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 48
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493
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
General Hood at Nashville in December, 1864, caused keen delight here; it was one step nearer final victory. The Northwestern Freedmen's fair was held at Bryan hall, December 19 to 25; it was opened by Theodore Tilton at Metropolitan hall. Sherman's tri- umphant "march to the sea" and capture of Savannah occasioned great rejoicing here in December. Recruiting still continued in all parts of the county ; all felt that the war was near the end and that now was the chance to get the large bounty for short service. On January 1, 1865, there were at Camp Douglas 11,780 rebel prison- ers. The opening of the Great Northwestern fair was postponed until May, 1865. Its officers were as follows: Gen. Joseph Hooker, president; E. W. Blatchford, secretary and treasurer; Mrs. A. H. Hoge, Mrs. D. P. Livermore and Mrs. O. E. Hosmer, cor- responding secretaries. The fair had become so immense that it was found necessary to postpone it. By January 16, 1865, 248 new recruits had been secured. The Tribune humorously referred to each Union victory as "Another peace movement." The Chicago branch of the United States Sanitary commission reported that from January 1, 1861, to December 31, 1864, its receipts were $103,- 317.82, and its expenditures $100,003.68 ; its office was at 109 Clark street. In January, 1865, 178 rebel prisoners at Camp Douglas took the oath of allegiance and were released. Early in 1865 came the call for ten new regiments from Illinois, and again the county and city became active. The rendezvous was at Camp Fry, under Col. J. L. Hancock; the One Hundred and Forty-seventh Illinois regiment was to be formed there. By February 2 there were 416 new recruits. The Illinois "black laws" were repealed by the Leg-
islature in February. By a vote of thirty-one to twelve the County Board in February passed an order to pay a total of $400 bounty to each recruit under the last call. On February 8, 1865, it was disclosed that out of 3,223 rebel prisoners at Camp Douglas slated to be exchanged, 715 refused to be exchanged. They saw the Con- federacy tottering. The big bounty offered by, the County Board greatly stimulated enlistments. Though the Union leaders of the county felt that their quotas were based upon an unfair enrollment, all dispute was stopped and every man did his best to clear the deficiency. Special bounties, in addition to the others, were raised by many of the subdistricts. Camp Fry was very lively at this date. From January 31 to February 10 about 1,000 recruits poured into that camp. Of the 11,061 rebels at Camp Douglas on February 10, squads almost every day thereafter continued to take the oath of allegiance. By February 17 it was shown that previous to the late calls Cook county had put in the service 18,876 men, and had raised in addition, under the last calls, about 1,300 more, or a total of 20,176. To this number there must be added the three months' men and the one hundred days' men, in order to get the full credit of Cook county. By February 19 there had been received at Camp
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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
Fry 1,925 recruits. Before this date the One Hundred and Forty- seventh regiment was complete and Hiram L. Sickles had been elected colonel. These recruits came from other counties as well as from Cook. It has been the custom of local historians and other writers not to give Cook county the credit it deserves for the efforts made and the men enrolled. The county is certainly entitled to credit for the men raised, regardless of whether they were mustered into the service or not.
OFFICIAL, FEBRUARY 13, 1865.
DIVISION.
Number Enrolled.
Number of Votes
Quota.
First ward
4.069
2,269
510
Second ward
2,548
2,025
378
Third ward
2,279
2,086
382
Fourth ward
1,362
1,397
178
Fifth ward
1,758
1,290
293
Sixth ward
1,521
1,483
254
Seventh ward
2,051
2,163
330
Eighth ward
1,054
1,032
192
Ninth ward
1,299
1,428
209
Tenth ward
2,080
1,759
323
Eleventh ward
2,536
1,841
371
Twelfth ward
1,284
1,107
209
Thirteenth ward
909
1,034
164
Fourteenth ward
1,173
1,419
168
Fifteenth ward
2,097
2,142
288
Sixteenth ward
2,896
2,760
332
Barrington
111
222
17
Palatine
174
291
32
Wheeling
193
318
33
Northfield
137
247
21
Evanston
147
249
22
Hanover
111
169
20
Schaumberg
106
150
19
Elk Grove
134
189
27
Maine
134
249
21
Niles
102
264
38
Leyden
113
222
17
Jefferson
197
229
26
Proviso
171
205
26
Cicero
171
187
31
Lyons
175
212
27
Lake
106
159
19
Lemont
175
280
29
Palos
74
182
10
Worth
155
223
28
Calumet
191
219
27
Orland
96
139
12
Bremen
131
175
22
Thornton
182
212
27
Rich
133
157
24
Bloom
135
-188
26
Lake View
82
150
6
North Trier
112
170
13
Hyde Park
62
122
2
34,827
33,012
5,202
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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
By February 13, 1865, the following recruits, to be applied on the Cook county deficit and on the above quota of 5,202, had been secured :
First ward. 1
Bremen
13
Niles
19
Second ward.
5 Cicero
17
Northfield
15
Fourth ward.
59 Elk Grove. 16
Orland
13
Seventh ward.
1
Evanston 13
Palatine
17
Ninth ward. 11
Hanover
8
Palos
7
Tenth ward
27
Hyde Park.
8
Proviso
17
Twelfth ward ..
7
Jefferson
14
Rich
10
Thirteenth ward .. 1
Lake
11
Schaumberg
15
Fourteenth ward .. 119
Lake View
12
Thornton
11
Fifteenth ward 66
Leyden
17
Wheeling
19
Sixteenth ward 78
Lyons
18
Worth
14
Barrington
15
Maine
13
Bloom
12
New Trier 10
Total.
720
The One Hundred and Fifty-third Illinois regiment was mus- tered at Camp Fry by February 24, with Stephen Bronson as colonel. It left for Nashville early in March. Of the first detachment of 500 rebel prisoners exchanged in March, 1865, about 200 of them re- fused to cross to the rebel lines after they had reached the front and had learned how near their cause was crushed; they were brought back to Camp Douglas. The capture of Charleston and Columbia, South Carolina, by General Sherman kindled great joy in Cook county. Salutes were fired in all parts of Chicago. An appeal by Chicago citizens to President Lincoln to order a revision of Cook county's enrollment was turned down as impolitic at this stage of the war. It would have occasioned hundreds of other revisions in all parts of the Union. A dozen delegations were in Washington at the time waiting the result of the Chicago appeal. Secretary Stanton said : "It cannot be done; the result would be to set back-postpone-the draft at a critical time." It was agreed to correct the trouble by a subsequent new enrollment. By March 10 the county had raised 2,123 new recruits and had about 3,087 yet to raise. Early in March, it having been reported that about 2,000 rebel prisoners in Camp Douglas were willing to enlist to fill the Cook county quota, the County Board ordered an investigation. The One Hundred and Fifty-sixth regiment left Camp Fry for Nashville March 15, under Colonel Smith. Recruiting was ex- tremely rapid. By March 23 there had been raised 2,583 men, with 2,625 yet to be recruited. They numbered 3,075 by April 5, and 3,312 by April 12. By April 13, 1865, when Secretary Stanton ordered all recruiting stopped, the County Board had paid the $400 bounty to 3,390 men. In addition about 100 more had enlisted, but had not yet drawn their bounty. On January 1, 1865, the county was credited with having put 18,876 men in the field. If to this number be added the above 3,490 men, a total of 22,366 is obtained as the apparent credits of the county when recruiting was stopped. But in order to get the actual total credits of the county,
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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
there must be added to this number the three months' men and the one hundred days' men (in all about 2,500 men), besides 2,092 Union seamen enlisted here, and about 2,000 Camp Douglas rebels who were induced to enter the service, making in all, without the rebels, about 27,000. It may thus safely be said that the.county's total credits during the war were not less than 27,000, a splendid showing-one that should stand forever as a magnificent memorial to the loyalty of Cook county.
The aggregate cost of the Civil war to Cook county was sub- stantially as follows : County bounty, $2,571,272 ; city bounty, $119,- 742; substitutes, $56,350; special by wards and towns, $734,453; Chicago families of soldiers, $90,809; county families of soldiers outside of city limits, $166,034; Board of Trade direct to families of soldiers, $220,000; Mercantile association to soldiers' families, $75,000; grand total cost, $4,033,660.
The severe fighting of Grant's army in and around Petersburg the last of March and the first of April, 1865, was believed here to be the beginning of the end. The Tribune of April 3 said: "The crisis of the war, so eagerly expected, has come at last. The final campaign of the Army of the Potomac has opened with a splendid success, promising no less than the speedy capture of Richmond and the total overthrow of the rebellion." Immediately afterward came the joyful news of the capture of Richmond. The Tribune of April 4 thus gave vent to its delight :
"A Day of Joy .- The news yesterday of the capture of Peters- burg and Richmond caused the people of Chicago with one consent, or rather with one wild furor of enthusiastic joy, to give the day to the country. No sooner had the good news spread from our bulletins throughout the city than business was in a great degree suspended. Within half an hour the city was ablaze with the ban- ner of beauty and symbol of freedom waving from every available staff, from the spires of our vessels, from all our principal public buildings, mercantile houses and private residences. Processions of workingmen and teams filled the streets; bands of music dis- coursed their stirring and eloquent strains ; artillery and other pomp patrolled the streets. Everybody extended his benediction to every- body, or by 'laying on of hands' more forcible than apostolic smashed his neighbor's hat to express his congratulatory apprecia- tion of the last 'big thing' of General Grant. Everything that smelt of gunpowder, from a cannon or a caisson to a pistol or a fire- cracker, was brought into requisition, and the day rivaled the Fourth of July in its patriotic uproar. Certainly yesterday has no rivals in the history of Chicago. Three 'years ago we threw up our hats in a fury of enthusiasm over Grant's first victory at Donel- son, because we saw that our country had found her man. We have followed him faithfully through Shiloh, Vicksburg, Chattanooga, Spottsylvania and in all his campaigns before Richmond, and now
497
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
Illinois proudly rejoices to have contributed not only the largest quotas of men, but both the civil and military leaders who have conducted us to victory in this contest. Beyond any portion of the country, therefore, Illinois has reason to rejoice in this day of rejoicing."
* *
"The rebel citadel has fallen. Richmond is ours! The news sped through the country yesterday on the wings of lightning, and lighted up the nation with a blaze of glory. . . . We do well to rejoice, for this is the grandest event that ever happened to us as a people. . . Thanks be to God Who giveth the victory! . . The beloved country for which so many precious lives have been given, so many tears have been shed, so many prayers offered to the Almighty Father, is saved. We have a home and a heritage, a government and a flag from which not a star has been erased or ever shall be. We have passed through a trial which no nation has ever before encountered and survived. The future henceforth is full of the promise of greatness to America and freedom to the world."
*
"The glad tidings were received here about 10 o'clock, and the news was quickly bulletined in all the principal parts of the city. Great crowds gathered, and as they scanned the magic writing rent the air with their exultant shouts, telling the people far and near 'Richmond is taken!' The welcome sound was taken up by others and passed from lip to lip till it echoed all over the city and thousands of men, women and children fairly danced for joy. The scene was exciting-sublime."
* *
"If the day scenes were imposing, the night display was magnifi- cent. The most extensive preparations were made during the day for a grand illumination in the evening, and the idea was carried out on a scale far surpassing anything ever before seen in Chicago. All the public buildings in the city were lighted, the hotels and offices blazed with candles and gas jets, while private residences by the hundreds had every window lighted, not alone in the center of the city but in its outskirts. Thousands of rockets and other fireworks illumined the sky with their glare; falling rain, Chinese lanterns, balls of fire, exploding crackers, the hiss of serpents and the whir of the fire-wheel combined to produce a brilliancy such as cannot be described. While the air was filled with fireworks, the ground was alive with bonfires. Tar barrels and dry goods boxes and other lumber were brought out in large quantities and the torch was applied. All over the city, North, South and West, their flames lighted up the evening sky, presenting a truly magnifi- cent spectacle. The street rejoicings were kept up till a very late hour, and the appearance of daylight found hundreds yet in the streets."
498
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
All the courts adjourned, cheering as they hurried to the streets. The saloons were never so crowded. It seemed that everybody had to blow off his enthusiasm or blow up. Many of the churches held prayer meetings in the afternoon. Dearborn Light Artillery fired a salute of one hundred guns at Camp Douglas. The rebel prisoners there were silent and sour, but the Union troops shouted with joy. The courthouse bell was set ringing the good news over the prairies as soon as the first bulletin appeared. Ladies carried small flags in their hands or on their hats. All the bands were soon out. Impromptu processions went cheering through the muddy streets. Lake street from the bridge to the lake was a be- wildering mass of flags. Many Secessionists did not rejoice; they disappeared. Horses, wagons and street cars were gaily and often amusingly decorated. The Tribune of April 5 said: "It was amus- ing to witness the feigned joy of the Confederate print (Times) over the glorious news of the capture of Richmond and the rout of Lee's army. It actually had the hardihood to hang out the Star Spangled Banner-the Abolition emblem-and to pretend to rejoice, but it was hollow hypocrisy."
The news of Lee's surrender was received here late Sunday night, April 9. Immediately 100 guns were fired by Dearborn Light Artillery. This brought the people from their houses as bees from a hive. All the remainder of the night was given to raving celebra- tions, the crowds eagerly watching the bulletins as they were posted up. The next day schools, courts and Board of Trade adjourned and nearly all business was suspended. Speeches were delivered on 'Change by Rev. Arthur Swazey, W. D. Houghteling, Colonel Hancock, Colonel Hough, George C. Bates and Gov. William Bross, and all joined in singing "My Country, "Tis of Thee" and "Praise God, from Whom all Blessings Flow." In the afternoon an immense procession paraded the streets under U. P. Harris, fire marshal. For variety of turnouts, for effervescent joy, it was never before equalled. A bulletin issued in the morning stated there would be a procession in the afternoon, and it was left to the imagination, joy and patriotism of the individual to accomplish the rest. So they came in all sorts of shapes and in all varieties of conveyances. Everybody got in line and manifested his delight according to his own feverish fancy. The floats and mottoes were spicy and varied. Among them were the following: "Grant has opened trade with the South;" "Confederate notes, 10 cents per pound ;" "Union Blue, Raleigh, N. C .; " "Bacon & Co., Galveston, Texas ;" "First National bank, Mobile, Ala." (on a lot of empty dry goods boxes) ; "J. Davis, Mexico, per Am. Exp., C. O. D .; " "How are you, Last Ditch?" "One box of Kearsarge Pills for Lord John Russell;" "J. Davis' baggage" (on an old worn-out trunk out of which peeped a pair of butternut pants) ; "Soothing Syrup for the Nation, by Phil. Sheridan;" "Sherman's Eradicator ;"
Mens &'v
FOURTH COURTHOUSE. RUINS OF THE 1871 FIRE.
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501
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
"Lee's mistake and Grant's treat ;" "Medical supplies, Gen. Grant, Danville;" "Sherman's Vermifuge for Joe Johnson ;" "Babylon has fallen." Everything concerning Jeff Davis made the people roar. A rude coffin sketched on the side of a broad board had over it the epitaph, "Jeff Davis departed this life April 3rd." This caused great merriment. There were almost continuous cheers for Grant, Sherman and Sheridan. All the colored people of the city were in the procession-exhibiting their ivories. The procession marched up Lake and Franklin, thence to Washington, thence to Clark, thence to Van Buren, thence to Michigan and thence to Lake. It was nearly four miles long and required nearly an hour to pass a given point. The mounted escort amused the people by running scrub horse races on Lake street. Many effigies of Jeff Davis were carried in the procession. At night the furor was continued with even greater intensity, with fire and noise. The Tribune of April 11 thus effervesced :
"If the fall of Richmond and Petersburg produced a spontaneous, off-hand outburst of rejoicing, the surrender of Lee culminated that rejoicing yesterday with such a universal uprising, outpouring, procession-forming, speech-making, banner-displaying, bonfire- burning, rocket-blazing day of glory as Chicago and its people have never before seen. . . Grave men of business paraded the streets blowing tin horns. The Board of Trade sang "Old Hundred" in mighty chorus and followed it with "John Brown" and all the doxologies in the hymn books. Light men carried heavy men on their shoulders. Bulls embraced bears, and bears felicitated bulls in the most absurd fashions. The great procession came together as by magic. From all parts of the city they came, on foot, on horseback, and almost on their heads, with single carriages, double teams, four-horse teams and six-horse teams, a mighty army with banners. At night the city was illuminated with miles of bonfires. Such a carnival was never before witnessed in our goodly city."
"It is literally true that yesterday the people of Chicago turned out en masse. Nothing like it was ever before witnessed in our streets. Where the vast multitudes all came from, was the wonder of every observer. It would be no exaggeration to say that in a radius of two-thirds of a mile, whereof the courthouse was the center, there were in the procession and on the streets and in the public square not less than 100,000 men, women and children, par- ticipating in the carnival of joy. The surrender of Lee and his army was of itself an event sufficient to evoke a great popular demonstration, but it was the belief that immediate, honorable and enduring peace would follow the surrender which caused the tre- mendous outbursts of jubilation and forced the whole population on the streets to shout, sing, laugh, dance, huzza and cry for very gladness. If grave men acted like a parcel of boys broke loose Vol. I-29.
502
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
from school, it was because a heavy load was lifted from their hearts. The Nation's cause was won. The Republic was saved and free. These were the reasons that drew together and caused an impromptu celebration of 100,000 glad souls.'
The news of Lincoln's assassination was received in Chicago about 4 o'clock on the morning of Saturday, April 15, 1865. It was immediately heralded all over the city. The revulsion in public feeling was heart-breaking. The Tribune of April 16 said: "Sor- row and indignation struggled for mastery in thousands of breasts. The grief of the people scarce knew bounds. Strong men 'wept in the streets, and loud sobs were frequently heard. These were almost the only audible sounds emitted. Even in telling the news to friends who had not before heard it, men spoke almost in a whisper. All business was of course suspended. The banks, the Board of Trade, the public offices, all closed for the day. A ma- jority of the saloons even closed their doors; same of nearly every place of amusement. The city was draped in mourning. Even pedestrians on the streets wore crape upon their arms and rosettes of white and black upon their breasts. Horses were similarly decked. Democrats and Republicans, the rich and the poor, the high and the low, showed by their solemn countenances that they felt that a great calamity had fallen upon the Nation. Ladies dressed in black. Every shop, store and dwelling, the courthouse, customhouse, hotels and business buildings were draped."
Late in April full preparations were made for the reception of Lincoln's body. On May 1 at about 11:15 o'clock in the morning the catafalque was taken from the Michigan Central train at Park Row and, followed by an immense procession, marched with suita- ble escort under the beautiful memorial arch that had been erected there down Michigan avenue to Lake street, thence to Clark, thence to the east gates of the courthouse and within the yard around to the south door and thence into the rotunda. The crowd poured through from south to north, viewing the white face of the dead martyr. It had rained during the morning, but just before the arrival of the train beautiful sunshine flooded the city. The court- house square was kept clear by sentries, the grass was green and the fountain tossed its spray high in the air. On the outside of the south door were the words :
"ILLINOIS CLASPS TO HER BOSOM HER SLAIN AND GLORIFIED SON."
The funeral arch at Park Row faced east and west and was triple Gothic and appropriately draped. Ten thousand school children and all of the colored people were in the procession. Every society in the city was out in its regalia. The pall bearers here were Lyman Trumbull, John Wentworth, F. C. Sherman, E. C. Larned, F. A. Hoffman, J. R. Jones, Thomas Drummond, William Bross, J. B.
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503
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
Rice, S. W. Fuller, T. B. Bryan and J. Y. Scammon. Many nota- bles were present. Religious services in honor of the loved dead were held in the churches. The colored people held special me- morial services in Quinn chapel. The Tribune of May 1 and 2 said :
"A few weeks hence he had hoped and promised to come among us at the opening of the Sanitary fair. We had hoped to grasp his hand, to welcome the commander in chief of all our victories, the emancipator of America, the foremost man of our age and the most powerful ruler of this century, to hear his plain but prophetic soul-inspiring words, to share his genial kindness and his irresistible good nature. But all this is sadly changed. Where we had hoped to rejoice we weep with a sudden stunning, bitter anguish, such as no nation ever before felt. The features we had hoped to wel- come wreathed in their expressive smiles, so full of candor, kind- ness, firmness and honesty-now come to us silent in death. This fearful rebellion which had already entered almost every household with its individual grief, now fills the cup of a nation's bitterness with one great woe that spares no loyal heart. Many before had lost a father, brother or son. ยท Now we have all lost our noblest son, our bravest brother, our kindest father. Our cup is drained. The sacrifice is ended. The battle is over and the field won. The crime of slavery has been expiated. Liberty is redeemed. The memory of the last great martyr is embalmed forever in the hearts of the American people. Looking upon his remains today, let us conse- crate ourselves anew to the great cause of freedom and union for which he yielded up his life."
"All that is mortal of Abraham Lincoln, the honest and good man, the prudent and sagacious counsellor, the saviour of the coun- try from the nefarious schemes of treason-the blackest and most desperate the world has yet seen-now reposes in our city, the city that he loved and that loved him, while the mourners go about the streets and every house wears the funeral symbols of sorrow and every voice is hushed in the presence of the great dead. . Slain as no other man has been slain, died as no other man has died, cut down while interposing the hand of his great charity and mercy between the wrath of the people and the guilty traitors, the people of Chicago today tenderly receive the sacred ashes with bowed heads and streaming eyes."
In March, 1865, when recruiting was at its highest crest, about sixty assistants were employed at the provost marshal's office. The office was closed for good April 29 by order of the War Depart- ment. Dr. J. Winslow Ayer, whose office was in the McCormick block, early joined the Sons of Liberty, which met in that building, for the purpose of exposing its objects, if they were disloyal. Finding that its objects were treasonable, he notified Gen. Joseph Hooker, then a resident, and later was publicly thanked by the lat- ter. Robert Alexander assisted Doctor Ayer. After the rebellion
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