USA > Illinois > Madison County > Centennial history of Madison County, Illinois, and its people, 1812 to 1912, Volume I > Part 38
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in the old country. The older inhabitants will recollect this to have been the case, also, in Madison county and southern Illinois, where, especially during the early part of the Civil war, these men flocked to St. Louis to enlist in Missouri regiments because Illinois had filled its quota so promptly that there was no opportunity for all to get into regiments of their home state; while Missouri was glad to receive them, being short in the quota for the Union, because a great part of that state was then under Confederate domination. And here also may be recorded the acknowledged fact that the Germans of St. Louis, southern Illinois and eastern Missouri saved Missouri to the Union.
The great and lasting influence of the Ger- man element upon the industrial, commercial, agricultural and social life, and development of the country in general is not conjectural, but apparent and acknowledged. It is historically verified that the opening of the great west, be- gun more than two hundred years ago, was started by the Germans of Pennsylvania and continued by the masses of Germans who im- migrated later. Of course there were also other nationalities, but the Germans did the greater part of colonizing and developing the new western country, clearing the primeval forests and breaking the virgin prairies, con- verting them into blooming and productive fields and gardens, without trying to assert po- litical power in organizing states. They were content to enjoy the peace and prosperity they sought in leaving their old country. They brought the blessings of the German home- sound living, economy, moral conduct, sense of duty, emotional warmth and high ideals. They came as sturdy, steadygoing farmers, tradesmen, mechanics, business men, educa- tors, artists, scientists and professional men, all trained in their respective callings, who, with their strong muscles and learning, brought the sciences of peace, of an old civil- ization, working broadly, deeply and patriotic-
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ally for the development of the American nationality, sacrificing blood and property for the independence and union of the Republic. In the great political questions of the country they stood and stand yet for liberal ideas, re- form and good government, inspired and in- fluenced greatly in this respect by the many noble highly cultured and intelligent among them. They have accomplished great things, and the influence of their characteristic ideals, customs and habits, thoroughness, honesty, economy and perseverance, will be lasting in our country.
German newspapers and periodicals pub- lished throughout the country in all large cities, as well as many local country papers, were the source of information and inspira- tion for making intelligent American citizens of the German settlers, acquainting them with the conditions of their new country, its sys- tem of government and political questions and issues. These papers also gave them the de- sired interesting news of the old country, literature for entertainment and instruction, besides keeping bright the ideals of their na- tionality. The literary and publishing activity of Germans in this country have been marked from the beginning, greatly developed and in- fluential in every respect, and though compre- hensibly not as extensive now as several decades ago-owing to the decreasing immi- gration of Germans and the more exclusive English education of descendants of the old settlers-is still great and influential.
The education of their children was one of the first cares of the German settlers. Schools were founded and teachers engaged who taught German and English, thus enabling their children, and especially those who had already attended school in the old country, to learn the English language by translation from one to the other so much faster and more perfectly, while at the same time their beloved mother language was maintained and its ad-
vantages and benefits in business and life, its literary riches and ideals, preserved for their children.
The religious life also was by no means neglected. The many fine churches .of the various denominations erected by Germans everywhere, in cities, towns and even rural districts, demonstrate this fact. They wanted this for themselves as well as for their chil- dren, just as they had it in the old country. Able men, graduates of theological institu- tions, were generally at the head of their con- gregations. Though they held liberal views otherwise in regard to the enjoyment of life, yet their religious feeling was intense.
Looking back into the earlier times of these settlers, we find that the first thing they would do for social life, cementing friendship, good neighborly feeling and harmony, was to organ- ize singing clubs or societies, if there were even only a quartet to start on. They had brought with them the song books (Volks- liederbuch) containing all the hundreds of popular folk-songs and ballads of the father- land, expressing so naturally and with deepest feeling the emotional life from the humblest to the highest, and as soon as their member- ship increased and they could afford it they engaged capable instructors, then also taking up the more classical songs. In that manner the organization of the many larger and na- tional vocal societies was started and devel- oped, with great and beneficial influence.
Equally important and even more penetrat- ing and all-affecting were their ability, activ- ity and success in instrumental music. They started bands and orchestras. Manufactur- ers of and dealers in musical instruments, and music teachers were and are up to this day nearly all Germans, or of German descent, so that it can be stated as a matter of fact that it is due to the intelligent Germans that the United States today is counted with the music- fostering countries.
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Another equally important step was to or- ganize a turnverein as soon as enough young men could be found for members, with older men as "passives" for support. The growth and spread of these societies was such that turnvereins and turner halls are now found in every city of the United States where the German element is strong enough, resulting in a grand national organization (National Turnerbund) organized more than fifty years ago. A national German-American Normal Institute of instruction for gymnastic and physical culture develops teachers who direct and superintend these exercises in the various societies, public schools and gymnasiums of the country in systematic, scientific manner, an achievement of which the Germans have further reason to be proud. And here we might add that the Turners, due to their train- ing, readily made good soldiers, as evidenced during the Civil war, when in their patriotic enthusiasm they were among the first to enlist for the defense of the Union, imbued with the spirit of courage and heroism, forming the so- called Turner regiments, which were noted for their efficiency and valor.
That the Germans are unsurpassed as suc- cessful farmers, due to proper knowledge and training, persistent hard work and economy, is well known. They strive to have farms of their own. There are old German farmers everywhere who began as hired hands, then became renters, and finally acquired farms of their own, gradually buying more land until, in their old days, they could give each of their children a farm.
The spirit of thrift is also in evidence with those in other walks or activities of life. They all work to secure their own home, and it is well known that in the so-called German towns nearly every family lives in its own. home.
Turning again to that which is beautiful and pleasing to the mind, let us remember
their great love for flowers. Even those in humblest circumstances, if they have a garden or only a little ground space, will cultivate these beauties of nature for their enjoyment, and in winter their windows will be filled with them. This trait accounts for the fact that florists are mostly German.
And another thing that touches the hearts of all should not here remain unmentioned : They gave this country the beautiful symbolic Christmas tree of ancient Teutonic origin.
It is known that Germans are steadfast in their love for the old country-loving it as children love, respect and revere a mother ; remembering it as the home of their happy childhood, for the soil on which they were born, the legends of their mountains, hills and. dales, the flowers and their fragrance, the lan- guage, its literature, science, art, intellectual and other achievements; taking pride in the thought of the old country's cultural height, and that Germans are the leaven of deep science in the world. The old country is re- membered as a mother by birth, America as the wife of their choice; and they know that the wife does not blame the son who kindly remembers and honors the mother. But in all their love and pride for the fatherland they never forget that they are now Americans, bound for their own sake to devote their life, their power and work to promote the progress and welfare of their adopted country. They aim to preserve for this new nation the best of their nationality, their lofty ideals, the in- corruptible German sense of truth, its moral power, and love for the beautiful. That they have proven their true allegiance and highest patriotism to their new country is a matter of history.
The question of personal liberty, of which we hear so much, is strongly in the mind of Germans. By it they simply mean mutual tol- erance in the customs and habits of living, in
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politics, religion, and otherwise, without im- posing upon or disturbing others. They be- lieve in lawful regulation and protection on this principle. They claim this as their right in a so-called free country, in which they have accomplished so much for its development and welfare. Their prominence in the liquor in- dustry and consumption is well known, and, though criticised by opponents, the fact should not remain unnoticed that Germans generally do not use much whiskey but indulge mainly in light wines and in beer than now con- tains very little alcohol. It is also known that in German localities, or where that ele- ment predominates, there is less cause for complaint on account of saloons as compared with localities where Germans are not so strongly represented because they are more accustomed to moderation and less quarrel- some. It may be explained here that the American saloon is not conducted as in Ger- many, where it is more on the order of a res- taurant and patrons sit at tables when being served. Treating is not practiced there and is considered obnoxious. Strict regulative laws are enforced and obeyed to make the busi- ness as decent and respectable as any other. Were this the case in America, it is believed that we would not have any prohibition agi- tation.
Though German immigration to Madison county dates back to the earliest history of the state, with only a small percentage at first, the larger steady and increasing influx really be- gan in the thirties, lasting throughout the for- ties and fifties of the last century, with per- haps the greatest number in the later forties and early fifties. From there on the stream of these newcomers to our country began to de-
crease because they found other less inhabited parts of this or other new states, and because in later years conditions in most parts of the old country had become more favorable, giv- ing less cause for leaving it.
The Germans are about as strongly repre- sented in this county as anywhere in this country. They were in the front ranks as pioneers in the development of the farms and upbuilding of the towns of the county-as farmers and tradesmen, blacksmiths, lock- smiths, gunsmiths, tinners, wagonmakers, shoemakers, tailors, cabinet makers, carpen- ters, builders, mechanics, business men, manu- facturers, doctors, druggists, music teachers, artists, etc. In many factories and business houses the sons of Germans now continue the business started by their fathers, as evidenced by the many German names, not to speak of those who Americanized (or rather Angli- cised) their names.
Though the descendants of the immigrated Germans, on account of the teaching of the English language and literature in our schools, are naturally turned away more and more from the German, and have adapted them- selves more and more to the general customs, habits and language of our composite people, yet many of the good traits of their ancestors are perpetuated with them, not only for their own benefit, but also for all our people.
A tabulation from the census reports, show- ing German immigration to this county dur- ing every decade and an estimate of multipli- cation of descendants, would be interesting and show the surprising strength of the Ger- man element of Madison county. It has be- come, in truth, the dominating element in the population, as well as in its mercantile and agricultural interests.
CHAPTER XXXVI
VARIOUS WAR TIMES
THE BLACK HAWK WAR-GENERAL HENRY, THE HERO-OTHER COMMISSIONED OFFICERS LAST MEXICAN WAR SURVIVORS-THE CIVIL WAR-ALTON A GREAT MILITARY CAMP AGAIN-SUPPLIES TRANSFERRED FROM ST. LOUIS-GALLANT MADISON COUNTY MILITARY MEN-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS, THREE YEARS' SERVICE-WAR TIME AT HOME-TORIES . AND LOYALISTS AT HOME-TYPICAL EXPERIENCE OF A PRIVATE SOLDIER-A MADISON COUNTY SOLDIER'S EXPERIENCE IN SOUTHERN PRISONS-A LOCAL WAR TIME TRAGEDY- THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR-THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
The story of Madison county's part in the war of 1812 has already been told. At the conclusion of that conflict there was peace in the land, save sporadic outbreaks on the bor- der, until what is known as the Black Hawk war, commencing in the bloodless campaign of 1831 and ending with the massacres, rather than battles, of the summer of 1832, the ex- pulsion of the warring tribes and their practi- cal extermination. It is a sordid and unhappy record,-replete with horrors. Judge Moses, in his "History of Illinois," says: "It is the story of the calling out of 8,000 volunteers to cooperate with 1,500 regulars in expelling from the state a band of 400 Indian warriors with their some 1,000 women and children at the expenditure of millions of money and the loss of hundreds of lives." The loss of life, of course, fell principally upon the Indians.
THE BLACK HAWK WAR
The real cause of the war was the detesta- tion in which the Indians were held by the pioneers. They coveted the rich lands the Indians held, and their slogan was "The In- dian must go." The alleged cause, however, arose out of diverse interpretations of the
treaty of 1804 between the government and the Sac and Fox Indians. It was a jug- handle treaty by which the Indians ceded all the territory lying between the Mississippi, Wisconsin, Fox and Illinois rivers, some 30,- 000,000 acres, for the sum of $1,000 annually paid to the tribes in perpetuity. The treaty, however, provided that "as long as the ceded territory remained the property of the United States the Indians should have the privilege of living and hunting thereon." It was the vague wording of the instrument permitting different interpretations, which gave the ex- cuse for hostilities.
The pioneer settlers encroached on lands claimed by the Indians and collisions natu- rally followed. The whites even settled in the villages and upon the farms of the tribes at the mouth of Rock river. On the return of Black Hawk and his band from their annual hunt in 1830, they found that the whites, in possession of their village, had burned many lodges and had run the plowshare over the graves of their dead. The warriors were or- dered by the whites to depart, whereupon Black Hawk replied that the land was his and that the whites must withdraw. This was
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construed into a threat by the settlers, some forty in number, and they frantically appealed to Governor Reynolds "for protection against the blood-thirsty savages." In response the governor ordered out 700 militia "to remove the band of Sac and Fox Indians now resid- ing about Rock Island." He also appealed to General Gaines, in command of the military district, to cooperate with him. That com- mander replied that he had ordered 600 regu- lar troops to proceed from Jefferson Barracks to Rock Island, together, if necessary, with four companies from Prairie du Chien, with which force he was satisfied he could repel the alleged invasion of the Sacs. The militia assembled at Beardstown in double the num- ber called for. It consisted of two regiments, one commanded by Col. James D. Henry, the other by Col. Daniel Lieb; also an odd battal- ion of mounted men under Maj. N. Buck- master of Madison. Other Madison county officers who responded to the call were Will- iam Gillham, William Weatherford, Joseph Gillespie, James Semple, Samuel Whiteside, Levi Davis, P. H. Winchester, William Bolin Whiteside, William Miller and Solomon Preuitt.
After a toilsome march the militia reached the Sac village and, combining with the regu- lars, presented a force of 2,500 strong. They arrived June 25, 1831. Black Hawk, having but 300 warriors, saw resistance was useless and, evacuating the fort during the night, re- treated across the Mississippi. The troops burned the Indian village and marched to Fort Armstrong (Rock Island). General Gaines notified Black Hawk that he intended to pur- sue the fugitives, whereupon that wily war- rior proceeded to the General's headquarters and signed a treaty obligating his band to re- main west of the Mississippi unless permitted by the government to return. And thus ter- minated the first year's campaign without bloodshed and with only a modicum of glory,
although the troops endured many hardships and were eager for the fray.
The Indians passed a wretched summer, it being too late to put in crops and too early for the hunting season. Meanwhile Black Hawk made a savage retaliatory attack on a band of his ancient enemies, the Menominees, killing twenty-seven of them. Upon this, demand was made upon him by the Indian agent, to deliver up the aggressors, which he refused to do. Black Hawk's second in command had. in the interval, visited the neighboring tribes and the British Father at Malden, (Black Hawk had, during the War of 1812, led a band of British Indians against the Ameri- cans) and received glowing assurances of support, claiming that the whites had violated the treaty by not providing adequate supplies for the tribes. Black Hawk crossed the river from Iowa in April, 1832, with all his tribe, his object being, as he subsequently claimed, to proceed to the land of the Winnebagoes and raise a crop.
Meanwhile the outrage committed by Black Hawk's band on the Menominees had been reported to the government and General Henry Atkinson was dispatched to Fort Arm- strong with a company of regulars to enforce the surrender of the perpetrators. On hear- ing of the invasion of Black Hawk and think- ing that other tribes would cooperate with him, Atkinson made a requisition on Gover- nor Reynolds for a militia force to support the regulars. The governor thereupon issued his call for a strong detachment of volunteers to rendezvous at Beardstown. The force was organized into four regiments under the com- mand of General Samuel Whiteside, of Madi- son, and a spy battalion under Maj. James D. Henry. The volunteers, accompanied by the Governor, marched to Rock Island, arriving May 7, 1832, and were mustered into the United States service. They were reinforced by 300 regulars under Col. Zachary Taylor,
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afterwards president. One of his lieutenants was Jefferson Davis. In the advance on the Indians a battalion under Major Stillman was defeated by an inferior force of Indians. The volunteers became dissatisfied, their time having expired, and refused to follow the In- dians, who were retreating into the marshy regions of Wisconsin. General Whiteside re- monstrated with them in vain, and they were marched back to Ottawa and disbanded. The Governor at once issued a proclamation for 2,000 volunteers. The response was prompt and the command organized into three brig- ades. Gen. Alex. Posey commanded the first brigade; Col. John Ewing the second, and Gen. James D. Henry the third. An eventful campaign followed, with numerous skir- mishes with the retreating foe. Following the Indians into Wisconsin and learning that they were headed toward the Mississippi, Gen- eral Henry overtook them on the banks of the Wisconsin and defeated them. They made another stand on Bad Axe creek, near the Mississippi, and Henry again forced them to retreat after a desperate battle. Black Hawk reached the Mississippi with the remnant of his forces and was crossing them over in skiffs when the transport steamer "Warrior" opened on them with cannister and caused great slaughter. In the battle of Bad Axe and in crossing the river 150 Indians were killed; as many more drowned. Twenty whites were killed and twelve wounded. The Indians who escaped to the Iowa shore, some 300, were attacked by the Sioux Indians, un- der orders from General Atkinson, and more than half of them killed. Black Hawk was one of those who escaped. He settled with his tribe on the banks of the Des Moines river where he died in 1838 at the age of 72 years. He ranks with Tecumseh and Pontiac as a great Indian warrior.
It is not creditable to our common human- ity that in the various encounters of the clos- ing scenes of the campaign no mercy was
shown by the volunteers to the helpless and innocent, squaws and children being shot in- discriminately as well as the warriors. Thus ended the Black Hawk war with peace on the border. Judge Moses makes this comment on this notable campaign: "The war was brought on by the interference of the state au- thorities with those of the United States upon the false pretenses and clamorous demands of a few squatters who were themselves in the wrong. The campaign cost $2,000,000, and the whole trouble might have been averted by the payment of a few thousand dollars and the peaceable transfer of the Indians across the river."
GENERAL HENRY, THE HERO
The volunteers, as a whole, displayed soldierly qualities, and none more so than those from Madison, and records made in the campaign were the basis thereafter of many successful political careers. The officer who won the greatest renown in the campaign of 1832 was General James D. Henry, who dis- played brilliant military genius. He was an officer of commanding ability and dauntless courage, but subject to uncontrollable fits of passion the outbreak of one of which, when a resident of this county, sullied his reputa- tion. He was a native of Pennsylvania and located in Edwardsville in 1822. He was a blacksmith by trade, but ambitious. His early education was deficient and, after working all day, he spent the evenings in study. In 1826 he removed to Sangamon county and was later elected to the office of sheriff. After the war he became the popular hero and could have had any office in the gift of the people, but his health failed owing to the exposures of the campaign, and he went south hoping for improvement, but died of consumption in New Orleans, in March, 1834.
OTHER COMMISSIONED OFFICERS
Among the commissioned officers from Madison county in the Black Hawk war, as
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far as shown by incomplete records, were, in addition to the officers named above : Barns- back's company-Captain, Julius L. Barns- back; first lieutenant, Ryland Ballard; second lieutenant, Jesse Bartlett.
Little's cavalry company-Captain, Solomon Preuitt, promoted lieutenant colonel ; first lieu- tenant Josiah Little, promoted captain ; second lieutenants, Jacob Swaggart and William Arundell.
Wheeler's company-Captain, Erastus Wheeler ; first lieutenant, John T. Lusk; sec- ond lieutenant, Richard Randle.
Buckmaster's batallion-Major, Nathaniel Buckmaster; Captain, Aaron Armstrong; first lieutenant, Jacob Swaggart ; second, Wil- liam Tindall.
Also, Captain David Smith's company from Alton-First lieutenant, John Lee; second lieutenant, John Umphrey.
Snyder's company-This command was made up of Madison and St. Clair county men, about equally divided: Captain, A. W. Snyder; first lieutenant, James Winstanley, both of St. Clair; second lieutenant, John T. Lusk, of Madison.
Major N. Buckmaster later commanded a Cook county battalion raised for defense of the frontier.
MEXICAN WAR
On the IIth day of May, 1846, congress passed an act declaring that, by act of the Mexican government, a state of war existed between the United States and Mexico. At the same time that body made an appropria- tion of $10,000,000 to carry on the war and authorized the enlistment of fifty thousand volunteers. Illinois was called upon for three regiments of infantry or riflemen, and the pay, with all allowances, was fixed at $15.50 per month to the private soldier. The re- sponse to the call was enthusiastic. By the time the place of rendezvous had been selected (Alton) there had been seventy-five compa-
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