USA > Illinois > Lee County > History of Lee County, together with biographical matter, statistics, etc. > Part 16
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FORTY-SIXTH INFANTRY REGIMENT.
Company D of this regiment was organized with the following officers : William F. Wilder, of Sublette, captain ; Joel L. Coe, of Amboy, first lieutenant, and Henry HI. Woodbury, of Amboy, second lientenant. This company consolidated with Co. I, March 7, 1863.
Company H was also largely a representative of Lee county, as it contained a number of soldiers in its ranks from among her sons. Captain John Stevens, of Dixon, commanded, and Thomas A. Pieron- nett, first lieutenant, was from Amboy.
In Company I we find the names of Lee county citizens among the commissioned officers as well as in the ranks.
The 46th was organized at Camp Butler, Illinois, December 28, 1861, by Col. John N. Davis. It was ordered to Cairo, Illi- nois, on February 11, 1862. From thence proceeded via Cumber- land river to Fort Donelson, Tennessee, arriving on the 14th, and was assigned to command of Gen. Lew Wallace. 16th, moved through the works and to Dover. 19th, moved to Henry. On March 16 it embarked for Pittsburg Landing, where it arrived on the 18th. The regiment was now in the second brigade and fourth division.
In the battle of Shiloh the 46th took a most conspicuons and
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honorable part, losing over half of its officers and men in killed and wounded ; it received the thanks of the commanding generals.
The regiment was engaged during the month of May in the siege of Corinth.
On June 2 the regiment caniped six miles west of Corinth. On the 10th it marched to the Hatchie river ; on the 15th passed through Grand Junction, and camped three miles from town ; on the 24th moved to Collarbone Hill, near La Grange, and on the 30th moved to the old Lamar church.
On July 1 it marched to Cold Water, and returned on the 6th ; on the 17th moved toward Memphis, and marching via Moscow, Lafayette, Germantown and White's Station, camping two miles south of Memphis on July 21, and on August 27 engaged in the scout to Pigeon Roost. On September 6, the following month, the regiment moved from Memphis toward Brownsville, and continuing the march via Raleigh, Union Station, the Big Muddy river was reached on the 9th. On the 11th the command was again on the move via Hampton Station, Danville, Whiteville, Pleasant Creek, and Bolivar to Hatchie river, where all the troops on the river were reviewed by Gen. McPherson on September 27.
On October 4 the command was again on the move toward Cor- inth, and met the enemy at Metamora. The 46th was on the right of second brigade, supporting Bolton's battery. After an hour's shelling by the batteries the infantry were ordered forward, and at a double-quick advanced, driving the enemy across the river. The first brigade coming up, "Hurlbut's fighting fourth division " ad- vanced and drove the enemy from the field, compelling his flight. Col. John A. Davis, of the 46th, and Lient. M. R. Thompson fell mortally wounded, both expiring on the 10th. After the battle the regiment returned to Bolivar.
On November 3 they marched to La Grange, where they remained until the 28th, when they moved to Holly Springs ; and two days after they moved toward the Tallahatchie river, and camped near Waterford, Mississippi, where winter quarters were fitted up with mud chimneys and bake-ovens complete. But these were only com- pleted in time to move away from them ; for on December 11 they crossed Hurricane Creek, and on the following day advanced to Yo- cony Station, where they remained until December 22, when they marched to Taylor's Station.
Van Dorn having captured Holly Springs, the regiment marched on the 22d via Oxford to Hurricane.Creek, and on the following day, 24th, the 46th Illinois, and 33d Wisconsin moved, as train guard, to
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north side of Tallahatchie river. Here they tarried but two days, and on the 26th moved camp four miles nearer Holly Springs, between Waterford and Wyatt Station. This closed movements for 1862, but on January 6, 1863, they moved to Holly Springs, and on the 10th the 46th and the 15th were an escort to ammunition train to La Grange, from which they marched on the 13th to Moscow, where they re- mained until February 5, when they moved to Lafayette.
After rejoining the brigade at Lafayette they moved on March 9, via Collierville and Germantown, to Memphis.
On April 21, 1863, they engaged in the expedition to Hernando, and returned the 24th, where they remained until May 13, when they embarked for Vicksburg, and on the 15th landed at Young's Point; on the 18th marched to Bower's Landing; on the 19th moved to Sherman's Landing, and on the 20th moved, by steamer, up the Yazoo to Chickasaw Bayou, where they disembarked and moved across the swamp to the bluff. May 21 they proceeded to the left of Gen. Grant's army ; 24th, marched in the direction of Vicksburg; 25th, marched to the extreme left of the line. The reg- iment was detailed on picket duty, and during the night the out- post (five companies) were captured by the enemy. One hundred and four men and seven officers were taken, seventy escaping. The remainder of the regiment took an active part in the siege of Vicks- burg. July 12, in the siege of Jackson, moved into position at ex- treme right of line. Engaged in the siege until the 16th, when the enemy evacuated Jackson; after which the regiment returned to Vicksburg. August 8, moved to Natchez ; September 1, went on expedition into Louisiana ; returned on the 8th.
January 4, 1864, the 46th was mustered as a veteran regiment. 12th, started north and on the 23d arrived at Freeport, Illinois, where the regiment was furloughed.
SIXTY-NINTH INFANTRY REGIMENT.
Company H, of the 69th Illinois Volunteers, was organized at Dixon for the three-months service. The officers for this company from Lee county were James W. Reardon, captain, Dixon ; Eli B. Ba- ker, first lieutenant, Dixon ; Edwin F. Bennett, second lieutenant, Dixon ; John D. Heaton, first sergeant, Dixon ; L. M. Keyms, ser- geant, Dixon ; Edward Perkins, sergeant, Dixon ; P. C. Williams, ser- geant, Franklin Grove ; George D. Black, sergeant, Franklin Grove ; Germanus Knepper, corporal, Dixon ; George Johnson, corporal, Franklin Grove; Hanibal Keen, corporal, Franklin Grove; John Little, corporal, Dixon; L. H. Moore, corporal, Dixon ; Uriah
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.
Stroup, corporal, Dixon ; Jerome A. Martin, corporal. Dixon ; Jo- seph Ledger, corporal, Dixon.
Company K' .- Wm. H. Tousley, first lieutenant. Amboy ; H. T. Pratt, sergeant, Amboy ; (E. W. Patten.) sergeant. Amboy ; L. W. Waterbury, sergeant, Lee Center; Jas. A. Martin. sergeant, Amboy.
There were forty-four in the ranks of this regiment from Lee connty.
SEVENTY-FIFTH INFANTRY REGIMENT.
The 75th Illinois Volunteers was organized at Dixon, Illinois, on September 2, 1862, by Col. George Ryan.
Ordered to Louisville, Kentucky, September 27. Was brigaded with 30th brigade, Col. Post ; 9th division, Gen. Mitchell, of Buell's army.
October 1, marched in pursuit of Bragg. October 8. engaged in the battle of Chaplain Hills, losing 47 killed, 166 wounded, and 12 prisoners. Marched to Crab Orchard, Col. Wookruff assuming command of the division. Returned, via Lebanon and Bowling Green, to Nashville, Gen. Jeff. C. Davis taking command of the division. Encamped four miles from Nashville, on the Lebanon Pike, November 7, 1862 : since which time no historical memoran- dum is given in the adjutant-general's reports.
Mustered out June 12, 1865, at Camp Harker, Tennessee, and arrived at Chicago June 15. 1865, where the regiment received final payment and discharge.
Major - James A. Watson, mnstered in February 3, 1863 ; mus- tered out June 12, 1865.
Adjutant - Jerome Hollenbeck, mustered in September 2. 1862 ; resigned December 19, 1862.
Quartermaster- John E. Remington, mustered in September 2, 1862 ; resigned for promotion, November 24, 1863.
Surgeon - George Phillips, mustered in September 18, 1862 ; resigned May 10, 1863.
Company A .- Captain : James A. Watson, mustered in Sep- tember 2, 1862 ; promoted major. Mustered out June 12. 1865.
First Lieutenant - Ezekiel Giles, mustered in September 2, 1862; promoted captain. Resigned May 23, 1863.
Second Lieutenant - William Parker, jr .. mustered in September 2, 1862 ; promoted first lieutenant. Promoted captain, May 23, 1863. Mustered out June 12, 1865.
First Sergeant - Frederick A. Headley, mustered in September 2, 1862 ; promoted second lieutenant. Promoted first lieutenant. Honorably discharged May 15, 1865.
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LEE COUNTY UNION VOLUNTEERS.
Sergeants - Alfred K. Buckaloo, mustered in September 2. 1862; promoted second lieutenant ; died March 24, 1864. Horace Judson, mustered in September 2, 1862 ; reduced ; mustered out June 12, 1865. William J. Cogswell, mustered in September 2, 1862 ; dis- charged March 8, 1863; disability. Joseph A. Hill, mustered in September 2. 1862 ; discharged May 28, 1863; disability.
Corporals - John William. mustered in September 2, 1862 ; died at Richmond, Virginia, June 3, 1864. while a prisoner of war. Lonis H. Burket, mustered in September 2, 1862 ; promoted ser- geant-major. Edwin J. Jones, mustered in September 18, 1862; deserted October 3, 1862. Isaac E. Barr, mustered in September 18, 1862; mustered out June 12, 1865. George M. Putnam, mus- tered in September 18, 1862 ; mustered out June 12, 1865, as first sergeant. Ezra Cooper, mustered in September 18, 1862 ; sergeant; died January 12, 1865. David H. Wagner, mustered in September 18, 1862 ; mustered out June 12, 1865, as sergeant. Anthony Zim- mer, mustered in September 18, 1862; reduced. Absent, sick, at muster out of regiment.
Musicians - James L. Backus, mustered in September 18, 1862; mustered out June 12, 1865. David Freeman, mustered in Septem- ber 18, 1862; discharged May 28, 1863 ; disability.
Company E .- This company was organized at Amboy with volunteers from the central part of the county.
Captains - Wm. S. Frost, mustered in September 2, 1862 ; dis- charged January 23. 1865. J. H. Blodget, mustered in February 16, 1865 ; mustered out.
First Lieutenants- F. H. Eels, mustered in September 2, 1862 ; killed in battle. J. H. Blodget, mustered in April 23, 1863 ; pro- moted. James Dexter, mustered in February 17, 1865 ; mustered out.
Second Lieutenants -J. H. Blodget. mustered in September 2, 1862 ; promoted. Jas. Dexter. promoted.
Company F- Amboy .- Captains : A. S. Vorey, mustered in September 2. 1862 : died August 14. 1864. James McCord, mus- tered in April 1, 1865 : mustered out June 12, 1865.
First Lieutenant - Jas. Tourtillott, mustered in April 1, 1865 ; resigned. Jas. D. Place, promoted.
Company G-Franklin Grore .- Captains : Joseph Williams, mustered in September 2, 1862 ; resigned. R. L. Irwin, mustered in May 20. 1864: mustered out June 12. 1865.
First Lieutenant- R. L. Irwin. not mustered ; resigned.
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.
Second Lieutenant - R. L. Irwin, mustered in September 2, 1862; promoted. Wmn. Vance, mustered in May 3, 1863 ; pro- moted.
But few regiments that entered the service met the enemy in desperate battle so soon after enlistment as did the 75th. Mustered in on September 2; on October 1 marched in pursuit of Gen. Bragg, and on the 8th engaged with the enemy, in which conflict the Lee county boys suffered severely. Lee Center and Sublett were largely represented among the dead on the battle-field. Many died from wounds received in the battle.
ONE HUNDRED AND FORTIETH INFANTRY REGIMENT.
The 140th Infantry Illinois Volunteers was raised for the one- hundred-days service, and went into camp at Dixon about May 1, 1864. June 16 the regiment was ordered to Springfield, where it was immediately sworn into the service, and ordered to Paducah, Kentucky. The regiment serving the full time of enlistment, it was mustered out October 26, 1864. The officers from Lee county were as follows :
Colonel - Lorenzo Whitney, Dixon ; mustered out October 29, 1864.
Quartermaster .- Geo. W. Bishop, Dixon, mustered out October 29, 1864.
Surgeon - Geo. W. Phillips, Dixon ; mustered out October 29, 1864.
Company E .- Captain : Ezekial Giles, Dixon ; mustered out October 29, 1864.
First Lieutenant -Joseph Ball, Dixon ; mustered out October 29, 1864.
Second Lieutenant -John L. Skinner, Amboy ; mustered out October 29, 1864.
"CHEENEY'S BATTERY," FIRST ILLINOIS ARTILLERY.
Battery F, First Illinois Light Artillery, was recruited at Dixon, Illinois, in January 1862, by Capt. John T. Cheney, and was mus- tered in at Springfield, February 25.
Moved to Boston barracks, Missouri, March 15. with four six- pound guns. April 1, was ordered to Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee, and arrived April 9, and was assigned to Maj. Gen. Lew. Wallace's third division, army of the Tennessee.
AV. Dethear
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR LEMON AND TILDES HOP .DATRINS R L
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LEE COUNTY UNION VOLUNTEERS.
Was engaged in the siege of Corinth, and June 9 marched for Memphis, arriving on the 18th. November 26, moved from Mem- phis and arrived from the Tallahatchie river December 2. On the 11th, in Denver's division, went on the Yocona expedition, returning to Tallahatchie river, and finally to Holly Springs, Mississippi.
March 7, 1865, battery F was consolidated with other batteries of the regiment.
Officers from Lee county were John T. Cheney, captain, promoted major ; J. H. Burton, first lieutenant, promoted captain ; J. T. Wha- ley, second lieutenant, promoted first lieutenant ; Theodore W. Raub, second lieutenant, killed in battle ; Robert Richey, second lieutenant, mustered out March 7, 1865; J. Q. Yates, second lieutenant, not mustered.
Besides the regiments here noted as containing Lee county sol- diers, there were many volunteers who enlisted in other! regiments in different departments of the service. In the infantry ranks, Lee county was represented in seventeen regiments besides those above mentioned, ranging from No. 10 to No. 152. Ten cavalry regiments contained Lee county boys, as well as Burnside's marine artillery McClellan's dragoons, etc. From the Atlantic to the prairies of Mis- souri, and from the Ohio river to the gulf on almost every battle-field were found the brave sons of Lee county nobly fighting for their country.
Patriotism at home .- The patriotism of Lee county was awak- ened by the news of the firing on Fort Sumter, and on April 17, 1861, there appeared in the Dixon " Telegraph " the following note : " War Feeling in Dixon. - While we are writing, the people, with- out distinction of party, are in council. Great enthusiasm prevails. A company is forming. The action of the administration is to be sustained."
An association was formed called " the volunteer aid associa- tion," for the purpose of rendering aid to the families of absent vol- unteers, and on June 20, 1861, they reported a subscription to the fund of $2,625.
In the autumn of 1861 a camp for recruiting and organizing troops was established at Dixon, on the banks of the river west of the rail- road. Col. W. H. Hayden, commander of post, and Col. John De- ment, commander of the encampment. On May 21, 1863, John V. Eustace was appointed provost-marshal for this congressional dis- trict.
Relief societies were organized, and appropriations made by the county board of supervisors, for the relief of the families of absent volunteers. Military scrip was issued for the payment of bounty
11
Rich
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.
offered by the board of supervisors for Lee county. At the January term of the board it was reported by the committee on said scrip that $6,000 had been distributed as designed.
At the November term. 1863, the board of supervisors of the county offered a bounty of $100 to every accepted volunteer from Lee county, and at the November term of the court. 1863, an appro- priation was made for the same purpose, and spread npon the regis- ter the following preamble and resolution, to wit :
Whereas, Our government has found it necessary to make an- other call upon the people of the loval states for three hundred thou- sand more men wherewith to crush out the existing rebellion in our land ; and
Whereas, the State of Illinois has heretofore, by patriotism of her noble sons in voluntarily enlisting in the army of the Union. es- caped the necessity of drafting (furnishing more men than her quota, under all the preceding calls) ; and
Whereas, we, the board of supervisors of Lee county, have assem- bled for the special purpose, and being desirons that her proud name, which the sons of Illinois now battling for our country have made for our state, should still be maintained by voluntary enlistments, and especially desirous that our county of Lee, second to none in the state for patriotism, should only be represented in our army by volunteers ; it is therefore
Resolved, That we offer to each and every duly accepted volunteer from the county of Lee a county bounty of the sum of $100.
There being a scarcity of funds in the treasury with which to pay these proffered bounties, the board subsequently ordered that bonds not to exceed $20,000 be issued to provide for the same.
It subsequently appears as a matter of record that there was but $15,000 issued in bonds for this purpose.
At the February term of the supervisors' court it was reported that $4,061.50 had been distributed as a relief fund to families of volunteers.
At a special term of the board held in October. 1864. the follow- ing resolution was offered by John J. Higgins, and was adopted by fifteen for to four against, to wit :
" Resolved, That the board of supervisors of Lee county, for the purpose of aiding those men who have enlisted, or may enlist on or after the third day of October, A.D. 1864, under the call of the presi- dent of the United States, made on the 18th day of July, A. D. 1864, for 500,000 men, do hereby appropriate, in addition to the bounty of $100 offered at the annual session of the board on the 14th day of September. A.D. 1864, the sum of $900 to each and every man so
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enlisting or volunteering to fill said call ; and the clerk of this board is hereby authorized. empowered and directed to issue connty orders to an amount not to exceed the sum of $150,000, including the sum of $25,500 appropriated on the 14th day of September, A.D. 1864."
At the same meeting of the board. on motion of supervisor Gas- ton, the clerk of the board was authorized and directed to draw orders on the county treasury in sum not to exceed $2,000 for the re- lief of the families of volunteers, in sums not to exceed $100 each, and to be placed in the hands of the agents (who had been previously appointed by the board) for the distribution of the relief fund.
DIXON TOWNSHIP.
Dixon township originally embraced South Dixon. Nelson, and a part of Nachusa township ; the survey embracing T. 21 N., R. 9 E., which is situated and lying in Lee county ; and part of T. 22 N., R. 9 E., which is situated and lying in Lee county ; also that part of T. 21 N., R. 8 E., that is south of Rock river. It has since been limited to a much smaller area by creating out of its original terri- tory, Nelson, South Dixon and the northwest part of Nachusa town- ships. The present town of Dixon is located in the northwest quar- ter of the county of Lee; being bounded on the north by Ogle county, on the east by Nachusa, on the south by South Dixon, and on the west by Palmyra township ; and may be described as follows : beginning at the range line between eight and nine east, on the coun- ty line between Lee and Ogle counties, and extending east on said line to Rock river ; thence up said river to a point half a mile east of section-line three east ; thence sonth to the center of section thirty- five; thence east one mile to the center of section thirty-six ; thence south one mile to the center of section two, township twenty-one north, range nine east; thence west half a mile to section line be- tween sections two and three; thence south half a mile to section line; thence west to range line between eight and nine east ; thence north on said line to the place of beginning. The northern line is irregular, as it follows the river course where it makes a detour north and sonth ; and the eastern boundary is made to deviate from a direct line for local accommodations. It is four and a half miles at its widest point east and west, and six north and south, embrac- ing an area of about nineteen square miles.
The natural scenery of Dixon township surpasses, in beauty and variety, any other township in Lee county, presenting a series of rugged bluffs, rounded hills, declining slopes, green lawns, and shady
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.
groves. through which meander laughing brooks, with here and there flowing fountains of purest water. And through the midst of this park of natural scenery flow majestically and peacefully the waters of Rock river. Numerous islands set with green grass and fringed with small forest trees adorn the river in its course through the township, presenting additional attractions to the eyes of the admir- ers of the beautiful in nature. The river enters the township on the north near the middle of the boundary line, flowing southeast to within a quarter of a mile of the east line; then bearing to the southwest it passes the city of Dixon and emerges from the township half a mile north of the southwest corner ; thus traversing the length and breadth of the township.
The town of Dixon is well supplied with the purest of water, fur- nished by fountains which burst from the hills and bluffs, and send their rivulets through the farms to queneh the thirst of the herds that graze upon the rich pastures.
The drainage of the township is good, as will be readily seen by reference to the geography of the territory which it embraces. The land is generally rolling, and bluffy along the river. It is also well supplied with timber of valuable varieties and best quality. Most of the great trees of the primeval forest, however, have fallen before the woodman's axe. The tall oaks, poplars, black walnuts, and hickory have given place to timber of smaller growth. Though the grand forest of half a century is gone, there are yet groves and forests of the finest timber ; oak of different varieties abound, with here and there beautiful groves of thrifty young hickory.
The soil is fertile and adapted to most varieties of products - spring and winter wheat, oats. corn, etc. Its pasturage and water supply adapts it to stock-growing ; the growth of clover and blue- grass not being surpassed in any part of the country. The citizens who give attention to this department obtain the most favorable results, paying a larger per cent than grain-growing in other parts of the state.
The supply of building stone is unequaled by any other township in the county, and unsurpassed in quality. Quarries are opened along both sides of the river, furnishing a yellow sand and limestone of durable quality, and the blue limestone of the finest building material. The.supply seems inexhaustible for generations to come ; and the same may be said of the supply of lime-producing rock, from which is manufactured the finest quality of lime. Extensive quarries are being worked, and large quantities of lime are being produced. A superior quality is manufactured at the quarry above the water-power, within the city of Dixon.
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DIXON TOWNSHIP.
THE EARLY SETTLEMENT OF DIXON'S FERRY.
The first settlers of Dixon township have received some notice in connection with the early settlement of Dixon's Ferry. Outside of the city of Dixon we find the first settlements embraced in the present township of Dixon began in the fall or winter of 1834. Dr. Forest, from Kentucky, settled on what is now known as the Wood- ford farm, situated on the east side of the river above Dixon. Geo. A. Martin settled on the place afterward known as the Trueman farm. Mr. Bennett settled near Grand Detour, at the place where the ferry was subsequently built. Here he built a shanty and cov- ered it with bark. The following year he removed east. About the same time Geo. A. Brown settled on a farm next below Mr. Bennett. These four families were here when Mr. Joseph Crawford came in the spring of 1835, and settled sonth of Grand Detour. These all settled on unimproved land, and in the summer of 1835 commenced opening up farms.
These were followed by Mr. McClure, Mr. Rue, on the Baily farm : Mr. Carpenter, on the Hetler farm ; and in the spring of 1837 James M. Santee, Solomon Shellhammer, Elijah Bowman, Mr. Carlton, and a Mr. Richards. In 1838 Nathan Hetler settled on the place first occupied by Mr. Carpenter.
In 1838 "Gov." Alexander Charters having come from Ireland, settled on the "Hazelwood" farm, two miles north of Dixon, and improved a fine farm. As early as 1840 his home was far-famed as a hospitable and pleasant retreat for visitors to this part of the coun- try, and was the place specially mentioned by William C. Bryant, the poet, after his visit to Rock River in 1841. In 1843 Alfred K. and J. C. Buckalu, from Pennsylvania, settled in the same neigh- borhood. They are both deceased ; Joseph C. died September 11. 1852, and Alfred died March 24, 1864.
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