USA > Illinois > Pike County > History of Pike County, Illinois : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons and biographies of representative citizens > Part 11
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
"But now all things seem ready; we have accepted the aid of
135
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
that hand; those footsteps are obliterated. In his own good time we feel that God will give us the victory. Till that hour comes we bid you fight on. Though we have not attained that heroism, or decision, which enables us to give you up without a struggle, which can prevent our giving tears for your blood, though many of ns must own our hearts desolate till you return, still we bid you stay and fight for our country, till from this fieree baptism of blood she shall be raised complete; the dust shaken from her garments puri- fied, a new Memnon singing in the great Godlight."
SHERMAN'S MARCH TO TIIE SEA.
On the 15th of November, 1864, after the destruction of Atlanta, and the railroads behind him, Sherman, with his armny, began his march to the sea-coast. The almost breathless anxiety with which his progress was watched by the loyal hearts of the nation, and the trembling apprehension with which it was regarded by all who hoped for rebel success, indicated this as one of the most remark- able events of the war; and so it proved. Of Sherman's army, 45 regiments of infantry, three companies of artillery, and one of cavalry were from this State. Lincoln answered all rumors of Sherman's defeat with, " It is impossible; there is a mighty sight of fight in 100,000 Western men." Illinois soldiers brought home 300 battle flags. The first United States flag that floated over Richmond was an Illinois flag. She sent messengers and nurses to every field and hospital to care for her sick and wounded sons.
Illinois gave the country the great general of the war, U. S. Grant.
CHARACTER OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
One other name from Illinois comes up in all minds, embalmed in all hearts, that must have the supreme place in this sketch of our glory and of our nation's [honor: that name is Abraham Lincoln. The analysis of Mr. Lincoln's character is difficult on account of its symmetry. In this age we look with admiration at his uncompromising honesty; and well we may, for this saved us. Thousands throughout the length and breadth of our country, who knew him only as "Honest Old Abe," voted for him on that account; and wisely did they choose, for no other man could have carried us through the fearful night of war. When his plans were too vast for our comprehension, and his faith in the cause too sub-
136
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
lime for our participation; when it was all night about us, and all dread before us, and all sad and desolate behind us; when not one ray shone upon our cause; when traitors were haughty and exult- ant at the South, and fierce and blasphemous at the North; when the loyal men seemed almost in the minority; when the stoutest heart quailed, the bravest cheek paled; when generals were defeat- ing each other for place, and contractors were leeching out the very heart's blood of the republic; when everything else had failed us, we looked at this calin, patient man standing like a rock in the storm, and said, " Mr. Lincoln is honest, and we can trust him still." Holding to this single point with the energy of faith and despair, we held together, and under God he brought us through to victory. Ilis practical wisdom made him the wonder of all lands. With such certainty did Mr. Lincoln follow causes to their ultimate effects, that his foresight of contingencies seemed almost prophetic. HIe is radiant with all the great virtues, and his memory will shed a glory upon this age that will fill the eyes of men as they look into history. Other men have excelled him in some points; but. taken at all points, he stands head and shoulders above every other ntan of 6,000 years. An administrator, he saved the nation in the perils of unparalleled civil war; a statesman, he justified his measures by their success; a philanthropist, he gave liberty to one race and salvation to another; a moralist, he bowed from the sum- mit of human power to the foot of the eross; a mediator, he exer- cised mercy under the most absolute obedience to law; a leader, he was no partisan; a commander, he was untainted with blood; a ruler in desperate times, he was unsullied with crime; a man, he has left no word of passion, no thought of malice, no trick of craft, no act of jealousy, no purpose of selfish ambition. Thus perfected, without a model and without a peer, he was dropped into these troubled years to adorn and embellish all that is good and all that is great in our humanity, and to present to all coming time the representative of the divine idea of free government. It is not too much to say that away down in the future, when the republic has fallen from its niche in the wall of time; when the great war itself shall have faded out in the distance like a mist on the horizon; when the Anglo-Saxon shall be spoken only by the tongue of the stranger, then the generations looking this way shall see the great President as the supreme figure in this vortex of history. .
137
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
THE WAR ENDED-THE UNION RESTORED.
The rebellion was ended with the surrender of Lee and his army, and Johnson and his command in April, 1865. Our armies at the time were up to their maximum strength, never so formidable, never so invincible; and, until recruiting ceased by order of Sec- retary Stanton, were daily strengthening. The necessity, however,
LINCOLN
ANDSMP NALLY- CO
LINCOLN MONUMENT AT SPRINGFIELD.
for so vast and formidable numbers ceased with the disbanding of the rebel forces, which had for more than four years disputed the supremacy of the Government over its domain. And now the joyful and welcome news was to be borne to the victorious legions that their work was ended in triumph, and they were to be per- mitted "to see homes and friends once more."
138
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
SCHEDULE-Showing statement of volunteer troops organized within the State, and sent to the field, commencing April, 1861, and ending December 31, 1865, with number of regiment, uame of original commanding officer, date of organization and muster into United States' service, place of muster, and the aggregate strength of each organization. INFANTRY.
Z Commanding officer at organiza- Date of organization and Place where mustered
tion.
muster into the United States service.
into the United States service.
zation.
pince organi- ! Aggr. strength |
7 Col. John Cook.
July 25, 1861
Cairo, Illinois
1747
8
Richard J. Oglesby.
1853
9
Eleazer A. Puine ..
46
1265
10!
..
Jas. D. Morgan.
1759
11
.6
John McArthur ..
May 21, 1861.
Dixon ..
1112
14
:
John M. Palmer.
May 25, 1861.
Jacksonville.
2015
15
=
Thes. J. Turner.
May 24, 1861.
Freeport.
2028
16
6.
Robert F. Smith.
Quiucy
1833
17
..
Leonard F. Ross.
May 28, 1861.
Anna.
2043
19
John B. Turchin
June 16, 1861.
Joliet
1 317
21
64
Ulysses S. Grant.
June 15, 1861.
Mattoon.
1266
22
..
Henry Dougherty. Jas. A. Mulligan.
Juue 18, 1861.
Chicago.
1982
24
=
Frederick Hecker
July 8, 1861.
Chicago.
989
25
= Wm. N. Coler.
Oet. 31, 1861.
Camp But'er ..
1602
20
...
Nap. B. Buford.
Ang. 3, 1861
Camp Butler.
1939
30
..
Philip B. Fouke.
Sept. 30, 1361
L'amp Butler.
1878
31
John A. Logan
Sept. 8, 1861 ..
Camp Butler.
1973 1711
33
Chas. E. Hovey
Aug. 15, 1861
Camp Butler.
34
Edward N. Kirk
Sept. 7, 1861
Camp Butler.
1660 1558 1012
38
יר Nich. Greusel
Sept. 23, 1861
Aurora
1593
37
Julius White
Sept. 18, 1361.
Chicago.
1157
38
64
Wm. P. Carlin
Ang. 15, 1861
Camp Butler. ('hicago.
1388 1807 1277 1211 1824
43
Julius Raith.
Dec. 16, 1861.
Camp Butler.
1902
45
John E. Smith
Dec. 26, 1 61
Galena ..
1716 2015 2051
49
Wm. R. Morrison
Dec. 31, 1861.
Camp Butler.
1482
50
Moses M. Bane.
Sept. 12, 1861
Quincy
1761
51
G. W. Cumming.
Dec. 161, Feb. '62.
Camp Douglas.
1550 1519
51
.. Thos. W. Ilarris
Feb. 18. 1862.
Anna ..
1287
55
Robert Kirkham.
Feb. 27, 1562
Shawneetown
1180
57
Silas D. Baldwin.
Dec. 26, 1861.
('amp Douglas. .
1754
: 8
Wm. F. Lynch.
Dec. 24, 1861 ..
Camp Douglas
2202
59
P. Sidney Post
August, 1861
St. Louis, Mo.
1762 1647
61
Jacob Fry ..
March 7, 1852
Carrollton
1385
62
James M. True.
April 10, 1562
Anna ..
1730
63
.. Francis Mora ..
Anna.
1228
64. Lt. Col. D. D. Williams
Dec. 31, 1852.
Camp Butler.
1624
65 Col. Daniel Cameron
May 15, 1862
Camp Douglas.
1684
66 " Patrick E. Burke
April. 1962
St Louis, Mo
1694
67
46 Roseil M. Hongh.
June 13, 1862.
Camp Douglas
979
69 Elias Stuart
June 20, 1862.
Camp Butler ..
889
69
Jos. H. Tucker.
June 14. 1962.
Camp Douglas.
912
70
( T. Reeves
July 4. 1962
Camp Butler.
1006
71 . Othniel Gilbert. July 26, 1962
Camp Douglas
940
..
John M. Loomis.
1193
23
Jas. S. Rearden
July 27, 1861
Camp Butler.
1547
32
6 L
John Logan
Dec. 31, 1861
Camp Butler.
39
=
Austin Licht.
December. 1861.
-alem ..
40 41 42
Wm. A. Webb.
Sept. 17, 1861 ..
Chicago.
Chas. Noblesdorff
Sept. 13, 1861
Chicago
1512
40
John A. Davis ..
Dec. 23. 1861.
Camp Butler.
66 .Tohu Bryner.
Oct. 1. 1861
Peoria .
. .
Isham N. Haynie
Nov. 18, 1861.
Camp Butler.
1874
52
Isaac G. Wilson ..
Nov. 19, 1861
Geneva
53
..
W. H. W. Cushman.
March. 1862
Ottawa.
1434 1720
35
..
David Stuart
Oct. 31, 1861.
Camp Douglas
٠١
:
..
Silas C. Toler
Feb. 17, 1862.
Anna.
60
Isaac C. Pugh.
Aug, 9, 1861
Decatur.
1095
20)
Chas. C. Marsh ..
June 25, 1861.
Belleville
1164
23
=
W. H. L. Wallace ..
1384
12
1075
13
John B. Wyman
Peoria
1:59
18
Michael K. Lawler
1089
25
A. K. Johnson ..
33
Gus. A. Smith
..
4.
Steph. G. Ilicks.
Ang 10, 1861.
..
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
139
SCHEDULE-Showing statement of volunteer troops organized within the State, and sent to the field, commencing April, 1861, and ending December 31, 1865, with number of regiment, name of original commanding officer, date of organization and muster into United States' service, place of muster, and the aggregate strength of each organization.
INFANTRY.
No.
Commanding officer at organiza- Date of organization and Place where mustered tion. into the United States service. muster iuto the United States service.
zation.
Aggr. strength
72 Col. Frederick A. Starring
Aug. 21, 1862
Camp Douglas.
1471
73
" Jas. F. Jaquesa.
7
Jason Marsh.
Sept. 4, 1862.
Rockford.
75
George Ryau.
Sept. 2. 1662.
Dixon.
76
" Alonzo W. Mack.
Aug. 22, 1862.
Kankakee.
77
David P. Grier.
*Sept. 3, 1863.
Peoria
78
:
W. H. Benuison.
Sept. 1, 1862.
Quincy.
79
Lyman Guiunip Thos. G. Allen.
Aug. 25, 1862 ..
Centralia
81
Jas. J. Do.lina Frederick Hecker
Aug. 26, 1862 ..
Anna ..
82
83
Abner C. Harding.
Aug. 21, 1862.
Monmouth.
84
.. Louis II. Watera.
Sept. 1, 1862.
Quincy ...
85
'Robert S. Moore.
Aug. 27, 1862.
Peoria
86
יי David D. Irons.
Sept. 22, 1862.
Shawncetown
88
F. T. Sherman. John Christopher ..
*Aug 25. 18% *
Camp Douglas.
90 91
Henry M. Day ..
Sept. 8, 1862
Camp Butler.
92
.. Smith D. Atkins IIolden Putnam
Oct. 13, 1862.
Princeton and Chicago.
93 94
66
Wm. W. Orme ..
Ang. 20, 1862.
Bloomington,
95 96 97
F. S. Rutherford.
Sept. 8, 1863.
Camp Butler.
98
J. J. Funkhouser.
Sept. 3, 1 63
Centralla ...
99 100 101
Fred. A. Bartleson.
Ang. 30, 1862.
Joliet.
102
Wm. McMurtry.
Knoxville.
103
Amos C. Babcock
Oct. 2, 1862.
Peoria ..
Aug. 27, 1862.
Ottawa
105 106 10%
Daniel Dustin.
Sept. 2, 1862.
Chicago.
10g 10g
" Alex. J. Nimmo
Sept. 11, 1861.
Anna ..
Anna.
111
.. James S. Martin
Sept. 18, 1862.
Salem
112
T. J. Henderson
Sept. 12, 1862
Peoria
113
..
Geo. B. Hoge.
Oct. 1, 1862.
Camp Douglas.
114
.. James W. Judy. Jesse H. Moore Nathan H. Tupper.
Sept. 30 1862.
Decatur
117
.. Rinden M. Moore.
Sept. 19, 1862.
Camp Butler.
118
John G. Fonda ..
Nov. 29. 1862.
Camp Butler.
119
.. Thos. J. Kenney.
Oct. 7, 1862.
Quincy
120
George W. McKealg
Oct. 29, 1862.
Camp Butler
121 Never organized.
122
Col. John I. Rinaker
Sept. 4, 1862.
Carlinville.
123
James Moore.
Sept. 6 1862
Mattoon
124
Thomas J. Sloan,
Sept. 10. 186%.
Camp Butler.
125
Oscar F. Harmon.
Sept. 4. 1862.
Danville
126
Jonathan Richmond.
Chicago
933 998 957 866 1011 932
128 123 130
Nathaniel Nilea.
Oct. 25. 1865.
Camp But'er
131
George W. Neeley
Nov. 13. 1862.
Camp Massac
132
Thomas C. Pickett.
June 1, 1864.
Camp Fry
133
Thad. Phillipe.
May 31, 1864
Camp Butler.
134
W. W McChesney
Camp Fry
878
135
John S. Wolfe.
June 6, 1864
Mattoon
852
87
John E. Whiting ..
Aug. 27, 1862.
Camp Douglas
89
66 Timothy O'Mera.
Nov. 22, 1862 ..
Camp Douglas
Rockford.
Sept. 6, 1862.
Rockford
.. G. W. K. Bailey
Aug. 26, 1862.
Florence, Pike Co.
Chas. H. Fox.
Sept. 2, 1862.
Jacksonville.
104
Absalom B. Moore.
Sept. 17, 1862.
Lincoln
Thomas Snell John Warner.
Aug. 28, 1862.
Peoria
110
Thos. S Casey ..
Sept. 18, 1862.
Camp Butler ..
115
Sept. 13, 1962.
Camp Butler.
993 994 007 1.85 958 1041 1265 1086 1091 1427 1206 1082 1078 936 921 911 998 917 977 1001 1097 944 927 987 873 994 1095 1258 990 960 952 995 1101 952 844
934 1050 1130
127
John VanArman Robert M. Hudley
*Sept. 5. 1863.
Camp Douglas
Dec 18, 1862
Camp Butler
.. George P. Smith.
Sept. 8, 1862.
Pontiac ..
989 987 1110 1051 1028 974 928 1187 961 1286 956
Aug. 28, 1862.
Danville.
80
Camp Butler
Peoria.
Sept. 4, 1862 ..
Rockford.
Lawr'n S. Church
Sept. 4, 18/12
Thos. E. Champion.
Robert B. Latham
Sept. 4, 1862
Camp Butler
116
880
853 851
since organi-
968
Camp Butler.
140
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
SCHEDULE-Showing statement of volunteer troops organized within the State, and sent to the field, commencing April, 1861, and ending December 31, 1865, with number of regiment, name of original commanding officer, date of organization and muster into United Statea' service, place of muster, and the aggregate strength of each organization.
INFANTRY.
No.
Commanding officer at organiza- Date of organization and Place where mustered
tion.
muster into the United States service.
into the United States service.
since organi-
'Aggr. strength
136
Col. Fred. A. Johna ..
"une 1. 1864
Centralia.
842
137
. John Wood.
June 5. 1864 ..
Quincy.
819
138
" J. W. Goodwin
June 21, 1864
Quincy.
835
139
Peter Davidson ..
June 1. 1864
Peoria
878
140
L. H. Whitney.
June 18, 1864
Camp Butler.
871
. 41
Stephen Bronson.
June 16, 1864
Elgin
842
142
Rollin V. Ankney
June 18, 1864
Camp Butler
651
143
..
Dudley C. Smith.
June 11, 1864
Mattoon.
865
144
Cyrus Hall ..
Oct. 21, 1864
A ton, Ille.
1159
145
George W. Lackey.
June 9, 1864
Camp Butler ..
880
146
Henry H. Dean ..
Sept. 20, 1864
Camp Butler.
1056
147
Hiram F. Sickles
Feb. 18, 1865.
Chicago
1047
148
Horace H. Wilsie.
Quincy.
917
149
Wm. C. Kueffner.
Feb. 11, 1865.
Camp Butler.
983
1:01
66
George W. Keener.
Feb. 25, 1865.
Quincy
$70
152
66
F. D. Stephenson.
Feb. 18, 1865.
Camp Butler.
945
153
Stephen Bronson
Feb. 27, 1865.
Chicago.
1076
154
McLean F. Wood.
Feb. 22, 1865.
Camp Butler.
994
155
Gnetavus A. Smith.
Fcb. 28. 1865
Camp Butler.
929
156
Alfred F. Smith
March 9. 1865
Chicago.
975
66
J. W. Wilson ...
Dec. 1, 1861
Chicago.
985
John A. Bross.
Quincy
903
Capt. John Curtis ..
June 21, 1864.
Camp Butler.
91
Simon J. Stookey
Camp Butler.
80
James Steele.
June 15, 1864.
Chicago.
86
CAVALRY.
1|Col. Thomas A. Marshall.
June, 1861
[Bloomington
1206
Silas Noble
Aug. 24, "
Camp Butler ..
1861
3
Eugene A. Carr
Sept. 21,
Camp Butler.
9183
4
T. Lyle Dickey.
Sept. 30,
Ottawa
1656
5
66
John J. Updegraff.
December
Camp Butler.
1669
6
Thomas H. Cavanaugh.
Nov., '61, Jan., '6 !!
Camp Butler.
2248
7
66 Wm. Pitt Kellogg
August, '61 ..
St. Charles ..
2412
9
Albert G. Brackett.
Oct. 26, '61
Camp Douglas
2619
10
James A. Barrett.
Nov. 25, '61
Camp Butler.
1934
11
66
Robert G. Ingersoll
Dec. 20, '61.
Peoria.
2362
12
66
Arno Vos8 ..
Dec., '61, Feb., '62
Camp Butler.
2174
13
Joseph W. Bell.
Jan. 7, '63
Peoria
1565
151
Warren Stewart
Organized Dec. 25, '63.
Camp Butler.
1473
16 : **
Christian Thielman
Jan. and April, '63.
Camp Butler.
1462
17 44 John L. Beveridge.
Jan. 28, '64
St. Charles.
1247
FIRST REGIMENT-ILLINOIS LIGHT ARTILLERY.
Co Field and Staff.
A Capt. C. M. Willard ..
Chicago
168
B
Ezra Taylor.
Chicago
204
C
C. Haughtaling.
Oct. 31, 1861.
Ottawa
175
Jan. 14, '62.
Ptainfield
141
E
A. C. Waterhonse
Dec. 19, '61.
Chicago
148
F
John T. Cheney
Feb. 25, 162
Camp Butler.
159
G
Arthur O'Leary
Feb. 28. '62
Cairo .
113
H
Axel Silversparr.
Feb. 20, '62.
Chicago
147
I
Edward Bonton
Feb. 15, '62.
Chicago
169
K
A. Franklin.
Tan. 9, '62.
Shawneetown
96
L
John Rourke.
F.b. 22, '62.
Chicago
153
M
John B. Miller.
Aug 12, '62
Chicago
151
Recruits.
F83
.6
Camp Butler.
228g
8
46 John F. Farnsworth.
Sept. 18, '61.
Camp Douglas.
1759
14
Horace Capron
Feb. 14, 1865
Camp Butler.
93%
151
French B. Woodall
zation.
7
Edward McAllister
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
SCHEDULE-Showing statement of volunteer troops organized within the State, and sent to the field commencing April, 1861, and ending December 31. 1865, with number of regiment, name of original commanding officer, date of organization and muster iuto United States service, place of muster, and the aggregate strength of each orgauization.
LIGHT ARTILLERY.
Co.
Commanding officer at organiza- Date of organization and Place where mustered
tion.
muster into the United States service.
into the United States service.
pince organi-
]Ager. strength |
SECOND REGIMENT-ILLINOIS LIGHT ARTILLERY.
A|Capt. Peter Davidson.
Aug. 17, 1861
Peoria
116
B
Riley Madison.
June 20, '61.
Springfield
127
C
Caleb Hopkins
Aug. 5. 61
Cairo
154
E
Adolph Schwartz
Feb. 1, '62.
Cairo ..
136
F
John W. Powell. ..
Dec. 11, '61.
Cape Girardeau, Mo ...
190
G
Charles J. Stolbrand
Dec. 31, '61.
Camp Butler.
108
H
Andrew Steinbeck
Camp Butler
115
..
Benjamin F. Rogers.
Camp Butler
108
William H. Bolton
Feb. 28, '62.
Chicago
145
=
John C. Phillips
June 6, '62.
Chicago.
100
Field and Staff.
10
Recruite
1171
INDEPENDENT BATTERIES.
Board of Trade Capt. James S. Stokes
July 31, 1862.
Chicago
258
Springfield ....
Thomas F. Vaughn.
Aug. 21, '62.
Camp Butler.
199
Mercantile
Charles G. Cooley.
Aug. 29, '62.
Chicago
270
Elgin ....
George W. Renwick
Nov. 15, '62.
Elgin
242
Coggswell's ..
William Coggewell
Sept 23, '61.
Camp Douglas
221
Henshaw's
Ed. C. Henshaw.
Oct. 15, '62.
Ottawa
196
Bridges'
Lyman Bridges.
Jan. 1. '62.
Chicago
252
Colvin's
John H. Colvin.
Oct. 10, '63
Chicago
91
Busteed's
Chicago
127
RECAPITULATION.
Infantry
185,941
Cavalry
32 082
Artillery
7,277
DUELS.
The code of chivalry so common among Southern gentlemen and so frequently brought into use in settling personal differences has also been called to settle the "affairs of honor" in our own State, however, but few times, and those in the earlier days. Several attempts at duels have occurred; before the dispntants met in mortal combat the differences were amicably and satisfactorily settled; honor was maintained without the sacrifice of life. In 1810 a law was adopted to suppress the practice of dueling. This law held the fatal result of dueling to be murder, and, as it was intended, had the effect of making it odious and dishonorable. Prior to the constitution of 1848, parties would evade the law by
Camp Butler.
107
Charles W. Keith.
Dec. 17, '61.
Cairo
117
Jasper M. Dresser.
zation.
141
142
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
going beyond the jurisdiction of the State to engage in their con- tests of honor. At that time they incorporated in the Constitution an oath of office, which was so broad as to cover the whole world. Any person who had ever fought a duel, ever sent or accepted a challenge or acted the part of second was disfranchised from holding office, even of minor importance. After this went into effect, no other duel or attempt at a duel has been engaged in within the State of Illinois, save those fought by parties living outside of the State, who came here to settle their personal differences.
THE FIRST DUEL.
The first duel fought within the boundaries of this great State was between two young military officers, one of the French and the other of the English army, in the year 1765. It was at the time the British troops came to take possession of Fort Chartres, and a woman. was the cause of it. The affair occurred early Sunday morning, near the old fort. They fought with swords, and in the combat one sacrificed his life.
BOND AND JONES.
In 1809 the next duel occurred and was bloodless of itself, but out of it grew a quarrel which resulted in the assassination of one of the contestants. The principals were Shadrach Bond, the first Governor, and Rice Jones, a bright young lawyer, who became quite a politician and the leader of his party. A personal difference arose between the two, which to settle, the parties met for mortal combat on an island in the Mississippi. The weapons selected were hair- trigger pistols. After taking their position Jones' weapon was prematurely discharged. Bond's second, Dunlap, now claimed that according to the code Bond had the right to the next fire. But Bond would not take so great advantage of his opponent, and said it was an accident and would not fire. Such noble conduct touched the generous nature of Jones, and the difficulty was at. once amicably settled. Dunlap, however, bore a deadly hatred for Jones, and one day while he was standing in the street in Kaskaskia, conversing with a lady, he crept up behind him and shot him dead in his tracks. Dunlap successfully escaped to Texas.
RECTOR AND BARTON.
In 1812 the bloody code again brought two young men to the field of honor. They were Thomas Rector, a son of Capt. Stephen
4 VANDERCOOK & COCHICAGO
ILLINOIS ASYLUM FOR FEEBLE MINDED CHILDREN, AT LINCOLN.
145
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
Rector who bore such a noble part in the war of 1812, and Joshua Barton. They had espoused the quarrel of older brothers. The affair occurred on Bloody Island, in the Mississippi, but in the limits of Illinois. This place was frequented so often by Missou- rians to settle personal difficulties, that it received the name of Bloody Island. Barton fell in this conflict.
STEWART AND BENNETT.
In 1819 occurred the first duel fought after the admission of the State into the Union. This took place in St. Clair county between Alphonso Stewart and William Bennett. It was intended to be a sham duel, to turn ridicule against Bennett, the challenging party. Stewart was in the secret but Bennett was left to believe it a reality. Their guns were loaded with blank cartridges. Bennett, suspecting a trick, put a ball into his gun without the knowledge of his seconds. The word "fire" was given, and Stewart fell mortally wounded. Bennett made his escape but was subsequently captured, convicted of murder and suffered the penalty of the law by hanging.
PEARSON AND BAKER.
In 1840 a personal difference arose between two State Senators, Judge Pearson and E. D. Baker. The latter, smarting under the epithet of " falsehood," threatened to chastise Pearson in the public streets, by a " fist fight." Pearson declined making a "blackguard', of himself but intimated a readiness to fight as gentlemen, accord- ing to the code of honor. The affair, however. was carried no further.
HARDIN AND DODGE.
The exciting debates in the Legislature in 1840-'41 were often bitter in personal "slings," and threats of combats were not infrequent. During these debates, in one of the speeches by the Hon. J. J. Hardin, Hon. A. R. Dodge thought he discovered a personal insult, took exceptions, and an " affair " seemed imminent. The controversy was referred to friends, however, and amicably settled.
M'CLERNAND AND SMITH.
Hon. John A. McClernand, a member of the House, in a speech delivered during the same session made charges against the Whig Judges of the Supreme Court. This brought a note from Judge
146
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
T. W. Sinithi, by the hands of his "friend" Dr. Merriman, to McClernand. This was construed as a challenge, and promptly accepted, naming the place of meeting to be Missouri; time, early; the weapons, rifles; and distance, 40 paces. At this critical junc- ture, the Attorney General had a warrant issued against the Judge, whereupon he was arrested and placed under bonds to keep the peace. Thus ended this attempt to vindicate injured honor.
LINCOLN AND SHIELDS.
During the hard times subsequent to the failure of the State and other banks, in 1842, specie became scarce while State money was plentiful, but worthless. The State officers thereupon demanded specie payment for taxes. This was bitterly opposed, and so fiercely contested that the collection of taxes was suspended.
During the period of the greatest indignation toward the State officials, under the nom de plume of " Rebecca," Abraham Lincoln had an article published in the Sangamo Journal, entitled "Lost Township." In this article, written in the form of a dialogue, the officers of the State were roughly handled, and especially Auditor Shields. The name of the author was demaded from the editor by Mr. Shields, who was very indignant over the manner in which he was treated. The name of Abraham Lincoln was given as the author. It is claimed by some of his biographers, however, that the article was prepared by a lady, and that when the name of the anthor was demanded, in a spirit of gallantry, Mr. Lincoln gave his name. In company with Gen. Whiteside, Gen. Shields pur- sned Lincoln to Tremont, Tazewell county, where he was in attend- ance upon the court, and immediately sent him a note "requiring a full, positive and absolute retraction of all offensive allusions" made to him in relation to his "private character and standing as a man, or an apology for the insult conveyed." Lincoln had been forewarned, however, for William Butler and Dr. Merriman, of Springfield, had become acquainted with Shields' intentions and by riding all night arrived at Tremont ahead of Shields and informed Lincoln what he might expect. Lincoln answered Shields' note, refusing to offer any explanation, on the grounds that Shields' note assumed the fact of his (Lincoln's) authorship of the article, and . not pointing out what the offensive part was, and accompanying the same with threats as to consequences. Mr. Shields answered this, disavowing all intention to menace; inquired if he was the author,
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.