changed a few trinkets and after a short rest left for camp with a kind adieu, after being treated to cigars. Returned to camp at 4:25, «*?' in time to go on picket again. Our dinner and supper consisted of nothing but hard­ tack or bread and coffee. . . .

Saturday, August 20th, 1898 COAMO, PUERTO RICO At revillee our company were all up as usual, it being ordered the previous evening that they were to do outpost duty west of camp and to go to their post at 7:30 A.M. . . . In the morning when we were marching to our post of duty. Gen. Miles and staff, the division, brigade, and regimental officers were at our division headquarters, where they raised the stars and stripes, it being re­ ported that this flag raising was the official turning over ofthe island of Puerto Rico to the United States. Twenty-one guns were fired during the ceremony by the regular artillery, while patriotic airs were played by the 2nd and 3rd Wisconsin regimental bands. Miss Wannamaker and Gen. Miles' step-daughter were present and viewed the The Third Wisconsin Infantry, like Rae Weaver and ceremony, singing America as the stars and his comrades, marched through the streets of Coamo, stripes were raised. It rained terrible during Puerto Rico. The drawing is based on a photograph the afternoon and it made our outpost duty taken by Richard Harding Davis, author of very bad, and we were soaking wet and The Cuban and Porto Rican Campaigns. muddy all night in performing our work. The company rested about camp all day. the statuary, tapestry, decorations and altar linen and laces being simply grand. A large, Sunday, August 21st, 1898 fleshy priest celebrated mass. The singing COAMO, PUERTO RICO was by a male choir accompanied by a fine At 8:45 A.M. our details were relieved pipe-organ player. from outpost duty and we hustled to camp After church was out Dave Sullivan, Ray to prepare to attend church at Coamo. Noyes, Adam Polzin, and I went to visit the As many as there were who wished were Spanish hospital and the little chapel ad­ granted passes to go to divine services joining. The chapel is built similar to the which were at nine o'clock and those on first church attended and is very substantial picket duty had to hustle tojoin the other and pretty although not near as large. A members who had departed for the city queer set of chime-bells are in the first about an hour before. The church was a church and not a pew is in the church. massive structure of stone, arched with Only a lot of very small cane-seated chairs huge arches of stone and a floor of marble, about 12 inches high, are in the edifice and laid in diamond pattern, about 12 X 12 appear to be owned by individual members inches, of white and black marble, the al­ ofthe congregation, who also take all kinds tars were also massive and very beautiful. of pretty rugs to spread upon the marble

263 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SUMMER, 1998 flooring to kneel on. In the hospital we Eriday, August 26lh, 1898 viewed, shook hands, and tried to cheer up CoAMO, PUERTO RICO all the wounded patients as best we could, All were up and hustling as soon as re­ as we could neither speak to make the villee sounded. We were served canned other understand and they all gave us a salmon, bread and coffee for morning very cordial greeting. They showed us all mess. This is the first issue of fish we had their wounds which were inflicted in the during our service, thus far We were all battle with our troops on Aug. Oth, and it is packed up at 9 A.M. and rejoiced in our marvelous to see how many are still living. work as we were to start on our march to One was shot four times through the body, Ponce, a distance from our camp of 27 two balls through each lung; another shot miles. We broke camp at 10 o'clock and directly under the heart, the ball first pass­ were served with a light noon mess, con­ ing through his arm midway between the sisting of one spoon full of salmon, hard­ wrist and elbow; another had an arm am­ tack, and coffee at 11 o'clock. From 11 until putated by shot; another two fingers of his 1 o'clock we laid around and it commenced left hand—the second and third, and still to rain terrible, which it continued the en­ another who had two balls pass directly tire afternoon. At just one o'clock our reg­ through his stomach coming out of his iment left camp, all with happy counte­ back. Several others were suffering with nances and light hearts at the thought of flesh wounds in the limbs, but which were starting on our march toward home. All the not considered dangerous. A little boy of afternoon we trudged along, wet through ten years and an old man of some seventy- and through and at 6:45 P.M. we reached five or eighty years, were also among the pa­ the city of Juana Diaz, a distance of 20 miles tients, having been injured by stray bullets from our camp, where we rested for the during the battle. After leaving the hospital night. We made some hot coffee which we we met Eugene Hood and visited a number ate with our hardtack and then went to of the stores and also walked about the city sleep in a large brick and stone building to see the sights. Although itwas Sunday, all some three blocks away from where our the stores were open and business was hus­ wagons were located. We laid down c:)n the tling in great shape, both to supply the sol­ floors ofthe second story ofthe building in diers and native customers. our wet clothes and put in a miserable night. A number of the boys undertook to After a walk about the city, Hood, Sulli­ paint the town and got a little tanglefoot van, Noyes, and myself visited a cafe, where with native rum. Company K were given we supped two bottles of wine, had some $29.65 out ofthe canteen profits, yet undi­ cigars and coffee, and then returned to vided and the money was changed into camp, reaching there at 12:30 P.M. The pa­ Spanish coin, and each man now on the is­ tients in the hospital are attended by sisters, land belonging to the company, 94 in all, who are very attentive and diligent in their were given 50 cents each. Spanish coin care. When we arrived off the coast of was rated at $1.75 for $1.00 in American Puerto Rico all the sick on our transports money. Just after our arrival at Juana Diaz, were taken to a hospital boat to be returned Co. L, of Ashland were notified of the to the United States. George Edgerton of death of Senator John Kingston, a corporal Co. K, was the only member of our com­ in their company.-'^ His death occurred at pany who was sick and returned, but the the brigade hospital near our camp at sad news was received in camp today that Coamo, and his remains were interred he died on the voyage home on Aug. 6th, and was buried at sea. The company laid around camp all afternoon reading mail re­ -•'John T. Kingston (1860-1898), a prominent ceived from America. . . . Ashland attornev and a state senatoi; 1891-1894.

264 ADAMS: RAE WEAVER S JOURNAL there by members of the 3rd Wisconsin In­ fantry, who are still in camp there, with the 16th Pennsylvania. . . .

Saturday, August 27th, 1898 JUANA DIAZ, PUERTO RICO Our company arose at 5 A.M. and all went over to where our wagons were located and where we were served with morning mess consisting of one spoonful of boiled beans, coffee, and hardtack. At 8 A.M. we again started on our march toward Ponce, ford­ ing four streams on our way. The water was from knee-deep up to our waists and our trousers, leggins, shoes, and stockings were dripping with water from the time we waded through the first stream until we reached our destination, which was at 11:30 A.M. In addition to this three or four heavy rain storms passed over us, on the march. Our army wagons followed us but the streams had swollen so, they could not reach our camp and we had no dinner or supper. At night we borrowed some 7x7 tents from some of the Second battalion spread them on the ground, crawled into them, eight men in each, and put in a wretched night, lying in the dampness trying to sleep. Our camp was established near Ponce on the ground occupied by the 3rd Wisconsin upon our first landing here, and adjoins the field of our old camp ground. August Suck and Albert Fox returned from Amer­ ica where they were on detached service. They left here on Aug. 1st on the hospital transport Lampasas, with 104 sick patients on board, 9 died upon the voyage, of whom our comrade George Edgerton was one. . . . WHi (X:?) 31836 Colors ofthe Second Wisconsin Infantry, mustered into the Monday, August 29th, 1898 U.S. Army (from the National Guard) on May 12, 1898. PONCE, PUERTO RICO We were up earlier than usual this morn­ ing, as we had orders to be packed up and back to America. We made the march to ready to leave camp at 6 A.M., and after hav­ the wharf landing at 8 A.M., taking a slow ing morning mess and packing up all our easy gait, after some 15 to 30 minutes we belongings, we left camp at the appointed were put in a lighter and pushed out from hour, going to the Port of Ponce, with Co. shore by some natives, with long poles. C of Sheboygan, to assist in loading and to They pushed the lighter out as far as their guard the transport that was to convey us poles would reach and after waiting about

265 WISCONSIN M.AGAZINE OF HISTORY SUMMER, 1998 one hour a tug came and towed us to the heavy sea was rolling, and a bad storm raged transport Obdam, No. 30, we reaching the for a time, rocking the Obdam in terrible boat atjust 10 o'clock. During the after­ shape. We all spend a miserable night in our noon and evening our company did fatigue terrible quarters. The rations issued to us and guard work, while lighters and boats since we came on board the Obdam are a were unloading provisions and loading sup­ wonderful improvement over what have plies, guns, and ammunition. At 7 o'clock been given to us, since coming to Puerto a detail of 15 men from Go's K and C were Rico. The hardtack now is in small paste­ assigned to relieve natives in the whole of board boxes, and resembles small square the boat, to help in unloading. It was a ter­ oyster crackers. . . . rible, warm, offensive place to work in, but the men hustled and at 9:15 o'clock they Wednesday, September 7th, 1898 had finished the part assigned them. The ON THE ERIE RAILROAD, ENROUTE boys were promised a \varm lunch when Passed Sandy Hook at 2 A.M. and an­ they had finished their work, but when they chored in New York harbor at 5:30. At 8:30 applied for it, they never got a pleasant we pulled anchor and started for the pier of look. During the remainder of the night the Erie railroad. We passed the statue of there was all kinds of noise, while the men liberty in the harbor at 8:30, and reached were at work and very few of those on the pier where we disembarked at 12:30 P.M. board slept. We went directly from the transport to the cars. The nine companies and the officers Tuesday, August 30th, 1898 were quartered in a train of three sections. ON BOARD THE OBDAM, PONCE HARBOR It took the entire afternoon to unload the Company Kwere still doing hard work in rations from the boat and re-load them loading and unloading No. 30. I was as­ upon the different trains. Co. K left in the signed on guard dutv, having charge of the third section at 6:30 P.M. The Erie docks are first relief. . . . The boys worked in reliefs, at Weehawken, Newjersey, across the har­ both day and night, and were compelled to bor from New York City. We went speeding suffer greatly with the heat while on duty. along until midnight when we reached Port We were given ice water on the boat to-day. Jervis, 88 miles from New York. We had This is the first ice we have ever seen since quite a farewell at Weehawken, N. J., and leaving America. were given a great quantity of food to eat. Four young ladies came into the car and Thursday, September 1, 1898 kissed all the boys. . . . ON BOARD THE OBDAM, PONCE HARBOR . . . We pulled anchor and started on our Thursday, November 17th, 1898 return trip to America at 2:15 P.M. amid the BEAVER DAM, WISCONSIN whistling of all the boats in the harbor at The final muster out of Company K, oc­ Ponce. We started for America with 96 men, curred at the Git)' Hall in the cit)' of Beaver leaving Chas. Broese, August Kittman, Paul Dam to-day. The company were ordered to Draheim, andjohn Messer behind, all very meet at the armory at 7 A.M.; at 9:30, they sick. We started directly west after leaving marched to the front of the William's Free Ponce and passed up the west coast of Library, where they had their picture taken; Puerto Rico, going almost directly north be­ at 10:17, the mustering-out officer, the pay­ tween that island and Hayti. After a few master and medical examiner arrived from hours' run, our course was a little to the west Manitowoc. The boys were examined as to of north. The weather was clear, cool and their physical condition until 3:30 P.M., when beautiful, when we started, but at 10 P.M. a they were paid in full and discharged. . . .

266 Forgotten Angel: The Story of Janet Jennings and the Seneca

Byjohn Evangelist Walsh

HE died just eighty years ago, and her where she earned the title "Angel of the Sgrave—at its head only a small slab of Seneca" from the wounded men she served granite laid flat—is in a crowded corner of aboard an army hospital ship. Concerning the old cemetery in Monroe, Wisconsin. the trip on the Seneca, her obituary notice The inscription cut into the little slab, cu­ in the Monroe Evening Times adds only that riously brief and using the form of her first many of the men "felt indebted to her for name she disliked, identifies her only as having saved the sight of an eye, the loss of 'Jane Jennings, Wisct^nsin, Contract Nurse a limb, or life itself."^ U.S. Army." Her date of death is given as Gravestones and memorial plaques are December 31, 1917, but her date of birth is not expected to tell the whole truth, of ignored. Close around her are spread the course, and even obituaries and local histo­ graves of some other members of what had ries may fall short. In this case, the oversight been quite a large family: father, mother, is particularly unfortunate, since it deprives four of her eight sisters, one of her three a large-hearted woman ofher proper niche brothers, and a niece.' in American history—small by comparison, Scarcely a mile from the cemetery, the perhaps, but the stuff of high drama, and in house in which she lived still stands, a white its own day of shattering impact. frame building on Adams Street (now 22nd Janet Jennings was neither an army nurse Avenue). On the wall beside the front door nor a Red Cross nurse. She was an experi­ is a small bronze plaque which announces enced newspaper reporter, one of the horde simply, 'Janet Jennings 1860," the date in­ of correspondents that descended on Cuba dicating the year the house was built. A vol­ with the American forces in the summer of ume of local history explains that she 1898. She went there intending to report the served as a nurse with the Red Cross in conflict, not to care for its casualties. It was Cuba during the Spanish-American war, the heady rush of circumstance, during the notoriously confused campaign against the ' An unusual memorial stone in the Monroe Spanish stronghold of Santiago, that thrust cemetery lists all twelve Jennings children along with her suddenly into the role of nurse, a short­ their parents. The federal census records for 1860, lived role that rapidly propelled her into the Green County, hst only nine ofthe twelve, indicating national spotlight as well. The loving title, that by then three had died, and probably as infants. The last .survivor was Mary, who died in 1931, aged seventy-six. •^ Monroe Evening I'imes, December 31, 1917.

Copyright © 1998 John Evangeli.sl Watsh 267 All rights of reproduction in any form re,servcd. WISCC5NS1N MAOAZINE OF HISTORY SUMMER, 1 998

ROPERl,Y, the story begins on the deck Pof a small steamer, the Slate of Texas, as it steers south from Key West late injune of 1898. A Red Cross ship, the Texas was under the personal direction of Clara Barton, the organization's founder Bound for Cuba, it was carrying food and medicines for Amer­ ica's allies in the fight, the hard-pressed Cuban insurrectionists, as well as hapless hordes of displaced persons. On board was Miss Jennings, then aged fifty-six, a tall, slender woman with light gray eyes, dark hair streaked with gray, and "an eager, kindly, resolute face."^ She was there, not as a nurse, but to get round the government ban on female reporters working in the war zone. The strict prohibition barred them from even traveling to Cuba. A long-time supporter of the Red Cross, she had prevailed on Clara Barton to list her as an official member of the relief group. (Another woman reporter, Katherine WTiite New York Woiirl ofthe Chicago Record, did the same.)" But Dubbed the "Angel ofthe Seneca" by the press, reporter the arrangement was not entirely a sub­ Janet Jennings knew that the coverage of the Spanish- terfuge. Miss Jennings was mainly interested, American war in nexvspapers like the New York World not in military matters but in the human was a blend of fact and fiction. She used the press side of the conflict, and had agreed to give to publicize blunders made by the men in charge. part of her journalistic effort to filing stories on the work of the Red Ci^oss itself. To that 'Angel of the Seneca," may be forgotten extent, her status as primarily that of a Red now. But in that long-ago summer it found a Cross reporter, even where women were or­ place in newspaper headlines across the dinarily not permitted, was legitimate. country, and was known at the highest gov­ ernment levels in Washington. Penetrating the White House, it reached the reluctant York, 1901); A. B. Feuer, The Santiago Campaign of ears of President William McKinley himself 1898 (Westport, Connecticut, 1993); and Walter Mil- lis, The Martial Spirit (Cambridge, 1931). The Jen­ Sadly, despite all this public attention, the nings story itself can now be known only through weight of larger events at last sank the in­ contemporary newspapers and the report of the spiring story of Janet Jennings from sight. Dodge Commission—officially entitled Report of the A hundred years later it still cries out for Commission Appointed by the President to Investigate the telling in all its fullness.'' Conduct of the War Department in the War With Spain, Senate Document no. 221, 8 vols., 1900 (hereinafter cited as Report ofthe Commission). •' For the progress of the war in general I have ** Harper's Bazaar, August 6, 1898, p. 668. drawn on several volumes: Graham Cosmas, An '' Charles Brown, The Correspondents'War:fournal- Army For Empire: The United States Army in the Spanish- isls in the Spanish-American War (New York, 1967), 406. American War (Columbia, Missouri, 1971); Margaret Brown's fine book, which tells the whole colorful tale Leech, In the Days of McKinley (New York, 1959); of the reporters who covered the Spanish-American Joseph Wheeler, The Santiago Campaign (New York, War, itself emphasizes the curious oblivion that ovei- 1899); Russell ,Alger, 'The .Spanish-American War (New took the Jennings story, for it entirely ignores her.

268 WALSH: JANET JENNINGS AND THE SENECA

The 7ex(2,? arrived off the Cuban coast by (Female nurses at that time were not per­ June 26th. After several days of confused mitted to work in forward hospitals). Even shifting back and forth between harbors, it proper cooking equipment had not yet ar­ settled in at Siboney, the main American rived, so the prepared food—what there base located some eight miles east of Santi­ was of it—often proved unpalatable, espe­ ago. Almost immediately on going ashore cially for sick men. In the Santiago cam­ Miss Jennings found her personal plans dis­ paign, America's lack of preparation for its rupted. The army's medical installation at brave rush into war just two months before Siboney was in an emergency condition, would become painfully evident. overwhelmed by casualties and short of Responding to the emergency, Clara everything, from medicine and food to beds, Barton promptly offered the army her en­ bedding, and qualified personnel. While tire shipload of supplies. In addition, with no large-scale battles had yet been fought, the army's grateful consent, she assigned all there had been several bloody skirmishes, Red Cross personnel to duty at the hospital all resulting in serious casualties. In addi­ in Siboney and other military units. It tion there were a large number of men laid proved to be one of the war's more timely low by malaria, typhoid, and other tropical actions, for only two days later there oc­ fevers. curred the long-awaited American attack In the army's small, five-room hospital on the well-defended city of Santiago. By were several hundred patients, many with nightfall on July 1st, after an interminable bloody clothes unchanged and lying on the day of fighting in unbearable heat, the ca­ hard wooden floors, under them only a sualties began tcj arrive. layer of straw covered by canvas or blankets. Streaming back to Siboney from the front In attendance were two or three male nurses lines, carried in horse-drawn ambulances or and a steward, a woefully inadequate staff. rough wagons, hobbling by twos and threes

ESTAflLI>Hfcl> 186«

.JC~~^» jti L^ %J Ma J Central Registry for Nurses

€radu3te Nurses Furnished MRS. H. B. AZNOE to Pliysicians, Surgeons President and Families 71 EAST BOt/GLAS PLACE Anywhere in United States C n ICAC t)

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REfEttBNCES • \:i r;!t n

SHSW \isu.il M.ucinK \nhnt- Professional nurses, like those trained at Aznoe's in Chicago, gained more entry (though still limited) into the male sphere of war than other women.

269 WISCONSIN MACiAZINE OF HISTORY SUMMER, 1998 along the dusty roads, came a steady parade of twent\'-three patients, fever, measles, of shattered and bleeding men. By the time and dysentery cases, and three badly the last wounded soldier had arrived, more wounded men. Among the latter were than twelve hundred men needed care— Capt. Mills of the First Cavalry, and three or four times the anticipated total W^illiam Clark, a colored private in of casualties—and many required prompt the Twent)'-fifth Infantry Regulars . . . Their wounds were very similar—in surgery.'' Even with the help supplied by the head—and of such a character as the Red Cross, the Siboney facilities were to require cool applications to the eyes swamped. Not only Janet Jennings, but all constantly. aboard the Texas, men and women, were Ice was scarce and worth its weight pressed into emergency service. in gold, for the lives of these men as well as others depended chiefly on HOUGH not a trained nurse, like all cool applications to the eyes. We had Tthe others, Janet Jennings found her­ one small piece of ice, carefully self called on to attend patients, filling in wrapped in a blanket ... it was ap­ from moment to moment wherever she was plied by chipping in small bits, laid in thin, dry cotton cloth, folded over needed, or acting as relief for the over­ in just the right size, and flat, to worked Red Cross "sisters," as they were place across the eyes and forehead, known. For one harrowing, sleepless week enough to be cold but not heavy on the emergency continued in full force, leav­ the wounds. The ears of the sick are ing her no time to even think about report­ strangely acute. Whenever the sick ing on the hectic life swirling around her in men heard the sound of chipping ice the hospital wards and in the crowded they begged for ice water . . . but it streets of the city. was a question of saving the eyes of It was the small hours of July 8th, after the wounded men, and there was no other way. To make the ice last till she had completed a tour of night duty at morning I stealthily chipped it off so the hospital, before she was able to pen her the sick men would not hear the first dispatch from the Cuban shore, an ex­ sound. . . . clusive for the Chicago Times-Herald. After making pointed reference to the shocking sparsity of medical supplies, and telling how Captain Mills and Private Clark, she the Texas came to the rescue, she sketches adds, were wounded almost at the same an affecting scene: time and in the same way, and required the same care, "each fed like a child, for with So far everything needed has been their bandaged eyes they were as helpless found in the hold of this old ship, as blind men." Neither ofthe two uttered a which deserves to have and will have a word of complaint about their treatment, credit page in the history ofthe war in she said, neither asked for anything. At one Cuba. There were kettles, charcoal braziers and cooking utensils . . . the point Captain Mills said almost cheerfully charcoal pot burned night and day, that he thought he'd retain the sight in at gallons of gruel were made and quan­ least one eye: "the moonlight was very tities of rice cooked, until the greatest bright, a flood of silver seen only in the stress had passed. ... I went on duty tropics. Hoping to divert him, I said, 'The for twenty-four hours, at night, with moonlight is too bright, Captain. I will put the assistance of one man, taking care up a paper screen so you can get to sleep.' He realized at once the absurdity and the ludicrous side, and with an amused smile '^ Casualty totals for the second assault on Santi­ replied, 'But you know 1 can't see the moon­ ago are given as anwhere between 1,200 and 1,500, in either case much higher than expected. light.' I said it was time to get more ice for

270 WALSH: JANI:TJENNINC;S AND THE SENEGA

his head and half stumbled across the porch blinded by tears."'

ISS Jennings does not mention it, but Mthis long stretch of night-and-day nursing (which in the end proved closer to two weeks) must have brought forcibly back to her mind a similar experience she had had fully thirty-five years before, also in­ volving wounded soldiers. During the Civil War, her younger brother, Dudley, was wounded at the Battle of Chancellonsville in northern Virginia. Young as she was, with her parents' consent she left her post as a teacher in the Monroe schools and traveled alone to Washington, where Dud­ ley had been hospitalized. Kept from regu­ M i^w \ isu.ii \;,iu lar nursing duty by her youth and inexpe­ Wounded soldiers al Santiago, Cuba, 1898. rience, she still managed to tend her brother daily, anxiously watching his recov­ ton, Boston, and Chicago. Working out of ery and providing him with scarce com­ Washington, she grew to know many top forts. So well liked did she become at the government officials, even managing to meet hc^spital that when Dudley was sent home several presidents. Ulysses Grant she knew she was allowed to stay on, writing letters well, and was among the last to visit him in for the bedridden soldiers, and in general New York shortly before his death in 1885.'' providing comfort and encouragement.^ At Siboney, by mid-July, the severe short­ After the Civil War she continued to live age of ice had become a major problem, in Washington, securing a position in the particularly at the hospital. Again, the im­ Treasury Department. It was some years mediate remedy was supplied by the Red later that, still in Washington, she began Cross when Clara Barton dispatched the her career as a journalist. Though never a Texas to Jamaica, 130 miles across the "name," in time she became a much-traveled Caribbean, with Janet Jennings in charge, and well-respected newspaperwoman, con­ to purchase as much ice as the vessel would tributing to papers in New York, Washing- carry. Three days later, after calling at Kingston and Port Antonio, it returned with seventeen precious tons of ice packed ^ (Chicago Times-Herald, July 26, 1898. The story is in its hold. dalelinedjuly 8th from Siboney. A box highlights the author's link to the Seneca. While she was gone a change had oc­ ^ Local sources give the story ofher trip to Wash­ curred in the medical arrangements at Si­ ington in 186,3 to care for her brother, but offer no boney—a change dictated by military ne- evidence. Her brother, it is true, served with the Third Wisconsin Vcjlunteers, May, 1861-July, 1864 (muster roll in the Wisconsin State Archives, State •' Her acquaintance with Grant is mentioned in Historical Society ofWisconsin, Madison). In the di­ her own privately printed book. The Blue and the Gray vision's "Report of Killed and Wounded" at Chancel- (Madfson, Wiscon.sin, 1910), 169-171. It is also said lorsville, May 1-4, 186,3, Corporal Jennings is listed that she knew Abraham Lincoln, but in her own writ­ as having suffered a "severe" hip wound (original re­ ings on him there is no hint of such an acquaintance. port, Wisconsin State Archives). Eight years later Miss (See her articles in the New York Tribune, April 17, Jenirings found herself at this same brother's 1893, and the New York Independent, April 4, 1895; deathbed in Omaha (Monroe Sentinel, November 15, also a 1909 book, privately printed, Abraham Lincoln, 1871, and June 4, 1873). The Greatest American.)

271 WISCONSIN MAOAZINE OF HISTORY SUMMER, 1998 cessity that would open her own brief page over, none ofthe army's male nurses could in history. Because Santiago had not yet be detached from the hospital ashore. On fallen, more heavy fighting was in prospect, the Seneca, as well as the other dozen con­ and to make room for the expected new ca­ verted transports, the ambulatory patients, sualties, immediate evacuation ofthe worst the walking wounded, would have to assist ofthe wounded in the hospital, back to the the physicians, caring for the bedridden United States, was ordered by the com­ men as best they could. With that, Miss Jen­ manding general, William Shafter. It was a nings, unqualified as she felt herself, but hastily organized operation, for which only shocked at the picture of so many ailing a single regular hospital ship, just arrived men at sea without proper tending, impul­ in Cuba, was available, the modern, fully sively volunteered to join the vessel as its equipped Lielief Then, at the last minute, a sole nurse. The generous offer was quickly decision was made to retain the Relief \n accepted.'" Cuba to serve the expected new wounded, Next morning she had only enough at a stroke doubling Siboney's sorely tried time for a hurried return by rowboat to the medical facilities. To replace it, several of Texas to get her luggage and to inform the ordinary troop transport ships, then at Miss Barton ofthe abrupt change of plans. anchor off Siboney, were chosen to take the Again on impulse, she threw some things wounded home. For the short journey into a large sack, extra medical supplies and around the tip of Cuba then up along the some scarce lighter foods she felt luight be eastern seaboard to New York Cit)', a voyage appreciated by sick men. An hour later, of three or four days in good weather, it was with Janet Jennings on board, the Seneca assumed that these transports would serve weighed anchor. well enough. At the time it went unnoticed, but in the SMALL steamer built for the coasting anxious rush of planning this wholesale A trade, the Seneca had been rented by medical evacuation, nobody thought to or­ the army from the Ward steamship line. der an inspection ofthe transports. Nor, in One soldier who knew it as a troop carrier an incredible oversight, did anyone think later disdainfully described it as "a puny, to make sure that adequate medical and coastwise tin can turned into a troopship." other necessary stores were placed aboard. The many needed extra bunks, he recalled, The bungling was not detected, and the were nothing but wooden platforms one scene was set for disaster atop the other, four tiers high on each Miss Jennings, caught up in the increas­ deck, with flimsy mattresses of straw-filled ingly hectic effort to transfer ailing men canvas. Each of the individual bunks had from shore to ship—all of it done by re­ been built "to the exact size of a man lying peated trips in small craft—again had no flat on his back, like a coffin," the tiers so time to think about reporting. Then on the close that "we had to walk sideways." In the evening of July 13th she accompanied a ship's lower levels the outside portholes— contingent of the sick aboard one of the only three feet above the water line—had transports, called the Seneca, and with that to be closed in foul weather, shutting off all her term of service as a correspondent in ventilation. Everything movable had been Cuba was suddenly at an end, and by her stripped away, and for preparing meals the own decisive action. cramped galley had only "one large kettle." The Seneca, she was told, would be cai^- rying up to a hundred wounded and sick. '" Her decision tojoin the ship is given in her But aboard would be only two doctors, both Dodge Commission testimony (Report ofthe Commis­ of them young and inexperienced, civilians sion, vol. 7, p. 3539); see also the New York Times, working for the army under contract. More­ Julv23, 1898.

272 WALSH: JANET JENNINGS AND THE SENECA

The sorry vessel, concluded the soldier, was The drinking water also posed a prob­ nothing less than "the most shameless swin­ lem, one that threatened to become seri­ dle ever finagled into a government con­ ous. There was plenty of water aboard—in tract."" fact the tanks were nearly full—but it had If the Seneca was inadequate as a troop not been changed since the ship reached transport, it was far less fitted to carry a Cuba in May (after discharging their troops, cargo ofthe ailing, a fact rapidly discovered the transports sat at anchor offshore), and by Miss Jennings. Hunting through the ship it was beginning to turn putrid. Without as it steamed north, searching for what she ice, no one could drink it. But the ice itself expected would be a goodly cache of medi­ was in short supply, a quick estimate show­ cal supplies, she was soon faced with the ing it could last hardly a day or two. Below stark fact that there were scarcely any in the hold, the cramped space already over­ aboard. A few rolls of bandages, some plas­ heating, the air becoming foul, were more ters, some disinfectants, some quinine, but than ninety sick and wounded, including that was all. Aside from the few things she eighteen officers, all stretched uncomfort­ had brought over from the Texas, there ably on the hard, close-packed bunks. Those were no medicines available, no antiseptic who were at all mobile, much fewer than preparations, not even thermometers. More half, escaped as soon as they ccruld to the startling yet, she could find only one or two open decks above, where they sprawled on ofthe simplest medical instruments—a scis­ blankets. The others were trapped. sors, a forceps—indicating that none but Another surprise for Miss Jennings was the most rudimentary surgical procedures the number of regular passengers aboard, would be possible on shipboard. some forty of them, occupying the ship's Incredulously, she asked the two young- few cabins and complicating the problems doctors about the absence of medicines of space, water use, and food preparation. and instruments, only to have the distress­ Included were a dozen newspaper corre­ ing fact confirmed. They had tried to get spondents, as well as a contingent of for­ instruments, the two insisted, as well as eign military observers, officers from Swe­ medicines. Just before sailing, on becoming den, Russia, Germany, Turkey, and Japan. aware ofthe situation, they had sent requi­ Only one other woman was aboard, Mrs. sitions over to the Relief. But the Reliefs Sylvester Scovel, wife of the Neiv York World chief steward had informed them that he reporter She too was ill, in the first stages had no instruments to spare, and almost of malaria, and spent the trip confined to nothing in the way of medicines. There had her bed.''^ been no time to do anything more, even if Later it was explained that the passen­ they knew where supplies were to be had. gers were already on board when it was de­ With all attention ashore focused on the cided to use the Seneca as a hospital ship. imminent surrender ofthe Spanish in San­ Mistakenly, they had been allowed to re­ tiago, preparation ofthe ship for departure main. Before the vessel was a day out of had been both hectic and hurried.'^ port, however, at Miss Jennings' urgent re­ quest a change was made in the accommo­ dations. Willingly, with only two refusals, the " (I J. Post, The Little War of Private Post (New York, 1960), 32; same for the other two quotations in passengers gave up their cabins to the more this paragraph. Post adds that he could not stand the conditions below decks so he slept "aft of the single smokestack on the upper deck, warm, snug, and ^''' Sylvester Scovel, several days after putting his comfortable." (p. 29.) wife aboard the Seneca, earned himself expulsion '- Report ofthe Commission, vol. 7, pp. 3539-3541. from Cuba because of a personal affront offered to Also the New York Times, World, Evening Post, and Tri­ General Shafter in public, a notorious incident of bune for ]u\y 2b, 1898. the war.

273 This is the only hntmm photograph of fanel Jennings, taken about 1870, ajexu years ajler her xvarlime attendance ofher brother Dudley. Pholograjrh courtesy (f the author

274 WALSH: JANET JENNINGS AND THE SF:NEC, serious cases from the hold. Their own beds self fell ill, leaving Hicks to act alone), what they made on couches and benches wher­ they could do was severely limited by the ever they could find room. Left to swelter in lack of medicines, dressings, and instru­ the stifling atmosphere below were at least ments. Surgical operations which would sixty men.''' have speeded cures and eased much pain went unperformed. One sufferer, a private ELP in tending the sickest of the pa­ named Bruce Allen, aged twenty-four, had Htients was the urgent need, willing had his left leg badly torn up by the burst­ hands to fetch and carry for those lying ing of a shell. Pieces of jagged metal lodged helpless on the hard bunks below. Boldly in his knee prevented him from straighten­ Miss Jennings called on the passengers to ing the leg as he lay stretched on his bunk. form a makeshift nursing staff, and was re­ "How he did groan, poor fellow," recalled lieved to be answered by some fifteen vol­ one volunteer nurse, explaining that the unteers. One man, Captain Robert Dowdy, man's position had to be changed every so on his way home to retire from the regular often. At last, worn out, "he begged pite- army, assumed responsibility for organizing ously that we let him alone.""' the volunteers into shifts around the clock Particular concern was felt for the fever —no call from a weary sufferer would be patients, the typhoid sufferers especially. allowed to go unanswered. (Dowdy him­ For them, at the suggestion of Dr. Hicks, self sleeplessly tended bedridden patients whiskey took the place ofthe missing med­ throughout the voyage. Later it was said of icine, supplied by Hicks himself from his him that "he saved many a life.") '•' ample store. Once a day, bottle in hand, Departing Siboney early on July I4th, Miss Jennings toured the ship, liberally dis­ the ship expected to reach New York City pensing the liquor to the worst of the late on the 17th, certainly by the next morn­ more than forty fever patients. It helped ing. But bad weather encountered just wonderfully, she said later, to keep up north of the Bahamas, and up along the their strength. Though not a drinker, she Florida coast, slowed its progress, the toss­ took some herself, she said, for the same ing of the vessel adding to the misery of all reason.'' on board. At noon on the 16th, as expected, Worst was the constant fear of men ac­ the supply of ice gave out, rendering the tually dying on the voyage. Suppurating vile water nearly undrinkable. Someone wounds, always a problem for those with suggested that distilled water could be pro­ bullet or shell injuries, caused most con­ duced in the ship's engine room, and this cern. One such case was that of Sergeant was tried. Luckily it worked, but gave only John Paegelow, aged twenty-eight. In the enough each day for the most parched of first day's fighting at Santiago he had been the fever patients, of course disgustingly badly hit, shot through both lungs. On the lukewarm. Seneca the open wounds began producing While the two young doctors, Thomas large amounts of pus, in the circumstances Baird and William Hicks, were continually untreatable. Discussing the case with Dr. on call (toward the trip's close Baird him- Baird, Miss Jennings grew emotional, in­ sisting that something had to be done. The stricken doctor, she would recall, "almost '"* New York Tribune, World, and Evening Post, and Philadelphia Public Ledger, all for July 21, 1898; Re.porl ofthe Commission, vol. 7, p. 3543. The two refusals "' New York l'imes,]u\y 23, 1898; Rejmi ofthe Com­ came from the Japanese and Turkish observers, earn­ mission, vol. 7, p. 3543. ing them brief newspaper criticism. '^ Report ofthe Commis.sion, vol. 7, p. 3542. For her '" New York Tribune, July 21, 1898. Dowdy was testimony on the use of whiskey for the patients, see frtim little Rock, Arkansas (New York World, July 21, the extract from her Dodge Commission appear­ 1898). ance, which follows.

275 WISCONSIN MACiAZINE OF HISFORY SUMMER, 1998 wept as he told me of his utter helpless­ term of admiration that sprang to the lips ness."'^ of several of the men in talking afterwards with reporters. "I wish I could give ade­ O the sick men, Miss Jennings herself quate expression to the remarkable work of Tseemed to be everywhere, above decks Miss Jennings," exclaimed W. J. Genovar, of and below, ancl at all hours, a calm, effi­ St. Augustine, Florida. "Her endurance was cient presence. Checking conditions in the wonderful. Everybody aboard the ship re­ dank hold, supervising the work of the pas­ garded her as an angel."-" senger-nurses, feeding beef tea to the Slowed by strong winds and rough seas, weaker patients, bathing the forehead of a by the morning ofthe 18th the vessel had typhoid sufferer, she seemed never to sit reached only as far as the Virginia Capes. down or to sleep. For a soldier who had Here the ship's civilian captain, Thomas taken a bullet in his left side and could not Decker, accepted the advice ofthe two doc­ breathe freely or lie down comfortably, she tors not to press on for New York City but to was able to fashion some padding to cush­ put in at Hampton Roads. At Norfolk, they ion his side, enabling him to fall into a said, was an army base with a hospital large soothing slumber. Wlien several men talked enough to receive at least the worst of the wistfully of having so simple a thing as a cases aboard. By mid-afternoon the ship handkerchief, instead of replying that there slowed and dropped anchor just off shore were none aboard, she took a large roll of —and with that came the most crushing unbleached cotton cloth she'd grabbed disappointment of the entire voyage. At when leaving the Texas and patiently cut it Norfolk the government health authorities up. WTien one malaria patient became de­ would not permit anyone from the Seneca, lirious, she had him moved from the steam­ sick or well, to leave the ship.-' ing hold to a cot on the open deck, staying Back at Siboney, it was explained, among beside him until he grew quiet. the American troops a wave of fear had As more than one man afterwards noted, arisen over the dreaded scoui^ge, yellow those infrequent times when Miss Jennings fever. A number of cases had already been did stop for a moment's rest, it was to doze confirmed, and no chances were to be taken briefly in a chair or to stretch out on one of that the Seneca might be carrying it. Some of the canvas-covered wooden bunks below, the typhoid and malaria cases aboard, it was alongside her patients. During the six nights feared, might actually be the more virulent the Seneca was at sea, not once did she re­ disease. (In 1898, medical science knew very move her clothes or lie down between the little about the nature of any of these dis­ sheets of a regular bed. "She almost worked eases, knew nothing at all about yellow herself to death," later commented a pri­ fever's true cause, the mosquito.)-- vate in the Seventh Infantry named John The discouraging news was brought Sheehan. "She was an angel!"'-' That was a aboard by the Norfolk quarantine officer.

'« New York Times, ]u\y 23, 1898. In New York, Sgt. Paegelow was taken to Bellevue where he qtiickly left thigh. On the Seneca, he said, "For water we improved (New York Times,]\i\y 22, 1898). The lack nearly died." of medical instruments and fresh water inevitably «'New York Times, July 23, 1898, give rise to exaggerated tales abtiiit the doctor doing '-' Washington Posi,]u\y 19, 1898; New York Tii- operations "with his pocket knife," and about open bune,]n\y 19, 20, 1898. wounds being "washed in salt water" Both claims ap­ '-Yellow fever was conquered in 1901 when an peared in Willis Abbott's book Blue Jackets of '98 army research team under Major Walter Reed traced it (New York, 1899), 304. to germs spread by the Anopheles mosquito. The study '9 New York 7'n/;Mnp, July 21, 1898. Sheehan, of had been ordered by Surgeon-General George M. Watervliet, New York, had been w()inided in the Sterirberg.

276 10,0(30 miles from tip to i\\>.—Philadelphia Press.

Cmii)0N\ Dflhr Wat 11/ IS9S villi Sjm As the Seneca and its sick and xvounded sat off lhe coast of Virginia in 1898, U.S. leadership focused on international expansion, and American dominance.

Dr W. G. Pettus, who explained that his sta­ saw enough ugly sickness aboard the Seneca tion lacked facilities for dealing with yellow to warrant me in my decision not to allow the fever. "He gave the commanding officer the surgeon to land the men." Angrily he added, option of going to sea again," reported the "She should never have been allowed to en­ Washington Post, "or to the isolated quaran­ ter Hampton Roads. "''^'' With that, newspa­ tine station on Fisherman's Island out in pers in Washington, Philadelphia, and New Chesapeake Bay. Telegrams were sent to York reported the existence of "suspicious Washington, and the ship was ordered to cases" on the ship. proceed to New York, as soon as necessary After Dr. Pettus came ashore from the supplies were secured."-'^ Seneca, stated the Post, "No one was permit­ Spending an hour aboard, Pettus carefully ted to approach her and one or two boats inspected the more serious ofthe thirty or so which went out lay well to windward. It is fever patients. Leaving to go ashore in his believed at Old Point that there is yellow own small craft, he stopped at a special quar­ fever aboard . . . she is a suspicious ship, antine vessel anchored nearby, where he with a bad history . . . she is reported to went through a complete change of clothing. have once before this taken yellow fever Stepping ashore, he was met by a noisy crowd into a southern port."'^-'' The New York Tri­ of reporters, all demanding to know if yellow bune agreed, guessing that the number of fever had been detected on the ship. "There suspicious cases lurking in the hold of the are no developed cases," he an.swered, "but Seneca was believed to be "at least six."-'' it is necessary to take proper precautions. I

'^* New York Evening Post, July 19, 1898. -•''Washington Po,s'^, July 19, 1898; same for the ^"^ Washington Po.s/,'july 19, 1898. quotation in the next paragraph. '''NewYoi-k 'TriJmne,]u\y20, 1898.

277 WISCONSIN MAC.AZINE OF HISTORY SUMMER, 1 998

During the remainder of that day, the otherwise have been without; and we 18th, small craft ran continually between have been witness to your devotion in ship and shore, hauling supplies which preparing food for them, in watching were hoisted aboard by winch and tackle: for their wants, in administering med­ casks of fresh water, blocks of ice, cartons icines and in making them as com­ of food and medical stores. The Seneca's or­ fortable as possible. deal was almost ended. One more night of We cannot see this trying voyage come to an end without giving you sweltering in the dark, crowded hold, and some expression of our admiration all would be over Departure from Norfolk for your conduct, and our hope that was scheduled for noon the next day. your devotion will meet with a fitting Who first thought of it, the pleasant idea reward. of making some small gesture recognizing We are Very Truh Yours,-' Janet Jennings' timely and crucial service on the ship, is not recorded. But on the A total of forty signatures follow, most night of the 18th, as the vessel sat motion­ with identifying phrases. Fourteen are those less on the water near Fortress Monroe in of American officers, all either wounded or Norfolk, a written testimonial was prepared sick, except for Captain Dowdy. Twelve are and then signed by nearly all the officers newspaper reporters, ten of them Ameri­ and civilian passengers abt^ard. It is a brief can, one English, and one Canadian. Eight statement, obviously heartfelt, if curiously are civilian passengers, the ailing Mrs. stiffish in its officialese. Typed on thin gray­ Scovel among them. All six of the foreign ish paper of fine quality, the signatures military observers signed, including the straggle in columns underneath, spilling two wh(^ had refused to give up their cabins over to two additional pages. It was after­ to the wounded. Last to sign was a young wards printed in several papers, but it is civilian, John G. Coolidge, a member of a here quoted from the original, which still prominent Boston family. As he would exists: naively confess to reporters in New York, several of his friends were in the famous On Board the Transport, "Seneca," Rough Riders, and he had gone to Santiago Off Fortress Monroe, July 18, 1898. as a spectator, "to see the fun."'*^*^

Miss Janet Jennings, T 10:20 on the morning of July 20th, Dear Madam: A. the Seneca dropped anchor in New The undersigned. United States of­ York harbor. A spate of telegrams from ficers ancl other passengers on board Washington and Norfolk had alerted the this steamer returning from Siboney, New York health authorities to its coming, Cuba, full of sick and wounded men and before it had finished drifting around from the Santiago campaign, have ob­ its anchor chain a launch drew alongside. served with admiration the heroic From it climbed the port's chief medical of­ and self-sacrificing manner in which ficer, Edward Dotv, who immediatelv went you have cared for these suffering men. We have seen how unremitting you have been in your attentions to '-' The original letter is preserved at the State Hi.s- these sick and wounded, who were torical Society ofWisconsin, Madison. Itwas donated put aboard the steamer without the by a niece, Dorothy Smith, who died in 1955 and is most ordinary provision for their care btiried in the Jennings family plot in Monroe. and comfort. We have seen how, at 2« New York Tribune,]\i\y 21, 1898. In New Yoik, the young man unfortunately added to his image of the outset, you took pains to procure playboy when, in transferring from the Seneca to a from the steamer "State of Texas" launch, he fell overboard but "was promptly fished needed supplies ^vhich they would out, nothiirg the worse for the dticking."

278 WALSH: JANET JENNINGS AND THE SENECA on board the Seneca. Within an hour he had On the first day (5ut from Siboney isolated fourteen cases of suspected yelk^v the passengers assert that the little ice fever, six of them probable, and all were re­ on board gave out, and many were moved to quarantine on nearby Swinburne made ill by drinking the bad water in Island. By late afternoon the wounded and the tanks. Some of those already ill sick had also been taken off, sent upriver to became delirious. The steamship be­ tween decks was filthy and not fit for Bellevue Hospital. The others, both pas­ human habitation. . . . Fifty of the sengers and newspaper correspondents, sick lay in the hold with nothing but were taken to Hoffman's Island where they blankets and canvas under them. The were to remain in quarantine overnight. old bandages were not changed from With them went an exhausted Janet Jen­ the time they were applied at Si­ nings. boney. . . .^" All the city's newspapers, and many from around the country, anxious to get the first The lone nurse was identified by the Tri­ eyewitness reports of the fighting, had as­ bune as "Missjeannette Jennings, a member signed reporters to cover the Seneca's ar­ of the Red Cross," a woman whom all the rival. Access to the passengers that first day, passengers had warmly praised for her however, was severely restricted, so it is not "good work on the voyage," even present­ clear how two of the New York papers, the ing her with a testimonial letter to that ef­ World and the Tribune, and the Philadelphia fect. The letter was quoted in full. Public Ledger, managed to get hold of the Headlines in some other papers were not stories that appeared in their columns the so sedate. The Philadelphia Public Ledger following morning (the ship's civilian cap­ needed several subheads to vent its sense of tain and crew perhaps supplied a good bit outrage: of the information). What they wrote, in any case, sparked a tumultuous week of sen­ A FILTHY TRANSPORT sational charge and countercharge, ending in the hurried arrival in New York of the No Wonder There was Fever On Surgeon-General of the United States. The Steamer Seneca Under a deceptively calm headline Not Fitted for a Hospital Ship (THE SENECA AT QUARANTINE) the Tribune reported the disposition of all on No Medicines nor accommodations board, then without preamble launched For the wounded into a harrowing account of the voyage. Ice and Good water Gave Out The regular passengers, it said, were al­ ready present on the ship at Siboney when Bunks of Rough Boards Looked the sick and wounded from the hospital be­ Like Cattie Pens'^" gan coming aboard, By contrast, the New York World needed and the arrival of the latter caused cjuly a single headline, set in large, bold great consternation on the vessel. type, to create the same effect: VOYAGE There were no medicines, dressings, OF HORROR ON HOSPITAL SHIP. There or surgical instruments on board, and would probably be an "official inquiry," said doctors and nurses were also lacking. Drs. Hicks and Baird, assistant sur­ geons ofthe ship, and one nurse, tried '*^-' New York I'ribune, ]\i\y 22, 1898; same for the quotation in the next paragraph. to do all in their power to allay the suf­ '"' Philadelphia PuMcL^rfg-^r, July 21, 1898. Its sole fering, but they were handicapped by reference to Miss Jennings places her among the pas­ lack ofthe necessary articles for effec­ sengers and adds that she "did great .service and mer­ tive work. ited the praise bestowed on her by all on board."

279 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SUMMER, 1998

the World in offering a list of the vessel's Maxwell also spotlighted the devoted shortcomings: "Intended only for carrying work of Miss Jennings, saying that "Person­ troops, the Seneca was never designed as a ally, I failed to observe any particular 'sac­ hospital vessel. She was in no way fitted for rifice' on the part of anyone, with the ex­ such service. . . . Miss Jeanette Jennings, the ception of Miss Janette Jennings, the Red Red Cross representative, proved to be the Cross nurse. Miss Jennings proved to be an angel ofthe dreadful journey."'^' The testi­ angel of mercy." monial letter was mentioned but not That same morning, the 22nd, Dr Doty quoted. gave out the welcome news that the sus­ During his brief stay on Hoffman's Is­ pected cases of yellow fever had all been land, one ofthe signers ofthat testimonial, cleared: they proved to be neither malaria John Maxwell of the Chicago Tribune, filed nor typhoid. The Wmld, in reporting Doty's an account that appeared in his paper on announcement, again adverted to the "hor­ the 22nd. It fanned the flames consider­ rors" experienced on the Seneca, saying that ably, revealing what seems to have been a the fixing of the blame for the a-wful situation definite strain between military and civilian would be done in Washington: "Army men during the trip. VOYAGE FULL OF MIS­ in this city were aghast at the spectacle of sol­ ERY, read the headline: diers with all sorts of fearful wounds being placed on a ship without medical stores or It was a miserable voyage, but made equipment." Had it not been for the tireless more miserable by the drunkenness Miss Jennings, the paper added, "many of on the part of several military officers the patients must have died on the trip. This and by the neglect and indifference woman deserves a medal fn^m the United on the part of the medical men to State Government . . . She went right down whom was intrusted the health of the among [the men] in the foul hold of the passengers. . . . ship, where they were lying on rough boards, When William Paley, the Vitascope man, was brought aboard there was no and nursed them. She made gruel and cool­ doubt he was a sick man. There was no ing drinks, and cheered and encouraged berth for him and Paley threw himself them." A head-and-shoiilders sketch of Miss down on the aft part of the main deck. Jennings accompanied the story.'^'^ He did not have a blanket for three The World's call for a medal for the brave days, and began getting weaker ... an nurse only echoed the praise being heaped appeal was sent to one ofthe contract on her everywhere. In a lengthy editorial. doctors to examine him. It was a day before this appeal was answered. . . . Harper's Bazaar called her "The most con­ One interesting exhibition was the spicuous heroine the war has brought out so attempt of a military man to make a far," and described her service at the Si­ civilian work. The civilian is a man dy­ boney hospital.'^'' Nor was the acclamation ing of consumption. This sick man restricted to the eastern papers. Prominently was ordered to report for duty below. on its editorial page the St. Paul Pioneer-Press, He declined. The officer attempted for instance, ran a half-column of remarks to seize him by the throat. The assault headed "The Heroine of the Seneca." To was so uncalled for and so brutal that Miss Jennings at Siboney, it said. Captain Decker ofthe steamer had to interfere. . . .'^'- quotation in the next paragraph. William Paley was a •" New York WorW, July 21, 1898. The WorM story photographer for the Vitascope Company. In New also gives information about the fighting at San Juan York his complaint was identified as malaria. (New- Hill and Santiago in Chiba, quoting several of the York World, July 22, 1898.) wounded. ^'^ New York WorM, July 22, 1898. '^'-Chicago I'ribune, Jul\- 21, 1898; same for the '^* Harper's Bazaar, August 6, 1898, pp. 662-668.

280 WALSH: JANE'r JENNINGS AND THE SENECA

came one of those opportunities from the crowd as Miss Jennings, whose which test womanly character, and the heroic work has been heralded abroad, improvement of which entitles a stepped ashore, and a hundred willing woman to a place on the roll of hero­ hands were stretched out to assist her. She ines. . . . The voyage was a stormy one. bowed her thanks and hurried ashore . . . Fever broke out. The tossing of the Miss Jennings is tall and dark, and her face vessel caused many of the wounds to break open. . . . There was constant shows traces of the trying times on board call day and night for the services c^f the Seneca."^' The New York Tribune also Miss Jennings, and so little to do with. described the little tableau on the dock. Ex­ Bandages gave out. To supply the plaining how the crowding men at the foot need, she tore up her own under­ of the gangplank impulsively reached to as­ clothing. No .sacrifice, small or great, sist her: "She was among the last to come that it was possible for her to make for ashore, and as she walked down the pier that bleeding, forlorn company, but many of the men present removed their found her ready. . . . From everyone hats in token of respect. . . Miss Jennings is aboard she won the highest tributes rather above the medium height, and some­ of admiration and gratitude. . . . Her what slight. She has a kindly face and large, name deserves a place beside those of gray eyes."''^ (The dark complexion noted Dorothea Dix, Florence Nightingale, and Clara Barton.'^-' in the Times story was remarked on by other New York papers. "Her face is tanned a deep brown," said the Post).^^^ On the morning ofthe 22nd, the group on Hoffman's Island was released, and a Around her on the pier bustled a mob of launch brought the first contingent to a reporters, furiously throwing questicns, but Manhattan pier, Janet Jennings among she caused some disappointment by declin­ them. She was, reported the New York ing, just then, to talk at any length about Evening Post, "dressed in black with a Red what had happened on the Seneca. She ad­ Cross insignia on her left arm." Landing mitted that the vessel was not a proper hos­ with the other passengers, she "was at once pital ship, agreed that there had been much singled out by the crowd . . . she was a.s- crowding aboard, and that there had been sisted to the pier, a hundred willing hands trouble over food, water, and the lack of being stretched to do this little service for medicines. But there she halted. She was her. She smiled and walked towards the still under Red Cross orders, she explained, street, bowing right and left; the men bared and before speaking out must make her re­ their heads as she passed by. "'^^ port to the society. "I expect to be relieved The New York Times description of that of my duties this afternoon," she finished, same early morning scene supplies a live­ "and then I shall have a good long story to lier note: "There was quite a crowd at the tell. . . Indeed, I fear I have talked too much Battery when the Gov. Flower [the launch] already. '"*" arrived on its first trip. A cheer went up HE kept her word. That same evening in her room at the St. Denis Hotel in lower ^^ St. Paul Pioneer Press, ]u\y 26, 1898. The claim S about tearing up petticoats for use as bandages ap­ Manhattan, facing another crowd of atten­ peared in several papers. But Miss Jennings took tive reporters, the Angel of the Seneca spoke pains to deny the story: "I saw an account where out. Making no effort to hide her anger. women tore up their skirts t(j inake bandages for the men. There is no truth whatever in this report. ... I did not tear up my skirts and I know that Mrs. Scovel '" New York Times, July 23, 1898. did not tear up her skirts. There were bandages •^s New York Tribune, July 23, 1898. aboard the vessel." (New York Tribune,]u\y 23, 1898.) ^'' New York Evening Past, July 22, 1898. '^'' New York EveningPo.sl, July 22, 1898, *" New York Tribune, July 23, 1898.

281 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISFORY SUMMER, 1998 she roundly condemned the army's woe­ ship, Lielief, from Sibone\-. The modern, state- fully inadequate medical facilities at Si­ oi-the-art Relief had not stayed in Cuba after boney, then poured out the harrowing tale all. For some unguessed reason it had re­ ofthe hospital ship: turned to the States—and, as the papers all noted, with a great many of her beds unoc­ Yes, we had a hard time on the Seneca, cupied. Concerning that disturbing fact, the and I am convinced that nothing but large number of empty beds on the Relief Divine Interposition saved the lives of Miss Jennings had quite a lot to say. some of the brave fellows on board. Certainly there were no means on Predictably, the World gave the story its hand to help them, or to make them biggest play. Miss Jennings was making her comfortable, and I waited daily to statement, the paper explained, not as a hear that some of the men had died. Red Ooss nurse but in her private capacity. The blame for the whole confused With that it printed her statement com­ state of affairs belongs in Sibonev. I plete, two columns wide, and under a stack don't know how the Seneca came to be of scare headlines: used as a hospital ship, but I do know positively that not the slightest inves­ SOME ONE BLUNDERED tigation was made of her condition WOUNDED SUFFER and her fitness for such a trip . . . The poor fellows, sick and wounded, were Miss Janet Jennings, the put between decks in cattle pens, Red Cross Nurse, Exposes The there is no other name for their quar­ Disgraceful Neglect Practiced ters, and the awful trip began 41 On Injured Soldiers brought from Cuba On Seneca Emphatically she confirmed the almost THOSE ON THE RELIEF -WERE complete lack of necessary medical sup­ FEARFULLY SELFISH plies and paraphernalia. She described how the precious store of ice gave out, how Had Food, Medicine, Surgical Instruments In Plenty, But the sick men had to drink "vile" water. She Turned a Deaf Ear to the praised the passengers for helping, singling Injured and Half-dead On out Captain Dowdy for special mention. the Other Hospital Ship "How did I stand it?" she finished. "Well, I hardly know, but I got through, although It was nothing less than her solemn duty, not a trained nurse. 1 am glad if I have been declared Miss Jennings, to speak out. Fail­ of ser\ice to the brave boys who suffered on ing to do so "would be to fail in my duty to board that awful transport." our soldiers in Cuba and to the American The press conference at the hotel was only people interested in them and anxious for the start. Two days later, Miss Jennings fin­ their welfare." First she made sure to exon­ ished writing a lengthy statement setting erate the ship's captain fronr all blame. forth her complaints in more deliberate fash­ "Nobody was more distressed over the ion, now including an outright charge of wretched conditions than Captain Decker " "criminal indifference." Probably she'd had she said, who "was powerless to prevent it," it in mind all along to offer a written state­ and who did all he could to help: ment. But on the 24th an added incentive suddenh' appeared when, to her surprise and The responsibility for the condition shock, the papers reported the arri\'al in New of the Seneca as a hospital ship is at York harbor of the anuy's regular hospital Siboney. This is a grave assertion, but I repeat it—the Seneca was not in­ 4' New York Times, ]\\\y 23, 1898; same for the spected. The sick and wounded were quotation in the next paragraph. placed on board by order of the sur-

282 SOME ONE BLUNDERED --WOUNDED SUFFER. -M-*. Miss Janet Jennings, the Red Cross Nurse, Exposes the Disgraceful Neglect Practised on Injured Soldiers Brought from Cuba on Seneca.

THOSE ON THE RELIEF WERE FEARFULLY SELFISH.

Had Food, Medicine, Surgical Instruments in Plenty, but Turned a Deaf Ear to the Injured and Half-Dead Men on the Other Hospital Ship.

CAPT. DECKER WAS IN NO WAY RESPONSIBLE

idiaa Janet J€nnlnr«, the nur»« who won tho thanks and everlasting jratltudo of the wounded aoldlera on board the transjlort Seneoa, made a statement laat nljrht conoemlnjT troopship No. 5, or the Seneoa, a» It was formerly called. She nald that she did it, not as a Red Croiis nurse, but merely a« an individual. Her statement la as follows: "1 desire to make the following statements in regard to the Seneca. To fall to do so would be to fall In my duty t» our soldiers In Cuba and to the American people interested in them and most anrlous for their welftare. "Tne discomforts on the Seneca are of small moment, and now that we are ail In 'Ood's country' airsin may well be forg^otten. The responsibility was not in the eblp. Nobody was n»ore distressed over the wretched conditions than the captain of the Seneca. He saw his ship overcrowded and our sick and wounded placed where there were no aocomciodatiomi even for weU n»en. But he was powerles* to prevent IL Capt. Decker did all that a man oould do to soften and better the con­ ditions and was rooet helpful In every possible way. " 'Miss Jennlnge.' he «ald, 'If there is anything on this ship we can give you for the alck and wounded men, you ha.ve CKAY to ask for it.' "He at once jave orders to his ofllcers and men—the steward, cook and all who could render any assistance to do so. Every one was kind, sympathetic, polite, courteous. They did not wait to be asked, but frequently offered assistance that

The New York World offuly 25, 1898, ran the "Angel's" story in her oxvn xvords.

283 WISCONSIN M.\C;.\ZINE OF HlSl'ORY SUMMER, 1998

geons. They could not have gone medical officer of the Relief Major George on board by any [other] authority. Torney, when questioned by reporters flatly Wounded men were taken from the contradicted Miss Jennings. "It is really too Relief, the most perfectly appointed bad," he replied heatedly, "that so much and thoroughly equipped hospital importance is being attached to the utter­ ship in the world . . . without a stitch ances of hysterical females. If Miss Jennings of clothing except the nightshirts they had on. . . . accuses either of the physicians at the port of embarkation of negligence in the matter There was absoluteh' no other food provided for these wounded men ex­ of sending supplies, instruments, etc., then cept the regular army rations, which she tells an untruth."''^ (The WorW version few of them could eat. They had not of Torney's remark was blunter: "Miss Jen­ a knife, fork, spoon, plate, cup— nings is only a hysterical woman, and she is nothing for use at meals. . . . The two liable to say almost anything." If she really young surgeons sent on board to take said the things quoted ofher, "then she lies; charge of the sick and wounded were that is all.")** The Relief's Chief Steward, not supplied with either medicines or Robert Marsden, agreed with his superior, instruments . . . yet some of these saying that Miss Jennings had "deliberately wounded men needed surgical treat­ engaged in a falsehood." With his own ment when they came on board. . . . hands, he insisted, he gave Dr. Hicks "every­ Who is to blame for what seems to thing necessary for the care of his patients." have been the greatest negligence, if A slight concession was made to Miss Jen­ not in fact criminal indifference? It nings by Major Torney when he admitted cannot be said that there was no time to get instruments and medicines that neither he nor his steward were aware from the Relief. These men were on of the true total of ailing men on the Seneca, the Seneca two days before she sailed. and knew nothing of the large group of . . . While at Siboney the Relief re­ regular passengers aboard. ceived 265 sick and wounded. She has From official Washington came the sec­ just arrived in New York with 125 per­ sons on board, leaving half her beds ond reaction to Miss Jennings charges. On unoccupied. Why were the wounded the morning of the 26th, the Surgeon- put aboard the Seneca under such General, George M. Sternberg, made a hur­ wretched conditions when there was ried arrival by train in New York City. Im­ ample room for them on the Relief, mediately he summoned a conference of and everything at hand to make them the area's medical authorities, military and comfortable? . . . civilian, including Dr. Doty and Major Tor­ Apparently, the one thought was to ney, as well as the two young Seneca doctors, get these sick and wounded off, no Hicks and Baird. Beginning at nine in the matter how, without thought or prepa­ morning, the meeting lasted several hours, ration for their care. . . . That there and when it broke up General Sternberg were no deaths on the Seneca is some­ calmly faced the waiting reporters. thing to rejoice over. ... I think God Himself must have been with us, if the "The chief fault, so far as he seemed to government was not. 42 fix it," said the Washington Post, "was placed on the two young surgeons, Drs. Hicks and WO immediate reactions were sparked Baird, who were in charge of the sick and by these outspoken charges. First, as re­ T ^•' New York Tribune,]\\\y 26, 1898. Torney insisted ported by the New York Tribune, the chief that his steward had "furnished all the necessary things upon the requisition of Drs. Hicks and Baird." ^- New York WbrM, July 25, 1898. The statement, This was far from the truth, though Torne\' was prob­ a lengthy one, was carried in its entirety in many pa­ ably unaware of it. pers, and pariiallv in manv others. '^^ New York Wo)U,]\x\y 26, 1898.

284 WAl.SU: JANET JENNINGS AND THE SENECA

wounded on the ship." They were not reg­ the Washington Po,?^ announced, had satis­ ular army doctors, explained Sternberg, fied War Department qualms about the wel­ but "contract surgeons," without much ex­ fare of the troops, so that "no further in­ perience. But that they would have sailed quiry will be made."*^ without medical supplies "was absurd and In her New York hotel, Miss Jennings' re­ absolutely false. Dr. Hicks has just made to sponse to both Sternberg and Torney was me a formal report in which he says that he brief and decided. She would have no di­ had compound cathartic pills, antiseptic rect reply to make to either man: "All that bandages, quinine, gauze, beef tea, malted I have to say on the matter will be said to milk, and other necessary medical sup­ the President of the United States as soon plies." Somewhat lamely he added "It might as I reach Washington."*^ be true that they had not enough of these stores." The two inexperienced physicians N August, 1898, despite an unbroken perhaps had failed to act sensibly, for "in­ Istring of combat victories by the army stead of going to the officer in charge of and navy, scandal over the conduct of the the medical stores, they applied merely to war was about to inundate the McKinley ad­ a steward." This had been confirmed by Dr. ministration. Hasty, indeed frantic, almost Hicks, who said that "only part of his req­ helter-skelter mobilization of the armed uisitions" had been filled before the Seneca forces—makeshift efforts to compensate departed.*-' for the shortages and other inadequacies The responsible medical authorities at resulting from a generation of peace—had Siboney were exonerated entirely. The rapid created a series of near-disasters in almost movement of the sick and wounded to the every branch of the military: transport, States on converted transports such as the quartermaster, commissary, administration, Seneca, said Sternberg, had been ordered by personnel, medical. So pervasive were the General Shafter himself, as a needed war deficiencies now fast coming to light, that measure. In the imminent renewal of fight­ an indignant public began to suspect that ing at Santiago, "he anticipated that our the War Department was in the hands of a losses would be heavy." Making room in the mob of corrupt incompetents, beginning Cuban hospitals for the new casualties had with the War Secretary himself, Russell Al­ been imperative. But the order for evacua­ ger. Into this hectic atmosphere burst the tion was meant to affect only those who, in disturbing Seneca affair, calling attention to the opinion of the surgeons, "could bear a the situation in its most urgent and dra­ journey to the north on an ordinary ship." matic form, the well-being of the troops. He would look further into the case of It was the appalling story of the Seneca, the Seneca, ended Sternberg. But he had to boiling across the nation's front pages, that confess that, judging by what he'd already brought the gathering storm to a crashing learned, the whole matter "seemed to him climax. Occurring in Washington in the somewhat exaggerated."*'^ In fact, his re­ first days of August, that climax to a large solve to continue the investigation didn't extent was a direct result of a meeting at last long. That night he returned to Wash­ the White House between Janet Jennings ington, and by the following afternoon, as and President McKinley. As it happened, for her meeting with '*•"• Washington Post, July 26, 1898. Most of the McKinley, Miss Jennings had suddenly and medical supplies mentioned by Sternberg as being unexpectedly been provided with extra am­ on the Seneca, of course, came aboard in the large munition. On August 1st, the day before sack brought by Miss Jennings from the 'Texas. Stern­ berg either misunderstood or chose to ignore what was told to him by Drs. Hicks and Baird. *'Washington Post, July 28, 1898. '"'New York Tnbune, ]\i\y 2?<, 1898. *« New York W'orM, July 26, 1898.

285 WHi (X:il 14040 'Thousands if Wisconsin men served in the Spanish-American War; these five soldiers are from Wisconsin Rapids.

the meeting, the papers had noted the ar­ tial drugs used in the treatment of fevers rival in New York harbor of another con­ were provided . . . They lay about the decks verted hospital ship from Siboney, the Con­ as pale as death and looking in the last cho. Many ofthe same startling deficiencies stages of starvation."*'* that had plagued the Seneca were quickly Only one doctor had accompanied the reported of the later ship: lack of medical Concho, but unlike the Seneca there had supplies, inadequate food, impure drink­ been seven nurses to tend the sick. That was ing water, scarcity of ice, sick men crowded only a stroke of luck, however for all seven in an airless hold on wooden bunks with­ were Red Cross nurses, exhausted after out mattresses. On the Concho, in addition, their never-ending duties in Cuban hospi­ five of the wounded had died and been tals, on their way home for a rest. On the buried at sea. ship, instead of resting, the seven worked The Chicago Record, in an account writ­ night and day without proper supplies or ten by its own correspondent who had been equipment "to save the lives ofthe men who a passenger on the Concho, explained that were being manifestly sacrificed on the al­ of the 175 patients on the ship, almost all tar of official blundering. There is no doubt were fever sufferers: "They were hurried their untiring efforts have kept alive half the aboard without blankets and but half people on board." clothed . . . for these men, all of whom were During August 1st and 2nd, the newspa- emaciated to skeletons, ^veak and suscepti­ ble to ailments, no quinine or other essen­ *•''Chicago /?^forrf, August 1, 1898.

286 WALSIi: JANET JENNINGS AND THE SENECA

per space given to the Concho almost equaled that captured by the Seneca days earlier Even as Miss Jennings entered the President's of­ fice on August 2nd, the Washington Post forthrightly announced "Deplorable Condi­ tions On the Concho," including water "Un­ fit for Use," and a .serious shortage of medi­ cines. Many headlines pointedly paired the two vessels as "Torture Ships."

N her lengthy and respected treatment of Ithose times. In the Days of McKinley, histo­ rian Margaret Leech makes no mention of Miss Jennings. But she does show how, at the beginning of August, news accounts of the Seneca and Concho "had incensed the President." The wretched condition ofthe two ships, "spoke plainly of loosely drawn contracts and wartime profiteering, while the scandalous overcrowding and shortages

testified to chaos at the Santiago base." As a SHSW \'isnal \hui-rials .Vrdiivc result, says Leech, the president had Secre­ President William McKinley met with fanetfennings after tary Alger "on the carpet for two days," nexvspaper accounts stirred cries of scandal and ineptitude questioning him closely and in some ur­ over the treatment ofthe men on the Seneca, ancl the gency about the converted transports and actions of those in charge at Siboney. the army's medical arrangements in Cuba. Then, "aroused and emphatic, McKinley the matter in his hands."'' She declined to scattered telegrams broadcast, directed the say anything further about her important immediate appointment of a board of in­ interview, not even to indicate what might spection at Siboney, and ordered an inves­ be its results. But as one paper ventured, "It tigation at New York."''" is understood, however, that there will be Miss Jennings' visit with the President, an investigation." About the .SV??«;a journey unfortunately, left no detailed trace in the itself she did talk, at length and in detail, official record, only in the newspapers. the Boston Transcript giving her remarks a Emerging from the White House on the full column and a half. Again the Relief was morning of August 2nd, she was stopped by blamed for sending sick and wounded men reporters who asked if she had talked with up on the unfit transports when, as she in­ McKinley. "Yes, I have seen the President," sisted, "there was ample room on the Relief." she answered. "I am quite satisfied to leave '•' Boston Transcript, August 2, 1898. The McKin­ ley papers at the Library of Congress contain no •'''^ Leech, In the Age of McKinley, 292; see also 274. mention of Miss Jennings' visit, but there are no reg­ Cosmas, An Army for Empire, 253-254, also mentions ular appointment books present, and many short­ the trouble caused by the "fever ships," though not hand notebooks remain untranscribed. There are naming any. McKinley, he agrees, was "outraged" by copies of four notes to her from .McKinley's secre­ the condition oi the two vessels, and promptly or­ taries, John Porter and George C^ortelyou, but all are dered an investigation, "and the punishment of any mere acknowledgments, their dates showing they officers who could be proved at fault." Several otlier have no link to the .Seneca incident. On January 9, hospital transports reaching New York were drawn 1901, she attended, with other "Lady Correspon­ into the fray (e.g. the Olixiette, Alamo, and Cherokee), dents," a WTiite House diplomatic reception (guest but these received only fleeting mention in the press. list, McKinley Papers, Library of (;ongress).

287 WISCX)NSIN MACiAZINE OE HISEORY SUMMER, 1998

Once again the counterattack was led by the ship's drinking water one man said that an angry Surgeon-General Sternberg. He few could stomach it: "What we got from was, said one paper, "incensed at the charges the engine room and caught on the deck made against his corps," and had offered to when there was rain is all we had. It was a demonstrate that, not his own department, blessing that there was rain." A dire predic­ but the transportation corps deser\'ed blame tion was that the five men who had died on for the missing materials: they had fallen the Concho would not be the last. Many into "gross and criminal carelessness in the more were extremely ill and it was expected shipment and unloading of supplies."•'- that "three or four more of them will die."''* In a more measured tone, the idea was ex­ Obeying McKinley's order for an inves­ panded by one of Sternberg's subordinates tigation. Secretary Alger quietly dispatched in New York, Colonel Charles Byrne. There to New York the Assistant Inspector-General, had indeed been a scarcity of medical sup­ Major Charles Heyl. "No notice of the ma­ plies in Cuba from the beginning, Byrne jor's coming was given," explained the admitted. Much of what was needed had Chicago Tribune, "so there was no time to unavoidably been left behind at the Tampa cover up anything, no chance to influence base in Florida when the troops were rushed the testimony of the men." The first that down for the Santiago campaign. Also, at anyone in New York knew of Major Heyl Siboney it had proved impossible to unload was when, accompanied by a stenographer, more than a portion of the supplies, "for "he walked into the office at quarantine."'''' the landing of the army was made on a Heyl visited both the Seneca and the Concho, rocky coast with great difficulty." The sup­ and talked to those in authority on both plies either sat unpacked in the holds ofthe ships as well as some of the sick men at transports off-shore, or were sent back to Bellevue and elsewhere. His probe, how­ Tampa. "W4ien the Concho was being readied ever, like that of General Sternberg was at Siboney, said Byrne, "the authorities were brief, lasting less than two days. Back in between the devil and the deep sea. They Washington he was besieged by reporters, had a lot of convalescents on their hands but remained silent. His findings were in­ who, they believed, would improve in health cluded in Alger's own official statement, is­ rapidly when they were once at sea. ... If sued the next morning. these men were not promptly sent north, On both ships, conceded Secretary Al­ the authorities probably reasoned, they ger, there had been "much privation and would be almost sure to contract fever of suffering." But because few supplies, medi­ some kind, which would almost inevitably cal and otherwise, could be landed at Si­ result fatally."-''^ boney, all this suffering was unavoidable. The Concho stories in the papers, how­ The turbulent surf had made the landing ever, could not be halted, and in grue- of stores extremely difficult, complicated by someness they soon equaled or surpassed the dearth of small craft needed for the fer­ what had been said of the Seneca. "In that rying, many ofwhich "were lost on the way." pest ship," WTote one repc^irter after speak­ Overcrowding on the transports had been ing to some ofthe wounded who had come caused by the intense desire ofthe sick and ashore, "the dead \vere lying on the deck, wounded men to reach home quickly, not and the dying crying piteously for water, helped by the many civilians who "rushed but there was no water to give them, save aboard to get away." Also, the actual num­ that which Captain Risk [ofthe Concho^ had ber of sick and wounded had greatly ex­ described as not fit for a dog to drink." Of ceeded predictions. The lack of good water

•'-Boston Transcrij}l, Augus,t 1, 1898. •'^ Chicago I'ribune, August 2, 1898. '"''• Washington Post, .\ugirst 2, 1898. •'•' Chicago Tiibune, August 3, 1898.

288 SHSW Visual .Materials A.rhiic: President McKinley and his cabinet review lhe Seventh Army Corps in Savannah, 1899. on the two ships had been the fault of the terribly wrong. Now, under increasing pub­ civilian captains: neither man had reported lic pressure, on all sides calls were raised for needing fresh water Had they done so, "of a full-scale investigation of "the conduct of course it would have been provided." Ex­ the war" For the space of a month. Presi­ plicit orders had now been sent out, assur­ dent McKinley held out. Then on Septem­ ing that there could be "no recurrence" of ber 8th he signed an order directing the such suffering. A copy of Alger's official formation of a commission of "distinguished telegram to the commanders in Cuba, Puerto soldiers and civilians ... to investigate every Rico, and the Philippines was printed ver­ aspect ofthe Army's administration" in the batim. It laid down strict conditions for su­ war (which by then was over).-'' Abraham pervising the use of converted troop trans­ Lincoln's son Robert was asked to take the ports as hospital ships.''' post of chairman, but he refused. Grenville Dodge of Iowa was then appointed, and late T was all too late. Explanations, no mat­ that September the work of what came to be Iter how earnest or reasonable, no longer known as the Dodge Commission began. satisfied anyone: too many things had gone For four months the commission probed and sifted, examining evidence, traveling to various sites to make first-hand investiga­ •'''' Philadelphia Public Fedger, New York Evening tions, and hearing nearly five hundred wit­ Post, Chicago I'ribune, and Washington Po.st, all for August 4, 1898. Regarding the Corac/iOi drinking wa­ nesses, military and civilian, and from all ter. Captain Samuel Risk insisted that he had asked levels. During most of that time. Miss Jen­ permission, had practically begged, to reprovi.sion his nings was at her brother's home in Wfs- ship at Jamaica before taking sick and wounded aboard, but was refused by General Shafter himself. (f4iicago rrifrureg, Augtist 2, 1898.) ••" Cosmas, An Army for Empire, 282.

289 WTSCONSIN MAG.A-ZINE Or HISTORY SUMMER, 1998

cousin, resting as she waited to be called by the strength of the men ... I kept the commission. She appears to have done beef tea going night and day . . . no writing while at home but she did re­ Q. Were the conveniences for cooking spond to a few of the many lecture invita­ on ship .such as you needed? tions that reached her Talking to fascinated A. No, sir; I had the use of the kitchen audiences in Monroe and the surrounding down below simply because the cap­ towns of southern Wisconsin, she described tain was so kind ... I had permission her adventures in Cuba and her ordeal on to go to the kitchen, and the men the SeneccL "It was a great compliment to had orders to furnish me with every­ Miss Jennings," said one local newspaper thing . . . story in December, ". . . that a large audi­ Q. Do you remember how many passen­ ence sat for nearly three hours in a cold gers were on board that were paying hall listening to her telling of the experi­ their way coming north? ences she had. There was much warmth in A. I could not give the number. There her subject, and one of the audience re­ were two [passenger] tables and they marked I am freezing on one side and were always full, and more than full. roasting on the other ""^ At last in January Q. Was the diet prepared for this table a 1899 it came her turn to face the panel. fairly good one? For parts of two days in Washington, the A. Yes, sir; I think it would be considered 11th and 12th, she gave her testimony, re­ a fairly good one. peating in detail what she had already Q. Then there were on board the boat charged many times in public about the ample provisions if they had been ap­ medical failures at Siboney and on the propriated, for the use of the sick? Seneca. A sampling from the transcript of A. I do not know how far they would the hearing shows that her replies were have gone if they had been used for ready and sharp: the hundred or so more men aside from themselves . . . when I say one Q. Will you please tell us what the condi­ hundred I do not include all those tion of the men was during the trip who could not eat. One by one they north? would drop off because they were in a condition that they could not eat A. Some of the men were badly wounded the army ration ... I think the fact —that is, they were still in that condi­ that we kept up their strength so well tion to require careful treatment—a with whiskey—though we had no sur­ condition which caused them a good gical instruments, the doctor had deal of suffering, because they could some good whiskey and he ordered not have the proper treatment. There me to go around every day with a was not a surgical instrument on board glass and a bottle and give them the Seneca . . . whiskey, and I took it myself. I had Q. Now in regard to the diet, please, of never before, but I did every day sev­ these men. eral times, or I am quite sure I could A. They had, as I said before, with the not have kept up. . . ."•' exception of the beef extract, only the army ration, until I got supplies ARLY in February, 1899, the Dodge from our ship. Then we used a great ECommission concluded its work and on deal of malted milk, and a great deal the tenth submitted to President McKinley of beef tea made from this extract, its official report, a lengthy and highly and gruels and mush and those detailed paper. Each branch of the War things, and also whiskey to keep up

•'" Report (fthe Commission, vol. 7, pp. 3540-3542. ••''^ Monroe Sentinel, December 7, 1898. Her testimony takes up a dozen pages of the report.

290 WALSH: JANET JENNINGS AND THE SENECA

Department was given separate coverage, Concerning the missing medical sup­ every problem that had plagued the war ef­ plies, the Commission decided that the fort being meticulously analyzed. In the sec­ Quartermaster Corps, not the medical de­ tion on the Army's medical services, errors partment, must bear the whole responsibil­ and oversights were readily admitted and ity. The serious and pervading lack of war cataloged. Blame for the deficiencies, how­ materials of all sorts in Cuba "was the result ever, was laid on no individual. Rather, the of slow transportation and failure to de­ system itself had broken down, hampered liver. " Solely at fault was the Quartermaster by "a generation" of inefficient methods: Corps, "the system it follows, and the offi­ "The demand made upon the resources of cers belonging to it." the department in the care of sick and The action ofthe regular hospital ship wounded was very much greater than had Relief its leaving Cuba when and as it did, been anticipated." The shortcomings were received the Commission's full support. attributable to "the hurry and confusion in­ After discharging a huge cargo of medi­ cident to the assembling of an army of un­ cal stores at Siboney (enough to equip "a trained officers and men, ten times larger 750-bed hospital for six months"), she than before."*^" sailed for New York on July 19th with a The converted hospital transports were mere 135 wounded on board. The charge specifically noticed, and their "unfitness" that she might have carried twice that num­ fully conceded. From the evidence submit­ ber—taking most ofthe men who had been ted, said the Commission, it was clear that "shipped away on ordinary transports"— "many ofthe complaints were well founded." was quite unwarranted: "[Y] ellow fever was Inspection of the vessels at Siboney had prevailing, and had the Relief taken cases of been "imperfectly made, if made at all." this disease and become infected, as prob­ Blame for all this, the report concluded, ably she would have been, her usefulness as must be shared by both Quartermaster and a hospital ship, for a considerable time at Medical departments. Both had found ex­ least, would have been at an end." To pre­ cuses for themselves in vent this, the ship's surgeon decided " that in view of an existing uncertainty of diag­ the conditions prevailing at Tampa nosis he would not take any cases of fever and in Cuba. But these conditions of any kind, and therefore sailed with only could not excuse everything. ... To a limited number of patients, all wounded. two transports in particular, the Seneca . . ."^^ Nothing was said about the many and the Concho, general attention was wounded on the Seneca who, apparently, strongly drawn by reports published might have departed aboard the Relief. The soon after the arrival of the vessels at implication was that the decision to return New York. The facts were as stated— the Relief north, instead of keeping her in the ships had too many sick, and the sick had not enough nurses and doc­ Cuba, was not made until after departure tors; medicines and supplies were in of the Seneca on the 14th, five days prior to insufficient amounts; beds and bed­ the Relief's sailing. Miss Jennings' comment ding neither in quantity nor quality on all this, if indeed she made any, has not were such as the sick should have had; been preserved. the water supply was not pure and fresh. . . .^^ The Commission's recommendations re­ garding the work of female nurses bears a special relevance for the Jennings story. Historically, said the Commission, women '•''' IbicL, vol. 1, pp. 188-189; for the quote in the nurses had almost never served in forward next paragraph, p. 186. ^' Ibid., vol. 1, p. 187; same for the quotation in the next paragraph. '•2/M., vol. l,p. 185.

291 To our brave defenders, a nation's thanks.—Philadelphia Inquirer,

The many hook-length accounts ofthe Spanish-American War depicted women's contributions to Ihe xvar in purely allegorical terms. fanet fennings in her actions and well-crafted account showed that xvomen 's role went well beyond the allegorical.

or combat areas, "and there was good rea­ of "a reserve corps of selected, trained son for questioning whether a field hospi­ women nurses, ready to serve when neces­ tal, with a moving army, was any place for a sity shall arise." woman." Recent experience in the war, To that outcome, though she escapes however, had shown that "female nurses, mention in the formal report to the Presi­ properly trained and properly selected, can dent, the heroic example of "The Angel be duly cared for and are of the greatest of the Seneca," during her intense, inter­ value." The many who had served at camp minable week of dedicated service at sea, hospitals in the United States had done ex­ contributed mightily. cellent work, "and it is to the high credit of the American soldier that not a single com­ OLLOWING her Dodge Commission plaint has been made by any nurse of per­ Fappearance. Miss Jennings disappeared sonal discourtesy."''-"* With that, the Com­ rather quickly from public notice. For a mission called for the immediate formation year or two she returned to her role as an anonymous reporter. Then, soon after the ''•'/M.,vol. l,pp. 170-171. turn of the century, as she approached her

292 WALSH: JANET JENNINGS AND THE SENECA mid-sixties, she retired, going back for good Jennings partially paralyzed and for a time to her Wisconsin home on Adams Street in bedridden. Recovering somewhat, she was Monroe. For a decade and more she lived taken back down to Washington to be cared quietly, but taking some part in town affairs, for by three ofher sisters who, years before, particularly as a member ofthe school board. had followed her to careers in the capital. In the local papers appeared occasional There, on the last day of 1917, she died. Ac­ brief mentions of her, and in 1905 more companied by the three sisters, the body than brief. Disagreeing with a large and un­ was brought home by train for burial in expected tax increase on her property, she Monroe. At the funeral services held Janu­ took on the entire town council in a well- ary 3, 1918, in the Universalist Church, the publicized, two weeks' battle. She lost, but coffin was carried by six ofthe town's lead­ was widely praised for her spirit and her ing citizens.'''' knowledge of tax law.''* Another thirty years were to pass before At last, in her mid-seventies, and perhaps the small stone slab, an official government inevitably, she grew into somewhat of a town marker obtained by a Wisconsin Veterans' eccentric. "Tho' very quiet and unassum­ committee, was placed on her grave in the ing," recalled E. H. Gloege, a local photog­ Monroe cemetery.''^/anejennings, it names rapher who knew her in those last years, "yet her, rather than the Janet she always pre­ she was aggressive and was a fighter when ferred. Between the Jane and the Jennings necessary. ... In manner of dress she had there is an extra space, now blank, allowing the simplest tastes. I recall on one occasion room for one more letter. Originally, it ap­ when she went to see the Governor on some pears, the name on the slab was written as matter. Instead of getting a new dress as Janet. Only later was it altered, presumably many a woman would have, she had a tai- by someone for whom the plainer form was loress patch an old one .... Her hat was a the cherished one. No clue tells who that joke—twelve or fifteen years out of style, yet might have been. worn till it was worn out. But under that old hat was one of the most wonderful brains this old town ever possessed."*'^ times almost tiresome, yet when she came to my stu­ In the summer of 1915 a stroke left Janet dio I was always ready to drop my work and listed for she was unusually intelligent and it was time well spent to hear her because of her contact with great ^'"^ Her 1905 tax fight was front-paged by the Mon­ and noted people." roe Evening Times on nine days in January, with the '* Monroe Evening 'yme5, January 3, 1918. conclusion reported on February 8 and 9. '" Procurement of the grave marker is described 65 E. H. Gloege to "Mr. Brown," May 20, 1930; in die Monroe Times, May 29, 1948. Beside the stone holograph at the State Historical Society ofWiscon­ stands a small metal star denoting a veteran of the sin. Gloege adds: "lane was quite talkative, some- Spanish-American War.

293 The Iron Brigade Melded: A Review Essay

By Richard Zeitlin

he Men Stood Like Lron by Lance Herde- of works have appeared dealing with the T gen describes the experiences of Iron brigade and its various subunits. Brigade members as they were transformed Herdegen analyzes the organizational by the Civil War's early battles. The Iron forces which shaped the Iron Brigade. He Brigade—the only midwestern brigade in reviews the lengthy training that the brigade the Army of the Potomac and originally received under the command of a regu­ composed of the Second, Sixth, and Sev­ lar Army officer, John Gibbon, who com­ enth Wisconsin, along with the Nineteenth manded the brigade from 1861 to 1862 and Indiana Volunteer Infantry regiments— instituted an arduous regime of professional gained fame for bravery and steadfastness. drill and training that helped prepare the Iron Brigade losses were among the high­ troops for combat. Mastering the evolution est of the war The Second Wisconsin In­ of the linear tactical formations of the era fantry Regiment, for example, suffered the contributed significantly to the brigade's greatest percentage of loss of any similarly successful battlefield performance. sized unit in the entire Union army. The Chronologically, Herdegen's book ends Seventh Wisconsin lost the most men killed following the departure of Major General in battle of any northern regiment. Of the George B. McClellan in November of 1862. Union's 3,359 regimental organizations, In fact, the book can be viewed as an at­ each ofthe Iron Brigade regiments is at or tempt to spark new interest in the career of near the top of the charts in terms of total "Little Mac," the Army of the Potomac's casualties. As a result, a substantial number popular but unsuccessful commander. Gen­ eral McClellan stands in bold relief as one of the more interesting characters of the AUTHOR'S NOTE: This essay focuses on The Men Stood Civil War era. An indi\'idual of unquestioned Like Iron: Hoxv the Iron Brigade Won Its Name, by Lance J. Herdegen (Indiana University Press, Bloomington talent, McClellan was somehow unable to and Indianapolis, 1997. Pp. xiii, 271. Illustrations, come fully to grips with the task that his maps, notes, bibliography, index. ISBN 0-253-33221- great skills were directed at achieving. Mc­ 4, $24.95); and On Many a Bloody Field: Four Years in Clellan remains an enigmatic, even a clas­ the Iron Brigade, by Alan D. Gaff (Indiana University sically tragic figure. Under McClellan the Press, Bloomington and Indianapolis, 1996. Pp. xiii, 499. Illustrations, maps, notes, bibliography, index. Union army underwent substantial growth, ISBN 0-253-3306.3-7, $29.95). vastly improved its training techniques, and

294 Copyright © 1998 by the State Historical Societ\' of Wisconsin AU rights of reproduction in anv form reserved. ZEITLIN: THE IRON BRIGADE MELDED gained in managerial effectiveness. Ac­ cording to popular fables, Robert E. Lee respected the Army of the Potomac most when it marched under McClellan. The troops loved him, and Herdegen provides awonderful account ofthe Union's rout at Second Bull Run (where the Iron Brigade served), followed by McClellan's remark­ able five-day reorganization and resupply of the defeated volunteers and their transfor­ mation into cheering ranks eagerly moving forward to meet the Confederate invasion of Maryland. But the Army ofthe Potomac never won a battle under McClellan. Indeed, the climactic event of the book —the battle of Antietam—marked McClel­ lan's final fiasco. There, the Union had overwhelming superiority in numbers of troops, possessed the Confederate plans for the campaign, and had developed a strategy to deal with Lee's widely separated forces. But McClellan was not to prevail. Lee's army survived to fight many another battle. The Iron Brigade and other active units paid an especially high price in blood for McClellan's fatal flaws as a battlefield com­ mander, while President Lincoln watched William Colwell, Captain Company B, .Second helplessly as Lee's outnumbered troops Wisconsin. Killed in action at South Mountain, held the Union to a draw and withdrew un­ Maryland, September 15, 1862. opposed back to Virginia. Yet despite the horrors of Antietam, the troops remained loyal to McClellan. When Lincoln fired Herdegen presents scenes and little facts him, Herdegen documents the dissatisfac­ which reveal human interest as well as hu­ tion expressed in the ranks of the Iron man tragedy. It is enjoyable to read. Brigade and the rest ofthe army. On Many a Bloody Field: Four Years in the The departure of McClellan encouraged Iron Brigade by Alan D. Gaff is a compre­ the soldiers ofthe Iron Brigade, and the rest hensive account of a single company ofthe of the Union army, to identify themselves Nineteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry: with the national government rather than Company B, whose 115 volunteers passed with the Army of the Potomac's most pop­ through the furnace of the Civil War. Only ular commander. Herdegen documents ten members of Company B mustered out through letters, diary entries, and other pri­ of service in 1865. mary sources this change. His interpretive Gaff provides information about the re­ theme of the growth of a national ideology cruitment, formation, and organization of within the ranks of the army and its com­ the company and its attachment to the mitment to overthro'wdng the South, despite Nineteenth Indiana. Many ofthe members the high casualties, is well presented and of Company B came from the Richmond, thoughtfully argued. Throughout the book Indiana, area. In order to provide an "ob-

295 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OE HISTORY SUMMER, 1998 jective examination of the military experi­ ministrative convenience, morale declined. ence during our Civil War," Gaff sketches The Nineteenth Indiana had so few men the history of the men in the ranks before left by the time of the Petersburg siege that they volunteered for service, during the war it •was made part of another regiment alto­ and, briefly, after the few who remained gether. Gaff's account provides good in­ were discharged. As numerous incidents sight into the period, and it is the best part great and small are recorded, detail upon of the book. detail is heaped upon the readers. Gaff's Gaff spends too little time on the civil­ impressive research led him through every ian backgrounds of the members of Com­ collection pertaining to the topic, and his pany B. The ability to trace the life course book is obviously a labor of love. of ordinary individuals by means of records Sometimes there is too much detail. By that document such citizens' lives is one of the end ofthe book, one has no better idea the potential advantages of studying mili­ of what the life of a Civil War infantryman tary history. Gaff, however, is more inter­ was like than could be obtained elsewhere. ested in the battles than in tiie sociology' of The men in the ranks were often inarticu­ the Civil War era. late. They wrote and were written about, Both Gaff and Herdegen make good but somehow the gulf between the actual use of previously untapped sources. Re­ experience and reading about the experi­ search is at the grassroots level as the au­ ence remains unbridged. Gaff succeeds ad­ thors tapped family members' and local mirably, however, in chronicling the history county historical holdings to produce their ofthe Iron Brigade and the Nineteenth In­ works. The level of interest in the experi­ diana in the period after Gettysburg. Here, ence ofthe Iron Brigade ccjutinues to run the tragedy of the war is unrelieved. very high, and there now exists an industry General Grant's advance on Richmond of Iron Brigade-related producers of his­ during the summer of 1864 began at the tory. Herdegen and Gaff are among the Wilderness and ended in the trenches around most prolific of Iron Brigade chroniclers, Petersburg. Never was there a gloomier and their books will appeal to Civil War afi­ campaign. Casualties were enormous. The cionados. But the literary trail in this spe­ Iron Brigade was fed into the flames. No cialized area leads back to Alan Nolan's thought or status was attached to its long­ great book. The Iron Brigade, published first standing high reputation; itwas simply con­ in 1961 and now in its fifth printing. It re­ sumed. Units were broken up, another unit mains one of the best unit histories of the became attached to the brigade as an ad­ Civil War.

296 BOOK REVIEWS

THE LIFE OF HERBERT HOOVER: Yet Hoover was no saint. And in Master MASTER OF EMERGENCIES, 1917-1918. of Emergencies, Nash tells the story of Hoover's By Ceorge H. Nash. return to the United States and his cam­ (W. W. Norton & Company, New York, 1996. paign for a position of authority in the Wil­ Pp. xiv, 656. Illustrations, notes, bibliographical son administration. Hoover not only suc­ ceeded in becoming the head of the new note, index. ISBN 0-39.3-03841-6, $45.00.) U.S. Food Administration, but he also fo­ In this latest volume of an ongoing bi­ cused public attention on the role of food ography of Herbert Hoover, George Nash in wartime. "Food Will Win the War" was admits that "the man who became our 31st one of Hoover's best known slogans. president was not an easy person to under­ As Nash notes in great detail, Hoover's stand. Both friends and adversaries were of­ success owed to a combination of factors. ten puzzled by him." Nash speaks with au­ That he was a driven man with a singular thority, for he has devoted his professional goal is without question. What is somewhat life to a monumental, multi-volume study surprising, however, is that he attracted to of the life man known as "the Great Hu­ his organization a large cadre of zealous manitarian." young men who extended Hoover's influ­ In the first volume of his biography, Na.sh ence across the country and around the documented Hoover's life from his humble world. The men who served with Hoover birth in West Branch, Iowa, to an education during World War I remained his closest at Stanford University and a career as a friends for the rest of his life. world-renowned mining engineer. Hoover Nash argues effectively that Hoover's ex­ seemed to have everything a man could periences as U.S. Food Administrator are want: fame, fortune, and a happy family. pivotal to any study of this president. "One Yet he also was imbued with an extraor­ way to better understand [Hoover]," notes dinary social conscience that would make Nash, "is to ob.serve him in action—in battle Hoover, in the words of Arthur Link, "a as it were—as he sought to do what he liked ruthless humanitarian." In the second vol­ to do in life: build institutions and accom­ ume, Nash told the story of how Hoover plish things." and a select group of assc:)ciates saved the Anyone who pages through Master of people of Belgium and northern France Emergencies w\\\ find ample evidence of this from imminent starvation during the first point. But most readers—even professors three years of World War I. Hoover's fame of history—are also likely to be over­ as a mining engineer was quickly eclipsed whelmed by the daunting level of detail in by his growing reputation as the savior of the book. Nash devotes over 500 pages of Belgium. text and 125 pages of notes to little more

297 WISCONSIN MAG.A.ZINE OE HISTORY SUMMER, I 998

The author has skillfully woven the his­ tory of signaling devices, the evolution of the organization of the Signal Corps, and the biographies of the corps commanders into a fabric placed in context by a general military history of the United States. Of particular value are summaries of the sci­ entific advances and their impact on the Signal Corps. The theme that runs through the text is the continual change in the mis­ sion ofthe Signal Corps as communication inventions came along. The history ofthe Signal Corps involved many facets of everyday life, including pho­ tography, motion pictures, aircraft, tele­ phone, radio, telegraph, radar, computers, weather forecasting, and ballooning. Many of the chapters of the book could be ex­ panded into monographs, and the author must have been faced with many difficult

WHi (X.'i) 14(')K1 decisions in compressing the work into one Herbert Hoover xvith the Belgian royal family, on book. a visit lo the U.S., 1919. From left: Crown Prince The book contains one of the few nega­ Leopold, Hoover, Queen Elizabeth, King Albert. tive descriptions of the actions of General George C. Marshall in reorganizing the United States Army into three branches: than eighteen months of Hoover's life. This the Air Force, the Service of Supply, and is far more information than all but the the Army Ground Forces. This reorgani­ most specialized scholars can absorb or ap­ zation, which eliminated the traditional preciate. chiefs of the various branches, is usually More than twenty years ago George Nash characterized as ridding the army of dead set out to write the definitive scholarly bi­ weight, an unnecessary bureaucracy, and ography of Herbert Hoover, and he has re­ incapable men who had achieved their po­ mained true to his task in this third volume. sitions primarily on the basis of seniority. His service to the understanding of our In the accepted version of the story, all of thirt)'-first president is unparalleled; for that these changes were carried out by Mar­ Nash deserves our respect and admiration. shall with a fair and even hand. However, in this study, the arbitrary removal of two TIMOTHY WALCH successive Signal Corps chiefs contains a Herbert Hoover Presidential library hint that perhaps Marshall was concerned with putting his own men in sensitive posts, since highly qualified men were removed in GETTING THE MESSAGE THROUGH. the process. By Rebecca Robbins Raines. The on-and-off relation between weather (Center of Military History, United States Army, reporting and the Signal Corps forms a fas­ Washington, D.C, 1996. Pp. xix, 464. Figures, cinating subplot. Because of the over­ tables, illustrations, appendixes, bibliographical whelming importance of timely informa­ note, glossary, and index. ISBN 0-16-045351-8, tion, the responsibility for creating weather $34.00.) reports was originally given to the Signal

298 BOOK REVIEWS

radios with push buttons rather than dials, and the problem of patents held by various inventors that complicated the develop­ ment of aircraft, which was finally resolved by hcensing. The problem of the book is the com­ pression of an enormous amount of infor­ mation into one volume. Some of the pas­ sages are so condensed that readers without a good background in the subject will have difficulty following them. However, the book is an excellent compilation and is a good starting point for one studying the impact of the Signal Corps, not only on the army but on American society. One minor complaint: the enamel-coated paper, while durable for heavy use as a tech­ nical manual, reflects light under most read­ ing conditions and requires constant tilting and adjustment as one reads down a page.

WALTEI^ S. DUNN, JR. Walworth County Historical Society

KJEEPERS OF THE DOOR: THE STORY OF THE DOOR COUNTY LIGHTHOUSES. American troops test abandoned German By Dr Stephen Karges and Daniel Larson. communications equipment al Essey. (C]om-Video, De Pere, WI, 1997. 60 minutes run­ ning time. Available from Com-Video at (888) Corps as the only agency capable of trans­ 336-3500, $25.10.) mitting the information speedily to a cen­ tral agency. The editors of this excellent video pre­ The documentation ofthe book is superb. sentation remind the viewer twice in the first The endnotes on each chapter offer end­ five minutes that Door County has more less leads for further study of the topics in lighthouses than any county in the United the chapter. The task of writing the book States. These lighthouses are significant well was made more difficult because no large beyond their numbers. The Door Peninsula, body of secondary literature on the subject with its numerous islands and dangerous exists. The narrative had to be assembled passages, was a serious threat to vessels using from archival sources and a wide miscellany Green Bay and traveling along the Wiscon­ of periodical literature. sin side of Lake Michigan throughout the Of great value to the general reader is nineteenth century. More than a dozen that the author resists the temptation to lights constructed between 1837 and 1899 provide detailed explanations of the tech­ (ten survive today) greatly reduced the dan­ nical characteristics of devices used by the gers and supported a growing volume of Corps, but at the same time highlights the shipping. element of each device that made it signif­ Karges and Larson begin with a seven- icant; for example: the ability to tune FM minute general introduction to Great Lakes

299 SH.SW \'isual Man-rials .\rchive Lighthouse at Peninsula Stale Park, Door County.

maritime history, with emphasis ou the im­ lived at one of these lights or spent time portance of shipping in the economic de­ visiting them are nicely woven into the nar­ velopment of Green Bay and its vicinity. A rative. These were either the children or rel­ series of brief histories ofthe ten surviving atives of keepers, now mainly in their sev­ lighthouses follows, with discussions of an­ enties or older. Their recollections of life at other half-dozen that no longer stand. The a lighthouse vary considerably, making them viewer learns about the construction his­ all the more useful. Many remembered the tory of many of the lights, but more im­ constant maintenance, especially painting portantly learns about everyday life at the and brass polishing, done by the keeper lighthouses and unusual events such as and the periodic visits of the Lighthouse shipwrecks. Service Inspector. They spoke both of the The editors have succeeded in bringing isolation and ofthe excitement of growing the lighthouse keepers to life and in giving up at a lighthouse. the viewer a good sense of what life was like This is an outstanding work of historical for the keeper and his family. They quote narration. It consistently places the light­ extensively from the logs that keepers were houses and their keepers in historical con­ required to maintain at their static^n and text. The editors present a set of interesting from local newspaper accounts of events. "slices of life" at Door County lighthouses Interviews with eight individuals who either without romanticizing the past or covering

300 BOOK REVIEWS

over the blemishes. The video is also vi.su- ally delightful, with a nice mixture of views taken from the land, the water, and the air This reviewer has seen about a dozen light­ house video presentations and this has by far the best cinematography. Keepers of the Door should find its way into public and school libraries and into the video collec­ tions of anyone interested in Great Lakes maritime history. This is an outstanding piece of history.

CHARLES K. HYDE Wayne State University

REEL PATRIOTISM: THE MOVIES AND WORLD WAR I. By Leslie Midkiff DeBauche. '"—^... (The University ofWisconsin Press, Madison, i 1997. Pp. xiii, 244. Illustrations, notes, bibliog­ .";;:. CHAHLIE CRAVUSS „. shoulder Arms raphy, index. ISBN 0-299-15400-9, $50.00, cloth; Wisconsin Center lor 1 lieaLcr Research ISBN 0-299-15404-1, $15.95, paper) Shoulder Arms is one ofthe many films Mention World War I films to film histo­ DeBauche analyzes in her xvork. rians and they immediately conjure images of hateful, leering Huns who enthusias­ have a war theme. In fact, only about four­ tically bayonet small children and rape teen percent of the total film production women. This propaganda image ofthe Ger­ centered on the war and most of those were mans, best represented by Eric Von Stro- newsreels or documentaries. But she notes heim in such films as The Hun Within and that when people went on special occasions Heart of Humanity, dominated popular visual to see big-budget, road-.show performances, images of the enemy during World War I. like those mentioned above, about half the Leslie Midkiff DeBauche, a professor time they paid "Broadway prices" to see some of communication at the University of facet of the war enacted. Wisconsin-Stevens Point, has written a new The patriotism of the film industry, ac­ book on the films of W\:)rld War I that does cording to DeBauche, was not limited to not concentrate, as most previous books what appeared on the screen. Exhibitors, on this subject have done, on the propa­ she writes, worked extremely hard at sup­ ganda images of these vintage war films. porting the war effort. They willingly pro­ Instead of a blow-by-blow account of the vided access to theaters for Four Minute hundreds of films produced with a war Men, volunteers who gave patriotic speeches theme, DeBauche offers case studies of a before audiences all across America, sold handful of films: Cecil B. DeMille's/oan the Liberty Bonds in theaters, decorated their Woman, Charlie Chaplin's Shoulder Arms, theaters with flags and other patriotic para­ and Mary Pickford's The Little American, phernalia, allowed the military to use the­ among others. aters as recruiting stations, and included DeBauche argues that during Wbrld War patriotic slogans in their advertisements. It I most films produced by Holl)'wood did not was all part of a carefully orchestrated cam-

301 WISCONSIN MAG.AZINE OE HISTORY SUMMER, 1998 paign, DeBauche argues, to use the war to start, no compelling point of view emerges create a positive image for the movie in­ from the book other than the rather ob­ dustry, which was constantly under attack vious fact that the industry was patriotic. by critics and would-be censors. Many of the sub-headings are so short that DeBauche states that this effort during they are intrusive rather than instructive. It the war paid huge dividends during the fol­ seems to me that historians have an obliga­ lowing decade and helped the industry tion to engage the reader as well as to in­ fight off a series of efforts at federal censor­ form them. ship, but she offers no compelling evidence The illustrations are also troublesome. for this claim. It is clear that state and local DeBauche has sprinkled her book with censorship intensified during the twenties. poster ads and other promotional materi­ Will Hays, hired by the industry in 1922 to als which are often quite interesting. Un­ head a newly created trade association, the fortunately, many of them appear to be Motion Picture Producers and Distributors taken from bad photocopies and are so of America, fought censorship on First dark that whatever message they carried is Amendment issues and promises of tighter lost. This, I think, is more the fault of the industry self-regulation, not on the patriotic publisher than the author effort of the industry during the war For Wisconsin readers. Reel Patriotism has GREGORY D. BLACK a decidedly local flavor to it. The book orig­ University of Missouri-Kansas City inated as a Ph.D. dissertation at the Uni­ versity of Wisconsin-Madison, and much of the discussion of the exhibition of film is MILWAUKEE ROAD IN ITS HOMETOWN: centered around Milwaukee and other Wis­ IN AND AROUND THE CITY OF MILWAUKEE. consin cities. With its large German ethnic By Jim Scribbins. base, one might expect some resistance to (Kalmbach Publishing Co., Waukesha, Wise, the anti-German, 100-percent-Americanism 1998. Pp. 128. Illustrations, map, index. ISBN flavor of war films in Milwaukee, but De­ 0-89024-31,5-8, $18.95.) Bauche clearlv documents that the "hate J the Hun" films were enthusiastically re­ This book of some 137 black-and-white ceived by Milwaukeeans. For example, photographs is part ofthe Kalmbach Books D. W. Griffith's Hearts ofthe World, a highly series "The Golden Years of Railroading," emotional anti-German film starring Lillian based on photographic archives in the and Dorothy Gish, ran for an unprece­ David P. Morgan Memorial Library at Kalin- dented six-week run at the Davidson in Mil­ bach's Trains magazine offices. The pic­ waukee. Eager patrons paid up to one dol­ tures were generally shot from about 1946 lar and a half in 1918 for the best evening to the end of the 1950s. A. C. Kalmbach's seats to watch Eric Von Stroheim portray an success in combining his love of the Mil­ evil, bloodthirsty German! waukee Road with his career as a publisher My major problem with the book is the was, perhaps, best exemplified in his railfan way that it is organized and written. It is a magazine Trains, which originally used a rather small book of less than two hundred number of photographs reissued in this vol­ pages, organized into seven chapters. Each ume. Jim Scribbins, who also wrote The Hia­ of the chapters in turn is divided into a watha Story and Milwaukee Road Remem­ large number of subheadings which, in bered, worked for the Milwaukee Road from some cases, run onlv a few paragraphs. The the late 1940s to his retirement in 1985 and resulting book is very disjointed. Because shares Kalmbach's love of their hometown the reader is constantly forced to stop and railroad during this period.

302 WHi (XS) 3877 The Milxuaukee Road's .Superdome Coach.

Though Chicago was the first city in the of so beautiful an engine, is unfortunate. title of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & This book will be of primary appeal to Mil­ Pacific, the Milwaukee Road was the home­ waukeeans and those railroaders and rail- town crown jewel of Milwaukee's Meno­ fans interested in the details of the Mil­ monee Valley with more than 150 trains a waukee Road's operations in its hometown day in 1946. Milwaukee's day as a leading in the fifteen years after the end of World manufacturing center and the Milwaukee War II. Road's day as a leading railroad are both gone, but Scribbins, after a brief history of J. FRANK COOK the railroad, including its financial prob­ University of Wisconsin-Madison lems and eventual absorption into the Canadian Pacific railroad, does an excel­ lent job in his captions and accompanying LEWIS & CLARK: THE JOURNEY text of retelling the story of one of Amer­ OF THE CORPS OF DISCOVERY. ica's most innovative rail lines. The author By Dayton Duncan. illustrates chapter by chapter the line's de­ pots (in 1965 Milwaukee built the last big (Alfred A. Knopf New York, 1997. Pp. xx, 249. city depot before Amtrak took over passen­ Illustrations, maps, bibliography, index. ISBN ger service), the shops and yards in the 0-679-45450-0, $40.00.) Menomonee Valley, the transition from This is a book to accompany the film of steam to diesel, and the various lines into the same name, produced by Ken Burns and out of the city. Each chapter is intro­ with the assistance of the author, who was duced with a brief historical sketch. the principal scriptwriter. As such it has This coffeetable-format paperback re­ many filmic characteristics: it is thematic, flects Kalmbach's usual high quality, though episodic, and relies heavily on visuals. In there is the curious use of the same pic­ fact, in many ways the text is subordinated ture of a streamlined Hiawatha locomotive to the visuals. Moreover, the narrative itself on both the cover and on page four—with is interrupted by extensive quotes from the the identical caption both times. Given the explorers'journals and other non-narrative wealth of photographs available and the elements. In these ways the narrative is cut small number of images that can be used short and does not include many of the in a book of this size, this duplication, even qualities one expects from historical works:

303 Captains Lewis h dwh Iwldin^ aCoiindl wWi dieliiJicais

WHi(X3)22«47 Frmn the 1811 edition 0/Journal ofthe Voyages and Travels . . . of Lewis and (4arke by Patrick Gass.

there is not an interpretive framework nor of the party's daily life—a good notion of the are there any novel approaches to this fa­ struggles it took to get an unwieldy keelboat miliar story from the author's pen. through sandbars and snags and up the Mis­ Don't get me wrong, this is more than a souri Riven I also understood a little better coffee-table book. The fact is that the work what it meant to be a member of the Corps was never intended to be anything other of Discovery. There are also intervening than what is presented here and it is not pro­ chapters written by specialists that consider moted otherwise. It does the work the au­ particular themes ofthe expedition. William thor set for it and will reach the audience it Least Heat-Moon wrote on the relations of was aimed for. So, who would want this Corps with Plains Indians, while Stephen book? Many of my Lewis and Clark enthu­ Ambrose told the endeavor's closest rela­ siast friends have bought the book as gifts tionship—the friendship of Lewis and Clark. or as recreational reacling. They enjoy the Less effective was Erica Funkhouser's piece quick narrative, the dramatic quotes from on "Finding Sacagawea." expedition diarists, and the beautiful illus­ In the nineties vernacular, I give the book trations. In other words, the book fills its a thumbs up. If you want some quick read­ niche very well. There are portions of the ing from a good storyteller, this is your book that worked well for me. Sidebars in book. If you want a richer narrative, more some chapters address interesting aspects of context, and probing analysis, go elsewhere. the expedition—aspects that sometimes are I'll keep my copy. lost in traditional narrative studies. I espe­ cially enjoyed "A Day on the River" After GARY E. MOULTON reading that bit I felt that I had a real sense University of Nebraska—Lincoln

304 BOOK REvn:ws

THE SUPERMEN: THE STORY OF ably cyclical pattern: arriving at a fledgling SEYMOUR CI^Y AND THE TECHNICAL company, Cray molded a small, fiercely WIZARDS BEHIND THE SUPERCOMPUTER. dedicated team of engineers who success­ By Charles J. Murray. fully created a state-of-the-art supercom­ puter Explosive new growth brought the (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1997. Pp. vii, company additional staff, new obligations, 220. Illustrations, notes, index. ISBN 0-471- altered client relationships, different fund­ 04885-2, $24.95.) ing priorities, and—inevitably—office poli­ In recent years, businessmen have tics. When these distractions finally became emerged as a new class of American cul­ intolerable, Cray and a handful of loyal en­ tural hero, and celebratory business bio­ gineers would quit, found another small graphies (Lee lacocca, Sam Walton, Bill company, and repeat their accomplish­ Gates) have become a regular feature of ment. the best-seller lists. Charles Murray's new bi­ As the eighties progressed, however, a ography of Chippewa Falls native Seymour fundamentally altered economic climate Cray fits squarely into this hagiographic for­ made the supercomputing business tougher mat, yet manages to transcend the genre. for all concerned. As technical limits in Murray brings considerable insight and electron speed and component packing sensitivity to his task; the result is a wel­ were approached, great leaps in perfor­ come, readable introduction to the obscure mance were harder to achieve. Develop­ yet pervasive world of supercomputing. ment costs spiraled upwards just as the end Seymour Roger Cray (1925-1996) was of Cold War spending led buyers to em­ the single most successful and influential phasize lower initial cost, compatibility, and designer of supercomputers. Created ex­ value for money rather than Cray's spe­ pressly to perform huge numbers of calcu­ cialty: sheer, blistering speed. Although lations at extreme speeds, supercomputers Cray much preferred engineering comput­ have become essential for tasks as diverse as ers to managing a business, he spent most code breaking, aircraft design, petroleum ofthe 1980's devising organizational struc­ exploration, weather forecasting, and sim­ tures to maintain creativity, foster internal ulating nuclear explosions. Starting in the competition, and avoid bureaucracy. These 1950's, Cray's pioneering work consistently efforts achieved only mixed success, and created the fastest, most powerful comput­ Cray left his namesake, Cray Research Cor­ ers on earth, at one point even influencing poration, in 1989 to found another start-up American foreign policy. By convincing the company. Although this one failed in 1995, United States government that improved Cray hadjust established yet another when nuclear weapons could be developed via he was killed in an automobile accident. computer simulation, the Cray-designed The improbable location of one of the CDC 6600 supercomputer (manufactured nation's major supercomputer manufactur­ by Control Data Corporation) helped make ers, Cray Research Corp., in Chippewa Falls, the 1963 atomic test ban treaty a reality. Wisconsin, is a direct result of Cray's distaste Murray portrays Cray as a brilliant, am­ for management obligations. In 1962, to es­ bitious, single-minded, publicity-shy engi­ cape interruptions, meetings, and other neer, whose breadth of mathematical and non-productive distractions, as well as the technical knowledge was unmatched and threat of a nuclear strike on St. Paul, Cray whose designs epitomized .simpHcity and el­ convinced Control Data Corporation man­ egance. From the late 1950's through the agers to build a new research lab near his early 1980's, Cray's success was virtually un­ boyhood home in the woods of northern interrupted. His career followed a remark­ Wisconsin. When Cray left Control Data,

305 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OE HISTORY SUMMER, 1998

the privacy and quiet of Chippewa Falls led government, especially military, procure­ him to found his next company, Cray Re­ ment in fostering technological develop­ search Corporation, there as well. ment; the difficulties of coping with rapid Murray securely grounds Cray's techni­ growth; and the entrepreneurial impera­ cal achievements and occasional failures tive—especially evident in the computer in­ within their competitive and economic con­ dustry—to continually create new compa­ texts. One recurring theme is the ongoing nies to displace the old. conflict between Cray's single-minded quest Seymour Cray indeed belongs in the for superb technical performance and the company of lacocca and Gates; his failures demands of customers, competitors, and tell us as much about the changing nature the business organization itself. This per­ of the supercomputer business as do his spective makes l^he Supermen a history of an remarkable successes. The Supermen sheds entire industry rather than the biography welcome light on this little-known, yet ex­ of an individual. Throughout, Murray pro­ tremely influential Wisconsinite, and pro­ vides enough clearly described technical in­ vides a valuable portrait of an entire indus­ formation to make readers appreciate his try as well. subjects' dilemmas and accomplishments, but not so much that we become bored or DAVID B. DRISCOLL lost. Indeed, Murray's close recounting of State Historical Society of Wisconsin the technical obstacles presented by each new generation of computer, and how Cray chose to tackle them, add a surprising drama FREDERICK JACKSON TURNER: to The Supermen. STRANGE ROADS GOING DOWN. In many ways. The Supermen resembles By Allan G. Bogue. similar business biographies: it is written in (University of Oklahoma Press: Norman, 1998. an engaging, journalistic style and empha­ Pp. xviii, 557. Illustrations, notes, bibliography, sizes individual brilliance over teamwork, index. ISBN 0-8061-3039-3, $34.95.) occasionally becoming almost elegiac to­ wards its main subject. Murray accepts the Allan G. Bogue, former Frederick Jack­ notion of "genius" in a somewhat offhand, son Turner Professor at the University of uncritical way, yet is careful to document Wisconsin, has written an excellent aca­ how the marketing departments of Cray's demic and intimate study of Turner Turner companies consciously promoted this "lone taught at Wisconsin for more than two genius" image, sometimes to their chagrin. decades before moving to Harvard in 1910. Despite being written in a popular style. During his tenure, he contributed to mak­ The Supermen demonstrates a sophisticated ing the University one ofthe nation's best. understanding of contemporary issues in Promoting liberal arts, graduate education, business history and the history of tech- and social science in a turn-of-the-century, nolog}'. Specialist readers will find useful in­ land-grant college was a daunting task. sights on a wide range of topics, including Turner confronted the Trustees over re­ the relationship between individual cre­ search, salaries, and even football. Bogue ativity and institutional structure; the influ­ demonstrates how Turner, the consum­ ence of corporate culture and individual mate academic entrepreneur—he was a charisma on economic success; the conflict master at negotiating job offers—success­ betw'een pure engineering vision and mar­ fully struggled to make Wisconsin's history ket demands; technology transfer within department first rate. the computer industry; the competitive Turner was even more successful within trade-offs between innovating and adopt­ the historical profession. Widely respected ing proven technologies; the influence of by the profession's leaders—many were

306 BOOK REVIEWS friends dating from his graduate student including statistics, mapping, and voter days at John Hopkins—Turner served on analysis. Although Turner's reputation rests important national committees, the edito­ primarily on the "frontier thesis," Bogue rial board of the American Historical Jfeview, places Turner's scholarship in a context that and, for a brief period, during the First gives his other work, especially sectionalism World War on the National Board of His­ (regionalism), greater attention. torical Service. He was president of the No defender of the "frontier thesis," American Historical Association in 1910. Bogue presents its historiography. Bogue's No mere academic entrepreneur. Turner study shifts the emphasis of Turner's work made important contributions to scholar­ away from frontier history to regionalism ship. His brief essay, "The Significance ofthe and methodology. As a leading social sci­ Frontier in American History," which es­ entist, Bogue justly claims Turner as one of poused the idea that American democracy his own. Bogue also defends Turner's and national character were the result ofthe record of scholarly productivity. Many arti­ nation's frontier experience, is a landmark cles in the American Historical Review, two work. The implications of his "frontier the­ volumes of essays, and a path-breaking sis" remain a source of controversy among monograph, plus a score of critical book historians. Turner also early advocated the reviews warrant respect, but he concedes study of regional history, especially of what that much of the work is dated. To Bogue, he called the West. He was a proponent of, Turner is less an original thinker than an although he did not originate, the use by expositor The book is, therefore, a correc­ historians of social science methodologies. tive in Turner scholarship.

w«ln>n,'Mi<'.^-.V-

WHI (X3) 44094 Frederick fackson Turner with his grandson, fackson Turner Main, on the baby's first birthday, August, 1918.

307 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OE HIS LORY SUMMER, 1998

This is more than the story of university Turner's case he has put a human face on and professional politics and rival historical the only American historian for whom a paradigms. Bogue's Turner is real. The fly- school of scholarship is named. fisherman, the father who suffers the loss of two children, the husband with a fragile MARTIN RIDGE wife, the professor living on the financial Huntington Library edge—they are all here. As a social scientist Bogue usually wadtes with dispassion, but in

Book Reviews

Bogue, Frederick fackson Furner: Strange Roads Going Mtu^ra)', The Supermen: The Story of Seymour Cray and Down, re\iewed b\' Martin Ridge 306 the Technical Wizards behind the Siipercomjmter, reviewed by David B. Driscoll 305 DeBauche, Reel Patriotism: The Movies and World Warl, reviewed by Gregory D. Black 301 Nash, The Life of Herbert Hoover: Mastei' of Frnergencies, 1917-1918, ceyiewed bv Timothv Walch 297

Duncan, Lewis & Clark: The Journey ofthe Corps of Dis­ Raines, Gelling the Message I'hrough, reviewed by Wal­ covery, reviewed by Gary E. Moulton 303 ter S. Dunn, Jr. . . . ."^ ''. .' . 298

Karges and Larson, Keepers of the Door: The Story ofthe Scribbins, Milwaukee Road in Its Hometown: In and Door County Lighthouses, rexiew'ed b\- Charles K. Around the City of Milxvaukee, reviewed b\' J. Frank Hyde ....'...' ' 299 Cook '. 302

Corrections

The editors wish to thank the many readers photo, on the steps ofthe New Fellowship who commented so enthusiastically on the ofthe Church of God of Christ, may or may special sesquicentennial issue (Spring, Vol­ not be parishioners, as the caption reads. ume 81.3). Two sharp-eyed readers, BettyJ. Mr. Schroeder points out that the map Fitch of Goleta, California, and Paul T on page 162 incorrectly lists Grantsburg as Schroeder of Oshkosh, wTote to us concern­ the county seat of Burnett County. The cur­ ing errors in the spring issue. rent Blue Book lists Meenon as the county MS. Fitch notes that the caption on page seat, and its maihng address is Siren. 213 reads "North 8th Avenue," but that Fortunately, we were able to correct the numbered streets north ofthe Menomonee map in the book version of this issue, enti­ Valley have always been named "streets." tled Wisconsin Revisited: A Rephotographic Es- She thought that the confusion may have say. It is available now through our distrib­ resulted from the existence of North Av­ ution partner, the University of Wisconsin enue, which runs east-west. She also sug­ Press. Please call the Press at (608) 224- gested that the men pictured in the same 3900 for ordering information.

308 The Williain Best Hesseltine Award sin Free Library Commission to improve li­ brary services to rural areas. The THIRTY-FIRST ANNUAL William Best THE AMY LOUISE HUNTER FELLOWSHIP Hesseltine Award for the best article to be carries an outright award of $2,500. The fel­ published in the Wisconsin Magazine of His­ lowship is awarded in even-numbered years tory during 1996-1997 (Volume 80) was at the graduate level and beyond for research given to Michael Kades for his article, "In­ on topics related to the history of women cumbent Without a Party: Robert M. La Fob and public policy, broadly construed, with lette,Jr, and the Wisconsin Republican Pri­ preference given to Wisconsin topics and/or mary of 1946," in the Autumn, 1996 issue. for research using the collections ofthe State Established in memory of the past pres­ Historical Society of Wisconsin. Dr Amy ident of the State Historical Society of Louise Hunter headed the Wisconsin Bu­ Wisconsin and distinguished University of reau of Child and Maternal Health from Wisconsin professor. The William Best Hes­ 1935 through 1960. The Hunter Fellowship seltine Award consists of ,$100. There is no was established in her memory through a be­ deadline for submissions, and manuscripts quest left by her husband, Frederick G. W'^il- may relate to the history of Wiscon.sin and son. The choice of the Amy Louise Hunter the Middle West or to themes of larger na­ Fellow is made by a committee selected by tional interest. The editors of the Magazine the Society, which reserves the right not to gratefully acknowledge the long and valu­ award the fellowship in any given year. Ap­ able service of Richard N. Current and plicants should submit four copies of a cur­ Reginald Horsman who serve as judges for rent resume and four copies of a letter of not the Hesseltine Award. more than two pages, describing their back­ ground and training in historical research and a description of their current research Amy Louise Hunter Fellowship work. This description should include the proposal, types of sources to be used, possi­ CHRISTINE PAWLEY, a visiting assistant pro­ ble conclusions, and the applicant's concep­ fessor at the School of Library and Informa­ tion of the work's significance. tion Studies at the University of Wisconsin- Madison, is the 1998-99 winner ofthe Amy Applications should be received by May 1 Louise Hunter Fellowship. Pawley's research of even-numbered years and should be ad­ focuses on the use of information by ordi­ dressed to: Dr. Michael Stevens, State His­ nary citizens, and she will use the fellow­ torian, State Historical Society ofWiscon­ ship to research records in the Society's sin, 816 State Street, Madison, Wisconsin archives concerning efforts by the Wiscon­ 53706-1488.

309 Accessions The Jim Kennedy collection consists of products of his Civil W'ar research about Catalog descriptions of more than 80 John Carroll, a member of Co. D of the percent of all manuscript and gov­ 20th Wisconsin Infantry, the only Wiscon­ ernment records holdings are avail­ sin Civil War soldier to be executed. able in the Archives' on-line catalog Received and processed for the Milwau­ (ArCat). ArCat is part of the Univer­ kee Area Research Center were papers, sity of "Wisconsin Electronic Library 1977-1992, oi Barbara L. Ulichny document­ and is accessible via modem or via the ing her legislative service in the State As­ Internet 24 hours a day. The dial-in sembly (1978-1984) and the Senate (1984- access is at 608-262-8670. Internet ac­ present). cess uses Telnet; researchers can en­ Records ofthe Center for Democracy in the ter directly using the Telnet address Americas reflect a grassroots organization silo.adp.wise.edu:5034 or can enter devoted to collecting and disseminating in­ through the Archives' home page on formation to U.S. citizens about El Salvador the World Wide Web at hltp://wivw and the effects of the war. . wise, edu/shs-archives/ A family chart prepared by H. W Hein gives information about the Thomas I. Son For further information on any ofthe Archives' family. holdings, contact our reference staff by regu­ The papers of Columbia County judge lar mail, by email (at archives.reference@ccmail .adp.wisc.edu), bv telephone (608-264-6460), Elton J. Morrison include his articulate and or by fax (60eS-264-6472). descriptive Wbrld WW I letters, a copy of his book based on the letters, a diary, and clip­ pings that relate to his law career. New Accessions "Gay Madison: a History" is thirteen-tape New collections accessioned include the recordings from an oral history project con­ records of the Duplex Manufacturing Com­ ducted by Brian J. Bigler as research for a pany, a Superior firm that manufactured course at Edgewood College. and sold farm water supply equipment. Records of the Wisconsin Ballet Company These are now at the Superior Area Re­ include administrative files as well as ex­ search Center tensive documentation of performances. The Stevens Point Anti-Tuberculosis Associ­ Wd^C was the first professional ballet com­ ation collection, now at the Stevens Point pany in the state. Area Research Center, consists of brief Papers of the Tousey Family reflect the records of a local organization that fought family's leadership in the Brotherton In­ TB through educational efforts, coordina­ dian Nation ofWisconsin and concern the tion of services and resources, and fund- tribe's application for Federal recognition raising activities. as a sovereign dependent nation. Records of the Chippewa Valley Unitarian- Also accessioned were the letters, diaries, Universalisl Fellowship in Eau Claire reflect a photographs, and tape recordings pro­ community's social awareness; the records duced by Wisconsin Vietnam Veterans, which date 1963-1980 and include resolutions were collected by the Society as part of the stating opposition to reinstatement of the "Voices from Vietnam" publications project. draft, use of nerve gas, promotion of infant Brief records of the Wisconsin Institute for milk formula in developing countries, and Intermedia Studies document a Madison favoring amnesty for Vietnam W^ar draft artists' cooperative active in the early 1970's. resistors. These materials have been pro­ Records, 1936-1986, ofthe Stern Fund, a cessed for the Eau Claire Area Research philanthropic foundation established by Center. Edgar and Edith Stern in New Orleans in

310 At;CESS10NS

1936. In its early years, the Fund mainly Life Project concern the history of Black supported New Orleans organizations, es­ River Falls and the photographs of Charles pecially those related to the arts and the Van Schaick. education of African Americans. Later, the A church bulletin from the Zion Lutheran Fund touched a wide variety of groups and Church of Oneida contains the order of wor­ projects, particularly fledgling organizations ship on Super Bowl Sunday 1997, a service working for social change. The records designed around that event and the Green document not only the Fund and its oper­ Bay Packers. This is now at the Green Bay ation but the many grantee organizations Area Research Center as well. Records ofthe Chiwaukee Prairie Preserva­ Founded at the UW in 1975, Wisconsin tion Fund reflect the activities of a group or­ Women Library Workers members worked to ganized in 1985 concerned with protecting eliminate sex-role stereotyping in society at natural resources in the Chiwaukee Prairie- large, not only in librarianship. Records Coral Beach area in Kenosha County; now date 1977-1997. at the ParLside Area Research Center Judy Skog's fragmentary papers concern New collections also include the John her activities with the Madison Coalition Crryga Collection, 1936-1994. The material, for the ERA, a local offshoot of NOW's ERA which largely consists of furniture design Ratification Project. drawings, was collected by Gryga in the Letters of Michael Shortell, a Civil War sol­ course of his work for the Wisconsin Chair dier from Portage County, concern his ser­ Co. of Sheboygan and for other Wisconsin vice with the Seventh Infantry. furniture manufacturers. Dick Bodin 's compiled volume of his World Letters written by Brenda Brieske Wiard to War II letters give details about actions that her parents in Black River Falls, 1979-1997, had been reported in the press, leave in focus on her life as a student of Environ­ Paris, impressions of Holland and Germany, mental Studies at Northland College in daily activities, mail from home, and life at Ashland, plus later activities and interests the end of the war in a non-combat zone. after graduation. This collection is at the A reminiscence written by Mela Malueg new Northern Great Lakes Visitors Center Eox, born in 1909, describes her life in rural Records of the A. & TA. Burr General Shawano County, Marion, and Plymouth. Store in Lancaster document the business Brief papers of State Senator Barbara K. interests of Addision Burr and his son, Eorman highlight her work on legislation Theodore Addison Burr, between 1858 and concerning farm safety, drug and alcohol 1875. In addition tojournals recording the education for children, repeat drunk dri­ accounts of credit customers, correspon­ vers, and incarcerated women with chil­ dence in letterpress books concerns the dren, among other issues. business of the general store as well as the An interesting accession is a tape record­ Lancaster Woolen Mill, also operated by ing containing two songs composed by Ron the Burrs, and contains information relat­ Harrison, 1989, expressing conservative sen­ ing to the Burr family and to Lancaster timents in connection with government community affairs. This collection is now regulation and Indian spear fishing in Wis­ on microfilm at the Platteville Area Re­ consin ("Stand Up and Fight" and "Nailed search Center. bytheD.N.R."). The papers of Alvin E. O'Konski, a Re­ Also on tape are Spear Fishing Protests Wit­ publican congressman who represented ness Reports from people gathered to ob­ Wisconsin's Tenth District from 1942 to serve protests of Chippewa spear fishing on 1972 and who is probably best known for Wisconsin lakes in 1990. his anti-communist activities, also docu­ Undated interviews on tape for the Rixjer ment his interest in post-war European af-

311 WTSCONSIN MAGAZINE OE HISTORY SUMMER, 1998 fairs, his opposition to U.S. involvement in Abstract Vietnam, and the contributions he made to Papers, mainly 1967-1968, of Young, a the development of northern Wisconsin. Chicago physician and medical activist These papers were originally processed sev­ chiefly relating to his work as the national eral years ago at the Historical Society for and Chicago area leader of the Medical Nicolet College, and now have been do­ Committee for Human Rights. MCHR was nated by the College upon the closing of a civil rights support group founded in their archives. The collection is located at 1964 to provide medical aid to volunteers the Northern Great Lakes Visitors Center in Mississippi. It also provided medical aid The Minor Family papers, now at the La to the 1968 Democratic Convention, an act Crosse Area Research Center, concern a which caused Young to be subpoenaed by Vernon County, Wisconsin-La Crescent, the House Committee for Un-American Minnesota family and contain genealogical Activities (HUAC) in 1968. information about the Minors and related families, as well as diaries kept by WWton E. Included in the records are correspon­ Minor from 1965 to 1989, family photo­ dence to and from Young in his roles as graphs, and other family papers and mem­ MCHR leader and Chicago physician/ac­ orabilia. tivist; correspondence of T.G.G. (George) Wilson, Philadelphia chapter leader and Records of the Association for Women in vice chairman during Young's tenure; na­ Communications, Madison Chapter concern tional and Chicago MCHR records and files the group's efforts to improve women's sta­ about numerous MCHR chapters; activity tus in journalism, public relations, and re­ files on the Southern project of the Chap­ lated fields, and also contain information ter, the 1968 Democratic Convention, and about wider issues relevant to those fields, anti-American Medical Association organiz­ such as freedom of information. ing; and general subject files on social ac­ The papers of F. M. Wit (a.k.a. Frank M. tion and medical organizations with which Wltcpalek) consist of a photocopied com­ Young had contact. pilation of short biographical sketches of Algoma and Kewaunee County residents Biography/LListory written by Wit and accompanied by a name index compiled by donor Harold F. Heid­ Quentin Young was born in Chicago, Illi­ mann. The collection is at the Green Bay nois on September 5, 1923. After studying Area Research Center. at the University of Chicago and Cornell Brief, typewritten Histories of Evangelical University, he received two bachelor's de­ United Brethren Churches in Wisconsin, ca. grees in medicine and a medical degree at 1967, record how and by whom each con­ Northwestern University; he was later gregation was founded; dates of construc­ awarded a master's degree in physiology in tion of church buildings; significant events; 1952 at the University of Illinois. M\er com­ lists of pastors who have served the congre­ pleting his residency at Cook County Hos­ gations; and various other information. pital in 1952 Young worked as an attending The compiler is unknown, and the work physician of thoracic medicine at Michael does not appear to duplicate available pub­ Reese Hospital in Chicago, as well as keep­ lished sources. ing a private practice in Hyde Park. Injune 1964, Young joined a group of liberal health professionals in founding Newly Processed Collection the Medical Committee for Human Rights Young, Quentin (1923- ). Papers, 1964- (MCHR), a group organized to provide 1975. 2.2 cf. (6 archives boxes) and pho­ medical assistance to civil rights workers tographs. during the Mississippi Freedom Summer

312 ACC:ESSIONS

Project. Young was one of hundreds of In addition to serving as a leader of northern physicians who volunteered to MCHR's Chicago chapter. Young also go South in order to observe medical con­ served as the national assistant chairman in ditions. 1966-1967 and as national chairman in During 1964-1965 MCHR was almost 1967-1968. In these positions, he played a completely concerned with its Southern pro­ major role in organizing health profession­ ject, however, as membership grew, it began als for civil rights and health care reform. to address other social, political, and medi­ Young's influence at the 1968 Democratic cal issues. The organization lobbied against Convention caught the attention of the the use of mace during the Vietnam War, House Committee on Un-American Activi­ and it championed the cause of the poor ties, and he was subpoenaed by HUAC in and uninsured. Because of its leftist cri­ 1968 on .suspicion of plotting the violence tique of the medical establishment, MCHR that erupted at the convention. emerged as an alternative to the American Aside from this involvement in MCHR, Medical Association which was then re­ which faded from existence in the early garded by many as conservative and unsym­ 1970s, Young was an activist in his commu­ pathetic to the needs ofthe poor In 1967 nity and profession. As a south-side physi­ and 1968, MCHR was instrumental in major cian. Young played close attention to the demonstrations at the AMA annual conven­ needs of Chicago's poor. He was involved tions. In 1968, the MCHR's Chicago Chap­ in numerous (Chicago health-related orga­ ter provided neutral medical assistance at nizations as well as other neighborhood as­ that year's Democratic Convention. sociations. In order to create support, in 1967 and again in 1968, MC]HR ran full-page adver­ Scope and Content tisements about their work in the Neiu York. The Quentin Young collection divides Times. Some ofthe physicians who endorsed into three parts: general correspondence, MCHR's actions were Benjamin Spock, MCHR files, and subject files. Joseph Stokes, Alfred Klinger, and Alan The General Correspondence, which is Guttmacher. MCHR published a monthly arranged chronologically, contains incom­ newspaper entitled Health Rights Neius. ing and outgoing letters, memos, and other The MCHR originally had a national of­ correspondence of Quentin Young about fice in New York City. With no money to MCHR activities and Young's promotion of support a permanent headquarters, the na­ the group and its publication Health Rights tional office annually moved to the resi­ News. The correspondence series is an ex­ dence ofthe national chairman. A national cellent source documenting the liberal ac­ executive committee oversaw the major tivism in the medical profession in the late policy decisions of the national organiza­ 1960s. There is also much information tion. Over the Executive Committee was a concerning the state of health care in governing body comprised of delegates Chicago during the same period. Most im­ from local chapters that met twice a year portantly, however, the letters document Once a year the MCHR held a national con­ both the emergence of access to health vention where policy, finances, and activities care as a basic human right. were discussed and resolutions adopted. Prominent correspondents include H. Membership in the MCHR was split into nu­ Jack Geiger, Martin Luther King (May 1, merous local chapters, Chicago being the 1967 andjanuary 16, 1968), Alfred Klinger, largest. Funding for MCHR came from Alvin Pouissant, Walter Reuther, Frank membership fees and contributions, how­ Wilkinson, and Andrew Young. In addition, ever, the group always suffered from a lack the General Correspondence includes of finances. three folders of carboned correspondence

313 WISCONSIN MAC;.\ZINE OE HISIORY SUMMER, 1998 of George Wilson of Philadelphia. Wilson correspondence, meeting minutes, project was national vice chairman during Young's literature, publications, and membership tenure, later succeeding him as national lists. The Chicago chapter material is, un­ chairman in 1968. He apparently sent derstandably, the most extensive. copies of all of his MCHR correspondence MCHR activities files include correspon­ to Young in order to keep him informed. dence; newspaper clippings; project litera­ The MCHR Files primarily contain in­ ture such as hand-outs, mailings, and policy formation about MCHR during Young's implementation guides; reports; and press tenure as national chairman from mid-1967 releases. Files on providing medical care to through 1968. In addition, there are a few civil rights workers during the Mississippi early documents as well as a constitution. Freedom Summer appear to be the records Financial records are few and fragmentary, of Mrs. Bette Johnson ofthe Chicago chap­ and most complete for the years 1964 and ter. Of particular interest are testimonies 1965. from volunteers who served in Mississippi. Limited administrative records include Other files document activities at the some Governing Council minutes and 1968 Democratic convention, anti-AMA policy statements, and fragmentary materi­ organizing, and draft counseling. It was als from annual national conventions. Pub­ MCHR's involvement at the Chicago Con­ lic relations files contain letters of support vention that raised the suspicions of HUAC from prominent physicians collected as a that the 1968 convention violence was pre­ result ofthe New York Tiwze5 advertisements, meditated. Due to its anti-AMA counter- press releases, and publications issued the conventions and protests, MCHR was con­ MCHR. (The organization's primary publi­ sidered by many as the alternative to the cation. Health Rights Nexvs, is available in the AMA. The AMA activity records include sev­ SHSW library.) eral photographs that were probably taken Membership files consist primarily of na­ at an AMA protest in 1970. tional inquiries about membership as well The third group of papers, designated as membership lists. The inquiries were Subject Files, contain information on weeded to preserve only correspondence Young's activities in behalf of racial and of substantial content These letters are of­ class equity outside of MCHR and concern ten quite revealing, for people frequently topics such as mace, the Student Health indicated their personal reasons for wish­ Organization of Chicago, and preventative ing to join the fledgling group. medicine. These files contain newspaper Chapter files represent the bulk of the clippings, manuscripts, informational hand­ MCHR series. As the principal method of outs, correspondence, and promotional lit­ organizing members, the local chapters erature. At the end of the subject files is were essential to the MCHR's growth and one folder of biographical information and development after the Freedom Summer of miscellaneous writings by Quentin Young 1964. In general, the chapter files contain about health care reform.

314 Wisconsin History Checklist from Donna Long Kjendlie, 1408 Cook Street, Kennett, Missouri 63857.) Kjend­ Recently published and currently avail­ lie compiled an index to include in this able Wisconsiana added to the Society's Li­ volume. brary are listed below. The compilers, James D. Buckett, Gifts and Exchanges Librarian, and Susan Dorst, Assistant Acquisitions Li­ Burridge, George Nau. La Mystique du Re­ brarian, are interested in obtaining infor­ nard: the Fox River and the Passage to the mation about (or copies of) items that are West. (Green Bay, Wisconsin, 1997. Pp. vii, not widely advertised, such as publications 39. Illus. No price listed. Available from of local historical societies, family histories Green Bay Historical Society, P.O. Box and genealogies, privately printed works, and histories of churches, institutions, or 1411, Green Bay Wisconsin 54305-1411.) organizations. Authors and publishers wish­ ing to reach a wider audience and also to per­ Buss, Jerry. A War of Their Own. (Oregon, form a valuable bibliographic service are Wisconsin, cl998. Pp. 190. Illus. $12.95. urged to inform the compilers of their pub­ lications, including the following informa­ Available from Badger Books, PO Box tion: author, title, location and name of pub­ 192, Oregon, Wisconsin 53575.) Cover lisher, date of publication, price, pagination, title is The Krueger Affair: A War of Their and address of supplier. Write Susan Dorst, Own. Acquisitions .Section. Commemorative History, Catholic Diocese of Amazing Grace: a Sescjuicentennial Remem­ Madison: Building Our Future in Faith brance, 1847-1997. (Sheboygan, Wiscon­ (Madison, Wisconsin, 1998. Pp. 200. .sin, 1997. Pp. 203. Illus. No price listed. Illus. No price listed. Available from Dio­ Available from Betty Potter, Archivist, cese of Madison, 15 East Wilson Street, Grace Episcopal Church, 1011 North Madison, Wisconsin 53701-0111.) 7th Street, Sheboygan, Wisconsin 53081.) History of Grace Episcopal Church. Doering, Anita Taylor and Petersen, Bill. A Gift to La Crosse: a History ofthe La Crosse L^he Ancestors and Descendants of Joseph Konkol Public Library. (La Crosse, Wisconsin, and Augustina Stolz. (Green Bay, Wiscon­ 1997. 41 leaves. No price listed. Available sin, 1994. Pp. iy 345. Illus. $25.00. Avail­ from Anita Taylor Doering, Archivist, La able from Adeline M. Sopa, 2711 Danbar Crosse Public Library, 800 Main Street, Drive, Green Bay, Wisconsin 54313.) La Cro.s.se, Wisconsin 54601.)

Baird, Elizabeth T 0-DE-JIT-WA-WIN-NLNG Erickson, Vernon D. Births, Deaths, Mar­ or Contes Du TemJ)s J-'asse, the Memoirs of riages and Other Crcnealogical Gleanings Elizabeth T Baird. ( Green Bay, Wiscon­ from Newspapers for Crawford, Vernon and sin, 1998. Pp. 134. fllus. $9.95 plus $1.25 Richland Counties, Wisconsin, 1873-1910. postage and handling. Available from (Bowie, Maryland, 1997. Pp. x, 350. No Heritage Hill Foundation, 2640 South price listed. Available from Heritage Webster Avenue, Green Bay, Wisconsin Books, Inc., 1540E Pointer Ridge Place, 54301.) Baird wrote about her life in Bowie, Maryland 20716.) Wisconsin in the 1800's. Footprints Through Farmington. (Kewaskum?, Bingham, Helen M. 1877 History of CWeen Wisconsin, 1998? Pp. 334. Illus. $20.00. County, Wisconsin. (Kennett, Missouri, Available from Farmington Historical 1998? 1 vol., various pagings. $30.00 plus Society, Dan Plzak, 1237 Scenic Drive, $3.00 postage and ihandling. Available Kewaskum, Wisconsin 53040.)

315 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISIORY SUMMER, 1998

Giles, Diane M.; McCumber, Beverly Brandl; Wisconsin, 1997. Pp. 222. Illus. $14.95 and Pollei, Dane F. Focus on Louis Thiers: postage and handling. Wisconsin resi­ a Photogmpher's View of Kenosha. (Kenosha, dents add 75?^ sales tax. Available from Wisconsin, 1997. Pp. 192, Illus. No price The Green Bay News-Chronicle, P.O. listed. Available from Kenosha County 2467, Green Bay Wisconsin 54306-2467.) Historical Society & Museum, 6300 3rd Avenue, Kenosha, Wisconsin 53140.) Llnley, Vernona Hurd. Evans: Some Descen­ dants of Owen Evans, Ridgeway, Iowa County, Haegele, Mary. Images of Faith: the Churches Wisconsin; Phebe Evans, Berry Township, of Kewaunee County. (Kewaunee, Wiscon­ Dane County, Wisconsin; Elizabeth Evans, sin, cl998. Pp. 82, [6]. Illus. $9.95. Avaik Berry Township, Dane County, Wisconsin; able from Abacus Marketing Associates, and. Some Related Families: Boxvman, King, 927 Miller Street, #7, Kewaunee, Wis­ Roberts and Others. (Middleton, Wiscon­ consin 54216.) sin, 1997. Pp. iv, 137. $30.00. Available from author, 6404 Elmwood Avenue, Haegele, Mary. Rural Roots. (Kewaunee, Wis­ Middleton, Wisconsin 53562.) consin, cl998. Pp. 261. IUus. $34.95. Avaik able from Abacus Marketing Associates, Lodi Sesquicentennial, 1848-1998. (Lodi, 927 Miller Street, #7, Kewaunee, Wiscon­ Wisconsin, 1998. Pp. 102. Illus. No price sin 54216.) Cover title is Rural Roots: A listed. Available from Lodi Enterprise, Photo Celebration of Kexvaunee County. 146 South Main Street, Lodi, Wisconsin 53555.) Herrick, Linda M and Uncapher, Wendy K Cemetery Locations in Wisconsin. (Janes­ Logan, Ben. Christmas Remembered. (Min- ville, Wisconsin, 1998. Pp ii, 219^ Illus. netonka, Minnesota, cl997. Pp. 160. $20.00 plus S3.00 postage and handling. Illus. No price listed. Available from Available from Origins, 4327 Milton Av­ NorthWor d Press, 5900 Green Oak Drive, enue, Janesville, Wisconsin 53546-9322.) Minnetonka, Minnesota 55343.)

Horn, Merlin E. TheFarm in Nekimi Town­ Madaus, Howard Michael and Zeitlin, ship: a Chronicle of Wiscon.sin Farm Life in Richard H. Flags of the Iron Brigade. (Madi­ the Mid-1930's through the Mid-1950's son, Wisconsin, 1997. Pp. 109. Illus. No Period: a Period of Profound Change on price listed. Available from Wisconsin Wisconsin Farms. (Waupaca, Wisconsin, Veterans Museum, 30 West Mifflin Street, cl996. Pp. 151. Illus. No price listed. Madison, Wisconsin 53703.) Available from Horn Publications, E420 Rural Road, Waupaca, Wisconsin 54981.) Merrill, Peter C. German-American Artists in Early Milwaukee, a Biographical Dictionary. Jolliffe, Jean Saxe. Our Back Pages: Obituar­ (Madison, Wisconsin, 1997. Pp. xxvi, ies of Cornish and North Devonshire Settlers 165. Illus. $22.50 plus $3.00 postage and of Jefferson, Walworth and Waukesha Coun­ handling. Wisconsin residents add 5% ties, Wisconsin, USA, Volume 2. (Brook­ sales tax. Available from the Max Kade field, Wisconsin, 1997. 1 vol. Illus. No Institute for German-American Studies, price listed. Available from author, 2405 901 University Bay Drive, Madison, WTs­ North Brookfield Road, Brookfield, Wis­ consin 53705 consin 53045.) Miller, Delores Zillmer The Shopodocks: A Lahey, Lyle. The Packer Chronicles: Waiting Potawatomi Lndian Story: a Sesquicentennial for the Pack to Come Back. . . (Green Bay, Project. (Horton\ille, Wisconsin, 1998.

316 WISCONSIN HISTORY CHECKLIST

Pp. 83. Illus. $10.00. Available from au­ A "Sentimoontal Journey " Through a Newspa­ thor, N2021 Cty Rd 'M', Hortonville, per History of Platteville Dairy Days, 1947- Wisconsin 54944-9487.) 1997. (Platteville, Wisconsin, 1997. Pp. 108. $10.00 plus $4.00 shipping and han­ Minert, Dorothy. The Little Giant Ben Rubin, dling. Available from Platteville Dairy 1886-1942. (Milwaukee?, Wisconsin, Days Book, 360 East Mineral Street, Plat­ 1997. 80 leaves. Illus. $25.00. Available teville, Wisconsin 53818-2721.) from author, 3808 North Prospect Ave­ nue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211-2419.) Some Movers and Shakers of Clinlonville and Rubin was a Milwaukee Socialist who Points North, edited by Jane K. Billings served in the Wisconsin legislature. (Clintonville, Wisconsin, cl997. Pp. vii, 218. $15.00. Available from Richard Noyes, Edward. Here lo Serve: the First Hun­ Beggs, Clintonville Area Historical Soci­ dred Years of the University of Wisconsin- ety, 38 South Main Street, Clintonville, Oshkosh. (Oshkosh, Wisconsin, 1997. Pp. Wisconsin 54929.) 409. Illus. No price listed. Available from University of Wisconsin-Oshko.sh, Uni­ St. Francis Seminary, Sesquicentennial Essays, versity Bookstore, 800 Algoma Boule­ edited by Steven M. Avella. (St. Francis, vard, Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901-8685.) Wisconsin, cl997. Pp. 175. No price listed. Available from St. Francis Semi­ Out of the Shadows: Memorable People from nary, Office of the Rector, 3257 South Portage County's Past. (Amherst, Wiscon­ Lake Drive, St. Francis, Wisconsin 53207.) sin, 1998. Pp. 83. No price listed. Avail­ able from Palmer Publications, 318 Taylor County Churches. (Medford, Wiscon­ North Main Street, Amherst, Wisconsin sin, 1997. (1 vol. Illus. $20.00 plus $1.24 54406.) postage and handling. Available from Taylor County Genealogical Society, Tay­ Poppy, C. Harry. Crandon is my Hometown, lor County Church Book, c/c^ Margaret edited by James H. Poppy. (Hailey, WTiite, W5757 Apple Avenue, Medford, Idaho, cl997. Pp. iii, 134. Illus. $40.00. WTsconsin 54451-9207.) Available from editor, PO Box 1592, 8 Deer Creek Road, Hailey Idaho 83333- Under One Roof: the Story of the Extraordi­ 1592.) nary Groxvth of American Family Insurance. (Madison, Wisconsin, cl997. Pp. 207. Portage County Shadows, edited by Janet Men- Illus. No price listed. Available fro.n Pub­ zel Jurgella. (Amherst, Wisconsin, 1997. lic Relations, American Family Insur­ Pp. 107. No price listed. Available from ance Group, 6000 American Parkway, Palmer Publications, 318 North Main Madison, Wisconsin 53783-0001.) Street, Amherst, Wisconsin 54406.) A Woman at the Turn of a Century: Raising a Reedsburg Remembers, 150 Years: a History of Midwest Family, 1895-1916 from the Mem­ Lieedsburg, Wisconsin, 1848-1998. (Reeds­ oirs of Gertrude Burghardt Goodman, Hud­ burg, Wiscon.sin, cl997. Pp. 370. Illus. son, Wisconsin, edited by Janice Penman 16.00 plus $4.00 postage and handling. Fussell. (Hudson, Wisconsin, 1998. Pp. Available from Reedsburg Chamber of 59. Illus. $6.95. Available from Larry Commerce, 240 Railroad Street, Reeds­ Fussell, 708 Riverside Drive North, Hud­ burg, Wiscon.sin 53959.) son, Wisconsin 54016.

317 Contributors

SEAN P.ATRICK ADAMS grew up amidst the hills of Morgan town. West Vir­ ginia, but journeyed to the flatlands to receive his B.A. from Purdue Uni­ versity in 1990. That same year he enrolled in tlie graduate program in U.S. History at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he com­ pleted his M.A. in 1992. He worked at the State Historical Society from 1992 through 1997, serving as an assistant editor for Letters from the Front: 1898-1945 (1992), and a researcher for TheFamily Letters of Victor and Mela Berger, 1894-1929 (1995). He recently completed a handbook of Wisconsin history, and is currently living in abject poverty in Madison while his dissertation, "Old Dominions and Industrial Commonwealth: The Political Economy of Coal in Pennsylvania and Virginia, 1820-1875," crawls toward completion.

JOHN EVANCJELISE WALSH is a writer-historian with some dozen books and many articles to his credit. His 1993 volume. The Shadoius Rise: Abra­ ham Lincoln and the Ann Rutledge Legend, was a finalist for the Lincoln Prize of Gettysburg College. His most recent book. Unraveling Piltdoxvn: The Science Fraud ofthe Century and Its Solution, has drawn much favorable attention nationwide. This fall, Rutgers University Press published his latest work. Midnight Dreary: The Mysterious Death of Edgar Allen Poe. With his wife Dorothy, Mr Walsh lives in Monroe, two blocks from the former home of Janet Jennings, the subject of his article.

RICH,\RD H. ZEITLIN grew up in New York city, where he attended Queens College ofthe City University of New York. He earned a master's degree and a Ph.D. (197.3) in American history at the University of Wis­ consin-Madison. He subsequently taught at the UW, worked for the State Historical Society ofWisconsin, and in 1981 became director of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum, which was then housed in the state capitol. He supervised the relocation and major redevelopment of the museum during 1990-1993 and continues to serve as director. Zeitlin is the author of Old Abe the War Eagle: A True Story ofthe Civil War and Re- ctmstruction. The U.S.S. Wisconsin: A History of Two Battleships, and Ger­ mans in Wisconsin (all published by the Sodety), as well as The Flags ofthe Iron Brigade (with Howard Madaus), and All for the Union: Wisconsin's Role in the Civil War. His essay "Union Veterans and Cultural Symbols" will appear in a forthcoming book issuing from the Indiana University Press. He lives in Madison with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.

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319 Patrons

MR.JOSEPH .VI. DEROSA MRS. K. W.JACOBS,JR. DOUGLAS AND MYRILE OGILVIE Wauwatosa Hartford Hortonville MRS. GERALDINE X. DRISCOLL MR. THOMAS M.JEEERIS, II IRVIN AND MARY SAIIIER Winneconne Janesville New Richmond DR. ROBERI H. IRRMANN MISS RUIH DEYOUNC; KOHLER MR. AND MRS. D.AVID STUCKI Madison Kohler Madison

Felloxvs

Si EPHEN E. .A.MBROSE JOAN E. FREEMAN ,\l,AN T. XOEAN Mississippi Madison Indianapolis RICHARD X. (CURRENT ROBERE C. NESBIT WILLIAM F. THOMPSON, JR. Massachusetts Washington Madison LESLIE H. FISHEL, JR. Madison

Curators Emeritus

E. D.AVID (CRONON ROBERT H. IRRMANN ROBERT B. L. MURPHY Madison Madison Middleton JANET S. HARIZELI. HELEN E.JONES ROBERT S. ZIC;MAN Grantsburg Fort Atkinson Mequon NATHAN S. HEEEERNAN HOWARD W. MEAD Madison Madison

Life Members

DR. EDWARD P. ALEXANDER MR. WILLIAM K. HARDING MR.JOHN T. MURPHY MR. J. R. AMACKER MR. THOMAS E. H.AYES MR. AND MRS. ROBERT B.L. VIURPHY MISS EMMELINE ANDRUSKEVICZ MR. JOSE;PH F. HEIL, SR. DR. AND MRS. EUGENE J. NORDBY MISS HEI.E;N C. ANDRUSKEVICZ MR. GERALD E. HOLZMAN MR. AND MRS.JOHN K. NOTZ, JR. MR. DENNIS ANTONIE MRS. PETER D. HUMLEKER, JR. Ms. PATRICIA OGILVIE MRS. MARION KUEHL APPEECI.ATE MR. VIRGIL CJEORGE JACKSON MRS. LORETTA B. PECK MS. POLLY .ATHAN MS. CAROLYN JOHNSON MRS. A.J. PEEKE MRS. JANE K. BILLIN(;S MR. AND MRS. RASMUS B. A. MR. AND MRS. LLOYD H. PETTIT MR. ROBERT E. BILLINGS KALNES MR.JOHNJ. PHILIPPSEN MR. AND MRS. OSCAR BOLDT DR. JOHN P. KAMINSKI MRS. JOHN W. POLLOCK MR. PAUL L. BRENNER MRS. HARVEY B. KREBS MRS. LUNANA MARY SIBERZ MR. LOUIS H. BURBEY Ms. IRENE DANIELL KRESS MR. AND MRS. PHILIP SILLMAN MR. THOMAS E. CAESTECKER MR. ROY C. LABUDDE MR.JOHN S. SKILTON MRS. FRANCISJ. C^ONW.AY MR. LARS ERIK LARSON Ms. JANE ANNE SMITH MS. LAURENE DE;WiT'r DA\ IDSON MR. ALFRED .\. LAUN, HI MRS. CL.AUS SPORCK MISS AUDREY R. DUCKERT MR.JOHN I. LAUN MR.JOHN STEINER MISS LOUISE H. ELSER MR. MARVIN MAASCH MR. FREDJ. STRONG MR.JOHN E. FORESTER DR. EUGENE I. MAJEROWTCZ MRS. MILDRED TAIT MR. AND MRS. WALTER ERAU TSCHI MR. C. L. MARQUETTE MR. AND MRS. DE ANE WTTER MR. FRANK FRIEDMAN MRS. MARY C. MARTIN MRS. WILLIAM D. VOGEL MR. MARK G.AJEW ,I MR. AND MRS. JACK MCKEITHAN MR. WALTER L. Vota, PROF. PAUL W. GATES MRS. BESSIE MELAND MR. WALTERJ. VOLLRATH MR. TERRY L. HALLER MR. F. O. MINTZLAFF MR. AND .MRS. FANCTS H. WENDT MR. AND MRS. TOM HANSON MRS. JOHN H. MURPHY MR.JOHN WYNC;AARD

320 THE BOARD OF CURATORS

THOMAS H. BARLAND VIVIAN L. GUZNICZAK ViRtaNiA R. MACNEIL Eau C;iaire Franklin Bayside JANICE M. BEAUDIN C:HARI.F,S E. HAAS GEORGE H. MILLER Madi.son L.a Oosse Ripon JANE B. BERNHARDT BECIE M. HAYES DOUGLAS A. OGILVIE C;assville De Pere Hortonville PATRitaA A. BOGE FANNIE E. HICKLIN JERRY PHILLIPS La Crosse Madison Bayfield DAVID E. CLARENBACH RICHARD H. HOI.SC:HER MARV CONNOR PIERCE Washington, D.C. Milwaukee Wi.sconsin Rapids Gi.KNN R. (COATES GRE;GORV B. HUBER FRED A. RISSER Racine Wausau Madison JOHN M. COOPER, JR. MRS. PETER D. HUMLEKER, JR. BRIAN D. RUDE Madison Fond dn I.ac C;oon Valley WII.I.IAMJ. (CRONON THOMAS MOUAE JEFFRIS II JOHN M. RUSSELL Madison Janesville Menomonie NESS FI.ORES RASMUS B. A. KALNES MARY A. SATHER Waukesha Eagle New Richinond STEPHEN f. FREESE RuiH DEVOUNO KOHLER GERALD D. VISTE Dodgeville Kohler Wausau PAUL C. (GARTZKE Madison

LAWRENCE T. RIORDAN, President, Friends ofthe .Slate MARVEL ANDERSON, President ofthe Wisconsin Counrit Historicat Soriety of Wisccmsin for Local Hislory ROCKNE G. FLOWERS, President ofthe Wisconsin History DAVID W. OI.IEN, Senior Vice-President, University of Foundation Wisconsin System

Friends ofthe State Historical Society ofWisconsin

Officers LAWRENCE T. RIORDAN, Wausau NANCYJ. EMMERT, Madison I^esidenl Treasurer KATHY L. RIORDAN, Wausau JENNIFER EAGER EHLE, Evansville Secretary Past President

Trustees RUTH WHITE ANDERSON DONNA M. KALNES MARGUERITE OTTO Edgerton Eagle Racine PATRICIA COCHRAN CHRISTINE MAYER KATHV L. RIORDAN De Pere Madison Wausau HARVA HACHTEN RICHARD L. MCNALL MARK H. SURFUS Madison Janesville Manitowoc FANNIE E. HICKLIN L.AURI MORRIS GEOR(;E A. TAi.B

WHi (XS) 11086 Fhe destruction ofthe battleship Maine in Havana's harbor.

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