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 21

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Chicago : Inter-State Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1062


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 21


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During the war the county issued bounty orders bearing interest at 8 and 10 per cent. to the amount of $260,000. The total ex- penditures for war purposes in the county was $488,986.37. Only seven counties in the State exceeded this amount-Bureau, Cook, La Salle, Lee, McDonough, Whiteside and Winnebago.


During the war McHenry County furnished 2,533 men, its en- tire quota, less three. To the everlasting honor of the county be it said there was never any necessity for a draft among the loyal and patriotic citizens of McHenry.


A list of the different calls for troops, together with the dates of the same, is not inappropriate here, and we give it below for con- venience of reference :


April 15, 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; Aug. 4, 1862, for nine months, 300,000; June, 1863, for three years, 300,000; Oct. 17, 1863, for three years, 300,000; Feb. 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; Dec. 21, 1864, for three years, 300,000; total, 3,339,748.


FIFTEENTH REGIMENT.


This was the first regiment from the State organized for the three years' service. Companies A, D and F were composed chiefly of McHenry County men. These were the first companies raised in McHenry County for the war. The number of volunteers was so great from all parts of the State that but comparatively a small portion of the troops raised under the call for 75,000 men for three months could be accepted. The companies above named were held as State Militia until arrangements were perfected for muster- ing them into the United States service. The officers of these companies were as follows:


COMPANY A .- Captains : Lewis D. Kelly, of Woodstock, com- missioned May 6, 1861, resigned Oct. 21, 1862; Frederick W. Smitlı, promoted front First Lientenant, Oct. 21, 1862, mustered out at consolidation. First Lieutenants: Daniel C. Joslyn, Wood- stock, May 6, 1861, resigned Oct. 16, 1861; Lawrence H. Jones,


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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.


Woodstock, Oct. 26, 1861, dismissed Feb. 15, 1862; Frederick W. Smith, Woodstock, Feb. 15, 1862, promoted; Wm. H. Sherman, Woodstock, Oct. 21, 1862, mustered out at consolidation. Second Lieutenants: Mark Hathaway, Woodstock, May 6, 1861, re- signed Oct. 16, 1861; Frederick W. Smith, Oct. 26, 1861, pro- moted; Wm. H. Sherman, Woodstock, Feb. 16, 1862, promoted; Geo. A. Austin, Woodstock, Oct. 21, 1862, promoted to Quarter- master Veteran Battalion.


COMPANY D .- Captains: Harley Wayne, Union, April 27, 1861, killed at Pittsburg Landing; Frederick A. Smith, Genoa, April 7, 1862, mustered out at consolidation. First Lieutenants; Frank S. Curtis, Marengo, April 27, 1861, resigned Sept. 12, 1861; Frederick A. Smith, Genoa, Sept. 16, 1861, promoted; Calvin H. Shapley, Harmony, April 7, 1862, resigned Sept. 3, 1862; Jolin Waldock, Marengo, Sept. 3, 1862, mustered out at consolidation. Second Lieutenants: Fred. A. Smith, Genoa, April 27, 1861, pro- moted; Peter J. Labaugh, Marengo, Sept. 16, 1861, resigned April 18, 1862; John Waldock, Marengo, April 7, 1862, promoted; Michael Schoonmaker, Marengo, Sept. 3, 1862, mustered out at consolida- tion.


COMPANY F .- Captains: John H. Paddock, June 14, 1861, re- signed; Wm. Henry, Algonquin, Sept. 4, 1861, discharged Feb. 15, 1862; Cyrenus C. Clark, Rockford, Feb. 18, 1862, died July 15, 1863; Frank D. Patterson, Nunda, July 15, 1863, mustered out at consolidation. First Lieutenants: Wm. Henry, Algonquin, June 14, 1861, promoted; Nelson A. Thomas, Sept. 4, 1861, not mustered; John J. Sears, Algonquin, Feb. 18, 1862, First Ten- nessee Artillery, May 29, 1863; Frank D. Patterson, Nunda, May 29, 1863, promoted; Simeon L. Eells, Algonquin, July 15, 1863, mustered out at consolidation. Second Lieutenants: John J. Sears, June 14, 1861, promoted; Frank D. Patterson, June 7, 1862, promoted; Simeon L. Eells, May 29, 1863, promoted.


The regiment was mustered into service May 24, 1861; re-en- listed veterans at Vicksburg, 1864; under special order, dated July 1, 1864, the veterans of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Infantry were consolidated under the name of the Veteran Battalion of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Illinois Infantry; reorganized the Fifteenth Regiment in March, 1865; mustered out Sept. 20, 1865. The only Mellemy County man who served as an officer in the Veteran Battalion was George A. Austin, Quartermaster, afterward Quartermaster of the reorganized Fifteenth Regiment, commis-


G


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HISTORY OF MO HENRY OOUNTY.


sioned Aug. 10, 1864, mustered out with the Fifteenth Regi- ment. Company E, Vetcran Battalion of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Infantry, afterward Company E, Fifteenth (reorganized) Regiment, contained a large number of veterans and recruits from this county. There were also a few McHenry soldiers in other companies belonging to these organizations.


The Fifteenth Infantry was organized at Freeport, with Thomas J. Turner as Colonel. Proceeding to Alton, it remained there six weeks for instruction, moving thence to St. Charles, Mo., thence by rail to Mexico, Mo., next inarchied to Hannibal, and thence took steamer to Jefferson Barracks. Then proceeding by rail to Rolla, Mo., it arrived in time to cover General Sigel's retreat from Wilson's Creek. Then proceeding to Tipton, Mo., it joined to General Fremont's army. It next marched to Springfield, Mo., thence back to Tipton, and then to Sedalia, with General Pope. Near Sedalia it assisted in capturing 1,300 of the enemy. Dec. 26, 1861, the regiment went into winter quarters at Otterville, Mo., where it remained until Feb. 1, 1862. Then marching to Jefferson City, it embarked for St. Louis by rail, and thence, by transports, to Fort Donelson, where it arrived on the day of the surrender. The regiment was then assigned to the Fourth Division, com- manded by General Hurlbut, and marched to Fort Henry. Then embarking on transports, it reached Pittsburg Landing, where it participated in the battles of April 6 and 7, 1862, losing in killed and wounded 252 men. The regiment next marched to Corinth, took part in various skirmishes and in the siege of that town, los- ing several men. After Corinth was evacuated, the Fifteenth marched to Grand Junction, thence to Holly Springs and back to the Junction, thence to Lagrange, thence to Memphis, arriving there July 21, 1862, and remaining until Sept. 6. It then marched to Bolivar, thence to the Hatchie River, where it took part in the bat- tle, losing fifty in killed and wounded. Returning to Bolivar, thence to Lagrange, it proceeded with General Grant through Mississippi to Coffeeville, returning to Lagrange and Memphis. Then proceeding to Vicksburg, it took an active part in the siege. After the surrender of Vicksburg, the regiment marched with Sherman to Jackson, Miss., then returned to Vicksburg and embarked for Natchez. Marching thence to Kingston, then back to Natchez, then to Harrisonburg, La., capturing Fort Beauregard, on the Washita River, and finally returning to Natchez, it remained there until Nov. 10, 1863. It next went to Vicksburg and into winter


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HISTORY OF MC HENRY COUNTY.


quarters. Here the regiment re-enlisted as veterans. Remain- ing until Feb. 1, 1864, it then moved with Sherman through Mississippi. At the Champion Hills the regiment had a severe engagement with the rebel Carney. Marching to Meridian and Enterprise, it returned to Vicksburg, and was there given a veteran furlough. After the furlough it joined the Seventeenth Army Corps, and proceeded up the Tennessee River to Clifton; thence to Huntsville, Ala .; thence to Decatur and Rome, Ga .; thence to Kingston, and joined Sherman's army, moving on to Atlanta. At Alatoona Pass the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Infantry were consolidated in the Veteran Battalion of the Fourteenth and Fif- teenth Illinois Infantry Volunteers, having 625 men. Then pro- ceeding to Ackworth, it was assigned to the duty of guarding the Chattanooga & Atlanta Railroad. While thus engaged, as the regiment was scattered along the railroad, the rebel General Hood, marching north, struck the railroad at Big Shanty and Ackworth and captured about 300 of the command. The remainder retreated to Marietta and were mounted and acted as scouts for General Vandever. Subsequently they were transferred to General F. P. Blair, and with General Sherman marched through Georgia. After the capture of Savannah the regiment proceeded to Beauford, S. C., thence to the Salkahatchie River, participating in engage- ments and skirmishes in that vicinity-at Columbia, S. C., Fay- etteville, N. C., and Bentonville; thence to Goldsboro and Raleigh. At the latter place sufficient recruits were received to fill up both regiments, and the Fifteenth was reorganized and the battalion discontinued. The surrender of Johnson ended Sherman's cam- paign. The regiment then proceeded via Richmond and Fred- ericksburg to Washington, D. C., where it remained two weeks, participating in the grand review May 24, 1865. Then proceeding by rail and steamer to Louisville, Ky., it remained two weeks. The Fifteenth was then detached from the Fourth Division, Seven- teenth Army Corps, and proceeded by steamboat to St. Louis; thence to Fort Leavenworth, Kan., where it arrived July 1, 1865. It then joined the army, serving on the plains; arrived at Fort Kearney, Aug. 14, was then ordered to return to Fort Leavenworth, Sept. 1, 1865, and was there mustered out of service and placed en route for Springfield, Ill., for final pay and discharge. The regiment served four years and four months; marched 4,299 miles; went by rail 2,403 miles and by steamer 4,310; total number of miles traveled, 11,012. The number of men joining, from the


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HISTORY OF MO HENRY OOUNTY.


organization, was 1,963; the number mustered out at the final date of muster out, 640.


TWENTY-THIRD (CONSOLIDATED) REGIMENT.


The Twenty-third Regiment, known as the "Irish Brigade," was mustered into service June 15, 1861. In August, 1864, re-en- listed men and recruits were formed into new companies, and the consolidated organization was thenceforth known as "Battalion Twenty-third Regiment Illinois Veteran Volunteer Infantry." Soldiers from McHenry County served in the organization, after its consolidation, in companies F, G, H and K. The officers of these companies were as follows:


COMPANY F .- Captain: Hiram C. Edison, Chemung, commis- sioned March 24, 1865. First Lieutenant: Everett H. Bierer, Rockford, March 24, 1865. Second Lieutenant: James H. Stark, Cook County, March 24, 1865.


COMPANY G .- Captain: Geo. W. Hardacre, May 27, 1865. First Lieutenant: Henry O. Wright, May 27, 1865. Second Lieutenant: Horace J. Mack, Alden, March 25, 1865.


COMPANY H .- Captain: Edwin R. Cross, Chemung, March 28, 1865. First Lieutenant: Peter H. Bohart, May 27, 1865. Sec- ond Lieutenant: Wm. O. Finch, May 27, 1865.


COMPANY K .- Captain: Henry Seigel, Chemung, April 5, 1865. First Lieutenant: Daniel Morgan, Nunda, April 5, 1865. Second Lieutenant: Giles Slocum, Cook County, April 5, 1865.


The Twenty-third was mustered out at Richmond, Va., July 24, 1865.


THIRTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.


About thirty-six men of Company A, and nearly all of Company H, of this regiment, were from McHenry County. Among the officers were: George G. Lyon, Woodstock, Chaplain, from Sept. 23, 1861, to April 1, 1862, and the following officers from McHenry County :


COMPANY A .- Captain: Wm. Mitchell, Crystal Lake, commis- sioned Feb. 7, 1863, resigned June 12, 1865. First Lieutenants: Sanford H. Wakeman, Richmond, June 8, 1862, promoted Captain Company H; Wm. Mitchell, Nov. 23, 1862, promoted; Franklin J. Thwing, Crystal Lake, Nov. 23, 1862, resigned Sept. 3, 1863; Geo. L. Peeler, Crystal Lake, June 22, 1865, mustered out Oct.


-


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HISTORY OF MC HENRY COUNTY.


8, 1865. Second Lieutenants: Wm. Mitchell, Aug. 31, 1862, promoted; Franklin J. Thwing, Nov. 23, 1862, promoted.


COMPANY H .- Captains: Merritt L. Joslyn, Woodstock, Aug. 20, 1861, resigned Sept. 3, 1862; Theodore L. Griffin, Woodstock, Sept. 7, 1862, died Nov. 23, 1862; Sanford H. Wakeman, Nov. 23, 1862, killed Sept. 20, 1863; Horace N. Chittenden, Crystal Lake, Sept. 20, 1863, mustered out Oct. 8, 1865. First Lieuten- ants: Alfred H. Sellers, Woodstock, Aug. 20, 1861, resigned July 14, 1862; Charles F. Dyke, Crystal Lake, July 14, 1862, resigned Aug. 31, 1862; Morris Briggs, Algonquin, Sept. 7, 1862, transferred to Invalid Corps Nov. 24, 1863; Nelson B. Sherwood, Algonquin, Nov. 24, 1863, mustered out Oct. 8, 1865. Second Lieutenants: Charles F. Dyke, Oct. 19, 1861, promoted; Theo- dore L. Griffin, July 14, 1862, promoted; Myron A. Smith, Sept. 7, 1862, killed Sept. 20, 1863; Samuel Z. Carver, Alden, Oct. 8, 1865, not mustered-mustered out as Sergeant Oct. 8, 1865.


The Thirty-sixth was organized at Aurora, Ill., and mustered into service Sept. 23, 1861. Its Colonel, at first, was Nicholas Greusel; afterward Silas Miller, who died July 27, 1864 ; then Benjamin F. Campbell. Sept. 24, 1861, the regiment proceeded by rail to Quincy, Ill., and thence to St. Louis, where it was armed. On the 29th it proceeded to Rolla, and there remained until Jan. 14, 1862. Next, moving to Lebanon, it remained until Feb. 10. On the 13th it entered Springfield, and thence proceeded to Bentonville, Ark., where it took part in the fight of March 6. On the 7th the regiment was engaged at Leetown, and on the Sth at Pea Ridge. Marching thence through Missouri and Arkansas, to Batesville, Ark., it was there transferred to the Department of the Mississippi, and marched under General Asboth to Cape Girar- dean, Mo. Embarking for Hamburg Landing, Tenn., on arriving there the regiment was assigned to General Pope's command. After the evacuation of Corinth the Thirty-sixth marched to Boone- ville and back to Rienzi, remaining until Sept. 6. It then moved to Cincinnati and Covington, and, via Indianapolis, to onisville, where it remained until Oct. 1. It then moved with Buell's army via Bardstown and Springfield, to Perryville, where it encountered the enemy, and lost in killed and wounded seventy-five men. Marching thence through Kentucky and Ten- nessee, it went into camp near Nashville. From Dec. 26, 1862, to Jan. 2, 1863, the Thirty-sixth was engaged in the battle of Stone River, and when the action ended had but 200 men left


6


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HISTORY OF MC HENRY COUNTY.


245


Of the regiment's part in this action Colonel Greusel speaks thus :


" At daylight on the 31st the regiment was assaulted by a rebel brigade, under General Weathers, and being supported by the Eighty-eighth Illinois, Colonel Frank Sherman, on its left, they were driven back into the woods; but again and again they were rallied, every time meeting the same fate, until thirty-eight of that fine brigade were all that were left to tell where their rebel comrades had fallen. The Thirty-sixth charged them at the point of the bayonet twice in succession, driving them back. Forty-one of the poor boys lay dead on their faces on less than an acre of ground. The wounded was large; and in fact the killed and wounded were the largest in the whole division. At 8 o'clock, A.M., 31st, received notice of the death of General Sill, and the command of the brigade devolved upon me. All our brigade commanders were killed. Here it was that Herrington fell. Only half of the division, Sheridan's Third, was left. My brigade went into action 2,210 strong, and came out with 1,008 rank and file. My officers, with one exception, stood their ground. First Sergeant Orrison Smith, for bravery during the battle, maintaining his position in the company, although wounded in three places, I made a Second Lieutenant, in front of the whole regiment. My regiment is in a crippled condition. Only ten officers are left; nine wounded and taken prisoners by the enemy; one killed, and one mortally wounded."


The Thirty-sixth also bore an honorable part in the battle near Chickamauga Creek, Sept. 20 and 21, 1863. On the 19th of September, under command of Colonel Miller, the regiment marched from Pond Springs ten miles to Gordon's Mills, and at 2 P.M. went into position with one company thrown forward as skirmishers. At 5 P.M. it fell back into the timber about 200 yards and there remained until 4 o'clock the next morning, when it marched two and a quarter miles to the left and formed in the second line. At 11 A.M., after some skirmishing, it was ordered forward to the support of the center, and formed in good order on the brow of a hill, though exposed to a terrific fire, and engaged the enemy, checking his advance. Here the enemy appeared upon the left and, turning the flank, subjected the Thirty-sixtlı to a murderous enfilading fire, against which resistance was impos- sible. The regiment was ordered to fall back. General Lytle having been killed, Colonel Miller took command of the brigade,


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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.


and Lieutenant-Colonel Olson of the regiment. Another stand was made, but the regiment was overpowered by numbers and compelled to fall back. It then marched to Rossville and en- camped. On the 21st it was in position on the Chattanooga road, and on the 22d moved into Chattanooga. The regiment was mustered out Oct. 8, 1865, at New Orleans, and arrived at Camp Butler, Ill., Oct. 17, 1865, for final pay and discharge.


NINETY-FIFTH REGIMENT.


The Ninety-fifth Infantry was mainly raised in McHenry County. The number of soldiers in each of the seven companies from this county, when mustered into the service, was as follows :


NAME OF CO. Co. A.


CAPTAIN.


NO. OF MEN.


. Wm. Avery.


99


" C.


.John B. Manzer.


100


" D.


.Edward J. Cook. 84


" E.


. John Eddy.


96


" F.


Wm. H. Stewart.


99


" H.


. Chas. H. Tryon 99


"I.


James Nish 96


Total 673


REGIMENTAL OFFICERS .- Colonels: Lawrence S. Church, Wood- stock, commissioncd Sept. 4, 1862, resigned Jan. 24, 1863; Thomas W. Humphrey, Franklin, June 24, 1863, killed in battle June 12, 1864; Leander Blanden, Harvard, June 12, 1864, pro- moted Brevet Brigadier-General March 26, 1865, mustered out, Aug. 17, 1865. Lieutenant-Colonels: Thomas W. Humphrey, Sept. 4, 1862, promoted; Leander Blanden, Jan. 24, 1863, pro- moted; Wm. Avery, Marengo, June 12, 1864, mustered out, Aug. 17, 1865. Majors: Leander Blanden, Sept. 4, 1862, promoted; Wm. Avery, Jan. 24, 1863, promoted; Charles B. Loop, Belvi- dere, June 12, 1862, mustered out Aug. 17, 1865. Adjutant; Wales W. Wood, Belvidere, Sept. 4, 1862, mustered out, Aug. 17, 1865. Quartermasters: Henry D. Bates, Hebron, Sept. 4, 1862, resigned Feb. 14, 1863; Gardner S. Southworth, Algon- quin, Feb. 14, 1863 ; mustered out Aug. 17, 1865. Sur- geons: Geo. N. Woodward, Belvidere, Oct. 10, 1862, resigned March 24, 1863; John W. Green, Marengo, April 24, 1863, mus- tered out, Ang. 17, 1865. First Assistant Surgeons: Anscl D. Merritt, Woodstock, Oct. 28, 1862, resigned March 24, 1863; Walter F. Suiter, Marengo, March 24, 1863, mustered out with regi- ment. Second Assistant Surgeons: Walter F. Suiter, Oct. 7, 1862, promoted; Josiah Giddings, April 30, 1863, inustered out Aug.


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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.


17, 1863. Chaplains: Thomas R. Satterfield, Greenwood, Oct. 9, 1862, resigned June 9, 1864; James H. More, Richmond, Sept. 16, 1864, mustered out Aug. 17, 1865.


COMPANY A .- Captains: Wm. Avery, Sept. 4, 1862, promoted; Alexander S. Stewart, Jan. 24, 1863, mustered out Aug. 17, 1865. First Lieutenants: Alexander S. Stewart, Marengo, Sept. 4, 1862, promoted; James E. Sponable, Marengo, Jan. 24, 1863, died of wounds June 18, 1863; John B. Babcock, Marengo, June 18, 1863, resigned Jan. 29, 1864; Amos J. Boynton, Marengo, Jan. 29, 1864, mustered out Aug. 17, 1865. Second Lieutenants: James E. Sponable, Sept. 4, 1862, promoted; John B. Babcock, Jan. 24, 1863, promoted; Benjamin S. Parker, Marengo, Jan. 29, 1864, mustered out Aug. 17, 1865.


COMPANY C .- Captains: John B. Manzer, Chemung, Sept. 4, 1862, killed in battle May 22, 1863; Otis H. Smith, Dunham, May 22, 1863, mustered out Aug. 17, 1865. First Lieutenants: Wm. W. Wedgewood, Alden, Sept. 4, 1862, resigned Dec. 31, 1862; Otis H. Smith, Dec. 31, 1862, promoted; Philian Wells, Dunham, May 22, 1863, mustered out Aug. 17, 1865. Second Lieutenants: Otis H. Smith, Sept. 4, 1862, promoted; Philian Wells, Dec. 31, 1862, promoted; Samuel Cutler, May 22, 1863, mustered out Aug. 17, 1865.


COMPANY D .- Captains: Edward J. Cook, Richmond, Sept. 4, 1862, died of wounds June 11, 1863; John E. Beckley, Nunda, June 11, 1863, mustered out Aug. 17, 1865. First Lieutenants: John E. Beckley, Sept. 4, 1862, promoted; Win. H. Huffman, Nunda, June 11, 1863, mustered out Aug. 17, 1865. Second Lieu- tenants: Wm. H. Huffman, Sept. 4, 1862, promoted; James Casler, Richmond, June 11, 1863, mustered out Aug. 17, 1865.


COMPANY E .- Captain: John Eddy, Sept. 4, 1862, on detached service at muster out of the regiment. First Lieutenants: Asa Farnam, Dunham, Sept. 4, 1862; Albert Gilkerson, Hampshire, Sept. 24, 1864, resigned Dec. 11, 1864. Second Lieutenants: Oscar E. Dow, Marengo, Sept. 4, 1852, resigned March 25, 1863; Thomas Gilkerson, March 25, 1863, promoted; Albert J. Alder- man, Chemung, Sept. 24, 1864, mustered out Aug. 17, 1865.


COMPANY F .- Captain: Wm. H. Stewart, Dorr, Sept. 4, 1862, mustered out Aug. 17, 1865. First Lieutenants: Sabine Van Curen, Dorr, Sept. 4, 1862, resigned May 26, 1863; Morris F. Ellsworth, McHenry, May 26,:1863, mustered out Sept. 11, 1865. Second Lieutenants: Phineas H. Kerr, Dorr, Sept. 4, 1862,


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HISTORY OF MC HENRY COUNTY.


resigned Feb. 22, 1863; Morris F. Ellsworth. Feb. 22, 1863, pro- moted; James Morrow, Dorr, May 26, 1863, resigned Sept. 8, 1865; Geo. Eckert, Greenwood, Aug. 14, 1866, not mustered,- mustered out (as Sergeant) Sept. 11, 1865.


COMPANY H .- Captains: Chas. H. Tryon, Hebron, Sept. 4, 1862, resigned Feb. 18, 1863; James H. Wetmore, Richmond, Feb. 18, 1863, mustered out Aug. 17, 1865. First Lieutenants: James H. Wetmore, Sept. 4, 1862, promoted; William B. Walker, Richmond, Feb. 18, 1863, mustered out Aug. 17, 1865. Second Lieutenants: William B. Walker, Sept. 4, 1862, promoted; John P. Ransom, Richmond, Feb. 18, 1863, mustered out Aug. 17, 1865.


COMPANY I .- Captain: James Nish, Cary Station, Sept. 4, 1862, mustered out Aug. 17, 1865. First Lieutenants: Gardner S. Southworth, Sept. 4, 1862, promoted Quartermaster; Thomas H. Jackson, Grafton, Feb. 14, 1863, died June 22, 1864; Wm. H. Ide, Algonquin, June 22, 1864, mustered out Aug. 17, 1865. Second Lieutenants: Converse Pierce, Algonquin, Sept. 4, 1862, resigned July 31, 1863; Wm. H. Ide, July 31, 1863, promoted; Asa L Weaver, Algonquin, June 22, 1864, mustered out Aug. 17, 1865.


The Ninety-fifth Infantry was organized at Camp Fuller, Rock- ford, Ill., by Colonel Lawrence S. Church, in August, 1862, and mustered into service Sept. 4, 1862. Moving from camp on the 4th of November, the regiment proceeded, via Cairo and Columbus, to Jackson Tenn., and afterward to Grand Junction, Tenn., where it was assigned to McArthur's division of the Army of the Ten- nessee. During the winter of 1862-'3 it took part in Grant's campaign in Northern Mississippi. In the spring it moved from Memphis to Milliken's Bend. The Ninety-fifth participated in the march to Grand Gulf and all the battles between that place and the rear of Vicksburg. In the charges of May 19 and May 22 it sus- tained a much heavier loss than any other regiment in the division, there being twenty-five killed, 124 wounded and ten missing from the Ninety-fifth.


In March, 1864, the regiment went on the Red River Expedi- tion under General A. J. Smith, and was engaged in the capture of Fort De Russey and in the battles of Old River, Cloutierville, Mansouri, Yellow Bayou, and all the movements of that advance and retreat. Returning to Vicksburg in May, 1864, it was soon after moved to Memphis and took part in the ill-fated expedition of General Sturgis. In the battle of Guntown, the Ninety-fifth fought with great bravery; but, like the rest of Sturgis's army, was over-


249


HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.


powered, and retreated in confusion to Memphis. Colonel Thomas W. Humphrey was killed and the regiment was nearly destroyed on account of the large number killed, wounded and captured.


The command, after recruiting at Memphis, joined General Mower in August, moved np White River and marched from Brownsville through Arkansas to Missouri in pursuit of Price. It arrived at Benton Barracks, Mo., Nov. 1, 1864. On the 30th of November it moved to Nashville, and on the 15th and 16th of November took part in the battle of Nashville, joining in the pursuit of Hood's defeated army to the Tennessee River. Jan. 2, 1865, it moved up the river to Eastport, and in February embarked for New Orleans, arriving Feb. 21. On the 14th of March it moved to Danphin Island, at the mouth of Mobile Bay, and on the 18th landed at Cedar Point, with Colonel Moore's brigade, and commenced the first offensive operations against Mobile. The Ninety-fifth took part in General Camby's movement from Fish River. During th siege of Spanish Fort it carricd its trenches within thirty yards o the enemy's works, and was actively engaged in storming and cap- turing the fort, April 8, 1865. It was the first regiment to occupy what was known to the rebel line as the " Red Fort." After the fall of Mobile, the Ninety-fifth marched to Montgomery, Ala., where it arrived April 25. Thence it moved to Opelika, Ala. July 18, 1865, the regiment started for home. On the 3d of August it arrived at Vicksburg, on the 10th at St. Louis, and thence moved to Camp Butler, where it was mustered out of service, Aug. 18, 1865. Thus ends the record, briefly sketched, of the toil and hard- ships, battles and movements of a noble band of gallant soldiers.




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