614 Wisconsi/ii Academy of Sciences^ Arts, and Letters. 



JOHX EUGENE DA VIES. 



John Eugene Davies was born at ClarkstowTi, X. Y., on the 

 23d of April, 1839. Two years later his parents moved to the 

 city of Xew York, where he was sent to the public schools until 

 twelve years of age, when he was admitted on examination to 

 the Free Academy, now kno'^Ti as the University of the City of 

 !N^ew York, In 1855 he came with his parents to Wisconsin, 

 where he continued his studies as best he could, while teaching 

 in the Avinters and doinc: farm work in the summers. He 

 entered the sophomore class of Lawrence University, at Apple- 

 ton, Wis., in 1859, and graduated from that institution three 

 years later, with honors, by reason of special attainments in 

 pure and applied mathematics. 



After receiving his baccalaureate degree, he entered at once, 

 through the solicitation of a physician friend, upon the study of 

 medicine, yielding the more readily as he knew such a course 

 would keep him somewhat in touch witli the sciences, for which 

 he was already acquiring a taste. But his studies were soon 

 interrupted. The news of the battle of Pittsburg Landing, and 

 of President Lincoln's call for '^300, 000 more," was too much 

 for him to withstand, and hq enlisted as a private in the 21st 

 regiment, AY. V. I. 



His record as a soldier was varied, interesting, and highly 

 creditable. He marched with his regiment, first to Covington, 

 Kentucky, and afterward to Louisville, during General Bragg's 

 approach from Chattanooga. At both places he served in the 

 trenches and performed such other duties as fell to the lot of a 

 private soldier. After General Bragg's retreat, he was, without 

 solicitation, put on detail duty by Major-General Buell in one 

 of the hospitals of Louisville. He was afterwards appointed 

 Sergeant-Ma j or of his regiment, and took part in the battles of 

 Chickaraauga and Mission Bidge. He served six months on 

 picket duty on the top of Lookout Mountain, Tennessee ; was 

 with his regiment in all its fighting on the march to Atlanta, 

 Georgia, and around that city, and on its baclavard march to 

 Chattanooga, and he afterwards saw Atlanta burned. He was 



