History of Cook County, Illinois From the Earliest Period to the Present Time, Part 51

Author: Andreas, A. T. (Alfred Theodore), 1839-1900
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : A.T. Andreas
Number of Pages: 875

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That a city, numbering at least six thousand inhabitants, has not even one uniformed company is lamentable. In Ottawa there are two companies, and in Jollet one."

The same correspondent further discoursed on the military situation in the American of December 13. 1841. He said:

" The formation of a dragoon company would be much 100 ex. pensive, for each member would be required to furnish himself with a good horse. An artillery company would not meet our wants: it being an arm of the service that moves with the heaviness of its own eighteen or twenty-four pounders, I would therefore recommend a light infantry company. As to the uniform; it is a matter of fancy or taste. A neat gray uniform need not così each member over 820; a felt hat or cap, with plate scales, and lassels with plumes, $10. This is the full amount that would be required, ex- cept the officers, who would have to furnish themselves with epau- lets, swords and sashes. The arsenal accoulerments are furnished by the State upon requisition."

The following editorial appeared in the American of April 12, 1842.

" ILLINOIS MILITIA-This title we dare say, sounds somewhal (Idly. It is rather a new thing for this portion of the State, at all events. The idea of an Illinois training has not probably been con- lemplateil by many of our citizens, Besides, the militia system gener. ally has been so burlesqued; there have been so many invincibles in the field that not a few have looked upon the matter as long ex- plexled, Such views may, perhaps, be properly entertained when There is no danger of war, but they surely cannot be when a few months, nay, perhaps weeks, may possibly present us with scenes and sounds very different from those to which nearly all of us have been accustomed, The sword is already more than half-drawn fromn its scabbard. This matter has been suggested to us by the fael that militia officers are engaged in enrolling our citizens, and that the twenty-seventh of the present month is training day."

December 12, in the Daily American appeared the following:

" ATTENTION, COMPANY !

. " The gentlemen of this city desirous of forming themselves into an Independent Volunteer Company of Light Infantry will meet al the City Hotel on Friday evening next, al seven o'clock.

" MANY CITIZENS."

This meeting resulted in an attempt to organize a company. March 14, 1842, there appeared in the Daily American the following notice:

" ATTENTION, COMPANY !- The members of the Washington Guards will meet at the court-room on Randolph Street next Tues- day evening, the 151h, at seven, and it is hoped that others who feel interested in the good cause will come and assist, and also those who wish to join. BY ORDER OF THE COMMITTEE."

April 2, 1842, notice appeared in the American as follows :

"The Washington Guards will meet at the court-room, corner of Wells and Randolph streets, on Saturday, April 2, for company drill. A general allendance of members and those wishing lo join is requested.

H. TOWNSEND, Secretary. "A. H. P'ALMER, Instructor."

It does not appear that the Washington Guards be- came sufficiently organized at that time to he recognized on the State records as an independent company. From such mention as can be found, it appears that there had been in Chicago, prior to the sumner of 1842, three in- dependent military companies, viz .: a dragoon com- pany, prior to 1837 ; the Chicago City Guards, prior to August 12, 1839, and the Washington Guards, in exist- ence April 2, 1842. Quite soon after that date two in- dependent companies were formed ; one of infantry, the Montgomery Guards, and a cavalry company, first re- corded on the books of the State Adjutant-General as the Chicago Cavalry. The Montgomery Guards may have succeeded the Washington Gnards ; at any rate it was the first independent infantry company that had sufficient vitality to become historical. It survived the Mexican War, and the long period of peace succeeding, even to the breaking out of the Rebellion in 1861, at which time it was ready as ever since its organization

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. .. . July 18, 1840'Dec. 15. 1841

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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY.

in 1842 to fight the battles of its country. It has the longest record of any company in the city, was the first to organize, and never ceased its organization until it went out in the glory of actual warfare during the Re- bellion. It was an Irish company, as the names of the first officers woukl show. They were, as appears from the official roster at Springfield, as follows : Captain, Patrick Kelley : First Lieutenant, W. B. Snowbook; Sec- ond Lieutenant, Henry Cunningham ; Thirl Lieutenant, Michael ()'Brien.

The Chicago Cavalry was also organized in the early spring of 1842. Its first officers commissioned were : Captain, Jesse Leavenworth ; First Lieutenant, Isaac N. Arnold; Second Lieutenant, James Y. Sanger ; Third Lieutenant, S. B. Cobb ; Cornet, S. N. Davis,

These two earliest independent companies of Chi- cago were attached to the Sixtieth Regiment of Illinois Militia. Both companies appeared in their new uni- formis on July 4. 1842. The Chicago Cavalry headed the procession, aud the Montgomery Guards were pre- sented a flag on that occasion. The Chicago American, July 5. gives an account of the presentation ceremonies, as follows :

"On presenting the standard 10 the company Dr. Egan thus addressed the company: 'Gentlemen of the Montgomery Guards,- you have honored me in receiving al my hands the banner-accept i. It is the first that has been presented in our new city, may il be The last to suffer in defeal. Behold : it unfurls Jo the breeze the name of the illustrious Montgomery: is wakes up glorions associa- lions of the chivalrous dead. In points as a beacon light 'to the shadowy fulure. Remember ! humble as you are now, the dis- jointed times may call upon some spirit from amongst your ranks lo shed his blood for a nation's rights and to leave behind him a name like thal which now floats upon the breeze above you. He was bul one of the many sons of Erin's Isle that planted the weed of liberty in a foreign land, and walered it with his Idood. History points equally to the torrid regions of the fiery South; the snow-clad hills of Canada; The sunny valleys of France; and the orange groves of Spain-and each bears testimony in our favor. Let the spirit that actualed such, inspire you, amil hover over this banner as an heir. loom from father-land-a talisman Jo lead you on lo glory. Re- member your country has claints on you yet-she bids you be united and firm in support of your own rights, and yield an equality 10 all. She birks you spurn the oppressor, by whatsoever name he may be called, and to walk uprighi, for the eye of the stranger is upun you. Farewell and remember your (ind, your country, and your rights.

"Capt. Kelley replied as follows :

""We receive this banner gratefully at our hands. We pledge ourselves to keep ils ample folds floating in the breeze until we shall have the honor to say that we, the Montgomery Guards, have added fresh laurels jo our adopted country. We shall ever be ready lo meet the enemy first in action and last out. The British flag, in is true, has dotted the globe, but it has marked it with cruehy and oppression ; but the star-spangled banner is hailed everywhere as the harbinger of freedom, the hupe of the oppressed and the terror uf tyrants. The sympathies of The whole workl are following its course as it ploughs the ocean in search of distant climes, and un- torn millions will yet bless the hour when it was unfurled lo wage unceasing war upon the oppressors of mankind.""

In Norris's directory (1844' three independent com- panies are named as then existing in Chicago.

The Chicago Guards: J. B. F. Russell, Captain; W. M. Larrabee, First Lieutenant; F. A. Howe, Jr., Second Lieutenant.

The Chicago Cavalry: J. Y. Sanger, Captain; S. N. Davis, First Lieutenant; C. E. Peck, Second Lieutenant; J. G. Wicker, Third Lieutenant; J. 1 .. Howe, Cornet; C. 1 .. P. Hogan, Orderly Sergeant.

The Montgomery Guards: P. Kelley, Captain; W. B. Snowhook, First Lieutenant; H. Cunningham, Second Lieutenant; M. ('Brien, Third Lieutenant.

At this epoch the military spirit sensibly waned. The city directory of 1845 names no military organiza- tions, May 21, 1845, the Chicago Democrat inquires: " Where are the Chicago Cavalry, City Guards, and

Montgomery Guards? We should have to look to them for defense in case of the invasion of our city, and we should like to know their condition." The breaking out of the Mexican War the next year, revived the mili- tary spirit, and brought these companies again into prominence. Neither of them failed to furnish many Mexican soldiers, although the companies remained in Chicago.

CHICAGO IN THE MEXICAN WAR .- Neither the off- cial records nor the newspapers of the day ; the mem- ories of the old soldiers of the Mexican War still sur- viving, nor all that can be gathered from those sources of information, give the full history of Chicago and Cook County during the years of the Mexican War. The newspapers caught such local news as was, at the time, interesting ; the Adjutant-General's office at Springfield took, apparently, as much cognizance of that war as the law demanded and little more. From its records it would be impossible to tell how many men Illinois furnished, how many went from Cook County, or how many from Chicago. Neither could the number of companies raised in Chicago be ascertained, nor the names of the men who enlisted, nor the companies to which they were assigned, nor any other historic fact of local or individual importance. This is written after a careful examination of all the published reports, and a cursory examination of the records at Springfield.

Nevertheless, from the only three reliable sources for historic information known-the State records, the newspapers, and the memory of the soldiers-it is be- lieved that most concerning the period that pertains to the history of Chicago and Cook County has been res- cued from oblivion.

From the newspapers of Chicago the following ex. tracts are given ; showing in a quite disjointed way the war atmosphere which pervadled the city during 1846 :

January 6-A. Garrett, Mayor, invited the citizens of Chicago to attend "a meeting at the court-house on Friday, January 8, to take into consideration the best method of defending our city in case of war."

January 13-Hon. John Wentworth, wrote from Washington under date of December 23, the following paragraph : " One of the military committee complains greatly that our State has made no returns of its militia. Whose business is this? If our Legislature has an ex- tra session, it ought to re-organize our militia as the first thing. There ought to be a company with officers of its own choice in every precinct, with power to have two where the precinct is very large. The same of the wards of our city. Then there ought to be a separate body of inspection officers chosen by the precinct offi- cers for each county. In case of a war, there must be a strong military post at Chicago. In the capacity of our Government to hold the fort at Mackinac, or in the capacity of that fort to command the straits we should not place too much dependence."

Democrat, January 13-" The war meeting called for the 8th was postponed, in the absence of a large delegation of leading citizens then at Rockford, attend- ing a railroad meeting in the interest of the Galena & Chicago road."

Democrat, May 26-" Congressional act passed May 13 authorized the President to accept volunteers to the maximum number of 50,000. Approved May 22, 1846."

Democrat, May 30-"Corporal Sullivan, son of J. H. Sullivan, of this city, in the midst of the late battle (Monterey ?) after firing at a company of the enemy, rushed in upon them, seized a lieutenant by the collar, disarmed him and delivered him a prisoner to Lienten- ant Graham. He also captured a cannon from the

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EARLY MILITARY HISTORY.

enemy, rolled it out in the road and turned it over to an officer of the 5th Infantry. Napoleon would have pro- moted him on the field."

Democrat, June 3-" T. L. Dickey commanded a company from LaSalle County in the Mexican War."

Democrat, June 30-A. Garrett writes a letter of half a column. He states that he was appointed chairman of the citizen's committee to aid and assist in raising and equipping volunteers under the requisition of the Govern. ment. That it required no small exertion and consider- able means to raise and uniform the first two companies, and that in order to do this it became necessary for a individuals, of whom he was one, to subscribe an un- unlimited amount for uniforming, as the Government had made no immediate effort for this object. After this had been accomplished, a latter was received from Governor Ford stating his desire that there should be another company raised in Chicago. " Knowing the great difficulty experienced in raising, uniforming and transporting the first two companies to the State rendez- vous, I offered to advance the funds myself for a third company, provided it could be raised-not otherwise." He then speaks of his first success in raising thirty-five recruits, but found that C. H Larrabee had authority to raise a company for Santa Fé. Larrabee finally decided not to go, but the effort to raise two companies at the same time prevented Mr. Garrett from raising the quota required, within the ten days allowed him by the Gov- ernor. He succeeded in recruiting fifty-eight men. A full company was required : sixty-four privates, eight non-commissioned, three commissioned officers and two musicians.

Captain Mower's company (Chicago, is nientioned by a correspondent from Alton, as one of twenty com- panies quartered there in June. 1846.

The State Register as quoted by the Democrat of June 30., said : "Governor Ford returned from St. Louis on Saturday last : June 20, probably, having ef- fected arrangements with Major Lee, the commissary of subsistence, and Major Macky, the quartermaster at that place, for furnishing supplies for three regiments of volunteers who are to rendezvous 'at Alton. Colonel Shields has been authorized by the Governor to inspect and muster into the service the volunteers who rendez- vous at Alton, The following list of companies have been reported to Colonel Shields as being those he is to re- ceive, they being from the thirty companies first re- ported : 1) Captain J. I. D. Morrison, St. Clair County ; 2) Captain Peter Goff, Madison County ; 3 Captain Ferris Foreman, Lafayette County : 4 Captain Lyman Mower, Cook County ; (5) Captain Elisha Wells, Cook County.

Democrat, July 13-" The Montgomery Guards, under Captain Snowhook, did themselves great honor on the 4th. We heard the company complimented very highly by several strangers present here. It is a strong argument against native Americanism when we see that the Sons of Erin were the only military company that turned out to celebrate the Declaration of Independence.

Democrat, September 29-" Two Illinois regiments are with General Taylor ; two with General Wool."

Democrat, November 24-Captain Mower, from New Orleans, writes of his troubles with Colonel Har- din on transports, Mower claiming that Dr. White drew by lot for him a steamer, in his absence, and that Har- din put on a small brig. Mower refused and was put under arrest for insubordination.

Democrat, December 15-Gencral J. E. Wood sends dispatches, Coahulia, Mexico, October 14, 1846, stating that Colonel Hardin, with eight companies of the ist

Illinois, came up on evening of the 12th. " Yester- day he crossed the river, and will join us in an hour."

The following extracts are taken from the files of 1847 :

Democrat, February 16-" Captain William Rogers has opened a rendezvous at Captain Russell's office on Clark Street, where the young men of the city or country desirous of attaching themselves to this company can enroll themselves."

Democrat, February 16-" In pursuance of a call from the Mayor, Hon. John P. Chapin, a large and re- spectable assemblage of citizens convened at the court- house, on Friday, the 12thof February, to take into con- sideration of the call of Government for troops to serve in the war with Mexico. Thomas Dyer was called to the chair and Captain Russell was appointed secretary. Mr. Gregg was called on, and in a spirited and very animated manner addressed the meeting in a way cal- culated to arouse the noble and patriotic feelings of every American. Mr. Rodgers, who contemplates the raising of a regiment of ten additional companies. expressed his strong desire to lead a company of troops to serve in Mexico. The meeting was also addressed by Dr. Brainard, Colonel Hamilton, Captain Russell, John H. Kinzie and others, when the following resolutions, presented by Mr. David L. Gregg, were adopted:

"!'Resolzed, That we commend the spirit and patriotism of our fellow citizens who are ready to enroll themselves for service during the Mexican War, and that we will yield them our countenance and support in their efforts to uphold the national honor.

".Arsofie, That a full company of troops ought to be raised in the city of Chicago for said service, and that we pledge ourselves individually and collectively to do everything in our power to pro- mote that object.

*** Resefred, That the present war with Mexico should be vig- orously prosecuted until an honorable place is secured and a full measure of redress for repealed wrongs and outrages extorted from the enemy.'

" The meeting adjourned after several candidates had been enrolled."

Democrat, February 16-" Hon. John Wentworth, writing from Washington concerning the presentation of a sword to Lientenant John Pope for gallantry at Monterey, said: 'Whilst Illinois thus remembers and re- wards the valor of those born within her limits, is she going to be unmindful of the service of her sons hy adoption-a poor Irish boy ? lle enlisted as a common soldier in the United States Army, and drew only $7 a month. He was made acorporal of his company, which

office he held at the battles of the 8th and 9th, where he performed such feats of valor as caused a notice of him by his Captain (Morris) in his official reports and for which the citizens of New Orleans presented him a gold medal. President Polk has promised him the first vacant Lieutenant's commission in the regular army: and in anticipation of this, I hope our Legislature will pre- sent him with a sword.""

Democrat, February 16-" The Mayor calls a meet- ing to be held at the court-house, February 14. to raise a company for the Mexican War. We understand that Mr. Rogers, a son of the brave old commodore, who rid- died the man-of-war 'Little Belt,' in the last war, with other young men of talent, are interested in the further upholding of the flag."

Democrat, February 16-" Mr. Rogers is slowly fill- ing his company."

On February 23-" Mr. Rogers is on his way to the country to take the names of those who wish to join his company." On March 2-" Recruiting is very slow: Rogers is still in the country." Two companies are spoken of as having been previously raised in Chicago.

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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY.

Democrat, April 6-War meeting to exult over vic- tory Buena Vista, Saturday, April 3. Two recently en- listed companies are spoken of.

Democrat, April 13-" Captain E. B. Bill's company is to rendezvous at Cairo attached to 16th Infantry." They left on April 20, in high spirits.

Democrat, April 13-" Captain C. C. Sibley, recruit- ing officer, informs us that he has already enlisted one hundred men. His company is composed of men for the most part of good size. We perceive that Sergeant Kelley is an adept in military discipline. The company will, on the opening of lake navigation, take the first boat to Cleveland, thence to Newport, Ky. They are destined to fill up old regiments."

Democrat, April-Captain Bill* has about fifty men here, and his Lieutenants are in the country enlisting. His company is probably full, and will leave in a few days for Cairo.

Democrat, April 27-" We notice that in the accounts of the memorable battle of Buena Vista. Captain Smith's name is mentioned in terms of warm commendation for his bold and daring conduct throughout the conflict. It will be remembered that he was slightly wounded in the battle."

Democrat, April 6-" Richard I., Wilson, t one of the editors of the Chicago Journal was severely wounded by the accidental discharge of a cannon on Saturday last 'April 31. The two companies of volunteers re- cently enlisted in the city, together with a large con- course of citizens, had assembled on the public square to celebrate the recent victory of our army in Mexico. and Mr. Wilson was assisting to load and discharge the cannon, when by an accidental discharge both his thumbs and his left arm were blown off. One word about that old cannon. Six men have been wounded by it to our knowledge, and we think it should now be given to our founders, and let them use it up as old metal. This cannon was raised in 1837 from the ('hi- cago River, and is supposed to have lain there ever since the massacre at this place in 1812. The inside of it more resembles honey comb than anything else, and thus it is impossible to properly swab it." The can- non disappeared soon after the accident.

Democrat, May 11-" We understand that James Hugunin is raising a company of infantry to meet the late requisition of Governor French. His rendezvous for the present is on South Water Street, between Clark and LaSalle."

Democrat, May 11-"We are requested by Isaac Cook, Esq., Sheriff of this county, to state that he has not called upon the people for volunteers, because Colonel 1). S. Cady is now absent, whose duty more prop- erly it is. But should Colonel Cady not return by Wednesday, he will then take the proper steps to organ- ize one company or more for the county."

Democrat, June 22-" Day before yesterday we published a letter from Judge Young, stating that the President would accept of a company of cavalry from Chicago. The previous company had gone to Santa Fe as infantry. So our boys had to begin again, But the company is now ready, making the nintht company Chicago has sent to the war."

Democrat, June 22-" The ' Shields Cadet ' is the

* Captain Bill was a rendent of Naperville. He was a native of Catskill. fireen C'o . N. V., and was, birfore coming West, a Major-General of New York State Militia, ani had held the office of Inspector-General of the New York State Militia. He died October ts, 1847, uf yellow fever, on board the ship " Tahmarun," en route from Bram to New Orleans,

+ Brother vi Jolin 1., and Charles L. Wilmm.

* Nine companies must Include the one above mentioned, and the cum- panies raised by Sibley and Bill for the regular army, an weil as Hugunin's, and perhaps others. The editor has been unable to identify more than seven com- panics.

name of the fourth* volunteer company raised in Chi cago. Captain, George M. Cole; First Lieutenant, S. R. Wood; Second Lieutenants, S. W. Smith, and Ed ward Morey. There is room for a few more privates it application is made soon. Captain Cole wants to leave by Monday next. Captain Hugunin wishing to go to Santa Fé after his company was rejected, enlisted as a private in Captain Kinney's company.'

Democrat, July 23-" Lieutenant William Erwin, of the first company of Chicago, has returned from the war and is now in this city as Orderly Sergeant. At Alton he was elected Second Lieutenant, and after the resignation of Lieutenant Elliott, First Lieutenant. At Presidio, he was appointed Quartermaster by Colonel Hardin, and devoted considerable time while in Mexico in that capacity. At Buena Vista he took the command of, and most gallantly led his company in that terrible fight. We understand Lieutenant Erwin intends locat- ing permanently in DeKalb."

Democrat, July 20-" We learn by a gentleman from New Orleans that Captain Mower from this city has been arrested in that place for murder. The story is that he killed a man in Natchez some four years ago. and that a reward of $500 was offered for his arrest at that time."

Democrat, July 6-Captain Kinney's company re- ceived a banner from the ladies of Alton."

Democrat, July 15-" Among the volunteers from this city, year ago, for the Mexican War, was George Pilson, a Norwegian. Charmed with the institutions of America, when the war broke out with Mexico, he was among the first to enroll his name; and though he had plenty of work at good wages he was at work at Aller- man Granger's foundry nothing could deter him from contest. In the battle of Buena Vista he distinguished himself for his bravery, and fell in the thickest of the fight. It was during the terrible charge upon the ist Illinois Regiment made by Mexican lancers, that Pilson fell. He had slain one lancer by the ilischarge of his riffe, and had killed a horse and rider with the butt of his piece when three lancers pressed upon him andl ran him through with their lances."

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History of Cook County, Illinois From the Earliest Period to the Present Time, Part 51

Author: Andreas, A. T. (Alfred Theodore), 1839-1900 Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago : A.T. Andreas Number of Pages: 875

Author: Andreas, A. T. (Alfred Theodore), 1839-1900
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : A.T. Andreas
Number of Pages: 875