USA > Illinois > Mercer County > History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc > Part 81
USA > Illinois > Henderson County > History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc > Part 81
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135
837
THE SOLDIERS' MONUMENT.
THE MONUMENT, AND THE SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' ASSOCIATION.
CONTRIBUTED BY L. B. DOUGHTY.
The history of the monument is so interwoven with that of the association, that it would be incomplete if treated separately ; but a history of the association would necessarily include all that can be told of the monument. As one who has been intimately connected with the movement looking to the erection of the monument from its incip- iency up to the present time, we will endeavor to give a brief and con- cise history, albeit, much that we might wish to say must necessarily be omitted.
THE MONUMENT.
About the last of May, 1875, some half a dozen ex-soldiers casually met, and one of their number suggested that it would be a good thing to have a soldiers' reunion at our next fair. After some informal dis- cussion it was decided to call a meeting of the ex-soldiers to further discuss the question, and the Aledo "Record" of June 2, contained a call for a meeting in Aledo on June 11, which call was also published
838
IIISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
in all the county papers. The day proved wet and disagreeable and the attendance was small. An adjournment was had to July 1, when the attendance was much larger, but mainly from the central portion of the county. Desiring that the entire county should participate in the arrangements, it was deemed best to call a delegate meeting, and all the townships were requested to choose delegates from among their ex-soldiers to represent them at a meeting on August 12, 1875. At this meeting nine of the fifteen townships were represented.
Up to this time the object contemplated was only a reunion, and possibly the formation of a permanent association, but on August 4 the "Record " published a communication from R. H. Day, of Millers- burg township, suggesting that steps be taken to erect a monument, and the suggestion met at once with popular favor. At the meeting on the 12th a number of short speeches were made in its favor, com- mittees appointed to solicit funds, and the amount fixed, to be asked for, at $20,000. A temporary organization was effected, with the fol- lowing officers: president, Maj. D. W. Sedwick, of Suez; vice-presi- dent, J. E. Harroun ; secretary, Capt. E. B. David ; corresponding secretary, L. B. Doughty ; treasurer, J. E. Gilmore; the last four all of Aledo.
It being deemed inadvisable to hold a reunion during the fair, October 15 was chosen as the date, and the necessary committees were appointed to make proper arrangements. It was hoped that the money could be raised and the monument be erected by July 4, 1876. The work of procuring a list of the soldiers from this county who had fallen in the service, was placed in the hands of the officers, who in turn delegated it to the writer. We procured a list from the adjutant general's office in Springfield, but it was necessarily incomplete, and full of errors, and in order to secure its correction we published it in the "Record" and "Banner," for a number of weeks, adding names and making cor- rections as received. The list first appeared in the "Record," of Octo- ber 13, 1875. Reports were received from canvassers from time to .time, and it became evident that $20,000 was too much to ask for, and at a meeting of the executive committee on September 28, it was de- cided to reduce the figures to $8,000 or $10,000.
The re-union was very largely attended. Through the courtesy of the adjutant general, we were permitted the use of the battle flags of the different regiments represented, and the history of the flags, given briefly by those who fought under them, was one of the most interest- ing features of the occasion. Rev. S. Brink made the address, and was followed briefly by Hon. A. J. Streeter. Permanent organization was effected, with the following officers: president, D. W. Sedwick ;
839
THIE SOLDIERS' MONUMENT.
vice-president, W. O. Dungan ; secretary, E. B. David ; corresponding secretary, Eli Detwiler ; treasurer, J. E. Gilmore. Books were opened, and 110 ex-soldiers registered their names as members. Constitution was adopted and the "Soldiers and Sailors Association " was inaugur- ated. When the meeting adjourned it was to meet again in reunion on July 4, 1876, at the unveiling of the monument, if it was ready to unveil. Mr. Detwiler declined to serve as corresponding secretary, and the writer was appointed by the executive committee at their first meeting. On March 7, 1876, Major R. W. McClaughrey, warden Illinois state penitentiary, delivered an address in the court-house, in the interest of the monument, and in the evening of the same day spoke in Viola. Meetings were held at different points in the county, but the work of raising funds was slow, and on April 28 the executive committee employed Mr. Hiram Parkman to make a thorough canvass of the county ; and local canvassers were employed from time to time. In order that the association might purchase and hold grounds for the monument, it was incorporated under the general laws of the state, the charter being issued August 21, 1876. This rendered some changes necessary in the constitution, which were made accordingly. We give the following sections relating to the object and membership:
"Preamble .- We, the undersigned, desiring to perpetuate the memory of our fallen comrades and friends, do unite in forming a per- manent association for that purpose.
"Article I. Title .- This association shall be known by the name and title of "The Soldiers' and Sailors' Association of Mercer County."
"Article II. Object .- The object of this association shall be the erection and keeping in repair of a monument to the memory of the deceased soldiers and sailors of Mercer county, Illinois, and to buy and hold land for that purpose.
"Article III. Membership .- Section 1. All honorably discharged soldiers and sailors of the United States army and navy, residing. within · the limits of Mercer county, and all who have contributiod, or may hereafter contribute to the monument fund, shall be eligible to mem- . bership in this association.
"Sec. 3. Honorably discharged soldiers and sailors, residing with- out the limits of the association, may become members of the associa- tion and entitled to all the privileges of members belonging to this county."
On March 11, 1877, a design was selected by the committee, and on the 23d bids were received and opened. W. W. Webster, of Musca- tine, received the award, his being the lowest of nine bids. His figures were $3,110. The highest was $4,635. From the "Market
840
HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
Road," a little paper then published by W. C. Galloway, we quote the following description and remarks :
THIE PLAN OF THE MONUMENT.
In order to give as correct a description of the monument as pos- sible, we condense from the contract with Mr. Webster the following : The foundation shall be eleven feet square at base, and ten feet six inches square at top, and seven feet deep from top to base ; to be built of good sandstone, of suitable kind and dimension, laid in cement mortar, in a substantial manner. The first base proper of the monu- ment shall be of the best Joliet limestone, ten feet square and eight inches deep or thick. It may be of four pieces or more, finely cut. The second base shall be of the best Joliet limestone, eight feet square and ten inches thick, to be of four pieces finely cut. The third base shall be of the best Joliet limestone, six feet square and one foot thick, and to be in one solid piece, finely cut. All of the monument above the third base to be of the best Italian marble for monuments, to be finished with pumice finish, except the granite column, which shall be of red Missouri granite, with glass finish, The plinth for die shall be four feet nine inches square and one foot two inches thick. The die shall be three feet six inches square and four feet high, and after the columns of granite shall be put on corners, the faces of die shall be at least two feet nine inches wide. The caps of granite columns shall be six inches in length and eight inches in diameter. The granite col- umns shall be three feet long, and six inches in diameter at base and five and one-half inches at top. The plinth of granite columns shall be nine inches in diameter and six inches thick. The die cap shall be four feet six inches square, and one foot two inches thick. The spire shall be two feet six inches square at base and one foot eight inches at top, and fifteen feet in length, exclusive of bands on cap, to be made in three sections of suitable length for good taste. The two bands . between the sections of the spire shall each be of the same size at spire, and one foot thick or high. The cap of spire shall be two feet six inches square, and one foot three inches thick. The statue of soldier shall be six feet eight inches in length above column cap, size in proportion. Position in parade rest. The total height from foun- dation to be thirty-five feet two inches. On the plinth of die shall be in raised letters, this motto,
·
MERCER COUNTY TO HER FALLEN SONS. 1861 to 1865.
841
THE SOLDIERS' MONUMENT.
The names of soldiers on die shall be by regiment and company. Size of letters, three-fourths of an inch in length and of suitable pro- portion. On the four squares of the plinth of spire shall be carvings or figures of sailors or mariners, cavalry, artillery and infantry in raised figures. On the four squares of the band on spire shall be the names of the battles in raised letters. On cap of spire shall be raised stars. All the mouldings, shapes, etc., shall be finished in good taste, artistic skill and workmanship. The granite columns shall be dowel- pinned to cap and plinth of column, also cap of column and plinth of column to cap of die and plinth of die by half-inch brass rods three inches long. The foundation to be raised two feet above the surface ; to be well banked up to top and nicely swarded over. These shall be enclosed by a circular iron fence, eighteen feet in diameter, to be made in a plain, substantial manner of wrought iron, with cast points on each picket, etc. The monument to be completed by the first day of November, 1877.
The foregoing account is complete as to how it was to be. The executive committee met October 30, 1877, inspected the monument and unanimously accepted it, showing that Mr. Webster had fulfilled the contract.
The ground chosen for the location is in the north one-half of block 57, village of Aledo, immediately south of block owned by the county, on which are situated the fire-proof county offices. The price paid for ground was $400. The street running between the blocks will be vacated by the village as soon as all arrangements can be completed, and the whole ground enclosed and used as a park. Trees will be planted and walks laid out, and in a few years it will look like the beautiful hallowed place it should be.
After its erection the executive committee had a considerable job in deciding when to have the dedication and unveiling exercises. The near approach of winter and prospective bad weather helped them to decide to postpone it till July 4, 1878, and then to make an effort to have such a gathering and exercises as would long be remembered.
The directors this year are D. W. Sedwick, E. B. David, H. B. Frazier, J. Y. Merritt, and H. Parkman, and it is not too much to say that they who have taken so much interest in the cause and spent a great deal of time are among the happiest that the work is so near done, and that soon every citizen of the county can point with equal pride and say "'tis ours." But the people cannot soon forget that it is to the untiring energy of the leaders of this movement that it resulted in success at all.
. April 30, 1878, the directors held a meeting to take preliminary
842
HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
steps for the unveiling of the monument July 4, and it was decided to hold a grand reunion, in which all the citizens of the county were cor- dially invited to participate, and all soldiers and their friends from adjoining counties. The secretary announced that Maj .- Gen. John A. Logan had been engaged to deliver the address.
In addition to the publication of the list for corrections in 1875, it was re-published during the summer of 1877, week after week, and we believe it to be as nearly correct as it is possible to make it.
The reunion and unveiling on July 4, 1878, was an occasion well worth remembering. The citizens of Aledo and vicinity joined with the executive committee of the association in making the preparations, and everything was perfect. The gathering was the largest ever held in the county for any purpose whatever, the number being estimated fairly at 12,000 to 15,000. Through the courtesy of Col. W. D. Flag- ler, commander at Rock Island arsenal, and of the secretary of war, a section of artillery, manned by a sergeant and eight men, were sent from the arsenal and lent their aid in the observances of the day. Gen. Logan made a grand address ; the monument was unveiled, toasts given and responded to, and the usual exercises followed, the whole enlivened by music from one of the many bands in attendance. It was at once a reunion and a celebration, and as such was enjoyed by all participants.
It would be a pleasure to give a list of the subscribers to the monu- ment fund. but that is impossible, and we will mention none, for many who gave but little, gave, like the widow with her mite, "more than all these " whose gifts were much larger. One source of revenue, however, from which nearly one-fourth of the entire amount raised was realized, will bear brief mention as the "tax-list fund."
In the fall of 1875 the publishers of the "Record " offered, under certain conditions, to donate the proceeds of the tax list for the next year to the monument fund. A spirit of rivalry led O. P. Arthur, of the "Banner," to offer the proceeds for two years, if the list was given to him. His offer was accepted, and the amount realized was over $600. In the spring of 1879 Porter & Bigelow, of the "Record," published the list, and gave $100 of the proceeds to the fund, to be used in fencing the grounds. The same spring P. F. Warner, who then owned the "Banner," proposed to give $100 to the fund, pro- viding enough was subscribed within thirty-four months to pay off the debt of the association. The money was raised ; he paid the $100, and published the tax list the next spring. Thus the tax-list fund amounted to over $800.
The monument grounds are enclosed with a neat fence, and have
0
I. M. le handler
845
THIE SOLDIERS' MONUMENT.
been set to grass and planted with evergreens. They, with the beauti- ful marble shaft, will ever prove a monument to the patriotism of our citizens, living and dead.
The Soldiers and Sailors' Association has not yet finished its mis- sion. Now that it can point with pride to one of the most beautiful monuments in the state, its further work is to care for, protect and beautify the grounds whereon it stands.
The directors for the present year are the same as those last men- tioned, and the officers are: D. W. Sedwick, president; J. Y. Merritt, vice-president ; E. B. David, secretary ; L. B. Doughty, corresponding secretary ; D. T. Hindman, treasurer. The grounds are in charge of the resident officers : H. Parkman, and secretary and treasurer. The association is out of debt, has a small balance in the treasury, and there is a considerable amount due in unpaid subscription notes, which will be used, when collected, in improving the grounds.
We can not more fittingly close this article than by giving some extracts from General Logan's dedicatory address, at the unveiling. and giving with it the names upon the monument :
"My friends, this monument that we unveil to-day in commemo- ration of the virtue and patriotism of the 357 soldiers who fell in the late war, in defense of the principles sanctified by our revolutionary sires, speaks to the world in more eloquent strains than can be uttered by any living orator ; eloquence is not often prompted by depth of feeling, nor as a rule do figures of rhetoric issue from sad and tender recollections. Perhaps one who had less of the personal remembrance than myself, might commemorate this event in more fitting language, but none there are whose tribute to the dead has a seat nearer to the heart than the soldier who has felt the warm touch of the comrade's elbow in the fight, and has seen that comrade yield up his life upon the altar of their common principle. Were this the appropriate time, nothing could afford me deeper satisfaction than to trace the career of every soldier whose name is written upon this stone; and to recount in the fullest manner the personal history of each one who contributed his part to the privations and sacrifices of a soldier to his country's cause, and sealed the deed thereto by the red drops of life's precious current. You will pardon me, however, if in refraining from the detail which cach is entitled to in order to prove the full obligation of posterity, I trace a hasty sketch of the organization, progress and achievements of the gallant band of which the fallen dead of Mercer county, with their brave comrades who are here to honor their mem- ories to-day, formed so important a part. After the general rendezvous . at Cairo, in 1861, the engagement at Belmont found among others, as
48
846
HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
participants, the twenty-second Illinois infantry, the twenty-seventh and the thirtieth, in which regiments were some of the soldiers fir- nished by Mercer county, whose names are now upon this column.
"From Belmont to Forts Henry and Donelson, where so many brave fellows found an untimely death ; and on to Shiloh and Corinth, at which latter place I had the honor to command a brigade, consti- tuted partly of the thirtieth and forty-fifth Illinois. Of the thirtieth and forty-fifth regiments, many names of the Mercer county boys are engraved upon the memorial tablets which we unveil to-day.
"The memorable Mississippi campaign, which finally culminated in the fall of Vicksburg, furnished more deaths to the cause of the union, and among these more names for future inscription upon the monument which Mercer county now erects to her sons. Within my command during that campaign were, among others, the thirtieth, forty-fifth, and one hundred and twenty-fourth Illinois infantry.
"To the gallent men then composing my command was assigned the honor of taking possession of Vicksburg, upon its surrender, just fifteen years ago to-day, an honor not lightly esteemed by those who, at Champion Hills, fought and won one of the sharpest, fiercest, and most brilliant victories of the campaign, the importance of which, in the subsequent fall of Vicksburg, can only be estimated by a demon- stration of the enemy in a precipitate retreat to their stronghold, des- tined so soon to fall into our hands. Afterward, upon taking command of the Ffteenth Army Corps, the following regiments of Illinois troops, partly made up from Mercer county, embraced a part of my command : The Twenty-Sixth, Thirtieth, Forty-Fifth, and Forty-eighth Illinois infantry. At a subsequent period I commanded the army of the Ten- nessee, made up of regiments of infantry, cavalry, and batteries of artillery from the States of Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Michi- gan, Minnesota, Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, New York, Massa- chusetts, and New Jersey. Among the regiments from the other states mentioned were thirty-eight from Illinois, and among these, made up in part from Mercer county, were the Ninth, Twenty-Sixth, Thirtieth, Forty-Fifth, Forty-Eighth, and One Hundred and Twenty-Fourth Illi- nois infantry, and of and from these are many of the names in the roll of honor inscribed on this monnment, and with these names are many from other and different commands, who were equally brave and patri- otic, and entitled alike to all honor and all praise. The famous march to Atlanta and to the sea has passed into history as one of the most brilliant campaigns, considered in detail and as a whole, which has ever been recorded in the annals of war. The pen of the historiographer has drawn the picture of that campaign in outline, and has attempted
847
THE SOLDIERS' MONUMENT.
to throw in the details of individual action. Its general results were soon felt and realized, when the army which had cut the confederacy in two were advancing from the south to meet their comrades under the conquerer of the Potomac, who was driving everything before his- invincible hosts. The result in general, I say, has been outlined, and some attempt has been made to do justice in detail. So far as the officers, who justly won distinction on those memorable fields, are con- cerned, the attempt has been as successful, perhaps, as might from the nature of things be expected. But the sufferings, privations, hard- ships, stubborn perseverances, remarkable and unexcelled gallantry of" the heroes in the ranks, can never receive the record to which they are. entitled, though we may freely accord the meed of praise, which, regarding the results of their united efforts, hails them as the saviors. of this country. From the intrepid conduct at Resacca, as also at Dallas, at both places the command of which the most of your troops- were a part, took the brunt of the movement; through the assault on Kenesaw mountain, with its abattis and earthworks, and cross fire of artillery, bullets, rocks and stones, to the celebration of the Fourth of July, 1864, by an artillery fight with Johnson's rear guard ; from this to the desperate struggle before Atlanta, which eventuated in the fall of that city, where, on July 22, one of the great battles of the war was fought. No pen can describe it in detail, and no orator's vivid imagi- nation can make the mind comprehend the scene. Then through the campaign of the Carolinas with increased hardships, in swamps and streams, through Columbia, Goldsboro, Fayettville, and Raleigh, where the close of the war occurred, the same lofty spirit of patience under suffering, of hope under discouragement, of increased determination under disappointment, of invincible resolution to win or die, character- ized them to a degree which stamped them as patriots worthy of this great country. In thus particularizing the patriotism of the Illinois troops which fell under my more immediate charge and supervision, I have no purpose to discriminate against the gallant soldiers from other states, who also formed a part of the army. As 'Agamemnon found it an invidi- ous affair to give the preference to any one of the Grecian heroes,' so should any one of us find it impossible to draw distinctions between union soldiers fighting for the perpetuity of their government.
"But, my friends, we are here to-day not alone in the acknowledg- ment of the services of those who periled their lives for their country, but to dedicate a monument in testimony of the gratitude of the neigh- bors, immediate friends and fellow soldiers of those who gave up that for which a man will barter all other things, his life; a monument which we hope shall stand so long as the principles of free government,
848
HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
and the patriotism which this shaft proclaims is venerated by the American people.
"The roll of honor bearing the names of Mercer county's heroes who fell in defense of their country during the years from 1861 to 1865, and which are transcribed in imperishable letters upon the beau- tiful monument we are about unveiling, has been placed in my hands and I now avail myself of the privilege of having them read to you."
The names of the fallen soldiers, inscribed upon the monument, were here read by Mr. J. C. Wharton, and were as follows :
Ninth Reg., Company E .- Joseph B. Jones, Calvin Martin, Wm. D. Nevius, Augustus B. Cox, Geo. M. Gilmore, J. N. Shoemaker, Jesse Mock, A. T. Waterbury, Frank M. Moore. James Haverfield, John Morehead, Wm. P. Kelley, John Beatty.
Seventeenth Reg., Company I .- James Phelps, John W. Nel- son, Wm. Noris, James M. Findley, Thos. T. Timmons, Geo. W. Elliott, Erastus M. Gruell, Sam. C. Willett, Albert Beach, George Hardy, Geo. W. Kingen, Chris. B. Simmons, Nathan T. Griffin, Thos. S. Robinson, M. H. Anthony, Jesse Sumner, James A. Scott, Chris. Middler, Wm. HI. Davis, Henry France, Elija Myers, John F. White, Samuel Boyce, Henry Y. Coeway, Matthew S. McCoy, John W. Miles, Wm. Voorhees, W. Dryden.
Tirenty-second Reg., Company K .- Robert Scott, Joseph Straub.
Twenty-sixth Reg .. Company C .- James W. Brown, David A. Byler, William D. Bonge, Orson C. Follett, John C. Gaston, John U. Kourt, James L. Reed, John B. Shirder, Granville Goodson, Jacob Aull, William A. Blizzard, William G. Fenton, Obadiah Goodson, Nicholas Kile, Isaiah F. Pollett, John Senn, Chris. Marguth.
Twenty-seventh Reg., Company G .- Joseph S. Briner, William Fortner, Charles White, Hugh M. Love, Charles E. Thompson, An- drew L. Smith, Michael L. Sadler, Mahlon Boyd, Calvin Gibson, Joseph Manual, James C. Sisk, Amisa Wood, Benjamin Craig, Jeffer- son Mosby, J. Van Meter, John C. Webber, Charles Etherton, William D. Malaby, Joseph Shalich, Gilbert Fortner, Michael Lalley, A. II. Ryan, J. F. Thornton, W. W. Wilcox.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.