Enlisted January 4, 1864 in the 13th Wisconsin Infantry, Capt. G.U. Briggs' Co., William P. Lyons, Colonel. In giving his army experience, he says: "We were in many skirmishes with bushwhackers and guerilla bands, and in two hard fought battles. The first was at Decatur, Alabama, Oct. 26, 1864, and the next was at Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 15 and 16, 1864; my regiment was in the 3d Brigade, 3d Division, 4th Army Corps, under Gen. Wood. At Nashville we warmed their jackets up in good shape and completely "hustled" them. Soon after the battle we were reviewed by Gen. Thomas and the whole Corps sent to New Orleans; from there we crossed the Gulf of Mexico, and from there into Texas, where we were mustered out, Dec. 18, 1865. The regiment stands on record at the State Capitol, Wis., as doing the most marching and guard duty of any regiment in the State. I think the closest call I had during my army life was down on the Tennessee River. Our lines were on the east side and the "Johnnies" were on the west side of the river. Five of us from my company had been doing patrol duty and several times had crossed the river, while out on a lark, and one night we had crossed as usual when suddenly the Rebs sprang up on all sides of us, ordered us to surrender, and fired buckshot right and left; they did not hit us the first round and we ran for the river, but the fellow that was nearest me threw his hand up to his shoulder and said "Something has stung me." I told him he was shot, for I could see the blood there, but he ran as far as he could and then hid in the bushes. I told him if I got back safely I would watch my chance and come back and rescue him. The rest of us swam the river and were soon again under the protection of the Stars and Stripes, and as soon as we could we went back and got our comrade and reached our lines all right." He followed farming in Wisconsin and later removed to Iowa where he followed the same calling until his health failed. He now resides in Clear Lake, Iowa (Severance, B. Frank. Genealogy and biography of the descendants of Walter Stewart of Scotland and of John Stewart who came to America in 1718 and settled in Londonderry, N.H. Greenfield, Mass. : T. Morey & Son, 1905, pg. 159-160).
U.S., Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861-1865 about Freeborn E Stewart
Name: Freeborn E Stewart
Residence: Wisconsin
Enlistment Date: 4 Jan 1864
Rank at enlistment: Private
State Served: Wisconsin
Survived the War?: Yes
Service Record: Enlisted in Company F, Wisconsin 13th Infantry Regiment on 04 Jan 1864.Mustered out on 24 Nov 1865 at San Antonio, TX.
Sources: Roster of Wisconsin Volunteers: War of the Rebellion (findagrave)