Grundy County IL Archives History - Books .....Chapter 5 1882 ************************************************ 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: Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com April 29, 2006, 3:31 pm Book Title: History Of Grundy County IL 1882 CHAPTER V.* GRUNDY COUNTY'S SHARE IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION—THE LOYALTY OF HER MEN—THE DEVOTION OF HER WOMEN—THE REPRESENTATIVES IN THE FIELD THE war! What memories, at that magic word, crowd the mind! "Of most disastrous chances, Of moving accidents by flood and field; Of hair-breadth 'scapes i'the imminent deadly breach; Of being taken by the insolent foe!" of woman's devotion, and of all the nation's sacrifice during those woeful years! And yet, how our fancy fails. Time's kindly touch has dulled the anguish of those days; fame's "ineffectual fire" is but a misty halo in the intervening shadows, and children read with proud surprise of gallant deeds on unfamiliar fields. The Senatorial campaign of 1858, with the succeeding Presidential contest in 1860, in which the great citizen of Illinois had been the prominent figure, served to fix the undivided attention of this county, with the rest of the State, upon the political storm which seemed to be gathering with portentious mutterings over the southern portions of the country. It is doubtful whether hope or fear predominated in the minds of the people as the day approached when Lincoln was to be inaugurated, and the universal hope and expectation was that in his grasp the serpent of secession would be strangled, as Jackson had done before in the case of the "nullifiers." It was in this state of vacillation between hope and fear, *By J. H. Battle. that the reverberations of Fort Sumpter's guns assailed the ears of the eager North. It was this explosion, echoing round the world, that united the various elements and made men Union or non-Union. Niceties of political distinctions were lost sight of at once, and to the credit of Grundy County be it said, there was but one party here, and that for the support of the Union. Fort Sumpter capitulated on Saturday, April 13, 1861, and on the 15th, the Secretary of War telegraphed to the Governor of Illinois, the apportionment of that State under the President's call for 75,000 men to put down the insurrection at Charleston. The call was made under the authority granted to the President of the United States to call out the militia when the laws of the general government were opposed and the execution thereof obstructed, and required the Governor of Illinois to "detach from the militia" 225 officers and 4,458 men. The militia thus called upon had no actual existence in this State. Here and there through the State were half-filled companies of holiday troops, but even these in a majority of cases had no efficient organization or equipment. On the 15th, the Legislature was called to convene on the 23d inst., and an order issued from the Adjutant-General's office to the various militia officers to hold themselves in readiness for actual service. On the following day an order was issued for the immediate organization of the six regiments called for by the general government. The response from every part of the State was prompt and unanimous, and in ten days over ten thousand men tendered their services to the government for the defense of the Union. In the meanwhile such companies as had an organization and partial equipment were hurried forward, under General Swift, to Cairo. This force amounted to 908 officers and men, including among others the Ottawa Light Artillery from this section of the State. Of the ten thousand men that gathered at Springfield in response to the Governor's call, the majority were in company organization, clothed and equipped by the communities which sent them forth. Of these Grundy County sent out the "Grundy Tigers," with W. T. Hopkins, Capt.; Sam'l Elton, 1st Lieut.; G. S. Doane, 2d Lieut.; and Capt. Hulburd's Company which was mustered in June as Company E of the Twenty-Third Regiment of Infantry. The response from this county to the governor's call, was prompt and enthusiastic. On the 20th inst, the Board of Supervisors voted $5,000 for the equipment of volunteers and the aid of their families, while ladies very soon after organized a "Soldier's Aid Society" which enlisted for the war. The record of the disbursement of the fund thus provided by the Supervisors, is quite amusing in the light of subsequent events. The people here, as everywhere else, were impressed that the war would be over in sixty days, and that the business in hand was little more than a squirrel hunt in which there might be accidents, or at worst not more serious than putting down a mob. With this view the country and town was scoured for guns, the men were provided with boots, and the ladies prepared such additions to a soldier's bill of fare, as would make his temporary absence from home less irksome. But the war did not end in sixty days, and the first draft came and found the people of Grundy County relying on their first effort. This was a rude awakening, and from that time to the end of the war, the county was alive to the exigencies of the occasion. In August, 1862, a bounty of $60 was offered, of which one hundred and seventy-six men availed themselves. On December 30, 1863, the Board offered to pay $110.00 ($100 with interest at ten per cent, in bonds payable in one year) to all soldiers "who now, have been, or hereafter may be regularly mustered into the service of the United States, as Grundy County volunteers." Under this resolution eighty-five men were paid as new volunteers, and in 1881, under this resolution, $2,750 additional was paid on old claims. In May, 1864, under the call for "one hundred days" men a bounty of twenty-five dollars was offered and paid to sixty-four volunteers. The war had by this time become a very serious business, and while there was no lack of loyal regard for the cause of the Union, the burden began seriously to be felt, and there was less alacrity manifested in volunteering. Those who had lighter claims upon them at home, had either felt some of the severities of soldier life, or were disposed to take their chance of being drafted, while those whose families and business seemed to demand their staying at home were anxious to avoid the necessities of a draft. There was in addition to all this, an unselfish desire to avoid the draft as a reflection upon the county's loyalty to the cause, and in September, 1864, the Board of Supervisors impelled by these various motives, offered a bounty of $300 to each volunteer under the call of July of that year. Under this action of the Board one hundred and ninety-five persons were paid this bounty at a gross expense of something more than $64,000. The revised enrollment of persons in the county subject to military duty, made January, 1865, placed the number at 1,622. The total quota under the various calls during the war was 1,364 men, of which 1,343 were credited to the county. This would leave a deficit in the number of men required of the county, but in such a vast undertaking, with the necessary official machinery to originate and put in motion, it was impossible to avoid all errors; and while Grundy County appears to have fallen short of her quota by the official records, it is susceptible of proof that she furnished many more than her quota, which were unfortunately credited elsewhere.* In the matter of bounties it is equally difficult to get an accurate statement of all the county expended in putting troops into the field. The records show, however, that the county authorities expended $112,175, and the various townships, in their separate capacity, over $27,000, to which should be added private subscriptions and subsequent payments by the county, which *In October, 1862, a list of volunteers furnished by the different townships of the county was as follows: Erienna, 13; Au Sable, 76; Braceville, 53; Felix, 20; Goodfarm, 52; Greenfield, 51; Highland, 68; Mazon, 91; Morris, 1; Nettle Creek, 63; Norman, 24; Saratoga, 68; Vienna, 38; Wauponsee, 52; City of Morris-lst ward, 38; 2d ward, 43; 3d ward, 78; 4th ward, 17; a total of 855. would bring the total up to the amount of $145,000. The Soldiers' Aid Society of Morris was auxiliary to the society in Chicago over which Mesdames Hoge and Livermore presided with such efficiency. Every expedient which would bring an honest dollar into the treasury was successfully tried, and the fund thus accumulated was religiously expended here, or sent to the society at Chicago for the benefit of the boys in the field. It would be a tedious recital to recall the various expedients resorted to by the ladies to extort the last dollar in aid of their enterprise. The regular plan was to collect gifts of money, under-clothing, etc., make up a box and send it to some company or hospital. To vary the monotony of this plan, and to approach the public on a more susceptible side, balls were given and fairs held. One of the most important of these was the "Sanitary Fair," held on the grounds, and in connection with the Agricultural Society of this county. In a spacious dining hall, one hundred feet long, dinner was served to large crowds on each day of the fair. The supplies were contributed by the various townships interested in the Agricultural Fair, and the proceeds, beside a large number of the entries, were contributed to the purposes of the society. Canned fruits, vegetables and pickles, were among the donations from the farmers' wives—one lot of twelve half-barrels of pickles coming from the ladies of Minooka. Others gave hay, coal and cattle, which were sold, free of charge, on the grounds, and we may believe the bidding was not less spirited because it was known the proceeds were to be devoted to the army hospitals. But this dry recital does woman's work during the period of the war scant justice. The value of her moral support and courageous self-sacrifice can never be adequately estimated, nor its appreciation placed too high. "The wife who girds her husband's sword, 'Mid little ones who weep or wonder, And bravely speaks the cheering word, What though her heart be rent asunder, Doomed nightly in her dreams to hear The bolts of death around him rattle, Hath shed as sacred blood as e'er Was poured upon the field of battle." The law provided that in token of respect to the Illinois regiments in the Mexican war, the six regiments organized under the first call of the President should begin their designating number at seven, and that these regiments when organized should constitute the "First Brigade Illinois Volunteers." The Eleventh, therefore, was the fifth regiment organized, of which the Grundy Tigers constituted Company F. This regiment was mustered in at Springfield, April 30, 1861, and on May 5th was ordered to Villa Ridge, in this State, in the vicinity of Cairo. In the following month the regiment was ordered to Bird Point on the other side of the river, where the regiment served out its term of enlistment in garrison and field duty. While not seeing any active service during this time the regiment, with others assembled at this point, did excellent duty in warding off the danger which the overwhelming forces of the rebels on the river below threatened, and at the same time gained that discipline which made them such efficient soldiers during the war. On July 30th, its term of enlistment having expired, the regiment was mustered out of service, and having re-enlisted for three years, it was on the following day mustered in for three years. The old number was retained, but the arrangement of companies was considerably changed, the Grundy County Company taking the letter C. The membership of the regiment was greatly changed as well. Out of 916 mustered out only 288 were mustered in again on the following dav, but during the months of August, September, October and November, it was recruited to about 801 men. During this time the regiment doing garrison and field duty, participated in several unimportant expeditions, among others, the one to Charleston, Mo., where they got into a spirited skirmish with the enemy. February 2d, the regiment embarked on transports for Fort Henry, participating in the campaign against that place, and on the 11th inst. moved toward Fort Donelson. Here the regiment got their first "baptism of fire." The regiment came in sight of the fort about noon of the 12th, and here Wallace's brigade, composed of the 11th, 20th, 45th and 48th Ill. Volunteers, Taylor's and McAllister's batteries of light artillery, and Col. Dickey's cavalry, halted and drew up in line of battle. Col. Oglesby's brigade took up its position on the right of Wallace, and in this position but little occurred save occasional shots at the enemy and a change of position, until the 15th. Grant had in the meanwhile strengthened his line of investment, so that but little hope of escape remained to the garrison. On the morning of the 15th, therefore, the enemy, to the number of 7,500, emerged from his works and in separate columns hurled himself on the right of the federal line, seeking to break through and escape. The first blow dealt upon Oglesby's brigade, was followed by a second on Wallace's brigade and then upon Morrison's and McArthur's brigades constituting the extreme right. One of the "Grundy Tigers" writes as follows of this engagement: "The rebels fought well but not fairly—like Indians, they sought shelter of stumps and trees. The first attack on the 11th regiment was made by a regiment of Mississippi riflemen. We suffered them to advance to within 100 yards, when we opened upon them with terrible effect and drove them back to their trenches, where they were reinforced and advanced again, this time within fifty yards, but were again forced to retire. We suffered severely, but not a soldier fell back unless wounded. At this time we had lost about eighty men, killed and wounded. The rebels withdrew their troops from our front and concentrated them on our right, and very soon we knew by the firing that Oglesby's brigade was giving way. It proved worse than we expected. First came the 18th in full retreat, followed by the rest of the brigade. By great exertion Col. Logan rallied the 31st on our right, forming two sides of a hollow square, and here for half an hour these two regiments held the enemy in check, the 31st giving way and rallying twice, only to retreat in utter confusion at last. The 11th still held its own, Lieut. Col. Ransom, though wounded, remaining cool and firm. We changed our front by the right flank, where the 31st had been under a most galling fire, firing as we moved around by the side step, until ordered to halt. The rebels, exultant at the retreat of the 31st, pressed forward to within forty yards of our line, but they were mistaken in their men, and soon fell back to a ridge, 150 yards distant, leaving the ground strewn with their dead and wounded. "There, by a little ravine, we remained for half an hour, fighting three times our number, outflanked on either side, waiting for reinforcements, which did not come. Suddenly a body of rebel cavalry charged across the ridge, on our left, and gained our rear. There was but one way of escape, and that lay through the body of cavalry, and through we went, the bayonet opening the way. Two hours afterward, the remnant of our regiment drew up to receive Col. Wallace, who, being in command of the brigade, had seen us but once since the battle began. It was no fault of his that we were left unprotected. When Oglesby's brigade gave way, he sent an order to Col. Ransom to fall back on the 20th, but the messenger was killed. The tears streamed down Col. Wallace' face as he scanned his regiment. Over 600 had engaged the enemy, and 115 muskets were all we had left to show. Our flag still waved over us, though shot to ribbons. Early next morning we marched into the fort, the 11th being allowed to lead the van, on account of its having suffered the most severety. The loss in this regiment, so far as we can learn, is 329 killed, wounded and missing. Of the Grundy Tigers, but one is missing." In this battle, Grundy County suffered severely. Out of sixteen men who enlisted from the southern part of the county in another company, every man was wounded. Early in March, the regiment went by Fort Henry to Savannah, Tenn., and thence to Pittsburgh Landing, where it took part in the bloody battle of Shiloh, of April 6th and 7th. The 11th, incorporated in the division of McClernand, was on the right of the federal line, near where the line touched the lower point of the river, and with its division supported Sherman in the first onset of that memorable battle. Here the regiment suffered cruelly, as they did in the second day's fight, losing 27 killed and wounded out of 150 engaged. After participating in the protracted siege of Corinth and in the engagements near Trenton, Tenn., the regiment was finally ordered back to Cairo to recruit. In the latter part of August the 11th proceeded once more to the front, taking part in various expeditions, reporting in the latter part of November to Gen. McArthur, at Lagrange, Tenn., when it was assigned to the 13th Army Corps. During the early part of 1863, the regiment took part in the campaign in northern Mississippi; later, resting for a time in Memphis, it was assigned, in February, to the 17th Army Corps, reinforced by a consolidation with the 109th Ill., and ordered to Vicksburg, where it arrived May 18th. On the 19th and 22d, the regiment was engaged in the assaults upon the enemy's works; then in the advance siege works up to July 4th, when the city surrendered. In these engagements the regiment lost its colonel, three line officers, and forty men. The regiment subsequently took part in the Natchez expedition, returning to Vicksburg in October, where it remained till the latter part of July, 1864, engaging in various minor expeditions from that point. At this time, the 11th was assigned to the 19th Army Corps, and after taking part in several minor expeditions, took part in the reduction of Mobile, Ala., participating in the investment and siege of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely, and in the assault upon the latter. This ended its active services, and, moving from one point to another, it was mustered out of the service, July 14th, 1865, at Alexandria, La., when the regiment left for Springfield, Ill., for payment and final discharge. Among the early volunteers from Grundy County was Capt. Hulburd's company. This company was among those that were crowded out of the earlier regiments, but was accepted by the State, and finally authorized by the Secretary of War during the month of June and on the 15th was mustered into the service as Company E of the 23rd regiment, but better known as the "Irish Brigade," under command of Col. Mulligan. The regiment enlisted under the call for "three months" volunteers, and spent an uneventful career, first at Quincy, Ill., and then at the St. Louis arsenal, until the latter part of July, when the regiment was moved to Jefferson City, Mo. In the latter part of August the regiment was re-enlisted, a large part, however, returning to Chicago and being mustered out. In the reorganization which followed the re-enlistment of the regiment, 21 men of Company E., 52 men of Company G., and 25 men of Company H, were consolidated and called Company G, which, by an order of Jan. 3, 1865, was changed to Company C. The movement of Gen. Price toward Jefferson City caused Col. Mulligan, who had been engaged in several minor expeditions, to move to Lexington as soon as possible after the reorganization, and arriving at the place on the 9th of September he set at once to fortifying his position. His command consisted of the 23d Ill. infantry, 1st Ill. cavalry, and about 1,200 Missouri "home guards," the entire force numbering less than 3,000 men. Gen. Price set down before the works on the 11th, with a force estimated at 20,000. An assault was made on the following day, but so determined was the resistance that the rebel General was forced to undertake a siege. The nature of the works, however, left no room to doubt the speedy result of such an attack, unless relieved by reinforcements. The besieging force saturated bales of hemp to prevent their ignition from the hot shots of Mulligan's guns, and rolled them in front of the intrenchments, and quietly mounted his guns. Price, who had been waiting for ammunition, on the 18th opened with thirteen guns, posted in commanding positions. Col. Mulligan had but five small brass pieces with which to reply to this fire, and these were charged with rough shot manufactured for the occasion at a neighboring foundry. These pieces were worked, however, with great gallantry, and served to command very considerable respect from the besiegers. Price had previously seized the boats on the river, and fortified the adjacent bluffs, so that the federal troops were entirely cut off from water, and suffered the most intense agonies of thirst. It rained, however, at intervals, and the thirsty men, by spreading their blankets till they became saturated with water, and then wringing them into camp dishes, were enabled to prolong the siege until the 20th, when they surrendered. The Missouri troops, "invincible in peace and invisible in war," left the burden of the defense with the Illinois troops, constituting scarcely more than half of the whole number. A writer in the Chicago Post spoke of the 23d regiment as follows: "On the 17th the enemy commenced erecting breastworks of hemp bales, from behind which they continued to fire as they rolled them toward us. About three o'clock of the same day they charged over our entrenchments, upon Col. Peabody's home guards, and planted their flags on the top of our breastworks. The Irish Brigade was ordered to leave its position on the opposite side, and to retake the ground which Peabody had lost. We fired on the run, and continued on the double quick. The rebels scattered and fled like a flock of sheep, but left the top of the breastworks covered with dead and wounded. In this single charge we killed and wounded 55 and lost about 30 killed and wounded." An officer in the rebel service wrote of the capitulation: " This surrender does not cast the slightest discredit upon Col. Mulligan, his officers and men. After having exhausted all their means against an enemy three times their strength they had no choice but capitulation." The regiment was paroled, and by order of Gen. Fremont mustered out of the service in October, but was restored in December by order of McClellan. After remaining at Camp Douglas, near Chicago, guarding prisoners and recruiting until June 14, 1862, the regiment was moved to Western Virginia. Here the regiment found plenty of service, and had repeated encounters with rebel detachments, Company G being captured April 25, 1863, and sent to Richmond. The regiment was mustered out at Richmond, Va., July 24, 1865, and arrived in Chicago six days later. Grundy County was also represented in the Thirty-sixth regiment by Company G, of that organization. This regiment, like the 23d, was made up of those volunteers who tendered their services just too late to be accepted under the first call of the President. "A meeting of persons interested in the organization of a 'Fox River Regiment' was held at Geneva on the 29th day of July, 1861, and preliminary steps taken for its organization. Fifteen companies, either complete or in an advanced state of formation, were represented and tendered for acceptance, twelve of which were selected, including two cavalry companies."* This regiment was duly authorized by the proper authorities, and Col. N. Grensel was appointed to the command of the "Fox River Regiment," under date of August 14, 1861. The regiment went into camp near Aurora, was mustered into the three years' service September 23d, and uniformed, and on the following day started for St. Louis, where they were armed. The regiment was at once ordered to Rolla, Mo., remaining there until January, 1862, when it took part in the campaign against Price, resulting in the series of engagements ending with the battle of Pea Ridge. In this battle, especially, the 36th took a conspicuous part. It was a part of the Second brigade of Osterhaus' division, and occupied a position on the left of the Federal line. Company G. was the most severely handled, losing thirteen men while in skirmish line. Col. Grensel's report of his part in the engagement describes this action as follows: "My attention was now called to several regiments of infantry in our front, and immediately opposite the 36th Illinois Volunteers, whereupon I threw out Companies B and G of that regiment as skirmishers. These companies crossed the field, *Bennett & Haight's Hist. of 36th Regt. and on entering the timber discovered the enemy in ambush—three regiments drawn up in line and others formed in square, evidently expecting another attack from our cavalry. A rapid fire was opened up by the enemy and returned by the skirmishers, which was kept up for fifteen minutes. Finding that they were wasting ammunition to no purpose, the skirmishers retired in good order, with a loss of twenty wounded—thirteen in Company G, and seven in Company B." The regiment was subsequently transferred to the Department of the Mississippi and marched to Cape Giraudeau, Mo., and on their arrival was transferred to Gen. Pope's command. September 6, 1862, the regiment was ordered to Cincinnati, O., to defend the city against Gen. Bragg's raid across Kentucky, and joined in his pursuit when that general was forced to retreat. In the battle of Perryville, which followed, the 36th regiment, which formed a part of Sheridan's division, occupied an advanced position in front of Barrett's battery near the center of the federal line. Here the regiment was the object of a fierce attack by three regiments of Hardee's famous troops, and maintained a sharp fight until the ammunition being exhausted, the 36th was retired, losing 75 men. They were ordered subsequently to the support of another battery, but did not again become engaged with the enemy. With the rest of the army the 36th went forward to Nashville, where it remained until the latter part of December, 1862, when it moved out with the army under Rosecrans to the bloody encounter of Stone River. In this battle McCook's corps occupied the right of the Union line, Sheridan's division being on the left of this corps. Of the 36th regiment's part in this action Col. Grensel reported: "At daylight on the 31st (December, 1862) the regiment was assaulted by a rebel brigade, under Gen. Weathers, and being supported by the 88th Illinois, on its left, the enemy was soon driven back to the woods; but again and again they were rallied, every time meeting the same fate, until thirty- eight of that fine brigade were all that were left to tell where their rebel comrades had fallen. The 36th charged them at the point of the bayonet twice in succession, driving them back. Forty-one of the poor boys lay dead on their faces on less than an acre of ground. The number of wounded is large, and, in fact, the killed and wounded are the largest in the whole division." Out of this fight the regiment brought only 200 men, Company G losing three men killed and thirteen wounded. After the battle of Stone River, succeeded a period of more, or less inactivity, in which the regiment recruited its wasted energies, losing its colonel in the meanwhile by resignation, his place being supplied by Col. Silas Miller. In September, however, the 36th was called again to face the enemy at Chickamauga. On the 19th, the regiment marched ten miles, from Pond Springs to Gordon's Mills, Sheridan's division occupying at that time the extreme right of the federal line. The attack upon this portion of the line was especially severe. Lieut. Col. Olson's report of this engagement is as follows: "At 2 P. M. went into position near Gordon's Mills, with one company thrown forward as skirmishers. At 5 P. M. fell back to the timber, about 200 yards, and remained during the night. At 4 A. M., 20th, marched two miles and a quarter to the left and formed in the second line. At 11 A. M., after some skirmishing, was ordered forward to the support of the center. Formed on the brow of a hill, under a most terrible fire, but in perfect good order, and engaged the enemy fiercely, checking his advance. At this juncture, the enemy appeared on the left, and, turning the flank, subjected us to a murderous, enfilading fire, against which we could offer but little resistance. The regiment was ordered to fall back. Here the regiment made another stand, but was overwhelmed by numbers, and compelled to fall back." At this juncture, Sheridan's division was relieved, and ordered to Rossville to rescue a train which was in danger of falling into the hands of the enemy. This was skillfully done, the troops going silently within rifle shot of the enemy, securing the train without discovery, and going into camp five miles away. On the 22d, the regiment took up its line of retreat to Chattanooga. In this engagement, Company G lost twenty-two men. On the following day, the siege and defense of Chattanooga began, the 36th beginning the construction of rifle pits, by five o'clock next morning. Here some two months were spent in watching the enemy on the heights about the city, living on half or no rations, and wondering whether the issue would be starvation or retreat. In the meanwhile the army had changed leaders, the line of supplies had been opened, and Sherman's and Hooker's forces added to the army, which was now under the immediate command of Gen. Grant. About noon of November 23d, 1863, the order was given to the 36th to "fall in," and with Sheridan's division it supported Wood's division, in what was intended as a reconnoisance of the enemy on Orchard Knob. The slight resistance of the enemy changed the character of the movement, and the troops, reinforced by Howard's division, occupied the position gained and fortified, the 36th holding a position on the hill just south of Orchard Knob, where is now the National Cemetery. In the meanwhile, Hooker had taken Lookout Mountain, but his troops, out of ammunition, were forced to remain inactive until their cartridge boxes were replenished, and so passed the day. On the 24th, Sherman renewed his attacks upon the northern summits of Mission Ridge, but finding it impossible to make rapid progress, and Hooker being delayed on the left, Grant determined upon a movement from the center. The plan was to take the rifle pits at the foot of the ridge, by the skirmish line if possible, and the 36th furnished three companies for this service. This was accomplished. From this point a hill rose eight hundred feet out of the valley, swept by a storm of bullets, shot and shell. Along its face, half-way up, stretched a line of works, then 400 feet further up, with the steepness of a gothic roof, rough with rocks and strewn with fallen trees, the summit frowned with all its terrible enginery of war. To stay in the rifle pits already gained meant death, to retreat was as certain destruction, and so without orders the troops struggled up through the deluge of death-dealing missiles. In this fight Company G did not lose a man, though the regiment lost some twenty. In January, 1864, the regiment re- enlisted, and arrived in Chicago on "veteran furlough," at midnight of February 2d. After partaking of the hospitalities of the city, the various companies separated for the localities of their homes, Company G being received at Morris with enthusiastic demonstrations, which was repeated during their six weeks' stay, at the various points where the friends of the regiment resided. During the furlough of the regiment every effort was made by the members to recruit its numbers. Company G took back twenty veterans and eleven recruits. March 19, 1864, the regiment took the cars for Chicago, on their way back to the field. The regiment proceeded at once to Chattanooga, and from thence took part in the actions of Dalton, Resaca, Kenesaw, Atlanta, Spring Hill, Franklin, and Nashville. After the pursuit of Hood, which took the regiment to Lexington, Ala., it returned to Nashville, where it remained until the 15th of June, when orders were received to proceed to New Orleans. Here the 36th was retained for headquarter and special duty until October 8, 1865, when it was mustered out of the service. In Company I of the 55th regiment, this county was represented by some fifty men, the balance of the company being drawn from La Salle County. The regiment was mustered into the three years' service October 31, 1861, at Camp Douglas. The 55th was ordered January, 1862, to Paducah, Ky., where they remained till March 8, when they were ordered to the Tennessee River to take part in the movements about Corinth. This regiment was finally taken to Pittsburgh Landing, where it was placed on the left of the federal line in that memorable fight. Out of 873 men taken into the fight, 102 enlisted men were killed, and 161 wounded and taken prisoners. It took part in the siege of Corinth, and its colors were the first in the captured city; with Sherman's division the 55th participated in the expedition to Holly Springs, Miss., thence to Memphis; thence to take part in the battle of Chickasaw Bayou, Dec. 29, 1862, losing in this engagement ten men. From this point having re-embarked with the army, it took part in the battle of Arkansas Post; thence to Young's Point early in 1863, and in April joined the army about Vicksburg, taking part in several expeditions against the enemy's outlying posts and in the assaults, 19th and 22d May, upon the main works. Following the fortunes of Sherman's division, the regiment found its way to Chattanooga in November, 1863, and took part in the preliminary movements of the battle of Mission Ridge. In the following winter it re-enlisted and was home on a veteran furlough of thirty days. On its return it rejoined Sherman, took part in the engagements of Kenesaw Mountain, losing 48 men; again in July losing 33 men; in the siege of Atlanta losing 25 men; and in the fight of Jonesboro, losing 23 men. It subsequently joined in the pursuit of Hood through northern Alabama, when it returned to Atlanta, and later with the 15th Army Corps went to Savannah. Marched from Richmond to Washington, took part in the grand review, then moved to Louisville; thence to Little Rock, Ark., where it was mustered out of the service August 14, 1865. Company I of the 69th regiment was made up principally from Grundy County. This regiment was organized under the call for three months men in 1862, and was mustered into the service June 14, 1862, at Camp Douglas. They were assigned duty of guarding prisoners at this camp and served out their term of enlistment here, being mustered out Sept. 27, 1862. Company C of the 76th regiment was raised entirely in Grundy County. This company was organized in the summer of 1862, went into camp at Kankakee and was mustered into the service August 22, 1862. The 76th was ordered as soon as mustered to Columbus, Ky., and from thence to Bolivar, Tenn., October 3d. Late in November the regiment joined Grant's forces in the campaign along the Mississippi Central Railroad, and in February, 1863, proceeded to Memphis and thence to Vicksburg, where it took part in the assault of May 22d. This regiment subsequently took part in the movement against Jackson, Meriden, and the expeditions of February and May, 1864, up the Yazoo River. In July, 1864, it was in Slocum's expedition against Jackson, and bore a prominent part in the battle of July 6th and 7th. On the latter day it was cut off from the balance of the command, but cut its way out, losing ninety-eight men. Took part in various minor movements in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas, and joined in Steele's expedition from Pensacola to Blakely, Ala. May 9, 1865, engaged in the assault and capture of Fort Blakely, losing seventeen killed and eighty-one wounded, but succeeded in being the first to plant the national colors upon the enemy's works. After long marches and tedious encampments at Selden, Mobile and Galveston, the regiment was mustered out and ordered home, July 22, 1865. In the 91st regiment of Illinois infantry, Grundy County was represented by Company D. This company was raised in August, 1862, and going to Camp Butler was mustered into the service Sept. 8, 1862. In the following month the regiment was ordered to Louisville and was assigned to duty guarding the Louisville and Nashville railroad. The regiment formed a part of the large force guarding the Louisville and Nashville railroad, aud occupied seven detached posts on thirty miles of the line of that road. Three companies were stationed at each of the trestles at Big Run and Sulphur Fork, which are about a mile apart, and seven or eight miles north of Elizabethtown; one company, Capt. Fosha's (Co. D), occupied a stockade at this place; portions of one company, Capt. Hanna's (enlisted in Kendall County), were stationed at two bridges about a mile apart, and nearly two miles south of Elizabethtown; one company at Nolin's Fork, nine miles, and one at Bacon Creek, twenty miles south of Elizabethtown. These detachments had all received orders not to leave their different positions for any cause whatever, but to hold and defend them to the last extremity. For some days before the attack of Gen. Morgan, reports were constantly received at the different stations that the rebels were approaching in large force, and the impression was universal throughout the regiment that under the orders they had received, the small detachments at the different posts would be gobbled up, one after the other, by superior numbers. These reports and impressions were fully confirmed late on Friday night, by the arrival at Elizabethtown of two negroes who had escaped from the companies at Bacon Creek and Nolin's Fork bringing intelligence that both of these companies had been attacked that day by the rebels and compelled to surrender. Capt. Fosha immediately sent a messenger to headquarters at Big Run Trestle, informing Lieut. Col. Smith of the intelligence he had just received by the escaped negroes. "During the night the rebel scouts were quite active and bold, but our pickets were watchful and alert, and no advantage was obtained. Early in the morning skirmishers were sent out to feel the enemy and retard their advance, and about eight o'clock the six companies at the Trestle, having been relieved by the 71st Indiana volunteers, arrived at Elizabethtown under Lieut. Col. Smith, who immediately ordered Capt. Hanna's company at the bridges below to join him. The command then consisted of eight companies, mustering about 450 effective men, which Col. Smith drew up in line of battle on the west side of the railroad, close by the stockade in which Capt. Fosha's men were left, with orders to hold it. Up to this time, neither the rebel forces nor their commander was known. To ascertain these facts Col. Smith sent out a flag of truce, demanding their immediate surrender. The demand was of course refused, and in about half an hour Col. Smith received a reply signed by John H. Morgan, stating that he had Col. Smith's forces surrounded, and that in ten minutes his batteries would be in position to open upon him, and demanding the surrender of his command. To this Col. Smith replied that it was the duty of United States soldiers to fight, not to surrender. In less than ten minutes allowed by Gen. Morgan, one of his batteries had taken position on some high bluffs to the right of the Nashville pike, and within a thousand yards of the town, and opened fire upon Col. Smith's forces; at the same time, heavy columns of the enemy were observed moving to the right and left of the town, with the evident intention of surrounding our troops. To avoid this it became necessary to change the position of the regiment, which Col. Smith did by moving his men into the town and taking possession of the court house and buildings on the square. On the retirement of the outside forces and before the enemy had advanced on the stockade, Capt. Fosha withdrew his forces and followed the retreat of the rest of the regiment into the town, and occupied a building on the south side of the square. It was now ten o'clock and Col. Smith had determined to hold the buildings to the last extremity. The enemy opened fire upon the town with his artillery, the building from which the regimental colors were flying being struck seventeen times and badly riddled. The men, however, were maintaining their discipline, though several were killed and others wounded, and were returning the musket firing with some effect. As the enemy approached the suburbs of the town, and were dismounting with the evident intention of making an attack upon the regiment's position, numbers of saddles were unceremoniously emptied by the accuracy of our fire, which made the rebels hesitate to advance. The firing had been maintained upward of three hours, and the Union forces were expecting an assault which they confidently expected to repel with heavy loss to the enemy, when a white flag was thrown out of a window in the building occupied by Capt. Fosha's company. It was immediately ordered to be shot down, and when fired upon was withdrawn, but another immediately appeared on the street, and Capt. Fosha's men were seen coming out of the building and throwing down their arms. The firing ceased at once, and the rebels rushing in from the alleys and cover of the houses, captured the whole regiment."* The forces under Morgan numbered some eight or ten thousand with thirteen guns, and the capture of the regiment was a foregone conclusion from the first, but the spirited resistance offered by our troops delayed the rebel expedition and forced them to lose valuable time. When paroled, the regiment was ordered to Benton Barracks, Mo., and in January, 1863, were sent home on furlough. In February, they were ordered back, and subsequently ordered to Vicksburg where they arrived July 14th. They took part in the movements to Port Hudson, Carrollton, La., and Atchafalaya River, arriving at Morganzia, 10th of October. Transferred to the 13th army corps, they went to New Orleans, going into camp October 12th. Later in the month the regiment was ordered to Texas; took part in several minor engagements, and in July, 1864, occupied Brazos Santiago as part of the garrison. About the last of December, the 91st was relieved and transferred to New Orleans and placed on provost duty. In February, it joined the forces at Fort Morgan and subsequently took an active part in the campaign which resulted in the capture of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely. Following up the retreat of the rebels, the federal forces overtook the enemy at Eight-mile Creek, where a sharp engagement took place, the 91st leading a *Grundy County Herald, January 14, 1863. bayonet charge, which cleared the field. This was the last engagement of the war east of the Mississippi. The regiment was mustered out of the service, July 12, 1865, at Mobile, and reached Camp Butler on the 22d of the same month. The 127th Illinois infantry contained nearly a full company from Grundy County, Company D, which was organized about August, 1863, and was mustered at Camp Douglas in September, though the regiment was not organized until October. Early in the following month the regiment was ordered to the field, going by rail to Cairo, and thence by steamboat to Memphis. Taking part in the Talahatchie River expedition, the 127th, on its return to Memphis, was ordered to Vicksburg. The regiment was in Blair's division under Sherman, and after taking their turn at ditching in the various bayous (a line of operations soon abandoned), and the transports having successfully passed the Vicksburg batteries, the 127th, with the rest of the division, steamed up the Yazoo River to divert the attention of the enemy from Grant's real object of crossing the Mississippi. The main army having crossed the river and beaten the enemy back from Fort Gibson and Grand Gulf, a feint was made in the direction of Vicksburg while waiting the return of Sherman's corps, which was ordered to join the main force by a march across the country. Gen. Johnson, who commanded the rebel force in the West, had been apprised of Grant's movements, and was gathering an army to reinforce Pemberton at Vicksburg and to guard against being assailed in the rear. Grant, refraining from moving on the city, attracted Pemberton's attention by a feint, and directed Sherman to follow the eastern side of the Black River to Edward's Station on the Vicksburg railroad, and McPherson to make a detour farther eastward, destroying rebel stores and lines of communication. At Raymond, a few miles south of Edward's Station, a force of the enemy was struck by McPherson, when a short and sharp engagement ensued. The rebels were forced to a second position, and after a severe struggle were driven from the field in disorder, retreating toward Jackson. Fearing the enemy under Johnson at Jackson might prove too numerous for McPherson's force, Sherman and McClernand were directed to follow to Jackson, where, in company with McPherson, they fought the battle of Jackson, forcing the rebels to retreat. Leaving Sherman to destroy bridges, arsenals and other public property, the rest of the army faced about westward to close in upon Vicksburg. Pemberton had moved out to Edward's Station in the meanwhile, and thinking to cut Grant off from his base of supplies, which had been at Grand Gulf, he pushed down toward Raymond, when he found by the Union pickets advancing from the east that Grant had changed his base, and his was a fruitless errand. He now proposed to follow the orders of Johnson, and by retracing his steps to escape by a northeasterly route through Brownsville and join the latter's defeated forces. But his resolution came too late, for the Union forces had occupied this town and were prepared to dispute his advance. As the only alternative the rebel forces were hastily drawn up for action, and then followed the battle of Champion Hills. A courier was sent to Sherman at Jackson with orders to bring his troops to the scene of conflict. The battle was fought by the troops of McPherson's and McClernand's corps, and the rebel army retreating, these troops pressed rapidly forward in their wake, while Sherman advanced in the direction of Bridgeport, higher up the river, with the intention of crossing at that point. On the following morning, finding the enemy disputing the passage of Black River, McClernand's troops proceeded at once to the attack and soon had the enemy flying. Bridges were placed across the river that night, and Sherman, still on the right of the line, took possession of Haine's Bluffs, while McPherson and McClernand completed the investment of the city. In these operations the 127th, while in active service, enduring severe marching and performing valuable service, was not called upon to do any heavy fighting, though losing a number of men in a number of severe skirmishes. In war, however, there is more drudgery to be done than glory to be gained, and "He also serves who only stands and waits" The enemy's forces, rapidly driven into their works about the city, were considerably demoralized, and though the works were skillfully constructed and located, in a naturally strong position, the necessities of the situation seemed to demand quicker results than could be secured by siege. A general assault was therefore made on the afternoon of May 17th, and while no advantage was gained, the 127th had opportunity of showing its metal; this regiment and the 83d Indiana alone succeeding in placing their colors upon the outward slope of the enemy's works. On May 22d they again joined in the general assault, but the works proved too strong and the army sat down to a laborious siege. On July 4, this stronghold capitulated, and on the following day Sherman's corps moved out to Jackson where a force of the enemy had intrenched to dispute the further advance of the victorious federals. In the meantime the Chattanooga campaign had been fought, ending in Chickamauga and the close surveillance of Chattanooga. Grant had been placed in general command of the west, while Thomas had superseded Rosecrans. After the Jackson expedition the 127th with its corps returned to Vicksburg; in September took transports to Memphis and thence by way of Corinth, Iuka and East Point went to Chattanooga, arriving at the latter place September 23d. After taking part in the movements culminating in Mission Ridge, the regiment made the forced march to Knoxville and having relieved the troops besieged there, returned to Chattanooga. Grant having been made Lieut. General and put in command of the whole field, east and west, Sherman succeeded him in command of the Department of the Mississippi, and at once commenced the campaign of Atlanta. Johnson having succeeded Bragg in command of the rebel forces, had taken a strong natural position at Dalton and greatly strengthened it by fortifications. Here, Sherman finding the position too strong to take by an attack in front, diverted the attention of the enemy by a feint attack and began the flank movements for which he became so famous. The 127th was of the flanking forces, and making a detour to the westward came upon the enemy at Resaca. Here the bearing of this regiment was especially marked by its gallant fighting. On one occasion our men had been ordered back, a movement which evoked exultant shouts from the enemy who supposed we were repulsed. The color bearer of the 127th, becoming exasperated and regardless of danger, returned to an embrasure and defiantly flaunted his flag in the face of the enemy. His life paid the forfeit of his temerity, and others who attempted to regain the colors were shot in the attempt. Then followed the maneuvers ending in the battle of New Hope Church, rapidly followed by that of Kenesaw Mountain and Peach Tree Creek. McPherson's division, to which the 127th was assigned, from this point made a wide detour eastward by way of Decatur, and approaching Atlanta from the east sustained an assault from the whole rebel force. Here the fighting was very severe, the 127th doing its share manfully. Then followed the flank movement by the right, the battle of Jonesboro and the consequent evacuation of Atlanta. From this point Hood, then in command of the rebel forces, went on his ill-starred campaign to Nashville, before whom Thomas retreated, gathering the forces that were destined to crush him in the end. Returning from his pursuit of Hood, Sherman, with the balance of his army, reorganized and rested, set out for his march to the sea, the 127th being in the right wing. From Atlanta to Savannah, thence to Columbia, S. C., Fayetteville, N. C., and Bentonville, to the end, the regiment marched its way through the rebellion, taking part in the "Grand Review," and was one of four regiments complimented by Gen. Sherman for their fine soldierly bearing. The regiment was mustered out of the service May 31, 1865. The "Mechanical Fusiliers" was a company of mechanics enlisted to aid in the construction of barracks, bridges, etc., for the use of the army. They went out in command of Capt. James Miller of Joliet, assisted in the construction of barracks at Camp Douglas, and were then lost sight of so far as any record exists in this county. The best information to be had is to the effect that this company was organized with others into a pioneer regiment, but of their subsequent career there is unfortunately no information at hand. In the 60th Infantry, Grundy County was represented by a few men in Company I. This regiment was organized in February, 1862, and took part in the operations of the army of Tennessee. Was at the siege of Corinth, Nashville, Chattanooga, in the campaign about Atlanta, and the battle of Jonesboro. Was a part of the garrison left at Atlanta, and subsequently followed Sherman's army to Savannah and subsequently took part in Sherman's campaign in the Carolinas. Took part in the grand review at Washington; did provost duty at Louisville for a little more than a month and was mustered out July 31, 1865. The 90th Infantry was organized at Chicago in September and October, 1862. In Company H. of this regiment this county was represented by some fourteen men. The regiment was ordered to Tennessee, arriving at Lagrange December 2d, and on the 4th went to Cold Water, Mississippi. On the morning of the 20th, a detachment of the 2d Illinois Cavalry arrived at Cold Water, having cut their way through Van Dorn's forces, out of Holly Springs. Soon after four companies of the 101st Illinois came in, and were followed by the enemy to our lines. The demonstration made by the 90th deterred the enemy from making any severe attack, although he was 4,000 or 5,000 strong. The regiment was mustered out of service June 6, 1865, at Washington, D. C. Company B of the 129th Infantry drew some men from Grundy. This regiment was organized at Pontiac, Ill., in August, 1862, and was sent at once to Louisville. After the Buell and Bragg race across Kentucky, the 129th joined in the pursuit via Frankfort and Danville to Crab Orchard, when it returned and did garrison duty at Mitchellsburg, Ky. The regiment was mustered out June 8, 1865, at Washington, D. C. Company H. of the 138th Infantry also contained some Grundy County men. This was a "hundred day" regiment, organized June 21, 1864. It was assigned to garrison duty at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., where it served out the term of its enlistment. The regiment was mustered out October 14, 1864, at Springfield, Illinois. Other organizations that numbered one or two men from Grundy County, were Companies E and H of the 144th; Companies C and K of the 147th; Company E of the 153d; Company A of the 156th; Company E of the 2d Cavalry; Naugus Battery, and twelve men in the naval service. In the above brief survey no attempt has been made to do exact or equal justice to the military career of those who went out from Grundy County to the service of their country. Any such attempt must have failed in the very nature of the case. Such facts as have been given, have been gleaned from various sources of information generally accepted as correct, yet often proving contradictory in essential particulars, and may prove in many instances to fall short of the merits of the case. But however much this sketch may fail of excellence, it will at least serve to show that Grundy County's patriotism found expression "where duty called and danger," and was "never wanting there," and so answers the purpose for which it was conceived. Additional Comments: HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY ILLINOIS; Containing a History from the earliest settlement to the present time, embracing its topographical, geological, physical and climatic features; its agricultural, railroad interests, etc.; giving an account of its aboriginal inhabitants, early settlement by the whites, pioneer incidents, its growth, its improvements, organization of the County, the judicial history, the business and industries, churches, schools, etc.; Biographical Sketches; Portraits of some of the Early Settlers, Prominent Men, etc.; ILLUSTRATED. CHICAGO: O. L. BASKIN & CO., HISTORICAL PUBLISHERS, Lakeside Building. 1882. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/grundy/history/1882/historyo/chapter59gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ilfiles/ File size: 56.3 Kb