Rosebud Lottery


Rosebud Lottery

There are many newspaper articles and writings concerning the Rosebud Lottery.  Below are just a few of the newspaper articles I found.  I've probably posted too many, but I wanted to save a few of these for future reference.
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Below is transcribed from The InterOcean newspaper from Chicago, Illinios - May 8 1904.

You can see the actual newspaper clipping, 1 of 2 by clicking HERE, and 2 of 2 by clicking HERE.

"UNCLE SAM'S BIG LAND LOTTERY.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa,  May 5 - Going at a great sacrifice, 2,600 fine farms; practically given away; land the finest in the Missouri valley; must be sold; worth from $25 to $75 per acre; all going at the uniform price of $4 per acre.  Sale at the Chamberlain land office, on or about, July 1.

If the general land office had to advertise its business its next great bargain enterprise would be set forth in something like the foregoing words.  And they would have the merit of being true.  The Rosebud or Lower Brule reservation, in southern South Dakota, which has just been ordered opened by the act of Congress after a contest lasting for ten years, is probably the richest piece of public land that the government now controls.  It is doubtful if any reservation ever thrown open by the government represented so high an actual average value for its lands, on the day of opening, as does this tract.

This little reservation - though it is half as big as some states in the Union - has lain fallow, as it were, because the white man could not break into it.  White men living around its borders on every side have been able from the roofs of their immense red barns to look over into the promised land which they might not enter.  And now they are to enter it and take possession - and 50,000 of them are standing in line for a heritage that can only accommodate 2,600.

On Bank of the Missouri.

The Rosebud reservation is about thirty miles long from north to south, and not quite so wide east to west.  It lies on the west bank of the Missouri, in the southeast part of South Dakota, occupying almost all of Gregory county, one of the largest in the state.  Some fine streams water i; the rainfall has averaged twenty-eight inches for twenty years; the soil is exactly like that which a few miles away in Northwest Iowa is worth $80 per acre, and the surface is perfect from the viewpoint of the prairie farmer.  Along the small streams there is just enough fringe of timber to solve the fuel and fencing questions for new settlers.  In short, it is as near perfect as a bit of new country well could be.

There is, indeed, a wide, even a painful discrepancy in estimates of the value of these acres.  President Roosevelt objected to the bill first introduced to sell the lands to settlers at $3 per acre.  He was sure they were worth more.  The SOuth Dakota Congressional delegation brought to bear in rebuttal a wonderful array of evidence showing that the lands were poor and it was doubtful if they were worth $3; but as a mark of special favor to the President, especially as he announced he would veto the bill, they would make it $4 per acre.

They wanted the President to know however, that they were losing money on every acre at such a price, and wouldn't think of doing it if it wasn't that they rather liked him.  So the President signed the bill, and the land will go at $4 an acre.

The real estate men and land "sharks" who are waiting to buy out the "commuters" interests, manifestly have plenty of money.  They advertise that they will give $20 to $50 per acre for any of the lands when title can be passed.  That will take fourteen months from the opening.  The homesteader who draws a quarter section must pay $1 per acre cash; at the end of three years 75 cents more, and 75 cents more at the end of the fourth, fifth, and sixth years.  That makes the $4.  But if after fourteen months he wants to commute he can pay up all the deferred amounts and add $1.25 per acre to it, and take a patent for the lands; net cost $5.25 per acre.

Bonesteel the Capital

Bonestell is the capital of the Rosebud reserve.  It was founded by the Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri Valley Railroad company for this express purpose.  It had no other excuse for existence, and for nearly four years after it was started it didn't have this, for there were discouraging delays about opening the lands, and meantime the boomers at Bonesteel waited and starved and petitioned their delegation in Congress.

The railroad company extended its line to the edge of the reservation, expecting the lands were to be opened at once.  But first the Indians were obdurate.  They didn't see why the white men should be so anxious to pay more than their lands were worth, and steadfastly and repeatedly refused to sign the contracts for sale to the government.  Then, when at last clever agents secured the aboriginal consent, the President stepped in.  He used to own a Dakota ranch and flattered himself that he knew something about land values out there.  He caused another long delay.

Bonesteel had nearly 5,000 people, three bank, brick blocks, big stores, two newspapers, and a guaranteed future before it was six months old.  As its future receded Bonesteel shrank, till it got down to 700 inhabitants.  That was its size when, a fortnight ago, the bill to open the reservation passed on terms that assured it would be signed.  Then Bonesteel looked up again.  The saloons reopened, the big frame shacks of hotels resumed business, stocks of goof that had been locked up were displayed again, the real estate agents got busy, the price of cocktails went back to a quarter, beer rose to 10 cents a drink, and final and unquestionable evidence of the return of prosperity, the poker ante was in a night boosted from apologetic penny of penury to the dignified dollar of affluence.  Bonesteel was itself again!

Big Lottery

The opening is to be about July 1 - exact date yet to be announced by the powers of the general land office.  There will be no "rush."  It will be by lottery, which doesn't cost so many lives, but otherwise has just as many possibilities of disappointment and heartburnings.  Fifty thousand people are expected to register for the drawing.  They are coming from all over the Dakotas, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska - even from Illinois, Kansas, and Missouri, for there isn't a real estate speculator in the Middle West who doesn't know of the good thing awaiting the lucky ones in the Rosebud lottery.

The nearest land office now is at Chamberlain, but the general land commissioner, Mr. Richards, has practically promised to open a new one at Bonesteel to accommodate the rush.  That will mean as high as 15,000 at a time, for weeks together, to be cared for in this prairie mushroom town of pine shacks and tents.  But they will be cared for.  Three years ago, when the first boom was its height, circus tents were erected for hotels, and hundreds slept in them.  They will be raised again now.

It is said, although arrangements are not yet announced, that a variation will be adopted in the drawing methods, which will make them more satisfactory than in the earlier land lotteries."
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The Daily Herald - Chicago, Illinois, May 20 1904.


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"OPENING INDIAN LANDS

Nearly 2,000,000 Acres to Be Made Available for Settlement.

Four of the greatest lotteries that the American people have ever participated in will be conducted this summer in the Western States.  They will be conducted under the auspices of the United States government, and the seekers for prizes will be the people to take up homesteads in the Western States.

These lotteries will be memorable events and will eclipse the great lottery in Oklahoma, three years ago, when 13,000 quarter sections of land were dangled as a prize before ore than 300,000 anxious applicants.

During the last session of Congress bills were passed providing for the opening up to public settlement of four Indian reservations.  One of these reservation is in Montana.  One million one hundred thousand acres of land, rich within its boundaries, are to be thrown open to public settlement.  The prize winners must pay the Federal government $1.25 per acre.  In this reservation a homesteader many acquire 640 acres.  The opening will take place in August.

The other tracts to be opened are the rosebud reservation in South Dakota, the Devil's Lake reservation in North Dakota, and the Red Lake reservation in Minnesota.  These are attracting particular attention at this time.  Only 104,416 acres of land in the Devil's Lake reservation in North Dakota are to be opened to settlement.  This land is very rich and has for many years attracted the attention of western people who are anxious to acquire possession.  The successful applicants must pay the government $4.50 per acre for the land if they settle upon it.  If any of it remains untaken for a period of six months then the President may, in his discretion reduce the price to such a figure as will permit the sale of the entire tract.  The opening of this reservation is set for July.

A little more than 416,000 acres of land in the Rosebud reservation in South Dakota will likewise be thrown open about the same time at $3 per acre.  There will be a great rush when the time comes for opening the reservation.  The successful contestants will be asked by the government to pay $4 per acre for each quarter section taken up.

The Red Lake reservation in Minnesota hold out to the public a little more than 400,000 acres of rich land.

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Fishing for husbands?

This article from the Belvidere Daily Republican - Belvidere, Illinois, from August 22, 1904.


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"Rosebud Land Lottery.

In the recent land lottery in which in which twenty-five hundred pieces of property in the Rosebud reservation were raffled off Nebraska had 24 per cent of the lucky ones, Iowa 22 and South Dakota 18.  There were 106,000 registered applications.  It was an odd feature of the affair that women were amazingly favored by fortune; school teachers, stenographers and other working girls were successful in a long list of instances.  Now that they own farms the unmarried possessors of land can easily acquire husbands if, they care to resort to annexation of that kind."
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Below is transcribed from The Carroll Herald - August 10, 1904.

You can see the actual newspaper clipping, 1 of 3 by clicking HERE, 2 of 3 HERE, and 3 of 3 by clicking HERE.

"ROSEBUD THE LAST BIG LAND LOTTERY

Uncle Sam May Go Out of the Business After This Experience

COME ANY TIME; NO RUSH

Old Motto of the Land Boomers Has to Be Made Over to Fit the Conditions of the Present Day Openings.

F. A. Miller, in the Saturday Evening Post:  When President Roosevelt signed the proclamation opening the Sioux Indian lands of the Rosebud reservation in South Dakota, he made possible the transfermation of 382,000 acres of wild and uncultivated land in one of the most productive and thickly populated sections of farm land in the United States.  That this possibility is already realized and that all previous records for travel to a new "land of promise" will be broken by the Rosebud movement, in July of this year, is clearly apparent from the great number of inquiries received by the United States land office at Chamberlain, South Dakota and by the western railroads.

Probably never before in the history of the northwest has there been an equal interest in the opening to settlement of any other tract of government lands.

Uncle Sam, evidently imbued with the spirit of the times, has provided that the sale of these newest bargains shall be made upon the modern installment,  or "easy-payment," plan.  A dollar down and 75 cents a year on each acre for four years, in a general way covers the advertisement of this federal installment offering.  No fee whatever is require to register for on of the quarter section land bargains; but those who are fortunate in the drawing and make "final entry," must pay the land office fees, amounting to $14 for 160 acres, in addition to the first payment of $1 an acre.

No Great Race

In the opening of the Rosebud reservation there will be no picturesque and chaotic race from the border line, with horses, bicycles and automobiles as pacemakers.  Uncle Sam has tried this undignified and barbaric experiment in opening other reservations and has decided to submit the question of selection to chance rather than to speed and violence.  To those who anticipate a mighty rush and a quick grab for the best lands he will say: "Back to the land office!  There will be no race today!"

When the reader considers that the Rosebud lands are bounded on three sides by splendidly developed farm lands, with communities of well-to-do farmers owning substantial and permanent homes and farms valued at $15 to $30 an acre, he can best judge of the rich promise the immediate future holds in store for the settler on the Rosebud reservation lands.

Gently undulating prairie land forms about half of the tract to be opened: the other half is rough and broken.  The bottom lands along the Missouri river and the lands near the numerous large creeks are narrow and the land is rough.  Back from the river the uplands are 700 to 800 feet above the lever of the Missouri river, or almost 2,000 feet above seal level.

With the exception of about a dozen sandy sections, all of the 382,000 acres are well adapted to farming.  Near the Missouri river the soil consists of a loose but rich black loam, free from sand or "grit" and underlaid by a loose yellow clay.  The entire reservation is well watered from numerous creeks, rivers and many permanent springs.  On the uplands an abundant supply of water is furnished from tubular wells, and flowing artesian wells have been sunk along the Missouri and Whetstone rivers.  Along all the streams considerable timber is found.  Rainfall is ample, and the climate is most delightful, being identical with that of the eastern parts of South Dakota and Nebraska and northwestern Iowa.  As a rule, little snow falls before the holidays, and cattle and horses find green grass until December.  The long Indian summer gives opportunity to care for all crops during pleasant weather.  The heavy falls of snow during midwinter are followed by sunshine.  No greater tribute could be paid South Dakota climate than to state that thousands of cattle subsist through the entire winter without shelter of without food other than the grass of the prairies.

South Dakota's Wealth

It is natural for the prospective settler to indulge in the fancy of drawing first choice in Uncle Sam's last big lottery and prospectively to build not merely a castle but an entire city.  And yet there are populous towns and cities already built on the land recently opened to settlement in the territory of Oklahoma.  Those who are fortunate enough to secure at an initial cost of $1 an acre the sites on which the towns of Rosebud tract will be founded undoubtedly will win a rich prize.

South Dakota is long on wealth, short on people.  For the sixth consecutive year South Dakota in 1903 led all other states in the union in production of per capita wealth.  This is a good sign for the prospective settler, who naturally prefers to avoid communities that are crowded and lands that do not yield rich and profitable returns.

South Dakota is larger by one-fourth than the area of all New England states, but its population is only about 500,000 people, or approximately six to the square mile.

In studying the 1903 crop report of South Dakota one is impressed with these returns of new wealth produced:  Live stock, $35,950,164; wheat, $29,422,900; corn, $15,819, 200; hay and fodder, $13,840,000; minerals, stone and cement, $10,000,000.  The fact that the 1903 table of products amounts to $14,939,264 more than the 1902 total shows by what bounds the Sunshine state has been leaping forward.  With the development of lands now held by the Indians, and with the anticipated increase in population this year, the production of new wealth during the next five years will undoubtedly make  even the rapid progress of the last few years appear slow by comparison.

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The Rosebud Lottery was serious business.  Here's a clipping from the Dixon Evening Telegraph - Dixon, Illinois, from October 24, 1904.


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"Land-Drawing Causes Death.

Rock Island, Ill., Oct. 24. - Clark J. Darin, aged 45, a former resident of Henry county, Illinois, is dead at the Watertown insane hospital, where he was sent two weeks ago.  His mental condition was attributed to disappointment through being unluck at the Rosebud land lottery.  Starvation, the result of a paralytic jaw, caused his death."



Silver Wedding Anniversary


The Alton Democrat - October 15, 1892

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"The most notable event that has occurred in this vicinity for a number of years was the silver wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Dominick Moes.  Guests were in attendance from Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota and South Dakota and during the day and evening fore than five hundred people were in attendance.  Abundant refreshments were served and all had a royal time.  A large hall had been erected to accommodate the large number of people present, and in the evening the young folks enjoyed a fine dance.  The presents were costly and numerous, which shows the esteem in which the worthy couple are held by their neighbors and friends.   

Mr. and Mrs. Heitzman, Sheldon - silver knives, forks, butter knife and sugar shell.

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Haag - silver water and tray.

Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Selig - silver castor.

Mr. and Mrs. Perlot - set of decorated china and silver teaspoons.

Mr. and Mrs. Weltges - silver wreath.

Mr. and Mrs. Wagner, Granville - set of silver knives and forks.

Mr. and Mrs. Beck, Remson - silver cake stand.

Joseph Enders - silver tobacco box and smoking set.

Martin Klein, Chicago - canary bird and silver bird cage.

Mrs. Martha Moes, Granville - bed spread and silver pepper box.

Mr. and Mrs. Reiter - set of silver spoons.

Mr. and Mrs. Peter Dunn, Granville - silver napkin rings.

Mr. and Mrs. Nic Koob - set silver spoons.

Mr. and Mrs. Kochler - silver butter knife and sugar shell.

Mrs. Anna Welter, Granville - silver castor.

Nic Welter, Granville - box cigars.

Mrs. Shoreman, Salem, S. D. - silver cake stand.

Mr. and Mrs. Pete Klein, Alton - silver napkin rings.

A large number of presents had no names attached."

Pioneer Days in Floyd Township


The Alton Democrat - February 18, 1954

The author is called "Koolbeek" in the article.  His name is actually "Koolbeck".

Mention of Dominic Moes and the area when first settled.
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"Pioneer Days In Floyd Township

Those who think Iowa winters are sever enough today should realize what the pioneers in this country went through.

In his "History of Floyd Township" in the Sioux County Atlas published by The Alton Democrat, the late Jacob Koolbeek tells how the Henry Schnee family procured provision for the winter of 1880-1881.

The first snow came in October, with more every few days and high winds.  The drifts were so deep no horse or wagon could get through them.  When the Schnee family had exhausted their supply of flour, as told by a daughter, Mrs. Gerst, the father bolted some barrel stave on a hand sled and "taking the rope in his hands drew the sled to the nearest town, which was Sheldon - a distance of 14 miles - procured his flour and then drew it home the same way."  This trip was repeated a half a dozen times during the winter.  Corn was in the field all winter and spring.  Mr. Schnee finished his corn picking on July 4th and "all the hands went to town to celebrate."

Mr. Koolbeek said the first houses in Floyd township were built in the fall of 1870 by Math harens and John Perlot.  The lumber was hauled from LeMars.  The first child born "in the German settlement" was Math Perlot, son of John Petlot.

Some of the first settler were Wauter Van Rooyen, H. Boersma, K. Wieringa, Adam Haag, Evert Hoeven, Math. Harens, Jacob Koolbeek, E. J. G. Bloemendaal, John Selig, John Perlot, Bart Van Zyl, Fred Krause, Peter Nye, Henry Remacle, Joseph Krebs, John and Gregory Gerst, Henry Schnee, Peter Christiany, John Jemming, Harry Jemming, D. Moes, L. Boeve, L. Dyk, H. Hofmeyer, J. Wiekamp, W. Walgenbach, John Auchstetter and others.

The original 17 men who came to Floyd Township with Theo. Gehlen traveled by oxen and wagons in the spring of 1870, frequently getting stuck in the sloughs.  At one time it took five yoke of oxen to draw out one team and wagon from the deep mud.  Sod breaking was done with oxen - "two yoke to a fourteen inch plow."  No crops were planted the first year.

It was a rugged life and required courage, strength and fortitude as well as trust in the Almighty.  These Floyd township settlers typify the sturdy pioneers who made possible the thriving farms and towns, the schools and churches, the prosperity and progress of our Midwest communities today.  We owe them much."

Susan (Moes) Walgenbach


Susan (Moes) Walgenbach
1868-1953

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Susan's obituary from The Alton Democrat - July 9, 1953












































Company B - 104th Infantry - Illinois


Below is a recorded account I found online of Dominic's Regiment during the Civil War.

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"This Regiment was organized at Ottawa, in August 1862, and was composed almost entirely of La Salle county men.

General Dumont
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Before being uniformed or armed, they received orders to report at Louisville, Ky., where they remained for some time, and in the reorganization of General Buell's Army were assigned to General Dumont's Division, and when General Buell commenced his march in pursuit of General Bragg, were on the left of the army, going first to Frankfort, Ky., where they remained until October 26, then marching to Bowling Green, Glasgow, Thompkinsville, and on the 1st of December, reached Hartsville, Tenn., on the Cumberland River. 

The Brigade was commanded by Colonel Scott, of the Nineteenth Illinois, until they reached Hartsville, when Colonel A. B. Moore, of the One Hundred and Fourth Illinois, was assigned to the command. Lieutenant Colonel Hapeman commanding the Regiment.

The troops at Hartsville, consisted of the One Hundred and Fourth Illinois, the One Hundred and Sixth, and One Hundred and Eighth Ohio, two companies of cavalry, and two pieces of artillery, about 900 effective men. Three companies of the One Hundred and Fourth Illinois were detached, two being in Gallatin, and one on duty in the village of Hartsville.

General Morgan
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On the 6th of December, the rebels sent an expedition from Murfreesboro to attack the forces at Hartsville. It consisted of a Brigade of Infantry, of three veteran regiments of Kentucky troops, commanded by General Hanson, all of Morgan's cavalry, commanded by General Basil W. Duke, and a battery of artillery, in all about 3,500 men, all under command of General Morgan. 

They crossed the Cumberland River between Hartsville and Gallatin, and approached the position held by the Brigade at daylight on the morning of the 7th of December. 

The Brigade was instantly brought into line, the One Hundred and Fourth Illinois (7 companies) on the left, the One Hundred and Sixth and One Hundred and Eighth Ohio on their right. There were no earthworks, and the troops were formed on the top of the hill, the best position they could take. 

The rebels at once charged our lines, when the One Hundred and Sixth and One Hundred and Eighth Ohio fell back, leaving the One Hundred and Fourth Illinois alone on the line. They repulsed the attack of the infantry, and were driving them from the field when Morgan's cavalry, dismounted, and commanded by General Duke, attacked them on the right flank and in rear, and they were
completely surrounded, and were obliged to surrender. 

The battle lasted one hour and fifteen minutes, and the Regiment lost 44 men killed, and about 150 wounded. The Regiment fought bravely, in this, their first battle, and had they been properly supported, no doubt would have defeated the rebels. 

The Regiment was marched to Murfreesboro, and then paroled, with the
exception of Lieutenant Colonel Hapeman and Major Widmer, who, with eleven other field officers, were held as hostages for General McNeill, who the rebels charged with having had 13 guerrillas shot at Palmyra, Mo. These officers were held, by order of General Bragg, in solitary confinement, until the 23rd day of April 1863, when they were exchanged and joined the Regiment at Brentwood, Tenn.

After being paroled, the Regiment marched to Nashville, and were sent from thence to Camp Chase, at Columbus, O., and from there to Camp Douglas, at Chicago, and on being exchanged, in the spring of 1863, were ordered to rejoin the army of the Cumberland, at Brentwood, Tenn.

General Beatty
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From Brentwood the Regiment marched to Murfreesboro, and were assigned to the First Brigade, Second Division, Fourteenth Army Corps, the Brigade commanded by General John Beatty.

They remained at Murfreesboro until the advance of the army on Tullahoma, when they advanced through Hoover's Gap, skirmishing with the enemy, with slight loss, passing through Manchester, again skirmishing at Elk River, and when General Bragg crossed the Tennessee River they went into camp at Decherd, Tenn., where they remained until August 15, when they marched to Stevenson, Ala., where they remained until the army made the advance which ended in the battle of Chickamauga and the occupation of Chattanooga.

Battle at Chickamauga
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On the 2nd day of September 1863, the movement for the capture of Chattanooga began, the Regiment crossing the Tennessee River at Caperton's Ferry, and the following day crossed Sand Mountain, then entered Lookout Valley, near Trenton, Ga., and followed the valley until they reached Johnson's Crook, and on the 7th ascended Lookout Mountain, crossing the mountain to
Stephen's Gap, descending into McLemore's Cove.

On the 10th the Regiment moved forward, with Negley's Division, to Davis Cross Road's, and on the following day developed the rebel army, at Dug Gap, in Pigeon Mountain, and after a severe skirmish, with some loss, fell back again to McLemore's Cove, where they remained until the 16th, when the movement towards Chattanooga was commenced. 

On the night of the 18th the Regiment marched all night, taking a position to the front of Crawfish Springs, where they were engaged during the 19th, exposed most of the time to a terrific artillery fire, and suffering a severe loss. 

On the evening of the 19th they moved to the extreme left of the army, and on the 20th were engaged, suffering a heavy loss, falling back in the evening to Rossville. 

On the 21st the Regiment remained at Rossville, skirmishing with the enemy, losing several men, and at night fell back to Chattanooga, being the rear guard in the movement, reaching the works at Chattanooga about daylight on the morning of the 22nd of September. The loss of the Regiment in the battle of Chickamauga was severe, the Regiment being engaged, besides the two days of
the battle, in several hard skirmishes. Remained in Chattanooga during its investment by the rebel army, under General Bragg.

General WP Carlin
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In the reorganization of the Fourteenth Army Corps, after the battle of Chickamauga, the Regiment was assigned to the First Brigade, the Brigade commanded by General W. P. Carlin, and remained in this Brigade until the end of the war. Colonel Moore having resigned on the 9th of September 1863, Lieutenant Colonel Hapeman commanded the Regiment.

On the 24th of November 1863, the Regiment was engaged on Lookout Mountain, near the White House, when the First Brigade, First Division, Fourteenth Army Corps, repulsed an attack made by the rebels, about 9 o'clock P.M., to regain possession of the ground.

On the 25th of November 1863, was engaged in the capture of Missionary Ridge, and captured a number of prisoners. 

On the 26th, followed the retreating rebels to Grayville, and, on the 27th,
to Ringgold, returning from thence to Chattanooga, on the 29th. The men behaved well in all the engagements during this campaign. Remained in and around Chattanooga until the 10th of February 1864, when it was ordered to Nashville, by General Johnson, to get transportation for the Fourteenth Corps. 

Returned to Chattanooga, with the same, on March 15th, 1864, joining
the remainder of the Division at Grayville, on the 19th. Remained until the 3rd of May when the Regiment went to Ringgold, to prepare for the campaign about to commence against Atlanta.

Commenced the march on the 7th of May, and, on the 9th, was in front of Buzzard's Roost Gap, where the Regiment remained, doing some skirmishing, until the 12th, when it marched to the right, passing Snake Creek Gap. 

On the 14th, was engaged in the battle of Resaca, losing 1 man killed and 9 wounded. Remained in front, skirmishing, until the 16th, when the Regiment
marched to Resaca - the enemy having evacuated the night before. 

Followed the retreating rebels to Kingston, arriving there on the 19th. Remained there until the 23d, when the Regiment marched to Dallas, arriving there or in that vicinity on the 26th. Remained there, skirmishing, and losing some men, until the 5th of June, when the Regiment moved to the left, in front of Kenesaw Mountain, where it was engaged, skirmishing, nearly all the time, until the 3rd of July, when the enemy left the mountain. 

The command followed them through Marietta, until they made a stand near the railroad bridge across the Chattahoochie River. The Regiment remained here, skirmishing, until July 10, when the rebels fell back across the Chattahoochie. 

Did not move until the 17th, and, on the 20th, crossed Peach Tree Creek. About 4 o'clock, P.M., the enemy attacked the line (connecting with the Twentieth Corps on the left, and no works. They were repulsed, however, and reinforcements soon coming up, the Regiment was enabled to hold
its ground. The men fought nobly, and the loss was heavy, it being 50-2 officers and 14 men killed, 1 officer and 28 enlisted men wounded, and 5 missing.

On the 22nd the command again moved forward, the enemy having left their works in front, and went into Atlanta; but were met by Loring's Division, strongly entrenched, and the command halted, and commenced throwing up works. 

Remained until August 3d, when the Regiment moved to the right 3 miles, and, on the 6th, were formed on Utoy Creek. 

On the 7th, was engaged at Utoy Creek, losing 1 officer and 4 enlisted men killed, and 18 enlisted men wounded.

On August 26, marched to the right, towards Jonesboro, and, on September 1, fought the battle of Jonesboro, which gave possession of Atlanta; and, on the 6th, started for Atlanta, arriving there on the 8th.

The campaign, from May 7, when the Regiment left Ringgold, to September 6, when it left Jonesboro, was very severe. The Regiment skirmished nearly all the time with the enemy, and never halted for the night without throwing up works and preparing for an attack. 

The Regiment was engaged in three battles: Reseca, Peach Tree Creek and Jonesboro. Losses in skirmishing were heavy, in killed and wounded.

The Regiment behaved nobly during the whole campaign, especially at Peach Tree Creek, where the right of the Regiment was nearly annihilated, and although the line grew shorter every day the men were in the best of spirits.

The Regiment remained in Atlanta until October 3, when the rebels having crossed the Chattahoochie, and were moving towards Allatoona, the command commenced moving north, and, crossing the Chattahoochie on the 3rd, passed through Marietta, reaching Kenesaw Mountain on the 6th, and remaining in that vicinity until the 9th, when the Regiment marched along the railroad to Kingston, reaching there on the 11th. 

Marched to within 3 miles of Rome, on the 12th; to Calhoun, on the 13th; to Resaca, on the 14th; crossed the Chattagata Mountain, at Red Run Gap, on the 15th; passed through Villenow, LaFayette and Summerville, reaching
Galesburg, Ala., on the 20th, where the Regiment remained until the 28th; then marched through Rome, to Kingston, to get ready for the campaign to be commenced in a short time.

The Regiment was not engaged with the enemy after it left Atlanta; but the marches were very hard - a great portion of the distance being traveled by night. The men were, also, short of rations, until they reached the Summerville Valley, when requisitions were made on the country for supplies.

Remained in Kingston until November 12, when the Regiment marched to Atlanta, arriving there on the 15th, when rations and clothing were issued. 

On the 16th, commenced the "march to the sea", taking possession of Savannah on the 21st of December. As this was but a succession of
marches, and but little opposition was met with, until the army reached Savannah, it is deemed unnecessary to detail the march. 

The Regiment had its share of the hardships, marches, etc., as also the fine foraging which the country passed through afforded.

Remained in Savannah until January 15, when was commenced the march through the Carolinas.

This, like the preceding campaign, was a succession of marches - the bad roads impeding more than the rebels. It required more troops with the trains, to build corduroy roads, than it did on the skirmish line. The Regiment was engaged in the battle of Bentonville, and had several skirmishes, with small loss.

The command remained at Goldsboro, N.C., fitting up for another campaign, until April 10; then marched to Raleigh, where the Regiment remained until the surrender of Johnston's Army.

The Regiment commenced with the march from Raleigh to Washington on April 30, arriving there on May 19, and participating in the Grand Review on the 24th of May.

Made muster-out rolls, and were mustered out on the 6th day of June. On the 8th, the Regiment left Washington for Chicago, arriving there on the 10th. Were paid off, and the men returned to their homes.

The Regiment was engaged in the battles of Hartsville, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, Resaca, Peach Tree Creek, Utoy Creek, Jonesboro and Bentonville, besides a great many skirmishes, in which they lost men."

The Capital City Saga...


Below is a copy of Junior's biography taken from a book by Adeline Gnirk entitled "A Capital City Saga".

There are several facts which are mistaken, and I'll not correct those mistakes here as I've done so in other posts on this blogsite.  This is the article which sparked my interest in researching our family roots and I wanted to place a copy of the article here for future reference.

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"CONRAD MARTIN KLEIN was born December 7, 1886 [sic] in LaSalle, Illinois to Conrad and Christina Klein.  They were immigrants from Luxembourg, Germany who made their first sojourn in Illinois, homesteaded in Wisconsin, and settled later in Iowa.  Conrad Jr.'s father was killed in an accident; his mother Christina married a Mr. Betts and they became the parents of 10 daughters.

C. M. (Conrad Martin) worked seventeen years in the Chicago Steel Mills.  Here he met Margaret Roller who was working for a family there.  Conrad M. Klein and Margaret Roller were married on St. Valentine's Day, February 14, 1900.  His wife Margaret was born on July 18, 1878 in Belgium to Mr. and Mrs. Peter Roller and she was christened Margaret Christine Roller; the Roller family immigrated to America and settled in Wisconsin.

C. M. Klein entrained to Bonesteel, South Dakota to file his claim on a homestead in the last great frontier, the former Brule Sioux Rosebud Indian Reservation in Gregory County.  He drew the NE 1/4 of section 19, Burke Township.  He returned to Chicago for his wife and four young sons.  En route to South Dakota in 1905, his fours sons succumbed to the dread killer diptheria; they were buried in LeMars, Iowa where C. M.'s half sister was living.

The bereaved parents gathered their belongings and proceeded by rail to Bonesteel, South Dakota.  They continued by horse and wagon to their homestead two miles north of Burke, South Dakota and busied themselves in "proving up" their claim.  The first building was a barn wherein C. M. stored all their belongings.  Indians passing through shot flaming arrows into the roof and fire consumed everything he owned including his family records and papers.  They stayed with a neighbor while setting up their soddy and they built a larger barn; this all took place between 1905 and 1906.

A son Raymond in 1907, and a daughter Rose in 1909, were born in the prairie home.  In 1910 C.M. built a new frame house where Ambrose (1911), Victor (1913), and Conrad (1916) were born.  The house is now occupied by the Herman Lubbers family.

The children attended the Rambrant school when they became of school age.  Rose and Ambrose became teachers in Gregory County.

C.M. (Conrad Martin) Klein died July 2, 1939 at Burke, South Dakota:  Margaret C. Roller Klein passed away March 14, 1947.  They were parents of five children: Raymond (deceased) never married but farmed the homeplace; Rose (deceased) married Herman Raschke, two sons Vernon and Donald; Ambrose married Gladys Bowers (deceased 1978), six children-Margaret, James, Robert, Leroy, Kathy and Alvin.  Victor married Blanche Henrecy (deceased), a daughter Sandy; and Conrad married Maxine Mann, six children-David, Joan, Janice, Debbie and Susan."

Photo Identification...

David Walgenbach sent us several scanned images of photographs that he has.  I've spent several hours online trying to take a crash course in dating old photographs.  Below is a link to one of the best resources I've found so far from phototree.com.

Click here to review the pdf file.

Ambrose and Gladys Klein...

Front: Leroy
Back L to R: Robert, James, & Margaret
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James Conrad Klein
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James Klein Confirmation
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