USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > History of DeKalb County, Illinois > Part 19
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'Connor Daniel, Sycamore, killed at Cockeysville July 18, '64. Porter George, Sycamore, mustered out July 17, '65. Peavey Ira W., Sycamore, mustered out July 17. '65.
Roe George M., Sycamore, mustered out July 17, '65.
Remmington Darius H., Sycamore, Sergeant.
Reynolds Andrew A., Sycamore. mustered out July 17, '65, as Sergeant.
Shurtleff W. H., Sycamore, mustered out July 17, '65.
Starkey Simon P., Sycamore, mustered out July 17, '65. as Farrier.
Wilcox Daniel, Sycamore, mustered out July 17, '65.
Weed John, Burlington, commissioned 2d Lieutenant.
RECRUITS.
Albert William T., Sycamore, deserted September 27, '62.
Baker Fred W., Genoa, transferred to Co. D.
Banner George, Genoa, re-enlisted as veteran.
Brooks Rufus, Sycamore, mustered out July 17, '65.
Butler W. A., Cortland, mustered out July 17, '65.
Buck Ellis, Genoa, died at Washington April 28, '64.
Campbell George N., De Kalb, discharged January 1, '64; disability.
Campbell George N., Sycamore, mustered ont July 17. '65.
Denton Isaac G., Afton, mustered out July 17, '65.
Davis Reed, Burlington, mustered out June 22, '65.
Disbron Edward, Alden, died at Fairfax December 13. '64.
Everetts Aranthus, Burlington, mustered out July 17, '65.
Fraser Alexander, Sycamore, discharged July 17, '62 ; disability.
Freeman Wilbert S., Sycamore, mustered out July 17, '65, as bugler. Fleet Charles, Afton, mustered out June 27, '65. Gregory William, Sycamore, mustered out July 17, '65.
Hyland George G., De Kalb, died at Washington September 5, '64. Hollister Henry D., De Kalb, re-enlisted as veteran. Hatch Simeon P., Burlington, mustered out July 17, 65.
Percival Judson, Clinton, mustered out July 17, '65.
Percival Stephen, Clinton, mustered out July 17, '65. Partlow Calvin, Burlington, mustered out July 17, '65. Reeves John W., Burlington, mustered out July 17, '65, as Corporal. Roach John, Genoa, mustered out July 17, '65.
Starkey Henry S., Genoa, re-enlisted as veteran.
Snyder S. S., Cortland, mustered out July 17, '65.
Thomas Isaac E., Cortland, mustered out July 17, '65.
Thomas Edwin J., Cortland, discharged January 29, '65; disability.
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THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY.
Van Amburg Matthew, Sycamore, mustered out July 17, '65.
Weed John J., Burlington, re-enlisted as veteran.
Westbrook Charles, Genoa, mustered out July 17, '65, as Corporal.
COMPANY I.
Aldrich Charles, Somonauk, mus ered out July 17, '65. Gates Orlando L., Shabbona, mustered out July 17, '65.
Rockwell Hamlin J., Somonauk, discharged July 19, '62, for promotion in colored regiment.
Winans Wesley J., Somonauk, mustered out July 17, '65. COMPANY K.
Brown Charles D., Victor, Sergeant. Mustered out September 28, '64.
Wesson Silas D., Victor, Corporal. Re-enlisted as veteran.
(ould George, Victor, Corporal. Mustered out Sept. 28, '64, as private. Beckwith John, Victor, re-enlisted as veteran.
Bond Charles, Victor, re-enlisted as veteran.
Bullock Daniel, Victor, mustered out September 28, '64, as Corporal. Burnham Samuel M., Victor, discharged March 8, '62; disability. Bacon Lawrence T., Somonauk, discharged May 1, '62 ; disability. Dean De Grass, Victor, re-enlisted as veteran.
Dutton Whitney, Somonauk, discharged September 29, '62: disability. Greenville Charles, Victor, re-enlisted as veteran.
Hall Jacob M., Somonauk, killed at Hazel River October 17, '63.
Kennicott Ira, Vietor, re-enlisted as veteran
Moore Wallace M., Victor, discharged May 9, '62; disability.
Mead Chauncey. Somonauk, mustered out September 28, '64.
Schoville Fred E., Victor, re-enlisted as veteran.
Snydam Cornelius R., Victor, died at Alexandria January 27, '62. Snydam Simon, Victor, mustered out September 28, '64. Stockham Dewitt C., Victor, re-enlisted as veteran. Tripp Calvin, Somonauk, mustered out September 28, '64. Van Fleet Alfred, Victor, re-enlisted as veteran.
Voorhees Peter, Victor, re-enlisted as veteran. Willard William, Victor, re-enlisted as veteran.
VETERANS.
Beckwith John S., Victor, mustered out July 17, '65.
Brown Alden, Victor, mustered out July 17, '65, as Sergeant.
Bond Charles T., Victor, died at Pittsburg March 16, '64. Dean De Grass, Somonauk, mustered out August 3, '65. Kennicott Ira, Victor, mustered out July 17, 65. Scoville Fred E., Victor, mustered out April 12, 65.
Van Fleet Alfred, Vietor, mustered out July 17, '65. Voorhees Peter, Victor, mustered out July 17, '65.
Wesson Nilas D., Victor, mustered out July 17, '65, as Sergeant. Willard William, Clinton, mustered out July 17, '65.
RECRUITS.
Baker George L., Somonauk, mustered out July 17, '65. Bigelow W. H., Comonauk, mustered out July 17, 65.
Bennett James, Somonauk, mustered out July 17, '65.
Baker John T., Somonauk, killed at Frederick July 8, '64. Brown Alden, Victor, re-enlisted as veteran. De Forrest William. Afton, died at Camp Stoneman, D. C., Nov. 9, '64. Frank Frederick. Sycamore, killed, March 80, '63. Graham Forrester, Sandwich, deserted October 6, '62. Huntington Averell, Somonauk, mustered out July 17, '65, as bugler. Kirkpatrick Isaac, Somonauk, discharged July 22, '62; disability.
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HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
Kimball Nathan G., Somonauk, transferred to Co. G. Mack Samuel J., Somonauk, mustered out July 17, '65, as Corporal. McBrayton George, Somonauk, mustered out July 17, '65, as bugler. Pelling William, Somonauk, mustered out July 17, '65. Ryan Horton, Afton, mustered out July 17, '65. Ryan John, Afton, mustered out July 17, '65.
Wilson James H., Somonauk, mustered out July 17, '65.
COMPANY L. CAPTAINS.
Daniel Dustin, Sycamore, promoted.
John M. Waite, Sycamore, promoted.
James F. Berry, Sycamore, term expired December 28, '66. FIRST LIEUTENANT.
John M. Waite, Sycamore, promoted. SECOND. LIEUTENANT.
John M. Waite, Sycamore, promoted.
Q. M. SERGEANT.
Phillip McRae, Sycamore, discharged, and promoted 2d Lieutenant in 17th Cavalry.
SERGEANT.
James F. Berry, Sycamore, promoted 2d Lieutenant. CORPORALS.
William S. Thompson, Dement.
Sidney S. Sessions. Sycamore, Sergeant. Accidentally killed May 15, '62. Edward J. Blanchard, Mayfield, died at Alexandria, February 12, '62. PRIVATES.
Albro Simeon, South Grove, mustered out September 28, '64. Burzell Arick H., Genoa, re-enlisted as veteran.
Butler Thomas, South Grove, re-enlisted as veteran.
Carr James H., Franklin, re-enlisted as veteran.
Carr Winslow A., Sycamore, re-enlisted as veteran.
Cole Amos R., - mustered out September 28, '66, as Corporal. Countryman James, Franklin, re-enlisted as veteran.
Depue James S., Sycamore, discharged December 23, '61.
Dixon Joseph E., Sycamore, re-enlisted as veteran.
Edson Samuel L., Sycamore, transferred to Invalid Corps, Feb. 7, '64. Mckinney A. C., Sycamore, re-enlisted as veteran.
Rosbach William H., Sycamore, re-enlisted as veteran.
Stevens Judson A., Genoa, promoted 2d Lieutenant.
Young Walter W., Mayfield, re-enlisted as veteran.
VETERANS.
Butler Thomas L., Sycamore, transferred to U. S. Navy, Sept. 21, '64. Burzell Arick H., Genoa, Sergeant. Drowned in Mississippi river, June 28, '65.
Crosby James A., Sycamore, absent, sick, at muster-out of regiment. Carr James H., Franklin, mustered out July 17, '65, as Sergeant. Carr Charles M., Franklin, mustered out July 17, '65, as Farrier. Dixon Joseph E., Sycamore, mustered out July 17, '65, as Sergeant. Mckinney Artemus, Sycamore, mustered out July 17. '65, as Corporal. Rosback Wallace H., Sycamore, mustered out July 17, 65. Waldron Isaac N., Sycamore. See Co. B.
Young Walter W., Sycamore, mustered out July 17, '65, as bugler.
249
THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY
RECRUITS.
Adams Eli, Pierce, mustered out July 17, '65.
Blakely John, Pierce, mustered out July 17, '65. Crosby James A., Sycamore, re-enlisted as veteran. Carr J. A., Franklin, killed at White Plains, in a charge, Oct. 11, '64. Logan Elias, Cortland, mustered out July 17, '65. Nichols George A., Malta, re-enlisied as veteran. Porter Leroy L., Sycamore, discharged March 10, '62. Waldron Isaac N., Sycamore, re-enlisted as veteran. COMPANY M.
Brownell Joseph O., Somonauk, mustered out July 13, '65. Leason William, Somonauk, mustered out July 13, '65. Overocker M. D., South Grove, mustered out Sept. 28, '64, as Corporal. Williams Joseph, Somonauk, mustered out June 21, '65. Yalding Herman, Sycamore, mustered out June 3, '65. Crouk Eugene, Somonauk, veteran. Deserted. Douglas Edward A., De Kalb.
Kelly Thomas, Cortland, deserted.
32
Seventeenth Illinois Cavalry.
THE 17TH ILLINOIS CAVALRY.
In the autumn of 1863, when the hearts of the lovers of the Union had been cheered by the great victory at Antietam, which sent Lee and his mighty invading horde of rebels flying back across the Potomac, yet had been depressed again by the fact that he had been permitted to escape without the destruction of his army, which they had confidently anticipated as the result of this great victory, and when it was evident that still more of the country's brave boys must be called from civil pursuits, to give what was fondly hoped would be a final death-blow to the rebellion, Colonel John F. Farnsworth, who was then acting as Brigadier-General of cavalry upon the Potomac, was authorized by the War Department to raise a fresh brigade of cavalry.
Upon Colonel Farnsworth's recommendation a commission was issued to Major John L. Beveridge, of the 8th Cavalry, to raise one regiment of that brigade at his own home in Illi- nois. He proceeded at once to this State, and began the work of recruitment, establishing his rendezvous at St. Charles, Kane County.
Captain Jesse D. Butts, of De Kalb County, who had been forced by one of those chronic ailments which beset the soldier to resign his office as Captain in the 42d Infantry, and had been at home a few months, commenced, on the 1st of October, to recruit a company for that regiment,-a work in which he
253
THE SEVENTEENTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY.
was most efficiently aided by Jasper H. Waite, of Sycamore, a scholarly young man who left Beloit College to do his share in the defence of his country, and by Sergeant Phillip Mc- Rae, of Mayfield, a dashing trooper who had seen some two years' service in that excellent school for the cavalry soldier, the 8th Illinois.
The recruiting for this regiment was conducted under one marked disadvantage: To fill up the thinned ranks of the veteran regiments then in the field the Government had offered a bounty of $300 for recruits. For those who enlisted in the new regiments, then forming, only $100 bounty was at first allowed. The service in the veteran regiments was more arduous, the chances of speedy promotion very much less, and the new regiments were decidedly the favorites ; so that, in spite of this drawback, the regiment mustered five hundred men in two months from the first attempt to recruit, and was mustered in January 22, 1864.
Subsequently the bounty of $300 was extended to all who enlisted for three years, and their ranks filled up more rap- idly, so that, on the 12th of February, the whole number of twelve companies were in camp at St. Charles, and preparing for duty in the field.
The recruits had been encouraged by the Government to select and furnish their own horses, for each of which the United States allowed them $130. This permission was a great favor. The farmer lads of Illinois,-a land in which there were more horses than children in each family, and where each young man had his favorite steed, who was as dear as a brother to him,-felt that with his own horse as his constant companion he would not be quite alone any where, and, engaged in the service, they cared for their steeds with a thoughtfulness and tenderness that they could never have felt for such an one as might have fallen to their lots by the chance distribution of the United States officer.
The men of Company C, which was Captain Butts' com- pany, were well mounted. Many a superior horse, costing twice the Government price, had been purchased and given
254
HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
to the young troopers by their good friends at home, and by the close of April six hundred and fifty horses had thus been brought in by the men and sold to the Government.
The form of election of officers was usually gone through with by the new companies, and there was generally some sharp contests for the positions; but without much opposition the De Kalb County Company (Company C) selected Jesse D. Butts as Captain, Jasper H. Waite as 1st Lieutenant, and Phillip McRae as 2d Lieutenant. They proved to have been excellent selections, and in all the vicissitudes through which this company passed there was little or no inclination to regret their choice.
The field officers of the regiment were: Colonel, John L. Beveridge; Lieutenant-Colonel, Dennis J. Hynes; Major, Hiram Hilliard; 2d Major, Lucius C. Matlack; 3d Major, Phillip E. Fisher; Adjutant, Samuel W. Smith; Quarter- master, Philo P. Judson; Commissary, John A. Colton; Sur- geon, Samuel K. Crawford; Assistant-Surgeon, Samuel A. Dow; Chaplain, Edward O'Brien.
On the 1st of May the regiment, eager for active service, and wearied with the monotony of camp-life, was pleased to receive orders to break camp at St. Charles, and report for duty to General Rosecrans, commanding the department of Missouri.
They proceeded to Jefferson Barracks, twelve miles below St. Louis, where their outfit was completed; and they were ordered to Alton, where for a month they were employed in doing guard duty over a large body of rebel prisoners confined in the deserted State prison at that place.
The regiment was divided into three battalions, and each battalion into two squadrons of two companies each.
Lieutenant-Colonel Dennis J. Hynes, an experienced and dashing officer who had served in the 8th Illinois Cavalry, commanded the 1st Battalion, which was composed of Com- panies A and B, who constituted the 1st Squadron, and was under command of Major H. Hilliard, and of Companies C
255
THE SEVENTEENTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY.
and D, who constituted the 2d Squadron, which was com- manded by Captain Butts.
Major L. C. Matlack, formerly a chaplain of the 8th Illinois Cavalry, commander of the 2d Battalion, was assigned by General C. B. Fisk to the post at Glasgow, Missouri, and for four months subsequently the three battalions were separated and remote from each other.
The De Kalb County company was, with the remainder of the 1st Battalion, moved to St. Louis, where it was assigned to, and for three months mostly employed in, escort and pro- vost guard duties in North Missouri. Their headquarters were at St. Joseph, in Northwestern Missouri, whither they were conveyed by steamer.
Northern Missouri was at that time terribly scourged by rebel guerrillas, and on their way up the river they heard of the near presence of the guerrilla Bill Anderson, with a large part of his gang. The boat was stopped, one hundred and fifty of the 17th were landed, and attacked his force with success, driving them into the interior.
In this engagement Henry Reed, a worthy member of Company C, from De Kalb, lost his life,-the first casualty in the regiment.
While posted at St. Joseph Captain Butts was detailed as Judge Advocate, and Lieutenant Waite as Assistant Adjutant General, on General Fisk's staff.
The company was selected as a body-guard of General Fisk, but was constantly on duty, scouting through the country, under command of Lieutenant Phillip McRae, who proved himself one of the most dashing and efficient officers in the service; often routing the guerrillas, and terrifying them into their dens.
About the middle of September the company was again ordered out in pursuit of the notorious Bill Anderson, who had just committed a shocking massacre of Union men at Centralia. The rebel band was discovered near Fayette, and after a long. and desperate contest were driven from their grounds and dispersed.
256
HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
Soon after this the Companies C and D, forming the 2d Squadron of the 1st Battalion, under Captain Jones, were ordered to Jefferson City, the capital of Missouri, which was threatened by the rebels under Price, who was scouring the country with his accustomed vigor and energy. They moved across the country by land, and on the 6th and 7th of October assisted in the defence of the capital.
The 3d Battalion, which, with the regimental headquarters, had remained at Alton, Illinois, until September, now joined the 1st and 2d at the capital, and for a long period conducted a very active campaign under Colonel Beveridge, in which the regiment was a unit.
About this time Colonel Harding, who was commander of a Missouri regiment, with a force of about five hundred men, had been surrounded by a much larger force of the enemy, and after having contended for five hours with a greatly su- perior force, was compelled to surrender.
Lieutenant-Colonel Hynes, Commissary Colton, Lieutenant Eldridge, and three men of Company C, who had been away on leave of absence, and being prevented from reaching their regiment had taken service on this expedition with him, were among the captured upon this occasion.
On the 19th of September the regiment, under Colonel Beveridge, reported to General McNiell, at Rolla, an import- ant strategic point in Southwestern Missouri, then the termi- nus of a railroad, and constantly threatened by the vigilant and active rebel Price, whose name in the West had a power and popularity equal to that of Lee in Virginia.
Soon after their arrival there all communication with St. Louis was cut off by Price, and a force commanded by Colonel Ewing, and stationed at Pilot Knob, some sixty miles farther to the southwest, had, after a brave resistance, been driven from its post, and was retreating on Rolla.
At noon of the 28th the 17th, under Colonel Beveridge. was sent out to their relief, and after meeting and routing a cavalry force that appeared near Cuba, it pressed on to Lees- burg, thirty-three miles distant.
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THE SEVENTEENTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY
In the morning it reached the little army of General Ewing, composed of only eight hundred men. It was hastily en- trenched, expecting constantly an attack from the overwhelm- ing force of the enemy, and anticipating either capture or destruction. The joy of the little army of General Ewing at the sight of the friendly blue coats of the 17th, which assured them of safety and succor, may readily be imagined. They speedily moved back to Rolla.
Arrived there, they found that the rebel forces under the vigilant General Price had cut the railroad, destroyed the telegraph, and were reported moving with an army of twenty thousand men upon Jefferson City.
General Sanborn had now come up to Rolla from Spring- field, to avoid being surrounded and captured at that distant and exposed point.
No orders could be received from headquarters, nor definite knowledge of the plans of the rebels could be procured. Generals McNiell and Sanborn, however, concluded upon what happened to be the wisest plan they could pursue. They struck out at a venture for the State capital, wisely judging that Price was aiming for that point; and thus commenced by far the most exciting episode in the history of the 17th Cavalry, and one of the most thrilling events of the war. It was the famous movement known as the Price raid,-a move- ment in which the endurance of which human nature was capable was put to the severest possible test, in which the regiment lost five hundred horses from utter exhaustion, and in which, at one time, they were for fifty-six hours in the saddle, with orders to lose not even time enough to water their horses, but press on the enemy at every hazard; a movement which resulted in a complete baffling of the plans of the vigilant enemy, and his final ruin.
On the second day's march, October 2d, the scouts reported that Price's army, only five miles distant, was pressing for- ward with all possible haste on a parallel line with ours, for the capital at Jefferson City.
33
258
HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
The population, generally favorable to the rebels, furnished them all possible aid, while they hindered and obstructed our forces as far as they dared.
The rebel veterans, inured to hardship, born and brought up in the bush, accustomed to coarse and scanty rations, were among the most effective troops in the world. But the brave boys in blue, marching with all possible speed, finally baffled their foes, and reached the capital a few hours in advance of the rebels.
Hasty preparations for a vigorous defence were made. The men worked with energy, for the rebs outnumbered them three to one. The 17th had the post of honor and of danger upon the extreme right of the city,-a position on which, from the nature of the ground, the principal attack was expected. Breastworks were thrown up, and General Neill addressed the 17th, warning them to expect a fierce onset from the enemy, and to stand their ground bravely.
Price, finding our troops prepared to make a brave defence, after an attack upon the center, on the 4th, withdrew his forces in the night, and moved northwestwardly upon Boone- ville.
Colonel Beveridge, scouting with a few attendants early on the morning of the 5th, discovered the new movement of the enemy, and in a few hours the whole Federal army was in hurried pursuit. General Pleasanton having now arrived, the whole cavalry force was organized as one division, with Gen- eral Sanborn in command, Colonel Beveridge having charge of the 2d Brigade of four regiments, and Major Matlack . under him of the 17th regiment.
Hard marching for six days brought our cavalry upon the rebels, posted in strong force at Booneville. Their shirmish- ers were driven in, and a strong line of battle being developed, our forces awaited the morning, at which time Colonel Bever- idge was ordered to attack. The 5th Missouri and the 17th Illinois attacked at four o'clock in the morning. The 5th, in advance, found the sleepless rebel foe prepared for the onset ;
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THE SEVENTEENTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY
but the rebels were driven more than a mile, with great loss to them, and many wounded on our side.
The 17th now had the advance, and the foe, reinforced, was detained by its assaults till the main army, a day behind, could be brought up. The 17th retired beyond a bridge when the fight had commenced, tearing it up on their passage, and were amused at seeing the rebel artillery playing for some hours upon the line where they had been posted, and where they supposed them still located. The Federal reinforcements now coming up, the enemy evacuated Booneville, and fled toward Lexington.
A re-organization of the cavalry now placed Colonel Bev- eridge in immediate command of the 17th, and moving rapidly through Lexington, they overtook the enemy near Inde- pendence. Here the 17th, dismounted, was deployed on the left, while a dashing charge of the Missouri and Kansas cav- alry captured a number of the rebel cannon.
At midnight of the 22d the brigade left Independence going towards Hickman, where the rebels were encountered next day at noon. Pleasanton, at this point, had arranged for and anticipated the entire destruction of the rebel army. But a delay in the advance of McNiell's brigade of cavalry disap- pointed their calculations, and it was allowed to escape.
When the main column of the brigade under McNiell finally attacked the head of the rebel column, the 17th was ordered to form a separate column, and strike them on the flank.
The boys of the 17th, who had been terribly chafed by the unaccountable delay, received this cheering order with delight. With shouts they rushed a half-mile over a plain, then down a rugged ravine, slowly climbed a hill beyond, on through the woods, and then were preparing to capture Price's wagon train, the main-stay of his army, slowly passing before their eyes, when, to their infinite chagrin, a positive order from McNiell re-called them to support a battery in front, and they were forced to relinquish the coveted opportunity for high distinction and most effective service.
260
HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
Late on the next day the brigade joined Pleasanton, still pursuing the retreating Price. The tired and exhausted army still made sixty miles on that day, passing Curtis, with his reinforcements of Kansas troops.
The enemy was finally encountered again, and after a cold and rainy night, without supper or breakfast, at early dawn of October 26th, the army again attacked the enemy, and on this day fought the battle of Mine Creek, capturing the rebel Generals Marmaduke and Cabel, with a thousand prisoners, and ten pieces of artillery.
Still the brave boys of the 17th pressed forward, buoyed with the hope of capturing the whole rebel army, and ending the war in Missouri.
For fifty-six hours they were in the saddle. The rebels preceding them captured all the fresh horses in the country, and still kept in advance. Hundreds of our horses, after being kept on the gallop till they could go no longer, would fall into a slow trot, and then either fall to the ground or stand stock still, refusing for the spur or the most furious beating to move another step. The dismounted trooper would strip his saddle and accoutrements from his horse, and carry them on his own back, hoping to find a fresher horse to place them on. Jack Houghton, of De Kalb, one of the best of soldiers, once carried his saddle fourteen miles before he got another horse.
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