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Post by Robert Braun on Aug 19, 2004 12:31:09 GMT -5
OK guys... I'm reading more and more about the 33rd Wisconsin being assigned the nickname "Raccoon Regiment."
I consider myself reasonably familiar with the Thirty-third Wisconsin's history, and have never come across this sobriquet for the original regiment. The best I have come across is the sobriquet "Whistling Jack Regiment"-- bestowed on the men by the Confederates at Vicksburg.
Help me out here...! What's the story???
Regards, Bob.
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Post by Mark Reitz on Aug 28, 2004 14:52:41 GMT -5
Bob, It's one of those 'you had to be there' moments, and as Tad described in another place, one of Weed's latest dementia symptoms. The raccoon reference is to Sterling North's novel Rascal, which is about the [real life] boyhood of the author growing up in Edgerton with a pet raccoon. As the story goes, John grew up in the same neighborhood, and passed the fabled home of North all the time. (There is a bronze plaque in front of the house as a historic site. John wants one in front of his old house too, as a reminder of the great CW reenactor from Edgerton who is at least as famous as Rascal the raccoon.) As Company E formed out of Edgerton, John believes the raccoon should be our mascot. The 'dementia' progressed when John saw the rat flag used as a prop in Dewey's fine skit which debuted in LaRue. I know John loves attention, including your inquiring post and this response no doubt, and the fable of John reenacting with the original raccoon just seems to get bigger. We'll have to wait until next year and for John to come up with some other fixation before this one is forgotten about.  Mark Reitz. |
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Post by Robert Braun on Aug 30, 2004 11:35:20 GMT -5
Aha..! I thought there might be the "Edgerton 'Rascal' Connection," but I wasn't sure... My question arose from seing signature blocks on ACW discussion boards--- "33rd Wisconsin, The Raccoon Regiment." While we in the unit may look upon this as a harmless jest... the uninitiated and unknowing might come away with the impression that this was the nickname of the historical Thirty-third Regiment, which as we know was not the case. Company "E" did, indeed, recruit men from Edgerton, and two prominant Edgerton sons-- the Swift brothers-- served as officers. However, the company drew recruits from elsewhere in Rock County, principally Janesville, Lima and Porter townships. Co. "E"'s own orderly sergeant today lies buried in a cemetery at Lima Center, amid other Company "E" veterans. Regards, Bob |
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Post by John Wedeward on Aug 31, 2004 21:15:23 GMT -5
Mark: You forgot to mention my mom was born at the same time as Sterling and lived only 4 houses away. She know both Sterling and the Raccoon as childhood companions. The reason we "honor" our "mask face little friend",Rascal, is that as a young boy Sterling often rode his bike to Indian Ford, past Facett Cemetary. Yes, the same cemetary that fascinated you as you as a young boy and Lt. Swift's grave. Well, I was sure(??) I heard my mom tell me (when I was growing up) that every time Sterling went past Lt. Swift's grave, Rascall (in his bike's basket) turned and saluted our Brave Lt. Swift's grave! Or so the story goes....... John M. Wedeward Co. E, 33rd Wisconsin Vol. Infantry "The Rock County Plough Boys - For Union or Death" native: Edgerton, Wisconsin |
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