USA > Illinois > Fulton County > History of Fulton county, Illinois > Part 11
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" But now all things seem ready; we have accepted the aid of
135
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
that hand; those footsteps are obliterated. In his own good time we feel that God will give us the victory. Till that hour comes we bid you fight on. Though we have not attained that heroism, or decision, which enables us to give you up without a struggle, which can prevent our giving tears for your blood, though many of us must own our hearts desolate till you return, still we bid you stay and fight for our country, till from this fierce baptism of blood she shall be raised complete; the dust shaken from her garments puri- fied, a new Memnon singing in the great Godlight."
SHERMAN'S MARCII TO TIIE SEA.
On the 15th of November, 1864, after the destruction of Atlanta, and the railroads behind him, Sherman, with his army, began his march to the sea-coast. The almost breathless anxiety with which his progress was watched by the loyal hearts of the nation, and the trembling apprehension with which it was regarded by all who hoped for rebel success, indicated this as one of the most remark- able events of the war; and so it proved. Of Sherman's army, 45 regiments of infantry, three companies of artillery, and one of cavalry were from this State. Lincoln answered all rumors of Sherman's defeat with, " It is impossible; there is a mighty sight of fight in 100,000 Western men." Illinois soldiers brought home 300 battle flags. The first United States flag that floated over Richmond was an Illinois flag. She sent messengers and nurses to every field and hospital to care for her sick and wounded sons.
Illinois gave the country the great general of the war, U. S. Grant.
CHARACTER OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
One other name from Illinois comes up in all minds, embalmed in all hearts, that must have the supreme place in this sketch of our glory and of our nation's [honor: that name is Abraham Lincoln. The analysis of Mr. Lincoln's character is difficult on account of its symmetry. In this age we look with admiration at his uncompromising honesty; and well we may, for this saved us. Thousands throughout the length and breadth of our country, who knew him only as "Honest Old Abe," voted for him on that account; and wisely did they choose, for no other man could have carried us through the fearful night of war. When his plans were too vast for our comprehension, and his faith in the cause too sub-
136
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
lime for our participation; when it was all night about us, and all dread before us, and all sad and desolate behind us; when not one ray shone upon our cause; when traitors were haughty and exult- ant at the Sonth, and fierce and blasphemous at the North; when the loyal men seemed almost in the minority; when the stoutest heart quailed, the bravest cheek paled; wlien generals were defeat- ing each other for place, and contractors were leeching out the very heart's blood of the republic; when everything else had failed us, we looked at this calm, patient man standing like a rock in the storm, and said, " Mr. Lincoln is honest, and we can trust him still." Holding to this single point with the energy of faith and despair, we held together, and under God he brought us through to victory. His practical wisdom made him the wonder of all lands. With such certainty did Mr. Lincoln follow causes to their ultimate effects, that his foresight of contingencies seemed almost prophetic. He is radiant with all the great virtues, and his memory will shed a glory upon this age that will fill the eyes of men as they look into history. Other men have excelled him in some points; but. taken at a l points, he stands head and shoulders above every other man of 6,000 years. An administrator, he saved the nation in the perils of unparalleled civil war; a statesman, he justified his measures by their success: a philanthropist, he gave liberty to one race and salvation to another; a moralist, he bowed from the sum- mit of human power to the foot of the cross; a mediator, he exer- cised mercy under the most absolute obedience to law; a leader. he was no partisan; a commander, lie was untainted with blood; a ruler in desperate times, he was unsullied with crime; a man, he has left no word of passion, no thought of malice, no trick of craft, no aet of jealousy, no purpose of selfish ambition. Thus perfected, without a model and without a peer, he was dropped into these troubled years to adorn and embellish all that is good and all that is great in our humanity. and to present to all coming time the representative of the divine idea of free government. It is not too much to say that away down in the future, when the republic has fallen from its niche in the wall of time; when the great war itself shall have faded out in the distance like a mist on the horizon; when the Anglo-Saxon shall be spoken only by the tongue of the stranger, then the generations looking this way shall see the great President as the supreme figure in this vortex of history.
137
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
THE WAR ENDED-TIIE UNION RESTORED.
The rebellion was ended with the surrender of Lee and his army, and Johnson and his command in April, 1865. Our armies at the time were up to their maximum strength, never so formidable, never so invincible; and, until recruiting ceased by order of Sec- retary Stanton, were daily strengthening. The necessity, however,
LINCOLN
10001 8:020-0
FIND-MENALLY-CO
LINCOLN MONUMENT AT SPRINGFIELD.
for so vast and formidable numbers ceased with the disbanding of the rebel forces, which had for more than four years disputed the supremacy of the Government over its domain. And now the joyful and welcome news was to be borne to the victorious legions that their work was ended in triumph, and they were to be per- mitted "to see homes and friends once more."
138
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
SCHEDULE-Showing statement of volunteer troops organized within the State, and sent to the field, commencing April, 1861. and ending December 31, 1865. with number of regiment. name of original commanding officer. date of organization and muster into United States' service. place of muster. and the aggregate strength of each organization.
INFANTRY.
zation.
since organi- !
Aggr. strength |
7 Col. John Cook ...
July 25, 1861
Cairo, Illinois
1747
8
Richard J. Oglesby.
..
9
Eleazer A. Paine. .
66
10
66
Jas. D. Morgan ..
66
.6
1759
11
W. H. L. Wallace ..
66
66
1675
13
66
John B. Wyman
May 24, 1861.
Dixon ..
1112 2015
15
Thos. J. Turner.
May 24, 1861.
Freeport.
2028
17
66 Leonard F. Ross.
May 28, 1861.
Anna.
2043 1095
20
66 Chas. C. Marsh.
June 13, 1861.
Joliet .
1917
21
Ulysses S. Grant.
June 15, 1861.
Mattoon
1266
22
Henry Dougherty.
June 25, 1861.
Belleville
1164
23
66 Jas. A. Mulligan.
June 18, 1861.
Chicago
1982 989
26
6.
John M. Loomis
Oct. 31, 1861
Camp But'er ..
1602
23,
A. K. Johnson ..
Ang. 3, 1861
Camp Butler.
1939 1547
30
Philip B. Fouke
Sept. 30, 1861.
Camp Butler.
1578 1973
32
John Logan.
Dec. 31, 1861
Camp Butler.
1711 1660
34
..
Edward N. Kirk
Sept. 7, 1931.
Camp Butler.
1558 1012
35
.. Nich. Greusel.
Sept. 23, 1861.
Aurora
1593
32
.6
Julius White.
Sept. 18, 1361.
Chicago.
1157
35
66
Wm. P. Cariin.
Ang. 15, 195:
Camp Butler.
1388
39
.. Austin Li ht.
December. 1861
Chicago
1807 1277
42
Wm. A. Webb.
Sept. 17, 1861.
Chicago.
43
-
Julius Raith.
Dec. 16, 1861.
Camp Butler.
1512
45
John E. Smith.
Dec. 26. 1 61.
Ga'ena ..
1:16
46
John A. Davis ..
Dec. 23. 1861.
Camp Butler.
2015
47
.Tohn Brvuer.
Oct. 1 1861 .
Peoria .
45
Isham N. Haynie.
Nov. 18, 1861.
Camp Butler.
2051 1874 1482 1761
51
.. G. W. Cumming
Dec. '61, Feb. '62.
Camp Douglas.
1550
52
66 Isaac G. Wilson ...
Nov. 19. 1851.
Geneva
1519
53
..
W. II. W. Cushman
March. 1862
Ottawa.
14:4 1720
55
David Stuart
Oct. 31, 18 :1.
Camp Douglas
1287
56
Robert Kirkham.
Feb. 27. 1862.
Shawneetown
1180
57
Silas D. Baldwin.
Dec. 26, 1861.
Camp Douglas ..
1754 2202 1762
60
66 Silas C. Toler.
Feb. 17. 1842 ..
Anna ..
1647
61
66 Jacob Fry.
March 7, 1892
('arrollton
1385
62
.6 James M. True.
April 10, 1562.
Anna ..
1730
63
.6 Franc's Mora ..
Anna ..
1228
64 Lt. Col. D. D. Williams
Dec. 31, 1862
Camp Butler.
1624
65 Col. Daniel Cameron
May 15. 1862
Camn Douglas.
1684
66
Patrick E. Burke
April. 1862
St. Lonia, Mo
1694
6%
66 Rose 1 M. Hongh.
June 13, 1862.
Camp Donglas.
979
65
.. Elias Stuart
June 20, 1862.
Camp Butler.
889
69
.. Jos. H. Tucker.
June 14, 1862.
Camp Douglas.
912
July 4, 1962
Camp Butler.
1006
~1
Othniel Gilbert.
July 26. 1862
Camp Douglas.
940
24
66
Frederick Hecker.
July 8, 1861.
Chicago.
25
16
Wm. N. Coler.
1082
27
Nap. B. Buford.
1193
29
Jas. S. Rearden
July 27, 1861.
Camp Butler.
31
John A. Logan.
Sept. 8, 1561 ..
Camp Butler.
33
66
Chas. E. Hovey.
Aug. 15, 1861
Camp But'er.
40
Steph. G. Hicks
Ang 10, 1961
salem
411
.6
Isaac C. Pugh.
Aug, 9, 1861
Decatur.
1211 1824 1902
44
..
Chas. Noblesdorff
Sept. 13, 1861
Chicago.
49
Wm. R. Morrison
Dec. 31. 1861.
Camp Butler.
50
66
Moses M. Bane.
Sept. 12, 1861
Quincy
54
.6 Thos. W. Harris.
Feb. 18. 1962.
Auna ..
58
6. Wm. F. Lynch.
Dec. 24. 1961.
Camp Douglas
59
P. Sidney Post.
August. 1961.
St. Louis, Mo.
1384
12
John McArthur.
14
John M. Palmer.
May 25, 1861.
Jacksonville
16
Robert F. Smith ...
Quincy
1833
Peoria.
1259
18
Michael KK. Lawler.
19
John B. Turchin
Z Commanding officer at organiza- Date of organization and Place where mustered tion. muster into the United, States service.
into the United States service.
1853
1265
35
Gus. A. Smith
66
6.
O. T. Reeves
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
139
SCHEDULE-Showing statement of volunteer troops organized within the State, and sent to the field, commencing April, 1861, and ending December 31, 1865, with number of regiment, name of original commanding officer, date of organization and muster into United States' service, place of muster, and the aggregate strength of each organization.
INFANTRY.
No.
Commanding officer at organiza- tion.
Date of organization and Place where mustered muster into the United into the United States service. States service.
zation.
|Aggr. stren th
72|Col. Frederick A. Starring.
Ang. 21, 1862.
Camp Douglas
1+71
73
" Jas. F. Jaquess.
Sept. 4. 1862
Rockford.
989
75
George Ryan.
sept. 2. 1862.
Dixon.
987
76
Alonzo W. Mack
Aug 22, 1862.
Kankakee
1110
77
David P. Grier.
*Sept. 3. 163
Peoria.
1051
78
..
Lyman Guinnip
Aug. 25, 1862.
Centralia.
928
80
66
Thos. G. Allen.
Aug. 26, 1863 ..
Anna
961
82
6.
Frederick Hecker
Aug. 21, 1862.
Monmouth.
1286 956
85
66
Robert S. Moore.
Aug. 27, 1862
Peoria
959 993
86
David D. Irons.
Sept. 22, 1862.
Shawneetown
994 907
88
F. T. Sherman.
*Aug 25, 186 !.
Camp Douglas.
938
90 91
..
Henry M. Day.
Sept. 8, 1862.
Camp Butler
1265
92
..
Smith D. Atkins
Sept. 4, 1862.
Princeton and Chicago.
1036 1091 1427
96 97
F. S. Rutherford.
Sept. 8, 1852. .
Camp Butler ..
1082
98
J. J. Funkhouser.
Sept. 3, 1863
Centralia ..
1078 936 9:21
101
Chas. H. Fox.
Sept. 2, 1862.
Jacksonville.
998
103
Amos C. Babcock.
Oct. 2, 1862.
Peoria ..
917 977 1001
105
66
Daniel Dustin
Sept. 2, 1862
( hicago ..
1097
106
16
Robert B. Latham
Sept. 17, 1862
Lincoln.
944
10~
Thomas Snell
Sept. 4. 1862
Camp Butler.
927
10g
66
John Warner
Aug. 28, 1862.
Peoria.
967
10g
66
Alex. J. Nimmo
Sept. 11, 1861 ..
Anna ..
873
110
.:
Thos. S Casey ..
Anna.
994
111
.4
James S. Martin.
Sept. 18, 1862.
Sa'em.
1095
113
..
Geo. B. Hoge.
Oct. 1, 1862.
Camp Douglas
990
114
..
James W. Judy.
Sept. 18, 1862.
Camp Butler ..
960
115
Jesse II. Moore
Sept. 13, 1862.
Camp Butler
952
116
Nathan H. Tupper.
Sept. 30 1862.
Decatur
995
117
..
Risden M. Moore
Sept. 19, 1862.
Camp Butler.
1101
118
.. John G. Fonda ..
Nov 29. 1862.
Camp Butler.
952
119
Thos. J. Kenney
Oct. 7, 1862.
Quincy
844
120
George W. McKeaig
Oct. 29, 1862
Camp Butler.
. . 934
123
..
James Moore.
Sept. 6 1862
Mattoon ..
1130
123
.6 Oscar F. Harmon.
Sept. 4, 1862 ..
Chicago.
957
127
.6
John VanArmau
*Sept. 5, 1862.
Camp Douglas
866
12%
66 Robert M. Hudley
Dec 18, 1862.
Camp Butler.
1011
129
George P. Smith
Sept. 8. 1862
Pontiac ..
932
130
.. Nathaniel Niles.
Nov. 13, 1862 Oct. 25. 1865.
Camp Butler
880
131
George W. Neeley
June 1, 1864
Camp Fry .
851
133
Thad. Phillips.
May 31, 1864
Camp Butler.
878
134
W. W McChesney
Camp Fry.
135
John S. Wolfe ..
June 6, 1864.
Mattoon ..
852
6.
Abner C. Harding.
Sept. 1. 1862.
Quincy.
87
:
John E. Whiting.
Aug. 27, 1862.
Camp Douglas
1.85
89
..
John Christopher.
Nov. 22, 1862 ..
Camp Douglas
1011
93
Ilolden Putnam.
Oct. 13, 1862
Bloomington,
94
Wm. W. Orme.
Aug. 20, 1862
Rockford.
95
Lawr'n S. Church
Sept. 4, 1862.
Rockford
1206
99
G. W. K. Bailey
Ang. 26, 1862.
Florence, Pike Co.
Joliet.
911
102
Wm. Mc Murtry.
Knoxville
104
Absalom B. Moore
Aug. 27, 1862.
Ottawa
112
...
T. J. Henderson
Sept. 12, 1862.
Peoria ...
121 Never organized. .
122 Col. John I. Rinaker
Sept. 4, 1862.
Carlinville.
1050
121
Thomas J. Sloan.
Sept. 10. 1862.
Camp Butler
933
Danville.
998
126
Jonathan Richmond.
Camp Massac
853
132
Thomas C. Pickett.
Aug. 28, 862.
Danville.
974
79
W. H. Bennison
Sept. 1. 1802 ..
Quincy.
1028
81
Jas. J. Do.lins
C'amp Butler
83
84
..
Louis H. Waters.
Peoria ..
46
Thos. E. Champion
Sept. 6, 1862.
100
Fred. A. Bartleson.
Ang. 30, 1862.
since organi-
968
Camp Butler.
66 Jason Marsh.
Timothy O'Mera.
Rockford.
1258
..
140
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
SCHEDULE-Showing statement of volunteer troops organized within the State, and sent to the field. commencing April, 1861, and ending December 31, 1865. with number of regiment, name of original commanding officer, date of organization and mnster into United States' service. place of muster, and the aggregate strength of each organization.
INFANTRY.
zation.
|Aggr. strength |
13
Col. Fred. A. Johns ..
.une 1. 1864
Centralia ..
842
137
..
John Wood.
June 5. 1864 ..
Quincy.
649
13-
J. W. Goodwin ..
June 21. 1864
Quincy.
S35
139
Peter Davidson.
June 1. 1864
Peoria
878
140
..
L. H. Whitney.
June 18, 1864.
Camp Butler.
871
141
Stephen Bronson.
June 16, 1864
Elgin.
812
112
Rollin V. Aukney.
June 18, 1864
Camp Butler
£51
143
..
Dudley C. Smith.
June 11, 1864
Mattoon
£65
144
Cyrus Ilall ..
Oct. 21, 1864
A ton. Ills
1159
145
..
George W. Lackey.
lune 9. 1864
Camp Butler.
850
142
Iliram F. Sick es.
Feb. 18, 1835.
Chicago
1047
148
Horace II. Wilsie.
Quiney.
917
149
Wm. C. Kueffner
Feb. 11. 1865.
Camp Butler.
983
1'0
66
George W. Keener
Feb. 14. 1865
Camp Butler.
933
151
..
French B. Woodall
Feb. 25, 1865,
Quincy.
970
152
F. D. Stephenson.
Feb. 18, 1965 ..
Camp Butler.
945
153
6.
Stephen Bronson.
Feb. 27, 1855.
Chicago.
1076
151
McLean F. Wood.
Feb. 22. 1865.
Camp Butler.
994
155
.. Gustavns A. Smith.
Feb. 28. 1:05
Camp Butler.
929
156
Alfred F. Smith.
March 9. 1865.
Chicago.
975
J. W. Wi'son ..
Dec. 1. 1861
Chicago
985
John A. Bross
Quiney
903
Capt. John Curtis
June 21, 1864
( amp Butler.
91
..
Simon J. Stookey.
Camp Butler.
90
June 13, 1064.
Chicago
86
CAVALRY.
1| Col. Thomas A Marshall.
June. 1861
Bloomington
1206
Silas Noh'e
Aug. 24. **
Camp Butler
1861
3
Eugene A. Carr
Sept. 21.
Camp Butter.
2193
4
T. Lyle Dickey.
Sept. 30,
Ottawa
1656
5
John J. Updegraff
December
Camp Butler.
1669
6
66
Wm. Pitt Kellogg
August, '61 ..
Camp Butler.
22822
S
..
Albert G. Bracket1.
Oct. 26, '61.
Camp Douglas.
2619
10
James A. Barrett
Nov. 25. '61
Camp Butler.
1.934
11
Robert G. Ingersoll.
Dec. 27. 61.
Peoria .
2362
12
.. Arno Voss.
Dec., '61. Feb .. '62. 66
Camp Douglas Camp Butler.
1,59
14
Horace Capron.
Jan. 7. : 63
Peoria
1565
15
Warren Stewart
Organized Dec. 25. 63.
Camp Bniler.
1473
161
..
Christian Thielman
Jan. and April, '63.
Camp Butler.
1462
17
John L. Beveridge.
Jan. 23, '64.
St. Charles
1247
FIRST REGIMENT-ILLINOIS LIGHT ARTILLERY.
Co Field and Staff.
7
B
..
Ezra Taylor ....
Chicago
204
(*
C. Haughtaling.
Oct. 31, 1$61.
Ottawa
175
D
..
Edward McAllister
Jan. 14. 62
Ptainfield
141
E
.. A. C. Waterhouse.
Dec. 19, '61 ..
Chicago .
148
F
John T. Cheney
Feb. 25, 62
Camp Butler.
159
G
..
Arthur O'Leary.
Feb. 28. '62
Cairo
113
H
Axel Si versparr.
Feb. 20. 62
Chicago
147
I
Edward Bonton
Feb. 15. 62 ..
Chicago
169
K
.. A. Franklin
Tan. 9, 62.
Shawneetown
L
John Ronrke
Feb. 22. 62
Chicago
153
66 John B. Miller.
Aug. 12, '62
Chicago
154
Recruits.
883
66
Henry H. Dean.
Sept. 20, 1864.
Camp Butler ..
since organi- !
No.
Commanding officer at organiza- Date of organization and Place where mastered
tion.
muster into the United States service.
into the United States service.
A Capt. C. M. Willard.
Chicago
*2174
13
Joseph W. Bell.
Nov., '61. Jan .. 62
Camp Butler
2248
John F. Farnsworth.
Sept. 18. 61.
St. ‹ harles
2412
0
Thomas H. Cavanaugh.
1056
146
6.
James Steele ..
168
141
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
SCHEDULE-Showing statement of volunteer troops organized within the State, and sent to the field commencing April, 1861, and ending December 31. 1865, with number of regiment. name of original commanding officer, date of organization and muster into United States service, place of muster, and the aggregate strength of each organization.
LIGHT ARTILLERY.
Co.
Commanding officer at organiza- Date of organization and Place where mustered
tion.
muster into the United States service.
into the United States service.
zation.
pince organi-
JAggr. strength
SECOND REGIMENT-ILLINOIS LIGHT ARTILLERY.
A Capt. Peter Davidson.
Aug. 17, 1861
Peoria
116
B
4
Riley Madison.
June 20, '61
Springfield
127
C
Caleb Ilopkins
Aug. 5. '61
Cairo.
154
1)
Jasper M. Dresser.
Dec. 17, '61
Cairo
117
E
66
Adolph Schwartz.
Feb. 1, '62 ..
Cairo ..
136
F
John W. Powell. .
Dec. 11, '61.
Cape Girardeau, Mo ...
190
G
"
Charles J. Stolbrand
Dec. 31, '61.
Camp Butler.
108
II
Andrew Steinbeck
66
Camp Butler.
115
I
66
Charles W. Keith.
66
Camp Butler.
107
K
..
Benjamin F. Rogers.
..
Camp Butler.
108
L
66
William H Bolton.
Feb. 28, '62.
Chicago.
145
M
44
John C. Phillips
June 6, '62.
Chicago.
100
Field and Staff.
10
Recruits
1171
INDEPENDENT BATTERIES.
Board of Trade Capt. James S. Stokes.
July 31, 1862.
'Chicago
258
Springfield ..
Thomas F. Vaughn ..
Aug. 21, 62
Camp Butler.
199
Mercantile
Charles G. Cooley ....
Aug. 29. 62.
Chicago
220
Elgin . .
George W. Renwick.
Nov. 15, '62.
Elgin
242
Coggswell's ..
William Coggswell
Sept 23. 61 ..
Camp Douglas
2.21
Henshaw's.
Ed. C. Henshaw.
Oct. 15. '62.
Ottawa
196
Bridges'
Lyman Bridges.
Jan. 1. 62 ..
Chicago
252
Colvin's
John II. Colvin.
Oct. 10, '63.
Chicago
91
Busteed's
RECAPITULATION.
185.941
Cavalry
32 082
Artillery.
7.277
DUELS.
The code of chivalry so common among Southern gentlemen and so frequently brought into use in settling personal differences has also been called to settle the "affairs of honor " in our own State, however, but few times, and those in the earlier days. Several attempts at duels have occurred; before the disputants met in mortal combat the differences were amicably and satisfactorily settled; honor was maintained without the sacrifice of life. In 1810 a law was adopted to suppress the practice of dueling. This law held the fatal result of dueling to be murder. and, as it was intended, had the effect of making it odions and dishonorable. Prior to the constitution of 1848, parties would evade the law by
Chicago
127
Infantry
142
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
going beyond the jurisdiction of the State to engage in their con- tests of honor. At that time they incorporated in the Constitution an oath of office, which was so broad as to cover the whole world. Any person who had ever fought a duel, ever sent or accepted a challenge or acted the part of second was disfranchised from holding office, even of minor importance. After this went into effect, no other duel or attempt at a duel has been engaged in within the State of Illinois, save those fought by parties living outside of the State, who came here to settle their personal differences.
THE FIRST DUEL.
The first duel fought within the boundaries of this great State was between two young military officers, one of the French and the other of the English army, in the year 1765. It was at the time the British troops came to take possession of Fort Chartres, and a woman was the cause of it. The affair occurred early Sunday morning, near the old fort. They fought with swords, and in the combat one sacrificed his life.
BOND AND JONES.
In 1809 the next duel occurred and was bloodless of itself, but out of it grew a quarrel which resulted in the assassination of one of the contestants. The principals were Shadrach Bond, the first Governor, and Rice Jones, a bright young lawyer, who became quite a politician and the leader of his party. A personal difference arose between the two, which to settle, the parties met for mortal combat on an island in the Mississippi. The weapons selected were hair- trigger pistols. After taking their position Jones' weapon was prematurely discharged. Bond's second, Dunlap, now claimed that according to the code Bond had the right to the next fire. But Bond would not take so great advantage of his opponent, and said it was an accident and would not fire. Such noble conduct touched the generous nature of Jones, and the difficulty was at. once amicably settled. Dunlap, however, bore a deadly hatred for Jones, and one day while he was standing in the street in Kaskaskia, conversing with a lady, he crept up behind him and shot him dead in his tracks. Dunlap successfully escaped to Texas.
RECTOR AND BARTON.
In 1812 the bloody code again brought two young men to the field of honor. They were Thomas Rector, a son of Capt. Stephen
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HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
Rector who bore such a noble part in the war of 1812, and Joshua Barton. They had espoused the quarrel of older brothers. The affair occurred on Bloody Island, in the Mississippi, but in the limits of Illinois. This place was frequented so often by Missou- rians to settle personal difficulties, that it received the name of Bloody Island. Barton fell in this conflict.
STEWART AND BENNETT.
In 1819 occurred the first dnel fought after the admission of the State into the Union. This took place in St. Clair county between Alphonso Stewart and William Bennett. It was intended to be a shamn duel, to turn ridicule against Bennett, the challenging party. Stewart was in the secret but Bennett was left to believe it a reality. Their guns were loaded with blank cartridges. Bennett, suspecting a trick, put a ball into his gun without the knowledge of his seconds. The word "fire" was. given, and Stewart fell mortally wounded. Bennett made his escape; but was subsequently captured, convicted of murder and suffered the penalty of the law by hanging.
PEARSON AND BAKER.
In 1840 a personal difference arose between two State Senators, Judge Pearson and E. D. Baker. The latter, smarting under the epithet of "falsehood," threatened to chastise Pearson in the public streets, by a " fist fight." Pearson declined making a "blackguard', of himself but intimated a readiness to fight as gentlemen, accord- ing to the code of honor. The affair, however. was carried no further.
HARDIN AND DODGE.
The exciting debates in the Legislature in 1840-'41 were often bitter in personal "slings," and threats of combats were not infrequent. During these debates, in one of the speeches by the Hon. J. J. Hardin, Hon. A. R. Dodge thought he discovered a personal insult, took exceptions, and an " affair " seemed imminent. The controversy was referred to friends, however, and amicably settled.
M'CLERNAND AND SMITH.
Hon. John A. MeClernand, a member of the House, in a speech delivered during the same session made charges against the Whig Judges of the Supreme Court. This brought a note from Judge
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T. W. Smith, by the hands of his "friend" Dr. Merriman. to McClernand. This was construed as a challenge, and promptly accepted, naming the place of meeting to be Missouri; time, early: the weapons, rifles; and distance, 40 paces. At this critical junc- ture, the Attorney General had a warrant issued against the Judge, whereupon he was arrested and placed under bonds to keep the peace. Thus ended this attempt to vindicate injured honor.
LINCOLN AND SHIELDS.
During the hard times subsequent to the failure of the State and other banks. in 1842. specie became scarce while State money was plentiful, bnt worthless. The State officers thereupon demanded specie payment for taxes. This was bitterly opposed. and so fiercely contested that the collection of taxes was suspended.
During the period of the greatest indignation toward the State officials. under the nom de plume of " Rebecca." Abraham Lincoln had an article published in the Sangimo Journal. entitled " Lost Township." In this article, written in the form of a dialogue. the officers of the State were roughly handled. and especially Anditor Shields. The name of the author was demaded from the editor by Mr. Shields, who was very indignant over the manner in which he was treated. The name of Abraham Lincoln was given as the author. It is claimed by some of his biographers. however, that the article was prepared by a lady, and that when the name of the author was demanded. in a spirit of gallantry, Mr. Lincoln gare his name. In company with Gen. Whiteside, Gen. Shields por- sned Lincoln to Tremont, Tazewell county. where he was in attend- ance upon the court. and immediately sent him a note "requiring a full. positive and absolute retraction of all offensive allusions " made to him in relation to his " private character and standing as a man, or an apology for the insult conveved." Lincoln had been forewarned. however. for William Butler and Dr. Merriman. of Springfield. had become acquainted with Shields' intentions and br riding all night arrived at Tremont ahead of Shields and informed Lincoln what he might expect. Lincoln answered Shields' note. refusing to offer any explanation, on the grounds that Shields' note assumed the fact of his (Lincoln's) authorship of the article, and not pointing out what the offensive part was, and accompanying the same with threats as to consequences. Mr. Shields answered this. disavowing all intention to menace; inquired if he was the author.
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