USA > Illinois > Cook County > History of Cook County, Illinois : being a general survey of Cook County history, including a condensed history of Chicago and special account of districts outside the city limits : from the earliest settlement to the present time, volume I > Part 43
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One of the regiments here referred to was encamped on Cottage Grove avenue near the Sturges rifles. Near them, at what was tem- porarily called Camp Hecker, was Hecker's Jaeger regiment. About this time a new regiment called Douglas brigade was com- menced. Companies were leaving for camp almost every day. The appointment of George B. McClellan to the Western Depart- ment and his rapid rise in military affairs gave much satisfaction here where he was well known. On June 16, he visited Chicago and inspected the military camps. There had been some contention as to who should be colonel of the Irish Brigade; James A. Mulli- gan was finally elected to that position on June 15. The first regi- ment of ten full companies to leave Chicago was Hecker's on June 18. They marched from Cottage Grove to Union Station on the West Side and filled twenty cars. A beautiful flag was presented to them upon their departure. They went first to Alton. About this time the Sturges rifles left for Marietta, Ohio, ordered there by General McClellan. The Zouave regiment under Col. J. M. Loomis was well advanced by this time.
Late in May and during the month of June many here, including the Tribune, joined in Horace Greeley's cry of "On to Richmond." They had become impatient at the long delay and wanted action. It was assumed that it would be no great military undertaking to march down from Washington some fine morning before breakfast and take possession of the rebel capital. They learned a little later that Bull Run was one of the obstacles in the way of that maneuver.
About July 3, 1861, the Irish brigade was transferred to Camp Fremont at Cottage Grove. That locality was known as several camps before it was formally named Camp Douglas. The Zouave regiment under Col. John B. Turchin left for the seat of war in Missouri on July 12; the captains of its ten companies were Hay- den, Stewart, Guthrie, Colby, Raffin. Allard, Williams, Garriott, Howard and Clybourn. As they marched through the streets sharp eyes detected a girl dressed as a man among them; she was taken from the ranks against her protest; her name was Olson. There was great joy here in July, 1861, over Mcclellan's success in Vir-
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ginia. The Chicago Dragoons under Captain Barker, the Sturges Rifles under Captain Steele and the Hoffman Dragoons under Captain Shambeck were with McClellan in Virginia. Many troops passed through Chicago, going East or West, during the summer and fall of 1861. On July 15, the Irish brigade left for Missouri; the captains of its ten companies were as follows: McDermott, Gleeson, McMurray, Simonds, Hurlburt, Moriarty, Phillips, Cof- fey, Fitzgerald and Quirk. They were given a brilliant sendoff. A few days later Hecker's regiment left Alton for the war in Mis- souri. About the middle of July, 1861, the three months' men returned from the field; the most of them soon reenlisted. The Audubon Rifles under Captain Litchfield were ready July 17.
The news of the disaster at Bull Run was received here July 22, 1861, and caused the utmost consternation. The Tribune of July 24 said: "The thronged streets, the eager crowds watching till far past midnight for further tidings from the field of flight and retreat, the anxiety of friends and relatives in behalf of their own brothers and friends engaged in the fearful scenes at Manassas, all constituted Monday and Monday night memorable and marked above all others in the annals of the war thus far."
The Yates Phalanx was ready late in July, 1861. Its colonel was Austin Light and its ten captains were Ranstead, Light, Clark, Pugh, Clark, Mann, Slaughter, Vaughan, Munn and Knapp. It was noted that the favorite song of the volunteers at the camps in and around Chicago was "John Brown." The death of General Lyon in Missouri caused much grief here, and the bulletins were scanned by immense crowds. As early as May a Soldiers' Sewing Circle had been organized here by the ladies. By August 12, they had made 449 flannel shirts; 100 pairs of trimmed pants; 188 hick- ory shirts ; 120 camp blankets; 60 rubber blankets; 1523 havelocks; 106 pillows; 453 pillow slips; 177 hospital shirts; 156 sheets. The Union Defence committee in August, 1861, consisted of the follow- ing persons: John M. Wilson, Grant Goodrich, Van H. Higgins, E. W. Willard, J. M. Douglas, Thomas Hoyne, Thomas B. Bryan, A. H. Burley, E. C. Larned, J. H. Bowen, J. C. Dore, Thomas Drummond, George Manierre, H. D. Colvin, John Van Arman, George Schneider, Eliphalet Wood, R. M. Hough, P. L. Yoe, C. G. Wicker and J. H. Tucker.
In April or May, 1861, a lodge of the Knights of the Golden Cir- cle was instituted here, and from this event forward a spirit of resistance to the war continued to flame and expand. At the head of this opposition to the war was the Chicago Times edited by Wilbur F. Storey. The Tribune of August 28 said, "There are more Secessionists in Chicago than people generally suspect. It is well ascertained that a lodge of the Knights of the Golden Circle was formed in this city last spring and still exists, holding stated secret meetings." Early in the war Mayor Rumsey recommended
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the passage of a resolution by the City Council, requiring all per- sons who were unwilling to take the oath of allegiance to the United States, to leave the city, and empowering the Citizens' Defense committee to investigate all suspected cases and report names for publication. This recommendation stirred up a storm of protest from all the Southern sympathizers. The cry of the opposition almost from the start was, "Peace! peace !"
Colonel Turchin's regiment became the Nineteenth Illinois; and Colonel Hecker's, the Twenty-fourth. The Northwestern Rifle regiment was being formed here in August, 1861. Wilson's Dragoons under Captain Thielman left for Alton on August 21. The Fremont Rifles under Col. Julius White numbered 850 men by August 31. Their camp was in Wright's Grove at the northern limits of the city. Later this rendezvous was called Camp Fry. Capt. J. W. Wilson recruited a corps of fusileers here in August and September. A Georgia regimental flag captured in Virginia was exhibited here in September, 1861. Miss Dix, head of the female nurses of the army, was in Chicago September 8, the guest of E. W. Blatchford.
Under the resolution of the board of supervisors of January 8, 1861, Superintendent Burley of the Committee appointed for the purpose reported that Hecker's Jaeger regiment had been provided with the following equipment : Uniform jackets, 830; brogans, pairs, 672; woolen socks, pairs, 1,200; uniform trousers, 830; knap- sacks, 830; the whole costing $9,416.72; also camp utensils, tools, lumber for barracks, provisions, etc., amounting to $1,379.80. Total, $10,796.52. Also that the Irish Brigade had been supplied as follows: Uniform jackets, 1,000; uniform trousers, 1,000; knapsacks, 1,000; brogans, 950 pairs; caps, 950; woolen socks, 1,900; the whole costing $11,265.75. Other expenses $1,131.59. Total $12,497.34. The war fund orders issued amounted to $25,- 901.94. Correspondence from Washington indicated that this expense would in the end be borne by the Government.
The Northwestern rifle regiment left for St. Louis September 14. They had rendezvoused at Cottage Grove, were 1,000 strong, and were commanded by Colonel Knobelsdorf. They departed amid much ceremony of speech making and flag presentations. This regiment was among the first to be wholly equipped by the Union Defence committee. Colonel Bracket's cavalry regiment occupied the ground at Cottage Grove just vacated by the North- western regiment. The camp at Wright's Grove was early called Camp Webb. Upon the departure of the Fremont rifle regiment September 19, 1861, its colonel, Julius White, was presented with a beautiful black charger. The regimental flag had Fremont's por- trait on one side. On the other were scenes from Fremont's ex- ploits painted by D. P. A. Healy, the artist. Isaac N. Arnold was present at Bull Run as a volunteer aid of General Hunter.
Vol. I-26.
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In September, 1861, the county board of supervisors passed a resolution that a committee be appointed to disburse the fund raised by tax for war purposes; that the unappropriated portion of such tax and what might be refunded by the Government be used for the care and relief of soldiers' families. It was decided at first to pay to soldiers' families each week $2 for each adult and 25 cents for each child.
Two regiments called the Douglas brigade were completed here in August and September, 1861. By September 18, the first under Colonel Webb left Cottage Grove for St. Louis; these men were equipped by the War committee. The other regiment of this bri- gade was half filled at this time. S. F. Wilson, accused of being a Secessionist, took the oath of allegiance and was exonerated by a majority of the county board committee. The Chicago legion which became the Fifty-first Illinois regiment was organized here in September. Its colonel was G. W. Cumming, and its captains were Westcott, McWilliams, Heffernon, Rose, White, Brown, Hale, Wentz, Gardner and Roland. The fight of Mulligan's bri- gade at Lexington, Mo., in September, 1861, stirred and fired Chicago as scarcely anything had done up to that date. Though captured and paroled, he had fought gallantly, and the news in- flamed the people, and the whole county rang with his praise. The formation of a regiment was begun here in August by Col. S. B. Baldwin. Turner & Sidway, 208 Randolph street, were making and shipping over one hundred cavalry equipments daily. Nearly all military supplies were manufactured here in immense quantities. Thousands of horses were bought here monthly for the army.
On September 29, 1861, Northeastern Illinois was constituted a separate military district. The camp for this district was located at Chicago and was named "Camp. Douglas." Col. Joseph H. Tucker was appointed its first commandant. Previous to this date the camps had been in existence in different parts of the city, though the leading localities were on the spot where Camp Douglas was established and at Wright's Grove on the northern boundary. They were called Camps Long, Mulligan, Fremont, Ellsworth, Mather, Webb, etc. The various commands were soon consoli- dated at Camp Douglas. The Yates Phalanx, Douglas brigade, Mechanic Fusileers and Col. Bracket's regiment were removed to this new camp if they were not there already. The Chicago legion numbering about 400 under Colonel Cumming was also ordered there. Several of the previous commands had occupied the Wig- wam temporarily. Camp Douglas was built during October and November, 1861, mainly by the Mechanic Fusileers, all of whom were good mechanics. A cut of the camp as it was first built is contained herein. Strong efforts to secure the location here of the contemplated United States arsenal were made during the fall and winter of 1861.
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On October 10, 1861, five companies of Mulligan's brigade re- turned to Chicago, having been paroled. The Tribune said, "An immense crowd of friends and curious spectators assembled about the depot and thronged the adjacent streets. As the train ap- proached the depot a universal welcome burst forth from thou- sands of hearty throats for the gallant heroes of Lexington." They were entertained with a supper, and then ceremoniously at the Wigwam.
The Yates Phalanx left for Missouri on October 11. It had been more difficult than any other to recruit. Its uniforms were furnished by the Defence committee. They had their own band of eighteen pieces, besides fifteen drums and fifes. On October 11, 1861, Capt. J. C. Phillips of the Irish brigade assaulted J. W. Sheahan, editor of the Post, for having, as he claimed, published an unjust article concerning him. Early in October, 1861, a Mrs. Onderdonk was arrested here on the charge of being a rebel spy. She admitted being Secessionist, but denied being a spy. She had two sons in the rebel army. She was taken to Washington. In October, 1861, about 300 United States Regulars were in Camp Slemmer at Maine Station on the Northwestern Railway. The camp was on the Des Plaines river and was one of instruction. The several regi- ments of Douglas' brigade was ready November 1, under Col. David Stuart. The battle of Belmont, November 7, 1861, roused Chicago to the highest pitch of enthusiasm.
Upon his arrival in Chicago November 8, 1861, Col. J. A. Mulli- gan was given a reception a king might envy. He was met at Joliet by a delegation from the Common Council, the Board of Trade, the city clergy, judges and many military men. The Trib- une said concerning his arrival in Chicago, "The train arrived at Chicago about ten o'clock. Thousands of people had gathered in the depot grounds and swarmed in the adjacent streets for a dis- tance of several blocks. As the train neared the depot a signal rocket flamed through the air, and upon that instant cannon boomed a noisy welcome; the bands struck up patriotic airs; the immense procession waved their torches which turned night into day and set the sky aglow with the livid light; deafening cheers again and again repeated rent the air. The scene beggars description. Prob- ably no man ever received such a spontaneous and triumphant wel- come to the city or was ever greeted by such a vast assemblage." He was taken in a coach drawn by four white horses to the Tre- mont house amid an immense and shouting multitude. There he was tendered the hospitality of the city by B. F. Ayer on the famous balcony on behalf of the municipal authorities. He was invited to a public banquet on November 9, but declined. Soon after this he made an attempt to reorganize his old regiment.
At Camp Douglas, on November 15, 1861, were 4,222 men. They were Bracket's Ninth cavalry of 1,021 men; Cumming's
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Fifty-fifth regiment of 512 men; Baldwin's Fifty-third regiment of 202 men; Stuart's regiment of 974 men; Winslow's regiment of 432 men; Lynch's regiment of 184 men; Wilson's Mechanic Fusi- leers of 653 men; Hartman's German Guides of 175 men; and Kurth's Lyon color guard of 69 men.
Colonel McArthur's Highland guard regiment became the Twelfth Illinois. Late in November, 1861, a delegation of citizens visited Paducah to present a stand of colors to the regiment and supply the "boys" with delicacies. Colonel Turchin's regiment became the Nineteenth Illinois. An immense meeting of Chicago ladies to devise means to assist the soldiers in the field was held on November 29, 1861; delegates were present from the three city divisions. Mulligan's brigade, as such, was officially dropped from the army rolls, as it was found that the men could not be exchanged by December, 1861. A. G. Throop, George Strong and A. H. Bur- ley, committee of war fund of the county board, reported December 5 that they had issued orders to date to the amount of $28,598.66, of which $1,500 had been handed to the Union Defence committee to be used for soldiers' families. The latter reported that between 300 and 400 families, drawing from $700 to $800 per week, would have to be provided for during the winter. The county board finally appointed a new war fund committee of five-A. G. Throop, George Strong, H. Z. Culver, Aaron Haven and A. B. Johnson- and authorized them to work in conjunction with the Union De- fence committee for the relief of soldiers' families. The Chicago branch of the United States Sanitary commission was in receipt of large contributions in money and supplies from all parts of the West. The second regiment of the Douglas brigade under Colonel Stuart left Camp Douglas for St. Louis about December 9, 1861. This branch was organized about the middle of October, 1861, and Judge Skinner was elected its president. Doctor Tiffany reported about the middle of December, that forty large boxes had been sent to St. Louis alone; they contained 10,234 shirts; 925 pairs of socks ; 1,749 pillow cases; 169 dressing gowns; 441 comforters; 127 blankets; 125 handkerchiefs. Twenty boxes containing similar articles had been sent to Cairo.
The news of the capture of Fort Henry early in February, 1862, caused great rejoicing here. Colonel Baldwin's Fifty-eighth regi- ment left Camp Douglas for Cairo about February 8, 1862. Colonel Cummings' Fifty-first Illinois regiment left Camp Douglas for Cairo February 14, 1862. Colonel Bracket's regiment was also ordered to take the field. It was reported here February 13, 1862, that Camp Douglas would be fitted up for the detention of 5,000 rebel prisoners. Captain Waterhouse's battery left for Cairo Feb- ruary 14; they had six superior James' rifled cannon. Colonel Bracket had succeeded Colonel Tucker in command of Camp Douglas, but about February 14, Col. J. W. Bell succeeded Colonel Bracket.
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The news of the storming and capture of Fort Donelson about the middle of February, following as it did closely upon the heels of the capture of Fort Henry, caused intense excitement and great rejoicing here. The Tribune in its delirium of joy said, "The storming of Fort Donelson is the turning point of the war. The back of the secession serpent was broken by the blow that captured the rebel fortress. It was the center of their western lines of de- fense-the key of their position which in our hands opens wide the door that leads into the heart of Rebeldom. The Kingdom of Davis will now quickly tumble about his ears like a cob house. It is beyond the strength and resources of the rebels to make a suc- cessful stand at any point. The disgrace of Bull Run was wiped out at Donelson by the Western boys. The stigma no longer stains our national escutcheon. The Bull Run debt is liqui- dated in full."
"Yesterday was a day that will be long remembered in Chi- cago. The breathless anxiety of the public throughout Saturday night and Sunday found full vent at an early hour on Monday. At nine o'clock this dispatch was received: "Fort Donelson is ours.' The dispatch was read to the crowd on the street. It was followed by a pause whose hushed stillness might be felt, and then broke out such a cheer as men do not often hear in a lifetime. The scene that followed beggars description. Men went crazy with delight. We have in our eye the spectacle of strong men weeping amid the shouts they gave. One elderly and sedate judge threw himself bodily upon a stout member of the bar and the two embraced like urchins just blessed with a holiday. We do not forget the loved ones who were in the fight; but grief however is lightened of half its load by this victory, and while sympathy will drop a tear for the bereaved, humanity will bless God for a great work accom- plished in Liberty avenged and triumphant, while Treason totters to its crumbling base. There were thirty Illinois regi- ments engaged in the contest. Here in Chicago the feeling of sus- pense is painful in the extreme. as some thousand of our boys were in the fight. Chicago was on the rampage yesterday : was crazy with delight and insane with jubilation upon receipt of the glorious news from Fort Donelson. In fact Chicago didn't care an expletive whether the school house was kept open or not. The people heard nothing. saw nothing, knew nothing, except that our bovs had taken Fort Donelson. The revulsion of feeling and the sudden and magical change from Sunday was most noticeable.
Like lightning the glorious intelligence sped from lip to lip and men wrung each others' hands: embraced each other : rushed hither and thither shouting the glad news. all the more gladly that the thirty regiments of Illinois troops had so nobly vin- dicated the old flag and added new incentives for State pride and shed new glory upon State arms. 'Hour by hour the dispatches
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came, each received with wild shouts of ecstacy until men fairly grew crazy. The excitement culminated in the intelligence that the renegade Buckner was captured. Shout after shout rent the air. Men sang and danced and indulged in all sorts of patriotic gymnastics. Flags were flung out from every window and roof- tree and across every street. Everywhere the air was resonant with thrilling strains of music pealing out national anthems. The bells rang with a wild jubilatory tintinnabulation. The windows of the hotels swarmed with the ladies who answered the shout be- low with the waving of handkerchiefs. At no time in our remem- brance has Chicago so suddenly, so spontaneously, so thoroughly burst into a wild delirium of joy and rejoicing as yesterday. ยท Judge Manierre's court room was in a whirl of excitement and the officers attempted to check the uproar. The Court arose, and letting legal dignity, law books, and law cases slide, fairly carried away with the fire and enthusiasm of the moment, proposed three cheers for the victory. Three rousing cheers were given and the Court adjourned for the day. In the United States Court, Superior Court, and Recorder's Court, the same scenes took place."
The whole city was on the streets. Camp Douglas was fur- nished the news by fast messengers. In a few minutes the entire camp was ablaze with lights and bonfires and ringing with the cheers of the volunteers. At night the theaters appropriately rec- ognized the victory. Miss Anderson of the Rob Roy company grouped her players as the American flag and then sang the "Star Spangled Banner." The bright men of the board of trade went wilder than they ever had in any wheat panic; they adopted appro- priate resolutions. Half a dozen impromptu meetings assembled. H. G. Miller presided over one in the courthouse. Immediate steps were taken to care for the wounded. A large sum of money was subscribed, but the following committee of ten was appointed to collect more; N. P. Fairbanks, C. G. Wicker, Doctor McVickar, A. D. Titsworth, William Bross, Walter B. Scates, Grant Good- rich, S. G. Catlin, George Manierre, and A. E. Kent. Among the speakers at this meeting were C. G. Wicker, Mark Skinner, Mayor Rumsey, Dr. J. V. Z. Blaney, and Charles Walker. A total of $2,783.80 was subscribed the first evening. Nurses were sent to Cairo to meet and care for the wounded. A disbursing committee of fifteen was also sent to that city. The Tribune said, "If the day was exciting the night was Bedlamite." A humorous proclamation issued in the forenoon that "any person found sober after nine o'clock in the evening would be arrested," was taken literally and apparently accomplished its object. The city was illuminated with rockets, lights and bonfires. The rebel General Floyd was hung in effigy by the North Market boys and then burned.
'Every battery at Camp Douglas was now called to take the field. Now it became certain that rebel prisoners would soon be at Camp
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Douglas. On February 19 it was announced that 7,000 would ar- rive the following Saturday; this news caused a great sensation. The newspapers noted that during the big war meetings held at this time, disloyal women objected to the wearing of red, white and blue as "it was distasteful to them." The Sanitary Commission had for some time been sending out from twelve to fifteen boxes daily. Twenty car loads of Fort Donelson prisoners arrived here February 21 over the Illinois Central railway. At this time Col. Arno Voss was commandant at Camp Douglas; he ordered that no person be permitted to see the prisoners without a pass. The prisoners were from Tennessee, Texas, Mississippi and Alabama.
Scarcely had they been established in their quarters than the leading Secessionists here inaugurated the plan of lionizing them and supplying them with food, clothing, delicacies and comfort. This course caused much indignation, and the Board of Trade passed resolutions condemning the act. The first lot of prisoners numbered about 3,200. About 1,500 more arrived on February 23. Colonel Tucker again took command of the camp February 23. There was a great rush of visitors to see the prisoners. One- half of the Chicago Relief committee of fifteen sent to Cairo con- tinued on to Fort Donelson. On February 28 there were 4,459 prisoners at the camp. They were in such bad condition upon their arrival that they began to die rapidly ; soon 200 to 300 were in the hospital, but all were given reasonable care and attention, and all had the same food that was furnished the Union soldiers. On March 4 about 325 were in the Camp hospital. The dead were buried in the city cemetery. The County War Fund committee reported about March 1, 1862, that they had supplied money to 441 families and paid out $10,236.63. Colonel Mulligan was com- mandant at the camp in March, 1862. The Camp Douglas Hos- pital association of ladies were doing excellent work. The fight between the Merrimac and Monitor roused everybody early in March. Rebel sympathizers held regular consultations with the rebel prisoners. At first the prisoners were submissive, but under such influence soon became outspoken and violent. About March 8 visitors were forbidden at Camp Douglas.
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