USA > Illinois > Piatt County > History of Piatt County; together with a brief history of Illinois from the discovery of the upper Mississippi to the present time > Part 7
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The legislative session of 1867 continued through fifty-three days, and a very great amount of work was accomplished. Besides the passing of some very important public laws there were great contests over the location of the Industrial University, the Southern Peniten- tiary and the Capitol. The location of the Industrial University had been under discussion for two years, and in order for Illinois to reap any benefit from the act passed by congress July 2, 1862, this legisla- ture had to decide upon a location. As Champaign county made the highest bid the University was located there.
Another absorbing topic was the new State Capitol building and its location. Several cities of Illinois, Peoria, the most earnest, were clamor- ing for the seat of government, but Springfield finally triumphed.
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ILLINOIS A STATE.
GOVERNOR PALMER.
John M. Palmer was elected governor in 1868. He was born in Scott county, Kentucky, September 13, 1817. His boyhood days were spent mostly in western Kentucky. In 1831 the family removed to Madison county, Illinois. In 1834, John, with his brother Elihu, entered Alton College and remained about eighteen montlis. In 1838 he formed Douglas' acquaintance, and soon after his purpose was fixed to study law. After studying by himself awhile he entered a law office at Carlinville. In 1843 he became probate judge, and in 1852 was elected to the state senate. When the war broke out he volun- teered his services and was elected colonel of the 14th regiment. For his gallantry at Stone river he was made major-general. In February, 1865, he was made military governor of Kentucky.
Gov. Palmer has received great praise as to his abilities as a lawyer and as a statesman.
In 1870 the state constitution was revised. This was an impor- tant act and one which had long been needed. Many very necessary changes were made in it, and among other things the fees system to officers was done away with and fixed salaries substituted. The veto power of the governor was also strengthened.
GOVERNOR BEVERIDGE.
John L. Beveridge was elected lieutenant governor for four years, January 10, 1873. On the 23d of January, 1873, Hon. Rich. J. Oglesby resigned the office of governor, and on the 29th of the same monthı John L. Beveridge subscribed to the oatlı of office and entered on his duties as governor of Illinois.
GOVERNOR CULLOM.
In 1876 Shelby M. Cullomn was elected to the governor's chair. He was born in Wayne county, Kentucky, in 1820, and in 1829 his parents moved to Tazewell county. When about twenty years of age he became a student in Mount Morris University, where he remained nearly two years. He entered the law office of Stuart & Edwards and was soon admitted to practice. He held the office of city attorney for one year, and in 1856 was elected to the legislature. In 1860 he was again elected to the legislature and became speaker of the house. He was elected to the 39th congress in 1864, and in 1866 was re-elected to the 40th congress, and took prominent part in all matters of public
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A BRIEF HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
interest. He was again re-elected, in 1868, to the 41st congress, and became one of the leading members of the republican majority. He introduced the bill for the control of polygamy in the territories, known as "Cullom's Utah bill." He was elected to the legislature in 1872, and became speaker of the house. He was in the legislature again in 1874, and was unanimously the choice of the republicans as speaker of the house.
CHAPTER VIII.
ILLINOIS IN THE MEXICAN WAR.
W ITHOUT going into all the details connected with the origin of this war we will simply say that it grew out of the annexation of Texas. Texas, after throwing off the Mexican yoke, liad been clamoring for admittance into the Union for some time. The United States had at first declined her admittance, but at the presidential election of 1844 this was the great issue upon which the people divided. Pope was elected, and as he had been brought forward by the party in favor of the admis- sion of Texas, there was no longer any hesitation and the "Lone Star took its place in the constellation of the states." As soon as congress had adopted the resolution to annex Texas, the Mexican minister at Washington left the country.
The union was completed when, on July 4, 1845, the Texan legis- ture ratified the act of annexation. Texas immediately asked the presi- dent for an army for protection. Accordingly, Gen. Zachary Taylor was sent to occupy Texas. Mexico, in rearranging her civil adminis- tration after the revolution of 1821, had united two frontier states east of the Rio Grande. Texas having gained independence naturally claimed Coaliuila. Mexico also claimed the state and insisted that the river Neuces should be the dividing line, while Texas claimed the Rio Grande as the dividing line. Mexico scornfully refused the United States' proposition to settle the difficulty by negotiation, and accord -. ingly it was felt that the Mexicans were in the wrong, and Gen. Taylor was ordered to advance as near as possible to the Rio Grande river. He therefore established a camp in November, 1845, at Corpus Christi. On the 9th of the next 'March the army began its march to the Rio Grande. Gen. Arista, having arrived at Matamoras and taken com-
.
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ILLINOIS IN THE MEXICAN WAR.
mand of the Mexican forces on the frontier, notified Gen. Taylor, on April 26, that hostilities had begun, and on the same day a body of American troops was attacked by the Mexicans east of the Rio Grande. Upon the report of this attack reaching Washington, congress, with unusual alacrity, passed an act declaring war, appropriated $10,000,000 to carry on the war and authorized the president to accept 50,000 vol- unteers to serve in the war.
A call was soon made for volunteers. The western and southern states were expected to furnish the greater part of the men. Illinois was required to furnish three regiments of infantry or riflemen. The enlistments were for twelve months, and the selection of officers was left to the volunteers in accordance with the state militia laws. Gov. Ford, as commander-in-chief of the state militia, on May 25 issued his order to the militia officers to aid in both raising and organizing the regiments. The people of Illinois responded readily to this call, and great patriotism was soon manifest in various parts of the state. Martial music and patriotic speeches did their full share in rousing the people to their country's need. Thirty-five companies were organized in ten days' time, and there were forty companies more than the requisition required by the middle of June. As there were so many more companies than the requisition required many of the volunteers were disappointed. As soon as thirty full companies were in uniform they were ordered to attend the place of rendezvous.
On the 2d of July the first regiment of Illinois volunteers was organ- ized. It consisted of two battalions, each of which was composed of five companies, commanded by five captains. Gen. J. J. Hardin was elected colonel. Capt. Wm. Weatherford was elected lieutenant- colonel and W. B. Warren, major.
The second regiment was organized and Wm. H. Bissell was elected colonel, Capt. J. L. D. Morrison, lieutenant-colonel, and Capt. H. F. Trail, major. The third regiment was organized with Capt. Forman, W. W. Wiley, lieutenant-colonel, and Sam. D. Marshall, major. The first regiment numbered 877 men ; the second, 892; and the third, 906. The men presented a very fine appearance and there was but. very little intoxication among them.
The secretary of war gave authority to Hon. E. D. Baker to raise another regiment of Illinois volunteers. It was composed of ten companies. E. D. Baker was elected colonel, Ex-Lieut .- Gov. John Moore, of McLain, lieutenant-colonel, and Capt. T. L. Harris, major. With such preparation, Illinois, having raised a larger number of vol-
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A BRIEF HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
unteers than any other state in the Union, was ready to begin work in the Mexican war.
The American forces, for the purpose of invading Mexico, were organized into three divisions. The Army of the West was under Gen. Kearney, and was sent to conquer the northern provinces of Mexico. Gen. Scott commanded the Army of the Center, and was to marelı from the Gulf into the center of Mexico. Gen. Taylor, who com- manded the Army of Occupation, was to subdue the country about the Rio Grande.
Instead of the Illinois regiments all being formed into one brigade, as many had desired, the first and second, under Gen. Wool, were sent to join the Army of the Center, while the third and fourth were assigned to the Army of Occupation. The first and second started down the Mississippi from Alton, July 17, and disembarked on Mattagorda Bay. They started on their march across the tropical country to the San Antonio on the 11th of August. The northern men were almost over- come by the heat. On the 26th of September the army started on from San Antonio, crossed the Rio Grande at San Juan, after which the troops continned in a circuitous route to Monclova. Here they halted a month, and then the line of march to Parras was taken up. After some ten or twelve days' stay at this place, Gen. Wool left Parras to station himself at Agua Nueva, in the probable route of Santa Anna, who, it was thought, contemplated a descent, not only upon Saltillo, distant twenty miles from Agua Nenva, but upon all the ground for which the Army of Occupation had fought. Gen. Taylor now joined Gen. Wool at Agua Neuva, and on February 22, 1847, at the "Narrows," near the pass of Buena Vista, between Agua Neuva and Saltillo, was begun the most important battle of the war. In honor of the day Gen. Wool's troops' watchword was "The memory of Washington." Who will doubt but the memory of Washington was a grand stimulus to the Americans in this battle? Our Illinois men did nobly at Buena Vista, and many of the officers fell, among which were Cols. Hardin and McKee. Twenty-nine were killed out of the first and 62 out of the second regiments. After long and severe fighting on both sides, the Mexican forees retreated and the Americans bore the crown of victory.
The third and fourth Illinois regiments started down the Mississippi river the latter part of July, and arrived at its destination, Camargo, in the latter part of September. Upon landing at Vera Cruz, Gen. Shields' brigade, which consisted of the third and fourth regiments
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ILLINOIS IN THE MEXICAN WAR.
from Illinois and one from New York, with Gen. Pillow's brigade, succeeded in causing the Mexicans to retreat almost precipitately before them as they advanced. The complete investment of the city was made in a few days' time, but it was some weeks when, after a bom- bardment of some four or five days, the city surrendered.
On April 12, after a four days' march, Gen. Scott's army reached the pass of Cerro Gordo, where Santa Anna had concentrated a force of 15,000 men after the battle of Buena Vista. Santa Anna had so fortified this pass, that Gen. Scott considered their only chance of advancement to consist in cutting a new road which would unite with the national road in the rear of the enemy. The persistent Americans were equal to this difficult and unexpected labor, and the road was nearly completed ere the enemy was aware of it. After the comple- tion of this road Gen. Shields brigade of Illinois and New York regiments, in the midnight darkness, performed the difficult task of lifting np "hundreds of feet," to the top of a height, a twenty-four pound battery.
The battle of Cerro Gordo resulted in another victory for the Americans, and it proved to be one of the most important in the war. Gen. Scott now had almost an open road to the capital of Mexico. This was the last battle in which Illinois troops took part. Throughout the entire time they were out, the Illinois troops did their part bravely and well. They have had much deserved praise showered upon them. All the Illinois troops returned home about the same time. Col. Hardin's remains were brought back and interred at Jacksonville. A six-pound gun was taken by the Illinois troops from near Santa Anna's headquarters at Cerro Gordo. It is now in the arsenal at Springfield and serves as a trophy of the Mexican war.
Previous to the return home of the Illinois troops two other regi- inents were raised. The fifth Illinois regiment was organized at Alton June 8, 1847, with E. W. B. Newby as colonel. Its destination was Santa Fé. Upon reaching Santa Fé, the war being almost over, the fifth Illinois regiment had no conflict with the enemy.
A sixth Illinois regiment was organized, with Capt. Collins as colonel, very soon after the organization of the fifth Illinois regiment. A division was made in the regiment, the first battalion being sent to Vera Cruz while the second did only garrison duty at Tampico. The first battalion did no fighting except some little skirmishes with Mexican guerrillas. . Both battalions lost many men by sickness.
Several companies of cavalry were raised, and others authorized to 6
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A BRIEF HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
be raised, when the report of the fall of the city of Mexico came. The treaty of peace between the two nations was concluded at Guada- lupe, Hidalgo, February 2, 1848. The rivers Rio Grande and Gila were fixed as the principal boundaries between the countries, and at last the United States extended from ocean to ocean.
CHAPTER IX.
ILLINOIS IN THE LATE WAR.
"Oh, gales that dash th' Atlantic's swell, Along our rocky shore! Whose thunders diapasons well New England's glad hurrahs.
"Bear to the prairies of the west The echoes of our joy, The prayer that springs in every breast- 'God bless thee-Illinois!'
"Oh! awful hours, when grape and shell Tore through th' unflinching line ; 'Stand firm, remove the men who fell, Close up, and wait the sign.'
" It came at last, 'Now, lads, the steel !'- The rushing hosts deploy ; 'Charge, boys!'-the broken traitors reel- Huzza for Illinois! &
"In vain thy rampart, Donelson, The living torrent bars ; It leaps the wall, the fort is won, Up go the stripes and stars.
"Thy proudest mother's eyelids fill As dares her gallant boy, And Plymouth Rock and Bunker Hill Yearn to thee-Illinois."*
S YUCH was the tribute to Illinois patriotism extended by a New Eng- land man upon hearing of the noble deeds of her (Illinois) soldiers at Fort Donelson. Illinois has well earned her tributes, and we are proud to acknowledge her, in ardor of patriotism, second to no state in
* "Patriotism of Illinois."
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ILLINOIS IN THE LATE WAR.
the Union. In giving our prominence to Illinois in this article, we have no desire to underrate her sister states. Illinois is not the only state that stands to the front with her record of noble deeds. Illinois, in common with the other states of the northwestern territory, had, in the ordinance of 1787, designated her views in regard to slavery ; so when that great issue came up, previous to the great rebellion, she still was for anti-slavery ; and when finally the amendment making slavery forever impossible in the United States was passed, Illinois was the first of all the states to telegraph her approval to congress.
Slavery was the primary cause which led to the great civil war. The southern states, fearing that their institution of slavery would ultimately be overruled by the opposers to slavery in the north, resolved to secede from the Union.
After the bombardment of Fort Sumter, the first act in the drama of the rebellion, President Lincoln immediately issued a procla- mation calling for 75,000 volunteers. Gov. Yates was informed that the quota of Illinois was six regiments, and on April 15, 1861, he issued the following proclamation :
"I Richard Yates, governor of the State of Illinois, by virtue of tlie authority vested in me by the constitution, hereby convene the legisla- ture of the state, and the members of the twenty-second general assembly are hereby required to be and appear in their respective places in the capitol on Tuesday, April 23, 1861, for the purpose of enacting such laws and adopting such measures as may be deemed necessary upon the following subjects : The more perfect organization and equipment of the militia of the state, and placing the same on the best footing to render assistance to the general government in preserving the Union, enforcing the laws and protecting the property and rights of the people ; also, the raising of such money and other means as may be required to carry out the foregoing object, and also to provide for the expense of such sessions."
Enlistments began immediately after the call for troops was made, and in ten days 10,000 volunteers had offered their services, and near one million of money was offered for the cause of liberty. Only six regiments, however, could be accepted according to the quota, and these were designated by beginning witlı the number seven, in respect to the six regiments that served in the Mexican war. This entire force was styled the First Brigade of Illinois Volunteers. There were inany more men than were accepted, and it is said that some of them wept when refused admission. By the time there was need for more troops
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A BRIEF HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
the law provided that each congressional district should furnish one regiment. Over 200 companies volunteed at once, and from this number the necessary force was accepted. Under the next call for inen only six regiments were again the quota for Illinois, and the patri- otic state sent a messenger to Washington urging the acceptance of the entire force, which was ultimately done. At the close of the first year of the war, Illinois had in instruction over 17,000 men ; had sent to the field about 50,000, thus exceeding her quota about 15,000.
In 1862, when the call for 300,000 volunteers came, and later, when 300,000 militia was wanted, Illinois was again enthusiastic, and the adjutant-general heard from all parts of the state a demand for the privilege of volunteering, that the draft might be avoided. . It fol- lowed that in a very short time a great many volunteers were to be raised, and these must come principally from the farmers and mechan- ics of the state. "The farmers were in the midst of harvest, and it is no exaggeration to say that, inspired by, a holy zeal, animated by a common purpose, and firmly resolved on rescuing the government from the very brink of ruin, and restoring it to the condition our fathers left it, that over 50,000 of them left their harvests ungathered, their tools and their benches, the plows in their furrows, and turning their backs on their homes, the demands of the government were met, and both quotas were filled. Proud, indeed, was the day to all Illi- noisans when the announcement was made that the enlistment was full; and when the historian shall record the eventful days of August, 1862, no prouder record can be erected to the honor and memory of a free people than a plain and full narrative of actual realities. When I remember the patriotism and unselfish impulse which animated every soul, and the universal liberality of those who were either too young or too old to enlist, to aid those who were eager to join their brethren in the field ; when I remember the holy ardor which aged mothers and · fair daughters infused into husbands, sons and brothers, -I say, when I remember all these things, I cannot but feel justified in departing from the dull routine of statistics and bestow upon the subject this parting notice."
After the last call for troops, on December 19, 1864, permission was granted for the state to raise ten additional regiments. Many of the persons who had distinguished themselves in the war began each to raise a single company. Volunteers came in rapidly until April 13, 1865, when recruiting ceased throughout the United States, and at this time Illinois only lacked 4,896 of completing her qnota. This
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ILLINOIS IN THE LATE WAR.
number would soon have been raised had not the close of the war made it unnecessary.
The two principal camps in Illinois were those of Camp Butler, situated near Springfield, and Camp Douglas, of Chicago. Both 'places were provided with the necessary equipments for an extensive encampment, and it was from these camps, especially the former, that volunteers were prepared for, and sent into, the army, and that troops were mustered out of service. Prisoners were also kept at these camps. The site of Camp Butler now forms a part of a national cemetery.
Illinois had some trouble in obtaining arnis for use during the war. At one time a messenger returned from Washington with orders to ob- tain 10,000 muskets from the. arsenal at St. Louis. This was a difficult thing to do, as St. Louis was filled with traitors, but Capt. Stokes, of Chicago, volunteered to undertake the hazardous work. Capt. Stokes ordered a steamer down from Alton to reach the arsenal in the middle of one night. With some difficulty the muskets were seized and the steamer passed the secession battery and reached Alton by five o'clock in the morning. Fearing that he would be pursued, Capt. Stokes, as soon as he landed, rushed to the fire-bell and rang it with such vigor that the citizens came en masse to the river. Upon hearing the state of affairs, men, women and children began unloading the steamer and climbed up the levee with the freight to the cars. With these arms, thus narrowly rescued from the enemy, the first regiments of the state were made ready for the war.
It will be impossible in this work to go into detail and speak of the battles participated in by the men from Illinois. Suffice it to say that her sons did her credit wherever they were. "How much the nation is indebted to Illinois for the auspicious termination of the war may be inferred from the fact that in the two great movements which severed the insurgent states, and so greatly paralyzed their efforts, her soldiers were more largely represented than those of any other mem- ber of the Union. Furthermore, we must place on the credit side of her balance sheet a large amount of legal talent, superior generalship and executive ability ; for Trumbull was our lawyer, Grant our soldier, and Lincoln our president."
After the grand review of the armies of the east and west, on Penn- . sylvania avenue, in Washington, the "mighty host" dispersed, and by regiments, returned to their homes. A joyous welcome home did Illi- nois give to her brave and honored victors in the great struggle.
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A BRIEF HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
Brilliant receptions were prepared for them and happy greetings were being exchanged everywhere. But alas ! there were some who did not return for their welcome greeting. They died in their brave efforts in behalf of the honor and glory of their country, and passed to the home above, where their greeting is now waiting for the friends left behind.
CHAPTER X.
ORGANIZATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE PRINCIPAL RAILROADS OF ILLINOIS .*
T THE Baltimore and Ohio and Chicago railroad was organized as the Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Chicago Railway Company, March 13, 1872, and in 1877 was changed to the present name. It was put in operation November 17, 1874, from junction of the Illinois Central railroad to Chicago Junction, Ohio, a distance of 262.5 miles. The proportion of the road in Illinois is 5.90 miles.
The Cairo and St. Louis railroad was chartered February 16, 1865, and the main line was put in operation from East St. Louis to Cairo March 1, 1875 -a distance of 151} miles. The road had been oper- ated, however, as construction progressed, for two years previous. The aggregate length of all its tracks in Illinois is 161 miles.
The Cairo and Vincennes railway was organized under the general railroad laws of Illinois, July 9, 1880. The length of the main line, from Cairo, Illinois, to Vincennes, Indiana, is 157+ miles, 150+ miles of which are in Illinois.
The Chicago and Alton Railroad Company was organized at Chicago on October 16, 1862. The original name of this company was the " Alton and Sangamon Railroad Company," and the date of the original charter was February 27, 1847. At the time of the fourth act of amendment, June 19, 1852, the name was changed to Chicago and Mississippi Railroad Company, and at the third amendment after this change, and on February 14, 1855, the name was changed to the Chicago, Alton and St. Louis Railroad Company. By an act of Janu- ary 21, 1857, the name was changed to St. Louis, Alton and Chicago Railway Company, whose railroad and property was acquired by the Chicago and Alton Railroad Company.
* From " Report of the RR. and W. Commission, 1881.".
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ORGANIZATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF RAILROADS.
On April 5, 1870, this company purchased the unfinished road of the "Hamilton, Lacon and Eastern Railroad Company," and on Sep- tember 5, 1879, the road and branch road of the Chicago and Illinois River Railroad Company was purchased. The former road was incor- porated March 7, 1867, and the latter February 28, 1867. The follow- ing roads have been leased to the Chicago and Alton Railroad Com- pany : The road of the Joliet and Chicago Railroad Company, incor- porated February 15, 1855 ; the road of the Alton and St. Louis Railroad Company, incorporated February 4, 1859 ; the road of the St. Louis, Jacksonville and Chicago Railroad Company ; the road of the Louisiana and Missouri River Railroad Company, incorporated Marclı 10, 1859 ; and the roads of the Kansas City, St. Louis and Chicago Railroad Company.
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