USA > Illinois > Will County > Fifteen years ago; or, The patriotism of Will County, designed to preserve the names and memory of Will County soldiers, both officers and privates - both living and dead: to tell something of what they did, and of what they suffered, in the great struggle to preserve our nationality > Part 3
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On the 22d of May, the president, without waiting the assem- bling of congress, it having become apparent that more than 75,000 men, and more than 60 days, would be required to subdue the " riot," had made another call for 42,032 men, to serve three years, unless sooner discharged. To this call the state of Illinois was asked to furnish six regiments. The people were still a long way in advance of the general-in-chief in their apprehension of the gravity of the situation. Only six regiments of infantry would be accepted from this state, and by this time there were volunteers
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enough, in all the various rendezvous, to make at least twenty. There was difficulty in making the selection, but it was done by the state authorities, and the 20th regiment. was one of those that drew a prize. Before Bartleson's company was mustered in, one of the men, W. F. Brightman, had the misfortune to get a broken leg, and thus got his discharge very early. He afterwards entered the service in a Michigan regiment.
A dragoon company had been partly organized here, but on receipt of the news that the government would accept no more, it disbanded. Many other recruits, disgusted with the peace depart- ment, as they called it in their vexation, returned to their homes. Some entered the service of other states, and helped to fill up their quotas. It took "Bull Run" to wake up the government and the war department to the exigencies of the situation.
Meanwhile things moved along at Camp Goodell. The regi- ment had got fully organized, and the officers and men were edu- cating themselves for the business in hand, new to most of them. Our citizens took a deep interest in everything relating to the camp, and were frequent visitors. Our ladies furnished in part the uniforms for Capt. Hildebrant's company, and aided in supply- ing rations. R. E. Goodell, Esq., presented the regiment with a fine flag, Judge McRoberts making a presentation speech.
Although the air was full of rumors, that the regiment would not be accepted, yet on Wednesday, May 14th, they were officially accepted by the war department.
It will be borne in mind that, at the commencement of the organization, the enlistment was only for three months. The department had therefore asked Col. Marsh if the regiment would enlist " for three years or the war," and the question having been submitted to the men, they responded, with but few exceptions, with a hearty " aye," and, on June 13th, the men were " mustered in " by Captain Pitcher, of the U. S. A.
Monday, June 3d, the city was draped in mourning for the death of Stephen A. Douglas, and on Tuesday, June 10th, funeral obsequies were observed. All business was suspended, and all classes joined in a sincere and heartfelt tribute to the memory of the gifted statesman. A large and imposing procession, composed of citizens, the various civic societies, and the 20th regiment, with
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a funeral car, &c., formed at the court house square, and marched to Camp Goodell, where an eloquent eulogy was pronounced by Judge Randall, and other appropriate services were had.
And now was illustrated, in a marked manner, the fact that sadness and joy, gloom and pleasure, walk side by side, and jostle each other in the drama of life. For, as it was in the days of Noah, and at the siege of Jerusalem, and is now, and probably always will be in this world,-so, even in this solemn day of our country's history, " they married and were given in marriage;" and hence it came to pass, that the solemn scene of which we have just spoken, gave place on the next day to one of altogether another character. The black funeral train-the solemn dirge- the measured tread, and beat of drum, gives place to a gay caval- cade, flaunting colors, and the merry laugh of the light-hearted. Suddenly the music changes " from grave to gay," for now a wed- ding is on the tapis. This wedding is part of our military history and must be related. It was an agreeable episode in the graver life of the camp, varying its tedium and monotony, and relieving the mind of the oppressive sense of the transitory nature of human hopes and ambitions, which were awakened by the scenes of the day before.
The parties to this wedding were the gallant major of the regi- ment, John W. Goodwin, and Miss Jennie Dalton, one of Joliet's most beautiful and lovely maidens. And most appropriate for such a ceremony was the time and place selected. It was an evening in the month of June-the month of roses-mid-June, when the moon nearly at its full illumined with its gentle radiance the campus, throwing a most bewitching glamour over the scene, and, as it shone through the scattered oaks, checkered the ground with a mosaic more beautiful than any ever designed by human hands. No carpeted saloon, however gorgeous in upholstery and brilliant with gaslight, could equal it in beauty. The ceremony took place in front of headquarters. The regiment was first drawn up in line, as on dress parade, and then formed in a hollow square, enclosing the gentlemen and ladies from the city, who had come thither on foot, on horseback, and in carriages, to witness the ceremony, which, common as it is, is always interesting, and which was now a novel one in respect to time, and place, and surroundings. In
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due time the principals made their entree with Chaplain Button, and supported by Captain DeWolf and Miss Anna Stevens, and Captain Hildebrant and lady, all mounted. The beautiful bride was tastefully dressed in a riding habit of blue silk, with zouave cap and feather, while a sash of red, white and blue, passing across her snowy shoulders and lingering for a moment about her slender waist, fell upon her horse's side. The major was dressed in the full uniform of his rank, and was a fine specimen of manly beauty and of martial ease and grace. As they made their appearance, the square opened to receive them, the men gave the military salute, and then, amid silence unbroken save by the gentle rustle of the leaves in the evening breeze, the few words of the ceremony which linked two lives together were quickly spoken, and the parties pronounced man and wife. A brief prayer of blessing followed, and then the boys broke forth into three rousing cheers that made the welkin ring, and the band broke forth into jubilant music. The parties then rode around the square, and received the hearty congratulations of the crowd, and the hearty good wishes of all, and then took the lead in the march of the gay cavalcade back to the city. Altogether, it was a scene which seemed to bring back the days of chivalry. One could almost fancy it a chapter taken out of Ivanhoe. And here, like the novelist, we take our leave of the happy pair. In many cases, no doubt, this is the best place to take leave, while the glamour of romance is still over the scene, and everything is lovely !
On the 17th of June, another flag presentation occurred at the camp, when the ladies of Joliet presented Co. F, Capt. Hildebrant, with a beautiful flag. The speech on this occasion was made in behalf of the ladies by J. E. Streeter, Esq., and the reply was made by the gallant captain of the company.
The day following (June 19th), the 20th regiment left Camp Goodell, bound for Alton. Before leaving, it was paid off by Alexander McIntosh, Esq., acting as paymaster. It is perhaps worth mentioning that this payment was made in specie-and was the last glimpse we had of the precious metals from that day even until now. At six o'clock p. m,, the boys bade adieu to Camp Goodell, which had been their home for something over a month, and took their march for the St. Louis depot. There they were
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met by the Joliet Cornet Band, and a large concourse of citizens, many of the friends and relatives of the boys, who were now going forth to test their endurance and courage on many a weary march, and in many a sanguinary conflict with the enemies of the Union. It was a scene of mingled joy and sorrow, huzzas and sighs. Mothers parted from their sons, wives from husbands, sisters from brothers, and sweethearts from lovers, and none, even the most indifferent, could look on unaffected. Handkerchiefs did double duty, now fluttering in the air, as fair hands waved their farewells, and now wiping from loved faces the gathering tears. As we shall follow the 20th elsewhere in its course, we shall find, alas ! that many of these partings were final.
The camp at the fair grounds was now vacant for a while, and silence reigned where so lately all had been noise and bustle.
Other towns were active. A company was organized at Wil- mington by Capt. (afterwards Major) Munn, and, at Wilmington and vicinity, another by Captain Hooker, known as the Florence Rifles. These became companies A and E of the 39th Regt. of Illinois Infantry, popularly known as the Yates Phalanx, the scene of whose exploits was in Virginia, Maryland, and South Carolina. In this regiment our county was represented by 19 commissioned officers and 200 enlisted men, a fact which will demand some mention of its history in its proper place.
The city of Wilmington was early active. Mr. M. N. M. Stewart, and others, commenced immediately on the first call to raise a cavalry company, and it was fast filling up, when, learning that there was no probability that it would be accepted, it was dis- banded, and the members went, many of them, into other organ- izations. Stewart joined the independent company which was raised in Chicago, known as " Barker's Dragoons," which served four months, six weeks at Cairo, and then in Western Virginia, as Mcclellan's escort. Stewart divides with Bartleson the honor of being the first recruit from Will county, having enlisted at Chicago the 16th day of April. And here let me anticipate a lit- tle, and say that the people of Wilmington were very active and enthusiastic throughout the war. The ladies very early organized an efficient soldiers' aid society, which held weekly meetings, or sociables, and contributed largely to the cause. And this organ-
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ization continued active and efficient so long as aid was needed. During this time Mrs. A. W. Bowen visited the hospitals at Mur- freesboro, and on her return made an appeal through the county papers, which awakened new zeal in the cause.
Doctors Bowen and Willard, and R. N. Waterman, Esq., were appointed by the governor to visit Vicksburg, and look after the wants of our soldiers. Dr. Willard also visited the bloody field of Shiloh in his professional capacity.
Part of Company G, of the 39th, was also raised in Homer, by Hon. Amos Savage and Oscar F. Rudd, (who were lieutenants, and afterwards captains). Wm. B. Slaughter, formerly pastor of the Methodist church in this city, and stationed at Blue Island at the breaking out of the war, was the first captain of the company. He was a man who could preach the Gospel of Peace, and also fight the gospel of war, as his name might indicate. Having a Savage and a Slaughter in command of this company, it of course did some good fighting, as may be seen in its history elsewhere.
And so passed the summer of 1861. The Lockport company of artillery came home in August, after a four months' service as militia, and also many of the Plainfield Battery, who did not en- list in the battery for three years. Many of both companies entered the service in other organizations. Captain McAllister reorgan- ized his battery at Cairo, and called for recruits from Will county.
During this month, also, a cavalry company, which became Company D of the 4th Cavalry, Capt. Felter, of Lockport, was raised mostly in this county. The Secretary of War had, in the meantime, after Bull Run, authorized Gov. Yates to accept of all companies which should offer for the three years' service.
Having by this time sent a good many men to the war, we all felt not only a general interest as citizens in every day's report from the various points occupied by our armies, but a special and personal interest. The daily papers were eagerly devoured morn- ing and evening. How impatient we got at the delay in army movements ! How we railed against the red tape ! How clearly we all saw just what ought to be done! What accomplished military strategists we became all of a sudden ! especially if we happened to be editors or reporters ! How easily we could break the " back bone of the rebellion," if we only had the ordering of
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affairs, civil and military ! It seemed as easy as managing your neighbor's business, or bringing up his children !
During this month, (August) also, four of our distinguished civilians-Judge Norton, C. E. Munger, B. F. Russell and J. C. Williams, paid a visit to the 20th regiment, then stationed at Cape Girardeau. They wanted to see how the boys got along, and also to get a glimpse-just a glimpse-of the elephant. The boys, . you may well believe, were glad to see them. They had their pockets full of currency, and were liberal in dispensing it for the comfort of the boys. While they were there they expressed the wish that Jeff. Thompson would make his appearance, so they could see a little fun. Well, one day scouts came in who reported that Jeff. was approaching the Cape in full force. Here was just what they had been longing for. But it not unfrequently happens that we are greatly disappointed when our prayers are answered. They took a sober second thought. A seige would be tediou -. They might get short of rations ; and our distinguished civilians liked their rations full and regular, as any one may see by taking a look at some who still survive. And then, if Jeff. should have artillery their stay might be disagreeable. Those shells and can- non balls had a disagreeable way with them, and might not respect the persons of civilians, however distinguished. And then they were some of them large men and might be in the way, and the military might feel embarrassed at their presence ! The more they thought about it, the plainer it appeared that however anxious they might be to see the elephant, it was their duty to sacrifice their curiosity, and to get to some place where they would not be in the way. So they suggested to Col. Marsh the propriety of chartering one of the boats which lay in the river, and setting them across beyond the jurisdiction of Jeff. Thompson. To this propo- sition Col. Marsh assented, and the distinguished civilians were accordingly landed upon the Illinois side of the river, and having put the broad Mississippi between them and Jeff., they shook off the dust of their feet as a testimony that they held him and his rebel hordes in utter contempt, and then made their way to the nearest railroad station. As it turned out, however, Jeff. gave the Cape a wide berth. But a better joke happened to one of these distinguished civilians on the way home. They had stopped for
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dinner, and one of their number became so absorbed in his devo- tions to the duty of the hour, that he lingered at the table after the rest of the party had got aboard, and failed entirely to hear the warning whistle, and on walking leisurely out upon the plat- form, was astonished to find no train there, and, on raising his eyes toward the north, saw it rapidly diminishing in the distance. Here was a situation indeed ! He did not swear-at least I don't think he did-for he was a good Baptist deacon, but he thought very hard and very fast. He was decidedly disgusted with the situation. He examined his pocket book and found that he had paid out his last currency for his dinner and his cigar, and had absolutely nothing left for subsistence or transportation. He had been very generous with the boys at the Cape, and here he was, a hundred and fifty miles or more from Mrs. W. and the children, with empty pockets. He congratulated himself, however, that he was out of Jeff. Thompson's reach, and that he had just laid in rations that would last him twenty-four hours at least. And there I shall be obliged to leave him, for I never heard how he got out of the predicament. All accounts I have been able to gather of the adventure, leave him there with his hands in his pockets, gazing dumbfounded at the fast-vanishing train. But he did get home some way, and afterwards served the country nobly as an officer in the 100th regiment, and never run again, except at Chick- amauga, when his mustang was shot from under him, and he was almost surrounded by the rebs, when, though his legs are not so long as some of his neighbors', he made 2:40 through the woods to Chattanooga, and thus showed for the second time that
" He who fights and runs away, May live to fight another day."
The correspondent of the Chicago Tribune, at Cairo, in a letter to that paper some time in August, 1861, giving an account of the fight at Charleston, Missouri, thus speaks of a Joliet boy :
"A young boy named Hartley Wixom, of Joliet, a body ser- vant of Col. Wallace, of the 11th, made a hero of himself, and deserves the most honorable mention. The lad is but fifteen years old, active and intelligent. During the fight he noticed one of the rebel troopers retreating toward him ; quickly lifting his revolver 5
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(the young chap, by the way, was armed with a navy pistol given him by Col. Wallace,) he fired and brought the rebel to the ground. Running up, he stripped the fellow of his haversack and canteen, and, seizing the horse, led him off to a place of safety as a prize. The young soldier afterwards captured two more horses, and brought them safely off the field. He was very active in his atten- tions to the wounded, bandaging their cuts, and providing for their comfort in various ways. The boys of the 22d are proud of that lad, and he will not fail of making a great man for want of friends to assist him."
War meetings are again the order of the day. Saturday, Aug. 31st, a rousing one was held at the court house, Hon. S. W. Bowen in the chair, A. N. Waterman, secretary. Speeches were made by Bowen, Osgood, Randall, Elder Crews, Norton, Breckenridge, Snapp, &c. The meeting was harmonious, although criticism was freely indulged-democrats and republicans cordially sympathizing with the government in its efforts to put down the rebellion, and strong resolutions in support of the government were passed.
Chaplain Button, of the 20th, was home early in September, and lectured in the court house, Sept. 17th, giving us the news from the regiment, and his experience in Missouri. He spoke nearly two hours to an interested auditory. Among other things, he said that it was generally conceded that the 20th was the best regiment in the service in Missouri.
During this month, also, Capt. C. W. Keith was engaged in raising an artillery company in this county, having his headquar- ters at Joliet. This became Battery I of the 2d artillery, and was better known afterwards as Barnett's Battery, a history of which will be found elsewhere.
About this time, also, Dr, Danforth laid down the lancet, and took up the larger, if not more deadly weapon-the sword-and, assisted by Sergeant Grundy and Lieut. Ira D. Swain, engaged in getting up a company of cavalry for the Fremont Hussars. This became Co. F of the 13th cavalry, of which Dr. Danforth was made captain.
At the same time another company, which became Co. C, 13th cavalry, was being enlisted in the eastern part of the county, of
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which Adam Sachs, of Monee, became captain, and Adolph Schule, of the same place, lieut. Our German citizens seem to have pre- ferred the cavalry branch of the service, although that nationality had its representatives in all our organizations-not excepting the Irish Legion ; many having had military training and experience in the " faderland," were all the better prepared to do their part, as they bravely did, for the salvation of their adopted country.
A meeting of the Board of Supervisors was held Sept. 17th, at which R. E. Goodell, supervisor of the town of Joliet, reported that he had received from the state authorities an auditor's war- rant for $1,579, which amount was refunded to the county for the subsistence of volunteers : which amount was ordered to be placed in the treasury to the credit of the war fund.
The treasurer was also instructed to pay the bills for the uni- forms of Capt. Erwin's company, amounting to $950. Messrs. Reid, Kahler and Smith, committee to inquire into the needs of the families of soldiers, reported that there would be about sixty families, and about one hundred and twenty children, in need of aid, and that there remained an unexpended balance of $225 of the May appropriation, whereupon a further sum of $3,775 was appropriated for that purpose. The weekly sum of one dollar and twenty-five cents was allowed for the wife, or head of family, and fifty cents for each child under twelve years of age. Such relief was also extended to the families of such as might have lost their lives in the service.
Sept. 26th was observed as a day of fasting and prayer, in con- formity with the president's proclamation. Union services were held at the Methodist church, and business was generally sus- pended. A sermon was preached by Elder Crews.
I suppose everybody has heard of the famous N. Y. 7th regi- ment, and knows something of its exploits in the early days of the war. But most of my readers, I presume, will be surprised to learn that Will county can justly claim a share in the glory of its achievements. I was myself greatly surprised when, in the course of my researches, I stumbled upon the fact. But it is as true as it is strange. Our highly esteemed fellow-citizen, Mansfield Young, Esq., (sometimes called " Map," for short) was a member of this renowned regiment, and inasmuch as he was a resident of this
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county, both before and since the war, I think it is no robbery to claim him as our representative, and to insist that the glory of his achievements-which were neither few nor small-should be put to the credit side of Will county. Although, in a most remarkable manner, he escaped being in any of the great battles of the war, he went through a great many "scrim- mages," and made and received, both on his own hook, and with his company, a great many heavy charges. On one occasion, although not killed, he was buried-yes, buried-alive-for the good of his country ! It happened in this wise: While the regi- ment was debarking from a railway train, the men of his company -all heavy men-stood drawn up in order of battle upon the platform, ready to make one of their characteristic charges, (there was a restaurant across the street), when suddenly the platform, which had been built over an excavation about ten feet deep, (not having been constructed for such heavy weights), gave way, and the entire company went down out of sight. The captain, who was in the middle of the street, looked around on hearing the noise, and lo ! the company had disappeared as mysteriously as did that of Dathan and Abiram when the earth opened and swallowed them up. Of course, divers wounds, bruises and sprains, more or less serious, was the result. One man had a bayonet thrust through the place where he carried his rations-not his haversack. As for our hero, Mr. Young, besides getting his temper sadly out of joint, he suffered a most painful dislocation of the heel-of his boot ! As the boot was subsequently heeled, and as our friend ultimately recovered liis serenity of temper, and has maintained it ever since, I am happy to say that this is not an obituary notice.
October, the war meetings are still the order of the day, and enlistments are going forward all over the county for various com- panies and regiments. The Yates Phalanx, in which, as has been said, Will county was largely represented, passed through Joliet, on its way from Chicago to the seat of war, and was warmly greeted by our citizens. Union sociables now became a feature of the times, when men and women, old and young, of all religious and political creeds, got together, and worked, and talked, and sung, and contributed for the good of the cause.
About this time, (Oct. 1, 1861,) the city of Wilmington enjoyed
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a first-class sensation. This was no less than a visit from the noted correspondent of the London Times, Dr. W. H. Russell-some- times called Bull Run Russell-the persistent slanderer of the north, and the apologist for the rebels. Apeing the example of the Prince of Wales, of the year before, he visited Wilmington, with a retinue of sportsmen and toadies, and recreated himself with a week's pursuit of game in the groves, and on the prai- ries in that vicinity. Not content with doing this on the secular days of the week, he and his friends chose to outrage the pious feelings of the citizens of that city, by continuing their sport upon the sabbath, and thus disturbed the holy meditations and devotions of some who had never been so disturbed before. For this offense against good order, wholesome American law, and Wilmington piety, Dr. Russell was arrested, brought before his honor, Justice Cobb, and mulcted in the sum of three dollars and costs.
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