Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Edgar County, Part 115

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell
Number of Pages: 876

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TWELFTH CAVALRY. Organized at Springfield, in February, 1862, and remained there guarding rebel prisoners until June 25, when it was mounted and sent to Martinsburg, Va. It was engaged at Fredericksburg, Williamsport, Falling Waters, the Rapidan and Stevensburg. On Nov. 26, 1863, the regiment was relieved from service and ordered home to reorganize as veterans. Subsequently it joined Banks in the Red River expedition and in Davidson's expedition against Mobile. While at Memphis the Twelfth Cavalry was consolidated into an eight-company organi- zation, and the Fourth Cavalry, having previously been consolidated into a battalion of five com- panies, was consolidated with the Twelfth. The consolidated regiment was mustered out at Houston, Texas, May 29, 1866, and, on June 18, received final pay and discharge at Springfield.

THIRTEENTH CAVALRY. Organized at Chicago, in December, 1861; moved to the front from Benton Barracks, Mo., in February, 1862, and was engaged in the following battles and skir- mishes (all in Missouri and Arkansas) : Putnam's Ferry, Cotton Plant, Union City (twice), Camp Pillow, Bloomfield (first and second battles), Van Buren, Allen, Eleven Point River, Jackson, White River, Chalk Bluff, Bushy Creek, near Helena, Grand Prairie, White River, Deadman's Lake, Brownsville, Bayou Metoe, Austin, Little Rock, Benton, Batesville, Pine Bluff, Arkadel- phia, Okolona, Little Missouri River, Prairie du Anne, Camden, Jenkins' Ferry, Cross Roads, Mount Elba, Douglas Landing and Monticello. The regiment was mustered out, August 31, 1865, and received final pay and discharge at Spring- field, Sept. 13, 1865.

FOURTEENTH CAVALRY. Mustered into service at Peoria, in January and February, 1863; par- ticipated in the battle of Cumberland Gap, in the defense of Knoxville and the pursuit of Long-

street, in the engagements at Bean Station and Dandridge, in the Macon raid, and in the cavalry battle at Sunshine Church. In the latter Gen- eral Stoneman surrendered, but the Fourteenth cut its way out. On their retreat the men were betrayed by a guide and the regiment badly cut up and scattered, those escaping being liunted by soldiers with bloodhounds. Later, it was engaged at Waynesboro and in the battles of Franklin and Nashville, and was mustered out at Nashville, July 31, 1865, having marched over 10,000 miles, exclusive of duty done by detachments.

FIFTEENTH CAVALRY. Composed of companies originally independent, attached to infantry regi- ments and acting as such; participated in the battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh, and in the siege and capture of Corinth. Regimental or- ganization was effected in the spring of 1863, and thereafter it was engaged chiefly in scouting and post duty. It was mustered out at Springfield, August 25, 1864, the recruits (whose term of service had not expired) being consolidated with the Tenth Cavalry.

SIXTEENTH CAVALRY. Composed principally of Chicago men-Thieleman's and Schambeck's Cavalry Companies, raised at the outset of the war, forming the nucleus of the regiment .. The former served as General Sherman's body-guard for some time. Captain Thieleman was made a Major and authorized to raise a battalion, the two companies named thenceforth being known as Thieleman's Battalion. In September, 1862, the War Department authorized the extension of the battalion to a regiment, and, on the 11th of June, 1863, the regimental organization was com- pleted. It took part in the East Tennessee cam- paign, a portion of the regiment aiding in the defense of Knoxville, a part garrisoning Cumber- and Gap, and one battalion being captured by Longstreet. The regiment also participated in the battles of Rocky Face Ridge, Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Kingston, Cassville, Carterville, Allatoona, Kenesaw, Lost Mountain, Mines Ridge, Powder Springs, Chattahoochie, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Franklin and Nashville. It arrived in Chicago, August 23, 1865, for final payment and discharge, having marched about 5,000 miles and engaged in thirty-one battles, besides numer- ous skirmishes.

SEVENTEENTH CAVALRY. Mustered into serv- ice in January and February, 1864; aided in the repulse of Price at Jefferson City, Mo., and was engaged at Booneville, Independence, Mine Creek, and Fort Scott, besides doing garrison duty, scouting and raiding. It was mustered

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out in November and December, 1865, at Leaven- worth, Kan. Gov. John L. Beveridge, who had previously been a Captain and Major of the Eightlı Cavalry, was the Colonel of this regi- ment.

FIRST LIGHT ARTILLERY. Consisted of ten batteries. Battery A was organized under the first call for State troops. April 21, 1861. but not mustered into the three years' service until July 16; was engaged at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, the sieges of Vicksburg and Jackson, and in the Atlanta cam- paign; was in reserve at Champion Hills and Nashville, and mustered out July 3, 1865, at Chicago.

Battery B was organized in April, 1861, en- gaged at Belmont, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, in the siege of Corinth and at La Grange, Holly Springs, Memphis, Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, the siege of Vicksburg, Mechanicsburg, Richmond (La.), the Atlanta campaign and the battle of Nashville. The Battery was reorganized by con- solidation with Battery A, and mustered out at Chicago, July 2, 1865.

Battery D was organized at Cairo, Sept. 2, 1861; was engaged at Fort Donelson and at Shiloh, and mustered out, July 28, 1865, at Chicago.

Battery E was organized at Camp Douglas and mustered into service, Dec. 19, 1861; was engaged at Shiloh, Corinth, Jackson, Vicksburg, Gun- town, Pontotoc, Tupelo and Nashville, and mus- tered out at Louisville, Dec. 24, 1864.

Battery F was recruited at Dixon and mus- tered in at Springfield, Feb. 25, 1862. It took part in the siege of Corinth and the Yocona expedition, and was consolidated with the other batteries in the regiment, March 7, 1865.

Battery G was organized at Cairo and mus- tered in Sept. 28, 1861; was engaged in the siege and the second battle of Corinth, and mustered out at Springfield, July 24, 1865.

Battery H was recruited in and about Chicago, during January and February, 1862; participated in the battle of Shiloh, siege of Vicksburg, and in the Atlanta campaign, the "March to the Sea," and through the Carolinas with Sherman.

Battery I was organized at Camp Douglas and mustered in, Feb. 10, 1862; was engaged at Shiloh, in the Tallahatchie raid, the sieges of Vicksburg and Jackson, and in the battles of Chattanooga and Vicksburg It veteranized, March 17, 1864, and was mustered out, July 26, 1865.

Battery K was organized at Shawneetown and mustered in, Jan. 9, 1862, participated in Burn-

side's campaign in Tennessee, and in the capture of Knoxville. Part of the men were mustered out at Springfield in June, 1865, and the re- manider at Chicago in July.

Battery M was organized at Camp Douglas and mustered into the service, August 12, 1862, for three years. It served through the Chickamauga campaign, being engaged at Chickamauga; also was engaged at Missionary Ridge, was besieged at Chattanooga, and took part in all the impor- tant battles of the Atlanta campaign. It was mustered out at Chicago, July 24, 1864, having traveled 3,102 miles and been under fire 178 days.

SECOND LIGHT ARTILLERY. Consisted of nine batteries. Battery A was organized at Peoria, and mustered into service, May 23, 1861; served in Missouri and Arkansas, doing brilliant work at Pea Ridge. It was mustered out of service at Springfield, July 27, 1865.

Battery D was organized at Cairo, and mustered into service in December, 1861; was engaged at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Vicksburg, Jackson, Meridian and Decatur, and mustered out at Louisville, Nov. 21, 1864.

Battery E was organized at St. Louis, Mo., in August, 1861, and mustered into service, August 20, at that point. It was engaged at Fort Donel- son and Shiloh, and in the siege of Corinth and the Yocona expedition-was consolidated with Battery A.

Battery F was organized at Cape Girardeau, Mo., and mustered in, Dec. 11, 1861; was engaged at Shiloh, in the siege and second battle of Corinth, and the Meridian campaign; also at Kenesaw, Atlanta and Jonesboro. It was mustered out, July 27, 1865, at Springfield.

Battery H was organized at Springfield, De- cember, 1861, and mustered in, Dec. 31, 1861; was engaged at Fort Donelson and in the siege of Fort Pillow; veteranized, Jan. 1, 1864, was mounted as cavalry the following summer, and mustered out at Springfield, July 29, 1865.

Battery I was recruited in Will County, and mustered into service at Camp Butler, Dec. 31, 1861. It participated in the siege of Island No. 10, in the advance upon Cornith, and in the battles of Perryville, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge and Chattanooga. It veteranized, Jan. 1, 1864, marched with Sher- man to Atlanta, and thence to Savannah and through the Carolinas, and was mustered out at Springfield.

Battery K was organized at Springfield and mustered in Dec. 31, 1863; was engaged at Fort Pillow, the capture of Clarkston, Mo., and the

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siege of Vicksburg. It was mustered out, July 14, 1865, at Chicago.

Battery L was organized at Chicago and mus- tered in, Feb. 28, 1862; participated in the ad- vance on Corinth, the battle of Hatchie and the advance on the Tallahatchie, and was mustered out at Chicago, August 9, 1865.

Battery M was organized at Chicago, and mus- tered in at Springfield, June, 1862; was engaged at Jonesboro, Blue Spring, Blountsville and Rogersville, being finally consolidated with other batteries of the regiment.

CHICAGO BOARD OF TRADE BATTERY. Organ- ized through the efforts of the Chicago Board of Trade, which raised $15,000 for its equipment, within forty-eight hours. It was mustered into service, August 1, 1862, was engaged at Law- renceburg, Murfreesboro, Stone River, Chicka- mauga, Farmington, Decatur (Ga.), Atlanta, Lovejoy Station, Nashville, Selma and Columbus (Ga.) It was mustered out at Chicago, June 30, 1865, and paid in full, July 3, having marched 5,268 miles and traveled by rail 1,231 miles. The battery was in eleven of the hardest battles fought in the West, and in twenty-six minor battles, being in action forty-two times while on scouts, reconnoissances or outpost duty.

CHICAGO MERCANTILE BATTERY. Recruited and organized under the auspices of the Mercan- tile Association, an association of prominent and patriotic merchants of the City of Chicago. It was mustered into service, August 29, 1862, at Camp Douglas, participated in the Tallahatchie and Yazoo expeditions, the first attack upon Vicksburg, the battle of Arkansas Post, the siege of Vicksburg, the battles of Magnolia Hills, Champion Hills, Black River Bridge and Jackson (Miss.); also took part in Banks' Red River ex- pedition; was mustered out at Chicago, and received final payment, July 10, 1865, having traveled, by river, sea and land, over 11,000 miles.

SPRINGFIELD LIGHT ARTILLERY. Recruited principally from the cities of Springfield, Belle- ville and Wenona, and mustered into service at Springfield, for the term of three years, August 21, 1862, numbering 199 men and officers. It participated in the capture of Little Rock and in the Red River expedition, and was mustered out at Springfield, 114 strong, June 30, 1865.

COGSWELL'S BATTERY, LIGHT ARTILLERY. Organized at Ottawa, Ill., and mustered in, Nov. 11, 1861, as Company A (Artillery) Fifty-third Illinois Volunteers, Colonel Cushman command- ing the regiment. It participated in the

advance on Corinth, the siege of Vicksburg, the battle of Missionary Ridge, and the capture of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely, near Mobile. The regiment was mustered out at Springfield, August 14, 1865, having served three years and nine months, marched over 7,500 miles, and partici- pated in seven sieges and battles.

STURGES RIFLES. An independent company, organized at Chicago, armed, equipped and sub- sisted for nearly two months, by the patriotic generosity of Mr. Solomon Sturges; was mustered into service, May 6, 1861; in June following, was ordered to West Virginia, serving as body- guard of General Mcclellan; was engaged at Rich Mountain, in the siege of Yorktown, and in the seven days' battle of the Chickahominy. A portion of the company was at Antietam, the remainder having been detached as foragers, scouts, etc. It was mustered out at Washington, Nov. 25, 1862.

WAR, THE SPANISH - AMERICAN. The oppressions and misrule which had character- ized the administration of affairs by the Spanish Government and its agents for generations, in the Island of Cuba, culminated, in April, 1898, in mutual declarations of war between Spain and the United States. The causes leading up to this result were the injurious effects upon American commerce and the interests of American citizens owning property in Cuba, as well as the constant expense imposed upon the Government of the United States in the maintenance of a large navy along the South Atlantic coast to suppress fili- bustering, superadded to the friction and unrest produced among the people of this country by the long continuance of disorders and abuses so near to our own shores, which aroused the sympathy and indignation of the entire civilized world. For three years a large proportion of the Cuban population had been in open rebellion against the Spanish Government, and, while the latter had imported a large army to the island and sub- jected the insurgents and their families and sympathizers to the grossest cruelties, not even

excepting torture and starvation itself, their policy had failed to bring the insurgents into subjection or to restore order. In this condition of affairs the United States Government had endeavored, through negotiation, to secure a miti- gation of the evils complained of, by a modifica- tion of the Spanish policy of government in the island; but all suggestions in this direction had either been resented by Spain as unwarrantable interference in her affairs, or promises of reform, when made, had been as invariably broken.

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In the meantime an increasing sentiment had been growing up in the United States in favor of conceding belligerent rights to the Cuban insur- gents, or the recognition of their independence, which found expression in measures proposed in Congress-all offers of friendly intervention by the United States having been rejected by Spain with evidences of indignation. Compelled, at last, to recognize its inability to subdue the insur- rection, the Spanish Government, in November, 1897, made a pretense of tendering autonomy to the Cuban people, with the privilege of amnesty to the insurgents on laying down their arms. The long duration of the war and the outrages perpetrated upon the helpless "reconcentrados," coupled with the increased confidence of the insurgents in the final triumph of their cause, rendered this movement-even if intended to be carried out to the letter-of no avail. The proffer came too late, and was promptly rejected.

In this condition of affairs and with a view to greater security for American interests, the American battleship Maine was ordered to Havana, on Jan. 24, 1898. It arrived in Havana Harbor the following day, and was anchored at a point designated by the Spanish commander. On the night of February 15, following, it was blown up and destroyed by some force, as shown by after investigation, applied from without. Of a crew of 354 men belonging to the vessel at the time, 266 were either killed outright by the explosion, or died from their wounds. Not only the Ameri- can people, but the entire civilized world, was shocked by the catastrophe. An act of horrible treachery had been perpetrated against an American vessel and its crew on a peaceful mis- sion in the harbor of a professedly friendly na- tion.

The successive steps leading to actual hostili- ties were rapid and eventful. One of the earliest and most significant of these was the passage, by a unanimous vote of both houses of Congress, on March 9, of an appropriation placing $50,000,000 in the hands of the President as an emergency fund for purposes of national defense. This was followed, two days later, by an order for the mobilization of the army. The more important events following this step were: An order, under date of April 5, withdrawing American consuls from Spanish stations; the departure, on April 9, of Consul-General Fitzhugh Lee from Havana; April 19, the adoption by Congress of concurrent resolutions declaring Cuba independent and directing the President to use the land and naval forces of the United States to put an end to

Spanish authority in the island; April 20, the sending to the Spanish Government, by the Presi- dent, of an ultimatum in accordance with this act; April 21, the delivery to Minister Woodford, at Madrid, of his passports without waiting for the presentation of the ultimatum, with the departure of the Spanish Minister from Washing- ton; April 23, the issue of a call by the President for 125,000 volunters; April 24, the final declara- tion of war by Spain; April 25, the adoption by Congress of a resolution declaring that war had existed from April 21; on the same date an order to Admiral Dewey, in command of the Asiatic Squadron at Hongkong, to sail for Manila with a view to investing that city and blockading Philippine ports.

The chief events subsequent to the declaration . of war embraced the following: May 1, the destruction by Admiral Dewey's squadron of the Spanish fleet in the harbor of Manila; May 19, the arrival of the Spanish Admiral Cervera's fleet at Santiago de Cuba; May 25, a second call by the President for 75,000 volunteers; July 3, the attempt of Cervera's fleet to escape, and its destruction off Santiago; July 17, the surrender of Santiago to the forces under General Shafter; July 30, the statement by the President, through the French Ambassador at Washington, of the terms on which the United States would consent to make peace; August 9, acceptance of the peace terms by Spain, followed, three days later, by the signing of the peace protocol; September 9, the appointment by the President of Peace Commis- sioners on the part of the United States; Sept. 18, the announcement of the Peace Commissioners selected by Spain; October 1, the beginning of the Peace Conference by the representatives of the two powers, at Paris, and the formal signing, on December 10, of the peace treaty, including the recognition by Spain of the freedom of Cuba, with the transfer to the United States of Porto Rico and her other West India islands, together with the surrender of the Philippines for a con- sideration of $20,000,000.

Seldom, if ever, in the history of nations have such vast and far-reaching results been accom- plished within so short a period. The war, which practically began with the destruction of the Spanish fleet in Manila Harbor-an event which aroused the enthusiasm of the whole American people, and won the respect and admiration of other nations-was practically ended by the surrender of Santiago and the declaration by the President of the conditions of peace just three months later. Succeeding

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events, up to the formal signing of the peace treaty, were merely the recognition of results previously determined.

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS REGIMENTS .- The part played by Illinois in connection with these events may be briefly summarized in the history of Illi- nois regiments and other organizations. Under the first call of the President for 125,000 volun- teers, eight regiments-seven of infantry and one of cavalry-were assigned to Illinois, to which was subsequently added, on application through Governor Tanner, one battery of light artil- lery. The infantry regiments were made up of the Illinois National Guard, numbered consecutively from one to seven, and were practically mobilized at their home stations within forty-eight hours from the receipt of the call, and began to arrive at Camp Tanner, near Springfield, the place of rendezvous, on April 26, the day after the issue of the Governor's call. The record of Illinois troops is conspicuous for the promptness of their response and the com- pleteness of their organization-in this respect being unsurpassed by those of any other State. Under the call of May 25 for an additional force of 75,000 men, the quota assigned to Illinois was two regiments, which were promptly furnished, taking the names of the Eighth and Ninth. The first of these belonged to the Illinois National Guard, as the regiments mustered in under the first call had done, while the Ninth was one of a number of "Provisional Regiments" which had tendered their services to the Government. Some twenty-five other regiments of this class, more or less complete, stood ready to perfect their organi- zations should there be occasion for their serv- ices. The aggregate strength of Illinois organi- zations at date of muster out from the United States service was 12,280-11,789 men and 491 officers.

FIRST REGIMENT ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS (orig- inally Illinois National Guard) was organized at Chicago, and mustered into the United States service at Camp Tanner (Springfield), under the command of Col. Henry L. Turner, May 13, 1898; left Springfield for Camp Thomas (Chickamauga) May 17; assigned to First Brigade, Third Division, of the First Army Corps; started for Tampa, Fla., June 2, but soon after arrival there was transferred to Picnic Island, and assigned to provost duty in place of the First United States Infantry. On June 30 the bulk of the regiment embarked for Cuba, but was detained in the har- bor at Key West until July 5, when the vessel sailed for Santiago, arriving in Guantanamo Bay

on the evening of the 8th. Disembarking on the 10th, the whole regiment arrived on the firing line on the 11th, spent several days and nights in the trenches before Santiago, and were present at the surrender of that city on the 17th. 'Two companies had previously been detached for the scarcely less perilous duty of service in the fever hospitals and in caring for their wounded comrades. The next month was spent on guard duty in the captured city, until August 25, when, depleted in numbers and weakened by fever, the bulk of the regiment was transferred by hospital boats to Camp Wikoff, on Montauk Point, L. I. The members of the regi- ment able to travel left Camp Wikoff, September 8, for Chicago, arriving two days later, where they met an enthusiastic reception and were mustered out, November 17, 1,235 strong (rank and file)-a considerable number of recruits having joined the regiment just before leaving Tampa. The record of the First was conspicuous by the fact that it was the only Illinois regiment to see service in Cuba during the progress of actual hostilities. Before leaving Tampa some eighty members of the regiment were detailed for engineering duty in Porto Rico, sailed for that island on July 12, and were among the first to perform service there. The First suffered severely from yellow fever while in Cuba, but, as a regiment, while in the service, made a brilliant record, which was highly complimented in the official reports of its com- manding officers.

SECOND REGIMENT ILLINOIS VOLUNTEER IN- FANTRY (originally Second I. N. G.). This regi- ment, also from Chicago, began to arrive at Springfield, April 27, 1898-at that time number- ing 1,202 men and 47 officers, under command of Col. George M. Moulton; was mustered in between May 4 and May 15; on May 17 started for Tampa, Fla., but en route its destination was changed to Jacksonville, where, as a part of the Seventh Army Corps, under command of Gen. Fitzhugh Lee, it assisted in the dedication of Camp Cuba Libre. October 25 it was transferred to Savannah, Ga., remaining at "Camp Lee" until December 8, when two battalions embarked for Havana, landing on the 15th, being followed, a few days later, by the Third Battalion, and sta- tioned at Camp Columbia. From Dec. 17 to Jan. 11, 1899, Colonel Moulton served as Chief of Police for the city of Havana. On March 28 to 30 the regiment left Camp Columbia in detach- ments for Augusta, Ga., where it arrived April 5, and was mustered out, April 26, 1,051 strong (rank and file), and returned to Chicago. Dur-

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ing its stay in Cuba the regiment did not lose a man. A history of this regiment has beeu written by Rev. H. W. Bolton, its late Chaplain.

THIRD REGIMENT ILLINOIS VOLUNTEER IN- FANTRY, composed of companies of the Illinois National Guard from the counties of La Salle. Livingston, Kane, Kankakee, McHenry, Ogle, Will, and Wiunebago, under command of Col. Fred Bennitt, reported at Springfield, with 1,170 men and 50 officers, on April 27; was mustered in May 7, 1898; transferred from Springfield to Camp Thomas (Chickamauga), May 14; on July 22 left Chickamauga for Porto Rico; on the 28th sailed from Newport News, on the liner St. Louis, arriving at Ponce, Porto Rico, on July 31; soon after disembarking captured Arroyo, and assisted in the capture of Guayama, which was the beginning of General Brooke's advance across the island to Sau Juan, when intelligence was received of the signing of the peace protocol by Spain. From August 13 to October 1 the Third continued in the performance of guard duty in Porto Rico; on October 22, 986 men and 39 offi- cers took transport for home by way of New York, arriving in Chicago, November 11, the several companies being mustered out at their respective home stations. Its strength at fiual muster-out was 1,273 men and officers. This regiment had the distinction of being one of the first to see service iu Porto Rico, but suffered severely from fever and other diseases during the three months of its stay iu the island.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Edgar County, Part 115

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn Publication date: 1905 Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Number of Pages: 876

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell
Number of Pages: 876