REPUBLICAN POST

December 24, 1908

 

A SKETCH OF CAPT. CALDWELL’S LIFE.

 

            Died, suddenly Dec. 18, 1908, at his home in Waupaca, Wis., Columbus Caldwell, aged seventy-eight years.

            It is fitting that one who occupied so many prominent positions should receive more than passing notice.

            Mr. Caldwell was the son of Tyler C. and Mary Warner Caldwell, both residents of Vermont, who migrated to New York soon after their marriage where the subject of this sketch was born Sept. 25, 1830, the second of nine children.

            In 1836 his parents and other relatives came into Wisconsin, stopping a while at Southport, now Kenosha, and later into Racine County where they took up first claims and the town in their honor was named “Caldwell’s Prairie” and is still so designated.

            Next they settled at Rochester on the Fox River.  In the fall of 1849 several men from that vicinity came still farther from civilization to “spy out the land” in this then unbroken wilderness.  A log shanty was built in what is now the township of Lind and Mr. Caldwell then nineteen years of age was left for an indefinite period to “hold the fort” awaiting the return of the other members of the party.

            After a ten days’ perilous journey over trackless stretches of country, and the fording of numerous streams his father’s family and the family of George W. Taggart, who had cast in their lots together and moved in company on June 5, 1850, reached the cabin.  A white banner with the words “Liberty Valley” painted upon it graced the top of a tall tamarack and as it floated upon the breeze could be seen through the foliage and was recognized by the tired travelers as pointing out the place of their destination.

            Father and son at once set about breaking the soil and generous crops rewarded their labors.  That season’s fruitage was sorely needed.  In 1852 with his brother-in-law and two sisters, he crossed the plains to California, reaching that state after five months of adventure.  Returning to Wisconsin in 1859 by way of Panama he again assisted upon the farm.

            His father was a man of great energy and powerful physique and his mother a refined and cultured woman, the daughter of an officer of the War of 1812.  Can you wonder with such blood flowing in his veins that when his country was menaced the call came with too great force for his youthful nature to withstand and he helped to organize Company M, First Wisconsin at Kenosha.  One company of his regiment was composed largely of students and it was questioned whether the school there had fitted its pupils for the breaking of refractory mules.

            Mr. Caldwell was mustered into the U.S. service December, 1861 as sergeant and later commissioned as Lieutenant.  Much of the time he was in command of his company.  His promotion to the Captaincy reached his regiment after he was a prisoner of war.

            He saw active service at Cape Gerardeau, at Chalk Bluff and in the Guerilla warfare in Missouri and Arkansas.

            While in the army of the Cumberland he was at Shelbyville, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Anderson’s Gap, Marysville, Strawberry Plains and Massey Creek.

            Because somebody blundered he with eighteen others was sent into the heart of the Confederacy.  Well knowing the certainty of death or imprisonment and that imprisonment most likely meant death also, he went unflinchingly forward.  Sixteen of the nineteen answered the final roll call while incarcerated.  He was searched for money. His hat soon graced the head of a rebel and General Wheeler himself was not above appropriating his rubber suit.  While riding several miles by his side the general repeatedly stated that he would like it.  Mr. Caldwell realizing he would be furnished no clothing until he was again at large replied that he “needed it himself.”  Wheeler passed on and his adjutant enforced the order of his superior officer.

            Wearing when captured only undress uniform he was taken first to Andersonville, thence to Macon jail and afterward to the stockade there and next to Savannah.

            When our forces had their batteries ranged for shelling Charleston, Mr. Caldwell was one of those placed under their fire.  He used frequently to tell of the cheers which went up from his companions as the shells whistled and screamed around, hoping our men would soon re-take them so they could once more see and hear from their loved ones.  He was later confined in the prisons at Columbia, Charlotte, Raleigh and Goldsboro, and was exchanged in March, 1865.  The physical wreck then furloughed showed little resemblance to the well proportioned athlete of the previous years who stood over six feet and whose agility had often been recognized.  He was honorably discharged May 15, 1865.

            The test of greatness is not soldierly bearing alone but willingness to take up everyday duties when there are no pressing needs at the front.

            Mr. Caldwell served acceptably as Register of Deeds besides filing many offices of public trust.  He was twice chosen to represent this district in the Legislature.  His greatest efficiency was shown at the Wisconsin Veterans’ Home, being appointed Commandant while the Home was in its infancy with only one main building and six small poorly constructed cottages and continued in charge for nearly ten years and saw streets nicely laid out and well built structures erected on every hand and modern improvements installed.

            He was Commander of the F.A. Marden Post at the Home from its organization until he moved to Waupaca and received from its members many tokens of esteem, one being a beautiful gold Past Commander badge.  They with others there gave him an elegant sword and belt.

            During his second year as Commander of J. A. Garfield Post at Waupaca, on Memorial Day, 1907, he was stricken with paralysis while on his way to the G.A.R. hall, that being the second stroke.  His health shattered by privations of prison life never recuperated.

            He was married Nov. 1861 to Mary L. Taggart who died January, 1867, leaving two daughters, Mary L. Strong of Baraboo and Ida S. Caldwell of Detroit, Mich.

            He was later married to Ida J. Taggart and their surviving children are George T. and Otis L., electricians in Jonesville, Mich.; Warner F., a farmer in Dayton and Beatrice, a student of the Waupaca Business College, residing with her mother.

            Remembering the sacrifices of our departed and his comrades let us continue to pray “May this republic never forget its dead.”