USA > Illinois > McHenry County > History of McHenry County, Illinois : together with sketches of its cities, villages and towns : educational, religious, civil, military, and political history : portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, also a condensed History of Illinois > Part 10
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William Gardner
Ann B. Gardner
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city slowly and carefully, examining the way for fear of the explo- sion of a mine, many of which had been made by the Mormons, by burying kegs of powder in the ground, with a man stationed at a distance to pull a string communicating with the trigger of a percussion lock affixed to the keg. This kind of a contrivance was called by the Mormons " hell's half-acre." When the posse arrived in the city, the leaders of it erected themselves into a tri- bunal to decide who should be forced away and who remain. Parties were dispatched to hunt for fire-arms, and for Mormons, and to bring them to judgment. When brought, they received their doom from the mouth of Brockman, who sat a grim and unawed tyrant for the time. As a general rule, the Mormons were ordered to leave within an hour or two; and by rare grace some of them were allowed until next day, and in a few cases longer time was granted.
MALTREATMENT OF NEW CITIZENS.
Nothing was said in the treaty in regard to the new citizens, who had with the Mormons defended the city; but the posse no sooner had obtained possession than they commenced expelling them. Some of them were ducked in the river, and were in one or two instances actually baptized in the name of some of the leaders of the mob; others were forcibly driven into the ferry-boats to be taken over the river before the bayonets of armed ruffians. Many of these new settlers were strangers in the country from various parts of the United States, who were attracted there by the low price of property; and they knew but little of previous difficulties or the merits of the quarrel. They saw with their own eyes that the Mormons were industriously preparing to go away, and they knew "of their own knowledge " that any effort to expel them by force was gratuitous and unnecessary cruelty. They had been trained, by the States whence they came, to abhor mobs and to obey the law, and they volunteered their services under executive authority to defend their town and their property against mob violence, and, as they honestly believed, from destruction; but in this they were partly mistaken; for although the mob leaders in the exercise of unbridled power were guilty of many injuries to the persons of individuals, although much personal property was stolen, yet they abstained from materially injuring houses and buildings.
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THE MORMONS REACH SALT LAKE.
The fugitives proceeded westward, taking the road through Mis- souri, but were forcibly ejected from that State and compelled to move indirectly through Iowa. After innumerable hardships the advance guard reached the Missouri river at Council Bluffs, when a United States officer presented a requisition for 500 men to serve in the war with Mexico. Compliance with this order so di- minished their number of effective men, that the expedition was again delayed and the remainder, consisting mostly of old muen, women and children, hastily prepared habitations for winter. Their rudely constructed tents were hardly completed before winter set in with great severity, the bleak prairies being incessantly swept by piercing winds. While here cholera, fever and other diseases, aggravated by the previous hardships, the want of comfortable quarters and medical treatment, hurried many of them to prema- ture graves, yet, under the influence of religious fervor and fanati- cism, they looked death in the face withi resignation and cheerful- ness, and even exhibited a gayety which manifested itself in music and dancing during the saddest hours of this sad winter.
At length welcome spring made its appearance, and by April they were again organized for the journey; a pioneer party, con- sisting of Brigham Young and 140 otliers, was sent in advance to locate a home for the colonists. On the 21 of July, 1847, a day memorable in Mormon annals, the vanguard reached the valley of the Great Salt Lake, having been directed thither, according to their accounts, by the hand of the Almighty. Here in a distant wil- derness, midway between the settlements of the East and the Pacific, and at that time a thousand miles from the utmost verge of civili- zation, they commenced preparations for founding a colony, which has since grown into a mighty empire.
MEXICAN WAR.
During the month of May, 1846, the President called for four regiments of volunteers from Illinois for the Mexican war. This was no sooner known in the State than nine regiments, numbering 8,370 men, answered the call, though only four of them, amounting to 3,720 men, could be taken. These regiments, as well as their officers, were everywhere foremost in the American ranks, and dis-
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tinguished themselves by their matchless valor in the bloodiest battles of the war. Veterans never fought more nobly and effect- ively than did the volunteers from Illinois. At the bloody battle of Buena Vista they crowned their lives-many their death-with the laurels of war. Never did armies contend more bravely, determinedly and stubbornly than the American and Mexican forces at this famous battle; and as Illinois troops were ever in the van and on the blood- iest portions of the field, we believe a short sketch of the part they took in the fierce contest is due them, and will be read with no lit- tle interest.
BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA.
General Santa Anna, with his army of 20,000, poured into the valley of Aqua Nueva early on the morning of the 22d of February, hoping to surprise our army, consisting of about 5,000 men, under Gen. Taylor and which had retreated to the "Narrows." They were hotly pursued by the Mexicans who, before attacking, sent Gen. Taylor a flag of truce demanding a surrender, and assuring him that if he refused he would be cut to pieces; but the demand was promptly refused. At this the enemy opened fire, and the con- flict began. In honor of the day the watchword with our soldiers was, "The memory of Washington." An irregular fire was kept up all day, and at night botlı armies bivouacked on the field, resting on their arms. Santa Anna that night made a spirited address to his men, and the stirring strains of his own band till late in the night were distinctly heard by our troops; but at last silence fell over the hosts that were to contend unto death in that narrow pass on the morrow.
Early on the following morning the battle was resumed, and con- tinned without intermission until nightfall. The solid columns of the enemy were hurled against our forces all day long, but were met and held in check by the unerring fire of our musketry and ar- tillery. A portion of Gen. Lane's division was driven back by the enemy under Gen. Lombardini, who, joined by Gen. Pacheco's divis- ion, poured upon the main plateau in so formidable numbers as to appear irresistible.
BRAVERY OF THE SECOND ILLINOIS.
At this time the 2d Illinois, under Col. Bissell, with a squadron of cavalry and a few pieces of artillery came handsomely into action
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and gallantly received the concentrated fire of the enemy, which they returned with deliberate aim and terrible effect; every dis- charge of the artillery seemed to tear a bloody path through the heavy columns of enemy. Says a writer: "The rapid mus- ketry of the gallant troops from Illinois poured a storm of lead into their serried ranks, which literally strewed the ground with the dead and dying." But, notwithstanding his losses, the enemy steadily advanced until our gallant regiment received fire from three sides. Still they maintained their position for a time with unflinching firmness against that immense host. At length, per- ceiving the danger of being entirely surrounded, it was determined to fall back to a ravine. Col. Bissel, with the coolness of ordinary drill, ordered the signal " ccase firing " to be made; he then with the same deliberation gave the command, " Face to the rear, Bat- talion, about face; forward march," which was executed with the regularity of veterans to a point beyond the peril of being out- flanked. Again, in obedience to cominand these brave men halted, faced about, and under a murderous tempest of bullets from the foe, resumed their well-directed fire. The conduct of no troops could have been more admirable; and, too, until that day they had never been under fire, when, within less than half an hour eiglity of their comrades dropped by their sides. How different from the Arkansas regiment, which were ordered to the plateau, but after delivering their first volley gave way and dispersed.
SADDEST EVENT OF THE BATTLE.
But now we have to relate the saddest, and, for Illinois, the most mournful, event of that battle-worn day. We take the account from Colton's History of the battle of Buena Vista. "As the enemy on our left was moving in retreat along the head of the Plateau, our artillery was advanced until within range, and opened a heavy fire upon him, while Cols. Hardin, Bissell and McKee, with their Illinois and Kentucky troops, dashed gallantly forward in hot pur- suit. A powerful reserve of the Mexican army was then just emerging from the ravine, where it had been organized, and advanced on the plateau, opposite the head of the southernmost gorge. Those who were giving way rallied quickly upon it; when the whole force, thus increased to over 12,000 men, came forward in a perfect blaze of fire. It was a single column, composed of the best soldiers of the republic, having for its advanced battalions the
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veteran regiments. The Kentucky and Illinois troops were soon obliged to give ground before it and seek the shelter of the second gorge. The enemy pressed on, arriving opposite the head of the second gorge. One-half of the column suddenly enveloped it, while the other half pressed on across the plateau, having for the moment nothing to resist them but the three guus in their front. The por- tion that was immediately opposed to the Kentucky and Illinois troops, ran down along each side of the gorge, in which they had sought shelter, and also circled around its head, leaving no possible way of escape for thein except by its mouth, which opened upon the road. Its sides, which were steep,-at least an angle of 45 degrees,-were covered with loose pebbles and stones, and con- verged to a point at the bottom. Down there were our poor fel- lows, nearly three regiments of them (1st and 2d Illinois and 2d Kentucky), with but little opportunity to load or fire a gun, being hardly able to keep their feet. Above the whole edge of the gorge, all the way around, was darkened by the serried masses of the enemy, and was bristling with muskets directed on the crowd beneath. It was no time to pause. Those who were not immedi- ately shot down rushed on toward the road, their number growing less and less as they went, Kentuckians and Illinoisans, officers and men, all mixed up in confusion, and all pressing on over the loose pebbles and rolling stones of those shelving, precipitous banks, and having lines and lines of the enemy firing down from each side and rear as they went. Just then the enemy's cavalry, which had gone to the left of the reserve, had come over the spur that divides the mouth of the second gorge from that of the third, and were now closing up the only door through which there was the least shadow of a chance for their lives. Many of those ahead endeavored to force their way out, but few succeeded. The lancers were fully six to one, and their long weapons were already reeking with blood. It was at this time that those who were still back in that dreadful gorge heard, above the din of the musketry and the shouts of the enemy around them, the roar of Washington's Bat- tery. No music could have been more grateful to their ears. A moment only, and the whole opening, where the lancers were busy, rang with the repeated explosions of spherical-case shot. They gave way. The gate, as it were, was clear, and out upon the road a stream of our poor fellows issued. They ran panting down
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toward the battery, and directly under the fight of iron then pas- sing over their heads, into the retreating cavalry. Hardin, McKee, Clay, Willis, Zabriskie, Houghton-but why go on? It would be a sad task indeed to name over all who fell during this twenty minutes' slaughter. The whole gorge, from the plateau to its mouth, was strewed with our dead. All dead! No wounded there -not a man; for the infantry had rushed down the sides and com- pleted the work with the bayonet."
VICTORY FOR OUR ARMY.
The artillery on the plateau stubbornly maintained its position, The remnants of the 1st and 2d Illinois regiments, after issuing from the fated gorge, were forined and again brought into action, the former, after the fall of the noble Hardin, under Lieut. Col. Weatherford, the latter under Bissell. The enemy brought forth reinforcements and a brisk artillery duel was kept up; but gradually, as the shades of night began to cover the earth, the rattle of mus- ketry slackened, and when the pall of night was thrown over that bloody field it ceased altogether. Each armny, after the fierce and long struggle, occupied much the same position as it did in the morning. However, early on the following morning, the glad tidings were heralded amidst our army that the enemy had retreated. thus again crowning the American banners with victory.
OTHER HONORED NAMES OF THIS WAR.
Other bright names from Illinois that shine as stars in this war are those of Shields, Baker, Harris and Coffee, which are indissolubly connected with the glorious capture of Vera Cruz and the not less famous storining of Cerro Gordo. In this latter action, when, after the valiant Gen. Shields had been placed hors de combat, the command of his force, consisting of three regiments, devoled upon Col. Baker. This officer, with his men, stormed with unheard-of prowess the last stronghold of the Mexicans, sweeping everything before them. Such indeed were the intrepid valor and daring courage exhibited by Illinois volunteers during the Mexican war that their deeds should live in the memory of their countrymen until those latest times when the very name of America shall have been forgotten.
THE WAR FOR THE UNION.
On the fourth day of March, 1861, after the most exciting and momentous political campaign known in the history of this country, Abraham Lincoln-America's martyred President-was inaugu- rated Chief Magistrate of the United States. This fierce contest was principally sectional, and as the announcement was flashed over the telegraph wires that the Republican Presidential candidate had been elected, it was hailed by the South as a justifiable pretext for dissolving the Union. Said Jefferson Davis in a speech at Jackson, Miss., prior to the election, "If an abolitionist be chosen Presi- dent of the United States you will have presented to you the question whether you will permit the government to pass into the hands of your avowed and implacable enemies. Without pausing for an answer, I will state my own position to be that such a result would be a species of revolution by which the purpose of the Government would be destroyed, and the obser- vances of its mere forms entitled to no respect. In that event, in such manner as should be most expedient, I should deem it your duty to provide for your safety outside of the Union." Said another Southern politician, when speaking on the same sub- ject, " We shall fire the Southern heart, instruct the Southern mind, give courage to each, and at the proper moment, by one organized, concerted action, we can precipitate the Cotton States into a revolution." To disrupt the Union and form a government which recognized the absolute supremacy of the white population and the perpetual bondage of the black was what they deemed freedom from the galling yoke of a Republican administration.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN DID NOT SEEK THE PRESIDENCY.
Hon. Rufus W. Miles, of Illinois, sat on the floor by the side of Abraham Lincoln in the Library-room of the Capitol, in Spring- field, at the secret caucus meeting, held in January, 1859, when Mr. Lincoln's name was first spoken of in caucus as candidate for President. When a gentleman, in making a short speech, said, " We are going to bring Abraham Lincoln out as a candidate for President," Mr. Lincoln at once arose to his feet, and exclaimed, "For God's sake, let me alone! I have suffered enough!" This was soon after he had been defeated in the Legislature for United States Senate by Stephen A. Douglas, and only those who are 125
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intimate with that important and unparalleled contest can appre- ciate the full force and meaning of these expressive words of the martyred President. They were spontaneous, and prove beyond a shadow of doubt that Abraham Lincoln did not seek the high posi- tion of President. Nor did he use any trickery or chicanery to obtain it. But his expressed wish was not to be complied with; our beloved country needed a savior and a martyr, and Fate had decreed that he should be the victim. After Mr. Lincoln was elected President, Mr. Miles sent him an eagle's quill, with which the Chief Magistrate wrote his first inaugural address. The letter written by Mr. Miles to the President, and sent with the quill, which was two feet in length, is such a jewel of eloquence and prophecy that it should be given a place in history: HON. A. LINCOLN :
PERCIFER, December 21, 1860.
Dear Sir :- Please accept the eagle quill I promised you, by the hand of our Representative, A. A. Smith. The bird from whose wing the quill was taken was shot hy John F. Dillon, iu Percifer Township, Kuox Co., Ill., in Feb., 1857. Hav- ing heard that James Buchanan was furnished with an eagle quill to write his Inaugural with, and believing that in 1860 a Republican would be elected to take his place, I determined to save this quill and present it to the fortunate man, who- ever he might be. Reports tell us that the bird which furnished Bucbanan's quill was a captured hird-fit emhlem of the man that used it ; but the bird from which this quill was taken yielded the quill only with his life-fit emblem of the man who is expected to use it, for true Republicans believe that you would not think life worth the keeping after the surrender of principle. Great difficulties surround you; traitors to their country have threatened your life; and should you be called upon to surrender it at the post of duty, your memory will live for- ever in the heart of every freeman; and that is a grander monument than can be huilt of brick or marhle.
"For if hearts may not our memories keep, Oblivion haste each vestige sweep, And let our memories end." Yours Truly,
R. W. MILES.
STATES SECEDING.
At the time of President Lincoln's accession to power, several members of the Union claimed they had withdrawn from it, and styling themselves the "Confederate States of America," organ- ized a separate government. The house was indeed divided against itself, but it should not fall, nor should it long continue divided, was the hearty, determined response of every loyal heart in the nation. The accursed institution of human slavery was the primary cause for this dissolution of the American Union. Doubtless other agencies served to intensity the hostile feel- ings which existed between the Northern and Southern portions
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of our country, but their remote origin could be traced to this great national evil. Had Lincoln's predecessor put forth a timely, ener- getic effort, he might have prevented the bloody war our nation was called to pass through. On the other hand every aid was given the rebels; every advantage and all the power of the Government was placed at their disposal, and when Illinois' honest son took the reins of the Republic he found Buchanan had been a traitor to his trust, and given over to the South all available means of war.
THE FALL OF SUMTER.
On the 12th day of April, 1861, the rebels, who for weeks had been erecting their batteries upon the shore, after demanding of Major Anderson a surrender, opened fire upon Fort Sumter. For thirty-four hours an incessant cannonading was continued; the fort was being seriously injured; 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 was now trailed in the dust. The first blow of the terrible conflict which summoned vast armies into the field, and moistened the soil of a nation in fraternal blood and tears, had been struck. The gauntlet thus thrown down by the attack on Sumter by the traitors of the South was accepted-not, however, in the spirit with which insolence meets insolence-but with a firm, determined spirit of patriotism and love of country. The duty of the President was plain under the constitution and the laws, and above and beyond all, the people from whom all political power is derived, demanded tlie suppression of the Rebellion, and stood ready to sustain the authority of their representative and executive officers. Promptly did the new President issue a proclamation calling for his countrymen to join with him to defend their homes and their country, and vindicate her honor. This call was made April 14, two days after Sumter was first fired upon, and was for 75,000 men. On the 15th, the same day he was notified, Gov. Yates issued his proclamation convening the Legislature. He also ordered the organization of six regiments. Troops were in abund- ance, and the call was no sooner made than filled. 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 its best inen, their lives and their fortunes, in defense of the Government's honor and unity.
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Bitter words spoken in moments of political heat were forgotten and forgiven, and joining hands in a common cause, they repeatcd the oath of America's soldier-statesman: "By the Great Eternal, the Union must and shall be preserved." The honor, the very life and glory of the nation, was committed to the stern arbitrament of the sword, and soon the tramp of armed men, the clash of inusketry and the heavy boom of artillery reverberated throughout the continent; rivers of blood saddened by tears of mothers, wives, sisters, daughters and sweethearts flowed from the lakes to the gulf, but a nation was saved. The sacrifice was great, but the Union was preserved.
CALL FOR TROOPS PROMPTLY ANSWERED.
Simultaneously with the call for troops by the President, enlist- ments commenced in this State, and within ten days 10,000 volun- teers offcred service, and the sum of $1,000,000 was tendered by patriotic citizens. Of the volunteers who offered their services, only six regiments conld be accepted under the quota of the State. But the time soon came when there was a place and a musket for every man. The six regiments raised were designated by numbers commencing with seven, as a mark of respect for the six regiments which had served in the Mexican war. Another eall was antici- patcd, and the Legislature authorized ten additional regiments to be organized. Over two hundred companies were immediately raised, from which were selected the required number. No sooner was this done than the President made another call for troops; six regiments were again our proportion, although by earnest solicita- tion the remaining four were accepted. There were a large number of men with a patriotic desire to enter the service who were denied this privilege. Many of them wept, while others joined regiments from other States. In May, June and July seventeen regiments of infantry and five of cavalry were raised, and in the latter month, when the President issued his first call for 500,000 volunteers, Illinois tendered thirteen regiments of infantry and three of cavalry, and so anxious were her sons to have the Rebellion crushed that the number could have been increased by thousands. At the close of 1861 Illinois had sent to the field nearly 50,000 men, and had 17,000 in camp awaiting marching orders, thus exceeding her i'nll quota by 15,000.
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A VAST ARMY RAISED IN ELEVEN DAYS.
In July and August of 1862 the President called for 600,000 men-our quota of which was 52,296-and gave until August 18 as the limits in which the number might be raised by volunteering, after which a draft would be ordered. The State had already fur- nished 17,000 in excess of her quota, and it was first thought this number would be deducted from the present requisition, but that could not be done. But thirteen days were granted to enlist this vast army, which had to come from the farmers and mechanics. The former were in the midst of harvest, but, inspired by love of' country, over 50,000 of them left their harvests ungathered, their tools and their benches, the plows in their furrows, turning their backs on their homes, and before eleven days liad expired the de- inands of the Government wcre met and both quotas filled.
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