USA > Illinois > Fulton County > History of Fulton county, Illinois > Part 31
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WHEREAS, events have lately transpired which call for all good citizens to express in what estimation they hold the institutions of Americans and Amer- ican liberty, therefore
Resolved, That when the Government of the United States is attacked, we can recognize no distinction between the foreign and the domestic foe.
Resolved, That since forbearance has ceased to call the traitors of the South to fealty to the Government, we heartily approve of the measures recently taken by the administration, choosing rather to bear the burdens of a just war than to enjoy the case under an ignominious peace.
Resolved, That we will freely assist, with all the means in our power, the ef- forts of the Government to vanquish traitors, whether at home or abroad,
Resolred, That we are firmly and devotedly attached to the United States, and to the flag under which our fathers fought; and, we hereby pledge our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor to sustain the one and defend the other.
Similar meetings were held in all parts of the county, and resolu- tions, full of patriotism and devotion to the country and the old flag, were sent forth as the sentiment and voice of the people.
Immediately, in response to the call for troops, enlistments began. As early as April 30 a company of 100 was organized at Canton. They drilled in the city for some days, and so impatient were they to strike a blow in defense of the dear old flag which had been trampled beneath the feet of traitors at Sumter, that they wanted to be off immediately to the scene of conflict. Many of them were afraid they would not "get to go." They little realized the magnitude of the war.
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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
A meeting was held Saturday evening, April 27, for the purpose of making arrangements to raise subscriptions for the benefit of this company, to equip it, etc. J. G. Piper was elected president and C. C. Dewey secretary. Hon. A. C. Babcock, G. W. Fast, S. C. Thorp, J. W. Ingersoll, H. P. Fellows, J. H. Dorrance, B. F. Ruble, T. Atwater, G. W. Hardesty and P. C. Stearns were appointed a com- mittee to procure subscriptions. This company was named the Ful- ton Volunteers. Wm. Babcock was elected Captain, L. C. Chase First Lieutenant, Wm. Trites Second Lieutenant and J. H. Dorrance Third Lieutenant.
While the above company was being raised at Canton, a company was gotten up at Lewistown with L. F. Ross as Captain, T. A. Boyd First Lieutenant and A. Willison Second Lieutenant. This com- pany was originally the " Fulton Blues," and was organized about the year 1857, by Capt. Leonard F. Ross. On Monday, April 29, it was permanently re-organized for the U. S. service and was after- wards transferred to the 17th Regiment as Co. H.
At Vermont a company was organized, and Thomas Hamer was clected Captain, Josiah Dennis First Lieutenant, and Hinman Rhodes Second Lieutenant.
A company was also raised at Fairview, which left for Camp Mather, Peoria, May 15. Before leaving their homes, however, they were presented with a fine flag by the ladies of Fairview. They were accompanied to Peoria by the Fairview Brass Band. It was noised around Canton that this company, after being in camp, needed flannel shirts ; and within a few days 75 shirts were made and sent to them.
On Friday morning, May 10, 1861, the Fulton Blues left Lewis- town for camp at Peoria. The public square was filled with citizens to witness the flag presentation and departure of the company. Capt. Ross marched the boys to the residence of Dr. R. R. McDowell, where each of them was provided with a flannel shirt, made for them by the ladies of Lewistown. Each and every man was also pre- sented with a copy of the New Testament, accompanied by the re- quest to write therein his name and age, and name of his father, guardian or other member of his family, with place of residence. At nine o'clock the company was paraded in front of the court- house, where a large number of people had gathered. H. B. Evans was chosen to preside over the assembly. He called the large con- course of people to order, and on behalf of the ladies Dr. McDowell presented to the company a beautiful flag. Capt. Ross received the colors with pledges that they should not be disgraced, and handed them to Ensign Woolfolk, who received them in the name of the company. The brass band played and three cheers were given for the ladies. The company took their places in the wagons, receiving meanwhile the sorrowing farewells of their friends. They were then driven to Havana, where a boat was taken for Peoria.
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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
The Fulton Light-Horse Invincibles were organized Tuesday May 7, '61, by Capt. W. A. Presson.
Other companies were raised. Call after call was made by the Government and each time Fulton county nobly responded. While some thought the policy of the administration wrongful and hurtful, and that the desired end might be attained in a more conciliatory manner than by the stern and bloody arbitrament of war, yet the majority believed their only recourse was a resort to arms.
DEATH OF SENATOR DOUGLAS.
While the people throughout the State were busily engaged in preparing for the war, the sad news of the death of her beloved Senator, Stephen A. Douglas, was announced. Funeral services were held in ahnost all towns of this county upon the death of this distinguished statesman. At Canton, Thursday, June 6th, 1861, a meeting was held at Graham's Hall to make suitable arrangements for ceremonies. S. A. Gee, Wm. Kellogg, P. L. Snyder and James T. Slack were appointed a committee of arrangements. G. Barrere, Thomas Snyder, W. H. Haskell, Dr. Henry Ingersoll and S. Y. Thornton were selected as a committee to draft resolutions. On Friday, as for several days previous, the flag was bound in black and displayed at half-mast. Shortly before two o'clock P. M. the bells commenced tolling, and continued while a procession was formed upon the public square, headed by the Canton Silver Cor- net Band and Masonic Lodge. It marched to the Baptist church, where the following exercises took place under the direction of T. Strond, chief marshal and master of ceremonies. Hon. John G. Graham was called to the chair and Messrs. P. L. Snyder, Ira John- son, S. N. Breed, Dr. Henry Ingersoll, J. M. Bass and G. Barrere were chosen vice presidents ; S. Y. Thornton and Alpheus Davison, secretaries. Praver was then offered by Rev. Dr. Webb, which was followed by singing by a choir organized for the occasion under the direction of Mr. E. P. Ingersoll, Mrs. Law presiding at the instru- ment. Resolutions fitting and full of sorrow at the loss of the great Senator were passed. Wm. H. Haskell then delivered an oration upon the life and services of Mr. Douglas. Hon. Wm. Kellogg made a brief address. He was followed by John G. Graham, S. A. Gee, G. Barrere and J. T. Slack. The benediction was pronounced by Rev. P. Bergstresser, and thus ended the services of respect to a great and beloved statesman.
A PICTURE OF A SAD AND DESOLATE HOME.
The boys went forth to the field of carnage ; and what vivid words ean the pen employ that will do justice to their heroic valor, to their unequaled and unparalleled bravery and endurance? Home and home comforts, wives and little ones, fathers, mothers, sisters, broth- ers, were all given up for life and danger on the fields of battle,-for
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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
exposure, fatigue, disease and death at the point of the bayonet or the cannon's mouth. But while they were thus suffering let us not suppose that the mother, and sister, the wife, the children were free from the tortures of anxiety, of the loss of dear ones. Yes; while the brave boys upon the Southern field suffered indescribably, the wife and little ones at home endured sufferings beyond the power of pen or tongue to describe. Let us picture a home where the hus- band and the wife and the little ones are thus separated. The picture of one will only reflect those of hundreds of others. We look into the plain but tidy room. A mother is preparing her evening meal. Upon a chair, and leaning her little arm on the window-sill, a little child is kneeling, looking far into the dusky shadows that encircle the brow of night. Her dark eyes have a longing, desolate look, and on her brow lies one of life's shadows. At last she speaks :
"Oh, mamma, papa has been gone so long! why don't he come?"
The mother sighs and her heart repeats, "So long ?" But the little one must have an answer, and mamma tries to comfort her : "Papa has gone to war, dear ; gone to fight for his country ; and when the war is over he will come baek to see mamma and little Bessie."
"But it seems so long, mamma ! When will the war be over?" "Mamma cannot tell, dear ; but we will hope for the best."
Their frugal meal is now ready, and mother and child sit down with heavy hearts, their eyes wandering to the place where papa used to sit ; but there is no manly form,-only a vacant chair.
In the mother's heart sad questions will arise : "Will he return to us ? or will some swift-winged bullet, sped by a traitor's hand, de- stroy the life so dear to us ?"
Oh, why could not all men have been true to a government so mild,-to their country so vast and grand ? Why should they cause sorrow and death to o'er-spread our land, and the voice of wailing to go forth from every fireside ? In silence the meal is ended, and the little one, whose eyes have grown heavy, is taken upon the mother's lap, and prepared for rest. Her little prayer is said, and a good-night kiss given for papa. She falls asleep, and the shadow is chased from her brow. But the shadows hover darkly round the mother's heart, as she thinks of distant battle-fields ; of wounded and dying men whose lives, and those they love more than life, have been given up that their country might be saved. And on this September evening a terrible battle has closed. For three days they have fought, and now the evening shadows unite with clouds of smoke, and our army is victorious ; but the ground is strewn with the dead and dying. Hark ! here is one who speaks: "Water, wa- ter ; won't Bessie bring me water ?" But Bessie's soft hands cannot reach him ; kind but rougher and stranger hands give him the cool- ing drops, and with a weary sigh for his home, wife and little one, his breath is gone, and the brave heart beats no more.
Rumors of the terrible fight reach that quiet home; then come dispatches, making rumors facts. How long and dark are the hours
1
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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
of suspense to the anxious wife and little one! Eagerly the papers are watched for every word concerning the division in which was the loved one, and now at last comes a list of the killed and wound- ed in his regiment. With fast-beating heart the poor wife takes the list of wounded first, that she may still have some hope. His name is not there. With hushed breath and heart beating faster, she scans the list of the killed, until she comes to his name. The paper falls from her nerveless hand and she sinks heavily to the floor. Bessie bends over her, and the touch of her smooth hands and the sound of her sweet voice bring the widow back to life that is now so dark. But for Bessie's sake she will still be brave, and struggle on alone, -no, not alone. Bessie is still with her, and their heavenly Father will lead them through the darkness.
This is only one of the many pictures that are drawn upon the pages of unwritten history. Have traitors nothing to answer for?
SOLDIERS' AID SOCIETY.
The continued need of money to obtain comforts and necessaries for the siek and wounded of our army, suggested to the loval ladies of the North many and various devices for the raising of funds. Every city, town and village had its fair, festival, picnic, excursion, concert, which netted more or less for hospital relief. The ladies of Fulton honored themselves and their county by their noble, gener- ous work in behalf of the soldiers. Their devotion to the loval principles of the national Government was undving, and its defend- ers were objects of their deepest sympathy. During the dark and trying divs of the Rebellion they were ever on the alert raising funds, sending food, clothing, delicacies and medicines to the soldiers in the hospital and at the front.
In the noble efforts the ladies made to palliate the sufferings of their brothers upon the Southern fields of carnage, they were actu- ated by love of country, devotions to kindred and sympathy for those in distress. Though physically incapacitated to share with them the toils and perils of battle, vet before its smoke and the echoes of its artillery passed away, the offerings of their hands would relieve their pain, and inspire them with holier ardor for the cause they were defending. The number of weary sufferers on the field of battle and in the lonely hospital relieved by their bounty, none but the Recording Angel can tell.
The ladies of Lewistown organized a Soldiers' Aid Society Nov. 28, 1862. Similar societies were organized in many towns of the county, but we will let the following detailed statement of the first year's labor of the Lewistown society suffice as an illustration of the labor of all the others: The money contributed was mostly used in purchasing material for making elothing. Those goods which were sent to the 17th and 103d Illinois Regiments (the latter wholly and the former mostly made up of Fulton men), to the Quincy hos-
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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
pitals and State Sanitary Commission for 1862-'63 were as follows: Cash $227.26; 99 towels; 94 shirts; 42 handkerchiefs; 61 pairs drawers; 7 coats; 51 pair woolen socks; 3 vests ; 1 pair of pants ; 6 pair of slippers; 37 pillow cases; 15 sheets; 3 quilts; 1 1b. woolen yarn ; 6 doz. wash-basins; 1 bushel turnips; 1 barrel but- ter ; 21 pounds butter ; 6 barrels pickles; 1} barrels dried apples ; 2 barrels apple butter; 12 barrels sauerkraut; 140 dozen cakes; 6 loaf cakes; 66 pies; 52 dozen eggs; 2 chickens; 1 pound tea; 19 packages dried fruit ; 26 cans fruit; needles and thread; reading matter and other small articles.
SOLDIERS IN FULTON COUNTY.
There are many rumors afloat relative to Fulton county's loyalty during the dark days of the Rebellion, which are very much exag- gerated, so far as we are able to learn. Among other things much has been said about United States soldiers being sent to the county while the war was in progress. That soldiers were sent into the county is a fact ; but many have a wrong impression as to the cause of their being sent here. The semi-official report made by Provost Marshal Phelps, and published at the time, concerning the reason why the soldiers were brought to the county and what they did while here, is perhaps the most authoritative account of the affair we are able to obtain. It is substantially correct even in detail, and we give the entire letter below, that our readers may see the Mar- shal's statement in full :
"In view of the troubles existing at this time in the southern portion of Ful- ton county, and to allay any unnecessary apprehension therefrom, and also for the purpose of correcting evils and misunderstandings naturally growing out of vagne rumors and unfounded reports, many of which are afloat in the community, in relation to the late military proceedings enacted in south Ful- ton, I deem it due to the public that a fair and candid statement of the mat- ter should be made, in order that all may understand the basis upon which troops were called into the county, their action since their arrival, and when their mission will have been fulfilled.
" It is a fact well known to the public that there has been for several weeks past a determined armed resistance, accompanied with violent threats, against the execution of the enrollment law in some of the townships in this county. The first noticeable demonstration of this spirit was manifested in Pleasant township, and was of so violent a character as to compel Luke Elliott, the clerk duly appointed by William McComb, the enrolling officer of this county, to abandon the work. After some delay and much parleying, the enrollment was completed without further serious opposition, by another appointee. This spirit of resistance was caught up by the citizens of Isabel township, and cul- minated in a more formidable and determined resistance than had been exhib- ited in Pleasant, and finally terminated in intimidating one, and taking the enrolling books of another of the officers, by armed force, and with threats that no man should enroll the township except at the peril of his life.
"In addition to this there was manifested a bitter hostility to the arrest and return of deserters from the army, so much so that deserters to the number of 15 to 25, encouraged by this spirit, had for some time past been encamped in the open field, and at other places of rendezvous, with the avowed purpose of resisting any attempt which might be made by the authorities to arrest them. Not only this, a large number of the citizens of Isabel were in the habit of drilling and performing other military duty, with no other avowed purpose
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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
than to be prepared to resist the enrollment. This being the condition of things, it was manifest to the Provost Marshal that he and his little force were not able to enforce the law and bring the offenders to justice.
"The Provost Marshal of the district, being informed of the condition of affairs in the county, visited it, and by his direction a small force of cavalry ( 61 in number ) with one six-pounder was ordered into the county, for the purpose, and no other, of enforcing the enrollment of Isabel township and for the arrest of deserters and other individuals against whom legal process had been issued. This force arrived and encamped at Duncan's Mills, five miles south of Lewistown, on the 13th inst. About 12 o'clock that same night, this force being divided into three squads, of ten men each, leaving the re- mainder to guard the gun and take charge of prisoners, should any be arrested, started with their respective officers for three different points in the same neighborhood, viz .: Charles Brown's, John Lane's and John Graham's. The first visit made by either of the squads was at Charles Brown's. The officer, taking two men with him, went to the house, and after knocking at the door and making his business known, entered the house and arrested John and Benjamin F. Brown, who were in bed, no opposition of any kind being made. These two prisoners were put in charge of two soldiers and sent to camp, while the officer with the remainder of his men joined those who were at John Lane's. Here eight of the company were detailed to surround the house and barn of Mr. Lane. The officer then knocked at the door, made his business known and demanded admittance, which being refused, five minutes were given in which to comply, at the expiration of which no compliance being made, the door was forced in and three soldiers entered the house. There were nine men in the house all armed. Two doubie-barreled shot-guns, one rifle, three revolvers, one double-barreled pistol, all loaded, and one bowie knife, were also found in the house. Upon a demand to deliver up their weapons and surrender, all complied except Aaron Bechelhimer and John Alexander, including James Lane, who first drew a revolver and afterwards surrendered. Bechelhimer and Alexander were in a back room, and, as the soldiers approached, Bechelhimer offering resistance, was caught by a soldier and thrown out of a window, when he was instantly arrested by another sol- dier. Alexander, in the meantime, who had been ordered several times to surrender, attempted to draw a revolver, and was standing with one hand upon the collar of his coat and the other in the act of drawing his weapon, when he was shot in the left breast by a soldier, and the revolver taken from him. Of the number in the house, Platt and James Lane were arrested, the latter of whom e caped; also Aaron Bechelhimer and Marshal Athey, two deserters. and John Lane, who was afterwards released by the Provost Mar- shal.
"The third squad, composed of ten men, had gone to John Graham's on a like errand ( to arrest deserters), and also to arrest Graham, against whom charges had been preferred before the proper tribunal. Here, as at the other places, the officer in command knocked at the door and made known his busi- ness. Graham replied that no deserters were in the house, and that he was alone. Search was made at his barn for deserters, but without success. Demand was again made for entrance in his house and refused, when the door was forced open. No men were found in the lower story. Edward Trumbull, who was one of the squad, opened a door leading up a narrow stairway, and with a candle in his hand attempted to go up stairs, when he was fired upon by John Graham, the ball inflicting a slight wound in Trumbull's breast, and passing down lodged in his thigh, causing a severe flesh wound. At the same time a shot was fired from the porch, which barely missed Van Meter. Gra- ham still refusing to surrender, a guard was placed around his house and a messenger sent to the Captain of the company, at Duncan's, to bring up the artillery. At this, and when Graham discovered what he was contending against ( for. as he said, up to this time he supposed it to be Phelps and his posse), he finally surrendered, and, with Joseph Brown, was taken prisoner. "These are the facts, as related by the officers of the several squads, upon which I rely with the utmost confidence. The prisoners, nine in number, were brought by the cavalry to Lewistown, where they remained until the afternoon train, when seven ( two being released by the Marshal ) were sent to
Nom. Partin CANTON.
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.
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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
the Provost Marshal of the district, to be by him delivered over to the United States District Marshal of this State, to be tried by the civil authorities upon the charges preferred against them.
" From present in lications it is hoped and believed that the law will be en- forced, the enrollment made and deserters arrested, without any resistance; and when this fact is clearly demonstrated the military force now in the county will be withdrawn, and not until then.
"I have been thus particular in collecting and detailing the facts connected with this trumsietion, which have been githered from eye-witnesses, and other facts, some of which hive come un ler my own observation and that of num- erous other citizens of the county, for the purpose of guarding the people against filse reports, an I th it they may un lerstand the true condition of affairs in Fulton county. The excitement which followed the arrest by the military, and the demonstration of six or seven hun Ired armed citizens exhibited in the environs of Lewistown within eight hours thereafter, needs no comment from me, but of itself is sufficient apology for an armed force being quartered in our midst.
WVM. PHELPS,
LEWISTOWN, August 17, 1863. Provost Marshal of Fulton county."
LEE'S SURRENDER .- LINCOLN'S ASSASSINATION.
Our armies bravely contended until finilly, after four long years of bloodshed and carnage, the news was flashed over the wires that Lee had surrendered. This joyful news reached this county Mon- day, April 10, 1865, being within two days of four years from the time the batteries were opened on Fort Sumter. On receiving the" news of the fall of Richmond the people were very jubilant over the success of the Union forces. They assembled in all parts of the county and had grand jubilees. The streets of the cities were brilliantly illuminated ; bonfires, rockets and music were seen and heard on every hind; it was indeed a season of rejoicing; and well might it be, for what had been endured, what had been suffered.
Scarcely had the downfall of the Southern Confederacy been re- ceived ere the sad news of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln was flashed over the wires. On that beautiful April morning, five days after the announcement of Lee's surrender, the people, joyful over the near approach of the return of their loved ones from the South, the sorrowing news of the President's death was announced. Mr. Lincoln was bound to the people of this county with stronger cords than simply being a good ruler. He had spent many days here, had many warm personal friends, and it was like the loss of a brother. They felt the loss keenly ; the tolling bells, the sym- pathetic dirges, interpreted not merely the grief of a people at the loss of a President, but the sorrow of a community at the death of brother, a son, one who was closely akin to all. Meetings were held and appropriate resolutions passed. Dwellings, stores, churches and public buildings were draped, and the flags which had been sent up in moments of rejoicing were taken down, draped, and sent up at half-mast.
THE CLOSE.
The war ended and peace restored, the Union preserved in its in- tegrity, the sons of Fulton who had volunteered their lives in de-
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