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A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 
 
 OP 
 
 HON. CHARLES H. LARRABEE, 
 
 BY LTMAiT G. DEAFER, LL. D., 
 
 Secretary State Historical Society of Wisconsin. 
 

[From the Collections of the State Historical Society, 1882.] 
 
 SKETCH OF HON. CHARLES H. LARRABEE.' 
 
 By Ltmah C. Dbafbb^ 
 
 Few men were more prominently connected with public affairs, 
 or better personally known, in Wisconsin, from 18-t7 to 1864, 
 than the subject of this sketch — a member of the Convention 
 that formed our Constitution, a Circuit Judge, and, ex-qfficio, a Jus- 
 tice of the Supreme Court — an unsuccessful candidate for Chief 
 Justice — a prominent member of Congress — a volunteer in the 
 ranks at the out-break of our civil war, then a Lieutenant, a 
 Major, and finally a Colonel; conducting himself with zeal and 
 credit in four engagements, namely, the affairs at Lewinsville and 
 Lee's Mills, and the battles of Williamsburg, and Perryville or 
 Chaplin Hills. These long and useful services, civil and mili- 
 tary, in behalf of Wisconsin, and, in part, in behalf of the Union, 
 deserve a fitting record. 
 
 Charles Hathaway Larrabee was born at Kome, Oneida County, 
 N. Y., Nov. 9th, 1820. His father, Maj. Charles Larrabee, of the 
 TJ. S. Army, was a native of Connecticut, descending from a 
 Huguenot clergyman, who escaped from St. Bartholomew's mas- 
 sacre, in France, and migrated to the New World with a few of 
 his surviving flock. About the middle of the seventeenth cen- 
 tury, we find Greenfield Larrabee settled at Saybrook, Connec- 
 ticut Maj. Charles Larrabee commanded a company under Gen. 
 Harrison at Tippecanoe, receiving his commander's special notice 
 for his good service in that notable engagement with the Indians ; 
 and, at the battle of Brownstown, in August, 1812, he lost an arm 
 while managing the artillery. In the maternal line, the subject of 
 this notice descended from John Haynes, Colonial Governor, first 
 of Massachusetts, and then of Connecticut ; his mother's father, 
 
 'The delay in printing the latter part of this volume, permits the insertion 
 of this sketch, which would otherwise have been postponed for the next issue 
 of the series. L. C. D. 
 
4: Wisconsin State Histoeical Society. 
 
 Judge Joshua Hathaway, i^ one of six brothers who carried 
 muskets side by side under the famous Gen. John Stark, at Ben- 
 nington, and who, July 4tb, 1817, was selected to remove the first 
 spade full of earth at the commencement of the Erie Canal. 
 
 His father, Maj. Larrabee, while yet connected with the army, 
 was at Green Bay and Prairie du Chien in 1821, and was subse- 
 quently ordered to Chillicothe, Ohio. For a while he held the 
 office of Surveyor of the port of Cincinnati, by appointment of 
 President Jackson. The early education of his son was princi- 
 pally obtained at Springfield Academy, and Granville College, now 
 Denison University, Ohio, where he pursued an Academic course 
 in English studies, mathematics, and the ancient languages, excel- 
 ling in debates with his fellows on the rostrum. 
 
 He read law with Gen. Samson Mason, and W. A. Rogers, 
 prominent lawyers of Springfield, Ohio ; but being yet young, he 
 concluded to engage awhile in the hardy employment of civil 
 engineering, and thus aided in the construction of the Little Miami 
 rail-road, the pioneer improvement of the kind in Ohio. Thence, 
 in 1841, he went to Pontotoc, Mississippi, where he joined his old 
 Granville class mate, the writer of this sketch ; and where, after a 
 spasmodic attempt at farming, he was, in September, of that year, 
 admitted to the bar, and was an unsuccessful candidate on the 
 Bond-Paying Democratic ticket, for the Legislature. The climate 
 not agreeing with him, he finally settled at Chicago, in July, 1844, 
 where he engaged in the practice of law, and edited the Democratic 
 Advocate^ on the insignificant salary of twelve dollars a month, and 
 ■where he was elected City Attorney. On May 13th, 1846, he was 
 united in marriage with Minerva Norton, a young lady of many 
 accomplishments ; and at the close of March, 1847, he settled at 
 Horicon, Wisconsin ; giving that beautiful name to the Lake and 
 village. He utilized the fine water-power at that point by the 
 erection of mills, and there he made for himself a very cosy 
 home. 
 
 In October of 1847, he was chosen one of the three members 
 to represent Dodge County in the second Constitutional Conven- 
 tion, having been elected by a large majority, receiving the unan- 
 imous vole of the people of Horicon. Out of the sixty-four 
 
Sketch of Chables H. Labbabeb. S 
 
 members constituting the Convention, but two were younger than 
 Mr. Larrabee. " In this body," says Tenney and Atwood's 
 Memorial record of the Fathers of Wisconsin, '* he served upon the 
 committee on general provisions, comprising preamble, bound- 
 aries and admission of the State, suffrage and elective franchise, 
 internal improvements, taxation, finance and public debt, militia, 
 eminent domain, bill of rights, etc., and throughout took a leading 
 and prominent part in its deliberations." Though somewhat re- 
 strained from any appearance of over-activity in the proceedings, 
 by the advice of his veteran and experienced political friend, 
 Hon. Stoddard Judd, one of his associates from Dodge County ; 
 yet his bright talents prompted him to speak on several occasions, 
 and otherwise leave his impress on the Constitution then formed, 
 and subsequently adopted by the people. 
 
 Among the restrictions of the fundamental law, Mr. Larrabee 
 strongly advocated the provision against a system of State internal 
 improvements, and against a State debt, save for the suppression 
 of insurrecton or for war purposes, or other extraordinary neces- 
 sities; contended for the right of the people to determine the 
 territorial limits of their respective counties, lest they should be 
 made too small, and hence too expensive, simply to gratify the 
 intrigues of politicians ; he spoke upon the question of the North- 
 Western boundary of the State ; but the subject of homestead 
 exemption — the protection of the homes of the poor — com- 
 manded his special sympathies and earnest exertions. It was, so 
 to speak, Mr. Larrabee's special hobby in the Convention ; and he 
 had the satisfaction to see it triumphantly adopted, and become 
 one of the fixed laws of the State. " In this convention," says 
 Hon. S. U. Pinney, in the third volume of his Wisconsin Reports, 
 "he took an active and prominent part, advocating and laboring 
 zealously for the homestead exemption clause, which was em- 
 bodied in the Constitution." 
 
 On the adoption of the Constitution, Mr. Larrabee was, in July, 
 1848, chosen Circuit Judge of his district — a very large one, com- 
 prising six counties — by a very decided majority, making a large 
 gain on his party's vote, and again receiving the unanimous suf- 
 frage of his fellow- citizens of Horicon. He wrote his friend, the 
 
Wisconsin State Histoeical Societt. 
 
 writer of this memoir : " Oi^ne 12th of July, as you know, I 
 received the unanimous nomination of our Democratic Conven- 
 tion for Circuit Judge. I am elected — and the only regular 
 nominee chosen in the State. Our Circuit Court is composed of 
 five judges, who likewise comprise the Supreme Court. I cer- 
 tainly very much distrust my fitness for the station. I know I 
 have mind and firmness enough ; but, then, I am such a lazy 
 dog. However, I am at work, and shall keep at it." He served 
 ten years most acceptably on the bench, having been once re- 
 elected ; and he served also in the capacity of an Associate Judge 
 of the Supreme Court — the Circuit Judges constituting that 
 court until the new Supreme Court was chosen, and went into 
 operation in 1853. In 1852, Judge Larrabee was the nominee of 
 his party for Chief Justice, but failed of an election. 
 
 Nominated as a candidate for Congress in 1858, he resigned, in 
 October of that year, his seat upon the bench — " at the urgent 
 solicitation," lie says, " of Stephen A. Douglas, who wanted to 
 show his anti Lecompton strength in the North-West, in view of 
 the Charleston Convention of 1860. I overcame 2,500 Republi- 
 can majority in the district, and was elected by 1,200 majority," 
 but when running for a re-election in 1860, he was swept under 
 with Judge Douglas. During his term in Congress, he repre- 
 sented, as was said at the time, the largest district in point of 
 population in the Union, numbering 350,000 people. 
 
 In December, 1859, Judge Larrabee took his seat in Congress, 
 at a very exciting period of our nation's history, preceding the 
 out-break of the impending civil war. "The struggle for the 
 speakership," says Hon. F. W. Horn, " when that Congress met, 
 is a matter of history — it was the last desparate effort of the 
 South to gain the control of the House of Representatives ; and 
 although Judge Larrabee's name was not brought forward for the 
 Speakership, yet it was, at one time, proposed to take him up as 
 a compromise candidate ; but his friendship for Mr. Douglas, and 
 his being a new member, were in the way." Early in the session. 
 Judge Larrabee delivered a very able speech, based on a supposed 
 attack on the patriotism and loyalty of the Germans of Wisconsin ; 
 in which he placed himself fully on Judge Douglas' platform 
 
Sketch of Chaeles H. Larrabee, T 
 
 touching slavery in the Territories, dilating pretty freely on the 
 ethnology of the negro race, and closed with a vigorous defence of 
 the Union of the States : " If," he declared, " you want to see the 
 ' dark and bloody ground ' of Kentucky stretched across this 
 whole continent from East to West, then contemplate, or dare con- 
 template, the disruption of the American Union," broken up into 
 hostile confederacies ! His loyalty to the union of the States was 
 out-spoken, and enunciated in the most vigorous English, at a 
 time when the Southern members of Congress were being rapidly 
 drawn into the maelstrom of destruction. 
 
 Judge Larrabee's term in Congress expired on the 8d of March, 
 1861. The madness of the hour prevailed. Secession began its 
 dis-integrating work, and civil war, with all its horrors, soon burst 
 upon the country. He was not the man to stand idly by, when 
 the Union was threatened. Emulating the patriotism of his 
 grand-sire Hathaway, who had fought when only sixteen under the 
 gallant Stark at Bennington, and of his father, who had led a 
 company at the terrible onslaught at Tippecanoe, and lost an arm 
 at Brownstown, Judge Larrabee hesitated not a moment when the 
 hour for action arrived. The news of the fall of Fort Sumter on 
 the 13th of April, reached Wisconsin the next day, when he 
 promptly addressed the following letter to the Milwaukee News, 
 with a view of arousing the enthusiasm of his party in support of 
 
 the war : 
 
 HoKicoN, Wis., April 14, 1861. 
 Ed. Milwaukee News : There is but one thing to do, and that is to stand 
 by the Government to the end. All this might have been avoided without 
 loss of honor, or abating a particle from any valuable principle. But now 
 one must be either with the Government or against it. I am with it, and 
 am ready to go wherever I can be most useful. All questions of party are 
 now gone forever. No party can withstand such a revolution, and hence it 
 is idle to talk of Republicanism or Democracy. The war will continue from 
 one to five years ; and after the war, either the Southern Confederacy will be 
 recognized, or we shall build up a stronger Government. Specific powers 
 will be given the States, and all others reserved to the General Government. 
 We have the strongest Government on earth against outside attack, and the 
 weakest against internal foes. We must make it stronger in the latter view. 
 But this is speculation, for no man can foresee the result. There is blame 
 on both sides. The Republican party was powerless in success, with Senate 
 and House against it, and certain dissolution in the ordeal of distributing 
 
8 Wisconsin State Historical Socibtt. 
 
 oflBces. Hence there was no q^pssity for revolution. On the other hand, 
 the wicked course of the Anti-Slavery leaders is the principal cause of the 
 disasters now upon us. But now, with a heavy heart, though determined 
 will, I shall be found wherever my country calls. Yours as ever, 
 
 Chas. H. Labrabee. 
 
 On the same day, Judge Larrabee wrote patriotic letters to Gov. 
 Randall, and Gen. Rufus King, the latter then at Washington, 
 preparing for his departure as Minister to Rome. Gov. Randall 
 replied, April 18th : 
 
 My Dear Judge: Your note, oflering aid in this time of trouble, was 
 received, and I need not tell you that among the ofiers of assistance promptly 
 made to me by men of all parties, none has given me more satisfaction than 
 yours. It is as much through the promptness and boldness of such men 
 that the masses are aroused, as through the causes that led to that excite- 
 ment. It is very likely that another regiment will be immediately raised; 
 and if so, I shall be pleased to have you take stock in it. I wish you would 
 advise with the Horicon company as to the manner of enrollment They 
 must act promptly. Thanking you most heartily, I am, as ever, yours, 
 
 A. W. Randall. 
 
 Gen. King wrote from Washington, April 18th : 
 
 My Dear Larrabee: Yours is just received. Good for you! I expected 
 nothing less from a man whose heart is always right. I have shown your 
 letter to Mr. Seward, who was greatly pleased with it. 
 
 The very best thing for you to do, is to join the staff of the regiment called 
 into service from our State. The Governor will, no doubt, give you an ap- 
 pointment if you desire it. There is nothing in the gift of the War Depart- 
 ment. 
 
 We have " wars and rumors of wars " in plenty. Washington has been in 
 great danger ; but is, I think, all safe now. Yesterday we had 3,000 troops 
 here — 800 of them Regulars. Three thousand more arrived this morning, 
 and as many additional are expected to-morrow. Within a week there will 
 be 25,000 in and around the Capital. I do not believe the " Confederate 
 States " will undertake to attack a city so defended. 
 
 I shall sail for Europe on Saturday week, unless my services are deemed 
 necessary here. If so, I will stay till the ball is over. 
 
 My notion is, that the Government will content itself with occupying Wash- 
 ington, St. Louis, Cairo, Fort Monroe, and one or two other prominent points 
 with ample forces ; blockade all the Southern ports; cut off their mail and 
 telegraph facilities; stop all supplies now bound down the Mississippi, and 
 then let secession sweat itself out. 
 
 If they want to fight, they must take the initiative, and invade the North. 
 I don't think they will try that on. 
 
 Always Truly Yours, Rufus King. 
 
 Write to me at 28 W. 14th St., New York. 
 
Sketch of Chaeles H. Lareabeb. 9 
 
 On the 17th of April, Judge Larrabee enlisted as a private in 
 the Horicon Guard, an independent militia company, which had 
 made a tender of its services for the first Wisconsin regiment, 
 just called for by the General Government. Judge Larrabee's 
 prompt and energetic action in support of the war, did much to 
 arouse the enthusiasm oE the people, and promote the enrollment 
 of volunteers. Before his company arrived in Milwaukee, he 
 was elected a Second Lieutenant, and acted promptly in that 
 capacity. 
 
 Other regiments, however, were soon called into service, and 
 Judge Larrabee was commissioned by Gov. Randall, Major of the 
 Fifth Wisconsin, May 28th, 1861; and marched to the front in 
 July, arriving on the Potomac early in August, where he saw 
 much hard service on the lines, participating actively in the ex- 
 posures, hardships, and dangers incident to war. The Fifth was 
 first assigned to Gen. Rnfus King's Brigade, and constructed the 
 earth-works on the south side of the Potomac, known as Fort 
 Marcy ; but was soon after attached to Hancock's Brigade, in 
 Gen. W. F. Smith's Division. 
 
 The men passed through five drills every day, the monotony 
 of which was sometimes relieved by war's alarms — and which, 
 whether true or false, aided in preparing the men for prompt ac- 
 tion when the foe should really appear. A correspondent, writ- 
 ing Oct. 25th, relates this incident : " About noon, in some 
 unaccountable manner, news reached our camp that our gallant 
 Major Larrabee was surrounded by a superior force, and was hav- 
 ing a desperate fight, and the rest of the Brigade rushed out on a 
 double quick to the rescue. They found the Major and his com- 
 mand quietly preparing to return to camp, not having seen Se- 
 ceshers enough to engage a corporal's guard," 
 
 While on a large foraging expedition. Major Larrabee partici- 
 pated in the affair at Lewinsville, Sept. 11th, 1861. Capt. 
 Emerson, of the Fifth regiment related, that on that occasion, 
 Maj. Larrabee was ordered forward with the five companies com- 
 posing the left wing of the regiment, to support Griffin's battery. 
 Having disposed his men first behind the crest of a hill, on the 
 right of the battery, he ordered every man of them to lie down, 
 
10 Wisconsin State Historical Society. 
 
 concealed from the enemyi^^iew, so that if he should be bold 
 enough to charge the battery, he woald meet with an unexpected 
 reception. 
 
 Presently the shot and shell began coming pretty thick, striking 
 the ground some four rods in front of the line. Soon Griffin's 
 battery opened on the Rebels, and every shell would burst over 
 the'Rebel guns. The boys couldn't lie still any longer, but got 
 up, some OQ their knees, and bolder ones on their feet, to see 
 where our shells would strike — paying no regard whatever to 
 the missiles coming from the Rebels, and striking in front and near 
 them, Maj. Larrabee, who was in company with Geo. Smith and 
 staff, near the battery, observing the boys of the Fifth thus 
 evincing their curiosity, and fearing some of them might get hit, 
 galloped up to them, saying : " I told, you to lie down, you 
 rascals — down, every one of you ; the first thing I know some 
 of you will get hurt. It is astonishing how little you care for your 
 lives." The boys lay down, as ordered ; but wondered if the 
 Major knew he was quite as good a mark on his horse, Bony, as 
 they were on foot. The Confederates at length retired, and the 
 expedition proved successful. 
 
 During the Autumn and early Winter of 1861-62, Hon. Wm. 
 A. Richardson, then a member of the House of Representatives from 
 Illinois, and other War Democrats, made an effort to have Maj. 
 Larrabee promoted to a Brigadier General, as up to that time none 
 but Republicans had been appointed to that rank — and, in fact, 
 none from Wisconsin but members of that party, it is believed, 
 during ihe war. Prompted by this effort. Gen. Hancock wrote to 
 Hon. Simon Cameron, Secretary of War, the following commen- 
 dation : 
 
 Camp Griffin, Va., Nov. 30, 1861. 
 
 Sir: Maj. Chas. H. Larrabee, 5th Wis. Vols , has been under my command 
 for some time (two months). Having had occasion to see a great deal of him 
 in camp, and on detached service in command of troops under my own eye, 
 I can, with great pleasure, state that his habits of thought and action, and his 
 general bearing, point him out as a person eminently fitted to command 
 troops. 1 have seen no more efficient officer among those who have not had 
 great experience in military matters. It is true, that the talents of Maj. Lar- 
 rabee are not being used in the volunteer service to the best advantage. 
 I am, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant, 
 
 W. 8. Hancock, Brig. Qen'l Vols. 
 
Sketch of Charles H. Lakbabbe. 11 
 
 While this effort proved unavailing, Maj. Larrabee, by his faith- 
 ful services, and energy of character, was steadily making friends 
 and reputation in the army. His Division commander, Gen. Smith, 
 tendered him the appointment of Provost Marshal on his staff, 
 which he declined for the reason that he preferred to serve with 
 his regiment during the campaign on the Peninsula, which had 
 then just commenced its operations. Gren. Smith's Assistant Ad- 
 jutant General, L. D. Currie, wrote Maj. Larrabee, March 8, 1862, 
 as fallows : 
 
 " Sir: — I am directed by Brig. Gen. W. F. Smith, commanding this Divis- 
 ion, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 27th ult., and to express 
 his regret that, under existing circumstances, you have thought it unadvisa- 
 ble to accept the appointment of Provost Marshal of this Division. Gen. 
 Smith regrets this determination on your part the more, as by your zeal and 
 assiduity on a previous occasion, you much advanced the interests of his 
 Division." 
 
 In the latter part of March, 1862, on a reconnaissance up James 
 Kiver, above Newport News, a correspondent wrote : " We all be- 
 gan to feel uneasy about Major Larrabee, who had command of 
 two companies, I and D, who were ordered out to act as flankers. 
 It appears that the Major and his command crossed what is called 
 Rich Creek where the tide was low, and proceeded two miles 
 farther, drove in a squad of Rebel cavalry, and when he returned 
 he found the tide in, which made it too deep to cross ; but making 
 the best of his situation, he encamped there that night, and the 
 next day he rejoined us at camp without accident, although he 
 was fired at by the Rebel gun-boats." Gen. Hancock, sometimes 
 himself commanding on foraging expeditions, would order Major 
 Larrabee to lead the advance guard on the outward march, and 
 the rear guard on returning — showing his confidence in the 
 Major's efficiency, and the *' stuff " he was made of. 
 
 Stern work was now at hand. McClellan advanced against the 
 enemy, strongly entrenched, in and around Yorktown. Maj. Lar- 
 rabee served in the attack on a strong fort, erected to guard a dam 
 over Warwick Creek, between Wynn's and Lee's mills, and some 
 four miles from Yorktown, April 16th. " The object of the at- 
 tack," says Gen. McClellan, " was merely to prevent the further 
 construction of works, and feel the strength of the position." The 
 
IS Wisconsin State Hi8tobici.l Socibtt. 
 
 enemy, it was related, lo^^ne hundred and forty-five killed, 
 wounded, and prisoners; while the Union loss was thirty-five 
 killed, one hundred and twenty wounded, and nine prisoners — 
 mostly while attempting to wade the stream. Dr. A. L. Castle- 
 man, surgeon of the Fifth Wisconsin, who was an eye-witness, 
 states in his work on the Army of the Potomac^ that "about two 
 hundred brave men were sacrificed." As the Fifth Wisconsin did 
 not share in this attack, and Maj. Larrabee states that he partici- 
 pated in it, it is presumed that he served temporarily as a volun- 
 teer — probably on the staff of Gen. Smith, who commanded on 
 occasion. 
 
 On the night of the 3d of May, the Confederates evacuated 
 Yorktown, which was occupied by the Union troops the next 
 day ; and towards evening of the 4th, the Fifth Wisconsin was 
 among the force designated to attack the field-works known as 
 Fort Magruder — the largest of thirteen redoubts — which ex- 
 tended nearly across the Peninsula from the York to the James 
 River. 
 
 A-fter an ineffectual attempt to reach and attack the fort that 
 night, the regiment, in thick darkness, at eleven o'clock, was or- 
 dered to lie down. The rain descended in torrents. Without 
 knapsacks, blankets, or food, and exhausted by long wading 
 through deep mud, they uncomplainingly made the best of their 
 situation. It was fortunate that the Fifth Wisconsin missed its 
 route on that dark and stormy night, for Fort Magruder was de- 
 fended by several regiments, as the next morning's light revealed. 
 
 On the morning of the 5th of May, after wading through mud 
 and water for three miles, Maj. Larrabee was ordered, with four 
 companies of the Fifth, to dash across a mill-dam over Cub Dam 
 Creek, a small tributary of Queen's Creek — regarded at the time 
 as one of the most perilous and heroic undertakings of the war, 
 as that passage was confronted with a formidable redoubt. A 
 writer in the Milwaukee Wisconsin mentions " Maj. Larrabee's 
 daring act of crossing a narrow mill-dam, in the face of the most 
 formidable looking fort I ever saw. True, that fort was not oc- 
 cupied ; but it was impossible for him to know it ; and twenty 
 men behind its walls could, in five minutes, have annihilated the 
 
Skbtch of Chables H. Labbabeb. li 
 
 whole force sent against it" .This was not sheer recklessness on 
 Maj. Larrabee's part, but was simply prompt obedience to mili- 
 tary orders. j 
 
 Having passed the mill-dam on the run, the detachment filed to 
 the left of the redoubt, and entered it without resistance, the work 
 having been abandoned. The remainder of the regiment and other 
 troops, with Wheeler's battery, quickly followed. Lieut. Col. 
 Emery, with five companies of the Fifth, was sent forward as 
 skirmishers. Col. Cobb, with the remainder of the regiment, ad- 
 vanced four hundred yards in support of his skirmish line, and 
 the battery ; and the latter began to play upon the Rebel strong- 
 hold. Fort Magruder. The enemy now sallied out, and advanced 
 upon the skirmishers, who slowly retired. The battery now fell 
 back to the rear, while the skirmishers checked the Rebel cavalry. 
 This was about half past four in the afternoon. Col. Cobb was 
 told that the enemy's cavalry was charging down on him, and he 
 immediately, aided by Maj. Larrabee, threw his men into a hollow 
 square. As the cavalry did not appear, the regiment was again 
 formed in battle array, under a most galling fire of the enemy. 
 
 Not receiving the re-inforceraents called for. Gen. Hancock 
 ordered the Wisconsin troops to fall back fighting, to a better 
 position. The enemy, under Gren. Early, and other leaders, pressed 
 on, yelling by way of intimidation, "Bull's Run! Ball's Blufl! " 
 They seemed determined to capture the battery, or die in the 
 attempt. Gradually and slowly the Wisconsin boys fell back, 
 disputing every ioch of the ground ; and within twenty rods of 
 the Badger regiment, the enemy opened a heavy fire, when Cobb's 
 men began to waver, seeing which, their brave Colonel cried out: 
 " Will you leave me and the old flag ? " " No ! never ! " was 
 shouted on every hand. This checked the enemy for a moment, 
 when the Wisconsin boys fell back, joining the Sixth and Seventh 
 Maine regiments, who united with the Badger troops, in sending 
 volley after volley into the enemy. It seemed like a sheet of 
 flame. At this opportune juncture, the Union batteries opened 
 upon them with grape, when they broke and fled in the wildest 
 confusion. " They run ! they run ! " broke forth from the heroic 
 Unionists, and cheer upon cheer arose above the din of the con- 
 
,14 Wisconsin Statb Histoeical Society. 
 
 flict Hancock rode rapyi^ up and down the ranks, encouraging 
 the men to stand fast, and ordered the Fifth Wisconsin, Seventh 
 Maine, and Thirty-Third New York forward, when they charged 
 down upon the foe with a shout that made the welkin ring. " The 
 enemy's charge," says an eye witness, " an audacious one, was re- 
 pulsed with great slaughter — almost entirely of infantry on both 
 sides — the Rebels displaying a courage worthy of a better cause, 
 while the Wisconsin boys met them with the cool determination 
 of veterans." 
 
 A correspondent of the New York Herald, speaking of this 
 famous charge of the Fifth Wisconsin, Seventh Maine, and New 
 York Thirty-Third, said : " Away went the regiments, with one 
 glad cheer. Gallant as our foes undoubtedly were, they could 
 not stand that But few Brigades mentioned in history have 
 done better than this did, for a space which was generally esti- 
 mated at three quarters of a mile. They advanced under the 
 fire of a splendidly served battery, and with a cloud of skirmish- 
 ers stretched across their front, whose fire was very destructive ; 
 and if, after that, the Rebels had not had a line of bayonets that 
 came toward them like the spirit of destruction, it need not be 
 wondered that they broke and fled in complete panic. Nearly 
 five hundred were killed and taken prisoners." 
 
 "This," declares another writer, "was probably the most bril- 
 liant charge made during the day. Our regiments all did nobly, 
 but none of them more so than the Fifth Wisconsin, and Forty- 
 Third New York. Col. Cobb and Major Larrabee, of the Fifth 
 Wisconsin, and Cols. Fenton and Pearson, of the Forty-Third 
 New York,^ are deserving of especial praise. The charge made 
 by Hancock saved us the day in all probability." " Gren. Han- 
 cock," says Lossing, "finally made a fierce bayonet charge, when 
 the Confederates broke and fied, with precipitation, with a loss of 
 over five hundred men." 
 
 ' This writer plainly errs in stating that the Forty-Third New York, with 
 Cols. Fenton and Pearson, shared in the charge. The official reports, and 
 Judd's Story of the Thirty-Third New York Volunteers, prove conclusively 
 that it was the Thirt3'-Third, with Cols. Taylor and Corning that took part in 
 this service. 
 
Sketch op Chables H. Laeeabee. 15 
 
 • Another letter-writer, speaking at the time, of the battle of 
 Williamsburg, said : " Of Maj. Larrabee, I have so often written, 
 that you will scarcely need to be told, that he was everywhere, 
 inspiring every one with his indomitable energy and persever- 
 ance." The Milwakee Sentinel stated, that "correspondent's 
 writing of the gallant charge of Hancock's Brigade, pay the Wis- 
 consin Fifth marked compliments, and speak especially of the 
 coolness and courage of Col. Cobb and Maj, Larrabee." The 
 Wisconsin boys gained not these undying laurels without a heavy 
 sacrifice — nine killed and seventy wounded. 
 
 Gen. McClellan, in his report, speaks of Gen. Hancock having 
 been " confronted by a superior force. Feigning to retreat slowly, 
 he awaited their ontset, and then turned upon them, and after 
 some terrific volleys of musketry, he charged them with the 
 bayonet, routing and dispersing their whole force. This was one 
 of the most hrilliani engagements of the wary 
 
 Two days after the action. Gen. McClellan, accompanied by 
 Gens. Smith and Hancock, visited the regiment at dress parade, 
 and addressed the boys familiarly: "My lads, I have come to 
 thank you for the bravery and discipline which you displayed the 
 other day. On that day, you won laurels of which you may well 
 be proud — not only you, but the army, the State, and the country 
 to which you belong. Through you, we won the day, and ' Wil- 
 liamsburg ' shall be inscribed upon your banner. I cannot thank 
 you too much, and I am sure the reputation your gallantry has 
 already achieved, will always be maintained." Gen. McClellan 
 then paid a similar compliment to the Seventh Maine, and Thirty- 
 Third New York regiments, proclaiming that the word " Willams- 
 burg " should also be emblazoned on their banners. He also 
 declared that Gen. Hancock's conduct in securing the victory was 
 " Superb," which carries with it the highest possible compliment 
 to the Fifth Wisconsin, its officers and men, and their heroic asso- 
 ciates on that memorable battle-field. 
 
 Military reputation is but too often a target for the envious. 
 Speaking of the battle of Williamsburg, Dr. Castleman, in his 
 work, observes : " I have heard it stated, that Maj. Larrabee was 
 not at his post during the fight It is due to the Major to state 
 
16 Wisconsin State Historical Society. 
 
 emphatically, that he was^M)t only in the fight, but actively en- 
 gaged wherever there were symptoms of wavering, and where duty 
 called him." 
 
 The next day after the battle, and while pursuing the enemy, a 
 correspondent remarks : " In passing, I visited the burial place of 
 Daniel Park Custis, whose son was the first husband of Mrs. 
 George Washington. The place was a ruin, and I saw Maj. Lar- 
 rabee copying the inscription on a broken monolith. What a 
 sight — an army marching over the ground where Washington 
 once lived, to fight Virginians ! " Though Washington never 
 lived there, he had often, no doubt, visited the place. 
 
 The Chickahominy swamps, and the lowlands of Virginia, with 
 the exposures of the campaign, began to tell on the army, and 
 Maj. Larrabee did not escape the prevalent sickness. Chronic 
 diarrhoea prostrated him, and he was, in consequence, confined 
 sometime in the hospital at White House, Virginia. 
 
 In the organization of new regiments. Gov. Salomon appointed 
 Maj. Larrabee to the command of the Twenty-Fourth Wisconsin. 
 He at once resigned his position in the Fifth, July 25th, 1862. 
 That evening the officers of the regiment met and unanimously 
 passed the following preamble and resolutions : 
 
 " Whereas, The Executive of our State has testified his appreciation of 
 the abilities and distinguished services of Maj. Charles H. Larrabee, by con- 
 ferring upon him the highest military trust within his gift, in commissioning 
 him Colonel of one of the Wisconsin regiments recently accepted by the 
 President, we, the officers of the Fifth, desiring to avail ourselves of this 
 opportunity to testify our respect, our esteem, and our affection for our late 
 Major, do adopt the following resolutions: 
 
 " Resolved, That while we deeply deplore the loss to our regiment of an 
 experienced and able officer, and to ourselves of a wise counsellor, social 
 companion, and true and tried friend, we at the same time congratulate the 
 nation, the State, and the regiment which be has to command, upon the selec- 
 tion of one so eminently fit to train to arms, and lead to battle, the sons of the 
 Badger State. 
 
 " Resolved, That although in future marches, when the hills and valleys 
 shall resound with the tread of armies and the clash of arms, we shall miss 
 the encouraging words of our beloved Major, yet the cheering recollections 
 of the past, when we first entered upon the theatre of war, and fought our 
 first battle, inspired by his presence and example, shall nerve our hearts to a 
 firmer determination for our country to conquer, or for our country to die. 
 
Skbtch of Ghables n. Labbabbb. 17 
 
 " Resolved, That while we bid him a regretful adieu, and a God-speed iu 
 his new field of usefulness and labor, we hopefully look forward with pleasing 
 anticipations to the time when the troubles, which now convulse our country, 
 are over, and we shall be permitted to enjoy many happy re-unions at home." 
 
 After the adoption of this expression of his associates in arms, 
 "Major Larrabee," says one present, "gave us a little talk. He 
 said many good things, as he always does when he talks, and 
 promised within sixty days to bring into the field a regiment, 
 which would strive to equal the brilliant career of the Fifth 
 Wisconsin. The feeling was, this will be hard to do, Major; you 
 have taken a heavy load ; may your shoulders bear up under it 
 The Major left the next morning, and really there was a feeling 
 of loneliness in camp. The best wishes of all the regiment go 
 with him." 
 
 Gov. Salomon was commended in the Wisconsin gazettes for 
 promoting Major Larrabee to the command of a new regiment : 
 " He has been in active service since the commencement of the 
 war ; has proved himself an efficient, brave and popular ^oflScer, and 
 has by his zealous, patriotic and untiring exertions richly earned 
 the position to which he is now assigned." Reaching Milwaukee 
 August 1st, he made a brief speech the next day to the Chamber 
 of Commerce, thanking them for the noble part they had taken 
 in raising the Twenty-Fourth regiment; and declaring that his 
 men should be well drilled, and that he was not going to the front 
 to fight for any " ism," but "for the preservation of our nation- 
 ality;" that, in his opinion, the idea of conciliation or compro- 
 mise was absurd ; that, in short, the war must be fought out by 
 hard knocks. 
 
 Col. Larrabee at once appointed a series of war meetings in his 
 old Congressional district, at the county towns of Ozaukee, She- 
 boygan, Washington and Dodge, accompanied by such men as 
 Edward G. Ryan, H. L. Palmer, Matt. H. Carpenter, and others, 
 and succeeded in arousing such enthusiasm as to bring into the 
 field enough men, it was said, for four regiments. In the final 
 adjustment of the volunteers, Col. Larrabee's regiment was made 
 up mainly of Milwaukee men — eleven enlisting from the " Wis- 
 consin " printing office alone. Col. Larrabee received a stand of 
 % 
 
18 Wisconsin State Historical Society. 
 
 colors awarded by the Stat^R) the Colonel who should first raise 
 his regiment; and a fine band of music was made up from the 
 men of his command. 
 
 But little drilling of the regiment was done before it was or- 
 dered to the front. The muster of the several companies was 
 completed on the 2l3t of August — the next day Col. Larrabee 
 received his commission ; and on the 5ih of September the Twenty- 
 Fourth left Milwaukee for Kentucky, one thousand and twenty 
 strong. Oa the 8th of October the regiment received its baptism 
 of fire at the battle of Perryville or Chaplin Hills, serving as a 
 part of Grreusel's Brigade, and Gen. P. H. Sheridan's Division. 
 In that engagement, Col. Larrabee's Badger boys were held in re- 
 serve in support of a battery, yet shared in the activities and 
 perils of the day. 
 
 An eye-witness and participant in the operations of the regi- 
 ment writes: "Our General says, that the Twenty-Fourth Wis- 
 consin saved the battery in that bold and terrific charge by 
 Walker's and Adams' Confederate Brigades. The Rebels came 
 up through the corn-field in two solid lines ; and as the grape and 
 canister mowed through their ranks, they closed up and steadily 
 advanced. We were in -the rear of the battery when they first 
 advanced, and were moved by the west flank around to its left, 
 taking our position on the road. The hilltop was before us, and 
 shielded us from the bullets that hummed like a hornet's nest over 
 us, not a foot above our heads. The Fifty-Second Ohio was over 
 the brow of the hill, and was driven back slowly until they rested 
 on our front. Then, at that critical moment. Col. Larrabee gave 
 the command to advance to the hill-top, and fire. Our left was 
 screened by a piece of woods, and was not one hundred feet from 
 .the solid Rebel lines, which halted at the fence that enclosed the 
 field, and who were subjected to the terrible cross and direct fire 
 of our battery, the Twenty-Fourth Wisconsin, the Thirty-Sixth 
 Illinois, and the Fifty-Second Ohio ; their almost demonical cheers 
 were soon discomfited, they broke ranks and skedaddled. The 
 officers of the Twenty-Fourth acted with fearlessness and disci- 
 pline. Col. Larrabee is a model and brave officer, and acted 
 accordingly." 
 
Sketch of Charles H. Labrabbb. 19 
 
 Another member of the regiment gave this account of the op- 
 erations of the Twenty-fourth : " After standing under fire for 
 about fifteen minutes, we received orders from Gen. Sheridan to 
 move across the road, and pass to the left, where the Rebels were 
 making a desperate effort to out-flank the left of our Division. 
 Col. Larrabee immediately gave the order — ' By the left flank, 
 double quick, march ! ' — and away we went, crossing a road en- 
 filaded by Rebel musketry; and, in less time than it takes to 
 write it, we were again formed into line, in front of a corn-field, 
 which was perfectly alive with the enemy. We fired half a 
 dozen rounds at them, and they skedaddled, leaving guns, knap- 
 sacks, clothing, and everything else behind they could not con- 
 veniently carry away. We followed them a short distance, and 
 company " B " deployed as skirmishers through the corn-field, and 
 had the honor of capturing five prisoners — Sergeant Alanson 
 taking three, and Corporal Rogers two. Col. Larrabee also cap- 
 tured one, who was hiding behind the fence. We were actively 
 engaged about an hour, and exposed to a heavy fire the greater 
 part of the time. Col. Larrabee gave his orders as coolly as on 
 dress parade ; and it was probably owing, in a great degree, to 
 his coolness and nerve, that the regiment acquitted themselves 
 so well." 
 
 In his"official report of the part the Twenty-Fourth took in the 
 battle. Col. Larrabee said : " I cannot commend too highly the 
 conduct of both officers and men. They advanced, under fire of 
 the enemy, and formed into position with the coolness and celerity 
 of veterans." It was remarkable that so few casualties occurred — 
 only one of the regiment killed, and three wounded ; the ridge 
 in their front, and being prostrate upon the ground, saved them 
 in the earlier part of the engagement. 
 
 Brigade Commander Grreusel thus spoke in his report of Col. 
 Larrabee's regiment in the action : " The Twenty-Fourth Wis- 
 consin went forward with cheers, and soon engaged the enemy's 
 right, pouring in, and keeping up a cross-fire on their Brigade, 
 which made sad havoc among them. This wing was the first to 
 break, the regiment following it to the left on the road until out 
 of range, when, after thus gallantly distinguishing themselves, they 
 
JIO "Wisconsin Statb Historical Society. 
 
 retired to the top of the hi^pior the night Both officers and men 
 behaved with coolness and deliberation, marching to the front 
 with the steadiness of veterans, and firing very regularly, though 
 tinder a severe fire of musketry. Col. C. H. Larrabee cannot be 
 too much praised for his coolness and good soldierly behavior 
 during the whole engagement, ever prompt to obey ray orders." 
 
 The army advanced southward to Nashville and Murfees- 
 borough. Col. Larrabees old Chickahominy troubles again in- 
 capacitated him a portion of the time from service, and we find him 
 at Nashville on sick leave in November. As important operations 
 were anticipated, he too soon repaired to the front ; but found 
 himself unequal to the exposures incident to the season, and the 
 unusual activity of the service, and was compelled to retire to 
 Nashville to recuperate. His regiment participated in the battle 
 of Murfeesborough or Stone's Eiver, Gen. Rosecrans commanding 
 the Union forces, and Gen. Bragg the Confederates ; and after 
 three days hard fighting, commencing December 31st, victory 
 crowned the Union arm?. 
 
 While the great battle was yet in progress, Col. Larrabee wrote, 
 Jan. 1st, 1863, to Hon. Alexander Mitchell : " With an ulcerated 
 throat, and an almost entire loss of voice, I marched with the regi- 
 ment the fir.st day, in a heavy rain ; the night following I could 
 get no sleep, my throat grew rapidly worse, and my voice gave 
 out. I had already turned the command over to Maj. Hibbard ; 
 and, the next morning, I summoned courage enough to yield to 
 the advice of my surgeon and officers, and returned to Nashville. 
 I had every confidence that they would do their duty. I had con- 
 fidence in the skill and self-reliance of the Major. This confidence 
 has been more than met. I hear nothing but good of the regi- 
 ment from all sides; but, my friend, not to be with my regiment 
 has been the hardest task I have ever been called upon to perform. 
 You well know that nothing short of entire physical incapacity 
 would have induced me to let the regiment march without me." 
 
 At length Col. Larrabee so far recovered as to repair to the 
 front, at Murfreesborough, on the 1st of March. " He was re- 
 ceived," writes one of his men, " with three rousing cheers from 
 the boys, and a serenade by the band — than which there is none 
 
Sestch of Chables H. Labbabbb. 21 
 
 better in the business. The Colonel made a speech to the boys 
 after ' tatoo,' last night, and expressed his happiness in meeting 
 them again. It was natural to see him once more with us, and 
 we all hope that his health will permit him to remain He cer- 
 tainly looks improved in every respect, and if he is as well as he 
 looks, we have no fears." 
 
 Col. Larrabee's will-power kept him up as long as possible. 
 He was proud of his regiment, loved the service, and was popu- 
 lar with all classes of the army, from the highest officer to the 
 humblest in the ranks. In May, for a few days, in the absence 
 of General Lytle, he commanded the Brigade ; but disease had 
 fastened itself upon him. " I visited Col. Larabee, yesterday," 
 writes a Murfreesborough correspondent. May 21st ; " he looks very 
 much worn out." At length, wasted by disease contracted in the 
 swamps of the Chickahominy, he yielded to the inevitable, and 
 resigned, August 27th 1863, retiring from his command, greatly 
 to his regret. Had not his health failed him, he was well adapted 
 to military life, and well calculated to have risen, by his force of 
 character and sterling merit, to the highest honors of the service. 
 
 On this occasion, Gen. P. H. Sheridan, commanding the Divi- 
 sion of which the Twenty-Fourth Wisconsin formed a part, v/rote 
 thus kindly to Col. Larrabee, under date Stevenson, Ala., Aug. 
 31st: " Colonel : On retiring from the service, I desire to express 
 to you, in some manner, my regard for your past services in con- 
 nection with my Division. Having had every opportunity to ob- 
 serve, it gives me great satisfaction to testify to the ability you 
 have always displayed as a commander. Your conduct and bear- 
 ing have always been that of an intelligent, brave and obedient 
 officer; and I feel assured that whatever position you may here- 
 after be called upon to occupy, you will win for yourself the same 
 credit to which, I am happy to say, you are justly entitled, for the 
 valuable services you have, in your patriotism, rendered the Gov- 
 ernment while commanding a regiment in this Division." 
 
 James Adair Grover, Assistant Adjutant General, addressed to 
 Col. Larrabee, Aug. 30th, in behalf of Gen. W. H. Lytic, the 
 following official order: "Colonel : I have the honor to forward 
 the acceptance of your resignation to the Head-Quarters of the 
 
23 Wisconsin State Historical Society. 
 
 Army of the Cumberland^pThe General commanding directs me 
 to express his profound regret, that you are about to bid farewell 
 to his command and the service. He desires nie thus officially to 
 bear testimony to your gallant and honorable record as an officer 
 and a gentleman. He directs me to say, that since he assumed 
 command of this Brigade, he has found you uniformly active, 
 zealous, and untiring in the discharge of your official duties. 
 
 " While for military considerations, he regrets your resignation, 
 it is a matter of congratulation that the people and the country 
 are to have the benefit of your wide experience and distinguished 
 ability. Carry with you, Colonel, to your home, the high regard 
 and best wishes of your comrades in arms." 
 
 In accepting Col. Larrabee's resignation, Henry M. Cist, Assist- 
 ant Adjutant Greneral, by command of Major General Rosecrans, 
 endorsed as a reason : " Physically suited to enter the Invalid 
 Corps." " His military record," in the language of Tenney and 
 Atwood, in their work on the Fathers of Wisconsin^ " was equally 
 brilliant and useful." 
 
 Though, not, perhaps, engaged in so many battles as some 
 others, yet he was oftener in command of skirmishers, during the 
 advance of the armies, than any officer of his corps, and always 
 acquitted himself with the highest credit. Yet petty jealousies, 
 even after his retirement from the service, did not cease their un- 
 worthy back-bitings. The following letter from Gen. Rosecrans, 
 if anything further were necessary, should forever put to shame 
 these baseless misrepresentations : 
 
 San Francisco, Cal., Sept. 16, 1867. 
 My Dear Colonel: 
 
 I am annoyed to hear that calumny has had the audacity to whisper that 
 you left the Army of the Cumberland in some kind of disgrace. No officer 
 of his ^rade stood higher in my estimation for ability, courage or patriotism, 
 than you did ; when I became satisfied that the condition of your health, and 
 other personal circumstances made known to me, imposed on me the duty 
 of accepting your resignation. You are at liberty to use this letter as you 
 please. 
 
 Sincerely trusting that no Union man has been mean enough to lend a hand 
 in stabbing one of the country's noble supporters and soldiers, 
 
 I am Your Friend, 
 
 W. S. Rosecrans, 
 
 Col. Charles H. Larbabee. Bre't Maj. Gen., U. S. A. 
 
Sketch of Cha.blks H. Lareabee. 23 
 
 In the Spring of 1864, Col. Larrabee migrated to California, 
 accompanied by his daughter, stopping at San Jose. Yisiting 
 Virginia City, Nevada, he was attacked with his old army com- 
 plaint, the diarrhoea ; and finding he could not stand the climate, 
 he returned to San Jose, and spent the Summer on Gen, Naglee's 
 ranch near that city ; but in the early Autumn he was attacked 
 with erysipelas in the head, and barely survived. Thinking a 
 higher latitude w(3uld prove more healthful, he removed to Salem, 
 in Oregon, in October, and engaged in the practice of law with 
 Hon. Lansing Stout, and was the next month joined by his wife 
 and son. 
 
 He had some recurrences of his old army complaint. But his 
 nature was restless, and he sought too frequent change of resi- 
 dence for his success. After awhile he returned to California, 
 residing for sometime at Los Angeles. His wife died in San 
 Francisco, Aug. 7th, 1873. He subsequently located, with Beriah 
 Brown, at Seattle, in Washington Territory. Having been a 
 framer of the Wisconsin Constitution in 1847-48, thirty years 
 later, in 1879, he was a member of a Convention in Washington 
 Territory to frame a constitution in anticipation of its admission 
 as a State into the Union. But the people were not yet prepared 
 for such a step, and did not adopt the Constitution submitted to 
 them. Col. Larrabee was chosen one of the five Trustees, and 
 the Treasurer of the Board, for organizing at Seattle a Univer- 
 sity for the Territory, which was favored with an endowment of 
 public lands. 
 
 Col. Larrabee finally settled at San Bernardino, in Southern 
 California, resuming the practice of his profession, and fitting up 
 a lovely rural home, with a fine variety of tropical fruits. 
 Returning from a visit to San Francisco, when near Los Angeles, 
 Jan. 20th 1883, the train, making a brief stop on a summit it had 
 just gained, being detached from the engine, started off on the 
 down grade at a frightful speed, a distance of four miles, and then 
 plunged down an embankment, killing and burning in the shat- 
 tered cars some sixteen persons — among them Col. Larrabee. 
 His melancholy and shocking death cast a gloom over his many 
 friends in every part of the country. A son, daughter, and three 
 grand-children survive him. 
 
24 Wisconsin State Histobical Socibtt. 
 
 In a characteristic letter ^mdtten by Judge Larrabee, and pub- 
 lished in The Bench and Bar of Wisconsin, he gave the following 
 account of himself : " I had only an Academic education at Gran- 
 ville and Springfield, Ohio. At the former, I was school-mate of 
 Lyman C. Draper. The best work I ever did for Wisconsin was 
 to induce Draper to remove from Baltimore, and settle in the 
 State. I procured the first appropriation by the Legislature for a 
 small salary for him as Secretary of the Historical Society,^ and 
 took an active part in its reorganization with Wm. R. Smith and 
 others. I first brought Draper to the attention of L. J. Farwell, 
 then Governor, who aided me substantially and cordially. 
 
 " I left the army broken down in health, and took a sea voyage 
 as a last resort ; came to the Pacific coast, recovered health, and have 
 never regretted the change for a moment. When I left the bench, 
 my bar, in their resolutions, said, I had been an industrious, cap- 
 able and honest Judge. I knew I had been industrious and 
 
 ' This was at the session of 1855, and the salary provided was $500 a year. 
 Messrs. S. L. Rose, A. H. Van Norstrand, L. B. Vilas, Chase A. Stevens, Wm. 
 Hull, Alanson Filer, Thomas Falvey, W. R. Taylor, George Gary, Peter 
 Rogan, J. H. Earnest, and Samuel Pratt were among the Assemblymen who 
 supported the measure. Beriali Brown was especially active in seconding 
 Judge Larrabee's efforts, with the members of both Houses, and the bill was 
 passed. 
 
 At the next session, Judge Larrabee influenced others to agitate the subject 
 
 of an increase of the Secretary's salary to $1,000 — among others, Judge T. 
 
 O. Howe interested himself in the matter, as the following note from him to 
 
 Judge Larrabee, shows : 
 
 Madison, March 9, 1856. 
 
 Dea/r Sir : Upon your suggestion, I spoke to several members of both Houses 
 
 touching an increase of Mr. Draper's pay. Every man, including Judge Rose 
 
 ^.ndMr. Hull, met the proposition very cordially. Rose said the Republicans 
 
 were the most unwilling to pay him last Winter. I accordingly drew up a 
 
 memorial, procured many signatures, and obtained Senator David Taylor's 
 
 pledge to attend to it. He presented it. It was referred to the Committee on 
 
 State Aiiairs. Judge Dunn was absent — has not yet returned. Yesterday, 
 
 I returned from Milwaukee, and found Taylor absent. As soon as a bill can 
 
 be got from the Committee, it will pass without much opposition. 
 
 " Yours truly, 
 
 " TIM. O. HOWE." 
 
 As Judge Howe indicated, there was no special opposition to the measure. 
 
 L. C. D. 
 
Sketch of Chablks H. Larrabee. 25 
 
 honest, but doubted the other. The Lord has denied me any love 
 of money whatever, so I am what they call a poor man. Being 
 born in the army, I never had a particle of State pride. All 
 States seem to me like so many Counties. Nor have I love of 
 locality. Cities I hate. I am happiest in building up new homes, 
 introducing new fruits, and other light productions of the soil." 
 
 Judge Larrabee was essentially a pioneer — "the Western im- 
 pulse," says The Bench and Bar of Wisconsin, " seems to have been 
 the governing motive of his character." I remember when with 
 him in Northern Mississippi, in 1841, he had a strong desire to 
 push on to the far-off country of Oregon, which he finally reached 
 a quarter of a century later. 
 
 In his sketches of the Judges of the first Supreme Court of 
 "Wisconsin, Mr. Pinney says, that Judge Larrabee filled the double 
 position of Circuit and Supreme Court Judge, " in the most cred- 
 itable and acceptable manner. He was prompt and impartial, 
 and his written opinions bear favorable testimony to his learning 
 and ability ; he possesses more than ordinary natural ability ; — 
 is an impressive public speaker, — his manners are free, affable 
 and popular, and he is zealous as a partisan, and warm and de- 
 voted in his friendships." 
 
 "The public career of Mr. Larrabee," says Messrs. Tenney and 
 Atwood, " both in Wisconsin and elsewhere, has ever been in the 
 highest degree honorable and useful. He has proved himself a 
 gifted statesman, an able and popular Judge, and his military 
 record was in all senses patriotic aad noble. So long a career in 
 various departments of public life is achieved by but very few, 
 and the bare enumeration is in itself the highest eulogy that 
 could be paid to his merits." 
 
 Judge Larrabee was ambitious, but honorable in all his aims 
 and purposes. The positions to which he was elevated, he filled 
 with credit and integrity. Had McClellan or Hancock, his per- 
 sonal and political friends, succeeded to the Presidency, he would 
 probably have received some fitting appointment. With more 
 application, he would unquestionably have risen higher in the 
 legal profession. His career was varied, active and useful ; and 
 he well deserves to be held in kind and grateful remembrance by 
 the people of Wisconsin. 
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