USA > Illinois > Knox County > History of Knox county, Illinois > Part 23
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274
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
CHAPTER XIII.
THE WAR-AT HOME.
THE TOCSIN OF WAR.
If there is any one thing more than another of which the people of Knox county have reason to be proud, it is of the record they made both at home and in the field during the dark and bloody days of the War of the Rebellion. When the dark war-clouds began to spread over our country, each and every one hoped, even against hope, that they would soon pass away, and that peace and prosperity would continue to reigu. But such was not to be the case ; the war came with all its attendant horrors. That Knox county soldiers nobly did their duty in saving our glorious Union the records of Donaldson, Stone River, Shiloh, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Resaca and a hundred other battle-fields will duly testify.
On the 12th of April, 1861, the rebels who for weeks had been erect- ing their batteries upon the shore, after demanding of Major Ander- son a surrender, opened fire upon Fort Sumter. For hours an inces- sant cannonading was continued ; the fort was being injured severely ; provisions were almost gone, and Major Anderson was compelled to haul down the stars and stripes,-that dear old flag which had seldom been lowered to a foreign foe: by rebel hands it was now trailed in the dust. How the blood of patriotic men of the North boiled when on the following day the news was flashed along the telegraph wires that Major Anderson had been forced to surrender! And nowhere was greater indignation manifested than in Knox county.
Immediately upon the surrender of Fort Sumter, Abraham Lincoln, America's martyr . President,-who but a few short weeks before had taken the oath of office as the nation's chief executive,-issued a proclamation calling for 75,000 volunteers for three months. The last word of that proclamation had scarcely been taken from the electric wires before the call was filled, men and money were counted out by hun- dreds and thousands: the people who loved their whole government could not give enough. Patriotism thrilled and vibrated and pulsated through every heart. The farm, the workshop, the office, the pulpit, the bar, the bench, the college, the school-house,-every calling offered
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
its best men, their lives and fortunes, in defense of the government's honor and unity. Bitter words spoken in moments of political heat were forgotten and forgiven, and, joining hands in a common cause, they repeated the oatlı of America's soldier statesman : " By the Great Eternal, the Union must and shall be preserved."
Seventy-five thousand men were not enough to subdue the rebellion; nor were ten times that number. The war went on, and call followed call, until it began to look as if there would not be men enough in all the Free States to crush ont and subdue the monstrous war traitors had inaugurated. But to every call for either men or money there was a willing and ready response. And it is a boast of the people that, had the supply of men fallen short, there were women brave enough, daring enough, patriotic enough, to have offered themselves as sacri- fices on their country's altar. Such were the impulses, motives and actions of the patriotic men of the North, among whom the sons of Knox made a conspicuous and praiseworthy record.
The readiness with which the first call was filled, together with the embarrassments that surrounded President Lincoln in the absence of sufficient laws to authorize him to meet the unexpected emergency, together with an under estimate of the magnitude of the rebellion; and a general belief that the war would not last more than three months, checked rather than encouraged the patriotic ardor of the people. But very few of the men, comparatively speaking, who vol- unteered in response to President Lincoln's call for 75,000 volunteers for three months, were accepted. But the time soon came when there was a place and a musket for every man. Call followed call in quick succession, until the number reached the grand total of 3,339,748, as follows :
April 16, 1861, for three months. 75,000
May 4, 1861, for five years 64,748
July, 1861, for three years. 500,000
July 18, 1862, for three years 300,000
August 4, 1862, for nine months 300,000
June, 1863, for three years. 300,000
October 17, 1863, for three years 300,000
February 18, 1864, for three years 500,000
July 10, 1864, for three years. . . 200,000
July 16, 1864, for one, two and three years 500,000
December 21, 1864, for three years . 300,000
Of this vast number Knox county freely furnished 4,163, including 100 day men, who were tendered by the Governor of Illinois, April
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
21, 1864, and accepted by the President two days later, and a number of colored troops in foreign regiments.
The tocsin of war was sounded, meetings were held in every town- ship, at which stirring and spirited addresses were made, and reso- lutions adopted admitting of bnt one interpretation,-that of un- conditional allegiance and undying devotion to their country and their country's flag; that, at whatever cost of blood or treasure, the stars and stripes, wherever floating, must be honored, and the si- premacy of the law of the national union sustained.
When the boom of the great guns in Charleston harbor in the spring of 1861 went rolling across the continent, their echo penetrated every loyal heart in this country. They liad scarcely ceased belching forth their iron missiles and our national ensign disgraced ere the pat- riotism of the sons of Knox county prompted them to rush to their country's defense. Perhaps the first three men in the State tliat of- fered their services and themselves to their country, were from Knox county. These honored sons were G. W. Brainbridge, William Mc- Bride and Jos Gibbs, all of whom afterward enlisted in the First Illi- nois Cavalry.
The appalling news of the fall of Sumter had just been flashed throughout the land when G. W. Brainbridge proceeded, although at the dead hour of night, to the residence of Jonathan Gibbs, of Lynn township, and calling the old gentleman up soon acquainted him with the sad and terrible news. Brainbridge then said, " Our country is in danger and we must go to her aid." McBride and young Gibbs now appeared when, seemingly to more forcibly show their loyalty and de- votion to their country, those courageous men took a solemn oath, ad- ministered by Squire Gibbs, " that they would remain true and loyal to the Union," thns solemnizing anew in the stillness of the mid-hour of night the declarations of love for our noble country. To make the scene still more impressive, in tremnlous tones, yet with a voice of powerful earnestness, the old gentleman exhorted them to be faithful and true, and that he, in his old age and weakness, would look to them, young, brave and strong as they were, for protection. Could the most florid and fertile imagination depict a scene more beautiful and inspir- ing, yet so sad and solemn ? Here stood an aged patriot surrounded by three noble young men with trne and loyal hearts, ready and will- ing to offer their lives as a sacrifice for the preservation of the Union. Contrast this picture with the assemblage of traitors in the Southern cities, plotting to overthrow the best government ever instituted by man.
Early on the following morning the trio of brave boys were in their saddles and on their way to Knoxville to enlist their services.
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
As there had been no call made for troops, of course no enlistments could be received. However, they placed their names on a list, thus setting forth their readiness to go at a moment's warning. G. W. Brainbridge headed the list, whichi was in the hands of J. B. Smith.
Within a short time a company of 100 cavalry was formed, which camped on the Fair Grounds at Knoxville several weeks before orders came to go Southi. Provisions were brought in abundance and given to the boys while they remained there. They were not at all idle, but were ever enthusiastic for the drill. Holenberg, a Swede, and afterward a lieutenant in the company, drilled them daily in cavalry tactics. Finally, when the orders came, the boys quit their home camp, bade to loved ones an affectionate farewell, and were borne away upon the railway trains to pitch their tents in the enemy's country. At Quincy, when it was mustered in, this company was christened Company D, of the First Illinois Cavalry.
For four long years the organization of new companies and enlist -: inent of men for old companies whose ranks had been decimated by disease and rebel bullets, was carried on. Gray-headed men, who had almost reached three score years and ten, and voys not yet out of their teens, went to the camp, and, through the most urgent solicitation, were accepted and sworn into the service. Neither age nor youth kept them back; and when rejected from either cause, or from physi- cal inability, would insist on being received, believing themselves as capable of doing a soldier's duty as thousands who had gone before. Four thousand of as brave men as ever handled a musket or drew a sword went out from this county,-many, very many, never to return. If you go with us to the battle-fields of the South we shall see how there fell at Stone River, Shiloh, Mission Ridge, Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga, Chickamauga, Atlanta, Vicksburg and other places, those who were the pride of fond fatliers, loving mothers, and unself- ish, devoted wives. We shall see them dropping off one by one, and often without coffin or burial shroud, thrown into the cold ground, there to await the resurrection morn, and the reunion upon the other side of the river of death. In many a home throughout the county we find the vacant chair, and witness the mournful look of those ever watching for one that cometh not. Upon the streets, day by day, we meet those wearing sleeveless garments, or walking in a way that tells too plainly that the sound of the foot-fall is not made by flesh and blood. Inquire the reason, and we shall probably learn that while charging the enemy's lines at Vicksburg, Shiloh, or elsewhere, a can- non ball deprived them of a limb. But no word of complaint do we hear; the only regret expressed being that it was not possible to do more for their country.
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
The following graphic sketch appeared in an issue of the Galesburg Free Democrat, in 1863, and is but a true picture of many liomes in this county during the dark days of this great struggle. It further shows that not only did the brave boys upon the field suffer inde- scribably, but the wife and little ones at home endured suffering be- yond the power of pen or tongue to describe:
Within a 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 en- circle the brow 'of night. Her dark eyes have a longing, wistful 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 back 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 lie 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'erspread 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 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 victori- ons; but the ground is strewn with the dead and dying. Hark! here is one who speaks: "Water, water; won't little Bessie bring me water?" But Bessie's soft hands cannot reach him; kind, but rougher and stranger lands give him the cooling drops, and with a weary sigh for his home, wife, and little one, his breath is gone, and the brave heart beats no more.
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Dennis Clark · COUNTY JUDGE.
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
Rumors of a terrible fight reached that quiet home ; then came dis- patches, making rumors facts. How long and dark are the hours 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 wounded 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 soft 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 ?
C. M.
LIBERALITY OF THOSE AT HOME.
While the boys in blue were away upon the tented field, the patriotic men at home were not idle. Nowhere in all the North was the mission of those who went to the front better understood and more highly appreciated than in Knox county. Those who remained at home said, " The boys are between our homes and danger, and we will not forget their loved ones, but will provide for them." This they nobly did, from the day the train carried the first company to- ward the South until peace reigned once more. The county and in- dividuals, with magnaminity never surpassed by private citizens or public officials, provided for every one whose husband, father, son, or brother, or whom they were dependent upon, was in the field. Good, noble patriots visited each day among the families of soldiers ; and now, as they look back over those dark and trying times of the great and final struggle between freedom and slavery, patriotism and trea- son, it is with sweetest recollection of having done their duty. One noble patriot who is to-day beloved and honored for his principles, justice and benevolence, visited among soldiers' families every day and personally. saw that they were provided for as well as his own household. Not only this one but many did the same. It would be interesting to record the voluntary contributions made by the people during the years of the Rebellion, but that would be impossible, as no accounts were ever kept. People never stopped to reckon the cost, or
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
to keep account of what they gave. Whenever money was needed for any purpose, and purposes and needs were plenty, it was given and paid on demand. There were no delays, no excuses, no time for consideration demanded. People were ready and willing. Hus- bands and fathers abandoned homes and their comforts, wives and little ones, for the dangers of tented fields of battle, assured that, in their absence, plenty would be provided for their loved ones.
At the first meeting of tlie Board of Supervisors, after enlistment of volunteers had commenced, the first bill introduced before tliat lionorable body was for the support of volunteers at Galesburg while awaiting orders to march. This bill was introduced by Supervisor W. Selden Gale, thus evincing at the first opportunity offered that they would liberally provide for those who would answer their conn- try's call.
Upon the same day, May 13, 1861, Supervisor Samuel McCornack, who was a zealous and earnest official, offered the following resolu- tion: Resolved, "That a committee of three be appointed by the chairman to inquire and report whether it would be expedient for this Board to appropriate a sum of money for the support of families of citizens of the county who have entered or may enter the military service of the country, committee report to-morrow."
This resolution was immediately adopted, when the chairman ap- pointed Messrs. McCornack, LeBaron, and Gale. This committee returned the following report, which was accepted and the resolution adopted: "The committee are of the opinion that the county should make provisions to secure from want the families of volunteers dur- ing their absence on service." The committee recommended the pas- sage of the following resolution:
" Resolved, That the supervisor and assistant supervisor of each town be authorized to render such assistance as in his judgment may be needful to the families of volunteers in actual service, and that for such advances and such contracts as may be so inade, the county will be responsible."
That the Board of Supervisors were loyal and patriotic their labor during the years of the Rebellion readily shows. They loved and ven- erated their national emblem, the stars and stripes ; and not only would they sacrifice all in defending it from further insult, but desired to confer upon it greater honor. Accordingly the following resolution, offered by Supervisor Maxey, May 13, 1861, was unani- mously and heartily adopted :
" Resolved, By the Board of Supervisors of Knox county, that the Sheriff be required to erect on the top of the court-house a suitable
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
standard with the flag of the American Union thereon, and that the same shall be displayed during the sessions of the Board of Super- visors and Circuit Court of Knox county, until otherwise ordered, as evidence of devotion to the Constitution, the Union, and the enforce- inent of the laws."
The committee to whom was referred the bills for relief of the fami- lies of volunteers, at the January meeting, 1862, of the Board of Su- pervisors, made the following report: "That we have examined said bills, and find them to amount, as corrected by your committee, in the aggregate for each town, as follows: Galesburg, $781.43; Knox, $237.37; Cedar, $198.81; Haw Creek, $69.74; Chestnut, $59.96; On- tario, $173.29; Maquon, $92.94; Victoria, $23.81; Elba, Orange and Rio, no claims; Sparta, $263.24; Henderson, $152.74; Walnut Grove, $73.78; Lynn, $20.95; Indian Point, $271.23; Copley, $65.58; Truro, $25.83; Salem, $66.54; Persifer, $8. Total, $2,583.52. The com- inittee, which was composed of Geo. A. Charles, M. B. Mason and J. P. Parsons, attached the following recommendation to their report: " We recommend such bills be allowed, as corrected, and in future no relief be given to persons who are not actual residents of the county. We also recommend, as we see charged in most of the bills, if not all, for articles which appear small in their amount, but make a large proportion of the aggregate sum, such as nutmegs, allspice, ginger, tea, coffee, ctc., that Supervisors, in giving orders, should specify the articles proposed to be drawn on such orders. And we further rec- ommend, as we know many of the taxpayers in consequence of high taxes and hard times have discarded altogether the use of coffee and tea, that Supervisors also discard the use of these articles in giving relief contemplated in the former resolutions passed by this Board."
Large bills of the same nature were audited and ordered paid at each meeting of the Board for several years. Sometimes the aggre- gate would amount to over $12,000. Although the committee recom- inended a less liberal use of many necessary luxuries, yet at each session of the Board bills were presented fully as large, showing that those for whom they were made were not stinted. At a special meet- ing of the Board of Supervisors held July 31, 1861, petitions were read from the people assembled in mass ineeting and from the city councils of Knoxville and Galesburg, asking an appropriation of $25,- 000 for bounty purposes. Tlie resolution passed by the mass meeting is as follows: "Resolved, By the people of Knox county, in mass meeting assembled, that, to encourage enlistments into the volunteer service, the Board of Supervisors of Knox county, now in session at the court-house, are hereby petitioned and recommended to appropri-
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
ate the sum of $25,000, to be expended as bounty money to enlisted men from Knox county under the recent call of the President."
The following resolutions were passed by the City Council of Gales- burg July 19, 1861: " Whereas, At a meeting of the citizens of Gales- burg, convened at Dunn's Hall on the 17thi, to take into consideration the call of the Government for more troops to take the field immedi- ately, at which meeting the following resolution was unanimously adopted: Resolved, That in the judgment of this meeting the City Council should appropriate a liberal bounty to each resident of the city who will volunteer for three years, or during the war, and the Council is requested to take the matter under consideration as soon as practicable ; and, whereas, the condition of the country calls for immediate action to make it more effective; therefore,
"Resolved, By the Board of Aldermen of the city of Galesburg, that they recommend to the Board of Supervisors to meet and appropriate the sum of $25,000 for war purposes, and out of that sum they offer as a bounty to each able-bodied man volunteering for three years, or for the war, the sun of $50, to be paid to them when mustered into the service."
At a special meeting of the Common Council of Knoxville, Tues- day evening, July 29, on motion of Alderman A. W. Martin, the fol- lowing paper upon the same subject, was unanimously adopted:
"In view of the recent call of the President for troops, and evident necessity of getting a large number of men into the field at an early day, and considering that the existence of the United States Government is in peril, and that in the absence of a stable government there can be neither personal security nor security in the possession and enjoy- ment of property; and believing that the people are fully alive to the necessity pressing on their Government, and that they are willing to contribute any amount of money necessary to subdue the existing rebellion ;
" The Mayor and Common Council of the City of Knoxville do re- spectfully request the Board of Supervisors of Knox county to appro- priate a sum of money not less than $25,000, to be expended in bounties to volunteers and in the support of their families, in such manner as the Board may deem fit."
The Board was convened for the purpose of receiving and passing upon these resolutions. Meetings had been held in every town, patriotic speeches made, resolutions of duty and devotion to their country read and passed with shouts. But the above resolutions and petition were passed by a large mass meeting, and by the City Councils of the two largest cities in the county, and so unanimous were the great mass tliat
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
the Board could not help but regard them; indeed, they wished to. Supervisor Gale, from the committee appointed to report a plan of action for the Board in accordance with the preceding petitions, re- ported by offering the following resolutions: "Resolved, That the Board of Supervisors will pay to each of the first 500 soldiers enlist- ing for the war, recruited in Knox county for Knox county compa- nies or to fill up all regiments, or who may have enlisted in any com- pany organizing or forming in this county under the President's call for 300,000 men, during the month of August next, a bounty of $50, and an additional bounty to as many of them as shall have enlisted before the 15th of said month of $20;
" That a committee of three be appointed by the Board, whose duty it shall be to audit all claims for such bounty, and on presentation of suitable proof that such claimant has fulfilled the condition, and been duly enlisted and received, to issue suitable certificates, which shall entitle the bona-fide holder or owner thereof to demand and receive at any future meeting of this Board within one year from its date a county order; and it shall be the duty of such committee to file with the Clerk of this county a statement of all certificates issued." This resolution was voted upon and defeated by one vote.
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