History of Sangamon 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 50

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing company
Number of Pages: 1084

USA > Illinois > Sangamon County > History of Sangamon 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 50

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In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand, and cause the great seal of the State to be here- unto affixed at the city of Springfield, the fif- teenth day of April, A. D., 1861.

By order of the Governor: RICH'D YATES. O. M. HATCH, Secretary of State."

Allen C. Fuller, of Boone county, was ap- pointed Adjutant-General. General Order No. 1 was issued on the 15th, from headquarters at Springfield, directing all commandants of di- visions, brigades, regiments and companies, to hold themselves in readiness for actual service; and on the 16th, Order No. 2 provided for the immediate organization of six regiments, and within ten days more than ten thousand men had offered their services; and in addition to the force despatched to Cairo, more than the full quota was in camp at Springfield.

The readiness with which the first call was made, together with the embarrassments which surrounded President Lincoln in the absence of sufficient laws to authorize him to meet the un- holy, unlooked-for and unexpected emergency- an emergency that had never been anticipated by the wisest and best of America's statesmen, together with an under-estimate of the magni- tnde of the rebellion, and a general belief that the war could not and would not last three months, checked, rather than encouraged the patriotic ardor of the people. But few of the men, comparatively speaking, who volunteered in response to President Lincoln's call for sev- enty-five thousand men for three months, were accepted. But the time soon came when there was a place and a musket for every man. Call followed call in quick succession, until the num- ber reached the grand total of 3,339,748, as fol- lows:

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

August 4, 1862, for nine months. 300,000

June, 1863, for three years . 300,000

October 17, 1863, for three years. 300,000

February 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

December 21, 1864, for three years. 300,000

3,339,748

When the news came that the rebels had fired upon Fort Sumter-that the first overt act had been committed, indignation filled the heart of everyone; and when the news came that the gal- lant Major Anderson had surrendered-that the Star-spangled Banner had by traitor hands been trailed in the dust, all party feelings were laid aside, and the people of Sangamon county, with those of all the loyal States of the Union, were united together as one, and each and everyone determined that the insult should be wiped out, and that traitors should receive a just punish- ment.

A public meeting of the citizens of Spring- field was called for Monday evening, April 16, which was to be addressed by John A. McCler- nand, Lyman Trumbull and others. To suit the convenience of the speakers, it was postponed until the following evening, on which occasion thousands of excited citizens assembled to listen to the addresses. The meeting was organized by calling N. M. Broadwell to the chair. Mr. Broadwell accepted the honor in a patriotic and eloquent speech, which was loudly applauded. A secretary was appointed, and also a committee on resolutions, composed of the following named gentlemen: Charles H. Lanphier, Edward L. Baker, Charles A. Keyes, N. W. Matheny, II. G. Reynolds, E. B. Hawley, B. A. Watson, C. L. Morrison, T. J. V. Owen and J. Bunn. While the committee were out Mr. McClernand took the stand by invitation, and was received with a storm of applause. IIe gave a full history of the secession movement, and pronounced seces- sion a dastardly and cowardly way to commit treason. He said he had been a Democrat and was one now, but that he would sacrifice party on the altar of his country. He painted the evils of secession with the hand of a master- pointed out the way to defeat it, and closed with a powerful appeal to stand unflinchingly by their Government and their flag. lle was frequently and loudly cheered.

Senator Trumbull was next called out, and was greeted with loud applause. He made a strong, telling speech, and roused the enthusiasm of the people to the highest pitch. Speaking of this Government defending itself and defending the Capital against the traitors, he said he scorned the idea of this great Government defending itself against secessionists. "Let us," said he, " make them defend Montgomery and Charles- ton." This sentiment was responded to by the vast audience by wild cheering, which lasted for some minutes. Mr. Trumbull closed by intro- ducing Captain Wyatt, of Logan county, who

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had raised a company of volunteers and ten- dered them to the Governor. Mr. Wyatt was received with loud shouts of applause. He said he did not come to make a speech; he did not come to see the people, but he did come to see to it that his company was received. He said he was not a man of words, but a man of action. Others might talk; he was going to act for his country. He made a good speech, and at its close the crowd gave him three cheers.

The following resolutions were reported by the Committee, and unanimously adopted:

" Resolved, That the Union of the States, in the spirit of the Constitution, and the just ad- ministration and observance of its laws, are in- dispensable to the preservation of the liberties and happiness of the people.

" Resolved, That the Union of these States was intended by them all to be a perpetual Union, and that no power is reserved to any State to withdraw from the compact, except in the manner prescribed by the Constitution.

" Resolved, That the attempt now being made to dissolve the Union and destroy the Govern- ment by the array of military force, the seizure of arsenals and public property, the firing upon and capturing the forts and ships of the Govern- ment, the shedding of blood, and the dishonor- ing of the National flag, is revolutionary and treasonable, and, if successful, will reduce the Nation to anarchy, demoralization, and endless civil war.

" Resolved, That it is the duty of the Govern- ment to maintain its Constitutional authority throughout its entire jurisdiction by all proper means of compromise and conciliation; and when these fail, by the military power at its command.

" Resolved, That the Mississippi is a great Na- tional highway, in which the States of the Northwest have a right which they will not suffer to be disturbed or impaired by the at- tempted jurisdiction of any State or power whatever.

" Resolved, That it is the duty of all patriotic citizens of Illinois, without distinction of party or sect, to sustain the Government through the peril which now threatens the existence of the Union, and of our legislature to grant such aid of men and money, as the exigency of the hour and the patriotism' of our people shall demand.

" Resolved, That, while we recognize the duty of thus sustaining the Government and preserv- ing the Constitution, we shall continue to seek a restoration of peaceful relations between the States; and we earnestly recommend that a Na-

tional Convention be called, for a final adjust- ment in a Constitutional manner, the difficulties now disturbing the peace and endangering the liberties of our beloved country "

The Zouave Grays, under command of Captain John Cook, offered their services on Tuesday, and were accepted by the Governor. This was the first company from Sangamon county, and the first on the Adjutant General's roll from the State.

Jacob Bunn, N. H. Ridgely and the Marine and Fire Insurance Company, principal banking institutions in Springfield, patriotically offered to Governor Yates a loan of one hundred thou- sand dollars to facilitate necessary preparations for organizing and collecting the State troops to aid in suppressing the rebellion. The war spirit was evidently high. The Journal, under date of April 20, only five days after the issu- ance of the proclamation, said:

"Springfield is ablaze with excitement. Flags are flying all over the city; the martial music of drum and fife resounds wherever we turn our steps; companies are being drilled in almost every hall of sufficient capacity, and, in fact, appearances indicate that something is going to be done. Numbers are employed on military duty, and find scope for the development of all their energies. Prominent men from different parts of the State are here, aiding by every means in their power, of advice and otherwise, the Executive in the discharge of his official functions."

A second company, under command of Cap- tain Sands, was accepted from this county, but the good work did not cease. The City Council of Springfield, with commendable liberality, ap- propriated $10,000 from the city treasury for the purpose of defraying expenses attending the equipment of volunteers and for the support of their families while absent. The offer of the bankers of Springfield was accepted by Governor Yates, who addressed them the following letter:

" EXECUTIVE OFFICE, 1 SPRINGFIELD, III, April 18, 1861. )

To Messrs. J. Bunn, N. H. Ridgely and Presi- dent of the Marine Fire Insurance Company:

GENTLEMEN :- Your communication of the 17th inst., tendering to me, and, through me, to the State of Illinois, the sum of one hundred thousand dollars, as a loan to facilitate necessary preparations for the organizing and collecting of the State troops to put down resistance to the laws and open rebellion, has been duly re- ceived.

36 --

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

Your generous offer is gratefully accepted, and permit me to express to you, on behalf of the State, my sincere thanks for the devotion you have shown to the honor of our noble State and our common country in this hour of peril. Your patriotic act will be a worthy example to other citizens, and will ever be a source of pride to yourselves and your families, as well as to your fellow-citizens. With the wish that the great unanimity of sentiment respecting the up- holding of our Union and the laws of our conn- try, and the many generous acts of patriotic citizens, denoting a spirit of earnestness and self-devotion, will have a most favorable effect in restoring peace and prosperity to the coun- try, I remain, respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

RICHARD YATES, Governor.

On Tuesday night, April 23, the first troops left Springfield for the seat of war. Says a local reporter, under date April 24:

"The scene at the Great Western Railroad depot last night was worthy the pencil of an artist. Two companies from Quincy, two from Jacksonville, and a squad of artillery, with three guns and fifty men, the entire command num- bering nearly five hundred men, fully equipped for active service, left under sealed orders. Be- fore leaving, the detachment was formed into line, when the officers received their commissions and were sworn in, and a few touching and ap- propriate remarks were made by Captain Pren- tiss, who commanded the battalion. These com- panies were the flower of the camp, well drilled, soldierly, and fully qualified to defend the honor of our country. The Star Spangled Banner was sung with thrilling effect, and the soldiers took their place in the cars amid the hearty 'God bless them' of the crowd. In the gray of the night the scene was sublimely impressive. The half repressed ardor of the troops, fully alive to the responsibilities devolving upon them, sadly re- gretful of the canses which necessitated their services, but sternly resolved to allow no traitor hands to tarnish the glory of the starry flag which waved over them; the earnest farewells to part- ing friends-greetings, perhaps, the last they would be permitted to exchange on earth, all combined to impress beholders with the solemnity of the occasion. The feeling aroused in the North carries with it a deep significance. Anger slow to be called forth, only excited after long and patient forbearance, not loud nor noisy in its demonstration, but irresistible in its force as the cataract of Niagara, more terrible than the tempests of the Heaven-this was what we

saw manifested last night. There was no hot- spur courage in that detachment, which flames up in an instant and exhausts itself as speedily; but a deep, quiet consciousness of wrongs too long endured, and which are now to be redressed. These troops do not go out to fight for the sup- port of Illinois, or for the North, or for any sec- tion of the United States, but for the Star Spangled Flag, under whose folds they were born, and which they love better than their lives."

The first of the Sangamon county men to leave for the front was on Saturday morning, April 27, when Colonel Cook's regiment took its departure. Says the same reporter already quoted:

"At an early hour Saturday morning, April 27, the depot of the Chicago, Alton & St. Louis Railroad was crowded with men, women and children, assembled to bid good-bye to the Springfield boys of Colonel Cook's regiment, which, it was understood, was to leave at eight . o'clock. The troops left the camp at seven o'clock, proceeded to the arsenal, where they were provided with arms, and thence marched to the depot, where they were drawn up in line on Jefferson street, and received the greetings of their friends and loved ones. The drenching rain which fell all the morning did not seem in the least to dampen the ardor of the soldiers, or prevent the ladies from crowding through the muddy streets to bid them good-bye. For about two hours and a half they stood in the shower, giving frequent vent to their patriotism and variety to the occasion by loud cheering, the train having orders to leave at ten o'clock. Our readers can fancy the leave-taking-we cannot attempt to portray it-for what pen can paint the feelings which swelled the hearts of fond mothers, sisters and wives as they bade farewell to those they loved so dearly, not knowing whether they would ever again be permitted to meet on earth ?- or who can depict the emotions of those gallant boys, in whose breast patriotism and love for their country's honor struggled with regrets at their separation from those so closely entwined around their hearts? Those who were present felt all this deeply, and there are few in all our broad State who read these lines who have not, within the last few days, been wit- nesses of similar scenes, and who cannot, in some measure, appreciate the solemnity of the occasion. At length the companies were all seated in the cars, and as the long train swept gradually from the depot, drawn by two powerful locomotives, which never before bore a freight so precious, the air was rent by the loud shouts of the crowd

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

on the platform, united with those of the men in the cars. The old toast, 'Woman, God bless her !' which we have all drank so often, came forcibly to the minds of all, for with Spartan firmness, those women, who all had on the reced- ing train some son, or brother, or sonie 'dearer one and nearer one,' with the strong heart of patriotism, wept, but consented to the sacrifice for their country's sake. Forever bless their noble hearts !"

The patriotism was not confined to the aged. A little daughter of J. C. Luce, only about seven years of age, told her mother she was deter- mined to enlist for a soldier -saying that although she could not carry a musket and shoot, she could take care of the wounded soldiers; make bandages and lint, read to them when rest- less, or write home to their friends their last wishes if they were about to die. As she was so extremely in earnest about the matter, she was allowed to go to Colonel Williams' office, who put her name down, and told her she was. the first female volunteer he had on his list. She went home really thinking she had enlisted for the war, gathered up from the neighbors all the old sheets they would spare her, which she made into bandages-several hundred in all - for the surgical department. There was something deeply touching in the artless conduct of the lit- tle girl-so young, yet so earnestly anxious to do something to relieve the suffering of the wounded soldiers her fancy had painted on the black canvass of battle.

The year 1862 was a dark one for the Union armies. Defeated in the field and harrassed by enemies in the rear, many friends of the Union were discouraged. Even in Sangamon county were to be found many who believed that the war was prosecuted in vain and that some com- promise or peace measures should be adopted. The Government was urgently calling for volun- teers, and enlistments were slow. At this junc- ture war meetings were held all over the county and every effort was made to awaken a more lively interest and to secure enlistments. At Chatham, on the evening of July 19, an enthu- siastic meeting was held and the following reso- lutions adopted :

" Resolved, That this meeting is of the opinion that the war against treason and rebellion should be prosecuted with the utmost vigor, and that the sword should not be sheathed until the authority of the Federal Government is restored to its former power and glory.

" Resolved, That the thanks of this meeting are due to the Governor of this State for his

untiring exertions in behalf of the troops on the battlefield, and for his zeal in making arrange- ments for the new troops required by the recent call of the President, and this meeting pledges itself to render him all the support in its power toward crushing out the rebellion."

This meeting was but one of many, all breath- ing the same spirit, showing a determination to stand by the Government to the end.

Some time in the fall of this year President Lincoln issued a proclamation stating that upon the first day of January, 1863, he would issue a Proclamation of Emancipation of the slaves in those States engaged in the rebellion, if, in the meantime, they did not return to their alle- gience to the General Government. The rebel States, paying no heed to the note of warning, the proclamation was accordingly issued. Many loyal men throughout the North doubted the pro- priety and even the authority of the President in this matter. Meetings were held approving and denouncing the act throughout the Union. In Springfield a large meeting was held on Sat- urday evening, January 10, 1863, which was ad- journed till Thursday, the 15th, which was ad- dressed by several eminent speakers who had formerly acted with both parties, when the fol- lowing resolutions were adopted:

" Resolved, That in the present condition of our National affairs, and in the existence of the troubles which surround our country, it is the duty of all good citizens cordially to support the National and State Administrations, and that we hereby offer to the Administration of Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, and Richard Yates, Governor of the State of Illinois, our earnest and cordial sup- port in the efforts of their respective Adminis- trations to put down the present most infamous rebellion.

" Resolved, That while we admit that during the present terrible and unjustifiable rebellion it would be impossible for the President of the United States to discharge his duties so as to satisfy all the people of the United States, yet as he is the officer invested with the constitu- tional power to act as the Government in put- ting down the present rebellion, which is seek- ing our overthrow, it becomes the duty of all loyal citizens to strengthen the President's arm for the contest, and to give him that material moral aid and support, regardless of mere party differences of opinion, that will be effectual to put down insurrection and sustain our Govern- ment-and we hold that no man can be regarded as a lover of his country who will not make any

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sacrifice that is needed to sustain the Govern- ment under which he lives.

" Resolved. That it is the first and highest duty of the National Government to crush out the existing rebellion; that our own happiness, prosperity, and power as a people, and the fate of Republican institutions throughout the world are involved in this great issue; and in order to accomplish that result, it is both the right and duty of the Government to use all means recognized by the laws of civilized war- fare.

"Resolved, That the Constitution of our fathers and the irrepealable laws of nature unite ip in- dissoluble bonds the Great Northwest and the mouth of the Mississippi and the eastern sea- board; that we should be ready, if need werc, to crush secession in the east, as in the south; and that we will never consent to a dissolution of the Union, or to an abandonment by the Na- tional Government of its constitutional authority over any, the least portion of our territory.

'Resolved, That we have no terms of compro- mise to propose to rebels in arms; that we should regard propositions by the loyal States for a ces- sation of hostilities as both fruitless and humili- ating, and that any settlement of our National troubles by species of concession to the rebels, or by any mode short of an unconditional suppres- sion of the rebellion, would be an acknowledg- ment of the principle of secession, and would be offering a premium to treason for all time to come.

"Resolved, That the Constitution of the United States confers upon the Government of the same, all the powers necessary to the effectual suppres- sion of the rebellion, and to punish the rebels for a viclation of their allegiance, and to this end it may deprive them of life, liberty or property, if required, in its judgment; and that an im- perious necessity demanded of the President of the United States the issuing of his proclama- tion of freedom to the slaves in rebellious States and parts of States, and we pledge ourselves to sustain him in the same.

"Resolved, That the President, as commander- in-chief of the army, and executive head of the Goverment, has the same undoubted right to suspend the writ of habeas corpus, during an armed rebellion, as General Jackson had to sus- pend that writ in New Orleans; that even if in- dividual cases of hardship have occurred in con- sequence of false information furnished to the Government, which it had good reason to be- lieve to be true, still no thoroughly loyal citizen, who earnestly desires the suppression of the re-

bellion, would seek, for such causes, to create disaffection among the people towards the Gov- ernment, or to make them believe their liberties are in danger; and that we have yet to bear of the first truly loyal man who believes himself in danger of military arrest or imprisonment in the so-called bastiles.

" Resolved, That the late State Government of Virginia, having treasonably abdicated its legit- imate authority, the same devolved upon that portion of her citizens which organized a loyal Government in that section of her territory where they could safely assemble, and that such loyal Government was invested with the whole power of the State of Virginia, and had the rightful authority under the National Constitu- tion, with the sanction of Congress, to consent to the formation of a new State, carved out of its territory.

" Resolved, That the courts of the United States would be wholly inefficient to maintain its authority against rebels in arms, and that the only mode in which the rebellion can be put down is through the military arm of the Gov- ernment, and that the proper duty of our courts is to follow, and not precede, our armies, and that we will hail the day when military aid can be dispensed with in the administration of our affairs, and the civil authority restored to its wonted supremacy.

" Resolved, That the Democratic principle that the frequency of elections and of submission to the will of the people as expressed at the ballot box, dispenses entirely with the necessity of forcible revolution to correct any real or fancied errors of administration, and this fact takes away all excuse for those who seek to inaugurate a state of anarchy or rebellion, and invests their crime with a ten-fold atrocity.

" Resolved, That, the gallant sons of Illinois who have gone forth to fight our battles, have achieved for themselves and their State imper- ishable renown; that the page which shall record their deeds will be among the brightest of our country's history, and having sealed their hatred of treason by the baptism of the battlefield, they will, upon their return, pronounce at the ballot-box their condemnation of all men who have dared to express a covered sympathy with traitors or to denounce the sacred cause for which they have shed their blood."

Among the speakers at the meeting was Colonel Cummings. He said that he appeared before them as a Democrat-always had been and was still a Democrat; but like a certain old Roman, his "voice was still for war." He was

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therefore a war Democrat, and was in favor of pushing the war with the utmost power of the Goverment until the unholy rebellion should be put down and an honorable peace secured. He fully endorsed the resolutions, and if he desired any change in them it would be simply to add "My country, right or wrong." After referring to the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus, and the Emancipation Proclamation, and defend- ing the right of the President to suspend the one and issue the other, the Colonel referred to a suggestion that had found its way into print that New England should be thrown off and a Western Confederacy formed. "Another posi- tion," said he, "occupied by some of these gen- tlemen, is their expressed desire to cast off New England and form a Western Confederacy. And just here I would like to know who of these gentlemen is to be the President of this new Government. This question may be some- what significant as applied to these men. But why cast off New England with all her glorious deeds and memories? The officers and soldiers of New England have done their duty nobly; have done what no one of these gentlemen have done-taken up arms, and on the battlefield de- fended the Government against its traitorous enemies. Witness the devotion of General But- ler, General Banks, and the host of loyal hearts from New England, while traitors, both North and South, have been doing their utmost to destroy the Government, and tell me if New England deserves to be cast out of the Union? In addition to all this, Illinois has reason to be prond of New England, for she gave us that great statesman, that stern and unflinching patriot, Stephen A. Douglas, whose name will live and be honored in Illinois for all time. Besides all this, we have the fraternal greeting of New England to Illinois, at the battle of Fort Donelson:

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History of Sangamon 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 50

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing company Number of Pages: 1084

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing company
Number of Pages: 1084