July 14, 1865
Up early for breakfast & go down to the Depot & wait till the 8 A.M. freight-train goes out. I will go on it. I get into the conductors Caboose & we of. Arrive at Mazamanie. I find Lu well & Caroline up making her a visit.
July 15, 1865
And fine morning, but cool enough for an overcoat. Carried my Knapsack. The Express soon came & I was off in a jiffy. Reached Pr Du chine [Prairie du Chien] about 7 A.M. & found the Boat ready to start down the river. I got aboard, take Deck Passage, cost $2.00—just double what it was 4 years since. Soon reach McGregors, Iowa and soon arrive at Clayton, Iowa & touch there & off, are soon at Gullenberg, Iowa, & soon we reach Cassville, my native town & home. Soon as the Plank touches shore, I leap on & am ashore which I find overgrown with grass & weeds and only one dim path up the Beach to the street. I meet with only one man I know, Mr. Rankil (Merchant). He seemed verry glad to see me. I start for home. & on reaching the gate see Mother standing in the door. I tell you I felt a thrill of joy run through my whole frame when I opened the gate & approached the house. I thought evrybody is not Blessed with such a home, a kind Mother to greet them with a Kiss.
July 16, 1865
And fine day. This is Sunday & no Inspection today. Oh what a Blessed thing to be a citizen once more. Don’t have to turn out at the will of our Officers (although it was right & proper to do so) for officers I have none to Obey.
William R. Ray, with no more officers to obey, in later life. Exactly when he sat for this image is unclear. On the reverse is the inscription, “From your loving Father.” Sherry Murphy
William R. Ray’s gravestone (left) at Horseshoe Bend, Idaho. His wife’s gravestone is on the right. Photo taken by Erni Stivison
Epilogue
After the war, William Ray lived with his mother in the house he had his brother purchase for him in 1864 with money he had sent home during the conflict. He continued to write in his journal. His first few months at home were spent repairing his house and improving the land. He also apprenticed as a blacksmith, with the idea that he would one day have his own shop. Because he had wisely sent home much of his pay during the war, he had the ability to support himself and his mother, but he continued to be frugal and accounted in his journals for everything he spent.
The years after the Civil War were similar to the years that follow any war. It was difficult to get good work. Like most young men, Ray wanted to establish himself in a home with a wife and family. Many of his journal entries are about young women, but he is always discreet and rather evasive about his relationships with them. Several entries concern a “Miss Winsor,” who is one of the ladies he courted. The entry on October 29, 1865, reads as follows:
In the evening I called on Miss Winsor, had a little chat. Hello. When Whap. Soon another young Gentleman came in. Found upon being made acquainted with, his name was March. He made himself quite agreeable & at home &c. But I outwinded him if nothing more to my great pleasure. I didn’t give a darn about him coming there but the Joke of it was I was not going to be outwinded. Neither was I By jove, which is a source of some pleasure to me.
Although Ray occasionally wrote of his wartime service in his postwar journals, he did not do so in any detail. He referred once to “writing military history of evry man in the Co for our old Chaplain Eaton. I promised him I would do so & sent it by mail,” although this history has never come to light. He noted that town meetings were held to discuss whether or not “Jeff Davis” should be hanged, and contact with soldiers with whom he served warranted occasional mention. His most frequent references to his wartime service had to do with his health—especially his head wounds, which were aggravated by hot weather.
After three months in Cassville, Ray decided to move from Wisconsin at the end of October to find land in Iowa for homesteading. He found work in a blacksmith shop for a time until beckoned home by his mother’s failing health in April 1866. She passed away in May of that year. After her death Ray convinced his brother-in-law, William Weaks, nephew William Henry Ray, and Giles Weaks and their families to move to Iowa with him, where they all settled in Spirit Lake. The entries during this time describe many hardships, some of which he compared to his experiences during the war.
William Ray married Emma Charlott Fenton (whom he referred to as “the Intended” or “my Dulce”) in a civil ceremony on September 7, 1868. He wrote little about the courtship, but did describe some of the arrangements prior to the wedding. Oddly, Ray’s journal entries thereafter rarely mention his wife or family, focusing instead on his efforts as a homesteader and the cost of daily living. The entries stop abruptly on October 11, 1868. A few pages were completed at the end of November 1871 when he left on a stage and train trip for Ogden, Utah, but once again end abruptly on November 30, 1871. If he kept journals thereafter, they have yet to be found.
Ray eventually settled in Idaho at a place called Horseshoe Bend, where he took up farming. He and Emma had ten children during their marriage. His diaries were left with his daughter, Emma Charlott Ray Ellis, and found after the death of her son, Clyde Ellis, in 1985.
Ray was admitted to the Soldiers Home in Boise, Idaho, on December 10, 1896. His application claimed that he was not able to “earn a support by manual labor because of Gun Shot Wound in Head and Right Leg with complications of catarrah and present condition of anemic.” His application also showed that he was “receiving a pension of $8 per month” (certificate 175009 at the San Francisco Agency). A surgeon’s certificate for re-admission to the facility dated February 1, 1899, stated that Ray was unable to support himself by manual labor by reason of “age, debility from gun shot wounds, and catarrah.” He lived for another ten years and died on April 2, 1909. The cause of death was listed as “senility.” He is buried at Horseshoe Bend.
His wife, Emma Charlott Fenton Ray, died February 27, 1918, in Horseshoe Bend of senile dementia.
APPENDIX A
Seventh Wisconsin Regiment
This regiment was called into camp during the month of August 1861, and placed under the command of Colonel Joseph Vandor of Milwaukee.
The following is a list of the Field, Staff and Company officers:
FIELD AND STAFF
Colonel Joseph Vandor, Milwaukee
Lieut. Colonel William W. Robinson, Sparta
Major Chas. A. Hamilton, Milwaukee
Chas. W. Cook, Adjutant, Madison
Henry P. Clinton, Quartermaster, Brodhead
Henry Palmer, Surgeon, Janesville
D. Cooper Ayers, First Assistant Surgeon, Green Bay
Ernest Kramer, Second Assistant Surgeon, Madison
Rev. S. L. Brown, Chaplain, Beaver Dam
COMPANIES
Company A—Lodi Guards
George Bill, Captain, Lodi
Hollon Richardson, 1st Lieut., Chippewa Falls
M. B. Misner, 2d Lieut., Columbus
Company B—Columbia County Cadets
J. H. Huntington, Captain, Fall River
S. L. Bachelder, 1st Lieut., Fall River
H. P. Clinton, 2d Lieut., Brodhead
Company C—Platteville Guards
Samuel Nasmith, Captain, Platteville
A. R. Bushnell, 1st Lieut., Platteville
E. A. Andrews, 2d Lieut., Platteville
Company D—Stoughton Guard
E. F. Giles, Captain, Stoughton
C. W. Cook, 1st Lieut., Madison
A. T. Reed, 2d Lieut., Stoughton
Company E—Marquette County Sharp Shooters
W. D. Walker, Captain, Montello
W. F. Bailey, 1st Lieut., Portage
W. B. Manning, 2d Lieut., Marquette Co.
Company F—Lancaster Union Guards
John B. Callis, Captain, Lancaster
Samuel Woodhouse, 1st Lieut., Lancaster
Henry F. Young, 2d Lieut., Lancaster
Company G—Grand Rapids Union Guards
S. Stevens, Captain, Grand Rapids
Homer Drake, 1st Lieut.
, Grand Rapids
Lemuel Kromer, 2d Lieut., Grand Rapids
Company H—Badger State Guards
Mark Finnicum, Captain, Fennimore
C. M. H. Meyer, 1st Lieut., Grant Co.
Robert C. Palmer, 2d Lieut., Grant Co.
Company I—Northwestern Tigers
George H. Walther, Captain, Dodge County
A. S. Rogers, 1st Lieut., Spring Lake
J. N. P. Bird, 2d Lieut., Green Lake Co.
Company K—Badger Rifles
Alex. Gordon, Jr., Captain, Beloit
F. W.Oakley, 1st Lieut., Beloit
David Shirrell, 2d Lieut., Beloit
The numerical strength of the Seventh Regiment when it left the state:
Field and staff: 9
Company officers: 28
Non-commissioned officers, musicians and privates: 979
Total: 1,016
This regiment, unlike those that had gone before it, was mustered into the United States service by companies, by mustering officers Brevet Maj. Books and Capt. Mclntyre. The Seventh was fully equipped by the state with the exception of arms; received orders September 4th [1861], to move forward to Washington City, on the morning of the 21 st broke camp and started; arrived in Washington Oct. 1 and was assigned to Gen. King’s Brigade, McDowell’s Division. This Regiment comprised a splendid body of men, and was well officered.
Report of the Adjutant General, 1861
APPENDIX B
Appomattox Campaign Reports
Reports of Col. John A. Kellogg, Sixth Wisconsin Infantry, commanding First Brigade.
HDQRS. FIRST BRIGADE, THIRD DIVISION,
April 27, 1865.
CAPT.: In compliance with orders, I have to make the following report of the operations of my command from the 29th of March to April 25, both inclusive:
On the morning of the 29th of March, 1865, the brigade broke camp, situated near the military railroad about two miles from Humphreys’ Station, and moved in a northwesterly direction, to a point about half a mile from the Boydton Plank road. At this point the brigade was halted and massed in column of regiments, right in front. Some firing being heard in my front the men were ordered to load, soon after which the command was moved into position in line of battle as follows: The Sixth and Seventh Wisconsin Veteran Volunteers forming the front line, in rear of the Second Brigade (commanded by Gen. Baxter); the Ninety-first New York Volunteers, divided into three battalions, moved on the left flank of the brigade, ready to be deployed either on the left flank of the line of battle or in rear of the first line, as circumstances should require. The enemy being driven from their position on the Boydton plank road by the troops in my front, my command was moved to a position near that road and crossing the same, the Seventh Wisconsin Veteran Volunteers, under command of Lieut.-Col. Richardson, being advanced to the road, the balance of the brigade being in line of battle about eighty rods to the rear, connecting on the right with the Second Brigade, under command of Gen. Baxter, where we remained during the night.
On the morning of the 30th of March the brigade was moved to the Boydton plank road and threw up breast-works, remaining there during the night.
On the morning of the 31st of March, &c. On the morning of the 2d of April the brigade moved to the South Side Railroad, only to find the position evacuated by the enemy. The command without halting here moved on the railroad track three or four miles, the mile-board marking thirteen miles from Petersburg, when, by command of Gen. Crawford, commanding division, the command moved at a rapid rate in a westerly direction about five miles, when the enemy were found in strong force in an entrenched position on the Burkeville road. By order of Gen. Crawford, commanding division, I deployed in two lines on the right of the road, my right resting on a wood, my left connecting with the Second Brigade, commanded by Gen. Baxter. The Seventh Wisconsin Veteran Volunteers, commanded by Lieut.-Col. Richardson, were deployed as skirmishers, with orders to cover the extreme front of the line of battle. By this time it was quite dark, and the enemy not being able to distinguish our uniforms, were at a loss to know whether we were Yankees or not, and before they had obtained the desired information the troops were in position to attack or resist the same, as circumstances would require. Upon ascertaining who we were the enemy opened fire upon my portion of the line; my men replied and immediately advanced toward the enemy, and halted within a few rods of their breast-works. The enemy ceasing to fire, I reformed my lines, and the men lay upon their arms until daylight.
On the morning of the 3d of April we again took up the line of march in pursuit of the flying enemy, who had beat a hasty retreat during the night, but failed to overtake them, and late in the evening bivouacked for the night.
On the morning of the 4th broke camp at an early hour, and took up the line of march in pursuit of the flying foe, reaching the Danville railroad at Jetersville Station in the afternoon of that day, finding it occupied by the cavalry under Gen. Sheridan, and the enemy in strong force just beyond. Here the brigade was formed in line of battle, and the troops, weary and footsore, having traveled all day without food, labored nearly all night, throwing up breast-works, remaining in this position, resting and waiting for an attack, until the morning of the 6th, when we moved out to attack the enemy, who was found to have made another hasty retreat, but without overtaking him.
April 7, still following the enemy, the tired but gallant column pushed on, following the west side of the Appomattox to the high railroad bridge just after the enemy had crossed, the structure itself having been fired and three spans destroyed by the enemy.
On the 8th made a long forced march, the most tiresome I believe ever made by troops, being impeded by the wagon train of the Twenty-fourth Corps, the infantry being obliged either to march through the thicket or mix in promiscuously with the wagon train. Camped that night in line of battle. On the morning of the 9th again started in pursuit of the enemy, who were brought to bay near Appomattox Court-House. But before we were engaged, the enemy, tired, dispirited, harassed, and surrounded, surrendered at discretion.
A tabular and nominal list for each of the engagements, of casualties, I have already had the honor to forward. In conclusion, I beg leave to submit the following list of names of officers and men of my command who have distinguished themselves, and to ask for them a suitable recognition of their services (see regimental lists and previous reports). For further particulars, I beg leave to refer to my reports for thee 31st of March and 1st of April, already forwarded.
I have the honor to be, & C.,
J. A. KELLOGG, Col., Cmdg. Brigade
Capt. HARRISON LAMBDIN,
Assistant Adjutant-Gen., Third Division.
HDQRS. FIRST BRIGADE, THIRD DIVISION,
April 25, 1865.
CAPT.: In compliance with field order of April 13, 1865, headquarters Third Division, I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by my command in the action near the Boydton plank road ont he 31 st day of March, 1865:
On the morning of that day my command, consisting of the Sixth and Seventh Wisconsin Veteran Volunteer Infantry and the Ninety-first New York Veteran Volunteers, pursuant to orders from the division commander, moved from their breast-works on the Boydton plank road in a northwesterly direction, across Gravelly Run about a mile, where the brigade was massed in column of regiments, right in front, in a thick wood near an open field, and remained in this position about half an hour. The command was then ordered to deploy in line of battle on the left of the Second Brigade, commanded by Brig.-Gen. Baxter. In compliance with said order I directed the brigade to deploy on the first battalion, but before the movement was completed two regiments only, to wit, the Sixth and Seventh Wisconsin Veteran Volunteers being in line, the Ninety-first New York being treated as three battalions, not yet having time to deploy, I was ordered to deploy the two Wisconsin regiments and arrest the troops belonging to the front line, consisting of a portion of the Second Division, who were flying in confusion from t
he field. This order I found myself unable to execute, the men breaking through my line and throwing my own command into confusion. I then ordered the Sixth and Seventh Wisconsin to close their intervals, and formed them into line of battle, and directed them to open fire, and sent orders to the Ninety-first to deploy on second battalion (the Sixth Wisconsin Veteran Volunteers). Both of these orders were promptly executed. The brigade remained thus in line of battle, firing rapidly upon the advancing enemy until both flanks were turned and the enemy firing upon both flanks and rear of the command. I then directed Lieut.-Col. Richardson, Seventh Wisconsin Veteran Volunteers, to change front, so as to meet the fire on his flank, which was executed, but the enemy appearing in so large force in my rear, I directed the brigade to retire across Gravelly Run in as good order as possible. In retiring to this position my command was somewhat broken up, owing to the fact that the enemy was in their rear, compelling them to fight their way back. I claim that my command were the last organized troops to leave the field.
The Sixth and Seventh Wisconsin Veteran Volunteers were formed as they arrived on the front line next to the creek, near the bridge crossed by the troops in the morning. The Ninety-first New York Volunteers fell back across the creek farther to the right. One battalion, commanded by Lieut.-Col. Denslow, formed in an interval between the troops of the Second Division, where they remained the balance of the engagement, doing good service. When the firing had ceased I reformed the brigade in the rear of their first position and ordered them to lie down. We remained in this position about one hour, were then again moved to the front across the battle-field of the morning, and went into camp about half a mile in advance of the same.
Four Years With the Iron Brigade Page 54