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I
WHITESIDE COUNTY B YS
IN PORTO RICO
1898 ILLUSTRATED
trofesty Harry a Bank
Human / Person
Bungy
HISTORY
OF
Companies I and E, Sixth Regt., Illinois Volunteer Infantry from Whiteside County.
CONTAINING A DETAILED ACCOUNT OF THEIR EXPERI- ENCES WHILE SERVING AS VOLUNTEERS IN THE PORTO RICAN CAMPAIGN DURING THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR OF 1898.
ALSO
A RECORD OF THE TWO COMPANIES AS STATE TROOFS FROM THE DATE OF ORGANIZATION TO APRIL 30TH, 1901.
BY R. S. BUNZEY.
IN THREE PARTS.
ILLUSTRATED.
MORRISON, ILLINOIS. 1901.
SAUK VALLEY COLLEGE L.R.C. 89574
Copyright, 1902, by Rufus S. Bunzc
TO THE READER:
It may be well to acquaint the reader with a few of the facts which brought about the idea of compiling and putting into book form the records of the two companies of volunteer soldiers, who represented Whiteside Coun- ty in the Spanish American War of 1898. I do not flat- ter myself with the expectation that this work will be considered as in the line of histories as they are written today, this being my initial, and without a question of doubt, final attempt in this line. In recent years many such histories of the Civil War have been written by ex-soldiers and the lapse of time rendered the task an extremely difficult one. As time rolls on and the num- ber of veterans grows less, the more valuable to those remaining, become the records which contain the detail of their soldier life. In view of these facts I determined on publishing an account of the experiences of companies I and E while the many details were yet clear and distinct. The material for the contents of the book con- sists chiefly in letters written in the various camps by Charles Hoobler, of company E, and myself, a high private in the rear rank of company I. These letters were published daily or weekly by the home papers and contain the correct dates of all movements besides many other items of interest which would now be difficult to obtain in any other manner.
In addition to this history, I deemed it nothing more
4
HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
than just to include as briefly as possible a record of the organization and previous existence of the two compa- nies as a portion of the Illinois National Guard who readily responded to the call for volunteers and by re- quest of the President were given the preference over other civilian soldiers. The many difficulties met with, arising from the seeming inability to secure correct dates and facts covering the period between the organization of the companies and the outbreak of the Spanish American War, were partially overcome by the hearty co-operation and invaluable aid of members and ex- members of both companies. For this assistance I feel deeply indebted to them.
As a finale, and a fitting close to the following pag- es, a sketch of the present conditions of both companies has been utilized.
To the volunteer, present and ex-members of com- panies I and E and to their friends, this book is dedicated.
Respectfully
R. S. BUNZEY.
PART I.
HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
CHAPTER I.
ORGANIZATION AND MUSTER-IN OF COMPANIES I AND E, SIXTHI INFANTRY ILLINOIS NATIONAL GUARDS, AND SUBSEQUENT EVENTS OCCUR- RING PREVIOUS TO THEIR VOLUNTEER SERVICE IN THE SPANISH-AMERI- CAN WAR OF 1898.
COMPANY I.
Company I Sixth Infantry Illinois National Guards of to-day, was organized during the summer of 1878 and mustered into the service of the State on the IIth day of September of the same year, under the laws enacted by the Legislature and in force July Ist, 1877 which authorized the organization of such State troops. It was designated as Company C and assigned to the 14th Battalion, which was commanded at that period by Lieut. Col. W. P. Butler, with head- quarters at Rock Island, Ills. The subject of forming a company of State militia was agitated more or less for some time by a number of veterans of the Civil War.
8
HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
The promoters of the idea and most active and ener- getic in the work of organizing, were: Attorney George H. Fay. John Grierson and A D. Hill, all of whom saw several years service in the war of the Rebellion; George Fay holding a Captain's commission in Com- pany B 147th Illinois Infantry; John Grierson a 2nd Lieutenants commission in Company H 14th, New York Heavy Art .; and A. D. Hill serving in a Pennsyl- vania Regiment. These, with a number of other citizens. held several meetings in Attorney Fay's office. A paper was circulated about the town soliciting signatures of citizens capable of military duty and who were willing to aid in the organization of the company and serve the State should the required number be secured. In a very short time the following names were enrolled, a total of seventy-six. and a request made for a muster- ing officer to swear in the company :
A. D. Hill,
H. Nash.
George H. Fay,
Cornelius Quackenbush.
George Buckley,
George W. Stafford,
Ed. A. Worrell,
J. N. Jackson,
Henry Brown,
Charles F. McKee.
J. A. Newbury,
Jacob Feldman, Henry Minder.
S. Switzer,
George C. Wilcox,
Frank Fitzgerald,
Peter Spears,
Fred Mathews,
J. N. Baird,
E. St. John,
Charles H. Trauger,
J. W. McKee,
E. Blodgett,
C. H. Planthaber,
F. M. Judd,
William Winters,
Milton Morse,
William Wilson,
A. C. McAllister,
J. M. Williamson,
W. B. McClary,
C. W. Spears,
U
U.S.
PRIVATE RICHARD YATES, Co. 1, 5th Inf., Ill. N. G., 1885. Governor of Ill. and Commander-in-Chief of the Military and Naval Forces, 1901.
ILLINOIS NATIONAL GUARDS.
A. Farrington,
A. A. Mattern,
George B. Day,
F. M. Fox,
J. A. Nowlen,
M. R. Kelly,
John Grierson,
P. F. Hellerstedt,
H. H. Marshall,
F. E. Strawder,
C. M. Johnson,
Charles D. White,
Harry Sterling,
William Gishbel.
William Hogan.
William Kincade,
C. H. Marshall, J. C. Childs,
H. S. Ferguson,
Henry Levitt,
James Dean,
William Anderson,
A. Richtmyer, R. W. Sholes,
Frank E. James,
J. F. Wellington,
Z. T. Anderson,
G. B. Adams,
Frank Mann,
J. B. Kirman,
Daniel Bowdish,
C. F. Montague,
D. Bray,
William J. Reutlinger.
J. M. Murphy.
Charles P. Holt,
John Lucas,
Benjamin J. Atwater,
Curtis Johnson,
A. C. Buttery, F. J. Johnson,
Clarence Clark.
D. J. Goodill.
For various reasons a number of those whose sig- natures appear on this roll, failed to take the oath at the time of the muster-in of the company; some were phy- sically unable; others had business interests which in justice to themselves could not be neglected, yet all took a personal interest and contributed their moral and ma- terial support in the work until it became necessary for them to withdraw, when they stepped down and out, making way for others who were anxious to become a part of the company and were more conveniently situ- ated to give the time and attention to drill and other
P. R. Boyd,
10
HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
duties which would necessarily devolve upon them to se- cure and maintain a standard of efficiency which would prove a credit, not alone to themselves, but also to the town and state. Thus upon the arrival of the muster- ing officer, Captain Hawse of Moline, Adjutant of the 14th Battalion, the actual number in readiness to take the oath was but a portion of the total who had signified their willingness in the days previous. The company as mustered in on this date, Sept. 11th, 1878, is here giv- en:
Captain.
George H. Fay,
1st. Lieutenant,
Cornelius Quackenbush.
2nd. Lieutenant,
John Grierson,
1st. Sergeant,
Alonzo Richtmyer,
1st Duty Sergeant, George C. Wilson,
2nd «
Z. T. Anderson,
3rd 66
Albert A. Mattern.
4th
George Buckley,
Frank V. Johnson.
Corporal
William Wilson,
Benjamin J. Atwater.
Peter Martin,
Milton Morse,
Clarence G. Clark.
Oscar Rounds.
Henry Levitt,
Musician Private
Charles Trauger,
Bogart, Cornelius
Buttery, Arthur C.
Bray, Dennis
Bartholomew, George L.
66
Bowdish, Daniel G.
Casey. William
11
HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
Private
Dean, James
Fox, Frank M.
..
Gilroy, Edward A.
Honcler, Augustus
Hendricks, Jesse Y.
Hanna, Robert H.
Haskin, Ezra C.
Humphrey. Erastus B.
Johnson, John
66
Johnson, Curtis
Kinney, James
Mouck, Solomon F.
Marshall, Charles H.
Montague, Charles F.
Nash, Henry G.
Planthaber, Charles
66
Reutlinger, Henry G.
Story, James
Strawn, Frank H.
66
Worrell, Edward A. Wood, Robert
Making a total of three commissioned officers and forty-one enlisted men. The men as a company, were highly elated by the success so far attained and the re- cruiting was energetically continued, which soon resulted in a company with a full complement of enlisted men. Several, who were unavoidably detained from being present at the time of the muster in of the company by sickness and absence from the city, took advantage of the first opportunity to enroll their names on the compa- ny roster.
The choice of commissioned officers proved to be an extremely wise selection; their knowledge of military
12
HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
affairs had been gained in a school where war was a cold fact and they had been taught the value and ne- cessity of strict obedience and discipline. The compa- ny was the beneficiary of the experiences of these drilled men, and, composed as it was, largely of veterans, its members quickly attained a proficiency in military tac- tics, of which they were justly proud. With few excep- tions, the rule established at this early date has been rig- idly adhered to and a great deal of consideration has been given to the selection of commissioned officers, as to the fitness and ability of the candidate for the posi- tion to which he aspired, which could be obtained only through the ballots of the enlisted men and, if, at any time they have considered themselves unfortunate in this regard, they, and they alone were responsible, as the power was in their hands to place in these positions men of ability and of their own choice, thus leaving them no room for a grievance in not doing so.
For several years this company was widely known as the "Morrison Rifles," just how and where it de- rived this title it has been impossible to learn, and to-day should it be referred to as such, very few would un- derstand the reference as anything in connection with company I, only in a dreamy, misty manner of some- thing suddenly recalled to the mind which had been nearly, if not quite forgotten.
The first arms issued it by the State were muz- zle loading rifles of the Enfield pattern and it was sever- al years before it was enabled to secure breechload- ing guns, and then only by dint of continually petitioning the Adjutant General of the State to equip the men with an arm which was not obsolete and practically, out of date as a service arm,
BRIG. GEN. J. N. REECE, Adj .- Gen,
13
ILLINOIS NATIONAL GUARDS.
For an armory and drill room, the basement of the old frame building which stood on the lot now occu- pied by the Hub Clothing Store was secured, remain- ing here but a short time, the company removed to the City Council room, and shortly afterward to the sec- ond floor of Hollar Smith's blacksmith shop on east Main street. At that time the members considered themselves extremely fortunate in being so snugly locat- ed. From here they"trekked"to Milne's opera house, and later to the old skating rink on Grove street where they were at home at the outbreak of the Spanish-American War.
Very little attention was given to target practice for several years. The cause for the lack of enthusiasm in this respect was accounted for in the difficulty in secur- ing the necessary ammunition and ordnance supplies with which to carry on a successful shoot, saying nothing of the expense connected with the building of rifle butts etc., for which the men were compelled to secure funds without expense to the State. The officers higher in command of the troops evidently took but little inter- est in this matter which today, is considered a very es- sential feature in determining the efficiency of the Na- tional Guard. The fact now being recognized that while the men may be proficient in the manual of arms and precise in executing maneuvers they would be of little value in actual service without some experience in the care and handling of the rifle. Not alone in this matter were the men expected to defray their own ex- penses; each member was obliged to equip himself with a uniform at a cost of seven dollars.
What would the Guardsmen of today think of the proposition of purchasing the uniforms they wear?
14
HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
Would they do it? It is hardly probable. They would stand aghast at the suggestion of such an absurd idea: and to consider that the State placed so little value on our voluntary service would be likened to the shaking of a red mantle in the face of an angry bull, and the re- cruiting officers must needs to have made a "fine art" of their work should they hope to retain a "corporals guard" in the ranks. Agreat many surprising things are found in searching the files of the early correspon- dence of the company. There appears to have been no understanding between the State authorities and the railroads by which troops could be moved on short no- tice. The transportation of a company meant days of cor- respondence regarding the manner in which the settle- ment should be made, the company commander being ex- pected to make the necessary arrangements for the hand- ling of his men. These were a few of the obstacles with which the men and officers were obliged to contend in those days, and the most surprising feature of it all is, that the National Guard could exist under the regulations in force at that time.
Company C attended its first State encampment at Camp Cullom, at Springfield, September 16th to 19th, 1879, bringing with it on its return home an excellent report of the condition of the company as measured by the standard of other troops present. For this encampment the 2nd Brigade received no compensation whatever, at least Company C did not, on account of lack of funds, and for this reason there was no encampment the following two years. That portion of the appropri- ation made for this purpose by the State, being distribu- ted among the different regimental and company com- manders for the benefit of their commands. The first
15
ILLINOIS NATIONAL GUARDS.
public parade the company participated in was at Morri- rison, July 4th. 1879. Company B of Moline. com- manded by Captain William C. Bennett, was invited and was present and the two companies made a fine ap- pearance; it being the first military parade in the city, since immediately after the Civil War.
The year following, and with few exceptions, each Memorial day since, an invitation has been extended to them from the G. A. R. Post to participate in the cer- emonies on that day. July3 rd, 18So, by invitation, the company went to Mt. Carroll, Ill., taking part in the cele- bration of Independence Day, (the 4th falling on Sun- day.)
In September, the same year, it attended the Sterling Fair in a body, camping on the grounds the 15th, 16th and 17th., returning the evening of the 17th. While there, it acted as escort for General Grant and Governor Cullom.
In July 1880, William Clendenin was commis- sioned Lieut. Colonel and placed in command of the 14th Battalion, establishing headquarters at Moline. William Clendenin was born and reared in Morrison; he served two years in the war of the Rebellion, enlisting as a private and being promoted. step by step, from the ranks, and on March 21st, 1866 was mustered out of the service as Ist Lieut. of Company A, 108th U. S. Colored Infantry. He removed to Moline in 1871. Becoming in- terested in the National Guard in its infancy, he was commissioned 2nd Lieut. of Company B (afterward Company F) and held successively, the rank of Ist Lieut. and Captain, and was made Major of the 14th Battalion, May 30th, 1879, and Lieut. Colonel in July, 1880. In 1882 the National Guard of Illinois was re-
16
HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
organized and he was elected Colonel of the Sixth Regi- ment May 17th of that year, being twice re-elected to the command of the Sixth. December 28th, 1892, he was promoted by Governor Fifer to the rank of Brigadier General and assigned to command the Third Brigade, Governor Altgeld removing him March 28th, 1893. In April 1898, Governor Tanner appointed him Inspector of the Illinois National Guard, with the rank of Colonel. During the following May he organized a provisional reg- iment and tendered its services to the U. S. Government in case there should be a call for more troops during the war with Spain. Among the Field and Staff of this regiment were, his son Frank J. Clendenin, Major; and Thaddeus L. Rounds, Assistant Surgeon, both well known to many citizens of Whiteside county. May 15th, 1899 Governor Tanner replaced him in command of the Third Brigade with the rank of Brigadier General, which com- mission he yet retains.
General Clendenin's record in the Illinois National Guard, is an enviable one. He has held every commis- sioned office in the service from 2nd Lieutenant to that of Brigadier General, and is the proud possessor of ten commissions issued to him by the Governors of Illinois. Not alone this, but in his career as an officer, he has won the respect and esteem of all the men who have served under him, and in the history of the Illinois National Guard, his name will be given an honored place.
The effect of having no State encampment for two years, was very demoralizing to the company; 2nd Lieut. Grierson had resigned in the summer of 1879. Sheriff E. A. Worrell succeeding him; Lieut. Worrell resigning in September ISSo, this vacancy being filled by the election of E. P. Stokes who resigned in 1882;
BRIG. GEN. WM. CLENDENIN, Commanding Third Brigade.
17
ILLINOIS NATIONAL GUARDS.
Captain Fay also resigned in 1882; Ist Lieut. Quacken- bush having resigned in September, ISSI, his successor being Z. T. Anderson, who resigned in April, 1882. This found the company without a commissioned officer, the command devolving upon Sergeant E. B. Hump- hrey, and appears to have been a very critical period in its history. It was seemingly on the point of dissolu- tion, and in all probability would have been disband- ed, had not Frank Clendenin, a brother of General Clendenin, and post master at that time, accepted a commission in the company. He was unanimously elected Ist Lieutenant in June 1882, Curtis Johnson being commissioned 2nd Lieutenant at the same time. Lieut. Clendenin was promoted to Captain and 2nd Lieut. Johnson to the rank of Ist Lieutenant the following August with William Brearton succeeding as 2nd Lieu- tenant, which commission he retained until his removal from the state in 1883.
With Captain Clendenin in command and the able assistance rendered by Lieutenants Johnson and Brearton the organization received a new impetus and was rap- idly re-built and strengthened until it once more at- tained a desirable standing. But this tranquility was not of long duration. During the tour of camp duty at Springfield in 1882. which was the first since 1879, Cap- tain Clendenin was appointed Aid-de-Camp, with the rank of Colonel, on Governor Cullom's Staff from the 7th Congressional District. He retained this commission through the administrations of Governors Cullom, Hamil- ton, Oglesby and Fifer, until June ISS9, when he re- moved from the 7th District. The loss of Captain Clen- denin was a severe one to the company. He was a vet- eran of the Civil War, having entered the service as
18
HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
Captain, commanding Company B., 147th Illinois Infan- try and shortly promoted to Major, which rank he re- tained until the close of the war. He was an able succes- sor to the command, following the resignation of Captain Fay, the men parting from him with regret. At about this time Ist Lieut. Johnson tendered his resignation. In November, Cornelius Quackenbush. was commissioned Captain, and Sergeant N. James Cole Ist Lieutenant.
19
ILLINOIS NATIONAL GUARDS.
CHAPTER II.
The Illinois National Guard was re-organized in the year of 1882, the 14th Battalion being merged into the Sixth Regiment with Lieut. Colonel Clendenin. commis- sioned Colonel, in command. It was at this time that Company C was designated as Company I.
D. J. Foster of Chicago was appointed Lieut. Colo- nel; H. T. DePue, Major; John H. Porter, Regimental Quartermaster with therank of Ist. Lieutenant, and Ed. Kittilsen, Sergeant Major of the regiment.
In the formation of regiments there were no such divisions as Battalions, consequently there was but one Major and one Adjutant. During encampment there were regimental and company drills and occasionally the regiment would be made up into divisions, the command of each division falling to the ranking Captain and in this manner attaining something similar to the Battalion for- mation of today.
Lieut Colonel Foster was twice re-elected, and on January 13th, 1893, he was commissioned Colonel of the Sixth Regiment, which position he has held contin- ously up to the present time.
Sergeant Major Ed Kittilsen first entered the mili- tary service in an independent organization in 1875, and in 1877, when the Illinois National Guard was organized he enlisted in the 14th Battalion, was promoted to Regi- mental Sergeant Major, and appointed Major in 1886,
20
HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
and on January 13th, 1893, was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel of the Sixth Regiment, serving in this capacity up to the present time.
The affairs of Company I (as it is now designated) ran quite smoothly for some time. Encampments were held annually. For three successive years, 1882, 1883 and 1884, the camp grounds were located about five miles north-east of Springfield, and officially named Camp Logan. The year following, 1885, the location was changed to one and a half miles north and east of the city and named Camp Dickey. About this time the state purchased the grounds where Camp Lincoln is now lo- cated, and a permanent camp-ground established. Camp Lincoln lies about two miles north-west of Springfield and is a very desirable location. Just inside the entrance gate lies the wide drill and parade ground; bordering on this and running north, is the camp ground proper, where the tents are pitched. This ground is thinly studded with shade trees. In the rear of this is found the large swimming pool, built of masonry, and yet farther back and to the left, is located the rifle range.
The only serious drawback to Camp Lincoln is found in the drinking water, which is carried to the grounds from the city in pipes running on top of the ground for a long distance, making the water very warm and it is anything but a pleasant drink. This contributes a great deal to the sickness which appears in camp soon after the arrival of the troops. The street car line has been extended to the grounds and terminates just outside the entrance gate, making the city quickly and easily reached.
Camp week is looked forward to, for months. It is the one incentive, urging the men to extra work, in
CAMP LINCOLN
TROIS NATIONAL CLARO
23
AAM
Entrance gate at Camp Lincoln.
21
ILLINOIS NATIONAL GUARDS.
preparing themselves to appear before the public as sol- diers. It is the only break in an otherwise monotonous, un-remunerative, voluntary service and is very beneficial to the troops, bringing the officers and men of the regi- ment in contact with each other, where discipline and obe- dience are not only expected, but demanded; teaching the men that a soldier's life is based upon those two princi- ples; also teaching them the duties of a soldier in many ways. The knowledge thus gained being invaluable, and attainable in no other manner. Why the friends at home continue to retain such an erroneous idea regard- ing the actions of the men while at camp, has always been a mystery. There is nothing to warrant this injus- tice. Is it a cause for wonderment then that many de- sirable young men, who otherwise would gladly enter the service, for this reason are deterred from doing so? They have given weeks and months, without re- compense, in making preparations for this week of duty. After a hard day's work in the store or shop, or at their trade, it is necessary to devote hours to instructing them- selves in the duties of a soldier, which, although it may have its attractions, is never-the-less hard work. Without the support of friends at home, what inducement is there for a company commander to neglect his own personal affairs and devote the necessary time to his company to fit the men to appear before the people of the state, and the Governor, their commander-in-chief, who are ever ready to criticise, reflecting on the fitness of this or that officer for the position which he holds. If the men, as soldiers, fall below a certain standard, the public will ask, "are we being taxed for the support and maintenance of those untrained, poorly drilled men who dare to call themselves soldiers?" And the public is justified in de-
22
HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
manding something more from the soldier, than merely being able to wear the uniform of the state and carry the rifle at a right shoulder, but in return it should respect these same men for this voluntary service and should con- tribute its moral support to the work of securing and maintaining a degree of efficiency, which will reflect cre- dit on the officers, the men and the State.
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