USA > Illinois > Complete history of the 46th regiment, Illinois volunteer infantry, a full and authentic account of the participation of the regiment in the battles, sieges, skirmishes and expeditions in which it was engaged > Part 39
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Grant, after an unheard-of expenditure of blood in the Wilderness and at Cold Harbor, seemed to have been fought to a stand-still before the impregnable fortifications of Petersburg.
Sherman, after 100 days of constant fighting. lay around the works which enveloped Atlanta, seemingly at the end of his resources. For weeks he had not gained a mile, and an attempt to retreat would have brought about the destruction of his army.
An army sent up the Red River had been cruelly defeated, and nar- rowly escaped being destroyed.
The army sent up the Shenandoah Valley had been twice driven back with great loss, and the victorious rebels, following up the last defeat, had been barely prevented from capturing the National Capital, with the President and all the high officers of the Government.
Over 2,000,000 of the young men of the country had been called in- to service, of whom over 100,000 had been shot to death on the field of battle, 250,000 had been severely wounded, 200,000 more had died of dis- ease, another 200,000 had been discharged for disabilities incurred by
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their arduous service, and 70,000 were prisoners in the hands of the en- emy. The homes and hospitals of the North were filled with sick and wounded men. Of the original 2,000.000 not more that 500,000 were left in condition to do duty at the front.
It certainly seemed as if the Nation had put forth its last effort, sent its last man, and paid out its last dollar, and the rebellion, though it had re- ceived terrific blows, was still erect, defiant, and as full of fight as ever.
The public debt amounted to the enormous sum of $1,815,784,370. In Wall street gold had risen to 258, and the greenback dollar was worth but 38 cents. The Government was paying over 15 per cent. interest on its bonds, and could not make any more loans even at that figure. It sorely needed $130,000,000 at once, to pay the soldiers their long-due pay, to buy supplies, and continue the war to a victorious conclusion. Unless it could get this the war must stop, the Southern Confederacy triumph, and all the blood and treasure which had been poured out be worse than wasted. The Secretary of the Treasury-Hon. Wm. Pitt Fessenden-hastened to the money-kings of New York, Philadelphia, and Boston, and implored them to come to the assistance of the Government for a final effort to overthrow treason and save the Nation. He pointed out to them in the strongest terms how all would be lost unless they did so. But his ap- peals fell upon cold, selfish ears. They had wearied of the struggle, and despaired of success. They preferred to lose what they had already in- vested, rather than risk another dollar. In his desperation he turned to the men who were never appealed to in vain-the men who were at the front, bearing the life and hopes of the Nation upon their shining bayo- nets. We will let him tell the story of his success in his own words, contained in his annual report of Dec. 6, 1864:
"The prospect of negotiating a loan in the ordinary way was by no means flattering, as the notice for a loan of $33.000.000, advertised on the 25th day of June, had been withdrawn on the 2d of July, the Secretary having reason to believe that such loan would not be taken on terms which it would be for the interest of the Government to accept.
"Under these circumstances, the Secretary thought it advisable, in order to meet pressing emergencies, to borrow upon bonds or notes au- thorized by the various acts referred to $50.000.000 of the banks in the cities of New York, Philadelphia and Boston, and mnet the representa- tives of a large number of these institutions in New York for the purpose of effecting that object. The result proved, however, that, notwithstand- ing a professed, and. as the Secretary was convinced, a real desire to aid the Government, these institutions were not able to furnish the assistance required upon terms which, under existing provisions of law, the Secre- tary felt authorized to accept. He had then no other alternative than to issue legal-tender notes to a very large amount, or again to advertise for a loan, and he had no hesitation as to which course should be adopted. Accordingly, on the 25th of July, he issued proposals for a National loan, under the act of June 30, 1864. upon notes payable in three years, with semi-annual interest at seven-three-tenths per cent. per annum in law-
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ful money. He incurred a considerable expense in advertising this loan, believing that it should be as widely diffused and as generally understood as possible, and offered liberal inducements to stimulate the efforts of corporations and individuals to dispose of the notes. His success, though not what he had hoped for or anticipated, has been such as not to di- minish his confidence in the disposition and ability of the people to re- lieve the wants of their government. * *
"Failing to raise the means required in the ordinary mode. and urged by the conviction that the large amount of suspended requisitions, swol- len to more than $130,000,000. should be reduced, the Secretary resolved to use all the means at his command to pay so inuch at least as was due to our brave soldiers, who were suffering from the long delay in satis- fying their just claims, but still continuing to serve their country with unflinching courage and uncomplaining devotion. To effect this object he was compelled to replace the whole amount of five per cent. notes which had been cancelled, amounting to more than $80,000,000, and even slightly to exceed that sum. More fully to accomplish his purpose, the Secretary resolved to avail himself of a wish expresed by many of- cers and soldiers, through the Paymasters. and offered to such as desired to receive them seven-thirty notes of small denominations. He was grati- fied to find these notes were readily taken in payment to a large amount, our gallant soldiers, in many instances, not only receiving them with alac- rity, but expressing their satisfaction at being able to aid their country by loaning money to the Government. The whole amount of notes thus disposed of exceeded $20.000.000: and the Secretary has great satisfac- tion in stating his belief that the disposal thus made was not only a relief to the Treasury, but proved a benefit to the recipients, in affording them a safe and valuable investment and an easy mode of transmitting funds to their families."
What a chapter of history this is. How eloquent of the difference between the men who staid at home and grew rich out of the country's misfortunes, and the men who were pouring out their heart's blood to rescue the Nation from destruction! Though rolling in wealth, amassed through the war, not another dollar would the money-lenders lend. though they were offered 15 per cent. per annum. They would rather see the Nation perish. But the men who fought with Grant through the appalling slaughter of the Wilderness, who were daily braving the murderous fire of the sheltered enemy, who marched with Sherman through three months constant battling to the gates of Atlanta, were ready to lend all their scanty wages to the Government at less than half the rate of interest which had been vainly offered to the money-lenders.
Had they who had so long borne the heat and burden of the battle shown the selfish. faint-heartedness of the money-lenders, the war would have ended in a disaster from which the country never could have recov- ered. Had they in August. 1864. said, "We are weary of this constant fighting and slaughter. We have done more than ever soldiers were called upon to do before in the history of the world. We have endured more ap- palling losses than any army ever suffered. We have fought more san- quinary battles than any other history tells of. Out of every five of us
COL. JOHN A. DAVIS Portrait taken while home after being wounded at Shiloh.
MRS. A. D. WINSHIP widow of Col. John A. Davis.
GEN. BENJ. DORNBLASER who commenced the History of the 46th Regiment.
MRS. BENJ. DORNBLASER
PLATE XXX
L
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who started a few months ago on this campaign four are either dead or hopeless disabled by wounds or disease. It is useless to expect more of us. You must compromise." Had they said this, as well they might have done, the two billions of bonds then held by the money-lenders would have become as valueless as the Confederate bonds are; the earnings of the peo- ple would have been swallowed up for generations by onerous taxes, and this country would not have one quarter of the billions of wealth it now" boasts of.
Yet the money-lenders have been paid nearly five billions in gold, while the soldiers, who gained it all for them, have received less than: one-third that amount in pensions !
BIOGRAPHY OF WORTHY WOMEN.
In presenting in this work the photographs of the good mothers, all wives or mothers of members of the 46th Illinois Infantry, it is with a commendable pride to the author of this history, to say, they are all representative women of America, and all. in their humble homes, exert- ed an influence on the members of the regiment far reaching for the good they have done in word, act and influence. The four grand old heroines. All were called upon to make sacrifices during the conflict, sending their sons to the army; two of them having a son each killed at Shiloh. One a school mate and the other an intimate friend and comrade. In present- ing the photographs of the wives of our regimental commanders, it is that comrades yet living, may call to mind when these ladies visited their hus- bands at Camp Butler, just before our departure to the field of Donelson, and remember with what kindly feelings and courtesy the boys extended to them, as they accompanied the troops as far as Centralia, where good- byes were given. the soldiers going south and the ladies to their homes, north. Other ladies, wives and mothers, were also present. Mrs. Hughes, wife of Captain Hughes, Company H .; Mrs. Musser, wife of Captain Musser, Company A: Mrs. DePuy. wife of Surgeon Elias DePuy: Mrs. Bradshaw, mother of Surgeon B. H. Bradshaw; Mrs. Solomon, wife of Comrade Solomon. who assisted in the hospital. There may have been others, but as I have no record, cannot recall them. Most of these are yet living. the four whose pictures appear, range in age, 90, 93, 97 and 100 past. These are all now living.
MRS. COL. DAVIS-WINSHIP.
Amy Springer was born in Franklin county, New York, and at an early time came to Stephenson county, Illinois, in company with her pa-
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rents and settled in Rock Run Township, where in 1849. she married John A. Davis, and located near the village of Davis. Mrs. Davis, some- years after the death of Col. Davis. married Mr. Winship, who died at Racine in 1905. At the present time her home is with her children, Dr. J. J. Davis, and her married daughter, Mrs. Wooster, who lives at Ra- cine, Wisconsin.
Mrs. Winship is a prominent member of the W. C. T U. and an ad- vocate of Woman Suffrage, is also a member of the Womans Relief Corps and an attendant at divine worship.
Her sacrifices during the civil war and struggle in life to educate her children after the death of Co. John A. Davis, were many. Her de- votion to the cause of the Union was manifested on all occasions during the great struggle of the Civil war. Her activity during the dark day. was marked with a devotion that will ever class her with the true and self sacrificing women of the Union.
MRS. SARAH HOWELL-HIGHT.
Sarah Howell was born July 23rd. 1813, in Chester Township, Mor- ris county, New Jersey. In 1838 she was married to Cornelius R. Hight, at Manchbunk, Pennsylvania. They moved from New Jersey in 1848, coming direct to Geneva. Ill., and afterward moved to Aurora, where her husband died, since which time she made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Whitaker, of Elgin. III. She was converted, and in 1838 joined the Methodist church, of which she has been a faithful member ever since. She is the mother of ten children, two sons serving in the 46th Illinois Infantry. William H. was 2d Lieutenant of Company I, and was killed at Shiloh, in the battle Sunday, April 6. 1862; John R., is yet living at Batavia, Ill. Mrs. Hight is quite active in body and mind, and is one of those noble, lovable characters, enjoying the company of her many friends who visit her.
MRS. BENJ. DORNBLASER.
Miss Sarah Moore Foster, daughter of Thomas and Margaret La- shells Foster, was born January 9. 1832, in Union county, Pennsylvania, being the eldest of eight children, all living but one. With her parents she came to Stephenson county, Illinois, in 1843, settling on a farm in what is now called Loran township. Miss Foster was educated in the common schools, and married Benjamin Dornblaser Dec. 30, 1852. To this union six children were born, all living but one. The first five years of married
MRS. HARRIET WINTERS age 100 years.
MRS. MARIE CLINGMAN age 98 years.
MRS. KEMPER age 90 years, mother of Capt. Kemper, Company A.
MRS. SARAH HIGHT age 93 years, mother of Lieut. Wm. H. Howell.Hight.
PLATE XXXI
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life were spent on a farm in Rock Run township; then she moved into the village of Dakota. residing there until the close of the war, when she went to Freeport for a short time. Also lived in Joliet and Assumption, Ill. From the latter place came to Fredonia, Kas., thirty years ago, where she always expects to make her home. In Illinois her church home was Presbyterian, and in Kansas it is the Congregational. For a number of years was a member of the W. R. C. and Eastern Star.
Her parents families were connected with some of the past wars. Her mother's father, "George Lashells." was a soldier of the revolutionary war, was at the battle of Monmouth, which was fought on the 28th day of June, 1778,. under command of General Washington. He was 22 years old when in that severe conflict.
GRANDMA KEMPER
of Morill, Kansas, and inother of Adam Kemper of Company A, 46th Illinois Infantry.
Grandma Kemper was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, January 16th, 1817. She was married to Isaac Kemper at the age of 19, and about that time accepted Christ as her Savior. In 1885 Mr. Kemper and family moved to Stephenson County, Ill., where they lived 38 years, or until death removed Grandpa Kemper, since which time Grandma has made her home with her daughters. She came to Morrill about one year ago, since which time she has resided with Mrs. Jacob Hahn. She is one of a family of twelve children and for activity, industry and lon- gevity they are a remarkable family, the average age of eight at present time being about 85 years. Grandma has not lost all of the character- istics of youth, but still remains active and ambitious, and plies the needle with more industry and more deftly than many who are younger. This employment, and reading. with her cheerful disposition and Christian spirit, are a source of comfort and joy to her in her advanced age.
MRS. MARIA CLINGMAN, 98 YEARS OF AGE.
Maria Simpson was born Dec. 12. 1809, near Portsmouth, in Sciota County, Ohio. She was married Nov. 25, 1830, to Josiah Clingman. In 1835 they moved to Putman County, Illinois. and in 1830 to LaSalle County, Illinois. On April 22, 1836, they came to Stephenson County, and located a mile north of the village of Cedarville, Ill., and erected a log cabin and opened up a farm. She was the mother of ten children.
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three of them being in the Civil War. Jason, in the 11th Illinois Infantry, Thomas and William in Company A., 46th Illinois Infantry. Thomas was wounded at Shiloh, and died from the effects of his wound. She also had three grandsons in the Spanish-American war. Mrs. Clingman was a member of the M. E. Church and was one of the early charter members of the organization at Cedarville, and is at present time one of its honored and respected communicants, having been a faithful and constant atten- dant for seventy years. She is now in good health and is pleased to en- tertain her many friends, who call to see her.
HARRIET STANTON WINTERS.
Harriet Stanton Winters, mother of Comrade Darius Winters, was born in Rome, Oneida County, New York, on December 10, 1806. She is still living, making her home with her son, Darius, in Almira, Wash., having celebrated her one hundredth birthday on December 10, 1906. She still preserves her faculties to a remarkable degree for one of her extreme age.
She has witnessed wonderful changes in her life. She was born when Thomas Jefferson was president of the United States, and has lived under the administration of every President except the first two. Her grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary army, and her father serv- ed in the war of 1812. She still remembers vividly many incidents con- nected with the was of 1812. Mrs, Winters was left an orphan in 1822, without brothers or sisters. In the same year, at the age of 16, she was converted and united with the Baptist Church, in which church she has been a consistent member for 85 years. At the age of 22 she was married to Jacob Winters, in Yates County, New York. About eight years after their marriage. they moved to Ohio, where they lived ten years and then removed to Illinois. Here her husband purchased a farm in Florence Township. in 1850. which farm was the home of Mrs. Winters and her son Darius for 53 years, and here her husband died in 1878, at the age of 76.
Mrs. Winters was the mother of 12 children, only four of whom lived to maturity, and only one survives, Darius, who was a member of the 46th Illinois, for three years of service.
When the war broke out, this daughter of the Revolution could not withhold her own, but sent her oldest son, Darius, to aid in the preser- vation of the Union. She made, with her own hands, a flag, her two sons erected a pole, and Old Glory floated over a loyal and beautiful home throughout the war. The children, who remained at home, passed away one by one, and when Darius returned at the end of the war, only his father and mother were left to keep the old flag flying.
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At a time when most aged people have lost all interest in life, at the age of 97 years, Mrs. Winters was strong enough to make the trip across the continent, and accompanied her son to the state of Washington. There in her home in Almira, she waits the hour when the Lord, whom she has served so many years, shall call her to meet all the dear ones, who have preceded her to the Fathers Home. Though well cared for by the love of son and grandchildren, yet she eagerly looks forward to the joys of blessed reunion with those whom she has "loved and lost the while."
MEMORIAL DAY SERVICES, SUNDAY, MAY 20, 1907.
COL. JOHN A. DAVIS.
Dedication of the Guest Chamber at the Abraham Lincoln Center, Corner Oakwood Blvd. and Langley Ave., Chicago.
JENKINS LLOYD JONES, MINISTER.
1824 1862
May this GUEST ROOM keep in memory JOHN A. DAVIS, Colonel 16th Illinois Volunteers Who died that the Union might stand And that the Slave might be Free.
A Friend of Lincoln.
The United States has contributed two Holy days to the calendar of the Church Universal. One is Thanksgiving Day, dedicated to the sanc- tities of the fireside. the real proclamation of which emanates from the grandmother of her representative. The other is Decoration Day, a ten- der memorial of heroism. a day devoted to the higher home circle, the life of the nation, the profounder consecrations of true patriotism.
The service of All Souls Church at the Lincoln Centre last Sunday gave special emphasis to the commemoration of one brave man, a local hero, one who was a worthy type of that high soldiery which was in-
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spired by thought and armed with the high purposes of freedom. The "John Davis Guest Chamber" is a title self-explanatory, the Guest Room of the Abraham Lincoln Centre, to the shelter of which many conspicu- ous friends of humanity and loves of truth have already been welcomed, has been furnished and endowed by the widow of the gallant Colonel, whose life was commemorated last Sunday in the presence of a large audience touched into thoughtful tenderness. The widow, his two child- ren and John Davis III were in the audience. Two or three surviving members of the old Forty-sixth came a long distance in order to be pre- sent. Lieut. Thomas B. Jones, historian of the regiment, came from his home in central Iowa to find a seat among the celebrants. On the plat- form was an oil painting of the Colonel, executed for the room by Mr. Timmins, of the Chicago Art Institute, a remarkably successful portrait, considering that the artist had but a faded old army photograph of the wounded man to go by. The platform was draped in flags, conspicuous among which was the white-bordered banner from the top of an old exhausted cannon shell taken from a Cuban battlefield.
After the service a large number of the audience visited the Guest Room and saw the picture installed in its permanent abiding place, and thirty or more of the old boys and their friends sat down to a dinner of baked beans, ham and coffee in the Refreshment Room on the fourth floor.
After an organ prelude of national airs and a bugle prelude played by George D. Ihling, Chief Trumpeter, First Infantry, I. N. G., con- sisting of the "Revielle" and "Assembly," the audience rose and sang "America," and the following poem written by Mrs. Frank Leland during the days of the dark bereavement, was read :
DEATH OF COLONEL DAVIS.
Move softly, O numbers, a hero has fallen ! Move soft o'er the name of the true and the brave, A freeman who nobly went forth to the battle, Whose country but gave him a warrior's grave.
O Goddess! whose crown is all starry with splendor, Whose eye looks aloft on the eagle we prize,
Whose feet hold beneath them the strain of our banner, That now on the skirts of our freedom low lies ;
What more would you ask to appease your proud anger, Than lives of the bravest e'er loyalty knew ?
Pray Heaven to rescue our homes ere the loyal Have spent all their tears for the good and the true.
Then came responsive readings, prayer, scripture and singing of "Stainless soldier on the walls!"
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After which Gen. Smith D. Atkins, of Freeport, Ill., was introduced as the man in Illinois who was most conversant with the soldier lore of the state. a friend. neighbor and intimate comrade of Colonel Davis, who spoke as follows :
It affords me great pleasure to be present on this interesting occa- sion, and join with you in dedicating this Guest Chamber in memory of John A. Davis, one of God's noblemen, an honest man.
I knew him well. When he was a candidate for the legislature in 1860, almost half a century ago. I was one of the speakers at a Republican meeting with him at Van Brocklin's School House, in Stephenson County. From that time until he gave his life to his country. I was intimate with him, and loved and admired him. In the special session of the Illinois legislature in 1861 he ably seconded the patriotic efforts of Governor Richard Yates, the Elder, the War Governor of Illinois, in putting into the field the first volunteer soldiers of Illinois in the great Civil War.
I enlisted in the first Company raised in Freeport, in April, 1861, in the three month's service, and went to the front. In July of that year when the term of first enlistment expired I re-enlisted with the majority of my Company A, 11th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, for three years, and in that month I returned to Stephenson County to fill up my Company with new enlistments, and at one meeting held for that purpose, at Davis, in Stephenson County, John A. Davis was one of the speakers. After the meeting I took the train for Freeport, and John A. Davis was on the same train to ride to Rock City Station, and he earnestly said to me, "At- kins, is it necessary for men like me, with a wife and family to support, to enlist in this war?" I replied in substance, ""Yes. John, it is. It is going to be a great war, and will require all the resources of the nation. I know that you will enlist, you will become a soldier, you cannot help doing it; all you can do is to determine the time of your enlistment. If you go now you can take with you half a dozen Companies from Steph- enson County, and lead a regiment. No other man in Stephenson County could do that. You can do it. and you ought to do it." We had some further conversation, and when the train reached Rock City, and he left the cars and bid me good-bye, he said, while still holding my hand, "At- kins, what you have said has made a deep impression upon my mind-it may be my duty, and I may go now." He did enlist, and, as soon as it was known that John A. Davis had enlisted as a soldier, the young men of Stephenson County flocked to his standard and full five Companies were soon enlisted in that one County, and the 46th Illinois Infantry was organized with John A. Davis as Colonel.
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