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 57

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 57

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"In an interview with the President (Juarez), at which was present the Secretary of the Treas- ury, I urged upon him the importance to their Government of availing themselves of your proposition, and represented to them the open violation of the laws of neutrality long con- tinued on this frontier, in furnishing the rebels with arms, ammunition, and all supplies of war; and that the continuance of this trade through their territory was not calculated to increase the good-will which yourself, as well as the great body of the people felt, in this country, for the Mexican nation in its struggle for nationality.

" The President replied that no trade in ar- ticles contraband of war should hereafter be car- ried on, and that such trade heretofore had been the work of Governor Vidanri, in contravention of orders from the Supreme Government; but as for the seizure of cotton in Mexico, for reasons already given, that could not be done.

"A few days after, I requested an andience with General Negrete, the Minister of War, to whom I stated that, as he was a soldier, I should speak more freely. *

** *% I represented to him the injury done us by the immense supplies

of material of war which had been openly car- ried into the hands of the rebels, through Meta- moras and Monterey, and that so far as we could see there had been no diminution of these sup- plies; that such trade could but be offensive; that both cities were filled with rebel agents and spies, some of them wearing the rebel uniform; that they had been allowed to establish a newspaper at Monterey, to misrepre- sent and malign our government; that commis- sioners had been received and treated with about the cotton trade; that this cotton be- longed to the rebel Government, notwithstand- ing any flimsy pretense of ownership on the part of private owners * I represented * *

the friendly feeling existing in our country to- wards his; * and asked him, if the cotton should be seized by force, * if his Gov- ernment would consider the seizure an act of hostility? His reply was, 'We would have to make a great outcry about it, but not a musket should be fired .? "

Colonel Haynes adds that intelligence of the object of his mission having in some way trans- pired, it was jealously and actively opposed by interested agents waiting about the government.

General McClernand left Brownsville on the 8th with the intention of early returning and re- suming the work which he had commenced or projected at that place, and arrived at Matagorda on the 9th.

On the 17th, an order came from General Banks to General McClernand, much to the sur- prise of the latter, that he should hasten with re- inforcements and report to former, wherever he should be found on the Red river. Crossing the Gulf with the First Division of the Thirteenth Corps, to New Orleans, General McClernand learned there the details of the failure of the Red river expedition, and the fearful decimation of a detatchment of that corps as one of its calam- itous incidents. Re-embarking at New Orleans on river transports, he arrived at Alexandria, Louisiana, with the First Division about night- fall of the 24th, and immediately reported the fact to General Banks, who welcomed him in terms of surprise and compliment. The same night he disembarked his forces and marched to the front. Fortunately, he arrived in time to assist in the work of averting further disaster.

On the 26th, he advanced his forces, and cov- ered the retreat of a cavalry picket, of which he caused report to be made to General Banks, as also of his purpose to accept or force an en- gagement with their pursuers. General Banks at first sent a message of approval, but followed

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it by another, ordering General MeClernand to fall back with his forces to a defensive line quite near Alexandria. Had this engagement trans- pired, there is persuasive reason to believe that it would have issued in a victory, reversing the current of the campaign, and redeeming its character, for it was a fact, subsequently ascer- tained, that only a portion of the rebel forces lingered about Alexandria, while the rest had been sent in two detachments-one to co-operate with General Price in Arkansas, the other to cut our communication by water below Alexandria. Beating the force lingering about Alexandria, we could have turned upon the one descending by the right bank of the river, and beaten it also, and then have marched into Texas to meet General McGruder, or into Arkansas to co-op- erate with General Steele against Price at our discretion. In other words, opportunity served for a venture to cut off the enemy's forces in de- tail. This was in accordance with the spirit of the General's part in the great campaign upon the Cumberland, the Tennessee, the Arkansas, and Mississippi. Without daring, great oppor- tunities are sometimes lost.

The evacuation of 'Alexandria was now, no doubt, in the contemplation of General Banks, but an obstacle presented itself, which deeply agitated the minds of all. The Red river was subsiding, and the Mississippi Flotilla, moored above the rapids near Alexandria, unless it was extricated before the evacuation took place, must be left to fall into the hands of the enemy. Such a catastrophe would have sent a shudder through the minds of all loyal men. It engaged General McClernand's anxieties, in common with those of the whole army; and, although he was now confined to his tent by severe sickness, he lent his co-operation, through the skill and energy of his pioneer corps and a regiment of Wisconsin infantry in the work of extrication, which was finally crowned with success, amid great joy.

About the 12th of May, the curtain dropped upon the painful scene of evacuation, and the gunboats and the army started on their doleful return to the Mississippi. At the same time General McClernand was carried on stretchers on board a transport. already crowded with the sick and wounded, and accompanying female nurses, started down the Red river for New Orleans. Intelligence of the boat and of the identity of the boat carrying him, had in some way as was subsequently learned, reached the rebels, who waylaid the boat for some distance and fired into it from the cover of trees and

houses. The pilot was wounded and replaced by another, and men and women terrified by the danger, resorted to the General lying helpless on his cot, with an appeal to order the colors to be struck, and the boat to be landed and surren- dered. Instead, he ordered that a wall of boxes, beds, and chairs should be raised on the guards and about the pilot house as a defense, and that the boat should continue her passage until she escaped or went to the bottom. This ended the question of surrender, and the boat kept on her way to Fort de Russe, where the General was transferred to a hospital boat and carried to New Orleans. For a while after his arrival there, his physicians despairing of his recovery, he beckoned them to him and whispered: "Take courage, I am not dead yet, but with help will recover." He lingered there, however, until the 12th of June, when he was borne on stretchers to a steamer and carried by it to Illinois.

When he had so far recovered as to be able to resume service, he asked to be re-assigned to duty in the field or permitted to raise and command a special corps to itinerate the Mississippi between St. Louis and New Orleans on armed steamers, for the purpose of protecting the commerce of that river, and to relieve and remit to their several organizations in the field the multitude of garrisons disposed along that river. Waiting for a reply and receiving none, on the twenty- eighth of July he tendered his resignation, but failing to be assigned to duty and the tender of his resignation not being accepted, he renewed the latter in November, 1865, putting it upon the ground, among others, that he was "unwilling to retain an office without opportunity to exercise its functions." His resignation was finally ac- cepted.

Thus ceasing his connection with the military service, he addressed himself to the task of regulating his private affairs, and in 1870 re- sumed the practice of the law. In the same year he was invited by the Legal Bar of Springfield to become a candidate for Judge of the Circuit Court, and, accepting the invitation, was elected to that station without opposition.

As Judge he evinced the same qualities of diligence and readiness that had characterized him as a commander. His learning, abilities, and impartiality were admitted; and clearing the docket, encumbered with cases which had been accumulating for years, he ceased his judicial functions in June, 1873.

In 1876, as President of the Democratic Na- tional Convention at St. Louis, he delivered an address which, for both style and matter, was

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much admired and commended; and in 1878, as marshal of the day, he conducted the ceremonies which signalized the transfer of the colors and battle flags of the Illinois Volunteers from the old Arsenal to the hall prepared for their re- ception in the new State House, and on the same occasion delivered an eloquent address.

THE BEGINNING OF THE END.

On Monday morning, April 3, 1865, at eight o'clock, General Weitzel entered the city of Richmond, at the head of his troops, it having been evacuated by the rebels the day previous. The news was quickly flashed over the wires, and before night of that day it was known all over the land that Richmond was ours, and the final victory was near at hand. Richmond, the seat of rebel power, the stronghold of rebel armies, after having been fortified by every ap- pliance of skill and science, and having with- stood all the assaults of the Union armies for four years-had at last fallen !

There was great rejoicing in every city, vil- lage and hamlet throughout the country, and nowhere more so than in the homes of the loyal citizens of Sangamon county. But this was only the beginning of the good news. Every suc- ceeding day brought the cheering news that other rebel strongholds had fallen; thousands of pris- oners had been captured, and the rebels had been disheartened. No one doubted the dark war cloud had been pierced by the sunlight of peace.

On Sunday, April 9, General Lee surrendered his entire army to General Grant, and on the morning of the 10th, the State Journal celebra- ted the victory in startling head lines, as follows:

VICTORY!

GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST.

PEACE AND GOOD WILL.

THE BEGINNING OF THE END.

LEE SURRENDERED.

HIS WHOLE ARMY CAPTURED.

LAST ACT IN THE GRAND DRAMA.

THE UNION TRIUMPHANT. - TREASON CRUSHED.

A mass meeting was called, in the following terms, for Monday evening, to celebrate the vic- tories:

"The loyal citizens of Springfield and vicinity who rejoice over the recent success of the Union armies in Virginia, and their triumph over the hosts of treason and rebellion, and who would do honor to the names of Grant, Sheridan, and their brave compeers, whether officers or sol- diers, and to all others, both of the army and navy, who have contributed in any way to those glorious successes, are invited to assemble at the State House, this (Monday) evening, April 10, for the purpose of commemorating the capture of Richmond and the brilliant victories lately won. Let the thunder of the cannon, the ring- ing of the bells, the brilliant display of fire- works, processions, music, bon-fires and illumin- ations test the joy of the people.

"There will be speaking in the Representa- tive Hall and the rotunda of the State House, by the following gentlemen: Governor Oglesby, General Isham N. Haynie, IIon. Shelby M. Cul- lom, Colonel James H. Matheny, Hon. James C. Conkling, Hon. William H. Herndon, John E. Rosette, Charles S. Zane and E. L. Gross.

"Let all turn out to do honor to our 'brave boys in blue,' and exchange congratulations in view of a speedy return of permanent peace, with the Union preserved, the Constitution vindicated, rebellion punished and freedom triumphant."

When the foregoing call was issued it was not known that General Lee had surrendered, although the call and the news of the surrender were published in the same paper. As soon as the fact was known, however, at a very early hour Monday morning, all business came to a standstill; flags leaped as if by magic from pub- lic buildings and private residences all over the city. One hour later, and the business houses about the square were principally closed, and almost the entire population sought the square and public thoroughfares to congratulate each other on the glorious news that came borne on the wires from Old Virginia. Another hour and the excitement became intense; the enthusiasm of the citizens knew no bounds, and their feel- ings found expression in hurrahs and songs, pro- cessions of various kinds, and to make the scene more joyous, the church and fire bells rang a merry peal, which was kept up for some hours, until the whole air was filled with the many sounds of a general jubilee. Flags were attached to houses, horses vehicles, hats, coats, and finally almost every place where a flag could be displayed. Flags were seen upon houses where they were never seen before. The enthusiasm was contagious.

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

At about 2 o'clock the Pioneer Fire Depart- ment, preceded by a band of music, the Pioneer Hose Company, the Journal Cart, with a fine escort with flags, and the Star of the West Hose Company, appeared in procession upon the streets and marched around the square and through several of the principal streets. This was an impromptu procession and attracted con- siderable attention.

During the afternoon a novel sight appeared upon the public square, which elicited shouts and the applause of the multitude. The show consisted of a large mule covered with a blanket, bearing the inscriptions, on one side, "Jeff Davis' Last Ride," and on the other "Jeff Davis and Snit," while over the tail of the animal hung the inscription, "Lee's End." Upon the mule was mounted an individual personating Jeff Davis, and by his side walked an attendant in mask and wearing ragged regimentals, fol- lowed by a forlorn looking escort. Shouts arose from every quarter where Jeff and his attendant passed. There also appeared a company in black masks, headed by a "six foot" fellow in a blue mask, on horseback, who marched his brigade from point to point, much to the amuse- ment of the crowd. Hacks, buggies, wagons and drays, filled with a joyous, jubilant set of fellows, waving flags, singing, and shonting, were driven around the square.

The square was profusely ornamented with flags and drapery of red, white, and blue. Among the most conspicuous houses decorated were those of Stuart & Lutz, Matheny & Co., C. M. Smith & Co., J. Thayer & Co., R. F. Ruth, E. B. Hawley & Co., Kimber & Ragsdale, C. A. Gehrman, John Williams & Co., and

Hammerslough Bros. The headquarters of Ad- jutant General Haynie, Marshal Keys, and Cap- tain Campbell were most beautifully decorated with flags. Governor Oglesby displayed from his mansion the gallant Eighth regiment flag, under which he and his regiment fought at Fort Donelson. From the former residence of Pres- ident Lincoln, a splendid flag was displayed.

At about four o'clock the Twenty-fourth Mich- igan regiment arrived from Camp Butler, under command of Brigadier General Morrow, and marched around the square, preceded by the splendid post band of Camp Butler, and after- wards paraded the State House yard, where they were addressed by Governor Oglesby and Brig- adier General Morrow.

About half-past six o'clock, a salute of twenty guns was fired, after which there was a grand display of fireworks. Immediately after the

fireworks, the Fire Department hid a grand parade and torchlight procession, in which all the companies of the Fire Department joined, also a large number of the Fenian Brotherhood, wearing their badges and carrying a banner which elicited the admiration of all. "Old Bob," a splendid old horse of dark bay color, with the eye of an eagle, swelling nostrils, and a proud and elastic step, formerly the property of President Lincoln, was led in the procession by a colored groom. He attracted a large share of attention, from the fact that he had carried President Lincoln many hundred miles during his political campaign. "Old Bob" sported a rich blanket of red, white, and blue, thickly studded with flags, and bearing the inscription, "Old Abe's Horse." The flags were nearly all secured by the people as mementoes.

About 8 o'clock a large and enthusiastie meet- ing was held at Representatives' Hall, addressed by those mentioned in the call. Never was such enthusiasm and joy manifested as on this oc- casion. The day will long be remembered by the citizens of Springfield.

The general Government now issued orders to stop drafting and recruiting, believing the war to be almost at an end. General Johnston with his command was the only considerable force our army now had to contend. True, scattered detachments of rebel forces were throughout the South, but the number was small. After considerable negotiations, Johnston surrendered his forces on the 28th day of April, on the same terms granted to Lee.

ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN.

Amid all the rejoicing over the evacuation of Richmond, the capture of Lee, and other Union victories, the startling intelligence was flashed across the continent that President Lincoln was assassinated. Instantly every expression of joy vanished, and sorrow filled the hearts of all. Abraham Lincoln, the great, the noble and good, struck down by the hand of an assassin! The news was too dreadful to believe, and each hoped against hope there was some mistake in the in- telligence. The news was received in Spring- field at a very early hour on the morning of the 15th of April, and spread rapidly through the city .. Citizens began to gather upon the streets, listening to the dispatches, or discussing the horrible details. The minds of loyal men and women were overwhelmed with mingled horror and sorrow, in view of the event which had de- deprived them of a valuable friend and former townsman, and the Nation of an honored and

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patriotic President. Before 8 o'clock the news had spread generally through the city. The business houses which had been opened were, by common consent, closed almost immediately, and the stillness of the Sabbath prevailed, ex- cept as indicated in the anxious faces and hur- ried inquiries upon the streets.

As soon as the telegraph office opened, the anxiety to procure further details became in- tense, and the appearance of the bulletins was awaited with impatient and eager interest. Soon came the intelligence that the President was dead. All feared the worst, but still clung to hope. The announcement fell with a crushing weight upon all loyal hearts, though all had rea- son to expect the event. By-and-bye there came a rumor that Secretary Seward was dead also. All felt that the Nation had suffered the loss of two of its noblest leaders. Then came the rumor that Booth, the assassin of the President, had been captured. This, though unconfirmed, gave great satisfaction. In the afternoon the intelligence came that Mr. Seward was not dead, and that his wounds were not considered mortal. This relieved, to some extent, the painful anxiety that pressed upon all.

Soon after the death of President Lincoln be- came known, the principal business houses were draped in mourning. Flags were draped and placed at half mast, and various other emblems of the general sorrow were displayed. Among the buildings draped were the State House, and offices of the different State officers; the head- quarters of General Cook, commanding the dis- trict, of General Oakes, Assistant Provost Mar- shal General of the State, and of Captain Keyes, Provost Marshal of the District; the hall of the Fenian Brotherhood and Union League; the Postoffice, the chambers of the City Coun- cil, all the business houses on the public square and principal streets, the principal hotels, churches, the houses of the different fire compa- nies, newspaper offices and the Soldiers' Home. In many cases black was gracefully intertwined with white or the National colors. Much the larger portion of private houses were similarly draped, or bore some emblem of mourning. The bells of the different churches and engine honses were tolled during the morning. At the State Arsenal the cannon were tastefully draped with the American flag, and over the entrance the stars and stripes were artistically arranged and draped in mourning, whilst from the flag- staff floated a dark colored pennant at half mast. The whole city presented a funeral aspect, as if the Death Angel had taken a member from

every family. Never was there a day of such universal solemnity and sadness seen in this or any other city.

A meeting of the City Council was held in the morning, and in response to a call issned in the course of the forenoon, a very large and solemn meeting of citizens assembled at the State House to take into consideration the ter- rible calamity that had befallen the city and Nation. At 12 o'clock, m., the meeting was called to order by Hon. S. M. Cullom, who said:

" Fellow- Citizens :- We are met together to mourn over a great calamity. Abraham Lin- coln, your fellow citizen, who went out from this city four years ago, called by the American people to preside over the Nation, is no more. He has been stricken down by the hands of a dastardly, bloody assassin. In view of the long acquaintance, and the sympathy existing be- tween that great and good man and our fellow citizen, J. K. Dubois, I nominate him to preside over our meeting."

The nomination was unanimously confirmed by the meeting, and upon assuming the chair, Mr. Dubois spoke briefly and pertinently, allud- ing to the long and friendly intercourse between himself and the lamented dead.

The following named were chosen Vice Pres- idents of the meeting: Stephen T. Logan, John Williams, William F. Elkin, Elijah Iles, N. H. Ridgely, E. B. Hawley, Thomas Condell, James L. Lamb, Gershom Jayne, Richard Latham, A. G. Herndon, Rev. Albert Hale, and Rev. J. G. Bergen. For Secretaries, were chosen James C. Conkling, E. L. Baker, and E. L. Merritt.

John T. Stuart addressed the audience, con- doling with it upon the deep grief which had befallen the American people, and relating some interesting circumstances connected with his last interview with the martyr President. On his motion, the following-named were appointed a Committee on Resolutions: John T. Stuart, S. M. Cullom, S. H. Treat, Milton Hay, Law- rence Weldon, William Jayne, O. M. Hatch, B. S. Edwards, and Alexander Starne. The com- mittee, thereupon, after retiring a few minutes, reported the following, which were adopted:

"WHEREAS, We have learned by telegraph from the City of Washington of the assassina- tion of President Lincoln;

"AND, WHEREAS, We, his neighbors and friends, regard his death as a great and irreparable Na- tional calamity.

" Resolved, therefore, That we, his neighbors and friends, without distinction of party, forget- ting all past differences of opinion, unite in

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

solemn accord in the expression of our deep sympathy for his family, his friends, our coun- try, and the peace of mankind, for this his nn- timely death, in this hour of our country's struggle, when were to be called into exercise those high qualities of head and heart which have endeared him as a man, and made him distinguished as a President.

" Resolved, That since the unexampled success of our arms, we have with patriotie pride be- held indications upon the part of Mr. Lincoln of a policy of restoration and reunion, in the consummation of which the peace of the coun- try and the wonted National integrity would again be restored to our stricken Union.

" Resolved, That in this National bereavement it is the duty of all good citizens to rely with confidence and hope on the over-ruling Provi- dence of God, preserve calmness, and faithfully submit and adhere to the sovereign laws of the land.

" Resolved, That, inasmuch as this city has for a long time been the home of the President, in which he has graced with his kindness of heart and honesty of purpose all the relations of life, it is appropriate that its 'city of the dead' should be the final resting place of all that on earth remains of him that is mortal, and to this end we respectfully request the appointment of a committee on the part of the City Council, to act in conjunction with the Governor of the State, with a view of bringing his remains for interment."

The City Council, at a called meeting, passed the following resolutions:

"WHEREAS, A sad and deplorable calamity has befallen the Nation in the violent death of Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States,

" WHEREAS, It becomes us, a people, to bow solemnly in awe to the mysterious dispensations of Providence; and,

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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 57

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