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 45
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Yates, Geo. W., Serg't Co. A, 39th Inf,, died Oct. 28, '64, of wounds received in charging the rebel works, Oct. 13.
Young, Alex., Co. G, 64th Inf., died at Mound City, Sept .. 28, '64. Young, Ahaz, Co H, 100th Inf., killed at Chickamauga, Sept. 19, '63. Zimmerman, Albert, Co. B, 100th Inf., died at Chattanooga, Aug. 31, '64. Zweifle, Albert, Co. F, died at Nashville, Feb. 28, '63.
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PART THIRD.
CHAPTER III.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Col. F. A. Bartleson-Lieut. Col. Wm. Erwin-Major Rodney S. Bowen - Capt. David G. Grover-Adjutant George W. Rouse, Adjutant Joseph D. Walker, Capt. Gideon Bernier-Serg't Henry S. Clark-Lieut. Morrison Worthingham-Serg't Albert S. Randall-Serg't Holmes-Lieut. Charles F. Mitchell-Wm. Henry Marsh-Charles Parker Spencer-John Burden-Cap- tain George Dyer-Henry A. Sperry-Rev. Joel Grant.
REDERICK A. BARTLESON. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Nov. 10th, 1833, and was in the 31st year of his age at the time of his death. While very young, his parents re- moved to Wheeling, where his father was engaged in the publica- tion of a newspaper. Subsequently his father removed to Brooklyn, and again to Freehold, N. J., at which latter place he was engaged in the publication of the "Monmouth Enquirer." Frederick was given the advantages of a good education, and graduated with honor at Alleghany College, Meadville, Penn., after which he entered the office of Hon. P. Vredenberg, at Free- hold, for the study of law. After completing his legal course, and being admitted to the bar, he struck out for the west, and in 1855, being then 22 years of age, he came to our city and located. The writer well remembers his youthful and prepossessing appearance when he came, and how quickly and surely he secured to himself friends and patrons among those who had hitherto been strangers. His personal manners and his modesty of deportment also soon made him generally popular, not only with the members of his own profession, but with all classes ; while his sterling qualities of mind and heart secured their confidence and respect, and he was
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soon entrusted with the responsible office of district attorney, by the almost unanimous choice of the profession and the people. Soon after his election to this office he was united in marriage with Miss Kate Murray, who still survives him, beloved and hon- ored, both for her own sake and for his. In the memorable spring of 1861, when the first call was made for volunteers to de- fend the insulted flag of our Union-a public meeting was held April 17th, as has been elsewhere related, for the purpose of tak- ing into consideration the exigencies of the hour, and also for tak- ing steps to raise a company of volunteers. Although fifteen years have elapsed since that ·memorable day, many will remember that scene. Many will recall the doubts, the fears, the anxieties, that pervaded the public mind. Almost without warning, certainly without any adequate apprehension of the imminence of such a crisis, the question of war, or a dissolution of the Union, had been sprung upon a peace loving north, and as it were, in a moment we had to decide upon the choice. It was at this first meeting in this crisis, that after several patriotic speeches had been made, urging upon those present in the most impassioned strains, the duty of responding to the call of the government, that a young man of slight physique, but with flashing eye, and countenance all aglow, but with steady and determined accents, spoke briefly, but most eloquently, in the same strain with those who had preceded him, and then walking up to the table on which lay the blank en- listment roll, said,-" I will not urge you to do what I am un- willing to do myself,-I propose to head that list."-He then put down the name of the first volunteer in Will county, amid the cheers and huzzahs of an excited crowd. The act was more elo- quent than words, and the example more effective than eloquence.
The results which followed this act have been given elsewhere and need not be here repeated. I will, however, relate one cir- cumstance, not a public one, connected with this scene, which shows the feelings which prompted the act. Next morning, seeing my young friend and neighbor in the adjoining yard, I playfully alluded to the act of the night previous, when he quoted to me with evident solemnity of feeling, and with a sober realiza- tion of all that was involved in the action he had taken, and with
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what seems now, an almost prophetic vision, the words of Horace, -" Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori."
How Bartleson exerted himself in the organization of his com- pany, and being chosen its captain, busied himself at once in studying the duties of his new profession, will be well remem- bered. His history is thenceforth identified with that of the 20th regiment, (elsewhere given,) until his appointment as colonel of the 100th. At Fredericktown he led his company in their first seri- ous encounter with the enemy, most gallantly and bravely. At Donaldson he won further laurels, and was promoted major of the regiment. Coming home from that hard fought field as escort to the remains of Col. Erwin, he returned in time to take a heroic part in the two days' engagement at Shiloh, where he received a severe wound, resulting in the loss of his left arm. Coming home to recover from this sad casualty, he was often urged while here, by his many friends to retire from the service. But his de- termined answer was-" No! I have still an arm left for my country, and she shall have that too if need be." When in 1862 the 100th regiment was organized, there was but one man talked of, or thought of, as its commander, and in due time he was elected and his promotion secured from the authorities. He led this regi- ment through the weary campaigns which terminated in the bloody, hard fought field of Stone River, and through the subse- quent one which culminated on the Chickamauga. Here, while heroically holding an advanced position with a mere squad of men, he was surrounded by a charge of the enemy, and with others he was taken prisoner. For six months following the disastrous field of Chickamauga, he was an inmate of the crowded apartments of Libby. As expressive of his feelings during his imprison- ment, I enrich these pages with lines written by him in the album of a fellow prisoner, and which were too good to be kept there, and found their way into the public prints. A reception was given him on his return from Libby prison, in the spring of 1864,-a reception which has never been equalled in heartiness and en- thusiasm in Will county.
He was again and often urged upon his return to retire from the service. One fact I will give in this connection, which has never been made public, but which is related to me by one who
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knew the fact, and is one of the many circumstances which evinced his unselfish patriotism. Among those who urged upon Col. Bartleson the duty of now retiring from the service, were several leading politicians of the democratic party. They assured him if he would now retire, as he might honorably do, and accept from his own party, the nomination to congress, he might rest assured that the democratic party in the district would not bring out a candidate in opposition. To this proposition-generous and patri- otic on the part of those who made it, and flattering, and I may add tempting to Col. Bartleson, he turned a deaf ear. " Gen- ' tlemen," he said, "the question is still unsettled whether we are to have another congress, or a country, and it can only be settled by the success of our armies ; and until it is settled, I want no nomi- nation, and no office but the one I now hold, and I shall return to my post and give my life if need be, to secure to us a free gov- ernment." As is well known, Bartleson returned to his com- mand as soon as he could do so by the terms of his exchange. The last thirty miles of the journey he made the march on foot, beneath a Georgia's summer sun, and (only a few weeks after his return) he sealed his devotion to his country, by the surrender 01 his life. The circumstances of his death are given in our his- tory of the 100th regiment, and need not be repeated here.
The city of Joliet, and the county of Will, mourned deeply his " untimely taking off," and found poor consolation in paying all possible honors to his remains. Never before or since has there been such a funeral in Joliet. Rev. Mr. Kidd of the congrega- tional church, paid an eloquent tribute to his memory on the fu- neral occasion, and Judge Parks and others at the next meeting of the court. His remains rest in a well-known spot in Oakwood, beneath a beautiful monument erected by his widow. I will only say in conclusion, that Col. Bartleson, although never connected with any church, was a christian in his convictions, and always a man of pure morals, and there is much reason to believe, that dur- ing his confinement in Libby, he was the subject of an inward re- ligious experience, which, had his life been spared, would have become more pronounced.
The following lines were written by Col. Bartleson, in the al- bum of a fellow prisoner, while in Libby. They were too good
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to be kept there, and have found their way into print, and we transcribe them here :
""Tis twelve o'clock ! within my prison dreary, My head upon my hand, sitting so weary, Scanning the future, musing upon the past ! Pondering the fate that here my lot has cast ! The hoarse cry of the sentry, pacing his beat, Wakens the echos of the silent street : " All is well."
Ah! is itso? my fellow captive sleeping, Where the barred window strictest watch is keeping, Dreaming of home and wife and prattling child, Of the sequestered vale and mountain wild, Tell me when cruel morn shall break again, Wilt thou repeat the sentinel's refrain ? " All is well."
And thou, my country ! wounded, pale and bleeding, Thy children deaf to a fond mother's pleading- Stabbing, with cruel hate. the nurturing breast To which their infancy in love was pressed- Recount thy wrongs, thy many sorrows name; Then to the nation-if thou canst-proclaim " All is well."
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But through the clouds the sun is slowly breaking, Hope, from her long deep sleep, is waking. Speed the time, Father! when the bow of peace Spanning the gulf, shall bid the tempest cease : When men, clasping each other by the hand, Shall shout together in a united land, " All is well!"
LIEUT. COL. WM. ERWIN, OF THE 20TH.
was of Irish parentage, and came to Illinois when a mere lad, with his parents, who settled somewhere in the vicinity of Chicago. When the Mexican war broke out, he enlisted in the first regiment of Illinois volunteers, Col. Hardin, and was made 2d lieutenant of his company, and soon after promoted Ist lieutenant. He also held for some time the position of quartermaster to the regiment. At the battle of Buena Vista, he was in command of his company, and behaved with great bravery, and won distinction. After the close of the war he settled in Ottawa, and went into business in that place, where he also married a most estimable lady, who still
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survives him with two children. In 1858 he removed with his family to Joliet, and was in the employ of the Alton & St. Louis R. R. at the breaking out of the war of the rebellion. As we have elsewhere mentioned, Col. Erwin was a Douglas democrat in his political preferences, and during the then recent campaign had commanded a company of the "Invincibles." But no sooner had it become evident that war was meant by the south, than he commenced to enlist a company under the first call. We have given an account of his efforts in this respect, and of his connection with the 20th Illinois elsewhere, and need not repeat it here. He- followed the fortunes of that regiment up to the time of his death. Having had previous experience in military matters, he knew what to do, and how, and when to do it, which rendered him an invaluable officer at a time when most others were en- tirely inexperienced. When Gen. Grant visited Cape Girardeau, while the 20th regiment was stationed there, he had occasion to make a requisition on the Q. M. of the reg't, which was so methodi- cally and quickly filled, that Gen. Grant expressed his surprise and commendation to Q. M. Shields. To this Shields replied, that. if there was any credit due it belonged to Col. Erwin, who had instructed him in his duties. This led to the formation of an ac- quaintance between Gen. Grant and Col. Erwin, and between their families, which became quite friendly, and Gen. Grant al- ways regarded Erwin as one of his most reliable officers. He of- fered to give Erwin the permanent command of the post at Girar- deau, but he (Erwin) preferred to follow the fortunes of the regi- ment.
Col. Erwin was a man of great urbanity and kindness of heart, and did not think it necessary that an officer should be a rough or a tyrant, to command obedience. He was in the habit of visiting the hospitals daily, looking after the welfare of the men ; and al- ways treated them with great kindness and respect, giving furloughs. to those who were sick, believing that a short furlough was bet- ter than medicine. While at Bird's Point, in the winter of 1861 -too many were sick in hospital, and Erwin being in command of he regiment (during the temporary absence of Col. Marsh), gave out furloughs so freely, as to subject himself to the criticisms of his colonel on his return. But when the men all came back well,
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in time for the advance on Fort Henry, he confessed that Erwin's prescription was the best.
Col. Erwin was also a fine example to his command in the matter of his personal habits. He made no use either of whisky or tobacco, and was never known to utter an oath. In short, Col. Erwin has left behind him a record as a citizen, a soldier and a man, of which his children and friends may well be proud. As to his tenderness and fidelity as a husband, father and friend, there is no need to speak. His last interview with his family was at Fort Henry the 11th of Feb., when he saw them for a few moments and for the last time, just before the advance to Donald- son. On the field of Donaldson, the day before he was killed, he hastily wrote his last letter to his wife and children.
Next day, as we have elsewhere related, he was struck by a solid shot while leading on his men, and instantly killed. The body was brought home in charge of Capt. Bartleson, and was received with all due and fitting respect and honor at Joliet, and also at Ottawa, where it was buried.
Col. Erwin was a splendid horseman, and at a grand review which Grant held of the troops at Bird's Point before the advance on Fort Henry, he was pronounced by many, the finest looking officer on the ground.
The following extract from a letter from Col. Marsh, written after Col. Erwin's death, pays but a just tribute to the fallen hero, and is creditable to the writer :
" A large delegation from Illinois is here to-day, but I cannot bring my feelings up to the pitch of exultation that they exhibit. My heart is sad, and all the splendor of our great victory cannot drive from my mind, the loss of my dear friend and brave boys. You know the close intimacy that existed between Col. E. and myself. He was my right hand man, my confidant and counselor. I am indeed stricken to the death. Never, from the first moment of our acquaintance, to its close, did anything occur to mar our friendship. And I am glad to acknowledge that much of the. efficiency of the 20th is due to his skill and energy as an officer."
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BIOGRAPHICAL SIETCHES.
MAJOR RODNEY S. BOWEN,
was another of the costly sacrifices made by our county in the late war of the rebellion. He was born in Herkimer county, N. Y., in the year 1832. In the year 1834, his parents, Dr. A. W. Bowen and wife, removed to Joliet, being among the very earliest settlers,-coming here when Joliet existed only in name and prophecy. It was here that Major Bowen grew up from infancy -his own infancy and that of this city as well,-and here he re- mained until the removal of his parents to Wilmington, in the year 1849. Major Bowen was an only son, and at the time of his death the only child of his parents. He received a good English education, and was a young man of fine abilities, extended in- formation, pure morals, and cultivated tastes. In the year 1855, he was united in marriage with Miss Fannie Todd, a daughter of Dr. Todd, of Rockville, one of the earliest and most respected settlers on the Kankakee River. Mrs. Bowen still survives her husband with two children. Major Bowen was very happily situated, and prosperously engaged in business, at the breaking out of the rebellion, and seemingly had every inducement to re- main at home and enjoy his ease and happy surroundings. But he was not willing to remain an idle spectator of the fierce conflict, in which our country was engaged. When the call was made for " 300,000 more," in July 1862, Major Bowen felt that it was his duty to take an active part in the struggle, and he at once set about enlisting a company in the town of Wilmington, and with the assistance of Stewart, Gano, Mitchell and others, he soon had the volunteers requisite to organize a company. Of this com- pany he was chosen captain, and it was mustered in as Co. A, of the 100th Illinois Infantry. He served in this position with great acceptance to his men and superior officers, and honor to himself, being constantly at his post, and sharing in all the weary cam- paigns and fierce encounters of the regiment, and escaping un- harmed, until the battles in front of Chattanooga, in the latter . part of November, when Grant raised the blockade of that post. Here he received on the 23d, a severe flesh wound in the calf of his leg. But although the wound was a severe one, he did not leave the field. A lieutenant of an Ohio regiment, just then off
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duty, bound up the wounded leg with his handkerchief, caught a stray horse for him and assisted him to mount, and thus Captain Bowen kept the field with his company until the battle of Mission Ridge was so triumphantly won. After the battle he was relieved for a time from active duty, and during his recovery from the wound he paid a visit to his home and friends in Wilmington. He rejoined his regiment in February 1864, while it was in winter quarters at Louden. In his first letter home, after rejoining his regiment, he speaks of the homesick feelings which came over him on his journey away from the home whose delights he had been permitted once more to enjoy for a little while, and how hard it was for him to do so, saying, that " for a time he felt like throw- ing up his commission and returning to the ease and comfort of a life of peace." But says he, " better thoughts soon resumed pos- session of my mind, aud I thought of my companions in arms, cheerfully enduring unto death if need be,-of my bleeding coun- try torn by a gigantic rebellion,-of the necessity that every man should put his shoulder to the wheel to raise the car of state, from the slough of despond into which it had fallen, but from which it was beginning to emerge,-of the thanks of a grateful people, that would be given to those who kept on until the foe had laid down his arms,-and of the obscurity that awaited those who should falter in the strife. I gathered my wandering resolutions, and set out once more cheerfully and willingly for the front." Such was the spirit that animated Major Bowen, and which breathes through all his letters home, and which, of course were written for no eyes except those of his family. Major Bowen continued in command of Co. A until it reached the vicinity of Atlanta, sharing in the exposures and engagements of that active com- paign, but escaping unharmed. On the 17th of July he was. obliged to leave the front, and was ordered to the officers' hospi -- tal at Chattanooga, on account of a severe attack of inflammation in one of his eyes. He remained in hospital until the 6th or 8th of September, when, having recovered, he rejoined his regiment before Atlanta. Meanwhile, the death of Col. Bartleson, and the resignation of Lieut. Col. Waterman had brought about the pro- motion of Major Hammond, and Captain Bowen was made major. While laid up in hospital in Chattanooga he had seriously enter- 64
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tained the idea of resigning his post, and retiring from the service, but as his eye soon began to get better, he gave up the thought, and determined to continue to share the dangers and labors of the regiment while the country should need him. He accordingly shared the subsequent campaigns and exposures of the regiment until the battle of Franklin, near the close of the war in the west. Here, he was with his regiment in the thickest of that bloody fight, one of the most severe in which the regiment was engaged, and in the course of which he was again wounded, this time in the thigh ; and, alas ! with such severity as to terminate in his death at Nashville, three days after. The exposure of the removal from Franklin to Nashville, during the falling back of the army, was so great as to disappoint the hopes of his recovery, and thus add one more to the number of valuable lives sacrificed to the accursed rebellion. His remains were brought home to Wilmington, and received all the honor and respect which it was possible to give them. Judge Harris, holding court at the time, adjourned the same, attending with a large delegation of citizens from this place, (Joliet), the funeral, which took place at Wil- mington. The loss of Major Bowen was deeply felt by the com- munity, and great sympathy was felt with his honored parents, who were thus called upon to sacrifice, not only their choicest, but their only gift upon the altar of their country.
Major Bowen was a member of the Episcopal church, having been baptized in infancy ; and the age of twenty-two, on his own deliberate and hearty choice, received the rite of confirmation,- consecrating himself for life to God's worship and service; an act which was supplemented by a pure and noble christain life.
DAVID G. GROVER, CAPTAIN CO. E 64TH ILLS. INFANTRY.
There are still left of the early settlers of this city a few-a very few-who remember that in 1835 or 6, a family of the name of Grover, located in Joliet, and lived in a house on the edge of the bluff, or the lot now occupied with the residence of Mrs. Strong. The family then, or subsequently, consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Grover, two sons and one girl, all three quite young. One of these boys, the subject of this sketch, was then but two years of
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age, and was born in Milford, Penn. Two years after coming here Mr. Grover died, and two years subsequently Mrs. Grover also died, thus leaving the children to an early orphanage.
David was taken by his grandfather Grover who resided at West Dryden, N. Y., and by him cared for during his childhood. At the age of eighteen he returned to Joliet. He found employ- ment for a time with James T. McDougall, who was then mer- chant and post master. Subsequently young Grover entered the office of S. W. Bowen, Esq., and engaged in the study of law, completing his course at the law school in Cincinnati.
After his graduation he went into partnership with his former instructor, and was engaged in the successful prosecution of lis profession when the war broke out. In the summer of 1859, he had been united in marriage with Miss Eliza S. McGinnis, who still survives him with two daughters. But although thus hap- pily situated in respect to his business and domestic relationts,- although his young family seemed to demand his care, and engage his affections, and although he had been politically opposed to the party in charge of the government,-the country's need and the country's danger seemed to call him with a voice which he could not resist. He immediately set about raising and organ- izing a company for the "Yates Sharp Shooters," the 64th, and was commissioned captain of the same (Co. E) in Dec. 1861. The history of Captain Grover was thenceforth identified with the 64th, until his death, and we refer to that history for his military record. From that record it will be seen that Capt. Gro- ver was killed in the second battle of Corinth, October 4th, 1862. The 64th was on the skirmish line, and lay between both armies, and the fire of their artillery. Capt. Grover was struck while cheering on his men. He was struck twice by fragments of shell, about 4 o'clock p. m. He was picked up and carried out of the reach of the fire by Michael Fuller, of Co. F, and there remained until night, under the burning sun, and in hearing of the fierce combat.
Capt. Grover was at the time in command of the skirmish line, consisting of companies B, C and E. The battalion lost heavily, and Capt. Grover's company most of all, losing twenty-one killed and wounded.
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