Crawford County IL Archives History - Books .....Chapter IX 1883
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com April 18, 2006, 2:46 am

Book Title: HISTORY OF CRAWFORD AND CLARK COUNTIES, ILLINOIS

CHAPTER IX.*
* By W. H. Perrin.

WAR HISTORY—THE STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE—OUR SECOND "ROUND" WITH JOHN
BULL—BLACK HAWK AND HIS BRAVES, AND HOW WE THRASHED THEM—THE MEXICAN
WAR—ILLINOIS' PARTICIPATION IN IT-WAR OF THE REBELLION—DIFFERENT REGIMENTS IN
WHICH CRAWFORD COUNTY WAS REPRESENTED—FACTS AND INCIDENTS OF THE WAR, ETC., ETC.

   "Fair as the earliest beam of eastern light, 
When first, by the bewildered pilgrim spied,
It smiles upon the dreary brow of night, 
And silvers o'er the torrent's foaming tide, 
And lights the fearful path on mountain side;
Fair as that beam, although the fairest far, 
Giving to horror grace, to danger pride.
Shine martial Faith, and Courtesy's bright star,
Through all the wreckful storms that cloud the brow of war."
                                         —Scott.

ALTHOUGH as a nation we are over a hundred years old, yet we have lived,
comparatively, a quiet and peaceable life. Aside from our struggles with the
Indians (in many of which they had the better cause), we have had but few wars.
But those in which we have indulged, have been wars of more than ordinary
importance. We started out in business for ourselves by threshing our paternal
ancestor, Mr. John Bull, thereby inaugurating what is known in American history
as the Revolutionary War, and in time achieving our liberty and independence.
Liberty and independence! Often as the wheels of fame roll on the anniversary of
American Independence, so often does our patriotic zeal blaze out from one end
of the Union to the other, in commemoration of those brave war-worn veterans,
who bought with their blood our freedom. When the war was over and our
independence acknowledged, the patriot soldiery was paid off in valueless paper
and in western lands. This brought many of them to the West, mostly to Ohio and
Kentucky, as the lands of those States were in market some time before those of
Illinois. There were, however, a number of Revolutionary soldiers among the
early settlers of Southern Illinois and of Crawford County. But after this long
lapse of time, it is impossible to designate all who participated in the war for
liberty, and we shall not attempt it. We have heard of but three, viz.: Asahel
Haskins, Daniel Kinney and George Miller. Reference is merely made to that war
as a prelude to others that have followed it, and which will occupy considerable
of our space in the subsequent pages.

   After the close of the Revolutionary War our martial experience was confined
to the Indians until our second war with Great Britain, which terminated with
that brilliant triumph of American arms, the victory of Gen. Jackson at New
Orleans on the 8th of January, 1815. The opening scenes of this war were
characterized by defeat, disgrace and disaster; but toward the close of the
struggle a series of glorious achievements compensated for these misfortunes.
Croghan's gallant defense of Fort Stephenson; Perry's victory on Lake Erie: the
total defeat by Gen. Harrison of the allied British and Indians under Proctor
and Tecumseh on the Thames, together with the closing scene at New Orleans, have
few parallels in modern warfare. The people then living in what is now Crawford
County, though far removed from the seat of war, felt its effects in some
degree. The Indians in this section, as already noticed, became somewhat unruly,
and bands of them took the warpath, though they committed few depredations on
the people of this county. Their conduct, however, occasioned considerable
anxiety, and kept the people continually on the lookout for danger. Many of the
early settlers who came to the county following the war of 1812, had
participated in it some time during its progress. But there is no record now by
which to obtain any reliable data of those old soldiers and their exploits, and
we pass on, with this brief allusion to the subject.

   The Black Hawk War.—This war brings us to a period in the history of Crawford
County, when she had attained an importance second to few counties in the State,
as evinced by the part she took in the chastisement of Black Hawk. We shall now
notice briefly some of the leading incidents and facts pertaining to this war.

   It is unnecessary to go into the details which originated the Black Hawk War.
It is the old story of the white man's oppression and the Indian's resentment.
Speaking of the causes which eventually led to it, Gov. Edwards, in his history
of Illinois, says: "There is no doubt, however, that the whites, who at this
period were immigrating in large numbers to the northwest, and earnestly
de-sired their removal further westward, purposely exasperated the Indians, at
the same time that they greatly exaggerated the hostilities committed." The
Indians thus maddened by the encroachments of the whites upon their hunting
grounds, and the insults and injuries heaped upon them by their pale-faced
enemies, finally broke out in open war, and gathered around Black Hawk as their
leader.

   When war commenced, Crawford County aroused herself to action, and many of
her able-bodied men shouldered their guns and marched to the scene of conflict.
Two full companies were sent from Crawford, while others served in companies and
regiments recruited elsewhere. Captain Highsmith's company formed a part of the
second regiment of the second brigade, and from the report of the
adjutant-general of the State we learn that it enlisted in June, 1832, and was
as follows: William Highsmith, captain; Samuel V. Allen, first lieutenant; John
H. McMickle, second lieutenant; B. B. Piper, first sergeant; Thos. Fuller,
second sergeant; Wm. McCoy, third sergeant; John A. Christy, fourth sergeant;
Nathan Highsmith, first corporal; Martin Fuller; second corporal; Jackson James,
third corporal; John Lagow, fourth corporal; and John Allison, Samuel H.
Allison, David M. Allison, John Brimberry, John Barrick, Benj. Carter, James
Condrey, Thomas Easton, John Gregg, Wm. R. Grise, Peter Garrison, Hiram Johnson,
John Johnson, George W. Kinney, James Lewis, Wm. Levitt, John L. Myers, A. W.
Myers, Andrew Montgomery, Isaac Martin, John Parker, Sr., William Parker, Thomas
N. Parker, John Parker, Jr., Amos Phelps, William Reese, Robert Simons, Thomas
Stockwell, Jacob Vaunrinch, James Weger, privates. The company was mustered out
of service August 2, 1832, at Dixon's Ferry, Illinois, its term of enlistment
having expired.

   Houston's company also belonged to the second regiment of the second brigade.
It was enrolled June 19, 1832, and was as follows: Alexander M. Houston,
captain; George W. Lagow, first lieutenant; James Boatright, second lieutenant;
O. F. D. Hampton, first sergeant; Levi Harper, second sergeant; David Porter,
third sergeant; James Christy, fourth sergeant; Cornelius Doherty, first
corporal; James B. Stark, second corporal; Joseph Jones, third corporal; Rivers
Heath, fourth corporal; Francis Waldrop, bugler, and Geo. W. Baugher, Blanton
Blathares, John Bogard, Andrew Baker, Alexander Boatright, Samuel Cruse, Silas
L. Danforth, Geo. B. Doughton, Edwin Fitch, Henry Fowler, John Goodwin, Silas
Goodwin, Robert Grinton, John Hutton, Joseph Hackett, John A. Hackett, Wm.
Hawkins, John Houne, Wickliffe Kitchell, James Kuykendall, Alexander Logan,
Matthew Lackey, John McCoy, Johnson Neeley, Robert Porter, Wm. Porter, Wm.
Pearson, Joseph Pearson, Edwin Pearson, Zalmon Phelps, Samuel Shaw, John
Stewart, John F. Vandeventer, Vastin Wilson, Jacob Walters, privates. This
company was mounted, and was mustered out of the service at the end of the term
of its enlistment, August 15, 1832, by order of Brigadier General Atkinson.

   The war ended with the battle of August 2, 1832, at the mouth of Bad Axe, a
creek emptying into the Mississippi River, a short distance above Prairie du
Chien. In September a treaty was made, which ended the Indian troubles in this
State. Black Hawk had been captured, and upon regaining his liberty ever after
remained friendly to the whites.

   The Mexican War.—All readers of our history are acquainted with the events
which led to the war between the United States and Mexico. It resulted from the
"annexation of Texas," as it was known, a former province of Mexico, and her
admission as a State into the Federal Union. Texas had revolted, and for years
her citizens had been carrying on a kind of guerrilla warfare with Mexico—a war
attended with varied results, sometimes one party, and sometimes the other,
being successful. The battle of San Jacinto was fought in 1836, and the Texans
achieved a brilliant victory, capturing Santa Anna, then Dictator of Mexico, and
killing or making prisoners his entire army. Santa Anna was held as a prisoner
of war, and was finally released upon his signing a treaty acknowledging the
independence of Texas. With all the treachery for which that Republic has ever
been noted, Mexico, in violation of every principle of honor, refused to
recognize this treaty, and continued to treat Texas and the Texans as she had
previously done. From this time on petitions were frequently presented to the
Congress of the United States, praying admission into the Union. Mexico,
however, endeavored to prevent this step, declaring that the admission of Texas
into the American Union would be regarded as sufficient provocation for a
declaration of war.

  In the Presidential contest of 1844, between Henry Clay and James EL. Polk,
the annexation of Texas was one of the leading issues before the people, and Mr.
Polk, whose party (the Democrats) favored the admission of Texas, being elected,
this was taken as a public declaration on the subject. After this, Congress no
longer hesitated as to the granting of the petition of Texas, and on the 1st of
March, 1845, formally received the "Lone Star" into the sisterhood of States. In
her indignation, Mexico at once broke off all diplomatic relations with the
United States, and called home her Minister. This, of itself, was a declaration
of war, and war soon followed. Congress passed an act authorizing the President
to accept the services of 50,000 volunteers (which were to be raised at once),
and appropriated $10,000,000 for the prosecution of the war.

   Illinois, in the apportionment, was required to furnish three regiments of
infantry or riflemen, the entire force called for being drawn principally from
the Southern and Western States, on account of their closer proximity to the
scene of war. Gov. Ford, in obedience to the act of Congress, called for thirty
full companies of volunteers of a maximum of eighty men, to serve for twelve
months. The call was responded to with enthusiasm, and in ten days thirty-five
companies had organized and reported, and by the time the place of rendezvous
(Alton) had been selected, seventy-five companies were recruited, each furious
to go to the war. The Governor was compelled to select thirty companies—the full
quota of the State—and the remaining forty odd companies were doomed to the
disappointment of staying at home. A company made up in Crawford County was of
this character. Before they reached the "muster place" the quota was filled, and
they, with the other companies not needed, were furnished transportation to
their homes at the expense of the Government.

   The three original regiments were organized as follows: First Regiment—John
J. Hardin,* colonel; William B. Warren, lieutenant-colonel, and Wm. A.
Richardson, major, with ten full companies rank and file. Second
Regiment—William H. Bissell, colonel; J. L. D. Morrison, lieutenant-colonel, and
Xerxes F. Frail, major; also ten full companies. Third Regiment—F. Foreman,
colonel; W. W. Willey, lieutenant-colonel; and S. D. Marshall, major; with
likewise ten companies. At the expiration of their term of service (one year)
the first and second regiments were organized for "during the war," many of the
soldiers re-enlisting, and the discrepancies being filled by new recruits.

  * Killed at the battle of Buena Vista, Feb. 23, 1847, in the famous charge
with Clay and McKee, of Kentucky. Wm. Weatherford was afterward elected colonel
of the regiment.

  After the quota of Illinois had been filled by the organization of the three
regiments mentioned above, Hon. E. D. Biker, then a member of Congress from the
Springfield district, induced the Secretary of War to accept another regiment
from this State, and thereupon the Fourth regiment was organized as follows:
Edward D. Baker, colonel; John Moore, lieutenant-colonel, and Thomas L. Harris,
major. This regiment, like the others, contained ten companies, rank and file. A
number of independent companies, in addition to these four regiments, were
enlisted in the State during the war.

   Under the second call for troops, a call known as the "Ten Regiments Bill,"
the First and Second Illinois regiments were re-organized. The Whigs, as a
party, opposed the war with Mexico, and their opposition to the measure for
additional troops and money, was bitter in the extreme. It was in opposition to
this bill that the Hon. Thos. Corwin, of Ohio, in the United States Senate, made
the ablest speech of his life. In it he used the memorable words which have
since become proverbial: "If I were a Mexican I would tell you, 'Have you not
room in your own country to bury your dead men? If you come into mine, we will
greet you with bloody hands, and welcome you to hospitable graves.' " But
notwithstanding the opposition to the bill it passed, and the war was fought out
by which the United States acquired valuable territory.

   Crawford County, as we have said, recruited a company, but were too late, or
too slow in their movements, to be admitted into the regiments allotted to the
State. Of the men comprising this company we have but little data now, as the
adjutant-general's report gives but the names of those who actually participated
in the war. Notwithstanding this company was not accepted, yet quite a number of
men from the county went into the army from other sections. The names of these,
however, could not be obtained. Some of them have moved away, others are dead,
and not one is now known to be living here. But there are several Mexican
soldiers living in the county, who, at the time of their enlistment lived in
other counties, and other States, and have removed to this county since the
close of that war.

   The Rebellion.—The late war between the States next claims our attention. "We
do not design, however, to write its history, as there is, at present, more war
literature extant than is read. But a history of Crawford County that did not
contain something of its war record, would scarcely prove satisfactory to the
general reader. It is a duty we owe to the soldiers who took part in the bloody
struggle, to preserve, by record, the leading facts. Especially do we owe this
to the long list of the dead, who laid down their lives that their country might
live; we owe it to the maimed and mangled cripples who were torn by shot and
shell; and, lastly, we owe it to the widows and orphans of those, who, for love
of country, forsook home with all its endearments, exposing themselves to the
horrors of war, and whose bodies now lie rotting in the land of "cotton and cane."

   When the first call was made for volunteers, it set the entire State in a
blaze of excitement. Who does not remember the stirring days of '61, when
martial music was heard in every town and hamlet, and tender women, no less than
brave men, were wild with enthusiasm? Wives encouraged their husbands to enlist,
mothers urged their sons to patriotic devotion, and sisters tenderly gave their
brothers to the cause of their country. It was not unlike the summons-the fiery
cross—of Rhoderic Dhu to his clan—

   "Fast as the fatal symbol flies,
    In arms the huts and hamlets rise;
    From winding glen, and upland brown,
    They poured each hardy yeoman down."

   But the citizens of Crawford County require no reminder of those thrilling
times. The names of their patriots are inscribed in characters that will stand
as monuments in the memories of men, who, though dead long ago, yet will live,
bright and imperishable as the rays of Austerlitz's sun. Many who went forth to
battle, came back to their homes shrined in glory. Many left a limb in the
swamps of the Chickahominy; on the banks of the Rapidan; at Fredericksburg,
along the Shenandoah, or in the Wilderness. Many still bear the marks of the
strife which raged at Stone River, Chickamauga, on the heights of Lookout
Mountain, where in the language of Prentice—

                              "_____they burst
Like spirits of destruction, through the clouds, 
And 'mid a thousand hurtling missiles, swept 
Their foes before them, as the whirlwind sweeps 
The strong oaks of the forest."

   And there were those who came not back. They fell by the wayside, in prison
and in battle. Their memory is held in sacred keeping. Others dragged their
wearied bodies home to die, and now sleep beside their ancestors in the quiet
graveyard, where the violets speak in tender accents of womanly devotion and
affection. Some sleep in unknown graves where they fell, but the same trees
which shelter the sepulcher of their foe-men shade theirs also; the same birds
carol their matins to both; the same flowers sweeten the air with their
fragrance, as the breezes toss them into rippling eddies. Both are remembered as
they slumber there in peaceful, glorified rest.

   While we weave a laurel crown for our own dead, let us twine a cypress wreath
about the memory of those who fell on the other side, and who, though arrayed
against us, were— OUR BROTHERS. Mistaken though they were, we remember hundreds
of them over whose moldering dust we would gladly plant flowers with our own
hands. Let us strike hands over the grave of Slavery, and be henceforth what we
should ever have been—"brothers all."

   From the adjutant-general's report of the State, together with facts gleaned
from local records, we compile a brief history of Crawford County in the late
war. The sketch is necessarily limited and doubtless imperfect but is complete
as time and space will permit us to make it. A few words will be devoted to each
regiment drawing men from the county. The first in the list was Grant's old
regiment (the Twenty-first), which was recruited in an early period of the war.

   The Twenty-first Illinois Infantry was organized at Mattoon, and was sworn
into the State Service by Captain U. S. Grant, May 15, 1861, for three months,
and on the 28th of June following it was mustered into the United States service
for three years by Capt. Pitcher, of the United States Army, with U. S. Grant as
colonel. He was commissioned brigadier-general on the 6th of August, and Col. J.
W. S. Alexander succeeded him as colonel of the Twenty first. He fell at the
battle of Chickamauga, September 20, 1863, at the head of the gallant old
regiment. George W. Peck was promoted lieutenant-colonel of the Twenty-first,
but was discharged September 19, 1862, on account of ill-health.

   Company I of this regiment was recruited in Crawford County, and was
officered as follows: George W. Peck, captain; Clark B. Lagow, first lieutenant,
and Chester K. Knight, second lieutenant. Capt. Peck was promoted to
lieutenant-colonel September 2, 1861, and Lieut. Knight became captain, and was
mustered out November 16,1864. Lieut. Lagow resigned in consequence of having
been selected by Gen. Grant as a member of his staff. He served in this
capacity, participating in all of Gen. Grant's hard campaigns and desperate
battles from Belmont until he left the Western Department to take command of the
Army of the Potomac, when, owing to a long continued attack of rheumatism, and
an injury received from his horse falling under him at Iuka, he was compelled to
resign. He was promoted from captain to colonel of volunteers, and then to
colonel in the regular army for distinguished services rendered previous to the
siege of Vicksburg. During the siege Gen. Grant wanted to use some steamers
below the city, and could only get them there by passing down the river directly
under the guns of the Confederate batteries. This, he said, was such a desperate
undertaking, he would not detail any one to the duty, but called for volunteers
to man the fleet. Col. Lagow, being of the number who volunteered, and one of
Gen. Grant's tried officers, was given command of the expedition—if such it
could be called. He boldly stood upon the deck of the flag steamer while they
ran the terrible gauntlet, in face of the enemy's concentrated batteries raining
shot and shell upon them. His vessel was so riddled with shot that it had to be
abandoned in front of their batteries, but he and the men surviving the terrible
fire succeeded in boarding another boat. Col. Lagow came through the ordeal
without serious injury, and saved the other boats, somewhat damaged, but not
beyond repair, as their subsequent use demonstrated to the army. For this
brilliant exploit he was brevetted brigadier-general of volunteers.

   The Twenty-first served in Missouri until the spring of 1862, when it was
ordered to Corinth, Miss., and upon the evacuation of that place was engaged in
several expeditions in the State. It participated in the Buell-Bragg race to
Louisville, Ky., where it arrived September 27, 1862, and was engaged in the
battle of Perryville on the 8th of October, after which it returned to
Nashville, Tenn., via Crab Orchard and Bowling Green, Ky. After participating in
several trifling skirmishes it took an active part in the battle of
Murfreesboro, doing gallant service, and losing more men than any other regiment
engaged. It was with Rosecrans' army from Murfreesboro to Chattanooga, and bore
an honorable part in the bloody battle of Chickamauga, September 19th and 20th,
1863, losing its colonel killed; its lieutenant-colonel also being wounded, the
command of the regiment devolved on Capt. Knight. After the battle of
Chickamauga it was on duty at Bridgeport, Ala., during the fall and winter of
1863, as a part of the First Brigade, First Division of the Fourth Army Corps.
Its hard fighting was over, and after the close of the war it was on duty in
Texas, until mustered out of the service at San Antonio* December 16, 1865, when
it returned to Illinois, and on the 18th of January, 1866, it was paid off and
discharged at Camp Butler.

   The Thirtieth Illinois Infantry was indebted to Crawford County for Company
D, which went into the service with the following officers: Thomas G. Markley,
captain; Michael Langton, first lieutenant, and George E. Meily, second
lieutenant. This company was unfortunate in officers. Capt. Markley was killed
in the battle of Belmont November 7, 1861; Lieut. Langton was promoted captain
in his place, and resigned October 22, 1862; Lieut. Meily was promoted captain
April 12, 1863, and was killed May 16th following; Patterson Sharp was promoted
captain June 13, 1863, and was mustered out of the service July 8, 1865. First
Lieut. W. D. Hand was promoted captain July 10, 1865, but mustered out as first
lieutenant; Martin L. James was promoted to second lieutenant, but mustered out
July 17, 1865, as sergeant.

   The Thirtieth Infantry was organized at Camp Butler, August 28, 1861, and
moved at once to Cairo, where it was assigned to the brigade of Gen. John A
McClernand. It was sent on an expedition to Columbus, Ky., in October, and
November 7th it took part in the battle of Belmont, where it performed gallant
service, capturing the celebrated Watson's New Orleans battery. In February it
moved up the Tennessee River, and was at Forts Henry and Donelson. As a part of
Logan's brigade, it participated in the siege of Corinth. It served in
Mississippi until late in December, when it was ordered to Memphis, Tenn., where
it arrived January 19, 1863. Here it formed a part of Leggett's brigade, Logan's
division, and McPherson's corps. In February it was ordered to Louisiana, but in
the, latter part of April it returned to Mississippi, taking part in several
skirmishes, and on the 16th of May it participated in the battle of Champion
Hills, losing heavily. It crossed Black River with the army, and arrived in the
rear of Vicksburg May 19,1863. It was actively engaged in the siege of Vicksburg
until June 23d, when it moved to Black River, under Gen. Sherman, to watch the
Confederate Gen. Johnson. After the fall of Vicksburg, it remained in camp until
August 29th, when it removed to Monroe, La., but soon returned and was on duty
in Mississippi the remainder of the year.

   It was mustered in January 1,1864, as a veteran organization, and continued
on duty in Mississippi until the 5th of March, when it left Vicksburg on veteran
furlough, and arrived at Camp Butler on the 12th; on the 18th of April it left
for the front, and proceeded to Tennessee, serving in that State and Alabama
until the opening of the Atlanta Campaign, in which it took an active part. It
participated in the several engagements around Atlanta, and on the 4th of
October it went in pursuit of Gen. Hood, returning November 5th to camp. It
accompanied Sherman's army in its march to the sea, taking part in that famous
campaign. It went to Washington April 29, 1865, by way of Richmond,
participating in the grand review May 24th, at Washington, and June 11th it left
for Louisville, Ky., where it was mustered out of the service, and returned to
Camp Butler for final discharge.

   The Thirty-eighth Illinois Infantry, was the next regiment to which the
county contributed. Company D was drawn principally from Crawford, and went into
the service with the following commissioned officers: Alexander G. Sutherland,
captain; James Moore, first lieutenant, and Robert Plunkett, second lieutenant.
Captain Sutherland resigned April 15, 1864, and Robert Duckworth was elected
captain, but also resigned September 18, 1865. Lieut. Moore resigned May 29,
1863, and Nicholas Glaze was promoted to first lieutenant and mustered out as
sergeant September 14,1864. Robert Stewart was promoted to first lieutenant and
was mustered out with the regiment March 20, 1866. Lieut. Plunkett was mustered
out at the end of first three years.

   The Thirty-eighth was organized at Camp Butler in September, 1861, and soon
after was ordered to Missouri, and wintered at Pilot Knob. In March, 1862, at
Reeves Station, the Twenty-first, Thirty-third and Thirty-eighth Illinois, the
Eleventh Wisconsin Infantry; the Fifth, Seventh and Ninth Illinois Cavalry, the
First Indiana Cavalry and the Sixteenth Ohio Battery, were formed into the
Division of Southeast Missouri under command of Brigadier-General Steele. The
first brigade of this force was commanded by Col. Carlin of the Thirty-eighth
Illinois, and consisted of the Twenty-first and Thirty-eighth Illinois Infantry,
Fifth Cavalry and the Sixteenth Ohio Battery. On the 21st of April the command
moved into Arkansas, but in May the Twenty-first and Thirty-eighth were ordered
back to Missouri, and thence proceeded to Mississippi, arriving before Corinth
during the last days of the siege. It remained in Mississippi until August when
it joined Buell's army and took part in the chase of Bragg to Louisville.
Returning, it participated in the battle of Perryville, capturing, with its
brigade, an ammunition train, two caissons and about one hundred prisoners, and
was honorably mentioned in Gen. Mitchell's report of the battle. It followed in
pursuit of Bragg as far as Crab Orchard, Ky., and then returned to Nashville,
arriving November 9th. It advanced with its brigade from Nashville December 26th
and took an active part in the battle of Stone River, in which it sustained a
loss of thirty-four killed, one hundred and nine wounded, and thirty-four
missing. It remained at Murfreesboro until in June, 1863, being in the meantime
transferred to the Twentieth Army Corps. It was at Liberty Gap and on the 25th
of June, it was ordered to relieve the Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania, which was
hotly pressed by the enemy. The Thirty-eighth charged across a plowed field
under a heavy fire, and drove the enemy from their works and captured the flag
of the Second Arkansas. In a skirmish the next day the regiment lost three men
killed and nineteen wounded. It remained in active service during the summer and
bore a prominent part in the battle of Chickamauga in which it lost 180 men
killed, wounded and missing, out of 301 who went into the battle. It went to
Bridgeport, Ala., October 25th, where it went into winter quarters. February 29,
1864, the regiment re-enlisted, and in March, came home on veteran furlough. At
the expiration of its furlough it returned to Nashville, and on the 17th of May
it entered upon the campaign in Georgia, which terminated with the fall of
Atlanta, it was encased principally in escort duty, with frequent skirmishes,
until in June, 1865, when it embarked for New Orleans, and in July it went to
Texas, where it served until its muster out December 31, 1865. It was then
ordered to Springfield, Ill., where it was paid off and discharged.

   The Sixty-second Illinois Infantry drew a company from Crawford, as well as a
couple of its field officers. Stephen M. Meeker, the major of the Sixty-second,
was promoted lieutenant-colonel August 13, 1863, and on February 3, 1865, was
discharged. Guy S. Alexander, who entered the service as second lieutenant of
Company F, was promoted to first lieutenant, then to captain and under the
consolidation of the Sixty-second was promoted to major of the new organization.

   Company D of the Sixty-second combined a few men from this county while
Company F was principally made up here. Company F went into the service with the
following commissioned officers: Jesse Crooks, captain, James J. McGrew, first
lieutenant, S. Alexander, second lieutenant. Capt. Crooks died October 7, 1864,
and December 16th, Lieutenant Alexander was promoted to captain. Upon the
promotion of Captain Alexander, George B. Everingham, who had risen to second
and then to first lieutenant, was, on the 5th of May, 1865, promoted to captain,
and transferred to the consolidated regiment as captain of Company F. Lieutenant
McGrew resigned September 11, 1862, and Guy S. Alexander promoted in his place.
George F. Dollihan was promoted from second lieutenant to first, and
transferred, and James Moore, John E. Miller and Washington T. Otey were
promoted to second lieutenants.

   The Sixty-second was organized at Anna, Illinois, in April, 1862, and was at
once ordered to Cairo. May 7th it moved to Paducah, and in June to Columbus,
Ky., and from thence to Tennessee. It remained in Tennessee until ordered into
Mississippi. On the 20th of December, Van Dorn captured Holly Springs, and among
his prisoners were 170 men of the Sixty-second, including the major and three
lieutenants. These were paroled, but all the records and papers of the regiment
were destroyed. April 15, 1863, the regiment was brigaded with the Fiftieth
Indiana, Twenty-seventh Iowa and the First West Tennessee regiments, in the
second brigade of the Third Division, Sixteenth Army Corps. It was on duty in
Mississippi and Tennessee until the 24th of August, when it was ordered to
Arkansas, where it served until January, 1864. It then re-enlisted as veterans,
and on the 25th of April moved to Pine Bluff, remaining there until August 12th,
when it came home on veteran furlough. At expiration of its furlough it returned
to Pine Bluff, where it arrived November 25, 1864. Here the non-veterans were
mustered out and the remainder consolidated into seven companies, and returned
on duty at Pine Bluff. July 28, 1865, it was ordered to Fort Gibson, in the
Cherokee Nation, and served in the District of the frontier until March 6,1866,
when it was mustered out of service at Little Rock and sent home for final pay
and discharge.

   The Sixty-third Illinois Infantry also drew a company from Crawford County.
Company G was enrolled with the following commissioned officers: Joseph R.
Stanford, captain; W. B. Russell, first lieutenant, and W. P. Richardson, second
lieutenant. Captain Stanford was promoted to major, June 14, 1865, and mustered
out with the regiment on the 13th of July. Lieutenant Russell resigned February
4, 1863; Second Lieutenant Richardson was promoted to adjutant, December 16,
1862. George W. Ball was made first lieutenant upon the resignation of Lieut.
Russell, and died May 24, 1864, when Charles G. Cochran became first lieutenant,
and on the promotion of Capt. Stanford, was made captain in his place. Harvey G.
Wycoff was made first lieutenant, but mustered out as sergeant, July 13, 1865,
with the regiment. George B. Richardson was promoted to second lieutenant, and
resigned December 26, 1863; Benj. B. Fannam was also promoted to second
lieutenant, but mustered out as sergeant.

   This regiment, like the Sixty-second, was organized at Anna, Ill., known then
as Camp Dubois, in December, 1861, and on the 27th of April following it was
ordered to Cairo. After a short expedition into Kentucky, it was on the 4th of
August, ordered to Jackson, Tenn., where it was assigned to the Fourth Brigade,
Seventh Division of the Seventeenth Army Corps, John A. Logan commanding the
Division. It operated in Tennessee and Mississippi, and was at the siege of
Vicksburg. On the 12th of September, 1863, it was ordered to Helena, Ark., and
on the 28th to Memphis; it moved toward Chattanooga October 6th, and on the 23d
of November participated in the battle of Mission Ridge. After pursuing the
enemy to Ringgold, Ga., it returned to Bridgeport, Ala., thence to Huntsville,
where it arrived on the 26th and went into winter quarters. January 1, 1864, the
regiment re-enlisted as veterans, and on the 3d of April came home on furlough.
May 21st, it reported again for duty at Huntsville and was assigned to the duty
of guarding the railroads until the 11th of November, when it was ordered to
join Gen. Sherman. It accompanied him in his celebrated march to the sea,
participating in most of the battles and skirmishes of the campaign. It left
Raleigh, N. C, and proceeded to Richmond, Va., thence to Washington city, where
it took part in the grand review on the 24th of May. After the review it was
ordered to Louisville, Ky., where, on the 13th of July, 1865, it was mustered
out of the service and sent home. The following statistics are furnished of this
regiment:

                                                         men.
Original aggregate                                       888
Present when re-enlisted                                 322
Veterans of eight companies (two companies being 
ineligible)                                              272
Arrival at Camp Butler, July 16,1865, for discharge      272

                                                        miles.
Distance traveled by rail                               2,208
   "        "     "  water                              1,995
   "     marched                                        2,250
           Total                                        6,453


   The Seventy-ninth Illinois Infantry contained, we believe, a few men from
Crawford County; but no rganized force was enlisted here for the regiment. We
have no data at hand od the recruits from the county to the Seventy-ninth or of
their service.

   The Ninety-eighth Illinois Infantry drew more men, perhaps, from this county,
than any other regiment. Two full companies (D and E) maybe termed Crawford 
County companies. Company D was sworn into the service with the following
commissioned officers: William Wood, captain; James H. Watts, first lieutenant;
and William G. Young, second lieutenant. Captain Wood resigned, Dec. 5, 1864,
and Second Lieutenant Young became captain in his place. Lieutenant Watts
resigned February 22, 1863, and David L. Condrey was promoted in his stead,
remaining with the regiment to its muster-out. Achilles M. Brown became second
lieutenant, and resigned March 22, 1864. Of other promotions, we have no facts.

   Company E was organized with the following officers: John T. Cox, captain;
Ira A. Flood, first lieutenant; and Charles Willard, second lieutenant. Captain
Cox resigned April 13, 1863, and Lieutenant Flood was promoted to the vacancy,
and on the 15th of June, 1865, he was promoted to major, but mustered out as
captain. George B. Sweet became second lieutenant, was promoted to first, and
then to captain, but mustered out as first lieutenant. John Boes became second
lieutenant, and was promoted to first lieutenant, and mustered out with the
regiment. Second LieutenantWil-lard resigned March 20, 1863; J. W. Jones was
promoted to second lieutenant, but mustered out as sergeant.

   The Ninety-eighth * was organized at Centralia, Ill., and was mustered into
the United States service September 3, 1862, and on the 8th it started for
Louisville, Ky., then threatened by Gen. Bragg. It was embarked on two railroad
trains, and when near Bridgeport, Ill., the foremost train was thrown from the
track by a displaced switch and five men killed, among whom was Captain O. L.
Kelly of Company K, while some 75 others were injured, several of whom afterward
died. Arriving at Louisville, it was brigaded with the Seventy-second and
Seventy-fifth Indiana Infantry, and the Thirteenth Indiana Battery, Col. A. O.
Miller of the Seventy-second Indiana, commanding. The regiment, with its
brigade, served in Kentucky until in November, when it marched into Tennessee.
From Gallatin it moved to Castilian Springs, and on the 14th of December, to
Bledsoe Creek. December 26th it began the march northward in pursuit of Gen.
Morgan, arriving at Glasgow on the 31st; and on the 2d of January, 1863, it
moved to Cave City, and from thence to Nashville on the 5th; then to
Murfreesboro where, on the 14th, it was assigned to the First Brigade, Fifth
Division, Fourteenth Army Corps. On the 8th of March, the regiment was ordered
to be mounted, and served in Tennessee where it did active duty in scouting;
guarding forage trains, etc., until the Chattanooga campaign, in which it
participated. On the 20th of September, at Chattanooga, Col. Funkhouser of the
Ninety-eighth, was severely wounded, and the command of the regiment devolved on
Lieutenant-Colonel Kitchell. The regiment lost in the battle five men killed and
thirty-six wounded. It continued to operate in Tennessee, engaged in scouting
and skirmishing, until the campaign in Georgia, when it was assigned to the
Second Cavalry Division, commanded by Gen. Crook, and took an active part at
Ringgold, Buzzard Roost, Dallas, Marietta, Rough-and-Ready, and other places
familiar to the Army of the Cumberland, the Ohio, and Tennessee. On the 1st of
November, 1864, the Regiment turned over its horses and equipments to
Kilpatriok, and moved via Chattanooga and Nashville to Louisville, where it
arrived on the 16th, and lay in camp for some time, waiting to be equipped anew.
Taking the warpath again, it, on the 31st of December moved to Elizabethtown,
Ky., thence to Mumfordville, Bowling Green, and finally to Nashville. January
12, 1865, the command moved into Alabama, remaining at Gravelly Springs until
March 8th, when it moved to Waterloo, and on the 31st, to Montevallo, and April
2d took part in the capture of Selma. This was the last severe duty of the
Ninety-eighth, as on the 20th of April they were detailed as provost guard of
Macon, Ga. May 22d it started for Chattanooga, and from thence to Nashville,
where it arrived on the 15th, and June 27, 1865, it was mustered out of the
service and ordered to Springfield, Ill., for final discharge.

   * The sketch of the Ninety-eighth given herewith is compiled from a history
of the regiment written by Adjutant Aden Knoph, and published in the Argus in
September, 1882.

   The One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Infantry, called into service for 100 days,
had one company recruited mostly in Crawford County. Company H was commanded by
Capt. James B. Wicklin, with Philip Brown as first lieutenant and A. D. Otey,
second lieutenant. We have no record of its operations during its term of service.

   The One Hundred and Fifty-second Infantry recruited under the call for "one
year service," contained a Crawford County company. Company H went into the
field in charge of the following commissioned officers: George W. Beam, captain;
William Dyer, first lieutenant; Ferdinand Hughes, second lieutenant.

   The One Hundred and Fifty-second was recruited for one year, and was
organized at Camp Butler, Illinois, February 18, 1865. It went to Nashville, and
thence to Tullahoma. It was mustered out of the service September 11, 1865, at
Camp Butler.

   The One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Infantry drew a company from Crawford County.
Company C was principally from this county, and had the following commissioned
officers: John W. Lowber, captain; Ross Neeley, first lieutenant, and Marshall
C. Wood, second lieutenant.

   This regiment was organized at Camp Butler, Illinois, February 28, 1865, for
one year. March 2d, the regiment, 904 strong, proceeded via Louisville and
Nashville to Tullahoma, where it was employed mostly in guard duty on the
Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad. September 4, 1865, it was mustered out of the
service at Camp Butler and discharged.

   The Fifth Illinois Cavalry contained a Crawford County company of men.
Company F was principally from this county, and was officered as follows: Horace
P. Mumford, captain; Francis M. Dorothy, first lieutenant, and Wm. Wagenseller,
second lieutenant. Capt. Mumford was promoted to major of the regiment May 24,
1863, and died October 26, 1864, at Springfield, Ill. Lieut. Dorothy resigned
January 10, 1863; Lieut. Wagenseller was promoted to first lieutenant January
10, 1863, and to captain May 24, 1863, and then resigned. Thos. J. Dean became
second lieutenant, was promoted to first lieutenant May 24, 1863, to captain
July 5, 1864, and died on the 20th of September following. James H. Wood became
second lieutenant May 24, 1863, was promoted to first lieutenant July 5, 1864,
to captain September 20, 1864, and was mustered out with the regiment at the
close of the war. Edwin P. Martin was promoted to second lieutenant, then became
adjutant and afterward resigned. Jacob Stifal was made first lieutenant, and
remained in the service until the muster out of the regiment; James G. Bennett
was promoted to second lieutenant October 26, 1865, but mustered out as sergeant.

   Of the field and staff, Major Mumford, Adjutant Martin, Quartermaster Robert
C. Wilson, and Surgeon Wm. Watts, were Crawford County men. Adjutant Martin
resigned, Quartermaster Wilson was mustered out of the service. Dr. Watts
entered as assistant surgeon, was promoted to surgeon, and was mustered out
October 27, 1865, with the regiment.

   Maj. Mumford died in the latter part of 1864. The following tribute to his
gallantry as a soldier and officer, was paid him by Gen. Dennis, in a letter to
Hon. Jesse K. Dubois: "This will be handed you by Maj. Mumford, Fifth Illinois
Cavalry Volunteers. The Major has been in my command for the last four months,
and the greater portion in command of his regiment. In the expedition from
Vicksburg, the Major had command of the entire cavalry forces, composed of parts
of four regiments. When I say that he handled his command as well, and did
better fighting than any cavalry officer I have met with in Mississippi, it will
be indorsed by all the old officers who were with the late raids. Maj.-Gen.
Slocum was so well pleased and satisfied with him and the good discipline of his
men, that he continued him in command, notwithstanding his superiors were
present with the expedition."

   The Fifth Cavalry was organized at Camp Butler in November, 1861, with Hall
Wilson, colonel. It served in Missouri and Arkansas until the 29th of May, 1863,
when it embarked for Vicksburg. After the fall of that rebel stronghold, it
accompanied Gen. Sherman's army toward Jackson, and was engaged in several
skirmishes with the enemy in which it sustained some loss. It was on active duty
in Mississippi until January 1, 1864, when many of its men re-enlisted as
veterans, and on the 17th of March, the veterans were furloughed. May 27th, Col.
McConnell took command, when eight companies were dismounted, and Companies A,
B, C and D, were fully armed and equipped. This battalion of cavalry continued
to serve in Mississippi, and was actively engaged most of the time in raiding
and scouting. January 24, 1865, the battalion moved to Memphis, and thence on an
expedition to Southern Arkansas and Louisiana, returning February 13th. On the
1st of July, it was ordered to Texas. It served in Texas until October 6th, when
it was sent home to Springfield, Ill., and on the 27th, was mustered out of the
service, paid off and discharged.

   This completes the sketch of Illinois regiments in which Crawford County was
represented. Many men, however, enlisted in other States, particularly in
Missouri and Indiana. Several Missouri regiments contained a large number of
Crawford County men, but how many, we have no accurate means of knowing.

   During the four years of the war, the county kept up her enlistments, equal
to almost any other county in the State. There was but one draft, and that was
for a few men only. The deficiency was thus apportioned among the different
precincts: Hutsonville, 10; Robinson, 5; Watts, 19; Licking, 16; Martin, none;
Franklin, 33; Embarras, 11; Northwest, 8; Montgomery, 21; Oblong, 6; Palestine,
14, and Southwest, 3. Before the date fixed for the draft, some of the precincts
had filled their quotas, and others had decreased the deficiency, so that when
it actually took place, it was as follows: Franklin, 16; Watts, 8; Licking, 8;
Hutsonville, 1; Oblong, 3; Northwest, 4; Montgomery, 10; with a like number of
"reserves" from each of the drafted precincts. The Argus published the
following, as the full quota of the county by precincts, under the different
calls, including the last two in 1864, which two alone aggregated 500,000 men:
Hutsonville, quota 176—credit, 166; Robinson, quota, 198—credit, 193; Watts,
quota, 67—credit, 48; Licking, quota 72— credit, 56; Martin, quota 69—credit,
69; Franklin, quota 144 credit, 111; Embarras, quota 55—credit, 44; Northwest,
quota 59— credit, 51; Montgomery, quota 86—credit, 65; Oblong, quota 55—credit,
49; Palestine, quota 148 — credit, 133; Southwest, quota 20 — credit, 17; total
quota, 1,149; total credits, 1,003; deficiency, 146. Another draft was ordered
later on, to fill up the quota on a last call, but before the appointed day
came, more welcome news was flashed over the wires, viz.: the fall of Richmond,
the surrender of Gen. Lee, and the armies of the Confederacy. The draft was
declared "off;" the war was over, the country was saved, and the troops were
coming home. The saddest part of the homecoming, was in the many vacancies in
the broken ranks—the absence of "those who came not back." A little poem
dedicated to the "Illinois dead," and published in the initiatory number of the
Argus, is appropriate:

"Oh, sing the funeral roundelay,
   Let warmest tears be shed, 
And rear the mighty monuments
   For the Illinois dead.

"On many a field of victory
   They slnmber in their gore,
They rest beneath the shining sands
   On ocean's sounding shore.

"Where from Virginia's mountain chains,
   By Rappahannock's side, 
Upon the Heights of Maryland
   Her gallant sons have died.

"The broken woods of Tennessee,
   Are hallowed by their blood, 
It consecrates Missouri's plains,
   And Mississippi's flood,

"Kentucky's 'dark and bloody ground,
   Is furrowed by their graves; 
They sleep in Alabama's soil,
   By Pamlico's dark waves.

"And Mississippi's poison swamps,
   Arkansas river ways, 
And Pennsylvania's pleasant towns
   Attest our heroes praise.

"They saw them in the ranks of war,
   Oh, memory dark with woe! 
They saw them yield to death, who ne'er
   Had yielded to the foe.

"Then weave the chaplets fair and well
   To grace each noble name, 
That grateful Illinois writes
   Upon the scroll of fame.

'Her sons have led the battle's van,
   Where many fought and fell, 
With all the noble Gracchi's zeal,
   The hero faith of Tell."

   We can not close this chapter more appropriately, than to devote a few words
to the noble women of the land, whose zeal and patriotism were as strong as
those who bore the brunt of the battle. They could not shoulder their guns and
march in the ranks, but they were not idle spectators of the struggle. How often
was the soldier's heart encouraged; how often his right arm .made stronger to
strike for freedom by the cheering words of patriotic, hopeful women! And how
often the poor lad whom disease had fastened, was made to thank devoted women
for their ceaseless and unwearied exertions in collecting and sending stores for
the comfort of the sick and wounded. We may boast of the fame and prowess of a
Grant, a Sherman, a Lee, a Sheridan, but the devotion of those noble women
surpasses them all, and truly, the world sustains its heaviest loss when such
spirits fall. A war correspondent paid them the following merited tribute:
"While soldiers of every grade and color are receiving eulogies and encomiums of
a grateful people, patient, forbearing WOMAN" is forgotten. The scar-worn
veteran is welcomed with honor to home. The recruit, the colored soldier, and
even the hundred days' men receive the plaudits of the nation. But not one word
is said of that patriotic, widowed mother, who sent with a mother's blessing on
his head, her only son, the staff and support of her declining years, to battle
for his country. The press says not one word of the patriotism, the sacrifices
of the wife, sister or daughter, who with streaming eyes, and almost broken
heart, said to husbands, brothers, fathers, "much as we love you, we can not bid
you stay with us when our country needs you; nay, we bid you go, and wipe out
the insult offered the star-spangled banner, and preserve unsullied this union
of States."

   Brave and noble, self-sacrificing women! your deeds deserve to be written in
letters of shining gold. Love and devotion to the-un-fortunate and heart-felt
pity for the woes of suffering humanity are among your brightest
characteristics. Your kindly smiles of sympathy break through the clouds of
misfortune, and your gentlest tones are breathed amid the sighs of suffering and
sorrow. Your gentle ministrations to the war-worn soldiers, in humble imitation
of Him who taught the sublime lesson about the cup of cold water to the little
one, will live as long as the trials and hardships of the war are remembered,
and that will be glory enough.


Additional Comments:
Extracted From:

HISTORY OF CRAWFORD AND CLARK COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
EDITED BY WILLIAM HENRY PERRIN.

ILLUSTRATED

CHICAGO: O. L. BASKIN & CO., HISTORICAL PUBLISHERS,
LAKESIDE BUILDING.
1883.

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/crawford/history/1883/historyo/chapteri6nms.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/

File size: 51.2 Kb