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to a hall near the bridge, where the patriots were
drilling under Stolbrand’s command. When I arrived at
the hall I was fairly dazed by the appearance of the
commander. He was a man of medium height, rather
thin-faced, with prominent features, a pair of very
restless, piercing gray eves, a long flowing red beard and a
voice that made men fairly jump when he gave his
commands; a man of quick, electric movements, putting
his heels to the floor with such strength and speed that
he made the hall ring with the jingle of the spurs on
his boot heels. If the readers will bear this short
description of the man in mind they will the better
understand the startling episodes I have to relate of him.
No wronder I felt sorely abashed and came near losing
my war fever then and there. But I stayed, and when
the company had broken ranks I timidly approached
the warrior and said I w’antcd to enlist in his company.
“Yon little scjuib! You would blow’ away! You’re too
young!” he said in a voice that nearly brought me to
my knees. I managed to gather up the remnants of my
war courage and told him who I was; that I knew
President Lincoln personally, and just had to go to the
front. So, after some more talking, I prevailed, and
under the name of Joseph Esbyorn I was enrolled as a
member of Stolbrand’s battery. We wTere 113 men
strong, all of us Swedes, as far as I remember, many
of whom have since become prominent men in the
community. This organization was not accepted, however,
because the quota of Illinois had been immediately filled.
It is of interest, though, in Swedish-American history,
as it was entirely a Swedish organization, and it was
contemplated that my father should go along as chap-
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