USA > Illinois > Mason County > Centennial history of Mason County, including a sketch of the early history of Illinois, its physical peculiarities, soils, climate, production, etc. > Part 26
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W. H. Walker, Havana May 12,'64 ..
Fred. Wente, Topeka May 1,64 ..
Martin Shay, Mason Co. .June 1,'64 ..
H. J. B. Stillman ‹ ....
CO. H, 145th (100 DAY'S) ILL. INF ..
John Earnett, Mason City . . May 8,'64. . John M. Griffith . . May 10,'64. . . . .
Jacob Herwig
CO. C. 148th (1 YEAR) INF.
A. J. Roberts, Manito Feb. 8,'65. .
W. C. Boone
John Barnes ،،
..
John Dowden
. . .
Reese Dowden ... ... .
Wm. Pollard ..
. . . .
C. H. Porter
..
....
C. Pendleton .
Deserted.
H. C. Reynolds
G. Smith .6
G. W. White
.. .
Died March 1865.
CO. B, 151st (one year) ILL. I.N.F.
John H. Rankin, Havana. . . Feb. 14,'65. . John Shugart . . .
.. . Deserted.
CO. A, 152d (one year) ILL. INF.
Robt. F. Fisher, Easton . . . Feb. 7, '65. . Died at Jeffersonville. . . Died at home.
J. 11. B. Fisher 66
.
B. F. Pollard . . .
.. .
331
HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
CO. B, 24 C.IV. ILRY.
NAME AND RESIDENCE. DATE OF ENLISTMENT. REMARKS.
W. L. Blakesly, Mason C'y. Mar. 12, '61 . II. Martinie, Salt Creek. . . . Mar. 31, '61.
W. Wolf, .... . ...
CO. C, 2d C. IT.ILRY.
John Goodheart, Havana. . . July 31, '61. Promoted. John Fallis ٠٠ ... .. Promoted.
Phillip D. Baxter, ...
E. J. Tinker, ...
Geo. Moore, . . Promoted.
John E. Nikirk, .July 3. '61 ..
Clark. S. Chatfield, Bath ... ،،
John J. Thomas, Havana.
John S. Brooks, Havana
..
O. Breedan, Bath.
R. S. Eakin, Manito
66
Promoted.
J. M. Shook, Havana
.
Promoted.
John H. West, Havana. .... E. Talman, Havana ..
. . .
W. J. Anderson, Havana. Lew Aubere, Havana
.6
·
Promoted.
C. Bohlier, Havana John B. Bond, Havana
... .
L. Burnell, Havana.
D. S. Broderic, Havana
. . . .
S. G. B. Barker, Bath.
. . . .
John L. Barndollar, Havana. ....
CO. B, 2d C.IV.ILRI.
Adam Cotterman, Havana. . July 3, '61 .. John Conwell, Havana. לר John T. Davis, Bath.
Died at Memphis.
Chas. Dolder, Bath. ...
James Dacy, Havana, ...
Rob't Eaton, Havana Peter Holt, Havana. W. D. Hill, Bath. .
. . Promoted.
J. D. Hudson, Havana.
E. S. Hibbard, Mason City . J. H. Haines, Mason City. .. ..
. . ..
E. Z. Hunt, Havana. .
... .. . Promoted.
Thos. A. Ringland, Havana. 66
.
. ...
.
T
ANZ ANI-RESIDENCE. DATE OF ENLISTMENT.
H. Knuoye_ Harma.
G. W. C. Li HAI
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T.F. Stine. Buti. -
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331
HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
CO. MI, 2d ILL. C.IV.ILRI.
NAME AND RESIDENCE. DATE OF ENLISTMENT. REMARKS.
O. H. Shearer, Havana.
. Oct. 26, '61. . Promoted Captain.
W. H. Webb Nov. 9, '61 Promoted Sergeant.
Wni. Coachman .. Nov. 6, '61 . .
Cyrus Marsh .. Oct. 30, '61 . .
James H. Smith. Bath. Dec. 30, '61 . .
Lafayette Powell, Havana Oct. 29, '61. .
C. L. Johnson, Havana.
Nov. 21, 61 . .
Win. Swartwood, Bath. .
Nov. 16,'61 . .
Duncan McGilver, Havana. . Nov. 13,'61 ..
Byron Grant
. Nov. 6,'61 ..
J. M. Darrel
..
Nov. 2,'61. . Died at Bolivar.
Henry Maxwell
..
. Oct. 29,'61. .
Samuel B. Pearce, Bath Nov. 30, 61. .
Henry Anglemire, Havana.
3,'61 ..
Daniel E. Banks, Bath Nov. 6,'61. .
George Butler
Nov. 25,'61 . .
U. Bartholomew, Havana Nov. 27, 61 ..
Lawrence Butler, Bath Dec. 3,'61 . .
F. M. Bearder Nov. 11, 61 . .
G. W. Conklin Dec. 3,'61. . Died at Memphis.
C.[G. Cogshall Nov. 7,'61. .
R. A. Clurry Nov. 19,'61 . .
A. W. Cain, Havana Nov. 20,'61 . .
John Crossman 66
Dec. 10,'61 . .
Henry J. Cline, Bath
Dec. 7,61 .. Promoted.
1. Dickinson, Havana.
Oct. 20,'61. .
Wm. G. Davis, Bath.
Nov. S,'61 ..
Richard England, Havana .. Nov. 6,'61 ..
Fred. Fisher . . Dec. 3,'61 . .
Ed. Farrell
. . Dec. 13,'61 .. Deserted.
George Furrer
66
.. Dec. 2,'61 . .
Amos Gee, Bath. Nov. S,'61. .
Oliver J. Gee, Bath. Nov. 25,'61. .
Elias Gibson 66 Nov. S,'61 . .
F. E. Howard, Havana
Dec. 2,'61. . Died April 1862.
Francis Hadlock, Bath
Dec. 3,'61 . .
Myron Hopkins
Oct. 25,'61 . .
Franklin L. Jones, Havana. . Nov. 11,'61 ..
Jeptha Jones .. Dec. 6,'61. .
Fred Lispe
.. Dec. 3,'61 . .
Martin Lineweaber .. .. Dec. 10,'61 . .
Joel Musselman
.. Dec. 3,'61 . .
Thomas Mobley
. ..
.Nov. 11,'61 . .
Thos. F. Malone . . Nov. 19,'61 . . Died at Memphis.
Daniel McDonald .. . . Nov. 27,'61 . .
335
HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
CO. MI, 2nd CHIVALRY-Continued.
NAME AND RESIDENCE. DATE OF ENLISTMENT. REMARKS.
O. G. Millison, Havana. Nov. 29, '61.
J. S. Millison, Dec. 7, '61. .
Joseph O'Neal, Bath. Nov. 20, '61.
S. D. Owen, Havana. Nov. 9, '61. .
Thos Pulling, Dec. 4, '61 ..
WV R. Parsley, Nov. 29, '61. Died at Paducah.
Geo Robinson,
Nov. 6, '61 . .
John Ray, Bath
Nov. 14, '61.
F. Staley,
Dec. 30, '61 . Died at Paducah.
Warren Samms, Havana Nov. 19, '61. .. Died at Paducah.
Geo S. Spinner, Bath
Jacob Sizelove,
Dec. 9, '61 ..
N. Sizelove, .. Dec. 10, '61. Died in Mason county.
Wm. Sizelove, ..
Dec. 11, '61.
Andrew J. Smith, "
Dec. 2, '61. .
Isaac Tinkum, Havana
Nov. 6, '61 ..
Harper West,
Nov. 6, '61 ..
John W. Wallace, Bath .. Nov. 14, '61.
1 .. C. Waggoner, Havana . Nov. 15, '61.
Moses Walker, ،، .. Nov. 19, '61. Died at Baton Rouge.
Wm Warner, .. Oct. 28, '61 . Died at Paducah.
VETER.INS. .
J. A. Crawford, Mason Co. . Mar 14, '61 .. Thos Mobly,
RECRUITS.
Joshua Ashurst, Havana .. Aug. 18,'62 ..
II. P. Allman, 66
John J. Beardon, Aug. 7, '62. .
John Bremley, Aug. 12, '62.
Greenberry Baker, " Dec. 1, '62 .. Wm Brown,
Aug. 17, '6.4 .
CO. M, And C. IVALRY
Geo. W. Duffell, Havana . . Mar 17, '62 . Dennis Doyle, Sept. 6, '62. .
J. W. Ellis, Mason Co. Mar 20, '62. . Died in Memphis.
A. Flemming, Havana Ang. 11, '62. Wm L. Guy, Died at Baton Rouge.
R. E. Ishmeal, Mason Co .. Oct. 31, '61. .
James Johnson, Havana Aug. 18, '62. M. Johns, Ang. 14, '62. Died at Holy Springs.
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SIGNED RECRUITS
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CO. C. JÁ ILL CARMET
GEKKE AND RE-CIENCE DET
CO. H, JA ILL. CAVALLI
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M. P. Pinse
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B. M. Butes. Mas: O. D. Bares. -
Lewis G. Tam. H
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ALKY.
338
HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
CO. C, 11th C.IV. ILRY.
NAME AND RESIDENCE. DATE OF ENLISTMENT. REMARKS.
Sam'l Hill, Sangore .. Nov. 15, '61.
James Glead, Sangore. Nov. 14, '61 .
Sam'l Bowman. Nov. 17, '61.
James Neil,
J. W. Hite, יר Feb. 20, '64.
J. C. Hull, Nov. 22, '61. D. W. W. Taylor, Salt cr'k . Mar. 24, '64.
CO. F. 11th. C.AV.ILRY.
A. Westerfield, Mason Co. . Oct. IS,' 61 .. Died at Corinth.
Wm. Senate, Havana
Oct. 7, '61 . . .
F. Westerfield,
Sept. 20, '61.
Dennis Clary, Oct. 7, 61 ...
Geo. Lock,
66
Sept. 24, '61.
John D. Sannus, "
Dec. 20,'
*63 .
CO. K, 11th C. IV. ILR ) .
AA. Maxwell, Mason Plains. Mar. 3, '65. .
CO. L, 11th C.IT.ILRY.
S. D. Poland, Havana. . . Oct. 7, '61 ... Promoted. Nov. 27, '61.
John Bell,
John Allen, Nov. 20, '61.
John B. Conover, Nov. 23, '61. Died at Keokuk.
F. M. Stuart,
Nov. 19, '61.
Michael J. Beck,
Nov. 6, '61 . .
John Bordie,
Oct. 25, '61 . .
John Conover, Nov. 23, '61.
P. Carson,
Nov. 15, '61 .
Geo. Conover, 66
Nov. 23, '61 .
Combes Conover,
. Died at St. Louis.
Wm. Fisher,
Dec. 9, '61 ... Drowned Tenn. river.
Caleb M. Frazer,
Nov. IS, '61. Nov. 25, '61. Died at Jackson.
James Garrison,
Win. Kiner, ..
Nov. 28, '61.
W. W. McIntyre, John Morris,
Nov. 20, '61.
Green Pelham,
Dec. 5, '61 . .. Nov. 28, '61 .
Philo Peck,
Rob't Quigle,
. Oct. 25, '61. . Died at Louisville.
Wm. Rote, . Dec. 7, '61 . . Died at Bolivar.
339
HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
COMPANY L, 11th CHIVALRY.Continued.
NAME AND RESIDENCE.
DATE OF ENLISTMENT. REMARKS.
Henry Rabe, Havana.
Nov. 25, '61 .
Amos Snider, ...
Dec. 15, '61.
A. Shindleman,
Oct. 25, '61. .
W. Spellman,
. Nov. 15, '61 . Deserted.
Samuel Webb, Oct. 25, '61 . .
John O. Wagner,
Nov. 16, '61.
Geo Zimmerman, 66 Nov. 12, '61.
Geo Leadman,
. Oct. 4, '61 . . .
VETERANS.
John H. Allen, Havana .. . Dec. 20, '63. Promoted.
John Bordle,
W. T. Ball,
. . Dec. 23, '63.
Chas Dering,
.. . . ....
John Elliot, יו
.... ....
Michael Ibeck, . . . . ...
W. H. Kinner,
. . Dec. 20, '63.
W. W. McIntyre,
... . ....
John Morris,
.... . ...
Owen Maid,
... . Dec. 23, '63 . ... ... .
Wm Smith,
.. .
J. Shundlemeyer,
Dec. 23, '64. . .
A. Shundlemeyer,
.. .
...
F. M. Stuart,
. .
.. ..
RECRUITS.
James Adkins, Havana Dec. 25, '61. Deserted.
Theodore Bell, May 1, '61 ..
Wm T. Ball,
Dec. 25, '61.
John N. Corman,
Nov. 23, '61 . Deserted.
John R. Dimmit, Topeka. . . April 19, '64.
J. Diefenbacher, Havana. . Dec. 25, '61.
Chas Dearing, . Nov. 25, '61 .
Wm E. Halsel,
April 21, '64.
W. Jackson,
Dec. 20, '61. Died at Jackson.
Owen Maid, " Dec. 25, '61.
J. Shindlemyer,
Dec. 20, '61.
Wm Smith, 66 Feb. 23, '62.
1st ARTILLERY, BATTERY K.
Wm. T. Nutt, Mason City . . Aug. 1, '62 . Mustered out Corporal.
66
L. G. Pelham,
340
HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
The preceding pages show as near a perfect list of the men in the army from Mason county as is obtainable from the Adjutant General's records. To obtain these has necessitated a search of five thousand six hundred pages of matter. The residences of the first three months' men are not on the records at all; neither are records full as to the residences of all in the three years' service. These we have supplied in this work as far as possible; also cor- rected many names erroneously given on the records. If omissions have been made, we are satisfied they are very few, but think there are none, as our search has been thorough.
In the following pages we give brief sketches of some of the reg- iments, mostly composed of Mason county men.
SEVENTEENTH INFANTRY.
The seventeenth regiment of Illinois infantry volunteers was mustered into the service at Peoria, Illinois, on the 24th of May, 1861; left camp on the 17th of June, for Alton, Illinois. Late in July it left Alton for St. Charles, Missouri; remaining but one day there, it proceeded to Warrenton, Missouri, where it remained in camp about two weeks. Company A being detailed as body guard to general John Pope, with headquarters at St. Charles.
The regiment left Warrenton for St. Louis, and embarked for Bird's Point, Missouri. Remained at Bird's Point some weeks doing garrison duty, then proceeded to Sulphur Springs landing; debarking there, proceeded via. Pilot Knob and Ironton to Fred- ericktown, Missouri, in pursuit of Gen. Jeff. Thompson, and joined Gen. Prentice's command at Jackson, Mo .; thence to Kentucky to assist in the construction of Fort Holt; thence to Elliott's Mills, and returned to Fort Holt; thence to Cape Girardeau, and again in pursuit of Jeff. Thompson's forces. Participated in an engage- ment near Greenfield; lost one man killed and several wounded. Returned to Cape Girardeau, doing provost duty until February, 1862, when ordered to Fort Henry. Participated in that engage- ment and Fort Donaldson, losing several men in killed, wounded and prisoners. Then proceeded to Metal Landing, Tennessee river, and embarked for Savanna, Tenn .; from thence to Pittsburg Landing, and was assigned to the First Division, Army of West Tennessee, under Gen. John A. McClernand: was engaged in the battles of the 6th and 7th of April, and suffered great loss in killed and wounded. Was with the advance on Corinth. After the
341
HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
evacuation of Corinth, marched to Purdy, Bethel and Jackson, Tenn. Remained to the 17th of July, and was then ordered to Bolivar, and was assigned to duty as provost guard. Remained at Boliver until Nov. 1862; was in the expedition to Iuka, to reinforce Gen. Rosecrans; was at the battle of Hatchie. Returned again to Bol- ivar; remained till November. Then ordered to Lagrange, report- ing to Gen. Logan; was assigned duty as provost guard. Early in Dec. marched to Holly Springs; thence to Abbeyville, guarding rail- roads; thence to Oxford. After the capture of Holly Springs, was assigned to Sixth Division, 17th Army Corps, under Gen. McPher- son. Then proceeded via. Moscow, to Collierville and Memphis, and assigned duty at the navy yard. Remained there until Jan. 16, and embarked for Vicksburg; re-embarked and proceeded to Lake Providence, Louisiana, then headquarters 17th army corps, where it remained until the investment of Vicksburg. Arrived at Milli- ken's Bend May Ist. Marched across the Delta to Perkin's Land- ing on the Mississippi river; crossed below Grand Gulf, and ad- vanced via. Raymond, Champion Hills, Jackson, Big Black, and to final investment of Vicksburg. After the surrender of that city, remained there doing garrison duty and making incursions into the country as far east as Meridien, and west as far as Monroe, La. The regiment was ordered to Springfield, Illinois, for muster out and final discharge, when and where those of the original organization who did not re-enlist as veterans, were mustered out and discharged. A sufficient number, however, re-enlisted to entitle them to retain their regimental organization; the veterans and recruits whose term of service had not expired, were consolidated with the Sth Illinois infantry volunteers, and were finally mustered out and discharged with that regiment in the spring of 1866.
TWENTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY.
The twenty-seventh infantry Illinois volunteers was organized with only seven companies, at Camp Butler, Illinois, August 10, 1861, and ordered to Jacksonville as part of. Gen. McClernand's brigade.
September Ist, 1861, ordered to Cairo, where the three remain- ing companies joined. It was engaged in the battle of Belmont Nov. 7, 1861, bore a prominent part and lost severely. On the evacuation of Columbus, Kentucky, this regiment was sent to that point. On March 14th, it formed a part of the Mississippi flotilla,
342
HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
and went down the river to Island No. 10. The 27th was the first to land on that island. Moved to Fort Pillow, but was recalled and ordered to Pittsburg Landing. Was engaged in the siege of Cor- inth and battle of Farmington. Was in pursuit of the enemy at Boonville, and returned to Corinth. In July, 1862, ordered to Iuka, and soon afterwards along the line of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, where it remained until September, when it crossed the Tennessee river at Decatur, Alabama, and made a rapid march for Nashville, Tennessee, where it arrived September 12, and remained in that city during the time it was cut off from communication from the north. It was with the advance from Nashville, and engaged in the battle of Stone River, where it was particularly distinguish- ed. June 24th, 1863, moved against Shelbyville and Tullahoma; thence to Bridgeport, Alabama. September 2d, 1863, moved to- ward Rome, Georgia; returned in time to take part in the battle of Chickamauga, where it suffered severely. Was in Chattanooga during its investment, and was in the storming of Mission Ridge, and was noted for its good behavior. From Mission Ridge it went on a forced march to the relief of Knoxville, then closely pressed by Longstreet. It returned to London, Tennessee, Jan. 25, 1864, and remained till April, when it was ordered to Cleveland, Tenn. From here it moved with the Army of the Cumberland on the Atlantic campaign. Was engaged at Rockfaced Ridge, at Resaca, Calhoun, Adairsville, Dallas, Pinetop Mountain, Chattahoochie river, Peachtree Creek, and Atlanta.
Was relieved from duty at the front Aug. 25, 1864, and ordered to Springfield, Illinois, for muster out. Was detained two days at Nashville in apprehension of an attack. During the term of serv- ice it had the following casualities: Killed or died of wounds, 102; died of disease, So; wounded, 328; discharged and resigned, 209; transferred, 39. Veterans and recruits consolidated with the 9th Illinois infantry volunteers.
TWENTY.EIGHTH ILLINOIS VOLUNTEER INFANTY.
The twenty-eighth infantry Illinois volunteers was organized at Camp Butler August 1861; August 28 ordered to Thebes, Ilinois; Sept. 9 to Bird's Point, Missouri; October 2 to Fort Holt, Keu- tucky, where it remained until Jan. 31, 1862, whence it moved to Pa- ducah, Ky. Feb. 5 moved up the Tennessee river. Feb. 6 assist- ed in the capture of Forts Henry and Heiman. Feb. 13th, 48 men
343
HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
and 12 officers, under Col. Johnson, met an enemy 500 strong, five miles from Fort Henry; attacked and routed them.
April 6, 1862, called into line and assigned a position on the left in Peach Orchard. Held its position from 8 A. M. until 3 P. M, and then retired under. orders. On the morning of the 7th it held a position on the right and was hotly engaged till the close of the battle. During these two long and bloody days this regiment be- haved nobly, and was never broken or driven back, though often heavily pressed. It sustained a loss of 239 killed and wounded. Was in the siege of Corinth; marched to Memphis via. Grand Junction, Lagrange, Holly Springs, Moscow, Lafayette, Colliers- ville and Germantown. Marched Sept. 6th, reached Bolivar 14th, and Big Muddy river Oct. 4th. Oct. 5th engaged in the battle of Matamora, losing 97 killed, wounded and missing. Returned to Bolivar Oct. 7, 1862.
After various marches in the winter of 1862, the 28th was engaged in the siege of Vicksburg from June 11 to July 4, 1863, On July 12th, 1863, near Jackson, Mississippi, this regiment lost in killed and wounded more than half of the rank and file in eight compa- nies, numbering 128 men, lost 73 men killed and 16 prisoners.
January 4, 1864, re-enlisted in the veteran service. May IS, pro- ceeded to Illinois for veteran furlough. May 29, every man who had been furloughed, reported at Camp Butler, Illinois, and the regiment moved for Natchez, where it arrived July Sth.
After further prolonged and honoroble service in the southern states they returned to the north and were mustered out.
No. enlisted in first organization 761
Recruits . 959
Total. 1720
Commissioned officers killed
9
wounded. 19
"
discharged. 49
66 dismissed.
4
לל
died of disease 2
transferred 3-86
Enlisted men killed
52
died of wounds 34
יי wounded and missing 2S2
344
HISTORY OF MAISON COUNTY.
Enlisted men killed accidentally and died 1.44
discharged 145
.. transferred 18-977
EIGHTY-FIFTH INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS.
This regiment was organized at Peoria, Illinois, in August, 1862, by Col. Robert S. Moore, and mustered into the service August 27th, 1862. Ordered to Louisville, Kentucky, Sept. 6, 1864, and assigned to the thirty-sixth brigade, eleventh division, Third Army Corps, Gol. D. McCook commanding brigade, and Brig .- Gen. P. H. Sheridan commanding division.
The eighty-fifth marched in pursuit of the enemy under Gen. Bragg, October Ist, 1862, and was engaged in the battles of Chap- lain Hills, Perryville, Ky .. October S, and moved with the army to Nashville, arriving Nov. 7. 1862.
Mustered out June 5, 1865, at Washington, D. C., and arrived at Camp Butler, Illinois, June 11, 1865, where it received final pay- ment and discharge.
ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTH INFANTRY.
The one hundred and eighth Illinois infantry volunteers wis organized at Peoria the 27th and mustered into service the 28th of August, 1862.
On October 6th, left Peoria for Covington, Kentucky, via. Lo- gansport, Indianapolis and Cincinnati, arriving at Covington the morning of the Sth. The regiment here drew the necessary trans- portation and camp equippage, and on the 17th marched with its division into the interior of the state after a retreating enemy.
November 14th, the regiment marched for Louisville, via. Ver- sailles, Frankfort and Shelbyville, and reached Louisville on the 19th, and on the 21st embarked on board of transports for Mem- phis, where it arrived on the 26th, and went into camp near the city.
On the zoth of December, it embarked on board the "City of Alton," and proceeded in the expedition against Vicksburg. They landed near Chickasaw Bluffs, on the evening of the 28th, and bivouacked for the night. The various experiences of the regi- ment in this region we have no room to detail, but its whole duty
345
HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
was unflinchingly performed. It returned to Vicksburg on the 24th of January, 1863, disembarked and went into camp.
Inconveniences of transportation, impure air, and lack of sanitary conveniences, cost the 10th more lives than all other causes-135 of its members died. in February and March, 1863.
On July 18th, 1865, this regiment broke camp for the purpose of returning to their homes, from which they had been absent three long and bloody years of the war. On August 5th, 1865, the final muster rolls were made out and signed by the mustering officer, and the regiment embarked for Cairo. From thence it proceeded by rail to Chicago, Illinois, where, on the 11th of August it was paid and fully discharged from the service of the United States, having acted well its important part in the war.
A conclusion of the military history of Mason county would not be complete without a reference to those brave soldiers who, failing of an acceptance of their services in our own State, and determined to have a hand in suppressing the rebellion, enlisted in other states. About one hundred men from Mason county applied to Gov. Yates for admission to the ranks, and our quota being more than full, could not be received. To their solicitations Gov. Yates re- plied, "That Mason county could not fight this war alone, that other parts of the State desired a representation in the service as well as Mason county." These men went to St. Louis and enlisted in the Sth Missouri, not giving their residences as in Illinois.
In order to obtain a full record of all Mason county's soldiers, we addressed the Adjutant General of Missouri, requesting the roster of enlisted men in that regiment, and received the following reply :
HEADQUARTERS, STATE OF MISSOURI, ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, CITY OF JEFFERSON, Func 19th, 1876.
J. COCHRANE, EsQ.,
Havana, Mason County, Illinois :
SIR: It does not appear from the "Descriptive Book" of the Sth regiment infantry Missouri volunteers, on file in -44
346
HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
this office, that there were any enlistments in said regiment from Mason county, Illinois.
Very respectfully, G. C. BINGHAM, Adj't Gen. Missouri.
By W. F. MELBOURNE, Chief Clerk.
Hence we have been unable to obtain a list of those in that regiment. The following figures will compare more than favora- bly with the war record of any county in Illinois. We quote from the schedule of quotas and credits on the records of the Adjutant General of Illinois:
Mason county had a population in 1860 of. . 10,929
Enrollment in 1863. 1,529
in 1864. 1,695
Revised enrollment 1865. I,S22
Quota IS61 306
IS62. 210
Call of February and March 344
Call of July 18th 265
Total quotas prior to Dec. 31, 1864. 1,125
Total credits to same date 1,514
Excess over all calls. 389
CONCLUSION.
We have in the preceding pages sketched such important facts in the rise and progress of the history of our country, our State and our county, and their institutions, as we believed would interest the reader. We have devoted more space to the early history of Illi- nois than would seem proper, did we not form a part, and a con- spicuous illustration of that unprecedented progress that brought Illinois from an uninhabited wilderness, and unoccupied domain, to a condition of improvement and progress unprecedented in the world's history. For example: in 1823, Chicago contained ten houses and sixty inhabitants. In 1831, a Postoffice was there es- tablished. In 1832, it had two hundred and fifty inhabitants, and in 1837, it had S,000. It then had three newspapers, fifty lawyers, and thirty physicians.
The city of Quincy, laid out in 1825, ten years later had 1,500 inhabitants, and now sustains a position of the second city in the State, exceeded in beauty by none.
In 1836. Peoria had twenty-five stores, and seven groceries and and two hotels, a brewery, and two steam sawmills. That now important railroad centre, had then four lines of stages, viz: one to Galena, tri-weekly; one to Chicago, tri-weekly; one to Spring- field, and one to Knoxville.
The City of Ottawa was located in 1830, and seven years later had seventy-five families. See her now.
The city of Canton had only a population of 500, in 1836. Bloomington, in 1837, had a population of 600, and but two small churches, two hotels, two lawyers, and three physicians.
HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
Beardstown was laid out in 1829, and at the time of the survey there was but one log cabin in its limits. The present status of these cities are but an index to the agricultural developments of the State.
There is a moral sublimity in the life and character of the pio- neer. In some arduous work or some great achievement, perhaps, as in the revolution, which was to cover with glory a great portion of the world, he stands in the front rank, or is the leader of the van, He encounters difficulties only to conquer them. Neither his motives nor his aims may be properly understood, but he fixes his eye on his work, and presses forward. His enemies may raise a storm of persecution to beat upon his head. The darkness that always besets an incipient day and the opening of his brilliant carcer may brood thickly along his path, but his confidence is not shaken. No clouds can completely cover his horizon. While oth- ers are confounded with despair, beyond the thick gloom of his present, his faith and hope contemplates a clear sky, as his eye catches an occasional glimpse of the coming light. From the very nature of his work, being many years in advance of the age in which he lives, he advances with much toil. Poverty is al- most uniformly his lot. While the rich and the gay are living in splendor in their eastern homes, he continues his arduous calling, and labors night and day, not so much for himself as those who succeed him. Why does he not curse his lot, lie down and die? Why labor and toil, and endure the hardships of a frontier life, the benefits of which will perhaps be enjoyed by those he may never see? The answer to these questions is very plain. He is in every sense a providential man. He comes to endure and to suffer for his age. He feels within his heart the spirit of his calling. The fate of coming generations he sees in a great part committed to his single hands. He is willing to be offered for their weal. True, he has the natural feelings of his kind. He would be glad to enjoy the quiet and serene pleasures of his home. The hearthstone of his little cottage, if he is not too poor to have one, he would love to see as blithe and cheerful as that of others in a less busy life. No man loves his wife, his children or his neighbors more than he. A condition that would give him leisure for all the amenities of social life-for high communion with nature and her works-for profound study of no- ble monuments, erected by art and genius, through the world, would cheer and gladden his soul, and gratify his tastes.
349
HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
The fields are as green for him as for other men; the forest is as gay in autumn or as fresh in spring. He, as well as others, could take the partner of his life and his children, and walk out each sweet summer evening, to view the glories of the rural landscape, and his heart would beat a response to every joyful note of the warbling waters and the echoing woods. But no; he is denied this. He has work to do; he has dangers to encounter. All these things he must forego-must resign to those-for whom? The coming settler. Though his own and his companions' hearts often yearn after them by reflection, they subdue their feel- ings, and reluctantly give them up. I repeat, there is a sublimity in the life and character of the pioneer. He once lived in the cen- ter of social life. His home was on his native hills, or in some rural valley, among his friends. His cottage stood in the shade of some venerable trees, planted by his ancestors a century ago. The vines that wound around his door posts, the shrubs that fringed his garden walks, and the grove waving in the wind in the rear of his peaceful dwelling, were all the work of a bygone age. There he had known and loved the mother that brought him into the world; there he had revered a father, who led him in youth and conducted him safely to manhood. There he first heard the voices of brothers and sisters, the memories of which now come like visions to his soul. There, in later years, he laid those kindred, his venerated father and his affectionate mother, in the silent grave. Long ago their mouldering bodies had passed away, and the earth above them had settled in to supply their places. The rank grass, the dilapidated tombstones, erected by surviving love, all now pro- claim the old family burying-ground, a place for the heart to lin- ger around, but not leave. And these little mounds, recently formed, where the violets and primroses have not yet had time to bloom, tell that death has been there lately. This cottager and the mother of his children not long since laid one, two or three of their own tender offspring beside the departed ones of former years. Here, then, let him linger; here let him spend the remain- der of his days; here let him enjoy the wife of his youth and the dear children given him, and the competence saved for him by the frugality of his fathers. But it must not be so. He has a work to do. His children are numerous. His patrimony is not enough for them all. More than that, the western country needs his services.
.
350
HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
His example is destined for a new world. He seeks room for the energy of his children to expand itself, where his children's chil- dren can settle by his side. The intellectual and moral power of his descendants will there have a more commanding influence on the fortunes of the coming age. Perhaps, in the new country, he, surrounded by the thousand chances incident to frontier life, may live to see his offspring wielding for good the fate of a new repub- lic, and the destinies of a State be committed to their hands.
These thoughts, and others like them, fill his mind in his eastern home. Gradually he submits to their influence, until he finds him- self committed to their sway, and he becomes a convert to his new work. From this moment he is a pioneer. He breaks away from the ties that bind him to his native land. He disposes of a few ar- ticles of loose property, and these make a trial of his faith. He finds the same things, when sold, looks differently in the hands of another person than when it was his own.
The farther he proceeds in these sacrifices, the more strength he acquires for what remains to be done. His cottage where his father lived, how can he give it up? The old well, with "its moss covered bucket," must he never drink from its cool, sweet waters more? That neat front yard, where his children have skipped and played among the shrubbery and flowers; must these children never gambol there again. But then those green graves of his ancestors, and those other fresh, little hillocks where the violets had not yet bloomed; must all be left to the neglect of strangers, and the vicissitudes of coming years? In such a conflict, what memories come back to the soul.
Yes? He must go. He has undertaken the duties of a pioneer, and all personal feelings must be lost in the work.
There, reader, on that beautiful undulation, that prairie swell, beside the grove we see a cabin. The smoke from its rude chim- ney, the only mark of civilization on all that vast scene presented to the view from this eminence and grove. Let us go up and see what this pioneer has done. At the time of our visit he has re- sided in his new home twenty-five years.
Many a day had the deer in herds browsed the rich grass on the prairie, and laid down in the shade of the grove to rest. Many a dark night had the grim old wolf crouched in the grass or thicket watching for his prey. Perhaps the still wilder savage, with the
351
HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
scalp of the white man upon his quiver, and the rifle of his victim on his arm, laid himself down to rest beneath the covert of the grove. But now all these things are numbered with the past. They are gone-gone forever, never to return. In their place bright fields of ripening wheat and waving corn are glistening in the gentle breeze. This tall corn, that springs up annually, is memorial of its predecessor, that tall grass that once grew on this same prairie. The Osage hedge marks the long lines of darker green beside the waving corn and yellow wheatfield, and encloses two full sections of as rich rolling prairie as ever drank in the rays of the rising sun. When it was first entered it cost but a trifle. It is now a princely fortune. Everything on the premises indicates industry and thrift. This old gateway has been standing here from the first.
The private wagon road leading up past the house is skirted on both sides by cultivated trees. The house itself, with its substan- tial walls and snug rooms, its immense yard and large back garden, its spacious barns and numerous out-houses, stationed here and there in the rear, might be a suitable residence for a king, provided that king had the heart of our pioneer.
For a quarter of a century the man now aged has been toiling for generations yet to come. It was not for himself. This he knew all the time. Nor was he certain that his own children would enter upon his labors. They, like those he left behind, might be laid low by the hand of death. Would he therefore remit his toil? No! This was the mission on which he came. His was the heart of the true pioneer. In his early day he has seen the wild prairie become a garden. He has himself reared the log school-house upon his farm. He has invited teachers from the land of his birth. - When there were few to help he paid them from his own purse, and fed them bountifully at his own board.
Here, too, within this cabin was that other pioneer welcomed, who, single-handed and alone, came here through many perils, to proclaim messages of divine love; and many of his successors have found a home and a resting place within these walls. Many ser- mons that burned with fervor, have been preached in the grove beyond the house. How many souls saved, or how much good done within the precincts of this lowly cottage, the angels them- selves may never know. But we may look down the vista of time's river and see other pioneers who received their first impul-
3.52
HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
ses and baptism in this grove, and within this humble domicil. A few to-day are thus the host of to-morrow. From the first to the last of his weary years there has been in his life and his labors, and especially will there appear in these last results. a lofty and living example of true sublimity. Speechless be that tongue, withered be the ungrateful heart, that does not, when occasion offers, respect the character and bless the memory of the old and honorable pioneer.
STATE
SOVEREIGNTY
NA
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA 977.355C64C C001 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY, INCL
3 0112 025393064
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