History of Macoupin County, Illinois, Part 23

Author: Brink, McDonough & Co.
Publication date: 1879
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 440

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THE BLACK-HAWK WAR IN 1832.

During the winter of '31-'32 rumors were rife that Black-Hawk and his band were dissatisfied, restless, and preparing for mischief. A chief of the Winnebago Indians who had a village on Rock river, some thirty miles above its confluence with the Mississippi, joined Black-Hawk, who was located on the west bank of the Father of Waters. The chief had great influence with Black-Hawk and his band. He made them believe that all the tribes on Rock river would join them, and that together they could bid defiance to the whites. By this unwise counsel Black-Hawk resolved to re- cross the river, which he did in the winter of 1832. That move proved to be their destruction. Through his influence and zeal Black-Hawk encour- aged many of the Sax and Foxes to join him at the head of his determined warriors. He first assembled them at old Fort Madison on the Mississippi ; subsequently, marched them up the river to the Yellow Banks, where he pitched his tent April 6th, 1832. This armed array of savages soon alarmed the settlers, and a general panic spread through the whole frontier, from the Mississippi to Lake Michigan. Many settlers in terror abandoned their homes and farms, and the Governor decided, on the 16th of April, to call out a large number of volunteers to operate in conjunction with Gen. Atkinson, who was in command of the regular forces at Rock Island. The Governor ordered the troops to rendezvous at Beardstown on the 22d of April. We give Governor Reynolds' circular which he addressed to the citizen-soldiers in the crisis then pending :

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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

" To the Militia of the North-western section of the State:

"FELLOW-CITIZENS :

"Your country requires your services. The Indians have assumed a hos- tile attitude, and have invaded the state in violation of the treaty of last summer. The British band of Sacs and other hostile Indians, headed by Black-Hawk, are in possession of the Rock river country, to the great terror of the frontier inhabitants. I consider the settlers on the frontiers to be in imminent danger. I am in possession of the above information from gentlemen of respectable standing, and also from Gen. Atkinson, whose character stands high with all classes. In possession of the above facts I have hesitated not as to the course I should pursue. No citizen ought to remain inactive when his country is invaded, and the helpless part of the community are in danger. I have called out a large detachment of militia to rendezvous at Beardstown on the 22d. Provisions for the men and food for the horses will be furnished in abundance. I hope my countrymen will realize my expectations, and offer their services, as heretofore, with prompti- tude and cheerfulness in defence of their country. JOHN REYNOLDS."

To the stirring appeal of the governor the patriotic citizens of the state and Macoupin county nobly responded in both campaigns of '31-'32. Many of the best and most prominent men of the county enlisted to protect the frontier and preserve the honor of the state, and did signal service in the memorable events of the Black-Hawk war. Among the citizens of Macoupin county who went out were as follows.

Oficers: Captain Harris, afterwards better known to the citizens of this county as Gen. Harris. He organized the first company. Capt. Bennett Nolan, also organized a company. Lieut. Col. Powell H. Sharp, then a resi- dent of what is now Scottville township, ranked as Lieut. Col. in this war, and is spoken of as a brave man. William Coop, Jefferson Weatherford and the late Judge John Yowell were commissioned Lieutenants. The two former were Lieutenants in Capt. Harris' company, and the latter a Lieutenant in Capt. Nolan's company. Aquilla P. Pepperdine was the orderly sergeant in Capt. Harris' company. Thomas McVey and John Lewis were also sergeants in the same company. Capt. Harris' company first rendezvoused at Beardstown, and was mustered at Rock Island under command of Col. A. B. Duwitt of Jacksonville. William J. Weatherford was Lieutenant- Colonel of the regiment. A portion of the Macoupin county men were in the regiment commanded by Col. James Collins. Lieut. Col. Sharp was attached to this regiment. Of the private soldiers from this county may be mentioned the following. George Mathews, Oliver W. Hall, Lewis Solo- mon, jr., Theodorus Davis, James Hall, John Bayless, Richard Wall, Recse Bayless, John Coop, Hardin Weatherford, Ransom Coop, a Mr. Powell, Hiram English, Thomas Thurman, Reverdy English, David Rusk, Joshua Martin, Travis Moore, Samuel Cummings, Samuel D. Ray, Wilford Palmer, Larkin Richardson, Samuel McVey, John Chapman, Charles McVey, Mathew Withrow, Aaron Sample, John Ross, Spencer Norville, Chas. Lair, William Talkington, James White, Achilles Deatheridge, E. H. Richards, John England, George Sprouse, Harvey McPeters and Zachariah Stewart.

Capt. Thomas S. Gelder, then a resident of Greene county, served in the campaign of '31, and immediately after his return settled with his father on the farm on which he now resides in Chesterfield.

Among those who enlisted from Macoupin county, in Capt. Kinkead's company of Greene county, were John Record, Isham Caudle, Isaac McCol- lum and Isaac Prewitt; there may have been others, but these are all the names that we have been able to gather, as no official record has been pre- served at Springfield. Few of the hardy soldiers of this war remain with us; many after the war was ended moved to other sections of the country, and many others have passed over the River and are now in the embrace of the silent sleep of death.

The force marched to the mouth of Rock river, where Gen. Atkinson re- ceived the volunteers into the United States service and assumed command. Black-Hawk and his warriors were still up on the Rock river.

The army under Atkinson commenced its march up the river on the 9th of May. Gov. Reynolds, the gallant " Old Ranger," remained with the army, and the President recognized him as a major-general, and he was paid accordingly. His presence in the army did much toward harmonizing and conciliating those jealousies which generally exist between volunteers and regular troops. Major John A. Wakefield and Col. Ewing acted as spies for a time in the campaign of '32, to discover the location of the enemy, if possible. A Mr. Kinney acted as guide for them; he understood the Sac

dialect. On the 14th of May, 1832, Major Stillman's command had a sort of running battle with the Indians at or near what is now known as Still- man's run, a small, sluggish stream. In the engagement eleven white men . and eight Indians were killed. Black-Hawk and warriors fought with the spirit born of desperation. Black-Hawk says in his book that he tried at Stillman's run to call back his warriors, as he thought the whites were mak- ing a sham retreat in order to draw him into an ambuscade of the whole army under Gen. Whiteside. The hasty retreat and rout of Stillman and his army was, in a measure, demoralizing to the entire forces. Undoubtedly the cause of the defeat was a lack of discipline. When Gov. Reynolds learned of the disaster of Major Stillman, he at once ordered out two thou- sand additional volunteers. With that promptitude characteristic of the old " War Governor," he wrote out by candle-light on the evening of Stillman's defeat, the order for the additional troops, and by daylight dispatched John Ewing, Robert Blackwell, and John A. Wakefield to distribute the order to the various counties. The volunteers again promptly responded ; however, the soldiers from this county did but little fighting. On the 10th of July the army disbanded for want of provisions. Gen. Scott arrived soon after with a large force at the post of Chicago, to effect if possible a treaty with the Indians. Small detachments of Black-Hawk's warriors would persist- ently hang on the outskirts of the main body of the army, thieve and plun- der, and pounce upon and kill the lonely sentinel or straggling soldier. On the 15th of July the soldiers were reviewed, and those incapable of duty were discharged and returned home. Poquette, a half-breed, and a Winne- bago chief, the "White Pawnee," were selected for guides to the camp of Black-Hawk and band. Several battles and skirmishes occurred with the enemy, the principal of which was on the banks of the Mississippi, where the warriors fought with great desperation. Over one hundred and fifty were killed in the engagement, and large numbers drowned in attempting to swim the river. After the battle the volunteers were marched to Dixon, where they were discharged. This ended the campaign and the Black-Hawk war. At the battle of the Bad Axe, Black-Hawk and some of his warriors escaped the Americans, and had gone up on the Wisconsin river, but subsequently surrendered himself. Fort Armstrong, on Rock Island, was the place appointed where a treaty would be made with the Indians, but before it was effected that dreadful scourge, the cholera of '32, visited not only the regular army, depleting its ranks far more rapidly than the balls of the Indians had done, but it also sought out its many victims in the dusky bands of the Black-Hawk tribe.

On the 15th September, 1832, a treaty was made with the Winnebago In- dians. They sold out all their lands in Illinois and all south of the Wis- consin river and west of Green bay, and the government gave them a large district of country west of the Mississippi and ten thousand dollars a year for seven years, besides providing free schools for their children for twenty years, oxen, agricultural implements, etc., etc.

September 21st, 1832, a treaty was made with all the Sac and Fox tribes, on which they ceded to the United States the tract of country on which a few years afterwards the State of Iowa was formed. In consideration of the above cession of lands, the government gave them an annuity of twenty thousand dollars for thirty years, forty kegs of tobacco and forty barrels of salt, more gunsmiths, blacksmith shop, etc., etc., six thousand bushels of corn for immediate support, mostly intended for the Black-Hawk band.

The treaties above mentioned terminated favorably, and the security resulting therefrom gave a new and rapid impetus to the development of the state, and now enterprising towns and villages, and beautiful farms, adorn the rich and alluvial prairies that before were only desecrated by the wild bands who inhabited them. Agricultural pursuits, commerce and manufac- tures, churches and schools, are lending their influence to advance an intelli- gent and prosperous people.

THE MEXICAN WAR.

In the war with Mexico in 1846-47, Illinois furnished six regiments of men, as follows: First regiment, commanded by Col. John J. Hardin; Second regiment, commanded by Col. William H. Bissell; Third regiment, commanded by Col. Ferris Forman; Fourth regiment, commanded by Col. Edward D. Baker; Fifth regiment, commanded by Col. James Collins; Sixth regiment, commanded by Col. Edward W. Newby.

As the records have not yet been transcribed from the War Department at Washington, we have had to rely solely on the facts furnished by those now living in the county who served in that war. The county furnished about one hundred men.

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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY, ILLINOIS

First Regiment, Col. Hardin .- This regiment mustered at Alton, III., one thousand strong, transported to New Orleans by steamboat in July, 1846, crossed the Gulf, and disembarked from the vessel at Port Levacca, in Texas, thence by forced march to Camp Crockett, at San Antonia De Baxar, where they became a part of the main army, thence to Persido, thence two hundred and fifty miles to Mount Clover, thence to Paris, and from that point made a forced march to Aqua Aneva. This regiment fought bravely at the glorious battles of Buena Vista, the city of Mexico, and Cerro Gordo. In this regiment enlisted, in Company G, James P. Pearson (better known as Capt. Pierson, who was wagon-master and musician ; he was severely wounded in the ankle at Buena Vista), John and Henry Sharp, James Coen, Thomas Joiner, Isaac Hill, Enoch Witt, Richard Mathews, Jefferson Ed- wards and Thomas Pettyjohn. In Company E, commanded by Capt. New- comb, were John Vincent (died in the service), William Davis, Snowden Sawyer, S. B. Sawyer, John H. and Wm. C. Purdy, Reuben Skidmore, John Price, James Linton, Andrew Scroggins, Samuel Crowell, and James F. Chapman.

In the Fifth regiment, Col. Collins, Company C, there were fourteen, as follows: B. J. Dorman, William Brown, John Coudel, John Pomeroy (died in Mexico), James Raffurty, James Colyer, Jackson Edwards, Theodorus Moore ( died in Mexico), Albert Clark (died in Mexico), William Larrimore, James Morgan, and John Burgess. These three also died in Mexico. James Green and Andrew Shaw were also members of Company C. Capt. Lee, of Fayette county, commanded the company. Several men from the neighbor- hood of Staunton were also members of this regiment. They were: D. W. Henderson, Benj. Henderson, S. W. Bell, Daniel Grant (lied in the service ), Drury M. Grant, B. F. Cowell, Thomas Howell (died in Mexico), James Vincent (died in Mexico), Jackson Scroggins (died in Mexico), Harrison Harrington, Ambrose Dickerson, and David R. Sparks.

They were musterel at Alton, in 1846, and sworn in for during the war. Thence they were transported to New Orleans, and from that place were ordered to Tampico, from which place they were transported by vessel to Vera Cruz. Was in Patterson's Division and under Gen. Scott. This regiment participated in several skirmishes, but was in no general engage- ment. They marched to the city of Mexico, but after its capture, they were mustered out at Alton, Ill., in August, 1847.

In the Fourth regiment, Col. Baker, were quite a number of Macoupin bays. They enlisted in Company B. Capt. Elkin, commander, at Carlin- ville, in the early part of June, 1846, and the next month, at Alton, were sworn into the service. Their names were: Fuller Smock, Seburn Gilmore, Rush Guy, L'e Graham, Joseph Graham, Elijah Pulliam, Wm. Dew. Richard Mathews, John Tennis, Marion Wallace cdied at Tampico, Mexico ., Jackson Wallace (enlisted as privato, promoted to a first-lieutenancy ; died at Camargo), Sylvanus Seaman, Wilson Mitchell, Felix Hampton, M Warmack (discharged at Jefferson Barracks, soon after being sworn in, on ace sunt of sickness), Alfred and Samuel Hall (both discharged on account of sickness at Matamoras, Felix Hall .discharged at Jefferson Barracks after enlistment-same can-e), John Stockton (also discharged on account of sickness). Also in this regiment were Samuel Cowell and Andrew Serog- gins. After being mu-tered at Alion, the regiment was moved to JJefferson Barracks, where they were drilled for about a month, then sent to New Orleans, thence to Brazos Santiago, near the mouth of the Rio Grande, thence to Camp Belknap, on the same river, from there to Camargo, where they laid six weeks; here severe drill was resumed ; then took steamer to Matamoras; placed in Patterson's brigade, Gan. Taylor commanding divi- sion ; afterwards transferred to main army under Gen. Scott. From Mata- moras to Victoria, thence to Tampico, where they embarked for Vera Cruz, to which they laid siege, which, after a heavy bombardment, capitulated, surrendering the forts and shipping in the harbor. Then they marched to Cerro Gordo, where the Mexicans, under Santa Anna, were defeated. Here Gen. Shields commanded the brigade. They followed the retreating Mexi- cans to Jalapa, where they camped for three weeks. Their term of service had now expired, and they were ordered to Vera Cruz, thence to New Or- Jeans, where, in August, 1847, they were discharged, and paid their own way home. Other soldiers from this county in that war were a part of Capt. Little's cavalry company. In Col. Hays' regiment of Texas cavalry, the regiment had two companies from Illinois-Little's and Stapp's. Their names were as follows: Thomas Bacon, sergeant, John Murphy, John Gui- son, Edward Miller, Wyatt R. Hill, Wm. Jones, Josiah Jones, Hiram Wood, James Holley, Peter Kuykendall, John Wood, William Edwards, Hugh Rice, William F. McWain, Charles Cowden, Thos. Stone, and William

Hamilton. John Murphy and Thomas Stone were killed in action near Rober's Bridge, Mexico, and William Jones died at Rio Frio, Mexico.

Others, undoubtedly, were in the war, but their names cannot now be procured. It is pleasing to remember that the last General Assembly of Illinois made an appropriation for the purpose of transcribing the names of Illinois soldiers who were in the Mexican war from the official register at the War Department, the same to be placed in the Adjutant-General's office at Springfield Gov. Cullom appointed Col. Ferris Forman, of Vandalia, (the only surviving Illinois colonel of that war), to perform that duty. And thus it will be possible to secure a list of those brave men who upheld their country's honor on many a hard-fought field under an alien sky.

THE WAR FOR THE UNION.

It is not our purpose in this history to treat of the causes, which working through a series of years, finally culminated in civil war. It is ours, rather, to speak of the part taken by Macoupin county in the war of the great rebel- lion. Of her record her citizens may well be proud. When the tocsin of war was heard the sons of Macoupin crowded forward to offer their services to the national government, and there is no page of her history so brilliant as that which is glorified by the record of their deeds, and, to that record, unborn generations of her children will point in patriotic pride-the lawyer left his office, the minister the sacred desk, the physician his practice, the farmer his plow, and marched away 'neath flaunting banners to stirring mar- tial music, in defence of the grand principle of nationality. Many of them greatly distinguished themselves, but all, superior and subaltern, officer and private, by their bravery and devotion, conferred honor on their county- and their country,

The total number of enlisted men accredited to Macoupin county, for all calls for volunteers during the war, up to December 31st, 1865, was 3,184, or a little more than one-eighth of the entire population. True, not so many were in the service at any one time. In 1863, the report of the adjutant general shows that 1,761 were in their country's service. It is sad to remem- ber that very many of those who went forth against those who were their brethren in defence of their country never returned. Their country de- manded the sacrifice, and they laid down their glittering youth. Others came back broken in health or mutilated in body, to fill an carly grave, or drag on painfully throughout life. But they did duty manfully. They were at the storming of Fort Donaldson and the siege of Vicksburg. . They marched with Sherman to the sea, and stood with Grant at Appomattox.

Of the 7th regiment, F and K companies were recruited in Macoupin ; of the 3d cavalry, company L; of the 12th, part of company F; of the 14th, company C'; of the 27th, company F; of the 30th, part of H company ; of the 324, A and C, and part of company I ; of the 49th, company E ; of the 59th, company I ; of the 97th, company A ; of the 1224, all companies but C. In addition, an examination of the roster will show the names of some Macoupin soldiers who were mustered into other regiments.

THE SEVENTH INFANTRY.

This is claimed to be the first regiment organized in the state of Illinois, under the first call of the President for three months troops. The Eighth Illinois claims the same honor. F aad K companies were reeraited in this county. J. F. Cummings was captain of F, and William O. Jenks and C. F. Adams, were fired and around lieutenants. Of K. Richard Rowett, after- ward General by brevet, was captain, and his lieux nants were. Manning Mayfield and George Hunter. The Seventh was mustered into service for three months at Camp Yates, by Capt. John Popa. U. S. A. Was sent to Alton, St. Louis, Cairo and Mound City. Was reorganized and mastered in for three years, July 25th. It did daty in Missouri, and went into winter quarters at Fort Holt, Ky. It was at the investment and siege of Fort Donaldson, Feb. 13, 14 and 15, and was in the last charge on the enemy's works. Last three killed, and nineteen wounded. On the 21st. 1862, left for Clarksville, Tenn., Major Rowett, commanding. Ordered to Nashville and to Pittsburg Landing. Was engaged in the two days' battle of Shiloh, under command of Lieut. Col. Rowett. Loss, 2 officers and 15 men killed, and 79 wounded. Was engaged both days of the battle of Corinth ; loss, 2 officers and 6 men killed, and 46 wounded.

On June 18, 1863, the regiment was mounted by order of General Dodge, and did most excellent service on scouting expeditions under Col. Rowett- engaging in many severe skirmishes, and making an enviable record for bravery and efficiency.

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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

December 22, 1863, the regiment re-enlisted as veteran volunteers. They performed noble service under Sherman, and were in the battles around Atlanta, and with him on his memorable march to the sea. A complete history of this historical regiment, " the battles, sieges and fortunes it has passed," has been written by D. Leib Ambrose, and published at Spring- field, Ill. It was mustered out July 9th, 1865, at Louisville, Kentucky, and arrived at Camp Butler, July 12th, 1865, for final payment and dis- charge.

THE FOURTEENTH INFANTRY.

Colonels John M. Palmer, Cyrus Hall. This was first called into State service for thirty days, under the "Ten Regiment Bill." It was mustered into service May 4th, 1861. On May 25th, it was mustered in for three years, by Capt. Pitcher, U. S. A. It remained at Jacksonville for instruc- tion until the latter part of June, then proceeded to Quincy, thence to Missouri. It was with Fremont on his campaign to Springfield after Price. Returned and wintered at Otterville.

It was ordered to Fort Donaldson, reaching that place the day after its surrender. Palmer was promoted, and Major Hall of the 7th Illinois cavalry, had been promoted Colonel.

From Donaldson it proceeded to Fort Henry, where embarking on trans- ports, it proceeded up the Tennessee. At Pittsburg Landing it first smelt powder in the bloody battles of the 6th and 7th of April, 1862, and lost in killed and wounded one-half the command, and the regimental colors were pierced with forty-two bullets. General Veatch, commanding brigade, in his official report of the battle employs the following language: "Col. Hall, of the Fourteenth Illinois, led with his regiment, that gallant charge on Monday evening, which drove the enemy beyond our lines, and closed the struggle of that memorable day." It took an active part in the siege of Corinth ; thence to Memphis, thence to Bolivar, Tenn.

October 4th, 1862, the Fourth Division, under Hurlbut, was ordered to proceed to Corinth, to relieve the beleagured garrison: but Rosecrans, before Corinth was reached, had punished the enemy, and they met the re- treating rebels at the village of Metamora, on the river Hatchie. The Four- teenth Illinois, in the eight hours' fight, sustained its high reputation. After a march into Northern Mississippi, under McPherson, it went into winter quarters at La Fayette, Tenn. It was at Vicksburg, and in the expedition to Jackson. After arduous marches to Natchez, thence across to Harrison- hurg, and captured Fort Beauregard ; after the return, a large portion re- enlisted as veterans. After enjoyment of veteran furlough, it formed a part of the advance on Atlanta. Here it was consolidated with the Fifteenth into the " Fourteenth and Fifteenth Illinois Veteran Battalion." In Octo- ber, 1864, when General Hood made his demonstration against Sherman's rear, a large number of the battalion were killed, and the major part of the balance were taken prisoners and sent to Andersonville. Those who were not captured, were mounted and acted as scouts on the march to the sea. At Goldsborough, N. C., in the spring of 1865, the battalion organization was discontinued. The two regiments were filled up, and Colonel Hall was again put in command of the 14th. After the capitulation of Johnson, the regiment marched to Washington, and on May 24th took part in the Grand Review of Sherman's army. Then it proceeded by rail and river to Louis- ville, thence by river to Fort Leavenworth, thence to Fort Kearney and back. Mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, Sept. 16th, 1865; arrived at Springfield, Ill., Sept. 224, 1865, where it received final payment and dis- charge.

The aggregate number of men who have belonged to this regiment was 1989; and aggregate mustered out at Fort Leavenworth was 480. During its term of service, the regiment marched 4,490, travelled by rail 2,330, and by river 4,490 miles, making an aggregate of 11,310 miles.

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History of Macoupin County, Illinois, Part 23

Author: Brink, McDonough & Co. Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Number of Pages: 440

Author: Brink, McDonough & Co.
Publication date: 1879
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 440