USA > Illinois > Williamson County > Historical souvenir of Williamson County, Illinois : being a brief review of the county from date of founding to the present > Part 27
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Jannary 16, 1868, the National Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic met at Philadelphia and General John A. Logan was elected Commander-in-Chief. As was his wont to do, he threw his whole soul into the work and, after a conference with the officers then elected and the council of adminis- tration, proceeded to encourage the extending of the order and increas- ing their good works. He estab- lished National Headquarters in Washington, and drew around him an able staff. May 5th, 1868, he is- sued General Order No. 11, estab- lishing Memorial Day. For tender- ness of expression of sentiment for the memory of the loyal dead, it stands without parallel: "General Orders No. 11.
Headquarters, Army of the Republic,
Washington, D. C., May 5, 1868.
"I. The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strew- ing with flowers and otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and tes- timonials of respect as circum- stances may permit.
"We are organized, comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the pur- pose among other things of preserv- ing and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers, sailors and marines who united to suppress the late rebellion. What can aid more to assure this result than cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foes? Their sol- dier lives were the reveille of free- dom to a race in chains, and their death the tattoo of rebellious tyran- ny in arms. We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All
that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fit- ting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no
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SOUVENIR OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS
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vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the pres- ent or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided repub- lic.
"If other eyes grow dull and other hands slack and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warnith of life remains to us.
"Let us, then, at the time aupoint- ed gather around their sacred re- mains and garland the passioniess mounds above them with the choic- est flowers of Springtime: let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon a nation's grati- tude-the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan.
"II. It is the purpose of the Com- mander-in-Chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope that it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades.
"He earnestly desires the public press to call attention to this order, and lend its friendly aid in bringing it to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.
"III. Department commanders will use every effort to make this order effective."
"By command of John A. Logan, Commander-in-Chief,
"N. P. Chipman, Adj. Gen."
If no after act of General Logan had rendered his name immortal, this order would have made it so.
General Logan's administration following so soon after the close of the war, the demands upon him werc very great. He was constantly ap- pealed to for assistance from every direction. The excitement upon the reconstruction of the states placed him, as the head of a great quasi- military organization, in a position of grave responsibility. In the con- troversy that arose between Presi- dent Johnson and Secretary Stanton, when President Johnson undertook to eject Secretary Stanton from the War Office as many thought for sin- ister motives, President Johnson he- ing Commander-in-Chief of the Army much apprehension was felt hy patriotic men all over the nation who were determined that the Presi- dent should not betray the party and the country. Hundreds of tele- grams came pouring in upon General Logan, urging him as the head of the Grand Army of the Republic to stand hy Stanton, assuring him they were ready on the minute to respond to any call that he might make upon them. General Logan, nothing loath to obey their commands, sought
Secretary Stanton and assured him
of the support of the Grand Army of the Republic. He had called to-
gether the Department of the Grand Army in the District of Columbia, General N. P. Chipman at their head and also National Adjutant General. A perfect understanding was had as to what they should be expected to do should the President attempt by military power to forcibly eject Secretary Stanton from the War Office. To a man they were ready for any service to uphold the Government and save the country from treachery. Every night until the excitement had passed, Grand Army men patrolled the streets of Washington and guarded the War Office, while the dauntless Stanton remained in his office night and day, his meals being served to him and couches placed in his office for him- self and General Logan. During the day General Logan attended upon the sessions of the House, of which he was a member. In the evening he met his staff of the Grand Army of the Republic in our rooms in Wil- lard's Hotel, and later went to the War Department to spend the night with Secretary Stanton. President Johnson by some means learned of the situation. He sent for General Logan to discuss the matter. Gen- eral Logan assured him if he should undertake to take forcible posses- sion of the War Department and control of the Army for the further- ance and perpetuation of his power, that the volunteer soldiery were ready to return to the service of their country, and to protect the loyal people of the unreconstructel states.
Beyond question, the Grand Army of the Republic under its intrepid leader did much to avert the then threatened anarchy.
General Logan was thrice elected Commander-in-Chief and no service of his whole life was more satisfac- tory than that given in behalf of his comrades in arms.
In 1871, he was elected to the United States Senate, a position to which he aspired and enjoyed for many years, barring the prodigious labor he performed in the discharge of his duties in Congress during the trying days of reconstruction and the many and arduous campaigns in which he participated. But in the ever changing situations of political affairs there were times when he suf- fered much anxiety and vexation of soul for the welfare of the nation and its continued peace and pros- perity, being so constituted that he felt deeply every cause and measure which he espoused or danger that threatened our institutions. Ag- gressive, intense and honest in his convictions and actions, he provoked opposition, and in consequence never had a triumph that he did not win
after desperate effort. His abhor- rence of duplicity, deception and jying was his strongest characteris- tic, his word being ever his bond which he kept sacredly, no matter at what cost to himself.
Having been a victim of treach- ery through the machinations of bribe-givers and bribe-takers, he was humiliated by defeat for re- election to the Senate in 1877. At first he was incredulous that such means should have been resorted to in politics to accomplish that pur- pose, but receiving positive proof of the use of money to compass his de- feat, he was perfectly infuriated and took pleasure in denouncing these methods, predicting that such a policy, if not driven out of Ameri- can politics, would destroy the gov- ernment more effectually than an armed force.
His loyalty to his friends was only exceeded by that to his coun- try. His courage was only second to his tenderness of heart and warmth of affection. The greatest personal grief of his life was the change of General Grant, whom he loved devotedly, in the Fitz-John Porter case, not on account of preju- dice toward Porter personally, but because he really believed Porter guilty of treason to Pope, and con- sequently responsible for the sacri- fice of human life which followed Porter's disobedience of orders.
He feared defeat of the Republi- can nominee for the Presidency in 1884, and hoped to save the elec- tion, or he would not have accepted the nomination for the Vice Presi- dency-a position to which he never aspired. And no man ever more honestly immolated himself for his party, or accepted the result more gracefully, than he did, notwith- standing the personal sacrifice he had made and the effort he had put forth to prevent the mistakes of others from bringing disaster to the Republican party.
Immediately following that fruit- less personal sacrifice he was forced to enter upon another long and pros- trating contest for his return to the Senate, or give place to some one from the opposition. Personally he was weary of such struggles, and of contact with men whose support he must solicit, but whom he considered unworthy of a place in a legislative body, and for whom he had the greatest aversion. But feeling that the welfare and supremacy of his party were at stake, he remained at his post and shortened his days by the harrassing campaign which last- ed from January 1st to May 20th, 1885. His success brought him in- finite pleasure, and made him happy in the thought that he was immov- ably intrenched in the hearts of his countrymen, which softened all ani- mosities and feelings of distrust and
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rivalry, making the last eighteen months of his life the brightest and freest from vexatious cares of his whole career.
The welcome extended to him by his colleagues in the Senate, ir- respective of party, touched him deeply, and made him forget the friction of partisan debate and re- joice in the evidence of friendship for him.
His devotion to his family amount- ed to idolatry; he could see no fault in any of them. His generosity was such that he kept himself poor by giving too freely from his meagre resources. No ex-Union soldier was ever turned away discouraged or without a little contribution toward the alleviation of his sufferings. He spent much of his life endeavoring to help the unfortunate secure em- ployment.
General Logan died December 26, 1886, of inflammatory rhenmatism, leaving to his loved ones the price- less legacy of an illustrious and un- tarnished name.
MARY LOGAN TUCKER.
Daughter of General and Mrs. John A. Logan.
Sketch by Mrs. John A. Logan. Mary Logan Tucker was born June 20, 1858, in Benton, Franklin County, Illinois. Her father was then a member of the Illinois State Legislature, and was elected to
Congress the following year. Mrs. Logan did not accompany him 10 Washington the first Session of Con- gress in which he served, but subse- quently she came to Washington, bringing her baby with her. Mary Logan Tucker was always a very precocious child, and the idol oľ her father from the time of her birth. During the interregnum of the sessions of Congress, they 1'e-
sided at Carbondale, Illinois, to which place they had removed, and were living there when the War broke out, General Logan's regiment rendezvousing at Cairo, Illinois. She was accustomed to spend much of her time at his headquarters, fre- quently appearing beside Captain McCook on Dress Parade. She was the idol of the regiment, and al- though very young, heing only two and a half years old, she seemed to appreciate the excitement of the
times. During her father's absence from home they remained in Carbon- dale, until the close of the Rebellion, removing to Chicago in 1871. She entered a private school in that city for a short time, but as the family had to go to Washington, General Logan having been elected to the Senate, they found it was better to have her near them, so as soon as they could arrange it, she was placed in a convent on 10th Street, near G,
where she remained until she was old enough to go to Georgetown, re- maining there until her graduation in 1876. She always had a great devotion for the Convent and the Sisters, expressing her loyalty at all times and on all occasions. No
protestant girl ever entertained a higher regard for the Sisters or was more loyal to her Alma Mater than was Mary Logan Tucker to the Con- vent of Visitation at Georgetown, D. C.
After her graduation, she visited Philadelphia during the Centennial Celebration, going from there to Chicago where the family then lived. Her girlhood was very brief, as she was married in Chicago on the 27th of November, 1877, to W. F. Tuck- er, of Chicago, having been much a.mired as a young lady.
She has always been a devoted wife and mother, going with her husband to a small place in the country, sharing the discomforts and inconveniences of the primitive home her husband made for her, un- til it seemed wiser to him to change his vocation in life.
After his appointment as Major in the Pay Corps of the U. S. Army. Mrs. Tucker accompanied him to New Mexico, and no one has left a better reputation behind her than Mrs. Tucker left at Santa Fe, New Mexico, where her husband was sta- tioned for four years. Her hospital- ity, charity and helpfulness to her husband and the people about her endeared her very much to them. Among her most intimate friends were General and Mrs. Lawton, Gen- eral Mckenzie and his venerable mother and lovely sister, Miss Mc- Kenzie, General Chambers Mckib- ben, all of whom have ever been her devoted friends.
From New Mexico they came to Washington where the Major was on duty for eight years, during which time she lost her father. She was overwhelmed by this unspeakable sorrow, but tried at all times to for- get her own grief by her devotion to her mother.
She has always been foremost in acts of charity, and many unfortu- nate creatures are ready to rise up and call her Blessed for her generos- ity to them.
At the end of eight years her hus- band was obliged to have a change of station according to the require- ments of the army and they were sent to St. Paul, Minnesota, where Mrs. Tucker again made for herself many friends, and at the expiration of his term there, received every evi- dence of the regard of the people with whom she had been associated.
Major Tucker, having been or- dered to duty at Atlanta, Georgia, in connection with the Spanish . Amer- ican War, she remained in Washing- ton until his duties were completed,
after which he was ordered to Chi- cago, and she went immediately to that city and establishel a home where they live.l mosi happily, sur rounded by a multitude of friends.
During Mrs. Tucker's sojourn in Chicago, her brother, Major Jobn A. Logan, Jr., was killed in the Philip- pines, another unutterable sorrow that required all of her philosophy and moral courage to bear unmur- muringly. Major Tucker bomg or- dered to Alaska soon afterward, she again removed to Washingtou, so that she might be with her widowed and bereaved mother. Her nobility of character and devotion to those near and dear to her is not surpassed by anyone.
Major Tucker was stationed in Washington at the time of General Logan's death, where he remained eight years; during this time Mrs. Tucker conceived the idea of organ- izing the Georgetown Convent Al- umni, and together with Mrs. Arthur Dunn, laid the whole plan, secured the charter and bore all of the ex- pense of its issuance, the question of sectarianism never entering her mind or that of her own personal aggrandizement having no part whatever in her desire to see this organization prosper. She did it in the interest of progress and the wel- fare of her Alma Mater, and is en- titled to the credit of the conception of the idea to preserve the names and fames of all who have graduated from the Georgetown Convent.
Mrs. Tucker is well informed on all questions, having a brilliant mind and retentive memory. She has travelled abroad, and over almost every spot of her own country. Her contributions to magazines and newspapers have given her a name as a writer. Since 1901 her hus- band has been stationed at Fort Vancouver. Portland, Oregon, but having been informed he would be ordered to Manila at any time a vacancy at that post might occur, Mrs. Tucker resided with her moth- er at Calumet Place, Washington, spending her summers at Holly Hills Farm, eight miles from the city. The long expected orders of Lt. Col. W. F. Tucker for duty as Chief Pay- master of the U. S. Army in the Philippines came last July, conse- quently he sailed October 1st. 1904, Mrs. Tucker and their youngest son accompanying him, their oldest son, Logan, having established himself in Alaska.
Mrs. Tucker was much grieved to leave her mother absolutely alone, but realized her first duty was to her husband. Her mother would not listen to her neglecting her duty on her account. It was impossible be- cause of her literary engagements for Mrs. Logan to go with her daugh- ter, therefore, mother and daughter had to separate, each courageously
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submitting to the decrees of fate unmurmuringly.
Mrs. Tucker's two sons are a credit to her love and tenderness, and the unspeakable devotion of a mother who has never neglected the duties of her bome for any frivolous society fads. She made many en- gagements for literary work before her departure. Her life is earnest as she is ambitious to have filled her place with credit to the immortal name of Logan.
MAJOR JOHN A. LOGAN, JR.
Son of General and Mrs. John A. Logan.
Sketch by Mrs. Logan.
As the clouds of the Civil War were passing away and peace was dawning after four long years of bloody carnage, General Logan was ordered to Louisville, Kentucky, to mnster the troops of the Western Army out of the service. While he was engaged in carrying out this order, there came into our home at Carbondale, Jackson County, Illi- nois, on Monday morning, July 24, 1865, a blessed baby boy, whom we afterwards christened Manning Alexander Logan. He weighed at birth 13 1-2 pounds; his raven black hair as fine as the ravelings of the finest silk, his brilliant black eyes and rich olive complexion and per- fect form, showed from the hour of his birth that he was a perfect proto- type of his father, General John A. Logan, whose happiness knew no bounds when he received the tele- gram announcing the birth of our
son. We had lost our first born when he was a baby of 13 months. The advent of this beautiful boy at the close of years of sorrow and an- xiety filled our hearts with joy, He grew more strikingly like his father every year of his life. He had in- herited all the intensity and en- thusiasm of his father's nature, as well as the spirit of the times in which he was born. Patriotic and courageous in every fibre of his be- ing he could not brook any indiffer- ence to our flag or lack of patriotism in others. He was always the cham- pion of the weak and unfortunate, and as a school boy and later as a cadet at West Point, had plenty of opportunity to display these char- acteristics in fighting his own and his fellows' battles. He was a born leader, and almost from his baby- hood would not play unless he was the Captain and leader in every- thing. His intense hatred of a mean thing was even more than his fath- er's, and no matter how mischievous he was or what happened, he always told the truth and nothing but the truth, regardless of how unenviable a light it placed him in. He dis- pised a sneak or a traitor. He was
never cruel or unjust and so gener- ous that he could not look upon poverty and suffering without giving whatever he had to relieve the un- fortunate.
As a boy he divided everything he had with his companions, always saving something for the boys that were less fortunate than himself who were his play-fellows. He was impulsive and quick to resent an in- jury or take the part of anyone who was being imposed upon. His devo- tion to father and mother amounted to idolatry Though still in his mi- nority, it was his strong arm that lifted and attended his father in his last illness and dying hour, and sup- ported his mother in all the over- whelming sorrow that followed his father's death. Wishing to mani- fest his desire to do all in his power for his stricken mother, he had a deed made out of his interest in his father's estate in favor of his moth- er, and insisted that she should ac- cept it, and was not aware until af- ter his marriage that she had de- stroyed the deed. There was no sacrifice he would not have made for those he loved. In his father's political campaigns, after he was in his teens, he was of invaluable ser- vice to his father, executing any or- der given him with fidelity and dis- cretion.
He was always popular as a boy and man, and felt infinite pride in the assurances he had of the friend- ship of the foremost men and women of the nation. He treasured espe- cially the evidences of the high es- teem in which he was held by Mrs. U. S. Grant and Mrs. James G. Blaine, who always treated him with the greatest consideration from the time he wore knickerbockers to his last call upon them before leaving for the Philippines. He was innately considerate and polite to elderly people. No complaint of rudeness was ever lodged against him.
He was always full of fun-the life of our home and that of his own-ready to frolic with the chil- dren, assist in the preparations of entertainments for their friends and those of older growth, in the fes- tivities of Christmas, Fourth of July and other holidays; he was always untiring in his efforts to make every- body happy. Like all other such impulsive and enthusiastic natures, he had his faults and escapades, as other boys, but there was never anything dishonorable or disgrace- ful in anything in which he partici- pated. Everything of a military character delighted him immensely. Before he was ten years old, he had his military company and all the paraphernalia of a soldier and an officer, and would insist upon his father drilling him in the manual of arms, so that he could in turn drill his company. He would go to a
military school as soon as he was old enough. At the Morgan Park Mili- tary Academy he had his first ex- perience away from home, and took his first lessons in the profession of a soldier, to which he was born. He was a member of the First Regi- ment, Illinois State Guards, almost before he was eligible. Later, on entering West Point through the kindness of President Arthur, he took his father's full name, think- ing then that he would remain in the service for life. He subsequently re- signed, but still clung to the name he loved so well, notwithstanding he realized the responsibility of bearing it worthily.
He was married very young be- cause he met his ideal early, and no man ever lived who was more de- voted to wife and children than was Major John A. Logan. Nothing but his ardent love of country and laud- able ambition to add lustre to the name he bore for their sakes, could have induced him to be separated from them. He tried desperately to content himself with the routine of a business career, but was unable to do so with the inborn disposition to distinguish himself in some other line. He was inordinately fond of reading and investigation, especially in military history and science. He was thoroughly well informed on the armies of the world, their organiza- tion, equipment, maneuvres, mobili- zation, support and efficiency. He
was fascinated with the Army of Russia and the study of the manners and customs of the subjects of the Czar. His book "Joyful Russia" was universally well received, and reflected great credit upon him, proving that he could have succeed- ed in a literary career.
His fondness for horses was an inheritance from his grand father, as well as his father, and I am not sure but that his great great grand father transmitted this fondness for horses. He studied this noble ani- mal carefully and knew all about horses, their use and the care of them, and what constituted abuse of them.
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