Biographical Sketches, chapter 56 from E.B. Quiner's Military History of Wisconsin (Chicago, 1866)

              1012 BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. ,
Major Boardman's military history is inseparably connected with the operations of the Fourth Regimeut, both as infantry and cavalry. On the death of Colouel Bean at Port Hudson, Major Boardman Avas commissioned as Colonel, and was constantly Avith the regiment until his death.
As an officer. Colonel Boardman was distinguished not only for his great natural military skill, but for being faithful, brave, and true in all emergencies, and uuder all circumstances. As a friend, he was most singularly frank, generous and confiding. As a man, none were more honorable and chivalrous.
General St. George Cook, under Avhose command Colonel Boardman acted for several months at Baton Rouge, gave him, a short time previous to his death, command of the entire caA^aliy force at \hat point, numbering about 2,000 men. After the death of Colonel Boardman, General Cook, in a letter to Major Gene¬ ral Pope, then at Milwaukee, after announcing his death, spoke of the mannei in which he met his fate, as folloAvs:
After I was relieved of my command, an order came to send 2,000 men of all arms to Clinton, back of Baton Rouge, where the rebels had twelve or fifteen hundred cavalry. Colonel Boardman went in command of a part of his own and another cavalry regiment, and was in front when he m^t the enemy. Colonel Boardman advanced to examine and seize a bridge in the most galUnt manner, and continued to expose himself to a hot Are in the coolest manner, retiring a^, last, and then slowly—in this act, he received four wounds in succession, the last thruigh the brain. Thus in the performance of duty, but in an obscure skirmish, fell one oi Wisconsin' s gallant sons. I knew him well and highly appreciated his worth. His reyment was for some months under my command, performing duty the most arduous and laborious, in a highly successful manner, continually feeling the enemy, and killing,and capturing numbers every week.
The Colonel undoubtedly had a presentinient of his death. He came to my quarters to bid me good bye, but in other acts, showed it, more plainly. His body was escorted to the river with the highest military honors.
LIEUTENANT COLONEL DAVID McKEE.
Among our illustrations Avill be found the portrait of Lieutenant Colonel McKee, of the Fifteenth Regiment. The artist was, in an eminent degree, successful in giving a correct picture of the original.
Lieutenant Colonel McKee was born in the city of St. Louis, in 1828. His father was a native of Ireland, from which he emi¬ grated in his youth. He was a mau of marked and original character, which was transmitted in a great degree,'to the son.