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 6
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56
Sunday evening the 10th inst., we had a lecture from Rev. Joel Grant, of Lockport, chaplain in the 12th regiment, a partici-
60
HOME HISTORY.
pant in the battles of Donaldson, Shiloh and Corinth. The lec- ture was given in aid of the sanitary commission. During the lat- ter part of the month some 1500 rebel prisoners passed through on the St. Louis R. R. for Camp Douglas.
War meetings are again the order of the day ; at one of these we had speeches from chaplain Button and Captain Hildebrant of the 20th.
The body of John McIntosh, of Wilmington, a member of the 100th, who died at Nashville, February 26th, passed through here early in March ; and April 3rd, M. B. Glenn of the 100th, for- merly in the Republican office, died at Joliet; and on the 4th inst. Wm. Bailey, late of the same regiment, also died.
In May, Captain Abel Longworth, of Morris, was appointed Provost Marshal under the conscription act, and opened his office in Young's block, S. Simmons of this county being commissioner, and Dr. McArthur, of Ottawa, examining surgeon. A draft is evidently preparing for us. The towns are being enrolled, and the number subject to military duty ascertained. This looks like business. And now, many suddenly remember that they have friends in Canada, and think it will be a good time to make them a visit. Many are suddenly afflicted with various difficulties and disabilities. The demand for hair dye suddenly falls off, as old fogies no longer wish to be thought young, and stop dyeing their hair and whiskers. It was something wonderful, the transforma- tions that took place. Health and youth are at a discount, while age and disability are at a premium ; a stiffened joint is a perfect God-send. Now, too, a new business is devised by the sharp and knowing ones, and substitute brokerage, becomes the road to wealth for many. Now, too, come on the days of high bounties, and other motives than those of patriotism are appealed to, to fill up the thinned ranks of our armies.
In May we hear from the old 20th, and the gallant part it took in the battle of Raymond, at which time Col. Richards, (then in command,) fell ; and the 20th lost heavily. Otto Lumberman, of Frankfort, and Albert W. Pearson, of Elwood, were among the wounded.
During the month of June, the public interest centres on Vicksburg. The 20th and McAllister's battery, bear a part
.
61
HOME HISTORY.
in the battles surrounding and investing it. Lieut. Henry King and Lieut. Wadsworth, both getting severely wounded in the head, are home. July.4th brings us the glorious news of its surrender, one of the greatest achievements of the war, hitherto. Simultaneously we hear of the victory of Gettysburg, in which our county had some share in the eighth cavalry. Great demonstra- tions of joy are made throughout the city. Cannons are fired, bells rung, and bands played. The people get together in the old C. H., and orate and blaviate, and jubilate in the most thrilling and patriotic manner. We think for a while that the backbone of the rebellion is surely broken, but it turns out that it had only got a bad wrench !
When the army of Gen. Grant captured Jackson, they found in a rebel hospital, Wm. H. Marsh, of the 13th regiment, of whose capture mention was made a few pages back. He had been badly wounded and taken prisoner in the attack on Chickasaw Bluffs in Dec. previous. The news was a joyful surprise to his friends who had been in entire ignorance of his fate, and had almost despaired of seeing him again. He was found by his old townsmen of the 20th, and taken in their ambulance to his own regiment. It will be remembered that he was able to get home, and to be about our streets for a while, but succumbed at last to the effects of his wound.
But Marsh was not the only Joliet boy found at Jackson. The 20th regiment was ordered to occupy the yard of Miss. State Hospital as a camping ground. As they marched into the yard they saw two hard looking butternut clad gentleman sitting on the porch. On coming near one seemed to have a very familiar look to the Joliet boys, notwithstanding his long hair and but- ternut rig. One of them called to A. J. Sanger, who happened to be riding by at the time, and asked him if he knew that Reb. He took a good look at him and said, " Why yes, that's John Rob- erts." And sure enough it was the same chap that was guard for a time at prison, auctioneer, etc., and was clerk for " Brother Wood" when he used to sell horse collars, coffee and tobacco in the old " ominibus." John was now filling the position of ward-master of the rebel general hospital, and was a bitter rebel. He told the boys that he had been in the rebel army ever since the war broke
.
62
HOME HISTORY.
out, in Laywood's cavalry. He was with Armstrong's force that fought the 20th and 30th Ill. at Britton's Lane, in Sept. 1862, and acknowledged that they had been most genteenly flogged on that occasion. The boys made John come down with the best he had in the way of hospital stores, for old acquaintance sake, among the rest some whisky which he evidently parted with very reluctantly. Roberts swore he would never quit fighting the Yankees, and was full of brag, and boasted of being one of the six that killed Lt. Col. Mccullough, of Bloomington, of the 4th Cav- alry, in the fight near Coffeeville, Miss., Dec. 4th, 1862, when some Will Co. boys were taken prisoners. He had been ward- master of the hospital for six months, but meant to go back to the army soon. He enquired about many Joliet acquaintances, but said he should 'never go back there. Well, we can stand it if he can! This so far as I know, was the only Joliet rebel,-that took up arms !
Captain Cleghorn, of the 20th, came home after Vicksburg, hav- ing resigned in consequence of a blow from a shell which struck the old wound in his arm, causing it to break out once more. He afterwards had a position in the invalid corps. Heis still living, which circumstance alone prevents me from saying some good things of him.
At a meeting of the Board of Supervisors on Sept. 9th, the war fund committee reported that certificates had been disbursed by the clerk to 957 soldiers to the amount of $57,420. Twenty-two volunteers had elected to draw $5 monthly for their families. The payment of relief to the families of soldiers was referred to the town boards, and the town auditors authorized to make the neces- sary appropriations. At a subsequent meeting, (on the 18th), the clerk reported "the amount of certificates drawn, to be $59,270, leaving a balance on hand of the $60,000 appropriation of $730; and that the amount necessary to pay the families of those who had elected the monthly payments, would be up to August 31st, 1864, $1,320; and that there had been paid to two volunteers $120, making the total amount $1,440, from which, deducting the amount on hand, would leave a balance to be provided for of $710." The board made the necessary appropriation.
The board also appointed a committee consisting of Rev. H.
63
HOME HISTORY.
Crews and Dr. A. W. Bowen to proceed at once to the army of the Cumberland to look after the wants of the soldiers from Will county, and appropriated the sum of $300 for their expenses. This action was rendered necessary by the terrible battles of the 19th and 20th of Sept. at Chickamauga Creek, Georgia, the news of which had just arrived, and in which our 100th regiment, and Barnett's battery were engaged. The city was filled with rumors of the casualties to the regiment. Col. Bartleson was reported killed. For some time his fate was uncertain, even as late as October 10th, Captain Burrell, of Plainfield, who was at home, (having been wounded in the fight), reported that the Col. fell badly wounded ; and Lt. Patterson, also home wounded, brought the re- port that an officer of the 26th Ohio, in the same brigade, saw his body lying in the field hospital, previous to its capture. After a while, however, it was ascertained that he was a prisoner at Richmond, and unhurt.
Although the report of the Colonel's death proved premature, yet the list of killed and wounded was such as to enlist our sym- pathies, and bring anguish to many hearts. The number killed was 23, wounded 117, missing 24. We will only add in this place that Lieuts. Keniston and Koach, were also taken prisoners with the Col., and some others also, (about 15), who remained with him behind a picket fence after the main part ot the regi- ment had fallen back ; and that on the withdrawal of our forces on the night after the first day's fight, the hospital containing our wounded, in charge of Surgeon Woodruff and hospital steward, Stump, and attendants, was brought within the enemy's lines and all in it were made prisoners. They were all paroled to report at Atlanta, except the badly wounded, which were sent into our lines as soon as practicable. After the wounded were disposed of, Surgeon Woodruff and the rest went to Atlanta, and were distributed as the rebel authorities thought best. The sur- geon and hospital steward, brought up in Richmond, and some of the rest experienced the horrors of Andersonville, part of whom never escaped its foul precincts until death brought their release. We shall have more to say about this elsewhere.
There was another man in the hospital at the time, who did
64
HOME HISTORY.
not go to Andersonville or Libby, and he was not badly wounded either, and I must tell how this happened :
. Those of my readers who get their rations at Culver's meat shop know " Billy Bunker," and know that he can cut a steak or a roast in the most approved style. And you may perhaps know that Billy is a dead shot, and can bring down a deer, a duck, or a turkey, every time. But you may not know that Billy was one of the brave boys of the 100th, and once cracked his rifle at the ene- mies of the Union, as coolly as he would at a turkey ; for Billy is a modest man, and unless you have drawn him out, he has not told you. On the march of our army to Chattanooga, he got sick -- had a run of fever. When he was convalescing, as the regiment was about to move, Surgeon Heise gave him his choice, either to go back to a hospital, or to keep up with the regiment riding in an ambulance. Billy is not one of those who like to go back, and so he chose the latter, and kept on to Chattanooga, and out to the front at Gordon's Mills. He was in the division field hospital when the fight began, and lay there a long time, listening to its grim music, until he could endure it no longer, and seizing his musket, took his place in the ranks, and put in a couple of hours hard work, by which time he was so exhausted that he had to lay down, and when the regiment fell back, he was left. Surgeon Woodruff, coming along with his ambulance, picked up the wounded, saw Billy lying there, and asked him what he was there for, and tell - ing him that the enemy would soon have the ground, and it behooved him to be on his travels. When he found that Billy was used up, he told him to creep into the ambulance. He did so, and was taken back to the hospital again. Well, the hospital came within the enemy's lines next day, as we have related, and, after two or three days, a rebel officer came around to parole those who were not disabled, to go to Atlanta, and await further orders. Billy did not want to travel in that direction, and he managed to keep out of sight while the rebel officer was around. A few days after, an arrangement was made by Rosecrans with the rebel authorities, to have the seriously wounded sent into our lines, and accordingly, a rebel officer came around to parole them, and to see that everything was done according to the terms of the agreement. Billy got wind of the matter, and, with the surgeon's consent, he
65
HOME HISTORY.
had crawled into a vacant cot, and got covered up. Being still thin and pale, he was supposed to be a wounded man, and was paroled as such. When the ambulance came around for the wounded, he was helped in by two men-his leg and foot swathed with blankets-while another great blanket hung over his shoul- ders, beneath which he had concealed a half dozen canteens which he had filled with whisky from the hospital stores, and was bound to keep from the rebels ; and so he got back to Chattanooga, and escaped the horrors of Andersonville, and saved me the necessity of writing his obituary.
I have only one criticism to make on Billy's conduct. What- ever casuists might say, I think he did perfectly right in hum- bugging the rebels, but, in my opinion, he ought to have left them the whisky, as the more they had of that commodity, the worse off they would be! I am afraid, too, that Billy never reported it at the commissary's, and can't show Sergt. Garnsey's receipt for it.
The committee, Crews and Bowen, visited Chattanooga in com- pliance with their appointment, looked after the boys, ascertained their fate and their wants, and, on their return, gave a report of their mission, giving an authentic account of the casualties. For further particulars, see the history of the regiment.
Oct. 17th, Father Abraham calls for 300,000 more, to fill up the ranks of the regiments in the field, and our patriotic governor backs up the call with a proclamation for a speedy response. The backbone is not yet broken !
About the first of December, a lot of rebel prisoners passed through Joliet, on their way to Rock Island. They changed cars here, and their presence, of course, excited much interest, and a large crowd gathered to take a look at them. By some mistake or negligence of the commissary at Louisville, they had but little to eat after leaving that place, and, when they arrived here, they were terribly hungry. When the fact became known to our citi- zens, a spontaneous movement was made for their relief. Parties went to their homes and to the provision stores, and gathered up sufficient food to relieve the wants of the poor fellows-thus obey- ing the command : "If thine enemy hunger, feed him." The prisoners expressed their gratitude in the warmest manner, and when the train left, gave three rousing cheers for Joliet. Many
9
66
HOME HISTORY.
of our citizens gave the prisoners a quarter in Uncle Sam's cur- rency for a $5 or $10 bill of the confederate states, which I presume they still keep as a curiosity. Is there any danger that they will ever be worth anything more !
Nov. 28th, we were in receipt of the news of Grant's success in the operations before Chattanooga, and on Lookout Mountain, and on Mission Ridge. The 100th and the 90th regiments and Battery I, were engaged, and our townsman, Capt. Dan O'Connor, of the 90th, was wounded severely, and brought home. Another of our citizens in the 90th, John O'Brien, got his empty sleeve at the same time. Adjutant Rouse, and Colonel A. N. Waterman, and Captain Nelson, of the 100th, the two latter wounded, were also home. Capt. Bowen, also wounded, and Lieut. Ewen, were home this month, trying to get recruits for the thinned ranks of the 100th. Surgeon H. T. Woodruff arrived from Libby prison, (hav- ing been exchanged), the latter part of December, bringing us news of Col. Bartleson, and others he had left behind.
The board of enrollment of this district, having completed their labors, all persons who have been enrolled, and who are not liable to military duty, are notified to appear before the 20th of December, and to present their excuses, and to get their names stricken from the roll. Notice is also given, that unless our quota is filled by the 5th inst., (Dec.,) the draft will probably come. The enrollment lists have been printed, and are posted in conspicu- ous places, and are eagerly read by the crowds of passers-by. Crowds also fill the office of the enrolling board, from early morn- ing till late at night, presenting their reasons for exemption. Some curious ones were given. One man, after a long time waiting his- turn, when asked his excuse, in a manner both confident and con- fidential, whispered in the ears of the captain, that he was the only father of a small boy, and was ready to make his affidavit to the fact ! I believe the captain did not allow him to take his oath to such a rash statement. Some who had voted for years, and voted early and often, suddenly discovered that they were not citizens of the United States. A second hegira to Canada also took place.
A special meeting of the Board of Supervisors was called at the clerk's office, Dec. 16th, to take action in respect to bounties for those who should enlist under the last call. A committee was
67
HOME HISTORY.
appointed, who reported in favor of a bounty of $100, to be paid to all who should enlist before the draft; and that the sum of $39,225 should be appropriated for this purpose. Also that Geo. Woodruff, B. F. Russell, H. Howk, of Joliet, and Wm. Gooding, of Lockport, and A. J. McIntyre, of Wilmington, should be a war fund committee, whose duty it should be to sell orders for cash, as many as would be required, at not exceeding ten per cent. discount, and pay the proceeds to those who should be entitled to receive it. This report was adopted. It was also resolved that "justice to all the brave men in the field from Will county, (except such as have already received it), and the widows and minor chil- dren of such as have died or been killed in the service, required that they should be paid a bounty of sixty dollars ;" but it was found that the board had already appropriated all that they legally could. And here it is but justice to this, and other like commit- tees to say, that, without pecuniary reward, they discharged the duties imposed upon them, in raising and disbursing the funds for this purpose, devoting much time and labor to the good work.
Public meetings are again held all over the county, to encour- age enlistments. It was at this time-Dec., '63, and Jan., '64- that Capt. (afterwards Major) Logan, enlisted Co. G, with the aid of his lieutenant, Benj. Snyder, for the 64th regiment, or Yates' Sharpshooters. Thirty-three men for Co. I, were also obtained in this county, and five for Co. K. All recruits had to pass the scru- tiny of a medical examination by Dr. McArthur, of the enrolling board, which no doubt gave rise to some amusing scenes which are not reported. On one occasion, a youth of slender form, and deli- cate but interesting countenance, full-breasted and sinewy, though slight and short, applied for enlistment in Capt. Logan's company. The applicant was handed over to the surgeon, for the usual exam- ination. The doctor had not proceeded very far in the discharge of his official duties, when the recruit most decidedly declined fur- ther examination, and suddenly left, in disgust with the service, (or the preliminary thereto), the doctor advising a radical change of costume. This was very unfortunate for Capt. Logan, who, I presume, thought he had got a very valuable recruit !
Dr. Bailey, then of this city, and who had resigned his position as assistant surgeon in the 20th regiment, was at this time in charge
68
HOME HISTORY.
of one of the government hospitals in Quincy, and reports the names of ten privates of the 100th regiment, as in the hospitals of that city. Dr. Bailey was complimented by the soldiers of hospital No. 3, of which he had charge, with a New Year's gift of a gold watch, a well-earned and richly-deserved present.
In January, '64, Barnett's battery was home on veteran fur- lough, and the captain opened a recruiting office here to fill up its ranks, at which time he succeeded in getting some forty or fifty recruits, that did good service in finishing up the rebellion. The battery rendezvoused at Camp Erwin. The 66th regiment, which had been home on veteran furlough, also rendezvoused at Camp Erwin, and obtained some twenty-five recruits from our county. Capt. Logan's company joined the 64th at Ottawa.
In February, the 39th regiment came home on veteran fur- lough, and the Wilmington people had a high old time, receiving, and feteing, and recruiting companies A and E.
February 1st, Father Abraham calls for 200,000 more, and orders are issued that the draft take place the 10th of March, to make up deficiencies in quotas. A special meeting of the Board of Supervisors was again called, Feb. 10th, and a further appro- priation of $14,125 made, in order to give a bounty of $100 to each recruit enlisting before March 12th, or before the quota was filled. It was the wish of the supervisors to appropriate a like sum to each veteran who should re-enlist, but the board found that it had already gone to the extent of the law in making appropria- tions. The members, however, pledged themselves officially to use their best efforts to get an act of the legislature passed, which should enable them to do so, and ordered the clerk to make it a matter of record. The board also appropriated $7,000, for the purpose of filling up our quota. The desired legislation was obtained soon after.
Barnett's battery, and the 66th regiment, left Camp Erwin for the seat of war, March 4th. The ladies of the city gave them a. parting collation at the court house. A splendid sword and belt were also presented to Capt. Logan, of the 64th.
Our fellow-citizen, Alex. McIntosh, received in this month a commission as quartermaster in the U. S. volunteer service, with rank of captain, and took his departure for Chattanooga. He went
69
HOME HISTORY.
through Sherman's campaign to Atlanta, and thence to the sea, and to Richmond. M. F. Hand, who had got his discharge from. the 100th, accompanied him as clerk, as handy as ever.
In March, also, we hear the gratifying news of Col. Bartleson's release from Libby. He was met in Chicago, by a committee of our citizens, of which Mayor Porter was chairman, and on arrival at Joliet, was enthusiastically welcomed, and conducted to the court house, where Judge Parks made a speech of welcome, in his. usual happy manner, to which Col. Bartleson made a modest and. deeply interesting reply. This was one of the finest ovations ever tendered anyone in Will county, although it was gotten up on short notice.
The old 20th was home, also, this month, on veteran furlough, and the two companies belonging to this county were met at the cars, and escorted to the court house by our citizens and the cornet band; and a speech of welcome was made by Breckenridge, to which Col. Bartleson, their old major, replied in their behalf. After the reception at the court house, they were escorted to the. Auburn House, and treated to a supper in Charley Austin's best style. Our large-hearted citizen, Otis Hardy, Esq., also opened his house to a reception to the soldiers of the 20th, and others. The citizens of Frankfort, also, gave an oyster supper to all returned soldiers in that vicinity.
In April, our governor calls for twenty thousand three- months, or one hundred days' men, to take the place of such sol- diers as were guarding prisoners, or in other posts at the north, and recruiting is going on for this purpose. I. M. DeLine, Samuel Coll and E. Tyler, discharged soldiers, are trying to raise companies, and public meetings are held to facilitate the matter, and committees appointed to raise funds. A full company, partly from this county is soon in Camp Erwin, raised by Col. Goodwin, formerly Major of the 20th. Our county furnished about seventy- five of these 100 day men. They served a useful purpose inas- much as they permitted an equal number of old soldiers to go to the front. Dr. Danforth having resigned his sword, took up the lancet again as surgeon of the 134th, 100 day regiment.
April 27th, Lt. Col. Waterman who had been in command of the 100th since Bartleson was taken prisoner, having received
70
HOME HISTORY.
from the government a new stand of colors, sent home the old flag, which the regiment had carried since leaving Joliet, now all tattered and torn, so that it could no longer be unfurled, accom- panied by a most eloquent letter giving briefly the scenes through which it had passed.
At a special meeting of the Supervisors, May 14th, they ap- propriated the sum of $2,750, for the purpose of paying to each volunteer for the 100 days' service (not exceeding one hundred men) the sum of $27.50.
The body of Adjutant Joseph D. Walker, of Lockport, of the .39th, who was killed in the battle on the Peninsula, at Bermuda Hundreds, May 15th, was brought to Lockport, where funeral services were held May 23d by Rev. Mr. McReading, the former chaplain of the regiment. The body was then taken to Wil- mington for burial.
The funeral of Captain Burrell, of the 100th, killed on the skirmish line May 30th, took place at Plainfield, June 10th.
The Atlanta campaign, in which the 100th, 90th, 20th, 64th and McAllister's and Barnett's batteries took part, now absorbs the interest of our people, and we have frequent intelligence of casu- alties which will be noticed in the history of the several organiza- tions.
To cap the climax of our grief, to fill our cup of sorrow to the brim, comes the sad news of the death of our beloved citi- zen, the gallant Colonel of the 100th, killed on the afternoon of June 23d. As everything relating to this painful matter is else- where related, we pass over it now without further mention.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.